Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal...

How to Fix the United States' Electoral/Political System

2011-11-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know that is a bold title for a blog post, but, after watching the GOP wreck our traditional Congressional system through its refusal to compromise (compromise is what our Congress...mostly through the procedural rules of the Senate, was built to do), I've decided that a Constitutional Amendment is the only way to fix our nation's political system. That's not to say that a drastic change wasn't needed before now, but I believe that a Constitutional Amendment that accomplishes these tasks (+ legislation that could address concerns without a Constitutional Amendment) would be the best way to move our country from gridlock to prosperity:

1. Overturn Citizens United

Citizens United was the 2010 Supreme Court case that has allowed corporations to dump millions of dollars into campaigns, and it has also allowed the formation of multi-million dollar "Super-PACs", which allows corporations and individuals to funnel in money to T.V. Ads/etc. anonymously (tearing apart any aspect of transparency in our electoral process).

Overturning Citizens United is by far the most important thing our country can do to protect our electoral and political systems.

I would also like to see all of our campaigns become publicly financed, but I doubt anything like that could ever pass through Congress. This is unfortunate though because if we pulled the money out of the process then we'd eliminate a lot of the corruption (though not all because of Congress' power over the appropriations process, which is necessary since you want people who can be held accountable by the voters to control that process).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission

2. Proportional Representation

This is an issue that could actually bring the far left and the far right together, and it would create a system that would be more beneficial for everyone (not just the extremes). Right now we have a two-party system, and within each party (especially the Democratic Party) there are people with many different viewpoints. Therefore, you can only predict to a certain point what you are voting for when you vote for a political party (and a lot more focus is placed on the individual candidate as a result).

As opposed to the single member districts that we have now, if we allowed parties to be voted on for Congress and if we allowed each party to take the proportional amount of seats as compared to the percentage of the popular vote that each party received (ex: A party that wins 1% of the vote would get 4 seats), then we could allow multiple parties to exist. This could be done on a national level, or Congressional seats could be voted on within each state as a whole (I would prefer it be done on national level since that would be more in line with 1 person 1 vote...it would be more proportional).

Result: We finally get rid of the dreaded Congressional gerrymandering of districts (one of our political system's greatest illnesses), and we finally get multiple parties. The significance of having a multiple party system is consistency. You can actually know what to expect from a political party. Don't get me wrong, I am one of those who actually realizes that there are gigantic differences between the two parties (I'm so sick of the ignorant statement: "Both parties are the same"...read the legislation they propose for 5 seconds and you'll see there are some gigantic ideological differences); however, I also realize that there is ideological diversity within the parties and this causes more voter confusion than anything else. If green, libertarian, and other third parties were allowed to exist, then people could know exactly what platforms they are voting for when they cast their ballot. This would create more trust between the public and the government, and the business community could actually know what to expect from the government in power at the time (business loves stability in government).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation

3. End the Electoral College

This may actually be carried out by National Popular Vote (nationalpopularvote.com) before a Constitutional amendment could be ratified. What National Popular Vote is doing is basically lobbying state legislatures to pass legislation that would cause the states who agree to give all of their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. However, states would not have to do this until enough states pass the legislation to make up a majority of the electoral college (270...they are currently at 132, which includes VT, MD, WA, IL, CA, NJ, MA, HI, and D.C.).

However, I still think it is worth bringing this up here since it only makes sense that we allow the nation as a whole to elect our President (as opposed to allowing a handful of battleground states to elect our President). This issue also has more bipartisan support than the other two issues I brought up above. People on the right and the left realize that its unfair that Democrats in TX and Republicans in CA, both of which are large groups of people, hardly have a voice when it comes to Presidential elections.

nationalpopularvote.com

4. Getting rid of or at least modifying the filibuster/unanimous consent rules in the Senate.

This would probably be a given if the rest of the above proposals were to pass, and this is also something that would not require a Constitutional Amendment. The filibuster and the other procedural rules are not given to us by the Constitution. They are given to us by the tradition of the U.S. Senate. One of my law professors once convinced me that we should keep the procedural rules of the Senate intact since they force compromise, make sure that any change that is made in our country is a baby-step as opposed to a leap forward, and that business loves the stability that this type of process creates. However, I have since been convinced that this process has been broken by a political party that refuses to compromise. Maybe I'm wrong, and, after the GOP loses badly in a couple of election cycles, they'll realize that you have to have the middle on your side to win. Until that happens, I'm sticking to my opinion that these procedural rules need to go.

On the first legislative day of every Congress (which usually goes many real days so don't take this as meaning one day), the Senate can change its procedural rules with a simple majority. Senator Udall attempted this earlier this year, and here is the list of his reasonable proposals (quoted from the CNN article linked below):

"Udall is considering four key proposals as part of the resolution he will offer. One would prevent filibusters to taking up a bill or on a nomination, although it will still allow filibusters to end debate on a bill. A second would eliminate so-called "secret holds" in which a senator can anonymously stall legislation or a nomination from coming to the floor. A third would require senators leading a filibuster stay on the floor and debate the issue during the entire filibuster.

A fourth proposal from Udall is aimed at appeasing GOP concerns about being locked out of the process. It would require a certain number of amendments for the minority party for any bill being debated."

Here is a link explaining the end agreement that the two parties settled on earlier this year (which resulted in small changes in the right direction as opposed to the bigger/better changes proposed by Sen. Udall):

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2011/01/reid_and_mcconnell_agree_there.html

Here's a more condensed version of the agreement: http://fixthesenatenow.org/news/entry/senate-leadership-agrees-upon-rules-package/

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, reached a mutual agreement on a new procedural system for the 112th Senate, earlier today.

The agreement eliminates secret holds, prohibits delay tactics like forcing the reading an amendment that has already been submitted for 72 hours, and exempts about one third of executive nominations from the Senate confirmation process.

Additionally, Sen. Reid agreed to reduce the use of 'filling the amendment tree,' while Sen. McConnell agreed to limit the number of filibusters. Both party leaders agreed not to seek the Constitutional option to change rules in the 112th or the 113th Congress."

I understand the argument for preserving the filibuster and other procedural rules of the Senate, which mostly evolve around the fear of the Senate becoming the partisan House. However, when one party decides gridlock is better than compromise, its difficult to side with the status quo on the rules of the Senate.

Other links on this topic:

http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/senate_rules_reform_no_fire_and_brimstone_much_logic_and_reason/

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/04/some-senate-democrats-to-try-to-change-filibuster-rules-in-new-congress/

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/25/us/politics/25rules.html

http://tomudall.senate.gov/?id=739&p=blog
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These proposals would not solve all of the world's problems, and we would still continue to have plenty of problems in our own country. However, what these proposals would produce, if they were to pass, would be a cleaner, fairer, and more transparent electoral and political system, which would better represent our country's electorate and would create more trust between Americans and their government.

Supercommittee, 2012 election, Affordable Health Care Act, and Prop 19 (CA) predictions

2011-11-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

Predictions Summary:

Supercommittee: Will fail. (Called this a long time ago, and made some further predictions on this topic earlier this month. Just wanted to point this out since I know by the time I actually post this the news will already have declared the supercommittee a failure).

President Barack Obama: Re-elected.

House: Going back to Democratic control.

Senate: Toss-up (not much of a prediction here hah).

Affordable Healthcare Act: Deemed Constitutional before the '12 election with Scalia voting in favor of it.

Prop 19 in CA to legalize marijuana: A majority of voters will vote yes this time around.

Explanation:

First off, these are predictions (not things I'm certain of), and I'm sure I will adjust my predictions as the 2012 elections get closer and as new data comes in. However, I've been looking at a lot of information on the topics below lately, and I'm liking the trends that I'm seeing so much that I wanted to ramble on about it for a bit. It really is a bit early to be making the Presidential and Congressional predictions, but a few factors that I will discuss at least make it worth looking at.

Supercommittee

Earlier this month, I made this prediction on what would happen with the supercommittee, and it appears that at least the first part will be the case with the latter being very possible (though, technically, a last second deal could still be struck by today):

"My prediction on the supercommittee (or at least what I expect): Republicans will continue to refuse to increase taxes (and refuse to compromise in general), supercommittee will fail, Congress will immediately reinstate (at least part of) the defense cuts (via a bipartisan vote), they will actually compromise on where the cuts go (as a full Chamber after the supercommittee fails)...though that's already been agreed to previously to a certain extent, Bush tax cuts expire for everyone, President Obama scolds GOP for allowing tax cuts on the middle class to expire in order to stand by their demands to keep the tax cuts for the rich in place, and then the Democrats push tax cuts for the middle class to be reinstated over and over again to bait the Republicans into voting against it (I doubt they would, but who knows with today's GOP)."

The supercommittee failing should've been the obvious from its inception, since we currently have a GOP that has forgotten the definition of compromise and how important compromise is to our current Congressional system.

As I mentioned above, there is still time for a last second deal to be struck, but I just don't see the GOP budging with the current environment in D.C. Also, it would be worse for the Democrats to accept a deal with no tax increases than to just let it fail and allow the Bush tax cuts to expire at the end of the year. Reinstating the tax cuts for the middle class would provide political cover for the tax increase, though it would increase our deficit.

I look very forward to seeing the figures on how much the deficit decreases once the Bush tax cuts expire (the data is already out there but, when it becomes official, I'm hoping a lot of voters' eyes are opened).

Rep. Frank also believes that the supercommittee failing is a good thing (and he seems to agree with many of the other predictions that I made earlier this month about the supercommittee):

"'The people who want to say ‘no’ have more leverage,' Frank said in a telephone interview. 'Every showdown until now, the right wing had more leverage. They tended to benefit more from gridlock. Now, thanks to sequestration and the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, gridlock is bad for the right wing. So they are now going to be forced to deal.'

Frank said the supercommittee’s inability to produce a plan was not a failure of Congress, but rather a reflection of the country’s 'peak divisions.'

He said that Democrats should offer to extend the Bush tax cuts for the middle class and end them for the wealthy, counting that as savings against the automatic cuts.

'And if you don’t like it,' Frank said, 'well, then we’ll just sit back, see sequestration and the taxes go up on everybody.'"

http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/budget-approriations/195139-rep-frank-supercommittee-failure-good-news-for-democrats
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As far as the 2012 predictions go, this is much more of a guessing game since anything could happen between now and late 2012; however, there is a lot of data out there on the race for President and various Congressional seats.

President: Barack Obama gets re-elected

The main thing that has made me feel strongly enough about this to make a prediction on it this early out is the numbers I'm seeing in Ohio. More than one recent poll has placed President Obama ahead of Mitt Romney by 6 points (49-43). He polls even better against failed candidates like Herman Cain and Rick Perry. The significance of polling at around 49% is that it leaves President Obama only needing to convince a few undecideds in order to win there (even if the polls get a little closer).

The reason that good numbers in Ohio alone would make me feel confident about a President that many people think will not be re-elected is because of two things: 1) Republicans have a very hard time winning the electoral college majority without Ohio because it forces them to have to pick up states that they do not traditionally win. (Note: No Republican has ever won the Presidency without Ohio.) 2) If the Republican overreach against labor has backfired this badly in Ohio, then it has probably backfired on them in many other states such as MI and WI, which are even harder places for the GOP to win in than Ohio. I expect this overreach to not only benefit President Obama, but I also expect it to help the Democratic Senate candidates in many states.

Republicans keep pointing to the close numbers between President Obama and the "generic Republican"; however, that is wishful thinking considering the fact that their primary field is one of the worst I've ever seen. The fact that Newt Gingrich has become the new anti-Romney candidate should have the GOP base disturbed (though at least Newt is smarter than Cain, Perry, and Bachmann combined).

When it gets closer to the 2012 Presidential election, I'll do a state-by-state analysis. For now, just keep an eye on the typical battleground states, and expect Arizona to be a battleground state this time around (I could see the Democrats pulling a surprise win off here based on recent polling on Governor Brewer's approval rating and based on demographic shifts/the population increase in AZ).
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House: Democrats retake it.

Earlier this year, I would never have made this prediction. While I knew all along that Democrats would make gains in the House in '12 (Republicans spread themselves thin and won in areas that they would normally never win in on election day 2010), I figured that the Republicans' 2010 success in taking over many state legislatures would lead to gerrymandering heavily slanted in their favor, which I thought would possibly even out the advantages that the Democrats have in 2012, which mainly consists of the higher voter turnout associated with Presidential races and the higher number of vulnerable Republican incumbents.

However, redistricting in CA, IL, and TX has given me new hope on that front (these states together will probably give Democrats around 10 new seats in Congress...they only need 25 to win the chamber). Though redistricting will hurt us in other states like NC and possibly MI, I'm starting to doubt that they will be able to do anything beyond break even with the Democrats on gains (nationally).

There's also good news from AZ and OH. In AZ, the AZ Supreme Court recently reinstated the independent commissioner on AZ's redistricting board after a Republican attempt to impeach the independent. In OH, the Democratic map will be placed on a voter referendum to oppose the current Republican map. Most likely the same people who defeated the anti-union law in OH recently will also approve of the Democratic redistricting map, which means more gains for Democrats in Congress in a state they were supposed to lose seats in as a result of the GOP takeover of its state's legislature.

Therefore, with redistricting not hurting the Democratic party like I thought it would and with a recent poll showing 12 Republican incumbents as likely to be defeated in 2012, I'm thinking that the Democrats will definitely make gains and have a good shot at retaking the House in 2012 (especially when you factor in the higher-than-usual turnout that is associated with Presidential elections).

Here's a good write-up on this topic from Tom Jensen from Public Policy Polling: (3 page report)

"Over the last few weeks national polling has increasingly showed House Democrats recovering from their defeat in 2010 and taking the lead back on the generic House ballot. An October 10 Reuters survey showed Democrats ahead 48-40 and an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll the same day found Democrats with a 45-41 advantage.

The national numbers point to the possibility for Democrats to reclaim a majority in the House next year, and a series of polls conducted by PPP in 12 individual Congressional districts last week backs up what the national numbers are showing. The 12 districts we polled are all in states where redistricting has already occurred- Arkansas, California, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

And in all 12 we found the same thing- voters would like to replace the Republican incumbent with someone else, and for the most part the new GOP House majority is proving to be extremely unpopular."

http://www.politico.com/static/PPM41_pppmemo.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68855.html
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Senate: Toss-up

Here is the one place where I do not feel comfortable enough to even make a guess at this point. While I do think 2012 will be a good year for Democrats, the Democrats have to defend 23 seats while the Republicans only have to defend 10. The Republicans will only need to win a net-gain of 4 seats to control the Senate (3 seats would be enough for them to have the VP break tie votes if President Obama loses), but this of course would require them to not lose any seats, which I don't see happening.

Here's a good map of the states that are having U.S. Senate Elections this year:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2012

States to watch:

MO: This is probably the main Senate seat that I see the Democrats losing. Sen. McCaskill's numbers have not been good.

MA: Elizabeth Warren is going to make Scott Brown a 1-term Senator, though should we really be surprised? She's a great candidate, and MA is a very blue state.

NV: Either party could win here, but keep in mind that they re-elected Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2010 (which was a bad year for Democrats...even if 2012 is not the year I'm expecting for Democrats, it will be better than 2010).

AZ: I'm one of the few talking about AZ, and I stand by this prediction: AZ will be a close state for the Presidency and for the Senate in 2012.

MT: This is going to be a close one. Senator Jon Tester is a fairly moderate Democrat, and he and his opponent are currently fighting it out for the NRA's endorsement.

NE: Ben Nelson will always have a tough re-election bid in the red state of Nebraska (especially in the current political environment).

ND: I actually think the Democrats will put up a really good fight here. Their candidate is a popular long-term politician in the state.

VA: Governor Kaine will hopefully pull this one off, but it will be close.

WI: With an unpopular governor like Scott Walker, I see the Democrats retaining this open Senate seat. It should still be an interesting race to watch though.

Other people talk about OH, PA, NM, and MI; however, I think the Democrats will safely retain all of those Senate seats. As far as Florida goes, I'm much more worried about President Obama's chances down there than I am of Senator Bill Nelson's chances for re-election.

Wild Card to watch out for: Hopefully the tea party will nominate some crazy/awful candidate to replace Lugar in IN or Snowe in ME. If that happens in either state (especially ME), then expect that state to be much closer. Otherwise, the Republicans will likely keep both seats.

Here's a good article with more information on the 8 top races to watch:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gop-control-senate-top-races-watch/story?id=14374992#
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Affordable Health Care Act: Constitutional w/ Scalia voting for it.

I'm not going to say as much on this topic, but my primary reason for thinking this is precedent (the wheat case and the medical marijuana case that Scalia voted for), and the decision upholding the constitutionality of the healthcare mandate recently rendered by Judge Sutton, who is the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge that was appointed by George W. Bush in 2003. This is especially significant because he served as a law clerk for Justice Scalia. That seems to hint to me (along with other votes that he's made in the past) that Justice Scalia would vote in favor of the constitutionality of the Affordable Healthcare Act's individual mandate.

Here are some excerpts from the opinion:

"Commerce Clause

In his 27-page opinion, Judge Sutton said that the health care law meets the classic tests that the Supreme Court has imposed in deciding whether Congress has acted within its authority under the Constitution's Commerce Clause, the provision that empowers Congress to regulate interstate commerce or matters that otherwise 'substantially affect' interstate commerce.

Noting that health care is a $2.5 trillion industry, Sutton said that 'no matter how you slice the relevant market,' virtually all of it affects interstate commerce, and Congress may constitutionally regulate such interstate economic activity. 'Few people escape the need to obtain health care at some point in their lives, and most need it regularly,' he observed. Everyone will eventually have some sort of big emergency bill that, left to their own devices, most individuals would be unable to pay. The health care mandate, he concluded, is little more than a requirement that everyone have insurance now so taxpayers and hospitals will not be left holding the bag later. Indeed, as he observed, federal law actually requires hospitals to accept many patients without regard to their capacity to pay.

Furthermore, wrote Sutton, 'No one is inactive when deciding how to pay for health care, as self-insurance and private insurance are two forms of action for addressing the same risk. Each requires affirmative choices; one is no less active than the other; and both affect commerce.'

Those opposed to the health care law raise good questions, he said, based on an intuition that this law cannot be constitutional. But '[n]ot every intrusive law is an unconstitutionally intrusive law,' wrote Sutton."

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/29/137506928/federal-court-upholds-health-care-law

The only good legal argument I've heard from the right is that there is a difference between the precedent and the current case in that the government is forcing people to do something as opposed to forcing people not to do something. While this is a legitimate argument, I do not think it is a strong enough argument to make Scalia vote against the Affordable Healthcare Act and prior Supreme Court precedent. However, even if he does, there is always the chance that Justice Kennedy will vote that the mandate is constitutional, which is something that I also expect.
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Prop 19 in CA: Passes

I'm not going to write as much on this topic either, but, if you aren't aware of Prop 19, it was the referendum over whether or not to legalize marijuana in CA. I believe it only obtained 46% of the vote in 2010, but I still found this to be impressive considering that turnout is typically lower in mid-term elections (and young people turn out much less in mid-term elections).

Since its failure, Gallup and other groups have released polls showing the legalization of marijuana favored by 50% of Americans for the first time ever. If the numbers are that high nationally, one would only assume that the numbers are even better in CA.

The Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform 2012 thinks that its approach this time around will calm the concerns of many growers in CA who actually voted against Prop 19 in 2010:

Dale Gieringer, California's NORML's state coordinator said, "There's more confidence that whatever emerges is more likely to be from the marijuana community than there was with Prop. 19."

Assuming that the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform 2012 is successful in crafting a referendum that is more in line with what the local growers want, I think this + the increased turnout in 2012 will ensure a victory for Prop 19.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/03/marijuana_2012_california.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/prop-19-results-marijuana_n_778050.html

My introduction to the Occupy Memphis movement

2011-10-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help but get a little fired up tonight (though I'm sure I came off as an ass ;) ). I signed up for the Occupy Memphis movement because I support the Occupy Wall Street movement. From what I can tell thus far, it is a protest against social and economic inequality (including a tax code that favors the ultra wealthy) and corporate influence on government (I'm particularly ticked off about Citizens United decision). The document or "mission statement" that was read at the beginning was great, and I felt like I was in the right place.

Then, when getting ready to vote on the document, I hear a man object to the health care statement followed by his request to add in "abolish the Federal Reserve". I quickly picked him out as a Ron Paul supporter (not like that's difficult), which he confirmed as he walked back to his seat.

I've worked my tail off for the past 8 years to elect progressive candidates and to get young people involved in politics. I invested a lot of time serving as President of the College Democrats (Univ. Memphis), and it bothers me so badly to see so many young people blindly buying into Ron Paul's flawed economic ideology because he wants to legalize pot (for the record, I actually agree with him on the latter issue).

Anyways, what I was trying to communicate to the group was that our movement needs to have a consistent message (not one that's all over the place...you don't want to protest just to protest), and we can't do that if we're going to adopt far-right wing rhetoric on top of a progressive message. It makes no sense. It would be like me going to a young Republicans meeting and trying to get them to add stiffer environmental regulations to their platform. They would boo me out of the room.

I attempted to propose a debate over whether or not we should get rid of the Federal Reserve. I'm hoping I can get that set up, but either way the point is that we need to actually discuss issues before randomly throwing them into a document that defines the organization we are in. The original document was perfect, and people had put in over 6(?) hours ironing it out. To take that much time on it, and then have random attendees calling out different things to add to it (without a thorough and thought out debate) just doesn't add up.

Besides, with a gridlocked Congress unable to pass any legislation to help the economy, the Federal Reserve is about the only source of economic stimulus we have right now. To think that people would actually call for such a thing with Congress' current inaction is baffling to me. There are some changes that I would make to the Federal Reserve, but getting rid of it is not the answer.

Days after its creation, I watched the tea party turn from a libertarian movement (that I disagreed with economically) into a far-right-wing misinformed group of people who woke up angry one day and decided to look at the news for the first time. I just really like the premise of Occupy Wall Street, and I don't want to see it get
hijacked by right-wing extremists like the tea party did.

MSPJC launches new initiative for Community-Youth Engagement

2011-08-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

The MSPJC Neighborhood Alliance is now proud to be working with Shelby County Juvenile Court in finding meaningful service opportunities for young men and women with court-ordered community service.

Contact us with any neighborhood clean-up, community garden or other neighborhood activities that your association or congregation is working on. Please list the dates and times and how many volunteers are needed and a contact person's info. Juvenile Court will then work with our staff to assign young people with court-ordered community service to opportunities that are close to their homes. The Neighborhood Alliance sees this as an opportunity for mentoring and reaching out to young people within our neighborhoods and more than a simple community service opportunity.

We are proud to report that we have already secured commitments from the SOUTH MEMPHIS FARMERS MARKET as well as the Binghampton-based URBAN FARM and URBAN MARKET. We want to extend our thanks to these wonderful new partners, and we hope they are but the first of many more.

If you have any upcoming events that would be a good opportunity for youth community service, please contact our Organizing Director at brad@midsouthpeace.org or 901.725.4990.

H.O.P.E. Call to Action :: Project Homeless Connect NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

2011-08-04T10:07:00.000-07:00

PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT is a massive one-day event targeting unsheltered homeless people in Memphis and Shelby County at which all the resources and services needed to leave homelessness are provided under one roof, at one time. Community volunteers pair up one-on-one with homeless individuals beginning with street engagement and ending with accessing a wide array of resources at the Cook Convention Center. Dozens of agencies and service providers join together to break down barriers that make it difficult for individuals to leave homelessness.

This project is a venture of the Community Alliance to End Homelessness and the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is proud to be a community partner in this effort.

We urge everyone to please sign up to be a volunteer at this event, this will be a massive effort and we as a community must mobilize to ensure that it is as much of a success as it can be. To register to volunteer or to get more info go to the event page here. and help us spread the word to your neighborhood association, civic clubs and congregations. They need 1,000 total volunteers, so please make every effort to help yourself and spread the word.

What - Project Homeless Connect

When - Friday,September 16th

Time - 9am-5pm

END HOMELESSNESS

We are also asking that you help us spread the word about the dire need of those who in the brutal summer heat are experiencing homelessness. We are calling on the community to call our Mayors' AC Wharton at 576-6000 and Mark Luttrell at 545-5000 and urge them to keep their campaign promises and provide set-aside jobs for those who are experiencing homelessness out of the 7.4 million dollars in city contracts for blight demolition, neighborhood clean up and renovation work. We can curb blight and give those who are homeless a fighting chance at the same time.

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
901-725-4990
Brad@midsouthpeace.org

The Mayor, The Council and the 17th Rule of Acquisition-Or-The Dog ate the City's homework

2011-06-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Last night on WREG News Channel 3, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton expressed that he felt the pain of the many lower paid city workers who are NOW being asked to accept a 4.6% cut in their salaries in the coming year.

The Mayor explains that these cuts will be done in lieu of the 12 holiday furlough passed by the Memphis City Council as a sort of humanitarian gesture to avoid hurting worker families during the holiday season.

Here is a link to that story here

There's just one problem with this story.....it's all spin.

Here is the truth...

Back on Jun 21st, the Mayor presented his revised budget to the Members of the Memphis City Council...among other things was a vote to furlough 12 holidays. At the time City Council veteran Joe Brown voiced concerns throughout this affair that the vote and action to do so was improper and illegal as those holiday's were protected by ordinance. In fact here is said ordinance right HERE

Councilman Brown informed the Mayor and the other members of the Council of his doubts about the legality of such a motion..but was ignored and his questions brushed aside...and that is tragic, because now what we have is yet another serious miscalculation made in needless haste by our elected officials..and once again an outright refusal by anyone to admit such mistakes...to the point of being untruthful.

Saddest of all is now we have yet another manufactured crisis that again seeks to cover the carelessness of elected officials on the back and the pocketbooks of lower paid city workers...none of the top earners will be receiving these cuts...no...no...no... salary cuts are for the little people I suppose.

Now..in the coming days you'll hear alot of indignation from elected officials about how "unreasonable" the public sector unions are being...but let's be serious for a moment...

The Unions all negotiated with the administration back in April in good faith...those negotiations are done...now in the Memorandum of Understanding between the city and those unions there is a procedure for situations of fiscal emergency..so that these things can be renegotiated in times of fiscal hardship. The problem is..that procedure requires the city to open up their books to the unions to prove such hardship is real......and the Administration does not want to do that...why?...I don't know and won't speculate..but it really does not matter why.

More to the point...all this bluster about "coming to the table"...is just a ploy to get the Unions to concede to a process outside of their Memorandum of Understanding..thus automatically putting them in a weaker bargaining position.

Alot of Council members are lawyers as are members of the administration...and none of them would ever advise their clients to negotiate outside of a contract or MOU....NEVER....but that's exactly what the Unions are being asked to do here....and the media is allowing this to go on with ZERO scrutiny.

You see what really matters here are two simple questions....IS THE CITY ACTING IN GOOD FAITH WITH IT'S WORKERS?....and....just how many other mistakes have happened and been covered up?

I do so hope that as many of you as possible will join us at City Hall, Tuesday July 5th at 3:30pm as we watch the spin continue.

Passing the buck on HOMELESSNESS pt1

2011-06-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

Last week ABC24 ran a story about the ramifications of the Panhandling zones created by the Memphis City Council in April of 2010. You can view that article by clicking on the link HERE

Go ahead...i'll wait.

Now if you have been to this blog before or in anyway know me you will already know that The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center opposed passage of this law a year ago and in turn offered what we saw as a more moral, human and viable alternative. If you would like the back ground you can read about that here and here

...Now my point today is not to rehash the particulars of that debate persay..more to the point... Isn't it odd that when special interest want the Council to pass unconstitutional laws the panhandlers all become "con artists". Yet when we talk about mental health and substance abuse treatment for those who panhandle...all of a sudden they become "homeless" and the buck gets passed to the Mayor's plan to end homelessness?

Mr. Collins with respect is not being truthful here.

