It is disturbing to read the Concord Monitor articles about the lack of a winter shelter for the homeless and the inability to clear the sidewalk to the Friendly Kitchen.
Should those who find themselves without a home bet their lives on whether the mayor can pull another rabbit out of his hat to establish a cold weather shelter? The mayor has done a great job, but this effort cannot be left to chance each year.
The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness works to secure benefits and housing for the homeless. Despite limited finances, staff and hours of operation, they do a great job. But they can’t do it all. The city of Concord needs to put into action its 10-year plan to end homelessness. What good is a plan without any results? We will always need a cold weather shelter.
A recent letter to the editor concerning the sidewalk issue suggested that the homeless be required to clear the sidewalk to the Friendly Kitchen. It sounds like a good idea until you realize that the homeless have been working at Labor Ready all day or wandering the streets looking for a warm place to get out of the cold for a few minutes. Most arrive at the Friendly Kitchen cold, wet and hungry. Imagine giving them a shovel and telling them to walk most of the way back along their route and clear the snow before they can get warm or eat.
A new and safer route to the Friendly Kitchen will be up and running in two years. If that is the case, why can’t our city manager and the transportation director for the state settle on a temporary plan to clear 200 feet of sidewalk after winter storms for this year and next?
Let’s stop the finger-pointing and repeating the phrase, “it’s not our responsibility.” Clearing the sidewalks may not be your responsibility, but what about your moral obligation to those in need? You can’t miss the irony during this season of Advent and Christmas, that we can’t seem to find a little charity in our hearts.
BILL and MAE MURDOCH
Concord