Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Group rallies in support of cottages
ShareThis
Original Article: http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1094988.html
By J.R. WELSH - jrwelsh@sunherald.com
WAVELAND — A small group of residents rallied Monday in support of a pending lawsuit and their push to keep living in Mississippi cottages when a state program expires.
About 20 cottage residents gathered at the Waveland ball field on Central Avenue, carrying homemade signs and making short speeches. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed Friday on the issue is expected to make its way to court this week.
“We need this permanent housing,” Andrew Canter, a lawyer at the Mississippi Center for Justice, told those at the rally. “We’re not going to let it be taken back.”
Canter and another lawyer from the justice center filed suit on behalf of eight Waveland residents still living in the small hurricane-relief cottages. They sued Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo and the Board of Aldermen, saying the city acted improperly when it decided to allow cottages to stay only in areas zoned for trailers when a housing program by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency expires at the end of March.
In response, Longo said the lawsuit was “unbelievable.” He said the city had already taken steps to change its position, renegotiate a memorandum of understanding with MEMA, and allow cottages to remain in areas zoned residential.
Canter said he would be filing an additional brief in the case, which is scheduled to be heard at 9 a.m. Friday in Chancery Court in Gulfport.
The Hancock County Board of Supervisors decided last week to allow the cottages to stay in residential neighborhoods, citing a state law that considers the structures to be modular homes, not mobile homes. Thus far the Bay St. Louis City Council has continued to restrict cottages to trailer parks.
Not everyone watching Monday’s rally of about 20 people favored the cottages. Waveland resident John Peterson, 73, sat in his car across the street holding an anti-cottage sign. He said the small, shotgun-style Mississippi cottages are ruining his investment in his home, which he rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.
“I rebuilt a $179,000 home and I’ve got Katrina cottages near me,” Peterson said. “What does that do to my property values?”
But one after another, cottage residents and their supporters made short speeches invoking their rights to a home. MEMA has offered to sell the cottages at low prices to residents who can meet a list of criteria.
By J.R. WELSH - jrwelsh@sunherald.com
WAVELAND — A small group of residents rallied Monday in support of a pending lawsuit and their push to keep living in Mississippi cottages when a state program expires.
About 20 cottage residents gathered at the Waveland ball field on Central Avenue, carrying homemade signs and making short speeches. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed Friday on the issue is expected to make its way to court this week.
“We need this permanent housing,” Andrew Canter, a lawyer at the Mississippi Center for Justice, told those at the rally. “We’re not going to let it be taken back.”
Canter and another lawyer from the justice center filed suit on behalf of eight Waveland residents still living in the small hurricane-relief cottages. They sued Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo and the Board of Aldermen, saying the city acted improperly when it decided to allow cottages to stay only in areas zoned for trailers when a housing program by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency expires at the end of March.
In response, Longo said the lawsuit was “unbelievable.” He said the city had already taken steps to change its position, renegotiate a memorandum of understanding with MEMA, and allow cottages to remain in areas zoned residential.
Canter said he would be filing an additional brief in the case, which is scheduled to be heard at 9 a.m. Friday in Chancery Court in Gulfport.
The Hancock County Board of Supervisors decided last week to allow the cottages to stay in residential neighborhoods, citing a state law that considers the structures to be modular homes, not mobile homes. Thus far the Bay St. Louis City Council has continued to restrict cottages to trailer parks.
Not everyone watching Monday’s rally of about 20 people favored the cottages. Waveland resident John Peterson, 73, sat in his car across the street holding an anti-cottage sign. He said the small, shotgun-style Mississippi cottages are ruining his investment in his home, which he rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.
“I rebuilt a $179,000 home and I’ve got Katrina cottages near me,” Peterson said. “What does that do to my property values?”
But one after another, cottage residents and their supporters made short speeches invoking their rights to a home. MEMA has offered to sell the cottages at low prices to residents who can meet a list of criteria.
