Roll Out the Red Carpet

March 1, 2018

A council meeting at Town Hall is about to take place. The cold winter breeze brushes across the faces of the many townspeople gathering to express their opinions concerning the Red-Carpet Inn. The Red-Carpet Inn has become an eyesore and a disgrace to the many residents of downtown Toms River. What may appear to be a quiet hotel in the middle of downtown is now home to criminal activity. The amount of times the police have been called to the Red-Carpet Inn is unreasonable and unacceptable for the residents of Toms River. The town council has suggested buying the property from the owner and demolishing the building.

This decision has sparked a heated debate on what happens next with the property. Countless current and formerly homeless residents walked up to the mic to share their stories. Many homeless residents who use the hotel as a makeshift shelter expressed that they are worried about being forgotten. The speakers urged to turn the hotel into a shelter because the resources they currently have is not enough. Some residents seemed fine with the building being destroyed but felt that in return a solution should be put in place. Overall, they think the council has neglected the homeless problem in Toms River and are fed up. Upon contrary belief, many of the homeless are not just criminals and drug addicts. The majority of the homeless are those with mental health problems. According to some residents, the amount of effort to help the homeless is pathetic. They believe that everyone deserves a second chance and a helping hand to live the life they deserve.

Founder Dan Rodd and Co-Founder Chris Doyle of Apex United Corporation are some of the business owners who voiced their concerns. Chris Doyle, who spoke first, feels the Red-Carpet Inn is a nuisance to the community. He thinks it is essential to take the necessary steps to make Toms River better and believes the destruction of this hotel is a significant step. Doyle feels it’s hard to welcome people into the town with the eyesore that is the Red-Carpet Inn. He urged the council to do the right thing for Toms River. Stating businesses like his will in turn help become the staple of this community and begin to build the town’s people back up.

As the night went on, many homeless residents made suggestions for what could be done to help the homeless. Some suggested that the homeless could be supplied jobs to help clean up and rebuild the town. Others suggested that a farm could be made to grow produce for Toms River. Founder Dan Rodd of Apex United Corporation is quoted saying, “We need to have a situation where the community can give back what we’re taking away. Build a situation where businesses like mine can help build these people and help give them a better future and more opportunities.” Rodd also said he is already in the process of trying to turn people’s lives around with his business by supplying them jobs but feels the Red-Carpet Inn is burdening his workers with the temptation of life they are trying to move past.

However, some residents believe the destruction of the Red-Carpet Inn is too high a loss in revenue for the town. A speaker can be quoted saying that the building supposedly brings in one-hundred thousand dollars in revenue each year. Some residents weren’t concerned about the building at all but more against the fact that the peoples’ tax dollars were going to be used for the renovations and demolishment. They suggested that another buyer should handle this situation and to leave the peoples’ taxpayer dollars out of it.

As the night progressed, all voices were heard and the decision on whether to buy the property or not was in the hands of the council. The Toms River council unanimously voted to purchase the property and proceed with the demolishment of the Red-Carpet Inn. The council felt that they should address the homeless problem in Toms River but using the Red-Carpet Inn as a shelter was not an optimal idea. The crowd filled the room with boos and outcry. One resident could be heard shouting, “You should be ashamed of yourself!” Some residents still felt the problem was not being addressed in the best way.

The council proceeded with the rest of the meeting and began addressing other issues. The disgruntled residents started to leave and make their way into the hall. Everyone could feel their absence from the room. It went without saying that this battle was far from over.