I'm confused as to how the most recent census indicated Santee’s homeless count had dropped to 18 (see http://bit.ly/116dqaQ), but Mayor Voepel, in his only-weeks-later sweep of the river bottom (http://bit.ly/11bnpN7) saw 30 to 35...? I appreciate the honesty and transparency of our Mayor's comments, and that he took physical steps - literally - to seek out the truth regarding this issue, but wonder, now, what to believe.
While I don't view all homeless as "deadbeats", as one commenter opined, but - rather - human beings who need our help more than our disdain, I am concerned that they are "living" in such close proximity to our children and parks, and agree wholeheartedly that something must be done - regardless of whether there are 18 or 35.
I would propose that we come up with a plan of options for those homeless who call Santee home - our “neighbors” who seem to be “home-challenged”. Rather than a simple "you can't live here anymore", we should be reaching out to shelters and rehab facilities and churches and work programs to see what we can offer those who have any interest in improving their lives. And those who lack that interest can live their dream elsewhere - at least we will have done our part to offer help.
In today's economy, it becomes more and more difficult to look upon the faces of the homeless and not be reminded that "there but for the grace of God go I". We must treat well those who enter our city limits - whatever their social status. Whether they’ve come here to shop at our inviting shopping centers, swim at our beautiful YMCA pool, fish in our lakes, walk our trails, or eat at our new or established eateries, how we treat our neighbors directly reflects on our city as a whole. And I want to live in a city that chooses to care.
