THE TOP 1O MEANEST CITIES FOR THE HOMELESS

I was surprised that Sarasota Florida was not at least in the top five in this list.  In my opinion, Bradenton is more homeless friendly than Sarasota, and, a couple of years ago, Sarasota was listed as the number one meanest city in the U.S. for the homelesss; I guess that's changed but "I CAN'T TELL!"

The top 10 meanest Cities for the Homeless in the U.S. are:

1. Los Angeles, CA

2. St. Petersburg, FL

3. Orlando, FL

4. Atlanta, GA

5. Gainesville, FL

6. Kalamazoo, MI

7. San Francisco, CA

8. Honolulu, HI

9. BRADENTON, FLORIDA

10. Berkley, CA

What surprises me is that out of the 10, 4 of those cities are in Florida, so, we can say that Florida is a non-friendly state for the homeless!

STRAIGHT FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK!

PEER AGENCIES MUST WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON CAUSE!

It amazes me how much Peer Agencies have all virtually distanced themselves from each other in these hard economic times.  In times like these when donations are scarce, finances are almost non-existent, and all Social Agencies are "treading water" so to speak, we all should be uniting and/or banding together towards a common cause and goal of helping those in need; instead, it appears that agencies are isolating themselves from each other and competing to see who can acquire the most funds on their own and it even appears that the larger Agencies are trying to snuff out the smaller agencies!

In these hard times, and they may get harder, we all need to check ourselves and ensure that we are performing our jobs as social service advocates the way that God would want us to.  If we are doing otherwise, then we need to close shop and do something else.  All of our goals within the social service spectrum should be the same; helping the homeless, needy, underprivileged, and disadvantaged; NOT HELPING OURSELVES!!!

SARASOTA FLORIDA IS ON THE WRONG TRACK REGARDING HOW IT TREATS THE HOMELESS!

Recently, I read an article on the internet, and later in the Manatee and Sarasota newspapers regarding the City of Sarasota, mainly the Mayor and Vice Mayor, along with others in City and County Government, removing all benches in the Five Point Park downtown. This Park was a meeting and gathering place for the homeless, and various Agencies, Advocates, and homeless sympathizers would arrive at this Park at certain times of the day or evening to feed, clothe, and provide other types of support and sustenance for those in need. When I read that the benches were removed, I had to see for myself; and sure enough, they were gone. Many Sarasota Citizens voiced concern about the removal of the benches and of course a minority few stated that it was good and well that the benches were removed because now maybe this would end the homeless problem downtown. Upon my investigation I also noticed that the Public Library (Selby Library), right across from the Park, had also removed ALL of its benches. I became outraged. Granted, there are a few homeless people that make it bad, very bad for ALL of the population. I immediately went to my Office and fired an email to the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Sarasota, and CC'd local television stations and newspapers. The very next day the story were on all of the local news channels. The Vice Mayor returned my email and told me that they had to remove the benches because they were having problems with some of the homeless people, and that they had to ensure that they kept the numerous wealthy taxpayers in Sarasota happy. This also outraged me and I sent a stern but respectful email back to him teaching him the facts of life.

The Mayor and the Vice Mayor are only doing what they think and believe is right; and I respect their decisions, but don't agree with them. There are ways to solve the problem of a few homeless making it bad for the majority, and I don't have to outline those ways here; that is for the high salaried Mayor, Vice Mayor, and the other cronies in government in Sarasota to figure out. I might be wrong but I'll go out on a limb and say that most or even all within the Sarasota County Government, along with the wealthy tourists, visitors, and others who live in the upscale areas of downtown and Sarasota have never been homeless; so they don't understand. Though I am outraged I am trying very hard to be respectful because since they've never been homeless, they don't understand, and until they do, will never understand.

That being said, I hope that the Citizens of Sarasota will never be homeless, wiped off the map, or lose all of their personal effects and wealth; I hope they will always prosper. But God is a God of Justice, and if you've read the Bible, he does not take too kindly to people disrespecting, humiliating, or treating those who are homeless or in need in any type of a bad way; he just doesn't like it. God controls all things including the weather. I feel bad for Sarasota because I can see, and feel something bad coming its way to wake it up. I don't wish this on Sarasota, but Sarasota is bringing all of this on itself. I don't know how it will happen, or when it will happen, but it will happen. Sarasota, mostly in its wealthy, affluent, and upscale sections, will virtually be wiped off the map. The areas where people are not that well off or just "normal" so to speak, will be spared. When this happens, the very people that Sarasota spurns, the homeless, down trodden, needy, disadvantaged, and underprivileged will be the ones that Sarasota will look to help it rebuild. I hope this never happens, but if Sarasota continues to disrespect, humiliate, and frown at those who are in need, disaster and judgment from the Almighty is right around the corner. WAKE UP SARASOTA!

 Garry B. Coston - Executive Director, FRESH START 

GARRY B. COSTON

 Chairman, Executive Director, FRESH START Social Service Agency, Inc.