As many of you are aware of, the city of Lebanon is proposing an ordinance that would effectively make homelessness a crime in Lebanon. If you are a Lebanon or West Lebanon resident, please contact your representative to urge them to vote NO on the proposal. Regardless of your residency, please go to the city council meeting on June 15 to make your voice heard.
More information below. Thank you for standing up for those in need.
Friends,
Please act now if you care about people who are homeless AND you are a resident of Lebanon or West Lebanon, NH! If this is YOU, please read on!
The Lebanon City Council is considering an ordinance that would essentially make being homeless a crime. If you camped on City of Lebanon property (like sleeping or camping near the river near Hannafords in West Leb) for more than 2 hours between dusk and dawn you would be subject to eviction and a $100 fine. (Complete copy of the ordinance text attached. Background is Page 1, ordinance begins Page 3).
UVIP and many others consider this an injustice to those among us who are homeless. The American Civil Liberties Union of NH (letter attached) believes it is unconstitutional as well. Community efforts should be focused on providing services to people who are homeless, not sending them to jail. If you agree, and you live in Lebanon or west Lebanon, your support is needed NOW.
You can say I CARE by your presence at the Lebanon City Council public hearing on Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 PM at the City Council chambers at Lebanon City Hall, on the green in Lebanon. You of course might testify – but your simple silent presence will also add to the power of “we the residents of Lebanon and West Lebanon believe this is a BAD ordinance and should not be passed.”
Even more powerful – call or e-mail your Lebanon City Councilors BEFORE the June 15 hearing and tell them what you think about criminalizing homelessness. Talking Points are attached, but say what you feel! Contact information for all City Councilors is below my signature. You can contact YOUR Ward 1, 2, or 3 Councilors PLUS all the At-Large Councilors. If you do not know your Ward, your voting place will be a clue (see list below) or the attached map may help.
Please reach out to your Lebanon and West Lebanon friends and neighbors and urge them, too, to call or e-mail their City Councilors (Ward and At-Large) and then pack the Lebanon City Council chambers on June 15 at 7:00 PM and say, “This is not right. Vote NO on the proposed ordinance…”
Ward 1 (You vote at Kilton Library, West Lebanon))
Georgia A. Tuttle, MD
Mayor, Ward 1
Suzanne M. Prentiss
Assistant Mayor, Ward 1
Ward 2 (You vote at United Methodist Church, 18 School Street)
Bill Finn
Councilor, Ward 2
Bruce Bronner
Councilor, Ward 2
Ward 3 (you vote at City Hall)
Clifton Below
Councilor, Ward 3
Sarah L. Welsch
Councilor, Ward 3
At Large (Represent all Lebanon residents)
Erling Heistad
Councilor, At-Large
Karen Liot Hill
Councilor, At-Large
Timothy J. McNamara
Councilor, At-large