urbanSTL

Vistronic wrote:

innov8ion wrote:^ Welcome to the forum, Vis! Congratulations on your broadcasting job. May I ask where you work and what your current position entails? If you're going to make a claim, it's best to back it up.

Hello,

I am a Broadcast Engineer. I work for a Christian television station.

That's a heartwarming story, Vis. I'm glad that you found a job in the broadcasting industry. By your admission, this was only possible after four years of college and hard work in earning trade certifications.



Some Questions

- Which television station do you work for and what is its affiliation with the NLEC? IE, is it owned or formerly owned by the NLEC?



- Does this station distribute NLEC programming? (NLEC affiliation)



- After NLEC training, how difficult was it for you to obtain employment in the broadcast industry (outside of NLEC or NLEC-affiliated companies?)



Commentary

It is true that NLEC utilizes much free labor to run its money-making television stations and other operations. While the NLEC reaps cost-saving benefits in the hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, how do its homeless trainees fare?



Homeless training programs should prepare trainees for employment in their chosen vocation. For example, NLEC provides job training in the "renewable energy" market. Unfortunately, homeless advocates and energy sector experts have indicated there is little to no chance for employment in the renewable energy market by persons without advanced degrees.



Additionally, we have seen little to no audited examples of trainees finding work in their vocation after NLEC training (outside of obtaining jobs with NLEC or NLEC-affiliated companies.)



Therefore, NLEC training programs appear to be an example of inappropriate and/or ineffective training. This is not a means to stop the cycle of homeless pain. In fact, it takes hope away and serves to continue the cycle of despair.



The homeless need paid jobs, not exploitation for free labor. Perhaps the NLEC could learn from the St. Patrick Center, which provides effective job training and pay for their hard work.

Some Questions

- Which television station do you work for and what is its affiliation with the NLEC? IE, is it owned or formerly owned by the NLEC?



When I started at this station it was independent no affiliation with NLEC.

It is rather a long story but I will give the short version.

I was running camera for channel 24/25 at the capitol in Jeff City.

A man who use to run a Homeless ministry in this area approached me... He said we could use your help at a station but we cant afford you as you have that suit on! I got the suit at NLEC free store I was making no money (lol). So later after 3 years I looked him up and he introduced me to the station owner. At that time the station was independent but played TBN and local programs.

Later (2 years ago) this station was bought by CTN... I crossed over with the new ownership. The station is not or ever has been a NLEC station.

Over the years we played a few of there programs not many ..

The last was Judy Redlich and the Christian connection...

This was done as a outreach by our station.



KNLJ Jeff city was bought by CTN. Since the change I have been there to help a few times... kind of like full circle for me as I worked in the training program there in 1988.





- Does this station distribute NLEC programming? (NLEC affiliation)



NO



- After NLEC training, how difficult was it for you to obtain employment in the broadcast industry (outside of NLEC or NLEC-affiliated companies?)



It was a hard start as I had little money and no car.

(Later after 6 months) NLEC gave me a van to help. It helped for 5 years.

When I was at NLEC I had food, clothing, and laundry machines.. I was on staff or as they say in the program.

At NLEC in some ways I had more stuff than I had for 5 years after.

All the clothes I could ever want, and I rarely eat sandwiches only if I wanted to. They had a food pantry and a lot of carry in donations.



The hardest part of my time there was working the shelter at 1411 locust.

This is a hard ministry... I know.

Yet it made me stronger.



The man who trained me in production left for a job at TBN in California so that is another positive case.



The reason I made it through collage is NLEC helped give me a vision for my life.



___________________________________________________________



If the city would have sold or given Larry the old city hospital I think the 1411 locust building could have been released.... If the city would have followed up on shelters they promised... well its all if.....





Personally I would like to see the building sold and a new building designed for the homeless... they deserve a new building.

A brand new building with all the latest innovations, very high tech and "green". A bright example of hope. That is IMHO.

I do not know if Larry would ever consider that but who knows?

If you approached Larry on the "green" aspect he might consider it.

But threats, intimation and pressure will get no where with Larry IMHO. As a matter of fact it will empower him.



