Flinging Towards the Sun

Friday, January 8, 2010

Studies on the Abuse of Youth in Correctional Facilities... Thoughts... Input? You Tube Video

["Cruelty and Death in Juvenile Detention Centers"; as submitted to You Tube by ChelsMarie1111; December 07, 2008; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH-TvwbJPlI]

On page B2 of today's [1/8/2010] "Daily Freeman", there is an Associated Press article titled "Report: Sex abuse high at juvenile centers."

According to this report, based on a recently released government study, in thirteen different juvenile detention and/or correction centers, approximately 1/3 of the incarcerated youth "reported" suffering some form of sexual abuse and/or "victimization" - as perpetrated by staff and/or other youth.

Whereas, on the national level, a recently released Justice Department study found that approximately 12 percent of institutionalized youth [state-run, private and/or local correctional facilities] "reported" suffering some form of sexual abuse, as perpetrated by staff and/or other youth.

All of which would seem to beg the questions: "What is better... an abusive family system or an abusive institutional system?"

Or, better yet, "What the He** is going on?????"

Aren't the staff in such places being screened to the max for prior abuse and/or criminal histories? Aren't the youth in these facilities getting the supervision they should be? Has our youth correctional system been covertly [through neglect, cover-up or collusion] allowing this sort of activity to go on?

We have mandated reporters - in regard to child abuse - and that is good. But if a troubled child gets sent to a facility [whether it is a a temporary shelter, a foster home and/or a correctional facility] - does this "mandate" suddenly [inside of the institution] somehow "disappear?"

If not, how could these stats climb so high?????

Approximately one out of three...

Approximately 12 out of 100

Pretty bad, I'd say...

Even more so when one factors in the fact that a lot of youth - according to a number of studies - never speak up about being abused...

And even those that aren't directly abused [this, according to studies related to abuse in the home...] are quite likely - at some level - to know something is going on - and live in chronic fear of it happening to them. [In an institution a youth in such circumstances might adopt a "tough guy" and/or "crazy" persona - and/or join a gang - in an attempt [quite likely self-defeating in other ways] to stay safe...

Why do youth get sent to correctional facilities?

Chronic truancy. Petty theft. Shoplifting. More serious crimes. Reasons as noted in the video above...

What do these youth leave "correctional facilities" [especially those that have suffered traumatic abuse within the institution] with?

I've often pondered the dilemma that is presented to the caring person and/or mandated reporter when it comes to abuse issues - because, although these are apparently the latest studies - and just address correctional facilities - this sort of abuse scenerio has been noted as a problem in youth facilities - of all types [including some foster homes] - many a time.

Making one wonder how much incentive there is [generally speaking] for those that are aware of these tragic stats - to report suspected abuse [neglect and or abuse is often a factor for acting out youth already...] - when one fears that the same youth one is trying to get "help" for [if abuse is indeed discovered] might well be sent to live in an abusive institution and/or to an institution that covertly - whether intentional or no - harbors abusers?

Any thoughts on this?

NS

Fire in Ward 5 - Correction - Questions - Thank You

Photo [Filter Experiment] by NS

According to today's "Kingston Times" a woman and six children / youth [the "Freeman" count on this was three children/youth] were left homeless after a blaze devoured their home on CJ Cole Lane (Ward 5, near Pine Grove Avenue and Summer Street). Updates [as to how one might be able to help out, if so inclined] are hopefully pending. So far the numbers I have accessed for the Red Cross have not been valid.

?????

This was a very serious fire with the potential for even greater damage - and it would appear that something might need to be done in regard to fire hydrants and/or street width / other safety factors in this area...

I'm not up on fire codes and such - and I don't claim to know much about how calls / responses such as this work...

But I do know that Summer Street - all of Summer Street [two blocks plus?] was totally shut down to traffic for a few hours - that neighboring houses must have been at high risk - and that the firefighters themselves must have been [one was reputedly injured] at high risk.

There is a also a residence that I believe services Cerebral (sp?) Palsy clients located close to where this fire occurred - which brings up additional safety issues and such...

Kudos to the Fire Department personnel involved.

This question is to you and well as to anyone else...

What would have made your job in this instance safer and easier for all concerned? Is another hydrant needed? Stronger water pressure to the hydrants?

Are there other issues?

Just asking.

This seems like a disaster that could have easily become a much worse disaster...

