This Land is Whose Land?

“As I was walkin’ – I saw a sign there
And that sign said – no tress passin’
But on the other side …. it didn’t say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

In the squares of the city – In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office – I see my people
And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me” – Woody Guthrie 1940

Panhandling Update

Editorial: Concord’s new panhandling ordinance deserves support

(Published in print: Thursday, April 18, 2013)

Panhandling has become a problem that Concord residents, visitors and business owners want the city to address. Motorists are forced to pass sign-wielding panhandlers posted like sentries at shopping plaza exits or wait in traffic stalled by a beggar who steps into the road to accept a handout. Pedestrians have been annoyed and sometimes intimidated by panhandlers who ask, sometimes persistently, for money. Yet there’s no crime in asking for help.

No ordinance, no matter how well-meaning, can interfere with anyone’s free speech rights. That makes regulating or prohibiting panhandling problematic at best and clearly illegal if done ham-handedly. Courts have repeatedly, and rightly, overturned panhandling ordinances on First Amendment grounds. But that doesn’t mean doing nothing is the only option.

The proposed panhandling ordinance that the Concord City Council will consider next month demonstrates what can be accomplished when city officials, the police, advocates for the homeless and defenders of free speech work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The ordinance, drafted by City Solicitor Jim Kennedy, does not even use the word “panhandling.” It addresses not speech, which is constitutionally protected, but behavior, which is not.

The ordinance would bar anyone from exchanging an item or items with someone inside a vehicle on a roadway. It penalizes equally the person soliciting aid and the person proffering it because the actions of both result in a safety hazard. It applies equally to panhandlers and charity fundraisers but not, of course, to police officers who, for instance, receive driver’s licenses and dispense tickets from the roadway.

The proposed ordinance deserves council support. It won’t end panhandling on sidewalks or private property – though the owners of private property can forbid panhandling and ask the police for help in enforcing the ban. But panhandlers, some of whom come to the city from elsewhere for that purpose, solicit at intersections because it is profitable to do so. Banning that activity, as the ordinance does, may lead to an overall decline in panhandling. That would be a good thing for shoppers, merchants and panhandlers.

Giving someone money that may be spent on alcohol, cigarettes or drugs does them no good, and it only perpetuates a problem rooted in homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, unemployment and the lack of truly affordable housing.

The best way to help panhandlers is to donate to organizations that work to feed, clothe, treat and house them and put them on a path to employment.

AKA Harlan wrote:
04/18/2013
While I agree that this proposed ordinance is the best we’ve seen, I have to take issue with the statement “Giving someone money that may be spent on alcohol, cigarettes or drugs does them no good, and it only perpetuates a problem rooted in homelessness…”. If this were true, everyone that receives a regular paycheck would be subject to the same risk. When you’re living under a bridge, simple pleasures are hard to come by. That cold beer or fresh cigarette can take the hard edge off an otherwise miserable day. Yes, please give to those wonderful organisations that help create a path out of homelessness. But don’t deny one down on his luck a brief respite from his misery, out of fear or misplaced morality.

sail wrote:
04/18/2013
I would suggest that there is no difference in the liberal democrats holding out their had for govt to fill it with goodies stolen from the producers to fulfill the whims of the takers

Concord Monitor Editorial April 18

Blogspot Panhandling Question

Homeless and Heartstruck

“We build our temples, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves” – Langston Hughes.

On December 18th, 2012 my life changed forever, and for the better.

As a resident manager for a lodging facility in central New Hampshire, I found myself suddenly without a job or living quarters. The owners of the property were undergoing some tough financial times, having attempted to sell, without success, for a decade. When a potential buyer came to call, they felt inclined to have me removed quickly to maintain an illusory assessment of the property’s value without my interference. I was removed by the police on trespassing charges, as was the owner’s contention, and given five minutes to vacate.

Since I was in a small town with no resources, it behooved me to re-locate to the nearest city capable of dealing with my situation. You may ask, why not stay with family, or friends? Even close family and friends have troubles they hesitate to share. This was my burden to bear, and placing it on the shoulders of ones I loved was not an option.

The most valuable tools at my disposal were a clear head, and a positive attitude. This journey can be quite devastating if not emotionally and mentally prepared. I thought of it as an adventure, a challenge brought to me in my quest to transition from a life of self service, to one of service to others.

Assistance available to the homeless is quite remarkable in Concord. There are two cold weather shelters. First Congregational, administered with great patience by directors Terry Blake and Donn Belair, provides for intoxicated individuals, or those battling substance abuse. Since these were not issues with which I had to contend, I chose to stay at South Church, which maintains a zero tolerance policy, and is compassionately run by director Bill Watson and an able and willing staff of church volunteers. Both churches provide a safe haven from catastrophe, and having a warm safe environment to sleep was essential to maintaining focus on the task ahead.

For a couple of weeks, I resided at the McKenna House, run by the Salvation Army Corps, but found the level of operational dysfunction to be a hindrance. You are given a choice of paying $10 a day, or volunteering 20 hours of community service a week in exchange for a dorm bed, and use of the shared facilities. One also must complete a chore each day, which may take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. I was pleased to volunteer, but found that even after exceeding my mandatory volunteer commitment, I was handed a bill for monies due each week. The negativity was palpable, and rather than increase my indebtedness, I returned to the cold weather shelter.

The Concord Homeless Resource Center has been an oasis in a storm. Director Marcia Sprague, and a staff of caring volunteers, are always eager to greet and assist newcomers and returning visitors alike, and often work after hours in their dedication to fulfill the needs of the homeless. Being without a vehicle, having a “one stop” resource center was invaluable to me in securing all the info I needed to carry on.

The Friendly Kitchen is run by a small but dedicated staff and a bevy of committed and friendly volunteers. Manager Jennifer Lombardo and tireless homeless advocate Hope Butterworth, have provided (with generous donations by the Concord citizenry) a welcoming meeting and dining facility for the hungry and impoverished. Having little money on hand, and refusing to apply for food stamps or panhandle, this was a perfect solution to my hunger requirements.

My knees sometime ache, and I’ve developed a spur in my heel from all the walkabouts, but currently my needs for temporary shelter, food and clothing are met. I thank you, Concord, for your hospitality, compassion and abundant resources. I look forward to warmer weather, when you may find me busking, ukulele style, at registered downtown locations.

Peace,
AKA Harlan

Walk Tall – Cannonball Adderly Quintet

(Originally submitted to and rejected by The Concord Monitor, and thankfully so, as it became the genesis of this blog adventure!)