Leaders seek input about park resident

MadisonJournalTODAY

RSS Feed

Email Alerts

Facebook

Leaders seek input about park resident

Posted by

Zach Mitcham

in News

Monday, February 18. 2013

Comments (14)

Madison County commissioners discussed what could be done to find a new day-time home for an elderly man who spends his days, and frequently nights, at Madison Memorial Park by the county government complex.

No answers were agreed upon Feb. 11, but county commission chairman Anthony Dove said he is asking the public for input on a compassionate way of dealing with the issue.

“I’m personally asking the community for help,” said Dove. “… I don’t really have an answer. I know this is an issue in America, not just here.”
The chairman said the gentleman in the park has worn a trail from a bench he stays at to the gazebo. He noted that some people can’t use the gazebo because of the man’s items inside. There is also no public restroom at the park.

“As far as I know, he hasn’t bothered anybody, but it’s starting to affect the park,” said Dove.

There is no homeless shelter in Madison County. But county planning commission chairman Wayne Douglas noted that his church does mission work with homeless Athens residents and that there are some services available for the man in Clarke County, including a homeless shelter. But the shelter is for those who choose to go there. And commissioners noted that the gentleman seems happy where he is.

Dove said he wants to see nothing but kindness offered to the man.

“Everyone is very protective of him in Danielsville,” said Dove. “Anyone who messes with him is going to face trouble from a lot of us.”

Anyone with input on the issue can call the chairman’s office at 706-795-6300.

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

#1 Peggy on 02/18/13 at 07:05 AM [Reply]

The compassion shown in this story is very refreshing and all to rare in today's society. I commend you and will pray that you find a good solution to this issue.

#2 Virginia Moss on 02/18/13 at 07:35 PM [Reply]

I am relieved to hear of Mr. Dove's compassionate appeal. I have been very concerned about this man for a very long time. He's too old to be out in the elements. Evidently, he is homeless and without family. However, Medicaid would pay for an assisted living situation if he met the requirements of not being able to care for himself. That may not be the case. I assume he has Social Security. A homeless shelter would be good but I understand he prefers the quiet and freedom of the park.

I know this is not a well-thought-out possibility, but I think of our wonderful Rotary Club and their ramps. What if they (or anyone) built a small shed for him near the park where he could leave his things and take shelter in bad weather. It would need heat of some sort so that would be an ongoing cost in winter. The building could be used as storage for park things later on. The biggest challenge is in providing bathroom facilities. That's expensive but could serve the park and it's events as well. Then there are all the legal issues involved what with liability and such.

Ultimately, he needs to be where others can care for him. I just have no real suggestions. I sincerely hope someone has a workable solution.

#3 Tina on 02/18/13 at 08:35 PM [Reply]

There are so many homes in our county that have been foreclosed on, isnt there some way that the county could purchase one and turn it into a small shelter?

#3.1 lyn on 02/21/13 at 04:28 PM [Reply]

Oh yeah, right. Why don't you do it?

#3.2 Virginia Moss on 02/23/13 at 05:57 PM [Reply]

I read on another commenting site that he was offered an apartment in the public housing, which is close enough to the park that he can walk there, but he refused. I wonder if he is of sound mind as A. Smith asked. We need to know more if a solution is to be found.

#4 Anonymous on 02/19/13 at 07:14 AM [Reply]

How about the BOC making him a part time watchman, pay the old fellow a small salary to keep an eye on the park, provide him with a way to call 911 if he sees anything wrong, and maybe pay him enough to rent a place to sleep?

Everybody wins.

#5 Old Jake on 02/21/13 at 09:24 AM [Reply]

Where does this guy go at night? I heard? he has a sister or some relative that works and will not let him stay in the house during the day so he has to leave and then returns at night. How true is this story

#5.1 A. Smith on 02/22/13 at 09:27 AM [Reply]

I heard this same thing. I don't know how we can give insightful input without a little more biographical information.

Is this man happy? Is he healthy? Is he of sound mind?

To me, he's a part of our community, and if he needs help, we should provide it. (I mean the citizens--not necessarily the government.) I am opposed to any effort to haul him off to an Athens homeless shelter.

Many elderly people living in urban tenements (or homeless shelters, for that matter) spend their days in the park because they prefer the open air and a view of the world to isolation and cramped conditions. If this man's motivation is similar, it seems like the only issue is what to do with his stuff.

As Dove said, he hasn't bothered anybody. I see him every day when I go to the post office, and I've never witnessed him pan handling, slumped over a wine bottle, or relieving himself in public. This is a unique situation, and it calls for a unique response. If we need to raise money to take care of him while preserving his liberty, I will be the first to make a donation.

#6 Anonymous on 02/21/13 at 06:33 PM [Reply]

The old courthouse is vacant and unused. Let him stay there.

#7 t bone on 02/25/13 at 06:41 PM [Reply]

He probably draws a check. Has anyone asked him? Remember most people who lives like that chooses that lifestyle. So ask him?

#8 Wendy Hansell on 05/06/13 at 12:26 PM [Reply]

i know this story is a few months old but im very curious as to wht came about of him..i have stopped a few times over the last year and takin him snacks to eat...and veggie plates from ingles...on my way to or from appts in athens from hartwell...he seemed like a nice man but most definitely mentally handicapped ..almost child like at times...any info would be awesome..i always worried what would come of him and wished i could of done more to help

#8.1 A. Smith on 05/06/13 at 03:55 PM [Reply]

This story DOES have a happy ending: http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/5983-Park-resident-has-new-home.html#extended

#8.2 Virginia Moss on 05/06/13 at 07:30 PM [Reply]

He had family in another town who came and got him. He only agreed to go because they had a dog; he was excited about the dog. They seem happy to have him as they had a big house on a good bit of land. I think he'll be fine. I still don't understand why they weren't aware of his situation for so long.

#9 John on 05/06/13 at 04:39 PM [Reply]

He had family that came and picked him up to take care of him. They thought he was being taken care of and did not know of him being in the park until they were found and notified of him being here. Great ending Thanks to the Chairman for caring !

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment: E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.

Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above:
Phone*

What is nine plus one?
: Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry
: Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

Community

Madison Community

Leaders seek input about park resident

MadisonJournalTODAY

Leaders seek input about park resident

Recent Stories

Recent Comments

Sister Sites

Archives

Community

Keyword Tags