NS

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Fire in Ward 5 [Revised] - Governor Paterson's Webcast 2nd State of the State Address - Blogs, Blogs, Blogs...

Christmas 2009 / Photo by NS

Revised: According to today's "Daily Freeman", seven people, including three children / youth were displaced as a result of the intense fire in Ward 5 yesterday. These folks are being assisted by the Red Cross - and I hope to generate a list of the families needs [give me a couple of days...] so that folks can help them out if they so choose / are able.

If anyone is interested in holding a fundraiser of some sort, I am willing to provide free music / karaoke / children's entertainment [in some sort of public venue] for the occassion.

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To watch a webcast [live] of Governor David Paterson giving his 2nd "State of the State Address" - please check in at www.ny.gov/governor at 1PM today.

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I have added a collection of blogs and links to my list - and I will return later to sort these out and remove [if necessary] anything that I find offensive. More may be added. Alternative viewpoints - as long as respectful - will be kept.

Bear with me. This will be somewhat time consuming.

Thank You,

NS

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Freewrite - 2009 - 2010 - Inventory Taking

The Snowman, The President, Santa Claus and The Mouse

Photo by NS

Last year, around this time, I had just finished playing host [with the assistance of MoveOn.Org] for President Barack Obama's local Inauguration Party at the Kingston MuddyCup [a wonderful success!] --- which is now [the Kingston MuddyCup] approximately a year vacant --- and apparently pegged [despite being practically across the street from Rite Aid and just up the street from the up and coming (new) Walgreens...] to become yet another Kingston [no dealers on these corners... lol] drug store.

Last year, around this time, life was tough. It was cold. Santa had apparently gone "bottoms up" during his treck through the City skies...

And, as always --- "the tax man cometh" --- bearing higher rates for the majority of City of Kingston homeowners --- and promising nothing [except for the opportunity to file grievances, which many did...] --- at all.

Hope was in the air though.

Hope - for some of us - was in the air.

So we did our homework; grabbed on the back of that sled and did a few loop-de-loops; joined activist organizations that supported the Obama Administration and/or our local citizen groups...

And filed those grievances...

For better [usually] or for worse [?].

After all, life is - to some degree - what you make it.

Fun is - to some degree - what you make it.

But it still hurts when you fall...

It still hurts when you fail...

And it still hurts when it (ouch, ouch, ouch...) hurts...

This year, President Barack Obama is no longer a novice...; Santa Claus held his own a "wee bit" better; the snowman lost his theatrical lighting abilities and got his head filled with old pillow "stuff"; and the mouse [never overly talented in any respect] surely needs [and will receive] a bath...

Is this "our moment?"

What got better in 09?

What got worse in 09?

What did you do [it could be as simple as planting a flower...] to try to make a positive impact in 09?

What might you [I've already beat myself up...] have done better?

What about 2010?

Ideas?

Potentialities?

Goals?

Dreams?

Hope?

I'm just writing "Stream of Consciousness" kinda' stuff this am...

But taking ones personal inventory is always a good idea --- and it would most likely be a positive undertaking - for groups - business enterprises - and government bodies [don't ya' think?] as well.

After all, in the past --- when the snowman lost his twinkling spinning lights --- I would have trashed him.

But minus his plug [safety issues...] - head stuffed with old pillow fiber (making use of an aged out pillow, as well) he (the snowman...) still looks pretty good...

As does - to me - the rest of the "crew."

[We really need to remember that 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (which was like skiing downhill on ice at breakneck speeds...) preceded 2009....]

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Updated: Synopsis of Today's "Community Jobs Forum" / Submission to the White House

The following synopsis of today's "Community Jobs Forum" is in the exact form that it was submitted - albeit by different means - to barackobama.com / Organizing for America tonight. Your thoughts are welcome [please utilize the comments section] on any and/or all of this as well!

"Synopsis Community Jobs Forum January 2, 2010, Kingston NY [As submitted by Nancy Smith, City of Kingston Citizen Activist and Blogger]

Out of 35 to 50 invites - primarily folks that I know are active in the community politically or otherwise - only three people officially signed up for this forum - and none of them showed up. Thus, only myself, my husband and another City of Kingston resident that we met on site ended up collectively discussing and answering the questions provided.

Apathy?

