Editor,
On Thursday, July 16, my wife and I left Wal-Mart to go to McDonalds for lunch. This of course entailed running the gauntlet of beggars between Wal-Mart and Winnemucca Blvd. “Anything Helps”, “Homeless Veteran”, (think any of them could produce a DD-214?), I can. A group of three — including one woman — were stationed at the entrance to the Flying J with their signs. It was a beautiful day and we had planned on eating on the patio outside McDonalds, but a homeless man was draped across a table asleep, we ate inside.
Later that day we took our two small dogs to Riverside Park for a walk. While there, we were approached by a homeless man who staggered over to us with an open can of beer and asked us for money and cigarettes. I politely declined to give him anything and he glared at us and left. No more visits to Riverside Park, at 64 years old I do not with to risk a confrontation. As a resident and homeowner of 35 years, I feel it’s a shame to be uncomfortable to use this lovely park. I’m also uncomfortable that hundreds, (thousands?) of tourists coming through our city every day are subjected to so many beggars.
Will they stop next trip and spend their time and money here? I am not unsympathetic to the real problems some of these folks have to deal with. For different reasons some are not equipped to hold jobs, etc., but it would appear the majority are content with a career of begging. Winnemucca is a great city, we do so many things right. Thank you Ms. Mayor and City Council for your time and effort. Perhaps you would consider solutions to this problem that affects us all.
Sincerely,
Keith Pilikian
Winnemucca