In the ABC24 story above it is mentioned that the City Council also voted to commission a special task force authorizing then City Council chair Harold Collins to convene a meeting with mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice shareholders to look at ways of effectively curbing Aggressive panhandling via treatment as opposed to counter productive and EXPENSIVE incarceration and Law Enforcement manpower hours.

Yet this body as the article above shows has never met....

But it's far worse than that..... For one... Mayor Wharton launched his Task force to End Homelessness...the same task force that I and MSPJC staff worked on as members ...MONTHS before the Council even took up the Panhandling issue. True, the media kickoff happened in late April but everyone involved knew that it was in the works and I had gone to early meetings as far back as Jan 2010....

So, Mr Collins assertion that the Mayor announced it just weeks later is misleading...and he was well aware of that..afterall Harold Collins himself is listed as a member of the Mayor's Task force to End Homelessness....tho I never saw him at any of the meetings or events....but in fairness...maybe there's a reasonable explanation for that.

TWO. Last year I met with Mr. Collins several times which his staff can verify and explained to him that the Mayor's plan was speaking to the issue of homelessness..but our initiative with the council was about mental health screening and diversion options for substance abuse for panhandlers arrested at 201 Poplar. At our last conversation..which was in AUGUST 2010, Mr Collins was no longer using the canard of not wanting to duplicate efforts..but at that time was citing slow action on the part of Judges at 201 Poplar as the hold up.

He then tried to pass us off on Councilman Kemp Conrad who at that time had a task force as well...which also was not or may never have met. Never got a clear response on that. Still it matters little as it was Harold Collins...not Kemp Conrad who has the responsibility to oversee this process as Council Chairman as outlined in the original resolution.

Our Alternative plan was seeking to have all "homeless related crimes" panhandling, trespassing, public urination, loitering, climbing on a municipal structure..etc..sent to a single designated division of General Sessions Court so these cases could be handled consistently.

The outlier "con artist" could be consistently prosecuted and those with mental health, addiction or homelessness issues could be diverted into existing services.
Thus saving jail costs and reducing aggressive panhandling in a effective and humane manner.

As Mr. Collins WORKS in the D.A.'s office he knows full well what our intentions were..in fact we presented the council with a power point of our plan..which led to Councilman Joe Brown sponsoring the creation of the Council's task force in the first place. All of this is in the Council record...and that alternative proposal Document we submitted is in the Commercial Appeal article i linked above...

THREE. Even if Councilman Collins is sincere in his belief that this is better handled by the Mayor's task force....which again..I sat on......if he really believes that...then why did he ignore our request for better funding of said plan? So a year down the tubes and only $250.000 in local funding...for homelessness..

So.....Who believes that Councilman Collins is being upfront here?

With all due respect to the man....who like myself is a former graduate of Memphis Catholic...I don't,i'm sorry but I do not believe you are being truthful here.

Neighborhood Alliance-Organizer training and workshop-Tuesday May 24th-Guest speaker Deidre Malone

2011-05-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

[The Neighborhood Alliance]

We know that you are working hard to ensure that your neighborhoods are healthy, thriving communities...but you don't have to do it alone.
Join the Neighborhood Alliance to work with others to advocate, organize, and promote legislation and policies to improve the quality of life in all of our neighborhoods.

Working as a team we can make a difference!

[MAY Meetings]

Organizing Your Community Workshop

Tuesday, May 24th at 6pm-8pm

Workshop Topic: House parties and Member recruitment-Learn how to use house party events to build up your membership for your community organizing efforts.

Guest Speaker: Former County Commissioner Deidre Malone will share insights on how your County Commission functions in the day to day as well as share her advice on how neighborhood and community activists can be most effective in lobbying their elected officials. She will also offer advice for candidates seeking oﬃce.

*Open to the Public-Light refreshments served

[Location]
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center Oﬃces • 1000 South Cooper • North side rear entrance of First Congo • Look for MSPJC sign next to bright red doors.

Questions?

Contact Brad Watkins at

brad@midsouthpeace.org or 901-725-4990

Three simple ways to help end homelessness

2011-05-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

My name is Brad Watkins and I am the Organizing Coordinator for the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. We really need your help. Will you to join us in calling on our elected officials in asking for adequate funding for the Mayor's Plan to End Homelessness.

The Mayors' Plan to End Homelessness is the single most significant series of local reforms in modern history….but…without your help and support, it’s just pretty words on paper. You can read it for yourself here.MAYORS' PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS

In the coming weeks both Mayors will go before the City Council and County Commission to present their funding requests for the plan and the needs of our brothers and sisters are great. So we need you to remind our leaders of just how important funding of this plan truly is.

Just take a look at a few recent headlines:

* Joblessness rate increases ranks of Memphis homeless by 20%
* 26 families left homeless after fire at Memphis apartment complex
* Homelessness haunts US tornado victims

* Man Critically Burned in Vacant Memphis House Fire

ANYONE CAN BECOME HOMELESS AT ANYTIME....and as flooding concerns fill emergency shelters we must be mindful that our problems and challenges are all connected.

Please call Mayors AC Wharton at 901.576.6000, and Mark Luttrell 901.545.5000 and urge them to keep their campaign promises and to support significant funding for the plan to end homelessness.

Two calls could make an enormous difference in the lives of those living on the street. Thank you and please urge your friends to do the same, every call matters.

UPDATES-

H.O.P.E. Campaign Organizing Meeting :: Monday May 9th at 7pm

There will be a campaign organizing meeting on Monday, May 9th at 7pm at the offices of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.(map) At this event we will discuss how we will push this issue out into our communities in order to rally community support for this plan and how you can be involved. If you are interested in becoming involved in this campaign please attend.
For any questions pertaining to any of these events please contact Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator for H.O.P.E. at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org

Phone banking for H.O.P.E. :: Starting Wednesday May 4th
Volunteers needed!!

We are also seeking volunteers for our phone banking drive, where we will begin to call most likely voters across the city to place calls of support of funding this plan to end homelessness to their elected officials. These calls will be made from the offices of MSPJC starting on Weds, May 4th from 6:30pm-8:30pm and will continue every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the city and county budget process.
It is crucial to understand that the City of Memphis and Shelby County currently contribute $0 (zero dollars) to homeless services in Memphis. That is if you don't count the money spent on medical care at The Med, MPD and Sheriff man hours spent "policing" this population, jail costs spent locking the homeless up, fire costs associated with fires in vacant houses that people are forced to turn to because we have no free shelter in Memphis. Full implementation of the Mayors' Plan to End Homelessness could put an end to these negative costs, but only if we invest in a positive future for those living on the streets of Memphis.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator for H.O.P.E. at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org.

Sincerely,
Brad Watkins

If you have any questions please contact me at the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center at 901-725-4990

Upcoming Events in support of the Mayors' Plan to End Homelessness

2011-04-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

H.O.P.E. :: Opportunities for Action

Mobilization at City Council :: Tuesday, May 3, 3:30-6:30pm
Phonebanking :: Starting Wednesday, May 4, 6:30-8:30pm
Campaign Organizing Mtg :: Monday, May 9, 7:00pm
...
For any questions pertaining to any of these events please contact Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator for H.O.P.E. at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org

Mobilization at Memphis City Council
Memphis City Council Chambers, 125 North Main Street
Tuesday, May 3rd :: 3:30pm-6:30pm * Presentation will occur between these times *

Sadly, the presentation of the Mayor's Plan to End Homelessness has once again been delayed from the Memphis city Council meeting on this past Tuesday April 19th. The Federal budget cuts in Washington DC may have a serious impact on funding of local programs for homeless prevention and housing and shelter opportunities. This is the fifth straight delay in the presentation which was originally set for Feb 15th! We can afford no further delays in this process as the budget hearings on the city and county level are already underway. It is now confirmed that Mayor AC Wharton will present the plan to the council on Tuesday and that there will be no further delays.

We invite you to come join us at 3:30pm to join us we will loudly call out to our elected officials to support of full funding of the Mayor's Plan to End Homelessness, federally and locally. We will also be calling on the council for a percentage of set aside jobs for the homeless and graduates of the Shelby County Drug court out of the millions in blight demolition, board ups and yard work that the city needs done. We can provide jobs for those who have little chance of getting them even in a good economy and curb blight at the same time.

We really need you there, all of you, as we launch our grassroots campaign of lobbying and phone banking high turnout voters across this city to stand with us in the coming weeks to ensure that the administration’s pledge of help to those without shelter is not empty words or just hollow campaign promises.

For those who have not seen this plan, you can download a copy through this link.

Phone banking for H.O.P.E. :: Starting Wednesday May 4th
Volunteers needed!!

We are also seeking volunteers for our phone banking drive, where we will begin to call most likely voters across the city to place calls of support of funding this plan to end homelessness to their elected officials. These calls will be made from the offices of MSPJC starting on Weds, May 4th from 6:30pm-8:30pm and will continue every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the city and county budget process.
It is crucial to understand that the City of Memphis and Shelby County currently contribute $0 (zero dollars) to homeless services in Memphis. That is if you don't count the money spent on medical care at The Med, MPD and Sheriff man hours spent "policing" this population, jail costs spent locking the homeless up, fire costs associated with fires in vacant houses that people are forced to turn to because we have no free shelter in Memphis. Full implementation of the Mayors' Plan to End Homelessness could put an end to these negative costs, but only if we invest in a positive future for those living on the streets of Memphis.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator for H.O.P.E. at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org.

H.O.P.E. Campaign Organizing Meeting :: Monday May 9th at 7pm

There will be a campaign organizing meeting on Monday, May 9th at 7pm at the offices of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.(map) At this event we will discuss how we will push this issue out into our communities in order to rally community support for this plan and how you can be involved. If you are interested in becoming involved in this campaign please attend.
For any questions pertaining to any of these events please contact Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator for H.O.P.E. at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org

Investment not Charity can end Homelessness

2011-04-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

The public face and perception of homelessness is changing and as more and more families grapple with economic uncertainty, we all as human beings should take time to be mindful of the old adage, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

Yet all too often we look at homelessness and those who are homeless with a two-fold ambivalence. This denies the harsh realities of what occurs out on the streets of Memphis and also gives rise to a greater danger than simple disinterest, a narrative of “exclusive charity.”

Homelessness has myriad causes and dimensions, from foreclosure, to mental illness, domestic violence, job loss, medical expenses and addiction among others.

If we as a community are to properly respond and act, then we must take a more comprehensive view of why homelessness occurs and in what ways can we be most effective in combating it.

REACHING HOME is a two-day series of events to raise community awareness on the issue of homelessness and as a kickoff for the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center’s efforts to rally community support for adequate funding for the Mayors’ Plan to End Homelessness. MSPJC staff worked as members of the policy and planning committee that crafted and researched the various programs and reforms within the plan.

This plan, sponsored and supported by both City Mayor AC Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, stands as a historic document and is potentially a path to ending homelessness in our community within 5-10 years.

The committee chaired by Housing and Community Development director Robert Lipscomb and facilitated by city consultant Katie Kitchin looked at best practices from across the country and modified those programs to fit the needs of our population in Memphis. The committee also looked at which existing local programs was most effective and needed augmentation for continued success.

After a year-long process, the plan is complete and is scheduled to be presented to the Memphis City Council on April 19th. The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center will be working to rally community support to ensure that this plan is funded. To be frank, this is a historic document and represents an enormous paradigm shift in the city’s approach to homelessness. The MAYORS’ Plan moves our City and County efforts away from an unsuccessful “housing readiness” ideal to a “housing first” model, stressing permanent supportive housing among other reforms.

Still, despite the many noble and data-supported programs and reforms within this plan, the fact remains that without adequate local funding from the city of Memphis it is simply pretty words on paper.

Many will cite the old canard that in this period of fiscal austerity we cannot afford to fund these services now. However one should note that for slightly less than one percent of the operating budget of the City of Memphis combined with our federal funding, we could be well on our way of effectively ending homelessness in as little as 5-7 years. The problem is that homelessness is most often spoken of in a “charity” narrative. “Charity,” in the minds of most people, is what is done after “essentials” are paid for.

Resigning this social ill to the exclusive province of charity alone automatically destines the issue to forever be a lower priority. This concept is even more dangerous than apathy. Homeless services like the MAYORS’ Plan are investments into the long-term health of the city, morally, spiritually and fiscally.

Consider that we currently spend 3/5th of our operating budget on police and fire services. Modest and reasonable investments in this plan will pave the way for tens of millions of dollars in savings on the city and county level through decreased MPD manpower hours, fewer 9/11 emergency calls and EMS ambulance services, fewer vacant fires, fewer emergency medical costs via Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare and The Med, as well as reduced General Sessions Court operational and administrative costs and a reduction of jail operational costs and overcrowding.

These savings can and will occur in the short and long term. So it’s important to see that we all have a vested self-interest in raising the quality of life of those who are suffering from brutal poverty, mental illness and or addiction on our city streets, in our shelters, and in our vacant properties. The above costs I listed are all upwardly trending and this plan is the only option on the table thus far that provides a sustainable means of lowering those costs.

We should also consider, that despite reports that violent crime is on a downward trend, domestic violence rates continue to occur at a high rate. Also consider that Memphis and Shelby County have a relatively low level of available shelters for homeless women. I, for one, do not believe these two things to be unrelated, the lack of adequate shelter for homeless women compels many to remain in harms way due to the fact that they have no where else to go. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness in families with children. This in turn has ramifications in our schools and educational systems.

The point is our issues and challenges in this city are all connected. Just as we as residents of Memphis and Shelby County are all connected, Christians, Muslims, Jews and skeptics alike. Homelessness is not a “them” issue, it is and always will be an “US” issue.

Public Issues Forum April 3, 2011, 3:00 PM at Main Library

2011-03-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM
PUBLIC NOTICE

Date: April 03, 2011 TIME: 3:00PM
Place: Benjamin Hooks Library
3030 Poplar Ave.

TOPIC: The Question of Regulation:
Balancing the Public Trust and the Environment
with Jobs and the Economy.

SPEAKERS:
Economic - Doug Campbell – University of Memphis - economist.
Environmental - Keven Routon / Steve Sondheim – Sierra Club -
environmentalist.
Regulations - Vaughn Cassidy –TDEC - Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation.
Economic Development - Chamber of Commerce - representing the
needs of business.

There will be time for questions. The meeting is free and open to the public

REACHING HOME-Two day series of events around Homelessness

2011-03-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

REACHING HOME-A two-day event focusing on Homelessness in our community.

Upcoming events

REACHING HOME is the title for a two-day event designed to raise community support for the Mayors’ Plan to end homelessness. This plan will be formally presented to the Memphis City Council on Tuesday April 5th between 3:30pm-6: 30pm. And we do so hope you can join us on April 5th. To read the 10 year plan click here

HOME SWEET HOMELESS on Saturday April 2nd from 1pm-3: 30pm.
An educational forum, with expert speakers, music, poetry and visual arts all highlighting and discussing the causes, impact and societal cost of homelessness. In addition a panel of local residents who have or are experiencing homelessness as well as a representative from Memphis Housing and Community Development to give an intro and answer questions about the new proposed Mayors’ plan to end homelessness.
What-HOME SWEET HOMELESS
Location -The Commons on Merton at 258 N Merton
Date-Saturday, April 2nd.
Time 1pm-3: 30pm
Open to the public

REACH- Sunday April 3rd at 5:30pm
Co-sponsored with the Performance Art Network. REACH, is a multicultural dance recital with a musical performance and a visual arts piece related to homelessness and the Mayors plan to end homelessness.
What-REACH, An evening of music and dance
Location-The Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St Mary’s Episcopal School* 60 Perkins ext.
Date-Sunday, April 3rd
Time- 5:30pm
General Admission-Adults $10
Students $5
Tickets can be purchased at www.performanceartnetwork.org or call the Buckman Box Office at 901-537-1486

Memphis City Council Meeting- On Tuesday April 5th, Representatives from Memphis Housing and Community Development will formally present the Mayors’ plan to end homelessness to the Memphis City Council. MSPJC staff worked as members of the policy and planning committee that crafted these reforms and now we need your support to ensure that these badly needed programs, housing and employment opportunities become a reality. Join us at our upcoming events and at the Memphis City Council Chambers on April 5th at 3:30pm.

What-Memphis City Council presentation on Mayors’ Plan to end homelessness
Location-Memphis City Hall
Date -Tuesday, April 5th
Time-3:30pm-6:30pm---“Presentation will occur at some point between these two times”

REACHING HOME is Sponsored by The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, Memphis International Solidarity Committee, Center for Transforming Communities, Radical Arts Memphis and the Performance Art Network.

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-south-peace and Justice Center
901-725-4990-office
901-495-0818-cell

Neighborhood Alliance March meeting Weds 16th, Tues. 22nd-guest speaker Carol Chumney

2011-03-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

Neighborhood Alliance-March meetings and Guest speaker CAROL CHUMNEY.
Business meeting-March 16th at 6pm
Organizing Workshop-March 22nd at 6pm

In February the Peace and Justice Center and representatives from over twenty neighborhood and community organizations met to start the work of building a Neighborhood Alliance. This Alliance seeks to join forces with neighborhood associations, civic and block clubs, church congregations to ...collectively organize and lobby our government around issues of curbing blight, confronting slum lords and predatory lenders and promoting mandated resident input in redevelopment efforts within their communities.

We are also working to connect residents who are in areas that currently do not have active community organizations and offering grassroots training and materials to help these activists and groups build up their organizations and community power as full members of this Alliance

On Weds. March 16th the Alliance will host our second business meeting. At these monthly meetings representatives will work to decide the shape and framework of this new alliance as well as begin to craft a joint agenda over the next few months.

Please attend and be part of a community-based process for positive change from the ground up.

Alliance business meeting-

Date & Time-Weds-March 16th at 6pm

Location- Offices of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

1000 S. Cooper First Congo Church **

On Tuesday , March 22nd, The Alliance is hosting a workshop on the basics of Neighbor to Neighbor Organizing, followed by our special guest speaker Carol Chumney. Ms. Chumney is a former member of the Memphis City Council and a former member of the Tennessee Legislature. She was also a top contender as a candidate for Memphis Mayor. Ms Chumney will share her personal insights on how these legislative bodies function in the day to day and answer your questions and give advice on how your advocacy efforts can be most effective. We are excited and grateful that Ms. Chumney has agreed to join us and feel strongly that this workshop will be of great value to various local organizing efforts. Be sure not to miss this!

Alliance Workshop with Carol Chumney-

Date & Time-Tuesday-March 22ndt at 6pm

Location- Offices of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

1000 S. Cooper First Congo Church **

**Please come to the rear parking lot to the set of red double doors by the playground., next to the sign marked Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.

March 1: H.O.P.E. for the Homeless :: Mobilization at City Council

2011-02-24T10:02:00.001-08:00

March 1: H.O.P.E. for the Homeless :: Mobilization at City Council

For the past year the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center has been working with the policy and planning committee for the MAYORS’ Plan to End Homelessness in Memphis and Shelby County. At the core of all of the policy and programs within is an embrace of HOUSING FIRST principles and models and a shift towards rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing for the unsheltered. This has been a entirely data driven process, identifying best practices from cities... all over the country and customizing them for maximum positive effect here in Memphis.

You can download a full copy of the report here
This is the single most significant series of reforms for area homeless in modern history…. but…without your help and support, it’s just pretty words on paper.

On Tuesday, March 1st the Memphis City Council will be formally presented with this plan for approval and we need each and every one of you to join us in council chambers as we raise our voices in support of these badly needed reforms. Funding for these reforms will require some local funding from Memphis and Shelby County government, to augment existing federal and foundation dollars to be a full success. It should be noted that we could accomplish all of the goals of this plan for less than one percent of the annual operating budget of the city. These reforms will also save City and County tax dollars via decreased emergency medical cost to the MED, decreased calls to Memphis Fire and Police services and fewer 911 emergency calls in extreme weather, all of which accounts for tens of millions of dollars in government spending every year. Funding this plan is not simply the moral thing to do but it’s also in all of our long-term fiscal best interests as a community. Join us as we mobilize to support real positive change here in Memphis.

Mobilization in support for H.O.P.E. at City Council
Time: Tuesday, March 1st, 3:30pm
Location: City Council Chamber, 125 North Main Street

If you have any questions please contact Brad Watkins at brad@midsouthpeace.org

--

Your Neighborhood, Your Voice :: Join the Alliance on February 16th

2011-02-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

Friends

Sadly, may of our neighborhood are grappling with serious and long standing problems such as blight, fires, home foreclosure lack of employment and affordable housing opportunities. To properly address these issues in all of our neighborhoods we as one community must organize and collaborate around common interests. That is why the Peace and Justice Center is inviting each of your neighborhood associations, civic clubs and community groups or another representative from your community to a brief meeting on Weds Feb 16th here at the offices of the Peace and Justice center at 1000 South Cooper at 6pm.

The purpose of this meeting is to connect the work each of us is doing and to seek mutually beneficial solutions and opportunities for action so that we can collectively advocate on behalf of all our communities. Our goal is that these early meetings could be the start of a new Alliance of Neighborhoods filling the void left behind when the Center for Neighborhoods was absorbed by the City of Memphis. This alliance as an independent member driven body will serve as a vehicle for collective community action on issues that effect us all.

We look forward in working in solidarity to address all of our community’s challenges. And hope to see you on Weds Feb 16th.

If you have any questions please contact alliance organizer Brad Watkins at brad@midsouthpeace.org

FBI and Police Harassment at Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

2011-01-26T01:02:00.000-08:00

The Commercial Appeal has an article about the events yesterday at First Congo Church and the harassment of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center by the FBI and the MPD Tactical unit. You can read the article
Here

The FBI and MPD are not being honest with the public....and I for one would like to know who gave this order? Who knew about this beforehand?......and frankly...how long is our Mayor and the City Council going to allow all these "misunderstandings" to occur? First Duanna Johnson, then the Sweep of the homeless...now this.

Look..here's what happened...I was the person at the Center who spoke to the FBI Agents and was there when the Tactical unit arrived.

3 FBI agents came to the offices of the MSPJC at around 2pm. As we rent space in First Congo Church and as our office were open, they thought we were the church offices..at first. They claimed that they were there to alert us to anti-war activists planning a PROTEST outside our building.I informed them that we were a Pro Peace organization and having an indoors meeting as was stated in our press release, not a protest and who we were as an org. They left seeming kinda embarrassed that they came to warn us about our own meeting.

From 4-5:30 we were under intense MPD surveillance, "2 cruisers and 6 tactical squad SUV's".

MPD claims that they were there for OUR protection, yet at no point did anyone actually call to see if we needed protection, nor would they say protection from whom?
The officers on the scene admitted that they did not even know where in the church our offices were...so how could they protect us?
They refused to leave and refused to tell us where the order was from.

AT NO POINT WAS ANY WARNING GIVEN ABOUT ANY KIND OF THREAT FROM EXTREMISTS FROM ANYONE...."Nonsense"

Mr Joel Siskovic from the FBI is flat out lying. We called the FBI numerous times yesterday afternoon and evening and received no answer from them at all. More importantly..the agents never warned me about anything in anyway..accept warning us about our own meeting.With us as the threat...

Look we share space with a Church, a daycare, a youth hostel, therapy groups, mid wife classes, belly dancing classes,a music program for kids,a clothes closet for the homeless and a bicycle co'op among many other things...if there was a real threat..then we and our neighbors would have needed to know.

Now...now they claim this was a misunderstanding....but here's the bottom line.

1. This organization has hosted over a dozen protests, and each time we have a major event we get a permit from MPD. We even have to pay MPD for a Police presence at our protest...over time as we have a history of nonviolent protest..they rarely bother anymore.MPD's office of permits will confirm this.

2. Does anyone have a phone anymore?
IF...IF...IF all that happened was a simple "misunderstanding"...then why was there no call to confirm the nature of the event? Why did they not read our press release?

3. Does it seem odd to anyone else that when we have a meeting about activists filing FOIA requests to reveal FBI surveillance...that the FBI and the MPD Tactical unit shows up. This has never happened before....

4. IF...if..all this was a simple "misunderstanding" then why did MPD not say so before the Media asked them about it?

5. Around that same time calls came in on Shelby County Deputies harassment while checking warrants at the DeCleyre co'op near the University of Memphis and local socialist, social justice and anarchist orgs have reported harassment and warrant checks all going down today.
Yet MPD claims these events are all unrelated.

This is about intimidation and abuse of law enforcement powers...and only now that the media has covered the story has all the backtracking occurred, and we are not going to let this go unanswered.

DEMAND CHANGE

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

Your chance to help end Homelessness in Shelby County

2011-01-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

PLEASE HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS

Friends

As I mentioned yesterday the city of Memphis is gearing up for the 2011 point in time count of people experiencing homelessness in Shelby County. This annual count is both a requirement for receiving more than $5 million a year to local non-profits in homeless funding from HUD and also a way to establish a benchmark for measuring our community's progress to end homelessness. Last year MSPJC volunteers aided the city by putting out a call to the community to volunteer to help with the count and thanks to your efforts that count was very successful in not only obtaining accurate numbers but in also gaining data about the needs of our brothers and sisters living on the streets of Memphis.

The unsheltered count will take place on Wednesday, January 26th from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. With a volunteer trainings on either January 19 (11:30 to 1:30) or January 21 from 3 to 5 at MIFA’s Les Passes center @ 715 St. Paul Avenue, the official Headquarters for unsheltered count. You need only attend one of the trainings.

Like last year the count will focus on where people slept on the night of January 25th.
Volunteers will work in teams of three and that one volunteer from each team will be asked to provide their own transportation for their shift.

If you cannot volunteer but still want to help, the city will need donated goods to be distributed to the unsheltered population on the day of the count (hats, gloves, socks, and snack foods). Donated items will be accepted at our offices at 1000 South Cooper inside First Congo Church.

This year the city NEEDS you to help with the point in time count to not only secure continued funding for our homeless services, but to also help guide future efforts within the Mayors'TEN YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS. Mid-South Peace and Justice Center staff including myself worked as members of the policy and planning committee for that plan and are committed to seeing these badly needed reforms and innovations come to pass and having a successful point in time count is part of that process. So please forward this to your lists, your churches and neighborhood groups...we need the entire community to lend a hand here.

Anyone interested in volunteering please call or email me at anytime at Brad@midsouthpeace.org

...and let me know what hours are you available for during the count anytime you can give makes a difference.

DEMAND CHANGE

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
901-725-4990-office
901-495-0818-cell

We CAN End Homelessness in Memphis..but it's up to you.

2011-01-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

Mayors Release New Plan to Help Homeless

This week Mayor AC Wharton and Mayor Mark Luttrell will release an action plan developed by the Mayors' Committee to End Homelessness. The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center has been an active participant in the process to formulate this plan. We have advocated for commonsense, community based solutions to the problems of poverty and homelessness in the process. We are happy to announce that many of our recommendations will be included in the final plan, and once implemented, will result in a rapid improvement in the lives of those that find themselves living without homes.

You can download a copy of the report here. We are asking our supporters to call the Mayors this week and thank them for their leadership on this issue. There are some recommendations in this report that may be controversial to some, so it is important that we stand up and support this plan. In particular we are excited that the following will be recommended:

* A systemic switch to a Housing First model when dealing with homeless men, women and families. This replaces a traditional reliance on transitional housing programs.
* The establishment of a free overnight shelter that will offer a minimum of 20 free nights a month.
* Replication of the 1811 Eastlake Project, a model program for housing the chronically homeless.
* An increase in the number of shelter beds available for single women, a shortfall we have been concerned about for years.

These recommendations and more are a great start to turning around the state of homelessness in Memphis. Please take a moment to call Mayor Wharton (901.576.6000) and Mayor Luttrell (901.545.4500) and thank them for their support of the homeless. Don't forget to call your councilmen as well and let them know that you support this plan!

