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Tracy activist meets resistance E-mail
Written by By Scott Lindlaw / Associated Press /   
Thursday, 20 March 2008

 
Misconceptions raise concerns about housing for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorders.


mccaffery
Nadia McCaffrey, president of the Patrick McCaffrey Foundation, sits in front of a proposed housing site for veterans in Guerneville. AP Photo/Eric Risberg
GUERNEVILLE — Merry Lane, a cul-de-sac shaded by redwoods in Sonoma County wine country, would seem a pleasant place to recover from the psychic wounds of war. It’s the dream of Tracy activist Nadia McCaffrey to set up a group home there for veterans plagued by post-traumatic stress disorder.

But she is running into stiff resistance from the neighbors. They not only object to the brand-new structure itself, which looks like a four-story apartment house wedged amid their cabins; they are also worried that unhinged veterans will move in.

At a community meeting in December, "one person was concerned that even firecrackers would set these people off," said Andrew Eckers, 54, who lives across the street.

McCaffrey, whose son, U.S. Army Sgt. Patrick McCaffrey of Tracy, was killed in Iraq in 2004, said she has tried to reassure the neighbors, but "they are afraid of it because they don't want to understand it."

Projects similar to McCaffrey's have cropped up in other communities across the country, with some also raising concerns from neighbors, in part because of the many news accounts of traumatized veterans committing suicide or murder.

"We're all, frankly, failing in properly educating society about what PTSD is and what its effects are," said Jon Soltz, an Iraq war veteran and chairman of VoteVets.org, a veterans advocacy group.

McCaffrey wants to set up at least three group homes around the country where vets with PTSD could live temporarily, and virtually for free, while they study at a college or work at a farm. Donations are paying for the projects, she said.

In Guerneville, a community of about 2,500 where the Russian River draws tourists in the summer, the light green building nestled into a carved-out hillside stands empty.

The county issued a stop-work order because the project exceeded the scope of the plans that were filed, said Shems Peterson, Sonoma County supervising building inspector. Among other things, the project had unauthorized plumbing. Also, a wall meant to divert landslides was deemed insufficient.

Neighbors have raised complaints about the cutting down of several redwoods to make way for the home, the lack of parking and the size of the building, which would house a half-dozen veterans.

"They are inappropriate buildings for the neighborhood. They're not single-family residences," said Mark Mondragon, 41. "This could have been Grandmothers for Harmonious Peace and it wouldn't have made a difference."

mccaffery
Nadia McCaffrey stands by a “stop work” order at a proposed housing site for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorders last week. AP Photo/Eric Risberg
Jan De Wald, who lives a couple houses down Merry Lane, said too many questions remain unanswered about the project, including who sits on the board, who is the president and what is the staffing.

Most residents said worries about unhinged veterans are not driving the opposition. Eckers emphasized that his primary concern is that the project would open the door to more apartment buildings. But he also raised questions about the screening and supervision of the veterans.

"Generally PTSD guys are normal people," Eckers said. But he added: "Some are shell-shocked and they need to be in an institution."

McCaffrey said screening would be done by veterans and a psychiatrist, and supervision would come from volunteers from a nearby veterans clinic.

"We will not accept anyone who's not completely functional," she said.

Rogelio Martinez, 26, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army airborne ranger, said he was diagnosed with PTSD and sought counseling at the urging of his older brother, a military officer. But he said he would have benefited from the type of group housing that McCaffrey is proposing.

"If it wasn't for my brother, I might be one of those homeless vets on the street," Martinez said in a telephone interview from San Antonio. "A place like that would be ideal for a person like me or a person in my shoes who didn't have someone to lean on like an older brother to get help."

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written by amy , March 20, 2008
Heartbreaking in the way we put our troops on the ladder of health care, bottom rung.

Is McNerney on top of this, or the Livermore area? I forgot.
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written by aguyinTracy , March 20, 2008
Resistence is not a word. "Resistance" is. Please fix the headline
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 20, 2008
I think some of the reasons for this being stopped are valid. I also know we need more places for our veteran's to get the medical help they need for PTSD. The veterans need to be kept safe as well as the citizens. If all the ducks are not in a row then I don't blame the citizens for their concerns. Just try and build one in Tracy. You know what would happen on the comment sections.

