Become part of the solution

Dear editor: So Mission Group president Randy Shier says “There is a Kelowna Effect”, and "is heavily investing in downtown, building low-rise condos at Central Green, the 20storey Ella condo at the corner of Ellis Street and Lawrence Avenue, and three retail-office-condo towers along Bernard Avenue where the Bargain Shop was.

Shier also referenced homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness as issues that have to be addressed downtown. However, he hopes the three levels of government and non-profit agencies can solve those problems, while Mission Group remains bullish on downtown and continues building."

Charming. He feels he can cherry pick the positive attributes of living downtown so his company can profit while leaving the heavy lifting of city building to government and NGOs.

Sorry to burst your bubble Mr. Shier, but demonstrating responsible civic leadership means taking on the bad as well as the good. Just what has the Mission Group done to address these social issues and help alleviate the suffering and harm that gentrification brings with it ?

Our chamber of commerce and their associated businesses need to learn that if they're not part of the solution, then they are still part of the problem.

Big business has to be engaged with the communities from which they profit. They need to get down in the trenches alongside care providers and contribute to the grunt work with time, money, resources and a commitment to addressing these issues, both in the short and long term. Not just when they're bringing their latest development to market. Richard Rafton Kelowna