The Mayor Gets Something Right
Mayor Littlefield announced today a new plan/program for addressing the problem of homelessness, called "The Art of Change". Essentially, local artists are commissioned to create/design special parking meters which will be placed in areas where panhandlers tend to congregate. Individuals are encouraged to put their change into the meters instead of giving it to the panhandlers. All of the money collected in the meters will go towards a set of established and effective agencies who provide care for the homeless.
It's not an original idea (Asheville has a similar program), but it's a good one.
Chattanooga News | By Josiah Roe | 01:17 PM
Comments
I'd still give it to the homeless person. And who needs more tacky folk art littering our streets?
Posted by: Art at October 18, 2007 11:15 PM
The program is great in theory, though I doubt it will be effective in terms of collecting money for agencies. The homeless' argument will be that they "need the money now" not a month from now.
The best aspect of the program is that it might help educate tourists about our "homeless problem" and curb their donations. In effect, this would decrease panhandling since most savvy citizens don't give money to panhandlers anyway.
I wholeheartedly agree with Art about tacky folk art. And of course, anytime Littlefield uses the word "homeless" I know it works into his hair brained shelter in some way or another.
Posted by: davidm. at October 19, 2007 10:41 AM
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