Merritt Mayor requests apology from B.C. Housing for absence during public meeting

Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz is demanding an apology from B.C. Housing for both it’s absence and reasoning for not attending a public meeting held on Thursday Sept. 5th in regards to the pending relocation of the city’s homeless shelter to the Knights Inn on Nicola Ave.

Local residents jammed the Merritt Civic Centre during the open house to hear from city officials and staff to voice their concerns about the new location of the new shelter after the former shelter was closed due to it’s “deplorable state” back in August.

Conspicuous by their absence,  B.C. Housing did not send a presentative to the meeting siting “safety concerns for officials” which drew a huge jeer from the crowd.

Following the meeting Mayor Goetz issued a letter chastising B.C. Housing for what he called the reasoning for not attending “insulting” to the citizens of Merritt.

“I am writing today to ask for an apology for the Citizens of Merritt. Last night September 05/2024 we had a town hall regarding the move of the Merritt homeless shelter from its current location over to the Knight Inn 2702 Nicola Ave.

As you are aware these meetings can be somewhat loud but are necessary for the local people about to be impacted by this decision as well as the rest of the City, I was very disappointed not to see any representation by your Ministry to be part of this meeting and take some responsibility and see the effect these decisions have on the neighborhood.

The invite was turned down as “Concern for their safety” this statement is about offensive to a community as you can get, are we now considered a City of violent unhinged people, far from it, I can assure you there would have been some loud questions and some heat ( as Council we took it for 2 hours) but not once did I have a concern for my safety, this is a passionate City with citizens who are wanting answers, by not showing up and slighting this City as unsafe for your people to be in it, only shows you have no idea of the hospitality of this City and the passion of our residents.

Therefore, I am asking for an apology and a commitment from you and your staff, who we are wanting to work with but are now concerned if a little heat arises, we will have no representation as we maneuver through this very touchy situation.”

According to an internal document to the City of Merritt by B.C. Housing issued on Sept. 5,  the department  noted that the Knights Inn has been leased until March 30, 2027.  The document also stated that B.C. Housing had been looking for a suitable shelter site for over a year during which time alternate sites had been discussed with the City.

The new shelter at the Knights Inn will provide up to 40 beds for guests however the number of guests will depend on the size of the room.

According to many in attendance at Thursday’s meeting, this issue is far from settled and city officials have discussed the possibility of holding another public meeting in the future once more details from questions by the city to the department are answered.

More to come.