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OPINION

Is homeless help next?

Sunday, November 15, 2009
(Updated 3:00 am)

I have been reading your articles about the new jail and looking at the artist’s rendering. It looks like a lovely place and I am sure it is needed. If we can provide a nice place for our convicts, I wonder if we should consider something for the homeless.

Bob Richardson
Greensboro
 

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Yvonne

November 15, 2009 - 7:45 am EST

Preach it, Bob.

danagain

November 15, 2009 - 7:53 am EST

Great idea. But don't just preach it DO IT!! Hey Yvonne why don't you and Bob start a fund with private money to build a nice homeless shelter? You guys lead the effort and get your friends to donate to the cause. I'll throw in $100. Then you guys can put your names on the outside of the building. Or even quicker, you could turn your B&B into a homeless shelter, I'm sure there would be excellent tax breaks.

Yvonne

November 15, 2009 - 9:08 am EST

You are always all about money, Dan. And you always assume a lot. If I had money, why did it take me over ten years to get this close to realizing a dream? Just so you don't assume more, I'll give you a clue: It was a pay-as-I-go project. I had a bastard of a contractor initially who stole money from my account. A drunk driver put me out of commission for six months (and I have done a lot of the work myself). My reaction to Crestor, which landed me in the hospital for over two weeks and almost killed me, set me back another four months. And shoulder surgery (injury caused by obese patient) slowed progress for a while.

My B&B is suppose to keep me in the producer category. But if I had the money you think I have, I would help build a homeless shelter. And you have absolutely no idea how many charity cases I have taken on.

JGALT

November 15, 2009 - 9:20 am EST

It ain't easy being a producer-- especially when we have a government that hates them.

dcolin

November 15, 2009 - 3:16 pm EST

"You are always all about money,"

Thats how Dan measures things and sees the world.

danagain

November 15, 2009 - 7:43 pm EST

"You are always all about money, Dan."

So are liberals, with the exception that they prefer to confiscate and spend others money. Bob mentioned the county jail, funded by taxpayers, and now wants a shiny new homeless shelter, funded by taxpayers. If Bob wants to raise money for a homeless shelter then good for him. Not the intent, get the rest of us to pay for it, it's easier.

Glad you got the B&B up an running, I still plan to visit sometime.

danagain

November 15, 2009 - 9:58 pm EST

Yeah it's all about money, money govt. doesn't have.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/13/article/government_debt_wi...

J.M.W.

November 15, 2009 - 11:05 am EST

If a homeless shelter were to be built, it would have to be set way out in the county somewhere. The current location of Urban Ministry was a huge mistake. Just ask the neighbors in College Hill, Glenwood or downtown merchants.

One guy who owns a house on Tate St. would leave his car unlocked and put some change in the console daily to keep the thieves from going to greater lengths to steal.

The McDonalds at Lee and S. Elm had to shut down due to loitering and aggressive panhandlers.

Why can't the recently abandoned prison in McLeansville become the new shelter?

Keeping it in town is unfair to the law abiding.

Yvonne

November 15, 2009 - 1:25 pm EST

I have been stopped more times in Wal-Mart parking lots by those begging for money than I have anywhere else. It has happened in Siler City, Greensboro and HP so location is not a major factor.

J.M.W.

November 15, 2009 - 2:02 pm EST

So then why is it not next to Irving Park?

swerdna

November 15, 2009 - 4:06 pm EST

"If a homeless shelter were to be built, it would have to be set way out in the county somewhere"

Out in the country would mean these people could not get the medical care, VA, and other services they need because they wouldn't have access to public transportation. While we NEED homeless shelters, they need to be in areas serviced by the city bus system as that is their only mode of transportation.

The IRC (Interactive Resource Center) planned for the downtown area will hopefully reduce the amount of loitering by the homeless by giving them a place to go during the day. However, the opening has been delayed for probably a year because of lack of funds, yet our city can talk about spending millions of dollars to buy extra park land or build a swim center.

J.M.W.

November 15, 2009 - 4:37 pm EST

Ok Andrews. then you're willing to put their shelter next to your house? Why can't buses to and from a county shelter be provided for their needs? Why should properties in the area surrounding a shelter have to endure a drop in value? Let me know.

swerdna

November 15, 2009 - 9:14 pm EST

First of all, there's no vacant land near my house so that's not an option.

How about it we house them in the new swim center when it's not being used?

JMW, I was simply pointing out a reason as to WHY putting homeless shelters out in the country isn't as easy as it sounds! So, tell me YOUR plan. I'd be interested to know. Where would you propose to build this? Somewhere, of course where it won't drive down property values. Where would that be, or is it only important if it doesn't drive down YOUR property values?

So you provide transportation. Ok, that sounds great! But to really fill the needs, transportation to and from the facility several times a day will be necessary. You certainly don't want these people being brought in and dropped off every morning only to spend the day in town before being picked up each evening. That really woudn't be much different than what you have now, would it?

