Knoxville unveils homelessness plan

The City of Knoxville, in a long-winded press release that was no-doubt written by new spin-guy Eric Vreeland (who never met a news story he couldn't hack 4 inches off - heh), has released a draft plan to combat homelessness.

You can find the plan itself right smack here. (And no, I'm not copying and pasting the whole release.)

The city will host a "public input session" at 5:30 p.m. on Feb 11 at the Cansler Family YMCA, 616 Jessamine St.

The City Council has set a 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 date to talk more about the plan. The council will hold that meeting in the Main Assembly Room of the Death Star.

You can also email comment about the plan to Michael Dunthorn at mdunthorn@cityofknoxville.org.

Commish briefly talks about homelessness

During today's luncheon, the good folks at Compassion Knoxville finally got around to meeting with the Knox County Commission – about eight months after the body released its report on the homelessness.

Coincidence that the commission in less than two weeks will get a hold of county Mayor Tim Burchett’s proposed budget? Heh.

I mean, seriously, it took long enough to get together and go over it. Anyhoo, there was really nothing new out of the talks. The commissioners appear to like the recommendations, but – according to Chairman Mike Hammond – there really isn’t a next step.

He said the commission will take a wait and see approach in regards to what the Burchett proposes.

I’m pretty sure there’s gonna be a long wait as the mayor told me earlier today that the county already provides $5 million in indigent care, mostly through the health department, and he’s not chipping in any more than that.

Harmon: Compassion Knoxville blew it

Knoxville mayoral candidate Ivan "I'm the only real Republican running for office" Harmon's people keep sending the the same spin release about his thoughts on the so-called Compassion Knoxville that I hope if I post it, they'll go away.

Heh.

I mean the releases. I don't mind Ivan. (I'm still laughing about the shout out he gave his opponent Bo Bennett when the media stiffed him during the televised debate a few weeks back.)

Anyhoo, it appears that Harmon pretty much based his statements on the information/opinions Ron Peabody released last week. Click right smack here for that post.

The spin is also Ivan's opportunity to say "screw the homeless." But, you know, in a nice way. And it's a chance for him to tell everyone - once again - that he's held every elected office in the area at one time or another. Although I went ahead and cut out his resume. Cause I'm a jerk.

Oh yeah, one more thing. In the interest of fairness, I should mention Harmon's other opponents. There's Rogero who loves the homeless; there's Padgett who tells everyone he was homeless; and there's some other guy who may or may not be homeless.

Here's Ivan's spin (my comments, as always, are in bold):

Knoxville citizens participating in Compassion Knoxville, had the opportunity to come up with a community based solution to chronic homelessness. (Yup, and they did.) Despite the noble intentions from which Compassion Knoxville sprung, the process was sabotaged with the involvement of special interest groups. It's unfortunate that these special interest groups would hijack this process for their own gain. What began as a healthy exchange of community ideas was impeded by the self serving stance of these these special interest advocates. (You just said the same thing in three different ways, yet gave no examples.)

Out of 44 recommendations in the final report less than half are fully supported by the public comments. (Shout out to Ron Peabody - Thanks buddy for doing all the work for me!) The recommendations included in the report that were not inspired by comments from the community can be distilled down to two related ideas: more bureaucracy and additional government spending.

"I do not believe that increasing bureaucracy is a compassionate response to the issues facing our homeless" said Ivan Harmon. (In other words: You people suck!)

Citizens have repeatedly stated they do not want a scattered site approach or permanent supportive housing, which is not economically sustainable. (We want shotgun shacks instead!)

Harmon has long advocated that we need a substantive solution the the homeless problem, not just a temporary ascetic fix. Unfortunately, the heavily special interest group influenced report we have received is just that, an ascetic fix of more government without ever addressing the base issues causing chronic homelessness. (Let God sort 'em out!)

"I want to thank every person that engaged in this process and contributed ideas and suggestions. As Mayor of Knoxville I will listen to your ideas and suggestions and not those of special interest groups." stated Harmon. (Thanks for wasting my time, fellas!)

One last thing. Before anyone gets on my ass about taking sides on this issue, I do have a disclaimer. I occasionally give money to the homeless folks. Cause I do feel sorry for them, and I imagine it pretty much sucks to be homeless. However, I require them do jumping jacks and push ups first.

Compassion Knoxville v. Ron Peabody

Ah, there's nothing like a good old fashion pis--, er spitting, contest.

Apparently Ron Peabody doesn't like the final report released by Compassion Knoxville, which happens to be the same group he bailed on to run for a City Council seat.

He issued a statement this morning. You can read it right smack here.

In it, Peabody, for five pages, lists a number of initiatives the group put on its suggestion or to-do list, or whatever. Then he says why they shouldn't be on there. Or whatever.

Compassion Knoxville responded. You can read the group's statement right smack here.

In it, officials tell Peabody to get a life. Or something like that.

Hey, I'm just the messenger.

I don't really care one way or another.

But, these releases make for good blog fodder on a slow (knock on wood) Friday afternoon.