Did JK write this?
----- Original Message ---- From: dfsavgny <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:00:19 AM Subject: [AsburyPark] APP Editorial No shelter in Asbury Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 03/29/07 Post Comment After two years of legal wrangling over a Morristown agency's request, and ultimate approval, to locate a 40-bed homeless shelter in Asbury Park, city zoners have been asked by the courts to review their decision. The zoning board's approval of the shelter, which opened briefly recently, was appealed by a citizens group, and a Superior Court judge ordered the zoners to again weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the shelter. The city has good reason to feel "had" in its prior approval. It should rectify that mistake by not repeating it. Market Street Mission's gospel rescue shelter originally promised city zoners its Jersey Shore Rescue Mission would be open only to Asbury Park men. But mission officials told zoners at two recent hearings that it was their intent to house the homeless from other towns and counties as well. It's not fair for Asbury Park to become saddled with the social- service problems for the whole region so other towns can sanitize themselves of the poor, especially as the city starts getting traction in its hard-fought economic revival. We only can imagine the outcry if this group had sought to locate a regional shelter in any other Monmouth County community. Given the facts presented in the first two hearings — a third is scheduled for April 24 — the zoners' decision should be easy. They should tell the judge they don't want the shelter. It has proved to be a bad neighbor. It was open for a short time recently, but the city had to shut it down for overnight use when fire officials found no sprinkler system had been installed on the second-floor dormitory, where men slept. The nonprofit group also has a less-than-stellar record in Morristown. The state recently ordered it to stop alcohol and drug counseling there because it was not licensed to offer it. Yet, that's part of its avowed mission in Asbury Park. The group has said gay men who are housed there will be treated as sex addicts. Disputable gospel teachings will be used for behavior modification. And the mission has a "don't ask, don't tell" policy on crime, according to Morristown police, that has kept them out of the loop about residents in the shelter there, including one who was a murder suspect. The mounting evidence is clear. This homeless shelter is the last thing Asbury Park needs. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545367
