33919 United

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

2011-08-26T17:50:00.002-04:00

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

Wink News interview, August 23, 2011.

2011-08-25T12:33:00.007-04:00

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

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

2011-08-23T10:27:00.012-04:00

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.

Horizon Conversion Unconstitutional as per Florida State Law

2011-08-15T20:35:00.006-04:00

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.

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

2011-08-13T10:47:00.004-04:00

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

2011-08-13T10:43:00.001-04:00

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

2011-08-13T10:36:00.005-04:00

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

Click here for video

Report: HOPE VI at Michigan Court and Flossie Riley

2011-07-31T22:24:00.002-04:00

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

Lee County School Board Meeting 7/26/11 Video

2011-07-31T21:32:00.000-04:00

Click Here for Meeting Video

Jeanne Dozier addresses the Horizons conversion at 11:40

http://www.leeschools.net/stream/asx/11-12/072611_bm.asx

City Advises School Board's Dozier it is Powerless to Stop Conversion

2011-07-22T18:50:00.003-04:00

William P. Mitchell, City Manager of Ft Myers, replied to the concerns of "Honorable Jeanne Dozier and Concerned Citizens" stating that "the City has no legal authority to direct or instruct the Housing Authority in its policies, programs, or placement of public housing" and follows up with a Horizon Apartments and Housing Authority Fact Sheet.

Research: West Side’s Tilton School Escapes Consolidation

2011-07-20T18:20:00.000-04:00

Research: Students Scramble During School Bus Shooting

2011-07-20T16:21:00.001-04:00

Research: City Officials Try to Allay Fears After School Bus Shooting

2011-07-20T16:08:00.005-04:00

Monday's shooting in which a school bus was caught in the crossfire coincides with the launch of a program targeting violent crime.

Durham city officials tried to ease citizens' concerns about safety in their neighborhoods Tuesday, holding a press conference in the wake of a recent shooting involving a school bus. A stray bullet hit the back window of a Pearsontown Elementary School bus traveling near the Fayetteville Street housing complex Monday afternoon, grazing the driver and injuring two students. As they gave an update of the investigation Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Bill Bell and other city and school officials spoke with a collective sense of anger and stressed the need for community action.

"No one is more outraged than the officers [of the Durham Police Department] and myself," Interim Police Chief Steve Chalmers said. "The Durham Police Department has been working around the clock to identify leads and suspects."

Chalmers said the department has developed several leads, although it is waiting to substantiate them before releasing any information to the public. Chalmers estimated at least two shooters, who most likely are not residents of the public housing complex, were involved. He emphasized that neither the school bus nor anyone in it was specifically targeted.

Over 25 officers are currently working on the case, he said.

Chalmers also stressed the need for community involvement and cooperation in conducting the investigation and in ensuring that a similar incident does not occur again.

"We plan to work closely with the Durham Public Schools, the Durham Housing Authority and all other local and state agencies to address gun violence," he said.

Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services Calvin Dobbins said he appreciated the city's and police department's aggressive efforts in conducting the investigation.

"It's non-negotiable that children's safety is a primary issue," he said. "We have to keep that on the forefront."

At an impromptu press conference Monday evening, the possibility of modifying bus routes was mentioned, but Dobbins said no specific changes are currently planned.

"We have to be reasonable," he said. "Children in that community still need to get to school."
Dobbins added that changing bus routes would not necessarily prevent a similar incident. Durham Housing Authority Executive Director James Tabron said the shooting should not be interpreted as an indicator of public housing safety.

"We do feel many of our public housing units are some of the safest places you're going to find in Durham," he said. "These problems have their origins outside public housing."
Chalmers echoed this sentiment, citing statistics about gun violence in the housing complex.

"[This is] not an everyday occurrence in Fayetteville," he said.

Tabron said he hopes that people in the Fayetteville Street complex will come forward with information related to the incident.

In related efforts to increase the level of community policing, the DPD, in collaboration with the sheriff's department, will launch Operation Looking Glass this week. The initiative will address violent crime in Durham by focusing on identifying and removing violent criminals from the city's communities.

