Well known Vancouver Sun columnist Pete McMartin provided Keremeos with some accolades in one of his recent columns.
The award winning journalist recently wrote a column in which he discussed neighbourhood reactions in Prince George to a proposed woman’s addiction treatment centre.
McMartin contrasted the “not-in-my-backyard” reaction to the Prince George proposal to the way Keremeos residents responded to the establishment of the youth addictions treatment facility known as The Crossing, located six kilometres west of Keremeos.
McMartin sang high praises of Keremeos residents reaction to the facility, which was established in 2009.
“I think I can also say that rather than encounter the kind of ‘not in my backyard’ attitude with which all of us are so familiar, the program proponents were welcomed by an enlightened and open-minded community. And that has proved to the benefit of everyone and most especially the residents who have committed to turning around their lives,” wrote Central City Director Peter Spencer, describing to McMartin the initial public reaction to The Crossing’s beginnings.
McMartin went on to describe the village’s proactive dealings with substance abuse issues:
“Little Keremeos had its own education on substance abuse committee. It was engaged on keeping its residents and children aware of the dangers of drug abuse.”
McMartin also noted other positive aspects of The Crossing’s location in the Similkameen:
“The Crossing became a source of employment for locals, with about half of the 40 staff members coming from Keremeos. In a more charitable vein, residents began to volunteer their services. A local gardening club teaches the kids how to garden. Local musicians give them music lessons. The town regularly tries to include the residents in local activities, and has invited them to speak to local kids about their experiences and the dangers of addiction.”
McMartin’s column appears regularly in the Vancouver Sun. To read more, please see:
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Little+Keremeos+holds+valuable+lesson+humanity+NIMBYites+among/7756515/story.html#ixzz2HJZvnBdW
html#ixzz2HJYmutB3