The Children's Center and Horizon will be four blocks from each other. I wouldn't exactly call them next door. Additionally, Horizon will be located even further from the core of downtown. I see this as a positive.
- 1,768
citywatcher wrote:
I do see this as a positive IF and these are BIG IFS
IF This is the first step in cutting funding for Larry Rice and NLEC..
The plan will need our taxdollors and I would rather them go to this new center than LR. (he has a huge building and he kicks folks out during the day?)
IF steps are taken to acquire the NLEC by eminant domain or whatever.
IF the property is sold to a developer that would turn it into condos or apartments, similar to its surroundings.
THEN I will be impressed...
So is Slay and Co. supposed to go house to house in every region Larry Rice has one of his 14 television stations in order to convince faithful elderly from donating an all too large allottment of their social security check to him?
The city doesn't give him money. You don't hear about him winnning any awards or grants, like St. Patricks. He funds his operation via visibility, weather through the TV, or by building a hooverville in a public park.
And you think locking the doors in the daytime is some sort of center programming failure? Its a calculated manuever to keep the homeless in the public's eye. Its free marketing. A cold, calculated business decision.
- 476
You know what I dont like about the article in the Post? They mentioned that homeless find a nice place to sit on the steps in front of Christ Church Cathedral, but they fail to mention that a woman who worked at the church was murdered by a homeless man a few years ago who probably frequented the park. I know you cant attribute one person's actions to a whole group but that woman wouldnt have been killed if the homeless werent allowed to loiter in that vascinity (or any vascinity).
From the PD article:
Discarded food at the park doesn't just make it look ugly, it's also caused a rat infestation there. The Downtown Children's Center had to close its fenced-off playground in the park for fear that the children would be exposed to rat poison.
The day-care center, a fixture in the area for almost 30 years, is moving a few blocks farther west this fall, but an official said that homelessness in the park wasn't a factor in the decision.
Smith, the homeless Lucas Park regular, says it's a good thing the center is moving.
"This is no place for children," he said.
Wow, you're right. Why on earth would we think that a park with a playground would be aplace for kids. Our apologies to you, sir. We are clearly idiots for thinking that we could bring our kids to a park.
Discarded food at the park doesn't just make it look ugly, it's also caused a rat infestation there. The Downtown Children's Center had to close its fenced-off playground in the park for fear that the children would be exposed to rat poison.
The day-care center, a fixture in the area for almost 30 years, is moving a few blocks farther west this fall, but an official said that homelessness in the park wasn't a factor in the decision.
Smith, the homeless Lucas Park regular, says it's a good thing the center is moving.
"This is no place for children," he said.
Wow, you're right. Why on earth would we think that a park with a playground would be aplace for kids. Our apologies to you, sir. We are clearly idiots for thinking that we could bring our kids to a park.
- 10K
^
That guy seemed to be enjoying the homeless lifestyle a little too much. But, for the reasons that Bastiat mentioned, I guess I can see why.
That guy seemed to be enjoying the homeless lifestyle a little too much. But, for the reasons that Bastiat mentioned, I guess I can see why.
- 729
Weird drive going home thise evening. Drove up Locust at 10:00 p.m. and from Tucker to 16th Street only saw one homeless person out and about. Normally the area behind the library and in front of NLEC is very active but not tonight. Wonder is something is going on?
Funny. I drove by Lucas Park on 14th street around 6:00, and I noticed the same thing. Are they all off to a convention somewhere?
- 622
Cleaning up for the big sports/festival weekend downtown?
A lot of the complaints about downtown homeless focus on Lucas/ Hobo Park and the effect of those hanging around this park on both property values and the continued development/ redevelopment of that part of downtown. Maybe one solution should be a compromise. Let the homeless have "their park," just don't let it be Lucas Park. How about some of the underused gateway mall space around 16th or 17th?
I know it is just a temporary solution when compared to the more permanent goal of getting the homeless of the streets and into permanent situations. That said, the Mayor's 10 year plan is a slow moving one and may never yield (and seemingly has yet to yield) the results demanded by residents of the area. Moving the "homeless park" would reduce the number of conflicts, lower the visibility of the problem and most importantly, "fix" one problem while allowing the Mayor's plan time to do all that it can.
I know it is just a temporary solution when compared to the more permanent goal of getting the homeless of the streets and into permanent situations. That said, the Mayor's 10 year plan is a slow moving one and may never yield (and seemingly has yet to yield) the results demanded by residents of the area. Moving the "homeless park" would reduce the number of conflicts, lower the visibility of the problem and most importantly, "fix" one problem while allowing the Mayor's plan time to do all that it can.
seemingly has yet to yield
The coordination of all but one of the service providers, the creation of the new drop-in center, and the measured reduction in the size of the region's homeless population seem to belie that observation.
^ As I said seemingly. I do understand that the behinds the scenes coordination has been a big improvement. The question at hand is whether that coordination has translated to reduced homelessnesses both region wide and in downtown. From what you say there has been a reduction in the overall homeless population. That said, it sounds to me (and admittedly I don't have a ton of first hand knowledge on this) like to the average person the homeless problem in downtown is little changed from the past. Perception is everything, hence seemingly.
