I am a former student of Betsy Donald, the Queen’s prof leading the charge against this development (which just happens to be in her neighbourhood). I was a student in a few of Betsy’s classes throughout my years at Queen’s. In every class we learned about the benefits of social housing developments and how they are can play a role in creating vibrant sustainable communities. Betsy came across as a tireless supporter of these types of projects to her students, and raised awareness through her passion. Unfortunately it now appears the mask has come off. Betsy Donald is now leading the charge against this development. She is one of the 3 citizens who spoke to council last week, and has been the central focus of the Whig’s articles this past week. Her image as a true supporter of mixed-use, vibrant neighbourhoods to benefit all (without discriminating against socioeconomic status) has crumbled. It appears preserving this elitist enclave is more important than practicing what she preaches.

To all the naysayers who point to transit and access to services…

- There is a bus line that runs right along highway 15 into downtown Kingston. This bus runs late at night to serve Startek, and would therefore provide easy transportation to and from the downtown to people living in the new development.

- A grocery store does in fact exist near this site. If you have ever been to the east end you would realize that there is a grocery store up highway 15 past LaSalle High School. Some may argue this is a long distance to travel for groceries, but most people in the west end live further from a grocery store, as do I on Bagot St.

- Preserving the heritage community? A simple look at Barriefield through Google Earth shows at least 6 swimming pools in the community. Have these pools been restored to their original historical conditions? I somehow doubt in-ground swimming pools were a part of Barriefield prior to its gentrification.

- There are elementary and secondary schools located within minutes of this site. A newly renovated library is also within walking distance near LaSalle H.S. A strip mall is located up the street, and if one were inclined, a walk directly into downtown would only take a few minutes. There is no shortage of amenities in this area for people who would qualify to live in this type of development.

I live in one of the ‘seedy’ neighbourhoods mentioned in the article, near the Boys and Girls Club on Bagot St. Whenever I tell people where I live they seem to be in shock that I would move to such a ‘rough and dirty’ neighbourhood. Their idea of this area couldn’t be further from the truth, the same goes for all areas of Kingston that are labeled this way. Barriefield won’t turn into a slum due to the construction of this development. Pimps and drug dealers won’t intimidate the residents and lost children won’t run wild in the streets (comment from someone on the Whig website).

The city needs this type of development, and it needs it badly. If there is a chance to purchase a large tract of land from the government for only $1 without them trying to force us into taking the LaSalle causeway along with it then we should support our mayor and council and jump at the opportunity. If social housing is forced into only one area of our community the mentality of segregation could take hold and create a real ‘ghetto’ problem within the city, one with much worse problems than those perceived to be occurring within my neighbourhood.

And, no I don’t live in Barriefield, so I don’t have a dog in the fight so to speak.

Also, won’t building these units in accordance with the strict historic guidelines in Barriefield end up in a significant cost increase? I don’t know for sure, but it seems like it would.

I just think there are better places geographically for the people who will live in these housing units.