33919 United

Friday, August 26, 2011

Ft Myers News-Press Bias Unmistakable: Tanglewood, Whiskey Creek Community Voices Belittled, Suppressed, Deferred and Blocked

33919 United

August 26, 2011

Law Offices of Garrett S. Flynn, LLC
Pondview Corporate Center
74 Batterson Park Road, Second Floor
Farmington, CT 06034-0887

Gentlepeople:

The (attached) cartoon illustration appearing in the editorial section of the Ft Myers News Press, August 26, 2011, exhibits terrible ethical judgment on the part of the News Press editorial staff and its parent corporation Gannett, for it is clearly devoid of any and all respect for the individuals (and their families) injured or killed at the Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers' (HACFM) low-income properties, and furthermore makes light of the safety concerns of the surrounding communities currently in opposition to a pending apartment complex conversion to likewise low-income public housing next to their elementary school.

We reiterate: In May of this year, 2 children (two and five years old) were shot while caught in the crossfire of a shootout at Sabal Palm apartments, a low-income housing project managed by the HACFM, and less than 2 years ago a man was shot and killed there in front of a school bus containing his 2 children. In March a passing car with a baby inside was hit by the crossfire of a shootout. At Palmetto Court, another HACFM property, a man was shot this past February, and a drive-by shooting occurred there 2 years ago. In 2009 a man was shot at Southward Village, the third low-income site managed by the HACFM.

Just last night, Lenin Florian was found guilty of Manslaughter in the August 2009 shooting death of Daniel Hernandez outside Sabal Palm Apartments, referenced above.

These are not isolated incidents, and it is a matter of public record that additional crime such as manslaughter, assault, drug offenses, robbery and beyond also occur at each of the HACFM's low income properties.

Moreover, in light of the above, our communities' concern for the safety of the 700 children enrolled at our Tanglewood Elementary School, directly adjacent to which the HACFM is currently developing another low-income project, can hardly be characterized as founded upon "suspicion."

As such, the communities of Tanglewood, Whiskey Creek, Carillon Woods and Cedar Bend of Ft Myers, Florida request (appearing in equal visibility both in print and the online versions of the Ft Myers News Press) a clarification that our communities' interests are directed toward the preservation of the children's safety at Tanglewood Elementary School and that our concerns are based upon the track record of violent crime at each one of the HACFM's existing low-income properties.

Furthermore, in what appears to represent media bias, a Ms. Martha Hill of the News-Press has repeatedly refused to publish (not to mention failed to acknowledge and advise our community as to the status of) our editorial submissions, while having immediately published content that is contrary to our position.
Please advise.

Sincerely,

33919 United
http://www.33919united.com/

The News Press does not care about the interests of our communities - don't read it.
More here

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wink News interview, August 23, 2011.

Marcus Goodson makes it clear that he and the HACFM have no defense when the issue of violent crime at their existing low-income housing is presented as evidence that their Horizons project will be no different.

As the video illustrates, Goodson completely ignores the question of the 68 gunshots reported fired at the Housing Authority's Sabal Palm (low-income) complex since 2009, and instead suggests that the opposition is basing its argument on false "perceptions" and a lack of familiarity with low-income housing residents.

It is plain to see that Goodson is clearly searching for words here and has no intention of addressing our concerns: "I think their perceptions of public housing are based on driving by and looking by their car window and probably not having any meaningful relationship with anyone who lives in public housing,"

No, Mr. Goodson, our perceptions of Public Housing are based completely upon nothing but the documented facts which comprise the terrible track record of violent crime at each one of the HACFM's existing low-income properties.

Whiskey Creek, Tanglewood, Carillon Woods, Cedar Bend, and surrounding communities deserve a better answer. We deserve respect. Goodson and the HACFM dismiss the facts and our concerns and just continue to steamroll into our community.

Where is the oversight? How can it be that our voices are not even taken into consideration? When will this agency be made to address its failures and shortcomings? How can they be allowed to perform so miserably, yet no one stops them?

Once again:

In May, 2 children were shot at Sabal Palm apartments and less than 2 years ago a man was shot and killed there. In March a passing car with a baby inside was hit by the crossfire of a shootout. At Palmetto Court a man was shot this past February and a drive-by shooting occurred there 2 years ago. In 2009 a man was shot at Southward Village.
These are not isolated incidents, and it is a matter of public record that additional crime such as manslaughter, assault, drug offenses, robbery and beyond also occur.

It's always the same, Goodson and the HACFM avoid addressing the violent crime at their projects at all costs - even if it means talking nonsense - because acknowledging the crime would be tantamount to an admission of their being incapable of providing safe low-income housing - which is exactly what they are. The HACFM is incapable of controlling their low-income projects, and as such have no right to bully any community into accepting such risk; especially adjacent Tanglewood Elementary School, where the 700 students of which have been entitled by law to a safe and secure education in Article 9, Section 1(a) of the Florida State Constitution.

The HACFM cannot just continue rolling out low-income housing when it has been clearly established that they are incapable of controlling the violent crime at such projects and are not doing anything about it.

