Letter to the Editor: Camping restriction was right thing to do
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Parkersburg City Council has solved a serious problem by restricting camping on public land. I agree with the restriction, not because I am not sympathetic to the plight of the homeless, but allowing the homeless to continue to camp out just enables them to keep destroying their lives, mostly through substance abuse.
Most of those choosing to camp in the parks are doing so because they cannot enter one of the many shelters because of intoxication. Alcohol is the number 1 drug problem in the world, not meth or some other mind-altering drug. Prohibition in the 1930s was a noble experiment to stop the flow of alcohol; but it was so entrenched in our society that the government just gave up. It actually gave organized crime a greater foothold in the world than it had before.
Former Mayor Newell was correct in putting up the signs to not donate to panhandlers. There are a multitude of jobs available, but most of these persons do not want to work. They just want a handout. You see them every day taking turns at their panhandling stations, often trading the little signs they hold up.
While alcohol is the number 1 drug problem in the world, the NUMBER 1 PROBLEM IS SIN. Sin is anything we say, do or think that is not pleasing to a Holy God. "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." John 8:34 (KJV) We do not have to be the servant of sin. We still sin and are sinners saved by Grace. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17 (KJV) Jesus is not out to get us; but rather gave his life on the cross to defeat sin and death. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) Salvation is easy. Satan and the world like to make it difficult.
The cure for the homeless population and all of us is Jesus Christ. Turn to him today and turn your life around. Please do it before it is too late. Jesus is coming again soon.
Robert Sadler
Marietta