Criminalizing Poverty

Published on November 11, 2006 By Gideon MacLeish In Current Events

As of November 13, 2006, the small town of Lefors, Texas will be one step closer to making poverty criminal and enforcing actions of those who dare to make insufficient income to meet the town's standards.

In their City Council meeting, they are scheduled to discuss an ordinance "establishing a minimum standard of living and prohibiting scavenging from dumpsters". These ordinances are being specifically written to target families who do not live to the town's expected standard of living, and to give the town muscle for enforcement. Once finalized, they will allow the full force of law to fine families who do not have the money to meet the standard of living that their council of five deems to be the legal minimum for living in their community.

Oddly enough, noone among the community has seen the hypocrisy of fining people who don't have the money to pay for certain creature comforts.

Because Lefors is such a small community, however, nobody seems to care. Advocates for the poor who will readily defend the right of someone to live out of a park in San Francisco are remarkably silent when approached with a small Texas town's "right" to demand that people who live on certain properties (some of whom OWN said properties)live to a standard of living set about by the community oligarchs. To say nothing of criminalizing those who would save landfill space by reusing something that was otherwise destined to take up said space.

This law in Lefors, Texas is specifically targetted. Towards my family because we dared to help a family whose water was shut off by allowing them to get water from our house, and because we had the audacity to pull quite usable items (including a handmade quilt) out of our dumpster rather than see them end up as waste. To the family who had the audacity of being too poor to pay the water bill. To the couple who are community pariahs because they use an outbuilding on their property for showering (in complete privacy, I might add) because they couldn't afford a $5,000 bathroom remodel. To all who dare question the unlimited authority of the Lefors City Council.

Lefors is not a wealthy community, by any means. There are no $100,000 homes with interest in protecting their property values. The median income of the community is well below the national average, and many of the citizens are elderly and on fixed incomes. But as the city has already established with other ordinances, this new ordinance will be selectively enforced. It is written to target certain citizens, and target certain citizens it will.

If anybody knows an attorney who would be willing to represent anyone affected by this legislation, you may contact me at: gideon.macleish@gmail.com. Media coverage would also be well appreciated. I will be attending the meeting to provide specific details of the proposed ordinance (which will be passed with a rubber stamp, as with other recent ordinances), and would like to work with you to ensure that this miscarriage of justice never sees fruition. The US Constitution, after all, does not end at our city limits.

Comments (Page 3)

bakerstreet

on Nov 16, 2006

"Just for the recoprd, Baker, they've won. I'm packing my bags and moving out. Don't know where, yet, but we can't afford to live in this town. They "democratically" drive us out."

I don't understand, Gid. Why don't you tell us what they did democratically to run you off? I understand that there has been the issue with the lawn, and the dog, and the guy sitting outside your house.

All those efforts, though, seem to have been failures for them, haven't they? They haven't gotten anywhere with the CPS, and they know better than that now. Is it this new ordinance? If so what did they finally end up with?

"Baker has a point on this one, para. This whole problems came about because of escalations. Someone would get a ticket and point to someone else. The, the city council, behind closed doors (illegal, btw, but you have to prove) will pick and choose which ones they want to go after next. I'm not participating in the process. It's pretty repulsive."

But my point isn't necessarily to leave, either. The best revenge is success, Gid. There's no shame in abiding by laws, even if you don't necessarily agree with them. That's what democracy is all about. Systems aren't changed from the outside except with violence.

I know it seems vile, but have you tried working with these people? You're a skilled person. Is there not some sort of 'in' you could get with more moderate members of this little mafia? Every chain has a weak link, and communities can be worked if you try.

I don't believe you would have gotten 15% of the vote had everyone hated you. I hate to see you take your kids on the road when maybe you have more support there than you realize. Perhaps you could be more proactive about it?

Gideon MacLeish

on Nov 16, 2006

I don't understand, Gid. Why don't you tell us what they did democratically to run you off?

