Teresa French: We can’t wait 10 years to help the homeless
Re “The arduous process of beautifying a Modesto street” (Front page, May 31): If the powers that be truly want to beautify Modesto, we need to do a lot more than just “talk about homelessness.”
Spending $200,000 for planter boxes?
One large photo of one person sitting in the plaza? Modesto’s ugliness is far bigger than that. As far as I can tell from passing through the plaza, it’s simply a place for city employees to smoke.
I attended a “talk about homeless” meeting three months ago. I was appalled when I heard the speaker say Modesto has a 10-year plan to help our homeless! They need help now!
Do the folks running these meetings have the sights and smells of homeless living in their neighborhoods? At McHenry and Orangeburg there is dirty clothing, blankets, feces and people who need help. What is it going to take for the city of Modesto to see the gigantic need we have right in front of us?
Not only are they without homes, a lot of them appear in severe need of mental health care. A 10-year plan is obscene; it’s way too long. Ten minutes is too long at this point.
Teresa French, Modesto
This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 6:50 PM with the headline "Teresa French: We can’t wait 10 years to help the homeless."