The sale of Rodeway Inn to TCC resulted in the displacement of six employees. The motel was home to several employees.
The owner took one employee to her other motel, the Four Keys Inn, according to one former employee. The remaining employees were fired.
During a recent interview, I spoke to a homeless and displaced worker who had taken refuge under a local bridge. The former employee stated that despite repeated attempts to collect their final paycheck, they have not received any.
We reached out to the former owner of Rodeway Inn. As far as she is concerned, everyone has been paid and there is “nothing left to pay.”
She confirmed the former employee’s claim that one employee had transferred to Four Keys.
In spite of the constant humming of cars overhead, as we spoke under the bridge, the former worker maintained an extremely positive attitude. They said two local employers planned to hire them part-time next week.
They spoke about the importance of the shower and laundry station made available by the Salvation Army.
The shower and laundry trailer is part of the Community Actions Organization’s Hygiene Trail, said Larry Mullins, Scioto County EMA Director. It is available for anyone who wishes to take a shower or do laundry. It is a free service.
It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Monday through Friday.
Mullins added, “Recently CAO took the trailer to eastern Kentucky to help with the flood victims.”
Do you feel safe?
I asked if they felt safe. They said “The cops can be mean. Ya know, not every homeless person is a drug addict or hiding from the law.”
In the midst of our conversation, two Portsmouth Police officers drove by. We were certainly noticed, but they did not engage in any harassing behavior towards us.
A local pastor dropped off the former employee’s companion. I was told that the pastor helped them find odd jobs to earn some money while they looked for more permanent work. He carried a bag of food and was also very kind-hearted.
In return, the couple also helped the pastor collect food items and distribute them to those in need. Even in their extreme circumstances, they were compelled to help others. People who lived in houses and apartments, while they bedded down under a bridge.
It is difficult to break a person’s spirit even during periods of extreme hardship. Adversity can be overcome by that inner drive within each of us.
Tonight, when you lie on your pillow, think about that positive, determined family living under the bridge. You might want to offer a little prayer that they will soon find the comforts they so richly deserve.