Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Contributed by our very own,much loved and oh so much missed friend,companion and mentor to all:
Rosie Umstattd
Monday, January 26, 2009
Anothert Resident Pases
I cannot remember his last name but his first name was David and he worked/volunteered over at the local V.A. and was a real nice gentleman indeed.
He had moved out of Paquin some months ago but he always had a kind smile and a good word for everybody although he had severe problems in speech.
Every time I saw him he would always exclaim "Again?!" which I would reply in the same and smile.
He road the bus alot to the mall and to WalMart too.
Rest in peace old timer I will miss you and your smile alot.
He had moved out of Paquin some months ago but he always had a kind smile and a good word for everybody although he had severe problems in speech.
Every time I saw him he would always exclaim "Again?!" which I would reply in the same and smile.
He road the bus alot to the mall and to WalMart too.
Rest in peace old timer I will miss you and your smile alot.
Friday, January 23, 2009
A Resident Passing
The Paquin Tower Times announces the passing away of one of our old time residents Mr Larry Scaggs.
Larry was quite the character around Paquin Tower in my 4 + years of living here. He always had a joke to tell or a story of one of his long ago glory days of his life.
He will be missed by quite a few who really liked his humor and honesty.
I do not have much other information about him but I did consider him a good friend. He was also the one who got me hooked on calling our vertical neighborhood by his affectionate name of "Squirrel City" which I will keep up his tradition of doing. It made people laugh at times and forget about their own troubles.
Now you feel no pain my brother. That is a good thing because for a few years that is all you knew on a daily basis.
Larry you will be missed my friend and I hope to see you on the other side.
Larry was quite the character around Paquin Tower in my 4 + years of living here. He always had a joke to tell or a story of one of his long ago glory days of his life.
He will be missed by quite a few who really liked his humor and honesty.
I do not have much other information about him but I did consider him a good friend. He was also the one who got me hooked on calling our vertical neighborhood by his affectionate name of "Squirrel City" which I will keep up his tradition of doing. It made people laugh at times and forget about their own troubles.
Now you feel no pain my brother. That is a good thing because for a few years that is all you knew on a daily basis.
Larry you will be missed my friend and I hope to see you on the other side.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
CARE@PAQUIN COMMITTEE KICKS OFF FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
CARE@PAQUIN COMMITTEE KICKS OFF FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
Community group forms in response to city cuts in program for Columbians with disabilities.
(Columbia, MO) -- Columbia citizens concerned about this year’s city budget cuts to the Paquin Recreation Program have formed Columbia Accessible Recreation @ Paquin (CARE@Paquin). The committee's purpose is to raise money to replace city funding cut from the 08'-09' city budget. The committee also hopes to educate the public concerning the importance of the recreation program to Columbians with disabilities, in an effort to ensure future city funding of the program.
“It is important for us to remember that the program at Paquin provides one of the few high quality, accessible recreation opportunities for Columbians with disabilities,” Sean Spence, chair of the committee, said. “This program serves people from all over the city, and preserving it should not be an option.”
The committee has developed an aggressive fundraising plan including direct mail, special events and individual requests. The committee also plans on partnering with local churches and civic groups for fundraising as well as social and personal assistance activities for the residents of Paquin Tower. This effort is commencing with an alliance with The Crossing church, which is planning both fundraising and service activities.
The committee includes Sean Spence (committee chair), Dean Andersen, Rhett Brengarth, Sarah Catlin-Dupuy, Nancy Harter, Ines Segert, Marilyn Starke, Brian Waller and Paquin residents Richard Craghead and Aaron Perkins. The committee will meet the second Tuesday of each month to plan events and monitor progress. Anyone interested in joining the committee or interested in more information may contact Sean Spence at 573.823.1308.
Community group forms in response to city cuts in program for Columbians with disabilities.
(Columbia, MO) -- Columbia citizens concerned about this year’s city budget cuts to the Paquin Recreation Program have formed Columbia Accessible Recreation @ Paquin (CARE@Paquin). The committee's purpose is to raise money to replace city funding cut from the 08'-09' city budget. The committee also hopes to educate the public concerning the importance of the recreation program to Columbians with disabilities, in an effort to ensure future city funding of the program.
“It is important for us to remember that the program at Paquin provides one of the few high quality, accessible recreation opportunities for Columbians with disabilities,” Sean Spence, chair of the committee, said. “This program serves people from all over the city, and preserving it should not be an option.”
