Kevin Wolff speaks out against shelter spot

Two similar campaign fliers distributed by Chapel Hill mayoral candidate Kevin Wolff have caused an outcry in Chapel Hill.

In the fliers, Wolff says that the proposed site for the new men’s homeless shelter near Homestead Park poses a serious risk to the children who play there.

The flyers also state that a child will be assaulted, molested, kidnapped or killed in the park when the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service’s shelter moves to its new location at 1315 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The new site for the Men’s Community House has been a point of contention between residents, the IFC and town officials.

But Wolff’s flyers state that Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt and many council members cannot relate to residents’ concerns because, unlike him, they don’t have children.

“Don’t accept their lies or excuses any longer,” the fliers state.

Kleinschmidt, who is running for reelection against Wolff, said he was disappointed by the fliers.

“I thought it was irresponsible in some ways,” he said.

“I think it’s divisive, and it declares a lack of understanding about how town government works,” he said.

Kleinschmidt said although the fliers declare that Wolff will “not rest” until a better site for the shelter is found and the current location is changed, he actually couldn’t control the shelter’s location if elected.

Kleinschmidt said the council has made the decision to give the IFC permission to build, and it now has the right to use the land.

Wolff’s comments have also upset Community House residents.

“The bottom line is this guy is really ignorant,” said Robin Main Ville, who lives at the shelter. “It doesn’t make sense to generalize people like that.”

He said many Community House residents have gone through hardships, like losing a job, and it is unfair to make broad statements about the entire group.

“Most of the guys I’ve met here are pretty nice guys,” Ville said.

Hunter Mills, who used to live at the shelter, said Community House residents are already stereotyped — and Wolff’s comments won’t help.

“The way he’s doing this makes me feel like I stepped into 1950,” he said.

Wolff is traveling until later this evening and could not be reached for comment.

Community members — including the members of abettersite.org — have advocated against the location, worried that the shelter relocation could affect public safety in the park.

But town council member Penny Rich said she thinks even opponents of the site will find Wolff’s ad overkill.

“I just think he went overboard,” she said. “His tactic is just to attack … It’s very disappointing.”

Both Rich and Kleinschmidt said they doubt that the flier will win Wolff votes in the election.

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