Homeless feeding questioned - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2014-10-12

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I was unclear on that point after reading a recent article.  — Didi T., Medford The issue of feeding the homeless in local parks has touched a nerve with a lot of Medford residents, Didi. It’s also an issue with which many communities around the country have wrestled. Ashland, for instance, has its share of homeless people who frequent Lithia Park and the downtown. As to your question, a fenced-off portion of Railroad Park is closed during the winter months except for special events held by organizations that maintain the railroad exhibits. “It’s never been part of the proposal to feed them inside the fence,” said Brian Sjothun, director of Medford Parks and Recreation, adding that at least one organization a day hands out food outside the fence. Sjothun said it has never been the city’s intention to direct local organizations to offer free food to the homeless at Railroad Park or at the Almond Street parking lot. However, the city has offered to issue a permit to an organization that wanted an exclusive right to offer food to the homeless at Railroad Park or the parking lot, but none of the organizations have sought a permit so far. Because of civil rights issues, the city can’t require an organization to obtain a permit to distribute free food. Sjothun said certain sections of Hawthorne Park would remain open while the city undergoes a $1.65 million transformation of 13-acre patch of green near the downtown and Bear Creek. As a result, it could be possible that the portions of Hawthorne Park that remain open would allow organizations to continue providing food to the homeless. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 11, 2014 @ 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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