Live blog: Ability Housing Springfield meeting

[sheclown]

Chris Hays speaks to not providing services   Crowd seems okay with Alcos help

Crowd is yelling insults to ability housing regarding special uses.

Jack is calling it a treatment facility  He is saying there are 50 treatment facilities.

Crowd loves this.  Jack says "take it some place else "

[sheclown]

Jack pontificates about overlay

Doug has lost control of the meeting

Jack is talking about the river region win

Jack is stating that this is a special use

[sheclown]

Jack complains about the AA meetings near him

[sheclown]

He gets standing ovation from the crowd

[thelakelander]

"Why did they hide their plans from the community ". The crowd explodes   

AH had no intention of hiding anything. We have learned our lesson. We will never do this again

AH has always been welcomed in other communities

Crowd doesn't buy it

Has Ability been living under a rock the last decade?  Every similar project that's been proposed in Springfield since I've been in town (2003) has received the same exact community response.

[sheclown]

Margi talks about the "hand off". Who is helping these people

Seems a split between the crowd. Some want services for the veterans and others don't want them even with the services

[sheclown]

Murmurs in the crowd   

I have surrounded myself with pastors.  Sure Carmichael from st Mary's. Pastors Hamm from St. John's.  Susan from the well.

[movedsouth]

sorry I had to leave. Not doing well in crowds. I thought the introduction was very could but nothing was said about accountability as to how to make sure they will do as they promise, and it appeared issues like veterans were left out of the proposal specifically to avoid being help accountable if there are no/less veterans living in the house.

[sheclown]

"How can the community trust AH".   Another apology

"How many other AH have on site managers". 

"We have a solid track record of handling properties without site managers"

[sheclown]

"We have too many needy people. When can we say we've had enough"

No response

"Will you consider moving to another location --  "

No

"Will people with violent felonies be allowed?" 

AH answering in a mumbled voice. The incident has to be five years old

Crowd yelling out

[sheclown]

"How do you know if the residents are using drugs ?"

Crowd is ugly to former homeless lady

[sheclown]

Jack Meeks brings up DIA which will remove "homeless footprint "downtown

[sheclown]

"Do homeless people
Follow the services ?"

"What changes would you make to the building. Would they need HPC approval ?"

I can answer that --  yes

[sheclown]

"You are putting 54k in each unit...you will over build the building "

No comment

"Is it correct that the tenants could get drunk every day and nothing happen to them"

Pastor Hamm says "I think everyone in Springfield should take a piss test "

(I know there was a reason I was sitting surrounded by the pastors)

[sheclown]

"Do you care what residents have to say"

Our mission is to homeless

"Take them to your house " gets yelled out from
The crowd

Applause