"Welcome Home" is Maine's new welcome sign
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| Rather than a "border wall", Maine Governor Janet Mills placed this sign at the state's border with New Hampshire. |
Maine Governor Mills placed a new sign at the state's southern border. This is an echo opinion published in The Times Record. Brunswick Maine's newspaper, by Gary Anderson.
It wouldn’t go so far as to declare itself a bonafide Sanctuary City willing to defy federal say as to who can come and stay, but the consensus was clearly one championing acceptance and social justice.
“Now therefore, be it resolved that the Town Council of the town of Brunswick welcomes and supports the successful integration of immigrants into our community as it also seeks to deepen the sensitivity of our citizens to the challenges faced by our newest neighbors.” Other “Whereas” prefaced assertions of the resolution stressed the “civil liberties and human rights of all people” and emphasized that “our inclusive rainbow of unique, creative, diverse, and tolerant individuals and business owners define the very essence of the town of Brunswick.”
Such compassionate sentiments were affirmed by Brunswick’s Town Council in a 8-1 vote with little public outcry. It was rightly understood and embraced as a most strong refutation of the notion of “The Wall” and its “Them vs. Us” xenophobic message.
“Now therefore, be it resolved that the Town Council of the town of Brunswick welcomes and supports the successful integration of immigrants into our community as it also seeks to deepen the sensitivity of our citizens to the challenges faced by our newest neighbors.” Other “Whereas” prefaced assertions of the resolution stressed the “civil liberties and human rights of all people” and emphasized that “our inclusive rainbow of unique, creative, diverse, and tolerant individuals and business owners define the very essence of the town of Brunswick.”
Such compassionate sentiments were affirmed by Brunswick’s Town Council in a 8-1 vote with little public outcry. It was rightly understood and embraced as a most strong refutation of the notion of “The Wall” and its “Them vs. Us” xenophobic message.
Though not explicitly spelled out, those accepted as refugees would likely be looking for work and shelter. The resolution clearly acknowledges that those being welcomed, “many under the most difficult of circumstances, seeking safety, opportunities” and basic needs, are not simply new neighbors relocating with a job in hand and access to available housing.
Some feared that it would set Brunswick on the slippery slope of violating national immigration policy and condoning municipal criminal conduct. The sole dissenting council member declined support unless the wording specified “legal immigrants.” There were no worries regarding the town’s ability to actually provide such sanctuary, legal or otherwise. No outspoken opposition to “New Residents” residing wherever residential life’s already allowed. No obstructive legalistic concerns that existing zoning laws might not expressly address assimilation of an influx of those likely needing assistance in both housing and employment. In such a self-identifying “inclusive, diverse and tolerant” community one should indeed expect no significant difficulties in general acceptance of such a positive, humanistic and praiseworthy public policy of accommodating those seeking asylum.
It’s also been a year or more since Brunswick-based Tedford Housing first raised the prospect of expanding upon its two longstanding homeless shelters in order to further mitigate the Midcoast’s shameful inadequacies in addressing such humanitarian need. Rather than getting a welcoming green light for continued private sector shouldering of governmental responsibility, the town suddenly began raising one issue after another regarding how approval might negatively impact the community and, by the way, the shelters already in place actually violate current zoning ordinances. That conveniently opened can of worms was then kicked down the bureaucratic road until it arrived at the prospect that any additional homeless accommodations will likely not be permitted within any residential areas townwide.
Presently, 28 adults and 12 families can be assisted by Tedford’s never-been-a-problem, exemplary “just do it,” socially responsible example. Meanwhile, 354 individuals and 228 families are being turned away as the municipality continues to endlessly extend a moratorium that seems to have abundant patience in wrestling with the difficulty of dotting every “i” and crossing every “t.”
The proposed facility would only create 70 new shelter openings, half being reserved for families. Some warn that would only be the beginning of drawing even more homeless Mainers to the Midcoast, a “If we build it they will come” argument against proceeding. Tedford’s rebuttal is: “They’re already here.” Others argue concerns of public safety and community livability. Neighborhood NIMBY protests eventually migrated to an area of ironic agreement that if basic fairness was to be arrived at then all residential zones should be excused from having to welcome those seeking a transitional opportunity towards a more permanent and productive place in society.
