How Community Mediation Works: A Testimonial
(The names in the following case have been changed for privacy reasons.)
Edmonton Bylaw, Animal Control, referred the McAlton family to MRJC’s Community Mediation Program. They needed assistance with a situation involving their neighbour’s barking dogs.
The neighbour, Mrs. Brown, a senior and a recent widow, had just moved to Edmonton from the farm with her three large farm dogs. They were her protection and companions. She was angry that her new neighbours were raising a fuss about her dogs and their barking. She was also angry at how she thought her neighbours were speaking to her.
Community Mediation provided the McAltons with information on the Program’s services, and arranged for the McAltons and Mrs. Brown to tell their stories to program case developers in preparation for mediation.
Within three weeks, a mediation session was held, and an agreement was reached between the McAltons and Mrs. Brown to address three issues: the excessive barking, their relationship as neighbours, and concerns about a mutual fence.
Both parties were happy with the results, and said they would recommend the Community Mediation Program to others in neighbourhood conflict situations. They were also happy that a 6 month follow-up was done to see how the agreements were holding up.
If this sounds like a service you need, then Community Mediation may be for you. Contact us to find out more.
