Down-market motels jack up rates during DNC, forcing homeless families into the streets...

NY Daily News ^ | 9-5-2012 | Rich Schapiro

[smoothsailing]

September 5, 2012

Down-market motels in Charlotte jack up rates during DNC, forcing homeless families into the streets and emergency shelters

Rich Shapiro

James Keivom/New York Daily News

Steven Cherry at a loading dock where he and his wife Belinda Cherry slept when they were homeless.

Eking out an existence is precisely what Belinda Cherry, 41, says she and her husband were doing — until the Dems came to town.

With his salary as a part-time dishwasher, they had been able to afford a room at the Arlington Suites on South Tryon St., the same motel where Ramsey was bunking down.

But after the hotel ratcheted up its rates, Cherry and her husband were left sleeping atop a cement loading dock outside an abandoned brick building.

“I’m really pissed off,” said Cherry. “We were just now getting on our feet.”

James Keivom/New York Daily News

Arlington Suites, where Belinda and Steven Cherry were staying before they had to leave.

Her husband, Steven, voted for Obama in 2008 and plans to do so again, but still he wondered when help would arrive for people like him......

[smoothsailing]

FORWARD!!! (to the loading dock)

[grobdriver]

Her husband, Steven, voted for Obama in 2008 and plans to do so again

Another one of "Holder's people" who deserves what he gets.

[jazusamo]

Steven, voted for Obama in 2008 and plans to do so again,

You just can't fix stupid.

[silverleaf]

Say mister, are you better off than you were 4 days ago?

[Delhi Rebels]

So the owner of that fleabag actually thought he’d attract some of the convention attendees and jacked up his rates in anticipation? Anyone that stupid just has to be a Democrat.

[GeronL]

Dear Belinda and Steven...

Put your pride aside for a little while and take the dang food stamps and section 8 for a while.... and a free Obama 2012 cell phone.

[GeronL]

Her husband, Steven, voted for Obama in 2008 and plans to do so again, but still he wondered when help would arrive for people like him

irony...

[smoothsailing]

Say mister, are you better off than you were 4 days ago?

Exactly!

[jazusamo]

Yep, am surprised he wasn’t wearing the “Obama 2012” t-shirt for the pic.

[jaz.357]

Forward Steven. Take one for the team.

[smoothsailing]

Well, Jaz, Steven did vote for change!

...and darned if he didn’t get it!!!

[jazusamo]

He sure did get his change and he still has hope, he's now hoping another change will come for the better.

[piasa]

Looks like he's eating well.

I hear if you can look into the dumpsters behind where the Obamas are staying you can find wagyu beef trimmings, organic baby vegetable stir fry, macadamia millionaire's cake and partially consumed bottles of limited edition White house Honey ale.

[piasa]

... and Michelle’s foi gras pate’ with black truffle is to die for if you can separate it from the cook’s cat’s Fancy Feast.

[taterjay]

They should be better off, they are saving motel money by sleeping on the dock.

[Secret Agent Man]

The stupid is just too strong in some people.