To the editor:

City and county leaders are discussing how to fund a homelessness plan that calls for an investment of more than $100 million over five years.

How will it be financed? Easy answer: on the back of federal government programs that are already stretched to the max and the good citizens (who are already over taxed) of Lawrence.

The statement “A Place for Everyone” is no more than a fairy tale.

Have you ever heard of the movie “Field of Dreams” (“If you build it, he will come”)? In this case, it will come true.

I know many people who have opinions on the homeless problem in Lawrence but speak so quietly (for what reason I have no idea) they’re not heard. Building anything would not be a solution; it would simply be enabling the homeless to keep doing what they are doing. Destroying downtown and the 26 businesses that are suing the city.

Some solutions:

l Put a plan together that truly helps the Lawrence citizens who can’t help themselves.

l Start a GoFundMe and let the citizens who want to engage, engage.

l Let the police do their job.

l If money needs to be spent, purchase a house in each city/county commissioner’s neighborhood and turn them into homeless shelters.

Jerry Martin,

Lawrence