April 30, 2010
Elected officials say ‘Yes’ and one ‘No’ to social justice requests by CAJE
Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel of Evansville and Father Stephen Lintzenich, pastor of St. Mary Church in Evansville and co-chair of Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment, share a smile and a laugh at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville April 22. Mayor Weinzapfel affirmed a decision to add local funds to an Affordable Housing Trust Fund designed to help low-income individuals and families afford decent housing. (Message photo by Paul R. Leingang) Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Members of 17 congregations in the Evansville-Newburgh area asked elected officials for improved public transportation and for a commitment that would lead to more affordable housing.
The answers were “Yes” and “Yes” and “Yes” and “Yes” — and only one “No.”
Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment held its annual “Nehemiah Action Assembly” at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville on April 22. Pews were packed for the event. Tickets with names and addresses of those who attended added up to 1,200, the largest number of participants at any CAJE event to date.
All of the questions led to favorable responses, except one. A “Yes” answer came from Evansville for a housing issue, “Yes” from Warrick and New-burgh officials for new bus transportation, “Yes” from Vanderburgh County commissioners for improved public transportation. Vanderburgh County Council President Russ Lloyd Jr. gave one “Yes” in support of expanded bus service, but concluded the evening with a “No” when asked if he would advocate his colleagues on the county council to include needed funds in the budget.
Affordable housing
Homelessness is a growing and serious problem in the greater Evansville area, according to studies done by Aurora, Destination Home, and the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation — which reported that 503 public school students had experienced homelessness last year.
While federal programs and other initiatives provide housing services, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is designed to help families and individuals who earn less than 80 percent of the area median income. According to a CAJE report, very little of available federal funds can be used for construction of long-term affordable rental units — which is the biggest need in Vanderburgh County.
Speaking on behalf of Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel was Tom Barnett, metropolitan development director.
The request was for at least $500,000 of local unrestricted money to be placed into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund this year, by June 30. The answer was “Yes.”
Another request was made, for at least $500,000 during 2011. And again, the answer was “Yes.”
The third request was to work toward identifying revenue sources for at least $1 million annually starting in 2012. The answer was “Yes.”
Improved public transportation
CAJE statistics reported included the following:
- Over 1,000 people in Warrick County were polled; over 48 percent said they would be likely to use public transportation if available.
- Although commuters go be-tween Vanderburgh County and Warrick County for jobs and health care services, public transportation is not available to connect the two.
- Warrick County Commissioner Don Williams, Warrick County Councilman Joe Schitter and Newburgh Town Manager Cynthia Burger all said “Yes” to continued support for bringing bus service to Warrick County. Williams and Schitter were at the assembly; Burger’s“Yes” was reported.
A private non-profit bus service is scheduled to start later this year, serving portions of Warrick County and making a connection with METS, the Metropolitan Evansville Transportation Service.
CAJE research also included the following:
- One fifth of Vanderburgh County residents polled said they were terminated from jobs or forced to quit because of lack of transportation to work.
- Fifty-eight percent of individuals polled said employment options would increase in northern Vanderburgh County if public transportation were available.
All three Vanderburgh County commissioners — Lloyd Winnecke, Troy Tornatta and Stephen Melcher — said “Yes” to four questions. They individually agreed to support an extension of bus service north along Highway 41 and to “including appropriate funding for the creation of the High-way 41 bus route as a line item in the County Commissioner’s budget for fiscal year 2011.”
County Council President Russ Lloyd was asked two questions. He said “Yes” to supporting the north 41 bus plan.
The second question, however, asked Lloyd to “commit to advocating in your capacity as County Council President for the inclusion and passage” of the funds the county commissioners said they would request.
Lloyd answered, “No.” His response was followed by silence from the assembly of 1,200 people — not an estimate but an actual count of the “tickets” which included the names and addresses of those in attendance.
CAJE co-chair, Pastor Joe Easley of Central United Methodist Church said the organization would continue to negotiate for improved public transportation.
Mayor Weinzapfel arrived at the assembly after an earlier commitment. He promised to continue to work on housing so that everyone would have “a safe and dry place.” He then alluded to Christ-ian scriptures and made a commitment to help “to take care of the least among us.”