SHELTER OPINIONS VARIED SOME RESIDENTS LEERY OF BRINGING HOMELESS.Byline: Eugene Tong tong 1 tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs. Staff Writer CASTAIC - A county proposal to erect a temporary homeless shelter Homeless shelters are temporary residences for homeless people. Usually located in urban neighborhoods, they are similar to emergency shelters. The primary difference is that homeless shelters are usually open to anyone, without regard to the reason for need. on the grounds of the Pitchess Detention Center A detention center or a detention centre is any location used for detention. Specifically, it can mean:
adj. Oppressed; tyrannized. downtrodden Adjective oppressed and lacking the will to resist Adj. 1. . Edward Pirjanian, 54, has been a resident of the Live Oak subdivision - a cluster of single-family homes, parks and an elementary school elementary school: see school. - just an eight-lane freeway away from the county jail that could host the winter shelter in the parking lot. ``We already got a jail out here,'' Pirjanian, a resident for 18 years, said Monday. ``I don't think we need a homeless shelter. ... We're better off without them.'' Other opponents cited fears about safety - especially for the children attending Live Oak Elementary, and potential negative impacts on property values - all complaints that pressed the shelter to move a year ago from its seasonal location in Canyon Country. Still, others said they were ready to open up their community to the homeless. ``It's not going to bother me if it's in Pitchess,'' said Christine Richter, 35, a mother of three children and a Live Oak resident for more than two years. ``Even though we may not like it, they still deserve that chance. We need to work together to get everybody homes. We're all just a couple paychecks away from being homeless. ... Tons of people lost their jobs in Enron.'' Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich Michael Dennis Antonovich (born 1939 in Los Angeles, California) is a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors representing the Fifth District, which covers northern Los Angeles County, the Antelope, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, and parts of the San Fernando and San , whose 5th District includes the unincorporated Adj. 1. unincorporated - not organized and maintained as a legal corporation unorganised, unorganized - not having or belonging to a structured whole; "unorganized territories lack a formal government" community of Castaic, has proposed partnering with the city of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, to host the temporary shelter on alternate years. If the proposal holds, the shelter would open from Dec. 1 to March 15 from dusk to dawn on a large asphalt asphalt (ăs`fôlt, –fălt), brownish-black substance used commonly in road making, roofing, and waterproofing. Chemically, it is a natural mixture of hydrocarbons. lot east of Interstate 5 and behind the jail's gates. It would move to another location a year later. Shelter residents would be bused out of the facility during the day, when many work, and are brought back in the evening. ``We need to be willing to help other people,'' said Laurel van der Linde, 50, a resident for 20 years. ``The question is, can they handle it?'' Told of some residents' concerns Monday, Paul Novak, a planning deputy for Antonovich, said the shelter operated without problems last year when it was placed at a county-owned maintenance yard in Santa Clarita - in the middle of an industrial park. ``There were no problems last year,'' he said. ``It does provide 24-hour security, and at this particular location, there is also the guard gate. And for the most part, the homeless people are not there during the day.'' The county is slated to present the plan at September's Castaic Town Council meeting. ``We're actually waiting for the presentation,'' said John Kunak, the advisory panel's president. ``If we can find a solution where we will be impacted minimally and have a chance that it will work, it is something that we have to consider.'' Most residents remained open-minded when told Monday about the shelter plan. ``It doesn't bother me,'' said Jennifer Colgan, 35, who was picking up her son Joshua, 7, from school. ``We already have a jail without a fence around it,'' she quipped, alluding to the occasional escapee escapee A popular term for older relatives of those at risk for Huntington's disease, who didn't develop the disease. See Huntington's disease. that's part of living with a detention center on the other side of the freeway. ``Whether you like it or not, there are homeless people everywhere,'' said Robert Lamberth, 37, a resident in the community for six years. ``You've got to take responsibility.'' Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Karen Anderson, with her daughter Jennifer, 7, comments on the temporary homeless shelter to be located on the grounds of the Pitchess Detention Center near Live Oak Elementary. (2) ``It doesn't bother me,'' said Jennifer Colgan, picking up her son Joshua, 7, from school, about the homeless shelter. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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