Letter: Deal with issue, not blame, of homelessness

I don't think we need council meetings to decide whose fault it is. Why not spend those same council meetings brainstorming ideas to alleviate the problem of homelessness.

Why are people homeless? What are the causes? What about work programs for them? What other resources are available to get them off the street and into homes?

The homeless are not an "image problem," as North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon suggests. They are living, breathing human beings who need help from those of us who can give it.

Feeding them, for example, is a way of serving them, contrary to the mayor's belief. Would he prefer homeless people starve to death? Nonetheless, feeding them only treats the symptoms. It is not a cure.

The problem lies not in what city the homeless people live, nor what street the shelters exist on. The problem lies in why we have so many homeless in the first place.

I would like to suggest that the mayor go out and participate in some of the feeding programs. If he met some of the homeless personally, perhaps he would not speak of them so callously.

Pamela Gilbert

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