Donald Dungan Library To Close Temporarily

STRUCTURAL REPAIRS NEEDED
The Donald Dungan Branch Library at Lions Park will close from April 1, 2013 to July 1, 2013 to repair significant structural damage to the building.  According to the City of Costa Mesa announcement, HERE, the Mesa Verde Branch will still be available to those needing library services, as will the Technology Branch following it's relocation mid April.

WHAT NOW?
However, this does mean that the homeless folks who have inhabited Lions Park and infested the library for the past few years are going to have to find a new place to perform their toilette and to just hang out.  This adds further inconvenience now that the dining pavilion was demolished and Historical Society building has been fenced-off for fear that one of them may burn the place to the ground.

HOMELESS POPULATION INCREASING?

While I make light of this situation, it is a VERY serious problem in our community.  As I drive around our town it seems that the number of homeless folks dragging their purloined shopping carts full of all their earthly possessions has increased over the past several months.  Perhaps this is due to our climate being much more agreeable for homeless people that regions further east and north.  And, of course, there are the so-called "attractants" - free food and medical care provided by several charities located in our city.  They are wonderful people with hearts of gold who saw a need and filled it.  Still...

THE "PROBLEM" REMAINS

I know our Homeless Task Force did a great job of defining the issues and identifying "Costa Mesa Homeless People", but nobody has yet defined how to manage those folks who are homeless in our city, but don't meet the definition for a "Costa Mesa Homeless Person".  They remain...

PERHAPS THE NEWPORT BEACH LIBRARY?
Perhaps the unfortunate closure of the library will provide a new opportunity to further refine the services and treatment of the homeless folks in Costa Mesa.  I guess we'll see.  In the meantime, Newport Beach is just finishing a lovely renovation of their Main Library, adjacent to their brand, spanking new City Hall.  Perhaps some of "our" homeless folks would like to go a little more upscale and haul their, er,  stuff across the Back Bay Bridge and up the hill to that venue.  They'd have a lovely view, too.  Just thinkin'...