There Is Hope For Laconia's Ward 1

At least the folks in Laconia can derive some sense of relief from the entry of Marge Kerns into the race for City Council from Ward 1. While it’s doubtful that Marge would endorse converting the Laconia Federal Building into a homeless shelter, one can absolutely trust that she won’t lie or say something stupid.

Moreover, having observed Marge on the school board for nearly a decade, I’ve come to respect and appreciate her tenacity. There’s been no one who’s been a more fierce advocate of public education in general, and Laconia’s schools in particular, than Ms. Kerns. And I’m quite confident that she’ll bring that same devotion and advocacy to City Council.

Moreover, I’ve heard nothing but positive reports about Ms. Kerns’ performance as the head of Pharmacy at LRGHealthcare, a critical management position that affects the lives and livelihoods of so many local residents.

(Okay, I admit it. I’m also friends of Marge and her husband Tim, and admire all three of their sons, Patrick, Daniel and Andrew.)

Councilman Knytych Pulls A Sarah Palin

In the discussion over the City of Laconia's desire to prevent the "surplus" Laconia Federal Building from being used as a homeless shelter, Ward 1 Councilman Greg Knytych observed with his usual bluster that the homeless shelter in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona was about half the size of the federal building in Laconia.

"This is an overkill for the needs," Knytych is reported as having said.

Now, I must beg to differ with Mr. Knytych, at least as regards the veracity of his description of the size of the homeless shelter in Phoenix.

First, there is no single homeless shelter in Phoenix, as indicated by the Google Map results illustrated below. Second, a number of the homeless shelters in Phoenix are considerably larger than Laconia's Federal Building.

I'm surprised that Mr. Knytych didn't warn Laconia of the threat of "death panels" that would arise from the creation of any, new homeless shelter in Laconia.

No Catering To The Homeless

Central New Hampshire residents can rest peacefully knowing that the City of Laconia’s officials aren’t about to cater to the homeless.

From the Laconia Citizen:

While stressing that it was not a value judgment about the homeless, the City Council Monday voted unanimously to tell the U.S. government that a homeless shelter is not the highest and best use for the now “surplus” Laconia Federal Building.

City Manager Eileen Cabanel made clear in a letter to federal officials that the city continues to support the homeless but does not “cater” to them.

Nope. No making a value judgment regarding homeless people. Au contraire! They love some homeless people, particularly those equipped with sizable savings or investment accounts and decent credit scores who are looking for an overpriced home to purchase. Bonus points awarded if no children are involved to burden the local schools, and even more bonus points are tossed the way of seasonal home buyers.

Now on the other hand, if you’re a poor, homeless person, you may trust that you won’t be catered to in any fashion. There’s nothing to be gained in rewarding poverty, now, is there?