Parisi Makes Soglin Look Like a Kitten When Dealing with the Unhoused.

Last night, Alder Anite Weier and County Board Supervisor Melissa Sargent held an alleged listening session. Before the meeting I heard that they were preparing to make the Occupiers move, and half way through the meeting Chaous walks in with a laminated 4 page letter that was hung on a stake in the ground in the dark telling people to be out by noon today – not even 24 hours notice. After an hour and a half of the meeting, they dropped the bomb and then didn’t answer any questions. Short story: we won’t be moving. And we have no idea what they are going to do. They don’t seem to be willing to compromise. I told them we were not moving and they just stared at me, so I’m guessing they intend to issue tickets.

I will try to blog the meeting, I have it mostly done, but I got thrown into the position of gathering all the names and contact info for the residents there because Lynn Green, the head of the Department of Human Services is promising to find everyone shelter (not housing) and she is working with me (unpaid/taking more vacation) to do that. I have a list of the names of most of the people there, but not contact info and I am working on a statement requesting confidentiality for people to sign before they give their names – the fear is that they provide their names and then it is just used by the parks department to issue tickets at noon. I also have get to the church by 8am after I go get the van I’ve been using in case people do want to try to get some of their property off the site before noon – but I have no idea where we would take it. I am tempted to just leave everything there and let the parks department move and store it themselves and then we can just go pick it up.

I am further concerned because after talking to Green last night, she already said they refuse to help at least one person, and when I got back to camp I heard about another person who just yesterday got banned from all Porchlight services (We think it is in retaliation for speaking out – he was on the news being critical) and I’m guessing they will not work with him either. And, she isn’t promising housing, just saying there is room in the shelters or they would give motel vouchers to the women who can’t get into the shelter and people made it really clear at the meeting that they wouldn’t go there if there is still bedbugs. Additionally, people are very nervous that this is a just a short term solution to get people off their lawn and then in a few months, we’ll be right back in the situation we are in now. So, I’m guessing all their promises are completely bunk and we are no closer to any solutions, but will work with them to see what happens and expose the flaws in the system.

I’m also concerned that elected officials and leaders continue to justify that we have plenty of services. Clearly, we do not. If people were not camping on the front lawn of the Human Services building – they would not be suddenly getting special services and exceptions. Women who have no days left are now getting promises of vouchers if they can’t get in to the shelter and waivers of various rules. They are also expediting applications. I think its incredibly unfair to those who are following the rules, but they are so desperate to get us out of their hair I guess it doesn’t matter to them. Also, they are already saying they won’t help everyone, so there are not enough services.

On a different note, you really should hear what the neighbors had to say, I was really impressed. They were mostly compassionate and caring – except for the comments calling the people camping on the hill child molesters, vagrants and saying a few other rude comments. Most of them expressed concerns for the people living there and the gaps in the system and were mostly concerned that we didn’t tell them we were doing it. Well, yes, we can’t ask for permission to be anywhere because its all illegal and the answer is no. So, we apologize for that, but we hope you understand.

It’s going to be another long day it sounds like – and I won’t be able to blog the county board budget meeting from last night (has anyone reported about the budget the county board passed last night?). And might not make the council budget meeting tonight.

Anyways, here’s the 4 page letter. (It’s worth looking at to see the presentation) But first, if you want to express your concern, sign this petition. (I hope that link works)

***MEMORANDUM***
Camping is not authorized in Lake View Park. Tents have been erected at the park without a permit

Dane County Human Services, in collaboration with local providers, would like to ensure you are aware of the services being made available to serve those with sheltering needs. While Department staff are aware that campers have been informed of these sheltering options on an ongoing basis, the following is a current listing of available resources.

Day
Between now and December 1st Men and Women can both stay at Hospitality House,
1409 Martin Street It is open 7 days a week from 8:30am to 4:30pm, although most of the time it opens at 7:30 am. Shelter space is available.

Contact: Sina Davis, Porchlight Outreach Worker, 608-333-1963

Starting December 1’L Pending County Board approval, Dane County will begin operation of its first day resource center. Final location for this facility will be determined this week.

Contact (Starting December 151 : Tim Saterfie/d, Dane County Department of Human
Services, 242-6532

Night
Men: can stay at Grace Church, 116 W. Washington Avenue. It is open 7 days a week
from 5:30 pm to 7:30 am. Shelter space is available and accommodations will be made to ensure you have a place to sleep. Showers, washing facilities, and a meal are provided.

