Housing authority postpones Gadsden Green evictions
By Schuyler Kropf
A move to evict five single mothers from Charleston's Gadsden Green public housing because of armed robbery charges filed against their teenaged children won't be made until after Christmas, the head of the Charleston Housing Authority said Monday.
Chief Executive Officer Don Cameron said the authority will wait until after the holidays to pursue the evictions, which have to be secured in a local magistrate's court.
An attorney for the women said he was pleased by the delay but still plans to fight attempts to throw the women out. "At least they showed some warmth" to respect Christmas, attorney John "Skip" Martin said of the decision.
Four of the women received eviction notices Saturday. The letters say they violated their leases to live in Charleston public housing by allowing members of their households to engage in "violent or drug-related criminal activity on or off the premises."
In October, six of the women's children, juveniles aged 14 to 16, were arrested on armed robbery charges for allegedly confronting two people in separate incidents near the College of Charleston. One of the victims was shot in the hand with a pellet gun. If the women lose their fight, they and as many as 25 of their children could find themselves out on the street. The Housing Authority says it has a "zero-tolerence" position on such crimes.
In her notification letter, Housing Authority hearing officer Romona Gourdine called it a "play on words" that the women's lawyers said they did not violate the lease because they did not condone or actually "permit" their children to engage in criminal behavior.
"The fact is that there was a violation of the lease and the Housing Authority provided the evidence needed to support their decision to terminate your dwelling lease agreement," Gourdine wrote.
Even if the children are found not guilty of the crimes, Cameron said the authority has the power to evict anyone based on an allegation that is strong enough to warrant a police report or an arrest.
If the teens are found not guilty, the families can reapply for admission, Cameron said. Proven cooperation with police is another factor that can be evaluated on whether to allow a family back, he said.
Martin wants to consolidate all five women's cases into one because the legal issues are the same.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@postand courier.com.
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MotoryachtSoCo (anonymous) says...
Perhaps it is time to remove the blight of Gadsden Green from the Charleston Peninsula.
This is prime real estate that is a drain of the tax base, that inside 24 months could be homes in the 850k and above range or much needed housing for College of Charleston students.
December 11, 2007 at 3 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tj66 (anonymous) says...
evicting these people will show other kids and families that if you do wrong u have to pay,might make those mothers step up and watch their kids better,i know where my kids are and when it starts to get dark they are in the house no excuses,if you cant afford to take care of your kids dont have them,theyhave all these kids then expect the system to take care of them.
December 11, 2007 at 4:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proud2bme (anonymous) says...
PalmettoMan,
To hope someone's kid commits a crime is sick!!
What these mother's kids did is sick too!!! It didn't happen just once but twice. The next time might not be a pellet gun but a regular gun.
Unless someone takes action now, these kids are headed for a life of crime or an early death. It's just sad that the housing authorities are the ones having to take action and not the mothers.
December 11, 2007 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newsreader (anonymous) says...
Just like the school system; the parents have got to raise their kids and not rely on others to do so. This is an unfortunate circumstance, but folks need an ultimatum, a boundary set where those who "give" say "that's enough; you need to straighten up if you want to continue here". Your kids are your responsibility.
December 11, 2007 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
They all deserve what's coming to them.
December 11, 2007 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nty05 (anonymous) says...
These women had their chance in public housing, and they blew it. It is now time to give someone else a chance. I remember a couple of articles ago it said that there are over 1000 people on the waiting list to get into public housing. Those people should have an opportunity as well.
On a side note, I truly believe that public housing should be temporary like it is in many other states. Other states limit the time a family can live in public housing, much like welfare is now limited. It should only be used as an opportunity to get back on your feet, and then you move into more suitable housing and other people can then move in and have the same opportunity. Public housing should not be a permanent solution.
December 11, 2007 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
I have difficulty understanding how a person can sign a contract, then when it is broken, so many people want to jump on the bandwagon and re-negotiate the contract because they are being held accountable for their end of the bargin. It seems that bailouts are the rule any more.
December 11, 2007 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImplantedYankee (anonymous) says...
I'm honestly surprised that the other residents haven't stepped up and said "We want them out". I wouldn't want to be living next to violent criminals.
December 11, 2007 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
No it's not barbaric or criminal. Toss them all out. Let another 5 families in for Christmas and lets focus on how much better THEIR lives will be. I bet those little thugs are rubbing their hands with glee to think they now have a chance to hit up all those people and places with Christmas goodies in them. What a windfall!
