Another “Nickelsville” showdown ahead? No new extension

(mid-June photo by Revel Smith)
We sent a note this morning to Revel Smith, asking for an update on the homeless encampment in eastern West Seattle that calls itself “Nickelsville” – since the last update two weeks ago had said their latest extension for staying at the state-owned 2nd SW/Highland Park Way site was only through this Monday. Smith has just sent out a news release saying there’s been no new extension:

Nickelsville’s State-granted 2-week extension to stay at the West Seattle site ends Monday 7/20/09. With understanding from the State of their dilemma, they’ve been able to continue their aggressive search for a place to relocate. Conversations continue as Michael Ramos of The Church Council of Greater Seattle and Rev. Paul Benz, Director of the Lutheran Public Policy Office, and others participate in the search for a new place for Nickelsville. However, nothing certain has been confirmed in this short time.

Nickelsville hopes The Governor and the State of Washington will extend the deadline beyond 2 weeks for this search. In absence of a permanent place to relocate to, they are committed staying at the West Seattle Site.

Nickelsville is calling on the help of friends and supporters to stand with them through the deadline. They ask everyone also contact the Governor’s office at (360) 902-4111 or e-mail: govcommoffice@gov.wa.gov

The encampment returned to West Seattle six weeks ago, moving onto a site (map) just a stone’s throw from the one they briefly occupied last fall.

Michael July 17, 2009 (6:01 pm)

The more they push the term “Nickelsville” in the face of the public, the less support they’re likely to find from that public.
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It’s time to show that even the homeless and their “advocates” can act like grown-ups.

ivan July 18, 2009 (6:43 am)

I am a firm Greg Nickels supporter and *I* call it Nickelsville. In fact, I told the mayor that to his face.
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He is working hard to find a solution but he needs to work harder. In the meantime, “Nickelsville” comes with the territory. Flip comments about “acting like grownups” are not helpful.

Michael July 22, 2009 (10:20 pm)

As I said, political sloganeering shows immaturity and does the homeless a disservice by dividing public support.
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If you think that’s “flip,” you’d better find a dictionary.

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