Schroeder Hall Plan

City Council Meeting, continued

After Shannon and the guy gave their less than 3 minute talk, residents of the Schroeder Hall area took the floor. The first lady went over time and was asked to finish up her passionate speech. She gave her history and said they cleaned up the neighborhood got rid of the 3 crack houses. She kept mentioning crack cocaine. Her property is separated from the military base by a wire fence. She does not want her kids to see homeless crack addicts while playing in the back yard. She does not want them sleeping in her backyard or robbing her house. I noticed my district councilwoman look directly at me as this lady carried on about us disgusting homeless people, as if she were reading the anger in my mind.

I think it would have been a good idea for Richard, Bonita or me to get up and say a few words. Us Village people with mental health issues. We are Village success stories; no longer sleeping on sidewalks. I can not say much about their behavior on the streets. She and I may have spoken once or twice; know her face well from the Village. Richard was a lifetime homeless guy. The under-the-overpass camping kind. I believe he told me he used drugs and drank. Do know he is a talented artist; mostly does metal work. Makes a lot of jewelry.

After the 3rd resident got up and gave her plea not to approve the plan~she gave a short & sweet I am opposed~a councilman offered his reasons for resistance and had some questions. The mayor said "I think someone is here from the program and offered to answer questions". Shannon and the guy took the floor again. The issue was where are the homeless people going to go after they have used the drop-in center services. Shannon did a nice job on that: attending night school and stuff. But I could have answered it better. I am one of them, ya see. I know what they do when they finish with the Village services.