*Also watch this space for volunteer opportunities to assist the city in the 2011 point in time census of the local homeless population. This count is CRUCIAL for our city to get it's proper share of federal dollars to help get our brothers and sisters off of the streets.
Last year the city in a bold move called on volunteers to aid in this count and the process was a huge success, allowing the city and service providers to obtain more accurate and up to date information about the state of homelessness here in our city. The date of the point in time count is Jan 26th and I will be forwarding information on how you can help in the next 24 hours.

Please take the time to look at the plan and forward it to your friends, neighborhood and church groups. We all need to be a part of this. We CAN END HOMELESSNESS in Memphis...IT IS POSSIBLE.

Home for the Holidays an event to help families avoid foreclosure

2010-12-07T07:55:00.001-08:00

Home for the Holidays

an event to help families avoid foreclosure

Presented by State Senator Mark Norris, State Representative G. A. Hardaway,
Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir, Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc., and Memphis Urban League

Saturday, December 11
9am—3pm
Southwest TN Community College—Union Ave campus
Verties Sails Bldg Memphis, TN 38103

This FREE event will provide opportunities to talk directly with lender repre-
sentatives and/or HUD-approved counselors for families facing foreclosure
and other financial challenges.

This event will include:
 One-on-One time with your mortgage servicer
 Workshops on Financial Literacy and Maintaining Homeownership in
Difficult Times
 Workshops on Job Readiness in the 21st Century

For event information, call 901-432-4882 or visit www.shelbycountytrustee.com

FREE PARKING

INVITED LOAN SERVICERS

Please bring the following documents to the Home for the Holi-
days event so that we may better assist you:

Two most recent paystubs showing earnings for last 30 days

Copy of any benefits statements reflecting amount, frequency and
duration of benefits
Household Expense Budget

If self-employed, most recent quarterly or year-to-date Profit and Loss
statement
Last two months of bank statements

Copy of signed 2008 and 2009 income tax returns

Copy of a utility bill showing name and property address

Homeowner’s Association bill, if applicable

Most recent mortgage and property insurance statements

Copy of closing documents and most recent correspondence from
your mortgage company

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

HUD approved counselors
Fair Housing Alliance
SEEDCO
MLGW
HUD
Community Development Council and
many more...

“Fissures in the Mortar: A Crisis for Church Separation in America” SUNDAY DEC 5th@3pm

2010-12-02T10:46:00.001-08:00

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR LISTS

THE PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM

PUBLIC NOTICE

Date: Dec. 5, 2010

TIME: 3:00PM

Place: Benjamin Hooks Library
3030 Poplar Ave.

TOPIC:

“Fissures in the Mortar:
A Crisis for Church Separation in America”

Two years after President Obama has taken office and little, if
anything, has changed from the former administration regarding
the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Rev.
Steven C. Baines will address the growing controversy over
recent executive orders that have left in place religion-based
discrimination in social services. Baines will also examine
several Appellate and US Supreme Court decisions that have
begun to dismantle the scared wall of church-state separation.

SPEAKER:
Reverend Steven Baines – Rev. Baines is Religious Outreach Director for Americans United
for the Separation of Church and State where he is responsible for the organization's national
engagement with and mobilization of people of faith. He has also served as Executive Director
for Equal Partners in Faith, a national interfaith organization committed to fighting racism,
sexism and homophobia. He is currently serving as the Chair of Elders at the denomination’s
national cathedral in Washington, DC, National City Christian Church.

There will be time for questions. The meeting is free and open to the public.

The Public Issues Forum is a Memphis voluntary association, which sponsors programs to inform
and educate the public on current issues and seeks to reinforce the principles set forth in the
Constitution of the United States. Public Issues Forum P.O. Box 241011 Memphis TN 38124-1011

NY Times: Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget!

2010-11-15T15:03:00.001-08:00

I am posting this because I think it is interesting, provides a good perspective on where our debt is coming from, and I think it would be a helpful tool for informing voters on exactly what tough choices we and our government will have to make in order to bring the deficit down.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html

Notice that eliminating earmarks hardly does anything to the deficit, and pay close attention to the tax options!

TENNESSEE ROOTS CAMP NOV 20th-BE THERE!

2010-11-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Memphis Organizer,

We know how you have mobilized your community, embarked on new ways to unite people, and brought awareness to issues when no one was paying attention. How are you going to share all the great lessons you learned and the mistakes you won't repeat? Come to Tennessee RootsCamp!

RootsCamp is the best opportunity to reflect on what you've done, and share with other organizers how to do it better. During this open format conference on November 20, 2010, in Memphis you'll make organizing connections, find new means of organizing, and have the opportunity to reassess your work.

Tennessee RootsCamp will be held at the Cooper Young Conference Center on Nov. 20! It is FREE, but you must register. Sponsor opportunities are also available.

TN RootsCamp is an "unconference", rather than the typical boring panelists and so called experts, RootsCamp turns the tables. Instead, the attendees all become the presenters! TN State RootsCamp promises to be the most dynamic way for campaigners, issue organizers, volunteers, and community leaders to discuss their organizing in a meaningful way.

At the end of the weekend, organizers walk away with new lessons to better their organizing, make new friends, and recharge for the movement ahead.

Register for TN RootsCamp

Here's the challenge...
The "unconference" is completely dependent on you. If you or your organizers aren't in the room, we can't talk about the organizing you've done.

Will you join us at TN RootsCamp?

Be a part of TN RootsCamp

We'd love to see you there!

Thank you,
Allison, Brad, Gio, Jacob, & Josephine
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

PS- Do you know more great organizers? Please invite the best organizers in Tennessee to RootsCamp via Facebook. link

Rep. Ulysses Jones Jr.

2010-11-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

No snark on the blog today. Just thoughts and prayers for the family of State Rep. Ulysses Jones Jr. who just passed away.

Justin Ford is awesome... Just ask him.

2010-11-08T05:17:00.000-08:00

The Commercial Appeal ran a puff piece on the newest Ford to ride his name to prominence. He manages to talk about himself in the third person and to announce his intention to get elected to Congress, the mayorship, and King of the World (I'm sure the last one got lost in editing.) It's annoying enough that we have an incompetent and corrupt inherited monarchy in Memphis, but is it too much to ask that they at least graduate from college before they rule over us?

City Council Non-Discrimination Ordinance

2010-11-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Tennessee Equality Project is asking people come to Tuesday's city Council meeting. The Council will be voting on the first reading of the Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance, as well as a study on employeement discrimination. They're asking people to be there at 3:30 in the City Council Chamber at 125 North Main Street. For more information, see their Facebook page. See you there!

State Party Chair

2010-11-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

Sean Braisted has an interesting post and poll up about possibilities for state party chair. Check it out.

I like the thought of Andy Berke quite a bit, but we'll see how long it takes for Republicans to change the campaign finance laws before he can be a candidate.

I don't have any real preference otherwise, though it's obvious that enough people want Chip Forrester's head that he's not a great choice.

Okay... Maybe finger-pointing ain't all bad...

2010-11-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

I typically whine about the pointless backstabbing and finger-pointing that occurs after every bad election. However, I have to admit that I'm loving the heat Rahm is getting this time.

Chicago mayoral hopeful Carol Moseley Braun went on the attack Thursday, slamming rival Rahm Emanuel for "abandoning" President Obama after "pushing policies that [led] to the biggest Democratic Party political loss in 27 years."

"He left the president holding the bag," Braun asserted in a statement that also claimed Emanuel "cut and ran" on Obama when he left his chief of staff job to return to Chicago for a mayoral run.

"If Rahm abandoned the president of the United States, what makes anybody think he'll stick by regular Chicagoans?" Braun asked.

The former U.S. senator and ambassador lobbed the broadside at Emanuel on the day he flew to Los Angeles for a major fund-raiser hosted by his brother Ari, the Hollywood super agent, and entertainment industry moguls David Geffen, Bob Iger, Peter Chernin and Haim Saban. The event was in Saban's Beverly Hills home, with tickets ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Braun slammed Emanuel's fund-raiser, too.

"On this day when President Obama and Illinois Democrats are still recovering from the painful political debacle that he was the architect of, Rahm Emanuel is off in Hollywood hanging out with bankers and billionaires. But maybe Hollywood is where he belongs because the story of how he 'helped' the Obama administration when he was chief of staff is indeed fiction."

Whining is more fun...

2010-11-05T05:56:00.000-07:00

But sometimes you just have to mention the awesome things Memphis has going for it. Have you checked out the new Greenline? It's pretty dang awesome!!!

Where's Howard?

2010-11-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Remember that stupid 50 state strategy of organizing and running in every district? Man did that blow. It's not like we won in a landslide twice in a row or anything. Luckily, we fired the idiot who thought of that. Thanks to Obama's brilliant tactician Rahm Emmanuel, the loser wasn't even invited to his own going away party. That'll teach him. Even better, those dumb GOP guys ran and organized everywhere. Boy was that a waste...

Crickets Chirpping

2010-11-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

Brad does a great job combating blight, so I thought I’d do my part by mowing the yard in this blog and taking the boards off the window. A month spent in Le Bonheur and over a year spent with a baby who found sleeping optional has kept me out of blogging and local politics. I’ve still been busy though, making hundred of calls for Sestak, Feingold, and Bennett. One out of three is a decent batting average, right?

This election sucked. After the shock wears off is when the traditional period of finger-pointing begins. I’m sure they’ll be plenty of that, but I’m not so interested in it. Locally and nationally the Far Right is about to start passing legislation that’s slightly to the right of Genghis Khan. It’s time to show them that Democrats can fight. It’s going to be trench warfare for the next two years, pass the mustard gas.

On the bright side, the state legislature can’t redistrict us out of any more congressional seats. 2 is as low as it gets. Anything they did to weaken Cohen in 9 would make 7 or 8 competitive. To a lesser extent, that’s true in the state legislature. We’re down almost 2-1 in the Senate and House. That’s well neigh as low as it can go. Locally, Mike Kernell and Jim Kyle are the only legislators they could harm with redistricting. That’s the big fight we have next time. Anything they do to weaken them is going to make the adjacent Republican district more competitive. We have to recruit strong candidates to give the Republicans a race, and work our butts off to defend Mike and Jim. It’s going to be a Presidential year. The turnout gives us a great shot at gaining back some of the ground we lost.

John Marek's Post-2010 Election Cycle Thoughts

2010-11-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

First off, I want to take a second to brag about my Senate predictions. On the Senate races, I beat the experts I rely on for my numbers, and if Murray wins in WA (as I expect) and Murkowski wins in AK (which is possible if a bunch of Miller's voters didn't write him in as asked to do by his campaign) then I called every U.S. Senate race correctly (if you forgive me for hedging my bets on either IL or CO giving the Dems number 53...and I admit I leaned more towards it coming from IL than CO).

I also correctly called the local races, but that's nothing to brag about (the results were very obvious in every race). State Reps Kernell and Richardson kept their seats, Charlotte Bergmann can't win, and Congressman Cohen pulled off a resounding 74% victory.

On the bad side of the local elections the TN House is 64 R to 34 D (w/ 1 Independent) and the TN Senate is 21 R to 12 D in districts DRAWN BY DEMOCRATS. Once redistricting has been completed next year, we'll be lucky to have any Democrats outside of Davidson and Shelby County in the state legislature. TN is the new UTAH so marry several of your cousins and get ready to bring in the new year.

Before going into the Federal House races, I should admit that I have yet to see the overall state legislature election results, but I'm guessing they weren't too pretty either (probably somewhere between the Senate and House results).

On the Federal House races, I should've stuck to the experts. Fivethirtyeight.com's Nate Silver was EXTREMELY accurate in calling them. I believe he was predicting a 56 seat pickup (Kos was calling it at 49 though he's not a pollster), and it seems to be as though the Republicans will pick up around 64 seats in the House. In Nate Silver's defense, the Republicans won the popular vote in the House races by around 6.7% (which should have equaled a little less than a 56 or so seat gain...Fivethirty-eight had predicted that they'd win the popular vote by 6.9%). To make it a little more clear I'll quote Nate Silver addressing the formulas used to translate a generic ballot (popular vote) into House seat gains:

"Those formulas would generally translate a 6-7 point popular vote win into something like a 50 or 55 seat gain for Republicans. Instead, it looks like Republicans will net something on the order of 65 seats. The Republican vote was evidently concentrated in a way that was quite efficient."

Also, it should be noted (though not in enough detail here) that I was correct in predicting the obvious trend: Dems lost more seats in the South, Midwest, and other rural areas more than anywhere else (by far), which helps explain why more than a third of the Democratic losses were "Blue Dog" (Conservative) Democrats (only 46% of them are returning as opposed to 95% of the progressive caucus Dems...59% of the new Dems who didn't belong to either group are returning). Tea Party candidates helped Republicans in the regions (and rural areas) listed, but actually hurt them in other House races across the country (including blowing their chances of taking the U.S. Senate). Christine O'Donnell is not a witch, but she's not a Senator either. Thanks for saving us from complete obliteration Tea Party ;).

My House predictions were based off of Nate Silver's predictions factored in w/ the false hope I had that young people, minorities, and other core Democratic groups would have a higher than expected turnout. Here are some interesting statistics from last night that should re-emphasize what I meant when I said ITS ALL ABOUT THE TURNOUT!:

'08: Minorities made up 26% of the vote.
'10: Minorities made up 22% of the vote.

'08: Youth made up 18% of the vote.
'10: Youth made up 11% of the vote.

This difference alone would've flipped several house races (and close Senate races like PA). However, we still would've taken a hit due to the economy's slow recovery (because people haven't figured out that a "fix the economy in 2 seconds" button doesn't exist). Therefore the Independents would have done some damage to the Democratic majority even if the turnout had been better:

'08: Independents voted Democratic 52% to 44%
'10: Independents voted Republican 55% to 39%

The 2010 electorate was older, whiter, and angrier. All of you people who only vote during Presidential races are to blame :P. Fortunately it won't be a midterm in 2 years.

John Marek's Nov. 2nd Federal Election Predictions:

2010-11-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Federal Predictions: 53 D to 47 R in the Senate (only 1 higher than most pollsters are predicting: 52 to 48); 213 D to 222 R in the House.

Breakdown of the Senate battleground states:

CA: CA should have never been considered a Battleground state in the first place. Boxer will win by close to 10 points in my opinion.

WA: Murray will hold onto her seat narrowly (but still slightly better than the 2 point advantage she has on fivethirtyeight).

WV: Manchin's going to take it though it'll be close (not even going to try to call a spread here because of the complexity of the race...popular Democratic governor running for Senate in a state that votes Republican federally).
____

Now the hard part:

NV: I'm going to go out on a limb and predict a Harry Reid victory although the polls say otherwise. The NRA has always been very friendly w/ him, and the early voting numbers looked great for Dems in NV.

I'm predicting that number 53 will come from one of these two states (most likely the first)

IL: Hard to imagine having to fight for the Senate seat in IL, but Republicans were smart in this state and nominated moderate/opportunist Mark Kirk to face left wing Giannoulias (who suffered in the polls after his family's bank failed). Kirk shot himself in the foot by lying about his military record, but its turned out to be one of the closest Senate races in the country. If you made me pick, I would say Giannoulias will pull this one off by a hair because of the Chicago Democratic turnout machine. I will not be shocked if I am wrong on this one though.

CO: Buck v. Bennett. Both had brutal primaries, and CO was one of the few states where the tea party candidate polled as well as the establishment candidate against the Democratic candidates (which is why it wasn't that big of a deal when Buck won the nomination). Polls are going both ways on this one...If you made me pick here, then I would probably say Buck will win; however, I think we have almost as much of a chance of winning here as IL because of the in-fighting in the GOP and because of the large progressive youth vote (which hopefully turns out) in CO.

PA: This and the next state are probably the only other states w/ even a chance of a Democratic upset. Some recent polling data has this state as a Sestak/Toomey toss-up while other polls show its still about a 5 point race in favor of Toomey. The Dems have invested a lot of time and money in PA in the past, and therefore their organizational structure there COULD save them...I just doubt it.

WI: God I hate to see Feingold go, but that's the likely scenario to hit tomorrow (which goes along w/ a regional prediction I'll be making for the House races further down).

KY: It was looking like we had a shot here, but the recent polling trend has been heavily in favor of Rand Paul. We still shouldn't fret about losing KY though...Republicans were forced to spend money here when they normally wouldn't have to so the tea party forced the repubs (by nominating Rand Paul) to "spread their wealth around" to a state that would've otherwise never seen a dime from the RNC.

MO, NC, NH, AK: All somewhat close, but I don't see Democratic victories in these Senate races this cycle. AK is the one that could provide a major upset if McAdams benefited enough from a Murkowski/Miller split, but don't count on it (I will go out on a limb and predict a Murkowski write-in victory though...it will likely be Miller but you can hold me to the prediction).

The rest of the Senate races (including DE) aren't really worth commenting on since they will break in the very obvious directions each are leaning in.
_________

House predictions: Nate Silver is predicting a 54-55 seat Republican gain and puts the numbers at 202 Dems to 233 Repubs. Unfortunately, he's probably right although he is making much more dire predictions than most experts.

I'm going to make a slightly more positive prediction than Nate based on a combination of cell phone bias in polling and based on the fact that I think the Democrats and OFA are going to come through on turning out UNLIKELY voters (which will make the likely voter models slightly inaccurate).

Therefore, my House prediction will be around a 43 seat Democratic loss. Meaning my final prediction will be around 213 Dems to 222 Repubs.

I'd like to predict a better result for Dems, but I just can't stray too far from Nate Silver's predictions considering how accurately he called the 2008 Presidential race (and Senate/Congressional races). Even he admits that trying to call the House results within 5 or even 10 seats is superstition, and that it can be anywhere from the Dems narrowly holding the House all the way up to losses in the 70s. I'm taking my chances and sticking to my prediction though.

I'm not going to try to call each individual district (I just haven't been keeping up w/ district-by-district data like I did for the Senate), but I will predict that the Democrats will out perform expectations in the West, the NE, and IL, while underperforming in the rest of the great lake states and the south.
_____

I haven't been paying nearly enough attention to the Governor's races (which aren't federal so they really don't belong in this post), but I will agree w/ Nate Silver's predictions here and say 19 Dem Governors, 30 Repub Governors, and 1 Independent Gov (RI).

John Marek's Nov. 2nd Local Election Predictions:

2010-11-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

1st (because I have a lot to say about it) Consolidation: I admit that I was a fence-sitter for way too long on this issue because I felt like the consolidation initiative gave way too many concessions to the county (in order to garner its support), but now I am firmly for it although I do not predict it will pass.

Why? For all of the wrong reasons. The obvious group opposing consolidation includes the greedy white county residents who don't want to pay their fair share of taxes to the city (that benefits them and likely gave them a reason to move to where they are at in the first place...ya know that place that most of them drive to work every morning?).

What's the group that came out of nowhere and opposed consolidation? Members of the African American community opposing it because of their fear that vote dilution will result with a metro county government body...I understand why they make this argument, but I wish they could see why it is such a racist reason to oppose something that will actually benefit the city.

Both the county whites and the city blacks (who oppose it...not all city blacks and all county whites oppose it) are missing a fundamental reason for consolidation. Businesses that come to Memphis have to jump through a double bureaucracy/hurdle in order to establish themselves here (County and City). This doesn't make sense, its bad for business, and its sad that at the end of the day this won't pass because of greed and the fact that people continue to refuse to come together as one.
_______

U.S. House District 9: Congressman Cohen will win this hands down. Charlotte Bergmann can't win in a district that was drawn very heavily in favor of Democrats and is represented by a popular Congressman who has dedicated his life to representing the people of this city (i.e. he's done A LOT).

I could see Bergmann getting as much as 30% of the vote, and if she gets more than that it will only be due to the fact that we've had a low turn out around this area for the 2010 election cycle. I would be very shocked if she even got close to 40%.

U.S. House District 8: I'm obviously going for Herron. However, the numbers just don't look that great and I could see him losing by 5 to 10%. I hope I'm wrong on this one more than most. I will add that if Herron can get North Memphis to actually vote, then it will be an entirely different race, which is why I may actually spend some of my time tomorrow canvassing the part of N. Memphis in his district.

MS House District 1: Travis Childers is also behind in the polling, but he is only behind by 5 to 6%, which means that a good GOTV operation could make a higher than expected turnout dismiss the likely voter model used by the pollsters in his race. However, if the turnout there matches the 9th (and other districts w/ high amounts of minority voters) at all, I don't see him pulling an upset either.

_______

TN Gov: As much as I would prefer McWherter to Haslam, I just don't see it happening in this political environment/state (especially considering the lack of resources McWherter has at his disposal and the plethora of resources on the other side). I think McWherter will be doing well to break 40% (which is very possible), but I don't see it getting much better than that.

________

I've debated on whether or not to make any more local election predictions since I don't have as much data, but what the hell:

State House District 93: Tn State Rep. Mike Kernell has a fight on his hands. He should technically be able to pull it off, but its all going to come down to turnout. He was one of the first people to take me canvassing though so I know that he knows how to win an election, and I expect him to hold onto his seat.

State House District 89: Tn State Rep. Jeanne Richardson is going to be just fine. She realized that a low turnout means that you have to treat it like you are behind (hell any candidate should always do so), and her campaign has been working its tail off in a district that is distinctively more Democratic than Rep. Kernell's so I expect her to hold onto her seat too.

Bottom line: I don't see Tim Cook or Clay Shelton pulling off an upset, but if you are going to knock on doors in Memphis tomorrow then help Rep. Kernell or Jeanne Richardson out.

If you are willing to travel a little bit then go to N. MS to help Travis Childers or go to North Memphis/Millington to help Roy Herron.
______

Because these are the only competitive state house races in the county I'm going to end it there, but feel free to let me know if I left out any big races (I left out school board stuff simply because I haven't seen any data and local races like that are so hard to call).

Coming soon (probably late tonight): Federal Predictions (sorry to all of the Dems who don't like my dire predictions on local or national races...I try to predict w/ my brain and not w/ my heart).

BLIGHTWATCH 20-Frayser-WELLS FARGO

2010-10-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Another small victory in a long long push for a blight free Memphis. this little 'gem' in the Frayser area is owned by lending giant Wells Fargo and in addition to bringing down the value and appearance of the neighborhood. Wells Fargo owed $2070 in unpaid taxes, fees and code related fines. the board up costs and grass mowing had been passed on to the people of Memphis. Thankfully our efforts to promote accountability paid off and Wells Fargo made full payment on their debts this property. We will continue to push for accountability until ALL WELLS FARGO PROPERTIES BACK TAXES AND FINES ARE PAID IN FULL AND THESE PROPERTIES ARE UP TO CODE STANDARDS!... So one down....Twenty nine to go.....

Blightwatch 19 New Chicago update-small victory

2010-10-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

A follow up on a previous report. 1269 Capital in New Chicago was a mess, but i'm glad to say that by applying pressure to Original Resources inc, "The California based owner"all of our demands were met.
Now the grass has been cut,building secured, and maintenance company hired.
...Now we keep pushing until all back taxes and code fines are paid. a small step but progress none the less.

Take a look at what this property was like before......

BLIGHTWATCH 18-WELLS FARGO

2010-10-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

A special edition of Blightwatch, this is a small portion of some of our conversations at our protest action at the Wells Fargo event last Tuesday OCT 19th. At this event Wells Fargo was attempting in our view to "whitewash" their reputation as a predatory lender and bad corporate neighbor by making 48k in donations and grants to local and statewide non-profit organizations. We were on hand to confront them about their policies and sub-prime lending and servicing practices as well as the large number of Wells Fargo properties that owe back taxes as well as unpaid fines and fees for mowed grass , board ups and demolitions all at the TAX PAYER'S EXPENSE.

Last Friday Oct 22nd we met with Wells Fargo representatives Candy Moore, senior vice president, and Hugh Rowden, Senior vice President in a meeting hosted by Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir. also in attendance were Terica Lamb, executive director of legislative outreach for the Trustee's office and Pat Black, Deputy Treasurer for the city of Memphis.

At this initial meeting Ms. Moore and Mr Rowden both claimed that Wells Fargo will review each of these properties and will make quick payment of owned taxes. However they also are claiming..."incorrectly in my view" that some of these properties are not their financial responsibility and they are merely serving as Trustee. They claim that the servicers of these said properties are actually responsible for paying of taxes and maintenance of the property. They provided us with the names of who was the servicer of each property and have contacted each of these companies and are urging them to make quick payment on these debts.

It is fair to say that I am skeptical of these claims and am in early consultation with attorneys on this matter who also find Wells Fargo's claims to be dubious. MSPJC seeks to avoid litigation if possible but moving forward we will remain aggressive and vigilant in ensuring that every dime owned by the tax payers is recovered and that these properties are brought up to code standards. Our next meeting with this group is next friday NOVEMBER 5th and we will keep you updated at every step.
This is only the beginning...

Demand Change

BLIGHTWATCH 17-ORANGE MOUND

2010-10-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Another blighted WELLS FARGO owned property, secured and mowed at the tax payers expense. In addition this property has unpaid back taxes that amount to $2498.97 this does not include the cost to the city of cutting the grass or boarding up the building......guess who pays to pick up their slack?.....here's a hint...YOU DO.

LET WELLS FARGO KNOW HOW YOU FEEL

Memphis confronts WELLS FARGO's unethical practices

2010-10-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

WHAT: Memphis confronts WELLS FARGO's unethical practices
WHEN: TUESDAY • OCTOBER 19th
TIME: 7:30am-9:00am
WHERE: Memphis Botanical Gardens
750 Cherry Road Memphis, TN.
... (meet up 7:15am at parking, service road off Cherry north of Botanic Gardens)

Wells Fargo bank in celebration of it's acquisition of Wachovia bank is hosting a "Community Event" on TUESDAY, October 19th at 7:30am-9:00am at the Memphis Botanical Gardens at 750 Cherry Road Memphis, TN. At this event WELLS FARGO will grant $48,000 to local nonprofit organizations in a shallow attempt to buy the goodwill of the people of Memphis as well as whitewash their actions in our community.

Join us Tuesday as we come to collect the $60,000 in back taxes, and unpaid fines and fees owed by WELLS FARGO to our community. This money is owed on 45 properties that they own or have foreclosed on, leaving families on the streets, and communities plagued by blight. If WELLS FARGO wants to have the good will of the people of Memphis and Shelby county then they must earn it by responsible and ethical actions not by hiding behind the good works of local non-profits.

You already know that over the past ten months the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center has been hard at work in researching the root causes and connections between social ills such as homelessness, blight, fires, home foreclosure and how these problems intersect and manifest in our communities. In this process we have observed how the predatory behavior of banks and lending institution like WELLS FARGO does not end with the distribution of sub-prime loans in African American neighborhoods, nor does it end with families put out on the streets via home foreclosure. These unethical actions extend further as vacant properties owned by banks are being left as open sores in all our neighborhoods. In addition all over our country there is a massive tide of cases with errors, forgeries, bogus documents to outright fraud in the foreclosure process. As of today Attorney General's offices from all 50 states have launched probes into these foreclosure irregularities and many banks and states have enacted a moratorium on foreclosures. WELLS FARGO has refused to halt foreclosures for this review.

Here in Memphis many bank owned properties in low income areas are unmaintained, unsecured and uncared for and become magnets for vermin, trash, fires and crime. To make matters worse many of these bank owned properties have years of unpaid back taxes and unpaid code fines. So not only are the the people of Memphis victimized by predatory lending and high rates of home foreclosure, but adding insult to injury WE ALL PAY for the results of predatory lending and lax management of bank owned property and pay higher taxes from increased fires, grass mowing, demolition costs and homeless services costs to cover for their lack of responsible action.

View a BlightWatch video of how Wells Fargo takes care of their properties here.
video

WHAT: Memphis confronts WELLS FARGO's unethical practices
WHEN: TUESDAY • OCTOBER 19th
TIME: 7:30am-9:00am
WHERE: Memphis Botanical Gardens
750 Cherry Road Memphis, TN.
(meet up 7:15am at parking, service road off Cherry north of Botanic Gardens)

*Any questions or if you'd like to volunteer to join us please contact us at 901-725-4990 or at brad@midsouthpeace.orgSee More

BLIGHTWATCH 16-FRAYSER

2010-10-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

This property at 3318 Dawn is owned by our old friends at lending "sweetheart" Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo seems to have a special love for screwing the residents of Memphis and Shelby County. As you may have heard...Memphis and Shelby County governments have launched a joint lawsuit against Wells Fargo for discriminatory and predatory lending practices in Black neighborhoods.....but that's not all....Oh no.

