Friendship Fountain Restoration Project To Break Ground

[JeffreyS]

they were breaking up the concrete with the heavy equipment at lunchtime.

[Ocklawaha]

But for some people it is a problem, it doesnt bother me though. I've never seen homeless at FF though.

Never ceases to amaze me that some folks (and I don't mean Keith-in-Jax) are surprised that the "Homeless" enjoy things like Parks, benches, fountains, etc...  Just like all the rest of us.

By what rights do we deport them? Did you know that in Orlando, more then a handful of people-family-friends-whatever will be arrested and all of their toys taken if they "congregate in a city park?" Some people may remember Gwyn Stuarts harrowing tale of police abuse in Mickey Town? You should hear the stories of the abuse of not just the homeless but the missions and agencies trying to help them too. I'm proud that most Jaxson's treat the Homeless like fellow citizens, because you don't have to go very far to be treated like rats.

ACLU wins on Two Counts, Claims Victory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclufl.org

ORLANDO, Fla. â€" The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida won an overwhelming victory today in First Vagabonds Church of God vs. City of Orlando, the highly publicized "homeless feeding" case in Orlando. The 14-page opinion issued by Federal Judge Gregory A. Presnell hinged on the plaintiffs' right to Free Exercise of Religion and Freedom of Speech.

The lawsuit was filed by the ACLU on October 12, 2006 on behalf of the First Vagabonds Church of God (FVCG), Orlando Food Not Bombs (OFNB) and several individuals. The lawsuit alleged that the City of Orlando's ordinance on Large Group Feeding violated religious groups' constitutional rights to free speech, free assembly, free association and freedom of religion. The City's ordinance required groups and individuals to apply for a permit, only two of which are allowed per year, in order to share food with more than twenty-five people in downtown public parks. Violations were punishable by sixty days in jail and a $500 fine.

"After a two-year battle in court, we are thrilled that the court is vindicating the rights of the First Vagabonds Church of God and Orlando Food Not Bombs, and the homeless persons they serve," said ACLU senior attorney Glenn Katon, who also heads up the ACLU of Florida's Nancy and Martin Engels Religious Freedom Project. "Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are the cornerstones of the First Amendment and this ordinance flew in the face of the most basic constitutional rights of people using the parks to share food with the homeless. Now, thanks to a lot of hard work by many, they can."

The opinion states: "The Court finds that there is no rational basis for this Ordinance. None of the legitimate government interests proffered by the City are served by this Ordinance. Furthermore…the Ordinance does much more than incidentally burden Nichols' congregation…therefore, the Court finds that the application of this Ordinance violates the First Amendment rights of Nichols and FVCG."

"If the spirit of God draws number twenty-six to me, how can I tell God, ' no'," Pastor Brian Nichols of the FVCG said earlier this year. "How can I choose between God's will and the City of Orlando's ordinance?"

The judge's opinion went on to say: "Rather than address the problem of homelessness in these downtown neighborhoods directly, the City has instead decided to limit the expressive activity which attracts the homeless to these neighborhoods. While the Ordinance may very well accomplish the goal of diminishing the number of homeless in the Thornton Park and Lake Eola neighborhoods, the restriction clearly prevents OFNB from communicating its Constitutionally protected speech at a meaningful location which, from time immemorial, has been the traditional public forum for free speech. Although some incidental restrictions on First Amendment freedoms must be tolerated, the Court concludes that the restriction here goes too far."

"This ruling sends a loud and clear signal to the Orlando community â€" the ACLU is here to stay, and we will be protecting the Constitution in Central Florida," said Dr. Joyce Hamilton Henry, ACLU of Florida Central Region Director. "We expanded into this part of the state because there are so many real issues that need our attention â€" and we are already seeing the benefits to our presence here."

The FVCG and OFNB are Orlando-based organizations that assemble weekly to share food in public parks and to express their religious and political beliefs, respectively. The FVCG is a homeless church without a building for worship. Pastor Nichols' religion requires him to share food and help provide life sustaining services with his congregation.

