(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

As most of you know, we have a homeless problem in Parkersburg and Wood County. Two city council members just sponsored a homeless initiative April 22 at the city building. I thought an initiative meant solutions, but instead it was a showcase of some of the groups the taxpayers fund. I wonder what Discovery World does to help the homeless problem other than using money that could be used to benefit the homeless.

Sometimes money changes hands to benefit some residents but not all. The taxpayers spent close to $800,000 to purchase, demolish and provide living expenses of a motel on Seventh Street. Then the same property was sold to a profitable business for $200,000. The $600,000 lost could have given raises to sanitation workers and helped with water and sewer upgrades. But instead the city makes poor business deals and leaves the taxpayers on the hook for increased trash pickup and water and sewer upgrades.

Then the county commission gave the hospital $900,000 to buy ambulance service. We know who benefits from that deal. Your hospital bill won’t decrease.

The homeless problem in Wood County isn’t the fault of the groups that help them. But it is a city and county problem. With the loss of jobs locally, the problem may get worse. We need housing solutions or help instead of funneling money to those who can afford to pay more. The city is losing population every year. What you are doing isn’t working. If you want economic development groups, let them work on these problems. We must try something else.

Kenda Weaver

Vienna