Video: Seattle City Council committee visits ‘Nickelsville’

| Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle politics

Four members of the Seattle City Council spent an hour-plus this afternoon at the encampment that’s called itself “Nickelsville” since its inception three years ago at the West Seattle site to which it returned in May. Our video above is the entire visit – an official meeting of the Housing (etc.) Committee – unedited, beginning after chair Councilmember Nick Licata convened the meeting and had members sign in at the camp’s front desk. (Also in attendance – Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Sally Clark, and Tom Rasmussen.)

First, everyone got a guided tour of the camp, from the kitchen area near the entrance, to the two goats’ grazing area on the eastern end. It currently has 91 residents, camp leaders say. Then, there was a sitdown roundtable discussion. A few headlines emerged: Operation Sack Lunch plans to start bringing lunches to Nickelsville five days a week starting next Monday; the camp is asking the city to help them get hooked up with utilities – not with paying for them, just with getting them hooked up. They also are waiting to hear the city’s longterm intent on whether they will be able to stay at that location; as we first reported shortly after their return to the site, Mayor McGinn said he would not seek eviction, but the Council has not taken a formal position.

The tour stopped short of this noteworthy sight:

That’s the play equipment procured and installed thanks to the efforts of WSB Forums members, who have taken a special interest in – and have been providing lots of help to – Nickelsville and its residents, who include longtime Forums member/WSB commenter “miws” Mike. He has just taken on a brand-new Nickelsville position, pet coordinator; you’ll see him in our video too (he and others in leadership positions got a chance to explain their work to the visitors). As for who will use the swing set – four children are among the camp’s current residents, councilmembers were told.

David Brent July 7, 2011 (10:58 pm)

What I’m left wondering is why now? Nicklesville is hardly a new development. Where were the City Council members when the State Patrol was getting ready to throw these campers out on their hind ends a couple years ago? I guess some of them must not have been up for reelection that year.

Jiggers July 8, 2011 (3:10 am)

Sounds real positive from what was viewed here. Got to love the goat in the background.

Wild One July 8, 2011 (5:06 am)

I only had time to watch about 20 minutes but I have to say i am impressed and very proud of Nicklsville. Long live..

JD July 8, 2011 (7:51 am)

Really? Kids living in this encampment? Sounds like DSHS should be getting involved

You know what assuming does... July 8, 2011 (8:25 am)

Kids live in a lot worse situations than this. That is a very big assumption you are making that they are not being properly cared for. They seem to have their basic needs met. Are you assuming that they are being abused due to their circumstances? CPS has much bigger worries, trust me. Maybe you should go meet these kids and their families, then make your judgement?

WSB July 8, 2011 (8:44 am)

There was an extensive discussion on the topic in the WSB Forums:
https://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/families-with-children-at-nickelsville
.
sparked by a report of a mother and baby turning up at the camp (having since been reported to have found housing). – TR

amused July 8, 2011 (8:31 am)

They look like they belong.

KBear July 8, 2011 (8:45 am)

Where should the homeless kids go, JD? Your house?

proudpugetridger July 8, 2011 (8:51 am)

I sincerely hope that our worthy Seattle City Council members can see through the façade that’s been presented!
Our Community Police Team representative told me directly: We cannot do anything to remove the trespassers, as our mayor has endorsed/approved their presence at that property.
Some random thoughts, from my notes (after watching the video)
1) They implied that there are no sexual predators allowed in the encampment, but the full explanation is that they have been caught several times harboring those RSO’s and only reacted when the situation was exposed.
2) They advised that alcohol and drug violations result in people being PERMANANTLY banned from the encampment. Hogwash, it’s a “return tomorrow” directive when drunkards arrive at the camp. Worse yet, the people turned away due to inebriation simply walk into our neighborhood areas unsupervised. From the WSB report of Southwest Precinct report, dated 6/11/11:
a. *When she was denied entry to the Nickelsville homeless encampment in Highland Park, an intoxicated 24-year-old woman punched a female security guard. The suspect apologized, but was told to leave and not return until the next day.
3) Proof of legal citizenship is and State-approved ID is NOT currently an enforced part of the encampments approval process.
4) They cited that the current policy is that no arrests are allowed for homelessness on public property…”as long as there is no shelter services available”. Pet owners, for example, are not allowed in recognized homeless facilities, so those folks very often go to Nickelsville. The bottom line is that there are VERY few days per year where shelter services are unavailable.
5) Despite the council’s multiple requests, there was not an answer given regarding limits of stay, or credible requirements (proof that the residents ARE working toward improving their situation) for remaining in the encampment. The reality is that this encampment does nearly nothing to encourage residents to rebound back and become productive members of society.
6) Encampment leaders mentioned that nearly no arriving residents are turned away unless drugs or alcohol is involved. Hogwash, the most serious of the mentally-challenged people are not allowed in the encampment, as they do not create an image that the organizers approve of. Remember, the now-convicted South Park murder was actually rejected from the encampment. Safety for our neighborhood…??
7) An actual council member implied that the encampment arrives to often find neighborhood resistance, but always leaves with newly-found friendships within the communities they impact. Seriously, did the Port of Seattle’s struggle or Neighborhood Leader’s struggle simply regain our park (T-107) not impact your memory?
.
How to these people dispose of their sewer? Why do local building codes and zoning laws not apply to these squatters?
.
These particular homeless residents are there by choice, PLEASE don’t encourage or enable this behavior!