At Pearsontown Elementary, students who had been on the bus caught in the shooting were met Tuesday morning by the principal and counselors to discuss the incident. Extra personnel were added to the bus on its morning and afternoon routes.

http://dukechronicle.com/article/city-officials-try-allay-fears-after-school-bus-shooting

Research: Wrongful Death

2011-07-20T16:05:00.003-04:00

Child Endangerment in Criminal Law

Child endangerment is a criminal offense that involves the subjection of minor children to inappropriate or dangerous situations. It is not the same as child abuse, which involves direct harm to children, but carries a similar penalty in the American judicial system. Often, parents and others responsible for children break child endangerment laws without realizing that their behavior is criminal. For example, a father who has too many drinks while he is watching his four-year-old son could be prosecuted for child endangerment because he was inebriated while he was responsible for a child. Other examples might include exposing children to illegal drugs, pornography, firearms, chemicals, criminal activity and domestic violence. The purpose of child endangerment laws is to keep children from witnessing adult or illegal activity, and to protect them from situations in which they might get hurt.

Collette Family Suing School Board Over Shooting

Just weeks after Teah Wimberly was sent to prison for 25 years for shooting her Dillard High classmate and friend Amanda Collette on school grounds, the family of Collette has announced they'll file a wrongful death lawsuit against the school board.
The Collette family and their attorneys announced the lawsuit filing this morning outside the Broward County Courthouse.

"We can't get her back but the fact that someone knew about it and it could've been prevented just makes it even harder to deal with," Teshawnia Thompson, Collette's aunt, said. "If we can prevent this from happening to any other students, that's our goal here today."

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Collette-Family-Suing-School-Board-Over-Shooting-90218137.html

Baltimore school board sued in high school shooting

A young man shot at Baltimore's Lake Clifton Eastern High School filed a $1 million negligence action yesterday against the city, the school board and the convicted shooter currently serving a 30-year sentence for the incident.

Lawrence M. Grant, 18, claims that the city and New Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners were negligent in allowing Brandon L. Bayne, 17 -- a fellow student with a history of violence and gun possession -- onto school premises with a handgun.

The complaint alleges that Bayne "had been reported on prior occasions of possessing a gun," yet "was allowed to enter the premises with a gun" on Sept. 20, 2001, a school day. He shot Grant with a .22 caliber handgun in the parking lot that afternoon.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20030306/ai_n10054375/

Chicago school board sued over student's slaying

The mother of a Crane High School junior who was shot and killed outside the school last year has sued the Chicago Board of Education, the Sun-Times reports.

Ruben Ivy, 18, was gunned down on March 7, 2008 moments after the dismissal bell rang. At the time, Chicago Public School security chief Andrew Durbak said the shooting was "shocking" because of the high level of security at Crane -- both in manpower and technology.

Ivy's mother, Emily Green, alleges in her lawsuit that the board of education "voluntarily undertook" a system to keep guns off Crane grounds.

That system failed, allowing the gun that killed her son to be brought into Crane, the lawsuit claims. The suit asks for more than $50,000 in damages.

http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/03/chicago-school-board-sued-over-students-slaying.html

HACFM Inability to Provide Safe Low-Income Public Housing:

Sabal Palm Apartments:

May 15, 2011: Two Children Shot in Crossfire
Aug 24, 2009: Children May Have Witnessed Fatal Shooting
Mar 20, 2011: Bullets Hit Car With Baby Inside
Oct 23, 2009: Mother Arrested on Manslaughter Charges
Dec 05, 2007: Woman Shot by 4-year-old Boy
May 29, 2010: Police Search for Multiple Shooting Suspects
Nov 09, 2009: Man Arrested for Assault on Pregnant Women
Aug 27, 2007: Shooting Suspects in Custody After Standoff
Nov 22, 2010: Man Hides Gun in Stranger's Apartment
Jan 14, 2010: Lee County Narcotics Arrests
Mar 06, 2009: Three Arrested on Robbery Charges
Oct 24, 2007: Hotel Room Robbery Suspects Identified

Palmetto Court:

Feb 04, 2011: One killed in Fort Myers shooting
Nov 12, 2008: Two arrested on armed robbery charges
Apr 21, 2008: Mom arrested after boys found in filthy conditions
Feb 20, 2009: Police search for drive-by shooters
Feb 05, 2007: Public's help sought in Fort Myers shooting

Southward Village:

Jul 23, 2009: Man injured in Fort Myers shooting
Mar 26, 2010: Fort Myers police pursuit ends with crash

Horizons Conversion by: Owen-Ames-Kimball

2011-07-20T15:19:00.001-04:00

http://www.owen-ames-kimball.com/

Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers: Commissioners

2011-07-20T14:59:00.002-04:00

Appointed by the Mayor of the City of Fort Myers, the Board serves as the governing officers of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers.

