Deeds of Compassion
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 3/23/08 @ 1:39 pm - Filed Under City Council, Featured, Local Politics
Frank Gray’s column highlights a new organization called Deeds of Compassion that has been helping local residents upgrade their homes to come into compliance with city code and thus avoiding fines from the city. They are currently looking for a volunteer webmaster so any of you web-savvy readers with a little extra time on your hands should give them a call.
And also let this column be a reminder for this administration and everyone involved in city government that there are honest, hard-working people out there that are struggling in this economy. So while you pad the pockets of out-of-state developers, fast food franchisees and wealthy condo owners, this group is trying to help people that really need it. It would be nice if their local government would help them out.
So far, the group has survived on donations from businesses and churches, but it needs a steady source of funding. So, last year it was proposed that money from fines imposed by Neighborhood Code go into a fund that Deeds of Compassion could use to buy materials to make repairs on homes of low-income people who were under the gun from Neighborhood Code.
Seems reasonable so why not? What happened?
The city got a new mayor, who a few days ago moved Neighborhood Code from the jurisdiction of the police department to Community Development. The former head of Neighborhood Code was police Capt. Tom Bandor, who had worked with Ellenberger and supported his efforts. But Bandor has been sent back to the police department.
Suddenly it was unclear what would come of Ellenberger’s efforts and the hopes that some funding would be available to help Deeds of Compassion.
I see, caught in the bureaucratic net. But all is not lost:
Officials with Neighborhood Code are still supporters of the concept, and the subject has been broached with the new administration.
John Urbahns, director of Community Development, isn’t ready to say that the Deeds program will get funding, but he acknowledges it’s something they definitely want to look at. The city needs to capitalize on people and organizations like Deeds that fulfill a need, Urbahns said.
Kudos to Urbahns for considering the idea and now hopefully they will follow through. Helping our residents rebuild their existing homes will do far more to increase neighborhood values and revitalize the community in general than a few condos and fast food restaurants will…
(Photo from The Truth About Realty.com)
Comments
3 Responses to “Deeds of Compassion”
Leave a Reply
Jeff - Your suggestions are too logical to have any effect locally - How do you expect anyone in City Development to help out any local developers, contractors, or Real Estate magnets with your suggested approach? Just will not fly in Big Government Fort Wayne!!
Jeff,
I have already spoke to Glenn Ellenberger and offered TEK’s services at no charge. We already have the ball rolling and will have them something very soon.
Good to hear Dan. Who says bloggers can’t help the community? Heh…