"This has been an emotional legal battle â€" and we are pleased that in this case the rights of the downtrodden are being vindicated," said Jackie Dowd, ACLU cooperating attorney. "This was a mean-spirited ordinance. Hopefully it sends a signal to the City of Orlando that we mean business and we won't tolerate unconstitutional policy in Orlando."

SOURCE:
http://www.aclu.org/racial-justice_prisoners-rights_drug-law-reform_immigrants-rights/federal-judge-strikes-down-orlando

Now back to the fountain, since the homeless scare some people and might sleep in appropriate places, why not knock the walls off of the pump house from the surface of the twisting walkway to a circle around the top, then simply replace the same with a "See Through" hand railing, hence we could reopen the overlook.

OCKLAWAHA

[simms3]

Ock, come live up here in downtown Atlanta for a while and tell me whether you hold the same view of the homeless.  Don't get me wrong, they are people and I volunteer at a "Samaritan House" that teaches them comp skills, helps them build a resume and find jobs, and helps them wash clothes, etc. (and it's only open during daytime hours), but I refuse to give any homeless ON THE STREET money or attention.  There are too many places for them to go for help, they CHOOSE to be beggars many times and they often DO harass innocent tax paying charity giving volunteering citizens who deserve a thanks instead of a 'gimme' something.

[buckethead]

There is a distinct difference between a predator and a victim of hard times. That difference is not always discernable upon initial inspection.

I find it best to err on the side of compassion. This doesn't mean give handouts to each and every passing "vagrant". It does mean that I should view each person I meet as my equal/brother/sister and serve my "family" to the best of my ability at a given moment. Some days I have more to offer than others, but a kind glance or even a kind word is far better than to ignore a person.

[coredumped]

Has anyone seen the teaser for first coast news "investigation" coming up this Thursday? It doesn't say exactly what it's about, but they're filming what looks like water coming from a fountain and talking about tax payer money/waste. If I had to guess I would think it's about the fountain at friendship. Again, they didn't say, it might be the sprinkler system at JSO, who knows.

[Ocklawaha]

Ock, come live up here in downtown Atlanta for a while and tell me whether you hold the same view of the homeless.  Don't get me wrong, they are people and I volunteer at a "Samaritan House" that teaches them comp skills, helps them build a resume and find jobs, and helps them wash clothes, etc. (and it's only open during daytime hours), but I refuse to give any homeless ON THE STREET money or attention.  There are too many places for them to go for help, they CHOOSE to be beggars many times and they often DO harass innocent tax paying charity giving volunteering citizens who deserve a thanks instead of a 'gimme' something.

Exactly BUCKETHEAD, I don't need to visit Atlanta anyway, as a free spirit, one time long haired, noble fared, leaping gnome, I'll call it been there ... done that!

AL LA:
"Never been to Spain ATLANTA

Well I never been to SpainATLANTA
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
The don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it

Well I never been to England
But I kinda like the Beatles
Well, I headed for Las Vegas
Only made it out to Needles
Can you feel it
It must be real it
Feels so good
Oh, feels so good

Well I never been to heaven
But I been to Oklahoma"

OCKLAWAHA

[Coolyfett]

So how is the repairs to this landmark coming along??

[thelakelander]

They're moving right along.  We'll have a few images of this renovation and more in the October Construction Update, which should hit the front page tomorrow.

[CS Foltz]

This is costing us what? I had heard $3.5 Million Dollars or do I have this confused with another Fountain?

[cline]

This is costing us what? I had heard $3.5 Million Dollars or do I have this confused with another Fountain?

I believe it is 3.2MM.

[CS Foltz]

Thanks for the information cline!

[tufsu1]

This is costing us what? I had heard $3.5 Million Dollars or do I have this confused with another Fountain?

I believe it is 3.2MM.

$3.2 mega-million?
$3.2 multi-million?

[CS Foltz]

tufsu.........reading between the lines, I would guess $3.2 Million Dollars! I just love the way this administration continues to write checks that the taxpayer will have to cash! Just leaves me speechless........allmost!

[JeffreyS]

Lets not start bagging on typos.

[tufsu1]

Lets not start bagging on typos.

just playing with cline...I'm pretty sure he can handle it