Perhaps that is a word [other than sad...] that best captures what is going on in Kingston, NY... with more evidence of same being that I also asked a group of six to eight men that were present on site [at least some of whom stated that they were City residents] if they wanted to participate / answer the questions - and they laughingly [like it was a bad joke...] said [I won't reveal "all" that they said...] no.

My husband, whom I will refer to as BS, did not make any notation in regard to question number one. The other gentleman that participated, whom I will refer to as JC, stated that he had viewed some material on the "President's Jobs Forum" - and his response to question number one: "From what you have seen, or seen reported about the President's Jobs Forum on December 3rd, what seemed relevant to your community?" --- was "Nothing!."

My response to this question - having watched the Allentown videos [one and two, as covered by C-SPAN and placed on You Tube) focused on the commonalities between Allentown and the City of Kingston - such as the loss of manufacturing jobs [one after another... bunches!]; the high rate of business closures and turnovers (real bad!); the increase (big time!) in home foreclosures (and all that comes with "same" (including increased traffic at homeless shelters, food pantries, etc.); the way in which the greed and waste inherent in our health care system factors into all of this...; the lack of local employment opportunities for our youth; and the fact that the issues that are now striking the middle-class and working-class [big time] - have been present for decades (sometimes a lifetime / sometimes generation after generation] for some of our City's working class [low wages; p/t jobs; lack of health care; etc.] and poverty level households (individuals and families) --- although [and I think this is an important point!] a number of those receiving services and/or in shelters, jails and prisons appear to be getting better benefits (health, dental, etc.) than those that are working and /or at least volunteering / participating in community action [this factor can breed some serious (I know this from speaking to a number of others) resentments...].

On Question number two, "What parts of your local economy are working or thriving? What businesses and sectors are expanding and hiring?"

BS stated that the City of Kingston is a "government and not-for-profit heavy economy" and that "all of them are experiencing a hiring freeze."

JC stated: "None." And --- "those that don't depend on government handouts or dependency..." "Darwinism [meaning "survival of the fittest?"] vs Keynseism" [I had to look up "Keynseism" - which, according to "Webster's New World College Dictionary", 4th Edition; P. 785 - means "in accord with the economic theories of Keynes and his followers, which hold that full employment and a stable economy depend on the continued governmental stimulation of spending and investment through adjustment of interest rates and tax rates, deficit financing, etc..."

And I stated: None. The City of Kingston, the County of Ulster and the State of New York are all in serious fiscal trouble. In fact the City of Kingston was paying employees via a bond towards the latter part of 2009 - and seriously contemplating filing [as a City] for bankruptcy. There are, in my opinion, way too many not-for-profits in the City of Kingston --- which is dominated by City jobs/workers, county jobs/workers and not-for-profit (religious and non) institutions (at least some of which appear to pull in a pretty hefty profit in terms of funds and/or prime property that is kept off the tax roles...). The only buildings and businesses that seem to keep going up and/or moving in are drug stores --- and I think that, again, speaks of the downtrodden state of this City - our disfunctional health care system - and of the people that are suffering --- buying full tilt into the "medical model" --- and/or self-medicating ---- in an attempt [offtimes counterproductive] to survive.

On Question number three, "What parts of your local economy are not working or thriving? What businesses and sectors have been hit the hardest? What are people struggling with the most?"

BS responded: "There is no growth in the private sector. All businesses are affected and people are struggling with basic needs - food - shelter - transportation - health care."

JC responded: "(A & B...) This community suffers from too many stores, pharmacies, restaurants and box stores, which drive down wages. [and] (C) taxes, government expansion, and serious nepotism and patronage."

I responded: Nothing really seems to be working or thriving. The City, County and State have all been hit hard. Businesses have been hit hard. The citizens - especially at the working class and middle class level - have been hit hard. The elderly are struggling and (often, this from conversations...) full of fear. The communities youth have little to aspire to. In general, there appears to be a great deal of apathy, fear, anger and bitterness afloat...

On question number four:

"What are the opportunities for growth in your community? What businesses and sectors seem poised to rebound? What do you see as "jobs of the future?"

BS responded: 1. "None. None." 2. "Future - Solar energy, service jobs, education..."

JC responded: "A) None B) Few C) Solar & construction... rehab" [not clear on what he meant by "rehab..."]

I responded that the City needs to find a "niche" - such as tourism - and try to go with that.... but that the outlook [apathy has a heavy hand...] is currently bleak....

