Article Preview: Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-02-27

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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services App Finder: Great garden apps MSD considers adding a health center at one of the city's high schools Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Jackson County proposes wide pot buffers Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Minor injuries reported in rollover crash near hospital Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Police arrest teen in Medford graffiti spree Medford machete attack leads to attempted murder charge Politics and Elections Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Education MSD considers adding a health center at one of the city's high schools Absenteeism in Oregon schools prompts bill that would tie funding to attendance, not enrollment Territorial Seed contribution a boost for SOU food program 200-plus Jackson County students miss vaccination deadline Medford, Ashland districts fall short of anti-bullying standards Environment Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip State News Oregon official says he was questioned by FBI, IRS Hayes wants her private emails protected Oregon Senate votes unanimously to outlaw 'revenge porn' Judge: Oracle must host Oregon's Medicaid system Oregon Coast fish could be from Japanese tsunami Nation - World Obituaries Pamela Sue Banuelos Judith Ann Miller Rita Launa Stitt Ursula E. Johnson Thomas H. Smith Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories No. 7 Arizona has little trouble with Colorado LeBron scores 42 as Cavs top Warriors Stanford too much for Beavers, 75-48 Stanford spoils OSU party LeBron unhappy over recruiting of son, 10 Varsity 541 College Sports No. 7 Arizona has little trouble with Colorado Stanford too much for Beavers, 75-48 Stanford spoils OSU party Raiders, Owls meet in '14 title rematch Oregon will take care of its athletes Pro Sports LeBron scores 42 as Cavs top Warriors LeBron unhappy over recruiting of son, 10 No word on discipline for Hamilton Herman takes first-day lead at Honda Matthews, Blazers sink Spurs Community Sports Business Latest Stories Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Lithia Motors scores record revenue, net earnings in 4Q and 2014 Bad fourth quarter leads to 2014 loss for Erickson Avista's 4Q earnings of $32.2 million fall short of expectations Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business People in Business Transportation Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Opinion Latest Our View: School attendance bill could backfire Letters to the Editor, Feb. 27 Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Arthur I. Cyr: Iran nuclear accord – tough negotiations, at home and abroad Letters to the Editor, Feb. 26 Editorials Our View: School attendance bill could backfire Our View: Higher education still getting too little Our View: Adjusting for unintended consequences Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 27 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 26 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Columns Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Dana Milbank: The Homeland Security fiasco Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Michelle Teheux: Will we keep heading down the wrong path? Kathleen Parker: Twitter as America's conscience Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Lifestyle Latest stories Looking Up: Shining under your feet Fishing Report: Friday, Feb. 27 Winging it Dry-dock inspections this weekend Get Out: Friday, Feb. 27 Food Page H. Onorato: Hot dogs I have known and loved Season Stepp: Tips for roasting vegetables Tammy Kelly: Here’s to healthier Mex! 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Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' Music HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Dining Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   Emergency services       ...       Mail Tribune 100: Feb. 27, 1915       ...       Our View: School attendance bill could backfire       ...       Emergency services       ...       Mail Tribune 100: Feb. 27, 1915       ...       Our View: School attendance bill could backfire       ...           OUR VIEW Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 24, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Feb. 24, 2015 @ 12:01 am What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter or email ... » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter or email [email protected] . »  Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The Medford City Council made the right call last week when councilors agreed to pursue a plan to feed the homeless next to the Salvation Army thrift store on North Central Avenue. With sufficient conditions to address neighbors' concerns, the plan appears to be a solution the city has been seeking for several months. Food distribution was taking place in Hawthorne Park until the park closed for extensive renovations. But that location had drawbacks. The city's goal for the park improvements is to make Hawthorne more family-friendly, and the presence of large numbers of transients certainly makes that a tougher sell. When the park closed last summer for the year-long renovation work, city parks officials struggled to find another location where volunteers could set up a feeding program. Every possible site had problems and generated opposition. This latest proposal from the Salvation Army is still not a "perfect" location — something that does not exist — but it offers the best situation yet. Under the proposal embraced by the council on Thursday, the city would provide $25,000 in funding, which would pay to construct a concrete pad on a vacant lot behind the thrift store. The lot would be fenced, and the only access would be through the thrift store's parking lot on Central Avenue. That should prevent people from entering the site from Beatty Street, to the rear of the property. Residents along Beatty have expressed concern about people walking down their street to reach the site. Another advantage to this site is the Salvation Army organization itself, which is as experienced as anyone in serving the homeless. The Army also says it will welcome other organizations to use the site as long as they are committed to the work. The problem of homelessness does not lend itself to easy solutions. There will always be pros and cons. But this proposal appears to minimize problems, and even an imperfect plan is preferable to doing nothing. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 24, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments   /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ »  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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