SPAR's "RED ALERT" aimed at neighbors...uses Proton Lab staff and faculty ?!?

[ChriswUfGator]

They tend to gravitate to urban environments, because there's more stuff to sleep under, there are public parks to sit around in, etc., etc. The homeless people are already there, it's not like they're going to be flying them in from Seattle to fill up this house. LOL!

Your decision at this point is pretty much whether you want them sleeping indoors or behind your house. They're still going to be there either way, and in fact large numbers already live in the area. I really don't really see the downside.

Yes, they gravitate to most downtowns in most cities...but they're also bused in from the beaches area.

As for whether or not we want them sleeping inside or in our parks, etc....so what, we should just sit back and continue to allow Springfield to be a dumping ground for more and more centers? No, we have more than our fair share, and we don't want more.

That sounds catchy, but it's ignoring reality. The homeless issue is already there...

You're not talking about bringing in more, this place will just give some of the ones who are already there anyway a chance to sleep inside, shower, and feel like human beings. Like I said, you make it sound like they'll be flying "extra" homeless in from Seattle to fill up this house. The reality is that they're already there, your choice is just whether you want them sleeping indoors, or behind your house.

[Springfielder]

That sounds catchy, but it's ignoring reality. The homeless issue is already there...

You're not talking about bringing in more, this place will just give some of the ones who are already there anyway a chance to sleep inside, shower, and feel like human beings. Like I said, you make it sound like they'll be flying "extra" homeless in from Seattle to fill up this house. The reality is that they're already there, your choice is just whether you want them sleeping indoors, or behind your house.

Not true, most of the ones sleeping under bridges and such are the ones that don't use such facilities...so yes, it's highly likely it would bring more homeless to the area

[strider]

Basically, in response to both the e-mail from Louise about Ju’Coby Pitman’s potential legal (as has been determined) low density group care home and Kharis’s one about “Red Alerts", Gerry Troy, from the Proton Lab (which means we can assume he is speaking for the people paying him while writing this e-mail), says “they are breaking the law, city ordinances  and polices" (also proven not to be true)  and that these people are predators and then says he will use the Proton Lab’s resources to get the word out. 

Of course, Mr. Troy basically saying that he doesn’t want anyone to know he feels that way  and to make sure everyone hides it makes it all OK then.  I do wonder if all of the board members of the non-profit hospital that runs the Proton Lab feels that way about all those “predators” (most  know them as non-profits) downtown.

[ChriswUfGator]

That sounds catchy, but it's ignoring reality. The homeless issue is already there...

You're not talking about bringing in more, this place will just give some of the ones who are already there anyway a chance to sleep inside, shower, and feel like human beings. Like I said, you make it sound like they'll be flying "extra" homeless in from Seattle to fill up this house. The reality is that they're already there, your choice is just whether you want them sleeping indoors, or behind your house.

Not true, most of the ones sleeping under bridges and such are the ones that don't use such facilities...so yes, it's highly likely it would bring more homeless to the area

One of the main issues with our local homeless population is that there are far more homeless than there are resources to address them. Not enough bed space, it gets awarded on a "lottery" basis, and then once they're lucky enough to get a bed in a shelter, they can only stay so long before getting the boot, because there are so many more of them that the charities are trying to spread limited resources around to.

The homeless are going to be in and around downtown and springfield anyway. That's the way it goes in every city, they gravitate towards urban areas. They're already there anyway. I highly doubt this will bring any new ones in.

[sheclown]

It's the freakin' RED ALERT, the "controlled panic",  the call to use city services to harrass legal homes and businesses that don't see eye-to-eye with SPAR... that is what should cause PANIC, controlled and otherwise.

[sheclown]

Strider.

Im sorry on behalf of the reasonable people in the neighborhood that this little hobgoblin feels like its ok to lie, slander and libel you.

This kind of sleazy tactic, the outright mudslinging that is totally directed at creating hatred towards their neighbors is only another reason why the self serving little organization must go.

Are there any pictures of this cretin?

I would imagine on the Proton Lab web site.  He is an administrator there.

[sheclown]

Come on Dan.  SPAR has never ONCE talked to us, except for that one time they tossed Joe out and banned him from the building.

Making us and others the focus of RED ALERTS is just plain WEIRD. 

And using the Proton Lab is, quite frankly, shocking.

[Dan B]

SPAR tactics, and one of its board members using his work email to receive *gasp* personal emails, not withstanding, the issue here is much bigger than that.

We keep hearing the mantra about 'a few people' who are directing all of this negativity. I assume this is being directed at me, or Louise, or one of any number of other people. Yet, almost every time I get into a conversation with someone in the community, the message is the same. No more special use facilities.

In fact, many people were pissed that SPAR capitulated last year in what can only now be called a shortsighted middle ground. I had several Womans Club members (who have a known disdain for SPAR) email me, and tell me they though SPAR dropped the ball.

So now we have people who hate SPAR, but who still believe that what you guys are doing is wrong for the community.

So now here we are a year+ later, and now we are at the point where there is mud being slung in all directions. In the end everything just ends up muddy.

SPAR has problems. Sure. Regardless, a great many people in Springfield has no want, need, or desire, for more facilities that cater to people who are recovering. I wont claim a majority, as someone here might because I have not take such a pole, but from just day to day conversations, MOST seem to be against them.

Attempt to marginalize Louise, or Claude, or whoever you want. But your wasting your time on me. I am not active in the community right now, and unlike Joe, I have no interest in making a martyr of myself on behalf of any issue right now. I will also not be discuss the merits or failures of SPAR anymore.

[Dan B]

Classy move.

[02roadking]

The reasonable thing would have been to call Mr. Troy first to get an explaination on his choice of wording in the email. I guess you don't do reasonable, do you Stephen?

[cline]

The email specifically said that the medical institutions would be behind this.

Actually his email states that he would be behind it ("I like your plan and will support it fully").  He doesn't say the Proton Lab would be behind it.  And besides, perhaps he is just using his work email to receive personal emails.  Roadking is right, it would have been much more appropriate to talk to him first. 

[Dan B]

Actually, it says he will "try to include" staff and faculty.

'Trying' to include someone is a far cry from having institutional support.

[tufsu1]

"I like your plan and will support it fully and try to involve staff and faculty in the process."

Here he is referring to Proton Lab since SPAR does not have any "faculty."

Fine...all this means is that he has a personal opinion and plans to share it with other members of the staff....most of us do this with our friends, family, and work colleagues.

Sure the guy should have probably used a different e-mail address (the original e-mail seems to have 2 listed), but I would bet that most of us have used our work e-mail accounts to send personal e-mails.

And as for Stephen calling the Proton Therapy Institute....this is reprehensible!

[02roadking]

Yep...   I just don't see how you can read so much into these emails your posting. By the time your done with them (how you view them) they really don't even resemble the actual email you posted. Anyway, have at it.

[jason_contentdg]

Again, this is what happens when you let yourself get worked up and react to a single email.