It seems to me that this City needs some radical restructuring (in terms of taxes, not-for-profits, "separation of church and state" issues, nepotism, etc...] and that the City of Kingston would benefit from some objective agency coming in - from the outside - to take a look / evaluate certain situations / engage in some problem solving / and put forth some practical suggestions.

It may well be that some new legislation is required - as it appears as if the City of Kingston is - as one active citizen puts it [This is a major and "hot" issue] --- Ulster County's "dumping ground...". [The City of Kingston reputedly gets (to house, feed, provide health services for, rehabilitate, etc...) somewhere around 70% of the social welfare cases in Ulster County (including those recently released from jails and prisons in Ulster County and elsewhere...)]

On question number five: "What are the obstacles to job creation in your community? What could make local businesses more likely to start hiring?"

BS responded: 1. "Old money... Petrified thinking..." 2. Jimmy Carter's old CETA [Comprehensive Employment Training Act] program!!"

JC responded: 1. "Government" 2. "Enforce [underlined] immigration laws, thereby allowing legals to work!!" "Restaurants in this community are supported by illegals."

I responded: 1. Too many not-for-profits. Too much nepotism and croynism. Too much entanglement between "Church and State." Too much discretion allowed as to who receives grants and what they are used for. Way too little accountability in terms of the City Government and not-for-profits. There is not enough support - in any sense - for the business community. Plus, the proliferation of dollar stores / big box stores [such as Wallmart] - in the City of Kingston and/or nearby Town of Ulster --- are taking a heavy toll [too many manufacturing jobs have gone out of the country... too many items are selling too cheap due to slave labor... too many people are in need of such items... a LOT (locally, nationally and internationally...) needs to change...] on any smaller businesses that do try to make it. We need to start to honor (on all of these fronts --- all across the board --- basic human rights (living wage issues, health care issues, etc.)! Perpetrators of crimes seem to be granted more rights (and supports) than the victims [and potential victims] of crimes... Not-for-profits [some of which earn a big "ahem..."] seem to be taking over the legitimate business realm. And the hiring that is being done - in a lot of cases - appears to be [in far too many cases...] questionable at best [ex-cons working with vulnernable populations] and an atrocity... at worst.

[It should also be noted that the smoking laws and the high tax on cigarettes have hurt businesses and individuals - both locally and nationally - and that these new laws and high taxes are hitting the working poor and impovershed ('tis close to being a discrimination issue in my book...) in major [unjustifiable?] ways. Prohibition on booze did more damage than good - and the same - in my opinion - is going to be true [is in fact, already playing out...] in regard to nicotine products. To discuss reducing the Rockefeller laws whilst increasing taxes, laws, fines and penalties related to cigarettes is an oxymoron I find really hard [not to mention the booze issue...] to digest!] [Yes, by all means, protect the children in every way possible! But adults are adults - and will probably act that way - unless they are treated like children...]

In regard to question number six: "What other issues and ideas should the President consider?"

BS responded: "Partial unemployment. Return to Income Tax structure of the 1950's - High and Exorbanant Incomes were Taxed Over 80% [underlined]... Force banks (they were bailed out) to loan money - especially for small businesses... Mandate and train workworthy people to contribute to thier benefits - !!!"

JC responded: "Strict [underlined] enforcement of Immigration Laws... No bailouts of corporate [corporations?] or individuals... Take personal responsibility for your actions. Government is there to give a hand up NOT [underlined] handouts!!"

I responded: The system appears to be operating upside down... How about turning it right side up????? The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives [or whatever it has been renamed] should be [as a violation of the "separation of church and state"] dismantled. The military should be utilized for our safety and defense - but not for agressive "bully-type" actions. We should get our own act together [invest in America!] and stop interfering [through weapons and/or missionaries] in the "homes" and "norms" (because, when all is said and done, that is what they are...) of others. We should get seriously on board the Human Rights and ethics train. And we should evaluate every single law on the books [in regard to economical and criminal matters] in order to see who these laws truly serve and if they are truly working in the best interests of the average honest American citizen...

If absolutely necessary - I believe President Obama should make a few executive decisions (as did Bush Jr...) - but this time on BEHALF of the average working class to Middle Class [health care, dental care, education, a living wage, tax-payer funded elections, etc.] American citizens."

