Dear Editor:

I’ve noticed that a town hall-style meeting has been scheduled at the Main Library on Thursday, 7/2/2009 @ 6:30 p.m. Subject: homelessness in Boulder.

I plan to skip this, as it’s likely to be another tedious pity party by the ungrateful homeless (a vocal minority) who fail to appreciate all that this community does for them already, urged on by their enablers such as Boulder Outreach to the Homeless Overflow (perhaps a fitting acronym, that: BoOHoO). No doubt, they will cry out for still more to be done for them. To that I say, “Grow up!”

If anything, homeless services and facilities here in Boulder should be consolidated for greater cost efficiency in these trying times for all nonprofits. I’ve addressed this issue several times over the course of the past year and won’t belabor the point here.

What I want to do is urge the homeless people of Boulder to start doing more for themselves, and maybe even do something to benefit our community. To wit:

1) Clean yourselves up, by taking advantage of free showers including hygiene products and laundry facilities at Boulder Shelter for the Homeless every morning from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Also, clean up after yourselves by not littering anywhere in our fair city.

2) Sober up, and if you need help to do so then take advantage of all the resources available for alcoholics and drug addicts her in Boulder.

3) Stop the petty crime and stupid behavior in general, which only reinforces the negative stereotypes which are hurting all homeless people (including the majority of us who behave in a civil manner).

4) Volunteer in the community in whatever way you can best serve your fellow citizens. Example: Pick up trash along Boulder Creek Path out of the goodness of your hearts, without expectation of any reward like an Eco Pass from the City of Boulder (a naive proposal put forth a few months ago by BoOHoO).

5) Stop harassing people for money, and that’s what panhandling is — harassment. Good things come to those who wait patiently; witness my own guardian angels who take time to check on my welfare and sometimes hand me cash, too. It’s a blessing, given freely, and something to be passed on by the recipient if only in a small way.

It’s time to accept more responsibility for your own welfare, homeless people of Boulder.

Max R. Weller
Boulder

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