Chili - With, or Without, Homeless?

This Saturday, which is March 15th, 2008, the organization, Friends of Church Street Park, (FoCSP), will hold a Chili Cook-Off in, of course, Church Street Park.

You remember Church Street Park don't you. It's the park across the street from the library that the city had demolished and rebuilt because of all the homeless - whoops, don't quote me on that. The official word from the city was that the park had been overrun with rats and pigeons. Funny, but no one really buys the "official" reason.

Anyway, we've now got ourselves a brand new park. And it's time to start making the most of it. Well, when I say "We" I'm really just talking about the residents of downtown. You see, the residents claim that park to be their own, because it is in their neighborhood. Forget the fact that this "neighborhood" is actually the center of the city of Nashville - the downtown area centrally located and used and visited by citizens of the whole city of Nashville, not just those few who live within a half-mile of the park.

Oh, and when we say "resident" we are really talking about a specific person, who has spent a certain amount of money to live downtown - thereby we can exclude the free living homeless. Sure, the homeless have to pay to live where they do, in one way or another, but that is besides the point. And, of course, looking at the definition of the word "resident" the dictionary makes no mention of a particular income, or price paid, for residence, only that a person is called a resident of a place when they live in a certain place. That means that all homeless people are residents of Nashville, and especially downtown Nashville Sure, homeless people do pay city taxes, but lets not think about that right now.

We are having a function in the park - the Church Street Park. Oh, and did you know that they called that street "Church Street" cause of the churches that were built on that street? Did you know that churches are religious organizations dedicated to the idea that Jesus is God and lord of all and that Jesus taught us to treat others as better than ourselves? Oh, but I digress.

There will be live entertainment too. It starts at 3pm. And admission only costs $10.00 Can you imagine how much chili you can buy for $10? Children under 10 are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information you should call 615-254-1277 ext11 - or go to www.churchstreetpark.com - I would make that url a link, but I tried it and it doesn't work. I mean, there is no website at that url address. I don't have a phone.

Call them if you'd like to enter your chili. Chili entries are open to the public. How about that, any ol' buddy can bring their chili and distribute it to the public. Boy, now that really is funny. Mostly because these people putting on this event are the same people who had homeless feedings in the park shut down, on the excuse that the food being distributed to people (the homeless) was not prepared in a city health codes qualified facility. Yet now they are encouraging people to bring food they cooked from home, or who-knows-where? and giving it out to the general public.

I guess that the FoCSP people expect to exclude the poor and homeless from this event by charging such an exorbitant admission fee. Crazy, ain't it? Doesn't seem right to me, either.

Then I got to thinking, and Googled that phone number on the flyer.
The following is what I found. Check out the following link: nashvillecharrette.com If that link goes dead, I have copied its contents below. It is an announcement of another recent event by the same people:
Masquerade Ball (Public Event)
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Event Date: 27 October 2007 (Single Day Event)
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This is a fun & unique opportunity for each and every one of us to make a difference in our neighborhood! The Friends of Church Street Park foundation will soon be in place to manage programming and fund raising for our newly renovated Church Street Park. In the mean time, The Standard at The Smith House has graciously donated dinner & beverages and their venue for the First Annual Charity Masquerade Ball on Saturday, October 27 at 7:00PM. Tickets are only $50.00 per person and include hors d'oeuvres, dinner, open wine & beer bar, ballroom dancing, and live music. One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorship contributions will go directly to programming the Park and keeping the Park safe until the Friends of Church Street Park foundation is in place. This will allow us to pass on a healthy, vibrant space to the Friends of Church Street Park the day the foundation is active. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a fine dinner and fabulous party, while contributing to a New, Healthy Church Street Park!

You can purchase tickets by emailing Amy Walters at amydroppwalters@yahoo.com, by phone 615-254-1277 ext.11, or in person at The Standard at The Smith House, 167 Rosa Parks Blvd (8th Ave N), open M-F 11:00AM - 3:00PM, 5:00PM - 9:00PM. See you at the Ball! (See attached file: Flyer Word Final.doc)
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Now remember these words from above: "One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorship contributions will go directly to programming the Park and keeping the Park safe until the Friends of Church Street Park foundation is in place. This will allow us to pass on a healthy, vibrant space to the Friends of Church Street Park the day the foundation is active."

Sound to me like these people plan on buying the Church Street Park and giving control of it to the FoCSP Foundation. Just how are they going to "keep the park safe" - just how are they going to "pass on a healthy, vibrant space to the Friends of Church Street Park"? Who are these people, and what gives them the right over a city park? And they use that word "our" in reference to the park, as if the park does not belong to other citizens of Nashville and Davidson County. What is with these people?

Just how can a private organization take over city property, and the organization of it, and produce events on it that will exclude certain citizens by way of an admission fee? Sound a little crooked to me. Does it to you? Call your city councilman, heck, call the Mayor if, like me, you think there is something wrong with this.