Buzzsaw Checkerling
2018-04-09 14:31:46 UTC
by Travis Fedschun
April 9, 2018
Fox News
Residents of the mega tent "mansion" homeless encampment near Seattle's
famed Space Needle are bragging about the practicality of their new
digs, taunting local politicians: "If you can live on the street and
not pay rent, then why would you pay rent?"
The recently constructed camp is located on a small patch of grass on
Third Avenue and Broad Street, about a half-block from the Space Needle
and surrounded by multi-million dollar high-rise condos.
"It is a form of protest," Melissa Burns, one of the "mansion"
dwellers, told Q13 News. "We're staking a claim. We're refusing to
cower in our tents."
Seattle has been under siege by an exploding homeless population since
at least 2015, when ex-Mayor Ed Murray declared a "state of emergency"
over the crisis. The city has struggled to play catch-up and is now
beset with shelters at capacity and illegal encampments, such as the
Space Needle "mansion."
Burns recently moved to the new camp with others after the city forced
the group out of a nearby park.
"We've got the doors, the couch, the table," she said. "We've got the
living room here, which is a mess right now because we're still
constructing, but we're putting up the vinyl to cover it up, make it
more attractive."
Burns said the sprawling abode is made of tents, wood pallets, chairs,
umbrellas, tarps and whatever else people can put together. She
conceded it's not a "discreet" construction.
"Some people are cheering us on, and some people are really angry about
it," she said.
A city spokesperson told Q13 News officials have inspected the site,
and will continue to monitor and evaluate it. Mental health teams are
also working with Seattle officials to figure out if theres any way to
convince the people living in the camp to go somewhere else.
Spokesman Will Lemke added the city has no immediate plans to remove
the camp, but that may change in the future if there is a problem or
safety concern.
"It's certainly an eyesore. But I don't think they have a lot of
options," Lou Bequette, who works downtown, told Q13 News. "So, I guess
they gotta do what they gotta do."
Buzzsaw: I visited the "Space Needle" about 10 years ago... I wouldn't
dream about going back there now. This is a shame. "Cali" is going
downhill fast.
______________
"Pay no attention to what that liberal liar behind the curtain says as
long as that piece of shit's lips are moving."
April 9, 2018
Fox News
Residents of the mega tent "mansion" homeless encampment near Seattle's
famed Space Needle are bragging about the practicality of their new
digs, taunting local politicians: "If you can live on the street and
not pay rent, then why would you pay rent?"
The recently constructed camp is located on a small patch of grass on
Third Avenue and Broad Street, about a half-block from the Space Needle
and surrounded by multi-million dollar high-rise condos.
"It is a form of protest," Melissa Burns, one of the "mansion"
dwellers, told Q13 News. "We're staking a claim. We're refusing to
cower in our tents."
Seattle has been under siege by an exploding homeless population since
at least 2015, when ex-Mayor Ed Murray declared a "state of emergency"
over the crisis. The city has struggled to play catch-up and is now
beset with shelters at capacity and illegal encampments, such as the
Space Needle "mansion."
Burns recently moved to the new camp with others after the city forced
the group out of a nearby park.
"We've got the doors, the couch, the table," she said. "We've got the
living room here, which is a mess right now because we're still
constructing, but we're putting up the vinyl to cover it up, make it
more attractive."
Burns said the sprawling abode is made of tents, wood pallets, chairs,
umbrellas, tarps and whatever else people can put together. She
conceded it's not a "discreet" construction.
"Some people are cheering us on, and some people are really angry about
it," she said.
A city spokesperson told Q13 News officials have inspected the site,
and will continue to monitor and evaluate it. Mental health teams are
also working with Seattle officials to figure out if theres any way to
convince the people living in the camp to go somewhere else.
Spokesman Will Lemke added the city has no immediate plans to remove
the camp, but that may change in the future if there is a problem or
safety concern.
"It's certainly an eyesore. But I don't think they have a lot of
options," Lou Bequette, who works downtown, told Q13 News. "So, I guess
they gotta do what they gotta do."
Buzzsaw: I visited the "Space Needle" about 10 years ago... I wouldn't
dream about going back there now. This is a shame. "Cali" is going
downhill fast.
______________
"Pay no attention to what that liberal liar behind the curtain says as
long as that piece of shit's lips are moving."