I for one know a handful of vet's and they all have different levels of PTSD. We need hundreds of these homes and it is just plain sad that we do not take care of our hero's who make it home alive and who protect our freedom to be treated like lower class citizens!
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written by Dale Cose , March 20, 2008
Ms McCaffrey,

For additional help regarding the neighborhood issue, contact the
State of California

http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/LGA.aspx.

At this point, should you not have an attorney, it is time to contact one.

Should you need help with the plan check approval process, please contact me at
Don A Cose.
Tracy

Sincerely,

Dale Cose


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written by amy , March 20, 2008
Right, maybenotadumbcomment, I wish we could build one for them where they are appreciated.

Spoken like a true Rotary President,Dale Cose, glad you gave her very good advice!
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 20, 2008
Dale, you are a trooper!

Right, amy, thanks. And I'm talking about all the wars our kids were in, so many hurting.

The newspaper put 'psychic' wounds, but it should say 'psychological' wounds.
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written by amy , March 20, 2008
Yeah, my uncle whom I never knew killed himself two years after his return from Vietnam war, was told he was never the same as he was before he went. Wished there were help for him at the time, then I would have known him?
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 20, 2008
I have a friend who still has nightmares from the vietnam war and he is so mentally ill it is hard for him to function and now my nephew got back from Iraq and has 100% disability because of the mental stress put on him. He was 18 when he went in and little did he know what he was in for. We all seem connected in some way. Your Uncle is a Hero too.
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written by Mark Mondragon , March 20, 2008
My name is Mark Mondragon, I was mentioned in the above article and own a home directly across from the proposed Veterans Village site.

·The neighborhoods fight is not against Mrs. McCaffrey or Veterans Village, it’s a nearly four-year-old fight with the County of Sonoma for allowing apartment buildings to be built in a residential neighborhood without the proper zoning and code enforcement. Mrs McCaffrey had the unfortunate honor to be the first prospective tenant to say, I’ll take it…

·Any program issues or concerns, about Veterans Village will be discussed with Mrs McCaffrey when and if it becomes necessary to do so. Our initial meeting with Mrs McCaffrey was aimed at trying to dissuade her from stepping into the middle a four year old fight with the county and possibly involving her organization with a rather questionable developer.

I think this article may help open a few eyes and perhaps answer some of your questions. Please click the link to see the related article.

http://www.dreamforge-games.com//Red-tagged.pdf

I know this story dose not have the emotional charge of the “Anti Vet” neighborhood that the press likes to read you in ten second sound bites, but I encourage you to read it.

Thank you for your time,
Mark Mondragon

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written by amy , March 21, 2008
Thanks, maybenotadumbcomment.

Thanks for the information, Mark Mondragon.
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written by Steven Hietpas , March 21, 2008
Those that rather than reaching out to help their fellow man, especially our hurt & injured, cop out & play the NIMBY card, I feel sorry for you. Those standing in the way of Nadia McCaffrey's work, w/their selfish, greedy, & extremely insensitive behaviors are teaching their children that it is ok to remain uneducated & insensitive to the needs of, & to reject others less fortunate. You should be proud of denying your fellow human of needed help regardless of what ails them because it does not conform to your financial & fear based needs, wants, & desires. The fact you so easily say "Not in my backyard", & that you are completely willing & able to unemotionally deprive those Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, & Marines that have fought in our wars, of desperately needed care & help tells me you are in dire need of help yourself. Face it, you are self centered & self serving individuals that are fine w/taking any goods or gains war and its injured bring, but you choose not to deal with nor accept the massive personal & emotional fallout & debris field war leaves behind. Frankly you should be ashamed of yourselves & I have no idea how you sleep at night knowing that you are stopping the hard work & efforts of a few that have the intestinal fortitude & desire to give life back to & improve the lives of others that have given everything for serving for our country. I am sure you are the first people to stand-up and proclaim your patriotism, guess again! You are setting you heck of an example for your children to follow. I hope you are proud of yourself, & God help you if anyone near & dear to you ever comes close to paying the price that our troops have. If such a tragedy ever shadows your life, then pray that you and yours get what you are taking from our troops in need...HOPE!
Godspeed Nadia, you are a testament to selflessness & motherhood, your friend always, hippy!

