IT'S NOT OVER!

HOMELESS SHELTER ON OLD 41

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18

9:00AM

PLEASE ATTEND

We won...didn't we?

NO we did not...

Sorry to tell you, but the fight is still on!  St. Matthews House has left town for now but they can come back in a heart beat.  Here is how...

The development order (DO) was submitted by Development Associates.  This is the company which represents the owner of the land.  When the development order is finally approved, the land owner has the ability to bring in any organization and offer to lease or sell the land to them for use as a shelter. The development order is valid for 6 years and is tied to the land parcel. With an approved DO on the land, the hurdles are gone.  Without any hurdles, Saint Matthews House could change their mind and persue this site in Bonita Springs once more.

With the development order still being processed by the city, the threat of a homeless shelter is very real.

What can we do now?

The main obsticle right now is public knowledge and opinion.  Many people think that this shelter threat is over.  We need to educate our friends and neighbors that this threat still exists in a very big way.  In a recent newspaper article, Charlie Mauer (President of Development Associates) stated that his firm will continue to pursue the development order.  See the excerpt from the article and the complete link below...

NaplesNews.com
By Tracy X. Miguel
Posted June 24, 2012 at 4pm

...When Collier County-based St. Matthew's House announced last week that it was dropping plans to open a shelter at the corner of Old 41 Road and Cockleshell Court, the property owner said he still would pursue approval to open a shelter at the site.
"We will continue to pursue the development order as we are entitled under the city of Bonita Springs land development code," Charlie Maurer, developer for the Bernwood site and agent for the estate, said Friday. "We expect to get the development order issued shortly."
Maurer said he wouldn't discuss potential buyers or operators of the property. ...

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jun/24/homeless-shelter-bonita-springs-old-41-bernwood/ 


So as you can see by the above article, the threat of a shelter is real and we need to continue to educate our fellow residents about this situation.  The City has retained local outside counsel to research and advise whether the moratorium applies to this development order application, whether the restrictions can be made retroactive and whether the use could or should be denied for other reasons. The City has also retained a local outside planner to review the comprehensive plan.   

BSAFE Bonita, Inc. has retained an attorney to represent the residents of Bonita Springs and of course we need your financial support to continue this fight.  If you have not donated in the past, please consider it now.  If you have sent money before, we thank you for your support and ask that you donate again if possible.  Your continued support is the only way we can fight against this shelter location and protect both our children and property values.

The fight goes on!

Where does the recent turn of events leave us? SMH has pulled out, but the seller is still pursuing the same development order. Regardless of the size or who builds the shelter, the old 41 location in no more suitable now then when SMH wanted to build on the site. SMH pulling out does not mean that we don’t have the same issue, just a different name and face.
We will continue to fight to protect our children and our property values.
Spread the word that this fight is anything but over!!

LISTEN UP CITY OFFICIALS... NEED WE SAY MORE?

Last week (May 17th, 2012) Billy Braswell (54) was arrested and accused of sexual battery on a girl over the age of twelve.
See Naples Daily News Story Here
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/may/19/police-beat-saturday-may-19-2012/
Who is Billy Braswell from the article listed above?

Billy is a career criminal with 8 offenses on his criminal record.
See Record Here
After his latest jail term at the New River Correctional Institution in Central Florida, Billy listed his new address upon release on January 25, 2012 as St Matthews House in East Naples.  After living in Naples for a few months, he now is in Collier County Jail accused of sexual battery on a young girl.  The Naples Daily News reports that Braswell used his bike to run into the girl and then he grabbed the girl by the throat and choked her.


This speaks volumes about why we do not want a shelter in Bonita Springs which imports released inmates from all over the state and would place them within steps of 1200 Charter School children.
Share this with your friends to help them understand the true dangers.

BSAFE Support Grows Strong

Thank you everyone for your continued support,  Donations for the legal fund continue to come in.  With the limited time we have had, everyone should be proud of their efforts in getting the word out and by raising money.  With the money raised, our lawyer is engaged full time and is actively working our case.  Please continue to spread the word and encourage others to stay informed through our email list and this website.  Continued funding of the attorney will be necessary to in order to continue this fight in full force.  We encourage each person to make this part of your daily dialogue.  

During the FGCU radio show, Van Ellison of Saint Matthews house asked for an open dialogue with the residents of Bonita Springs.  Do you have questions for Van Ellison of Saint Matthews House?  Click here to post your questions online.

