Mary Foster: Keeping Peekskill in the Forefront of Homelessness

One great public work project can end all progress in an entire neighborhood. As a kid in the Bronx, circa 1984, I remember when a proposal came across to open a Juvenile Detention Center in the Melrose section of the Bronx. The rationale was that it would serve the Bronx. That people would be able to visit their kids in a 'Juvi' close to home. Even as a kid it didn't make any sense to put near 'the Hub' the shopping center for the South Bronx or that people would want to visit their kids in jail rather than keeping them out. Today the lot that was empty then is empty now while everything else in the Bronx is built up. Another not-for-profit project that didn't profit the community.

One thing about Mary Foster that no one can take away from her is that she is truly has a Not-For-Profit mentality. How else can you reason that putting a homeless shelter next to $45 million of premium office space is a good idea. What will become of a potential booming area if a homeless shelter moves in. Will auxiliary businesses like Fedex/Kinkos, stationary stores, coffee shops and the like move to the area? Will business people mind that the homeless need to live and walk by thier businesses as they do business?

For most of us who live this reality the answer is no. But if you make the turn out of reality and onto Hudson Avenue like my friend Mary Foster then it is sound policy.

Below I copied her response to the North County News on this issue. Please excuse her and please, please read it in your most dramatic voice:

“What utter trash,” she said. Foster explained that she would put the homeless shelter at 3 Corporate Drive and said it would not be an entrance to 9 Corporate Drive.

“Eichengrum was very willing to find another location,” said Foster. “He was willing to take a tour of the shelter.”

I performed a Google map search that shows 3 Corporate Drive and 9 Corporate Drive is at most 29 feet from each other. This is why Mary needs to hire a business development officer because she can't understand what businesses are good for Peekskill. She voted no on a progressive and charitable business, Target, that would have reverse the hemorrhage of money away from Peekskill. Now she's proposing a homeless shelter next to a $45 milliion dollar development.

She doesn't need a Business Development Officer she needs a kid from the Bronx that still remembers when things smell like Sh!^!

Mary foster: Wrong on Target. Wrong on the homeless. Wrong for Peekskill.

And of course, I say this as her friend.

Click here to get directions from 3 Corporate Drive to 9 Corporate Drive. Don't Start your car -- it is only 29 feet.