April July 8, 2011 (11:02 am)

I have wondered about #5 myself, but i don’t know enough about Nickelsville to know if it’s actually true that they are not encouraging people to make a path to move on, limiting length of stay, and helping/encouraging them to find employment and permanent residence indoors. I hope so. Camping out right now might not seem so bad, but come winter, the outdoors is no where to live, especially children.

JanS July 8, 2011 (11:16 am)

boy, Proudpugetridger…you sure have an agenda. Have you been to the camp? Have you met the people who live there? Do you have proof that there is plenty of shelter elsewhere on a long term basis, so people don’t have to stay in NV?(yeah, people just love to live in a tent out in a field, rather than have a roof over their head) Well, do you? No, you don’t. You simple are blowing smoke. You’re a NIMBY, and they aren’t even in your neighborhood. They are in no one’s neighborhood. Instead of grousing, get down there and help. Now there’s something I doubt that you will do! Oh, and they have port-a-potties. If you had been to the camp, you’d know this.

proudpugetridger July 8, 2011 (11:50 am)

@ JanS
Yes, I have an agenda.
.
Yes, been to the camp multiple times.
.
Yes, met residents.
.
Proof of shelter availability?…check the statistics. The key to your statement is the “long term” aspect. None of the shelters work to encourage long-term homelessnes. Rightly so! I’m hoping the worthly Seattle Council Representatives can see through the illusion.
.
No smoke here, other than your illegal campfire wafts!.
.
I can walk from my front door to the encampment in 15 minutes, so yes…you’re in my neighborhood.
.
Our (Seattle) sewer treatment facilities treats all wastewater, including dishwater and washing waste…with the exception of you special people.
.
For the most part, you are NOT legitimately “people in need”. You are choosing to take a path that’s less challenging, and expecting the rest of us to carry your load of responsibiliy.
.
Here’s an idea…if your residents are clean and sober people that are capable of working together to achieve a common goal—then get a job!

Franci July 8, 2011 (12:47 pm)

@ proundpugetridger

First of all you are responding to JanS as though she is a resident of NV, she is not.

I can’t speak to all the NV residents, but I do know some people residing in NV that have/had medical issues that prevent them from working, their benefits have run out, they are doing the best they can with what they have to work with.

I’m not an expert on shelter statistics, but I have heard over and over again – especially in the current economy – that the shelters are overflowing and turning people away. Assuming that is true – just where are those folks that are turned away supposed to go?

It seems like a well documented fact that: There are not enough jobs for everyone that wants one and is able and willing to work, our government is suffering with the budget crises too and cannot continue to support those in need at the levels they have previously, shelters and food banks are overwhelmed with requests for assistance.

Given these facts – where are they supposed to go until there is work or assistance for dealing with whatever issues they are faced with?

Julia July 8, 2011 (12:48 pm)

I drive past the Nickelsville site daily and the only impact I have seen is a few more people using the #23 bus line. Finding a solution to long-term homelessness (and unemployment) isn’t that easy – go see the folks lining up for shelters in Pioneer Square day after day after day… I’ll take Nickelsville any day over that mess.

Jiggers July 8, 2011 (1:26 pm)

Proudpugtridger will be homeless itself one day. Karmas a bitch!

revy July 8, 2011 (2:11 pm)

I think they did a very good job…thumbs up for nickelsville!!

