I read with interest the story in the Chattanoogan on Monday morning about the new “tent city” that has sprung up along Chattanooga Creek near South Broad Street. The part of the story that caught my eye was the sentence, “Officers said they were advised not to disrupt the new settlement.”
My question is simple: who advised the officers, and why is this mystery official making this “advisement”? What was their reasoning, and how was this non-interference decision made?
I am not casting aspersions on anyone, or calling for the homeless squatters along the creek to be moved if they are there legally. All I am asking is for the city to be a bit more forthcoming on their reasoning behind such “advisements” and what it means for the business owners and residents along that area of South Broad Street.
Gary Poole
Chattanooga
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Mr. Poole should put himself into the shoes of the new tent city residents. Maybe then he would understand the reasoning behind the compassion being shown by whomever gave the directive to leave them alone.
R. Connor
Signal Mountain
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I would encourage R. Conner to show how committed to these "homeless" folks he/she is. Go down to South Broad, pick up all of the "homeless", and park them on the curb outside of his home on Signal Mountain.
C.L. Miller
Chattanooga
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Lord Bless, folks! Mr. Poole is just asking a question and people jump on him like he's the devil incarnate. Give the guy a break.
And did those who are throwing stones invite the homeless to come live in their glass houses?
Anje Hartzler
Brainerd
ahartzler@yahoo.com