Ward 3 hopefuls spar over supervised injection site
Ward 3 punches above its weight when it comes to services for Hamilton's most vulnerable residents.
So say candidates hoping to represent the central, lower-city constituency in the Oct. 24 election.
But some are butting heads over a plan for a supervised drug-use service on Barton Street East.
What this is all about is process," Walter Furlan contended during a televised candidates' debate, presented by Cable 14 and The Spectator, Wednesday.
Residents were kept in the dark about the proposed location near primary schools and daycares in his Barton Street East neighbourhood, argued Furlan, who works and lives nearby.
We are tired of decisions made in secret. Imagine we are in control of our neighbourhoods again."
As it stands, Furlan said, residents are weary of tents in parks, drug use in alleys and vagrancy along the commercial strip.
But incumbent Nrinder Nann countered the AIDS Network's consumption and treatment services (CTS) would help tackle the very issues her opponent flagged.
Moreover, such programs are essential amid a worsening opioid crisis marked by a rising tide of overdoses, she said.
Hamiltonians deserve life-saving health supports and services, and it's unfortunate that it's become a debate about location and pitting one vulnerable group against another."
Nann, who's seeking a second term, also rejected Furlan's allegations of being complicit in secret deals" to locate services to Ward 3.
In turn, she accused him of intimidating" those on his street who support harm-reduction programs. Furlan, who owns a heritage restoration business, dismissed that as shenanigans."
Laura Farr, a former city staffer, meanwhile, suggested inadequate" community outreach about supervised drug-use services could lead to fear" among residents.
There's no Goldilocks location," said Farr, adding residents have felt flat-footed" upon learning of plans.
Stan Kruchka said he wasn't opposed to CTS sites and called for more addiction programs.
They are residents of Hamilton. They are our neighbours and they need our help ...," added Kruchka, who works in real estate.
The Ward 3 contenders also focused on transit affordability, traffic safety and the Barton sex trade.
Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com
Who was there
PresentLaura Farr, Walter Furlan, Stan Kruchka, Nrinder Nann (incumbent)
AbsentMichael Falletta