By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Two long-serving Chatham councillors have been chosen to serve on the municipality’s newly formed Encampment Advisory Committee.
Marjorie Crew and Michael Bondy were named to the committee by council in an acclamation of sorts at the Feb. 9 council meeting. The two were the only councillors remaining after four other councillors who had been interested withdrew their names.
Council also appointed other community members to the committee with names gleaned from an application process. Joseph Vandermeer, Claire McDowell, Renee Geniole, Meghan Bradley, Andrew Thiel and Lynn O’Brien are on the roster, along with C-K director of housing Kim Crew and health and human services general manager Jodi Guilmette.
The idea of forming the Encampment Advisory Committee came about last November, following the relocation of the downtown homeless encampment to the greenspace at the C-K water treatment plant on Grand Avenue East in Chatham. The move sparked a backlash from residents and business owners worried about the impact of drug addiction and crime on the neighbourhood.
The terms of reference for the committee state that the body must include people with lived experience, as well as members of the Northside Neighbours Association, homeowners who live near the current encampment. Its goal is to fairly represent stakeholders and to ensure transparency in communication.
According to Chatham-Kent communications co-ordinator Eric Labadie, next steps for the committee include setting up a first meeting and agenda. Updates will be provided to council as they become avail