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Truth, Love, Equality, Peace and Humane Justice,

NS

[ When all of the information related to the "Community Jobs Forums" around the country have been submitted, I think the information (or some of it) will be available at: "The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal": http://www.usa.gov/ On a quick check, via searching this site, I found this: "Checking in on the Community Job Forums: Mayors Stand Up"; Posted by Jesse Lee on December 30, 2009 at 12:17 PM EST; "The White House Blog"; http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/30/checking-community-job-forums-mayors-stand ]

Addendum: In reading some of the material from the last link, I wonder if the Mayor of the City of Kingston was asked to participate in this - and if so, why he did not? Or... for that matter, someone like Mr. Finkle??? I don't seem to be able to generate any big turnouts --- but it sure seems like they could...

Our problems here - for sure - for sure - are not going to solve themselves!

Allentown... Billy Joel... You Tube Video

[ "Billy Joel 'Allentown'"; as submitted to You Tube by jetvane55 on
January 20, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYkjzEc6IJc ]

Sad.

Friday, January 1, 2010

"Community Jobs Forum"... President Obama on the Economy / Jobs... You Tube Videos... Forum Invite and Prep

Parts One and Two of President Obama's 2009 Allentown, Pennsylvania Speech [as covered by C-Span and submitted to You Tube by StartLoving2] ] on Jobs and the Economy:

["Pr. Obama in Allentown (1) on Jobs, Economy, Unemployment"; as submitted to You Tube by StartLoving2 on December 04, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVOAmfinDKo ]

["Pr. Obama in Allentown (2) on Jobs, Economy, Unemployment"; as submitted to You Tube by StartLoving2 on December 04, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDwBtL_FJFc]

This is recommended viewing (Question number one is related to this) for those that have signed up for tomorrows local "Community Jobs Forum."

How can you relate to the issues brought up in these videos?

What do you see as our communities [City of Kingston] obsticles to employment?

What do you see as potentialities? Our community assets?

I know that when I first lived in Kingston - in late 1979 and/or the early 1980s [I was employed then in the manufacturing sector] --- Rotron [Shokan / Woodstock / Saugerties] was thriving --- IBM [Kingston / Poughkeepsie...] was holding strong --- Micronetics [a factory formerly located in Kingston] was hiring - Huck [another factory] was apparently holding strong - Canfields [another factory / I don't know where they stand now...] was apparently doing "okay" --- and there were a number of other businesses, some of which [i.e., Colony Liquer and some of the larger chain-stores at the Kingston Plaza] were apparently (at least for a time) doing well... [Colony Liquer has left the City at this point - and the lifespan of the larger chain stores [i.e., Jamesway, Ben and Jerrys (sp?), etc.] seem to be short lived].

I also know, from my job-hunting excursions, that although there are signs up in a number of local [City of Kingston and Town of Ulster] stores that claim they are hiring... this does not really (at least in some instances) appear to be [why no calls or follow-up at all?] the case...

Which might mean that they are holding off on same [collecting applications....] - and utilizing [for now] overtime (for their current employees) instead - which "could" explain some of the lousy / grouchy service one (in at least some instances) runs into around here...

Which does not bode well for our community [Service with a smile?] either...

Anyhoot...

I have a lot of thoughts about the employment (or lack of employment) issues in our community... and I'm sure you do as well.

So please take the time to watch the videos --- give this material [This may well be my last venture in the world of political activism around here...] some thought --- and join me at the Ulster Avenue Dunkin Donuts - noon tomorrow - if you want to be included [last minute signups at mybarackobama.com are a-okay] in the local "Community Jobs" forum.

[It is also okay to just show up - but I will need to get your contact info]

Thank You,

NS

2009 Mini Review - Opinion Piece - Resolutions - Happy New Year - Live - Love - Laugh

Grandma with Blue Hair...

Photo by BS

I guess my year [2009] "in review" would be considerably different from some of the others I have read. A book opened on (for me) a hopeful note: Bush Jr. and Company out, Obama in.... A book closed on a world suffering - still - from all that came before.

I've never been good at dealing "out in the world." But in 2009 I tried. With steps forward. Steps back. Sometimes spinning in circles...

I tried.

But I found that this country - allegedly (according to some sources) built upon the ideal of "rugged individualism" - does not honor or respect those that "think outside the box" - or those that are resistant to "groupthink" and groveling.