In fact Wells Fargo in a bit of insult to injury currently owns a large number of properties within Memphis and Shelby County that they refuse to maintain, thus leaving those costs to the People of Memphis as well.....and i'm just talking about the properties that they actually ADMIT to owning...to say nothing of the scores of properties currently in foreclosure limbo.

However...next Tuesday October 19th at 7:30am-9am Wells Fargo is having a "community" event at the Memphis Botanical Gardens where they will celebrate the acquisition of fellow lending 'sweetheart' Wachovia bank. At this event WF will give out $1000 to eight local nonprofit agencies in a sad and shallow attempt to buy the goodwill of the people of Memphis as well as whitewash their detestable actions in our community. Join us as we not only tell them that we cannot be bought, but also join us as Mid-South Peace and Justice Center members and friends will come to collect the back taxes, and fines and fees owed by Wells Fargo to our community. Watch this space for a more detailed statement tomorrow.

WELLS FARGO DONATIONS at Tuesday's event-$8000
WELLS FARGO OWED BACK TAXES ON 3318 DAWN-$6467.68

BLIGHTWATCH 15-WAVERLY UPDATE

2010-10-04T21:19:00.001-07:00

Another small victory as yet another Blightwatch property is receiving some attention from the city of Memphis. This is the Fourth Blightwatch property to be cut in the past two weeks.Sadly there are still three other properties in need of attention on this street, but there is a noticable improvement at 3014 Waverly.
To see what this place looked like before check back a few topics to
BLIGHTWATCH 3

BLIGHTWATCH 14-NEW CHICAGO-UPDATE

2010-10-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Another small step of progress as we returned out to Decatur street in the New Chicago neighborhood in North Memphis to find that the City of Memphis Div of Community Enhancement has responded by coming out and cutting the grass and excess vegetation on the property. This is a real improvement but is a small passing thing if we cannot ultimately hold the property owner JP MORGAN CHASE accountable. Still we owe a thank you to Community Enhancement for their prompt attention to this matter as this property was cleaned within two weeks after our video launched. To see what the place looked like before check back to our earlier edition to see Blightwatch 5

Link to Blightwatch 14

BLIGHTWATCH 13-SMOKEY CITY-UPDATE

2010-09-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

A Small piece of good news. It appears that one of the properties featured on a previous edition of BLIGHTWATCH Episode 8 has received some attention from the city of Memphis. The Property at 1077 Ayers is secretly owned by lending giant Wells Fargo via it's subsidiary AMERICA'S SERVICE COMPANY. The good news is since that time the City of MEMPHIS dept of COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT has cut the high grass around the three lots featured. Now while there is still plenty of work that needs to be done we are glad to see some action on this property. We'd like to thank the Division of Community Enhancement for this prompt attention to this matter. However we will be following up with area residents and with city officials to monitor this situation. The job is far from finished.

Video

BLIGHTWATCH 12-ORANGE MOUND

2010-09-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

On this edition of Blightwatch we continue to look into blighted properties in the Orange Mound neighborhood...sadly there are many. Case in point the vacant house at 687 Whittington. This wreck of a house was owned by a local real estate investor who surrendered the property to America's Servicing Company. ASC is a fully owned subsidary of leanding giant WELLS FARGO...however, locally this property is registered under the name of the previous owner. Thus all code fines, health code fines and unpaid taxes are in her name and not in the name of WELLS FARGO despite the fact that this property has been theirs for over three years now. The back taxes on this property amounts to $1773.63.
In addition we take a look at two other vacant properties, one a model on how to secure a vacant, the other...a county owned ruin that is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

video

BLIGHTWATCH 11-ORANGE MOUND

2010-09-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Ok...let's take this one slowly....

In this addition of Blightwatch we take a look at a second strange case of what I call "phantom blight". Similar to the the previous addition in BELTLINE
According to federal bankruptcy court records the former owner of this property at 1331 Tunstall surrendered this home to local banking company FIRST BANK in 2007. Since that time not only has First Bank not registered their ownership of said vacant or provided any needed maintenance but it is also important to note that the unpaid taxes on this property amounts to $3571.19.
Thus the unpaid taxes, code and health code fines are all falsely under the name of the previous owner.In addition the costs of cutting the grass and the upcoming board up is all at a cost to local taxpayers and the poor condition of this property negatively effects the public health,safety, economic and quality of life of this community.

In addition to this negligent and grossly irresponsible behavior on the part of First Bank there is another and possibly even more disturbing problem here...

This property at 1331 Tunstall is unlisted in the county registry. Neither the Assessor, Trustee,Register nor City of Memphis Treasurer websites have any listing for 1331 Tunstall. According to these sources the property in question is incorrectly listed as 1329 Tunstall an address that does not physically exist. Now according to those same sources 1329 Tunstall is being seized by Shelby County and will be auctioned off for back taxes. However since the property is NOT 1329 Tunstall but in fact 1331 Tunstall one has to wonder if such a transaction would even be legal among other concerns...

A disturbing number of cases such as this have popped up from time to time and makes me wonder about just how fragile our local ownership directory really is.

Afterall our local officials can only process the information they are given, but if banks are legally allowed to drag their feat about property transactions, then countless numbers of code fines, and back taxes are completely unenforceable. What's worse our local officials have their hands tied. In addition this is a clear case of the need for comprehensive code reorganization and integration of code and code related services and departments. Otherwise...one has to question everything we know about our local tax base and structure. We may be so much more in the dark then even cynics like myself believe.
Click here for video

BLIGHTWATCH 9-New Chicago Owner responds

2010-09-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just spoke with a Mr Norman with Original Resources Inc in California the owner of this property at 1269 Capital. I explained the condition of his property, the neighborhood complaints and sent a link to this video. We requested that his company not only bring this house up to code, but hire a maintenance company to keep the place in order until they sell it. We are awaiting their reply and preparing to pass this information along to Code enforcement.

Click here for video

BLIGHTWATCH 10-BELTLINE

2010-09-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

The property at 395 Boston is a breeding ground for snakes, rats and vermin. The problem?.....according to the County Assessor, Register,Trustee and City Treasurer websites, there IS NO 395 BOSTON! Thus code Enforcement has been baffled as to who to hold responsible. The property is incorrectly listed at 385 Boston and... this simple typo is causing harm to residents of this community.

There are according to city/county tax agencies TWO 385 Bostons. One physically at 385 and another which is physically at 395.
Thus Code enforcement has no way of determining who owns this 395 property as they would not know to check the registry of 385. The only reason I knew to do so was because I found the bankruptcy information of the previous owner which has the correct address.

This simple typo and the resulting problems highlights the need for reorganization of all CODE agencies with mandated prompt information sharing between departments.
This problem could and should have been caught sooner.

Now the challenge is determining who created the error in the first place as if it is a government error, then it is relatively easier to fix....however if it was an error made by a former owner who was registering the property...then it would legally require that those same persons correct the mistake. A mistake possibly 10-20 years old.
These people may be very difficult to find and contact...in the meantime the true owner HOMECOMING FINANCIAL owes $3035.99 in unpaid taxes, this does not include the numerous code and health code violation fines and liens.HF has left this property registered under the name of the previous owner thus adding to the confusion in this case.

Click on the link for details.

Video

BLIGHTWATCH 8-SMOKEY CITY

2010-09-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

Another blighted property with a familiar design. This "gem" is secretly owned
by WELLS FARGO subsidiary AMERICA'S SERVICING COMPANY and owes $2555.73
in unpaid taxes. ASC/WF has not registered ownership with local
authorities and as such is guilty of TAX EVASION. via ASC WELLS FARGO owns other blighted properties as well. We will keep a running total for them as well.
video

BLIGHTWATCH 7-New Chicago

2010-09-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

Yet another property secretly owned by JP MORGAN CHASE with $1493.42 in unpaid local property taxes. JP MORGAN CHASE current total of MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY back taxes=$18,235.42 not counting... code fines and or liens...

The scheme's sick beauty is that the banks avoid these taxes and fees in a number of ways. In some cases they simply do not bother to register the transfer of property thus leaving the previous owner "on the hook" with the fines and fees. If they find a buyer then they assert their rights, roll the fines and fees into the sale price and there you go. If they don't want the property or cannot move it, then they just let it sit there under the name of the previous owner until the county seizes it for back taxes...and poof..it's gone. Dirt simple

Another method is simply refusing to take back property surrendered to them in a bankruptcy process. In many such procedures the ruling is that the banks MAY proceed in taking the property, but it does not say that SHALL be required to do so. Thus banks in our crazy system get to pick and chooses which defaulted properties they want and basically let the rest sit in the previous owners name until the County takes them over into the Land Bank and sells it "hopefully" for unpaid taxes. As the original owner has been freed from liability and the banks have refused the surrender, you have a jacked up system where blight is encouraged. and no one is responsible.

However...there are options that communities and neighborhood organizations can use to fight back, which we will be discussing here and in community meetings across the city in the coming weeks.
You Do not have to accept this in our neighborhoods...it does not have to be this way.

Still it's enough to make a person ask...why should any sane person in Shelby County bother paying property taxes if they are only enforced on working class people and the value of your property is not defended?

BLIGHTWATCH 6-NEW CHICAGO

2010-09-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

Banking giant JP MORGAN CHASE secretly owns vacant properties still
registered locally in the name of the previous owner which is a form of
TAX EVASION.
The unpaid taxes on this house=$2099.27.
... JP MORGAN CHASE current total of MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY back taxes=$16,742 not counting... code fines and or liens...

BLIGHTWATCH 5-NEW CHICAGO

2010-09-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

Another two properties secretly owned by banking giant JP MORGAN CHASE,
yet these properties are still registered locally in the name of the
previous owner. Thus JP MORGAN owes MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY
$10,653.32 in back taxes on these two properties alone. This brings their
current total to $13,642.73. not counting... code fines and or liens...

BLIGHTWATCH 4-Waverly/Messick

2010-09-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

‎2977 Waverly. This blighted property is listed under the name of J. Turner, but other documents indicate that REGIONS BANK, may be the responsible party in either case the unpaid city/county taxes for the past FOUR YEARS add up to $5471.50...not counting code fines and liens.

BLIGHTWATCH 3-Waverly/Messick

2010-09-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Locally based FIRST BANK calls Itself, "COMMUNITY BANKING AT ITS BEST" and "WHERE YOU MATTER MOST" However FIRST BANK owns the vacant at 3004 Waverly and has avoided paying TAXES and keeping the property up to CODE for the past 3 YEARS!
FIRST BANK's current total of unpaid taxes...$2106.95

Blightwatch 2-Evelyn and the Shadow inventory

2010-09-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Another vacant in the Rozelle-Annesdale neighborhood.
Oddly enough the original owner was foreclosed on in 2007 yet the bank even after three years has yet to register their ownership of this property. So not only is banking giant JP MORGAN CHASE guilty of numerous code and health violations..they are guilty of Tax evasion!
The property at 1916 Evelyn is three years behind in back taxes.Thus JP MORGAN BANK OWES $4009.68 to MEMPHIS and SHELBY COUNTY
I'll be keeping score as to how much that adds up to as we go on...This is but the tip of the iceberg in the Memphis Shadow Inventory!

BLIGHTWATCH part 1-Evelyn

2010-09-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

A tour of vacant and blighted properties in Memphis. This property on Evelyn is killing the neighborhood around it. This property has been vacant for 15 years according to local residents and despite numerous calls to Code enforcement, the Health dept. and the Mayor's service hotline, nothing has ever been done. In fact the door is covered with notices from Code enforcement, but what's the point of placing notices on a vacant building. The people in this area need action...in addition we will be taking a serious look at the irresponsible property owners that created this situation in the first place.

PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM Benjamin Hooks Public Library Sunday August 22 · 3:00pm - 5:00pm

2010-08-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM
Benjamin Hooks Public Library
Sunday August 22 · 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Alternative Justice Within Our System That Just May Work Better
Exploring Restorative Justice, Collaborative Law, Holistic Law, Mediation, VORP, and Long Term Lockup. Panel includes: Jean Handley, Veronica Coleman-Davis, Linda Seely, and Maureen Holland.

Panel Speakers:

Jean Handley - Founder and director of Turning Point Partners, a non profit that educates, trains and models Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices in government and educational systems and community and faith based organizations and neighborhoods. She has been a restorative practitioner for ten years, working both nationally and internationally to create healing, restoration and peaceful processes in areas of conflict and need.

Veronica F. Coleman-Davis - President/CEO of the National Institute for Law & Equity (NILE) NILE is a public policy institute that focuses on the criminal and juvenile justice system and how it impacts us as
a society. Her experience in the criminal and juvenile justice systems spans over 30 years and she has served as an Assistant Public Defender, private practice as a criminal defense lawyer, Assistant District Attorney, Juvenile Court Referee Judge and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

Linda Warren Seely - Currently working in Memphis as Director of Pro Bono Projects at Memphis Area Legal Services since 2004 and serves as Secretary for the Memphis Bar Association and will become President of the Memphis Bar in December of 2012. Awarded the Tennessee Bar Association President’s Award at the TBA Annual Conference in June of 2006 for work on Stand Up and Deliver initiative and in June of 2009 for work on the For All Initiative. Recognized by the Memphis Woman Magazine as one of 50 Women Who Make a Difference in August. Past President of the Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women (2005-2006).

Maureen T. Holland, Esq.- A practicing holistic attorney and has been for nearly a decade. She makes a concerted effort to have a "conscientious legal practice" whereby there is greater client-care, more legal counseling, an effort at better civility during the process, and an integration of information and problem-solving approaches from other disciplines.

There will be time for questions. The meeting is free and open to the public.

The Public Issues Forum is a Memphis voluntary association, which sponsors programs to inform and educate the public on current issues and seeks to reinforce the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States. Public Issues Forum P.O. Box 241011 Memphis TN 38124-1011

Issues First-Blight is killing our Neighborhoods

2010-08-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

Issues First Neighborhood Summit-July 14th

2010-07-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PLACING OUR ISSUES FIRST:
COMMUNITY LEADERS,ACTIVISTS & HOMEOWNERS ORGANIZING FOR SOLUTIONS

Memphis, Tennessee-Friday, July 9, 2010- Foreclosures in the Memphis market have flooded neighborhoods with vacancies, devalued properties and contributed to some of our most serious social ills.

At the Neighborhood and Community Action Summit on Wednesday, July 14 at First Congregational Church, members of Neighborhood and Homeowner Associations, residents of affected communities and public officials &candidates for the August 3rd election will discuss the state of the county and how we can combat blight in a comprehensive manner.

Confirmed attendees include:
2010 Mayoral Candidates Mayor Joe Ford & Sheriff Mark Lutrell
Sheriff Candidate Randy Wade
County Commissioners Steve Mulroy & Henri Brooks
Register of Deeds Tom Leatherwood
Shelby County Trustee Regina Morrison-Newman

Foreclosed properties litter the communities with vacancies, opening the neighborhood to higher crime, violence and fires.

“We are seeking to promote connected and holistic solutions. Not only will reducing blight improve the quality of life of thousands within our community but can also save tax payers millions of dollars” says Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator of the Summit and Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. Beyond the Neighborhood and Community Action , Issues First will continue to engage communities in seeking solutions and holding governmental and financial institutions accountable.

MSPJC is a community based organization working to educate, organize, and mobilize communities to realize social justice through nonviolent action. For over 27 years they have worked in our communities to achieve social, economic, racial and environmental justice through education, training, and community organizing. The Issues First Campaign is seeking to inform and educate towards solutions through voter engagement and grassroots community organizing.

What: The Neighborhood and Community Action Summit
When: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 6:30
Where: First Congregational Church
1000 South Cooper St
Memphis, TN 38104

####

PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM-Supreme Court Decision Discussion

2010-06-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

REMINDER:

PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM MEETING
DATE/TIME: SUNDAY - JUNE 27TH - 3PM
LOCATION: Benjamin Hooks Library - 3030 Poplar Ave - Memphis

THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY ON OUR DEMOCRACY –
Facts and Implications of the recent Supreme Court Decision allowing
unlimited Corporate Contributions to Campaign Finance.

SPEAKERS:

Dr. Heather Larsen-Price is an assistant professor in the political science department at the University of Memphis where she teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in American politics and research methods. Her broad research interests include American political institutions, public policy processes, as well as decision making and information processing. She specializes in presidency studies. Her research has been published in American Political Science Review, The Journal of Politics, and Political Research Quarterly.

Steve Mulroy is a tenured professor at the University of Memphis School of Law, where he teaches constitutional law, criminal law, constitutional criminal procedure, and civil rights. He has published scholarly articles in the areas of voting rights and election law. He also serves as a Shelby County Commissioner, first elected in 2006, and has worked on election reform issues both locally and nationally as an advocate and litigator. Before coming to Memphis, he did voting rights litigation for the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C. Both his blood type and his chirpy personal motto are "B positive."

There will be time for questions. The meeting is free and open to the public.

The Public Issues Forum is a Memphis voluntary association, which sponsors programs to inform and educate the public on current issues and seeks to reinforce the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States. Public Issues Forum P.O. Box 241011 Memphis TN 38124-1011.

Nimby Paradox 3- The Search for Stats

2010-02-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

Today the City Council Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, these ordinances will now go before the full body for three readings before final approval.
There is still no word on where the Exempt zones where passive panhandling will be located.

Still it's important that the passage of laws and the conducting of public business be done in a manner that does not cater to divisive fears and serious forethought and caution should be urged in the passing of new laws. These things have consequences.

So any discussion about these ordinances should deal with the facts at hand and need to be shown in the proper context.

Case in point the CCC frequently cites the Alcohol Impact Areas in Seattle and Tacoma Washington as examples of how banning single beers can result in positive benefits for the community. However it should be pointed out that the AIA's in Tacoma and Seattle are in no way an across the board single beer ban. These bans only effect specific brands and types of high octane ice beers, fortified wines and malt liquor. This is problematic as...

A. Tennessee has stricter alcohol and beer laws than Washington state.Thus alot of the banned products sold in Seattle and Tacoma local stores was not legal for our stores to sell anyway. Others while legal here are not even sold at these stores.

B. Wine products like Maddog and Wild irish Rose are not legal in our stores now.

Seattle’s Proposed Banned Products List (corrected
revised) (To include all container sizes, alcohol content, and flavors)
Beer and Malt Products – 23
Bull Ice
Busch Ice
Colt 45 Ice
Colt 45 Malt Liquor
Hurricane Ice Malt Liquor
Keystone Ice
Lucky Ice Ale Premium
Mickey’s Iced Brewed Ale
Mickey’s Malt Liquor
Miller High Life Ice
Milwaukee Best Ice
Milwaukee Best Premium Ice Beer
Natural Ice**
Old Milwaukee Ice
Olde English 800
Pabst Ice
Rainier Ale
Red Bull Malt Liquor
Red Dog*
Schmidt’s Ice
Special 800 Reserve
St. Ide’s Liquor and Special Brews
Steel Reserve
Wine Products - 6
Cisco
Gino’s Premium Blend
MD 20/20
Night Train Express
Richard’s Wild Irish Rose
Thunderbird

*The city of Seattle sent a request on August 11, 2006 to add Red Dog beer to the list
of banned products since there was evidence that this product attributed to the CPI
problem.
**Natural Ice was on the original banned products list from the city of Seattle but was
mistakenly omitted from the list provided here.
The original proposed banned products list from the city of Seattle contained six beer
products that were found to no longer be sold. The city sent a request on August 11,
2006 to remove those products from their banned products list as follows:
Hamm’s Ice Brewed Ale Hamm’s Ice Brewed Beer King Cobra Malt Liquor
Lucky Ice Magnum Malt Olympia Ice

...But if they want to make comparisons..fine let's make comparisons.

Unlike in Tennessee,in Washington state public intoxication is not a misdemeanor but a ticketable offense only. THIS IS A MAJOR DISTINCTION.We already have more enforcement options than Seattle or Tacoma under existing law.

Also even the study that the CCC cites about the impact of the Tacoma AIA does not give the AIA all of the credit..in fact it concludes that some of the area improvements might have happened without the AIA. There were other factors at play..including.Increased police attention to the problem, A volunteer clean up movement and the opening of a NEW TACOMA RESCUE MISSION.The study concludes that it just focused people on the problem...well..we are already focused on the issue.

After the passage of the Tacoma and Seattle's AIAs. City residents report that the problem of public intox and issues of homelessness moved to other parts of the city
a notable case is the Eastside neighborhood in Tacoma which became one destination for those with an alcohol addictions.Now Eastside is thinking about an AIA of their own.
Also Narrows Bridge area has seen an increase as well.

I'd also like to mention that Seattle leads the nation in supportive housing for chronic and extreme alcohol addiction via the 1811 EASTLAKE center.Which reduced public intox related crimes dramatically in Downtown Seattle, by providing supportive housing for the 75 top homeless chronic public inebriates. BTW it did so as well as saved Seattle 4 million dollars in Criminal justice and Emergency medical costs.

So if we are gonna copycat best practices and all......

Now..no one is saying that Aggressive panhandling is not a problem it most certainly is..but the key here is putting that problem in it's proper context.
The CCC claims that 35% of non downtown residents do not come downtown more often because they have concerns about Public/Safety and crime. That is a true number according to their own market survey. However that same survey shows some other things as well.

QUESTION-WHY DO YOU NOT GO DOWNTOWN MORE OFTEN
I do go Downtown often 4.9%

Public Safety/Crime 34%
Parking is inconvenient 17.7%
Too far to drive 15.8%
Not interested in Downtown activities 12.5%
Parking is Expensive 11.4%
Don't know why I don't go/think of it 7.6%
Too Expensive "other than parking specifically" 7.1%
BOTHERED BY PANHANDLERS "Homeless,Street people.etc" 4.6%
No public Transportation available 3.8%
Cleanliness of Downtown 2.4%
Don't know what's happening downtown 2.2%
Other-traffic/navigation of the streets 3.0%
other-My health/age 3.0%
Other Not enough events/nothing to do there 3.0%
Other Too crowded 0.8%
Other-General single mentions 3.2%

So looking at that in the proper context..I think we need to dial down the fear baiting and really take a good long and hard look at what will be the impact of the passage of these ordinances here and find an alternative solution.

Don't say I did not warn you.

Next up Nimby Paradox 4- The quest for treatment.

Nimby Paradox 2-The Wrath of CON

2010-02-19T11:23:00.000-08:00

It is said that bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny, if that be the case then the new ordinances proposed by the Center City Commission definately apply.

These new laws would outlaw the sale of single beers and create a NO-panhandling zone with the boundaries of a small part of the Central Business Improvement District or CBID for short.These laws would allegedly have the effect of curbing Aggressive panhandling downtown. Which is a problem, however these laws are not the solution.

Let's take a moment to look at the important aspect and shortcoming of this approach, and in a word that would be the enforcement of these proposed laws.
To repeat, Aggressive panhandling is already illegal everywhere in the city of Memphis. Thus all of Memphis is a no-panhandling zone for Aggressive panhandling This law does not effect Aggressive panhandling as anyone who does so is already breaking the law. Thus a zone makes as much sense as a no mugging zone..or a no assault zone and will have equal results. This law deals with passive panhandling despite how it's being presented.

Yesterday I wrote about the moral hazard of the creation of exempt zones within the borders of the CBID. In this/these areas passive panhandling would be permitted. The problem as I have continually asked is WHERE WILL THE EXEMPT ZONES BE LOCATED? I ask this because this is not spelled out in the language of the ordinance itself...but moving along...
Now some might say, "Well Brad, let's just not have those exempt zones in the first place?" and that would be a fair question. The answer is that without the exempt zones this new ordinance may not survive judicial scrutiny....even with the exempt zone..this law has some problems.

*The law has some constitutional concerns. As courts have ruled that panhandling is a form of free speech. While local governments can limit the times and places of such activities they have also ruled that content based regulations must be narrowly tailored to promote a compelling governmental interest. The ordinance in addition to the creation of the Anti panhandling zone also places new myriad boundaries on panhandling outside the zone. Such as 50ft from a health care location, bank, or lending institution or ATM
20ft from the entrance to a pay phone, bus stop, public building,self serve gas station,car wash, marked crosswalk,church..or vendor. In fact the law even states 20 ft from a line of people waiting to get in to somewhere.
Now..it's already illegal to panhandle AT these locations, but the boundaries are so big that it creates some serious unforeseen consequences.

Now according to the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty and the Southern Legal Center,"Two of the nation's leading homeless advocacy organizations this law may not be narrowly tailored enough to withstand judicial scrutiny.The National Coalition for the Homeless also shares these concerns.

Also when passing a law people must have a reasonable ability to be able to comply and law enforcement must have a reasonable ability to be able to enforce the law.
These restrictions frequently over lap and thus create a de facto ban on all panhandling over huge areas. Thus a person may be 50' away from an ATM..but by moving that far is now in violation of a Church. and last time I checked..aren't most if not all gas stations at intersections? Thus the only places where passive panhandling would be legal would be areas of high blight or more residential areas and parks..just what those neighborhoods need.

Also one has to ask, if this law is passed,unless the city is going to set out and map and publicly label all these areas..'on the City's dime" there will be serious enforcement issues with each citation written."Was that 20ft..or 19ft?...and how does one prove that without clear markers?"

The National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty has faxed a letter to the City Council offices explaining their legal opinion and citing relevant case law and offering themselves as a resource for alternative options. We ask that the Council Attorney see this letter and confer with these agencies before action be taken.

Next, I think we need to have a serious conversation about real solutions to the problems of panhandling for the ENTIRE community. Again according to the CCC we are only talking about 35-50 people who are supposedly causing all the problems here. Yet in other cities where these laws have been passed the homeless population frequently bear the brunt of laws such as these.

We have two county programs called Jericho and the Drug Court both are national models for dealing with offenders with mental illness and serious addiction issues out of the criminal justice system.Yet these programs are seriously underfunded. Drug Court's program for addicted mothers with children is in serious danger.
Locking up and fining offenders up over and over again costs all of us about $87-112 dollars per inmate per day...and 70% of these offenders are going in and out of 201 poplar.

Drug Court and Jericho cost $8-9 dollars per person per day and have a success rate of 50-67%..

"Getting tough on panhandlers" may make a person popular, but using law enforcement alone to deal with with these issues is neither effective nor practical.

So here's what often happens. a person gets a citation for panhandling.If they go to court most often the charges are dismissed. If they are arrested for aggressive panhandling and for some reason do jail time..they are out in a short period of time..as they cannot afford to post the standard $100-250 bond...they end up costing the 201 more money than it's worth to hold, cite and process them and fills jail space needed for dangerous criminals. Also by the time they go to court they have already served close to the maximum sentence time served...normally for Disorderly conduct. So there's often no point in spending more public money to maybe hold someone another week or two.
The problem is not and has never been that Cops are not writing citations or are somehow "sleeping on the job"...the problem is writing citations and making arrests on these type of crimes is a losing proposition with this rate of recidivism. Cops alone are not the answer...it more complicated than that and this law will only make the glut at 201 worse while solving nothing. Have you even been to General Sessions at around 8:55?...it can be a madhouse.

A better option would be undercover officers who could observe direct violations. That way enforcement of these laws would be specific to the offender and not target the homeless. The main problem with panhandling laws is that they are "criminal' cases, which makes them much harder to prosecute because odds are the officer did not personally witness the act, the citation is poorly written...and/or the victim if an out of town tourist will not come back to town just to go to court.
In fact I know a retired Public Defender who said that if he wanted to he could get 90% of these cases thrown out if had wanted to.
Once these offenders are in court..."surprisingly, i'm told most do show up." They can either be channeled into treatment options or in some cases outreach can be performed to contact their relatives or service providers who can take a role in getting them off the streets, in some cases out of town relatives came and got them and they left town with them.
That would in time would leave a smaller number of folks for the cops to deal with.

