‘Thievery Tests Rector’s Policy’

I’m responding to Robert Schwartz’s Jan. 10 article, “Thievery Tests Rector’s Open-Door Philosophy.” In it, Rev. Robert Boyer, rector of St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in San Clemente, defends his decision to provide 24-hour sanctuary to the city’s homeless and needy, despite the fact that his church has been an easy target for burglars during the past 18 months.

In publicly stating his position, however, Rev. Boyer--aided by the presumptions of Schwartz--has unjustifiably impugned the reputation of the Plaza Park neighborhood in which St. Clement’s seems to be playing an increasingly prominent and divisive role.

For 16 years I’ve been a homeowner in what your story so inaccurately and unflatteringly called an “ethnically mixed neighborhood that by San Clemente standards is perhaps lower-middle class.” I regard this demographic appraisal as not only enraging and offensive but also tastelessly close to libelous.

It is to be hoped that the down-scale image you conjured up for your readers won’t be a self-fulfilling prophecy. For those readers unfamiliar with the region, let me assure you that no matter how bleak and needful a picture Rev. Boyer prefers to paint for purposes of gaining public support for his social service projects, the Plaza Park neighborhood is not a Helltown barrio, and he’s not Father Hardstep!

Rev. Boyer has unnecessarily exploited and downgraded this neighborhood by the totally inappropriate introduction of a “midnight mission” into a residential area already impacted by Father Bob’s other outreach activities. I feel that Rev. Boyer and Schwartz owe an apology to the homeowners of the Plaza Park neighborhood, where some of our pitiable, ramshackle dwellings are valued in excess of $200,000.

PATRICIA DERK

San Clemente