Weekend Update

Wow!  What just happened?  You might have been at the City Council meeting on April 18th and witness the council passing a moratorium on Homeless Shelter construction.

Maybe you couldn't make it but you want to know what is going to happen in your town?

There are three main parties involved.  The first is Saint Matthews House, the second is the current land owner and developer, Development Associates.  The third party is the residents of Bonita Springs.

The residents are concerned about the safety of children and property values.  Saint Matthews house wants to help homeless people but they don't want to admit to the negative effects of having a 260 bed homeless shelter will impose on the city services and the residents.  Development Associates just wants to sell the land.

So who is right?  Who is more important?  As residents of Bonita Springs and as parents of children who go to our local schools, we formed BSAFE Bonita to educate residents about the potential of a homeless shelter being built near the charter school.

What started off as a potential threat has become a reality.  Just one day before the April 18th meeting, Development Associates submitted a development order to build a 260 bed homeless shelter on the property which formerly housed the Synovus Bank on Old 41 Rd next to the Art League.  (See Map Here)

By submitting this development order they are attempting to avoid any reasonable regulations the city could impose on a business of this type and size.

Many people now feel that the shelter won't happen since the Moratorium passed.  This is not the case.  Nothing is stopping this from going forward.

Both the Attorney for the property owner and the Developer, Charles Mauer himself stood in front of City Council and threatened legal action if their contract fell through. (See the video at the 134 min mark)

It appears now (although no one has seen the paperwork) that their contract has gone through and they intend to build.  Why else would spend time and money on plan submission unless you fully intend to build?

BSAFE Bonita has researched the affects of homeless shelters on the safety of city residents and found them to be detrimental. (See Three Mile Zone) (See Tampa Area News Report) These shelters act as a magnet, attracting people from all over the area by offering a free meal and a shower.  People show up to eat and shower.   If they have been drinking or if the facility is full, they are not allowed to stay the night and therefore are forced to wander the area looking for a place to stay.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is one example received through our website email:

"Let me tell you, you are right to fight this tooth and nail!  I worked for many years across the street from St. Matthews House soup kitchen and it was a nightmare.  Of course, no alcohol is allowed there, so the homeless  keep their beer behind office complexes, and hang out there.  Litter, bicycles disobeying traffic and challenging you to hit them, etc, were constant issues with it.  We always had to keep our office blinds closed to avoid seeing them urinate in public (the whole outdoors is their toilet).  The issues raised by BSafeBonita are all valid, but you have no idea how bad it is until you actually have them hanging out, littering, riding bikes the wrong way, general nuisance and drinking just away from their St. Matthews House."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

You may think that this shelter is not near my home... what does it matter?  Studies show that negative effects can be seen from as far as three miles away.  Railways are also a common pathway for the homeless.  It just so happens that this parcel of land has a railroad tract which leads due North cutting through the area of  The Brooks and Coconut Point Mall.  This will not only be an issue for Bonita residents but it will greatly impact Estero as well.

The only option available now for the residents of  Bonita Springs is challenge this project through legal action.  BSAFE Bonita has obtained an attorney who specializes in Land Use and Compatibility.  The residents of the city must unite vocally and financially.  Residents need to get with their neighbors and educate each other.  And while speaking up against this project is much needed, financial backing is just as critical.  You must fight fire with fire. 

None of this is uplifting. But, it is all fact. And, it makes one ask.... When the needs of the few outweigh the safety, well being and property value of the vast majority, is this just?

Support your rights to a safe and beautiful city.  Keep updated on breaking news. And, show your financial support for the legal fund by donating online or sending a check to BSAFE Bonita, Inc at PO Box 367441 Bonita Springs, FL 34136-7441.

A Must Read

First and foremost...circle the date Wednesday, April 18th on your calendar!

On April 18th at 9:00 AM, at City Hall the Council will vote on the proposed moratorium.  They need to hear your support! Please be there early!

Saint Matthew's House (SMH) is urging all of its supporters to come out and show their support at the City Council Meeting.  They want to impress the Council with their presence and put pressure on them to NOT vote for the moratorium.

SMH is even asking the members of local churches to attend and show their support against the moratorium.  It is important that everyone who supports BSAFE Bonita and a safe Bonita Springs in general attend the meeting!