December 11, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
locallady (anonymous) says...
Early.....you take a nice pill this A.M.? If it had been your wife mugged by these thugs you would go nuts!!!! If they could have had access to a 45 do you think they would have used that instead? I also do not want to see any child thrown out on the street. I hope they are looking for other places to live. Give them a bit of time. But rules are rules for a reason.
December 11, 2007 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proud2bme (anonymous) says...
For those of you feeling sorry for these mothers and their other children, they have plenty of time to find other housing or a family member to stay with. This started when?? Now they are being told eviction will not happen until after the holidays. I would say they better use their time wisely and find another place to live and not continue to whine about it.
December 11, 2007 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
PalmettoMan,
How long have you been living in Gadsden Green?
December 11, 2007 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hollyplay (anonymous) says...
I'm with Early & nty05...get them out! Anyone who has ever had a gun pointed at them would agree that whether it's a BB gun or a 45, it's still a terrifying experience.
Our welfare & public housing system is disgustingly abused. There are families using the system as a crutch, having babies after babies just to increase their monthly checks. Who pays the bills? WE DO.
And waiting until after Christmas??? What about the seperation of Church & State???? Would my mortgage company postpone forclosure on my house if I were to stop paying, just because "it's Christmas"??? No way!!!!
Bring on CNN & the BBC. Let's expose this abuse and criminal activity - and hold parents responsible for their children's actions.
December 11, 2007 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Busy247 (anonymous) says...
I lived in the Gadsden Green Project for 15 years along with my six sisters & brothers, my mother a single parent at the time. Six of us have our degrees and make a decent living. Everyday my mother told us what it takes to live on the project. We didn't like it, but it was a place to live. We saw families being evicted all the time. Believe me they deserved it. Why should families that abide the rules put up with families that care less about it. Everyone that signs a lease knows. Don't act like Charleston is the only city that have evicted families because they have committed a crime. Every state have this rule that applies to public housing. Even some apartment rentals does criminal background check. Why should the project houses' criminals, when the project have produce some educated people respectful families. I THANK WHO EVER WROTE THE POLICY. IT PROTECTED FAMILIES THAT OBEYED THE RULES.
December 11, 2007 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proud2bme (anonymous) says...
Busy247
KUDOS AND BRAVO TO YOU!!!!!
December 11, 2007 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ptmama73 (anonymous) says...
Yes, I do feel sorry for the other children. No, it is not the other children's fault it is the MOTHERS' fault for their irresponsible manner of raising children. I do not spend hours at a time getting $100 hair-do's and $60 manicures (while on public assistance) and allow my children to run wild. Instead I "sacrifice" the time I COULD be spending on MY hair and nails to monitor my children and their activities like any other responsible parent would.
Throw them out and give 5 DESERVING families a chance.
December 11, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pratt07 (anonymous) says...
Busy 247 is a perfect example of someone who rose above the situation and didn't make excuses as to why his/her life ended up a certain way. Busy, I commend you for taking the initiative to make something of yourself no matter what your parent's financial state was or regardless of your upbringing. You and your siblings. Also, I commend your mother for instilling those values in you. As far as these families, I am sure when they moved into the neighborhood, some sort of aggreement/contract had to be signed by the head of househould stating that they understood the rules and regulations as well as what the consequences are should those rules be broken. Their signature states they will assume responsibility. Their children are their responsibility. I feel as though Gadsden Green is making the appropriate decision to ensure the saftey of the rest of the community, who choose to abide by these rules, by removing the ones choose to disobey.
December 11, 2007 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Some of yall are really mean. The article before this never said the mothers were NOT working. I believe one mother was a grant writer, and I can't remember the other mother's occupation but they are working. What about the other children? Are they hoodlums because of the action of their sister or brother? I feel sorry for the kids as well but I'm not going to bash mom and say you aren't raising your kids when she has one bad apple out of the bunch.
Rules are rules and I do feel sorry for the families but this is a very hard lesson to learn. At least if they are evicted another family can benefit.
December 11, 2007 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonian (anonymous) says...
The actions of the kids and how they turned out are a direct relation to how they were raised by there parents. To say that they are not poor mothers because they only had one bad apple out of 4 or 5 is ridiculous. If their oldest kid went down the road of a criminal chances are really good his siblings are going to follow down that same road unless the parents step up to their parenting responsibilities, which doesn't appear as if that is going to happen.
