Fear of the Unknown vs. Reality

A recent letter decried the homeless as people who are lazy and a threat to our children. It claimed Tedford Housing’s plan to build a shelter off Baribeau Drive and Pleasant Hill Road will be “an easy invitation for whatever type of person to come here and live for free.” Sadly, this reflects a fear of the unknown rather than reality.

Since 2011, The Gathering Place, a drop in center at 5 Tenney Way, has been serving the homeless and others in downtown Brunswick. Its mission is “to provide a safe, welcoming and comfortable place for people to gather, offering our guests respect, encouragement, companionship and hope.” Some 60 to 80 people visit the facility, next to the Clothing Bank and across from the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, each day.

As a Gathering Place volunteer, I haven’t found the homeless much different from those of my friends who have homes. They’re people like the rest of us. And, yes, some may be lazy. But so are some of us. The vast majority are victims of circumstances beyond their control such as health care bills that wiped out their savings, divorce and domestic abuse. Many, if not most, suffer from physical or mental/emotional disabilities including chronic health issues that are left untreated. A few are able to work part time, low skilled, low paying jobs. Not one has ever expressed an interest in living in a homeless shelter, even for free.

In some cases they may present a rough appearance but this often conceals a quiet, decent manner. As long as we live in separate worlds such traits will remain hidden. There is a way to bridge the gap, however. Drop by The Gathering Place and spend some time getting to know someone who is homeless. Listen to his or her story and hopes for a better life. Share your thoughts and experience and consider serving as a volunteer. All that is needed is a desire to listen and learn.

As we read in Scripture, when the final judgment takes place and the blessed ask in amazement, “When did we help?” the king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

The Gathering Place is open daily from 8: 30 a. m. to 3 p. m., Monday- Friday and from 8: 30- 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Arnie Besier,
Harpswell

Let’s Not Lose Another Treasure

As a former member of the Brunswick Downtown Association Executive Committee, I am writing in support of restoring and preserving the Frank J. Wood Bridge as an historic part of our community. I am sorry I could not attend the recent public hearings regarding the future of the bridge because of my age and health.

The town of Brunswick voted in recent years to designate the downtown area as an historic district but now has voted to replace the Frank J. Wood Bridge. This decision is in opposition to the Town’s previous vote to preserve its historic structures. The Town needs to be consistent in its vision. Preserving the Bridge will be in keeping with the two mill buildings on either end of the bridge, Fort Andross in Brunswick and the Pejepscot Mill in Topsham.

The town of Topsham has decided that tearing down the old bridge will benefit their traffic flow without considering the major increase in traffic congestion that will occur on the Brunswick side. The new proposed bridge is not a bridge but a major highway that is almost twice the width of the present bridge. This proposed structure includes everything except a cattle crossing. Topsham has no village just a shopping mall.

I have lived in Maine over 40 yeas and have restored seven buildings in downtown Brunswick to preserve their historic character. Today all of these buildings are economically viable. Over the years, several historic buildings have been demolished in Brunswick including the Town Hall on Maine Street and the old Brunswick High School. Let’s not lose another treasure.

Richard Nemrow,
Brunswick