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By Linda Kaidan
In his 40’s a former resident of a burned-out building in downtown Herkimer, David Bond may have fled to the fields adjacent to the railroad tracks by West Canada Creek. Earlier this year, there was a neat and shipshape tent on the banks of that river. Were these sad remnants his?
The crushed gray tent curled and disheveled pages of several books, a sleeping bag, and camping implements lying next to the train tracks behind the H&R Block Building on West State Street are testimony to an event of much anger and anguish!
Last Possessions of David
Where do you go when you are homeless? Does anyone care? With climate change devastation we should help the homeless and provide secure temporary housing for them. It is not ethical to leave them to die or be beaten up by those more fortunate.
Homelessness is growing. We hope that the State of New York will create safe temporary encampments for the needy in inland regions like central, northern, and western New York. We should do this quickly using low-cost materials like high-wall tents and shipping containers. The homeless themselves can help create safe refuges while learning valuable skills.
Lack of effective action will result in more crime, disease, violence, and waste of funds.