JanS July 8, 2011 (2:49 pm)

I gues it still astounds me that some people think that there are actually people who believe that those in this tent city choose to be there instead of in a place that has 4 walls and a roof, plumbing, kitchen, etc. That they prefer to use a porta-potty, go without showers for week at a time, have to cook over a camp fire, at the mercy of others to help provide water, food, etc. Really? REALLY? Would any of us CHOOSE this? Of course not. Should homelessness not exist? OF COURSE!! Again, an argument between “should” and reality.

elikapeka July 8, 2011 (3:18 pm)

Proud, you are contradicting yourself all over the place. First you’re apparently upset that they have allowed substance abusers and sex offenders in the camp. Then you’re upset because they don’t, thereby sending the ejected residents into the community “without supervision”.

You talk about “supervision” and “encouraging residents to become productive members of society.” This is simply a community of individuals trying to make a safe place to live. They are not career counselors or educators or substance abuse counselors or anything else. They’re not qualified to or attempting to offer those services. They obviously know that and are trying to do the best they can to offer a safe environment and protect the residents. Will they make mistakes? Yes. Are they responsible for somebody they turn away who commits a crime? Of course not.

It’s always easy to blame the victim. Yes, there are some people that choose to live outside what we consider norms. There are some people with substance abuse or mental illness issues. We should still try to ensure that those people have a safe and clean place to sleep. Nickelsville is not it.

There are many people who are now finding themselves homeless that never dreamed they’d be in that position. A big contributor is medical problems that preclude a person being able to work, with disability payments not being enough to maintain a roof over your head. Another problem is jobs that are permanently gone, and people that do not have any other skills. Assistance and education and training programs have waiting lists a mile long because we as a society have decided we don’t want to pay taxes to fund them. Your blanket statement that the residents there are not in need and expecting the rest of us carry them is hogwash.

Aman July 8, 2011 (3:41 pm)

When I was hungry, you gave me food to eat.
When I was thirsty, you gave me your cup to drink.
Whatsoever you do to the least of these of my children, that you do unto me.
Now enter the house of my Father.
When I was homeless, you opened your doors.
When I was naked, you gave me your coat.
When I was weary, you helped me find rest.
When I was anxious, you calmed my fears.
When I was little, you taught me to read.
When I was lonely, you gave me your love.
When I was in prison, you came to my cell.
When on a sick bed, you cared for my needs.
In a strange country, you made me at home.
Seeking employment, you found me a job.
Hurt in a battle, you bound up my wounds.
Searching for kindness, you held out your hand.
When I was a Negro or Chinese or White,
Mocked and insulted you carried my cross.
When I was aged, you bothered to smile.
When I was restless, you listened and cared.
You saw me covered with spittle and blood,
You knew my features, though grimy with sweat.
When I was laughed at, you stood by my side.
When I was happy, you shared in my joy.

Loosely based on the following bible quote
Matthew 25:31-45

Mother Teresa

proudpugetridger July 8, 2011 (5:39 pm)

Okay, I’ll bite…
.
@April–ask any one of the camp “leaders” for an explanation of the rehab efforts, you’ll learn that none exist. Every single LEGIT social services outlet has some minor requirements that users work toward improvement, NV does not.
.
@Franci–What very few medical issues exist within the encampment are the result of years of drug/alcohol abuse, a self-induced syndrome. None of our local shelters are overflowing, but they do require some effort by the guests…thus the guest turn to NV (which does not). The bottom line is that it takes dedicated effort to pull one’s self up from the trenches, handouts do not encourage ANY effort.
.
@Jiggers–I will never be homeless, primarily because I worked hard enough to live a comfortable life, AND saved enough so I have a modest safety net in case of an unexpected turn in my life. Essentially, I worked and saved for a rainy day while these squatters were busy getting high and wasting their young lives away. Now, they’re somehow considered victims of the economy or medical conditions beyond their control. The situation today is a consequence of yesterday’s behavior.
.
@JanS (again)– Yes, they choose this lifestyle over responsibility and hard work.
.
@Elika…–1) Absurd! RSO’s whereabouts have to be disclosed. NV refuses to disclose their presence simply by virtue of the risk of political fallout. Hiding RSO’s is less impactful to their agenda than harboring them—especially when they don’t get discovered. Ironically, they kick the RSO’s out when exposed by a concerned neighbor, which is actually illegal discrimination (think what would happen if we told our neighbor to leave once we learn of his RSO requirement). My wish is that they’d just be honest about the RSO’s presence, so families could have an opportunity to protect their children and vulnerable members.
.
@Aman–Mother Teresa: “There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it.” …she’s one of my favorite saints!
.
I’m sincerely sorry that my statements are so hurtful to some. My hope is simply that this program gets organized toward improving peoples’ lives, NOT enabling poor behavior. The sad reality is that this sham of an encampment is pulling resources from legitimate programs that DO help people who really ARE “in need”.

