GNG Provides Update On Latest Activities
“You have got to remember this group of concerned citizens is about the community as a whole and everyone in it,” Carolyn Ross spokesperson for the Good Neighbours Group (GNG) told MJ Independent.
“There is no line in the sand here it’s for the health and safety of community and essentially saving lives,” she said.
“I believe people saw reason for concern but they didn’t know what to do.”
Ross had contacted MJ Independent to update where GNG is with their efforts to make Moose Jaw a better place.
CAROLYN ROSS ADDRESSES THE FEBRUARY 25TH TOWN HALL - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO
Coming as a result of the February 25th Town Hall there were a number of action items.
MEETING WITH CITY OFFICIALS
Action items which including sitting down with city manager Maryse Carmichael and Mayor Clive Tolley.
“We had some really good discussion and some of the topics we talked about was the graffiti, vandalism and the impact on the community when it’s left. The appearance of the Downtown the streets, sidewalks and public parking lots,” Ross said.
One of the solutions mentioned by Ross was bringing back Fine Options as a means to help keep the Downtown clean.
“Maybe we can look at bringing that back to our community.”
Ross said something needs to be done in order to assure the economic future of the Downtown.
“What’s going to happen when we lose the $85 million in tourism revenue?” she asked. “That’s the low end of what tourism brings to our community annually.”
GNG made plans to meet back with the Mayor and city manager on a more regular basis.
MEETING WITH THE POLICE
GNG also met with Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) chief Rick Bourassa and two commissioners on the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners
The meeting with the chief and commissioners included how they could better explain their initiatives to the business owners.
“The business owners stated at the meeting from the Town Hall didn’t know these programs existed,“ Ross said.
PEOPLE SLEEP IN A DOWNTOWN ATM - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO
The meeting also included talk about graffiti, crime and vandalism.
“We encouraged the foot patrol, relationship building by the foot patrol officers. You know get out there speak to people and then a future meeting moving forward.”
Ross said the group had made some strides in their efforts, as you will now see foot patrols by the police most notably around the library and downtown core.
“The businesses are reporting the officers are coming in and chatting with them. And listening to their concerns so that’s a good thing,” Ross said.
COLLABORATIVE MEETING
The business owners and their employees wanted to have a collaboration meeting.
On Monday evening the Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce, MJPS, the Downtown Moose Jaw Association as well businesses and employees.
“It was a really, really positive meeting…discussion there was a lot of discussion around what we can do moving forward. How can we work together as one.”
A NEW BYLAW
As a result of Monday evening’s meeting a number of action items were developed.
One of the action items that came forward with to lobby Council to adopt a bylaw that supports businesses, citizens, and the safety of the community.
The second action item is petition to City Council to hold a public meeting regarding Souls Harbour.
The third action item was asking the City to return to the pre-pandemic operating hours of being open to the public.
GNG is creating a template letter asking people to fill it out and then send it off to the Mayor and Council regarding the return of operating hours, accessible to the public.
A FORM LETTER GNG IS REQUESTING PEOPLE TO FILL IN THE BLANKS AND EMAIL
The Bylaw requested aims to help ensure people with mental health or addiction problems they need.
“We’re not drawing a line in the sand. This is about everybody,” Ross said.
At the present time GNG is actively collecting signatures for there two petitions - a bylaw and public meeting.
Regarding meeting with the mayor and city manager GNG is hoping to sit down and discuss issues on a two month schedule.
MEETING WITH MLA
Additionally GNG is meeting with Tim MacLeod to discuss the issues.
“I think by going public and getting things out there it is just going to encourage everyone to come together. And work together for that ultimate goal of a safer community and ultimately saving lives.
MENTAL ILLNESS
Ross was asked how much mental illness was seen Downtown.
“A lot. I personally walk around downtown every morning every morning and I see it. There’s a lot. There is definitely a lot and we need to (do something about it.)”
She made mention of stats “of how every dollar spent on recovery it’s a six dollar benefit.”
“We have got some really great organizations in this community that are doing really good things. But they’re caught almost in a cycle and we’re not all coming together for that ultimate goal of the community.”
Ross said she thinks a major part of the solution is getting everybody together and working towards a common goal. The goal is a safer community in Moose Jaw.
“It’s about saving lives.”