It's one thing to ask a community to accept Public Housing, it's quite another to ask a community to violate its own rights to security of person and personal safety in the name of such housing.

The HACFM must acknowledge and address this crime, otherwise Public Housing in Ft Myers will never be safe.

As it stands right now, the HACFM has absolutely no right to ask anyone to accept low-income housing within their community, for they have not earned that right through the establishment of a track record of safe and stable low-income housing.

It is simply outrageous to think (and act) otherwise.

Watch the video

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Follow-up to the News-Press Coverage of 33919 United Opposition to HACFM's Horizon Conversion

The News-Press covers 33919 United opposition to the Horizon conversion with the article Neighbors say apartments a threat by Rachel Revehl

33919 United

August 24, 2011

Response to the August 23, 2011 News Press Article, “Neighbors say apartments a threat” by Rachel Revehl.

General observations:

The Horizons Apartments aren't "near" the school, they are directly next to the school and within the school safety zone of 500 ft.
Only "public housing" is mentioned, not the fact that the conversion is to 100% low-income housing. This is an important distinction because there are several types of Public Housing.

HACFM lip service:

The HACFM has been talking about a police sub-station since April - where is it?
Where are the additional lighting and fencing Goodson mentions?
Background checks are not a cure-all: the Sabal Palm shooters didn't live there, and the shootings and assaults persist anyway. Police sub-stations don’t stop bullets or prevent drive-by shootings like that which occurred at Palmetto Court 2 years ago.
Regarding Horizons in the past, Marcus Goodson says he "never had a problem." That's because the complex was 80% market-rate, which means that 80% of the apartments were rented to the general public at full market price. The remaining apartments were rented to Section 8 recipients (Section 8 is not considered low-income housing). Goodson repeatedly makes this unfair and meaningless comparison.

HACFM’s alternate reality:

Goodson maintains that all the HACFM's apartments are safe and that our communities’ fears are unfounded.

19 gunshots were fired and 15 assaults occurred so far this year.

For more data, please visit fmpolice.com and click on the crime map, set it for 30 days see how safe HACFM housing and the surrounding communities are.

According to Google maps it appears there is only 1 school (Lee Charter Academy) anywhere near HACFM housing (Sabal Palm Apartments) and it is not directly adjacent as is Horizons to Tanglewood Elementary. Thus, Goodson's claim that Sabal Palm, Palmetto Court and Southward Village are all near schools appears unfounded. This is likely why he has never received a call from a "concerned principal." Moreover, 19 shots were fired so far this year at HACFM low-income housing, but according to Goodson's logic, because none of the bullets hit a child at a (supposedly) "nearby" school, the "schools" (and HACFM low-income housing) are therefore proven safe. Never-mind that five shooters opened fire in Sabal Palm's parking lot 3 months ago and bullets struck 2 children. Would the parents of these 2 children say our concerns are unfounded?

HACFM’s conflicting statements:

If HACFM low-income housing is safe, why the need for additional police patrols?
If Horizons will be safe, why the need for a police sub-station?

Here's the real story:

HACFM low-income housing is not safe.

In May, 2 children (two and five years old) were shot while caught in the crossfire of a shootout at Sabal Palm apartments, a low-income housing project managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers (HACFM), and less than 2 years ago a man was shot and killed there in front of a school bus containing his 2 children. In March a passing car with a baby inside was hit by the crossfire of a shootout. At Palmetto Court, another HACFM property, a man was shot this past February, and a drive-by shooting occurred there 2 years ago. In 2009 a man was shot at Southward Village, the third low-income site managed by the HACFM. These are not isolated incidents.

The most disturbing thing about this article is that HACFM Executive Director Marcus Goodson seems oblivious to the fact that violent crime plagues all of the existing low-income housing under his supervision; and as such it follows that he is not actively doing anything to stop it. Visit our website, 33919united.com and watch the 3 videos on the homepage, particularly the first one - where residents of Sabal Palm Apartments say they are sick and tired of fearing for their lives and want something done about the gun violence and chaos.

HACFM double-talk:

Mr. Goodson’s reaction when challenged is to talk as much as possible without directly addressing the issues he has been presented with. Witness the HACFM’s meandering 7 page damage-control response to this story, where the core issue of documented violent crime plaguing HACFM low-income public housing continues to be avoided. Of course, no matter how much talking the HACFM do, the legacy of gun violence and crime is not going to disappear.

Lee County School Board:

Each time we solicited Chairman Scott's assistance, we pointed to the documented crime at all existing HACFM low income properties and related how there was no reason to believe it will be any different at Horizons. For him to say that he is "troubled" by the "assumption" that there will be a "problem" is ridiculous. He is behaving as if the history of HACFM project crime does not exist.
Furthermore, Mr. Scott's statement, "but just to assume that because certain people will be living in close proximity that there will be a problem, I find that hard to take" has nothing to do with reality. Never has anyone, except Scott himself in this article , alluded to any demographic characteristic of Public Housing residents. As such, Scott has attempted to portray our opposition as founded upon bigotry. In other words, he can't deny the facts so he attacks those presenting them.