JoB July 8, 2011 (7:50 pm)

proudpugtridger…

what you think you know about Nickelsville is just plain wrong.
.
let’s start with medical issues…
just a short list of those i am familiar with ..
.
Chronic Stage 3 COPD resulting from repeated lung collapse due to severe work related chest injury…
Cancer…
Spinal stenosis resulting from severe work related injury…
Heart Disease…
Separated Shoulder due to work related injury…
Congenital Spinal Stenosis (born that way)…
shattered knee due to work related injury …
renal failure …
Rheumatoid Arthritis …
Lupus …
.
none of these chronic illnesses are due to alcohol or drug use…
but there is a pattern here in work related injuries .. many of which result in social security disability awards.
.
some Nickelsville residents are in the appeal process with Social Security which btw can take years even for successful applicants and isn’t a huge amount of money to live on once it is awarded.
.
I have been disabled for nearly 20 years and get a little over $600/mo because i tried to work reduced hours long after i was disabled which reduced my benefit … and i worked most of my life. Thank God i don’t have to try living on that.
.
Many are on subsidized housing lists which are currently running 3-5 years. yes, years.
.
nickelsville is not a social service agency… so why you would expect them to act like one i am not sure… they are a self governed homeless encampment.
.
Many residents of Nickelsville work outside the camp in jobs that pay poverty level wages. They simply don’t make enough money to fund an apartment, food, clothing, medical bills, transportation, etc… Why should those residents be kicked out of camp? Aren’t they the kind of neighbors you want?
.
And lets talk about how shelters encourage people to find work. .. can you explain to me how anyone living in a shelter has time to look for work or to keep a job when they have to line up literally for hours for a meal or for a bed for the night? … every day.
.
are you aware that most shelters don’t allow residents in the door until an appointed hour and kick them out the door the following morning?
.
If they work nights there are no beds.
.
Are you aware that most shelters don’t have lockers of any kind where residents can secure their personal possessions even over-night… let alone during work hours?
.
Far from pulling the wool over council member’s eyes.. the residents of Nickelsville worked very hard to create an encampment that would show the City Council just how serious they are about forming a community.

JoB July 8, 2011 (7:55 pm)

One person who did take the time to attend the council meeting at Nickelsville told a resident that he was concerned that the people there simply had it too easy and because of that would not try to better themselves.
.
the resident’s reply? Come spend a few days with us and find out just how easy dry camping in an open field next to a freeway is.
.
the resident he was talking to? A vet. Someone who served our country in Afghanistan.
.
There are a lot of vets in Nickelsville…

Aman July 8, 2011 (8:37 pm)

Proud:
Here’s the complete Mother Teresa quote you referenced in your earlier posting. The complete quote BELOW helps provide some additional context.(Source: brainyquote.com)
“There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things that we could use.”
– Mother Teresa

Since you like Mother Teresa, here’s another quote attributed to her which you may enjoy. (Source: brainyquote.com.) I can only guess at its context…I will reflect on it tonight as may you and perhaps other WSB readers.

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”
– Mother Teresa

Jiggers July 8, 2011 (8:39 pm)

JoB..Its ridiculous to try and explain it to an embicile.

miws July 8, 2011 (9:15 pm)

To expand on one of JoB’s points; I’ve heard that many shelters require the “residents” to vacate, along with all of their meager belongings, during the daytime. I also wonder how successful they may be at finding a bed later that evening if the shelters are full.

JoB also brings up the point of having Veterans here at camp. I wonder how many of the people that make negative comments about NV and the homeless are also the “patriots” that are of the stripe that agreed with GW Bush’s opinion of “….you’re either with us, or agin us…”.

To me, that would be the epitome of hypocrisy, to be of that opinion, and turn around and essentially crap on our U.S. Veterans.

