Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Local school a leader in conflict resolution learning ... Levy would restore bus services ... As It Was: The Ruch family tragedy overcome by town's founder ... Local school a leader in conflict resolution learning ... Levy would restore bus services ... As It Was: The Ruch family tragedy overcome by town's founder ... COUNCIL CORNER Street people: A path forward Comment By John Stromberg DailyTidings.com By John Stromberg Posted Apr. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM By John Stromberg Posted Apr. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Introduction On March 15 I spoke to the City Council about the long-standing issues of behavior problems downtown and the needs of our local homeless population. I now consider the situation a crisis. Here's why. We, and other cities along I-5, are experiencing an influx of people passing through who hang out on our streets. They are not just downtown. They camp anywhere they can find space and leave behind trash and human and animal waste. Sometimes the sheer number of panhandling groups feels like it's overwhelming the capacities of our public spaces. Each of these people has a unique history, needs, mindset and behaviors and deserves to be treated with respect as a fellow human being, but their presence challenges the quality of life at the core of our community. The escalating pressure they place upon us threatens to polarize our community. Refugees I believe it's time to recognize an emerging national domestic refugee problem of people falling victim to the multiple ways in which our society is disintegrating politically, environmental, economically, and more. Compounding the phenomenon is the emergence of a new, post-millennial generation with a disaffected and anarchistic component. As a town of 20,000 population, we cannot solve what is a national problem on a local level. However, I believe we have to become more resilient, resourceful and united as a community in order to confront it. Key principles A first step is to recognize that the familiar problems of disruptive behavior and how we care for our local homeless population are interrelated. Helping people in need, when coupled with expectations for their behavior, can provide stepping stones by which some capable members of our homeless population can make their way back into the community. When this happens, they bring a new dimension to dealing with the refugee situation. They can communicate what is happening on the streets, help create strategies and directly influence the disruptive individuals and groups. They also add resiliency and inspiration. Organization In order to put this approach into action, we have to organize our individual efforts. In preparation for March 15, I constructed a diagram showing organizations, programs and projects poised to engage on the streets this season (the diagram is online at www.dailytidings.com ). These 30 entities need to be coordinated in order to be fully effective. To get this process going, I am convening a meeting on April 21 to establish a network of person-to-person relationships among individuals on the interface between our community and the scene on the streets. With this foundation in place, they can more fully collaborate with each other, collect and share information and jointly problem-solve. How we all benefit We are on a path that will change how we understand and experience ourselves. We will become more aware of how close each of us is to the state of homelessness and the horror of that condition. We will realize concretely that allowing people to exist in a state of homelessness weakens the community and drags down its economy. Making every helping act an act of inclusion will be a challenge to our ingenuity. The 31st partner To the mix of local entities mentioned above, I want to add a Silicon Valley social benefit start-up brought to the community's attention by Councilor Pam Marsh. We believe this group can catalyze the efforts of the other 30 because it plays out the drama of reentering society in the theater of the streets of Ashland, for the entire community to observe and support. This shared experience can help unify us and overcome the schisms that inevitably occur when the flux of events catches us unaware. Conclusion I am convinced our only real hope of addressing the refugee component of the situation on our streets is collectively. It may seem a daunting task, but let's reflect on the fact that we 20,000 individuals coexist peacefully — and circulate around town in our various forms of mobility — within a scant six square miles. In times of crisis, which is now, what limits shall we place on our capacity to respond? John Stromberg is mayor of Ashland. Email him at [email protected]. By John Stromberg DailyTidings.com By John Stromberg Posted Apr. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501