County makes good decision

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As I have said in the past, the best place for a homeless shelter would be downtown, close to detox and the jails. The county finally took the bull by horns and took the first step by buying the land on 3rd and Minnesota.

Bravo.

The Minnehaha County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to purchase property at 700 N. Minnesota Ave. and 314 W. Third St. and will seek architectural concepts on developing it as housing for the chronically homeless.

The purchase price is $252,000, and the deal will close Feb. 26. The commission approved spending $10,800 for concept designs and site development plans for either a 24-unit or 32-unit facility.

It’s too bad it took the county commission full of lame duck commissioners to get the ball rolling on this. Yes, several city councilors sit on the committee, but it is disappointing that our mayor didn’t help more with this. I guess we are too busy buying empty lots for parking and parks in the boondocks to worry about a public safety issue like the homeless.

I want to commend councilor Anderson for pushing for this site. Good job!

Who Would Jesus Fire?

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Focus on the Family announced yesterday afternoon that 202 jobs will be cut companywide — an estimated 20 percent of its workforce. Initial reports bring the total number of remaining employees to around 950.

After spending more than half a million dollars for the California Yes on 8 campaign, the Colorado based ministry, is adjusting to the recession just like the rest of the nation.

In all, Focus pumped $539,000 in cash and another $83,000 worth of non-monetary support into the measure to overturn a California Supreme Court ruling that allowed gays and lesbians to marry in that state. The group was the seventh-largest donor to the effort in the country. The cash contributions are equal to the salaries of 19 Coloradans earning the 2008 per capita income of $29,133.

I guess fighting to keep the right to become a family away from loving individuals is more important than the people that are employed by “Focus on the Family”. Can anyone say irony?

Headzup Entertainment has a great toon here: It’s better to have 202 jobless and homeless then let the queers get married