Vis.



BTW- innov8ion,

I think your website (is it yours?) needs a more fair and balanced approach. Some of your points are worth discussing I do not say they have merit or not... but your message is lost in your POV that displays bias. If you are really serious about helping the homeless around this area of town you will need to negotiate with NLEC. Is your site helpful in doing that?



For example the 27k plus 8k Larry got in 2007.

LOL 35k in a multi million dollar ministry! And you give him a hard time!

Give me a break... He works very hard on staying on a personally low income! I have seen it.

Wow, so it's not OK to parallel the marginalization of the homeless to the Nazis' treatment of the Jews and others (which is what Rice did), but it is OK to compare Larry Rice to Hitler?

^ Springfield never passed any anti-homeless/veteran resolutions nor acted to 'rid themselves of their homeless population.' The homeless were not marginalized in Springfield. Therefore, NLEC's statement was both inaccurate and offensive.

NLEC Spokesman wrote:“In 1933, after coming to power, Hitler and his henchmen passed resolutions against those who were homeless. They called them, as does this resolution call the homeless here in Springfield, ‘undesireables’ in an attempt to rid Germany of their homeless population.”



“How long will it be before the Mayor, the City Council, the County Commission and the Schoolboard (sic) all start demanding that we say, ‘Sieg Heil?’"

On the flip side, I provided statements showing similarity between Nazi actions and that of the NLEC. Specifically, showing how each treated or proposed treating persons in the ghettos. This would appear fair as the statements are based on documented facts.



That's why I was surprised when I found out about NLEC's offensive comments. Kind of hypocritical, you know?

bprop wrote:Wow, so it's not OK to parallel the marginalization of the homeless to the Nazis' treatment of the Jews and others (which is what Rice did), but it is OK to compare Larry Rice to Hitler?

Hello bprop, Well I did say ...aahhhh I see NLEC used that phrase if you read that post again... Since they used it first it appears they let the cat out. So now the cat runs around!



Be that as it may,

The word Nazi "out of context and history" can kill a argument, by them or the other side. IMHO better methods are available to make a point.



I am not certain Larry would have wrote that letter BTW.

I have read some of his writing's and I did not see that terminology in what I have read.



To get an Idea of what I am talking about get on the mailing list for the "Zoa" free paper that is a NLEC publication. His departed wife was in charge of that so I don't know its current status.....

Larry has a lot of story's in that paper over the years.

innov8ion wrote:You can choose to be a cold-hearted, bitter man if you wish. But you do not speak for caring, downtown residents.

I'm neither cold-hearted nor bitter. Someone who is cold-hearted would not have volunteered 22 hours of his time this past week for non-profit organizations. I do speak for caring downtown residents, because I am one of them!

innov8ion wrote:

Vistronic wrote:
- After NLEC training, how difficult was it for you to obtain employment in the broadcast industry (outside of NLEC or NLEC-affiliated companies?)



It was a hard start as I had little money and no car.

(Later after 6 months) NLEC gave me a van to help. It helped for 5 years.

First, I'd like to say that I find your perspective refreshing and I'm appreciative of your comments.



I'm sorry your transition was a difficult one. That's nice that the NLEC provided you with a van but don't you think the transition would have been smoother had you been paid a salary for your hard work in the training program? You could have saved up money for a car or whatever else that would have made your transition smoother.

Hello again innov8ion you bring up a lot of good talking points.

But this point is one that strikes home with many people myself included.

Due to time constraints I will get right to the point,

I think for the two year program it is helpful not to have money as that supports back sliding into what ever the person is trying to overcome.

Its a room and board training program.

After the 2 years in my timeframe there they helped you with rent and/or a car if possible.

I do not know the current status of this.

I think after 2 years and a person stays as staff... something should be worked out.

I thought that then and speculate that now. It was a source of conflict for me at the time.

That is why I left and got a paid job.

Little did I know that my time at NLEC was a true time of freedom from all the monthly bills and the hassle of the secular world. For many years I looked back at that time as a time of freedom to considerate on the mission.



Spiritually I was closer to God as I really needed him.

