Home › Forums › Open Discussion › there is a health issue at Nickelsville
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
March 30, 2013 at 5:12 pm #786371
DBPMemberJo, you’re doing that thing again. You know . . . that thing where you imply that if people don’t agree with you it must be because they don’t care about other human beings?
Trust me, if I thought a letter-writing campaign would work at this point, I’d support it. Prayer vigil? Celebrity telethon? Bike ride across the country? Anything! I’d be for it. But like I keep saying (and you somehow keep not hearing) it’s too late for that now.
I never wanted to “throw the bums out.” I wanted the City to build a big shelter – either on the Marginal Way property or some other place, I didn’t care – and get everybody in out of the cold. Failing that, I wanted the City to at least take a strong hand in running the camp, so they could make sure people were getting access to services.
But when it finally became clear that the City wasn’t going to do either of those things . . . and when it became clear that the City wasn’t going to do ANY thing, I decided that the best solution was to close the camp down, because it really is starting to become a problem now.
When the City evicts, it will not be my doing. But it will happen, make no mistake. And when it does, yes . . . some very needy people will be thrown out onto the street.
Along with the bums.
Don’t put the blame on me for that, Jo. Because I’ve done everything a person reasonably could do to stop it.
Put the blame where it belongs. On the City.
* * * * * * * * *
If I get time today, I’ll follow this up with a Web-based opinion poll. Let me know if you want me to run the “choices” by you first.
(That will happen outside the Blog.)
March 30, 2013 at 5:21 pm #786372
Talaki34Participant“the way Nickelsville is set up now there are a lot of wasted resources.. many flowing through the front door.. into an individuals tent and then into the dumpster the day they are required to vacate camp.”
Job – This is what I am talking about. While I do understand the need for some resources to be channeled to keeping people fed and some type of shelter over their heads, nothing will change until they find better living conditions, education/job training and placement. There are many alternatives out there if people just take a look. You have to be honest though if you are truly going to help anyone. There will be those that want help and those that don’t and while I agree with trying to continue to sustain those that don’t, the primary focus must shift to those that want the help.
We have military installations that have closed and go unused. Not only do they have space for living, but laundry facilities, in place mess halls, clinic buildings and classroom space. They have areas that can be used for couples, animal owners and single males and females. There are module housing companies that have created housing for camping and disasters that could be a possibility too. You have contractors that are becoming more aware about environmental impacts. Enlist their input. As a matter of fact, what about the environmental groups? The list is endless.
DBP – I know there are people being prevented from getting help. The very nature of a camp run only by those who are self-serving or in the pursuit of survival makes receiving any life changing benefits next to impossible. How cruel to dangle a carrot in front of the hungry knowing they will never be able to eat it.
NV does not impact me like it impacts some of you. From the first time that I went down there until now, I am unimpressed. More to the point it makes me crazy every time I think about it, so I try not to. I have an individual and his dog that I help when I can since my own funds are limited. He has said that he will never hold a real job or live in a real house. I have never asked him why because I am comfortable with his honesty. I don’t waste my time trying to save him because he is happy living his life as it is. The money I save by not giving everything to someone who does not want to change his life circumstances allowed me to reach out to several animal owners and other people in need.
March 30, 2013 at 5:31 pm #786373
JiggersMemberSHARE/WHEEL/NV is nothing more than a big scam. Its unfortunate that the homeless are used as pawns as part of this elaborate scheme. The so called non-profit organization has been around too long with no real solution in sight. It’s time for the City to wake up. Now I’ll probably labeled as a uncaring person.
March 30, 2013 at 5:47 pm #786374
JanSParticipantso…many things point to management…time for a change at the top, and for the city to really look into “management” and see what’s going on..my opinion only.
I see one person on here saying things, and another being a bit condescending to that poster. What does that accomplish? Nada. One isn’t more right than the other.
