Shameful view of city beggars

10:50am Monday 5th May 2008

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THE following is a reply to your Page 5 article on beggars (Begging battle, April 28).

Why a millionaire like Mr Hattersley wants to apply the full force of the State to remove the beggars from the streets of York reveals more about Mr Hattersley than the beggars.

It is his attitude that is "shameful" and not the presence of the beggars.

Joseph Rowntree brought far more wealth to York than this man could dream of, but instead of feeling "shame", he used his good fortunes to help the poor, solve problems and help people out of poverty.

Brushing them off the streets so that York could look like a "chocolate box" to visitors was never his solution. Mr Hattersley's argument that "many of these beggars make a career out of it... some even clock off for lunch" is crass and insensitive.

When I see a beggar on the street, I pull up my coat and hold my child closer because I know that "there for the grace of God..." go any one of us.

Beggars, the infirm, the elderly, the feckless, the mentally ill and, may I say, millionaires are all part of York's tapestry of life, for good or ill.

Mr Hattersley might wish to see how long he would last on the streets. He could even explain how cleaners pay more tax than the rich, which really is "shameful". If not, he should enjoy his own success and if he can't help the poor he should desist from persecuting these troubled people.

David Bush, Jasmine Close, New Earswick, York.