Alford Talks About Homeless Shelter
(Bristol) Mary Alford, the Republican candidate for Mayor, today weighed in on the situation regarding St. Vincent DePaul Homeless Shelter and the Executive Director’s refusal to meet with the Mayor.
“This situation poses two problems,” Alford said, “First, no one in our community should be sleeping on the streets, especially in an area that we have been trying to revitalize and secondly, the Mayor has every right to know what the policies of the homeless shelter are.”
During this campaign, Alford has been campaigning on the need for a new style of management at City Hall. “You cannot continue to elect the same people and expect different results,” Alford said. While she agrees with the Mayor that he should be made aware of the policies of the homeless shelter and any claims of abuse of those policies, where Alford differs with the Mayor is his approach to the situation. “As Mayor, I would not have my secretary send an email requesting a meeting,” Alford added, “I would either pick up the phone myself to speak with Mr. Lysiak or I would call and tell him I’m on my way to see him.”
Alford also took issue with the comments made by the Executive Director of St. Vincent DePaul. “As recipients of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) money administered by the Bristol Development Authority of which the Mayor is Chairman, Mr. Lysiak should remember that Federal monies administered by the City of Bristol fund his shelter and the Mayor has a duty to ensure that these monies and the programs they pay for are in compliance,” Alford added, “I’m sure Mr. Lysiak would not be pleased if he requested a meeting to obtain additional funding, and the Mayor’s Office refused to meet with him to discuss it.
“Unfortunately in this situation the public has only received one side of the story and I realize that there are always two.” Alford concluded, “The Mayor is well within his purview to be made aware of all the facts in this situation.
Alford is hopeful that all parties will meet and clear the air sooner rather than later.
*******Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
27 comments:
Mary "state the obvious" Alford. Enough already. This is bordering on ridiculous.
GO MARY GO
Isn't th right in her front yard?
There are two sides to every story and requesting a meeting is, in my view, inappropriate for the mayor to do. This is a private matter and we have no idea how this person behaves when he is there. He says he is a likable person and gets along with everybody, but there is more to this story than meets the eye. They wouldn't just oust him for complaining about something as trivial as missing donuts. I'm sure the staff has a policy about not talking about private matters to the Press so I'm sure that's why they can't discuss it.
There are two sides to every story, but after being thrust into the middle of it, asking to hear the other side was hardly "inappropriate." The mayor and the entire city should be concerned about the welfare of the homeless.
How does that old saying go: "Walk a mile in my sandals etc."
Mary, think before you speak (or let others speak for you).
Ms Alford thinks the "mayor needs to reach out to Lysiak"???
Uh, Mary, the mayor DID reach out to Mr. Lysiak (who prefers to handle the situation himself), but hey once again - nice try!
Mary is limited by Schaffricks and Mocabees awareness, which in itself is limited.
This isnt the way to the mayors office!!
according to today's press, it looks as though Mary's handlers jumped too early - again.
Maybe the Mayor, Mr. Lysiak and the complaining party ought to get together for a beer and talk things over. Isn't that the way things like this are handled these days?
Does Mary drink beer?
8:09
Sounds like Artie was way ahead of his time.
So how does this resolve the situation for the people who came to the mayor's office? Or is it suddenly ok to use homeless people for political expediency.
You stay classy, Mary!
It's easy to "stay classy" when you never say or do anything.
Where would it all end:
The Librarian threw me out because I was snoring, or I went to the VNA and was stinkin drunk so they would not wait on me, or you gave me money to have my roof fixed and the contractor I hired did a lousy job.
The mayor cannot micro manage, and there are some issues that are not in his purview.
Of course, since Mary has not been involved, she wouldn't know that!
7:37 PM
I agree.... Mary, run save yourself.....keep away from Schaffrick and Mocabee...
4:46 Your right the Mayor can't solve everything. As a Republican I agree with Ward on this one.
He has every right to ask what the policies of the homeless shelter are.
I also agree with Mary that if the Director is unwillingly to share with the Mayor what those policies are, than maybe when BDA meets next year to distribute CBDG money the shelter should look for funding elseware.
The Mayor has the responsibility to ensure that the monies given are being used properly.
Ward did the right thing, the only problem is that he didn't pick up the phone and call he left it to his secretary. Some situations call for the Mayor to take the lead.
AS for 7:43 pm - Stortz shut up
11:43
Maybe 4:46 was stortz and 7:43 wasn't.
9/24 4:01 poster. Since when is it inappropriate to hear the other side? Wow, you're way off base. This should have never been brought to the mayor in the first place. Of course people are concerned about the homeless, but not everyone who is homeless is above board just like not everyone who is NOT homeless is above board.
Obviously there is something else going on here. Every institution has policies and procedures as does the shelter. Getting the mayor involved, because you're unhappy with what's happening and can't bother to take the time to follow the rules is what's wrong with the world today. It's always do it MY way or the HIGHWAY! Well, if people would start following the rules, there wouldn't be people thinking their troubles are caused by everybody else. Even the homeless have to follow the rules. End of story!
Mocabee did a good job for the Republican party. Lay off Mocabee.
Schaffrick...while he's done much work has probably done as much damage. The same (or worse) can be said for Stortz.
4:49
Sounds like you are losing it, or have already lost it.
Did Mary walk across the street and talk with Mr. Lysak?
7:17 - why would she do that, it's easier to just blurt out mindless thoughts.
3:37
OOPS! Sorry I lost my head.
Is this a press release or a rewrite?
She seems to shift persons: somewhat confusing.
It's a press release. Everything in italics is hers.
Post a Comment