Another troubling view of the changes in question is the possible infringement of government on faith and faithful service. This log has been sawed before, but we must saw it again.
I want my government to provide a level playing field whereby the freedoms of faith and service may be expressed, but I would resist government restricting the good will that faith prompts.
The REACH homeless shelter has been and is an offering of faith on behalf of the community for the betterment of all, government included. To our government I would say: "Let it be." Let the REACH homeless shelter continue to serve as its gifts and resources allow. To require a 24/7 program for REACH at this time is a great burden on an already excellent burden-bearer.
Finally, I am baffled when I hear certain community officials insinuate that the "homeless shelter" weighs down the community, warehouses an undesirable populace and contributes to crime and grime.
Deprivation just is, unfortunately. Homeless shelters are mere responses to what is already present i.e., homelessness. My hope is that we all would see that compassionately offering a night of rest to vulnerable people makes our community stronger and more livable.
Members of the Planning Commission, I bid you be gentle and wise in the work regarding the subject at hand. May wisdom and compassion reign as you discern what is best for the common good.
Rev. Don R. Stevenson
Senior Minister
Christ's Reformed Church - UCC
Hagerstown
Bus riders get bumped
To the editor:
Here we go again. Pushing the bus riders a little further back again. Last time it was changing the transfer point to a dark dingy place underneath the train tracks. Now you want to move the boarding point a little further from Hagerstown's Public Square.
Do you realize that many of the people who use the buses are senior citizens from the three housing units located right in the heart of Hagerstown? They are very grateful for the bus service, but why keep giving them a longer distance to walk, when many of them have a hard time using canes and walkers, without having to travel a little farther each time. Many people find it necessary to do their grocery shopping by bus, and carry large grocery packages.
You, Mr. Perini, complain that people are congesting the sidewalks. Then did you extend the structure of flower plants, etc., out, to take some of the sidewalk away? There didn't seem to be a problem when the Peoples Drug Store was located in the same area. I walk by that same area, and find no fault with the people there. Of course, you, like many others who ride by in your automobiles and find it unnecessary to ride a bus, will have all of the complaints.
You talk about taking the benches away from the City Hall area as an accomplishment. Well, I'll tell you, I have been in many cities, and have seen benches displayed for the convenience of the citizens. This is the only one I have noticed, where they take the benches away.
Could it be that the city is afraid to enforce the law, and tell any vagabonds sleeping or breaking the law to move on?
If you want to make the city more attractive, I think you could go to other sources, and stop picking on the bus riders, and making it more difficult for them.
F.D. Miles
Hagerstown
Breed not at fault
To the editor:
