An Update Regarding the Homeless vs. City of McMinnville, OR

I want to take time to thank you all and let you know that by signing and leaving comments on this petition YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. With over 900 signatures in a matter of days the media has responded to this petition. The city has not had a formal response to the petition, but has responded via McMinnville, Oregon’s local newspaper. Let's go viral! Keep the momentum growing by sharing the petition via e-mail and social media. Here’s the link: https://www.change.org/p/city-of-mcminnville-and-mcminnville-police-department-do-not-evict-the-homeless-from-sleeping-on-church-property-especially-in-the-winter Also consider attending the Vigil on Monday, December 22nd at 7 p.m.! The Vigil will take place at 7 p.m. at McMinnville Cooperative Ministries in McMinnville, OR. You can also show your support by joining the Facebook event online at: https://www.facebook.com/events/354881021358996/ The church received an e-mail disputing the information I have provided in this petition. Now to clear a few things up. The city has provided inconsistent information. Here’s a direct quote from the letter given to the pastors of the church from the Chief of Police Matt Scales, “I feel it is appropriate for me to warn you of the potential jeopardy to your property that your tenants are creating, and if the criminal activity does not stop, I will have no option but to recommend to our City leaders that we proceed with declaring the property as a Chronic Nuisance property…As such, I am requesting that the current use of the property for housing purposes stop immediately, and that the tent structures be removed. Please understand that failure to comply with this request may result in an issuance of a citation to appear in Municipal Court. If found guilty, a fine of up to $500 for each day of the offense may be imposed by the Court.” This letter is signed by Matt Scales, the Chief of Police and Doug Montgomery, the Planning Director of the city of McMinnville. In the newspaper article from 12/16/2014 issue of the Yamhill County News Register the City Attorney Candace Haines stated, “We have a chronic nuisance here.” We don’t think that homeless people or those who shelter them should be called a nuisance. Do you? The Church responded by releasing this statement, see: http://mac-coop.org/a-note-from-your-pastors/ , addressing concerns about providing better shelter and services with their limited resources. They have expressed a sincere desire to find a way forward, however the City has deemed this “their” issue. Keep telling the City of McMinnville, OR that it is a shared responsibility and ask them to chip in to find solutions. Share this petition with your friends, family, and networks. This isn’t just a local issue to Oregon. Help raise awareness across the country! We’re standing for human dignity and justice. Stand with us this holiday season. Thanks, Jennifer