Brunswick needs to build housing to end homelessness, not a legal wall protecting those comfortable in what they have against cohabitation with those desperately struggling with having so little.
That said, Brunswick at least has two existing homeless shelters. Bath doesn’t even want to entertain low income housing proposals if in close proximity to its Main Street upscale branding.
Some feared that it would set Brunswick on the slippery slope of violating national immigration policy and condoning municipal criminal conduct. The sole dissenting council member declined support unless the wording specified “legal immigrants.” There were no worries regarding the town’s ability to actually provide such sanctuary, legal or otherwise. No outspoken opposition to “New Residents” residing wherever residential life’s already allowed. No obstructive legalistic concerns that existing zoning laws might not expressly address assimilation of an influx of those likely needing assistance in both housing and employment. In such a self-identifying “inclusive, diverse and tolerant” community one should indeed expect no significant difficulties in general acceptance of such a positive, humanistic and praiseworthy public policy of accommodating those seeking asylum.
It’s also been a year or more since Brunswick-based Tedford Housing first raised the prospect of expanding upon its two longstanding homeless shelters in order to further mitigate the Midcoast’s shameful inadequacies in addressing such humanitarian need. Rather than getting a welcoming green light for continued private sector shouldering of governmental responsibility, the town suddenly began raising one issue after another regarding how approval might negatively impact the community and, by the way, the shelters already in place actually violate current zoning ordinances. That conveniently opened can of worms was then kicked down the bureaucratic road until it arrived at the prospect that any additional homeless accommodations will likely not be permitted within any residential areas townwide.
Presently, 28 adults and 12 families can be assisted by Tedford’s never-been-a-problem, exemplary “just do it,” socially responsible example. Meanwhile, 354 individuals and 228 families are being turned away as the municipality continues to endlessly extend a moratorium that seems to have abundant patience in wrestling with the difficulty of dotting every “i” and crossing every “t.”
The proposed facility would only create 70 new shelter openings, half being reserved for families. Some warn that would only be the beginning of drawing even more homeless Mainers to the Midcoast, a “If we build it they will come” argument against proceeding. Tedford’s rebuttal is: “They’re already here.” Others argue concerns of public safety and community livability. Neighborhood NIMBY protests eventually migrated to an area of ironic agreement that if basic fairness was to be arrived at then all residential zones should be excused from having to welcome those seeking a transitional opportunity towards a more permanent and productive place in society.
Brunswick needs to build housing to end homelessness, not a legal wall protecting those comfortable in what they have against cohabitation with those desperately struggling with having so little.
That said, Brunswick at least has two existing homeless shelters. Bath doesn’t even want to entertain low income housing proposals if in close proximity to its Main Street upscale branding.
Low income housing attracts those with low incomes. High-end housing’s a far preferred economic no-brainer. “Maine’s Cool Little City” — not.
“Maine, Welcome Home” has recently replaced “Open For Business” as accompanying entryway signage to “The Way Life Should Be,” which, after some uproar over its initial removal, will now again serve as Vacationland’s other iconic identifier.
“America, Welcome Home” is the way life should be. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses” should ring true, not increasingly hollow.
A truly welcoming Maine way of life should be one of absolute zero, not-one-day-longer, tolerance of homelessness.
“Maine, Welcome Home” has recently replaced “Open For Business” as accompanying entryway signage to “The Way Life Should Be,” which, after some uproar over its initial removal, will now again serve as Vacationland’s other iconic identifier.
“America, Welcome Home” is the way life should be. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses” should ring true, not increasingly hollow.
A truly welcoming Maine way of life should be one of absolute zero, not-one-day-longer, tolerance of homelessness.
No municipality should be unwelcoming because it fears inviting an unfair burden that everyone in a truly great state should shoulder altogether. Refugees, homegrown or otherwise, deserve the same compassionate welcome.
Gary Anderson lives in Bath.
Gary Anderson lives in Bath.
Labels: Bath Maine, Gary Anderson, Governor Janet Mills, The Times Record
posted by Juliana L'Heureux | 6:25 AM
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