Mike

JoB July 8, 2011 (9:41 pm)

Ok.. i took time to soak my head…
.
back to proudpugetridger..
.
Nickelsville’s policy is no tolerance for drugs or alcohol.
Show up drunk or stoned and you will be asked to leave for 24 hours.
Show up drunk or stoned 3 times and you will be permanently banned.
.
Nickelsville would be more than happy to connect up to the local sewer line if the council would grant them even temporary legal status at their current site so they could do so.
Ditto to water and electricity.
.
in the meantime they make do with the type of sanitation system and portable toilets available for events and construction sites..
at their own cost …
and who pays for that you might ask?
donors.. both those who live in stick built traditional houses and those who currently live in tents in Nickelsville
.
i have seen several intake procedures at Nickelsville… ID is required.
.
btw.. lest you think they are doing something special for my benefit…
I am in camp often enough that it is inevitable that i would witness a few intake procedures… generally from several feet away seated in the campfire/shelter area speaking with a resident while the intake occurs.
I have seen people turned away because of obvious intoxication.
I have seen people turned away because they didn’t have any form of identification.
.
there are no copies of ID because they have no means of copying anything. Think about it. They have no electricity to run a scanner/copier if one was provided for them.
.
the mentally ill are only turned away if they create a disturbance while trying to check in.
They are only banned if they can’t abide by the camp rules.
.
this has nothing to do with maintaining an image and everything to do with trying to keep peace in a camp of 100+ people who aren’t exactly sleeping well and can’t shake off a bad night in the shower.
.
Perfectly sane people with anger management problems have been turned away.
and more than a few have been banned since the move back to West Seattle.
.
Far from discriminating against the mentally ill… I have witnessed members of Nickelsville’s democratically elected management team remind residents with mental health issues to take their medications.
.
you know.. answering these points could become an all night agenda… one i am loathe to take on.
.
i feel the pain of the of the ‘Community Police Team representative (who) told (you) directly: We cannot do anything to remove the trespassers, as our mayor has endorsed/approved their presence at that property.”
.
Ouch. I suspect that comment was more indicative of your obsession with this camp
than any problems Nickelville creates.

JoB July 8, 2011 (10:02 pm)

today i witnessed three events that are indicative of my personal reasons for taking an interest in the individuals who live at Nickelsville.
.
I had a group of workers from Nickelsville moving and spreading a large load of bark dust in my yard today.
Along with the 3 men who made my front yard a real showstopper, i had one of the wives working with me in a support capacity.
We stopped by Safeway to get potato salad and drinks for lunch.
At the checkout, she offered to pay for those groceries with her own food stamps because she didn’t think i should have to bear all of the burden of feeding them.
.
while transporting that same crew back to camp, I overheard a conversation about some of recent residents who couldn’t give up habits and defensive attitudes acquired while living on the street and ended up being banned from camp.
One of the men said to another…”education man, this is why education is so important. they have to be taught how to respect themselves because they can’t respect the rest of us until they do”.
.
when i dropped off my workers, i stopped to see if the camp needed water or ice.
They didn’t.
Someone had delivered some ice and anglescrest had dropped off water.
.
while i was there i was proudly shown a beautiful hunk of meat roasting on the bbq.
One of the residents had found a sale on meat and spent his own money to purchase enough to feed those who chose to spend their friday night at home…
around the campfire at Nickelsville.
.
Have i seen the kind of homeless people even i avoid on the streets living at Nickelsville?
yes, i have.
.
they don’t tend to stay long
but for a day or two i see them perpetually sitting around the fire.
against all camp rules, some of them will follow me out to the parking lot to ask for favors or a handout.
if i turn them in for doing so or they are caught,
that is one of 3 strikes that will send them permanently out onto the streets.
.
I also see men and women who enter the camp as one of those people we avoid
and against all odds
embrace both the rules and their home.
.
I see them assume responsibilities
and then they begin to smile.
.
tonight a man I watched check in last night
came back to camp and asked if he could stay another night.
the smile he produced when one of the security people explained to him that the tent he was issued yesterday was now his home and that as long as he didn’t break any rules he could stay there
told me that he thought he had just won the lottery.
he had.
.
I don’t know what proudpugetridger or any of the other naysayers are looking for when they talk about rehabilitation and pulling yourself out of homelessness…
.
but that smile does it for me.

proudpugetridger July 8, 2011 (10:08 pm)

So it gets ugly and personal again. Yipee. I’m sorry for being an “embicile” in the eyes of you folks.
I took a trip down again tonight. There are tents and tarps in the greenbelt behind my house that are new to the area. There is a broken down motorhome on Detroit street, complete w/beer guzzlers sitting on the bumper. The new steps look great, completely up to code.
Again, yipee…my beloved neighborhood is being renewed right before my eyes.
Lastly, with as much respect as I can generate…the veteran status and injuries cited are bogus. At least be truthful please.