I tried.

But I don't do "groupthink" well.

And I don't grovel...

And I don't have money enough to "buy" any influence, even if I should be so inclined...

So.

2009 in review?

The city of Kingston is still (my opinion) a mess.

The state of New York is still (my opinion) a mess.

The United States of America is still (my opinion) a mess.

And the world at large?

I guess maybe you should ask Santa, his reindeer and "The Week" magazine about that....

But it surely "ain't" looking too good in Afghanistan.

And its still pretty upsetting that almost everything I pick up in a store (and usually put back down) says "Made in China."

I don't much care - at this point - what others - be it in the community forum - or the political arena (where I attempted to make my voice heard and never denied that I suffer from certain disabilities) - think of me.

I've always been a kaleidoscope of talents (yes, I have some...) and disasters (plenty) --- and I'm both arrogant enough and humble enough to acknowlege my public self, my shadow self and my wounded - oh so wounded (but trying to heal...) self.

Which makes me different - I guess - than most.

Even with most of my pain - and most of my traumas (past and present) still contained in a lockbox inside my head...

Where some hopes and fragile dreams find a little bit of room to dance (at least now and then...) as well.

I've done this blog for me - and for anyone that might be interested in what I have to say. I keep tabs on the traffic here [via statcounter] - which have [the stats / site traffic] been pretty good - even though the people that visit rarely make their presence known.

I've also - more importantly - done this blog [which I print out occassionally] for my children and grandchildren - for the day that "might" come when they ask: "What was mom (or grandma) like?" "What was she really all about?"

To which I hope this blog would answer:

She was serious. She was silly. She was a failure. She was a success. She was someone - at least for a little while - that tried to make a difference. And...

She was someone that loved her children and her grandchildren (although certain things, including a tragic family legacy, have off-times played interference...) very, very, very, very much...

2009: I can't say I'm sorry to see this year end.

2010: Not off to a good start...

2015? Well, lets just say that I'm hoping I don't have "made in China" stamped on my a*s - that flowers and trees continue to bloom - and that those adorable little "Smart" cars (are "they" made in China?) continue to (lol) reproduce!

I don't regret anything that I have done this year.

I lived. I learned. I grew.

But I sure do intend to start 2010 with some different resolutions in mind...

So, wish me luck --- and I will do the same for you!

Happy New Year!

Live.

Love.

Laugh.

NS

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Happy New Year... 2010

Ok... Christmas is over...

The Reindeer are presumably home and comfy

A new year is pending...

And some new resolutions are - for sure - for sure - in the mix.

Tis' a big world out there...

Bigger than me.

Bigger than you.

Bigger than most of us can probably comprehend...

So... For those of you that plan to party in the punch bowl tomorrow...

Stay warm, stay safe, have fun...

Strive to keep your dreams alive...

Or re-frame them so that they fit

And have room to expand...

Happy New Year!

Truth, Love, Peace, Equality and Humane Justice...

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year

Christmas Photo Card by (and from : ) NS

Nifty Christmas Site for Children and the Young at Heart:

I don't know how many people are familiar with this site, but if you have children - and you celebrate Christmas - you might want to check it out: "Santa Claus and Christmas at the Northpole": http://www.northpole.com/

Or - to simply see (and maybe help...) Santa dance: "Christmas games, Christmas music, Christmas karaoke": http://www.northpole.com/clubhouse/DancingSanta/

Peace, Love, Truth, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS

Monday, December 21, 2009

Opinion Piece - Save US Now - "Save Them Now" - Quantity, Quality and Location of Services

Bob Smith at the December 2009 City of Kingston Planning Board Meeting

On the "Save Them Now" Variance Request:

"It's like placing a diabetic in an icecream shop" (Bob Smith)

Photo by NS

I have worked for human service agencies in the past, including the Mental Health Association [as a residence counselor for Mentally Ill Chemically Addicted (MICA) clients --- and at the YWCA {Teen Pregnancy Services (Case Manager)} and Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services (APPS Program Coordinator)] --- and my husband has worked in the human services field (in many different states and capacities) --- including (locally) a short-term volunteer stint at "Chiz' 'Heart Street'" and a P/T position at the Family of Woodstock (FOW) Darmstadt (Adult) Shelter.

