The Haven House Revisited - HT's Take

 I wrote a piece  http://hoosiertaxpayer.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-haven-house-hts-take.html  a couple weeks back about the Haven House's on going problem with mounting  back sewer charges and my concerns about the issue. Well in a new story in yesterday's News/Tribune  http://www.newsandtribune.com/local/x1724059829/Haven-House-in-Jeffersonville-faces-more-debt-over-sewer-bills  it looks as if the amount owed stated earlier, was just a small portion of the total owed by the homeless shelter. The actual amount due is over $ 50,000.00 and liens are being held against the properties.

  I stated some concerns I had in the earlier piece I wrote about the HH. Today's article and the comments by Haven House director Barbara Anderson for the article,  raised some new concerns, questions and a little anger on my part. A quote from Mrs. Anderson
"I've always made my position clear: Haven House doesn't get a penny from anyone in the county or the city to do services for it's poor, so I have always said I wouldn't pay a sewer bill and I haven't." 

 While Ms. Anderson probably and hopefully meant  by "anyone in the county or city" as county and city government. but even at that she is wrong and I am disappointed and appalled at her  holier than thou attitude as far as paying her responsibilities. We the taxpayers of the county, city, state and nation with our tax dollars pay into many programs that benefit the poor. Soc. Sec., Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare and food stamp programs, utility bill  programs just to name a few. I know of two agencies funded by the Clark Co. Trustee's office that provide help with rent, utilities etc. These and many other churches and organizations help provide for our poor and homeless. Ms. Anderson's statement "doesn't get a penny from anyone in the county or city to do services for it's poor" is simply not true and insulting.

 Before you consider me an ogre for calling out Ms. Anderson and the HH. I have in the past donated money, clothing, furniture to her organization and have rented to former HH residents at reduced rents in their attempt to get back on their feet, as well I have commended Ms. Anderson personally for dedication to her cause. 

 While Ms. Anderson's charitable acts should be applauded it doesn't give her the right to shirk her duties, she needs to pay her bills and responsibilities like everyone else does. She also needs to be careful about her heavy handed statements about  what she will and won't do. She runs a charitable organization that relies on people's generosity and kindness of heart. You can't strongarm people with your attitude and statements into being charitable, because frankly a lot of people resent it.  Especially when you make a statement like you were quoted (above) for the N/T article.

 Mrs. Anderson also needs to be careful about her political stances as well. Homelessness and charity is not a political issue, and in the past she has her made stances politically well known. Which she is entitled as a private citizen. but as director of her organization it is not her position to play politics. But that's just the way I see it....