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written by amy , March 21, 2008
I cried when I read the website: http://www.veteransvillage.org/

In it three vets spoke of how they felt cast out by our own society, they felt forsaken. We should not have to make them feel that way, the problem is here and now, and how do we help them. Many are homeless as shown on the website,and numbers are rising, is that the way we want America to reward her family who served Her without a question?

I thought it bad in the trauma room, but this is worse, unresolved issues for the waiting, hurting vets. Let's save them for their future family members to get to know them and love them. I didn't have that chance with my uncle, I thought about his last thoughts when he took his life, must be the very same thing the three vets were feeling feeling forsaken by America. Help for him was not available at that time as well for many of the survivors.

Will your neighbors help them? Are you protecting her from questionable developers?
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 21, 2008
Mark Mondragon, If the building is already there and it most likely needs a lot of work but not condemnable why not allow the project to proceed?
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written by christte , March 21, 2008
Typical SONOMA WINE COUNTY SNOBS. They are a bunch of NIMBY's. They will tell you they support the troops, and support this, support that, but when push comes to shove its always the typical "not in my back yard".
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written by Mark Mondragon , March 21, 2008
MaybenotdumBcommenT:

The building as it stands now is not habitable, an engineered deflection wall needs to be built behind both structures or the hill side may come down on it’s occupants. This was just one of many reasons that the county PRMD red tagged the buildings.

The buildings use is still in question, as it’s suggested use violates the zoning laws, this issue will need to be cleared up as well. This is a four year old battle with the county about a developer that feels it is better to ask forgiveness than permission when dealing with code and zoning.

Amy:

Will we help? When the long standing issues have been addressed, I’m POSITIVE the neighborhood will do everything in its power to help Mrs. McCaffrey develop the best program possible.

Yes there are some concerns, some driven by fear of the unknown, some well founded program questions. These are issues that should be discussed with Mrs. McCaffrey when that time comes. We the distinct fortune of having several professionals in our neighborhood that have current and extensive experience in psychology and running homeless shelters for veterans and all others in need of assistance.


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written by julie selner , March 21, 2008
The neighbors sure have a great way of veiling their discomfort or better yet fear of vets with PTSD by saying their "battle" is with the County and they want to "save" Nadia McCaffrey from getting into the middle of something she shouldn't.

Having lived with one of "those" vets for over 25 years, I applaud Nadia for her hard work. I only wish some of the neighborhood "experts" on Merry Lane could live one week or even one day in the shoes of vets with PTSD or any other life altering problems resulting from war. Maybe then they will say, "There but by the grace of God go I!" and help instead of interfere with Nadia's efforts. My husband's PTSD was a result of service in Vietnam 30 years ago and will be with us the rest of his life. But we are blessed with loving, caring family, friends and NEIGHBORS who help him deal with his issues every day.

I personally would like to see the folks on Merry Lane asking themselves WWJD and be caring NEIGHBORS for the folks who will live in their neighborhood, as my husband's in Tracy have been for him.
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written by Mark Mondragon , March 21, 2008
Allow me to speak not as a member of the neighborhood, but as Mark, with all my life’s baggage.

I can never know what the veterans and their families have been through, I will not pretend to fully understand what internal battles they fight every day. I can only listen and try to grasp the depth of turmoil that each day brings.

I think about where my mind would go if I had been put through what they are going through every day. What a feeling of despair I would have… Friends lost, innocence lost, lost to my family, lost to myself…

I am not a veteran and have never served; the closet I have been to public service was caring for veterans while working at a veteran’s home. I do not fear veterans. I fear the unknown. I fear what will happen to my life under the redwood trees, how the character of my quite neighborhood will forever change. Yes I have self-interest in place I have called home for fourteen years, selfish? Perhaps… Perhaps these are concerns and questions you would be asking yourself if you were in my shoes.

