Medford won't appeal panhandling ruling after all

This is the best way to handle this problem. If they just keep making appeals the only ones who profit from it are the lawyers involved. A complete, carefully worded new ordinance would be appropriate.

I know people need help, but I also know that most of those standing on corners don't get the help they need from gullible people handing them $5 or $10. There are local places where they can get hot food, showers, do laundry, get a good night's sleep in a bed and even referrals to available work, and those are the places which should receive the $5 and $10 handouts. Some of those beggers on the street corners gather in hundreds of dollars each day and although their signs say they don't drink or do drugs, are disabled veterans, or stuck while traveling, or pregnant or need food for that poor dog at their feet, or whatever---how can you believe them? It costs them nothing to lie and if it helps them get a few hundred dollars more each day, why not lie?

Check with your HELP line or Chamber of Commerce or church or call the United Way to see who actually has programs of hot food for these beggers and give those programs your financial support. Those bills you hand out at the stop light are not tax deductible, but donations to the established charities are! Do yourself a favor--don't be a "mark" or a chump for those con artists. Give your money or canned goods to places like Access or Salvation Army because they actually give people food and help them find work. Be smart, not sentimental. Be proactive, not pitiable. Use what money you have wisely and you won't be a chump!

What's best for Medford's Beggers?
Buy them a one-way, RVTD bus pass to Ashland!

Now that is a really intelligent comment, On The Dole! It really addresses the problem and gives a viable solution---NOT HARDLY!

This isn't funny, you know. There is a real problem in Jackson County (which, by the way, includes Ashland) and we do need to address it. In Ashland we have had problems in the past with really aggressive panhandlers who yell and spit at pedestrians downtown who just walk by and don't respond to their efforts to obtain money. We had to put some ordinances in place to protect our residents and visitors when they walk downtown. It is really sad.

Unfortunately we do not have any place in Ashland where these people can go to sleep, take showers, etc. I believe there were some hot food programs available in the past but I'm not sure they are still operating. Winter is a very bad time for these people and those charities which are set up to help aren't getting much money right now because everyone is hurting financially. When the economy is like this, charity begins at home and there often isn't enough to do anything but take care of ourselves and our families.

"There is a real problem in Jackson County (which, by the way, includes Ashland) and we do need to address it."
Oh, pleeease...
I expect I've "been around the barn" a few more times than you. Do you recall Johnson's failed War on Poverty? Basically, you can't spend your way out of poverty. Panhandlers don't need charity, they need to work.
Briefly providing a helping hand is commendable. However, pandering to the cronic poor only perpetuates their problem and utimately, our's.

On the Dole: You completely misinterpreted my comments. I am not advocating just handing out money to people--quite the opposite. Those charities I mentioned often have programs to help people get decent clothing so they can apply for work and can help guide them to necessary training. Handing out money at traffic stops is a waste. Unfortunately, so many of the homeless have some mental illnesses as well---ever since Reagan released people from hospitals, there is no place they can go to get the help they need. Also, the greatest majority of those beggers are just ripping off people. In today's economy, jobs are hard to come by for people with a place to live and skills. As it said in the Bible: "The poor are always with us." There is no real solution, just stopgap measures to try to help those who really want a hand up, not a hand out!(And I'll bet I've been around the barn at least as many times as you, if not more!)