Labels: Biloxi, CHANGER, Cheri Honkala, FEMA, Housing, Katrina, MEMA, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, PPEHRC, Rev. Bruce Wright, Waveland
Waveland rally a huge success!
ShareThis
The Waveland residents turned out for a first-ever public rally to stand for their right to housing. They were joined by PPEHRC members Cheri Honkala, Rev. Bruce Wright of Tampa, and Mary Bricker-Jenkins of CHANGERs in Tennessee.
More pictures and stories to come.
 |
| Waveland Rally |
More pictures and stories to come.
Labels: Biloxi, CHANGER, Cheri Honkala, FEMA, Housing, Katrina, MEMA, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, PPEHRC, Rev. Bruce Wright, Waveland
Residents file lawsuit over Katrina cottages
ShareThis
Original Articles:
WAVELAND — A group of Waveland residents has filed a lawsuit against city aldermen and the mayor, claiming their rights were violated when they were refused permits to remain in Hurricane Katrina cottages.
The lawsuit was filed in Hancock County Chancery Court Friday by lawyers with the Biloxi-based Mississippi Center for Justice. It asks the court to issue a preliminary injunction against the city, forbidding officials to force the residents from their cottages when a housing program by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency expires.
MEMA officials started distributing the cottages to displaced homeowners after Katrina.
There are eight plaintiffs, some of whom are disabled. Defendants named in the suit are Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo and the city’s board of aldermen.
WAVELAND — A group of Waveland residents has filed a lawsuit against city aldermen and the mayor, claiming their rights were violated when they were refused permits to remain in Hurricane Katrina cottages.
The lawsuit was filed in Hancock County Chancery Court Friday by lawyers with the Biloxi-based Mississippi Center for Justice. It asks the court to issue a preliminary injunction against the city, forbidding officials to force the residents from their cottages when a housing program by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency expires.
MEMA officials started distributing the cottages to displaced homeowners after Katrina.
There are eight plaintiffs, some of whom are disabled. Defendants named in the suit are Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo and the city’s board of aldermen.
Labels: Biloxi, CHANGER, Cheri Honkala, FEMA, Housing, Katrina, MEMA, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, PPEHRC, Rev. Bruce Wright, Waveland
Monday, January 26, 2009
Groups rally for Waveland cottage dwellers
ShareThis
By Al Showers
Original Article: http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=9736905&nav=6DJI
WAVELAND, MS (WLOX) - Two national social justice organizations brought their voices to Hancock County Monday. The Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, based in Minnesota, and the Social Welfare Action Alliance of Tennessee sent representatives to Waveland.
Watch Video of the MEMA Cottage Rally
The groups are trying to rally support for those who want to make Mississippi Cottages permanent homes. Cheri Honkala helped to organize the rally because of what she calls a reluctance by elected leaders to allow the Mississippi Cottages to become permanent homes.
"I'm with the Poor People's Economic Human Right's Campaign. I'm a formerly homeless mother and I'm very passionate about this issue.You dare touch any of these families, we'll come make Mississippi our home. We will set up tents. We will go to jail," Honkala said.
The protestors then paused for prayer. Rev. Bruce Wright with Refuge Ministries of Florida said, "I believe firmly that people that claim to follow Jesus should be concerned about people having a place to live, and not being put out on the streets."
The rally sparked a counter protest from people who don't want to see the cottages become permanent.
"Not everybody's for this. Not everybody's for the cottages next to their houses that they built brand new and spent thousands and hundreds of thousands and their whole grant money. Some people are responsible, some people are not," Waveland resident Scott Peterson said.
John and Silvia Peterson said, "Why not go into a trailer park? No, they think they're too good for that."
Waveland Resident Mary Sherrouse says it's not her fault the cottage has become a necessity.
"I have tried to rebuild, but had to let go of a contractor that wasn't building to code and lacking some money because of it. And I love my MEMA cottage and am just horrified to think people are so, the city is so heartless to want to throw us out," Sherrouse said.
