I became the planning director for the city of Lewiston in 1988. A few years later, my daughter and I had lunch downtown and decided to take a stroll through Kennedy Park. We saw many homeless persons, with bedding and carts nearby. We were upset by what we saw, by how in a “land of plenty” homelessness persisted.
Later that day, I approached a well-respected city official and posed this question: “What is our plan to address homelessness in Lewiston?” The official answered: “We do not have a homeless problem in Lewiston.” After explaining what I had witnessed first-hand, the official responded: “Listen, Jim, if we acknowledged a homeless problem, we’d have to do something about it.”
I am afraid that 30 years later, the majority of the Lewiston City Council is taking the same stand. We need to make progress in helping our unhoused neighbors find stable housing and services. The mayor’s new shelter committee provides a way to address the needs in our community and keep Lewiston moving forward.
By contrast, drawing up a moratorium on homeless shelters, as recently approved by the City Council, is a waste of time and resources.
The public and City Council need to understand that meeting the challenge of homelessness in our community cannot and will not wait. Our comprehensive plan, drafted and passed years ago, set out the course of action.
We must acknowledge the problem, and take steps to address this crisis with compassion and commitment. It is our duty.
Jim Lysen, Lewiston
Send questions/comments to the editors.