Is it public transportation (i.e. part of Greensboro bus system)? But wait... it's in the county (outside the city), so you can't use Greensboro buses. Therefore, you have to purchase buses to use for said purpose. Where does the money come from to purchase these? You'll need drivers. Oops, more wages to pay in addition to the staff that will be paid to man the facility. You'll need insurance. More expenses. Gas? Bus maintenance? Gee, doesn't sound quiet so simple now, does it? Please, I'd love to hear YOUR answers. Let me know.

Yvonne

November 15, 2009 - 10:19 pm EST

This is a nice change, swerdna. This posting is like you used to post, with thought and consideration. The political B
S that has been coming from you is without thought, just repeating misleading statements.

swerdna

November 16, 2009 - 8:29 am EST

"The political BS that has been coming from you is without thought, just repeating misleading statements."

While I appreciate your compliment, I also must point out that the majority of people here, including you, post statements that are misleading and can't be documented. However, I recognize your right to post even if it doesn't agree with my thinking - something many people don't do.

Yvonne

November 16, 2009 - 9:41 am EST

"Seems like many things have changed since obama was elected! Suddenly, the war is ok - no protesting. Suddenly the deaths of our brave soldiers is ok - no protesting. Suddenly, it's ok for the POTUS to travel all over and criss-cross the nation at the taxpayers' expense - no criticism. Suddenly, golf is cool and is no longer front-page news. Suddenly, those things that were such an outrage when GWB was president are perfectly acceptable with obama in office. So amusing how differently the dems see things now that their god is running the show."

Although many of your political statements lately have been broad-sweeping and a regurgitation of the right, swerdna, the above post pretty much sums up what I was talking about. Some of us gave GWB a chance before harsh criticism. He had many chances, up until he decided to move the focus off Afghanistan and onto Iraq, which I might point out was well after 10 months in office. I do not see the same consideration for Obama.

I do not deny I was and still am one of the most outspoken critics of Bush. I personally think he is an evil man. He deserved/deserves harsh criticism because I believe he is responsible for the deaths of many of our military and his reign has put this nation on the road to hell.

But most on the right have not waited for Obama to royally screw-up. Most were criticizing him 10 days after he took office. I am not defending Obama so much as I am giving him a chance. If he proves to be as detrimental to our nation as GWB, I will be right there screaming with the rest of you.

swerdna

November 16, 2009 - 12:57 pm EST

So you don't think what I said is true? Have you seen the war protesters lately? How about the flag-draped coffins on the news? Anything about obama's extensive travel (which he now holds the record, I believe)? And why is there no criticism of golf now? ALL of this is true! It's painfully obvious! It's just that the media and the left idolize obama and believe anything and everything he does is acceptable!

The little "updated photo" of AF! flying over NYC. Do honestly think that it was just for a photo? With today's technology, a photo could have been taken anywhere and photoshopped over the Statue of Liberty. If there was no one important on that plane, why all the security? Why weren't NYC officials informed prior to the photo shoot? Personally, I think mamaobama and the girls were out using daddy's plane for a little sight-seeing trip, but we'll never know the truth because it was suddenly dropped by the media. Had it happened with bush in office, the media investigations would have been unending!!!

The stimulus which obama said would HAVE to be done to keep unemployment BELOW 9%. Guess what? Didn't work! It was done too quickly with too little PLANNING! The "chickens will come home to roost" when people do their taxes in February or March and realize they OWE money because what they got was simply a gift of their own money which will be taxed. Unless you went on the IRS website and used their calculator, you too may be surprised. For me personally, I had to have an extra $35 held out each week for the rest of the year to play "catch up" just to owe zero come tax time. So get back to me when you do your taxes.

Increasing the benefits for unemployment. Not a bad thing except, again, no planning and consideration of the ramifications of this increase. Many LOST their food stamps because the minuscule increase in benefits put them above the maximum limit to receive food stamps (http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-inside-job/2009/06/15/how-25-extra...). AGAIN, a lack of PLANNING!

Or the Cash for Clunkers? Not all data is in yet, but it looks like it was also too quick with too little PLANNING and cost taxpayers a huge amount of money (http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/28/autos/clunkers_analysis/index.htm) and did little to stimulate anything!

As to bush, sorry to burst your bubble but I think he was terrible! You think he's evil, and I think obama's every bit as evil. We're in the state we're in because of bush. But.... obama's plans aren't doing anything to get us OUT of the state we're in and only appear to make things worse, and I honestly think his goal is to make us dependent upon the government for everything. Hence: C-O-N-T-R-OL.

Yvonne, I'm not saying we don't need health care reform of some type. What I'm saying is the junk that's coming out of Congress is just that - JUNK! They are pushing this through with very little PLANNING just like the above examples, and the result will be costs that you and I will pay for (and I'm not ANYWHERE near the wealthy level obama plans to tax.) Bottom line, they're rushing to get it passed before the elections in 2010. When the costs skyrocket, people will sit around and say "how did this happen?" but their questions will be pushed aside as the front page features obama's recent golf game.

swerdna

November 16, 2009 - 8:31 am EST

Also, help me out here. Would you please point out some of the things I've posted that you term "political BS" and "misleading statements." Seriously, I'd like to see them so I can possibly further explain my thoughts.

