I HAVE worked with homeless people (though not for Arc Light) for almost 20 years.

In that time, I have rarely come across such boorish and ignorant behaviour as that displayed by a small group of people in the public gallery at City of York Council's executive meeting last Tuesday.

Their chattering and sniggering, culminating in a loud and threatening remark to Jeremy Jones, contrasted sharply with the quiet dignity of the few Arc Light residents that were present.

Their behaviour served only to discredit the campaigns that some people had clearly invested much time and effort in. In doing so, they let their neighbours down as well as themselves.

Should Arc Light finally be relocated on the Union Terrace car park I hope that those who reside in the area, both inside the building and in the surrounding area, will try to be respectful of each other.

Nick Waddington,

Langdale Avenue,

Burnholme,

York.

Updated: 10:19 Thursday, May 04, 2006