Comments on: Why the Pushy Beggars Downtown?

By: Cville Eye

Cville Eye — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:58:21 +0000

Thank you, tomr.
I remember about twenty years ago, I guy I grew up with asked me for money to buy a drink. I told him I didn’t have any. He then said, “You drive a car don’t you? How did you get that.” I continued to walk away. He then yelled, “I didn’t like you anyway!”
The downtown merchants should have made their objections know before The Haven. If they now feel that their business is being harmed by the presence of some downtown denizens, they should move away from downtown to another business district.

By: tomr

tomr — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:48:25 +0000

Dahmius- I think, historically, jesus was a carpenter.

By: Gail

Gail — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:28:25 +0000

I would like to suggest that downtown business/citizens respond to requests for assistance by informing homeless folks begging for help about the local Soup Kitchens. And if you want to help these people, you can volunteer or give money to local causes which serve them.

Here is the soup kitchen schedule which I just found on the United Way site:
Breakfast every day at the Salvation Army; 6:45 on weekdays; 7:15 on weekends.
Lunch Sites,serving noon- 12:30 Mon-Fri.:
Mon.: First United Methodist @ 101 E. Jefferson St.
Tues.: Christ Episcopal @ 103 W. Jefferson St( also # First Baptist Oct.-Apr.)
Wed.: First Presbyterian @ 500 Park St.
Thurs.: Holy Comforter @ 3rd and E. Jefferson St.
Fri.: First Baptist @ 735 Park St at 1PM
Sat. and Sun. at the Salvation Army
Dinner: Every day at 6PM at the Salvation Army.

Many people work hard to make sure no one ever needs to go hungry in Charlottesville-Let’s all make sure that the homeless know of these options.
Direct giving can create a tense unsafe public atmosphere which will ultimately not benefit anyone.

By: cvillebob

cvillebob — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:31:23 +0000

Waldo,
Some things you can’t unsee.
CB
Jameson on ice, that’s nice.

By: HollowBoy

HollowBoy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:02:58 +0000

Jeff makes a good point. This was around long before the present economic downturn.
One thing that was not mentioned was that this also a problem at the UVa Corner, especially near the 14th St bridge. They probably think UVa students are gullible.
I agree about not giving them money as they will probably spend it on booze or drugs. Also, give them money once and they will expect it if they see you again,and if you don’t happen to have any spare change that day , get nasty and belligerent. This happened to an acquaintance of mine who had been giving one of those guys money. Its the reasoning behind why its not a good idea to feed bears when they come around.
I think the City is acting as an Enabler to an extent, giving them a place like the Haven to hang out at. On the other hand, that does get them out of the library.
It amuses me though when to hear talk about how badly they are treated. Years ago they would have been charged with vagrancy and shipped off to a chain gang.

By: Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:15:43 +0000

If, by “BJ,” you mean “bottle of Jameson,” then sure. Otherwise, not so much.

By: Dahmius

Dahmius — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:09:40 +0000

Pass.

By: cvillebob

cvillebob — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:53:41 +0000

Anyone want to hear the story about the 2 homeless guys giving/receiving a BJ at 8:30 am on a Tuesday across from Christ Church.

By: Cecil

Cecil — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:42:09 +0000

Well, I don’t KNOW LaBua’s position on the protesters who disrupted Perriello’s neighbor’s businesses. I’m genuinely curious. I mean, if Perriello were located just off the Mall, like Virgil Goode was, and if protesters were loud and off-putting outside his Mall office with the result that people avoided going to Chaps as a result, what would he think? Yay for the free-speech rights of tea-party brethren? But not yay for the free-speech rights of an unemployed citizen who wants to hold up a sign asking for money near his business?

By: Just Bob

Just Bob — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:24:30 +0000

What I’m wondering is how LaBua, a member of the local Tea Party, feels about Tea Party anti-Perriello protesters disrupting the businesses near TP’s office and scaring away their customers?

That's a very fair point!! My initial reaction is to support LaBua's concern about the disruption of his business, but your factoid put's his disagreement in a new light- one we frequently see with conservatives - Hypocrisy! Here's an idea! Let's gather all the downtown mall panhandlers in front of LaBua's store- and see how he like's a disruption of business similar to what the Tea Party people caused the Glass Building businesses.

A “beggar” is one who “begs” or is “begging”. “Begging” involves “asking for charity”.

No begging involves asking for something you don't have, and asking to the point where you become a nuisance until you get it.