‘Community Conversation’ on H-Barracks at Liberty Station — Monday, Jan. 29

7 thoughts on “‘Community Conversation’ on H-Barracks at Liberty Station — Monday, Jan. 29”

1. As publicized, the Point Loma Association hosted a “Community Conversation” on H-Barracks at the PLNU Conference Center at Liberty Station on the evening of January 29. Before even entering the venue, it appeared clear that a majority of attendees were not there to hear what the speakers had to say. Those speaking included Mayor Gloria’s Council Districts 2 and 3 Representative Kohta Zaiser, Councilwoman Campbell’s Communications and Engagement Manager for the Pt. Loma/Midway area Randy Reyes, and SDPD Western Division Captain Juan Sanchez (sorry if the officer is misidentified here as the NIMBY signs were very distracting). Rather, it appeared that most attendees had previously made up their minds – facts be damned.
   The attendees were respectful of the presenters and the meeting’s format – initially. And even though moderator and PLA Secretary Andrea Schlateger (kudos for maintaining her cool during the ensuing chaos) had announced that she had requested, and received, questions in advance (nine pages!) and had tasked two women to collect additional written questions during the presentations from the attendees, there were those in the venue who took it upon themselves to determine that their questions and/or anecdotes must supersede those submitted (though yet unheard) and, the heck with decorum, simply commenced shouting them out or otherwise appropriating the floor.
   It was confounding to witness the lack of comprehension that the H-Barracks proposal was an important step forward to not compounding, but rather solving the issues vexing most of the people in attendance. Despite the fact that the demographics presented demonstrated that senior citizens being priced out of their homes represent one of the largest increasing percentages of the homeless population, it was demoralizing to see the paucity of compassion in the room.
   And, not surprisingly, if an attendee even offered an alternative suggestion, it was no more than put “them” somewhere else – you know, that “other” place.
   Do San Diegans simply no longer want to be bothered by the facts? Have we just become egocentric and, worse, heartless?
   Many of the naysayers began filing out of the room a little early, soon followed by their compatriots. Thankfully, they had their toasty cars to climb into, heading to the comfort and security of their homes, before climbing into their cozy warm beds for a restful night’s slumber . . . unlike 5,000+ of our fellow San Diegans.

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2. I was at the meeting last night, and I have never seen so many angry white people in one place without Trump being at the podium. The only non-white person I could see was the representative from Jen Campbell’s office.
   None of these people were interested in hearing what any of the officials had to say, they only wanted to yell they wanted the shelter someplace else. As one woman behind me said upon hearing a rep from the mayor’s office say that he was there to explain the options, she screamed: “We don’t want to hear that”!
   But the most disturbing comment came from an angry white guy that summarized the crowds feeling about putting a homeless shelter in their middle class community: :”Put it in East Village where those people belong”.
   Hell hath no fury like a privileged home owner who might have to see what our low income neighborhoods confront everyday.

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   1. Kinda makes me want to see these people’s quality of life go down should this project be put in place.

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      1. At least you’ve identified the problem. Maybe if shelters and services could show a better track record of operating without spilling over into the surrounding neighborhood, it would be easier to add them. East Village residents don’t want it in their front yard either, but I guess they are an easier target.

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         1. The irony with EV is that it already had a high homeless population and made worse when expensive condos, high end gastropubs, tasting rooms etc. and more affluent residents moved in. All it did was force people who were struggling already to struggle more.

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            1. These people didn’t become homeless in east village. Maybe a few, but yes redevelopment and the city’s leaf blower strategy certainly concentrates the issue.

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         2. And I’ll be the first to admit, I patronize many of those businesses so I’m likely part of the problem.

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