AS DETERMINED TO GET A GROUP HOME as neighbors are-to stop it, Human By CHRIS LLOYD Either the communi- cation lines have become tangled or else, as many neighbors suspect, there’s some kind of coverup going on over the intended use of a house at 953 Gladstone, in North Vancouver. The house has been bought by the Ministry of Human Resources for use as a group home for children aged six to 16. The question a lot of people are asking is what kind of children will be in the home. ; While some neighbors have been told the group home will be for abused children, at least one District alderman has told others the occupants will be young offenders. | And that is also what Mayor Don Bell understood when contacted by the News this week. Whatever the use, many of the neighbors don't like the uncertainties, or the fact that they weren't even asked if they minded having a group home near them. So far, 125 of them have signed a petition opposing use of the house as a group home as they say it has been done without their consent or any consideration for other residents. NO CHOICE But Distnct Social Planner Lenna Jones says thal not only are the residents worrying needlessly but that the group home is goimng there, whether they want it Or not. aa Unlike North Van City, the District does not require the consent of the majority of immediate neighbors to grant permission for a group homc. In fact, according -to ERE S SSS aoe SASS erent Resources worker Calvin Lee is pictured in front of the house at 953 Gladstone, where he would be supervisor. (Terry Peters photo) between Neighbors powerless to prevent if #:.2 «2 :2= = Jones, the question of permission does not even arise since the District bylaws define a unit of eight unrelated people, of whom not more than six have special needs, as being a family. The use planned by human resources, which she likens to a foster home, falls well within the bylaw, according to Jones. In keeping with this concept, she says, a cross- section of ages will deliberately be integrated in the home. The children will be North Shore youngsters who are presently having to be ac- commodated in human resources homes in Van- couver and who are “not offenders at all.” However, Calvin Lee, who is to be the home's super- visor, says children using the home will be in care for a variety of reasons, ranging from abuse by parents to personality problems. An although he insists that none of the children will have been sent there because of the fact that they are offenders, he acknowledges that the very nature of some of their problems may have taken them before the courts. Woodward CORRECTION Flyer inserted in The Pro vince. March 13. 1980 The Vancouver Sun, March 14 1980 The Richmond Review. March 14, 1980 The Columbian, March 12 & 14 1980 The North Shore News, March 12, 1980 The Peace Arch News, March 12. 1980 Pago 6 ttem L Steer Manure, quantity should have read 10 kg/22 Ib bag not 20 kg/22 Ib bag Woodward's apologizes to its customers for any inconve mence this error may have caused OFFENDERS But Mayor Beil told the News: “I had a_ general thumbnail sketch from the staff that it is being prepared for young offenders.” Until then, he said, he had been aware a group home had been planned but thought it was for young people generally. However, he has received the neighbors’ petition and says the group home will be included for discussion at Monday’s council meeting if he decides the matter warrants further attention. Meanwhile, social planner Jones says there are six group homes so far in the District and she has not received complaints about. any one of them. In some cases, she adds, neighbors are not even aware that the houses are used for group homes. . She says the only reason neighbors are being ap proached in this case is because of the District’s recent policy of neighborly residents of houses in the immediate vicinity — communication which in this instance seems to have completely broken down and to have been responsible for the very fears and mistrust it was intended to alleviate. Personal Shopping Service 926-1836 NO ONE KNOWS BABIES LIKE WE DO! INFANT WEAR INCLUDING SLEEPERS, DRESSES DIAPER SETS OVERALLS TERRY BIBS INFANT VESTS FLANNEL GOWNS RECEIVING BLANKETS SUNSUITS TERRY ROMPER COTTON FLEECE SLEEPER BATH EZE BATH TOWELS SHOP AND SAVE AT BABY WEEK Y BLANKET SLEEPER VELOUR SLEEPER LAYETTE SET VELOUR PLAYSUIT JOLLY JUMPER BABY SITTER SNUGLI BOXED BLANKETS SHAWLS 5.99 6.49 6.49 7.99 12.99 14.99 26.99 20% off 20% off The lower mainiand’s leading fashion centre for children Park Royal-South Mall 926-5616 Pacific Centre 669-2513 Quiet visit by Sounders PAGE BI Germany on a budget PAGE C14 Furniture for kids PAGE B5 Classified «© Entertainment... -__. .. 86 Hayden Stewart