“Nickelsville” organizers vow “a stand” at Terminal 107 Park

(Thursday night photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Last Friday, the day after the homeless encampment calling itself “Nickelsville” moved from state-owned land at 2nd SW/Highland Park Way to port-owned land at Terminal 107 Park (4700 West Marginal Way), the port announced it was taking legal steps to make the campers leave. Tonight, we have camp organizers’ official response – read on:

The 3-Day eviction notice from Port officials runs-out tonight at 8PM. The Port is seeking and unlawful detainer order from the Court which will allow police to enter and evacuate the encampment at Terminal 107 Park. Nickelsville anticipates it will take the rest of this week for the Courts to process this, in keeping with the Port’s July 24th public statement of 1 Week until eviction.

However, Nickelsville refutes The Port of Seattle’s statements that the Port of Seattle had communications with them. No resident or staff of Nickelsville had communication with the port until after their arrival at Terminal 107 Park on July 23rd – with the exception of one phone call by a Port of Seattle Worker asking for a fax number. It was provided, but no fax was received.

Furthermore, Nickelsville has asked –in writing – on 3 separate occasions to meet and talk. The first during the last week of September. The second on June 29th in letters to Port Director of Internal Affairs Kurt Becket and Port Commissioner John Creighton. A 3rd effort was made the following week, with a similar letter setting out new deadlines. All letters were all hand delivered to the front desk of the Port Terminal Offices. None have been responded to.

The July 24th Port Statement also suggests the WA State Auditor prohibits the Port from doing anything useful outside whatever is deemed ‘Port Business.’ But the temporary use of public property for emergency uses is fitting and proper. Not only has there been an emergency shelter on a Port Pier for 20 years now, but an underused Port Warehouse – Terminal 47 – was used as shelter for 2 1/2 years with no objection by auditors.

“Given that the Port knows how to contact both our attorney and staff person, and have obviously reviewed the legal filings we have made, this could and should have been done in a more respectful and civilized manner. It reminds us of the tactics of fear and intimidation used by the City of Seattle against both ourselves and those who supported us last fall. ”

The Nickelsville Community has resolved to take a stand on this land, previously home of The Duwamish, also home of squatters and shanty towns of the 1930’s. That is how those people survived that depression.

They’ve also posted their letter to the port on their website.

Mike July 27, 2009 (5:53 pm)

Let’s see…who wants a bunch of vagrant, drug-using, mentally-unstable, potential criminals living near them? I say we send them to live in Mayor Nickel’s backyard.

Dave July 27, 2009 (8:16 pm)

Goodness mike, one of the main reasons this group has gathered is to protect themselves from the stereoypes you describe. They want to be safe too

Alcina July 27, 2009 (9:20 pm)

Mike, have you ever gone to Nickelsville and met and talked with any of the people living there? If you had done so, you would learn that many are employed, but making too little to get into housing. I’m sure you know there is a lack of affordable housing in Seattle. Also, Nickelsville has strict rules, drugs and alcohol are NOT allowed. I would gladly have their well-managed camp in my neighborhood. I don’t see anything to fear from people who are poor and homeless and simply want a safe place to live.

howard July 27, 2009 (9:33 pm)

How are these people affording an attorney?

Alex July 28, 2009 (1:10 am)

I just wanted to add that i am 21 years old and my father lives at nickelsville and its the only thing keeping him alive. I ask any one of you who has strong convictions aginst the camp to just go there and give them some food and you will see how absolutly kind they are and thankfull to you for the gesture.

Stephanie July 28, 2009 (9:04 am)

Hi Alex, are you @ the camp as well? If not, can your dad stay with you?

nwcitizen July 28, 2009 (9:12 am)

“How are these people affording an attorney?”

It’s called “pro bono” and is a longstanding tradition in the legal profession. Thank goodness for lawyers that have a desire for public service.

Ibu Oni July 28, 2009 (9:34 am)

Thank you Dave, Alcina and Alex.
Howard, there are still some kind hearted people out there and Nickelsville’s attorneys are working Pro Bono.
The Nickelodeons are staying on a land rightfully owned by the Duwamish people. The Duwamish and their chairperson Ms Hanson have been very kind and supportive of them.
As far as the first poster is concerned, he is talking about what he doesn’t know and parroting stereotypes. What would he rather have anyway, a well managed community with zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol and violence away from his backyard or homeless folks sleeping on his front porch?
It is time to get real folks, there are 8000 homeless people in King county and only 2500 shelter beds. Staying in traditional shelters is both degrading and dehumanizing. Ignoring the problem or raging against the stereotypes (dirty drunk panhandler downtown) is not going to make the problem go away.
Most homeless people do not look homeless and I challenge anyone to pick a houseless person out of a crowd (stereotypical individuals set aside). When I was homeless, I was working and riding the bus clean, wearing nice clothes and carrying a Dior purse. Most homeless people ARE invisible.
I hope the Port will show some mercy and compassion and will start doing what they are supposed to be doing: SERVE THE PUBLIC REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME OR HOUSING SITUATION
Please let them stay

Ibu Oni July 28, 2009 (10:05 am)

nwcitizen, I have the feeling we have met before. Look me up on facebook :)I d love to give you my email address but I don t want to get hate mail from some braying jackasses :P

ProudPugetRidger July 28, 2009 (12:37 pm)

I’ve suggested previously that we have a basic background check done for every “resident” of the camp. All of you kind folks who somehow think you’re being compassionate by enabling this behavior will feel terrible if an innocent neighbor becomes a victim is some way. Did you know that folks who are required to have their residence registered under the registered sex offender program can “fly under the radar” if they are considered homeless?? I agree that we need to find a solution, but allowing these folks to bully their way into pseudo ownership of a public park is not the answer. And, for the record, the Duwamish tribe does NOT own this land.

jiggers July 28, 2009 (12:56 pm)

Mike. What comes around goes around. You’ll be homeless soon enough for what you said.

sarelly July 28, 2009 (4:32 pm)

Homeless people are people.

The City has got to provide more shelters and more transitional & low-income housing. Why not, since there are hundreds of “luxury” condos standing empty? Where do you expect these folks to go? Forcing them to move accomplishes nothing.

My father was homeless for four years when I was a child. He suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and survived in a sleeping bag under highway bridges, doing day labor when he could get it. Almost starved to death, lost most of his teeth. He had an ILLNESS which is not a CRIME.

Everyone who lives on the street was once somebody’s baby, somebody’s child, brother, sister, mother or father. Homeless people are people. Do you want to be thrown away when you become inconvenient?

Sorry, comment time is over.