GSA Facility- Nov. 1 Meeting thoughts

Well it was long and well worth attending. what did those of you who were also there think? I missed a portion of it due to an appointment, but while i was there one thing was glaringly missing from the talks: WHAT BECOMES OF OLD ASHBURN? let's think: you build a thrift store and homeless admin office across from an area with a pet boutique, upscale restaurant, upscale salon and other businesses that cater to the gen pop in ashburn- businesses that- ALREADY have a hard time surviving because of their old Ashburn location and other choices being available. they start to lose biz because people choose to shop elsewhere- there is STRONG opposition to this center for a number a reasons- it's just a fact. they fail and go under. tell me... WHO MOVES IN? yes- businesses that can support the people being bussed into the area. anyone care to guess what kinds of businesses they are? look at what businesses you see near the salvation army in leesburg....

looking forward to comments and feedback from those who took the time for this standing room only meeting tonight.

 

It was the first and I hope last public meeting that I ever go to, where pastors and clergy get booed and shouted down when they speak. It was ugly.

 

that must be what i missed- what did you come away from it thinking about GSA and the facility- the same thing you went IN with? the opposite..?

 

People were booing pastors and clergy? Are you kidding me????? That is very sad....what is wrong with people? Boy - I'd hate to be down on my luck around here!

 

it's not the down on their luck getting booed- it's that kind of characterization that CREATED an emotional and negative meeting, & clouded the REAL problems. i think it was more vague answers from GSA, emotional responses to being peged as cold or heartless b/c you oppose the shelter. i returned to the meeting at the tailend of the really emotional part- cooler heads had prevailed by then. i heard a homeless person who attended speak and NOBODY booed them.

 

Yes, the pastors of our community were booed and shouted down. Sad. Very sad. These are some of the same people you go listen to on Sunday mornings with your families. Bringing your children up right??

 

that's really too bad- i'm glad i missed it. but what i really want to focus on here is the feeling of the attendees on the ACTUAL ISSUE of the facility, it's purpose, it's location, and how we all feel now that we've heard all sides speak. there were enough emotional outburst at the meeting- everybosy already knows the emotional side of this. i'd just as soon focus on the actual facility and solutions and moving forward past the anger and fear in this thread, if possible.

 

redon1 - sorry, but you use the term GSA and the only GSA I know of "Govt. Services Admin." as in the Federal Govt. Is that the case here too?

 

GSA = Good Shephard Alliance.

redon1 you are asking the appropriate question(s). I'll try add to the dialog later today.

 

Kaos, GOD FORBID the govemnt was in charge- this GSA facility in Ashburn- in part- due to the county not stepping up as quickly as needed to do the right thing by the homeless in Loudoun.

 

Sorry, but I know more people in Ashburn that might be more likely to make the trip over there to hit the thrift store, and then end up eating lunch at one of the "upscale restaurants"...

Despite "popular belief" (I refer only to the population of this forum), there are many many families in this area who scrape by, or would just as well spend their money on an organization that helps the local in need instead of the gap. Or nordstrom's - didn't mean to insult anyone.

Has anyone checked with GSA to make sure they understand where they have to store their garbage cans??? They may have found this building site less appealing if they got to know THEIR new neighbors first!

 

you are 100% right about that. but add to the equation the homeless admin office. let's think about what these folks will need. a place to cash their checks- any banks within walking distance? a place to wait for the next bus- any inexpensive place to get a cup of coffee or lunch nearby? a super market?

remember i have a close personal relationship with a homeless person who happens to also have a drug problem- guess where she meets her dealer and other junkies...? right outside of where she picks up her check. I AM NOT CHARACTERIZING ALL HOMELESS AS DRUG ABUSERS. there's more to add here but i'll save it.

this area doesn't support many other needs that the GSA's clients will require after they get their mail, their checks, no sidewalks to even WALK to another place. so when other biz's fail across the street, what will go in? check cashing places, cheap eats, pawn shop, just the kind of businesses that bring DOWN a neighborhood's value.

My concern IS twofold- other Old Ashburn businesses, AND providing quality services to the homeless, not just bussing them to a location that can't offer much more than an admin office and thrift store...

 

Can you clarify this entry ? By the "county not stepping up", to whom are you referring ?

 

Wouldn't it be heartless and inconsiderate for us to deny them these things though?

On serious note, I couldn't agree more with your concerns.

 

MadCat, what I took from the meeting was that the county run facilities can't accomodate the homeless need, and some will be shut down before others can be approved and built. so the GSA stepped up to help provide more support for the homeless.


that's a very abridged version- i missed the part where someone- ANYONE- explained why they chose that particular location in Ashburn. did anyone else hear it?

 

Ok -- thanks.

 

Whew....where to start.........
I'll start by saying I think this case is a classic example of fearmongering and ignorance whipping people in a frenzy. I don't mean the people are ignorant, just that they are ignorant of the facts. I would be willing to bet that 99.9% of the people speaking against this facility have never met a "homeless" person in Loudoun County, never visited a GSA facility, or had a clue what they were arguing against. They did get to meet some of the homeless last night....many recipients of GSA's services were there, sitting throughout the audience, looking no different than you or I. Several got up and spoke about their experiences with GSA. One GSA volunteer, a small statured woman, spoke of her time working with homeless men at a GSA facility. She stated she was more fearful talking in front of this group than she has ever been working with the homeless.

The utter classlessness of these people who openly shout at and boo the leaders of many of our local churches was despicable and they should be ashamed of themselves. Everyone in that room had the opportunity to sign up and speak their piece.

GSA has stated that the facility will now only be administrative offices and a thrift shop. People still had concerns that it could become a homeless shelter/drop-in facility in the future. A few things could resolve this issue.

Lori Waters management of this meeting was abysmal. This thing smacked of a political stunt for her re-election. She claims that the GSA had not been completely truthful in their representation of the facility. Gee, that's funny....she was having emails sent out in July that indicated she was fully aware of the drop-in center component of the facility. In October, right before an election, she claims she didn't know. Which is it? And what is her solution to the problem? Have the services provided by a volunteer organization become the responsibility of the county so our tax dollars can now pay for something we currently do not have to pay for.

I hope GSA continues their outreach efforts to the local communities to resolve the outstanding issues. I will be happy to meet with them to work on a solution that benefits all of our needs.

 

"I hope GSA continues their outreach efforts to the local communities to resolve the outstanding issues. I will be happy to meet with them to work on a solution that benefits all of our needs."

Cliff, you can count me in on this too. There are a number of families and individuals who are, indeed, homeless in CAshburn. These people live in their cars, hotels night to night, camp in the woods, double up with friends or families, stay at the shelter when able, etc.

In fact, the school system has more and more homeless families each year, and those are just the ones who self report.

I would hope that Good Shepherd can find a location accessible to public transportation, in fact, even if this drives the need for it.