The Schrammie: A callous protocol
They say home is where the heart is.
But maybe home is simply a place of refuge.
So with the State Department of Transportation callously playing home-wrecker, I'd like secretary Paula Hammond to stop rocking in the porch swing and come on down.
As the state ploddingly moves its viaduct tunnel construction forward, those who have sought shelter under the concrete are being booted from their makeshift abodes.
The homeless are being evicted with nary a thought of where they might go.
Homeless advocates have pleaded, begged and cajoled for some monetary mitigation that would ease the upheaval for those who use tarp and cardboard construction under the viaduct as shelter from the elements.
The state DOT says it's just following protocols and there's no protocol for helping to shelter the homeless.
Mind you, there are millions of dollars in the tunnel project budget to lend comfort to displaced artists, people in search of parking, businesses that require marketing and let's not forget the $490,000 museum that is an ode to concrete and drilling.
But there is nary a penny for sheltering the homeless.
Shaggy and disheveled people were booted from their home without a hearth because they were deemed unworthy of discretionary DOT dollars.
And for that, Secretary Paula Hammond should take a bow, because this "Schrammie" is for her.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
But maybe home is simply a place of refuge.
So with the State Department of Transportation callously playing home-wrecker, I'd like secretary Paula Hammond to stop rocking in the porch swing and come on down.
As the state ploddingly moves its viaduct tunnel construction forward, those who have sought shelter under the concrete are being booted from their makeshift abodes.
The homeless are being evicted with nary a thought of where they might go.
Homeless advocates have pleaded, begged and cajoled for some monetary mitigation that would ease the upheaval for those who use tarp and cardboard construction under the viaduct as shelter from the elements.
The state DOT says it's just following protocols and there's no protocol for helping to shelter the homeless.
Mind you, there are millions of dollars in the tunnel project budget to lend comfort to displaced artists, people in search of parking, businesses that require marketing and let's not forget the $490,000 museum that is an ode to concrete and drilling.
But there is nary a penny for sheltering the homeless.
Shaggy and disheveled people were booted from their home without a hearth because they were deemed unworthy of discretionary DOT dollars.
And for that, Secretary Paula Hammond should take a bow, because this "Schrammie" is for her.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
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