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Grover Beach votes against People’s Kitchen

October 9, 2013

peoples foodThe Grover Beach City Council voted 4-1 against providing the South County People’s Kitchen a permit to continue serving the homeless from the non-profit’s current temporary location on Monday night.

The organization, which provides hot meals to 80 to 100 needy people a day, appealed the planning commission’s denial to extend a temporary use permit for one year to allow the coalition to continue serving meals at a vacant lot off South 16th Street while they look for a new location.

Opponents of the permit extension argued that having a food program lowers nearby property values while increasing crime in the area.

Even though the council voted against extending the group’s conditional use permit until July 2014, it did agree to give the People’s Kitchen a 45 day extension. People’s Kitchen President Betsy Ehrler said she was disappointed in the vote, but hopeful that the coalition would find a new location in the next 45 days.

Since 1992, the organization has provided noontime meals to the needy. A coalition of 18 churches and volunteers cook food in their homes or church facilities, and then transport the meals to the People’s Kitchen serving site, where they dish out approximately 3,000 meals a month.

 


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This isn’t about lacking compassion for the People’s Kitchen. It is the impacts that a small minority of their clients cause the surrounding area. This is NOT a challenge that belongs to Grover Beach; it is a regional issue that Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande and Oceano need to help with. Grover has been a kind host for 20 years, and being a supportive resident must admit that our community is fatigued and needs a break. I am disgusted by people writing letters who use religion as a way to insinuate that community members who supported this decision lack compassion…I really enjoyed the letters printed in the Tribune from PK volunteers who did not live in Grover Beach…why don’t you open the facility in your driveway?


How about a quarterly rotation among the four communities? How about one of the 17 churches hosting it in one of the other cities? How about a food truck that has a daily rotation among the four communities?


Thank you Grover Beach City Council, now please adopt panhandling and loitering ordinances similar to our neighbors.


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Very well clarified Surf Dawg!


and Ted’s Ted..


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Where in the hell is Jesus in this Hell bound Grover Beach decision?!


In prayer with Jesus last night, He informed me that He has had about enough of the pseudo-christian faction that continually uses His name in an ungodly way; as in voting this “People’s Kitchen” down! He told me that it’s not to the point of Him coming back for the long awaited 2000 years and counting Second Coming, but it’s close!


There is nothing worse in the eyes of Jesus than for Him to peer down upon His earth and see all of the Christian hypocrites to His doctrine regarding the poor. It is pure unadulterated blasphemy!


Do you really think that Jesus, on behalf of His direct words regarding the homeless below, gives a rat’s ass about property values? NOT!


Jesus stated herewith;


“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.” (Psalm 82:3)


“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)


“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” ( Luke 14:13-14)


“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.” ( Leviticus 25:35-36)


Jesus said: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.” ( Proverbs 31:8)


“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ (Deuteronomy 15:11)


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You are so right, Brother Ted !


Jesus also inquired of this type; wondering if someone asked them for bread, whether they would instead give a stone !


They have no idea that they are fashioning millstones for themselves, for the one-way devil slide down to the lower sulfur pits of Hades !


Jesus Knows !


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Praise Jesus Brother Ted…


I can only conclude from what you are saying that it would be….


OK TO HAVE THE PEOPLE’S KITCHEN IN YOUR FRONT YARD!


Thanks Ted, you are a true Christian.


Address please……….


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Something tells me Brother Ted won’t be giving out his address anytime soon or will conveniently have reasons for not. There are many who are always willing to use other peoples money and/or space but not their own.


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SloHead,


My ministries require me to have a RV, and yes, it’s very palatial to say the least because of the many offerings by passing the plate, but I am never in one place for very long. The People’s Kitchen requires an address of it being able to stay in one spot. Therefore, Brother Ted cannot help out in this respect.


Obviously all of the Hebrew-Christian God’s creation that are clicking on the “dislike” button on my godly post, don’t want it in their front yard either. The pseudo-christian faction take such a NIMBY position to this type of situation, that it makes Jesus sick to His stomach!


Sorry, I have to get back to my Nudest Camp Ministry at this time, because it is turning out to be such a wonderful day in the name of the Lord, praise!


