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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview September 27, 2006 ICC, food bank move to Ashland Street By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Orville Hector | Daily Tidings Daniel Conteaton enlarges a doorway in the former Handyman building, which is being remodeled to become the new home for the ICC and the Ashland Emergency Food Bank. FRONT: THE HANDYMAN BUILDING IS THE Future site of the Interfaith Care Community center and the Ashland Food Bank. Two Ashland organizations that provide social services to homeless and low-income people are moving to Ashland Street. The Interfaith Care Community center and the Ashland Emergency Food Bank, the two private non-profit agencies, will move from their current location in the Railroad District to the old Handyman building on Ashland Street. Having recently sold its Second Street location, ICC is ready to make the long-planned move to the Handyman Building. The food bank, which operates out of the Second Street building as well, was waiting for ICC to sell so they could make the move together. "It's a very beneficial move," Sharon Schreiber, the executive director of the ICC, said. "It's more centrally located [and the new lolocation] is not in a residential area." She said some of the ICC's neighbors on Second Street have complained about their behavior of ICC clients, something she anticipates won't be so much of an issue at the new location, which is just to the southeast of the Clay Street overpass. Schreiber added that the move "is a small step to something much larger." Former Ashland Mayor Alan DeBoer owns the Handyman building and has long planned to locate the two private emergency services agencies there. DeBoer hired Jim Green, of Green Meadows Construction, to give the old Handyman building a quick renovation. His long-term plan is to construct two new buildings on the lot and turn it into a kind of one-stop shopping center for transients, the chronically homeless and low-income families in need of emergency aide. Before this phase of the plan could go forward, DeBoer said, plans would have to approved by the city's planning department and commission. His plans call for the ICC and the emergency food bank to have their own buildings on the site. The Handyman building itself would then be increased by 30 percent and turned into a Thrift Store on the first level with one or two levels of "transitional housing" apartments above that. Transitional housing would give people a place to live as they get their lives back on track, DeBoer and Schreiber said. He envisions apartments, between 600 and 1,200 square feet and have anywhere from one to three bedrooms, will be rented on a sliding scale — they could be rented for as low as $10 a month, he said — while tenants work their way back into a more normal lifestyle through employment and financial counseling."There is a real need in Ashland for financial counseling," DeBoer said. "It could help people become contributing members of society again and get that second chance." Schreiber said the average time a person in need is homeless for is between three and five years. "In that period of time there is so much that can happen to people," she said. The transitional housing, they both said, would help people get through that period. The ICC sold its Second Street property for $353,000. The proceeds, Schreiber said, would help to run the organization. DeBoer hopes the Ashland Community Land Trust can eventually take over the property from him. If they can't, ICC would be willing to buy the property, Schreiber said. The Ashland Emergency Food Bank, which distributes food to families in need, will move into the new building on Nov. 10, according to its director Jim Martin. ICC will move in on Dec. 1. The ICC will be closed between Oct. 15 and Dec. 1. Schreiber said clients can make arrangements with the organization to have their mail delivered somewhere else in the meantime. Clients are also welcome to visit the ICC offices in Medford, she said."It will be well worth the wait," she said. There will be an community open house in early December to unveil the new emergency services headquarters, she said. Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x. 226 or [email protected] Current Comments: I hoped this project had gone away. I'm sure this will turn Ashland into an even more attractive mecca for transients, but since the idea is to get them out of sight, who will care? If the people around 2nd St. were tired of the antics of food bank patrons, what does the city think will happen when they fan out into the neighborhoods and shops local to the new area? There had better be enforceable guidelines in place for the new invisible residents of Ashland. This has disaster written on it. Thomas W. - Ashland, OR - September 27th, 2:36 PM Wow, more good news out of Ashland! This sounds like real win-win, and Alan DeBoer deserves thanks for his generosity. Steve - Japan - September 27th, 3:19 PM Hey Thomas W.: No problem with the enforceable guidelines: let's persuade Lori Munson to open her council campaign headquarters in the Bi-Mart shopping center and place canvassers on the Clay St. overpass, suitably equipped with white hoods, cudgels, one-way bus tickets, and