Raif Fleihan sits outside of the Airport Inn Lakeside with black Crocs, a lanyard that says, 91裸聊视频渘o one home!91裸聊视频� and a Panasonic landline with the word 91裸聊视频渏ackass91裸聊视频� in digital lettering.
He drinks a green drink 91裸聊视频� not black enough to be coffee and not light enough to be a cocktail 91裸聊视频� and opens up a red pack; there91裸聊视频檚 only a couple of smokes left.
Fleihan looks territorial by nature. After years of owning and selling businesses, trying to make it in a foreign country that he migrated to as a young man and defending himself and his motel, his face exudes hostility when a stranger roams onto the property.
Generally speaking, the label of the Airport Inn has been disgusting, dirty, uninhabitable; that it91裸聊视频檚 a stain amongst the pristine backdrop of Lake Country as drivers charge into Winfield off Highway 97.
Coffee will be offered to people that Fleihan likes. If he likes you, he will talk to you.
He might offer you a smoke but it depends on how many he has left in his pack. He91裸聊视频檚 been told before that he is rude.
91裸聊视频淚 have one friend of mine, seven-foot-tall, bald-headed,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 met him by accident in 91裸聊视频�71. I cook for him.91裸聊视频�
Sometimes he gets a little bit off-topic.
READ MORE:
Fleihan is from a town about 20 minutes away from Beirut in Lebanon. He moved to Canada with his brother when he was in his 20s.
He developed a hard-working mentality and over the years, he owned and sold a number of businesses before attaining what is now known as the Airport Inn.
In 2017, the motel was shut down for health and safety purposes and Fleihan was denied a business license for the property.
Mayor James Baker said Lake Country91裸聊视频檚 fines aren91裸聊视频檛 enough to keep businesses like the Airport Inn accountable so now the district has a motion brewing that could board up the building.
It has yet to reach council91裸聊视频檚 desk, according to Karen Miller, the communications officer for the District of Lake Country.
91裸聊视频淲e have to be concerned about public safety,91裸聊视频� Mayor Baker said.
The motel is currently undergoing renovations for infrastructure the district has deemed unsanitary or faulty.
Fleihan said his business only does monthly rentals now. This way, he thinks, no one can blame him for staying in a gungy motel suite they booked online.
According to Baker, there were talks about the province acquiring the land, but BC Housing claimed they don91裸聊视频檛 recall any such plans.
Although, that is how the property is being treated now. With the monthly rental structure, Fleihan runs a supportive housing service for people with low income.
Often, he said, he doesn91裸聊视频檛 even charge people rent and he just gets them to help out with the property.
91裸聊视频淭he people who work and serve every day, they can91裸聊视频檛 afford to have a $20-million home.91裸聊视频�
He leans when he comes to a conclusory statement, such as this one. 91裸聊视频淭he poor people can91裸聊视频檛 figure out how to fit in.91裸聊视频�
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
Fleihan 91裸聊视频� whether he identifies as someone who can fit in or not 91裸聊视频� sticks up for the marginalized, according to one resident who has laundry to do.
Two 91裸聊视频渄arlings91裸聊视频� are spoken. One from Fleihan to the tenant, who was dressed in pyjamas and a ponytail on her day off, and one from the tenant for Fleihan.
She walks from her unit up to the main reception at the head of the property.
Her name is Stacie Brinkman and she asks her landlord for a smoke, but he only has one left.
She said that91裸聊视频檚 OK, she might have one in her room. He gives her his last one anyways.
91裸聊视频淵ou91裸聊视频檙e so good to me,91裸聊视频� she responds.
She said Fleihan is misunderstood by the public and so is the business.
91裸聊视频淓veryone in here is one big happy family,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not a perfect place, but it91裸聊视频檚 not disgusting. It91裸聊视频檚 not a run-down place 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 my f91裸聊视频搆ing home.91裸聊视频�
Brinkman said she would probably be living on the streets if it weren91裸聊视频檛 for Fleihan. It91裸聊视频檚 something she is very grateful for.
91裸聊视频淗e cares for people.91裸聊视频�
READ MORE:
BC Housing does not refer people to the inn but has said that often times, other affordable, supportive or emergency shelters might if they are fully occupied.
91裸聊视频淔or years, investments in affordable and supportive housing did not keep up with community needs and many people have been left with nowhere to go,91裸聊视频� said Tracy Wells, senior communications advisor for BC Housing.
91裸聊视频淚n limited circumstances, housing providers may refer clients to an appropriate hotel on a temporary basis.91裸聊视频�
The motel, whose infamy rose from its reputation as a bargain inn, is often the recipient of people who may not have many other options to go.
Fleihan said he doesn91裸聊视频檛 really know how many people stay at the motel; it changes every day.
91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 need a license; they can keep that garbage.91裸聊视频�
His approach to business is more ad hoc and people-centric rather than being about formalities and regulations.
The inside reception area is filled with antiques, drapes, a piano and a functioning TV that has a sizable black mark on the screen 91裸聊视频� it looks as if something or someone punched it.
Fleihan doesn91裸聊视频檛 care because he watches the news on that TV.
He said he doesn91裸聊视频檛 like the Lake Country Calendar very much, either.
READ MORE:
There are pictures with him and a political hero of his, former B.C. premier Bill Bennett, who he said he had a very strong relationship with and was the only politician he91裸聊视频檚 ever really liked.
They line the wooden desk that is also strewn with old receipts, mail and letters.
He damns computers and doesn91裸聊视频檛 bother to use them anymore.
Red packages are shielded behind the cupboard of a metal encasement. It is his stash of cigarettes.
At the same moment, another man who helps Fleihan with the property brings cheese and crackers.
If this happens, Fleihan would like if you eat the crackers.
Good hospitality is important to him.