This “throw the bums out” sentiment really bothers me.You/ we are still dealing with human beings, not objects. And compassion is not a dirty word. They still need food, a place to bathe, etc. They still need those basics in life that we all take for granted. Let’s separate them from “Management”, I say, when we talk about NV, or any other homeless camp.
and jiggers, not everyone who goes to a homeless camp turns into a meth head, a crack addict. You’ve stated your feelings, your opinion…again, )my opinion), you’re talking about “management”, not the campers. Yes, the city, IMO, needs to seriously look into Share/wheel or any other non-profit. There are some good things that S/W has done, I’m sure…that go along with the bad.
March 30, 2013 at 5:58 pm #786375
JanSParticipantI’m also struck by how the city does things. “We don’t have the resources” to help the homeless better than this, I hear in my head. Yet, the city is considering putting a bid in to be a sponsor for the summer Olympics in a few years. How much MONEY will that cost to upgrade roads for the hundreds of thousands of people who would come. How much MONEY would it cost to build venues, to make sure there’s enough housing for all those tourists and athletes that we would welcome? Yes, there would be an influx of money from those tourists, but at what cost? And we can’t help those living on our streets? We can’t refurbish some of these housing areas at closed military installations to house people who really need the help? Seriously?
March 30, 2013 at 6:10 pm #786376
JiggersMemberJan… Please re-read my post more thoroughly. I never said that everyone is a crack addict-meth head.
March 30, 2013 at 6:12 pm #786377
Spring ChickenMemberI can understand why the city doesn’t want to spend more and more money building shelters. No matter how many new shelters are built, they will fill up immediately, with ongoing costs for maintenance… and some homeless people will still be camping in the greenbelts!
March 30, 2013 at 6:16 pm #786378
JanSParticipantI misinterpretted this:
” It’s fun for the whole family. Where else can you learn how to camp and smoke crack all in one day?”
so, then , you’re saying that that does happen, or it doesn’t happen? Which one?
March 30, 2013 at 6:42 pm #786379
JiggersMemberWhat would you like to hear Jan?
March 30, 2013 at 6:47 pm #786380
Talaki34ParticipantJiggers – You may be right about the organization. Many advocacy groups start off with the best intentions and do great things in the beginning, but as time moves along they may find their financial support dwindling or the supporters have turned their attention elsewhere. Too often advocacy groups, especially not headed by big thinkers and doers get lost when it comes to time, resource and personnel management and they get overwhelmed quickly. I don’t know much about this group, but I have experienced this firsthand when I worked for a non-profit. Wanting and being able to do good things are very different.
JanS – I believe you are misguided in the notion that change in management at the city level will make a real difference. Most social and economic change is not initiated by those in civil service. It is folks like you, Job, DBP and Jiggers that provide the ideas and the first steps of problem solving. Later when under pressure or if it fits into the current game plan, those in government begin to implement the changes suggested by the public. If everything works well ($) and it benefits many groups then government resources can be dedicated.
I am not sure why I am even suggesting this. It might be the “Spring Fever” talking, but why don’t you, Job, DBP and Jiggers meet somewhere today (if all of you are amenable and have the time) to discuss possibilities.
March 30, 2013 at 7:15 pm #786381
JanSParticipantTalaki,I mainly was talking about “management” on the NV level…the guy running the show there…
a beautiful day in the neighborhood….I would love to meet with anyone today out there in the sunshine…it’s a dialysis afternoon…maybe they could come and keep me company ;-)
March 30, 2013 at 7:27 pm #786382
Talaki34ParticipantSorry, I read it wrong. Crazy sunbeam got in my eye!
I am leaving to go to the South Seattle Arboretum (did I spell that right?) in a few. Anyone want to join me? JanS? Jiggers? Job? DBP? Anyone?
Even sorrier that you have to stay in this afternoon JanS. :(
March 30, 2013 at 9:52 pm #786383
JoBParticipantDBP..
“Jo, you’re doing that thing again. You know . . . that thing where you imply that if people don’t agree with you it must be because they don’t care about other human beings?”
nope. not guilty. NADA
and if you are reading that into what i wrote
then you are reading through guilt you produced on your own…
there are a lot of ways to disagree with what i have to say that don’t include lacking compassion.
