Updated Aug 6, 2008 - 11:48 am
Tent City moves in at Mercer Island
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710 KIRO
Listen to this reportTent City has taken up its occupation at Mercer Island's United Methodist Church. The church is latest in many stops for the roving homeless camp of about one-hundred men and women.
There is usually controversy wherever they go, but this time, it seems more intense, "to put Tent City and Mercer Island together in the same sentence, people have had a hard time getting their heads around that. We have had strong opposition," says Pastor Leslie Anne Knight, of the United Methodist Church.
Neighbors are suing Knight's church and the city, claiming the city violated its own codes in allowing the Tent City to set up in the church parking lot. But a judge recently upheld the church's right to host Tent City-4.
Homeless camper Karisa Vaughn is hoping there won't be problems with her new neighbors, "It's been kind of controversial coming here. In the event there is a problem, we'll smile and nod and walk away."
The sponsors of Tent City-4 say they work with local police to do background checks on all campers.
Neighbors complain that many of the Tent City campers just hang around the camp all day, not doing anything. Camper Karisa Vaughn disagrees, "There is a lot of hard working people here. I would say the majority of the folks are absolutely on track to get out of here." Vaughn is currently taking courses, to improve her situation, at Bellevue Community College.
In Bellevue, where Tent City just wrapped up a three month stay at a synagogue, neighbors there have few complaints, "I haven't really noticed a lot, so I guess that's a good thing," says one neighbor.
Back in Mercer Island, Pastor Knight acknowledges concern but also commends the majority of Mercer Island citizens for welcoming Tent City, "I think the dominant response has been that the Island has really opened its heart."
When looking at the difficulties that those opposed to the camp foresee, Knight encourages patience, "Let us wait, and let us see. I think it's going to be just fine."
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