I know this isn't an NLEC thread but I just wanted to mention the irony in their mission statement when you think about it in relation to the tenants of Lucas Park:
"Enhancing the Social Man by providing:
Resources such as educational courses, GED tutoring and counseling that will improve an individuals eligibility for better jobs in the community. Seminars and workshops that teach social skills necessary to become productive Christians in the community."
"Enhancing the Social Man by providing:
Resources such as educational courses, GED tutoring and counseling that will improve an individuals eligibility for better jobs in the community. Seminars and workshops that teach social skills necessary to become productive Christians in the community."
I just read the comment about the panhandlers off 'attending a convention' (because they weren't in Lucas Park) and had to laugh -- yesterday I was going to post asking of there was a panhandler convention in town, because downtown east of Tucker has been unusually thick with beggars. Going from my building to get lunch I have been getting hit up several times in each direction. This has been seemingly building to a crescendo over the last two weeks or so, with a number of new faces. Long convention, I guess.
Just think of the economic impact of having this convention in town!
Perception is everything
Disagree.
That is the sentiment of the county municipalities that don't fund programs for the homeless. And it is the sentiment of some people who simply want the homeless to be moved to some other neighborhood.
Perception is something (and something important), but there is a reality behind the perception -- human beings -- that outweighs it.
Why can't Parks and Recreation go down there and offer some of the homeless, who seem to have some basic abilities, a job? Hell, have the City rehab, either directly or through a partnership, some LRA homes as housing for the homeless. This could be a small pilot program. See how it goes. But I must be smoking the same drugs as the homeless in Lucas Park if I think that would happen!
- 10K
^
I'd think those parks jobs are probably in pretty high demand, but I do see your point.
I'd think those parks jobs are probably in pretty high demand, but I do see your point.
- 6,775
Doug wrote:Why can't Parks and Recreation go down there and offer some of the homeless, who seem to have some basic abilities, a job?
Because the "homeless", as much as they say they want a job, really don't.
- 10K
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Doug wrote:Why can't Parks and Recreation go down there and offer some of the homeless, who seem to have some basic abilities, a job?
Because the "homeless", as much as they say they want a job, really don't.
That will be especially true once the shelter gets the new Madden game.
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DeBaliviere wrote:That will be especially true once the shelter gets the new Madden game.
It's already forced me to contemplate calling in sick and cutting class.
The games and internet may serve a purpose of getting the homeless to leave Lucas and get to the new shelter. I for one think that the ONLY way the homeless will leave Lucas park is if they had a carrot to move elsewhere and then the city can "take" the park back and enforce the rule with the "stick" called law.
I frankly think the city leaders do not want to deal with the mass of homeless people in Lucas, but may shape some policy if they can get the park (mostly) vacated.
I frankly think the city leaders do not want to deal with the mass of homeless people in Lucas, but may shape some policy if they can get the park (mostly) vacated.
bsharmastl wrote:The games and internet may serve a purpose of getting the homeless to leave Lucas and get to the new shelter.
My 2 cents about "drop-in" shelters:
I work my butt off to pay bills and the homeless are going to have free cable and internet? Where do I sign up for that Charter deal??
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Remember a good portion of the butt working goes to paying the increasing taxes social services demands. Which in turns takes the homeless off the streets and increases the value of your Ely Walker investment. Or you could volunteer some time each week to help out at the shelters, causing them to require less government assistance which will bring down the tax burden while still increasing your lofts value. Its up to you.
southcitygent wrote:Remember a good portion of the butt working goes to paying the increasing taxes social services demands. Which in turns takes the homeless off the streets and increases the value of your Ely Walker investment. Or you could volunteer some time each week to help out at the shelters, causing them to require less government assistance which will bring down the tax burden while still increasing your lofts value. Its up to you.
"Pay up, OR ELSE!" with a smile, of course.
Bastiat wrote:"Pay up, OR ELSE!" with a smile, of course.
Or ELSE. . . . . .
we'll send you a series of strongly worded letters!! In the MAIL!!!!
You better pay up now, OR ELSE. . . . .
we'll institute a tedious proceeding in which you'll get to meet a bored bureaucrat who will talk good game, but really only wants to get whatever he can out of you.
You better pay now, OR ELSE. . . . . .
We'll turn the case over to some overworked, underpaid lawyers who again will offer you a very generous settlement.
Oh, man, buddy, you really better pay now, OR ELSE. . . . .
We'll drag your butt into court. This is some seriously scary sh** now. No place on earth is more charged with the imminent explosion of mindless violence than a tax court. True, if you ultimately don't pay, you might wind up in jail, but it's not like the gov't going to come and crack your skull open. See the Brown case, for example.
But of course, it's just easier and more fun to talk about "men with guns" and Big Brother. Query this, Bastiat: let's pretend your fantasy world became a reality. Government does not exist. Ok, so I walk into a bank, borrow a million dollars to buy a house, and then refuse to pay. What's the bank going to do? Shrug it's shoulders? Just say "Hey, we're businessmen, we don't believe in violence. You just go ahead and keep that money." There would be no credit where agreements could not be enforced, no beautiful free market at all, actually.[/url][/i]