Attached is a great editorial by Orange County Register reporter Marcia R. Smith from last year, entitled “Costa Mesa Could Use a Dose of Empathy on Sober Living Homes” which is directly on point.
No matter how much things change, they seem to remain the same for those closed-minded people whose sole focus is on their property values rather than advancing true community values.
A bad neighbor is a bad neighbor, notwithstanding their race, creed, color, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or disability.
We are quick to judge others who are not of our “tribe” or who are “different,” which actually is a genetic protective mechanism which dates back to the days of the cavemen.
However, we are no longer living in caves.
Reasonable regulation to protect those seeking solace within a Recovery Residence is essential. But the Not-In-My-Backyard mentality which pervades the “I was here first” definition of “community” cannot be tolerated by elected officials, let alone property owners.
If that was enforced, then we all need to pack up and return the land back to the Seminole Tribe.
As we approach the holiday of Thanksgiving, let’s step back and take a moment to recommit ourselves to a better community for everyone, not just those who you have allowed to be a part of your tribe.
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