Ontario Community Newspapers

Independent & Free Press (Georgetown, ON), 15 Nov 2011, p. 4

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4 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,November 15, 2011 The Directed by Robert Woodcock Book by Norm Foster Music & Lyrics by Leslie Arden LastResort ROSE THEATRE PRESENTS NOV 16 ­ 20 John Richards, a resident of the Carruthers Road Co-Operative in Georgetown, points to a rusted bathtub in one of the units. Photo by Ted Brown Co-op conditions `unacceptable' A restaurant owner on the run from the mob finds refuge at a lodge in rural Saskatchewan, where a motley cast of characters are thrust together in mischievous paranoia and hilarity. P ll all Part Continued from pg. 1 The issue is being reviewed said CMHC media spokesperson Charles Sauriol. "Presently, CMHC is reviewing the situation to clearly understand the extent of the deterioration and to find a viable solution for the group," said Sauriol in an e-mail to The Independent & Free Press last Tuesday. "The results of this review will be completed shortly. CMHC assures that any health and safety repairs will be addressed." Dave Howard, an operations manager at The Agency for Co-operative Housing, declined to comment, saying any comments had to come from CMHC. Duignan said the replacement of the windows in the building was approved but "it got complicated" when mould was discovered. He said now CMHC is saying mould remediation has to be done with every window that's put in, but with the amount of money that's already been approved for the project, that means there's only enough funds to deal with the mould and replace just the living room windows in the apartments. Duignan estimates approximately an additional $600,000 would be required to complete all the work. He said the mould issue has actually been ongoing. He said when new cladding was put on the building 10 years ago it was indicated there was mould in the building and CMHC was aware of that. "After visiting several units Bonnette called the conditions "unacceptable." "We're dealing with people in Ottawa who have not come to the building and had a look at it, yet they're making a determination sitting at a desk," said Duignan. Bonnette said in his letter to the Agency for Co-operative Housing mould was present in all the units he visited, including the main office. "I witnessed holes in the ceilings, some repaired with duct tape. The bathtubs were corroded. In one kitchen the countertop was just placed in but not sealed," said the mayor. Bonnette said there were air condition- murder mur murd rder r der m ystery ys yst y st te ery e ry uproarious upr up proa arious ari rious ri io ous us s co com omedy mystery, comedy and one dazzling song after another! 905.874.2800 www.rosetheatre.ca TICKETS FROM $35 When It's Time To Replace Your Garage Door CHOOSE A GARAGA Garaga Garage Doors The most energy efficient doors available Ask for a free estimate now! (905) 873-4848 1-888-836-5552 118 Guelph Street, Unit #6 Georgetown, ON L4G 4A3 www.bmgaragedoor.com < MARK BROUSSEAU bmgaragedoor@hotmail.com r Visit ou m o ro w o sh ers leaking onto heating systems, which eventually led to flooding. He also said one resident in the building had to wait two months for bathtub faucets and had to use her mother's bathroom to shower, and in the winter another resident has snow coming in under her door (leading to the outside) in her bedroom. Chong said many of the units in the building were in a "serious state of disrepair." In his letter to the CMHC, Chong said members of the co-operative indicated conditions in their units "pose severe health and safety risks" such as mould build-up. "Some of these members are also disabled or suffer from ongoing health issues. Other members live on fixed-or-low incomes and they are unable to move elsewhere due to limited availability of subsidized housing in the Halton Hills area," said Chong. "The living conditions in the Carruthers Road Co-operative only compound the challenges that these members already face," said Chong. Charleen Williams, a resident of the building who has a disability, said in a letter she sent to Chong she "would not like to add respiratory or neurological problems caused by toxic mould to my list of ailments nor do I feel it's safe for the children of our members to be living in such an environment." Duignan said the experts have said as long as the mould is contained it's not a health concern, and stated in the Georgetown building its contained. Williams said CMHC has halted repairs in the building "leaving several occupied units in disrepair and two units vacant and in need of repair before they are livable and can be rented." As a result, the Co-operative can't collect the approximately $1,800 in rent those units would generate that's necessary, Williams said, to make mortgage payments and pay staff and hydro. She likens CMHC to a slumlord that "has shown blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of the members of this cooperative."

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