Dear Mayor and Aldermen

At the council meeting of January 22, 1979 the impression
was left ty some members on council that the residents of
the Grant Avenue area were completely against the home for
ex-Riverview patients. Thig was and still is untrue.
Aldermen Traboulay referred to the residents as quote "A
bunch of Archie Bunkers" unauote. It wag a lack of proper
information that broucht the regidents out. The unknown for
enyone is almost always feared, No public relations were
done anc I strongly recommend that in the future this is
considered before it is btrouzht to a council meeting for a
vote on a license being granted. °

Most residents were rot completely azainst the home for
ex-Riverview patients but wanted to know if and how it
would affect them and their children. This is not too

much to ask. If anyone cares about the area they live in
and want to be proud of it, naturally they should be able
to participate and at least state their views without teing
called names.

A meeting was arranged by me on January 28, 1979 and approxi-
mately 25 area residents turned out. This could hsve been
done before all this hassle, and saved council and everyore

a lot of time.

Mary Kendall and Mrs. Burton spoke at the meeting and stated
they would only be having up to four patients to begin with
and only one or two would be brouzht in at first (after the
home was made ready - approximately 6 weeks). Their stay
probably would be a minimum of 3 months up to 1 or 2 years,
This way the patients and the residents would hopefully have
a chance to vet to know one another aradually, and vork as

& community sroup. Mrs. Burton would be hiring help so
there would be supervision in and out of the home. All fire
regulations would be met for the safety of the patients

They would have their own rooms and would be taught personal
care as well as home making etc.

The residents of Grant Avenue are still of mixed optonicns,
concerning the care and supervision of the patients, oased
on the information given at the meetinc,

I think a cublic apology is in order to the area residents
People should not be called rames just because they question
another's views and ideas and wish more information on a

matter.

LATE

RECEIVED AT:

se
dread Onn EER

sounab tL 2.9. 1929

enkmroy for civing us a chance to ret more information
— are ug have a gay in our neishbourhood.

Ross Deegan

am