Time for a feel-good Christmas story. I just finished watching a news story from the
CBC on the opening of Canadaville.
What is Canadaville, you ask?
Canadaville is located about 100 kilometres from Baton Rouge. It's on about 325 hectacres of mobile homes that feature front and back porches, landscaping with a community centre and basketball courts in the works.
Canadaville did not exixt four months ago. It was only begun after Hurricane Katrina hit, to provide housing for those displaced by the disaster.
But why Canadaville? Who's behind this?
the man behind it is Frank Stronach, (an Austria-born, Canadian industrialist - ed.) chairman of auto parts maker, Magna International, who put up $10 million of his own money for the project.
Today was the official opening, and a reception for the residents of the neighbouring community of Simmesport. The CBC story showed food, gospel music, and a lot of smiles on the (mostly African American) faces.
I admire Mr. Stronach for stepping up to the plate here.
Surely this is an entirely good-news story, right?
Well, not for everyone.
Oh, Canadaville, would that your spirit find its way into the hearts of more Louisiana communities. Yet, sadly, when it comes to locating temporary homes for hurricane victims in many parts of the state, the spirit expressed has been NIMBY - Not in My Backyard.
As soon as FEMA began locating sites for trailer parks across Louisiana, angry residents began storming parish council and police jury meetings in protest. Given that zoning issues are among the most contentious for local governments in normal times, the furor over large-scale developments for mostly poor people have public officials ducking for cover, often backing off tentative agreements for sites.
Some parishes stepped up to the challenge, like East Baton Rouge, which made available a large tract of land in Baker for over 500 trailers. Others, from Livingston to Lafayette, refused to approve even modest-sized developments.
Clearly, Whoville is not the only 'ville with a Grinch.
But for now, I prefer to enjoy the positive side of this story of the true spirit of Christmas. Thank you, Mr, Stronach. You have done your adopted country proud.
(I have looked for a video of the story, but it has yet to be posted. If it is, I will update with a link.)