So we [my husband and I] have some interesting discussions regarding the state of the City of Kingston ---and the options available to the "less fortunate" (whom any one of us might join at any given moment...) people [I am addressing homeless adults that don't have custody of any children at this point...] who live within the City's confines...

Including a discussion that brought to light (for me/ something to consider...) the need for separate shelters for male clients and female clients (males and females often present with different types of issues / needs) ; separate mental health residences [such as the one on Tuytenbridge (sp?) Road] for male clients and female clients (ditto); and an overhaul of how this entire (diverse....) population (there is a difference between being homeless purely due to economics and being homeless due to addiction, mental health issues and/or issues having to do with criminality..) is served.

Are the adult residence homeless shelters and boarding houses serving clients that they should not be serving? Is there a need for another residence, such as the MHA MICA residence on Tuytenbridge (This has proved to be an excellent location...) Road? Perhaps, as suggested earlier - one MICA residence for male clients and another MICA residence for female clients?

Is the same true when it comes to shelters - which are meant (I believe) - to be a temporary (a 3-6 month max?) "port in the storm" - versus providing bandaid solutions (for what are often gaping wounds...) along with revolving doors for the percentage of their clients who need more assistance (those with addictions and/or mental health issues and/or criminal histories) than a homeless shelter was designed to provide?

I am in agreement with Mary Ann Parker (see post below) - in that the City of Kingston has become the county "dumping ground."

I am also aware that this "dumping ground" status brings a lot of money into the City of Kingston - which means it is an issue that needs to be addressed [by citizens and other concerned individuals) on at least three fronts; addressing:

1. The fact that we have this status - and all of the problems and potential problems that entails.

2. The fact that the quality of services being provided - and the places set up to provide such services - do not (in some cases) appear (due to the agencies limitations and oversights and/or what is available in terms of placement, finances, quality employees, etc.) to be "up to snuff."

3. The fact that City-wide economics are (on a considerable scale) involved in all of this...

If the money that this "dumping ground" status brings into the City of Kingston is a major issue (and of course it is...) ---

Maybe we should take a closer look [along with taking a united citizen stance against what we see as improper and lose-lose (my opinion) placements...] - at how our City's "less fortunate" [there are many paths this status, and probably none of us are exempt from joining them...] are being serviced?

Are addicts being sent for rehabilitation services? Are these rehabilitation services being provided by people that have attained at least a Bachelors Degree in a related field? Might we need a high-quality professionally run residential [live in / one month to a year...] rehab center in the City of Kingston? [Why could we not welcome a major residential rehab facility into the City of Kingston? This would mean good jobs for the city and better facilities for clients... Plus, these types of facilities generally return their clients to their home counties, states, etc. after they have completed their treatment....]

Are mentally ill clients and/or mentally ill / chemically addicted [MICA] clients being sent to the type of facilities [i.e, from residential / most restrictive, to supportive housing, to (eventually one hopes) independent living? ] that they need?

Are the regulations in place at facilities in the City of Kingston --- from boarding houses to City, County, State and Federal agencies --- in place? [Board of Health Regulations / Inspections / Licenses... OSHA Regulations... Fingerprinting and Background Checks (Regarding Staff)... Staff trainings on how to handle anything from a client with a heroin addiction - to a client with viral Hepititis C - to a client with full blown AIDS... Staff trainings on how to handle medications, mentally ill clients, trauma victims, etc?]

I am glad that Ulster County Comptroller, Elliot (sp?) Aurerbach [There is a link to his blog in the sidebar] is taking a closer look at some of the facilities operating in the County of Ulster and the City of Kingston - and I hope that he takes the above questions and comments [the emphasis ten-fold when children are involved...] into account.

Are we operating facilities in the City of Kingston that truly help this diverse population find the quality of assistance that they (each individual being unique) need? Are we lacking in the type of professional facilities - utilizing professional personnel - that are truly appropriate? Wouldn't facilites that hire personel with college degrees result in better paying jobs, better services, better outcomes and more money (all the way around) for give and take in regard to the City's overall economy? Wouldn't this present a win-win-win for everyone involved [including the communities youth that are attending UCCC and SUNY at New Paltz - and just might - should decent jobs exist - choose to live, work and stay here...]?

I'm sorry - but I am aware of multiple instances (past and present) where people that have been in and out of jails and prisons - having achieved no degrees [and/or legitimate degrees in a counseling and/or mental-health related field] - have worked and/or do work in some of these facilities. And I think this is an atrocity.

