Leave it to some out of touch Ashwaubenon leaders to actually attempt to set the fight against homelessness back, in a discussion that is meant to help the most vulnerable people in our region.

This is what happened this week when during an event meant to get the Village Of Ashwaubenon into the regional housing effort, the idea of reviving an anti homelessness ordinance disguised as a “camping” law was brought up (story HERE).

The ordinance would essentially make it illegal to rest in the village with any personal items or anything resembling camping equipment. When you read the language, simply resting on a bench with a backpack could get you in trouble. Offenders would be given a packet of resources outside of Ashwaubenon and shoo’d away.

It failed the first time after the rest of Brown County told Ashwaubenon how evil it was. A cruel and lazy way to fix a challenge that isn’t going away, while passing on the problem to the surrounding areas.

Then we have to talk about who would really be harmed by the ordinance.

Homeless veterans, who would have been considered a nuisance in this regard.

Hospitality and food service workers, who actually power the retail and lodging hub in Ashwaubenon. Without them, many of those operations would shut down.

Struggling families and children who have to save fuel so they don’t freeze overnight in their car.

Hurting these people is what this ordinance was all about.

It is important that we continue to hold bad leaders in Ashwaubenon responsible for this kind of behavior. We can’t let a zombie ordinance like this one hurt the most vulnerable members of our community.