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An
article in
Thursday's State
paper addresses the
current soap opera
surrounding the
construction of the
city's temporary
winter homeless
shelter at Calhoun
and Robert Streets.
A great deal of
attention was given
to the current
process.
However, the
question that was
not asked is when
are we finally going
to step up and
deliver a
comprehensive,
long-term solution
to the homeless
issue in Columbia?
During hundreds of
meetings with our
community I have
learned one
universal truth
about this issue -
people are ready to
solve this problem.
Consider:
-
Most people are
only a couple of
pay checks away
from becoming
homeless - How
many of you fit
into that
category?
How many of your
relatives?
How many of your
friends?
How many of the
strangers you
meet every day?
-
We are on the
verge of a surge
in homelessness
linked to the
rapidly
increasing rate
of
personal
bankruptcies
and the
unfolding
mortgage crisis.
-
What happens
when your parent
/ spouse / child
needs to go to
the Emergency
Room during
warmer months
and there are
literally no
beds for them
because the ER
has become the
dumping ground
for the
homeless?
This is a
reality in
Columbia - if
you don't
believe me just
ask an ER nurse.
-
If just half of
the homeless in
our community
were returned to
work they would
add nearly
$9,000,000
to our local
economy.
-
A comprehensive
solution to this
issue can
actually
reduce the
cost of
homelessness in
our community.
-
Where are the
homeless when
there is no
place for them
to go?
They are in your
neighborhoods,
your parks, The
Vista, Five
Points and Main
Street (among
other places).
-
Very, very few
people want to
be homeless.
Many are
mothers, young
children or
people who are
simply down on
their luck.
They want a way
out but there is
no path to
salvation for
them.
I could go on for
miles with the
reasons we need to
address this issue.
The bottom line is
that it is time to
come together as a
community and begin
to unlock this
city's potential.
I support the
framework set forth
in the
Interfaith
Alliance's Blueprint
on Homelessness.
This plan has been
endorsed by Richland
and Lexington
Counties, The
Chamber of Commerce
and, at one time,
The City of
Columbia.
Together we can
solve this issue.
Are you ready for
real leadership?
Vote April 1st.
Sincerely,
Cameron A. Runyan
Candidate for
Columbia
City Council
(At-Large)
PO
Box 1933
Columbia, SC
29202
803-233-5383 -
Campaign Office
www.CameronForColumbia.com
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