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Read comments (12)The council took issue with the location rather than the concept.
Last month, Dr. Carl Bailey presented his vision for Community Religious Outreach Social Services (CROSS) to the council. Bailey told the T-G last week that the idea for shelter and child care for the homeless at 262 North Main St. has been praised and well received by the public and city officials.
The main sticking point for many, however, had been a rezoning request for four trailers to be located behind the building, so Bailey removed the request.
Councilman Randy Vernon said while the shelter was a good idea, North Main "is not the place for it." Councilmember Kay Rose said that several citizens had expressed concerns about the trailers to her.
Vernon said he had an issue with having "something like this" on North Main. Councilman Al Stephenson said that the city should sell the property. The property Bailey was considering is owned jointly by the city and county and is currently not habitable.
Bailey said the purpose of CROSS is to help people get back on their feet. Bailey has said he does not propose "a 'soft services' facility," like anger management or parenting classes, but a place to meet immediate needs, such as shelter.
CROSS is also in the process of being registered as a non-profit organization, Bailey has said.
The proposed facility would provide interim, short-term shelter, so that people can get back on their feet, off the poverty rolls and back to work. The facility would have a community pantry, and an office would be dedicated to a cultural integration office to help the county's minority community, such as Hispanics and Somali refugees.
Bailey said according to the deputy director of Tennessee's Department of Children Services, if the cost of taking care of children of single-parent families could be done away with, it would take care of about 40 percent of those at the poverty level in Bedford County.
Bailey stressed that he is not trying to supplant any existing organization, but just wants to meet immediate housing needs, food and clothing, and employment help.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
For more information on CROSS, contact Dr. Bailey at 575-9954.
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I think that the old hospital would be great to use or the old high school/middle school. These buildings are costing us all alot of tax dollars to maintain and keep secure. These would be to great sites and they would have plenty of room to house everyone under one roof it would accommadate everything that Dr.Bailey has in mind to do as well it would not be an eye sore like the portables,and it would be easier to keep everyone safe and secure. We need this facility here because there is alot of people in this community that need help and it sounds like this facility will be a good fit. This has been a long time comming and greatly needed.
hillbillyrebel41@yahoo.com
"So who in the world thinks that it's a good idea to take money away (or do away with money)from single-parent families to give to Hispanics and Somali refugees. -- Posted by jdl.7971 on Mon, Sep 8, 2008, at 10:38 AM"
jdl.7971, I don't think you are reading it right. The deputy director of Tennessee's Department of Children Services is not saying stop giving support to single parent-families and give it to the somalis and hispanics. I read it as 40% of the poverty level are single parent-families. "If" their wasn't a cost of supporting single-family homes then 40% of the poverty level would be taken care of.
They are going to have a Cultural integration office that will be able to help with the Hispanic and Somali refugees.
He is not from Tennessee.
The proposed facility would provide interim, short-term shelter, so that people can get back on their feet, off the poverty rolls and back to work. The facility would have a community pantry, and an office would be dedicated to a cultural integration office to help the county's minority community, such as Hispanics and Somali refugees.
Bailey said according to the deputy director of Tennessee's Department of Children Services, if the cost of taking care of children of single-parent families could be done away with, it would take care of about 40 percent of those at the poverty level in Bedford County
So who in the world thinks that it's a good idea to take money away (or do away with money)from single-parent families to give to Hispanics and Somali refugees. Has this man lost his mind. Does he know where he is. Maybe he could talk to Tyson, I'm sure thay would be willing to donate some of their prayer room space for such services.
I think it should be in a commercial area as well. Isn't there some Commercial land for sale on Colerado Blvd. and around in that Area. I think this is a good area to look at, this is around the same area as other low income dwellings that are available and it is a commercial area as well. What about Depot street or around in the areas that are commercial or R-4? Anthony Ln? It may be an area to look into. It's late right now, if I can remember to, I'll try to call and mention some of these areas. I hope Dr Bailey reads the blogs. And maybe he'll see this.
"If you think Shelbyville don't have a homeless population, please feel free to come walk with me for a while."
I never said that we didn't have homeless, every town does. I was just wondering if we have a need for this type of shelter and would it attract MORE homeless?
Does anyone know if a census has been taken on the homeless in Shelbyville?
I think that a commercial place is the best place
for this kind of shelter. It would be used more if
it was visible for all to see. This would keep it out of our neighbor hoods away from our
children and schools in our city. the police
would monitor it more if it was in a commercial
area. The city neighbor hoods are screaming to
us all that they need cleaned up. City council
members please help us provide a nice clean and safe place for our inter city children to walk
and play while growing up in Shelbyville. Less
work on cleaning up our slums. Every one wins
Business as usual! Where is the compassion of this city and its ELECTED officials. Dr. Bailey is working toward the good of the people of this city and desperately needs an educated city council in assisting him with implementing this community program. The only hopes that our city has of becoming a responsible community and standing up for doing the right thing is electing highly educated city officals and council members. I would love to see a younger generation of Shelbyvillians take on a role in public service. It is time to get rid of the "good ole boys" and the city council members who have their own agenda and best interest they intend protect. Where is the LEADERSHIP THIS CITY SO DESPERATELY NEEDS??? For the person that thinks this type of community program would only bring the indigent and desperate individuals to this community, my dear you have a lot to learn about Shelbyville. Do your research....look at the median income of the average person or household that lives in Shelbyville. My dear more than 60% of Shelbyville's population is just a paycheck away from needing the services this type of organization can offer. Look around, it could be you or your neighbor. STAND UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING OR STEP DOWN! ~BLACKEYESUZE
I think the location was a wise choice--a highly visible commericial location. Surely there wouldn't be too many complaints since it is not in anyone's neighborhood. Just let them try to put in it any residential neighborhood and listen to the residents protest.
We have enough empty buildings to offer shelter,provisions such as bathing,food and clothing plus "soft services".
It would cost us more if needy populations were underserved.
sameoldstory
Where do you think Shelbyville's homeless have to go now?
There is no place for the homeless in Shelbyville so they have to find a way to Murfreesboro or Nashville if they stay at a shelter.
What if Murfreesboro or Nashville thought their shelter was only for their county residents?
If you think Shelbyville don't have a homeless population, please feel free to come walk with me for a while.
No sarcasim. This is an honest question. Why is it needed?
The reason I ask is from my experience these things usually work as a "build it and they will come". You may start seeing more and more people from out of town that will be brought here. If it's for the people of Bedford Co, then that is fine, but usually it doesn't happen that way.
Councilman Randy Vernon... If you think its such a good Idea!! .. Why Don't you HELP them find a suitable Location!!
The service is desperatly NEEDED!!!