Sanford allows use of city logo on homeless information card

Sanford allows use of city logo on homeless information card
by Rachel Delinski, Herald Staff

Sanford commissioners this week gave permission to a social-service agency to print the city’s logo on a homeless information card that a group wants to hand out.

Commissioners last week were set to deny the request after a discussion during a work session determined the logo’s use may create somewhat of a liability for the city. Staffers recommended the city deny the use of the logo because the card was not financially sponsored by the city.

In anticipation of their decision, Trace Trylko, chairman of the Seminole Action Coalition – Serving Our Needy, requested that the commission continue the item until he was given a chance to make a formal presentation. The commission agreed, and allowed SACSON time to prepare a presentation on why the city should allow use of the logo.

The card lists information important to homeless people in the community: lodging and counseling, healthcare, clothing, utility assistance and food or meals.

Bettie Sonnenberg, a member of SACSON working to produce the cards, said in a previous interview with the Herald, “It would be nice if we could have the logo because it would show that there is some sort of support to break that cycle of homelessness.”

Trylko argued the same position during his presentation.

“Yes, this project can and will go forward, with or without that logo,” he said. “The bigger point is this community coming together behind a pro-active project that begins to address the growing number of homeless people in our community.”

But commissioners indicated they had already made their minds up. Assistant city attorney Lonnie Groot suggested during last week’s discussion that the commission should not allow use of the logo. Commissioner Jack Bridges even told Trylko he would not approve the logo use.

“I like to vote on facts, not emotions. If you ever see a statue of Lady Justice she is blindfolded. She’s not supposed to see emotions. She’s supposed to see facts,” he said. “Tell me why the city’s logo on this card is going to make a difference.”

Trylko responded: “I think the fact is the city’s logo on this card would send a clear message to this community that the city leaders, such as yourself, are interested in working with the community to address the issue of homelessness.”

Trylko also turned around Bridges’ request for “facts,” asking what the commission had done to help the homelessness issue in Sanford. No response was given to his question.

Bridges argued that it was the moral and emotional duty of the commission to provide information to the homeless, but it was not a factual requirement.

Trylko said: “It could be argued that a role of government is the dissemination of information to its citizens.”

Throughout the discussion, Bridges also said use of the logo by an unsponsored entity would set a precedent, and the city may have to allow others to use it from now on. Trylko suggested the city may not be as concerned about precedent as stated, citing the city’s sponsorship of Hopper Academy for $7,500 just two weeks ago. He said if the commission was really concerned about precedent, then SACSON should receive a sponsorship also.

After much discussion, Mayor Linda Kuhn suggested the commissioners grant use of the logo, but only for a temporary period. After that period, SACSON would need to come back to the commission and give another presentation about the success of the card.

Commissioner Velma Williams said she agreed with this approach because while she did not believe the commission had an obligation to help the homeless directly, she did think commissioners should support organizations that are helping the homeless.

Commissioner Art Woodruff agreed, and suggested the commission grant use for one year, or to print up to 1,000 cards, whichever comes first. The group would have to make another request to continue using the logo.

Even Bridges, who said he would vote against the idea, said he could work with the compromise.

Despite the commission’s initial hesitation, all approved the item under the terms of the compromise, allowing the use of the city’s logo on SACSON’s information card.

ID program helps provide dignity to 150

by Rachel Delinski, Herald Staff

Teresa Butler just learned how to correctly spell her name.

For years, Butler had no form of identification so she always spelled her name as Theresa, with an H. But thanks to an IDignity event held Thursday at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Sanford, Teresa for the first time was able to get a copy of her birth certificate, a Florida ID card and Social Security card, all at the same place in one day for free.

From the new identification, determined through a computer check of birth records, she found out her name was spelled Teresa. “It’s a blessing I could do this,” said Butler.

Click anywhere to read the full story or go to: http://mysanfordherald.com/pages/full_story/push?article-ID+program+helps+provide+dignity+to+150%20&id=4243981-ID+program+helps+provide+dignity+to+150&instance=news_page

The Sanford Herald: City logo recap

City logo

After a request by a local organization was made to use the city’s logo, interim city manager Tom George brought up the city’s current logo, and use of it, during the work session.

George said a request from Seminole Action Coalition – Serving Our Needy (SACSON) prompted the discussion.

SACSON was requesting to use the logo on the front of a homeless information card, which would list valuable resources in the city, such as free meals and clothing, for homeless individuals.

While commissioners said they supported the cause, they were leery of allowing the group to use the logo. Commissioner Jack Bridges said if the group was to be sued over the card, the city may have to prove it did not financially support or sponsor the card.

Assistant city attorney said, “It [the logo use] doesn’t create a liability, but it does create a target.”

During the regular meeting, commissioners tabled the request after SACSON chairman Trace Trylko asked them to. He said the group would like to make a formal presentation to the commission before a decision is made.

Reminder: IDignity in Orlando is tomorrow …

and SACSON members/Sanford IDignity volunteers, we’re asking that all of you attend at least one IDignity event in Orlando prior to the next one we have in Sanford so you’ll continue to learn the process.

Thursday June 25th, 2009

The Orlando Union Rescue Mission
410 W. Central Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32801
(407-423-3596)

Time:

Intake is from 8 AM till 1 PM

Volunteering is from 7 AM till 3:30 PM

For consideration: Family Promise

Dear “SACSON” friends,

I’m excited about something…
I just met someone from Jacksonville who is working through  her church in a ministry called “Family Promise.” This is acustomer of mine who works in medical diagnostics for a \physician up there.
Family Promise partners with 17 churches in the area and these take turns to temporarily house up to 7 homeless families with up to 28 total people at any given time.The churches take turns to have these folks stay in their Sunday School rooms or other facilities for a week at a time.
They have a van for transporting families. They have a couple of people and a small office where they process intake applications and qualify the people. No drug addicts are allowednor anyone with serious mental illness.  The participants are not allowed to drink alcohol while in the program.
One volunteer spends the night a ta the facility each night.It is not a heavy burden on each church because they only need to do this week once every 17 weeks.
The participants are given a cooked breakfast, packed lunches and then a warm dinner each day, all prepared by volunteers.
These people have EXPERIENCE.  If we wanted to implement a similar ministry in Seminole County we would learn from their experience and they have some helpful informationand materials available for us.
It’s not just happening in Jacksonville but in other areas too.
I would really like for us to consider looking into this.It seems to have the means to get us where we are trying to go without repeating everything they have already done to learn the hard way.
We can still incorporate our ideas about lockers, ID help,laundry facilities etc.
MANY of these families end up working, and having a home.When they get to that part of the process, the churches will often “POUND” them.  This was something I had never heard about!The pastors encourage their congregants to bring a POUND of something to  a special service announced ahead of time.  A pound of flour, a pound of diapers etc. etc.They have found that church members can be very generous when it comes to furniture and dishes they no longer need etc.
So it is fairly common for them to help these homeless families establish a new home after a few months of aid, and then move on to the next needy family on the waiting list.
Interesting concept, eh?
If multiple organizations including churches in our area are willing to participate like they have with Grace and Grits for example, this could be a tremendous boost and at the same time accomplish MANY of our goals at SACSON.
I was VERY impressed with all of this, as my customer describedhow joyful it was for the church members to engage in this ministry…Take a look and let me know what you think…
May the Kingdon of God be expanded in our midst!

Bry Carling

http://www.familypromisejax.org/