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The BatBlog sends out a request to Jeffersonville mayor Mike Moore to do the right thing and veto the recent camping ban passed by the City Council. This is a poorly written piece of legislation that is damn near unconstitutional, that infringes on the property rights of all property owners in Jeffersonville. Send this ordinance back to the drawing board, confer and discuss with the "homeless task force" for something that is acceptable for all those concerned, most notably the homeless...One other thing tell your City attorney Les Merkley not to insult the intelligence of the citizens of Jeffersonville by saying this not a "homeless issue." Everyone knows who was targeted and the whole issue behind this ordinance was to keep the homeless out of the new downtown park and Big Four landing area.
After vetoing this ordinance mayor Moore, try and exert some of your political prowess and leadership in an attempt to make a day center/shelter happen somewhere downtown where the homeless congregate. Be proactive dealing with this issue instead of having foolish ordinances that skirt the real problem. And finally make amends with Paul Stensrud - Exit0 and the homeless task force and have their input that effects theses unfortunate people. Remember without the grace of God and good fortune that could be you, I, or anyone in the same predicament as these poor , homeless souls.....
It is my understanding that MM has already signed and approved the ordinance.
ReplyDeleteHutt is claiming on the Chatter that it was Moores idea the ordinance, but everyone knows what a liar Hutt is so who knows?
I thought the idea of the shelter was a good one.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Anderson has been trying to get funding for years but she can't get a break. She houses homeless from Clark, Floyd, Harrison and even some from Louisville. Haven House is the ONLY shelter in Southern Indiana and nobody wants to contribute to the expenses of feeding and housing their homeless population. Good luck getting anything out of Jeffersonville.
DeleteExactly give them a place to go and problem eliminated , but that is too easy a solution. All this new law will do is create more police harassment of these poor people when police need to be out chasing the real bad guys. Ridiculous
ReplyDeleteThis ordinance came from the Mayor's office, The hope was to get the homeless out before steamboat days in October.
ReplyDeleteCudos to the mayor and counsel for this ordinance.
ReplyDeleteWhen taking into consideration what is best for the city, elected officials must think of the citizens of the city. The legal citizens of the city. The homeless represent such a small percentage of the population that it would be ridiculous to make grandiose decisions to appeal to a small percentage of the population.
Then again.....I think I'd like to bring about 100 of my closest friends to camp in your yard, what is your address? We will be leaving our belongings in your yard during the day while we go to WORK. Don't remove them. Yes, I know your yard is private property...but it is where I want to live so don't infringe on my rights.
For the most part private property gave written consent to campers staying there. It's pretty stupid people just wanna shove their problem of homelessness in their city to another city. Or even waste taxpayers dollars on housing them in jail. Let's just all comett a logical decision and try to help fix the problems. Instead of pushing them away.
DeleteWell, "Anonymous", those are very pretty words behind a name you are apparently ashamed of - and you very well should be. I have put my true name to this. I am a tax paying citizen of Jeffersonville. I feel this is wrong. Period.
ReplyDeleteSometimes stating the truth can get you hurt, Terry. Haven't you heard posting your actual name to the internet is not the smartest thing to do? Especially if you have an opinion that doesn't blend with the bleeding heart libs?
DeleteLots of good comments the last few days on the homeless ordinance. I appreciate your input...
ReplyDeleteTo the Anon. who likes the new ordinance that singles out individuals and takes away private property rights :
I hope you never find yourself down on your luck and have to rely on individuals like yourself with a holier than thou attitude.
My main gripe about this whole thing is the hypocritical responses we get from political leaders .... on one hand they appear to embrace the problem by creating a task force to deal in good faith, then go behind the task forces back without notification to impose penalties on those the task force is representing....hypocritical and back stabbing
I am the person that posted as "anon." Note that there were a number of individuals above me that did as well. I was simply following suit.
ReplyDeleteDon't throw rocks if you don't know circumstances. Do you know whether or not I have ever been homeless? NO you do not. Do you know what I have been through in my life, including dire circumstances that I have had to overcome? NO you do not. Do you know what I do/do not do for my vocation? NO you do not. So, please, do not make accusations without having facts.
