In today's Journal & Topics we are treated to a brief article about the theft of a bicycle and charges being brought against the pair allegedly responsible for it.
What we don't read in the article is that one of the pair, Mr. Kevin Barry, is considered by many in the Fairview Ave. area to be one of our very own local "homeless" persons -- if you consider living in a garage as equating to homelessness. It seems Mr. Barry doesn't get on well with the Mrs.
It is also rumored that Mr. Barry is a sometimes "guest" at area PADS shelters, though we could not confirm that information.
A second item in today's Journal & Topics is a letter to the editor from a familiar character -- The Park District's Own Mr. Haney! Mr. Dick Barton has penned a missive in support of the proposed PADS homeless shelter at St. Paul of the Cross Church; though today Mr. Barton was careful to let everyone know right from the start that he was writing his letter in his capacity as an SPC parishioner.
We agree with Mr. Barton's statement that we have homeless in Park Ridge, as many consider the character in the above article to be one of them. We also agree that a PADS shelter is, as Mr. Barton himself states, "a minimal effort".
What we do not agree with in Mr. Barton's letter is that we should invite more homeless characters into Park Ridge. The PRU Crew feels we should prove our ability to truly help the homeless, out of homelessness, by helping those already in Park Ridge before taking on any more.
We would also like to point out that while there are indeed "fortunate" people and "unfortunate" people, most people find their fortune (or misfortune) at the ends of their arms. The vast overwhelming majority of those who enjoy the "fortunate" lifestyle to be found in Park Ridge have earned it, continue to earn it, and continue to pay for it. And fortunately, we do not live in a theocracy where religious leaders get to dictate public policy.
Our final item from today's Journal & Topics is an article headlined with a question:
The PRU Crew's answer to that is "YES! They need a permit!" And we have every reason to believe the courts would agree, even if Ald. Allspaghetti (4th Ward) isn't sure about that.
In the absence of the PRMA's and PADS' agreement to obey the law, the question becomes: Do the members of the City Council have what it takes to enforce our laws?
"Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk..."
June 11, 2008
Three Items -- Three Stooges?
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4 comments:
Comment to the articles you posted: UGH
Comment to the final question: they have proven in the past that the answer is most definitely NO.
It is becoming more and more discouraging to be a resident in this town.
One thing is true (and the city council REALY REALLY needs to remember this): we are WATCHING, taking NOTES, these issues are NOT going to go away.
Easy for Barton to criticize the NIMBYs since he lives down in the 7th ward. Another seeming uber-Christian for whom the "right thing" is sticking the homeless in somebody else's property.
Dick Burton’s statement that a PADS shelter “seems like a minimal effort …that our community should support” fails to see the full picture. PADS would be minimal only for the volunteers who come for a few hours and maybe make a tray of food.
It would be a maximum effort for Park Ridge:
1- Increased burden on uptown business owners, particularity those with public restrooms.
2- Would impair the plan to revitalize Uptown
3- Increase the difficulty of attracting new businesses
4- Library patrons with PR cards will become reluctant to use the facility, especially children.
5- Serving PADS guests will put increased demands on police and ambulance service, at the taxpayer’s expense.
6- Security cameras and increased concerns at train station
7- Condos or single-family homes near the shelter, could realize a decrease in value of 10%, in addition to the current market decrease.
8- Security will be needed in enclosed parking facilities.
PRMA has stated that the homeless shelter is “starting small”, so without understanding and control this may go beyond a “minimal effort".
Comment on Journal article "Two Men Charged With Allegedly Stealing Bike From Residential Garage" - I just noticed in the PR Hearald-Advocate "Both remain in Cook County Jail on $100,000 bond each"!
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