I remember one time having a broken bottle to my throat with the question being asked "what will your Jesus do for you now" I said you will send me to him........such was my state of mind and faith.

I can tell you, I needed God and he was there.

Now was it NLEC's fault about the broken bottle? No.

The homeless frontline is dangerous sometimes, as Larry Rice knows better then most people.

I mention this because I want you to understand that NLEC is a ministry.

And I believe God is involved in it.



With that in mind, I see 2 ways to approach Larry on a topic.

Spiritual, and "Green". IMHO he will listen on those terms.

I mention this because you and others here appear to want to deal with these issues.



Vis.

I am really glad to see a positive come out of NLEC. Your story is indeed something that can and should be inspirational to many. However, there are several negative connections to Rice's empire that have been discussed many times over in this forum that may far outweigh the positives.

I do believe that MANY people who volunteer and contribute to Larry are indeed doing it with the faith in mind. The issue at hand is if indeed all that money is going to "better" the life of the homeless. The answer to that key point should be viewed by you and everyone else as the key to resolve the homeless issue at hand.

Would you be against NLEC coming up to code and work hand in hand with the city to actually help in solving the issue? If they can do that, we all could view NLEC in a different light. Till that point, the resolve of many will be to make them adhere to the code, or move out.

TheWayoftheArch wrote:Just by chance was flipping channels at my parents house with their horrific basic cable and went by channel 24. Something caught my ear. Larry is now using his TV station to draw volunteers to help renovate his building. This is how he plans to come up to code?



The last line got a cynical laugh out of me: "If you can't make it this Saturday, you can help by sending a donation to assist the miracle happening in the middle of downtown St. Louis."



Translation: All Old People send me money because I just guilt tripped you for being unable to help.

Well, that's YOUR translation. If anybody else had said this, it would be OK. Komen says it (Race for the Cure, $), Red Cross says it (blood drives, $), and even Extreme Makeover said it during the last two weeks during their two builds in the area.



What's wrong with asking for volunteers to help fix up a homeless shelter if it can't afford to pay construction/HVAC/plumbing companies? Assuming everything follows the building codes and procedures, and he doesnt' use the volunteers to work on his west county mansion, is it possible you're putting NLEC in an unwinnable Catch-22 by condemning his call for support?

Zoning law violations?

http://martello.org/blog/2008/09/nlec_i ... ng_la.html



Also, a picture is worth a thousand words...

http://www.mayorslay.com/bigpicture/dis ... hotoID=179



Here's another article from about a year ago to illustrate how nothing has changed...

http://www.greenrising.com/2007/09/20/g ... -homeless/

Rice is an impediment to downtowns renaissance. face the facts. He doesn't need to be in the location he's in.

FYI Petition Progresses...



http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/stlog/ ... s_bums.php

Went by today - the park looks great!



Noticed from the above article:

On Friday night (Oct. 3), the Rev. Larry Rice, operator of New Life Evangelistic Center, is planning a "Night Out with the Homeless" in Lucas Park. The overnight camp-out is designed to "to raise awareness and compassion regarding the plight of the poor and homeless in our community," as well as raise funds for the shelter.

Anyone going?

Larry said on his tv station that our alderwoman Kacie was supposed to speak at his "event".

The overnight camp-out is designed to "to raise awareness and compassion regarding the plight of the poor and homeless in our community," as well as raise funds for the shelter.

In truth, this could have just been shortened to: The overnight camp-out is designed to raise funds for Larry Rice.

is there a curfew in the park?



does it have closing times?



If it doesnt it needs to before tommorrow night...



I would love to see a paddy wagon there and arrest everyone including their PIMP Larry Rice



the only reason he is doing this is to counter the progress and reclaim the park for the homeless,



He doesnt care that they tear it up, did anyone from NLEC staff come down to help clean??



He is just doing this to get attention

Watched some NLEC television this morning. An advertisement profiles the work accomplished to cleanup Lucas Park by them. Focused on cleaning up animal waste left behind by downtown loft residents.



Another advertisement profiles persons catergorized as homeless as veterans and all neglected by society.