I was so pleased to read that Aspirus had donated land to the Women’s Community for their new shelter. Good job, Aspirus!
I live about a mile or two from the first proposed site on Campus Drive. My neighbors freaked out and insisted that the domestic abuse shelter look elsewhere for a location. I was horrified. My first irrational instinct was to offer my backyard. It’s crazy and impractical, but I think it’s a decent impulse.
“Not in my backyard” is a complicated issue. I wouldn’t mind a women’s shelter, but I would probably get a little upset about a power station or a water tower in my backyard. I don’t think the shelter would be an eyesore, but the others would be.
I wonder if the neighborhood surrounding the Aspirus property will get out the pitchforks and cannons. It’s more affluent, and the layout allows much more privacy for each property. Time will tell.
What do you think of NIMBY? Is it horrible in some cases but understandable in others?