This is very very similar to something we used to do here in the city of Memphis according to a former Asst District Attorney and others in the Criminal Justice system who worked on these cases in that time and there were REAL results. While you are never going to completely stop this behavior..it did curb it.

Now with undercover patrols, you would not need to saturate the area with cops and MPD forces could be deployed to higher crime neighborhoods. Downtown is the statistically safest part of Memphis. We need to stop the fear mongering and find real solutions that work for the ENTIRE community.

We are currently working and reaching out to the the Malt Beverage Association individuals in the Criminal Justice system as well as the National Coalition For the Homeless and local store owners to find a real solution to this problem that includes enforcement with a strong outreach, treatment and rehabilitation aspect.

If we want to solve the problem..we can, but it will take a holistic approach to the issue and being mindful of how best to deal with the roots causes of this situation and this is addiction.

Next up....we talk about data in Nimby Paradox 3-the Search for Stats

The Panhandling Quick fix...or NIMBY paradox?

2010-02-17T06:53:00.000-08:00

The worst laws passed in history are those passed based on broad appeals to emotion without a clear and objective view of the situation and solutions. The two new proposed ordinances sponsored by the Center City Commission stand as the latest local examples of this phenomenon.
They include the creation of a Single beer ban and the expansion of the local panhandling ordinance to create a ANTI-PANHANDLING zone both in set within the boundaries of the Central Business Improvement District in part of Downtown Memphis.

Now I and others have already blogged at length about this subject, so rather than rehash all of that I will simply direct you to these posts of mine on the subject Here and Here Others have also made similar observations which you can read Here and Here
I think these sum things up nicely

...But let's take a step back to point out some of the central and core flaws of these proposed pieces of legislation.
The Anti Panhandling zone, if you read the legislation calls for the creation of exempt zones, places where Passive Panhandling would be permitted withing the CBID. Passive Panhandling involves a person holding a sign..not speaking or communicating verbally unless such conversation is initiated by the potential donor. In this/these areas those who panhandle will be able to legally ask for donations.
That sounds reasonable right?...well that clause was included to help this law get past judicial scrutiny. You see you cannot ban Panhandling outright....more on this later.

Well here is the major problem....the ordinance does not say WHERE this Exempt zone will be. It states that a committee made up of members of the CCC and MPD will later..."does not say when" decide where this/these zones will be located and review the situation there semi annually.

So..I pose to you where do you think this Exempt zone will be?....and why is this not already decided?...i think it already has..but i'll play fair here.

Well let's see the CBID is not a large area geographically with borders roughly from MILL to the North, Vance to the South, Riverside to the West and Third to Fourth to the East. Okay so where within this area would you put this exempt zone?

Well we already can safely assume that this area will not be near Beale street..nor will it be near the Cannon Center. It's also safe to say that it will not be near Peabody place, the Fed-Ex forum, the Peabody Hotel or the Pinch district. Ok..so what's left?

Hmm...well if you place the Exempt zone near the area of Vance and 3rd or 2nd you have an area that's more or less vacant except for Raiford's and some commercial businesses.
OK...problem solved..."shakes head" No because if you place the zone there nobody walks down there. So the passive panhandlers will make no change and thus will leave the zone to go back to the tourist areas. Of course by then the Cops will be watching for them to do this and "try" to run them back out of the zone. Hmmm...so what do you think the passive panhandlers will do then?....here's a hint....where do tourists and pedestrians go that's South of Vance?...South Main district.

Ok..so that did not work out...let's try again.
How about the vacant area to the northside of the CBID just east of the Pinch?....no too close to St Jude.
Further to the North of that?..no getting into Uptown and the Mata station.

See the problem here is no matter where you place the exempt zone you either have to place it somewhere folks go, in which case the people and businesses there will get mad. Or you place it somewhere no one goes, in which case the Passive panhandlers have no reason to stay and are motivated to either violate the law..or go to adjacent areas.

It should be pointed out that this law would only affect passive panhandlers those folks are not the problem anyway
...Aggressive panhandling is already a criminal act anywhere in the city..and if this law passes the penalty for violation would remain the same as it is now. Whether inside or outside the zone. So if you are already a criminal...and the penalty for violation is the same in either case...why would you care about a "Zone"? Honestly..objectively..why would you care?

Now don't get me wrong...no one is saying that Aggressive panhandling is right..or ok..or something that should be tolerated. However when making laws we need to dial down the emotions and think about the consequences of these actions and find effective solutions. Treatment and outreach for those with serious substance abuse issues has to be a part of that conversation..without it..you cannot solve the problem.

Now speaking of laws..my next post will deal with the myriad enforcement issues of this ordinance. Here's a hint...you can't.

"It's not what you spend, it's what you spend it on"

2010-02-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

Another very long one pack a lunch......sorry but it's been a while.

First of all I want to thank all those who volunteered to help in the city's homeless count last week. This years count was designed to allow the city to receive greater demographic data about those unsheltered individuals in the city.
This year's count marked a departure from previous efforts in a number of ways. For one it took place during the day as opposed to night. Hitting meal services and other daytime hot spots and a survey in an effort to find and receive up to date data directly from those on the streets who might be to difficult to find at night. It also did not have a down in front law enforcement presence in order to put the minds of those on the streets at ease. This effort was very successful as this years count doubled the number of unsheltered persons found by last years count. In my view a vindication of the method.

Our thanks and a job well done to Katie Kitchin, formerly the director of Norfolk VA, Ten Year Plan To End Homelessness, now a consultant for the City of Memphis for spearheading this effort. Ms Kitchin has been a strong advocate for Housing First strategies and was a key player in Norfolk reducing their homeless population by 20+% in just a few years. She is now working with a broad array of individuals from government, service providers, advocates and the private sector in the form of a planning committee to create a new Ten year plan for Memphis, under the leadership of HCD/MHA director Robert Lipscomb, and the Wharton Administration

As one of the member organizations on this multifaceted committee, I can say that the agenda involves identifying best practices from all over the country for their possible implementation here in Memphis. Also with some of the structural changes underway in the city's homeless services network, it possible that Memphis at the end of this process will qualify for a substantial increase in federal aid to address and prevent homelessness.
Still this is a major undertaking and we hope to help engage the community in support of positive efforts on this front.

One of the things that the P&J is working on is to promote a heightened awareness of how homelessness effects all of the residents of the city. Of course we all know that most people are but a paycheck away from being homeless themselves, but in addition to that we are trying to show that policies that reduce homelessness are not simply morally right but also from a fiscal standpoint is the practical and correct thing to do. We have a strong and compassionate community but many in our community have a "not my problem" attitude towards the plight of the homeless and in these times of financial difficulty programs for the poor, the mentally ill and for substance abuse issues are often the first ones to feel the pinch. Thus we have to change the narrative from that of "charity" to that of "practical self interest".

For example in our criminal justice system it currently cost county tax payers $87-90 per person per day to incarcerate an individual at 201 poplar. Those nonviolent offenders who are among the homeless in general cannot make bail due to hardship and due to the fact that we have inconsistent bail levels and as a result generally stay in jail until their court date,which by that point they are normally released time served or the charges are dropped as the time they have served is about half or in some cases near the maximum sentence in some cases. This costs the taxpayers a great deal of money and ties up resources that could be put to better use elsewhere in the CJ system.

Last year we worked with Sheriff Luttrell and Bill Powell of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in successfully advocating to the County Commission for alternatives to incarceration for those with substance abuse and mental health issues, By spending 2.3 million dollars on programs like the Drug Court, and Jericho,Pre-trial diversion etc... this is projected to free up 200 beds this year at 201 poplar, and thus save county tax payers an estimated 4.1 million dollars this year.Thus jail overcrowding, moral and fiscal concerns were addressed at the same time.

One of our major concerns has always been that the neighborhoods north and south of Downtown/Midtown,"NORTH-Bearwater-Caldwell,New Chicago,Klondike,Hollywood-Springdale, Douglass..etc and SOUTH Vance/Orleans, Riverview-Kansas, Glenview, The Works,South Memphis, Orange Mound and Beltline" all have VERY high rates of vacant housing and properties. Our concerns being the likelihood that as the homeless are moved from out of certain parts of the city that incidents of squatting will continue to increase which in turn can contribute to fires and emergency medical costs, damage to property and the potential for violence against the homeless.We are also concerned that this could make the outreach work performed by service providers more difficult and make those on the streets harder to find and thus harder to assist. By my best estimations a residential fire can cost the city as much as 30 thousands dollars in related costs.
911 calls in some cases can result in cost totaling up to as much as 1-5 thousand dollars per call. To say nothing of the related medical emergency room costs to the MED and other medical care providers. Adding those in addition to the costs of Law Enforcement man hours,Code enforcement resources and Criminal justice related costs, it's easy to see how even a small number of people on the streets living in vacant houses can cost the city up to three to five times the cost of providing affordable housing and Permanent supportive housing. As I have said before..it's not what you spend..it's what you spend it on.

One of the things we are trying to research is the number of fires in vacant commercial and vacant residential properties caused as a result of homeless individuals "squatting". We are overjoyed to be working in partnership with Memphis Fire Dept and Emergency Medical Services the coming months to complete this research and to perform community outreach and advocacy work to show not only the number and frequency of these incidents but also show the cost of resources for these and other related events. This way the public can better understand how having a homeless population impacts their pocketbooks and that policies that reduce homelessness can potentially save the city large sums of taxpayer dollars. This could help promote the human needs of our brothers and sisters on the streets,reduce fires and EMS calls and address blight at the same time.

"Intermission....go grab a snack"

Another thing which I'd like to "briefly" touch on is how the number of vacant lots within the city of Memphis. By my estimates we have about 14-15k vacant lots in the urban core alone, and 3000+ of those lots are county owned and many have foundations from the previous structures. These lots cost Shelby County a lot of money to maintain and upkeep, and are a drag on the city/county's resources. In addition vacant lots contribute to blight and can serve as a health risk as vacant lots often become illegal dumping ground that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rats. So..what does any of this have to do with homelessness or affordable housing?...
Well back in the early days of the reconstruction of the Gulf coast from Hurricane Katrina, Fema in reaction to the substandard conditions created the Katrina cottages, for use as alternative housing for those needing temporary shelter while their homes were being rebuilt. These cosy and historic looking constructed units are incredibly energy efficient."Energy cost topping out at around $800-900 dollars a year" are made from rot and termite highly resistant materials and are portable up to 500 miles.

Since their use in the Gulf coast many have seen the promise of these cottages as a inexpensive, quickly build source of housing. In fact I have learned that many other municipalities across the country are exploring the idea of Katrina cottages for use as affordable housing as well as commercially as rental guest properties or small homes for single retires and in some cases small communities of cottages as seed housing. See Here
In fact even hardware giant Lowe's has gotten in on the act. See Here
Now for 37-47k per unit we can provide transitional and supportive housing for a significant portion of the homeless population in a relatively short time period. That's significantly cheaper and quicker than the city can traditionally provide new housing...by a factor of four in some cases.

But if that's too rich for your blood..that's okay.. there may be an even cheaper option

In Mississippi,as this phase of the reconstruction draws to a close I have learned from Ashley Edwards, the Deputy Director of Mississippi's office of Recovery and Renewal that they are expected to have a surplus of up to 300 Katrina cottages with appliances included by this summer. These cottages will be sold at auction at a substantial savings due to several factors..

One, while the houses are cheap, it's still hard to get a mortgage for the land to put it on. We have no such problem here with our 3000+ county owned lots

Two, due to their location on the gulf coast there are significant code,hurricane foundation and sea level considerations that Memphis does not have.

Three, regional non profits cannot simply afford the early expenses, in more than limited and smaller scale ways. Still it's worth noting that Habitat for Humanity has been using cottages and then adding on to them to create larger homes up to 1300 sft for as little as 72k.

So it seems to me that this is an idea worth pursuing and we will be staying in touch with Mr Edwards about this topic and will be gathering all the available data to see all the in's and outs of this potential process and make presentations to the community, government and private sector interests in hopes of moving this forward.

Lack of Affordable housing is the leading cause of homelessness and the biggest barrier out of it. Perhaps with Katrina cottages we can provide housing and reduce vacant lots and in the long term create tax revenue for the city and county at the same time.

Or not...it's up to you.

RUN WOMEN RUN!

2010-01-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

Why should you care?...because your Mother is a woman!

Brad

“Run Women Run.”

Tips on how to fund and shape a political campaign will be offered on Feb. 6, 2010, during a non-partisan training and networking event called “Run Women Run.”
“Run Women Run” will be held in Buckman Hall at Rhodes College from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. A reception featuring elected officials and judges from federal, state and local levels will begin at 4:30 p.m.
The event is being organized by a coalition of presenting sponsors including Memphis Area Women’s Council, League of Women Voters of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee Economic Council on Women, National Association of Women Business Owners Memphis Chapter, Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus and Memphis Women’s Political Caucus.
“Too few women serve on our city council, county commission and in our legislature,” said Deborah M. Clubb, executive director of the Memphis Area Women’s Council. “Men can be excellent partners and even leaders on issues critical to women but the record shows that when women are engaged, the policy focus stays on issues at the root of poverty, violence and inequity.
“Fewer than one-fourth of our local elected representatives are women,” Clubb said, “and we believe that lack of representation in some ways allowed travesties such as last year’s rape crisis center crisis to occur.”
Only three women presently serve among 13 members of the Memphis City Council and four serve among 13 members of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners. Only two suburban aldermen are women and one of the county’s seven mayors is a woman.
Seven women represent Shelby County districts in the state legislature in Nashville – two senators and four House members – in a delegation of 22.
Statewide, Tennessee ranks 39th in women elected to the legislature with 9 women total among 33 Senators and 17 women among 99 House members. That’s 18.2 percent. In 2010 in Congress, Tennessee has one female House member.
Overall, women hold 90 or 16.8 percent of the 535 U.S. House seats and 17 or 17 percent of the 100 U.S. Senate seats. Nationwide, only six women are governors and among the 100 largest cities, 11 had women mayors as of January 2009.
Germantown Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy, attorney Ruby Wharton, philanthropist Kathy Buckman Gibson and recent state Senate candidate Adrienne Pakis-Gillon will discuss campaign financing and how to run. State Rep. Karen Camper, Shelby County Commissioner Mike Carpenter and Supreme Court Chief Justice Janice Holder will talk about why to run and developing your message.
Registration is due for “Run Women Run” by Jan. 22 and will be limited to 100 persons. The early registration fee is $20; day-of-event charge, if space is available, will be $25. Students with ID can observe for free.
To register, email dclubb@memphiswomen.org and then mail a check to Memphis Area Women’s Council at 2574 Sam Cooper Blvd., 38112.
Other local sponsors include American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women, Democratic Women of Shelby County, Mothers of the Nile, Public Issues Forum, Ginger Ralston, Women of Style Spirit and Success and YWCA of Greater Memphis. Endorsing organizations include Center for Research on Women, Girls Inc., Network and the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis/Women’s Economic Security Campaign.
Media contact is Deborah M. Clubb, Memphis Area Women’s Council, 378-3866, dclubb@memphiswomen.org

H.O.P.E volunteer action Homeless census UPDATE

2010-01-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to donate their time for this count. Per Katie Kitchin, volunteers can attend the trainings on either Wednesday January 20th 12:00 noon or

Friday January 22 at 3:00 p.m. Training to be held at Les passes 715 st Paul ave. It is the same location we'll be operating out of on the 27th for the count. Please contact me directly about any coat or blanket donations

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
901-725-4990-office
901-495-0818-cell

H.O.P.E.- Volunteer call to action

2010-01-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Katie Kitchin the former the city’s Director of the Norfolk Va. Office to End Homelessness. Currently Ms. Kitchin is working here for the city of Memphis in the implementation of the new Rapid Rehousing program set up earlier this year via funds from the 2009 AARA. I have followed Ms Kitchin's efforts in Norfolk and have been very impressed with her actions, commitment and results in addressing the needs of the homeless population. Especially her commitment in Housing First strategies for dealing with homelessness.

Currently the City of Memphis is preparing for a point in time count of the homeless population, however this time there are a few changes to this process that in my opinion will make this endeavor more successful and productive.

One the count will involve a brief survey in order to gain demographic data so that services can be better tailored and coordinated to fit the greatest need areas and better address gaps in services.This is also important because of the upcoming census.

Two, the count will occur during the day as opposed to previous counts which occurred at night. This in my view will enable a larger number of people to be surveyed..many of whom sleep in catholes and in vacants and are thus harder to find after sundown.

Three, this process will not actively involve the police. This I think will put those being surveyed at ease and make them easier to find and engage. For the most part, the homeless don't want to be found by the police, especially after the sweep. Now while many officers in MPD have a good rapport with those on the streets,it is more productive in my view not to have police down in front on this. Especially given the harassment of the homeless due to the blatant Police surveillance that has been occurring recently at Manna House..."more on this later"

It is crucial that this endeavor is successful in order for the city and service providers to be able to continue to address the needs of our homeless brothers and sisters.
That is why the H.O.P.E. "HOMELESS ORGANIZING FOR POWER AND EQUALITY" campaign of the Mid-South Peace and Justice center will be actively working over the next two weeks to try and recruit volunteers from the community to assist in this process.
Also we will be gathering donated coats, blankets and copies of the Memphis Survival Guide directories of homeless services to distribute to those we survey as well that day

The current date of this event is Weds Jan 27th and will focus in two six hour shifts from 5am-11am and from 11am-5pm.However any time that can be donated would be helpful
I understand that's a major commitment for people to make but this count is not only mandatory as part of the City's funding to ensure federal funding of local programs, but also I believe is a positive effort in the city's interaction with the homeless. So I am asking each of you to please forward this information to your friends, churches, neighborhood association, community groups and family and friends. The more volunteers the city has to assist in this operation the more accurate the data will be and in a timely fashion.

There is also a brief, mandatory training for all counters. Since this is a new approach to the count, it is critically important that you attend training The training schedule is as follows, however additional times may be added to better accommodate people's schedules

Wednesday January 20th 12:00
Friday January 22 at 3:00 p.m.
"Location TBA announced by the City shortly"

If interested please contact me at brad@midsouthpeace.org so that I can pass on your information to Ms. Kitchin. also if you have any coats or blankets that you wish to donate to this effort please contact me in order to drop them off here at the offices of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center at 1000 south Cooper inside first Congo Church.

This is very important and I urge you to please pass this on to your churches, community groups, and volunteer organizations to help the city complete this process.If you are or were a candidate for office please consider sending this out to your lists

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
901-725-4990-office
901-495-0818-cell

Public Issues Forum Annual Meeting-Thursday jan 14th 5:30-7:30pm

2010-01-13T10:52:00.001-08:00

PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM

(All Participants, Current and Past)
You're Invited
Homecoming Annual Meeting
Thursday, January 14th 5.30 to 7:30 PM
Memphis Junior League House
3475 Central Avenue
Introduction of Our New Officers and Board for 2010
"A Reminder of Our Past - Focus on Our Future"
by
Shelby County Legislators, PIF Past and Present Leaders and YOU

Wine and Hors d'oeuvres No Charge

Living the Legacy of Nonviolence-January 15, 2010

2010-01-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Please join us on January 15, 2010
from 6:00-8:00pm (Reception at 5:30)
for
Living the Legacy of Nonviolence
A Grassroots Gala and Banquet Celebrating the 28th Anniversary of the
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.
at BRIDGES, 477 N 5th Street
free secure parking at Auction and 4th

Featuring a program of art, music, inspiration, and action with
:: keynote speakers ::
Daphene McFerren
Daphene R. McFerren
Director of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, University of Memphis
&
Ken Reardon
Dr. Ken Reardon
Director of the Graduate Program in City & Regional Planning, University of Memphis

A delicous meal will be served from Maximillians Catering located at Caritas Village.... This is the menu for the night:
Ethiopian "Bar-BQ" Chicken
Grilled Vegetables with Pesto Penne Pasta & Fresh Mozzarella
Salmon a'la Greque
Mixed Greens Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
with Pumpkin Pie & Whipped Cream for dessert

$35 per ticket • $270 for a table of eight

Purchase tickets securely online using a credit/debit card thru
Brown Paper TIckets
click Here to purchase online
or by phone at 1-800-838-3006.

To reserve tickets or pay by mail, please call us at 901.725.4990.

Seating will be reserved and your tickets will be mailed
if payment is received by Jan. 11. Remaining tickets will
be held in will-call for pick-up at the door

Forward this email to a friend

Helping the Homeless, Terri Walker (event coordinator)

2010-01-08T10:27:00.000-08:00

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR LIST,CHURCHES AND ANY SERVICE PROVIDERS YOU MAY KNOW. WE ARE WORKING TO LET FOLKS ON THE STREETS KNOW ABOUT THIS EVENT-Our thanks to Terri Walker and Hope for the holiday for doing this event.

Just left the warming tent at Poplar and Orleans where food was being served donated by A&R BBQ. Please consider thanking them with your ...business. I was told by Red Cross workers that another tent will be sent up tonight.

BRAD

GIVING "HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAY"

"Hope for the Holiday" is collecting sleeping bags for the homeless.
Memphis has about 7,000 homeless people, 2000 of those are children!
Our goal is to collect 1,200 new or used sleeping bags to be handed out to
the homeless. We need your help to achieve this goal!
Drop Off Locations: Any Outdoors Inc. location!

833 N. Germantown Parkway, Cordova, TN
5245 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN
1710 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN
405 Vann Dr, Jackson, TN

If you would like to order online you can have the bags shipped directly to:
Terri Walker ~ 5470 South Angela Rd ~ Memphis, TN 38120.
Please email confirmation to hope4theholiday@gmail.com
Outdoors Inc., Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Bass Pro Shops, Target, Walmart, and
K-Mart are a few stores that carry sleeping bags. Sleeping bags with 5 degree comfort ratings
start at $30 ea. Higher comfort ratings are as low as $14.88!
We will be collecting sleeping bags until the middle of February!
Memphis Redbirds has allowed us to use Auto Zone Park as our distribution center!

First distribution date: Jan 9, 2010 ~ at 10 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m.
Location: Auto Zone Park ~ corner of union and 3rd Street!
We have received bags from TN, AR, LA, CA, IL, TX, IN, GA and MS. Please don't let your
We will have 381 bags as of today and will have 400 by Saturday.

Can you imagine how many HOMELESS people will be standing in line with hopes that we have
enough sleeping bags for everyone? Can you imagine sleeping outside in the cold? I think
sometimes we tend to forget just how lucky we are to have a warm home, a warm bed, and a
Think about the difference you can make in the lives of those that are less fortunate.

God Bless You
Terri Walker ~
5470 South Angela Rd ~
Memphis, TN, 38120
901-870-3525
email:
hope4theHoliday@gmail.com

hope4theHoliday@gmail.com

H.O.P.E. for the homeless

2009-12-18T04:48:00.000-08:00

"Another long one....sorry"

Earlier this week representatives from the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center met with Memphis Housing and Community Development Director Robert Lipscomb in the first of a series of meetings about addressing homelessness and affordable housing concerns here in the city of Memphis. This initial meeting went very well and plans are being made in the future to also meet with representatives from the city's two major homeless service organizations, Greater Memphis Inter-agency Coalition for the Homeless and Partners for the Homeless. Director Lipscomb's goal is to pull concerned parties and shareholders to the table to not only discuss current programs,but to research and review best practices locally and nationally to lift up successful local initiatives and programs as well as explore innovation from outside models. The culmination of these efforts will manifest in a new TEN YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS. I'd personally like to thank Director Lipscomb for his leadership here and for reaching out to us in an honest spirit of collaboration

This is a positive step towards the overall goals of the H.O.P.E. campaign,"HOMELESS ORGANIZING for POWER and EQUALITY" a program launched by the Peace and Justice center this summer. Part of that campaign began in July when I and some really great interns went out and canvassed hotspot areas where the homeless gathered. From meal programs to shelters, to some canvassing of vacants and squats we went out and conducted a survey of 300 folks out living on the streets of Memphis. The survey asked about not only current local services but also asked participants to rate and prioritize what additional services were needed or needed to be augmented to help them get off of the streets.Currently we are a little over halfway processing the data but some things have already become clear.As far as service providers go, so far First Pres Church,Manna House and Hospitality Hub spring to mind as a services that received very high marks from the folks we surveyed. The most common comment provided was "We are treated like human beings there." Many other service providers received high marks as well,and there were other providers who received lower marks and in some cases some pretty disturbing comments about the treatment of clients, which we are following up on investigating. Now alot of the answers about needed services are what you'd naturally expect, with Affordable Housing being number one, followed by more transitional housing, a free shelter and residential job training all being at the top of the list.
However, there were also some interesting things that popped up enough under the Misc/other section that we eventually added them to the survey list. These were things like application assistance for Social Security disability benefits.This so far is far and away the most popular concern written in on the survey. Which really is not surprising, as many folks out on the streets qualify for benefits but by virtue of their residential status have difficulty navigating the application process. Hell i'm not homeless and i'm sure it would give me problems.

Another issue that popped up from time to time is the request for a place for those on the streets to charge their cellphones. This seems odd at first glance but most respondents who cited this as a need consistently expressed that they were waiting for calls from family, from job opportunities and from being on housing waiting lists.In fact there are charities that provide cheap or in some cases free cellphone service for just such reasons.
The problem was they had few options on how to keep the phones charged. So most had to scrap up or panhandle what change they could in order to by something "coffee, a sandwich..whatever" at fast food restaurants so they could plug in their phones there. Granted this was neither a high priority to those surveyed in comparison to other needs,nor a numerically large number of responses but I do think it highlights the sheer logistical difficulty of daily life on the streets, where tasks that are normally mundane for those with housing can be time and resource consuming undertakings.
Once the processing of this survey is complete, the information will be given to service providers as well as HCD for their own uses. I will also make that available here. This survey serves as the guiding star for our advocacy efforts as the homeless themselves have little voice in policies that directly impact them, and often little recourse against those who victimize them within the social services system.

Around that same time work was being done to complete the Memphis Survival Guide, a client centered, user friendly directory of homeless service providers as well as maps, a daily meal guide, information on substance abuse services, runaway help as well as information on the new 260-Home, hotline. This Guide will be distributed to service providers, hospitals, churches, community organizations and directly to the homeless free of charge.

Now in the course of all this there has been some research on other program models that could be successfully adapted to work in Memphis that filled a clear need. I wanted to take a brief moment to talk about two in particular that we have been exploring and researching.

Daytona Beach's DOWNTOWN STREET TEAM is a wonderful program based in part on a similar program in Palo Alto ,California.
In a nutshell this program was a progressive response to dealing with the issue of panhandling in the tourist district without criminalization while providing a path out of homelessness for those on the streets. The program championed by Daytona Beach Commissioner Rick Shriver, as well as the local Salvation Army, the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations created a program in which the area homeless are "hired" to perform basic litter clean up, janitorial, grounds keeping services as well as giving tourist directions and other related tasks. This is paired with housing and meal vouchers that can be used with local service providers and area restaurants. The program also assists participants in starting bank accounts, assisting the eligible in applying for potential benefits, interview and resume building skills and other services designed to help the person find employment and housing. The program while not perfect nor a "one size fits all" has had great success in a short period of time. In fact from January of this year,"the programs launch date" as of this September. 42 individuals have participated in the program , with many already transitioning on to either transitional housing, to some even finding traditional housing and employment outside the program.
For the past two months I've been reaching out to the program leadership down in Daytona looking into details about how such a program could be adapted and replicated here. The very good news on that front is that "kits' for replication are available and that this initiative is an already an "approved" Salvation Army program. So I have also been in contact with The Daytona Beach Salvation Army director of Social Services Joni Casillas as well as Barbara Tillery who is the Director of Social Services for the Salvation Army here in Memphis. The goal is to finish the initial research and present this program as an alternative to criminalization of homelessness here in the city of Memphis. We have also in the past two months met with 8 city council members about this plan and they were cautiously supportive and interested in hearing more.

