No CTED Money Heading This Way...
We know the CTED grant issue is one that many of you care about, so here’s an update. According to the Politics Blog at the TNT:
Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, just dropped by the office to tell me to expect a letter from the state Department of Community Trade and Economic Development. The letter will say the agency is not going to award the $1.1 million grant to Citizens for Responsible Justice to provide transitional housing to recently released prison and jail inmates.
Many citizen groups and the City Council have raised their voices on this issue. It looks like you were heard.
Link to The News Tribune
Filed under: General
7 comments
K Kitty February 1, 2008
Well yes, and wasn’t it from that that the Fair Share Legislation was crafted in hmm 2006?
I was so happy to see Walker step up with the letter, Rick to ammend it, and Connie to make that statement.
I feel so, well um… represented! :-)
M morgan February 1, 2008
I would like to see a new law that requires the released offenders to be located on the same block as the director of the non-profit which is providing the “service.” That should help cut down on the problem in Tacoma at least.
Seriously, Gerry Horne needs to be given a medal for his persistance on the issue. Even if it took a dozen years for people to listen.
Now… I can think of a great many better ways to spend that $1.1 million. What do you say CTED?!
P Pat February 1, 2008
Well said morgan – I hope the grant doesn’t go to the next agency standing in line. They should funnel that money elsewhere in the community and really review this process instead of continuing with another agency..
Pat
K Kitty February 1, 2008
I guess I am still trying to find out when that vidio clip is from.
Hopefully, it will go outside Pierce County altogether. Yea!
M Marty February 1, 2008
Placing felons in halfway houses with other felons and trying to create a structured, family enviroment is not a replacement for being with Family.
This is not the first time halfway or sex offender housing has been twarted. This is just the most recent, organized and public effort to date.
Some neighborhood councils have had DOC members on thier boards for many years to keep the dialog open and to address small issues before they need a full scale community moblization.
The kudos on this go to MANY in the community and the partnerships built now will only grow stronger.
D DavidS February 1, 2008
I love the fact that this time it’s “Please don’t spend money in our area.” So often it’s the other way around. Just shows not all money it good money.
By the way, I heard about some bill at the state that would require immigrant felons to be released in the Port if there are no immigration proceedings? No, really. (Though I don’t know if it’s actually going anywhere.)
C citywonk February 2, 2008
Please note that Hilltop activists, with help from East Side and South End partners, did the heavy lifting on opposing the CTED grant and in exposing the…hmmm, how shall I say it…“frailties” of the CTED grant process and decisions. And CouncilMember Walker did a GREAT job getting the issue in front of the Council and garnering their support for her letter.