It sure would be nice if everything were black and white… What I fear and what I know are often at odds with each other. I try to balance my fears with what I know in an attempt to make the right decision. The decision to fight the county over an unsafe and illegal building is the correct one and I make no apologies for it. How it ends up being used after these issues have been addressed is at this point a secondary concern. Do I want what’s best for our vets? I will settle for nothing less.

Say what you will, vent your frustration on the easy target... Those selfish NIMBY’S, those self engrossed people on Merry lane who only know how to take and never give back to those who have given so much.

Just know you may be too quick to judge, that just perhaps you don’t know the real people or what they give back to this community every day. And just perhaps you don’t know the whole story.

Think about it… just for a moment.
Mark-


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written by Andrew Eckers , March 21, 2008
maybenotdumBcommenT

You raise a good question. I will repeat it: "If the building is already there and it most likely needs a lot of work but not condemnable why not allow the project to proceed?"

Dear maybenotdumBcommenT; the developer controls other properties and if he gets away with this he will ruin this neighborhood more and maybe others. You can actually go to Sonoma County permit office and see that he has illegally obtained a setback reduction. The County let it slide. He also did not show propane tank location on his permit drawing and you can come and see it illegally close to the building and property lines.(coincidence?) The County let it slide. You can go to the county now and they might show you a note from the property owners saying that the property is a single-family home and it is not for veterans. The County has not let that slide yet since he has to file a use permit. We think he may be just using the veterans as a sympathy card, once he establishes high-density occupation for the building we think the veterans may be evicted. The developer has changed the ownership before, he can probably do it again nullifying any lease Veterans Village has. We do not want the veterans to be used.
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 21, 2008
Andrew, why do you think this was left out of the story? Tracy Press did you do your homework?
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written by Mark Mondragon , March 21, 2008
I know Andrew will want to answer your question as well. The simple fact is that we met with the Associated Press reporter for roughly an hour and a half. In that time we went over our history with the developer and this project and addressed some questions he had about concerns with Vets Village. What you read was a story sold by the AP to the Tracy Press as well as many other reporting agencies.

Long story short, this was not going to be an in depth piece, the reporter or his editors decided the slant of the story and what sound bites to use. Think about the timing, the fifth year anniversary of the war. This was supposed to be much more of a fluff piece. It was only a few days between the time of the interviews and the time of it’s release. I doubt they had the time inclination or resources to go in depth and check out the facts.

Mark

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written by Mark Mondragon , March 21, 2008
(correction) I doubt they had the time inclination or resources to go in depth and check out the facts(regarding the developer)
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 22, 2008
Thanks Mark. Definitively gives me something to chew on.
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written by amy , March 22, 2008
I appreciate your time to inform us more on these matters.

We do not want to give our vets substandard housing.

We do not want to place our vets in areas where their well being could be harmed.. landslide behind the house?

Lets not use the hurting vets as political pawns in this matter. Let's remember the vets on this 5th anniversary of this war, when we see one, let's stop and thank them. Let them see we do care.

I am reassured that you and your neighbors will help them after this four year dispute is settled and the housing for the vets meets all requirements to provide safe haven for them. I hope it will be settled soon and the house taken care of correctly. Shame on the county for letting this important matter slide many times, do they care about our vets? I thought they do?

Thank you. Amy
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written by Tracy 98 , March 22, 2008
I thought Guerneville residents would be more compassionate towards the vets. Their town is the biggest gay-lesbian community around. Also, is the building in the flood zone of the Russian River? That would be my main concern.
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 22, 2008
Tracy 98, and the comment about the town is the biggest gay-lesbian community around? What does that have to do with anything? Straight people are compassionate too you know. Is that what you meant?
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written by Andrew Eckers , March 22, 2008
To maybenotdumBcommenT

Mark anwered much of your question. The reporter is only looking at the parts of the story that he thinks will play to a national audience. He kept on needling us on 'unhinged veterans'(his words not mine) to the exclusion of other topics. Once he got us to say anything remotely anti-veteran he got his story. An example is where he quotes me as saying "one person was concerned that even firecrackers would set these people off". I chided that person for making that ridiculous comment at the time and I meant it as an unfortunate remark that our side had made. Yet the reporter chose that quote and it can be read as if I agree with it. The problems of Sonoma County planning and building codes are not going to interest readers in Tracy or Washington or anywhere else that the article was published. The reporter told us he was not interested in the developer. The reporter did not even understand planning issues very well; we had to explain him R1 zoning (R1 zoning is single-family residential in most towns and counties by the way) However; I think he might have missed the boat. Veterans and neighborhoods may be in similar situations throughout the U.S. If so, we would like to hear from you.
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written by Mark Mondragon , March 22, 2008
Well said Andrew.