I don't have a truck, Baker. When we moved here, there was a pile of junk in the yard that came with it. We cannot put it in the dumpster, and we cannot afford to have it moved. And nobody who has a truck will help us move it. If we don't move it, they will continually fine us until we have no money left. So, basically, they will take the money we could have used to move the junk off of the property in fines which will accrue daily, taking any NEW income I earn to prevent me from ever being able to move it. And the city will not remove it.

But my point isn't necessarily to leave, either. The best revenge is success, Gid.

I can't succeed, Baker. I can't afford a truck, I can't afford to pay a service to remove the junk, because I have to pay the fines to the city for the junk being there in the first place. I have a vehicle that I cannot repair to sell for more money, but have to give to the junkyard to get it off of my property. I'm losing several hundred bucks right there.

I know it seems vile, but have you tried working with these people? You're a skilled person. Is there not some sort of 'in' you could get with more moderate members of this little mafia? Every chain has a weak link, and communities can be worked if you try.

I've tried, Baker. I've even tried attending the "politically popular" church. And at this point even if I cut my hair (I've gotten a more PC job, so that's taken care of), the ones who hate me won't change.

I don't believe you would have gotten 15% of the vote had everyone hated you. I hate to see you take your kids on the road when maybe you have more support there than you realize. Perhaps you could be more proactive about it?

The problem is, Baker, the majority of these people are good. It's a minority that is exerting an inordinate amount of political control. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that it is, in fact, the KKK that is controlling this town, but at this point it is more conjecture than solid proof (although there's an growing mountain of circumstantiaal evidence, but at this point, that doesn't carry weight with the state AG's office).

I've never dealt with the Klan before, Baker. I'm not sure I have the resources to deal with this particular monster. If it were me on my own, I'd say damn the bollocks, full speed ahead, but I have other lives I must think about first.

We're not leaving the area. I've got too much at stake with school, and I've got a job with a VERY promising future (and my bangup PC repair job last night should only improve my standing). But I'm not sure HOW we can continue to succeed in a community where the people who know what's right will not STAND for what is right.

bakerstreet

on Nov 16, 2006

"We cannot put it in the dumpster, and we cannot afford to have it moved. And nobody who has a truck will help us move it. If we don't move it, they will continually fine us until we have no money left."

You didn't buy that house, did you? Wouldn't your landlord, i.e. the property OWNER, be the one fined? I don't see how they can fine you for that.

"The problem is, Baker, the majority of these people are good. It's a minority that is exerting an inordinate amount of political control. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that it is, in fact, the KKK that is controlling this town, but at this point it is more conjecture than solid proof (although there's an growing mountain of circumstantiaal evidence, but at this point, that doesn't carry weight with the state AG's office)."

There may not be anything you can do, then. People like that aren't worth the skin they are made of. I know people within a few miles of you, and in amarillo. If that particular spot is that caustic, maybe you wouldn't have to go far to find much better circumstances.

If my dad calls from the road today, I'll ask him if any of our people there can help you, but like you say you might not even want to bother.

Gideon MacLeish

on Nov 16, 2006

You didn't buy that house, did you? Wouldn't your landlord, i.e. the property OWNER, be the one fined? I don't see how they can fine you for that.

We are renting to own, so that's what gets us.

