Comments on: Guide Point: Beans and Bread protestors deserve support

By: DavidPun

DavidPun — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:59:28 +0000

I can certainly understand why residents would not want homeless street people being attracted to their neighborhoods. I would not want it in mine so it would be hypocritical of me to condemn others for doing the same. However I was curious upon reading this article and did some research and frankly I am disgusted by the depth of misrepresentation and the snide attitude of this article. Beans and Bread has served Baltimore’s poor and homeless well over the years. It is now a relatively small part of St Vincent De Paul which is a much larger organization supporting many good causes. Even a cursory look at their annual report shows no evidence whatsoever of this organization making profits. Also as far as the report goes, St Vincent de Paul has a management staff of 15 people only 3 of which are administrative managers. The total budget for these 15 people was 377,230 dollars which is an average of ~25,000 dollars per year for each person, hardly a wonderful salary. If the top management get more, then presumably the remainder get less….and this is assuming that all management expenses reported in the annual report go towards salary.
Frankly, the real figures based on the annual reports are at such variance with the “suggestions” in this article that I have to ask this reporter where she obtained her numbers.
As I stated above, I have no problem with residents asking for facilities like Beans and Bread to be located in an area where it is makes sense and respects the quality of people’s lives. However, that doesn’t always work either. Catholic Charitie’s facility, Our Daily Bread, moved from a downtown location to a position beside the prison and even that created a host of complaints apparently. It would appear that some people feel that it is better to let nature quickly take its inevitable toll on the poor and homeless rather than imposing them on their betters. The city should play a more supportive role in helping these organizations find and acquire better locations.
However, I have to say that if the people in this neighborhood want to avoid being painted as “rich-bitch gentrifiers” as suggested in the article, I would suggest to them that they refrain from associating with such low quality journalism based on questionable facts. However, to be fair to the journalist, I can’t imagine she is posting outright lies, so perhaps she can share her inside sources with us to help us better understand how these evil charities are routinely falsifying or misrepresenting the information in their annual reports.

By: Mike Stanley

Mike Stanley — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:24:07 +0000

I knew Benet Hanlon. He was a dorm director at Benedictine College during my first year of college in 1971. Over time he became one of my best friends. I actually beat Benet during a chess tournament during that year. We talked quite a bit. I took a class from Benet, entitled “belief and disbelief”. In 1976, he married my wife and I. I only saw him twice after that, the night that he was booted out of the monestary (he was shaking mad) and many years later in Washington D.C. Benet was without a doubt the smartest man that I have ever met yet would never make me feel less of a man for it. I’m so proud to have spent some time with him.

By: FURIOUS

FURIOUS — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:59:10 +0000

While u are sitting in your air conditioning home on ur computer or lap top there are people out there dieing of heat stroke and in the winter freezing to death. I think its GREAT that B&B is doing all this to help these people!!!! As the saying goes a few bad apples will mess it up for everybody, instead of condeming the whole place how about u take pictures of the people that are doing the things that are “disturbing” you and ur neiborhood and show them to the police or the shelter managers? I’m sure not everyone their helping is “bothering” you!!!! Don’t get my wrong i understand with the fighting and urinating in alleys why you are upset but like I said B&B are just trying to help those that have NOTHING have a place to come to!!!!! HAVE A HEART!!!! GO TO CHURCH!!!!!! AND LEAVE B&B ALONE!!!!! GO AGAINST THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE CRIMES NOT THE PEOPLE TRYING TO HELP THE HOMELESS!!!!!!!!!!

By: Nancy Caudill

Nancy Caudill — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:04:43 +0000

I want to thank you for the excellent coverage of the proposed expansion of the Beans and Bread homeless center and community oppostition to these plans. As a result, I attended my first CHAP hearing on July 13th. Once again, the CHAP Commissioners instructed Beans and Bread to submit a design that shows that the main entrance is actually on Bond Street and not masquerading as a “fire exit” around the corner on Bank Street.

“This is one of those issues where people lose faith in their government” was State Senator George Della’s opening statement in his testimony in support of the community’s positions. In addition to support from Fell’s Point community groups, there were letters of support from Delegates Brian McHale and Pete Hammon, and for the first time ever, a letter of support was received from our new Council President, Jack Young. Jim Kraft, Councilman for our 1st District, is also a CHAP Commissioner, and he has always supported the community’s positions on this issue.

What has been sorely lacking in this process is support from either our current Mayor or her predecessor. Neither Mayor entered into any kind of dialog with community members on this issue. It’s time for Mayor Stephaine-Rawlings Blake to examine the City’s role in this process and determine if city agencies have followed their own guidelines and procedures in this matter.

We welcomed our new Mayor’s pledge for ethics reform and transparancy. Now it’s time for her deliver on her pledge. It would also serve her well to personally speak with community leaders in the greater Fell’s Point area regarding Beans and Bread, and to work with them to establish a master plan for the Broadway Corridor.

By: Bethel St Resident

Bethel St Resident — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:48:46 +0000

I would also like to agree with your insight to the issues that are consuming our otherwise quaint and quiet city neighborhood. I have been a resident of the 400 block of Bethel St for five years and have seen everything including drug use, verbal and physical fights, and nap/restroom breaks in the alley during the after hours.

I am always researching and concerned with the future of B&B, the Perkins Homes, etc, considering their effects on the surrounding area. You mention a projected move to Central and Baltimore St for the B&B. How plausible is this? What needs to be done to make it a reality?

What are your views on the Perkins Homes and their association with B&B? Does anyone have any news or discussion topics regarding Perkins Homes management or redevelopment? I see this area as an obvious sore thumb to the surrounding areas (Little Italy/Fells Point/Harbor East) in need of serious redevelopment.

Anyways, thanks for the editorial… I fully agree…

By: Joan in Canton

Joan in Canton — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:27:54 +0000

A couple of years ago, Baltimore County terminated a contract with St Vincent DePaul amid allegations that SVdP did not operate the shelter to the county’s specifications. Presumably, Baltimore County wanted the shelter to be run as a 24 hour emergency shelter. SVdP wanted to operate the center under a holistic approach and did not operate it at full capacity at nighttime (which was a requirement from the county.) It appears the severance had an unfriendly air about it.

By: William

William — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:17:02 +0000

I enjoyed reading your well thought out editorial. I would add that the Dallas street folks should repeatedly call the police to deter any crimes they witness such as loitering. East Baltimore seemingly has a problem with selective law enforcement. I have seen streets where workers block them all day with impunity and never are issued citations. Also I love the way you pointed out who profits at the so called non profit business.
William

By: Steve Kadlubowski

Steve Kadlubowski — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:59:10 +0000

Finally our voices are being heard and printed. As a resident of 511 S. Bond Street , I applaud your ability to print the truth about our community concerns and thank you for expressing our position in a most professional and factual manner. There are two good things that have come from this effort. A rallying of neighborhood support and the upcoming resignation of Carolyn Krysiak.
I look forward to your continued support of the Douglan Place Association.

By: Elizabeth Nudo

Elizabeth Nudo — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:07:15 +0000

Wow! You said it. Congratulations to you for speaking the truth and standing up for my neighborhood. I live a block away from Beans and Bread myself. From what I have been told the zoning board and SVDP treated my fellow community members with very little consideration (and at times, very little respect) as the decision to proceed with the expansion by the board was made before the ink on the application was dry. You are a breath of fresh air. Thank you!

By: Fells Prospect

Fells Prospect — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:20:44 +0000

BRAVO Jackie ! Great Editorial