We are not in a flood zone. The only access road that leads to Guerneville is th lowest point on the river and is the first to flood, this blocks all access in or out. If you have enough warning you need to decide if your in-or-out for the duration.

You had better have enough food and water on hand to last up to two weeks. Thats how long it took to get access again to the town of Guerneville, the first year I moved here. Most floods cut us off for two to three days, a couple of times a year. But if your not prepared for a big one, the Army Core of Engineers will need to pull you out on rescue boats.
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written by Tracy 98 , March 22, 2008
To maybenotdumBcommenT-Guerneville has dealt with alot of negativity & prejudice through the years. It surprises me with all they have been through they are objecting to the vets moving in.
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 22, 2008
Tracy 98, I guess you didn't read all the problems with the building and the developer. It is more then the vet's moving in.

So if they have dealt with a lot of negativity you wanted to add your 2 cents?
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written by h , March 23, 2008
Sure appreciated the concerns of the residence, safety factor seems to be the top priority, the developers, zoning board, and the county are to be blamed for the delays and not checking their triplicate forms!

Hope it will be a short term dispute. Vets cannot wait for their care.
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written by Hippi , March 23, 2008
Those that rather than reaching out to help their fellow man, especially our hurt & injured, cop out & play the NIMBY card, I feel sorry for you. Those standing in the way of Nadia McCaffrey's work, w/their selfish, greedy, & extremely insensitive behaviors are teaching their children that it is ok to remain uneducated & insensitive to the needs of, & to reject others less fortunate. You should be proud of denying your fellow human of needed help regardless of what ails them because it does not conform to your financial & fear based needs, wants, & desires. The fact you so easily say "Not in my backyard", & that you are completely willing & able to unemotionally deprive those Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, & Marines that have fought in our wars, of desperately needed care & help tells me you are in dire need of help yourself. Face it, you are self centered & self serving individuals that are fine w/taking any goods or gains war and its injured bring, but you choose not to deal with nor accept the massive personal & emotional fallout & debris field war leaves behind. Frankly you should be ashamed of yourselves & I have no idea how you sleep at night knowing that you are stopping the hard work & efforts of a few that have the intestinal fortitude & desire to give life back to & improve the lives of others that have given everything for serving for our country. I am sure you are the first people to stand-up and proclaim your patriotism, guess again! You are setting one heck of an example for your children to follow. I hope you are proud of yourself, & God help you if anyone near & dear to you ever comes close to paying the price that our troops have. If such a tragedy ever shadows your life, then pray that you and yours get what you are taking from our troops in need...HOPE!
Godspeed Nadia, you are a testament to selflessness & motherhood!



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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 24, 2008
Seems like a good tongue lashing HIPPI, but we have to consider what Mark and Andrew have told us. I for one understand what they are saying, Hippi, do you live there? Because you would easily be able to check all this info out about the developer but I see no reason why they would lie about what is really happening here. There are a lot of, "not in my backyard" attitudes for any type of group homes. Hopefully this will get resolved but there are laws to be followed. Looks like you didn't read all the comments Hippi, because I learned more from what I read.
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written by Corinne , March 25, 2008
I don't know how the people who live on or near Merry Lane can sleep at night. Apparently it's ok for these men and women to go to Iraq and fight for you and your country. And then you want then to fade away, I think if anyone has a right to live there it's the veterans who have earned the right ! You can not put a dollars and cents price of giving your life and your health for other Americans. Instead of fighting for your beautiful view, you should be doing everything in your power to assist in helping these veterans and Nadia Mccaffrey with this mission. If you don't like the buildings then raise money and build some to your liking.
Don't cut out the help these veterans need and deserve. This has to be one of the most selfish acts I've ever read about. The ones fighting this should be ashamed, I for one do not think of you as Americans but as traitors.
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written by H.M. , March 25, 2008
Ms. McCaffrey,