fumigation devices. Steve - Japan - September 27th, 4:47 PM yes, we need to help our fellow man/women, but will it turn out as a hang out, great there out of downtown, now at the the edge of town! will it affect the stores and neighborhoods YES!! but hey the tourist dont come out here!! raj - ashland/oregon - September 27th, 5:31 PM WOW! Thomas W. what a snob. Kathy - Ashland,OR - September 27th, 5:33 PM Now the plans for the homeless to be relocated in my neighborhood will b next to low income houseing on Clay St. that is families with children. Is this appropriate to be around the children and the senior citizens in Wingspread Park that must walk by them to do shopping? We already have a problem with them trying to live under the bridge! So the rich want it moved from the eyes of the tourists, put them in our Neighborhood without asking us about it! The DeBoer's have a BIG house, use it! A. Stone - Ashland - September 27th, 7:05 PM Ditto to Kathys comment, people like Thomas W are why I moved out of Ashland and all those "beautiful people" YUK! Rain - Talent - September 27th, 7:50 PM To Thomas & A.Stone That was mighty neighborly of you! Obviously you are fortunate enough to have food in your fridge when you open the door. Others do not have the luck you have in life and thanks to caring people that help at the ICC & the food bank, people like me don't go hungry & I'm not homeless. Ever been hungry? I doubt it! "Not in my neighborhood you say" Well tell us whose neighborhood would be more appropriate? Where can we send you when you are down on your luck, hungry & cold? Dave Orchid - Ashland, OR - September 28th, 6:23 AM If I had a business or worse,a home anywhere in the neighborhood I'd be furious.The Clay Street bridge is all ready a hotel for transients and the worst graffiti-vandalism point in town.The rear of Shop-N-Cart and Bi-Mart have problems with transients- partying behind their stores now.We don�t have a homeless or poverty class in Ashland,why do some groups insist on making Ashland the ultimate destination for these people? Feel guilty? Move to Oakland or Portland and open a soup kitchen there. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - September 28th, 7:38 AM The folks who seek assistance at the food bank are not there to create problems; they are there because they are hungry. Most of the clients are Ashland families struggling to put food on the table. It is simply shameful to judge people in need. Consider volunteering instead and help make a difference in the lives of folks in need! Nicki Stroo - Ashland, OR - September 28th, 7:46 AM I'm always amazed at the lack of accuracy in your reporting. There are two agencies and you only have input from ICCA. You even have the date wrong for the Food Bank to move in! I wonder at the responses too. Have they looked at any stats relating to our area? The food bank serves WORKING FAMILIES who are having a hard time putting food on the table. These are not panhandlers but just someone needing a lift up. Wow, are we so blind that we lump everyone into the same category! Joan Dean - Talent, OR - September 28th, 8:37 AM Thank you Alan. May your kindness and generosity show others what they can do. Your extended family has supported Ashland and the Rogue Valley in so many ways. To take potshots for actions of this sort only proves the old addage: You can't please all the people all the time. Thanks again. Pragmatic - Ashland, OR - September 28th, 9:03 AM Iverson: "We don't have a homeless or poverty class in Ashland.." What? Are you kidding? If living in Ashland and only making 24,000/year, paying $700/month in rent, and owing taxes to Uncle Sam at the end of every tax year (rather than that hefty refund many people enjoy) is not your idea of a poverty class, then what is? And I actually consider myself lucky to be earning 'so much' and paying 'so little' rent! I know there are many who are much worse off than me! Man, open your eyes! Rebecca - Ashland - September 28th, 12:22 PM Wow, Oh My God! Ashland has changed SO MUCH since I left. I have a friend who calls Ashland "10 square miles in the middle of reality". It used to bug me and now I see it is the truth. Just because you paid too much for your little house doesn't mean you don't get to have life happen all around you. You could be living in the Congo. The whining and mud-slinging in the comments section of this paper are giving me a real perspective on what Ashland has become. kristen - australia - September 28th, 10:50 PM I'd like to think this is pure kindness and generosity on the part of our x mayor but it is a plan that hatched in the mind of a man who at the time may have been more concerned with keeping up appearances than spirits. But for whatever the intent this could be a good thing if it's done right. Maybe we can help some of the folks get off those horrible "meds" that are ruining lives and lining the pockets of the filthy rich pharmaceuticals. Won't be easy though the marketers are quite ingenious. C - Ashland - September 29th, 12:09 AM The personal attacks on these comment pages is terrible! I will agree with Thomas W. It is going to be a real problem. Frankly, the ICCA, in particular, is simply enabeling the society "users". I know. My son is one of their frequent patrons...and his bum