lostintexas

on Nov 16, 2006

I can not help but address the people who are using the "out house" as a shower - if they are the same people that I know - at one time they used the "out house" as an outhouse with out running water which became a real healthy issue. I know because my kids lived across the street from them. Believe me they are not the type of people that you want as neighbors. Not because of their social standing but because they just don't respect their property or anyone else. Hey as for the stuff in the pit in the back yard is concerned the dirt beside it can be put on top and that will take care of that problem. Or maybe ask Gene if you can us his pick-up. If I remember correctly the law is that the broken down cars can not be seen from the road. If you can find a way to fence it in you will be ok. I really hate that you are not able to find happiness in Lefors. I know that there are a lot of things that are not good about living in Lefors. I have to say that raising two children in the town there is a lot of good thing about living there as will. I am very proud of the kind of adults my children have become and part of that has to do with where they were raised. They are both very socially aware because they were able to see how people who are not acted. The payments you are paying on the house are so low that it seems to be a great opportunity to own a home for you and your family. I wish that we would have that opportunity come our way. Life in an apartment in a big city sucks big time. Please don't make it sound like your landlord is some terrible slum lord. He is one of the kindest men I have ever known. He would give you the shirt off his back. I know that he has worked with you on many accessions when you need him to. There is good and bad everywhere you go. Good luck and God bless you and your family my friend. (This is solely the opinion of Tojuana and not anyone else in the family.)

bakerstreet

on Nov 16, 2006

I don't think Gid is saying anything against the landlord. Haven't noticed if he has, anyway. Seems it would be in the landlord's interest to help get get this mess with the city straightened out, though.

If my dad gives me a call I'm going to see if any of our friends in clarendon or amarillo could help. I have to wonder, though, if Gid hasn't decided that once this is cleaned up that they'll just find something else. If so, the effort might be better spent just finding someplace less antagonistic.

ParaTed2k

on Nov 16, 2006

ah, so cut & run is better than putting a mirror to their faces.

I can't and won't tell you what to do Gideon, whatever you choose, I hope you find a place where you are happy.

Gideon MacLeish

on Nov 16, 2006

Please don't make it sound like your landlord is some terrible slum lord.

I didn't mean it to sound that way at all. He's one of the nicest guys I know, and you're right, it's a wonderful opportunity.

The vast majority of people here have been wonderful...it's those dozen or so people that have always been here who are, frankly, some of the nastiest, meanest people I've ever met. The majority of good people here don't deserve them and it is they, NOT those with junk in the yard, who reflect poorly on the city. The problem is that the majority of good people remain silent and do nothing.

I'm angry, Tojuana, I'm frustrated. All we've tried to do here is raise a family and do what we think is right. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm putting in 80+ hours a week between school, work study, and work, and all these people can think of is how they can cut us down, with not a thought of how they can help. I had an opportunity to be a lab assistant for dual credit courses for the college in the school district here, and the board said they wanted the dual credit, but they would absolutely NOT accept me as a lab assistant. Somehow, none of that jives with MY interpretation of what a Christian is.

You and your family have been nothing but wonderful to us, Tojuana, and I'm sorry that you read my article any differently. Unfortunately, though, you and your family don't run the city of Lefors. I only mentioned the junk pile because it puts it in perspective that the "mess" that they are protesting largely predated our existence here.

If my dad gives me a call I'm going to see if any of our friends in clarendon or amarillo could help. I have to wonder, though, if Gid hasn't decided that once this is cleaned up that they'll just find something else. If so, the effort might be better spent just finding someplace less antagonistic.

I'm not sure what I've decided, Baker. I'm exhausted, working to make a better life for my family, and I'm mad as hell at those who would sabotage those efforts. There is no simpler, no kinder way to put it.

ah, so cut & run is better than putting a mirror to their faces.

The "they", Para, are mostly the good people who have been bullied by these jerks their entire lives. I would only be inviting the city to target someone else, someone who might not be able to stand as strongly as I can.

