By Brent Bosker

Foster home remains in limbo

Nov 12, 2010 | 5:17 AM

Days after their municipal election wins, three councilors and the Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Prince Albert find themselves in the middle of a controversial issue.

In September of 2009, the province gave Rising Stars Children’s Ranch a $340,000 grant toward a 10 bed foster home for at risk children between the ages of five and 12.

The home was supposed to be finished in April, but a stop work order pushed the completion back to July. The house still sits empty because of a bylaw technicality and fierce opposition from some people in the community.

“At the second public meeting … I heard someone say ‘go ahead and build it, we’ll just burn it down,’” said Jeff Bergen, treasurer for Rising Stars.

Bergen has a hard time understanding why there is so much hatred toward the home.

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He attempted to set the record straight during a presentation to the RM council this month.

“The (children) have not come from the criminal justice system ─ they are not at the home because they have caused all kinds of trouble ─ they are at the home because their parents for whatever reason, at least temporarily are unable to care for them,” said Bergen.

“They’re hurting, they’re lonely, they’re feeling abandoned.”

Rising Stars presented a revised proposal at the meeting in hopes of getting the public on side and the RM's approval.

“First, a suite was added to the building to accommodate a live-in couple, and second, the proposed age range for children to enter the home, initially 12 years old was reduced to 10 years old,” said Bergen.

Bergen ended his emotional appeal with a challenge to council.

“Now it is time for council to decide. Do you choose the fear and hatred that has been expressed by some residents ─ or do you choose the hope and love this home represents,” he said.

Several of the new councilors admitted they were unfamiliar with the issue and needed time to review the information.

“Because we have a relatively new council and people haven’t been exposed to the volume of information, we need to be fair to our council and give them the opportunity to review the material, have a discussion and make a decision,” said Norma Sheldon, reeve for the RM.

Rising Stars has asked for an amendment to the planning bylaw to receive group-home status.

Residents in the area will be given a chance to respond before the matter goes back to council at their Jan.13, 2011 meeting.

bbosker@panow.com