Homeless Can’t Catch a Break With WPB Mayor.
As readers are aware Judge August Bonavita, ruled against the City of West Palm Beach’s law limiting food giveaways to the homeless, and the city has moved in a new direction since the court ruling.
Martina Tate Walker applied for a permit to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. The permit was issued with a $50.00 fee. Since the ruling no permit or fee required. Ms. Walker can feed the homeless without fear of arrest.
I have attended the feeding for months on a Saturday afternoon to observe and police the area for any trash that may have been left behind. Here is what I noticed on Saturday Nov,11, 2023 on the Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square Park, also referred to as the Great Lawn.
Before FNB arrived a police officer and a PSC Security Guard appeared and questioned the homeless people who had arrived for a hot meal. Both left the area as they arrived–alone.
If you take the time to speak to a homeless person many will tell you the same thing, they don’t trust the police, and PSC security are worse. The homeless call them “bumble bees” because of their black and yellow uniforms. I am told by many they harass them, confiscate their few belongings never to be seen again.
At the great lawn there are many electric outlets where the homeless, and other residents, charge their cell phones. This Saturday I arrived to see locks on the outlets. In my opinion officials of WPB have lost their compassion, along with their souls. If the police want to aid the homeless do what Fort Lauderdale has done. Approach the homeless with a former homeless person, who actually has been helped. I understand they will listen to them before the police.
Repeat a lie enough times it becomes the truth.
People park on the tracks to commit suicide by Brightline trains doing 125MPH. Google says the most common way is firearms, hanging, or poisoning. No mention of trains.
At a recent SENA (South End Neighborhood Association) meeting a high-ranking police official told approximately 200 in attendance “the police dept. will have zero tolerance for the homeless” If that remark weren’t bad enough, the applause was deafening. I guess that means the homeless will not be served and protected.
Jennifer Ferriol, Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of West Palm Beach, told the crowd “Plans were in the works to change the Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square Park, from a public park to a private park. There was mention of a third party leasing the land and maybe build something for kids. In other words, feeding the homeless, or the homeless sit on a bench can be arrested for trespassing” A No Trespassing sign will be erected. City so anxious to keep the homeless away from City Hall chained the sign on a tree right outside the courtyard, near Salento coffee shop. No class.
At another meeting the same official told the crowd the homeless have banned together to form a “gang” B.S.
The same official who I rode with and was shown Curry Park where a few of the homeless call home. told me they walked the street all night because of the abuse they received at night. It is safer to sleep in the daytime when the sun is out and the cowards don’t have the darkness to hide behind.
WPB won’t learn from Fort Lauderdale
“The City of Fort Lauderdale has been sued over the treatment of homeless people. In June 2017, ten homeless individuals sued the City after it seized and destroyed property from a homeless encampment in a downtown park.”
“Fort Lauderdale first won its case at a lower court, then lost on appeal. Back at the lower court, Fort Lauderdale won again, then lost a second time on appeal when a three-judge panel ruled the city had violated the First Amendment rights of Food Not Bombs activists”
“After 7 Years, Anti-War Group That Fed the Hungry Wins Fight With Fort Lauderdale” Please take the time to read the story below and read the outcome of officials.
Stet Media Group
Stet Media Group, an independent news source, has written a story on WPB and Homeless. and can be read below. Stet Media Group is an independent source of news, who depend on donations. If possible, can you help?
“Judge strikes down West Palm food-sharing rules”
Apparently Stet Media contacted the city for a response “A city spokesperson told Stet that the city does not comment on pending litigation.”
So, it’s not over. The city will appeal, and back to court to continue to punish the homeless and the people who try to help. It’s only taxpayer money being wasted, no problem for city leaders.
The end–for now.
Judge Rules Amendment Unconstitutional
CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH vs. NICHOLAS CUBIDES, CARLY TAYLOR PRINZO, JACOB ROBBINS, MADELINE MATKIVICH.
ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO DISMISS AS TO ALL DEFENDANTS
(Cancels 11.13.23 Trial)
County Court Judge AUGUST A. BONAVITA ruled on Nov.6, 2023.
The first 3 names Cubides, Prinzo and Robbins are all members of FNB (Food Not Bombs) and have feed the homeless at the Centennial Fountain at Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square on the 100 block of N. Clematis Street every Saturday afternoon for the past 16 years, without a problem until Keith James was elected Mayor, and in my opinion declared war on the homeless. He could not accomplish this without the aid of the 5 City Commissioners who voted for the Amendment.
Public Defenders:
I was represented by Attorney’s Taylor Overman and Julie Finston from the Public Defender’s office.
I first met Taylor Overman and she is the one that kept me sane throughout the ordeal, assuring me she would do her best to have the charges dismissed. Before the hearing we met and she asked questions and I responded with answers on why I attended the feedings when I was not a member of FNB.
I explained my reasons, and at the hearing she asked the questions, and I gave my answers. Judge Bonavita listened, and asked questions of the attorneys. Taylor Overman is a woman who keeps her word. She also mentioned another attorney Julie Finston, who would assist with my defense.
Julie Finston did the oral argument portion of the motion to dismiss the case, and she cited case law and explained how they applied to my situation. She spoke with passion and did an outstanding job. How did I get so lucky to draw these two women?
New West Palm Beach Law Says Homeless Can’t Disturb City’s “Aesthetic Beauty”
https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/west-palm-beach-passes-anti-homeless-panhandling-ban-11787350
What is the true meaning of compassion?
Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.
Why I love dogs.
Dogs are non- judgmental. They don’t care about Aesthetic Beauty. They care about us and enjoy our company, especially when they know they are loved in return. A dog doesn’t care if your homeless and living on the streets, they will lie beside you in the heat and cold and will share you’re hunger. They know even if your different you deserved to be loved, and their loyalty and devotion prove the fact. Please notice the bowls. If the homeless man eats, his beloved companion eats, then they rest together.
Martina Tate Walker
Ms. Walker, an Ordained Minister, who has aided the homeless over the years has applied to the City of WPB for permits to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. The city has approved her permit for Thanksgiving Day, the others are pending.
If you recognize her name, you are aware she ran for City Commission seat in District I, now held by Commissioner Cathleen Ward. She is running again in 2024 to challenge Ward for her seat on the dais. Here’s what I know about her.
She has no money to hire a Political Consultant. Ms. Ward is one of the Rick Asnani, Cornerstone 5 so money for yard signs, political fliers and annoying robocalls asking us to choose Ward over Walker won’t be a problem.
I don’t know what kind of Commissioner Walker would make, but I know what kind of Commissioner we have in Ward, and I’m looking for change. If you are also looking for change, please send a contribution to Martina Tate Walker at 3209 N. Australian Ave. WPB Fl. 33407. I would like to see yard signs with Walker’s name on it. Make checks payable to Martina Tate Walker Campaign Fund.
PS Mayor Keith James. Now that the court has ruled your Amendment as Unconstitutional, did the city charge Ms. Walker the $50.00 permit fee?
In closing I want to thank my two attorneys Taylor Overman and Julie Finston along with Judge Bonavita. Most importantly Thank God, who gave me the strength and will to see this through with the outcome He wanted. If you fight God, you will always lose. For some reason I kept going back to the Judges name, not knowing why. Then I noticed the last four letters in his name. vita. How’s negotiations going with Vita Lounge to manage the Sunset Lounge?
Judge’s ruling below. Page’s 6 and 7 contain FNB and my testimony why we do what we do.
Judge rules unconstitutional against WPB
The end!