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?
Grinning Soul
11:02 am on December 16th
Not long ago I lived in an apartment right next door to the Women’s Community and had zero problems with them. I donated my unneeded items there and even knew someone who sought their services. I am confused as to where the residents of the initially proposed area got such a negative impression on the women’s shelter. The only trouble in the current neighborhood of the Women’s Community would have resided in the building which I lived.
Shawn Sullivan
9:24 pm on December 17th
I believe that the whole NIMBY impulse is a natural one.
My biggest issue with this situation is that we are dealing with people who have no where else to go, and I think it sends a bad message when we tell people “we don’t want you here.” The object of their objection was the building, but I have a nagging feeling it was more…
I am truly happy that Aspirus stepped up and donated that land for the new center, and I’m sure the Campus Dr. residents who opposed their site feel vindicated, but I still find it troubling.
Darcey Westcott
3:02 pm on December 18th
Ironically enough…I just talked with someone at lunch today who lives in the neighborhood first looked at for the new Women’s Center. She said she didn’t want it in “her backyard” not because of the Women’s Community aspect…but because of the rezoning of the neighborhood. She was upset that the media didn’t share the rezoning perspective, and only focused on making her and her neighbors look like snobs.