Contact: Sina Davis, Porchlight Outreach Worker, 608-333-1963

Women: The Salvation Army has overnight shelter available for women. Should these resources reach capacity, Dane County will provide emergency housing vouchers to women in the encampment to ensure individuals stay warm.

Contact: Leigha Weber, Salvation Army, 250-2237

Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Treatment Services
*Tellurian’s Transitional Housing Program, (THP) has agreed to expedite any and all applications from you or others who are part of this campground. THP offers private and semi-private rooms with 24 hour staffing, meals, employment counseling and referrals to other appropriate community resources.

Contact: Ric Schwichtenberg at 608-222-7311 ext. 213, to expedite an application

* Dane County-funded residential AODA Treatment: There is currently NO WAIT for Dane County-funded residential AODA treatment. County staff are willing to offer priority assessment slots for AODA residential treatment screening

Contact: Deb Natzke, Dane County, 608-242-6437

Other Outreach Services:
Both Porchlight and Tellurian have a variety of additional outreach programs that can provide additional resources to help you.

Contacts: Sina Davis, Porchlight Outreach Worker, 608-333-1963 or Ric
Schwichtenberg at 608-222-7311 ext. 213

In addition to over $3-million in current services offered annually, the County Executive and County Board this fall approved creation of a temporary day shelter that will open soon (by December 1) pending final County Board approval this Thursday night.

The 2013 county budget currently being considered includes unprecedented new funds to assist those struggling with or at risk of homelessness. This includes over $1.1 million in new capital funds and $150,000 in new operating budget dollars including:

* $600,000 in capital budget borrowing to purchase and collaboratively operate a permanent, year-round warming shelter/day resource center
* Over $80,000 in new county tax dollars to collaborate with other public and private entities to operate a day resource center
* $500,000 in new capital budget borrowing to develop a business plan and acquire a site for potential operation of an additional public/private low income housing facility
* $30,000 to assist teenagers at risk of homelessness
* $25,000 to assist victims of domestic violence and abuse with emergency shelter needs
* $15,000 additional ($60,000 total in 2013) for the Housing First Program, focused on long term housing stability
*A directive to coordinate a thorough, detailed needs assessment

No other county in Wisconsin offers services this comprehensive to those who are either homeless or at risk of losing a place to stay.

While the county appreciates the sentiment and concerns brought forth by those who are camping, the current campground is in violation of multiple county ordinances.

You are hereby notified pursuant to Dane County Ordinance section 34.02(b) and State statute section 943.10 that your presence on the grounds of any Dane County park or other county property during hours of legal closure constitutes trespassing.

In addition, your continued presence at Lake View Park violates Chapter 178 of the State administrative code and DCO sec. 46.33, both of which require a permit to operate a campground.

The only county park where winter camping is permitted is Brigham County Park. Given the uncertainty and extremes of Wisconsin weather, county staff is strongly encouraging everyone to take advantage of the services and resources listed above through the winter months ahead.

In the spirit of cooperation, and consistent with county ordinance, we ask you vacate the current campsite and relocate to the resources listed above by NOON on Tuesday, November 13

A full citation of county ordinances affected is below:

(1)DCO sec. 53.01Defines campground as a” designated area in a park where a camping party may stay overnight.

(2) DCO sec. 53.02 PERMITS provides (1) “written permits shall be required for any of the following and must be acquired prior to use:…(g) camping overnight in any pork” and (h) “for use of any pork facilities or grounds during closed hours.” Also (f) “the possession of drinking or any alcoholic beverages by any group of ten {10) or more persons of legal drinking age.”

(3) DCO sec. 53.04 PARK HOURS”.. park hours shall be from S:OO a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. It shall be unlawful for any person to be in the parks after hours, except registered campers, those with a special after hours permit, or those there to launch a watercraft, fish or hunt.”

DCO sec. 53.03 PROHIBITED ITEMS OR USES” .. the following shall be prohibited unless specifically authorized by written permit.” (1)(a) “Building of fires other than in fire pits, fireplaces, grills or areas designated by the parks division” (use of propane heaters is considered building of fires); …. (12) “camping outside of designated areas;” and (13) jailing to obtain and/or properly display a required
permit.”

(4) DCO sec. 53.14 ENFORCEMENT: (1) Any law enforcement officer may arrest any offender whom he or she may detect in the violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance. The officer shalf, at all times,
have the right to enter the premises of any …. enclosure in the park for the purposes of inspection or investigating disturbances.”

People at the camp are in violation of DCO sections 53.03(12) and (13). In addition, ifthe people were or are there between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00a.m., they are in violation of DCO 53.04, 53.02(g) and (h), and
53.03(13