Honestly, I'm not sure what I'll do. As I said before, I'm exhausted. Anybody would be, with my schedule. And I'm not sure whether this is a fight I'm willing to fight or whether I should cut my losses.

lostintexas

on Nov 16, 2006

Hey Gideon thanks for clearing things up some for me. Maybe I am a little to sanative right now. I really hope things workout for you and your family in Lefors (or I guess I really mean the house you are living in). The house has so many special memories for me. I was really excited to have another family with children to live in it and make their own special memories. I guess if you can get emotionally attached to a house I am attached to that one. The house more than the town. Thanks for understanding about what I wrote. I have a question --- Was it the Lefors School you was going to be an assistant lab tec.? Because if that is the case I am not surprised that they did not except you. And it doesn't mean that you would not be a good lab tec. To be able to work in the school system there you have to have political ties. Which means you have to be born and raised there or you are close friends to someone high up in the chain of comand/board members? Who is on the board now? Who is on the city council now? Who is the mayor? Who is the law enforcement now? If I know who was playing parts in this I could understand more what is going on. If you would like to email me the answer to these questions I would love to know - xxxxxxxxxx- Thanks Tojuana

Dan Greene

on Nov 18, 2006

So how exactly is poverty being crminalized? I've been out of the loop for a bit so I'm curious as to what new info there is in this case.

I really don't see any injustice in a city enforcing it's laws and ordinances.

Obviously they have an interest in keeping the potable water supply from being contaminated, their well water being uncontaminated, their land values stable or increasing rather then decreasing, and people from digging in the garbage which the city/town owns so as to prevent lawsuits for injuries sustained in dumpster digging.

If you have an excessive amount of garbage/trash/debris on your property, it lowers the value of the surrounding properties, that's fact, and the city collects taxes on those property values based on their assesment. They'd much rather the debris be removed or fine you, to reclaim the lost land value. If you don't own the property then whoever does ought to be paying the fees.

There is no criminalizing of poverty here, just fines, and yeah it sucks, but if you don't like it, what you do is move out of town to someplace else where you don't get fined for living however you want to live.

You can do anything you want in life, as long as you are willing to pay for it. If the community leaders of Lefors want a community that has land values that continue to increase the township thrives over time that's not necessarily worng of them. If you have landvalues that fall, pretty soon you can no longer afford city services, and that drives people out and the economic spiral falls until the community dies. If you don't do anything to prevent the attrition of tax revenue then your community falls apart.

Why is it their fault if you are unable to pay the fees for the property on which you live? Were you unaware of the debris before you took ownership of the property?

Gideon MacLeish

on Nov 19, 2006

If you have an excessive amount of garbage/trash/debris on your property, it lowers the value of the surrounding properties, that's fact, and the city collects taxes on those property values based on their assesment. They'd much rather the debris be removed or fine you, to reclaim the lost land value. If you don't own the property then whoever does ought to be paying the fees.

Dan,

Please trust me when I say you're venturing into an area where you don't know what you're talking about. I could show you pictures of my property vs. others' properties in town and you would definitely understand...but don't assume I'm too stupid to know when I'm being targetted (note: not JUST me, but I'm on their list).

I suppose YOU think the KKK is just some nice civic group with the best of intentions, huh?

I dunno which church you folks go to now, but I'm assuming you *do* go to some church or another in the area, or at least nearby. Have you asked the congregation there if they could help remove, burn, or bury the 'pile of junk'?

Actually, not really, lw...although it's a good idea, when you see my latest, you'll understand why.

Gideon MacLeish

on Nov 19, 2006

Now that it's up, (WWW Link), I'll answer the question, LW. Because they're not interested in HELPING us, they're interested only in running us out of town. If it's not this, they'll FIND something. It's what they're good at.

Dan Greene

on Nov 19, 2006

"I suppose YOU think the KKK is just some nice civic group with the best of intentions, huh?"

Hey if you want to mock me you can go to hell mmmmmm,k.

If garbage on your land doesn't lower the landvalues, if that's not a fact, then fine you win. Since it is a fact that living next to an airport, toxic waste facility, landfill, nuclear powerplant, and any heavy industry, is essentially detrimental to residential land values, as well as having garbage on the property and debris, rusted cars, whatever.

Since you don't clean it up, then the community fines you. If I let my grass grow over 12 inches the community comes and cuts it and fines me for the labor and hassel, because if there is a house next to mine for sale it lowers the property value. Yes it is asthetics, and it is absolutely true, it's also not racist it's just economics, lol.

