The Catholic Worker House staff do charitable work with their housing a few of the least fortunate in our society.

However, they aren't being respectful of their neighbors by allowing a bunch of homeless men to "camp out" in their backyard, relatively unsupervised. It's not surprising these guys are up late and engaging in drinking and worse, which leads to further rowdiness.

The neighbors have every expectation of peace and quiet at night as they have to go to work during the day, and earn the money to pay in taxes to support those who aren't.

The CWH has some pretty large cajones to demand the city grant an exception to the rule of law for their little tent city.

Here's a solution: Find someone with some open area property outside of the city limits and let them build their little tent city there. That way they can be as loud and boisterous as they want (freedom of expression, political or otherwise) and it won't impact the neighbors who will be well out of sight and earshot.

Hey, City of Champaign: let's enforce the law with these people and force them to live with the law.

As for the residents of tent city: Did you know that Massachusetts will put you up in a hotel for as long as it takes for you to "get on your feet" and get a place of your own, in addition to providing you assistance for food? No, I'm not kidding. Google it.

We're just trying to be helpful.

-- Joe

Posted by on June 30, 2009 at 9:56 AM Suggest Removal

I sincerely hope that the people who are on here complaining about something like this NEVER end up in the position that alot of Americans find themselves in because of our governments' actions. IF anyone should become homeless and need the services like these unfortunate people are seeking I hope that someone is nice enough to let you pitch your tent in their back yard and if not, consider it karma for your cruel comments on this website.

Posted by on June 30, 2009 at 6:56 PM Suggest Removal

Obviously there is an issue here where a minority group is controlling a majority who have the right to ask the city to enforce code ordinances and the law. I wonder how the city would respond to a less charitable house that decided to 'donate' their backyard to the homeless for a tent city?

Sure, suggest they find a place outside the city limits for such a place. Yet how would these individuals travel to get a free meal in town? I doubt there is any such thing as a free lunch in the rural community unless one is willing to work for it!

Personally the obvious solution is to suggest to these individuals that there is a place where land is plenty and water too...dare we tell them about the unoccupied spaces in the public parks? Two come to mind: West Side Park in Champaign and Crystal Lake Park in Urbana.

Both of these could easily support a tent city and take the heat off the Catholic Worker House.

Sadly this organization is the latest target by a minority who appears to believe they are 'owed' a place to live and eat while the neighbors are equally at a personal loss while held hostage to this situation by city officials failing to enforce the law.

My opinion only.

Posted by on June 30, 2009 at 8:25 PM Suggest Removal

There is no shortage of places for these people to go in this town if they are willing. Not every one who eats there is homeless.

This "worker house" has yet to demand the folks they feed work, like maybe helping to prepare the Sunday offering.

It does seem to endanger the woman housed there with little choices.

The place would be best relocated to serve those trying to get out of their situation with children, who might best appreciate and be in need of a home cooked meal, near Urbana Ministies for example.

Posted by aantulov on July 1, 2009 at 1:36 AM Suggest Removal

I have not observed anyone suffering this crowd suffering from a lack of food.

Posted by aantulov on July 1, 2009 at 1:37 AM Suggest Removal

The News-Gazoo's hostility to those in need is palpable. I think they should move the tent city to John Foreman's front yard.

Posted by on July 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM Suggest Removal

Just don't suggest moving the tent city to Gordy Hulten's front yard. He'll get his band of anonymous cowards to post insults about you. That'll teach those homeless people!

Posted by Wenalway on July 3, 2009 at 1:28 AM Suggest Removal