J.M.W.

November 15, 2009 - 10:43 pm EST

"JMW, I was simply pointing out a reason as to WHY putting homeless shelters out in the country isn't as easy as it sounds!"

So why make it easy to become homeless? If we made them walk to Antarctica, they'd be more prone to stay here and make it. People are where they are because that's where they want to be. Period.

There's too many weeds to pull and too many dirty windows to wash. But not if hotel paradise is free. Work or starve.

swerdna

November 16, 2009 - 8:27 am EST

Your compassion and caring is overwhelming! We ALL, yourself included, are very possibly just a few paychecks away from being in the same situation. True, some people choose to be homeless because they want to live by their rules. Others have no choice but are in their situation because of various reasons, and addictions are high on that list. I'm sure you would criticize them for the addictions, but this is an area where help is needed, and criticism does nothing to work toward a solution to the problem. That old adage: "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem" resounds!

Let me tell you a story where circumstances put a man on the streets. I met a homeless vet. He was clean (i.e. no addictions). He was living in a car in the dead of winter and said he needed a blanket, which I purchased for him the following day. He had a college education, yet who would hire someone who didn't have a place to take a shower and clean up for an interview? He was kind and humble and proud of his military service. He wasn't able to get his VA paperwork and disability through the government red tape, so he had virtually no income except enough social security to pay for his gas and medical care. He had no address at which to get correspondence pertaining to the status of his paperwork. Oh... and he had MS and walked with crutches. He had hocked his motorized wheelchair to have money for food the previous month. He didn't choose this life, it was dealt to him. But he didn't complain and didn't whine and didn't ask for any help other than a blanket to keep him warm while he slept. He was too proud to fly a sign on the corner, and he was in an endless circle of trying to survive. So, his recovery started with a simple blanket and a person who was willing to make a couple of phone calls. The Servant Center made arrangements for him to stay there until he could get back on his feet. An angel paid to get his wheelchair out of hock. Another angel worked and pulled the right strings to get paperwork moving. Today, my friend is living on his own in an apartment in Tennessee. All he needed was a little help!

True, this isn't a story shared by all homeless, but it's a story similar to what's shared by many I've met. So J.M.W. when you crawl in your warm bed tonight, be thankful because there are many out there sleeping on the streets or in a car with no blanket. When you have food on your plate, be thankful because there are many out there who haven't eaten except for what they could get out of dumpsters. And instead of whining, try to be part of a solution. At the very least, show some compassion and don't judge all homeless people by what you've experienced.

If you have a change of heart and want to make a difference in someone's life, let me know. I can give you a number of organizations who would welcome a volunteer. It can be something as simple as sitting and talking with someone. I won't hold my breath though, because I doubt seriously you'll be man or woman enough to let it be seen on here that you have an ounce of compassion in your body. I pity you. I very much pity you.

Yvonne

November 16, 2009 - 9:15 am EST

Homelessness is frequently as you described it, swerdna, and a lot more prevalent than most want to admit. I recently watched a short video on the two guys living under a Greensboro bridge for the last four years, sometimes eating out of garbage cans. While their story was heart-wrenching, the most pitiful thing to me was society's reaction to these men. One of them said most people they came in contact with thought they had no value as human beings because they were homeless. Since society as a whole judges people by their possessions, and these men had no possessions, they were worthless. We all have our faults. If, however, I become so callous as to devalue a person simply because they have no possessions, I hope my time is short.

swerdna

November 16, 2009 - 1:12 pm EST

This, we agree on definitely! I've worked with the homeless as a volunteer for several years now. The story I shared is just one of many, but I could also tell stories where I totally failed in my effors to help. These stories probably outnumber the success stories, but we have to try. If people would just stop and talk with some of these people, they'd often find intelligent people inside those dirty, disheveled clothes. Many have an education. Many have families which have turned their back on them. Many have addictions that cause them to prefer to live on the streets rather than go to a shelter where they must adhere to rules. Sadly, often these addictions are just too strong to be overcome. But regardless, ALL are human beings.... with feelings.

It only takes a smile and a touch on the arm to let them know they aren't untouchables but are humans just like those of us driving by their street corner in our warm cars. I just feel very sorry for those who think themselves so much better, and like you, if I would ever reach that point, I pray my time is short.

Joey

November 15, 2009 - 10:42 pm EST

Busing homeless people back and forth from the city to a shelter in the county is like one of the dumbest ideas I have ever heard.

swerdna

November 16, 2009 - 8:23 am EST

Thank you! That was also what I was trying to explain to J.M.W.

truth

November 16, 2009 - 3:35 pm EST

And yet they moved the social security administration building way off the beaten path in order to build a baseball field for the affluent. Go figure.

swerdna

November 16, 2009 - 8:06 pm EST

Yes, but the SS office is still on the city bus line.

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