http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Advocates-Issue-Homeless-Challenge-To-Mayor-Council-288494551.html
x
copied and pasted from a "guest columnist" facebok discussion of which im a participant..
X
X
x
THE HOMELESS EXPERIMENT (PART 1) – THE CHALLENGE: Earlier this month, I appeared on the Jeff Landis Show to discuss the homeless situation. At the end of the show, Jeff issued a challenge and I supported that challenge. The challenge was for our current elected city leaders (the Mayor and all 9 councilmen) to live like an unsheltered street homeless person for 7 days and 6 nights with no comforts of home. Because of the timing of the show, I told Jeff that I couldn’t promote his Homeless Challenge right away as I didn’t want the attention drawn away from the Santa Joe Christmas Toy Giveaway project that I was working on at the time. Now that Christmas has come and gone and we are getting ready for a new year, I feel it’s time to formally challenge our elected leaders to live life on the streets as a homeless person to gain a much better perspective of their specific plight and gain an understanding of why so many people are outraged at the treatment of the homeless.
However, before I could personally get behind the Challenge, I decided that I needed to undergo the challenge myself. As those who know me—really, really know me---can confirm, I’m don’t believe in asking others to engage in a task that I, myself, haven’t or won’t engage in. Call it integrity. Call it coming from a military family. Call it leadership. Call it whatever you want, that’s just how I operate.
On Sunday, December 28th, I was inspired to undertake The Challenge myself. My inspiration came from Lexie Fretz and her husband. Lexie found a way to feed several families (homeless and/or hungry) and special thanks goes out to her for that! Because of her efforts, I was able to help distribute food to about 9 homeless guys that morning. The response from these guys was beyond mere thanks—some of these guys were incredibly hungry. And that’s when I realized that The Challenge needs to get underway.
So between 6 pm on Sunday, December 28 and 6 pm on Monday, December 29th – I spent time as a street homeless person. And let me tell you it was quite the experiment. It was a long 24 hours…V-E-R-Y long 24 hours. I will share the details of this experiment later, but for right now, all I can do is admit defeat.
Yes, defeat.
Yes, defeat.
I cannot and could not survive on the streets as a homeless person for longer than 24 hours. Why? Because I am lucky enough to have options other than living on the street….and because I don’t have to. (Once I share more details of my experience, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for what it’s like and for what you have.)
I hate admitting defeat because I really wanted to be in a position to say to our elected officials “Ok guys, I did it. Now it’s your turn.” I can still say that….I can challenge them to at least a minimum time period of 24 hours like I endured.
Folks, what do you think? Should our elected officials be challenged to a period of 24 hours or of longer than 24 hours?
I hate admitting defeat because I really wanted to be in a position to say to our elected officials “Ok guys, I did it. Now it’s your turn.” I can still say that….I can challenge them to at least a minimum time period of 24 hours like I endured.
Folks, what do you think? Should our elected officials be challenged to a period of 24 hours or of longer than 24 hours?
