Council meeting after council meeting, people on both sides of the debate of whether to open a mental health center for the homeless near the Schroeder Hall Army Reserve Center in East Long Beach keep giving their opinions during public comment.
Tuesday's meeting was no different. Several speakers railed against the proposed project or against those who oppose it.
Mental health and homeless advocates say the East Long Beach neighborhood that opposes the site is close-minded and stereotypes the mentally ill. Residents there say they fear for their property and well-being, and that they don't have any homeless in the neighborhood now, so why bus them in for counseling and other services?
One speaker, Harvey Cochran, a gadfly who is no stranger to council meetings, made an impassioned speech on the subject because he himself is mentally ill. Cochran has a public access show and challenged parties of both sides to go on it to try to resolve the issue.
During his diatribe, in which he called those who are adamently opposed to the homeless site "yahoo meisters" and said that the homeless are people, not "zombies," Cochran and Mayor Bob Foster had an entertaining exchange. Sometimes Cochran speaks just to speak, sometimes he really does provide some insight into city matters, and sometimes he is good for pure entertainment value during what can be long, dull council meetings.
Here's a sample from that exchange:
Cochran: "I've been coming here since 2002, so that's six years. I've been coming here longer than you have, mayor."
Foster: "It actually seems a lot longer, Mr. Cochran."
Cochran: "As long as you sit in that chair, you're gonna have the ride of your life."
At that, the crowd roared with laughter.
Check out a video of the entire homeless center discussion (just use the "jump to" function to go to the first "public comment" period), and if you just want to hear Cochran, forward the meeting to about the 1 hour, 42 minute, 45 second mark.
And get the latest news on Schroeder Hall here.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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