Battlefords MLA Herb Cox says he will continue to push for solutions to the ongoing problems at Valleyview Towers.
Cox said he has been on the phone trying to get some answers to the latest situation that has come to light of continued disorderly conduct at the “seniors” highrise complex in North Battleford, run by Battlefords Housing Authority.
“I’ve had several calls, both to the minister’s office and to the ministry as well,” Cox said, referring to the social services ministry.
He said a meeting took place several weeks ago, and as a result of that meeting commissionaires were placed in the towers on weekends.
“We were under the impression that would help the situation. Obviously there are still violations going on in that building,” Cox said.
“The ministry is aware of it and they’re very concerned about it. The safety of the tenants is the number one priority,” Cox said.
He said the ministry is “looking at taking future steps that will increase the safety and security of the building.”
What those would be, Cox was not prepared to say. However, he did reiterate the ministry was aware and very concerned, and “working to find solutions as quickly as they can.”
The News-Optimist has reported on ongoing issues with Valleyview Towers over the past several months of intoxication and disorderly conduct at the facility.
The latest incident outlined in a letter to the editor from Natalie Berrecloth, a tenant in Valleyview Tower II, was a situation in September in which police led away intoxicated individuals in handcuffs, while tenants had to clean off feces and vomit from the fifth floor of the building.
Cox said he was not aware of those latest incidents until it came to light in the News-Optimist this week.
However, Cox adds he would continue to work with the ministry and see what could be done. He said he would be back in Regina in the coming days and “one of my stops is to the minister’s office,” he said.
