A letter regarding The Greenway Foundation’s position on Initiative 300 from
our Executive Director, Jeff Shoemaker:
our Executive Director, Jeff Shoemaker:
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The Greenway Foundation
Revitalizing Rivers. Reconnecting Communities.
April 16th, 2019
I have to reject the notion that people experiencing homelessness, who might set up a camp in a public park because that’s the only space they won’t be harassed, will make the $million-dollar Greenway Foundation Gala on the bridge “not be feasible”. I have to say…this piece Mr Shoemaker is ignorant to the needs of people who are homeless.
Despite your claims that 300 will open the floodgates to allow drug users and diseases to infest all spaces along the river and completely disrupt your nature adventurs for kids is a crock. Maybe kids should see that people struggle daily just not to be harassed, beaten, or killed when homeless, who find refuge and solace in a public park. Kids should see that the river in a COMMON space for everyone, even those without homes. Sweeping the issue of homelessness under the rug and out of the public parks as you’re suggesting is a reason prejudice exists. 300 just gives people who are homeless the right to rest in peace and not have their belongings taken. It’s not a magic wand that will usher into every park and riverwalk hundreds of drug users littering needles and infesting people with typhoid. Don’t blow this out of proportion….if you’re tired of seeing homeless camps in the floodplain then march down to City Hall and demand that people are given homes. Don’t point the finger at those just trying to survive.
No matter your past vote and stance on 300, it was defeated by the campaign “We Can Do Better!” My question now is “How?” Seriously doubt more shelters without adequate healthcare, mental healthcare, and jobs paying true living wages will more shelters do anything but perpetuate the homeless problem. The solution is well above Denver or Colorado’s solving. This a national epidemic that needs a national response. Contact your Congresspersons and the President and demand a resolution to the causes of homelessness. And while at it, demand that the regulatory powers of the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts be restored to the purposes that the singer of the law, President Nixon, intended to be in the form of clean air and clean water. Peace DR