Editor:

Last week a community meeting was held at the Wharfinger to discuss the homeless problem in Humboldt County (see this week's Blog Jammin', page 12). A suggestion was made to form a committee that would evaluate all of the grants and programs of the Department of Health and Human Services with the intention of eliminating as many as possible. By reducing the number of resources available to the homeless, they would need to move to other areas. The percentage of homeless veterans who live in the county ranges from 20 to 40 percent.

Homelessness is a severe problem for business owners and others who live at or near the downtown area. But is this the best solution we can come up with? Is the logic sound? Surely there must be a more humane way of coping with this very real problem.

Fred Mazie, Eureka

Editor:

I have been reading the various comments about Arkley and treating the needy. I read Jeff Bridges was included in the article.

Yes Jeff's family had roots in Eureka, so what? When was the last time he was hit on for money or a handout by some pot heads, lazy, young people who may or may not have been homeless?

I avoid both Arcata's and Eureka's plaza areas as much as possible. I will go out of my way to shop in other areas where they do not congregate.

I do feel for many of the homeless and think they need some assistance but I do not feel for those who do not even attempt to find work, who make excuses for their problems, stand around being obnoxious, loudly rude and often accost pedestrian shoppers.

Bill Herman, McKinleyville