I just read thee article on ap news about the complex in California being protested against, for lack of a better term. I feel what you are doing is a true blessing for our soldiers who so freely give their lives for our country. I find nothing more disgusting than a group of people who feel these men, and women are good enough for defending our country at any cost, yet they don’t want to deal with the after affects. My husband was in special forces fifth group for many years, and has dealt with ptsd for all of those years. It is truly a horrific trauma for these veterans who have given so much, and asked for so little!!!! We as a family want you to know we offer our support in any way. I recently found out I am terminal, however, I am hoping I have some good time left in me, and what I do, I offer in any way I can!!!!! Thank you for all your work. H M

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 25, 2008
I want to have this place be a great place for the veteran's. Is the hill really going to slide possibly someday. Is this building up to code. Ms McCaffrey, I hope this all gets straightened out. I would not want further trauma brought on to our heroes if this house does not meet standards for people to live in. It is easy to say go for it but you all obviously haven't been thru a make over for a house and this sounds like a big one. Just building a home of your own, like I did, took over a year because of every single little detail, down to the hinges on the doors. You don't realize how hard this could be. I would bet there are problems that haven't even shown up yet. Maybe another place would be more suitable. One with less problems to fix. The people of this town live there and seem to know what they are talking about and have done their homework. I think it's time to move on and quite wasting time. It's a pretty picture, thats all. Look more closely and reread Mark and Andrews statements. It makes sense. If you know anyone in the business of building like I do then this sounds like a mess.
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written by Compassion , March 25, 2008
DO GOOD ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and
some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa

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written by Compassion , March 25, 2008
written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 25, 2008
I want to have this place be a great place for the veteran's. Is the hill really going to slide possibly someday. Is this building up to code. Ms McCaffrey, I hope this all gets straightened out. I would not want further trauma brought on to our heroes if this house does not meet standards for people to live in. It is easy to say go for it but you all obviously haven't been thru a make over for a house and this sounds like a big one. Just building a home of your own, like I did, took over a year because of every single little detail, down to the hinges on the doors. You don't realize how hard this could be. I would bet there are problems that haven't even shown up yet. Maybe another place would be more suitable. One with less problems to fix. The people of this town live there and seem to know what they are talking about and have done their homework. I think it's time to move on and quite wasting time. It's a pretty picture, thats all. Look more closely and reread Mark and Andrews statements. It makes sense. If you know anyone in the business of building like I do then this sounds like a mess.

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written by M. T. , March 25, 2008
Response to maybenotdumBcommenT:
I live near Guerneville, I am aware of the project. Sorry to say, but it does not seems like you are very caring in any ways or for any one (and certainly not our veterans!) but yourself, you should be helping, not opposing...
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 25, 2008
Compassion, what is your point?

M.T. I could ring your neck with an inconsiderate comment like that. My Father served in the Korean War, bombs landing all around his ship. My Father-in-law in WWII and the Korean War, he was a gunner on a plane. Remember WWII, Atomic Bomb. My brothers were in the Vietnam War, one got the privilege to drop the unlucky kids of the beach to be slaughtered and he knew it. My best friend and her Fiance were in the Vietnam war. My only son in the army during the Bosnia war. My son-in-law is in special forces, sharp shooter and always graduating at the top of his class and we never know where he is and my nephew served two years in Iraq, he is now 100% disabled. The child I raised that was not mine is still in Afghanistan, has been for years. Last but not least my spouse served 24 years in the army and air force. Three of my relatives have PTSD, Bi-poler and schizophrenia caused by the war. The 1000's of people they had to kill, they risked their lives for your a$$, which sounds like it's not worth it.
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written by Marine1 , March 26, 2008
Living in my car, unemployed with no support and no treatment or living in a peaceful home with fellow veterans who support me and having peace and quiet for a period of time ... all against the risk of a few "code" issues and a "possible" hill slide ...

Get serious. The risks and "code violations" are a daily diet in Iraq and the Stans.

EXCUSES EXCUSES EXCUSES ....

S**t or get off the pot.

