Quote:
Originally Posted by greenmidtown
this is more entertaining than any celebrity gossip! the newschannels are missing an opportunity to film some gripping local drama.
|
While i admire the work of LeRoy Chatfield, the former director of Loaves & Fishes, I certainly take issue with Mr. Chatfield's false assertions that highrises "displace the homeless"..
That's just nonsense.
What he fails to grasp is that highrises also equate to more propery tax revenue coming into the city; which then flow to into social services provided by the city.
I've spent the last year working in a Chicago soup kitchen and prior to that worked with the homeless in Sacramento. It's silly for anyone to suggest that highrises displace the homeless. The only way that could be true is if the homeless are forced to camp in the path of development, and if that's the case then those providing services, need to look at what they might do differently.
Quote:
Originally Posted by greenmidtown
:
"Those high-rises and visions of downtown don't incorporate poor people. They displace them, and no one cares except Moe," Chatfield said. "
|
Without a vibrant enconomic mix downtown, Sacramento stands to lose property and sales tax revenue to surrounding cities and the county. When that happens, city revenue falls and programs to help those in need are cut.
As far as Mr. Chatfield's statement that "nobody cares excpet Moe", I would love to aks him when the last time Moe Mohanna worked a meal line or washed dishes for the homeless. Moe might very well be concerned for the poor; but his actions in regards to K street for the past 20 years, suggests that he's not willing to spend the time, money or energy to improve his properties, so that downtown Sacramento is a safe environment for everyone.
Sacramento needs to redouble it's efforts to help curb homelessness. But that's not easily accomplished by putting off redevelopment efforts in the downtown area, (as Mr. Chatfield seems to suggest). In fact by ignoring redevelopment and allowing the K street mall to languish, more harm will be needlessly inflicted on those depending on the city for help.
Again I admire Mr. Chatfield's commitment to working with the poor. But i part company with him when it comes to how best to help those most in need.