The Princeton Crisis Assistance Society has always made headlines.
In the normal course of small town life the society’s efforts are recognized at Christmas, when that group runs the hamper campaign.
In 2017 society volunteers brightened the holidays for almost 150 families and people living alone.
A couple times a year there are obligatory cheque presentation photos. Employees at Copper Mountain Mine and Weyerhaeuser, and other donors, have been generous in the past.
Crisis Assistance also works quietly year round. The group provides emergency funds for residents in times of disaster. When a house burns to the ground, when a family is evicted, when a penniless traveller’s car breaks down on the highway. These are times when Princeton Crisis Assistance is simply…there.
Two weeks ago the society petitioned town council for a reduction in the rent it pays to operate its thrift store on Vermilion Avenue.
The municipality owns the shop building, and for the past 11 years - without a written lease - has collected rent varying from $448 to $476 each month.
According to Revenue Canada, in 2016 just under 40 per cent of thrift store sales - everything that is sold at the store is donated from the community - was paid to the town.
The month to month rental agreement, loose and without documentation, obviously needs to be changed.
There is a fair argument to be made that the society should pay no rent whatsoever, when other lease arrangements involving the town are examined.
But considering the critical role the society plays in Princeton, money might not be enough.
This group has traditionally been run by dedicated volunteers who have operated at arm’s length from local government. Perhaps it is time that, in addition to allowing some financial breaks, the society and town explore a closer partnership.
For example, council appoints representatives to a number of vital associations - the Arts Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Princeton Posse and the Princeton Exhibition Association.
Surely the Crisis Assistance Society warrants an equal profile.
A liaison who attends society meetings and reports back to council on the operations and status of the group’s work would result in everyone being better informed – and likely more appreciative – of the needs that exist in our community and the efforts to meet them. -AD