x
x
xx
x
Gina Burgess Ed--I'm not sure of the conflict you were aware of, but the conflict I speak of was between two agencies who both admitted to me (in the presence of others and/or through documentation) that they were "demonizing" each other. Btw--"demonizig" was there word choice, not mine. So I think its pretty safe to say that the conflict I was referencing was far more factual and less perceptive than the conflict you may have been referencing. Hopefully, this means that as people continue to work on this matter, these conflicts--real or perceived--are slowly subsiding. That would be a very good thing. Someone earlier had a suggestion of the City creating an online portal of the different agencies that serve and support the homeless. Perhaps as we are trying to figure out the way to solve the homeless problem, we could develop a strategy of (1) stopping the evictions (via an executive order from the Mayor followed up by legislation from City Council to prevent future evictions), (2) restoring lost property (or giving replacement property) to the homeless, (3) creating an online portal with smart phone app so that everyday people can offer more assistance and to better coordinate services among the agencies providing care, (4) create a paper version of these resources to pass out to the homeless so they are all aware of these services, and (5) physically map out where the homeless tend to congregate and the agencies that service the homeless--I'm pretty sure that will reveal that will reveal one piece of the puzzle of why we have homeless living on the street when there may be room in shelters. (The new Richard Lugar shelter is not full, but its so far away from where the street homeless are that they are not able to access the shelter. Most of these guys won't qualify for that shelter anyways, but for the ones that could...this is adding insult to injury.). This is in no way a complete nor a formal proposal, but merely some solid suggestions.- Gina Burgess Ed Rose -- On a somewhat different note, my page is a forum where everyone can come and discuss matters. While I don't agree with David Christopher Roach's style, his "attacks" are directed to elected public officials and, in his own way, he is trying to point out wrongs and offer suggestions. For example, in one of his posts on this thread, he suggested the possibility of starting an underground newspaper of sorts and let the homeless sell it and keep the money. Personally, that's not a bad idea. People in this town are craving consistent fact-based non-slanted news reporting. Perhaps, David can develop that further. I'm address this here because of a comment you made: "....David, I have no intention to respond to your vial loaded statements. I am truly disappointed that no one has spoken up about your disrespectful attack on people. Then maybe people here enjoy reading such trash...." Most people either read and react or simply ignore David's material. Due to the sheer number of comments and messages I receive, I can't (and I don't) read everything that is posted. After this post, I will go back and read his material, see what is relevant to the original thread and delete as may be necessary. Having said that, however, I really feel it was in bad form on your part (and disappointingly beneath you), to make the statement "...Then maybe people here enjoy reading such trash." That is an attack on my entire readership--including my real world family and friends. I don't think you meant it as such, but only you can clarify that matter and offer an apology as may be needed.
- Gina Burgess David Christopher Roach -- I agree with Ed Rose that several of your posts are attacking nearly everyone associated with helping the homeless. You also posted a link to a blog entitled Roach for Mayor, which would indicate that you are either going to run or are seriously considering running for office. As such, while I can appreciate your brining attention to the vast network of cogs that are contributing to the overall homeless problem, I don't see you offering a solution. I would ask that in the future you provide documentary evidence to support the claims that you are making, otherwise I will have to delete such commentary. Elected officials are elected to do a job, but they are people too and should be given the same amount of respect that I would give you or you would give me. I would also ask that in the future you focus on more problem-solving as to balance out any fact-based "attacks." Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. For now, I am not removing your posts as I want to give you the chance to edit them with documentary support. Normally, I would remove your posts on the basis of relevancy, but then I would be forced to remove everyone's posts as none are really specifically relevant to the original post of this thread.
Justin Kuhnle Ed, I respect your posts. However, I can find a major upside to this challenge. All the elected leaders represent the citizens that make up their district, city, county, state, etc. Their policies (or lackthereof in some instances) does have both direct and indirect impact on the homeless situation that is facing Allen County, northeast Indiana, and quite frankly, our entire country. By seeing and experiencing first hand what our homeless face, they could then see pathways to solutions first-hand. As such, a majority of our elected leaders care more about their next election and maintaining power, then ultimately leading for the better of the citizens they serve. If the emphasis is put back on what we can do to give opportunities back to our citizens so they ultimately can make the decisions to serve their own interest. Just like in business, some will succeed, and some will fail. But if our elected leaders lend more to their corporate backers than the citizens, then they ultimately have hedged their bets on not providing opportunities to those that need it the most.
Michelle Hill Exactly, Justin Kuhnle! The elected officials have lost touch with those citizens who elected the official to be their representative. The elected officials do appear to be more interested in keeping their corporate backers satisfied, than actually representing ALL the citizens they are meant to represent. Some of those elected officials have only been in office for a short time, but others have been in their position for a long time and have definitely lost touch with the average citizen.- Ed Rose I don't need to have cancer to have compassion or extending a helping hand to those that do. I do not need to suffer post stress syndrome that many of our vets do to have compassion or extending a helping hand to them. I do not need to be crippled by an IED to have compassion and extend a helping hand to someone that has. I don't need third degree burns over part of my body to have compassion and extend a helping hand to someone that has. I don't need to be a women who suffers from domestic violence to have compassion and try to help her out.
