Editorial

Homeless needs being addressed

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Now that the federal government has turned down a proposal by the Rev. Larry Rice to turn the old federal building on Broadway into a homeless shelter, what next?

First, as a result of the Rice request and the discussion it generated in the community, Cape Girardeau has a better idea of what is being done to meet the needs of the homeless, especially those who are passing through the city on their way to other destinations. Could the community do more? It is looking at the unmet needs of individuals who are longer-term residents seeking to transition from being homeless to having a place to live and a job.

Second, Cape Girardeau County officials are still considering the old federal building to house some county offices and courtrooms. That is a process that will weigh the benefits involved in making such an investment.

Third, the federal government has, under its own guidelines, decided that the old federal building is unsuitable for the many federal agencies in Cape Girardeau that are being housed in leased space outside the new Rush H. Limbaugh U.S. Courthouse on Independence Street. It's too bad these guidelines don't include the possibility of using at least some of the space in the old building for federal offices.

Fourth, Rice has threatened -- as he has done elsewhere -- to sue the federal government in an attempt to get it to reverse its decision. Such an action might stall plans for any other use of the building. And a lawsuit would create expenses for Rice that would divert funds from caring for the homeless at other shelters operated by the Rice organization. This doesn't make much sense for an organization that frequently uses its broadcast outlets to urgently appeal for donations to stay on the air.

Most everyone locally involved in homeless issues agrees there is more that can be done. Again and again, a cooperative approach has been shown to produce positive results.

Comments

View 4 comments or respond

Community discussion is important, and we encourage you to participate as a reader and commenter. Click here to see our Guidelines. We also encourage registered users to let us know if they see something inappropriate on our site. You can do that by clicking "Report Comment" below. Our goal is to create a place for robust and civil discourse about our community, state and nation.

Mr. Rice's idea was not the best one.

But what gets me is how people in Southeast MO are able to rationalize reasons to not help people.

I've heard, alternately, that

A) there are no homeless people at all;

B) the homeless people aren't from here;

C) they're homeless, but only because they want to be; and

D) churches and other programs are already helping them.

Not only do these observations not jive with each other, they're simply mechanisms to do nothing and not feel bad about it.

-- Posted by FriendO on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 10:57 AM
No doubt there is an element of truth at some level to every point you've made. And there is nothing wrong with sharing valid arguements. However, the rest of the story can't be quickly dispensed by item D)- that there are numerous agencies staffed with hundreds of Cape area folks; and literally thousands of volunteers from all walks of life that help provide assistance to the less fortunate and those who have fallen upon hard times. There are far, far more good caring people in the Cape area that do plenty and should feel good about it.

-- Posted by blogbudsman on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 11:12 AM
Sorry, I wasn't trying to take away from local clergy, shelters and generally good folks who are out there doing things for those in need. There certainly are people in our community who are helping.

My point on "D)" was more to say that there are too many other folks who easily shrug off their responsibilities to helping neighbors in need by telling themselves that "someone else will do it." These folks are generally the same ones on the SEMissourian forums espousing arguments A, B, and C as well.

Ask any church (and I don't mean "church" like most in Cape, which are generally more concerned with how their new sound system is going to be), shelter, or charity if they need volunteers or money, I guarantee they'll say yes.

-- Posted by FriendO on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 12:05 PM
I think everyone who can should be required to perform a specific amount of volunteer work for the community every year.

It is time for those of us who are more fortunate to give something back.

-- Posted by Lumpy on Thu, Jun 11, 2009, at 4:53 AM

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires a subscription.

More to explore