Comments on: Homeless shelter to move into Ballard church

By: eric

eric — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:17:00 +0000

so the meeting is on the 2oth, right? see you there..

By: Deal with it

Deal with it — Sat, 16 May 2009 04:59:31 +0000

Aren't you one of those who screeches about homeless people sleeping in the greenbel, in abandoned properties or in the park?
So if you don't wanna “house them all” and you don't want them at large, wht do you suggest? Eradicate them?

By: braincandy

braincandy — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:59:10 +0000

Sorry to say this “faux,” cause you genuinely seem like a nice person; but you sound out of touch with what is going on; possibly to old to fully understand the wide array of different characters that hang out in and around Ballard. The poeple you were describing that were playing frisbee don't sound like the same “homeless drunks” that have been discussed on earlier posts, and described as druged up, drunk, and generally perveyors of lude behaivior. They really just sound like some of the kids from the Chai House playing frisbee in a park – that may or may not have been drunk. So what, this sounds like perfectly acceptable park behaivior (I know this park has no grass and not alot of room), but nonetheless – can we not figure out a way to not group everyone into this “law abbiding” and “non-law abiding” category. This is not the make up of our society, we are poeple living in a country that prides itself on the freedom to play friggin frisbee in a park. And, if it was the homeless drunks that I know (and love in a sick way) that can hardly run much less play frisbee because they are suffering from the late stages of alcoholism: More power to em for enjoying themselves for once, cause from this commenters perspective–thier's appear to be hard depressing lives. Somtimes the way poeple sound when describing transient lifestyle there are glimmers of jeaulousy, I catch a little glimmer of that in your piece “faux.” If you want to get drunk and play some frisbee “faux” you should try it–I personally pay my taxes, work forty-plus hours a week, take an active role in politics; so that I can drink a few beers and play some frisbee, that is The United States Of America that I am proud of.

By: braincandy

braincandy — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:46:51 +0000

Sounds like you are quoting your own bible here chopper, not the one (suposedly) written in Jesus' name.

By: braincandy

braincandy — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:40:49 +0000

I would respond to you here “chopper” but I don't understand what your trying to say.

By: OingoBoingo

OingoBoingo — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:42:31 +0000

Sarah68

'What we have here is a failure to communicate...some "men" just don't see'.

The uproar is not so much the men sleeping in a dead church but rather the baggage 'homeless' bring with them. Mental illness, substance abuse, running away from warrants or child support or previous ill encounters, refusal to register as a sex offender. No support because they've burned bridges with family, friends and possibly other 'help' groups. In and out of jail for petty or gross crimes. Refusing a structured living environment to 'living free and easy' until it gets too tough out there. Then you have groups like SHARE whose agenda is to 'house 'em all' without regard to the element they are introducing to the neighborhood.

By the way, how many OR congregants live in the area?

By: Sarah68

Sarah68 — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:36:33 +0000

“The lives we've gotten – families, homes and jobs – are at stake and we will fight for what is right.”

Jobs? Families? Homes? You're afraid you'll lose all that just because some homeless people are sleeping in a vacant building? Tell me, just how are you going to lose your jobs? Has your employer told you, “You let those people sleep in that church and you're outta here?” If you own a business, have your customers told you they'll abandon you for your competitors? Have you people lost your minds?

I thought Ballard was tougher than this. I also thought it was kinder than this. But it seems neither of those are true.

By: Bum Crisis '09

Bum Crisis '09 — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:54:36 +0000

That isn't the only concern, but sex gets people's attention. Say no to the homeless depot.

By: Laughing

Laughing — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:30:10 +0000

Statistically your children are far more at risk from you if you are male and from your male relatives than from strangers.
What assurance can you give us that you are not molesting them?

By: e/c

e/c — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:16:36 +0000

you maynot require a background check to buy a house..but IF you are a sex offender you are required to register your new address, and your neighbors can at least now that you are in the neighborhood…what follow up on this is being done for those men who MAY be sex offenders and move into our neighborhood? I am all for helping the homeless, but I am also protecting my children and neighbors too…

By: Mymble

Mymble — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:55:48 +0000

I agree 100%

By: OingoBoingo

OingoBoingo — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:09:36 +0000

JottoL of OR, tell me why these gentlemen of SHARE are so reluctant to submit to active warrant and child predator status checks? I speak to those with active warrants running from the authorities and those with sex predator histories avoiding a place to stay so as not to register as the law requires. Those of us in the neighborhood are held captive to our domiciles and jobs unable to shield ourselves from the authorities should they want to find us, why should it be different for them?

