Palin Nomination Highlights McCain’s Audacity
“Supportive Housing” Opposes Revitalization Strategy

James Bailey Brislin
The Carpet City Chronicle

The Enfield Press, September 4, 2008

“Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don’t interfere as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried out.“
-Ronald Reagan

This is a very exciting time to be involved in politics. On Friday, John McCain unveiled his vice-presidential pick, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

That news has been the talk of the town, and has been a major conversation topic at every barbeque that I attended this weekend. Everyone said that they were glad McCain picked a running mate with solid pro-family, pro-life credentials.

The Palin choice struck a chord with so many of my friends in their twenties. They were impressed with:

(1) Her unwavering support for traditional values, especially the defense of unborn life and traditional marriage.

(2) Her courage in bucking the system. She stood up to public officials who brought dishonor to the republican name- Don Young, Ted Stevens, and Frank Murkowski. She exposed corruption at the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, knowing that she was hazarding her political career.

(3) Her support for free-market economics. Both she and McCain understand the need to cut taxes and spending- that tax cuts are key to ending the current downturn.

(4) Her history as an outdoorsman and proponent of second amendment rights. Hunting and fishing are major hobbies for Palin. As a lifetime NRA member, she strongly supports the right to keep and bear arms.

For us young professionals, it is very exciting to see McCain promoting a young conservative whose life story echoes our values and aspirations.

Her politics are a stark contrast to Barack Obama, who offers time-worn liberal nostrums, dressed up by motivational speeches. Although Obama talks of “change,” he cannot back it up with a record. In Chicago, Obama had a history of supporting the Daley machine, even when liberal change candidates stepped forward to challenge Cook County corruption. Obama’s poor record on implementing change shows that he is a demagogue, trying to ride popular dissatisfaction to power. In contrast, McCain and Palin have a record standing up for public integrity and implementing meaningful change.

In many ways, I think this decision captures the mood of the country. People want change, but not the socialism peddled by Obama. The public wants to end Washington’s culture of spending without consequences, wants to see entitlement reform, wants policies that will support economic expansion and job growth, and wants leaders who respect our moral values. In McCain-Palin, they have a team that will implement reforms consonant with economic freedom, democratic principles, and traditional values.

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On another note, this evening, at 7:30 PM, the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission is hearing Enfield People for People’s application to put “supportive housing” in the Old North School. I encourage everyone who can do so, to come out and offer comment at the public hearing.

In order to put “supportive housing” in Old North School, Enfield People for People needs to obtain a “special use permit” from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Like with a liquor permit, the Commission can exercise discretion in deciding whether or not to issue the special use permit.

It should be abundantly clear that Old North is no place for “supportive housing”:

(1) Candidates for “supportive housing” include people recovering from addiction to alcohol and drugs. Putting “supportive housing” close to package stores and drug dealers increases the likelihood of recidivism.

(2) Adding additional “supportive housing” to Thompsonville hinders efforts to improve the quality of life and public perceptions of the neighborhood.

In recent years, a number of social service agencies have quietly bought homes in Thompsonville to use as recovery centers for a myriad of problems. Why are we letting Thompsonville become a dumping ground for people with problems?

Where are the social service agencies in Somers, East Windsor, Suffield, Stafford, and Ellington? Compared to these towns, Enfield bears an unreasonably heavy social service burden, especially given the over-concentration of agencies in downtown Thompsonville.

People for People already has enough units to house the eight homeless people in Enfield. Yet People for People has said that its goal is to eventually operate one hundred units. That well exceeds Enfield’s actual needs. Why should Enfield be hosting “supportive housing” for out-of-towners?

(3) The Town of Enfield sold the Old North School to David Berto of Suffield, to provide business incubator space. Mr. Berto got such a good deal on the property because town leaders thought it would help stimulate the growth of jobs and businesses in Thompsonville.

For years, Mr. Berto has failed to deliver on promises to provide adaptive reuse of Old North School and promote business growth. He should be called to account for his failure, not rewarded with a special use permit and a quick profit.

(4) Enfield People for People already owns three buildings on Pleasant Street. Between the three buildings there is already more than enough space to support the eight homeless people that People for People found during their inventory earlier this year.

(5) The plan to put “supportive housing” at Old North will stifle efforts to revitalize Thompsonville. Homeownership, neighborhood pride, business growth, and transportation improvements lie at the heart of the revitalization strategy.

The addition of “supportive housing” to Old North will hinder efforts to promote owner-occupied housing and neighborhood pride on an already troubled block. Last month, Enfield police found Ashley Peoples’ strangled body at 65 Church Street, less than a block away from Old North. What incentive is there for people buy homes near Old North, given the presence of “supportive housing” and fresh memories of that homicide?

Renewed efforts to revitalize Thompsonville provide hope for a neighborhood that has been down on its luck for far too long. Last Wednesday’s fire station vote shows that there is strength in numbers. Together, we can defeat the “supportive housing” and work towards making Thompsonville a better place.