To the editor:
I noticed there has been a lot of talk lately about the homeless in our city
Maybe we should get a group together or at least form some kind of committee
Something that everyone could adhere to, or at least be on the same page
Group all these factions together and get them to engage.
I can't understand what the attraction is here in North Bay?
Of all the cities in Ontario, why is it here that they choose to stay?
Is it always the same people that we run into every day?
Or is it just a steady flow of them passing through this way?
Being right on the Trans-Canada highway, we have a lot of traffic coming through
Some may just find this as a stopover before they decide what they want to do
No matter what direction, you can get anywhere from here
Maybe that is why there are so many that appear
I think more of them go as far as Sudbury when they are heading west
As for the other three directions, we seem to get the rest
We are just big enough to handle this particular crowd
If we were a tiny town, they wouldn't even stick around
Area-wise, North Bay has plenty of open space
Because it is so vast you can go from place to place
Take all your belongings with you and be able to stay out of sight
Lots of locations for you to camp out overnight
We also have facilities in our vicinity to cater to all their needs
A lot of people think our city is suffering in trying to help them succeed
Methadone clinics all along Main Street to help these addicts in their plight
Most people's choice is to help them, but keep them out of sight
Storekeepers are complaining, foot traffic is at an all-time low
As far as shopping in our area, it's the last place people want to go
Perhaps with all these conveniences, these users choose to remain
There isn't even enough railway traffic for them to catch a freight train
If everyone is avoiding them, they can simply roam free
Maybe that is why Main Street is the place they choose to be?
So there are groups in our city doing everything they can
I know they are committed and I can understand
I am not saying they are wrong, I really think they should
But what about the gangs that case the neighborhoods?
They steal anything they can to continue with their addiction
These vandals far outweigh the ones they cure of this affliction
Despite all their best efforts, this city's reputation is going downhill
The residents are getting frustrated and most have had their fill
I am also trying to stay optimistic amidst all this aggravation
I think the main cause of most of this is our location, location, location
Chris Reynolds
North Bay
Read all of the posts by Chris Reynolds on The Black Sheep Poet
theblacksheeppoetcom.blog