In fact I believe most all the people that have commented likewise would feel the compassion and willing to help people out. If that passion was not there you would most likely not commented. Likewise, few of us actually know a CC member away from their visual elected job and what we see. We don't know if they get two or two hundred emails/phone calls a month or if they reply to any or to all of them.
I wish I could still drive because this Tuesday I would attend the CC meeting. I wouldn't be able to speak but I would need not to convey my message. I would have a sign that would say, "How Many HOMELESS OUTSIDE TONIGHT? -15 WC SNOW" 
Kay Chapman David Christopher Roach, you have been running your mouth about people AND running in political campaigns for a good 25 years. I would think that by now you would realize NO ONE wants you to represent us in any way. I personally am tired of seeing your rhetoric on subjects which you don't know anything about. I am also tired of listening to your bike, evil and vicious words about the elected officials who were chosen by the people to represent us. I'm sure I'm not the only person who is sick of listening to or reading your attacks on our elected officials. Be nice and do us a favor, please, take your hate and venom-filled words and go home. I'm pretty sure your Mommy is calling you for lunch, or dinner, our just because she knows you've pissed the voters off. Let me make this clear for you. WE DON'T WANT YOU AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR CITY. WE DON'T LIKE PEOPLE WHO CONSTANTLY CUT DOWN OTHERS WITH HATE AND VENOM-FILLED WORDS TO HAVE A DECISION ON ANYTHING HAVING TO DO WITH OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. YOUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME ARE OVER. KINDLY GO HOME AND SHUT UP SO THE ADULTS CAN RUN THE CITY!
David Christopher Roach Ms Chapman- its not about "15 minutes of Fame"- its about getting rid of the crooks the liars, the schemers; who act like they care( and a few might)- and then go about lining their pockets and the pockets of themselves; their families, friends, and cronies and the families, friends of them as well. Its reverse robin hood- steal from the working class to give the stolen wealth to the rich overlords.
25,000 votes (25% in 2010; 21,000 ( 30%) of the SHERIFF VOTE - in 2014. on a pro- pot; pro freedom; less police; clean the city of crooked politicians platform. Thats a record. surpirisingly- all the "hate and Venom"- sdtruck a cord- as my largest area of support was in the 6th district of town..
Id like to thank you for the CAP-LOCKS- as im old; and ive been at this since 1991- so my vision isnt as good as it used to be- and ALL CAPS- is easier to read.. instead of squinting.. Just because someone is elected; doesnt mean ALL the people support them, or even want them in office. it just means that the Majority - 50% plus one voter- is all. seems to me theres plenty of people who are opposed to and cant stand ( dare i say Despise, and Loathe)- many of the elected officials. and just because someone is elected- doesnt mean they dont serve ALL the people; and in fact- they have to by law serve all citizens equaly. I may thing some is an a- hole and a jackass and a jerk; and disagree with everything they say- but i respect their right to say it in a free country; in fact Article 1; SS 9 of the indiana constitution encourages that. so- we too disagree; and so what? thats the 2 party system. and its my and your and all of our rights to run for office; to spek freely; to pack a gun; etc- and its liberating to exercise the few rights that we are allowed to by our government, despite their tendency to pass ever more restrictive, encroaching, confining laws taking awy our liberties freedoms; justice and so on- again- to line th epockets of special interest groups and vocal minorities of extremist supporters in their partys base; due to the fact of the way the Primary election system is set up and the many flaws that give us the most loony toons of the right; and flawed leftists as a consolation.
as a participant in the system and observer and hobbyist( i love politics the same way some folks love the cubs; or their sports. politics is my sport, if you can call it that)-
so- its not about Fame or fortune; or hate( unless you hate those who take away our rights, and freedoms)- and venom- you left out invective; vituperation; and a host of other verbiage that is synonymous..