The committee has developed an aggressive fundraising plan including direct mail, special events and individual requests. The committee also plans on partnering with local churches and civic groups for fundraising as well as social and personal assistance activities for the residents of Paquin Tower. This effort is commencing with an alliance with The Crossing church, which is planning both fundraising and service activities.
The committee includes Sean Spence (committee chair), Dean Andersen, Rhett Brengarth, Sarah Catlin-Dupuy, Nancy Harter, Ines Segert, Marilyn Starke, Brian Waller and Paquin residents Richard Craghead and Aaron Perkins. The committee will meet the second Tuesday of each month to plan events and monitor progress. Anyone interested in joining the committee or interested in more information may contact Sean Spence at 573.823.1308.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Local Veterans Need Your Help
As you know we have a home for our veterans in the area called "Welcome Home Inc" that is near the corner of Rangeline and Business Loop 70 here in Columbia.
I was informed through fellow concerned citizens that there are recently 5 veterans who have gotten their own place and need things for their homes.
If you have new or used house hold items in really nice shape or you are working on cleaning out your closets or cupboards I am sure these veterans could use some household items for their new homes.
We all know how it is when you first get your new place and how hard it might be to make sure you get all of the essentials too.
Donations of Blankets, Bed sheets, pillow cases, Pots and Pans, Dishes, Household/Apartment Items, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Soap, Canned goods, and checks made out to:Welcome Home, Inc, can be dropped off at Welcome Home Inc. itself at the address above or call Welcome Home Inc. here in Columbia for drop off times and their phone number is in the local phone book during normal business hours.
All of your donations will be much appreciated by these veterans as they move into their new places.
We did a small donation drive today on a very short notice and brought into "Welcome Home Inc" about $150.00 in various household merchandise but they still need more.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
This message brought to you by the Barack Obama Community Coalition of Columbia/Boone County
I was informed through fellow concerned citizens that there are recently 5 veterans who have gotten their own place and need things for their homes.
If you have new or used house hold items in really nice shape or you are working on cleaning out your closets or cupboards I am sure these veterans could use some household items for their new homes.
We all know how it is when you first get your new place and how hard it might be to make sure you get all of the essentials too.
Donations of Blankets, Bed sheets, pillow cases, Pots and Pans, Dishes, Household/Apartment Items, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Soap, Canned goods, and checks made out to:Welcome Home, Inc, can be dropped off at Welcome Home Inc. itself at the address above or call Welcome Home Inc. here in Columbia for drop off times and their phone number is in the local phone book during normal business hours.
All of your donations will be much appreciated by these veterans as they move into their new places.
We did a small donation drive today on a very short notice and brought into "Welcome Home Inc" about $150.00 in various household merchandise but they still need more.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
This message brought to you by the Barack Obama Community Coalition of Columbia/Boone County
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Those aided by Section 8 not criminals
Our very own Phil Steinhaus laying down the smack down on the editor of the Columbia Tribune:
In response to Hank Waters’ Dec. 23 editorial titled "Rental standards: A tricky proposition," I would ask that readers review the Oct. 28 Opinion page piece titled "Housing program doesn’t breed crime."
In his editorial, Waters perpetuates the myth of "Section 8 housing" and twice refers to "Section 8 buildings" and claims that these "buildings" house a "disproportionate number of offenders because they are intended to provide housing for low-income people likely to succumb to the temptations of illegally gotten money." Waters also claims there are "not enough inspectors" for the poor upkeep of "Section 8 buildings."
First of all, there are no "Section 8 buildings" as Waters asserts. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides housing vouchers to low-income households who can then choose appropriate housing throughout our community. The voucher travels with the household and is not attached to a building. Our professional crew of inspectors visits and inspects every rental property containing an assisted household every year. Mechanical inspections are conducted annually by licensed mechanical inspectors. In comparison, the city of Columbia requires inspections of rental property only every three to six years.
The Columbia Housing Authority will abate the rent for landlords failing to maintain their properties, and Section 8-assisted households can move to another rental property if the landlord fails to make the necessary repairs in a timely manner to maintain the property to HUD-established housing quality standards. The CHA works closely with the Columbia Police Department to identify any Section 8-assisted households or their guests who are involved in any violent or drug-related criminal activity. Housing assistance is immediately terminated for any household whose members or guests are arrested for this type of criminal activity. Last year I terminated the Section 8 housing vouchers of 28 assisted households (2 percent) of 1,445 total assisted households. Although there might be unreported crime that occurs in Section 8-assisted households, I cannot do anything about a crime that is not reported and where no arrests are made.