Joseph P. D'Alessandro
Chairman

Goldberg, Racila, D'Alessandro & Noone
1533 Hendry Street, Suite 200
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Tel: 239-461-5508
http://www.goldberg-law.com/

William H. Barnwell
Commissioner

Farmers Market Restaurant
2736 Edison Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33916
(239) 334-1687

E. Bruce Strayhorn
Commissioner

Strayhorn & Persons, P.L.
Attorneys and Counsellors at Law
2125 First Street, Suite 201
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239.334.1260
http://www.strayhornlaw.com/

Douglas A. Hogg
Commissioner

Peter Routsis-Arroyo
Vice-Chairman

Mattie Young
Commissioner

Lemuel A. Teal
Commissioner

33919 United - News

2011-07-20T13:50:00.005-04:00

08/23/2011 - 08/23/2011 - News-Press covers our opposition to the conversion: Neighbors say apartments a threat

07/26/2011 - 33919 United writes the Florida Housing Finance Corporation with a FOIA request for records pertaining to the HACFM's Horizon Apartments property.

07/19/2011 - 33919 writes the HACFM with FOIA requests for records related to HACFM's purchase, financing and funding (for the period 2000-2011) of Horizons Apartments, in addition to records detailing the Horizons Apartments mortgage payoff and 2011 renovation. 33919 United also requested HACFM records (including HUD correspondence) establishing the legal basis and methodology of the application of HOPE VI (Michigan Court) grant funds to Horizons Apartments liabilities, as well as records documenting Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) related to Horizon Apartments for the period 2000-2011.

07/19/2011 - 33919 writes HUD (Miami) inquiring as to: 1.) The legal foundation upon which HUD authorized the diversion of HOPE VI funds (Michigan Court) to a non-HOPE VI Public Housing project (Horizons Apartments). 2.) HUD’s failure to compel HACFM to return the surplus so that the funds could be re-applied within their intended scope of HOPE VI. 3.) As development at Michigan Court remains underway, the method by which HACFM and HUD were able to establish that a surplus of funds indeed existed, before completion (and full accounting) of the Michigan Court project.

07/11/2011 - Jeanne Dozier (Lee County School Board Member, District 2) informs us that she's been in contact with the Mayor, City Council and intends to raise the issue with the HACFM, other board members and (new) superintendent, Dr. Burke, this week. Jeanne related that she feels the board has a responsibility to maintain the safety of the children of the school.

07-08-2011 - Why, after pursuing 33919 United for weeks, did Waterman Broadcasting (owner of both NBC-2 and ABC-7) suddenly decide to kill the story and cancel our pending interviews?

07-08-2011 - Sara Miles (NBC-2) had been planning to interview 33919 United for over 2 weeks, but after not hearing from her for several days, she wrote us on Friday stating "I really want to talk to your group and get your message out, but it seems like my station is no longer receptive to it." NBC-2 is owned by Waterman Broadcasting.

07-06-2011 - Sam Cook of the News-Press tells 33919 United that "our assistant managing editor Sheldon Zoldan said we've been writing about this topic for four months" and is not interested in the story. While the News-Press may have documented the Horizon conversion to public housing, it has not written a word regarding the Tanglewood and Whiskey Creek communities opposition to it. Update: The News-Press wrote a story 08/23/11 covering our opposition to the conversion.

07-05-2011 - Travell Eiland (ABC-7) called at 9:00am to arrange a 10:00am interview with 33919 United, then called back at 9:20am to cancel because "his producers had told him to kill the story because we couldn't stop the HACFM - that it was a 'done deal.'" ABC-7 is owned by Waterman Broadcasting.

Travell also mentioned that the HACFM's response to our concerns was that Horizons Apartments had already been public housing. 33919 United went on to refute the claim explaining that the Horizons market-mix was 80% market-rate (non-assisted) and 20% section 8 (not considered low-income housing) when the complex was purchased by the HACFM in 2000, and it remained that way until now; a very different thing from 100% low-income Public Housing, especially when considering an undisclosed number of apartments will be rented at $50 per month (as per the HACFM).

See: http://www.nbc-2.com/story/13951941/2011/02/01/horizons-apartments-becoming-public-housing

See: http://lowertaxesnow4lee.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/fort-myers-housing-authority-losing-money/

06/30/2011 - Robert Gardner, Director of Community Development, City of Ft Myers, informed us that the City Manager, William "Billy" Mitchell, has no authority to influence the operations of the Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers (HACFM). Robert went on to say that City Council (contact: Forrest Banks, Councilman, Ward 5) has a contract with the HACFM (to provide public housing) and as such, may have authority to intervene in their actions. (We have received no reply from Councilman Banks.)

06/26/2011 - Website 33919united.com launched.

