In reply to Bill Owen.

Thanks for your response. The truth of the matter is I don't know the motivations behind the people who are against the recovery center. But I think it's too reductionist to paint all opponents as uncompassionate NIMBYs. It's easy enough to write people off when they are opposed to something you support. But I think it's important to look at the principals of a situation- the rules and precedents- rather than just say "I want it, so the people who don't are wrong and should be sidelined," or "Well, I don't like the attitude these people have, I'm going to write off their opinion." I'm afraid that's something I've seen in some of the commentary about this project- not necessarily in the people actually making the decision or living in the neighbourhood, but definitely in some of the debate surrounding it. This post is mostly a response to that. I'm glad you appreciated it and took the time to weigh in.