Welcome the vets and love them like your own. Waiver the "code" and "hillslide" BS and all that and let's start healing these men and women NOW.

Make the situation better. Find solutions, not reasons to stop this project.

With all our resources and will, G-Ville and the rest of us can find a way to make it work.

JUST DO IT.

Semper Fidelis,

a Marine
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 26, 2008
While I respect you, you are a Marine and you know your job well. Having a building up to code is for your protection. Let the civilians do their job so you can be safe again. I couldn't do yours. It is not an excuse and they can't make exceptions. If you give it to one, they all want it. They are following the law. It is why you fought for Iraq in the first place. I agree, get the job done. It is possible that the hopes got up on this piece of property that is not suitable when there are more that are readily available to make into a recovery home right now for less cost and hassle. You deserve better then this. There is more behind this then we are told. I can almost guarantee it with my experience in this. It's a Get off the pot issue here. I believe that no. They are stuck on this and may get it going but it will take a long time to fix it up for our heroes to live in. You can not live in a substandard house. You deserve a castle really, but a home is what you want.
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written by M. T. , March 26, 2008
To Mark Mondragon, Andrew Ekers and maybenotdumBcomment:
Get a life!!!!!!!!!
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 27, 2008
m.t. get a life...blah blah blah.
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written by Old Bill , March 27, 2008
This sounds very much to like, "not in my backyard" mentality. Are these residents of Guerneville opposing Veterans Village expecting us to believe that they are actually looking out for these veterans by standing in the way of help ? Are they seriously afraid of men and women who are suffering and in need of compassion? It is plain as day they care only for themselves and will go to any lengths to stop veterans Village from opening. It's much easier to hide in the hills and ignore the realities of this war. Someone needs to stop these selfish no good nicks. Are there no people involved with building inspection with a child in Iraq? A brother ? Someone needs to step forward and get to the bottom of this debacle. This appears to be a very small selfish group, standing in the way of help and hope for many vets today and down the road. Please people, think past the end of your nose.
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 28, 2008
Old Bill. You're right about one thing, Someone needs to get to the bottom of this and since this is not in OUR backyard I'm believing more and more that we can not judge this town if we don't live there. We don't know the name of this developer and if it was in our backyard we would be screaming about it too. There have been some people trying to put group homes in Tracy and they were chased right out. Same story different location.
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written by M. T. , March 28, 2008
Bravo Old Bill, sadly enough it is my understanding that the community welcomes the veterans' project except for 5 people who have nothing better to do. There is another building standing next to it, same size, there was no dispute before the veterans village was mentioned....think about it! other apartment building are standing also not far from the project pretty much of the same size, no protests there!

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , March 29, 2008
M.T. If it is your understanding is it true, should we take your word for it?
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written by Andrew Eckers , March 31, 2008
M.T. You are wrong on all counts. I have objected to both buildings you are talking about LONG before Veterans Village was proposed. I along with other neighbors have written letters and spoken to our district supervisor, the board of supervisors and various people in the planning department. Both buildings were built by the same developer. If only 5 people in Guerneville are opposed to such overbuilt developments is it not a remarkable coincidence that those 5 people happen to live in the same neighborhood? Both buildings have been turned down as nursing homes and it is unlikely that they will be accepted as group housing for veterans as well. My opposition to the buildings is genuine.
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written by Old Bill , March 31, 2008
written by Andrew Eckers , March 31, 2008
M.T. You are wrong on all counts. I have objected to both buildings you are talking about LONG before Veterans Village was proposed. I along with other neighbors have written letters and spoken to our district supervisor, the board of supervisors and various people in the planning department. Both buildings were built by the same developer. If only 5 people in Guerneville are opposed to such overbuilt developments is it not a remarkable coincidence that those 5 people happen to live in the same neighborhood? Both buildings have been turned down as nursing homes and it is unlikely that they will be accepted as group housing for veterans as well. My opposition to the buildings is genuine.
What are you saying ? Exactly. why are you so against helping people ? Exactly ?
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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , April 01, 2008
Old Bill, did you read the comments Andrew left. It is for R1 zoning, single family dwellings. Make an exception for one and everyone will expect it. Get sued, etc.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 March 2008 )