Posted by clegg - Wed, Mar 7, 2012, 1:16 P

Regarding the Recorder Article,

Mike, thank you for your kind words
I remember about 4 years ago we were having these very same comments about Avenue A in Turners Falls. At that time folks were complaining about all the hanging around on the benches and the loss of business at Equiis, Cup of Joe and TF pizza house. Back then everyone was blaming teenagers or young out of work adults. Like many things the story slowly changed and the real corrupts soon appeared.

There were 3 older men who were notorious town drunks. They contributed greatly to the disturbance on Ave A. Living in downtown I have seen a lot of those teenagers grow up and turn into pretty responsible adults. some graduated from college, some play in bands and a few work in town while a few are on a downtown committees like the skate board park and help out with the block party. Those notorious drunks have moved out either through eviction, jail or skipped bail.

I suspect this to will happen in Greenfield. Folks will move on. There really isn't a hell of a lot to do in downtown Greenfield. Over confidence and some poor behavior comes out when a lot of people are hanging out.

I suspect some folks are blaming this on subsidized housing folks that are just hanging around. Those same comments came out because of all the housing in Turners. (power town apts, etc.) I doubt that is a prevailing reason. However government funding forces a percentage of various incomes, ages and disabilities and the old Harco rooms were remodeled with gov. funding. So be careful what you wish for when it comes with gov.funding. Lots and lots of restrictions.
Sorry about the SNAP card comments but I know you can't use those benefits for take out or prepared food of any kind which the co-op does allow. I know I used it twice there a few years ago when I needed benefits for a short time. ( I did not know about that policy until I tried to buy a sub at Food City and that was not allowed) Can you imagine the huge business at subway, TF pizza or Peking gardens if you could use SNAP cards for take out.
I hope this post is a little more kind and gentle. However, I know why I don't post to often. Some folks get pretty huffy.