Apparently VOTERS want choices- evenit its to vote against the other side; or for me. - it doesnt matter- it foils the evil crooks and liars, and criminals who would subjugate us to their KLEPTOCRATIC FASCIST ways..
so as for MAYOR ROACH ( on a pro- pot platform- )- is as much fun as MAYOR BALLS. lol..- David Christopher Roach Gina Burgess- with respect to your and Ed Rose s request of numbers, facts figures, and a PHD dissertation on the homeless and why they are homeless in fort wayne- and if im going to run for mayor ; or the easy choice- city council open seat- i may. i may not. im not saying for now; and by noon feb 6th- we shall know the answer.. meanwhile- ED Rose is a TEA Party Schill- whos self appointed job is to praise the GOP party line- and ti disparage all others, and negate any views that conflict. id say imho- hes a TROLL; but trolls are usually stupid, and Ed shows some intellect; or at least some thought.
Do i come across as agressive? yes- so did Patton, and other great men- who had no patience for niceities; and who are only interested in cutting through the BS and getting things done. Ive lived here in FTW for decades- and ive seen the same old stuff year after year. the homeless freeze in the frigid temps; people run around wringing their hands, doing what they do- but do they do anyting that SOLVES AND FIXES THE PROBLEMS? NO. why? because that would require the expenditure of TAX money- which is the supreme motivator- its part of the checks and balances of our founding fathers- as the homeless problem increases, so do your taxes. want lower taxes? fix the problem; and dont just slough it off on the citizens. Ive never said what the do-gooders are doing is bad- im just saying its not accomplishing IE FIXING/SOLVING the problems..
as for the HOMELESS- its the perfect campaign issue- as it indicts the people most repsonsible for all the problems in fort wayne. income inequality; lack of adequate food; shelter; clothing; health care. lack of affordable housing downtoiwn for the working poor; lacl of good paying; living wage jobs ; the obscene transfers of wealth from the poor and working por to the wealthy, and rich overlords. the hypocrisy of our city elected leaders- who say they care; pretend to listen; opretned to take notes on their papres while doodling obscene and dopey doodles; the issuing ignorant platitudes and homilies about why your family values are all to blame and if you had any values or virtues you would pull yourselves up by your boot straps (like they have)- and dig your own selves out of your poverty. sure- thats easy for them to say.. from their gated communities, and all their wealth.. and when the going gets tough- wnat do they do- plunder more wealth from the poor; squeeze them harder .
as for politicisn- if rick stevenson was doing such a wonderful job- whyare there so many hiomeless? thats his job. we elected him to fix that. Mayor Henry is fond of trotting out how wonderful and charitable and CATHOLIC his FAMILY IS- yet- hes sold his soul to the specialinterests and the rich overlords- to enrich himself; and has forgotten the poor. His wife is just an evil scheming harpy- whoonly wants more and more money. she is a criminal racketeer- her bar( which she still owns the frosg liquor license; and her illegal cherrymasters; and her families illegal cherry masters; and tom henry -city councilman- helped count the money from the proceeds, profited while in office; and did he pay the taxes on those illegal proceeds? i dont Think so. the Police are neck deep as well- the FOP had cherry masters in their unionhall!!- and Vandeever lady- was the book keeper- ( al capones book keeper?) Mark GiaQuinta- is the attorney for an illegal cherry master operator; and i drank with the drug house drug den Judge- and joked- hey judge- lets take our beers over there, and drop a few dimes in these here cheryrmasters. at every campaign forum event- i made it a point to ask every politicians about "what about those illegal cherry masters? it was like LAS VEGAS DURING MOB TIMES; and just because the crooks refused to prosecute or investigate- doenst mena it didnt happen; or wasnt ilegal. chief Moore raided a few and was promptly fired. Judge surbeck helped prosecute and destroy a bunch of cherry masters and their operators. you know that big fire a few years ago at the tecumseh/ wayne coombs st ? I bet the warehouse was full of used cherry masters in storage; and they had to finally destroy any trace of them. the city controllers and the mayors and th ecops- processed the licenses and "affixed the stickers and recorded them in their books- ; and it was 3rd district city councilman TOM HENRY who pushed to repeal the "amusement device ordinance- obstruction of justice? - because again- he and his wife are guilty as hell.