Bayside Park resident David Winkles agrees.
"Don't put the old people, the sick people, the people with no place to go, the people with kids out on the streets - don't send them to trailer parks. Do the right thing. Let them have MEMA cottages on their own property," Winkles said.
City and county leaders have taken steps to allow the cottages to become permanent. But cottage-dwellers are concerned that the rules will be so strict they will not qualify.
Original Article: http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=9736905&nav=6DJI
WAVELAND, MS (WLOX) - Two national social justice organizations brought their voices to Hancock County Monday. The Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, based in Minnesota, and the Social Welfare Action Alliance of Tennessee sent representatives to Waveland.
Watch Video of the MEMA Cottage Rally
The groups are trying to rally support for those who want to make Mississippi Cottages permanent homes. Cheri Honkala helped to organize the rally because of what she calls a reluctance by elected leaders to allow the Mississippi Cottages to become permanent homes.
"I'm with the Poor People's Economic Human Right's Campaign. I'm a formerly homeless mother and I'm very passionate about this issue.You dare touch any of these families, we'll come make Mississippi our home. We will set up tents. We will go to jail," Honkala said.
The protestors then paused for prayer. Rev. Bruce Wright with Refuge Ministries of Florida said, "I believe firmly that people that claim to follow Jesus should be concerned about people having a place to live, and not being put out on the streets."
The rally sparked a counter protest from people who don't want to see the cottages become permanent.
"Not everybody's for this. Not everybody's for the cottages next to their houses that they built brand new and spent thousands and hundreds of thousands and their whole grant money. Some people are responsible, some people are not," Waveland resident Scott Peterson said.
John and Silvia Peterson said, "Why not go into a trailer park? No, they think they're too good for that."
Waveland Resident Mary Sherrouse says it's not her fault the cottage has become a necessity.
"I have tried to rebuild, but had to let go of a contractor that wasn't building to code and lacking some money because of it. And I love my MEMA cottage and am just horrified to think people are so, the city is so heartless to want to throw us out," Sherrouse said.
Bayside Park resident David Winkles agrees.
"Don't put the old people, the sick people, the people with no place to go, the people with kids out on the streets - don't send them to trailer parks. Do the right thing. Let them have MEMA cottages on their own property," Winkles said.
City and county leaders have taken steps to allow the cottages to become permanent. But cottage-dwellers are concerned that the rules will be so strict they will not qualify.
Labels: Biloxi, Cheri Honkala, FEMA, MEMA, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, PPEHRC, Refuge Ministries of Florida, Rev. Bruce Wright, Social Welfar Action Alliance, Waveland
Sunday, January 25, 2009
MS Center for Justice sues city of Waveland
ShareThis
Original Article: http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=9724331
WAVELAND, MS (WLOX) - The cottage battles in Waveland will now be fought in court. Friday afternoon, the Mississippi Center for Justice filed suit on behalf of eight Waveland residents who want to keep their temporary cottages as permanent dwellings in the city.
Waveland leaders have been struggling with a decision on whether cottages can stay after the end of the government's temporary housing program March 31st.
The suit, filed in Hancock County Chancery Court, says the city wrongly denied permits to cottage residents when it misclassified the cottages as mobile homes instead of modular homes.
Riley Morse is an attorney with the Mississippi Center for Justice.
"Within a week a court is going to hear arguments whether Waveland's effort to split hair between other kinds of modular and the Katrina Cottages hold water," Morse said. "We think they won't, and we hope that when the court hears the argument they will agree with MEMA and most of the other jurisdictions that say modular embraces these cottages and they should be allowed to stay permanently."
The case will be heard next Friday. To see the filed suit, click here.
WAVELAND, MS (WLOX) - The cottage battles in Waveland will now be fought in court. Friday afternoon, the Mississippi Center for Justice filed suit on behalf of eight Waveland residents who want to keep their temporary cottages as permanent dwellings in the city.
