Don't vacation in Santa Cruz, California

(taken from http://www.huffsantacruz.org/ )

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 22:26:38 -0800
From: Becky Johnson
To: boona cheema
Subject: Faces of Homelessness in Santa Cruz

Faces of Homelessness
in Santa Cruz

by Becky Johnson and Robert Norse

November 25, 2003

EIGHT STORIES OF HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE SEASON OF GIVING IN SANTA CRUZ
FROMbrTHE COUPLE STRUGGLING TO GET THEIR KIDS BACK FOR CHRISTMAS, A
60 DAY SENTENCEbrFOR A DOG-ON-THE-BEACH TICKET, AND THE DEATH OF
CRAZY JIMMY.

Santa Cruz, Ca. -- When Stacie and Orley Jones arrived in their RV
from Kentucky, they thought they were planning a better life for their
four kids. They didn't know how hard it would be to get housing, and
wound
up living in their RV much longer than they had anticipated. One day
in
April, social workers from Child Protective Services showed up and
took
all their kids.

"They'd gotten an anonymous complaint that we were having sex in front
of our kids and that I was smoking marijuana in front of my kids,"said
Orley. "It wasn't true, of course," said Stacie. No such charge was
ever
filed against the couple and no witness ever came forward to testify
against them. But their children were not returned.

"CPS is trying desparately to find something to pin on this couple to
justify the seizure," reports Roxanne Acquistapace who founded
"Independent Advocacy" to help people like Stacie and Orley who are
caught
up in a system which divides and sometimes destroys families under the
guise of protecting them.

During court ordered counseling, Stacie was asked to report intimate
details of her sexual life with her husband, and chastised when she
failed
to be forthcoming. The counselor also intimated that she should leave
her
husband. Acquistapace was outraged. "They have no business pressuring
people to make those kind of decisions with their lives, but then they
are
homeless and living in an RV. They feel they have some kind of right
to
pass judgement on them." Despite no charges having been filed, Stacie
and
Orley are being told they must wait until January to get their kids
back.

Judge Robert Yonts, perhaps under pressure from nervous CPS officials,
issued a gag order on the couple and the attorneys, banning them from
talking about the case. (The Jones had been appearing on a local radio
show.) When in court, the couple are not allowed to speak, but must do
so
only through a court-appointed attorney, who, they claim misrepresents
them. They are not allowed to bring friends and supporters into the
courtroom. They are not allowed to record the proceedings or say
specifically what went on. Since the gag order went into effect, the
Jones
have granted no more interviews with the press.


4-DAY JURY TRIAL FOR A DOG ON THE BEACH

When Jhon Golder, who lives in his vehicle, took his dog onto Its
beach, he didn't think he was doing anything wrong. "There were two
other
people with dogs on the beach too." Yet when Officer Eric Seilly
ordered
him off the beach, only Golder was cited. "They ran my license and a
warrant for my arrest came back that I knew shouldn't have been
there,"
said Golder between one of the hearings for his jury trial. "They
charged
me with resisting arrest and with assault on a police officer, both
misdemeanors, so I qualified for both a public defender and a jury
trial."

The jury found Golder innocent on the assault charge but guilty on the
resisting arrest charge. The jury also was told that the original
arrest
warrant had been reported in error just as Golder claimed. Golder was
sentenced to 60 days in County Jail/54 days suspended, 120 community
service hours, $120 restitution and two years probation. The original
"dog
on the beach after 10 AM" charge was never prosecuted.


CITY SELLS OUT SENIORS

Homelessness in Santa Cruz is a direct result of the lack of
affordable housing in the City. The DeAnza Senior Mobile Home Park on
the
cliffs overlooking Natural Bridges State Beach was one of the few such
places that provide at least 198 senior households with affordable
housing
and rent control.

But when MHC.the owner of the park sued the City for denying them a
reasonable return from their asset (they bought the park in 1994 for
$8.4
million knowing full well that all residents were protected by a rent
control ordinance) they claimed the park was really worth as much as
$80
million.

The City spent about $500,000 in legal bills fighting the suits, but
in August suddenly settled and on August 23rd, they voted 6 - 1 to gut
the
rent control ordinance. This also affected another 67 units in Clear
View
Court where tenants also had their rents protected by rent control.
The
one concession they had wrangled from MHC were 34 year leases for the
current DeAnza residents only, the automatic effect was the loss of
equity
in their homes for most of the seniors.


Critics argued that the City could win the suit if they continued. But
Mayor Emily Reilly claimed she couldn't "bankrupt" the City by
defending
the seniors assets. Councilmember Rotkin warned the City could lose up
to
$16 million if it were to continue and to lose the suit.

"That is highly unlikely," argued Attorney Michael Constantine who
wrote the San Mateo mobile home rent control ordinance. "At best they
could get the differences in the back rent --- a sum of about $1.5
million, if they could win at all." The City cited budget woes as the
sole
reason for the settlement. Two months later (Nov.25, '03) City Council
voted to spend $300,000 on golf course improvements.

