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Mayor says no to homeless camp at Episcopal church
2002-261-2
11/13/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
A California mayor has withdrawn support for a temporary homeless shelter at an Episcopal church and the City Council unanimously voted to ask the city of El Cajon, near San Diego, to pursue an injunction against the camp.
The camp began with three people in sleeping bags, but a growing number of homeless, including families with up to six children, have slept at the church. One homeless person said that the camp has grown to 33 tents. Others estimated that more than 100 people can be found at the camp.
City Attorney Morgan Foley said he would seek a preliminary court injunction for health, safety, noise and other municipal code violations at the St. Alban's Episcopal Church homeless camp. Three weeks ago, the City Council directed Foley to wait one week before taking action. On the day of the deadline, Mayor Mark Lewis said he supported plans for the church-run shelter.
On November 12, Lewis opened discussion at a City Council meeting amid indications that he didn't have enough votes on the council to approve using 4,500 square feet of surplus portable classrooms for a 100-bed shelter at the church.
Lewis, calling the camp 'visual pollution' and a 'business killer in any area,' said he changed his mind because the shelter would help no more than 100 people and the city's approval process would take too long. Lewis said he would rather use motel vouchers immediately to house the city's homeless population.
The Rev. John Conrad, rector of St. Alban's, said any voucher money would dry up quickly while housing 100 people per night. He said he could have the church-run shelter open in two weeks, and that if the council wouldn't approve a shelter at the church, it should provide other property in a more suitable area. Conrad said he would consult his own attorney before taking his next step at St. Alban's. He called the two-hour public hearing 'a discussion that needed to be held,' but added, 'We are where we started.'
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