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And the convenient reasons are……. Thanks Brother Ted


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NOBODY on the Grover Beach City Council EVER stated the People’s Kitchen was not a worthwhile and vital part of feeding the less fortunate as many have personally served and contributed to their cause.


The facts are:


The People’s Kitchen have been operating on TEMPORARY permits for OVER 20 years!


The Grover Beach Planning Commission denied the EXTENSION of yet another temporary permit and it was appealed to the city council.


The City Council had 3 major LEGAL criteria that had to be met to allow the permit extension. 4 of the 5 council members felt that criteria was not met.


The local residents impacted by the proximity of the People’s Kitchen and the small percentage of the bad element that accompanied it stated that it was much MORE than lowered property values that his article failed to state, to include a coalition of 200 signatures of citizens concerns.


Feces and open urination on their property

Loitering and panhandling on and near their property

Trash and garbage on and near their property

Fear to let their children play outside on or near their property

Numerous pictures showing proof of the above allegations

Calls for service by the police rose more than 50% in that area, some violent


Sure there is some of the NIMBY factor but this location was literally affecting some residents back and front yards!


The 45 day extension was close to the maximum allowed by law and any increase could have placed a fiduciary burden on the city from possible litigation.


The council had a Occam’s Razor decision to make and when all was considered the permanent residents and families of Grover Beach prevailed.


In other words the current temporary site was just not a suitable companion in close proximity to nearby residences.


BUT THE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE IS TO RALLY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND FIND THE PEOPLE’S KITCHEN A MORE PERMANENT SITE AND ONE THAT IS PREFERABBLY INDOORS.


And much praise to the New Life Community Church whose board has committed $30,000 for use by the People’s Kitchen to continue their endeavors!


SO LET’S ALL WORK TOGETHER AND FIND THEM A PLACE THAT IS EVEN BETTER!


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If each of us just provided for one homeless person… since that seems to never happen, it takes the giants among us to serve the destitute. However, as giants, sometimes they do not mean to step on the people who remain small (even when their complaints are warranted and justified).


They need a place; since they are doing God’s work, there will be nothing but obstacles in their way – that’s how the world works. Obstacles can be overcome, and I hope the City and these good people (and the disturbed neighbors) can find a solution.


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“Opponents of the permit extension argued that having a food program lowers nearby property values while increasing crime in the area.” I would be curious to know exactly what type ofevidence/proof the opponents posit for their argument. Their claim as worded here sounds

like an all to frequently used straw man argument.


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You should buy a home someday and you will learn how homeowners feel. Good Luck!


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isoslo,


In your mind’s eye, picture Jesus standing in front of this People’s Kitchen and staring over across the street to the homes nearby. What would these whining and complaining people that own these homes think at this juncture? Would the sulfur lakes of Hell enter their minds? Yes, it should!


Jesus must be so sick and tired of the many excuses that He hears on a daily basis regarding the fact of His creation not taking care of the poor as He instructed, that albeit, He is about to launch His Second Coming!


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It nice to see some decisions made that benefit the hard working contributing members of society. Good work Grover Beach City Council!


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Seriously? Wow, i’d hate to have your karma.


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I did not say the homeless shouldn’t have a place to get free meals. I am just tired of governments forcing good people to put up with things they don’t want in their neighborhoods. There is a correct place for a homeless dining area and it is not in a residential neighborhood. BTW I have great Karma.


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We are told not to feed the wildlife because animals will become dependent upon us and it will degrade their lives. It seems that that logic could be extended to people as well but people with better Karma than myself disagree. They want a peoples kitchen in every town and come hell or high water they will soon accomplish their mission. But at what cost? I wonder if they ever stop to think….am I doing harm to these poor souls by enabling them to stay in their pathetic situations.


I’m sure they have considered this…being that they have such great Karma.


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So let them die on the streets like in India. No wonder you worry about your karma.


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“So let them die on the streets like in India”

Ummmm let me see…nope! I don’t see where I said anything like that Mr. or Ms. Word…but if it adds to your self esteem to believe I did than who am I to stomp on that…lol knock yourself out…lol


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