Terry, while I understand where you are coming from on Peace House, and agree with your position on supportive housing, I believe you are mistaken in this situation. Hooley may be correct about the displacement of the people being served by Peace House, but it will not be because the neighborhood asks City Hall to do it. City Hall may do it for some of their politically powerful "Non-Profit" friends, but it would NOT be because Ventura Village requested such.
Sister Rose was a Saint. Once after driving Rose home, to her apartment in Seward, we talked for an hour about life, religion, philosophy, and people. Rose confided that she had prayed that God would make me a good person who would be a friend to her and Peace House. She was so happy that her prayer had been answered. It was very moving and humbling. I told her that I wasn't sure about the prayer and my being a good person, but I would certainly be her friend and help her with Peace House. It is real hard to lie to a "Saint", so I am going to have to defend Peace House. I promised Sister Rose that I would fight to keep any "Eminent Domain" from ever being applied to Peace House for a "better development". I do intend to keep that promise. The idea of a non-profit developer and a religious based housing provider asking for eminent domain on Sister Rose's place is very repugnant to me personally, and apparently to the rest of Ventura Village. CCHT and Hope have assured the Ventura Village Neighborhood that would NOT happen. I happen to believe Alan Arthur when he makes such assurances. The Ventura Village Neighborhood has insisted that no development should displace Peace House against their wishes. Ventura Village is not talking about displacing facilities existing in the neighborhood; we are fighting the continued concentration of supportive housing and services in the neighborhood. The most important part of this fight is to prevent the discrimination against supportive housing residents, which is inherent in concentrating them in "Institutions Without Walls". Churches in the area, businesses, and ethical area housing providers, support us in that fight. While many of the people coming to Peace House suffer from the social problems you and the STrib accurately describe, most are just unfortunate people who are preyed upon by the people who sell drugs and do crime in the area. Peace House IS NOT supportive Housing! Peace House attempts to address the problems created by concentrating Supportive Housing. Many of the people coming to Peace House are already victims of that supportive housing "Industry" in the area. It is slow fishing and difficult catches, but the wonderful ladies working there do catch and save a lost soul from time to time. Terry, these people have more problems with the "bad " people than you do. I assure you that you could take your child there and feel comfortable and welcome. People that I have brought to Peace House are always pleasantly surprised. I must admit I have only been back once since Sister Rose died. I wish you could have met Rose and that you could now meet those wonderful McDonald sisters who were her compatriots. Life and goodness just radiates out from the wonderful "Sisters". Your child would love them, and honestly Terry, so would you. Jim Graham, Ventura Village _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
