Dear Editor:
Re: North Shore to Get ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Youth, Feb. 12 news story.
The recent article written by Ben Bengtson published in the North Shore News does not make any mention of the poor location chosen by the Ministry of Health for the Foundry.
Common sense would say that It is a bad decision by the provincial Government and supported by the three Liberal MLAs on the North Shore to allow this facility to be located in a building next to a liquor store and on the same street as a pub. One of the main purposes of this centre is to provide counselling for youths between the ages of 16 and 24 with drug and alcohol addictions.
Sailor Hagar’s Pub and Liquor store has been at their location for 30 years and we were not informed of this decision until a week prior to the formal announcement and political gathering that was held on Friday, Feb. 10 and covered in your article. There was no awareness campaign or public input process for ourselves or for any nearby businesses or residents.
When I mention to people the location choice for this facility by the provincial government, they think it is ridiculous and they laugh.
Consider the fact that if this youth addiction counselling centre had been located at this site already, there is no way that the province’s Liquor Control and Licensing Branch or the Ministry of Health would allow a liquor store or pub to move next to it.
Our business involves the sale of alcohol and we need to continue to promote this any way that we are legally permitted to in order to stay competitive in the marketplace, which includes storefront signs and sandwich board signs on the sidewalk in front of our liquor store and pub.
With such close proximity to our liquor store and pub it will make it very difficult for these vulnerable young people between the ages of 16 and 24 to remain on track as they come and go from their counselling sessions.
We are in favour of a facility of this nature, for it is necessary that we provide assistance to troubled and vulnerable youths; however, in their search for a location on the North Shore, surely they could have found a site not located next to a liquor store and pub
Brian Riedlinger
co-owner, Sailor Hagar’s Brewpub and Liquor Store
North Vancouver
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