The proposed Conestoga hut location won’t damage our community

To the editor:

I am a lifelong resident of Athens, Ohio. I was born here 58 years ago. I am a lifelong registered Republican but I became a libertarian in 2008.

I am an 25-year member of The Gathering Place. I support the proposed location because there is less danger where it will be located then uptown Athens, Ohio, on Friday and Saturday nights. The hut will be in a safe location at the GP and will not place any kind of issues with the students unlike what the opposition is saying. 

I have seen a lot of things happening here in my hometown Athens, both good and bad, over my 58 years on earth. I know the ins and outs of my hometown. I feel that the proposal will help give a hand up instead of a handout for the homeless community members. 

I want to go on record as saying that I support the proposed hut community. The opposition is saying that it will be a threat to the community and the university but this is untrue. The GP over its nearly 50 years of being open has an excellent relationship with the college and community over the past. This will not change. 

David Ernest Hartinger 
Athens, Ohio