JoB July 8, 2011 (10:32 pm)

proudpugetridger…

the tents and tarps in the greenbelt behind your house are nothing new.
There were tents and tarps behind your house in that greenbelt before Nickelsville moved back to West Seattle.
.
Yes, the steps into Nickelsville are a huge improvement over those that existed before..
and to be really honest..
i am grateful for the work done to put them in.
My ankles were taking a real beating going across that berm 2 or 3 times a day.
.
No .. they aren’t up to code.
they were hand dug with limited tools.
but if you would like to take earth moving equipment and a measuring tape down there.. they’d be really grateful to you for improving those steps.
I think there is still enough 5/8″- gravel there to finish the job.
while you are at it.. could you help them construct a handrail?
.
Many of those going over that berm are more than a little unstable on their feet..
and i am not talking about inebriation…
I watched a woman who had to be in her 90s struggle across that berm on the arms of her son and another man last week to visit with the residents and find out what she could do to help.
.
It is not respectful to call me a liar.
.
there are a large number of vets at Nickelsville.
In fact, many of the current management team are vets.
.
There are a large number of people at Nickelsville who suffer from a wide range of chronic health issues that have nothing to do with alcohol or drug dependence.
.
I am taking some of them to the saturday morning free clinic in Lake City tomorrow morning.
Want to come along? Last time i filled my car.
More seats would be a real blessing.
.
Or, better yet…
you could take some of the vets up to the vet hospital.
not tomorrow though.
those clinics are mostly only open during the week.

Aman July 8, 2011 (10:53 pm)

Maybe, just maybe, the hurtful comments exchanged in this post can be put aside momentarily. And, maybe for the night, those reading reflect on the words of someone who dedicated their life to helping the supremely disadvantaged.
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”
— Mother Teresa

JanS July 9, 2011 (12:09 am)

those tents that are springing up right behind your house are illegal..report them. The camper, too. But please, don’t blame those on NV. We have tents on the hillside along Admiral Way, too, or under the bridge over Admiral Way, or various other places. Who do I get to blame for those?

NoToNV July 9, 2011 (2:45 am)

Thank you, PPR , for speaking up. There are many of us in this neighborhood who agree with you that NV is not good for the community and hopefully the council members can see that and they will be moving on to wherever else their vagrant lifestyle blows them.

JoB July 9, 2011 (5:23 am)

I encourage all of you who think Nickelsville is not good for our community to visit Nickelsville and ask questions.

some of the answers you get may surprise you.

Hatcher July 9, 2011 (9:02 am)

JoB-thank you for all you do for those who are less fortunate. I really respect all the time and effort you put into supporting the people at NV. Taking people to the free clinic is an amazing way to give back. Thank you! : )

elikapeka July 9, 2011 (10:11 am)

Puget, you still don’t seem to understand. Nickelsville is not a government or private social service agency. The burden of disclosure of a RSO is on the RSO, not on Nickelsville. They try with their limited resources to do checks on the residents to keep them and the community safe. Will some things fall through the cracks? Yes. When they find out they’ve missed something, they deal with it appropriately.

And please don’t tell those of us who know people at Nickelsville and have been to Nickelsville that the medical claims and veteran status of some of the residents are bogus. You have no basis whatsoever for saying that.

And you have blue tarps in the greenbelt? Lots of neighborhoods do. We had a motor home parking on our block for a couple of weeks. He moved on. These are events that happen all over West Seattle, and have no bearing on Nickelsville. You are conflating two things that are totally unrelated.

I’m glad you have managed to save enough money to get through an emergency. If you get hit with a catastrophic illness, you’ll be surprised how quickly that money goes. I hope you never have to learn compassion by walking in these folks’ shoes, but I hope you learn it somewhere.

miws July 9, 2011 (12:26 pm)

I am very relieved to find out that my breathing issues are bogus.