friends too. They do not wish to work or be self-sufficient citizens. They want to ride on our backs. Moving the problem across town isn't going to solve anything. Lisa - Ashland - September 29th, 12:26 AM this is only going to create a social problem/ my neighborhood not your downtown business, where our so many churches here in ashland to help the poor! can you tell me ? will the police keep an eye? please any one who is against this , that stop this know! thanks jslukauskas - ashland/oregon - September 29th, 4:00 PM I wonder...is this a good thing or a bad thing? This will "enable" homeless people in a seriously negative way.What incentive does this provide to get them off the streets, working like the rest of us, being self-sufficient, and no longer burdening the community?How many are genuinely in need of serious help, I wonder?I mean, when you see "homeless" on the plaza with cardboard signs reading "need money for dope", how much sympathy does that person deserve? Help the ones who genuinely need it. Jon - Ashland - September 29th, 9:02 PM Rebecca, my mistake here.I didn�t mean to criticize the food bank. It is wrong to lump them in with ICCA. I may be out of touch a bit as I've aged. $24k a year is poverty level and in need of assistance? The food bank does help families while ICCA is the one that scares me by attracting people to our area rather than assisting those all ready here. And I appreciate the effort Alan is making, he�s a good man. Last comment; Does I-5 get a sign encouraging patronage of our new hobo center? Steve l. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - September 30th, 7:38 AM Anything that helps Ashland's working families feed their kids is an excellent thing. The idea of a place that attracts 'hobos' from out of the area is questionable. Who are these guys? Why are they here? How did they get here? Most towns have them these days, so it's a national problem, not just an Ashland problem. What is happening? How can we help, if at all? kathleen - ashland, OR - September 30th, 10:33 AM Its odd how compassion and charity can be look upon with such suspicion. Poverty is a social disease but you can't catch by sharing a park bench with a hobo. Is it normal to live with anxiety and fear that some bum might ask you to "spare a dime"? Pogo - Ashland - September 30th, 10:28 PM It's not about whether or not anyone has compassion or charity. True love doesn't enable unproductive behaviours. The way things are set up to "help the poor" is not helping the poor. It is enabling those who don't want help...only handouts. There is more to the problem on 2nd street and moving to the other side of town will NOT help. It will increase. Try talking to a few of these homeless. The concerns are NOT over those truely needing a lift or helping hand to get over a hump in life! Lisa - Ashland - October 1st, 1:12 AM Pogo, apparently you haven't been attacked or harrassed by some of our resident transients yet have you? Give it time. I talked to one transient and he says the handouts in Ashland are quite nice. He has no desire to do anything but wander and beg for stuff. Others are seriously mentally ill AND DANGEROUS! Look at the police logs. Ashland isn't equipped to handle what will happen as they make Ashland more inviting than it already is. Then again, maybe you can set up a few tents in your yard. Lisa - Ashland - October 1st, 1:19 AM The views of us against this hobo center are being misunderstood.It's not a lack of compassion.It's not looking down on anyone or being unkind.None of those things.Many of us give a great deal to help those less fortunate. My personal objection is to not helping our own but bringing these folks here.Making Ashland a destination.Let's be honest,really honest;a great deal of crime follows these visitors.Aggressive panhandling, vandalism,strains on our hospital and police.They are high maintenance. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - October 1st, 7:51 AM I remember when I was a little boy and my family hit hard times.I remeber my parents saddness as they spent their money from my college fund on food.I remeber when they finally had to swallow their pride and went to the food bank for help.It was a true blessing and to this day I do not know what we would have done without it.I am now edjucated and successful enough to have homes in both Marin and Ashland.Many of these people that utilize the food bank are your neigbors, friends and could be you Jason - Ashland Native and Marin Resident - October 1st, 11:43 AM My other experience with the food bank is from when I was personally one of Ashland's disinfrachised youth.Although my family recovered from financial issues domestic issues eventualy led to me being homeless.With a little help from a food bank and friends I never had to panhandle.I do aggree that we have a problem in ashland.I just think that folks need to know that some of these kids in the park will grow up to be successful and contributing members of society.Most of them will not but maybe.. Jason - Ashland Native - October 1st, 11:58 AM Seattle ran a survey on the homeless about a year back, go look up the data. You will find that the majority are homeless by choice. Living under the radar, wanted felons. A few were just down on there luck but it was incredibly