Finally, asserting that "low-income people are likely to succumb to the temptations of illegally gotten money" is insulting to struggling and hardworking low-income families. The CHA provides support and incentives for people to work toward self-sufficiency. Many other community health and human service agencies work with these same families, and there are many success stories out there. I would like to encourage these individuals to tell their own stories.
Recent reports of Bernard Madoff’s $50 billion Ponzi scheme demonstrates that people of all incomes "are likely to succumb to the temptations of illegally gotten money." The vast majority of Section 8-assisted households (98 percent) are not engaged in violent or drug-related criminal activity and are doing their best to get by in an ever-worsening economy. Our Section 8 households are headed by females (90 percent) who might also be disabled (30 percent). Eighty-four percent of assisted households are families with children, and children constitute 55 percent of all Section 8 assisted people. These are real people, not "Section 8 buildings."
The Columbia Housing Authority works hard to make sure these families get the decent housing they deserve. To portray the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program as being responsible for poor housing and crime in our community is a misrepresentation of the facts by Waters and his "good friends," who should know better and continue to perpetuate this myth.
Phil Steinhaus is CEO of the Columbia Housing Authority.
Source:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2009/Jan/20090104Comm008.asp
The one thing though that is a fact is as Section 8 Housing spreads through out any city the crime spreads right along with it too.
This has been shown in many case studies from across this entire nation as a whole.
Reference story line:
http://board.columbiatribune.com/index.php?showtopic=6935
Lots of great facts and links presented on this heated debate.
In response to Hank Waters’ Dec. 23 editorial titled "Rental standards: A tricky proposition," I would ask that readers review the Oct. 28 Opinion page piece titled "Housing program doesn’t breed crime."
In his editorial, Waters perpetuates the myth of "Section 8 housing" and twice refers to "Section 8 buildings" and claims that these "buildings" house a "disproportionate number of offenders because they are intended to provide housing for low-income people likely to succumb to the temptations of illegally gotten money." Waters also claims there are "not enough inspectors" for the poor upkeep of "Section 8 buildings."
First of all, there are no "Section 8 buildings" as Waters asserts. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides housing vouchers to low-income households who can then choose appropriate housing throughout our community. The voucher travels with the household and is not attached to a building. Our professional crew of inspectors visits and inspects every rental property containing an assisted household every year. Mechanical inspections are conducted annually by licensed mechanical inspectors. In comparison, the city of Columbia requires inspections of rental property only every three to six years.
The Columbia Housing Authority will abate the rent for landlords failing to maintain their properties, and Section 8-assisted households can move to another rental property if the landlord fails to make the necessary repairs in a timely manner to maintain the property to HUD-established housing quality standards. The CHA works closely with the Columbia Police Department to identify any Section 8-assisted households or their guests who are involved in any violent or drug-related criminal activity. Housing assistance is immediately terminated for any household whose members or guests are arrested for this type of criminal activity. Last year I terminated the Section 8 housing vouchers of 28 assisted households (2 percent) of 1,445 total assisted households. Although there might be unreported crime that occurs in Section 8-assisted households, I cannot do anything about a crime that is not reported and where no arrests are made.
Finally, asserting that "low-income people are likely to succumb to the temptations of illegally gotten money" is insulting to struggling and hardworking low-income families. The CHA provides support and incentives for people to work toward self-sufficiency. Many other community health and human service agencies work with these same families, and there are many success stories out there. I would like to encourage these individuals to tell their own stories.
Recent reports of Bernard Madoff’s $50 billion Ponzi scheme demonstrates that people of all incomes "are likely to succumb to the temptations of illegally gotten money." The vast majority of Section 8-assisted households (98 percent) are not engaged in violent or drug-related criminal activity and are doing their best to get by in an ever-worsening economy. Our Section 8 households are headed by females (90 percent) who might also be disabled (30 percent). Eighty-four percent of assisted households are families with children, and children constitute 55 percent of all Section 8 assisted people. These are real people, not "Section 8 buildings."
The Columbia Housing Authority works hard to make sure these families get the decent housing they deserve. To portray the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program as being responsible for poor housing and crime in our community is a misrepresentation of the facts by Waters and his "good friends," who should know better and continue to perpetuate this myth.
Phil Steinhaus is CEO of the Columbia Housing Authority.
Source:
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2009/Jan/20090104Comm008.asp
The one thing though that is a fact is as Section 8 Housing spreads through out any city the crime spreads right along with it too.
This has been shown in many case studies from across this entire nation as a whole.
Reference story line:
http://board.columbiatribune.com/index.php?showtopic=6935
Lots of great facts and links presented on this heated debate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