MOVE-ALONG ORDINANCE TO BE TESTED AT TRIAL

Steve Argue and Matt Hartough both refused to move a political table
after
one hour's time from a location in front of the Pacific Trading
Company that
both men were boycotting. City Council passed a Move-Along Every Hour
law along with other anti-homeless laws last January to please
merchants
against the recommendations of its own advisory committee.

Pacific Trading Company owners Carolyn and Clark Heinrich not only
supported these laws but played an active role in lobbying the City to
spend $7000+ to move a planter railing out 8" eliminating 20+ seating
spaces to discourage street musicians, youth, and homeless. Under
complaint from the PTC, both Argue and Hartough were arrested and
jailed
for failing to comply with the new law, enacted in January of 2003.
Argue's case goes to pre-trial hearing on December 12th at 8:30 AM in
Dept. 2. The cash-strapped City--supposedly unable to find money to
support its rent control law at De Anza, is finding the money to
continue
the prosecution.

BLUE LAGOON WINS POLICE HARASSMENT TRIAL

In federal court, the owners of the Gay-friendly "Blue Lagoon" won a
lawsuit against the Santa Cruz Police Department for harassment when
they
sent uniformed officers into the bar with a german shepard police dog
to
sniff the customers and hang out for hours at a time. Other testimoney
the
jury heard was of police cars shining headlights into the bar for
hours.
And of a police officer in full uniform standing out at the front
entrance
with a police dog. Why did then Lt. Patricia Sapone of the SCPD do
it?"

"She did it to further her career,'' said Reno civil rights attorney
Terri Keyser-Cooper. ``And she did it because she could.'' In addition
to
Keyser-Cooper, Dianne Vaillancourt and Kate Wells of Santa Cruz
represented the owners of the Blue Lagoon.

The city's attorney, Vince Hurley of Aptos, argued the police did
nothing unusual.

Wells said " The City has denied any wrong-doing but the jury has
already awarded $116,000 in damages and court costs and legal fees.
The
combined legal costs for both the plaintives and the defense will run
over
a million dollars." On November 25th, The City Council met in closed
session to consider whether to appeal the verdict. Patty Sapone was
widely
considered to be next in line for Chief of Police in Santa Cruz, a
position only recentlly vacated by the retirement of Chief Steven
Belcher.
Homeless activists are hopeful this victory will rein in the police
departmen. City Council--which abolished the Citizens Police Review
Board
last January--is prone to rubberstamp every police request for
increased
funding and authority.

MORE HOMELESS DEATHS: DOMINICAN HOSPITAL NEGLECT,
DISCRIMINATION CHARGED

Patches died late this summer when she sought treatment for an
infected arm four times at Dominican Hospital. Night after night she
was
turned away. On her fourth trip to the emergency ward she was admitted
and
scheduled for an amputation of her infected arm. Two days later--the
day
before surgery--she died. Her husband Chico, claimed they kept turning
her
away because they were homeless and had no insurance.

On November 14th, Linda Sipos was taken to the emergency room,
suffering two seizures in the ambulance. The ER personnel were able to
treat a third seizure she had in the ER ward. Yet Linda was released
in a
wheelchair in the rain later that evening when a blood test showed a
trace
of alcohol in her system. C.J., her common-law husband, begged the
staff
to admit her."If she goes into another seizure, she may die," he had
pleaded.

"They told her to get a bus in the rain in a wheelchair," C.J. cried,
sobs catching in his throat. "I woke up the next morning ( in their
campsite) and she lay dead beside me." C.J. is a well-known street
musician in Santa Cruz who helped start the recent street performers
union
SAFE (Society for Artistic Freedom and Expression). "For the past 5
!/2
years I woke up every morning with Linda and told her I loved her. I
don't
know how I am going to go on without her."


DRIVING FOOD SERVERS AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN PACIFIC AVENUE

As the weather turns colder, HUFF activists have growing concerns
about a joint effort by the Downtown Association, the City Manager's
Office, neighborhood NIMBYS, Julee Hendee of the RDA and the Police
Department to ban those serving free food to the hungry from the
downtown
area. Groups like The Potters Hand and Food Not Bombs that serve
hungry
people directly on the street report increased harassment.

Pastor Adams of The Potters Hand has publicly advised his clients he
can no longer serve downtown because of the risks of harassment from
police and city officials. The City Manager's office called an
inviation-only meeting with some food servers in October, at which,
Adams
reports, it became clear the city is drawing up laws to criminalize
food
serving.

Fourteen years ago, the city and county futiley spent tens of
thousands of
dollars chasing, arresting, enjoining, and prosecuting street food
servers, in an attempt to please nervous merchants.

Food Not Bombs reports being newly closely watched by police and
health
officials. Sgt.Loren Baker arrested FNB activist Crissy for improper
identification and for a fix-it ticket as she pedaled the Food Not
Bombs
bike cart supplied with food down to the meal in mid-October.

FIRST OFFICIAL DEATH BY EXPOSURE REPORTED

"Crazy Jimmy" who many knew on Pacific Ave. died on November 23, 2003
in the Pogonip. Coroners are labeling the death of James Cline Jr.,
age
57, as at least partially due to exposure.

