DeSalvatore Goes NIMBY on Hungry

In a relatively sprawling story on the future of Our Father's Table in one of the local newspapers today, Ward 4 Councilor (and, oh yeah, mayoral candidate) Ted DeSalvatore doesn't exactly open his arms wide for the program that offered free meals before being closed a few months ago.

The highlights from DeSalvatore in today's Sentinel:

"DeSalvatore said groups liek Our Father's Table are 'detrimental, counterproductive to business ... (and) to the rejuvenation of downtown Main Street.'
"DeSalvatore, who is running for mayor, said he'd prefer a group that does more than feed people, and rather provides counseling, job advice and activities, all in one spot. And he said such a program should still not sit in the center of town.
"'Any established routine on or near Main Street that will cause individuals to linger who otherwise have nothing to do is going to counterproductive,' DeSalvatore said Tuesday. 'They're not there as consumers. They're not there to shop. They're just there because they have no place to go. I know they're not criminals, they're not dangerous. Bu they create an atmosphere that makes people uncomfortable.'"

Later, he said, "Fitchburg's financial woes are 'exasperated or additionally irritated by these typesof service agencies that locate right under the noses of people who are trying to make a living.'"

The issue of social-service agencies downtown has long been one of contention for city officials. These comments from DeSalvatore bring that issue back into the spotlight pronto.

The snag at Our Father's Table has always been that clients would often linger outside before or after meals. It didn't create the prettiest scene downtown. The group knows it's an issue, and is trying to figure out a solution. Apparently, it won't be getting much help from the ward councilor on this one.

For better or worse, Fitchburg is the hub of social services for the area. Whether it's Our Father's Table, the needle exchange program, or the welfare office, downtown is where people in the region come for help. It is, in some ways, a noble enterprise. But it does offer challenges. The goal should be to offer the services and conquer the challenges, not shove the whole thing somewhere else.

That said, there is a sizable number of people in the city who would like to see the social services gone from downtown. I'm guessing few DeSalvatore fans will be turned off by his assessment. It is, if nothing else, classic DeSalvatore: Hard-charging, straightforward, black-and-white with little room for gray.