Day 24 – Some Matters…
January 7, 2008Posted in: 2 Comments
Been swamped with my real job and working on the new videos. Here is a quick update:
1) Louis Escobar cancelled for today’s meeting. He claims the county man, Mike Beasley made a mistake. Mike is one of the most efficient and thorough in the region, I’m doubting Louis here big time.
2) I am talking to people at the state and national level of government, as well as advocates state and nationwide.
3) Had a great meeting with about 100 homeless and case workers. It was awe inspiring when we got to the part where they started helping each other to find jobs, housing, medical etc. There are shortcuts, they are teaching each other those shortcuts to get accessibility.
4) We will be talking two more steps up the campaign this week.
5) Have a meeting at 3 today for the Jobs program.
Stay tuned.
Day 22 – Deep Throat(s)
January 5, 2008Posted in: 1 Comment
For your convenience here is a link to the latest video
I am amazed and honored by how many people help you in a campaign like this “behind the scenes”. But it totally disgusts me that there is such a system of fear in place in Toledo that they need to be “secretive” in their efforts to simply help the homeless.
The TLC board had a meeting. The outcome: they decided to let Deb Conklin come back, but set up a committee to “monitor her performance.” They also kept Louis as Chair.
The outcome of the OTHER meeting with the City, County and United Way is setting up another meeting this Monday.
Apparently one of the County Commissioners, Tina Wozniak, views this as a “spat” between me and Louis and hopes bringing us together this Monday will allow us to kiss and make up.
That is how they all decided to position it — a personal squabble between me and Louis. Not as a community problem that affects the homeless, a personal squabble.
THAT is why HUD suspended funding, because of a spat between me and Louis? Dude, they so don’t get it.
Separately at the Toledo Area Alliance to End Homelessness meeting they said their official stance was that this is a “TLC problem”, but all members were permitted to help me with the homeless advocacy.
This will separate the group into two parties: 1 that supports the status quo lead by Kyle Grefe with FOCUS, the agency receiving the GREATEST amount of funding in the city this past decade, and the others who know in their heart and soul things HAVE to change.
Next week we will be taking two more steps up the campaign ladder as well a new video with more “proof”.
1Matters
Day 21 – Got a Call from the City Today…
January 3, 2008Posted in: 3 Comments
This is the law calling….
John Madigan, Law Director for the City of Toledo called this morning. Nice guy, good sense of humor, I liked him. After pleasantries he had one question: did I tape my meeting with the mayor? I said “no”. He said, “ok, thanks, have a good day” and hung up.
And then…
This afternoon Bill Kitson with United Way called. Apparently “they” had a meeting today– guess it was him, the city and county, not sure who else. Not sure if they included the TLC board that was supposed to have the meeting on the 3rd or 4th.
The outcome of THAT meeting today was to schedule another meeting for this Monday @ 11 am with the City, County, United Way, me and Louis. Probably would have been more efficient to have us at that meeting today, but I would guess today was more of a “how do we manage this thing” meeting. Stay tuned.
Day 20 — HOW Could I be So Stupid???!!!
January 2, 2008Posted in: 1 Comment
For your convenience here is the link to the latest video, TLC Minutes
Our Demands??
Simple:
- True accountability to the homeless and the community.
- The appointment of high level business leaders to TLC that have passion for this cause and can help create performance measurements.
- Execution of the plans in place by providing leadership and direction. This is simple! It involves promoting the plans/actions to do this year to the providers and the community. Then next year, then the third year. (Note they already have that “study” done and that plan not executed along with the others.)
- Investigation into the possible “falsification” of this year’s COC grant.
- Removal of Deb Conklin for even saying she signed a false application.
- Investigation of the work activities of the HMIS system manager, Carlin Abbott.
- A focus on acquiring and implementing the best practices that are already “invented” and working in other cities.
- The further development of the Jobs and the Mentoring programs we are currently helping to develop.
- Politicians that can listen to and HEAR the voice of the homeless and the community.
- Politicians that honor their commitment to fiscal responsibility to prevent the wasteful spending.
Tell me which of these “demands” are unreasonable? Uh-huh, none.
The reason I am so stupid is that I am not adhering to one of my premier business principals: Knowing what the customer wants.
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