Enough of a burden in Framingham

Enough of a burden in Framingham Sunday, May 28, 2006

Peter C.S. Adams, Framingham Metrowest Daily News

The editorial in The MetroWest Daily News ("A blessing, not a blight," May 25) reminds me of the old saying, "too much of a good thing is bad."
Of course the homeless and the junkies need help. Who would disagree with that? But every community should share in this burden. The MetroWest Daily News editors simplistic logic is that if one social service facility is a good thing, then 244 must be even better. By that standard, Framingham is 10 times better than Natick and 24 times better than Ashland. Instead, we have a massive deficit, rising crime, and overburdened services.
SMOC has been much maligned throughout its service area for a variety of reasons, and instead of putting your fingers in your ears and chanting "you don't understand SMOC, why won't you meet with them," you should listen for a change.
We understand SMOC's mission. We even support it. But enough is enough! Framingham cannot afford to host the entire region's needy.

Enough of a burden in Framingham	Sunday, May 28, 2006
Peter C.S. Adams, Framingham	Metrowest Daily News
The editorial in The MetroWest Daily News ("A blessing, not a blight," May 25) reminds me of the old saying, "too much of a good thing is bad." Of course the homeless and the junkies need help. Who would disagree with that? But every community should share in this burden. The MetroWest Daily News editors simplistic logic is that if one social service facility is a good thing, then 244 must be even better. By that standard, Framingham is 10 times better than Natick and 24 times better than Ashland. Instead, we have a massive deficit, rising crime, and overburdened services. SMOC has been much maligned throughout its service area for a variety of reasons, and instead of putting your fingers in your ears and chanting "you don't understand SMOC, why won't you meet with them," you should listen for a change. We understand SMOC's mission. We even support it. But enough is enough! Framingham cannot afford to host the entire region's needy.

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