Waveland leaders have been struggling with a decision on whether cottages can stay after the end of the government's temporary housing program March 31st.
The suit, filed in Hancock County Chancery Court, says the city wrongly denied permits to cottage residents when it misclassified the cottages as mobile homes instead of modular homes.
Riley Morse is an attorney with the Mississippi Center for Justice.
"Within a week a court is going to hear arguments whether Waveland's effort to split hair between other kinds of modular and the Katrina Cottages hold water," Morse said. "We think they won't, and we hope that when the court hears the argument they will agree with MEMA and most of the other jurisdictions that say modular embraces these cottages and they should be allowed to stay permanently."
The case will be heard next Friday. To see the filed suit, click here.
Labels: Biloxi, Cheri Honkala, FEMA, MEMA, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, PPEHRC, Refuge Ministries of Florida, Rev. Bruce Wright, Social Welfar Action Alliance, Waveland
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Cheri Honkala on Trial
ShareThis
Tuesday, January 20th at 9am Cheri Honkala, the national organizer for the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC), will be held on trial by jury for her arrest on Harriet Island preceding the Republican National Convention. In the days prior to the RNC, as PPEHRC member organizations from around the country began arriving in the Twin Cities for the March For Our Lives, PPEHRC organizers established "Bushville." Bushville was erected on Harriet Island so that it would be visible to members of the media and delegates from around the country. However, this political demonstration - which also served the purpose of housing poor families and individuals who came to demonstrate against poverty but could not afford a hotel - was dis-assembled by the police its very first night. The 23 adults and five children who were sleeping there were surrounded in the dark by roughly 50 police officers on bicycles and flanked by a squad of roughly 30 police in riot gear before being given the option of leaving the park or being arrested. The park lights that were directly above Bushville were turned off as bystanders, legal observers and activists who arrived to show solidarity were told to leave or were detained. Large spotlights were then turned onto the previously sleeping demonstrators. This was an incredibly intimidating process and an unnecessary show of force. The demonstrators were given the opportunity to take their belongings before Bushville was deconstructed and taken away by the police department. As they were leaving the park, demonstrators noticed that on the bridge above the exit to the park was stationed an officer with a large rifle. Cheri Honkala was one of 2 demonstrators who was arrested for not leaving Bushville. On September 2nd, the group led the March For Our Lives.
Visit www.economichumanrights.org for the national campaign and www.ppehrc.org for the Minnesota Chapter.
Where:
Court room 130, 15 West Kellog Boulevard, St. Paul, MN, 55101.
In front of Judge Wilson
When:
January 20th 9:00 am
Contacts:
Manuel Levins Holden/Deeq Abdi
612-821-2364
Peter Cooper
512-924-7561
Cheri Honkala
267-439-8419
Visit www.economichumanrights.org for the national campaign and www.ppehrc.org for the Minnesota Chapter.
Where:
Court room 130, 15 West Kellog Boulevard, St. Paul, MN, 55101.
In front of Judge Wilson
When:
January 20th 9:00 am
Contacts:
Manuel Levins Holden/Deeq Abdi
612-821-2364
Peter Cooper
512-924-7561
Cheri Honkala
267-439-8419
Labels: Cheri Honkala, March on the RNC, RNC
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Jan 26th: Prayer Vigil and Rally to Save Homes in Mississippi
ShareThis
Dear Friends,
We need your help. On a trip to the gulf of Mississippi,
we listened to story after story of a preventable storm
about to come to Mississippi. People are going to return
to homelessness after experiencing the devastation
caused by Katrina. Some are hopefully, gonna be able to
hold on to their cottages now after the residents fought
to hold on to them. But they are not completely safe yet.
Only time will tell what other stipulations they will put on these families.
Not to mention what will happen when the FEMA/MEMA
and section 8 money is gone. Many of these families have
a timeline as early as Jan. 31st others until March.
