Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Just days after a local charity scraps its plans to expand Wichita city leaders weighed in on the matter.

Some council members were upset that the Lord's Diner won't open a satellite location in the former Boys and Girls Club building at 21st and Grove. They said a vocal minority ruined plans that would have helped many.

"I am sad that the actions of a few have caused us to have to refuse that helping hand," said Council Member Sue Schlapp.

Two council members said the losers in the whole controversy are the hungry. Studies show the building sits in the neediest part of town. But some community members worried the diner would disrupt revitalization in the area by drawing in the wrong crowd. That public outcry forced the Diner to abandon it's plans.

"There's people out there...that are probably very happy about this. They think they've won something. But when it comes down to it what did you really win," said Council Member Paul Gray.

Gray also said he would have a hard time supporting another option for the building if it involved using government money because the Diner would have paid outright for the now dilapidated city-owned building.

Council Member Lavonta Williams accused him of retaliation. He denied it.

"I was hoping that we would just basically pull this and let it go. Let it rest. The comments that you're making here are rather hurtful," said Williams.

Those who were against the diner location were also upset by council comments. They say they already help the hungry through local churches.

"They were insulting. It was a personal affront to us as human beings in that area like we have no regard for other human beings. That is absolutely not true. Let's clear that up," said resident VJ Sessions.

The Diner says it does not plan to look at opening in another part of town, instead it will focus on its Downtown mission.