Another promising option is based on the Housing First model. Which again..in a nutshell...."Housing First is an innovative approach to ending chronic homelessness where people are provided rapid access to low-cost apartments, with vital medical, mental health and other support services available on site. It is a more humane, a more successful and a more cost-effective method than paying for these same individuals to cycle in and out of the emergency room, the sobering center or jail."

Case in point the 1811 Eastlake Center in Seattle,Wa This innovative and controversial program. Provides housing, counseling and 24 hour a day services for 75 formerly homeless men and women with extremely serious and long term alcohol abuse issues. What makes this program controversial in the eyes of some is that unlike many programs there is no ban on drinking as long as the residents are in their rooms. While many contend that this would amount to enabling alcoholism,advocates and staff believe that by first addressing the housing issue, one can mitigate the substance abuse issues and more effectively enlist cooperation of clients in rehabilitation...and the results seem to bear this out. A study by the University of Washington concluded that while residents in the program still drink a high level of alcohol, that by having a stable housing environment that those in the program drink about a third less after one year of living in the apartment complex...."i.e. eating better, protection from elements, no longer binge drinking to avoid the police". This program also is being studied as a national model for harm reduction especially as the fiscal benefits to cities becomes apparent. In the Journal of the American Medical Association a study concluded that the 1811 Eastside center despite it's initial high start up costs saved Seattle 4 million dollars in it's first year of operation alone, due to the resulting decrease in criminal justice and law enforcement resources devoted to this segment of the population, as well as emergency medical services, shelter use and other related costs. In fact alcohol related incidents decreased by 48% according to the Downtown Seattle Association.
This program has been an incredibly successful model for harm reduction and curbing alcoholism among the most serious cases while greatly reducing "lifestyle' violations such as open container, public intoxication and public urination and defecation.We are currently in contact with Tulin Ozdeger of the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty about models for adaptation of this program.

“From where I sit, the “housing first” model is an anti-crime program. Let’s get people off the street first and then deal with their addictions. It’s not easy to beat any addiction… Yet when we get a person housed, good things happen. This seems to be the case with 1811 Eastlake. Before it opened, the 75 residents of this housing program were regular visitors to our court and jail. Since the project opened, we hardly see them at all.”
- Tom Carr, Seattle City Attorney

Finally.."and I know this has been a long read folks." We are also doing some intensive research into another new project designed to provide quality affordable housing to those in extremely low income brackets. Folks who may not qualify for existing assistance under current guidelines and who do not make enough to afford current housing options. While at the same time reducing the number of vacant lots currently being held by the county in the Land bank and in the long term create new tax revenue for the city and county in a cost effective manner. Our idea is currently under the working title "Moving On Up". Watch this space for a full detailed presentation of this potential program in the next two months.

These projects are in our view models for serious consideration to address some of the fundamental root causes of homelessness in effective, moral and fiscally responsible ways, without resorting to counter productive criminalization of poverty.

JOBS NOT JAILS-DEMONSTRATION-TUESDAY DEC. 15th

2009-12-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

Friends,

Being Homeless is not a crime, but in cities all across this country many Americans are being treated like criminals. The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center as a part of our H.O.P.E. campaign,"Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality" will kickoff our initiative by taking to the streets this Tuesday, December 15th from 4-6pm to ensure that the voices of our brothers and sisters out on the streets are heard loud and clear. We will gather in teams on every major intersection on Poplar Ave, from Danny Thomas to Highland with our signs and our information on how Criminalization of Poverty is an ineffective, immoral and fiscally irresponsible strategy for dealing with homelessness. We will also stand in support of positive and data driven alternative approaches like Daytona Beach's DOWNTOWN STREET TEAM and the 1811 Eastlake Center in Seattle, programs that speak to some of the leading causes of homelessness. Lack of Affordable housing, Job opportunities and addiction.

Over the past five weeks we have had meetings with 8 members of the City Council as well as the Salvation Army, the National Law Center for Poverty and Homelessness and other potential shareholders and advocacy for these efforts will continue.We also created a Memphis Survival Guide, a user friendly directory of all homeless,runaway and addiction rehab services in Memphis,including meal guides,shelters and maps of prime locations for help, which we will be distributing at no charge to service providers and the homeless.

This Monday night (12-14-09) from 4-8pm at the Peace and Justice Center we will have a sign making and planning meeting to finalize the details for the Tuesday event. We currently have Captains and teams for each intersection but hope to have every intersection team fully staffed for this event. If you cannot make the monday sign making event but still want to participate tuesday please email me at brad@midsouthpeace.org so we can direct you to a team that needs members.

We have invited Mayor Wharton and MPD Col Billy Garrett to join us at Manna House for our weekly conversation group with the homeless. We feel first and foremost their voices need to be heard in the polices and programs that impact their daily lives. We are currently awaiting a reply from his office.

So please take the time to join us for these events this week and stand up for justice those out on the streets...don't wait until it's someone you know.

JOBS NOT JAILS-Sign making event
Monday-Dec 14th
4pm-8pm
Location-First Congo Church 1000 South Cooper-"Please come to rear entrance,Red doors by Children's playground. look for doorbell labeled Peace and Justice Center"

JOBS NOT JAILS PROTEST
DATE-Tuesday-Dec-15
TIME-4-6pm
LOCATION-Poplar ave- "Every major intersection between Danny Thomas and Highland"

Demand Change

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
901-725-4990-office
901-495-0818-cell

Credit Where Credit is Due.

2009-12-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

CITY OF MEMPHIS IDENTIFIES IMMEDIATE SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS - TONIGHT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2009

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tonya Meeks

Tonya.Meeks@memphistn.gov │ 901-576-6007 or 901-570-6385

city of memphis identifies immediate shelter for the homeless - tonight

Memphis, TN --- December 9, 2009, Given weather reports that local temperatures are to fall as low as 23 degrees tonight, City of Memphis has worked with Partners for the Homeless and Coalition for the Homeless to identify and confirm the following direction and information for those persons in need of immediate shelter:

- Families and women with children are to call the Homeless Hotline at 901-260-4663 for arrangements. The line and service will be covered after hours. There is no charge for this service and arrangements.

- Single men are to go to Memphis Union Mission Men’s Emergency Shelter located at 383 Poplar Avenue. There will be NO charge for persons needing shelter tonight.

###

Tonya M. Meeks

Communications Specialist

Office of Mayor A C Wharton, Jr.

City of Memphis

125 N. Main Street, Suite 700

Memphis, TN 38103

---------------------------------------

Direct Dial: 901.576.6007

Mobile: 901.570.6385
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAD'S NOTES

Thanks to the Memphis Union Mission for as ALWAYS opening their doors to the homeless for free on nights where the temperature drops below 32*
This is nothing new they always do this and we thank them.

Also the Homeless hotline set up via the Memphis/Shelby County Emergency Housing Partnership (260-HOME) program. Is a great program set up via the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 the hardwork of HCD and PFH since the summer so thank you and Thank you Congressman Steve Cohen. It's only for families with children,but it's a great start.

.....and in my gratitude I am also disappointed that besides these already existing efforts that a press release was sent out implying something new with nothing new in it. Admittedly..maybe that's my fault for hoping.

When is a Sweep not a Sweep? PART 3

2009-12-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

Friends

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11th AT 6PM THE MID-SOUTH PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER IS HOLDING AN ORGANIZING MEETING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THE HOMELESS SWEEP CONDUCTED TODAY! DECEMBER 9th.

I WAS CONTACTED BY THE WHARTON ADMINISTRATION JUST MOMENTS AGO AND TOLD THAT TODAY WAS THE DAY OF THE SWEEP DESPITE MEDIA COMMUNICATION OTHERWISE.

Monday , December 7th-Action News Five
ACTION NEWS FIVE

Today-,Wednesday December 9th-Memphis Daily News
Daily news

Both media statement confirmed that today Memphis Police would be {FUTURE TENSE] serving a Seven days notice to the homeless in vacants and in encampments and would be connected to service providers. Those still there in seven days could be arrested for trespassing. Instead the administration is pursuing the original notice from Seven days ago. This lack of communication is troubling and disappointing and more to the point is wrong.As none of our calls to the Mayor's office requesting information have been returned.

HOMELESS SWEEP UPDATE As of today 33 stops of the homeless have been made 3 referrals to service providers 14 homeless makeshift structures have been destroyed. 0 new housing units or shelter beds created.

Also yesterday reports came in from the homeless themselves that police are performing stops to homeless individuals wearing backpack in the Downtown/Midtown area. The police are asking them. "where do you live?" "What are you doing?" and "What's in your backpack?" none of these folks questioned by the police were put in touch with Homeless service providers or referred to services or shelters, nor were they arrested, they were simply harassed and told to move on.

The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center invites all of our members, allies and anyone who is concerned about this morally, legally and ethically questionable policy to join us as we move to the next phase in our campaign in support of housing, support and Justice for our brother and sisters on the streets of our city. As such we will not only discuss how to effectively advocate for a real solution to this issue but also plan and organize a protest of the proposed sweep for the coming week.

We have invited Mayor Wharton and Col Garrett to speak directly with our homeless brothers and sisters at our weekly discussion group at Manna House.Both had prior commitments this week so we offered them the choice of three dates next week. The voices of the homeless should be heard in polices that effect them, it's the very least that can be done.

DEMAND CHANGE

WHAT-MEETING TO OPPOSE THE HOMELESS SWEEP
LOCATION-FIRST CONGO CHURCH, 1000 S. Cooper, Mphs,Tn 38104
TIME-6pm-8pm
DATE-Friday,December 11th

Brad Watkins
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
901-725-4990-office
901-495-0818-cell

When is a Sweep not a Sweep. Part 2

2009-12-08T18:18:00.000-08:00

Also wanted to take a brief moment to examine some other things about the Mayor's statements regarding the Homeless Sweep now set to occur next week on Dec 16th.

Today in the Daily News Mayor Wharton said
“There is no deadline,” Wharton said. “The effort will begin to find suitable protective and humane accommodations for these individuals who in many instances, through no fault of their own, are homeless. … We’re going to be protective, not punitive. … You can’t allow homelessness to be a license to flout the law. And these officers are trained. They know the difference between homelessness and lawlessness. There is a distinction.”

Later in that same article MPD Director Larry Godwin says

“They’re letting the homeless know in seven days we’re going to come back and code enforcement will be here. It’s not to come back and arrest. It’s to offer you some assistance and get the help that you need and get you a place to stay where you’re not on the street.
“If they’re in violation – if they’re trespassing – they’ll be removed, obviously. The only arrest you’ll probably ever see us make is if there are warrants.”

Seven days sounds like a deadline to me and what is meant by the term..."REMOVED"
How is this not a Sweep?

I respectfully ask...Define "lawlessness"..afterall trespassing is against the law, yet those sleeping in vacants are doing so because of a lack of capacity in existing services and affordable housing.Section 8 is currently not accepting applications and is on a long waiting list already and according to service providers as I have said repeatedly shelter capacity is already stretched thin. Here is an article from ABC24 on just that subject.SHELTER CAPACITY

From that article

The Memphis Union Mission is already packed night after night, along with other shelters in the area. Cordell Walker runs the Alpha Omega Veterans Services shelter for homeless vets. He says, with the colder temps and the holidays coming up…

"Your capacities are usually full,” Walker said. “You usually have waiting lists and it's unfortunate, but it seems like the more you house, the more you have to house."

LATER IN THAT ARTICLE

Another shelter, Calvary Rescue Mission, can house 46 men. They are at capacity every night. The director there says they can't take anymore people than they already do. They have been trying to expand, but they're been waiting on the city to approve their offer and sell them the land.

Again this is not so much of a Homeless plan but a plan for Neighborhood clean up of the properties the homeless are encamped within. So says Dr. Richard Janikowski of the University of Memphis.Source
"This is part of a wider initiative for a neighborhood clean-up," said Dr. Richard Janikowski, a criminologist with the MPD.

From the Mayor's statement

In November, the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development and Partners for the Homeless officially launched a new $4.2 million effort aimed at preventing Shelby County residents from becoming literally homeless or to quickly re-house those who are already homeless (in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or on the streets.)

The project includes four key elements that are new to the region:

1. A 24-hour hotline to respond to families in Shelby County who are homeless and seeking shelter;
2. A central assessment and intake operated by MIFA that connects homeless and imminently homeless households with the most appropriate housing resources;
3. Financial assistance and supportive services to prevent evictions or rapidly re-house those who are already homeless;
4. Mediation services and access to public benefit programs including Food Stamps, Families First, Medicaid, etc.

This is a GREAT program and will provide much needed relief to those in need, the thing that I regret is that this new program is mostly only for families with CHILDREN who are homeless or near homeless, not for individuals like those who will be potentially caught up in the sweep. This is an important distinction in the context of this conversation.

Also, program was a result of stimulus funds that came out of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. This has been something that HCD and PFH have been working on for months and in fairness would have occurred no matter who won the October 15th special election...or for that matter if Mayor Herenton had not resigned.Congressman Steve Cohen mentioned these funds to me in Washington DC last January.

Mayor Wharton also mentions in the ABC news article the possibility of some emergency shelters in the short term.
. He even mentioned the possibility of opening up Dunn Elementary like the city did for hurricane victims.

"I betcha I can call Bob Nations right now and find space that could be used on a temporary basis for these individuals who we feel for their own protection ought to be in a secure environment," Wharton said.

That would be a welcome step in the right direction and would begin to address the core issue here which is capacity and affordable housing. I hope the Mayor does indeed work towards this goal and we are ready to support such an endeavor. However, this would only be the first step as these shelters like in the case of Katrina would be temporary then the question remains..then what? Still it's a positive step, but these are things that should have been dealt with before this plan began, not after the clock started ticking on the folks within the areas of the sweep. You cannot have a homeless plan without first addressing capacity and housing, otherwise it is a sweep.

When is a Sweep not a Sweep?

2009-12-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Best of times..the worst of times...

Yesterday Mayor Wharton released a statement on the issue of the currently planned Sweep of the Homeless living in catholes,vacants and on the streets. The Mayor, Dr. Janikowski ,MPD Col Garrett and MPD director Godwin all contend that his is not a "crackdown", "round up" or "sweep" of the homeless but a humanitarian effort designed to place those in need in touch with service providers. Thus Mayor Wharton said that there would be no sweep of the homeless. It was later clarified that starting tomorrow that Police accompanied with social workers will give another 7 days notice to those in 17 homeless encampments that they need to vacate these areas and MPD and the Social Workers will work to provide assistance to those seeking shelter or aid. Thus next week December 16th those still found living in vacants and catholes could be arrested.
Click here

Okay, first let me say that I am glad to see that the proposed sweep has been delayed for another week in order to do more outreach to connect the homeless to existing services. That is always a good thing, and it was a good thing when it was done last week at Hospitality hub. It is also VERY promising that the Mayor has also made public statements in support of a free shelter. This is something Memphis needs and is a positive step and I want to applaud the Mayor for that. However, there are a couple of things that need to be pointed out here..

1.This is a change from what MPD officials said to the homeless, service providers the media and me personally last Thursday night after the Mayor's Townhall meeting in Midtown.The date was confirmed by media reports as well.
Click here

2. The 7 day notice while a small positive step does not change the fact that next week those not out of the areas of the sweep could and will be arrested. Thus the Sweep is effectively still on, it's just no longer being referred to as such. BTW the term "Sweep" came directly of MPD officers service providers and Col Garrett, "Sweep" only became a dirty word when the media reported on it.

3. The core issues of Homeless service capacity and AFFORDABLE HOUSING has not been addressed nor were even mentioned in the statement or press release. Those two things are at the heart of the matter. Let's say that all of the homeless took up the city on their offer. Because resources are already strained and some service providers are already near capacity, we really don't have shelter and services available to all of them. There are not any homeless service providers out there like some Maytag repair man of old..sitting around with no clients to serve...they were already working as hard as they could to provide services. The ethical ones anyway. Is the City ready to guarantee that every person who they give these cards to will have a place in a shelter? Not be be jaded but I doubt this..and notice how no one has ever denied this.

Also, do we expect the Social workers and Service providers to change folks lives in a week? The process is not that fast. So the question remains..where are these people supposed to go?

4. Once in the Shelter system...then what....what happens after the "free days" run out? Seriously i'm asking a question here..I really just want to know?

You know..I've been really tossing and turning.. trying to understand why this is happening...Why would a policy of dealing with the homeless take this form?...Then last night it hit me... This Sweep is not a plan to address homelessness, it's not really about homelessness at all. The homeless are simply the eggs to the omelet of something larger.

In fact according to Doctor Richard Janikowski, this is part of a larger effort centering around neighborhood clean up.Consider these quotes

ABC24/30

Or how about this?

In the past, police would sweep homeless gathering places, especially large encampments where numerous people live, and the Public Works Division would follow up by tearing down the site without offering any help, said University of Memphis criminologist Richard Janikowski, who helps MPD with its data-driven Blue Crush initiative.

"We wanted to do something that was protective of the neighborhoods and economic development, and something that was humane and could really help people," said Janikowski of the current city initiative. "I thought we were doing a good thing."

full article

Also Consider the words of Director Godwin here
"The last thing we want is to see folks out on the streets that cant help it there out there try to get them help they need the assistance they need and clean up the blight at the same time."

and also in the same news piece..

"Wednesday were going to let them know about these service providers and in seven days were going to come back if they are on private property were going to clean those areas up."
Full article

So you see the homeless living in vacants in these areas were just a small part within a larger plan about blight...and maybe economic redevelopment. If the opposite were true then this Sweep would be going on at the really large homeless encampments outside of Midtown in lower income areas of the city. The Covington Pike Bottoms and other places...those are the major encampments.

I also want the record to show that Dr Janikowski is correct this "sweep" is more humane than previous sweeps..but my contention is that is not cause for celebration in fact it's something we as a community should all be shamed of.

If you think about the sweep in these terms, also helps one understand why there was no official announcement of this "Plan to Address Homelessness" by anyone beforehand.
Afterall if you are trying to launch a major new initiative to deal with homelessness, wouldn't you have a press conference and invite the media and enlist the community to help in that effort?.Would you not get down in front of the story?

The fact that we are even having a discussion about this at all is because the homeless and advocates and concerned citizens raised our voices and alerted the media. Otherwise...the Sweep would have gone on this Wednesday day as planned and most folks would be none the wiser.

Think about it.

Please call at 576-6000 and ask the Mayor and the Colonel to attend. We have invited Mayor Wharton and Col Garrett to speak directly with our homeless brothers and sisters at Manna House.Both had prior commitments this week so we offered them the choice of three dates next week. The voices of the homeless should be heard in polices that effect them. No media will be present.

STATEMENT FROM MEMPHIS MAYOR A C WHARTON, JR. REGARDING TREATMENT OF HOMELESS POPULATION

2009-12-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2009

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Bobby White, Chief of Statff

Bobby.White@memphistn.gov │ 901-576-6010

STATEMENT FROM MEMPHIS mAYOR A C WHARTON, Jr.

regarding treatment of homeless population

Statement from Mayor A C Wharton:

“Given the recent shift in temperatures, finding a humane, responsible, proactive way to meet the needs of our city’s homeless population has obviously become a major priority. Starting this week, Colonel Billy Garrett of the Memphis Police Department and his officers will be working to connect individuals and families in need with local service providers who can help them. This is a new, above-and-beyond collaboration with the Hospitality Hub and other service providers to make sure that we are accommodating and helping as many homeless individuals as possible. My staff is working with the Memphis Police Department and local service providers to ensure we remain coordinated in our efforts to help the homeless.

“I want to assure every citizen and every concerned party that homeless individuals are in no way going to be targets of a ‘sweep’ or a ‘round-up.’ There will be no ‘crack down’ on homeless people, as some have claimed. Any action that is being taken by the Memphis Police Department will be protective, proactive, and humane. I will tolerate nothing less.

“It must be noted that removing illegal dwellings and encampments is something that is done on a regular basis by the MPD. However, we recognize that this alone is not a solution. Connecting Memphians in need with services that can truly help them must be part of the process.

“Let me be clear: the City of Memphis has no fight with our city's poor and homeless citizens; we are, however, at war with the conditions that cause these individuals and families to go without shelter. Obviously there is no easy and quick solution to the pernicious and critical problem of poverty. Ending the crisis of homeless will only come about through the improvement of our schools, an increase in college attainment and appropriate job training programs, and the continued development of our local economy. No one is more concerned about this problem than I am, and no one is working harder on these fronts than my staff, my Division Directors, and me.”

In November, the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development and Partners for the Homeless officially launched a new $4.2 million effort aimed at preventing Shelby County residents from becoming literally homeless or to quickly re-house those who are already homeless (in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or on the streets.)

The project includes four key elements that are new to the region:

1. A 24-hour hotline to respond to families in Shelby County who are homeless and seeking shelter;
2. A central assessment and intake operated by MIFA that connects homeless and imminently homeless households with the most appropriate housing resources;
3. Financial assistance and supportive services to prevent evictions or rapidly re-house those who are already homeless;
4. Mediation services and access to public benefit programs including Food Stamps, Families First, Medicaid, etc.

# # #

BRAD'S NOTES
WE HAVE INVITED MAYOR WHARTON AND COL. GARRETT TO THE MANNA HOUSE THIS THURSDAY AT 9AM TO MEET WITH OUR DISCUSSION GROUP WITH THE HOMELESS TO SEE AND HEAR FROM THOSE AFFECTED BY THESE POLICES. PLEASE CALL MAYOR WHARTON'S OFFICE 576-6000 AND ASK HIM TO ATTEND.
WE ONLY ASK THAT NO MEDIA BE PRESENT AND THAT COL GARRETT OR ANY MPD REPRESENTATIVES PLEASE COME IN PLAIN CLOTHES AS TO AVOID MAKING THE GUESTS OF MANNA HOUSE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

Jobs not Jails • Call Mayor Wharton Now

2009-12-04T12:02:00.001-08:00

Jobs not Jails • Call Mayor Wharton Now

CALL MAYOR WHARTON'S OFFICE 901.576.6000 AND CALL FOR AN END TO THE PLANNED SWEEP OF THE HOMELESS IN DOWNTOWN AND MIDTOWN.

This week the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center has learned that Memphis Police Department is planning a major sweep of the homeless in the Downtown and Midtown area set to begin Wednesday December 9th.

CALL MAYOR WHARTON'S OFFICE NOW AT 901.576.6000 AND TELL HIM THE HOMELESS NEED HOMES AND SHELTER NOT HARASSMENT.

Earlier this week Memphis Police Department officers went to several homeless shelters, food pantries and day shelters and handed out cards to the homeless about a meeting with homeless service providers at the Hospitality Hub on Thursday. However, the homeless were also told that anyone found out on the streets, or living in vacants or catholes after the 9th in the downtown or midtown areas would be arrested and their belongings would be thrown away.

This is a moral outrage and must be stopped immediately. Memphis has no free shelters and existing homeless services are full or near capacity due to the cold weather and current economic crisis. Where is the call for emergency shelters and affordable housing? This "Sweep" of the homeless will not only fill 201 Poplar at a huge cost to taxpayers, but will create further distrust between the homeless and the police and potential service providers who are working every day to aid our brothers and sisters on the streets.

The sweep will only serve to continue the systematic push of our homeless population to the communities to the North and South of Downtown and Midtown, areas of the city which have much higher rates of vacant properties. Thus as the winter months roll on and as temperatures continue to drop, this sweep will only encourage the homeless to squat in vacants in other parts of the city. This will lead to more fires and potentially higher incidences of related emergency medical services.

This sweep is not a moral, effective or fiscally responsible solution to the issues of poverty and homelessness in our city; sadder still is that these laws seek to imprison the poor and the addicted in the midst of the holiday season. Mayor Wharton has the power to stop this illegal and immoral sweep.

CALL MAYOR WHARTON'S OFFICE NOW AT 901.576.6000 AND TELL HIM THE HOMELESS NEED HOMES AND SHELTER, NOT HARASSMENT.

Call Mayor Wharton's office now and ask him to STOP THE SWEEP.

2009-12-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

Thursday, December 3, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Memphis Police Threaten Homeless in Downtown/Midtown with Arrest
MPD Officers Telling Homeless to Get Off the Street by Dec. 9 or Go to Jail

Contact: Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator
901.495.0818 • brad@midsouthpeace.org

MEMPHIS -- On Tuesday December 2, 2009, Memphis Police officers handed out cards and a threat of arrest to homeless people in midtown and downtown Memphis. The cards distributed on Tuesday, instructing individuals to come to the Hospitality Hub on Thursday Dec. 3, to “get help to stop living on the streets.” Hospitality Hub was pairing individuals with service providers in order to get help off the street, which is a good thing.

But officers also told the homeless that anyone found out on the streets after Dec 9th or found sleeping in "catholes" or in vacants will be arrested. Furthermore they were told that their property would be thrown away. In fact, we have received word from multiple sources that the sweep has already begun as early as 4:00am today.

The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center would like to know the following things:

* Who authorized this illegal sweep within the Memphis Police Department and the government of the City of Memphis?
* With no free shelter in Memphis, and an inadequate number of beds in paid shelters, where are these people supposed to go?
* What amount of police resources in terms of manpower and money are being wasted on this illegal action?
* How much will it cost us in jail costs at $87 per day to house the arrested persons?

We demand an immediate end to this sweep. We urge all Memphians to call Mayor Wharton at (901) 576-6000 to ask that he use his authority to end this illegal action and move to hold those responsible accountable.

Jobs not Jails!

Sweeping the Homeless Under the Rug

2009-12-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

SWEEP
1 a : to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush b : to destroy completely : wipe out —usually used with away c : to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action d : to remove from sight or consideration e : to drive or carry along with irresistible force

Yesterday I received a call from a gentlemen who is formerly homeless who now works for a local homeless service provider. He warned me that the Police are gearing up for a major sweep of the homeless especially in Downtown and Midtown Memphis. So I did some checking and I learned from my homeless friends and from other service providers that the police were handing out cards to the homeless inviting them to Hospitality Hub to meet with service providers today from 9am-12noon to receive placement in existing services. That in it'self is a good thing.

The problem was that police also told the homeless that anyone found out on the streets after Dec 9th or found sleeping in "catholes" or in vacants will be arrested.Furthermore they were told that their property would be thrown away.In fact I have received word from multiple sources that the sweep has already begun as early as 4am today I heard this not only from large numbers of homeless folks across Downtown and Midtown, but also from some homeless service providers as well. The message being sent is "move along..outta sight..outta mind" But MOVE ALONG WHERE?

Where do we honestly expect people to go...let's say for argument's sake that every homeless person in Memphis showed up to the Hub this morning. The hub would not be able to fit them all..in fact they were letting people in in increments of 15 when I was there. Not a knock against the hub,they were doing the best they could, but it's not a huge place. More to the point..most shelters are already full or filling up due to the weather and the growth in our homeless population anyway...so even at max capacity there would still be a large number of folks left out.

So where do we want them to go?

Well I do not claim to have psychic visions, or to be a deductive genius, but if you sweep people out of an area that borders areas with high amounts of vacants, then are you not simply encouraging the same squatting you seek to prevent?

Think about the areas North and South of Downtown and Western Midtown...So i'm thinking off the top of my head to the North "Uptown,Greenlaw,North Memphis,Klondike,Smokey city,Hollywood-Springdale,Douglass Bungalow and the South"Vance-Orlenes,Riverview-Kansas,Glenview,South Memphis,Orange Mound,Beltline". These areas all have high rates of vacant houses, apartments and commercial properties and are adjacent neighborhoods from the prime locations of the sweep. I do not think it takes Adrian Monk to figure out what's going to happen next.

