Tyrone Langager

Minot

On February 18th I watched with a combination of awe and extreme consternation the presentation of Mr. Craig Gerhart before the city council. My awe was directed toward Mr. Gerhart and the thoughtful, insightful, and mature manner in which he presented his case. My consternation was toward the members of the body politic who found, yet again, reasons to defer his most logical and heartfelt request.

I have, over the years (albeit, while walking my dogs) been subjected to the unwanted and uninvited attention of the person who was the subject of the discussion. My momentary irritation is of no consequence compared with the many years of unwarranted, threatening and unacceptable behavior experienced by the residents of this neighborhood (not to mention the discomfort felt by the students of nearby schools). The rights of our cognitively and mentally altered brethren cannot take precedence over the rights of others to live in a safe and nurturing environment. Children should have the opportunity to remember their home and yard as a sanctuary, not a source of fear.

The time for referrals, buck-passing, and “not in my jurisdiction” excuses has long passed.

This problem must be dealt with in a manner in which I believe our judicially trained fellow citizens are familiar. It must be dealt with “forthwith.”

In closing, there were many references to what the law says. If indeed the law requires the inattention given to this situation I must refer to the line given to Mr. Bumble by Charles Dickens in “Oliver Twist”: “then the law is an ass…an idiot.”