City councillor accuses grassroots initiative of ‘political extremism’

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Three city councillors expressed concerns Wednesday about the “political extremism” of a community group that’s asking to use a former fire hall for a food security project in the Heritage neighbourhood.

Ward 10 Coun. Clark Bezo wondered aloud about the city engaging as a partner with Good Trouble Network, questioning some of the posts on the group’s social media.

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“Several things are very concerning about Good Trouble coming to the table. Seems they do community well-being but they are also very involved in political extremism,” Bezo said during Wednesday’s council meeting.

“Will this space be used as an ideology training ground or will this be used to deliver something to the community?”

Ward 2 Coun. George Tsiklis and Ward 1 Coun. Dan Rashovich also questioned why the city should agree to provide resources to the group.

Good Trouble Network asked city council about leasing the vacant Fire Hall #1 for a one-year food security pilot in the core neighbourhood.

The initiative, called the Heritage Food Assistance and Security Transformation Team (FASTT), aims to connect food programs from Good Trouble Network, Matriarch’s Collective and the Regina Street Team into one shared kitchen.

“Food insecurity isn’t just a statistic in Regina,” said Tiro Mthembu, co-ordinator for Good Trouble Network. “It’s a harsh reality impacting far too many of our neighbours, especially across the core.”

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However, Bezo voiced concerns about partnering with an organization that has been critical online of city actions in the past.

Bezo said members of Good Trouble Network called to “defund police, supports Hamas.” He then erroneously claimed the group “sued the city and caused $60,000 in damage” — the latter referencing an early cost floated to clean up, repair and fence off city hall’s courtyard after a homelessness encampment was removed.

That fence ended up costing approximately $10,000, according to the city after it was taken down. Meanwhile, legal action against the city manager’s office over funding to end homelessness was filed by former city councillor Andrew Stevens and local resident Florence Stratton, not Good Trouble Network.

All three councillors posed their questions after Mthembu and Good Trouble Network had already spoken to city council as a delegation.

Therefore, the group could not respond.

“It’s disappointing that he chose to engage with other people rather than asking us these questions considering we were delegates and we had the opportunity,” said Kale McLellan, speaking Thursday on behalf of Good Trouble Network.

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Mayor Chad Bachynski cautioned Bezo twice at the council meeting to “leave character comments aside.” He also upheld a point of order from Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak calling Bezo’s comments on the court action “inaccurate.”

“I’m frankly embarrassed that folks came out with a solution to help us meet strategic goals, as a council, and what happens?” she said later. “People start attacking them and not even to their face, but once they’ve returned to the gallery and can’t respond.”

In response to Bezo, city manager Niki Anderson said administration not only supports the request to use the fire hall but also helped Ward 6 Coun. Victoria Flores craft the details of the motion.

She said her office doesn’t consider any past public commentary from Good Trouble Network as a reason to not work with the group now.

“The more you can draw in and work with those opposed to you, when you have a common cause, that’s a good thing,” she said.

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Council voted 10-0 in favour of granting the lease. Bezo stepped out of council chambers just before the vote and was marked temporarily absent.

The Leader-Post followed up with Bezo with a request for comment after the meeting. He responded by email and re-asserted his opinion.

“Good (T)rouble YQR’s social media posts create wedge issues and don’t represent Regina as community,” he wrote. “Rail blockades and encampments isn’t the best way to solidify the community.”

Currently, food security programs rent the kitchen at the Mitakuyé Owâs’ā Centre. Mthembu said having their own dedicated space will provide more stability to deliver over 1,000 meals per week that are already being offered.

“We’re just super excited to get focused on the work and get back to cooking for our community,” said McLellan.

The one-year lease will be held by the Heritage Community Association at a rate of $1 beginning later this month. Good Trouble Network will sign on as tenants.

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“It’s a small token of support for such big work that is already going on in the community and it’s addressing a big challenge a lot of our community members are facing,” said Flores.

“To me, this is the city saying it recognizes the good work being done.”

lkurz@postmedia.com

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