The other problem was that because many homeless folks heard that the sweep was coming..alot of them choose not to go to Hospitality Hub today because they thought it was somekind of "set up". Thus not only is this proposed sweep immoral and in some cases illegal..but it was overall counter productive to the positive work being attempted by the service providers.

Again I think placing service providers in a central place to help the homeless access services is a good idea, but draconian sweeps do nothing but push people deeper into hiding..creates mistrust between the homeless and the police and the service providers and fills the jails with people who are not a danger to society.

At $87-90 dollars per person per day at 201 Poplar this will also have the effect of bogging down an already overwhelmed criminal justice system, tie up valuable law enforcement resources and cost the taxpayers untold thousands of dollars....and for what?

The answer..is quite simple...shelters and affordable housing will be more effective..more ethical and two to three times cheaper than the costs of incarceration..to say nothing of the related costs of blight, putting out fires created by squatters warming themselves and related emergency health related costs.

I am currently awaiting a reply from Mayor Wharton's office about the details of this sweep, and who authorized this in the first place..i'll be sure to pass that and opportunities for action to address this outrage along.

This is wrong..and it has to stop.

The Memphis Survival Guide

2009-12-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to announce the completion of a Peace and Justice center project a long time in the making. The Memphis Survival Guide is a handheld new user friendly directory of all the homeless service providers,runaway services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, shelter and meal services offered in the City of Memphis.

The guide also includes information on the new Memphis/Shelby County Emergency Housing Partnership (260-HOME) as well as a daily schedule of meal services, including some maps and pictures to aid clients in finding the services that they need. We also have included information about our friends at Food not Bombs and our discussion group for the homeless who are victims of harassment. As well as our G.O.T. Power Grassroots Organizing Training program in hopes of helping the homeless to be able to effectively advocate and organize on their own behalf.

Starting soon I will be working to distribute 5000 copies of this guide to various service providers, church congregations,neighborhood and community organizations and directly to the homeless themselves in the coming weeks. Not only will this guide help those in need find the services they require,but I also feel it will help service providers by reducing the time they have to spend calling,searching and directing client groups that are outside of their scope of service to other providers. The clients will already know which providers do what and when.

Special thanks to Mairi Albertson with Memphis Housing and Community Development,Nancy Bailey and Eric Crites of the University of Memphis Tiger graphics,Shiloh Barnat. Peace and Justice center interns Kelly Atwood,Kavita Pillai,Jessie Ferguson,Mahal Burr McNeil,Dev Parma, Mike Stevens and Shane Ham. Thank you all very much for your hard work.

Pimpin' Poverty: Nice Straw man you got there.

2009-11-27T12:37:00.000-08:00

Today the Commercial Appeal presents another editorial in support for the two proposals of the Center City Commission. Dealing with the proposed single beer sale ban and the creation of an Anti-Panhandling Zone both within the CBID within the Downtown area.
You can read this editorial HERE
Please take a moment to read this.

Okay the editorial is misleading in several ways...

Let's be honest here, the study that is referred to here was TWO stores out of about eight or nine within the zone. Yet this study never checked to see what was the impact on the other six or seven stores during the month of March. I asked this question point blank at the CCC board meeting last week. The answer i was given was..."I don't know"

This study was not scientific nor were there any impact studies done on the potential effects on the surrounding neighborhoods of Greenlaw, South Main,The Med district, Midtown,Uptown,Orange Mound Or North or South Memphis. Notice how no one proposing these ordinances ever denies this.

The proposals of the CCC will only succeed in pushing the problems into residential neighborhoods and compel those with addiction issues to either take a short walk, panhandle more or commit more serious crimes in order to purchase alcohol in greater amounts and volume.

In fact i'll take it a step further. The other major fact that is being glossed over in this debate is that Aggressive panhandling is illegal all over Memphis, thus the entire city is a "No aggressive panhandling zone". Now as the act of aggressive panhandling is already by definition a crime, then how would this Anti panhandling zone accomplish anything?
Afterall if you are already engaged in illegal activities then why would making it "more illegal" stop anyone?

It would be like declaring an area of the city a "No crack selling zone". If you read the ordinance the zone applies to passive panhandling, thus the only people really impacted by this law would be those who do not harass people in the first place and try to comply with the law.

This is a bait and switch, using people's fear and anger towards aggressive panhandlers to pass a law which is so broad and vaguely written that it will foster the pushing of the homeless out of one area and into others. It does absolutely nothing to stop aggressive panhandling in any real sense.

Another thing about open container and public intoxication if people really want the cops to crack down on this then I encourage people to be prepared for alot more citations to be written outside of the various bars downtown on the weekends as well as concerts, festivals and other events.

Afterall there are plenty of open container and public intoxication law violations to go around..especially at Tiger football tailgates, St Patrick's day pub crawls and at the Southern Heritage classic just to name a few. Open container is open container, public intoxication is public intoxication. The law should not be selectively enforced to judge the same behavior in two different ways.
It's bad science and bad policy.

Another thing..as far as the issues of local stores. The map of the beer ban zone skirts BP, Tigermart and Mapco. All three major chains will still be allowed to sell as they are just slightly outside the zone. Diversification is not the issue the point is that these local stores already have a hard time competing in pricing with the larger stores and now will have even more of an economic disadvantage. The Brother's Sundry on Lauderdale, literally shares a sidewalk with BP on Poplar. They are practically next door to each other. Vance Grocery is within eyeshot of another store outside the zone and a short distance from Mapco on Danny Thomas. If we want to have a debate on the issues that's fine, but solid facts should be presented to the public and in a proper context.

We need real comprehensive solutions to deal with the problems of addiction, homelessness and crime.Let's work on those things and not devote more police resources needed elsewhere in the city to enforce laws that do nothing positive.

Pimpin' Poverty;The Pilgrims were Panhandlers

2009-11-23T09:29:00.001-08:00

As you may or may not have heard or read the Center City Commission is proposing two new ordinances to the Memphis City Council.In a bit of irony these proposals were passed last week, during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness week.

These deal with two connected issues for a singular goal. One is a ban on single beer sales "Tallboys,32oz and 40oz beers etc" in an area of Downtown roughly bordered by MILL to the North, Fourth to the EAST, Riverside to the WEST and VANCE to the SOUTH. The Second deals with an expansive Anti Panhandling ordinance including a "NO PANHANDLING ZONE" within the same area.There was an article in today's Commercial Appeal which you can read HERE
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center has numerous concerns about both of these items on moral, practical and fiscal grounds.

First of all neither of these ordinances address the root causes of the problems of alcohol and drug addiction or "Aggressive" panhandling. Instead these ordinances simply seek to push a population of those living in poverty and addiction our of an area and into surrounding communities that are not equipped to provide the services needed to help them get off of the streets and out of their situations.

This is especially troubling as the CCC has conducted no study or research into the impact that the passage of these laws will have on the surrounding communities of South Main, Greenlaw, the Medical District, North Memphis, The Foote homes area,Riverview-Kansas, Midtown or Orange Mound. These communities have already seen an increase in their homeless populations since the CCC via their new private security force began pushing the homeless out of the Downtown area. It is also worth noting that as many service providers for the Homeless are located within this zone that this push could impact the work of these agencies by scattering their clients, making them harder to find and harder to help. There was no input from these communities, nor homeless service providers.

Secondly, The boundaries for these proposed ordinances puts local stores at an economic disadvantage as the boundaries skirt major chains such as Tiger Mart, BP, and Mapco, all of which are slightly outside the zone.The only Major chain within the Zone is a Shell station on Auction. Small independent stores will lose revenue and will add to their difficulty in competing with the larger chains which due to their superior size and market share generally have lower prices.In fact there is a small store on Lauderdale that shares a sidewalk with the BP on Poplar. Yet the BP is outside the zone and the small store is within it. I spoke to three store owners in the area who say this will impact their business. There was no input from these store owners, some were unaware of this ordinance until I told them of it. In fact the Center City Commission did convince two stores to voluntarily cease selling of "single serve beers" for a period of time. They say that this had a positive impact in the surrounding area. When I asked what was the impact at the other stores?...the response was. "I don't know."
It must also be pointed out that this ordinance does not affect liquor stores, as such this law may have the consequence of encouraging those with an alcohol addiction to panhandle more or commit more serious crimes to raise the funds to buy a six pack...or switch to half pints of liquor. The law could encourage those with an addiction issues to consume more alcohol in volume and amount.A half pint can run you as little as $3 "airplane" bottles are even cheaper

Third, Aggressive Panhandling is already illegal under local ordinance as is open container and public intoxication. It is also worth noting that this law effectively does nothing new for "Aggressive"Panhandling but will push Passive panhandling,"A person not speaking holding a sign." outside of a predetermined area. So despite the public statements of the CCC that these laws are not meant to push the "truly homeless" the fact remains that it most certainly will.

Fourth, the potential costs involved to our criminal justice system and the drain on law enforcement resources will need to be considered.It's also worth noting that the passage of these laws will require more police resources to be devoted to the statistically safest area of the city at a time when other communities are grappling with an upsurge in serious violent crime. Where are the cops going to come from to enforce this ordinance? Where?
I personally think we need those police out in our high crime communities dealing with serious and violent crime as opposed to paroling a zone for panhandlers.

It currently cost $87-$90 per inmate per day at 201 Poplar. The recidivism rate for those offenders with a substance abuse issues stands at 70%. On the other hand the General sessions Drug court with it's rehabilitation programs has a 67% success rate and costs $8 dollars per person per day. In fact last spring we worked with the CJCC to advocate to the County Commission for additional funding to alternatives to incarceration that came out of recommendations from the Shelby County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Programs like the Jericho Project, Drug Court and an expansion of Pre-trial diversion services. By investing 2.3 million dollars in these programs that address drug addiction and mental illness 201 poplar will free up 200 beds this year and as a result save Shelby County taxpayers an estimated 4.1 million dollars this year.

I also wanted to bring to your attention a clear case of police harassment of the homeless. "Jonah" is a homeless individual who was given a police citation for panhandling in early October. The officer in question drew "Jonah" a map of the downtown area and told him he was not to come back within this area. In addition to this action being highly illegal and a violation of "Jonah's" civil rights, I think it is also telling that the borders of the area on the map that the officer drew, are oddly similar to those for these two proposed ordinances. I have a copy of the citation which I have given to the Center City Commission, members of the City Council and to the Mayor's office.

There are alternatives, one such example is the DOWNTOWN STREET TEAM in Daytona beach Fl. Where City Commissioner Rick Shriver in concert with the Salvation army, the Chamber of Commerce, and other agencies created a program that employs the area homeless to clean up liter downtown, act as guides etc..and pairs this with transitional housing, life skills training, counseling and budgeting skills and other services. This program which was launched in January of this year has already successfully transitioned 42 individuals out of the program. This is something we really need to consider here and there have already been conversations with members of the council on this subject as well as the Salvation Army. We plan on trying to pull some of these shareholders to a meeting with HCD/MHA Director Robert Lipscomb by the end of the year, to explore options like this one.

The bottomline is these two ordinances are not the right thing to do, the fiscally responsible thing to do..or even an effective thing to do.

Please call your City Council members at 576-6786 and ask them where is the study on the impact to other neighborhoods for these proposed ordinances. Ask them where is the prevention, outreach and shelter for our homeless brothers and sisters.Ask them where will the police resources come from to enforce this zone? Ask them why BP, MAPCO and TIGERMART are outside the zone while most of the stores inside the zone are Mom and Pops? Ask them to say no!

Vandalism at MGLCC

2009-11-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

MGLCC’s Pride Flag Target of Vandalism

Vandals Attempt to Burn Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center’s Pride Flag

Memphis, TN, November 11, 2009: Early Wednesday morning, two vandals attempted to burn the rainbow pride flag that flies prominently in front of MGLCC’s building at 892 South Cooper. The pride flag is a recognizable symbol for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community’s solidarity, pride and unity.

No motive for the incident has been reported at this point.

This act of vandalism marks the second time in two months that a public symbol of the LGBT community raised by MGLCC has been destroyed or damaged. The first was a National Coming Out Day billboard on Friday, September 25 at Poplar and High.

We find this targeting of our community to be a disturbing pattern that is not limited to property but also includes the more serious attacks on our transgender members as well as bullying of LGBT youth. MGLCC takes very seriously the safety and security of our visitors and friends. We are cooperating with the Memphis Police Department who are investigating at this time. We understand that they have one suspect is in custody and are searching for the second. We sincerely appreciate the attention given to both incidents by the Memphis Police Department and wish for a speedy recovery of the officer who protected our flag.

Public incidents such as this shed light on the larger issue of intolerance and hatred that our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens face every day. Once again, attempts to silence or frighten our community will not succeed, but will make us more determined to fight for equality. We appreciate the support of the community in this struggle.

Will Batts

Executive Director

MGLCC

901-278-6422

www.mglcc.org

Pimpin' Poverty Pt 1

2009-11-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

*This will be another long one

* The U.S. Conference of Mayors reported in 2006 that 13% of the urban homeless population was employed.
* In a number of other cities, the percentage is even higher. The National Coalition for the Homeless found in 2001 that 42% of people experiencing homelessness are employed. Many of these workers are employed by day labor agencies, characterized by low pay, no job security, no health insurance, and inadequate worker protections.
# Federal funding for low-income housing fell 56% from 1976 to 2007. 1

* In 1976, federal housing funding was $87 billion, and 435,263 new affordable units were built.
* In 2007, funding had fallen to $38 billion, and zero new housing units were built.

# The federal government says affordable housing should take no more than 30% of a person's income.
# No one earning minimum wage in any US state can afford a one or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent.
# In 1999, the national two-bedroom housing wage was $11.08; in 2006, the national housing wage was $16.31, a 47% increase.
# The lack of affordable housing is widely considered to be the main cause of homelessness in the United States today.

Being homeless is not a crime, but all across the country many Americans impacted by the economic crisis are being treated as if it was. According to this years annual Hunger and Homelessness report conducted by the US Conference of Mayors, 19 out of the 25 cities surveyed reported an increase in their population of homeless persons with the average rate of increase being 12%.In March of 2008,CBS NEWS reported 38% of the foreclosures affected rental properties affecting over 168,000 households. In addition by some accounts 311,000 persons nationwide have been evicted from their homes this year as lenders took over these properties according to an article in the Sarasota tribune herald.

Despite the fact that homelessness is growing at an alarming rate locally and nationally, many cities are responding to this crisis by criminalizing poverty and selectively enacting and enforcing laws. Sadly Memphis is no exception to this.

Criminalization of poverty deals with a host of constitutionally dubious laws crafted at harassment of the homeless or by the selective enforcement of existing laws such as loitering,panhandling and open container and anti camping laws to target the homeless and move them from one area to another or out of town completely.Some cities such as Las Vegas have gone as far as restricting food sharing and penalizing organizations that feed the homeless.

Such efforts are not only inhumane and immoral but have been legally challenged as violations of the First, Eighth and Fourteenth amendments. More to the point these efforts are are largely ineffective,counter productive and fiscally wrong minded.

Consider this, The 2009 Homes Not Handcuffs report released by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty,found in a survey that the national average cost for arrest and incarceration of the homeless to be two to three times the cost of Permanent supportive housing. In Los Angeles the cost of supportive housing is 30.10 cents per person per day compared to $63.69 dollars per day in jail costs for the same individuals. In Memphis the costs of incarceration are much higher and according to the Shelby County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council sits at about $87-$90 dollars per inmate per day at 201 poplar.

That same study also cites the case where the Hennepin County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee studied the effect of Minneapolis's new Downtown safe Zones initiative by observing the cases where the 33 homeless persons were tracked via their involvement with the criminal justice system, from April 17h to June 17th in 2005.
The HCCJCC wanted to determine the effectiveness of this new initiative and they discovered high disproportioned cost for minimal outcomes. On closer inspection the HCCJCC found that the costs to the Criminal Justice system for those 33 individuals alone was
$876,741 for Hennepin County jail cost since 1994
$184,200 for Hennepin County law enforcement costs since 1994
$140,25 for Hennepin county court costs since 1985
2,651,732 Total criminal justice related costs, including $829,790 in Minnesota state prison costs since 1991.

For that kind of money..you would have been better off providing affordable housing.

Criminalizing poverty also has the negative affect of preventing the homeless from being able to qualify for many housing and job training opportunities as they tend to have longer arrest records filled with petty charges. These things created a cycle where it is very difficult for those on the streets to ever,"Pull themselves up by their own bootstraps". Hell I know alot of folks with college degrees and job skills who are having a hard time finding work presently...and these folks have homes, cars and clean clothes.

It is not well known but the fact is that there are no free homeless shelters in Memphis despite the fact that most cities our size have at least one. There is a consistent myth being perpetuated in this city that a free shelter is some kind of unrealistic radical lefty notion..in fact quite the opposite is true.Memphis by population has large numbers of people living in poverty. The other cities around our size with issues of poverty include...

2.Milwaukee
3.Baltimore
4.Indianapolis
5.Cleveland
6.Nashville
7.Charlotte
8.St Louis
9.Cincinnati
10.Birmingham

All of these other cities have at least one free shelter...some of them have multiple free shelters, so let's drop this bull about it being impossible. I don't want to hear anymore nonsense about comparing ourselves to Atlanta or Chicago, when we are eating Birmingham's dust.

If we accept the reality that Memphis has no free shelters and little in the way of real affordable housing, then how can we turn around and be surprised that there are persons panhandling? Now many cling to the myth that panhandlers are not homeless and homeless people do not panhandle, but as long as we have a social services network that charges homeless people for shelter and a city with a 26% poverty rate, that amounts to about 160,000 people..guess what...folks are panhandling and many of them are not con artists. a free shelter would at least decrease the cases of aggressive panhandling a great deal.

The threat to the homeless comes not only from criminalization of the homeless by government by also the harassment and exploitation of the homeless by criminals, law enforcement and in some cases even homeless service providers.

I have learned of a case where homeless individuals at a certain local shelter are compelled to work for a temporary service daily in order to receive shelter from this organization. The paychecks for these men are sent directly to the service provider who deducts $120.00 a week, plus a mandatory tithe offering to this church run charity of an additional $20.00 per week. Those in the shelter often complain of substandard food and mandatory attendance of church services. If you are late getting in after curfew...that's another $20 dollar fine...if you miss a day of work...that's another $20 dollar fine.
As a result..we have large numbers of people living in homeless shelters who are in fact working up to 40 hours a week in some cases getting checks for as little as $60-$80 dollars...."Load sixteen tons..what do you get..another day older and deeper in debt.."

Currently the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center’s work to organize and advocate for positive change in our communities rolls on with our H.O.P.E. Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality campaign. This effort will work to build partnerships with the homeless to oppose new unconstitutional and immoral anti laws and make sure that their voices are heard in the policies that affect them. In addition H.O.P.E. will advocate for affordable housing, and other program goals that came out of a MSPJC survey conducted with 300 homeless persons in the Memphis area.
Currently the Peace and Justice Center is wrapping up the creation of a Memphis Survival Guide, a comprehensive directory of homeless services in this city, including a meal schedule, shelter information, maps and information for runaways and veterans services.

We plan on reaching out to the new Wharton administration as well as these issues are consistent with Mayor Ac Wharton's signing of the Issues First People's Agenda.
This pledge signed while Mayor Wharton was a candidate for office stated that issues of POVERTY,HEALTH,JOBS and CRIME AND VIOLENCE would be a priority in his administration.
As a result Mayor Wharton pledged to support enhanced services for the homeless including a Free Homeless Shelter,Temporary housing for those on waiting lists, augmented mental health services and application assistance for social security disability benefits, a free parking lot where those living in their cars can have a safe place to park and gain access to other services. a resource center where the homeless and poor can learn about employment opportunities, as well as available services and have a safe place to congregate during the day.
Most of all mandating that the homeless have a voice in the creation of policy.

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering to take part in this project please contact Brad Watkins Organizing Coordinator for H.O.P.E. at 901-725-4990 or email him at brad@midsouthpeace.org

2009 Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking-Oct 23rd-25th

2009-10-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Schedule updates, workshops posted, and more...

Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking
October 23-25, 2009
Memphis, TN
www.gandhikingconference.org

Final preparations are under way for what is going to be our most engaging conference yet. We have just updated the schedule and added a listing of workshop offerings to the website. The phones are busy fielding calls from as far away as Kenya and Nepal, with peacemakers from all over the world finding ways to make the trip to Memphis to be a part of this important gathering.

Please don't wait a minute longer. Register today to reserve your space in this gathering that will feature....

Speakers: Rev. CT Vivian, lifelong civil rights activist • Kathy Kelly, Voices for Creative Nonviolence • Mubarak Awad, Nonviolence International • Barbara Love, United to End Racism • Rudy Balles, PeaceJam Foundation • Michael Nagler, Metta Center

Workshops by: LaOnf, 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, United to End Racism, Community Media Workshop, National War Tax Resistance, the Matrix Center, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Young Spirit Foundation, the Community Nonviolence Resource Center and much more...

Plus....
Want more than just a conference? The Gandhi-King Convergence: from shared ideas to coordinated action.

The Gandhi-King Convergence is an opportunity for people from across the country and around the world to come together to vision, share ideas and resources, and further our work in a more unified and collaborative way. Participants will form issue-based working groups and engage in a process to share insights and experiences, find ways we can be of support to each other, and to create an action plan for the coming year. Presenters will act as resource agents in this process to provide guidance and support. We will also form a network so that these groups can stay connected and support each other in their common work throughout the year. These working groups will help us dig deeper and turn our knowledge into action!

Registration includes all this PLUS a Friday reception, lunch on Saturday, and the Saturday evening banquet.

click here to download the workshop schedule, register, and more...

..... Take a Bow

2009-10-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

On behalf of ISSUES FIRST, we want to congratulate County Mayor AC Wharton on his victory in the Special Election for Memphis Mayor. Issues First wishes you all the best and godspeed.

I'll leave the post election analysis to those better suited than I and just wanted to take a moment to say something personal.

I want to express my appreciation and respect for the Campaign Workers and volunteers who worked not only on Mayor Wharton's winning campaign but on all the others as well. It's hard, unglamorous and thankless work..filled with late hours and little if no pay. You do this work because you believed in the candidate you worked for..believed in them enough that you gave your precious time, money and energy to try and get someone else elected to public office. This is a tremendous thing and the bitch of it is..when your candidate wins..you are often unsung..when you lose..it breaks your heart. So please accept my humble congrats and admiration of your work and take a bow.

*****NOTE*****

That all goes for our ISSUES FIRST workers and volunteers as well, but our campaign is not over...signing a pledge is one thing...honoring it with action is another. So our work continues as we work with and support our Mayor in his noble goal of building ONE MEMPHIS, as well as as working even harder to reach out to the community, our partners and those who are impacted by the issues of Poverty,Health,Jobs,Crime and Violence to ensure that this PEOPLE'S AGENDA moves forward.

This Election is Over..Our Campaign is Not

...but first...let take a nap and catch our breath....and catch up on some DVR'ed episodes of DEXTER

AC Wharton on the ISSUES FIRST Campaign

2009-10-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Brad:

The theme for our campaign - "One Memphis" - emerged out of my desire to see not only greater unity among people, but greater understanding that the issues we face are inextricably linked. The four that you have highlighted in your Issues First agenda, poverty, obs, health, and crime must not be approached as divided, segmented problems but with the clear understanding that they are inter-related. Just as the prosperity or decline of one area of Memphis affects all areas of Memphis, so does impacting one of these issues affect what happens with the other three.

My administration will be defined by the same ethos that has defined my campaign - an investment in people instead of projects and a focus on making results, not taking credit. During my time as your County Mayor, I have worked tirelessly with local companies to provide incentives for the workforce training and hiring of ex-felons. Young men and women who have ended up on the wrong side of the law once should not be forever denied the ability to earn a living or provide for their families, as long as they have accepted responsibility for their actions and paid their dues to society. In fact, recidivism rates in Shelby County are so high precisely because upon leaving jail, a continued life of crime is too often the only available option for an individual.

Creating the structure, responsibility, and financial security of a good job not only reduces crime, it raises household incomes across our entire city. As a result, Memphis becomes safer and more prosperous. We're already doing this, and as your next City Mayor, I look forward to doing even more. From FedEx to Piggly Wiggly to Holiday Inn to Stax Records, Memphis has proud legacy of successful entrepreneurship. I know that spirit is still alive in our city, and in a competitive 21st century economy, it's more important than ever. My administration will ramp up its support for small and minority-owned businesses and strategically use incentives to atract companies to parts of town where jobs are needed the most. My office will also comprehensively organize all of the city's economic development agencies, departments and non-profits to ensure that we are recruiting and retaining valuable talent as aggressively as possible.

A thriving community is an inherently safer and healthier one. A few weeks ago, following an appearance I made before the National Press Club, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution to focus new attention on the epidemic of infant mortality that plagues Shelby County. An infant dies in our community every 42 hours - that's a rate on par with some third-world countries, and it is utterly inexcusable. I've been working with Governor Bredesen to secure resources so that we can attack this problem by going straight to the most afflicted ZIP codes and neighborhoods and talking directly to expectant mother. There should not be a separate standard of care for rich families and poor families. I if have to lead my staff door to door to every household in the City to ensure that, I'm prepared to do so.

It's sometimes said in politics that there are not permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent issues. I certainly hope that the issues I'm running to address are not permanent ones! To that adage, however, I'd add that there are not permanent leaders, only individuals such as myself who have been presented the opportunity to serve at the will of the people. I am running for City Mayor so that I can continue a personal mission of service that I began many years ago. I applaud the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center for your leadership in making sure that our focus as candidates and elected officials remains squarely where it needs to be - on the needs desires, concerns, and aspirations of those we have pledged do serve.

You may find answers to additional questions about my platform at my website, acwharton.com, or by emailing me personal at ac@acwharton.com.

Yours in service,

AC Wharton, Jr

"Where they are more easily tolerated."

2009-10-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

"This is going to be a long one"

Many of you no doubt have seen,heard or read that the Center City Commission is moving ahead with plans to try and get new ordinances passed that would ban single beer sales in areas of downtown...excluding Beale street, as well as the creation of "No Panhandling zones." The proposed motivation for such action is the stated belief that such a ban would discourage aggressive panhandling of tourists and downtown residents. If you have not heard about this yet, please feel free to check out this article right here.

Now...where to begin....first let's make something clear, no one is defending aggressive panhandling, and no one has the right to threaten harass or intimidate people out of their money.This issue has little to do with it's publicly stated aim of dealing with that crime and is instead another in a long line of veiled attempts by the Center City Commission to use extreme cases of Aggressive panhandling to rally public support to drive the poor and the homeless out of Downtown and into other neighborhoods. "...and by other...I mean yours"

About a year ago the CCC spent half a million dollars in launching a private security force downtown with the stated purpose of discouraging aggressive panhandling ONLY, and not harassment of the homeless, yet a year later and by their own reports the CCC's security force only deals with AP issues 40% of the time. The bulk of the time is dealt with enforcing "Lifestyle" issues.

The CCC actions push poor people out of downtown despite the fact that a large number of homeless service providers are in fact located in the Downtown area. The result is the continued push of the homeless out of the Green zone and further into Midtown, Berclair and Orange Mound, rather than pursue a policy that addresses homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction for the benefit of all parties involved. If the opposite were true, then where is the CCC's call for a free shelter in Memphis?

We are the only major metro area our size that does not have one. Where is the CCC's call for greater mental health and alcohol addiction services? Where is the CCC's call for assistance for those trying to navigate the complex application process for social security disability benefits? Hell, the CCC just updated it's fancy dancy website and did not update their information on Homeless services, nor have they added an online giving button to their website as they encourage people to give to charities not panhandlers.We have asked them to do this for over three years now.

More to the point, where is the effort to engage the homeless population as a potential partner in dealing with the issue. As the homeless as a whole bear the brunt of the backlash against Aggressive Panhandlers, many of them are angry about the situation as well...which the CCC would know if they ever bothered to dialog with them. Aggressive Panhandling is a behavior, homelessness is a situation, yet these methods of dealing with a behavior punish Aggressive Panhandlers the poor,the homeless, and non homeless folk alike? Where was the input from the homeless and the homeless service providers?

