Posted by Scott on February 17, 2000 at 22:03:10:
Hey people -- Scott here. If you want to be kept up on the happenings with The Refuge, you can join our email newsletter by sending a blank email to: refugenewsletter@skaught.com (it will automatically add the email you are sending from). There is also a status report on the main front page of http://www.skaught.com/refuge
Back in September the owner of our building sold it to our neighbor, who owns the pawn shop. We found out from the new owner that the old owner lied to him and told him he offered us the chance to buy the building, which he didn't. The new owner felt bad about that. We negotiated several "last days" and stayed in the building until February 6th (much MUCH longer than originally expected).
We found a new building that was better and larger than the old one just up the street. I thought it was too close to houses, but it was the only building in our price range and area of ministry. We signed a lease with the owner (he didn't sign it), and then we met with some local property owners who had concerns (the owner organized the meeting). Most were honest and open minded. Three of them had their minds made up before ever walking in the door, and did their best to stir up trouble and get the others scared. They told false stories, misquoted people, and gave false police reports (the police offer at the meeting would not back up their accusations). These people were simple bigots who didn't want people they find unacceptable near their property (the poor and homeless). This meeting stirred up a lot of press, both TV and newspaper. The St. Pete Times reporter did her best to help stir the controversy, we think. I was happy to meet some of the people there who were generally open minded and pleasant and were open to working with us. It's unfortunate that the bigotted few could make so much noise.
Well, on the very last weekend in our old building, the day before we were to move in to the new place, "SOMEONE" bought the building. The buyer was to remain anonymous according to the contract, but one of the bigots sure knew a lot about the future plans for the building. We were really annoyed at the owner for not offering us the chance to buy it, which we could have done with a Warranty Lease. It is my suspicion that the owner tried to scare the locals so that he could sell the building...just a gut feeling on my (and my alone) part.
SO, suddenly we had to move all our stuff (stage included) into storage and some people's homes. We are currently searching for a new building. Meanwhile, we have some shows planned at The State (Huntingtons, Ghoti Hook/Stavesacre, Starflyer 59/Denison Marrs). We are also continuing to feed a small number of people in the public parking lot across from City Hall. We haven't heard anything from the police or the Mayor, despite the TV NEWS' reports. Everything has been smooth last I heard. We are on public property and serving after office/City Hall hours.
As to our Court hearing, what happened was the City declared we were a social service since things like feeding people, counseling, support groups, and concerts are NOT CHURCH ACTIVITIES (so says the City). Worship services, prayer meetings, and Bible studies are the only things that qualify, and since we do MORE than those things, they tried to change our designation.
You see, the City of St. Petersburg has NO zoning for social services. Technically it is illegal to feed/counsel/help people in the city. If you want to do these things, you have to apply for a variance. The city is not known for their concern for the poor, so good luck getting one. This was their little legal trick for getting rid of The Refuge. Well, we thought that feeding people and counseling them ARE church activities, so we took the issue before THREE judges. The judges agreed and said our activities ARE those of a church. Of course, the city is appealing.
Don't you think the city has better things to waste tax payers money on than getting rid of The Refuge? They have hounded us for years, using all sorts of little tricks. The actually FIRED a codes inspector who refused to "find something" to shut us down. They sued the city and won. The city wanted them to lie. Office McDonald, the police offer in charge of our area, created a FALSE police report which listed 10 "Refuge Employees" and their criminal backgrounds. These 10 people were simply people we were counseling, helping, etc. and they hung around alot. They sometimes would help clean up, move furniture, etc. The officer twisted this into "employees" to try and mislead people into thinking The Refuge was run by criminals. The Mayor even sent this list out to people who wrote in in support of The Refuge. Unbelieveable.
Anyway, that's where we're at. Some rather influential big wigs types who have no love for the city government have contacted us and offered their help, so we're excited about that. It's time the city's actions were called what they are: Discrimination and bigotry. Discrimination against the poor and people they find "unacceptable". The City would love it if all the poor, homeless, etc. (who the city lawyer jokingly called "The Refuse" in court) would just go away so tourists could look at our pretty little city. It's not going to happen and shutting down The Refuge will just make matters worse. Please pray for The Refuge and all of the volunteers. Pray that love will prevail and hate will lose. Pray that we make smart and Christ-centered decisions and that our motivation is not ego, but love.
Thanks, and feel free to email me at skaught@skaught.com if you have any questions!
Scott Will