Reality:

Unfortunately, the few advocates of the project that we have encountered all base their argument on a defense of the "concept" of Public Housing; conveniently overlooking its real-world implementation and consequences here in Ft Myers, Florida, as owned and operated by the Fort Myers Housing Authority. As such, we argue our position armed with facts , yet proponents defend the action with platitudes and inanities. For them, the crime doesn't exist; they refuse to acknowledge it – because their position would be untenable otherwise.

Tanglewood Elementary School versus HACFM convenience:

The fate of Tanglewood Elementary is at question; however the HACFM enjoys tremendous funding and many other options available to it for housing development. Therefore, divesting itself of the Horizons property would not significantly hamper the HACFM’s initiative, but would most certainly preserve the integrity of Tanglewood School.

Who are you going to believe: Me, or your lying eyes?

In the article, Goodson and Scott both side-step the documented history of violent crime at HACFM low-income housing (where 2 children were shot just this past May, a man was fatally shot in February; a man was executed and a drive by shooting occurred 2 years ago) yet somehow still expect people to accept that the conversion is safe in the face of these facts.
How could anyone see fit to ask of others that they ignore a track record of violent crime associated with a new project destined for their community and urge them to accept it?

Responsibility:

Ultimately, if we do not someday face this issue of crime plaguing low-income housing in Ft Myers, it will never be safe.

It is our opinion that the HACFM needs to acknowledge, recognize and address the chronic violent crime plaguing each of the low-income projects under its supervision. The same goes for Mr. Scott and the Lee County School Board with regard to its refusal to acknowledge the potential threat to Tanglewood Elementary as posed by the HACFM and its pending Horizons conversion. Both these organizations effect great influence upon our communities, and all of us, including those in need of safe public housing and a safe education, deserve and are entitled to much more responsible social leadership.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Horizon Conversion Unconstitutional as per Florida State Law

The Horizons Apartments conversion to low-income public housing is unconstitutional as it would compromise the safety of Tanglewood School; the right of which -- to a safe and secure education -- its children are to be provided, by law, as per the Florida State Constitution.

The danger posed by the conversion manifests itself by way of Horizons Apartment's very close proximity to the school, coupled with the record of violent crime established and exhibited by all such housing as owned and operated by the HACFM.

SECTION 1. Public education.—

(a) The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida. It is, therefore, a paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders. Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education and for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require.

Please visit http://www.33919united.com/ and make your voice heard by writing and/or calling the officials listed on the bottom of the homepage. Tell them to stop the Horizon Conversion because it is unconstitutional and violates the rights of children to a safe and secure education.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

05/20/2011:Five arrested in connection with a Fort Myers shooting that injured two children

It is simply outrageous that the Housing Authority is opening the same exact type of housing right next to our school. Please watch the videos below, then visit http://www.33919united.com/ and make your voice heard by writing and/or calling the officials listed on the bottom of the homepage.

Click here for video

"People who live at this apartment complex say it's very dangerous; they tell us many people own guns and they aren't afraid to use them. But now they're sick and tired of constantly fearing for their lives..."

05/29/2010:Police investigate shooting in Fort Myers

HACFM Low-Income Public Housing - Soon to be right next to Tanglewood Elementary School

Click here for video

03/02/2011: One dead after shooting in Palmetto Court Housing Complex

HACFM Low-Income Public Housing - Soon to be right next to Tanglewood Elementary School

Click here for video

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Report: HOPE VI at Michigan Court and Flossie Riley

HOPE VI AT MICHIGAN COURT AND
FLOSSIE RILEY:
SECOND ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT
FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FORT MYERS

HOWARD UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR URBAN PROGRESS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH POYO CONSULTING
December 7, 2009

If the demographic data for Michigan Court [refugees] from this report is applicable, Horizons Apartments can expect over 650 residents, of which 180 are head of household (90% female), 70 non-head of household adults, and over 400 children. 80/20 Black/Hispanic distribution. 75% English speaking, 25% Spanish or Creole. Applicable household annual income average about 10k with 40% of households reporting employment as a source of income (i.e., 60% unemployment by household). This would imply about 100 units will be provided at the minimum rent of $50 per month (the HACFM refused to answer this question at our meeting).

The Howard University report proposes to measure the efficacy of the HOPE VI project at Michigan Court and Flossie Riley. However, all 173 Michigan Court households (remaining out of the original 326) were relocated off-site to various other HACFM projects, and through the HCV (housing choice voucher) program to additional housing. Thus, as the HOPE VI initiative is based upon a comprehensive rebuilding of the community, and as only 85 senior housing units (Flossie Riley) have been rebuilt at the original site, is it ridiculous that this report considers the Michigan Court diaspora as still within the scope of HOPE VI - and measurable as same.

Report here:

http://www.coas.howard.edu/hucup/papersandreports/HUCUP_HVI_second_interim_michigan_ct_flossie2009.pdf