I’ll be sure to keep that in mind the next time I’m simply going up a few steps, or up a short stretch of hill, or after lugging one six gallon jug of our generously donated water over the berm, and I need to stop for several seconds to catch my breath.

.
Mike

Aman July 9, 2011 (3:11 pm)

“There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.”
-Mother Teresa
.
Be at peace miws & NV friends. You are not alone.

CheeseTheMouse July 9, 2011 (3:11 pm)

I wanted to add my 2 cents to this conversation. I actually work within a half of a mile from Nickelsville(NV)in South Seattle. I have even parked my car probably 2 dozen times in that parking lot at the entrance of NV for periods of 6 or more hours. I have never experienced anyone there who has ever been rude to me. I see them walking their dogs, they smile and say hello to me. My point is I do understand the sensitivities of the people who do live within 15 minutes of NV. Although in the short term, I am not sure enough data exists to show a measureable increase in any sort of harmful criminal activity by any of the residents of NV. If any of the surrounding neighborhoods are concerned about NV residents and any form of intoxication, I understand as well. BUT …I am not sure if you have the same convictions of bar hopping degenerates in your neighborhood who intoxicate themselves then get behind the wheel of their car. Endangering those in your neighborhood and anyone else on their way home. Whether someone is homeless and drunk/stoned drinking cheap wine or they make $80,000/year and can afford to have someone pour the alcohol for them is a poor excuse for concern of NV. In this poor economy, I am fortunate to continue to have a job AND a home. I would hope we all have bigger concerns and priorities in our city than an encampment of 90 people who seem to cause little or no significant short term trouble other than an occassional stray drunk. Again, drive 5 blocks, count the bars and their occupants and you have more than 90 people intoxicated. As fas as NV enabling people to remain homeless and not help themselves thus forcing tax payers to float the bill, in this economy, who am I to judge if NV is good or bad? People need all the help they can get. If someone is not getting their basic needs met and NV helps them achieve that in this bad economy, so be it. Let NV, their residents, and their little community be. When the economy gets better and companies start hiring again, maybe our city should create a mandate to help reduce the population of NV by making it mandatory that every resident there will take city sponsored training of basic skills(janitorial, landscaping, weeding, washing etc…)so the residents can live on their own, in an apartment and better themselves in the long term.

miws July 9, 2011 (4:06 pm)

Thank you, Aman…

Mike

ArchangelMichael July 12, 2011 (5:13 pm)

Nickelsville works – i have been visiting them off and on since the beginning – if not all of them, most of the people there now were not there in the beginning – proof that people move on with their lives to bigger and better things – most of them at least – a few have died along the way due to age and health problems from having to live a hard life in a country where the social safety net is crumbling – one of those that died was an older man named Robert who had a job selling Real Change newspaper – Proudpugetridger is just another one of those people who just like to bitch and moan and complain because their own lives arent satisfying and they dont have anything to offer in the way of help or solutions towards the existing problems – and that is all i have to say – peace

Michael

proudpugetridger July 12, 2011 (8:54 pm)

Ouch.
.
I wonder if Michael is REALLY involved…or even lives anywhere close to this problem??

Aman July 13, 2011 (9:25 am)

“The trouble is that rich people, well-to-do people, very often don’t really know who the poor are; and that is why we can forgive them, for knowledge can only lead to love, and love to service. And so, if they are not touched by them, it’s because they do not know them.”
– Mother Teresa

Douglas Tooley July 13, 2011 (3:06 pm)

FYI, the video is “unavailable” at this time.

WSB July 13, 2011 (3:15 pm)

Might have been a momentary fluke -working for me from the same link …

ArchangelMichael July 14, 2011 (1:07 am)

in response to proudpugetridger

i know what ive done for them – it includes visiting them often when they lived in my neighborhood at the lake city firehouse – and previous to their stay there petitioning the city to get them somewhere safe for a longer winter stay – my original idea was sandpoint naval base but the firehouse worked great

if you are referring to the problem of homelessness? – well ive been there – luckily i had a vehicle to live in and was better off than many

as far as problems in the neighborhood of Nickelsville’s current location the biggest problem is proudpugetridger – as i said before he/she is all bitch and moan and offers no productive solutions – leads a sad shallow life and shares it with those of us who dont

Aman July 14, 2011 (10:48 am)

“Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other — it doesn’t matter who it is — and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.”
– Mother Teresa

Sorry, comment time is over.