‘We should talk this out’
Bridges director stung by comments Cambridge councillor made regarding state of shelter area
Wayne Paddick took the words personally.
The executive director of the Bridges admits he got his back up when he was sent a screen shot of comments by Cambridge Coun. Adam Cooper last week on the Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page, a page Cooper helped start, about litter that surrounds the men’s homeless shelter on Simcoe Street.
Cooper stated the Bridges needed to clean up its act, and its “go-to” excuse that the sidewalk outside their property is not their responsibility was getting old. He also stated the Bridges was not being a good neighbour and Paddick made complaints to the city and “false accusations of harassment” when questioned by Cooper.
The Ward 6 councillor added taxpayers are paying the bill for the cleanup.
“This is the type of unfortunate behaviour and attitude that has garnered their facility a terrible reputation throughout our community despite some of their services being necessary to our community,” the post said.
Cooper said he wasn’t available for comment about his post prior to deadline.
While Paddick was upset after initially seeing the comments, as he felt his integrity and the ability of his leadership team was questioned, he admitted his wife talked him down.
“All comments are good. It sparks change, it means that we’re not satisfied with status quo,” Paddick said.
“None of us are happy with the state of homelessness or the mess on the other side of the fence line, or what’s going on. If it sparks change or it sparks progress, then his comments are necessary. They
need to spark a revival or get the juices flowing in the community.”
Paddick said, for the most part, when he goes out and asks those responsible for the mess to clean up, they comply. He said there are some, though, that shun authority.
“They don’t give a flying fadoo about anything. But most of the guys keep the space clean and our staff will do a cleanup out there,” he said.
However, residents unhappy with the garbage outside the Bridges don’t understand it’s a safety risk and insurance issue for employees and volunteers to do the clean-up themselves, Paddick said, especially if they get pricked by a needle or try and defuse an altercation not on the property.
He added the people hanging around the property are usually those that are no longer allowed in for breaking rules, but will stay on the fringes of the land in the hopes someone will sneak food out to them. But that area is city property.
“When you have somebody from the city’s leadership kind of criticize that, it’s frustrating for me because I have a plan with the mayor how we’re going to do this. Obviously, that plan hasn’t been disseminated or someone just doesn’t want to hear it,” he said.
An email from a city spokesperson stated the city supports clean-up efforts for areas outside of the Bridges property and “are currently in the process of hiring for two staff positions that support this important work.”
Currently, Paddick said, he’s met with everyone on council and offered a tour to talked about the Bridges mission, except Cooper. That’s not on purpose, he said, it’s just their schedules haven’t coincided. To try and rectify that, he’s reached out to have a coffee with Cooper and discuss what’s being done at the shelter.
“We should get together and talk this out as opposed to kind of taking it to our platforms.”
Funny enough, Paddick said, he expected a mess outside the facility Tuesday morning after a long weekend but was pleasantly surprised to see the streets clean. That proved his point that timing is everything, he said.
Bylaw usually comes to the Bridges two or three times a week and gives a warning to people on the sidewalk, Paddick said. They will also make trips over when called. Bylaw are dispatched more often near the end of the month when people are running out of money, he added.
Paddick said he has tried to maintain a good relationship with bylaw, as, in the past, there was more of an us-versus-them feeling on both sides.
There is a feeling in the city the Bridges should move to another location as the city tries to add development and “clean up” the downtown, Paddick said.
He admitted he is trying to put together a study with the city and MPP Brian Riddell about whether their current location, which they are outgrowing, is the best place to be.
“If we move the shelter things will get better. Is that the case? I don’t know,” Paddick said, adding the are 80 to 90 people currently staying at the Bridges, about 20 at the former Kinsmen Children’s Centre building on Concession Road and sometimes others will be placed at the Super 8 on Hespeler Road.
“I have to think about what’s in their best interests first and foremost.”
In the end, he wants to bury the hatchet with Cooper.
“Hopefully we can be better and develop that working relationship.”