low. And a few needing meds. I will pass the web site on when I find it. I don't want to increase the homeless population here in Ashland, don't give them a reason to stop. If it was up to me, we would run most of them out of town. Quote that! Lori Munson - Ashland Oregon - October 2nd, 1:28 AM People are in a uproar about services we had in a different location. Raising kids in Ashland there were times I used the food bank and many people in town have. This could be a solution to changing what is happening in town now. Even the redneck towns have emergency services. They get temporary help and it should get them to the next level to survive. When services are there,there is no tolerence for signs in front of taco bell with the same lady for months saying she needs food and water. ann - ashland OR - October 2nd, 2:30 AM Read the article again. The idea is to expand into something "much larger". "one-stop shopping center for transients, the chronically homeless and low-income families in need of emergency aide." The ICCA is poorly run now and has created many problems in the community. The idea of expanding an already disfunctional and harmful program does not make sense. The idea of an already struggeling city government to eventually take over is equally as stupid. How long will we coddle transients? Lisa - Ashland - October 2nd, 3:05 PM I lived in Santa Monica years ago when the combination of nice environment and generous services to the homeless turned the town into a nightmare. It was terrible. Really terrible. It did become a destination city for the homeless-by-choice. I live not far from the Handyman and I have to say I feel so depressed about what it will do to this part of town. If it ends up like Santa Monica, I know my days of shopping at Shop N Kart will probably come to an end. Sharon - Ashland - October 2nd, 9:10 PM Lori, if you'll run for council or mayor I'll vote for ya. Heck I'll be your campaign manager. I love the "Quote that!" Crystal - Ashland - October 2nd, 10:06 PM We don't want poor people in our town. Bad for tourism. Send them downstream to Medford like we do our sewage into Bear Creek. That must be what Jesus would to right? Lets send overweight people there with them, most obese people are by their own actions, right? Don't stop there, get rid all the Christians too, for that is a life choice, and they are bad for the new age image we market. Mostly, lets get rid off all those families that have had more than 1.2 children? & jail the mentally ill? wanna b a trustfunder2 - Ashland - October 3rd, 4:42 PM I work near the food bank and constantly witness some of the individuals serviced there behave rudely, obscenely, and criminally. Relocating those services (and thereby the transient individuals that frequent those services) alongside a bike path that young children use daily to get to and from school is completely irresponsible. Why wasn�t someone thinking of the innocent children who will no longer be safe on the bike path? Mike - Ashland, OR - October 3rd, 8:32 PM We can't overlook that many of the food bank�s visitors cause trouble. That's why our downtown wants them relocated. However, it should not be okay with the people of Ashland that these services relocate to an area densely populated with young, impressionable, innocent children, right alongside a bike path that leads to several schools. Do your children use the bike path? Grandchildren? Neighbor�s children? Will you feel comfortable with their continuing to do so? I know I won't! tms - Ashland, OR - October 3rd, 8:49 PM wannab. You are ignorant aren't you? Why are you lumping all poor people in one pot? There are poor people with integrity and standards who should be helped. Then there are those who should be in a mental institute or jail---and unfortunately time has shown that they are who will frequent the new 'hangout' created just for them! We may as well hang a neon sign inviting more of the law-breaking, mooching, unstable, criminal, transients--because they will come! Don't we have enough already? Lisa - Ashland - October 4th, 1:18 PM I guess Lisa is right. There are some bad guys that are homeless. Send them all down the road, turn your back. I'm sure that is what Jesus must have taught. I will humbly agree with above concerns for children using the bikeway nearby as I live close. But if not there, then where in "Not In My Backyard" Ashland? It seems the impact would be less to the community there than anywhere else I can think of? Hope my family/friends aren't reading the Tidings believing I live in such a selfish City! wanna b a trustfunder2 - Ashland - October 4th, 3:17 PM Lisa, You are correct! Only a fool would welcome a law-breaking, mooching, unstable, criminal, transients in to his own back yard. Lori Munson - Ashland Oregon - October 4th, 3:44 PM i remember Californian's said the same thing in the 30's/40's with the immigration of Okies/Arkies/Texans w/o jobs. U.S. says the same thing about Mexicans today. Must be awful living with such fear of people you don't know? I suppose during your final judgement you can stand there and answer, well, in my life I served humanity by helping to keep out the poor in Ashlandia...and I gave the old mattress my dog doesn't use to Goodwill? And I succeed in life all do to my own good hard