By: PAUL EAKINS - Staff Writer | ∞
About a hundred people joined the Salvation Army and Interfaith Community Services for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night out front of Escondido City Hall in support of their request to open an emergency winter shelter, on which the city council will vote Wednesday.
ESCONDIDO -- Escondido needs healing, Mel Takahara told a crowd of about 75 people whose faces were lit by the glow of candles Tuesday evening on the steps of City Hall.
Takahara, the program director for Escondido's Salvation Army, led the small crowd in a prayer vigil organized by community activists to show support for the organization's effort to open an emergency winter shelter.
Officials of the Salvation Army and Interfaith Community Services say they plan to ask the Escondido City Council this afternoon for permission to open a climate-activated shelter in its gymnasium, three weeks after the council rejected a similar request.
"I'm calling us to pray for those who are without shelter, those who are homeless, hungry, despairing," Takahara told the group.
Before the vigil began, Takahara said the event wasn't meant so much to get the council's attention, but to get God's attention.
"We know our city is in need of prayer," Takahara said. "The folks who are out there, cold in the city, are in need of prayer. Our council is in need of prayer."
If approved, the shelter would open only when temperatures drop below 40 degrees or there is rain, Salvation Army officials have said. It would be located at the Salvation Army at 1301 Las Villas Way, near the intersection of Centre City and El Norte parkways, and would operate through March 15, according to the city council meeting agenda.
No city funds would be used for the shelter.
When the request was made Dec. 20, every council member but Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler opposed opening the shelter, citing concerns that an additional shelter would attract more homeless people to Escondido and that the city was doing more than its fair share to help the homeless of North County.
However, this week Councilman Dick Daniels said he would support the request, and Councilman Sam Abed said he would consider allowing the shelter to operate for a shorter time, perhaps up to 30 days. Council members Marie Waldron and Ed Gallo have said they are unlikely to approve the Salvation Army's request.
After the council's initial decision, the organization found a way to open its shelter for a time by becoming part of a regional winter shelter sponsored by area churches that rotates among North County communities. However, Sunday night was the last night the rotational shelter was scheduled to be in Escondido before moving to Poway.
The council also is expected to vote today on whether to authorize the city's participation in a North County task force on the homeless and to solicit participation in the task force from other North County cities. The council meets at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 201 N. Broadway.
During the candlelight vigil, community members and church leaders led the group in prayer with several Bible passages.
Among those at the vigil was Elisa Calzada, a retired social worker who has worked with the homeless. She said she couldn't believe it when the council rejected the request to open a shelter last month.
"It's absolutely incredible that they would have done such a thing," said Calzada, of Escondido. "The generalizations of how they characterize the homeless shows how ignorant they actually are."
Several people from outside Escondido also were at the vigil, including Rachel Wolfe of San Marcos.
Wolfe said she supports the idea of finding a regional solution to sheltering the homeless and said the city of San Marcos should do more as well. However, she said Escondido's city leaders shouldn't be so heartless.
"It's a humanitarian issue," Wolfe said. "There are people on the streets and we've been having cold snaps."
-- Contact staff writer Paul Eakins at (760) 740-5420 or peakins@nctimes.com.
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Thank You Escondido wrote on Jan 9, 2007 10:37 PM:Thank you to all of you who attended the vigil; now we know that we have God's support. Remember, ask and it shall be given unto you. Last night we asked and we know he is faithful and he will give tender hearts to our city council. With all our hearts, Angela and Danny
Escondeeter wrote on Jan 10, 2007 12:17 AM:Nice. 'Ignorant', 'heartless', 'cold hearted', 'in need of prayer'. All phrases used by those who are constantly lecturing us about "the evil" of being judgmental.
Back to Sunday school: wrote on Jan 10, 2007 4:26 AM: Perhaps Takahara's has a problem in that he is not paying attention to God. "Takahara said the event wasn't meant so much to get the council's attention, but to get God's attention," when God notes the fall of a single sparrow. I am sure God is already aware of the homeless problem in Escondido and Takahara should be aware of that also. Escondido seems to like the homeless - the city welcomes them with open arms, and with our weather nobody will freeze if a little care is taken. Of course the activities and attitudes toward the homeless, good and bad, are noted also.
Ron wrote on Jan 10, 2007 5:14 AM:What an absolute waste of time... you stood on the steps and lit candles in protest. If you wanted God's attention, you would have been out handing out sandwich's and blankets. But these people are more interested in news cameras, than God's eye. Don't be fooled. You could have had your "vigil" tonight right before the city council meeting, then attend the council meeting to also voice your "concern." What a bunch of Bull
Ben wrote on Jan 10, 2007 5:30 AM:To say the shelter is free to the city is a myth! Everyone knows that an influx of homeless people brings and influx of problems to both the city services and the business owners in the city. The homeless have very little or no concern for taking care of their enviroment. They leave their trash and waste where ever they desire. If a restroom is not available they will use an alley or whatever to releive themselves. They do not care about business owners who work hard everyday to keep their businesses clean and open for the public. All of these issues cause additional costs on the city, the businesses and the public. So on the surface the idea of a "free" shelter is nice it is not the truth! You never see cities like La Jolla dealing with these issues because people like the Salvation Army and the Interfaith Council know better then to approach them with these kinds of proposals! So in the end, it is a small middle class city like Escondido that get the bad reputation even though it is not deserved! All of you supporters of the homeless shelters should try to see all sides of a story before you condemn! And the NCT should also try to report the whole story so that the public is aware of all of the issues.
bryan wrote on Jan 10, 2007 8:53 AM:Escondido cannot be the dumping ground for entire san diego county. Escondido already has over 1000 homeless beds as other north county city has none. Escondido has 30,000 illegals, has the highest rates of crime and gangs in california, has the highest rates of hit and run accidents, has the largest amounts of low income apartments. Pray all you want but praying isnt going to change the facts. This city cannot handle this preasure.
How Dare You wrote on Jan 10, 2007 9:21 AM:How dare you people condemn this most generous of all the local cities publicly and to God. This is political and self-serving. This city council gave you good reasons for their decision and you have no respect. If you really care for the homeless, use your vast wealth and put them up in hotels or rent a gymnasium in Poway. When you pray, pray in your closets, privately; unlike the Pharisees.
Mark wrote on Jan 10, 2007 9:49 AM:Escondido prays for the homeless. Oh, give me a break. You better pray for your whole city. Between the illegals, all the homeless, and your mayor you are in big trouble.
Why not wrote on Jan 10, 2007 12:25 PM:Vista, San Marcos, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, why Escondido?
Amen Mark! wrote on Jan 10, 2007 12:48 PM:I think we should start having fund raisers to raise money to run these people out of our town!
And the next vigil is...where? wrote on Jan 10, 2007 4:56 PM:Why didn't they pray for the other North County cities who don't do nearly as much for the homeless as Escondido does? They need those prayers more than this city does. They are the ones who haven't opened their hearts nor their pocketbooks!
Tem. D wrote on Jan 10, 2007 9:37 PM:Right on Mark! Amen Mark took the word right out of my mouth!
Doug wrote on Jan 10, 2007 9:42 PM:The people who use the shelters are from Escondido, they need help, and there are people here willing to help them. Thank goodness there are people who still care in Escondido, as there have been for all the 43 years of my life in Escondido.
Disappointed wrote on Jan 10, 2007 11:06 PM:Recall one or all of the three "concerned" council members. Poverty and anything related to it, like homelesses is an unacceptable condition if you reside in the city limits. Actions speak louder than words. What's next, run nonprofits out of town that "keep" the poor here? Sounds like discrimination to me.
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