Town goes ahead with homeless relocation using buses
February 14, 2011
Relocation of Homeless is not without incident.
At 9:15 a.m. Mayor Karol Mikolashek’s office coordinated the relocation of shanty town residents to a new squatters settlement that was set aside while the current shanty town is surveyed for possible construction.
En-route,one of the buses used to transport residents was commandeered by disgruntled passengers after they rushed the guard and gained control of the bus.
The hijackers were swiftly when, for lack of experience, drove the bus into a shallow ditch. While the bus was not damaged, some on the bus were treated for small scratches.
Tyra Powell, a veteran bus driver who has been working at Laurence Hill Middle School for 15 years, was just glad to have her bus back.
A relieved Powell said, “With all our buses returned, things have basically returned to normal. It’s hard to even imagine that they were ever used to transport shanty residents. The smell has died down, and we’ve de-sanitized the buses we in the transport to keep any homeless residue to a minimum.”
Although the majority of Seppuwans eagerly awaited the construction and completions of the New Shanty town, some are not as supportive of the project. Jason Jackson Phillips, a resident of New Shanty, is among those who does not share in the town’s excitement.
“When they moved us here they promised better resources and opportunities”, said Phillips. “We don’t even have a Laundromat here. We’re washing our clothes in the damn river. I mean, my family’s been eatin’ ramen noodles and canned tuna for two weeks without a break. At least the old shanty town had some ‘semblance of being normal we had our own money we bartered we traded. Here we’re on our own.”
Though the effects of the move are taking their toll on New Shanty residents, the mayor is insisting that everyone remain hopeful.
The Mayor’s Communications liason Jeremy Strausburg gave some New Shanty residents hope for a better tomorrow.
“We are building a waterfall to attract tourism money to expand New Shanty town and repair anything damaged in the move. This waterfall will be the key to New Shanty’s success.”
Short URL: http://www.seppuwafallsgazette.com/local/town-goes-ahead-with-homeless-relocation/
