Response to James Statler’s Letter to the Editor

Sunny Acres Historical Building Project is not a positive step

I continue to be dumbfounded by arguments and opinions like those of James Statler in a recent Tribune Viewpoint piece (Sunday, June 22).  His article was particularly obtuse (lack of real facts, confusing and ends up saying nothing).

Like other supporters of the proposed Transitions Sunny Acres project he never addressed any of the concerns of the neighbors.  Supporters solely tend to endorse Transitions’ track record and goals while neglecting to provide a justification for putting the project in that location.

While the neighbors also applaud Transitions’ goals and past achievements, we think that pursuing this project is a mistake in judgment by Transitions.

James tries to make the point that having 13 – 35 units of Transitions’ client patients added to the neighborhood will not increase the risk to the neighbors.  His fact is that a study showed that providing housing reduced the ER visits of the patients.  He makes no mention of  the risk to the neighborhood.  Common sense says that bringing a lot of patients into a neighborhood will increase the chances of one or more of them exhibiting their symptom behaviors.

He also asserts that since these same patients currently seek occasional care at a facility that is nearby, that the neighbors should not be more concerned.  It is exactly because of previous incidents in the neighborhood that the neighbors are fearful.  And of course, now having 13 – 35 patients in the neighborhood 24 hours a day and walking through the neighborhoods to get to from their residences to the bus stop and downtown will not increase the likelihood of more incidents, right?

He mentioned  fiscal responsibility of the project, but then doesn’t actually address the project, just the impact of housing vs. non-housing.  Is it fiscally responsible to spend $5 million dollars to house 13 client patients in this proposed project?  That is almost $400,000 per client resident.

According to Jill Bolster-White, Transitions Executive Director, their showcase Nipomo Street facility in downtown SLO cost $1.0 – 1.5 million to purchase and rehab.  That is less than $200,000 per resident (8 studios for $1.5 million).  In my mind, spending nearly $400,000 per client patient is very fiscally irresponsible.

For those who care about getting the real facts (as much as Transitions has revealed them), please visit www.SunnyAcresHB.com.

Lanny Hernandez