Maybe Kay Chapman is just naive; or blind; or doesnt have a clue; or hasnmt been paying as close attention to whats up as i have? I dont know. BUT WHAT I DO KNOW- is that trying to get any change; or reforms or anyting usefuldone around this city govt- islike pushing a roick up a hill. AND- dont expect a Mayor Harper( not my manmitch)- to do anyting about it- he just wants to get him; and steveshines hands deeper in the cookie jar. did you know Stever shines brother -Larry Shine- is the city attorney on several crritical city committees? how convenient. but whats the point of being a party chairman if you cant co-conspire with the opposite party chairman to accomlish your respective agendas?
Win Moses? hmm- lets see- the sharon Lapp murder /rape; the lapp crime scene personal files she kept- just went POOF- Win Moses and his police chief-were in and out of that crime scene plenty- and critical records in a horrific daylight rape murder just DISAPPEAR? something satinks to high heavens; and then theres Win Moses- criminal campaign activities- which gave fort wayne its first female mayor if only for a week till the democrat precinct committee people- could re- instate him back into his seat..
need i continue? both parties are either loony toons, or criminals kleptocrats all..
speaking of looting the public treasury the way the Nazis plundered europe( to prove that politicna sna d govts are prone to this sort of crime-)- the city govt has handed over over 600 MILLION DOLLARS THIS PAST YEAR- according to the most recent reports- of OUR TAX MONEY- for dubious job creation/economic development schemes- tax abatements- corporate welfare.. - David Christopher Roach thenwe have the varios 25 MILLION BUCKS HERE; THERE EVERYWHERE- such as the maplecrest extension bridge to no-where which wa supposed to draw jobs to that area- nothing yet.. then we have th ASH HOLE BUILDING- which the smart developer- bailed and instead bought an older high rise with an assured income stream, for a couple million dollars less, and HE owns it alone.. then we have the various other downtown projects that have never quite panned out as expected- mid towne crossing; the HARRISON- OVERDUE; AND OVER BUDGET which the MAYOR- HENRY AND HIS CRIMINAL WIFE- promised to move into when it was done. has he signd a lease yet? he should before MAY primaryoto prove hes not a crook and a liar. speaking of- HIS STATEMENT- I DIDNT KNOW THE POLICE WERE GOING TO ROUST THE HOMELESS; TRASH THEIR CAMPS; REMOVE THEIR MEAGER BELONGINGS; ETC- like an invading army marching cross a peaceful village?NAZIS ACROSS POLAND MORE LIKE.. Meanwhile we have the VACANT GE building; the vacant Wayne pump on glasgow street; andplenty of empty vacant buildings all across the downtown area;; and this RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT? another boondoggle- we willall get to pay for. the overlords too their horns about the Parkview field( and why do iu have to pay more for my health care;and insurance for a ball park anyway?)- which was nothing but a money grabbing scheme to divert food and beverage taxes from a perfectly adequate ball park on coliseum blvd- to downtown ask youself- how much of this money is actually PRIVATE FUNDS; AND HO MUCH ISOUR TAXES BEING USED AS PRIVETE MONEY FOR GREEDHEADS? and why dont they sell shares to the voters/citizens instead of just taking it? will we get any profits from the Stadium rackets? NO.. short answer..
granted- the USAeconomy; and the great lakes region economy has shipped al its jobs overseas; and so forth; so whats the resutl" the overlords start cannabalizing the rest of us; until theres a backlash.