By: playar gamer

playar gamer — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:36:53 +0000

tag -

your IT

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:38:30 +0000

First, I've never claimed to be Christian, even if I was, you must be aware that it is a walk that varies from person to person, their judgment, choices, beliefs, actions will be just as varied.
It's between them and their God, and I would find it to be none of my business.
However, if choices, beliefs, actions unduly impact their neighbor, it's a different ballgame. That's where I'd take exception, not so much for their beliefs, but for the impact on their neighbors, and I would defend those neighbors earnestly.
Your assumption of how I would respond to an individual in need isn't fair, but, you have the right to your opinion of me.
I most certainly would have to discuss their situation, where they are and why, I'd want to know who they are, before I would house them, feed them, provide for their needs.
If they were unable or unwilling to be known, I would be unwilling, and unable to help them. I won't put my family, friends, and neighbors in jeopardy for some lofty goal. Nobody is going to call me Mother Theresa, but they won't call me cold hearted either, well, except in this forum, and for that I shake my head, too often, but I'm disliked in general by many, most have never met me. Too bad, because I really do have a good heart. imho.
I'm very unhappy with SHARE, and that's my focus....of course, the church is now an accomplice to their nonsense. Too bad, because I don't much care to be at odds with a church. Take it for what it's worth.

By: hummingbird

hummingbird — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:18:56 +0000

I have some questions for JottoL. as you seem to be a spokesperson for Our Redeemers.

For the most part the Calvary building is unused. They have one weekly meeting on Saturday, a soup kitchen on Monday and other than an occasional special event this building is empty. The other SHARE shelter on 23rd and 65th operates in a building that is used daily by an active congregation, plus they have a caretaker that lives in the building. The church currently hosting the SHARE shelter coming to Calvary has a live in caretaker and the pastor lives next door. Plus, they have an active congregation meeting in their building. The SHARE shelter that operates on Phinney also has an active congregation and the building is used on a daily basis.

Question #1: How will O.R. keep track of the impact on the Calvary building, grounds and neighbors without an active presence in the church?

This shelter is scheduled to run for a year. The latest info released from O.R. says they will be meeting the men from the shelter for the first month only. Having first hand experience with the soup kitchens that are and were being run from this facility, O.R. does not have a good track record for volunteers helping out long term.

Question #2: What assurance do the neighbors have that O.R. will not forget the men of this shelter and their commitment to meeting the mens needs will not waiver?

By: JottoL

JottoL — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:15:30 +0000

Yup, and if we knew each other, we might well find that there are a whole lot of things we agree on despite the critical values and issues we don't agree on.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:08:00 +0000

I have no intent to be hostile, for what it's worth. I also have no intent to let these individuals create harm for my neighbors, and will seek their removal without hesitation if it's warranted.
They'd better take their task seriously, in fact, much more seriously than they've taken our concerns to date.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:54:23 +0000

fair enough.

By: silence.kit

silence.kit — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:03:33 +0000

What?

Do you mean “nerve” instead of “vein?”

If so, not really. I just feel like you spout off things without being educated on the topic.

By: J B

J B — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:09:10 +0000

I live within four blocks of the church think that you are 100% full of Sh**.

There is no way someone/anyone who really lives near the church is for this.

By: J B

J B — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:48:59 +0000

If I catch one of these Vagrants pissing on my lawn he is going to catch a beating from my Louisville Slugger.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:30:00 +0000

ok, let's examine the tired old verbiage of 'less fortunate'...
Cleft palate?
Muscular dystrophy?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Crones disease?
Lazy?...ooops, that slipped in there...
Of course, I could go on about 'less fortunate', but
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LAZY GROWN MEN!!! WTF??

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:58:06 +0000

oh, my friend, I'm not ignorant, at all. I know how this city works, and it has to change, period.
have a nice day.

By: LBB

LBB — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:22:34 +0000

Actually, it was mentioned in the public meeting and then there were meetings between neighbors of the Calvary building, Our Redeemers and SHARE trying to come to an agreement so the shelter could move forward. But in the end, there were no concessions from SHARE to neighborhood concerns.

By: nock2times

nock2times — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:27:00 +0000

Based on your lack of historical knowledge of this group and your ignornance of the workings of this City and just general short sightedness your predictions are more like spit in the wind.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:14:01 +0000

btw, the courts have required the checks in every other jurisdiction. Why not here?
Thanks, MC friggen Cheese, et al….because we are the toilet of Seattle, simply put, all the crap and a-holes are pointed here.
Sorry neighbors, I've lost it again.
(but I was provoked, imho.)

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:09:16 +0000

Every community in the neighborhood of every shelter has requested the same, we, are somehow excluded, discounted and ignored. Need the links be posted yet again???
What a bunch of idiots!
We offered to PAY for the checks, SHARE refused!
Get a clue.
Nope, you'll spout off about racism, nimbyism, whateverism…
You people have no shame.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:04:07 +0000

Like I said, maybe it's nothing.
Sorry to this reader, but I don't intend to make sense to everyone, because, seriously, are you paying attention?
If so, then you miss the point entirely.

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 01:37:32 +0000

Perhaps, like the newspapers, you've become passe?

By: chopper_74

chopper_74 — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:29:38 +0000

Mike, so you camped out on this story for the moment it was posted.
Just so that you could hurl your puke on my neighbors?
I don't understand the motive, or the anticipated result.
But over 300 comments later….you can see it.