Boys Totem Town to be Used to Temporarily House Homeless

4/1/2020

Local Resident

4/2/2020 11:46:14 am

This is a terrible idea. Was any consideration given to the neighborhood? Was the neighborhood been given the opportunity to weigh in on this? Can we expect sick, homeless people to be roaming the neighborhood now?
Every permanent, and temporary homeless shelter I’ve ever seen has an overflowing population spilling into the surrounding areas. This is an unacceptable, and dangerous possibility. There are families walking pets, riding bicycles, and exercising in that part of the neighborhood. You better keep them behind the locked gate. Thanks for lowering our property value.

Naim

4/2/2020 11:51:12 am

I agree. This is an example of the government taking advantage of an already challenged, low income area. They know the population is too ignorant, unorganized and disengaged to resist.
It is insulting, and manipulative to refer to this is temporary. Just what do you mean by that? You have no way of knowing how long this ordeal will last. Temporary could very well mean indefinitely.

Betsy Mowry Voss

4/2/2020 03:14:17 pm

Hello NAIM,

Thank you, as well, for your concern. I am a resident of Highwood, near BTT, and don't consider myself to be ignorant, unorganized or disengaged, and neither are many of our neighbors.

I suggest that you contact John Siqveland with your concerns at 651-746-9250 or email County Commissioner Jim McDonough at jim.mcdonough@co.ramsey.mn.us.

SECO Executive Director and Highwood resident,
Betsy Mowry Voss, M.A.

Betsy Mowry Voss

4/2/2020 03:11:21 pm

Hello there,

Thank you for your concern during this very challenging time for our community. I suggest you contact Ramsey County directly with your concerns.

You can contact John Siqveland with your concerns at 651-746-9250.

County Commissioner Jim McDonough's email is jim.mcdonough@co.ramsey.mn.us.

SECO Executive Director and Highwood resident,

Betsy Mowry Voss

Naim

4/2/2020 04:12:32 pm

How many people in the neighborhood know that this is being turned into a homeless shelter?
Would this ever happen in an affluent neighborhood?
Unfortunately, there are ignorant people everywhere in the world. You should know that they far outnumber the intelligent.
If you are obtuse to the realities of what surrounds you, you should raise your standards. Otherwise, I suggest you stop by Super America on the corner of lower Afton and McKnight. I’ve literally observed drug deals taking place in the parking lot, as well as having been harassed and panhandled.
We need someone who understands the challenges in this community. Someone who will stand up to protect us, and make decisions that are in our best interests.
We deserve the same consideration and respect is any other neighborhood in the Twin Cities, and indeed the country.

Melissa Anne Wenzel

4/2/2020 08:19:03 pm

I'm pretty confident that everyone knows about this decision. Not everyone is thrilled with it, but many realize that this is an emergency decision for an emergency situation. 100% of the residents will leave or come onto the property by automobile, and the residents will be supervised 24/7 while sheltered.

These people are not criminals. They're homeless. They may be sick or may have come into contact with someone who was sick. The WORST thing for our community is to have those infected with the virus to be moving around the community with the virus. This is a safety measure that protects ALL of us.

Before jumping to conclusions, you could ask some questions instead of statements. The county received a 4-month variance to use the land this way, as it's not zoned for this purpose. They would have to re-request this land use for another short-period of time if needed beyond 4 months (and the residents will be staying in 1 specific building; we're not talking a homeless camp!!)

There aren't a lot of vacant buildings that are usable AND conducive to quarantine-related purposes that could work for this emergency situation.

You know how a few of us decided to respond to this? With a clothing and toiletry drive. Because people who experience homelessness are often treated as less than criminals, and are probably struggling more than most of us during this pandemic.

City staff, our county commissioner and sheriff and our state rep arranged for this or are informed about these details. My reaction might have been like yours if we weren't dealing with this global pandemic. But when emergency situations arise, it's my belief that we need to step up and help one another.

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