They all signed the contract, the reneged on it so now the free ride is over. Set a proper example for the rest of their kids and community and stop trying to cheat the system and making excuses for your mistakes. They need to leave the public housing and give another deserving family a shot.
December 11, 2007 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justme2 (anonymous) says...
I for one am glad they have another short chance. The way some of you are commenting, shows how you feel about under priviledged people,including babies. It's a shame. I could not see these people on the street for something their older siblings did. These are HUMANS, not animals. Would any of you put your DOGS out of the house or have them put to death if they bit someone or endangered them? NO you would have this board lit up with Sympathy posts to save them. Nothing has changed, just put to sleep for a while and is raising it's head again.
What value do you have for humans, especially in the winter? I'm an advocate for the children and mothers.
Wake up Charleston!!! From some of these posts, Look at what and who you have to deal with!!!!!! You will never have a chance of making things better for your citizens, especially the Ones that find fault with the Sympathy shown to HUMANS. We all see what adds to your situation.
JMO and I'm outta here!!! Goodbye
December 11, 2007 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justme2 (anonymous) says...
Oh, before I leave, I do believe the culprits should be punished. Tey should be punished and see the Impact they have and inflicted on their mothers and younger siblings.
In no way would I back them up in their wrong doings. THey should be taught a lesson, maybe it will save their lives and maybe they will appreciate it.
December 11, 2007 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cpanther515 (anonymous) says...
Toss them. At 14 they new what they were doing.
The person or persons staring down the barrel of that gun doesn't know it's a BB gun.
December 11, 2007 at 6:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
STJ_Boi (anonymous) says...
The word for today boys and girls is ACCOUNTABILITY! It has to start somewhere. Some people don't want to be accountable for controlling giving birth to children they can't afford. Then there are those that don't want to be accountable for raising them properly. Then you have those who don't want to be accountable for contracts they've willingly signed. Well when does it stop? This entire situation is ridiculous. My grandmother used to say, "there is no lesson, like a bought lesson!" Well maybe if these mothers have to pay a price and are held accountable they will see to it that their other children (all 25 of them!!!!) aren't running around the city like loose animals shooting people with guns of any sort. As far as the welfare of the other children involved, I have no choice but to entrust them to the will of the Lord, since apparantly the mothers aren't capable!
December 11, 2007 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigcruiserg (anonymous) says...
you people are sick. how is putting people in the streets are going to prove anything? what you will have is 25 more kids on the street that will do what ever it takes to survive. have anyone of you ever got a ticket? does that mean your whole family should not be permitted to drive? wake up people
December 11, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wonderdog (anonymous) says...
When I got my drivers license, I did not sign a contract acknowledging that my family members stood to lose their licenses if I got a ticket. These women signed housing contracts acknowledging that criminal activity by a family member was grounds for eviction. It's a CONTRACT.
December 11, 2007 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
These are dependents not kids. Worth about $500 per month each to some fine uplifting mother. That's the only way to explain why these women would have 5 kids with no way except welfare to take care of them. It's truly amazing! Bonk like rabbits just take birth control pills, have the donor use a condom, something!
You know people do screw up God knows I have but to have 5 children oy of wedlock is just to much?
December 11, 2007 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Moonpie- how do you know all of these kids were born out of wedlock? Why is it if a person has 3 or more kids then the children cannot have the same father? Do you know if any of them are fraternal twins? Do you know what her financial situation was like before the mother went to the state for help? None of these mothers are on welfare they all work.
December 12, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southerner (anonymous) says...
Where are the fathers (5 or 25) of these twenty five kids, don't they have a father, shouldn't the fathers be supporting these twenty five kids ? so many questions and no one answers them. P&C how about checking on the status of the fathers.
December 12, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ptmama73 (anonymous) says...
Go to Charlestoncounty.org and then to the Clerk of Court website. At least one mother had 3 suits against her for eviction from 2002 and 2003 and an additional suit (she was a defendant in all 3). Another mother has 5 suits for eviction starting in 2001 plus 7 MORE from 2007(from Charleston Housing Authority) AND 19 Criminal Charges. And I only looked up 2 of the mothers.
REAL RESPONSIBLE PARENTING HERE.
December 12, 2007 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ptmama73 (anonymous) says...
A 3rd "Innocent" mother has several evictions and 2 Assault and Battery and 3 Lynching charges...How did she get in the complex to begin with????
December 12, 2007 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Julianna (anonymous) says...
southerner,
I have asked that question before and no one seems know where the "daddies" are.
December 24, 2007 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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