While The Blue Paper was hard at blue news work, the Key West homeless forum happened on August 28 at the Harvey Government Center. The four forum panelists’ main thrust was the criminalization of homelessness is the most expensive and least effective way to deal with homelessness. Jailing homeless people costs the criminal justice and […]
While The Blue Paper was hard at blue news work, the Key West homeless forum happened on August 28 at the Harvey Government Center. The four forum panelists’ main thrust was the criminalization of homelessness is the most expensive and least effective way to deal with homelessness. Jailing homeless people costs the criminal justice and […]
![BOOK REVIEW: Salvation Jane [Author: Jane Massey]](http://thebluepaper.com/-/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed1-150x150.jpg)
Salvation Jane, by Ann Massey, Perth, Australia Reviewed by a former practicing lawyer and published author who became homeless in Key West and other places. Set in Perth, Australia, inspired by the massive tasering for sport of a schizophrenic homeless Aborigine by Aussie police officers, and by a brave and outraged Aussie lassie jumping whole […]
This is the first in a series of articles on affordable housing and homelessness in Key West and the Florida Keys. We will try to look past the anti-homeless rhetoric burning through local media and show you what is really happening on the Keys housing front. In future articles we will bring you points of […]
by Arnaud and Naja Girard This is the first in a series of articles on affordable housing and homelessness in Key West and the Florida Keys. We will try to look past the anti-homeless rhetoric burning through local media and show you what is really happening on the Keys housing front. In future articles we […]
Getting old requires adapting to changed circumstances. I dislike this as much as anyone, both the getting and the adapting. In our late 60s, we have more time, but less money, energy and strength. Parts that were once just fine now hurt. Some need to be repaired or replaced. Some things can’t be fixed. Our […]
To all criminal vehicle lodgers in Key West, First of all we are all unwashed and a detriment to the health and safety of tourists and residents of Key West. We are criminals. I have never received a citation or been chased away by the Key West Gestapo. There is a reason for this. There […]
“Someone better get him away from me before I arrest the son of a bitch myself!” When the other officer asked “KA” what she was talking about, according to a witness, she said, “He just murdered that man.” “That Man” was Charles Eimers and “KA” is Kathyann Wanciak of the Key West Police Department, who […]
It’s a completely dilapidated trailer kept very clean and homey, enveloped by a reef of flowers, a contradiction explained away by the one single sign painted on the door: “Life is Good.” Or at least it was. Today, gesturing with one hand to support her plea in broken English and with the other hand holding […]
Sloan Bashinsky, a frequent contributor to Key West The Newspaper’s Island Voices section, was recently interviewed on Good Morning Florida Keys With Jenna Stauffer [WEYW Nineteen] about his views on homeless issues. [Sloan was formerly homeless living on the streets of Key West.] [The video below is Part 2 of the interview. See […]
At the October 3rd City Commission Meeting I said, during citizen comments, that I had received an email inquiry from someone who has a home in the golf course community, asking if the new homeless shelter could be put out to referendum? I paused, taking in the somber looks on the dais, said, that was […]
I wish everyone I know had been with me when I bumped into two remarkable people the other day and got caught up with them, as their rich lives and deep experiences and senses of humor and wisdom flowed out of them like manna from heaven. The man is probably the most educated person I […]
Open Letter to the Board of City Commissioners, After receiving overwhelming feedback from our residents, we are writing to inform you that the Key West Golf Club Home Owners Association (KWGC HOA) Board has passed a resolution to oppose the placement of a homeless facility at the Easter Seals location on College Road. For the […]
Individuals choose shelter in accordance to the realities that confront them. Ones’ home resides between their ears. No structure or parcel of food are equivalent to the thinker of the thought. No human power, principality or government can alleviate the so-called homeless issue. Successful civilizations were designed to reinforce and reward preeminent achievement and greatness. […]
The other day, I pedaled my bicycle by my old condo on Key West’s Fleming Street, a doorway where I slept every night on flattened cardboard boxes during the winter and spring of 2001.
Some days, I wonder why I ever get out of bed in the morning? Father Steve Braddock of Florida Keys Outreach Coalition replied to yesterday’s post: Sloan: The gentleman whose photo leads your post today “Duval Street repeat offender” exited the FKOC program clean and sober in October 2011 after 20+ years on the street. […]
A surprising statistic came out in the news last week. According to one expert 5.8% of Key West’s population is homeless and lives in the mangroves. We’re not even kidding. This is actually the conclusion of a $ 20,000 study presented by Dr. Robert Marbut to a straight–faced City Commission on August 6th, 2013. At least […]
After the Roosevelt Boulevard townhall meeting last Tuesday came a regular city commission meeting. Dr. Robert Marbut led off with a lengthy presentation of his view of Key West’s homeless situation, which was followed by questions and comments from the mayor and city commissioners. Citizens were not allowed to comment or ask questions at that […]
After the Roosevelt Boulevard townhall meeting last Tuesday came a regular city commission meeting. Dr. Robert Marbut led off with a lengthy presentation of his view of Key West’s homeless situation, which was followed by questions and comments from the mayor and city commissioners. Citizens were not allowed to comment or ask questions at that […]
Back in maybe September 2007, I was sitting in one of the smaller auditoriums at Tropic Cinema waiting on a movie to start. My cell phone started buzzing, so I opened it and walked out of the auditorium. I said hello. A man asked if I was Sloan Bashinsky? I said that probably depended on […]