I didn't say the KKK wasn't involved in your local govenment, how the hell would I know, I don't live there, but if the KKK is your communities government why did you move there in the first place?

Beyond that, if you are being unfairly targeted by the community, what you do is get a lawyer and sue the hell out of the town, city, u live in until you feel vindicated. Personally I don't think you have a case though sorry.

Gideon MacLeish

on Nov 19, 2006

If garbage on your land doesn't lower the landvalues, if that's not a fact, then fine you win. Since it is a fact that living next to an airport, toxic waste facility, landfill, nuclear powerplant, and any heavy industry, is essentially detrimental to residential land values, as well as having garbage on the property and debris, rusted cars, whatever.

Please, enlighten me, Dan....how does junk and weeds on my property lower property values, and the same junk and weeds on my neighbour's property NOT lower property values? Do my weeds carry some magic property value lowering hormone?

If the city were offering to come clean it up and bill me for it, I'd happily pay, Dan. But they're not. They're not even giving me a reasonable timetable. It's all or nothing and we'll fine you daily until it is done, never minding that the fines themselves will deprive you of money that you need to do what we are asking...nice logic, huh?

If my property were kept to a lower standard than that of my neighbours, it would be one thing. But on the way to my house, you have to pass the houses of TWO city councilmen with the same problems they are fining us for. This is VERY targetted, Dan, and only certain people are being targetted by the city's actions...which is why the marshall fines some people for dog at large while he steps over the former mayor's dog every day when he goes to the school building.

You're right, though, Dan, the Klan SHOULD be given run of this town. But it would be fair of them to advertise the fact so that idiots like me don't move in unaware.

Dan Greene

on Nov 19, 2006

You know what Gid, you are just whining now.

"I suppose YOU think the KKK is just some nice civic group with the best of intentions, huh?"
"You're right, though, Dan, the Klan SHOULD be given run of this town."
I NEVER SAID THAT EVER, STOP TWISTING MY WORDS, ya jerk!

You know what, deal with your problems, bitching about them won't solve em. If you conclude as I believe you have that you can't make it comfortable to live there.

LEAVE! Lol. Not everyplace in the world is going to be hospitible, you can either deal with it, fight it or leave, its a simple choice. Or you can whine and nothing gets changed.

What of the idea to get a lawyer, and threaten a lawsuit, bring a lawsuit?

What of the idea of moving? Maybe not today, but in the next 6 months, when you find a place you can afford, hell sell your house and rent a place over the winter in another community. Pampa, Borger, Amarillo, all areas you could go to that are like 10-20-45 min away, and not have to deal with the folks you live with now.

Two options right there.

My unanswered question is why did you move there in the first place, without buying a drink in the local saloon, dining in the local pub, see the property before you bought it. I mean come on? I'm not saying what they are doing it right, in fact I am saying it is wrong. But what you are doing is also the wrong way of dealing with it.

If unwilling you are to sue, or threaten to sue, and nothing can be done then you have to leave if being happy means not living with fines and mistreatment.

Small towns, 500 people man, you're not going to get a whole hell of a lot of variety there, if they are all racist then thats what they are.

I'm not saying it's right, absolutely not, don't you ever say again that I am making their case, or I just won't ever respond to you again, but my point is, life isn't fair, and there is always an asshole around the bend.

How do you know your neighbors aren't paying fines as well if they harbor junk on their lawns? To me this whole situations sounds stupid to be honest, if you aren't happy for whatever reason, you make an effort to leave, no matter who you are or what the circumstances, it's as simple as that. Making excuses and fighting against the KKK because it's the right thing to do just makes me want to roll my eyes in your case. Go ahead, but there are consequences for both good and bad actions, and again you can do whatever you want in life, as long as you are willing to pay, suffer, or be rewarded by those consequences.

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