Live and let live, says local panhandler

And yet, it's people like Tony who are raising the ire of certain locals. Recently, several residents expressed concern over a perceived increase in panhandling at the City's Dec. 7 council meeting.

During question period, some suggested the implementation of bylaws that prevent panhandlers from soliciting near banks and ATM machines. One man even urged the City to follow the example of Pittsburgh, where he said that giving money to beggars is illegal.

Tony, who asked to be identified only by his first name, doesn't understand why some residents are so offended by his activities. “Why do people worry about giving a dollar, when they can just say no?” he asked. “People can be mean about refusing me, but I try not to assume anything about them. Maybe they really can't spare the change, and that's okay. But they also shouldn't assume anything about me and what I need.”

Tony turned to panhandling after a case of mistaken identity. A few years ago, the former mover was assaulted by two men who thought he was someone else. The incident left him blind in one eye and paralyzed on the left side of his body. Although Tony continues to fill out job applications, he claims to be disadvantaged by his age and reduced mobility.

On the street, Westmounters were divided over the panhandling issue. Some expressed annoyance, while others called for more government funding and social intervention. “Yes, it does [bug me],” said Nico Ilies, 47. “With the holidays coming, people are more generous than usual. But what I see is, one hour later, they're drunk. You're not helping the situation [by giving panhandlers money].”

One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, reacted strongly to the types of measures proposed at the council meeting. “It's a slippery slope to banning people you don't like,” she said. “Because of the economy and lack of government help to the shelters, [panhandling] is a problem that will never go away. “A survey showed that all layers of the middle class — lower, middle, and upper — gave more money to charity than rich people,” she continued. “If that five per cent can't cough up any money, then they've got to live with it.”

It's all about freedom and tolerance at the end of the day, according to Tony. “It's a small world and a short life,” he said. “People shouldn't worry about what the next person is doing.”