A motion regarding forming an Encampment Advisory committee was passed during Monday night's meeting of Chatham-Kent council.
The motion, brought forward by Councillor Michael Bondy, garnered huge support with ten deputations supporting his motion.
Bondy’s initial motion was to form an Encampment Executive Committee, which would comprise council, residents from the encampment area, area business owners and/or operators, and administrative personnel from the municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK).
“The real purpose of the motion was to give the residents and the business people in the affected area a voice and have their concerns heard because they haven't been heard at all. It's been utter silence. Well, there hasn't been silence, it's been deaf ears,” said Bondy.
He added that this committee will generate a conversation.
“These folks that live there, they would just hear this is what's been decided, whereas now they're going to be involved in that conversation and formulating the policy, and that to me is key,” Bondy continued. “That's the most important part of this thing, that a conversation has to be had, and we haven't for three months now. There has been no conversation. It's been one side says this, one side says that, and then council makes a recommendation or council acts on a recommendation.”
The motion was seconded by Councillor Melissa Harrigan with a friendly amendment, and Councillor Rhonda Jubenville added to the motion.
Harrigan expanded the motion, adding that the committee be established to facilitate transparent communication between the municipality and community at large.
Jubenville added a fifth group for representation, community groups and persons with lived and living expertise, as well as adding that the staff return to council with draft terms and references for council to approve the establishment of a pilot Encampment Advisory committee.
Bondy was surprised to get the support he did last night.
“I don't usually have that kind of success rate, it's like, holy smokes, when I lose, I lose big and when I win, I win big,” said Bondy.
The amended motion was passed by council 18-0.