effort... wanna b a trustfunder2 - Ashland - October 4th, 4:57 PM If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard. (Prov.21,13-14) 2000 years old, as true today as then. Being poor & homeless is not a crime. Not even here; no matter what your CC&R's read. Last I heard we haven't criminalized being poor. If there are criminals within the transient population, they should be dealt with accordingly, that is another subject.Why do you think Medford displays compassion with St.Vincent's and many H4Humanity Homes & we won't? wanna b a trustfunder2 - Ashland - October 5th, 7:55 AM Very interesting comments regarding the new ICCA/Ashland Food Bank location. I would strongly suggest that those residents having such great concerns about the residents being served by ICCA to do a little bit of research, get yourself educated, and then act on those concerns. Ashland is a wonderful community, with so many compassionate, intelligent people. I know, I grew up here and I assure you that the homeless problem is nothing new here. So get educated and hold a public forum/volunteer Richard T - Ashland, Oregon - October 5th, 9:00 AM I would be glad to volunteer. If someone has a bus I can borrow I would be glad to take all the homeless down to San Diego. It is getting colder here and I feel for the homeless people. So lets get them to a warmer climate. Mark Smith - Ashland, OR - October 5th, 9:03 AM Mark Smith, Lori Munson, Lisa:Is the KKK starting up again in Ashland to rid this good community of all the undesirables? Maybe you should start a thread and list everyone else you want to get rid of in Pleasantville? When Mom left for greener $pastures, Dad and us went to our local "foodbank" for help, I'm glad we went after dark when you all couldn't identify us. Tbis dialogue has been an educational lesson for my own children to understand how southern blacks were percieved till 1960's. wanna b a trustfunder2 - Ashland - October 5th, 11:03 AM Wannab, you are being quite silly about this. It isn't about people who are in need. It is about the element coming in that are just there to leech off of society. They give everyone a bad name. And many transients are criminals just looking to lay low. So encouraging growth in that segment is just not very safe. People with no ties to community, and no rules tend to not worry about consequences. It's all about themselves and they can just disappear again. Think about it a bit. Bill Frist - Ashland, OR - October 5th, 11:12 AM Woah! wannab is resorting to assumptions and allegations relating to the KKK??? You must be running out of drival. I can only laugh since you obviously have no clue as to my race, social status, beliefs, or background. You are an emotionalist. It's people like you that are killing my son by enabeling him to continue in his self destructive behaviour. I am sorry, handouts are not assistance. We have a city problem and moving it across town is not a solution! Lisa - Ashland - October 5th, 1:21 PM KKK? Where did that come from? KKK is race motivated, I'm not. As a matter of a fact I despise ideals of the KKK. I love this town; this is the only town I've ever known. I'm just sick of the panhandlers, pushy beggars and openly displayed drug use in our parks. I personally feel that this food bank will attract loads of homeless here to live. Have you look under the Clay street overpass? I have, there's used condoms, hypodermic needles and human feces. Do you want that? I don't!!! Lori Munson - Ashland, Oregon - October 5th, 2:29 PM LOL! wanna b a trustfunder2 is that the best you can come up with? The KKK? And you have the nerve to call others ignorant, wow. Now I understand you posting name. Someone should�ve poured some bleach in your gene pool a few generations back. It�s not your fault. If you are going to argue about an issue, ask someone to help you come up with a point to make. KKK� WOW, Impressive. JT - Ashland - October 5th, 3:28 PM I believe what wannabe was saying was that the KKK in Ashland 1910-1930's was concerned with removing "undesirables" out of Ashland; people like what most of you here are desribing you want to bus out of town. My heart goes out to Lisa, that must be a tough situation with her son. Ray - Ashland - October 6th, 9:10 AM So many comments so little action. I hope the above opinions are not representative of all of Ashland. There are food banks in every community, they do not attract the homeless-they exist to serve needy residents-you must have identification showing you are a resident of Ashland/Talent area to use the Ashland Food Bank. JJ - Ashland, Oregon - October 6th, 5:03 PM I have been tired of living in a small, conservative town all of my life and have been seriously considering moving my son and I to a place that he could grow up where there was more diversity and where people were more open minded. I've always had the notion that the "West Coast" would be a great change of pace for us. I read an article about Ashland and thought it seemed like a great place to live. Yikes. Thanks for the education. I guess it just goes to show -it doesn't matter where you go... Jullie - Winchester,VA - October 7th, 6:48 PM I have a child in VA thats works in DC and he has some issues and he says there are right wing but there are so many people back the that