Posted on 07/30/2009 8:37:28 PM PDT by greatdefender
ORLANDO, FLA. The city of New York, under the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has been offering its homeless population one-way tickets to leave the city under the umbrella of a city program that began in 2007.
One of the most popular destinations for the Big Apple's homeless population is the Sunshine State, according to the New York City Mayor's Office.
The Orange County Mayor, Rich Crotty, learned of that Thursday and sent a letter that was part request and part rebuke to the mayor of New York City.
Crotty's letter read, in part, that he was "disappointed" to learn about New York's program, and that "The practice reminds me of the old 'Greyhound Justice of the south during the 1960's, where offenders were put on busses headed out of town."
Crotty went on to say that, while he was not opposed to so-called "Homeward Bound" programs, provided there were receptive families and support networks, "giving a homeless person a one-way ticket" out of town did not address the core issues of homelessness, it "just moves the homeless problem from one place to another."
Crotty said that, in these tough times all that New York's program accomplishes is to "shift someone else's budget burden onto our already cash-strapped shoulders."
Crotty's letter concluded with a respectful request for New York City's Mayor to reconsider the relocation program.
"As a fellow Mayor, I understand the economic challenges you face," Crotty wrote, "But I do not believe the answer for the great city of New York is to put that burden on a one-way ticket to another place."
New York City officials said earlier that Florida is one of 24 states where the homeless have chosen to go, with other popular destinations being Puerto Rico, Georgia, as well as North and South Carolina.
New York City officials said more than 550 families have left New York for greener pastures since the program began in 2007.
The only requirement the city imposes is that these people have a relative who agrees to take them in, once they reach their destination.
That destination can be anywhere, according to city officials. New York City authorities said they have relocated families to five continents.
The Bloomberg administration said it started the program as a way to cut costs in the city shelter system, and find alternatives for the homeless in the city.
According to administration estimates, it costs $36,000 per year to house a family in one of New York City's shelters.
what’s it say on the Statue of Liberty? And where’s that statue located?
As I understand it, it's one of the worst places for anyone.
yikes! I was about to answer, but think not.... :D
I thought dumping the homeless was a crime... If it’s not, we should all send our to Mexico... payback’s a bitch.
Problem solved.
I thought dumping the homeless was a crime... If it’s not, we should send all of ours to Mexico... payback’s a bitch.
As I understand it, it’s one of the worst places for anyone.
Funny but True!
it's a bizarre economy that calls such a thing even.
I always thought the best place for the homeless would be in the tree lawn of the local ACLU lawyers. See haw they feel about the rights of the homeless when they are urinating in their bushes.
Didn't used to be. Then all the dregs from New York City started moving in about 10 years ago.
And this is verified ...how?
It's on the base. The 'saying' was written by the winner of a contest created to fund the building of the base. (otherwise the copper idol would have been scrapped)
This will probably wind up in a bus war with other cities (it's happened before)
I’ll bet the “relatives in Florida” go waaaaay up in the winter...
Idol Icon.
Spare us the cliches please. The "dregs" of NYC don't move into prefab subdivisions in the south.
It's just so pitiful to hear people from Florida implying that the wretched condition of their state is the fault of New Yorkers.
Maybe the Florida native who said, "It's the salt in the air," was right.
I believe New Jersey won the lengthy legal battle with New York and claims the island the Statue of Liberty is based on as its own.
NYC has plenty of its own problems, sending them to any other city doesn’t seem fair, but the SoL was to reflect the entire United States, not just the city in whose harbor she resides.
You were talking about Orange County, Bubba.
Even so, I have several counties full of New Yorkers that starred in the Butterfly Ballot debacle of 2000. Maybe you could go interview some of them though your Florida fantasy would take a big hit.
Orange County is home to Disney and lots of Puerto Ricans.
Remember, they like to be called "NewYoricans". :-)
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