Did I say that nothing needs to be done to assist individuals that are down on their luck? NOPE, never did. I think that the churches, cities, and individuals have a responsibility to step up and provide permanent solutions to work with these individuals. I do not think that the answer is to put people in parks, nor do I think that the solution is for the Exit 0 ministry and its supporters to continually throw stones at the city counsel, mayor, or individuals that support them. It is JUST AS hypocritical and "holier than thou" to criticize and be unwilling to work with the aforementioned individuals as it is for the politicians to be closed minded about possible solutions. If you claim to be a Christian ministry, please....tell me where it is in Scripture that Jesus ridiculed the individuals that were acting against His mission? That's right, it isn't. The only anger you see is when He became angered in the temple because those that claimed to be religious leaders were making a business of His temple.
If there is private property that is welcoming these individuals, great. But note that it was stated above that "for the most part" private property owners have given permission. This means that this is not the case in all situations, which means that laws are broken and just like I am to be held accountable if I break the law, so should someone trespassing on private property.
Trespass was a law before this ordinance.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments, I apologize if I offended you...you are most certainly entitled to your opinion....
While I don't like the ordinance as it is overstepping everyone's property rights in my opinion. The biggest gripe that I stated before is with our so called leaders in this city...their hypocrisy....
They claim they want to work with the homeless, create a task force for input then ignore the task force when decisions are made that directly effect the homeless population...
The city on several occasions has had opportunities to help alleviate problems but every time the City has turned their backs on the homeless...
It is both the mayor and the council collectively that are the biggest hypocrites on this issue and we need to realize it....
The Batblog welcomes all comments anonymous or otherwise...it's your choice...and conservative or liberal opinions are welcome as well...
ReplyDeleteThe issue at hand as nothing to do with your political leanings...
Anonymous...Barbara Anderson does good work but many people don't like her tactics of not paying her bills and the way she runs her operation...
ReplyDeleteI think her past history hurts her chance for funding and private contributions...
Whoever thinks giving Barbara Anderson money is the answer, I give you this challenge. Take the first step by finding a volunteer to be her bookkeeper or paying for her one or, if you're qualified, take on the job. When the books are in order, have her get an audit. Either she will be in a much better position to get funding when the books are straightened out, or you'll be enlightened in the process of offering the help.
ReplyDeleteApparently the majority of voters are less concerned about the city providing camping spots for homeless residents/visitors than they are about maintaining a safe atmosphere for resident walkers and visitors to the Big 4. To me, that seems to be a no-brainer. No matter how many Council members pretend otherwise, the majority of their own constituents are most likely agreeing with this ordinance. That doesn't mean there shouldn't still be some plan for the homeless folk who are currently in Jeff. Jeff admin and Council members should do everything in their power to help them find suitable locations and assistance elsewhere if those office holders would like to be re-elected.
ReplyDeleteNo one is asking the city to provide camping spots or anything else. The city is simply being asked not to harm vulnerable people, not exacerbate homelessness, not violate private property rights, not put the taxpayers at risk of being sued and not give overworked police officers something new on their to-do lists.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't believe the majority of Jeff voters agree with this ordinance. A few vocal and connected voters/donors is more likely. There was no public outcry asking for this. No petition with thousands of names presented. This wasn't the result of some grassroots efforts. Someone made some calls. It worked.
For now.
In response to the following comment, "They claim they want to work with the homeless, create a task force for input then ignore the task force when decisions are made that directly effect the homeless population..."
ReplyDeleteThe hypocrisygoes both ways. Exit 0 claims it wants to work with the homeless, was part of a task force for input then walked out on said task force when things didn't go the way the Exit 0 leader wanted. Sounds like a little kid taking their ball and going home because he didn't get his way.
The homeless need the support of the Jeffersonville Comunity and it's elected officials.The answer to the problem is not as simple as ban these unfortunate people from secluded areas where they tend to camp.The true answer for most of the homless people and familys is to build A new homeless shelter with A larger capacity for the number of homeless people and familys it can assist. One which is not run by Barbra Anderson. The living conditions in the Haven Hpuse are far substandard and the staff are not professionals trained to assist people overcome thier homlessness. If the City of Jeffersonville wants to get these people off of it's streets then it needs to build more Public Housing properties to house the growing homeless population. The waiting list for Public Housing vouchers and available appartments is years long and the shelters these people are expected to reside in during thier wait are deplorable. These people are residents of this community and deserve the assistance of the City of Jeffersonville instead of thier elected representatives treating them like trash to be removed. If the city wanted to fix the issue they would take steps to do so. So far they have tried to cast out these unfortunate people just to occomadate the wishes of the more fortunate residents of this community. I was raised to do unto others as I would have them do unto me, I wish the City would follow these same values instead of casting these people aside!
ReplyDelete