Whats is a Moratorium you might ask?  To explain it simply, it is a holding pattern... a delay or suspension of an activity.  BSAFE Bonita is asking for a moratorium to allow for a proper amount time to research the needs of our community.  The purpose of the moratorium is to give the city time to get appropriate regulations in place, regulations that are standard already in many cities in the US, regulations that would allow a shelter to fit into the community appropriately. We want  true and accurate numbers regarding the homeless, not just numbers made up from vague unrelated sources. The moratorium is not to stop Bonita from helping people in need, it will allow Bonita the time to find out the best way to do just that! Bonita Springs currently has over 30 programs in the city to help people in need.

Many people and media outlets have branded BSAFE as "Homeless Haters", "Fear Mongers", etc.  We are not against the homeless and we strive to only present the facts. The fact is that St. Matthews House can only control what happens on their property. The problem with a shelter is that it becomes mecca or gathering point.  Many homeless will come on their own by foot or on bicycle.  Others will be dropped off by law enforcement.  Regardless of the size of the shelter, it will become full and those people who are unable to gain entry will hang out nearby.  They wait around for the next opportunity to eat and shower.  A shelter is not a group home.  They must leave each day without a guaranteed bed when they return.

This planned shelter is very real.  Van Elison (SMH President and CEO) was quoted in the News Press saying...."St Matthew's plans to apply for a development order before May 18th."

Shelter? Group Home? Whats the difference?
Be really careful in reading and understanding comments from SMH.  They are very slick in promoting the areas where they have not had problems while ignoring the facilities with problems.  They talk about how they have not had any problems at their original site...now home to Justin's Place.  Justin's place is a substance abuse facility whichhouses clients during a 9-month program.  Justin's Place is not a shelter...they act more like a group home by providing a living space for 9 months.   Yes, it is located next to a daycare center and the reason they don't have a problem is because they are not forced out each day... their clients are not roaming the streets.  With a shelter arrangement, they must leave each morning and only hope to get a bed at night.  The are forced back out on the street.  They don't mention how one of their shelter visitors was arrested for kidnapping after taking a child from a woman at a nearby supermarket.  In another story Collier Deputies arrest a homeless man after he attacked laundromat patronwho declined his help.  http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/feb/07/deputies-homeless-man-attacked-laundry-mat-who/  Collier Deputies arrested another man for stealing brass and copper from Home Depot http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-04-03/Man-arrested-for-stealing-brass-and-copper-from-Home-Depot   The facts are there!  Just simply Google "Naples Homeless Man Arrested" and view the stories for yourself.

The Million Dollar Question?  Why is Collier County opposed to St Matthews expanding their facility?  If they have been a good neighbor for 25 years... why would it be a problem?  Here is why.... build it and they will come.  Fact..Collier County has over 60 homeless encampments near the East Naples Saint Matthews house location.  People come to the area because they know they can get free food and a shower.  It becomes an attraction..like Disney World or Busch Gardens..build it and they will come.  Why be homeless up north in the snow?  Why not travel to sunny Southwest Florida during the winter and enjoy the cool gulf air.  When it gets too hot just head back north to cool off.  Collier County is so opposed to expansion that they are even considering purchasing an empty car dealership to prevent SMH from purchasing it.

So what to do now?

#1 Support your council members and remind them that they are to represent you... a resident of Bonita Springs.
#2 Encourage them to vote YES on the Moratorium.
#3 Encourage them to only listen to the opinions of the residents of Bonita Springs....not the Naples residents who want to tell us how to run our city.
#4 Talk about this...spread the word!  Get on your email, your Facebook, your Twitter!  Educate your friends, neighbors and fellow residents!

Please remember...

• Donations for the legal defense fund can be sent to
  BSAFE Bonita PO Box 367441 Bonita Springs FL 34136-7441.
• There will be a City Council Meeting Wednesday April 18th at City Hall on Bonita Beach Rd. at 9:00am to vote on the proposed Moratorium on homeless shelters construction.  Please come!! We need as many people in attendance as possible, we want them to know BSAFE Bonita is a strong group to be taken seriously!
• GET YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS TO SIGNUP FOR THE EMAIL LIST !

Thank you all for you participation and attention to this matter.

Please...BSAFE and BFACTUAL !

Sincerely,

BSAFEBONITA, INC. FOUNDERS
Email: info@bsafebonita.org