Cline, due to his tendency to burst out suddenly and sometimes using
expletives, was not allowed in the Santa Cruz ISSP shelter program.
Instead, he froze to death on a hill nearby. Mayor Scott Kennedy was
elected on November 25th with all the usual pomp and circumstance. Few
believe, his mayorship will bring any welcome changes. Kennedy
supports
the Sleeping Ban and the downtown ordinances.

Jessica, a friend of Jimmy's, and who was born and raised in Santa
Cruz but is now a homeless panhandler on Pacific Ave. confirmed that
Dominican Hospital turns away homeless people. "Dominican is
anti-homeless
for a Catholic-run government facility." When asked about the death of
"Crazy" Jimmy, she said

"I blame the Satelite program and the armory program for his death.
I've known Jimmy all my life and I'm 25 years old. It was cold Sunday,
all
day. I know Jimmy well enough to know he went to see if he could get
on at
the armory that night.

.....That's what killed him. He had nowhere safe and warm to go."

See also www.huffsantacruz.org or call the HUFFline at (831) 423-HUFF

Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom

309 Cedar St. PMB 14 B --- Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060

Proprclr wrote:


(Lengthy troll snipped)

They have no "homeless" people in Europe? SFAIK, they're an unfortunate
fact of life, everywhere. I can't even say "fact of modern life", since
there have ALWAYS been beggars and "street people", nearly everywhere in
the world - except where they are imprisoned, instead. (Which can
hardly be considered a desireable alternative.)

Glad to see someones cleaning up the riff raff.

"Larrie Malobenski" wrote in message ...
Glad to see someones cleaning up the riff raff.


Your ignorance is appaling. Many homeless people don't fit the stereotypical
image you have in your mind. I don't know how it is in Europe, but in the
States, most people are just one paycheck away from becomming homless
themselves.

"Proprclr" wrote in message
om...
"Larrie Malobenski" wrote in message
...
Glad to see someones cleaning up the riff raff.


Your ignorance is appaling. Many homeless people don't fit the
stereotypical
image you have in your mind. I don't know how it is in Europe, but in the
States, most people are just one paycheck away from becomming homless
themselves.

Your political correctness is laughable. Very few homeless persons are on
the street solely for economic reasons. If you would put in some time as a
volunteer at a homeless shelter you would quickly separate fact from
bleeding heart sob stories. There are just too many healthy strong bums
hanging around the shelter/support system. Oops! I forgot. Your type
would rather the government do something so you don't have to soil your
hands. By insisting 'they' do something, your conscience is settled and you
are absolved.

The serious issues are women with children that have been abandoned by the
lazy shiftless bum who ran.

Working people have mechanisms available to bounce back after the loss of a
job. You know, unemployment insurance, negotiation with mortgage
holder/land lord, etc. After all, many Americans are just one paycheck from
paying off the mortgage.

--
Dave Thompson

On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 17:20:17 -0800,
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" "evgmsop -no
wrote:

Proprclr wrote:

(Lengthy troll snipped)

They have no "homeless" people in Europe? SFAIK, they're an unfortunate
fact of life, everywhere. I can't even say "fact of modern life", since
there have ALWAYS been beggars and "street people", nearly everywhere in
the world - except where they are imprisoned, instead. (Which can
hardly be considered a desireable alternative.)

Johnson and Norse are professional advocates and whiners for the
homeless. It's unclear just how biased their "reports" are;
reading them I can't help getting the feeling that important info
has been left out. In any case, I'm not sure why this got posted
here instead of to rec.travel.usa-canada. Nor am I clear on why
any of this has anything to do with vacationing in Santa Cruz,
which is a pretty fun place.



************* DAVE HATUNEN ) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Your ignorance is appaling. Many homeless people don't fit the
stereotypical
image you have in your mind. I don't know how it is in Europe, but in the
States, most people are just one paycheck away from becomming homless
themselves.

At least this ignoramus can spell "apalling" and "becoming homeless".
So which one were you? The hick that spent the dole meant for his kids on
booze or the jerk who let his dog loose on the beach.

This remark has got to be the biggest lie of the year. Most people are not
one paycheck away from becoming homeless.
TS
"Proprclr" wrote in message
om...
"Larrie Malobenski" wrote in message
...
Glad to see someones cleaning up the riff raff.


Your ignorance is appaling. Many homeless people don't fit the
stereotypical
image you have in your mind. I don't know how it is in Europe, but in the
States, most people are just one paycheck away from becomming homless
themselves.

On Tue, 2 Dec 2003 15:02:55 -0600, "Tom Shaw" ,
wrote:

This remark has got to be the biggest lie of the year. Most people are not
one paycheck away from becoming homeless.
TS

I don't know what ivory tower you live in.

Jade

"Proprclr" wrote in message
. com...
"Larrie Malobenski" wrote in message
...
Glad to see someones cleaning up the riff raff.


Your ignorance is appaling. Many homeless people don't fit the
stereotypical
image you have in your mind. I don't know how it is in Europe, but in the
States, most people are just one paycheck away from becomming homless
themselves.

Proprclr wrote:


I don't know how it is in Europe, but in the
States, most people are just one paycheck away from becomming homless
themselves.

What bull****!

Rick J.