You may believe the camp’s days are numbered
as it turns out, i agree with you..
though we might have some differences in what we think will happen between now and then
thank goodness neither of us was issued a crystal ball…
but there are still people at Nickelsville who could benefit from a little more compassion and a lot less judgment.
this isn’t going to be an easy transition for them.
and if you think this one through …
whether you choose to be compassionate or not..
you will quickly realize it is in your bests interests to make their transition as successful as possible…
March 30, 2013 at 9:59 pm #786384
JoBParticipantTalaki34
sorry i missed your invitation
i would push my energy level today for a walk in the park with interesting conversation
the problem with the way services are currently being delivered to the homeless in Seattle is that restrictions and limitations of service delivery make it almost impossible to hold down any kind of job.
we could change the way the city contracts to have those services delivered.
it will take time and it certainly won’t affect the current generation of homeless people.. but it is still worth doing.
our current crop of homeless people includes those who ended up on the streets in the 80s.. and have never been able to get back off.
March 31, 2013 at 1:04 am #786385
Genesee HillParticipantI had a dream last night. I dreamt that the Snickersville folks all got together and did something positive for the West Seattle community. In my dream, they all moved out of Dodge. They decided, wow, we are leeches of the first order, and have suckered enough good folks. Perhaps it is time to move on to North Dakota. The weather is warming up…lot of oil money there…
March 31, 2013 at 1:51 am #786386
JiggersMemberReply to post #110. That’s what HPAC is doing already. They’ll handle it accordingly. Community groups have a strong voice and they want them out. The clock is ticking. NV is like trying to put lipstick on a pig so to say. The wishful thinkers have to let it go and let them move on.
March 31, 2013 at 1:58 am #786387
JoBParticipantwhat does someone waiting for a bed to open up in a drug or alcohol treatment facility look like?
homeless.
March 31, 2013 at 2:45 am #786388
DBPMemberMarch 31, 2013 at 2:49 am #786389
JiggersMemberI need a picture of what one would look like JoB.
March 31, 2013 at 4:34 am #786390
JanSParticipantI am astounded at the meanness of some posters on here…
and..the lousy sense of humor…
step away from the keyboard…
March 31, 2013 at 4:41 am #786391
JanSParticipantWhen people talk about HPAC taking it into their own hands, I picture a marauding group of “citizens with hammers and crow bars and axes, a self-appointed Show Of Force” team, going to NV and forcibly shutting the place down. Hope that is the farthest thing from their mind.
March 31, 2013 at 6:22 am #786392
cs in hpParticipantJanS, this situation is already difficult enough for HPAC, please don’t suggest this as an image for us- we have been trying for 2 years to work with the city in finding solutions to the homeless problem in Seattle. I would encourage you to go speak with any other community group in this city and see how long they would accept a homeless encampment as the gateway to their neighborhood, much less try to work with the city to help the situation. The image you just created for HPAC – even if it is in jest or with sarcasm, is not helpful, and to me feels like you are trying to incite violence and revenge. Of course this is the farthest thing from our minds. If this was on our minds we would have done that on day one. We will be asking for a move out date because we are fed up with the city’s lack of leadership. Please don’t try to turn HPAC into the monster here, it is the city that is not doing right by the homeless.
March 31, 2013 at 6:35 am #786393
JanSParticipantit wasn’t sarcasm…one person, I think on the article on the front page, said something like, if the city can’t/won’t do anything, then we’ll have to take it into our own hands. And that is the image that first came into my mind.
I agree…the city has dropped the ball as far as homeless goes. And I don’t expect anything like that really from HPAC. But then I never thought people would generalize about everyone at NV being bums, and they all need to be run out of town on a rail, to maybe someplace in North Dakota. And that was said by someone who is pretty far away from NV, and is not impacted by it at all.
I am not trying to incite anything…please remember that.
March 31, 2013 at 6:54 am #786394
inactiveMemberMarch 31, 2013 at 11:02 am #786395
velo_nutParticipantCan we just roll a bulldozer through it?
Clean out folks. Time to leach off of another neighborhood now.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.