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Many Thanks to Our MHCAN Supporters
Very Grateful For Community Support in Our Time of Need
Dear MHCAN supporters,
I am happy to report that MHCAN and the City of Santa Cruz have arrived at conditions in a use permit that are agreeable to both sides. Consequently, the planning commission hearing set for Thursday, September 28th was cancelled. The conditions include concessions on the part of MHCAN to arrive at a resolution that the board hopes will improve relations with the neighbors and increase dialogue, while also maintaining a vital resource to current and future MHCAN peers. For example, MHCAN has agreed to allow a security guard stand at the outside of the parking lot, but the City and County have agree to fund the security guard. MHCAN has agreed to remove the food pantry program and direct peers to other neighborhood pantries, but peers are able to eat meals and snacks while they are on site. Finally, a planning commission hearing has been set for October of next year to request that, after what we hope will be a year of calm and improved relations with the neighborhood, MHCAN be permitted to expand hours and days and the number of people they can serve daily.
Thank you for your support and great advocacy on behalf of MHCAN. We obtained a copy of the support letters that the City received and there were a remarkable number from you all. Your support is invaluable and we are so grateful.
If you have specific questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to me directly.
With Sincere and Heartfelt Gratitude,
Steve Pleich
Chair, Board of Directors
MHCAN (Mental Health Client Action Network
I am happy to report that MHCAN and the City of Santa Cruz have arrived at conditions in a use permit that are agreeable to both sides. Consequently, the planning commission hearing set for Thursday, September 28th was cancelled. The conditions include concessions on the part of MHCAN to arrive at a resolution that the board hopes will improve relations with the neighbors and increase dialogue, while also maintaining a vital resource to current and future MHCAN peers. For example, MHCAN has agreed to allow a security guard stand at the outside of the parking lot, but the City and County have agree to fund the security guard. MHCAN has agreed to remove the food pantry program and direct peers to other neighborhood pantries, but peers are able to eat meals and snacks while they are on site. Finally, a planning commission hearing has been set for October of next year to request that, after what we hope will be a year of calm and improved relations with the neighborhood, MHCAN be permitted to expand hours and days and the number of people they can serve daily.
Thank you for your support and great advocacy on behalf of MHCAN. We obtained a copy of the support letters that the City received and there were a remarkable number from you all. Your support is invaluable and we are so grateful.
If you have specific questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to me directly.
With Sincere and Heartfelt Gratitude,
Steve Pleich
Chair, Board of Directors
MHCAN (Mental Health Client Action Network
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MHCAN clients were sold out by Disability Rights California and the MHCAN Board of Supervisors. I obtained public records about MHCAN which showed the City was bluffing: there were no neighborhood complaints of merit, only a petition — with five businesses on Soquel Avenue signing — engineered by developer John Swift (who owns a parcel next to MHCAN and was on the City's high density planning commission).
The records I obtained showed that MHCAN would have won a legal battle but apparently Disability Rights California wasn't willing to engage in extended litigation.
Thanks for nothing!
Now this matter can be investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Office of Civil Rights.
The records I obtained showed that MHCAN would have won a legal battle but apparently Disability Rights California wasn't willing to engage in extended litigation.
Thanks for nothing!
Now this matter can be investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Office of Civil Rights.
You mean those 5 businesses (one business already gone which blamed a MHCAN client when it wasn't.) and the rich developer John Swift, who got an attorney to sue MHCAN for his own greedy needs. John Swift is also in with city's high density corridor plan. He is a member on the city's high density planning commission. Follow the money that always tell the truth.
No, Steve, both sides didn't agree and weren't happy. Just the board and city agreed The board failed the clients of MHCAN. The board only thought about how the food pantry affected them. They never gave the clients a voice to say how important and different this pantry was to them. The loss of this,better than any other food pantry, is horrific blow to the poor who live on SSI. Taking away the food from the poor without consideration to the disabled clients is a violation of their disability rights. There is no other pantry for the emotionally disabled like the one MHCAN had established.
The board and Disability Rights lawyer just aided and abetted the violating the rights of emotionally disabled clients by the city of Santa Cruz. It is a pity because they did it for no gain. At least the city and John Swift were greedy and after the pursuit of money. What did you get for selling them out?
Let's hope the federal government can fix what the greedy snobs of Santa Cruz city and neighbors group along with the wimpy board!
A lot of emotionally disabled people are going to get burned by this UNHAPPY ending. Steve why do you always have to SPIN-misrepresent horrible endings and sellouts as happy agreed results.
No, Steve, both sides didn't agree and weren't happy. Just the board and city agreed The board failed the clients of MHCAN. The board only thought about how the food pantry affected them. They never gave the clients a voice to say how important and different this pantry was to them. The loss of this,better than any other food pantry, is horrific blow to the poor who live on SSI. Taking away the food from the poor without consideration to the disabled clients is a violation of their disability rights. There is no other pantry for the emotionally disabled like the one MHCAN had established.
The board and Disability Rights lawyer just aided and abetted the violating the rights of emotionally disabled clients by the city of Santa Cruz. It is a pity because they did it for no gain. At least the city and John Swift were greedy and after the pursuit of money. What did you get for selling them out?
Let's hope the federal government can fix what the greedy snobs of Santa Cruz city and neighbors group along with the wimpy board!
A lot of emotionally disabled people are going to get burned by this UNHAPPY ending. Steve why do you always have to SPIN-misrepresent horrible endings and sellouts as happy agreed results.
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