The candlelight vigil memorial for the homeless should be an opportunity for the community to come together and honor those we have lost. At any memorial, it’s appropriate to share stories about the deceased to help people connect to their life that was lived.
It wasn't a surprise that neither Gov. Gary Herbert nor Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox attended. What was surprising was that Pamela Atkinson chose to read messages from them anyway.
Both politicians have praised Operation Rio Grande and denied shelters the funding that they requested to function properly. These politicians are largely the cause of many added difficulties to those experiencing homelessness.
It isn't appropriate to share messages from people who think punishment is a higher priority than healing. It was a shame that those two were called out before folks shared the names of the people from our community who have passed on.
Brinley Froelich, Salt Lake City