Letter: Shelter neighbors bear a cost

From: Beth Gross-Dilley

Columbus

I would like to extend my apologies to anyone I offended by saying that the Brighter Days shelter is a magnet for undesirables in the east Columbus area. I did not mean all the people and for that I am very sorry, but I did mean it for some of the people whose behavior is undesirable.

I know there are clients of the facility that really need a hand up due to circumstances beyond their control and they really appreciate the help. Then, there are others that feel entitled and have no desire to get rehabilitated back into society. Elizabeth Kestler stated at the meeting that she has no control over the clients after they leave the shelter. So now we have people who are causing an increase in crime and drug activity in the neighborhood by the shelter. When the people who do not go to the shelter at night or who are not allowed in the shelter sleep on homeowners’ private property or on commercial property without permission, sometimes they urinate and defecate there, too. They also loiter and litter on properties. I do know that some women lock their business doors during the day and only unlock it for their customers.

It was very nice of the young man to build a covered picnic table for Love Chapel for his senior project, but it created a real problem for the area on their front lawn. It was a gathering place where at times they partied, congregated and slept (even attached a hammock to it and a tree) all day and most nights. They even took alcohol on Love Chapel’s property and used the area behind a shed at Love Chapel for a restroom until that area was cleared of overgrowth.

One Sunday, a trusted friend told me they saw a couple having sex on Love Chapel’s front lawn.

These are conditions that residents and business owners have dealt with for the past two years.

Things have improved some since the covered picnic table is gone, but there is still a regular table there that is a place to congregate.

I would like to challenge John Brooks to contact the 180 people who signed the petition and ask them the reason for signing. As for them volunteering, I would think that is out of the question since they are busy working and providing for their families and paying taxes to support our community.

Since Brighter Days is a charity, why wouldn’t it be one of the best-kept properties in the area? Elizabeth Kestler commented to me when inquiring about purchasing my property that she has businesses that give her anything she needs to fix or repair or rebuild a property and volunteers who do the labor for free. It’s a win-win for her facilities.

Yes, Brighter Days and Love Chapel supply a need in Columbus, but at what cost for the area they are located in?