By Taylor Sisk
Staff Writer
A flier attributed to Kevin Wolff’s campaign for mayor of Chapel Hill has been circulated the past week, alleging that if a men’s shelter is sited at 1315 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., near Homestead Park, children will be endangered.
“Three hours ago a 4 year old girl was reported missing,†the flier reads. “The parents said the girl was last seen playing on the playground in Homestead Park. The parents also said that there was an unknown man talking with the little girl before she vanished. …
“No, this did not actually happen today, but it will if a Men’s Homeless Shelter is put next to Homestead Park.â€
In May, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved plans for the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service’s Community House Men’s Shelter, which call for a two-story, 16,250-square-foot facility with 52 beds and 17 emergency cots for use during inclement weather.
The bottom of the flier reads “Paid for by Kevin Wolff for Mayor Campaign†and an email address and phone number are provided for those who want more information or to make a donation to the campaign.
Wolff has not responded to requests for comment.
The flier warns that if the shelter is placed on the proposed site, “a child will be assaulted, molested, kidnapped, or killed in that park.
“It’s not a matter of IF this will happen … it is a matter of WHEN.â€
The flier states that Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt has no children, “nor do many of the town council members,†and that as a parent of two children who often play in public parks, Wolff is well positioned to relate to the perceived dangers of placing a shelter near a park.
Wolff has made three previous, unsuccessful, runs for mayor of Chapel Hill.
Tim Sookram is also challenging Kleinschmidt for mayor.