Should a prior felony DWI keep potential employees out of the offing?
How about a prior rape charge, assault charge, child sex offense charge, murder charge?
Are background checks, serious background checks being implemented?
Are clients being placed in the proper places - from most restrictive to least restrictive?
Are both staff and clients being treated with dignity and respect in these places?

Where do those being released from jail and or prison belong --- taking into account the welfare of the citizens of the City of Kingston AND of those that require services?

Certainly not (one would think) in an area of the City that is already depressed and has (comparitively speaking) a high crime rate...

If the City's homeless clients [I'm just addressing those that are addicts, former convicts and/or the severely mentally ill now...) grew up here - or had at least lived here for say, three years [not counting time spent in jails, mental institutions and/or prisons] shouldn't we accomodate their needs as best (with all of the above taken into account !!!!!) we can?

If the City's homeless clients [I'm just addressing those that are addicts, former convicts and/or the severely mentally ill now) did not grow up here --- or have not been residents of the City [not counting time spent in jails, mental institutions or prisons] for say, three years --- shouldn't they be sent back to where-ever they were transferred from?

This doesn't seem to be a community that is overly fond of statistics... but statistics [when not slanted by some profit motive or another] can tell us a LOT.

Couldn't the City of Kingston implement a few changes in this area - upgrade thier services [so that they really meet the needs of the clients and the staff] - and do so with a great deal more safety and security for everyone involved?

None of the above mentioned clients [with the exception of those that are homeless due to pure economics / health issues / etc.] - in my opinion - belong (residence wise) in the Mid-City. In fact, I believe that those that potentially pose the highest risk to the citizens should be placed in residences [if they can't be placed outside of the City limits due to laws currently on the books] on the outskirts of the city --- away from children, drugs, high crime areas and (generally speaking) thier (frankly, a lot of folks relapse...) addiction and/or (recidivism rates are pretty high as well...) victim-preferences.

Safety first always seems like a good yard-stick to measure with...

Safety first for our children - safety first for our grandchildren - and safety first for our entire City's physical, social and economic well-being...

Along with safety (first) for those that have been less fortunate (whether this be through genetics, medical issues, traumatic early life experiences, other trauma experiences, addictions and/or sociopathy (the toughest situation to deal with...) - that need quality services [provided by different venues] in order to have the best chance to acheive (when and where such is possible) a truly dignified and integrated quality of life.

This is simply an opinion piece.

Your comments are welcome.

Peace, Love, Truth, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Mary Ann Parker - "County Containment Dumping Ground" [CCDG] - Dec 2009 Planning Board Meeting - Save US Now...

Mary Ann Parker with Anchor and Logo Sign / Poster

"CCDG" Stands for "County Containment Dumping Ground"

Mary Ann Parker and a Number of Others are Opposed to the

"Save Them Now" Variance [Midtown Locaation] Request

Photo By NS

Mary Ann Parker with Posters / Signs / Logos

Photo by NS

Mary Ann Parker's Anchor and Logo

"CCDG" Stands for "County Containment Dumping Ground"

Photo by NS

See Below - December 15th, 2009 Posting - "Citizen/Blogger Notes on City of Kingston Planning..." - for an Extensive Writeup - Covering the Open Speaker Session of the Meeting Only - on This Topic / Issue.

Feel Free to Comment Here and/or See the Specific (Temporary) Blog Link on This Issue in the Sidebar >

A Petition to Oppose the "Save Them Now" Variance Request Has Been Circulating Around the MidTown Area. See Noted Post for More Information.

Truth, Love, Peace, Equality and Humane Justice,

Saturday, December 19, 2009

President Obama on Health Care Reform... WHITEHOUSE.GOV... Happy Holidays From the White House

Passing This On (from my email and link noted...):

"President Obama's Update on Health Reform"; From Nancy-Ann DeParle, The White House (info@messages.whitehouse.gov); 12/19/09:

["Weekly Address The Patient's Bill of Rights and Health Reform"; The White House; http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/18/weekly-address-patients-bill-rights-and-health-reform/?e=22&ref=image]

NS

Christmas Photos Around Town... Kingston NY Dec 2009

Silly Giggling Santa and Shaking to the Music... Tree

Photo by NS