But the time to rally around these families is now!!!
Please join us in a prayer vigil and rally to save
the homes of the families in Mississippi January 26th at
11 am on the corner of the park at Waveland Ave. and
Central Ave.
These photographs are the faces of amazing men, women
and children who are in the fight to hold on to their homes and
the homes of others. The Sargent in the photo is Sargent Kring
and his wife Cheryl and son Andrew. Sargent Kring is the man
responsible along with his family for setting up camp Katrina
in the Kmart parking lot that provided shelter for over 100
residents. He is an Iraq veteran as well. He and his family now have
to deal with the stress of not knowing if they'll have a home or not.
Mary Thorton is another leader in this process helping to
organize the rally. She is a single mother and a real fighter
as well.
Another photograph is of D. McFarland who is a retired Doctor who is
86 years old, says he delivered most of the babies in the county
than lost his wife shortly after Katrina and now may lose his
cottage. When talking to him he was more worried about the
90 year old couple down the road.
Waveland, Bayside, Pass Christian Katrina hit hard. 100 percent
was lost. These families ALL lost their homes. Many of them have
lved on their land all of their lives. 3 and a half years ago they lost
everything. Lets make sure this doesn't happen again.
Thanks for your help.
National Organizer
Cheri Honkala
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
We need your help. On a trip to the gulf of Mississippi,
we listened to story after story of a preventable storm
about to come to Mississippi. People are going to return
to homelessness after experiencing the devastation
caused by Katrina. Some are hopefully, gonna be able to
hold on to their cottages now after the residents fought
to hold on to them. But they are not completely safe yet.
Only time will tell what other stipulations they will put on these families.
Not to mention what will happen when the FEMA/MEMA
and section 8 money is gone. Many of these families have
a timeline as early as Jan. 31st others until March.
But the time to rally around these families is now!!!
Please join us in a prayer vigil and rally to save
the homes of the families in Mississippi January 26th at
11 am on the corner of the park at Waveland Ave. and
Central Ave.
These photographs are the faces of amazing men, women
and children who are in the fight to hold on to their homes and
the homes of others. The Sargent in the photo is Sargent Kring
and his wife Cheryl and son Andrew. Sargent Kring is the man
responsible along with his family for setting up camp Katrina
in the Kmart parking lot that provided shelter for over 100
residents. He is an Iraq veteran as well. He and his family now have
to deal with the stress of not knowing if they'll have a home or not.
Mary Thorton is another leader in this process helping to
organize the rally. She is a single mother and a real fighter
as well.
Another photograph is of D. McFarland who is a retired Doctor who is
86 years old, says he delivered most of the babies in the county
than lost his wife shortly after Katrina and now may lose his
cottage. When talking to him he was more worried about the
90 year old couple down the road.
Waveland, Bayside, Pass Christian Katrina hit hard. 100 percent
was lost. These families ALL lost their homes. Many of them have
lved on their land all of their lives. 3 and a half years ago they lost
everything. Lets make sure this doesn't happen again.
Thanks for your help.
National Organizer
Cheri Honkala
Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
Labels: FEMA, Katrina, MEMA, Mississippi
Monday, January 5, 2009
Cottage residents plead with Hancock Co. supervisors
ShareThis
By Al Showers
Original Article: http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=9620576
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) - The controversial Mississippi cottage issue drew tears, anger and a little hope at Monday's Hancock Board of Supervisors meeting. Facing the prospect of being homeless when the Mississippi cottage program ends, residents begged supervisors to turn the temporary homes into permanent housing. The stories were heartbreaking. See video of the cottages
"If y'all could just please let us keep our houses," Bay St. Louis resident Donna Darensbourg said.
"She's raising three kids in a MEMA cottage right now. She don't have nowhere to go," Hancock County resident Rhonda Green said.
