The Union Gospel Mission faces new problems after the Chattanooga City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday night to file a lawsuit and shut it down for housing homeless people in dangerous conditions.
"It's cramped quarters," said Chattanooga Fire Department Chief Randy Parker. "There's too many people in there."
City officials said at Tuesday's council meeting that 35 to 40 homeless people were living in the basement of the church the mission now uses. They described safety hazards such as uncovered electrical outlets, people living by candlelight and bare wiring.
But Jon Rector, executive director of the mission, called the descriptions a "bald-faced lie."
"They're inflating the situation," he said. "Are there some code issues? Yes, but we've been working on that."
Mr. Rector said the mission has been trying to gain proper zoning since it moved into the former Signal Hills Community Fellowship. He said he never knew he was in defiance of zoning laws and has tried working with the city.
"We've had inspectors coming in and out of there on a regular basis," he said.
Public Works Administrator Steve Leach said inspectors found major electrical and gas problems at the mission.
"It's a very dangerous facility for people staying overnight," he said.
Mr. Rector also disputed that 35 to 40 people stayed overnight. He said about 18 people are there now.
The Union Gospel Mission moved into its new home more than a month ago. The mission has a lease with Signal Hills Community Fellowship Inc. with an option to buy after one year, officials said.
Mr. Rector said Tuesday night he has been in touch with his attorney.
"We'll respond to it as soon as possible," he said.
MISSION HISTORY
The Union Gospel Mission opened in 1950 at 1260 Market St. It moved to East Main Street and remained there until 2007. Since then it has moved several times and is now at the former Signal Hills Community Fellowship site on Signal Hills Drive.
Source: Union Gospel Mission, Times Free Press archives
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
Some people are just too stubborn to realize what God's calling is. Main street location is shut down, Holtzclaw location was a failed-test, and the welcome from Salvation Army was absolutely worn out.
"Mr. Rector also disputed that 35 to 40 people stayed overnight. He said about 18 people are there now." - So does this mean that even he isn't sure how many people are staying there? One week ago, he said there were 24 people staying there, and before that he said 22. Now he says about 18.
"He said he never knew he was in defiance of zoning laws and has tried working with the city." - The mission was inspected by many city officials and was told by all of them that he was in violation of city codes including zoning before moving the mission residents in. He moved them in anyway. They have been using this facility in violation of zoning all along and are well aware of this.
At some point reality must set in for Jon Rector and the Union Gospel Mission. This facility is simply not sufficient for their needs. They do not have the square footage for the people they are currently housing or for the people they intend to house in the future. There are not enough bathroom and shower facilities. They currently have 1 shower to share. Even for "about" 18 people, this is unacceptable.
The neighborhood told David Kell and Jon Rector that the Mission was not a good thing to bring into the community. They said our opinions didn't matter.
City officials told them not only verbally but in writing that they were not in compliance with not only zoning but other various code situations, the Mission can't move in. Rector and Kell apparently thought the city's opinion didn't matter because they moved in anyway. Now the city says again that the former church is still too dangerous to be housing people overnight. Jon Rector calls the city officials liars.
They ignored the neighborhood. They disregarded the zoning board, the codes inspectors and other city officials. They have been informed by so many that this was not the location for them and yet they were so stubborn they chose to ignore everyone.
Deuteronomy 6:22 Before our eyes the Lord sent miraculous signs and wonders, great and terrible, upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household.
How many more signs do Rector and Kell need? Rector needs to have his attorney find a way to get out of the lease with David Kell and move on.
Following God always comes with obstacles.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Regarding on_a_mission's comment:
It seems that you are saying that you are one of the ones hated.?.? I must say that calling yourself, or calling those within the UGM, disciples and that God has chosen you, or UGM, over the rest of the world, i.e. other Christians, would be a highly disputed issue. (Since that is what you said in your quoted bible verse.)
Here's another verse to ponder:
Leviticus 19:11 Do not steal, do not lie, do not deceive one another.
The executive director has lied to the neighborhood about what type of people he is housing at the mission, the purpose for the house next to the church, and why he came to leave previous locations, among other issues. He also lied when he claimed not to be aware that he was in violation of the zoning laws, building codes, and fire safety. He has broken the law, hence the reason for the law suit, and he is continually breaking the law by moving his individuals in a house the city has cited as being an illegal duplex. He is now attempting to SPITE the neighborhood and lease an abandoned building located at 107 Signal Hills Drive almost immediately across the street from the location the city has forced them to move out of. This information was given to me by the Planning Commission and the UGM is requesting to have it rezoned as well. This building has no windows, no plumbing, and no electrical. It has been boarded up for at least 5 years. The building needs to be condemned!! If the safety issues in the church were a problem I can only imagine what they will face at this abandoned building.
Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
Leviticus 19:15
Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
In the end,
Revelation 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
Hmmmm,
Seems like on_a_mission is also saying that the city, the neighborhood, and prior locations that have booted the Union Gospel Mission, are obstacles for God's work. Two interpretations of the Bible, among many I'm sure. I guess we'll have to see if this area stays safe or becomes a Sodom and Gomorrah situation. I for one am going to do everything to help protect the children from this exposure to alcohol, drugs, and sexual predators! Television does enough. It's not right for it to be a stone's throw away from our homes!!
And.....to then move across the street!! Jon Rector and David Kell might as well hang a sign stating that they spite the neighborhood. Why else would they try to move into a location in an area where you're OBVIOUSLY not wanted! I mean....ACROSS THE STREET! This does seem to be out of spite and malice.
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