Letter: Residents Write

We are writing in responce to a recent letter written by a gentlmen who was forced to evacuate from his home during last summers fire. We found your letter rather insulting and offensive. You as a fire victim should be able to relate to the frustration, stress and personal anguish that we tenants from the Hoghelaga, are being faced with. Imagine being told you have two days to find a new home, without help, and in a time were vacancies come slim to none. We are in negotation with owners of the Hoghelaga building, and hope to come to a resolution that will be just. We are not asking for the taxpayers to support us, we are asking for support from our community.

To the readers, please keep in mind that a lot of the tenants of the Hoghelaga are retired citizens, students and people of low income. We never asked for this to happen, nor did we expect to, we just want our homes back.

We would to the thank the ESS (Emergency Special Services) and Beryl Itani for their help in the evacuation process and for all the extra time and effort put into helping all the residents of the Hochelaga.

-Jason Wills, Chris Wills, and Crystal Hill


To the editor:
Excuse me but the letter from the gentlemen that states he takes offence to the fires of last summer being compared to the apartment fire, contradicts his own words. I was a volunteer and spoke to hundreds of evacuees during the fires and a good portion of them refused hotel, grocery vouchers, or financial handouts from the funding so someone more in need could have the funding. Most of them did not seek assistance of any kind for their evacuation. The contradiction is made when he states that most home policies cover out of home expenses. Then why was funding needed for the evacuation? Are these not considered out of home expenses? As a taxpayer, why should we be obligated to help someone who has inadequate insurance or suffers a loss?

I believe that when members of our community are in need, we should not lay blame and ridicule, but work together. I as a taxpayer I do feel that when crisis happens, we should step forward and help our neighbors. We do not foresee tragedy like like last years' fire and now the recent apartment fire. This is the time when community support should be all the more crucial. I donated money and time to the fire relief fund and if the attitude as a taxpayer is one of why should I be obligated to help another, but yet have received assistance, then I think we should look hard at ourselves and our role within our community. You received emotional support, financial assistant, and yes it is your obligation to give back to the community. Pay it forward!!!

-Sandy Zendran