06/24/2011 - We are informed by Lee County Commissioner Brian Bigelow, District 2, that "he hopes to schedule a meeting with the Housing Authority, City representatives, County Management and the City/County Attorneys in August to discuss the issue." As August will be too late, we asked that he reschedule the meeting; we have received no reply.

06/23/2011 - Thomas Scott, Chairman of the Lee County School Board, informs us that "The complex is owned by the Housing Authority and they are permitted to use the property for any purpose for which it is zoned, including public housing. Therefore, the Lee County School District has no authority to act on the intended use other than to communicate concerns that have been expressed to us on the matter."

06/20/2011 - We learn that Mayor Randy Henderson delegated the issue to the City Manager, William "Billy" Mitchell, who in turn delegated it to the Assistant City Manager, Marc Collins, who then delegated it to the Director of Community Development, Robert Gardner - who instructed us that he is attempting to schedule a meeting between the City Manager, Mr. Mitchell, and the HACFM. (As of 06/30/2011 this meeting did not occur.)

06/15/2011 - Jeanne Dozier, Lee County School Board member, District 2, informs us: "I agree with you and will contact the Ft. Myers City Council and urge them to reconsider this action. We want to ensure that our children are safe and have an environment that is productive for learning."

05/31/2011 - Alane Adams, Principal, Tanglewood Elementary School, writes us that neither she, nor the School Board were informed by the HACFM of their converting Horizons Apartments to low-income public housing; and that she learned of the plan while watching a news broadcast, subsequently alerting the Board and parents of the students.

05/25/2011 - 33919 United writes Mayor Randy Henderson, Jr with appeal for intervention on behalf of the children of Tanglewood School.

05/19/2011 - The Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers replies to our letter of 05/10/2011.

05/10/2011 - 33919 United writes the HACFM for clarification of HOPE VI (Michigan Court Grant) attribution of funds to Horizon Apartments low-income housing conversion.

04/19/2011 - Tanglewood HOA and Whiskey Creek Civic Association meeting with the HACFM. Speaking and taking questions were the HACFM Executive Director, Marcus Goodson, and the HACFM Director of Housing Management/Maintenance, Sherri Campanale.

03/31/2011 - 33919 United established.

02/01/2011 - Horizons Apts. Becoming Public Housing

Group Opposes Plans For Low-Income Public Housing Next To Elementary School

2011-07-20T13:17:00.000-04:00

33919 United is a group of concerned citizens representing the Tanglewood and Whiskey Creek communities of Ft Myers, Florida, vehemently opposed to the ongoing conversion of the Horizons Apartment complex, which lies directly adjacent to Tanglewood Elementary School to low-income public housing by the Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers (HACFM).

In May, 2011, 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 owned and 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.

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.

33919 United points to this documented track record of crime, violent and otherwise, in addition to gun violence occurring at the housing authority's three existing low-income properties as clear evidence that the children of Tanglewood school would be placed at extreme risk should the housing authority be permitted to complete the conversion of Horizons Apartments to likewise low-income housing.
http://www.33919united.com/

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References:

Horizons Apts. becoming public housing, Feb 01, 2011http://www.nbc-2.com/story/13951941/2011/02/01/horizons-apartments-becoming-public-housing?redirected=true
Two arrested, third sought in Sunday shooting, May 16, 2011
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/14655110/2011/05/16/two-arrested-third-sought-in-sunday-shooting
Police: Children may have witnessed fatal shooting, Aug 24, 2009
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/10981710/police-children-may-have-witnessed-fatal-shooting
Bullets hit car with baby inside, Mar 20, 2011
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/14287500/gunfight-in-fort-myers
One killed in Fort Myers shooting, Feb 03, 2011
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/13966667/2011/02/03/police-on-scene-of-fort-myers-shooting
Police search for drive-by shooters, Feb 20, 2009
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/10698837/police-search-for-drive-by-shooters
Man injured in Fort Myers shooting, Jul 23, 2009
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/10775639/man-injured-in-fort-myers-shooting
Mother arrested on aggravated manslaughter charges, Oct 23, 2009
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/10686753/mother-arrested-on-aggravated-manslaughter-charges
Man arrested for assault on pregnant women, Nov 09, 2009
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/11470319/man-arrested-for-assault-on-pregnant-women
Lee County narcotics arrests, Jan 14, 2010
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/11824378/lee-county-narcotics-arrests
Three arrested on robbery charges, Mar 06, 2009
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/10699357/three-arrested-on-robbery-charges
Mom arrested after boys found in filthy conditions, Apr 21, 2008
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/10691989/mom-arrested-after-boys-found-in-filthy-conditions