Two interesting Charles Trentelman pieces in this morning's Standard-Examiner, concerning Emerald City's St. Anne's Shelter. The first of these deals with administrative changes enacted by new shelter director, Jennifer Canter, which, in a nutshell, represent an abandonment of the shelter's heretofore "traditional flophouse format." We incorporate Mr. Trentelman's lede paragraphs below:
OGDEN — People who hop off a freight and need a place to spend the night can still do so at St. Anne’s Center, but they shouldn’t be surprised if the reception is a bit more bureaucratic than it used to be.Charlie's second article partly reprises last year's Godfrey administration theme, i.e, moving St. Anne operations out of Ogden's downtown to a 12th Street location. Unlike last year's discussion, however, the administration's "vision" now seems to have been substantially pared-down. Whereas Ogden City CEO John Patterson was wild about moving the entire St. Anne's operation last year, Ogden City administration officals are now merely talking about a 12th Street facility for the "chronic homeless."
If they want to hang around for a few days, they have to follow more rules, tolerate procedures that are more strict and face a frostier welcome.
That’s intentional, said Jennifer Canter, the executive director of the center since September.
Canter is the third director in as many years at St. Anne’s — the fourth if you count ReAnne Hart, the interim director for most of last year who is still on staff as a case manager.
Canter, a member of the West Haven City Council, took over at St. Anne’s, which is still trying to recover from the confusion and discord inevitable from so many changes in leadership.
In addition to bureaucratic discord, she’s dealing with a massive change in the way homeless people are helped in Utah. Adoption by Utah of a 10-year plan to do away with homelessness means the end of the traditional “flophouse” format of shelter.
Last year we called for a full and open discussion of the St. Anne's Shelter dilemma. It appears that discussion has now finally begun.
And what say our gentle readers about all this?
8 comments:
I do believe that some changes are needed to address the homeless situation in Ogden. I do question the sincerity of The Godfrey administration although. John Patterson reminds me of an old west medicine man selling his snake oil to the unsuspecting souls through out the City and County.
I can’t believe that they are really committed to help out the less fortunate, when they are so arrogant and cavalier about everything else.
And what type of a commitment will the Godfrey Administration really put on the table other than an old lot out of the main business district?
Doc:
Well, we'll have to see. Fair questions, I agree, but speculation at this point doesn't matter much. Either the Administration will, or won't, seriously tackle the problem and come up with workable solutions that actually address the problems. The Administration does seem to have abandoned its older "get thee to 12th Street out of sight out of mind" proposal to remove the St. Anne's Center and its scruffy patrons from view in up-scaling downtown Ogden. A good thing, I think. Good point the article made that the Center's meal clients are, in many cases, not homeless at all. Just too poor to buy food.
Haven't thought through all the implications of St. Anne's revised and refined mission described by Mr. Trentelman. I can see merit in it, certainly, but also some potential shoal waters. The St. Anne's leadership seems to be separating their walk-ins into two groups. I'll use the old terms for them: "the deserving poor" and "the undeserving poor." As a historian, those categories make me a little uncomfortable, because they easily morph [and have in the past] into the notion that all the poor are undeserving of either sympathy or help. But the distinctions St. Anne is now making among its clients seem sensible, and if it turns out they work, wise. The notion of one-size-fits-all services to the indigent and poor never did make much sense.
If I read the Administration's view right in the articles, they're now proposing that only the "undeserving poor"... the chronically homeless or indigent, or maybe [again a term that makes me nervous on historical grounds]"those who cannot be helped" --- be offered flophouse accommodations out on 12th Street. Or did I misread the intent?
As Rudi noted, it's good that a public discussion on such matters seems to have opened, or to be continuing. Nice work by the SE highlighting it, btw. Let us hope this time the discussion can be kept above Mr. Patterson's previous "old guys peeing downtown" level.
Ahhh Curm. All old guys pee outside, dont we?
It's part of being a guy, or is it an old thing?
I'd even venture to bet that Patterson has peed outside.
John Patterson is salivating at the prospect of finding donors for a new 100-room facility for the homeless.
This is his chance to give the donors tax increment credit and perpetuate the role of the Ogden RDA.
The question is - why give away anything? If the taxpayers can afford to give away tax increment then they can afford to build the shelter.
Quit playing the RDA games!!
I see this as the first step in the Patterson/Godfrey plan to move all of Saint Anne's to 12th St. When has the Administration ever done anything good for Ogden without it's being a side effect of an ulterior motive?
I'm so glad that Patterson from West valley is so smart when it comes to knowing the history of Ogden. I think that moving the shelter over to 12th street location is a great Idea. That is where the homeless can go to get a hot meal, look at all the free dumpsters that they have, all the big macs and the flame broiled burger kings whoppers, and for some of those that would like to have some home grown food there is a taco time there too. then up the street they can go for medical help with the clinic by smiths. then if they need a warm place to stay they could sleep in the trains that are parked at BDO. Boy I'm so glad that we have Patterson here in Ogden to look out for the best interest of the homeless. OH by the way for entertainment they could just go up to channel 17 and help the mayor with his little talk show. wouldn't that be special?
I guess that when the mayor and the administration goes to 12th street when they become homeless, (Which could be sometime this year,) They can stay at the crowbar hotel. Three squares a day and plenty of fresh air.
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