A two-sided issue in Oshawa’s parks

Dear Editor,

This is a two part message, desperate people and/or a city eye sore, located in the brick by brick park (south of John Street, Oshawa). A five minute walk and within eyesight of Oshawa City Hall. As temperatures drop, the plight of these poor sols becomes a life and death struggle. The lack of action on behalf of our politicians and social service personnel becomes evident.

The basic right of all Canadian citizens is to have warm, safe housing and food. This is being ignored and is an indication of our tax dollars at work. This is 2018, not the dirty ‘30s. This should not, and cannot continue.

If you agree call, e-mail, or write your city, regional, provincial, and federal politicians. Stand up and scream for change now.

Now for my other viewpoint, which may not be as popular, but is equally as true.

All of our public parks should be a clean and safe place for people of all ages to enjoy. In brick by brick park, there is a disturbing site of five or six tents full of desperate people. This is a violation of city bylaws. I attended the city bylaw office on Simcoe Street, at that time I requested the bylaw be enforced. The bylaw officer replied that he could not enforce the law due to instructions from above his pay grade. I must assume he meant City Hall.

I have witnessed people urinating in plain sight (not necessarily these people). This is not the environment I want for our seniors, children, or community in general.

Will this park become Oshawa’s newest tourist attraction? Or will it become the beautiful park it once was? If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem. If you agree with any part of this letter, then do something. Demonstrate at City Hall, call, write or e-mail your local politicians and let your voices be heard.

These tents could be coming to a park near you soon.

Merry Christmas.

Tom Pike