Lemme say first that Toms River , NJ is a refuge within the State. Virtually everyone who lives there is from somewhere else, especially from North Jersey.
That being said, Jon Bon Jovi is not backing down in his mission to feed the poor even after a mayor in his home state slammed the singer for turning a public library into a “day shelter and soup kitchen.”
Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick - a republican who's been in hot water on a number of issues over the past three years - bashed county commissioners for allowing Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Kitchen to operate temporarily as a pop-up at the Ocean County Library, telling the Shore News Network its attracting homeless people and disturbing residents.
The pop-up café, which opened on Feb. 11, shares the mission of JBJ Soul Kitchen’s three other New Jersey locations — allowing diners to pay it forward and cover the suggested $12 cost for those who cannot afford their meal. Patrons who can’t pay are able to volunteer at the eatery — which is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays — in exchange for sandwiches, wraps, bowls and salads. BonJovi pays for all of th expenses for the two eateries out of his own pocket, and has done so since it's inception in Red Bank, NJ.
So much for compassion, asshole...
It used to be encouraged for churches and individuals to feed the poor, but government over-reach now wants to control even that with fees and licenses. I hate the government more with each passing day. And paying income tax at the poverty level is only one reason.
ReplyDeleteI commend the emotions behind wanting to take care of the poor, but let's be realistic for a moment. Many of the street people are mentally unstable, drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals. Yes, they need to eat and sleep soewhere. But do you really want something that attracts them like a magnet to the places you live and work?
ReplyDeleteI think if we are being honest with each other, the answer will be no. Do I have a solution that respects all of our rights? Absolutely not. But that doesn't mean people are going to appreciate having the street people flooding into their neighborhoods, increasing trash, crime, and scary behavior.
It's fine. Your 21st Century kid was never going to go to the library any way so he won't meet the homeless crazies, alcoholics, and drug abusers who go there. He or she will have to settle for meeting the ones who can afford internet access.
ReplyDeleteLook at it from another point of view. I live in a small town across the river from Trenton NJ. Every business around has help wanted signs. Yet, go to the corners nearing the bridge to PA, and you'll see people 24/7 begging. Just like the people that flipped out on Martha's Vinyard, I sympathize with Toms River not wanting these people in my back yard. They'll gravitate to places that will feed them and clothe them. Local ball fields have to clean up feces in the dugouts on almost a daily basis. I guess they get into a mindset of "why work when I can survive without doing anything?" I've been told before I have no empathy.
ReplyDeleteHe should have just told them that he was feeding ILLEGALS. They would have happily given him millions of taxpayer $$$$$/
ReplyDeleteSo all the businesses in town should just accept the intrusion of homelessness and the resulting degradation of the locality and swallow the drop in their business and lose it all? Hmm, not very compassionate.
ReplyDeleteI can sympathizer with the mayor. I used to live in Los Angeles, and there wasn't a hell of a lot you could do about it when a homeless person decides your lawn is a great place to sleep. A coworker has to dash outside as soon as a delivery is made for fear a homeless porch pirates will strike.
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