Los Gatos Homeless Fund: Not Really For The Homeless?

A generous donation was made to the City of Los Gatos of $50,000 to deal with the homeless in town. Now the homeless population may be around 20 persons and what does the City decide to do with this allotment? Port-o-potties! Oh joy! That is what they are calling "public restrooms". And that will shelter those "unhoused" from wind, rain, snow and even sun! (sarcasm) That will let one (mostly elderly) lay on a flat bed with feet out straight so they don't develop circulation problems! I am talking from personal experiences here...can you tell I am perturbed and disappointed in the lack of consideration to the human condition of being homeless? By definition we are warm blooded, hairy mammals which means we are considered animals. The law states an animal gets:

• a floor

• three walls

• a roof

to shelter it from the elements. What safe guards and guarantees do homeless humans get?

There are no public restrooms in Los Gatos, California--this is true! Not even at one public park! I am not even sure if Vasona Park which has an entrance fee of $6.00 has a public bathroom! So, is the answer slummy port-o-potties? No one likes to use a temporary bathroom--only in emergencies with little chance of encounters at that! Where is a person supposed to wash their hands after a dip (reminds me of the movie: The Kite Runner!) into the smelly receptacle? We all know those free standing hand washing stations won't be serviced enough to keep full...and, would you like to wash your morning face in that? No!!! Plus, what will your friends think when they come to visit Los Gatos? --Port-o-potties are the solution to helping the homeless??? It's a cheap trick to service Music in the Park!!! And an eye sore...

Now, where did the $50,000 budget come from? My guess is that it is not the City of Los Gatos (who is rumored to turn down a grant for a homeless shelter in the years past!) who, in addition, has not taken funds out of another area and awarded their beloved homeless $50,000! I believe it is funds from Cisco who donated $50 million to the Silicon Valley homeless population.

Another solution to divvy out the $50,000 is hotel vouchers. Hotel vouchers for each homeless person in their care to get one month shelter out of the year!!! Oh joy...again. What a waste of time and money. Do you think any one has really tried working this out with a hotel or motel for such a program? Because I have come across hotels/motels won't let such a person buy a room for another person--you have to stay in the room with them!!! Technically, not going to happen! And, it's so wasteful and temporary!

If they could rent out the basement gym of the United Methodist Church where showers are currently once a week (we would like more days please!) for a year-round place to rest your head--now that makes more sense! Shelter from all weather...(not just peaks out of the year which are too many for you to provide at proposed rate)! A safe place at all hours of the day and night.

So, what would you need?

• Staff 24 hours

• Toiletries

• Food

• Beds off the ground (health problems and storage)

• Bedding

• Storage bins (2 per person, one for summer and one for winter storage)

• Garbage bags (to store stuff under the bed)

"We the People of the United States, in Order to forma more perfect Union establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty [see below!] to ourselves and our Posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." (heritage.org)

Liberty noun

lib·​er·​tyˈli-bər-tē

plural liberties

Synonyms of liberty

1 : the quality or state of being free: a: the power to do as one pleases b: freedom from physical restraint c: freedom from arbitrary or despotic (see despot sense 1) control d: the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e: the power of choice 2 a: a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant : privilege b: permission especially to go freely within specified limitswas given the liberty of the house 3 : an action going beyond normal limits: such as a: a breach of etiquette or propriety : familiaritytook undue liberties with a stranger b: risk, chancetook foolish liberties with his health c: a violation of rules or a deviation from standard practicetook liberties in the way he played the game d: a distortion of factThe movie takes many liberties with the actual events. 4 : a short authorized absence from naval duty usually for less than 48 hours

Phrases at liberty1 : free 2 : at leisure : unoccupied