Town Selectman George McNaughton was also in attendance, he summed up the evening this way:
It was a good meeting, crowd somewhat more hostile at this one. Seemed like primary concern was whether sex offenders would ever be placed in North Springfield houses and yard clutter and whether there was adequate monitoring. Good to see that North Springfield has an Alliance.
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| Will Hunter in 2010 with then Texas Congressman Ron Paul. |
Is any neighborhood safe from this guys moneymaking scams? Does North Springfield need TWO of these crime magnets? Are there enough trained professionals in the area to supervise the "client/victims"? We need to run this cat out of town......
ReplyDeletewhy aren't these "sober" houses next door to his?
DeleteOwner and "OPERATOR"... Ya got that right!
ReplyDeletewhat is wrong with this guy? why is he being ripped apart?
ReplyDeleteThere appear to be concerns regarding the people he allows in his sober houses, and because the locations of these sober houses are known they depress property values in some instances. The question, we have to figure out is whether it is better to have these people being placed in unknown locations all over town, or in these known locations. I am at present unsure. If we want to stop this form of sober house then we would need to tweak the definition of single family unit in the zoning ordinance, they do not seem to qualify for an exemption, but most appear to qualify as a single family unit under the present zoning ordinance. Whether that is the morally right thing to do, however, is not yet clear to me. One thing that does amaze me, however, is that we regularly vote special appropriations for the not for profits which often refer the residents of these houses. We have problematic housing in Springfield, there is no question about that, to what extent Will Hunter's houses are a part of the problem is not yet clear to me. But, I don't think personal attacks on Will Hunter contribute much to the discussion.
DeleteSo what you are saying is Mr. Hunter is doing this gratis... for the good of society? It seems to me his business model is VOLUME,VOLUME,VOLUME. Both of you need to climb down from your fake plastic ivory towers and get real. Pease follow this link to see how the Vermont Supreme Court feels/felt about Mr. Hunter: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/vt-supreme-court/1218358.html It's official, he is of dubious character.
DeleteHave no idea how Will Hunter is financing these projects, he says he is not using grant monies to do so. Personally, not sure about the relevancy of the financing -- if it is not coming off of the local property taxes. He indicates that most pay a reduced rent, and it appears that the rent probably comes from the renters via disability payments or social security or one of the several not for profits that refer tenants to him. I do not believe that personal attacks on him, add anything to the conversation. The issue is whether the Sober Houses are part of the problematic housing in Springfield or not. I would think the Administrator would remove the potentially slanderous attacks on his character and reputation. The reality is that we have people placed by the Department of Corrections, and various not for profits in housing all over Springfield in places not generally known to the public. Whenever someone goes public about the fact they are renting to persons who are in recovery, or who have criminal records, they are immediately assaulted and vilified. Will Hunter has gone public, and several weeks back Wendi Germain went public at Union Street. But the vast majority of landlords who accept such people as tenants do not. We do not have a coherent public policy on the matter, on one hand we are trying to limit and fend off residency by such persons, and on the other hand we are funding their residency. Rather than leveling personal attacks, it would be more beneficial to actually discuss the risks and problems, and how they could be legally addressed. Until we do that, and until we get a coherent policy, we are not going to see an improvement of the situation.
DeleteAnd just when will you be leading those discussions, George? Once again, you've chosen to criticize/marginalize the voice of the voter in a veiled defense of Mr. Hunter rather than demonstrate that you have a position (or, as you say, "a coherent policy"), pro or con, on this matter.
DeleteWet finger, stick it in the air, determine political wind. Repeat...
He sullied his own reputation.....now, Selectman, get busy...
DeleteResponding to Mr. McNaughtons suggestion, statements made about Mr Hunter are "potentially slanderous " . Mr McNaughton is factually incorrect . Mr Hunter was given his day in court and the findings are a matter of record. Therefore if his chartacter and reputation have been damaged it was done to him by himself, period. Also this is not the united for action page and it is not controlled buy Mr. McNaughton who by the way has made more then a few potentially slanderous attacks about others on that page. This is a page where people are free to express thier opinions and in this case the FACTS . Because someone has a different point of view about Mr. Hunter dosn't mean they're not intitled to it. I'll close with this, every taxpayer in this town deserves the truth and how many people are are going to come this town and buy one of the dozens of houses for sale when they find out there's a sober house right beside it??? I wouldn't would you?
DeleteWill Hunter isn't doing this out of the kindness of his heart, he does it because he is a dissbarred lawyer. Reason being, money laundring! He was convicted of it. Check yourselfs! back to the point, This is his new way of living. he will be monitaly compensated for each and everyone who lives in one of his houses! Further the State does not have enough funds to drug test his tenants. The factual statistics reguarding how many times an offender has to revisit a sober house is fourteen (14) times! Selectman George McNaughton is is buddy! So if you appose this ridiculous atrocity please contact Selectment McMnaughton to let him know! Here is his number 802- 885-2240. Make the call and save our town.
ReplyDeletei guess a wood chip burning plant,wasn't so bad now,was it,enjoy your new neighbors
ReplyDeleteI think you need to give it a rest. Will Hunter was arrested and disbarred nearly 20 years ago. I'm not thrilled with the idea of sprinkling "sober houses" here and there and wherever properties can be found that fit the bill, but there are so many worse things that have gone on and continue too go on that go unaddressed that I think you are barking up the wrong tree.
ReplyDeleteHow is it for example that certain real estate agents were able to buy up single family home and without regard for maximum occupancy or adequate off-street parking turn them into multi-unit slums?
How is it that certain landlords not only didn't seem to mind renting to known drug dealers, but got a cut of the action in return for continuing to rent to them?
How is it that a certain landlord whose properties are disproportionately involved in major fires seems to escape having his properties inspected by the fire marshall?
Look at the bright side. If this business model is successful, we can become a destination spot for wealthy out-of-staters seeking treatment. Think "Betty Ford" clinic.
Yeah, an overpriced flop in a dump, absentee managed by Will Hunter, on the taxpayers dime....that sure brings to mind the Betty Ford clinic......
Deletehttp://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/03/us/town-rises-to-defend-a-lawyer.html
ReplyDeleteThey rose to defend....and had their faith dashed by the evidence, in court(s). I cannot believe some people are puzzled by the cynicism and doubt that others view Mr. Hunters actions with....
Deletehttp://caselaw.findlaw.com/vt-supreme-court/1218358.html
Isn't the real question whether it is better for the various entities to place individuals in known locations where there is at least an attempt at or the illusion of sobriety, than to have them placed in a variety of unknown locations with landlords that may or may not be reachable and who care less what these neighborhood groups think?
DeleteSure, as long as the "known location" is next door to you!
DeleteSo the unknown locations can be near you?
Delete