Two Hundred Angry Citizens Invade Housing Authority Meeting Over Proposed Unit Construction
An explanation by Director O’Brien that the proposed housing would be limited to 20 units — 15 with four bedrooms and five with five — was greeted with skepticism. Many persons also scoffed at member Frank L. Walsh‘s account of the need for such housing by persons now living in the town, and insisted the apartments would “draw from the city.”
“Black, White, Yellow” said authority chairman Joseph Thomas G. DeSario of 34 Pellana Road said he is “not against any element, black, white, or yellow” but is against housing projects. “People wreck property when they don’t own it,” he said. “Let them get off their tails like I did.”
One of 200 persons protesting proposed low and moderate-income housing last night also took the opportunity to protest the children of his neighbors. Edward Sons of 149 Pellana Road told the group “You probably don’t know me, but I know all your kids. I spend a lot of time chasing them away from the brook by my house.” As the assembled parents laughed nervously, Mr. Sons added, “They are rotten kids. If all you taxpayers have rotten kids, I hate to think what project kids would be like.” “I came out of a cold water flat. Let them buy houses at low interest.”
Arthur Barker, who for a short while was group spokesman, cautioned those who persisted in interrupting both housing authority members and protesters, “Don’t get emotional or we’re lost.” Mr. Barker questioned the board about plans for access routes, names of builders and contractors, and architectural designs, and was advised that such information is not available since a site has not yet been selected. Mr. Barker also asked the board what would happen to property values in the neighborhood if a housing project were added. “Absolutely Nothing” Mr. O’Brien answered.
“We have had a much larger veteran’s housing project in town for more than 20 years, and expensive single homes were built on adjacent land much later. I have not heard of anyone having trouble selling these homes.” Concern was also expressed that costs for educating children from the housing project would send “an already soaring tax rate higher.”
“We are trying to tell you that these children are already here,” said authority chairman Joseph Long. “They have to go to school somewhere in Norwood whether this housing is constructed or not.” One woman told the board that she objected to segregating large families in one area as a form of discrimination. “This is very bad planning. It can only create a ghetto,” she said.
A teenaged girl added “We all know ghettos have drug problems. How will this affect me and my friends?” While most persons said they would be opposed to any type of public housing in their neighborhood, one woman said “except for the elderly. I’d like that kind of project because it would provide good baby sitters.” Many residents also complained because “there has been no news about this low-income housing in the Norwood Messenger.” Several persons mentioned that only The Patriot Ledger had carried stories about the proposal and many were openly critical of a recent editorial commending the housing authority for it’s efforts.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.