As founder of a nonprofit organization serving homeless and low income, I am concerned with the policies the City of Everett is adopting in the name of economic growth. Although I am not opposed to growth, it needs to be tempered with compassion and tolerance. Do we need to “revitalize” the already established businesses downtown or the people with no homes or low income? The city’s growth should include all people, not just the business/economic landscape. Purchasing property to develop only “upscale” shopping places and housing is a non-inclusive use of public funds and land. If the city wishes to stop unlawful camping and vagrancy then make provisions for housing, jobs and equal rights.
The temporary permitting process placed on nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, churches, food banks and tattoo parlors is an attempt to push aside people that do not fit into their visionfor downtown Everett. This kind of policy is what seeds ghettoes, poverty, crime and intolerance. Has anyone on the City Council or in the mayor’s office asked a homeless person who they are, how they became homeless or what they would like to see in the city? If so, I’d like to hear about that conversation.
The solution? First, when it comes time to re-evaluate the temporary ordinance, include those who work in social services and some from the homeless community. Listen to what they have to say. Not all homeless “bums” are no-good alcoholics and drug addicts. Let’s attempt to achieve a collective dream. When a city accepts as a mandate its quality of life, respects all who live in it and the environment and prepares for future generations, then all share the responsibility for that mandate and their environment. Homelessness is not something you can fix with ordinances. People need their dignity.
Ron Toppi
Everett
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