whatever you are there are more people and everybody blends in its not right or wrong. The west for him was we are liberal but we don't want your kind in the world ann - ashland or - October 9th, 3:21 AM The level of literacy on this thread is interesting. Results of Ashland schooling? Wannab, why don't you invite the ICC to build the hobo hangout in your neighborhood? They may socialize with your children, brighten your horizons and enthrall you of their travels, as well as where they come from. kathleen - ashland, OR - October 11th, 2:10 PM Hey, Kathleen - it doesn't sound like the NY schools have been doing much of a job either. Your last sentence alone may (oops, 'might'... or is it 'can', ...or 'could'???) be an advertisement for No Child Left Behind. Steve - Japan - October 12th, 7:22 AM I had to learn the hard way about life on the streets and it didn't work for me. But in the past the people from ICCA were very good to me and all the bad in my life they were the few places I could go.There only trying to do good why put a cloud over good cause it could be u. Your worried about your kids who worried about them when school took them to a camp tell me what could be worse. I had to see it on Dr Phil sept 9 topic was cults. Your child might have been exposed in good old Ashland. boots - ashland,or - October 13th, 6:50 AM Steve, a little defensive there, are we? LOL. Here's an observation I've made which is sure to make a few of you unhappy; maybe as defensive as Steve From Japan. I've noticed that the transients in our midst are mostly American, mostly white guys, mostly in their 30's and 40's. You'd think we'd have more illegal immigrants seeking handouts upon arrival at Exit 14. Could it be that they are WORKING HARD, as opposed to our unfortunate brethren? Why is that? kathleen - ashland, OR - October 13th, 11:36 AM No, I am not being defensive in the least, since I have nothing to defend myself from. I just dislike sloppy thinking and sloppier writing.("LOL") But you are right about the illegals working hard - not to mention that any one of the illegals would be immediately swept up by the law, jailed, and shipped south if they were seen panhandling. Steve - Japan - October 13th, 3:44 PM I think the transients and the food bank are two different issues. I remember when transients were arrested for just hanging and pandhandling. So what happened, now it's legal. Is it local or federal law? It seems that if it is a problem then the answer should be what can be done? Our teenagers still get arrested for just hanging, trespassing, on party nights. The other solution I see is more programs to help people find work. I think it is more beneficial to focus on solutions. What can we do? Lynn - Medford, Puerto Vallarta - October 17th, 8:49 AM After graduation from college and a running total of 7.5 years in 4 different four year institutions, I chose willingly to experience "homelessness" (which is nothing more than houselessness). I chose this to learn how to survive outside a fascist american system which is about to fall. This is my message to all you jerks who think "homeless" people are bizarre and dirty: you will soon be one of them. Get ready for the system crash, concentration camps, curfew and a new and improved martial law! Andy Warstar - Ashland, OR - October 17th, 11:05 AM Andy, here you set using a computer to connect with the world soon to be ended in concentration camps, system crashes and curfews. You need to lay off the harder drugs, or consider rehab I think. Mark Smith - Ashland, OR - October 17th, 11:33 AM Andy-When it all does implode and I become homeless;I will still take a shower,look for work,try to provide for myself in a meaningful way(not look to recreational drugs for salvation).I will not leave nasty camp sites, graffitti,vandalism,thefts and other criminal behavior in my wake. These are the things that bother hard working good citizens,not just the fact that someone chooses to be houseless. Thanks for confirming what many have been saying: Homeless by choice does not need a handout. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 18th, 10:54 PM Looks like Mark & Steve stepped up to the plate... Mark, do you pay attention to anything besides mainstream media? Do you realize that Ashland Daily Tidings is owned by Buena Vista, the same people who own Disney? Do you also realize that you accuse people of doing hard drugs when they say something you don't agree with? You are funny. And Steve? Don't rationalize hard work when you are an enabler in a relationship with a fascist society. Sit & think. You'll probably learn a lot more. Andy Warstar - Ashland, OR - October 19th, 1:36 PM Andy,had you pegged right from the start. Another blame America first degenerate.Fascist society?Go get a haircut and a job my long haired houseless friend.Put the mary-jane down long enough to try and focus.See if you can get this about our "fascist society";There's a very short list of places in the world where you have the freedoms to say anything you want.Take a trip to Iran and while your there write a letter or two bad-mouthing that society.See what happens to you. USA Love it or leave it Steve L. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - October 20th, 12:47 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.