Homeowners, Charity and Share Our Selves

In response to your California Commentary, “If Not in Your Back Yard or Mine, Whose?” (Jan. 15): People believe in helping the disadvantaged, but not in their neighborhoods; and after running a home for mental patients, I’d have to agree. Although my home was strict, there were problems with yelling, panhandling, poor grooming and attire, depressed and inappropriate behavior, traffic in and out of the house, and parking. At best, it was embarrassing; at worst, the neighbors became fearful and had the home closed.

Everyone would have been better off had it been in an industrial area or on the outskirts of town. There the patients could have worked on improving themselves. The obligation is for them to raise their standards to society’s, not for society to lower its.

There has been a decline in the last 25 years, and social programs haven’t been productive. People are tired and fearful. They have a right to insist on better.

AL GARNER

Midway City