Re: [Mpls] "No Longer the Giveaway County Board"

[Anne McCandless]

Does anyone know of any demonstrations by  homeless advocates against any of the suburban cities or other counties in the seven county metro area?  Is this only a Minneapolis problem?  Are all the available jobs in the seven county area in Minneapolis?  Would it not be wise a good idea , considering the lack of public transit, for people to be moving into the communities where they have access to work?   Before I get accused of being hard hearted, I just wonder if  a true solution to the problem is being sought or if this is just a temporary band-aid.  I do not remember where it is said that only the largest municipalities are responsible for taking on the care and feeding of all the needy masses.  I also don't know that this is a feasible plan.  If the city of Mpls goes bust, who will support us, who will then be part of the needy masses?  Please, give real answers, not platitudes.     Anne McCandless Jordan     -- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 9:06 PM Subject: [Mpls] "No Longer the Giveaway County Board"   As preparations for a second campout re:homelessness takes shape for early March (this directed at the County Commissioners) I was wondering if people on the list have any information about county funds that you would consider to be "give aways" to developers, or other entities.     I would guess some of the responses to my question will once again talk about those bad non-profits that house poor people... and everyone is entitled to their opinion but-    My question is prompted by a quote from County Commissioner Mike Opat that I came across in a City Pages article dated Dec.16, 1998.    Commissioner Opat is quoted in this article talking about  homeless shelters in Mpls. saying:    "We are no longer the giveaway county board...The people there don't qualify for assistance. They are able-bodied. We don't want people to feel comfortable..."    I also am curious if commissioner Opat is equally as tough on people of wealth and what is that word? Largesse? (spelling).     One note to Commissioner Opat--- since the most recent campout cost the county nothing, there was no give away involved at that action.     Also, I want to assure Commissioner Opat that I and my companions were totally and completely not comfortable that night... freezing cold does have a way of sucking the heat out of one's body and robbing you of sleep and energy. Needless to say, I would not have been able to go to my job... so I hope he thinks what it is like to have to do that every night, go sit at some day labor place hoping for a crappy little job and then have Mr. Opat call that state of affairs being "able bodied."                       Margaret Hastings-Mpls.-Kingfield