Cherry Blossom Village has moved a step closer to becoming a reality in Tay Township.
At a council meeting this week, councillors approved a staff recommendation to support Dr. Howard Bloom and Dr. Robert Cooper's request for a minister's zoning order approving the residential care facility for those with complex intellectual needs, such as a high-needs autism.
But they all seemed to be concerned by a last-minute letter from Community Living Ontario (CLO) urging council to stay their support for the project.
"Apple Blossom Village is being described as 'rightsized,'" writes Chris Beesley, chief executive officer, CLO. "We’ve learned that there’s no such thing as a right-sized facility for people who have been marginalized, stigmatized and de-valued."
"You’re talking about a 50-year commitment to a social ghetto," he goes on. "A half- century band-aid solution that doesn’t actually address people’s real needs. It’ll be bright and shiny, at least for a while. And it will look great in the photo ops and ribbon cutting. Everyone will feel good about what they’ve done to the people who live there.
"But then, everyone will go on with their lives, and the people who live there will be left to whatever fate awaits them," predicts the letter.
Beesley goes on to say that he believes the $8 million price tag for building the 24 individual suites and 10 independent cabins could be better used by "investing in people, rather than buildings."
He adds, "By investing in people, supports can be tailored to the person rather than the building. People can choose wherever they want to live, with the proper supports in place. In fact, it’s faster and more efficient than building something."
Beesley ends his letter with a request to discuss how an equivalent investment can yield the same employment outcomes more quickly, while providing far better supports for people.
"I'm not sure where Community Living is coming from," said Coun. Mary Warnock. "I'm not sure what's their concern with the development. Is it the private nature of this facility?"
Mayor Ted Walker also shared the councillor's surprise at the letter and added he couldn't figure out what their concern was.
"Being involved in the autism world for the last 15 years or so locally, I was genuinely surprised when I saw that letter show up today," said Coun. Paul Raymond. "The question becomes institutionalization. I read the letter over and over again. I touched base with some of my contacts there.
"There are some people that do not fit into any kind of integration homes, so what are we going to do with them?" he added. "I think Dr. Bloom presented a very valid case on why he is so good at what he does."
Coun. Jeff Bumstead said he had been able to talk to Beesley to get more details.
"I asked how their model differs from Cherry Blossom Village and the answer I received was similar to what councillor Raymond just touched on," he said. "They used terms like long-term care. Would we agree to put the kids in long-term care or in a residential home?"
As well, Bumstead said, in his conversation with CLO another concern about Cherry Blossom Village not being close to a downtown core.
"Dr. Bloom did say he chose that location because it's close to Midland and Port McNicoll," he noted. "I think they're a little far reaching with their concerns. When I asked how their model differs from Apple Blossom Village, they didn't really have an answer to it because they don't (seem to) know the model at Apple Blossom Village (Bloom and Cooper's facility in Oro-Medonte)."
Bumstead said he agreed with Raymond.
"Not every model is going to appeal to every level of agency out there and how they care for their residents," said Bumstead. "I believe in talking with Dr. Bloom and visitng the facility, I'm confident in the care they provide and the one-on-one support.
Coun. Barry Norris backed his peers.
"I'm echoing everything that's just been said," he said. "The most concering thing to me was this letter. I think it was more political than anything. It seems to me they don't know what's going on."
The CLO letter wasn't the only correspondence that registered disapproval of the facility.
Kim Dagenais wrote on behalf of her mother-in-law, the previous owner of the property.
She claims her mother-in-law did not know the intended use of the property before she sold it and was informed by the Hunters and Anglers Club, which has property right behind the subject lands.
"My family is devastated that a treatment centre of this size could be built on the property," says Dagenais' letter. "The seller is fearful of her safety as being right next (to) the site, living alone a widow of a year and a half."
The letter also raises concerns about possible reduction in property values for neighbours and harm to the well and septic systems and water table in the area.
Aside from this, there is a letter of support from the Talpines Property Owners' Association.
At the end of the dicussion, council voted unanimously to push the project to the next step: a request to the province to green-light the minister's zoning order, which will approve the facility.