Katrina survivors, almost three and a half years after the storm, find themselves still struggling to survive. They're about to lose the only homes they have - a Mississippi cottage.
"We will be homeless. We'll have to revert to tents," Waveland resident Cheryl Kring said.
Most of the people pleading with supervisors live in the Bayside Park community. The neighborhood has about 180 cottages currently in use. But when the temporary housing program ends in March, those cottages will go away. That's because county supervisors have said "no" to allowing the cottages to remain in the Bayside Park neighborhood. Watch video of residents pleading.
Mary Thornton hopes a petition drive she started will convince county leaders that the cottages should stay.
"Here's my signed petition this morning. I left home with a little over 300," Thornton told supervisors. "Nobody asked for Katrina. We all got it and we got to face up to what we're facing today."
The cottage debate has captured the attention of a national organization - The Poor People's Economics Human Rights Campaign. One of that group's housing advocates also pleaded with supervisors not to close the door on permanent cottages.
Housing advocate Cheri Honkala said, "The devastation that people suffered here as a result of Katrina, they shouldn't have to relive through it again. So we're prepared to bring national leaders here to Mississippi - celebrities, members of the clergy, you name it - from around the entire country, if you don't leave these families alone in the cottages and let them go on with their lives."
While supervisors took no official action to reconsider the cottage issue, the pleas of the people seemed to be getting through.
"I have relatives in cottages, " District 2 Supervisor David Yarborough said. "The people I represent are you, the poor people."
A central issue in the cottage debate is whether the temporary homes are considered mobile homes or modular homes. One man, who will lose his cottage if supervisors don't change their decision, told them there is a precedent that put cottages in the "modular home" category.
Original Article: http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=9620576
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) - The controversial Mississippi cottage issue drew tears, anger and a little hope at Monday's Hancock Board of Supervisors meeting. Facing the prospect of being homeless when the Mississippi cottage program ends, residents begged supervisors to turn the temporary homes into permanent housing. The stories were heartbreaking. See video of the cottages
"If y'all could just please let us keep our houses," Bay St. Louis resident Donna Darensbourg said.
"She's raising three kids in a MEMA cottage right now. She don't have nowhere to go," Hancock County resident Rhonda Green said.
Katrina survivors, almost three and a half years after the storm, find themselves still struggling to survive. They're about to lose the only homes they have - a Mississippi cottage.
"We will be homeless. We'll have to revert to tents," Waveland resident Cheryl Kring said.
Most of the people pleading with supervisors live in the Bayside Park community. The neighborhood has about 180 cottages currently in use. But when the temporary housing program ends in March, those cottages will go away. That's because county supervisors have said "no" to allowing the cottages to remain in the Bayside Park neighborhood. Watch video of residents pleading.
Mary Thornton hopes a petition drive she started will convince county leaders that the cottages should stay.
"Here's my signed petition this morning. I left home with a little over 300," Thornton told supervisors. "Nobody asked for Katrina. We all got it and we got to face up to what we're facing today."
The cottage debate has captured the attention of a national organization - The Poor People's Economics Human Rights Campaign. One of that group's housing advocates also pleaded with supervisors not to close the door on permanent cottages.
Housing advocate Cheri Honkala said, "The devastation that people suffered here as a result of Katrina, they shouldn't have to relive through it again. So we're prepared to bring national leaders here to Mississippi - celebrities, members of the clergy, you name it - from around the entire country, if you don't leave these families alone in the cottages and let them go on with their lives."
While supervisors took no official action to reconsider the cottage issue, the pleas of the people seemed to be getting through.
"I have relatives in cottages, " District 2 Supervisor David Yarborough said. "The people I represent are you, the poor people."
A central issue in the cottage debate is whether the temporary homes are considered mobile homes or modular homes. One man, who will lose his cottage if supervisors don't change their decision, told them there is a precedent that put cottages in the "modular home" category.
Labels: Biloxi, FEMA, Katrina, MEMA
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]