WE NEED TO STOP THINKING OF PEOPLE IN NEED OF HOUSING AS A DRAIN ON THE COMMUNITY

A common theme in any discussion of housing is the grumbling about what negative impacts it will have. They’ll bring more traffic, use more water and generally want more of what is ours. But stop for a minute and think about it. Is it really more traffic? Many of the people in need of housing are already here. They may be living in a too small space for their family or with family or friends. Or they are coming over the bridges because they work here but live off-cape. Either way, they are already here and they are part of our community. Don’t they deserve a decent place to live? 

We need to stop thinking of people in need of housing as a drain on the community. They represent more than additional traffic or more water usage. They are part of our community. They are our seniors struggling to maintain their home when nothing less is available.  They are the teachers and staff in our kids’ school, the police officer or firefighter that answers our calls, the medical staff that looks after us and the workers that man our stores, restaurants and businesses. And yes, we actually need more of them. Employers all over the cape say they need more workers. But instead of adding a workforce we continue to lose people who can’t afford to stay - including our own kids. Why are we so welcoming to tourists who bring traffic, use water, demand services and then leave? But then we are so intolerant of people who want to be part of the community and become the next generation of cape codders?  

WE HAVE 6 NEW MEMBERS OF THE BARNSTABLE TOWN COUNCIL. WHAT CHANGES DOES THIS MEAN?

What happens at the Barnstable Town Council in the next few months may give us some clues about what this new blood will mean to our most local problems and concerns.

We have already gotten a new start time, 6 pm instead of 7. We are getting the agenda of the upcoming meetings the Friday before, almost a week in advance. We are promised active Council subcommittees to help develop policies and regulations that reflect public concerns and solid facts.

These laudable objectives are good news. But as you read this don’t lose sight of the fact that the public has to play its part. We have to pay attention to the Council meetings. We have to speak up on topics we know and care about.

The hottest topic at the beginning of this year is “will the public engage?” Public engagement is work. Are you ready? We are not recommending more complaining about what you perceive to be wrong. We are talking about finding out the facts and working with others to bring about change. Now that’s a hot topic.

A good way to start is to stay in touch with the jam- packed Town Website. Download the terrific new MyBarnstable app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.  Subscribe to the Town Newsletter Barnstble eNEWS that comes out each Friday.   

And while you’re doing the dishes, hear Town Council meetings in real time at their Government Access LIVE or on demand.  You can watch them the meetings with subtitles at the Town's YouTube channel.) Or perhaps a Barnstable podcast at Discover Barnstable. 

And while you’re at it…. Write a letter to the Cape Cod Times asking them to bring usmuch more news about what is going on at the Council and within the Town  bureaucracy.

Thanks for reading Hot Topics!

To comment yourself  write bdtcomm@gmail.com We reserve the right to select what we post.Your BDTC Website Team;