This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I have read several articles in The Tribune on the need to help single mothers and the homeless. Mark Weidenbacher's letter "Homelessness pays off" (Sept. 14) was correct. However, it leaves out that homelessness pays off not only for the homeless and single mothers but for those advocating solutions.
The Tribune article lists three mayors and five individuals working on the homeless solution. All of them with titles that sound like they are running a major corporation. How much money — salaries and benefits — is paid annually to these individuals? Could the programs be consolidated under one management, eliminating jobs, thus saving money, with the savings used to help the needy?
Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini stated about LifeStart Village that "many residents complained it would run down the area. The opposite happened. The low-profile village had a positive influence on surrounding real estate." Since property values appear to have gone up, how many of the proposed facilities will be located in the advocates' neighborhood? Or is this just another OPM (other people's money) project of which the proponents say "this is the right thing to do and is very needed, but not in my backyard."
The Tribune editorial "Helping the helpers" commented the state should aid the homeless. Before the politicians give away tax dollars the issue should be on a state-wide referendum and let working people, who pay the taxes, decide.
E.T. DeLay
Salt Lake City