Voices: Hopping mad

May 11, 2008 09:09 pm

— After reading several incredibly ignorant newspaper pieces about some citizens wanting to deny shelter to the homeless in Joplin’s First Baptist Church, I became hopping mad.
It was recently reported that 25 business owners and downtown residents met to discuss the negative impact it would have on Main Street redevelopment. Others believed it would lower their property values. Concerns were also directed to the close proximity of a middle school.
What should I say? First of all, throw out these biased views and toss them in the trash. Second, call out these individuals to find out where they were hiding when God passed out brains. Thus far none of these dissents have provided valid evidence to substantiate their stance.
Still there are a few prima donnas who want to segregate the poor and less fortunate from society as if they never existed. In reality the homeless are not an imminent threat to society or our schools. It’s the drug dealers and mentally disturbed students who are killing the classmates and teachers. The most violent crimes taking place in the local area such as rape, murder, family abuse, felonies, burglaries, etc., are being committed by those other than the homeless.
Thirdly, Nancy Morton’s lovely home isn’t exactly located in an upscale neighborhood. It’s primarily situated in the midst of less expensive homes — apartments, boarding rooms, rental houses, and fine homeowners’ residences.
Some of these properties are in need of TLC, and some desperately need renovation, while a few should be razed. However, it’s evident that there are a number of homeowners in the area who take pride in their premises which are well maintained.
I’ve yet to see any intelligent letters to the editor explaining how the shelter will tarnish the Main Street redevelopment and harm businesses and apartment owners. Moreover, the church is within walking distance to the Missouri Department of Economic Development for the homeless to apply for jobs.
The Annual Assessment Report to Congress on Feb. 7, 2007, conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on sheltered homeless disclosed as many as 100,000 children live in these facilities on a daily basis, which excluded thousands of homeless children living in unsheltered areas — how degrading to our children and country.
Jim Williams
Joplin