What is the real benefit of banning single beer sales in areas other than Beale Street? What if YOU worked downtown and wanted to buy a tallboy after work one day, why set aside one set of rules for one population and another set of rules for another?
A well known local blogger regularly documents his public intoxication walking around downtown Memphis and wins awards for it.
Members of the CCC at last year's Christmas tree lighting ceremony were seen in broad daylight pouring Maker's Mark from a bottle in a brown paper bag into their cups. In fact there was a video of this on their website until earlier this year.
So I guess the message is, if you have money, public intoxication is not a problem or a crime. What about the regular law abiding citizen who just wants to buy a beer?

If the problem is people with an alcohol addiction problem, then what is the benefit of forcing people to buy beer in larger quantities. Is Malt liquor even sold in a six pack format? Would this policy not simply push those with alcohol abuse issues to buy pints of equally inexpensive liquor from area liquor stores, as they would be unaffected by this proposed ordinance? Exchanging beer cans for liquor bottles...progress?

What is the real benefit of nonsensical "no panhandling zones"? Will that really solve anything..or is it a policy designed to push the issues elsewhere.? Afterall, by creating a "No Panhandling zone...aren't you really just creating Panhandling zones elsewhere?

In fact Today's editorial in the Commercial appeal, shines quite a light on the underlining motivation behind this push, check it out right Here

Here is the crucial quote from that piece...
"But some panhandlers are simply trying to collect enough money for their next beer or malt liquor to drink on the street. If they can't get what they want Downtown, perhaps they will give some thought to moving where they're more easily tolerated."

....Where they are more easily tolerated.....where they are more easily tolerated....again, that means...your neighborhood. In fact, just the other day I spoke with a group of volunteers at the midtown based St Vincent Depaul Food mission on Cleveland. While I was there, I watched as this organization served over 225 meals to the poor and homeless in less than two hours. Why the upsurge?...because according to the staff and clients, these folks were being pushed out from Downtown.
Late last week, at a place of Hospitality in Midtown I spoke to volunteers and clients about how the police pick up homeless individuals and drive them out to the city limits and drop them off as well as "indicted corners and alleys" where the police routinely harass the homeless for simply standing in certain areas known to be spots of "drug/gang related activity". Hell, about a quarter of the city fits that criteria...
Speaking to activists at a Food mission in Highland Heights/Berclair, i've heard from staff,volunteers and clients about how the population of homeless folk increases in the area right before any major event occurs downtown.
Where they are more easily tolerated......

The CCC instead of focusing and reaching out to potential partners to deal effectively with the roots causes of homelessness, drug addiction and public safety for everyone in the community, the CCC is engaged in just another in a series of steps to further criminalize poverty in the two safest precincts in area in the city of Memphis.

One last thing....
It's never fun and it's scary to some to be Aggressively panhandled...I totally understand and respect that, but let's be real. Go to Washington D.C. Philadelphia,Chicago,Los Angeles, or in major other tourist location inside or outside the US from Paris to Rome....and then go on and on about how serious a problem we really have here.People need to get out more.

The cost of incarceration at 201 poplar is $87-90 dollars, per inmate, per day. Arresting poor people or fining and citing for nonviolent "nuisance" offenses is a fiscally, morally and pragmatically failed policy for dealing with homeless issues.

Don't we have some real crimes to focus all this time money and energy on?

ISSUES FIRST-Carpenter,Chumney,Lawler,Lowery and Whalum sign the pledge

2009-10-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Today at one of Memphis' largest food missions for the poor and homeless in our city five candidates in the election for Mayor of the City of Memphis stood with the community and signed a public pledge that the ISSUES of POVERTY,HEALTH,JOBS, CRIME AND VIOLENCE outlined in the PEOPLE'S AGENDA would be priorities in their administrations.

The ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN hosted a press conference outside of the ST VINCENT DePAUL food mission at 123 North Cleveland, candidates Charles Carpenter,Carol Chumney,Jerry Lawler,Myron Lowery and KT Whalum fulfilled a commitment to signing and embracing the issues set forward by this community driven campaign of issues that center on the challenges faced by thousands in our communities everyday.

Each of the candidates spoke of their support and their individual and collective passion for promoting positive change in the city of Memphis and uplifting the work of those in the community.

Our deepest thanks to these leaders for their pledge, and watch this space for updates on our next Pledge signing event, Where candidates Wanda Halbert, AC Wharton, and Sharon Webb will also sign the pledge of the People's Agenda.

Demand Change

ISSUES FIRST Campaign-Pledge signing event-Thurs,Oct 1st at 10am

2009-09-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

Contact:Brad Watkins*901-495-0818

SEVEN MAYORAL CANDIDATES SIGN A PUBLIC PLEDGE TO KEEP THE ISSUES FIRST
Candidates Lowery,Carpenter,Chumney,Whalum,Webb and Halbert have confirmed attendance

MEMPHIS-- Issues First, a campaign of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, will hold a press conference and pledge signing event Thursday at 10am at St Vincent Depaul, food mission at 123 North Cleveland. Representatives will make comment on the PEOPLE'S AGENDA issues platform advocated by the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center to the major candidates in the Mayoral race. Details on this platform can be found at www.midsouthpeace.org

The Issues First campaign has over the past several weeks worked to engage the public with issue based voter education and advocacy efforts designed to secure a public pledge from all of the major candidates in the October 15th Memphis special Mayoral election that the issues of the People's Agenda will be a priority within their administrations if elected. These issues center on the four major campaign planks of POVERTY, HEALTH,JOBS and CRIME AND VIOLENCE within our community. Mayoral candidates who have committed to signing the pledge and confirmed to be in attendance include Charles Carpenter,Carol Chumney,Wanda Halbert,Myron Lowery,Sharon Webb, and K.T. Whalum. Candidates will be available to give their comment following this press conference. Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton has also committed to signing the pledge, but due to a schedule conflict will sign the pledge publicly at a later date.

St Vincent De Paul Food Mission, located at 123 N Cleveland St, is a place of hospitality in the Midtown Memphis area. It offers meals and a safe place for over two hundred homeless persons and others in need every day. It is for this reason that the ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN has decided to host the First of two pledge signing events here. All of the candidates in the race for Mayor, the community and the media are invited and urged to attend. Here we will hear from each of the candidates about why these issues matter to them and watch as they sign the pledge joining this campaign.

The Issues First campaign seeks to uplift the tone and conversation within the electoral process away from divisive negative attacks and or vague rhetoric into a positive and productive conversations about the issues that our community grapples with everyday. These "People's issues," are often ignored in political campaigns according to Brad Watkins, Organizing Coordinator of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, "We have heard alot in this campaign about consolidation, we have heard alot about whether or not to fire MPD director Larry Godwin, but what we have not heard enough about is how are we going to make MATA more efficient? or What are we going to do to address homelessness? or How are we going to address the toxic levels of lead soil in many residential areas?...that's what this campaign is all about."

ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN-Thank You Wanda Halbert!

2009-09-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

The ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN is pleased to announce that City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert his made a commitment to sign the pledge and support the issues of the PEOPLE'S AGENDA if elected.

Wanda Halbert has been fierce and vocal in her advocacy for our schools and for issues of economic and social equality in the City of Memphis, from her days as a citizen activist, to her time on the school board to the present. She is a candid person who speaks her mind and talks frankly about the challenges facing the Memphis community, we are very happy to have Ms. Halbert's support for our platform.

Wanda Halbert joins Carol Chumney Charles Carpenter,Myron Lowery,Sharon Webb,K.T. Whalum and AC Wharton as the candidates in this race, who have committed to making a public pledge that the issues of Poverty,Health, Jobs, Crime and violence will be priorities within their administrations if elected.

ISSUES FIRST PLEDGE SIGNING EVENT-Thursday, OCT 1ST at 10am

On October 1st at 10am at St Vincent De Paul Food Mission, located at 123 N Cleveland St, is a place of hospitality in the Madison Heights neighborhood of Midtown Memphis. It offers meals and a safe place for over one hundred homeless persons and others in need every day. It is for this reason that the ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN has decided to host the First of two pledge signing events here. All of the candidates in the race for Mayor, the community and the media are invited and urged to attend. Here we will hear from each of the candidates about why these issues matter to them and watch as they sign the pledge joining this campaign.

If interested in joining us and making your voice heard, please contact Brad Watkins at Brad@midsouthpeace.org or call at 901-725-4990

ISSUES FIRST Campaign-Thank You Carol Chumney

2009-09-25T13:46:00.001-07:00

The Issues First Campaign would like to extend our thanks to Carol Chumney for making the pledge to sign the People'S Agenda

Carol Chumney is a passionate and tireless fighter for the causes she supports in particular the causes of fighting crime and removing blight and for the ethical management of the City government.We at Issues First are glad and proud to have her as a supporter of these issues and this effort.

Ms Chumney joins Charles Carpenter,Myron Lowery,Sharon Webb,K.T. Whalum and AC Wharton as the candidates in this race, who have committed to making a public pledge that the issues of Poverty,Health, Jobs, Crime and violence will be priorities within their administrations if elected.

ISSUES FIRST PLEDGE SIGNING EVENT-Thursday, OCT 1ST at 10am

On October 1st at 10am at St Vincent De Paul Food Mission, located at 123 N Cleveland St, is a place of hospitality in the Madison Heights neighborhood of Midtown Memphis. It offers meals and a safe place for over one hundred homeless persons and others in need every day. It is for this reason that the ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN has decided to host the First of two pledge signing events here. All of the candidates in the race for Mayor, the community and the media are invited and urged to attend. Here we will hear from each of the candidates about why these issues matter to them and watch as they sign the pledge joining this campaign.

If interested in joining us and making your voice heard, please contact Brad Watkins at Brad@midsouthpeace.org or call at 901-725-4990

ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN-Action Alerts

2009-09-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

Friends

Today The ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN is proud to announce that five candidates in the race for Memphis Mayor have made a commitment to publicly sign the pledge and embrace the issues of the PEOPLE'S AGENDA. These issues deal with POVERTY, HEALTH, CRIME AND VIOLENCE AND JOBS, four root issues areas that will challenge our next Mayor and must be addressed in order to move this city forward.
So I'd like to thank Charles Carpenter, Myron Lowery, Sharon Webb, KT Whalum and AC Wharton for stepping forward as leaders in this community and for their pledge to champion these causes and this agenda if elected on Oct 15th.

There are several upcoming opportunities for action as we strive to move this campaign for Mayor away from divisive negative attacks into a positive promotion of solutions to many of the challenges facing our city and community.

One easy way to help the campaign is to ask the candidates and their volunteers "Will "Candidates name" sign the pledge and support the People's Agenda? Whenever you meet them at events, or when they call you on your phone, or knock on your door. Even if they have already pledged, we need to keep our efforts up until they sign.

Carol Chumney-http://www.carolchumneyonline.com/.
carolchumney@aol.com

Wanda Halbert -halbert4memphismayor@yahoo.com
901-690-7533

Jerry Lawler-jerry@jerrylawler2009.com

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ISSUES FIRST TAILGATE-Saturday Sept 26th

The Issues First team will be tailgating at the University of Memphis vs Marshall football game on Saturday Sept 26th from 10am-12 noon, at the Liberty Bowl to grill some Burgers and Hot Dogs and talk with Memphis voters about the issues in this campaign and hand out information about the People's Agenda platform.

If interested in joining us for a fun Saturday afternoon of Football and politics please contact Brad Watkins at Brad@midsouthpeace.org or call at 901-725-4990

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ISSUES FIRST MAYORAL DEBATE DEMONSTRATION, SEPT 26th 6-7pm

On Saturday September 26th the ISSUES FIRST Campaign will be taking our message directly to the candidates as we will host a small demonstration outside of the Memphis Mayoral Debate hosted by WREG Channel 3. We will be there from 6pm-7pm to meet the candidates on their way to the event and urge them to join this campaign and make a public commitment to issues of POVERTY, HEALTH, JOBS, and CRIME AND VIOLENCE. We will be there with our signs and our voices to ask the Candidates to Sign the pledge. We do so hope that you will join us. We will be outside of WREG Channel Three at 803 Channel 3 Drive Memphis, Tennessee 38103

If interested in joining us and making your voice heard, please contact Brad Watkins at Brad@midsouthpeace.org or call at 901-725-4990

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ISSUES FIRST PLEDGE SIGNING EVENT-Thursday, OCT 1ST at 10am

On October 1st at 10am at St Vincent De Paul Food Mission, located at 123 N Cleveland St, is a place of hospitality in the Madison Heights neighborhood of Midtown Memphis. It offers meals and a safe place for over one hundred homeless persons and others in need every day. It is for this reason that the ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN has decided to host the First of two pledge signing events here. All of the candidates in the race for Mayor, the community and the media are invited and urged to attend. Here we will hear from each of the candidates about why these issues matter to them and watch as they sign the pledge joining this campaign.

If interested in joining us and making your voice heard, please contact Brad Watkins at Brad@midsouthpeace.org or call at 901-725-4990
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Be on the look out for other announcements about ISSUES FIRST events and for updates on other candidates joining this campaign to promote the people's agenda.

Demand Change

Enlarging the House of Representatives would help the Democrats in the Electoral College

2009-09-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/09/would-bigger-house-favor-democrats.html

Enlarging the number of members we have in the House of Representatives would not only give Americans more representation (less people under each House member), but it would also greatly benefit the Democrats in the electoral college by reducing the influence of smaller states. We need to pass this through while we have big majorities in both chambers of Congress.

For those who feel this is trampling on the Constitution read part of Article 1, Section 2: "The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative." Enlarging the membership of the House of Representatives may even further the intent of the Constitution.

ISSUES FIRST-Thank you Mayor Wharton

2009-09-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

The ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN is pleased to announce that Shelby County Mayor and Memphis Mayoral Candidate AC Wharton has committed to signing the pledge in support of the PEOPLE'S AGENDA. This brings the list of confirmed pledge signers to five.a list that includes Mayor Myron Lowery, Charles Carpenter, Kt Whalum and Sharon Webb.

Mayor Wharton's work in the creation and support of the JERICHO Initiative is an outstanding example of his vision and leadership. Jericho is a nationally recognized diversion program for those inmates within the criminal justice system who have mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse issues. This program has been very successful at curbing recidivism rates among participants. As such advocating for increased funding for the Jericho Project was a staple of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center's JUSTPEACE MEMPHIS campaign. Mayor Wharton is supportive of the People's Agenda, and is planning to release a statement which will be posted in this space.

The ISSUES FIRST campaign will continue making Updates as other candidates confirm as well as post information on our Two Pledge signing events coming up soon.

DEMAND CHANGE

ISSUES FIRST-OUR THANKS FOR MAKING THE PLEDGE

2009-09-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

Today The ISSUES FIRST CAMPAIGN is proud to announce that four candidates in the race for Memphis Mayor have made a commitment to sign the pledge and embrace the issues of the PEOPLE'S AGENDA. These issues deal with POVERTY, HEALTH, CRIME AND VIOLENCE AND JOBS, four root issues areas that will challenge our next Mayor and must be addressed in order to move this city forward.
So I'd like to thank K.T. Whalum, Sharon Webb, Myron Lowery and Charles Carpenter for stepping forward as leaders in this community and for their pledge to champion these causes and this agenda if elected on Oct 15th.

KT Whalum was the very first candidate to commit,offering his whole hearted support citing these issues as vital to our well being as a City and close to his heart. He promises a new approach to the relationship between the people and their government and will strive for a city where all Memphians can be treated with respect and their issues and problems be given the attention they deserve. He cited that we must build up our local economy and facilitate economic opportunity in lower income areas.

Sharon Webb, was enthusiastic and kind in our discussions pledging to always be on the side of the people. Acknowledging that no one person can do it alone in her new administration, she wants to open city hall to act as a hub for coordination of various social and economic justice efforts done by organizations across the city.

Mayor Myron Lowery, pledged his support for this agenda and for the work of ISSUES FIRST, saying that he's not going to wait to get started working to improve Memphis. Mayor Lowery has consistently been one of the most approachable and accessible elected officials in city government and in that spirit plans to make government more accessible, transparent and accountable to the people of Memphis. I also want to thank Mayor Lowery for being a good sport and being the only candidate to accept my "dunk tank challenge" at the Faith and Labor picnic.

Charles Carpenter Made the pledge while vowing to never forget his humble roots as a young man growing up in the city of Memphis. Carpenter was eloquent and shocking frank, not only about the problems and challenges our City faces, but also on his commitment to ensure that these issues will be addressed head on in his administration. He has a longstanding passion and sensitivity for issues of justice and proper care for those with mental illness. He will first and foremost strive to make City Government operations more effective and accountable, ensuring proper management and operations of all city services from public works to MPD.

My thanks to these first four candidates who joined this campaign to Change Memphis for the better

Watch this space for upcoming announcements as other candidates confirm and for our ISSUES FIRST PLEDGE SIGNING EVENT on Thursday OCT 1st.

DEMAND CHANGE!

ISSUES FIRST-"they kill for inspiration and sing about their grief".

2009-09-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

Read an Editorial today from the Commercial Appeal where the CA laments the lack of issues being presented by the candidates for Mayor in this year's special Mayoral election. Take a moment and check it out...CA Editorial

Wow.....Well i totally agree with the position of this article, issues do matter, especially considering that out of the 25-26? candidates we have running for Mayor..only FOUR of them have platforms of issues that they are presenting to the voters thus far. Still I find it a bit disingenuous that the CA is calling out for a serious discussion of the issues while at the same time not covering occasions when the candidates are asked about them.

The ISSUES FIRST Campaign is working to do just what Mr Sanford asks. In fact almost two weeks ago, we invited the candidates to a vacant lot in a residential area near Vance Middle school contaminated with HIGH levels of toxic Lead soil contamination. Lead is a huge problem in many areas across Memphis that contributes to learning disabilities in children,and contributes to Memphis' high rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, and infant mortality.

ISSUES FIRST hosted a press conference where we invited the Mayoral candidates to attend and comment on this issue. KT Whalum, Charles Carpenter and Carol Chumney all attended. The CA and five other media sources attended this press conference, but did not run the story at all, instead choosing to focus on the "human zoo" angle of the large numbers of candidates in the race.

A Rally for?...

As you can see the article..briefly mentions a "rally" hosted by the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, but does not explain...what the "rally" was for..or why we were hosting a "rally" in the first place. In fact it was a press conference , not a rally at all, and the candidates did speak to the issues and what they would do about it as Mayor...but you'd never know that from the CA coverage.

You can't have it both ways...

Platform questions....

2009-09-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Part of the issues first Campaign is calling on candidates to run on issues not personalities. In that spirit, i've been looking over the various platforms of various Mayoral candidates. ....and for those who still do not have them..."you know who you are"...shame on you. At any rate i was reading the platform of Mayoral candidate and Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton the other day, and i think on the whole alot of our concerns are somewhat addressed.. when something caught my eye that made me feel..uncomfortable..

Comprehensive Safe Streets Program

.....Mayor Wharton will also develop an auxiliary police chief in each neighborhood who gets special training and acts as special liaison to Memphis Police Department. Mayor Wharton will also start a Mobile Neighborhood Watch program of postal workers, MLGW employees, cable television workers, newspaper carriers, and cab drivers who will act as “eyes on the street” and report any suspicious activities to a special hot line.

My concerns were...

Is this a Federal mandate? Because it sounds very similar to a Department of Justice grant in regard to combating terrorism.i am wondering about how such a program will be set up and what standards will be given to determine what constitutes "suspicious" activity and what safeguards will be put in place to prevent this program from being bogged down in personal grudges and misunderstandings or in the worst case, violations of individual civil rights and racial profiling. Will the civilians involved in this operation and or their private employers be financially compensated? and if so what would be the metric for determining payment..would it be based on number of verified tips? What training will be provided to these individuals?

So after asking around i received an email from a local activist ,who is working on the Wharton campaign, who shared their thoughts on the subject.

Brad,
Good questions and valid concerns all......

This is not a federally-mandated program; this is an idea purely of the Mayor's own creation. There will be no compensation for these individuals and they will have no authority to detain, punish, or otherwise infringe on the civil liberties of other citizens. The Mayor's intent is for these individuals to make a volunteer commitment to various parts of town they already work in, particularly with regard to seniors or shut-ins. In addition to bringing the mail or delivering the paper, specific people could also be *asked* to be more mindful than usual of the circumstances of people and properties in their area. If they see something amiss--obvious drug dealing, people suffering without adequate heating or air conditioning, vandalism, etc.--they should be empowered to let City Hall know so that appropriate action can be taken if possible.

Mayor Wharton is simply trying to make the City a bit more proactive in developing very loosely organized grassroots entities that know their neighborhoods and can try to help keep things a little bit safer and cleaner. This is not the same as community policing or para-policing; this is old fashioned neighborhood watching, combined with a bit of meals-on-wheels human contact for individuals who may not otherwise get much.
!

Maybe so...still this whole thing makes me a little nervous, I see a potential unintended consequence of racial profiling and a flood of unproductive calls of vague "suspicious activity" and or the hotline being used for feuds and vendettas.The bottomline is how do you define "Suspicious activity" ? What does that even mean? I can imagine that Law Enforcement personnel could give me some examples, but isn't that my point?....what kind of training or guidelines are these volunteers going to be given. Who are they going to be reporting to? Who is going to process this information to separate the junk from the helpful tips?

I also wonder what is the real purpose of this initiative? Could we not do these things already..in fact is the problem really about getting folks to volunteer to make calls..or has the problem always been about getting a response from city government to those calls.
People across this city call the police and other services everyday, and many times, there is no response...that is why they after a while stop calling.

I dunno, this may not be a big deal at all, and At least Wharton HAS a platform, that's something 22 other candidates in this race cannot say. Still we need to be vigilant about all the candidates platforms, positions and associations, not just the ones we don't like.

ISSUES FIRST at the Orange Mound Heritage Festival

2009-09-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend ISSUES FIRST will be at the Orange Mound Heritage Festival, talking to the voters about the issues that really matter in the community. Come by and see us at our table as we strive to focus this election on what really matters.

Brad

The Classic Parade and Orange Mound Heritage Festival

Get out and march to the groove of the 9th annual Classic Parade in Orange Mound. It is scheduled for Saturday, September 12. The parade route begins at the corner of Park and Haynes, proceeds along Park Avenue and ends at the Lamar Airways Shopping Center. The 1st annual Orange Mound Heritage Festival begins at 10:00 am in the Lewis –Davis Park. Come with the family to enjoy vendors offering food, listen to the DJ jamming, and face painting for the kids, Health Screening for all and lots of information for the community.

We didn’t forget the sports enthusiast; we are also partnering with “Hoops for the Hungry” and supporting a 3-on-3 basketball competition. So all you ballers come out and participate and show us your moves.

To volunteer and/or sign up for any of the events please contact: Michelle Smith (901) 412-0477 or via email at proftaxesetc@aol.com.

This event is hosted by: The Orange Mound Parade Committee, The Orange Mound Civic Organization, The Orange Mound Development Corporation, The Lamar Airways Business Association and Christ Community Health services.

ISSUES FIRST-People's Agenda

2009-09-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

Our Community • Our Voices

The fact is, in an off year election, and with such a crowded field of candidates, your vote is more valuable, more powerful, more desirable than in any other local election within a generation. That means you have the power to make this election a positive conversation about solutions to our many challenges.

Our city faces a host of challenges from Poverty, to Health, from Jobs to Crime and Violence, these are the issues that people all across our community grapple with everyday.
The Peoples Agenda

We want to spark a positive conversation about the issues and will work to rally community voices to convince the candidates to join with us in a pledge to make these issues a priority in their administrations if elected.

POVERTY :: We all deserve communities of opportunity and human dignity.
We need both short and long term solutions to poverty and homelessness. Efficient and affordable public transportation is vital to building working communities.

• Support for improved homeless services, including greater access to application assistance for Social Security benefits, temporary housing for those Americans on waiting lists, augmented mental health services, a free homeless shelter and a safe parking lot for those who sleep in their cars.
• Mandating the Homeless have a voice in formulation of the policies that directly affect them.
• Creation of a Homeless Resource Center,where the city's homeless and poor can learn about all programs and services available, and have a safe place to congregate during the day.
• Focusing new efforts to promote and foster locally owned small business opportunities in low income areas.
• Engaging law enforcement to enforce and prevent Wage Theft.

JOBS :: We all deserve opportunities to earn a better life for ourselves and our families.
We need jobs that will lift up communities by paying living wages, providing quality health care, and creating a healthy working environment.

• Augmentation of Workforce Development programs, specifically for the homeless, unemployed, underemployed and for those released ex-felons who have paid their debt to society.
• Greater Cooperation with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office to provide greater job skill training to selected inmates in at the Shelby county Penal Farm.
• Focusing efforts to attract the new jobs of the Green economy, leveraging Memphis's status as a trade and distribution center to attract and develop economic opportunity in the field of alternative energy especially local solar and biomass production and refinement.
• Expanding and promoting greater diversity in Memphis City contracting selection processes.
• Support for comprehensive MATA reorganization, including improving customer service, improving online route planner, maintenance of vehicles, improved maintenance of wheelchair lifts, more rain shelters in lower income areas, and pursuing a grid/loop system for bus routes.

HEALTH :: We all deserve nourishing and healthy neighborhoods.
Quality and affordable health care and access to healthy foods is a basic human right and the negative effects of current policies are destroying our communities.

• Promoting community gardening in lower income communities that lack access to produce and fresh vegetables,to aid in reducing the number of Memphians who are considered high risk for obesity, heart disease, type two diabetes, and stroke.
• Implementation of bike lanes and pedestrian routes must include the voices of our low-income communities and its benefits must be directly felt by them.
• Improved funding and support for MCHCD Lead Abatement Program, to locate,test and address the high levels of lead contamination within many areas of our city. Lead poisoning has links to learning disabilities in children as well as a host of medical and psychological disorders.
• Support HCD/Community Enhancement re-organization and work in better concert with the Health Department and Environmental Court to prevent and clean up blighted areas, illegal trash, and tire dumping sites, which create breeding grounds for disease carrying mosquitoes and rodents.
• Better coordination with Shelby County Health Department, on issues relating to curbing Memphis' nationally high level of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

CRIME & VIOLENCE :: We all deserve safe and free communities.
We must support common sense policies in dealing with the tremendous crime and violence that sweeps our city. Reforms of our criminal justice system must start by addressing the root cause of crime, poverty.

• Development of a Juvenile Restorative Justice model for MPD and the Office of Youth Services and Community Affairs for use in curbing juvenile crime. Restorative justice techniques have shown dramatic results in reducing Juvenile recidivism as well as provide better community rapport with MPD and a cost savings for Memphis and Shelby county.
• Expanding Community policing programs for law enforcement to better interface with the community, and empowering the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board to better investigate citizen complaints of police misconduct. We must heal the breach between the community and MPD.
• Expanding and supporting existing successful re-entry programs for nonviolent offenders to end the revolving door at 201 Poplar.
• Focus on retention of qualified law enforcement personnel within the Memphis Police Department.
• Support and execute targeted demolition of condemned vacant properties in high blight areas, blight is a magnet for crime, fire and disease and prevents economic development.
• Increasing and improving training for Law Enforcement personnel in the investigation of sexual assault related crimes to increase successful prosecution of these cases.

Join the Campaign

Issues First is always for people to volunteer their time to help educate the public about these issues that matter to all of us. If you are interested in volunteering please give us a call at 901.725.4990 to speak with Brad Watkins, our Organizing Coordinator, or email him at brad@midsouthpeace.org. Remember to indicate if you have any special skills and/or talents that make this campaign stronger.

Visit www.shelbyvote.com or call 901.545.4136 for information on voting rights and election details.

VOTE EARLY • SEPT 25th thru OCT 10th

ELECTION DAY • OCTOBER 15th