meanwhile- what have the overlords done for the SE part of town? the poor wkrking black hispanics; various ethinc groups out that way- who are scraping by- and are ready voters for democrats; then get screwed after the eldctions? all this MILLIONS OF DOLLARS- "millions and millions and millions of OPPORTUINTIES the Mayor says- wel- imnotseeing it nor are they. the NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS are up in arms about the neglect of their stretts; sidealks, bicycle paths- ADA compliance so granny can ride her roll a scooter to the store- hich theres few SE; too may problems to list here; Ill end by saying- is it really our economic developpent and jobs creating saviors to put a 10 MILLION BUCVKS INTO ANOTHER BASEBALL FACILITY/ FRicking BASEBALL? ( personally- what a stupid sport. its all fun and games till someone gets beaned, hit with a bat; cleated in the mud and theblood and the beer..)
s0 we have 600 MILLION BUCKS A YEAR - REVERSE ROBIN HOOD; another 100 MILLION BUCKS IN TH ELEGACY FUND; another 25 millionhere; 25 millionthere; oh- and noext up- 250 MILLION BUCKS TO DRILL A SEWER PIPE UNDER TH EST MARY S RIVER- IN TH EBEDROCK LIMESTONE- for a unfunded federal govt mandate- to clean the rivers and lake erie. im all for that- but cant the feds print up some cash alnd sell some infrastructure bonds instead of it all coming fromour WATER /SEWER BILLS? more expenses.. AND WHO NEGOTIATED THAT DEAL? GRAHAM RICHARD. and where he? left town in the midnight darkness..( conveneient)- last i heard he was in ST Louis- likely consulting for the ST Louis city govt; ad ferguson police dept..(LOL>>) - David Christopher Roach so Ms Chapman- or should i call you SHEEPMAN- like all the rest- blindly unaware of all the woplves out there ? im jnot a conspiracy theorist; just a realist. plenty of others agree with me; and when they get the chance to anonymously support me- they do. 30%- HIGH TIDE; AND RISING.. sigh. BUT LETS BLAME THEHOMELESS AND THEIR FAULTY FAMILY VALUES. HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS FOR THE OVERLORDS; AND SQUAT FOR THE POOR. whats wrong with this picture? Christian nation? compassionate conservatives? communitarian endeavors? MY Kiester..( mike kiester- an actual city govt hard working employeee in the city utilities dept.. poor sob- almost as bad as being named ROACH. id VOTE FOR MIKE KEISTER BEFORE ID RE-ELECT ANYBODY IN CITY GOVT. ( sorry mike..just humor..). AND-I Have a very specific list of whos fired; and whos not; and the ones who are "off with their heads- i sure ive vented who they are before; and the others- well- many are friends, or friends, or cronies, or friends of cronies.. and thus it begins all overagain.. hire your family; axe your predecessors.. AS for the Unions- well MAYOR HENRY ; AND THE DEMOCRATS could have done a better job of preventing a GOP Sweeep of CC- but due to democrat incompetence- the tommy schrader; george guido debacle; readily comes to mind; GLODNER gettin the Shaft from HER campaign; the BETH MALLOY ; legacy survey project; and getting the AXE after she helped Henry get elected last time out; - well- ive only worked one summer as a UCFW hired picketer- and other than that- i shop union- KROGER; I DRINK UNION BREWED BEER; I DRIVE AMERICAN , and so on. so- i support unions.
if they all would just legalize marijuana, like tomatoes; id be happy, and would likely just go away and about my own business. if they would just pay me about 2 million bucks to STFU; i likely would. NAAAA. all the more CASAH to stir the sht; but its all for my family, my fellow friends neighbors,citizens, tax payers, etc.. and the common good as a prould liberal socialist democrat.. like will rogers said- im not a member of any organized party, im a democrat..
Write a comment...
x
x
x
x
x
No comments:
Post a Comment