Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.
On the eve of the biggest homeless event of the year, homeless Las Vegans say they are not dwelling on the overwhelming defeat last week of a ballot initiative to assist them, but rather are looking ahead to helping themselves.
More than 3,000 homeless and otherwise poor are expected to attend the 10th annual Stand Down for the Homeless from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.
The stand down allows social service agencies to gather in one spot to provide, among other things, a job fair, distribution of personal care items, health care services from volunteer doctors and legal advice from volunteer attorneys.
Many say they will use services including the court amnesty program to clear up warrants, get a free haircut from volunteer Supercuts barbers or obtain a blanket donated by the Veterans Affairs Department.
The Culinary Union, Salvation Army and Catholic Charities will prepare and serve lunch.
The defeat of Question 11, they say, was not unexpected given the history of neglect for the homeless in a tourist-minded community that they say does not want to admit that homelessness exists. Question 11 would have increased property taxes 1 cent per $100 valuation to create a trust fund for the homeless.
"Many people think we just want a handout, but many of us want to work," said Gary Jarrett, 42, who came to Las Vegas from Fresno, Calif., a day before Question 11 went down to defeat. He now is a resident of the St. Vincent's shelter.
"I came here looking for work that was advertised on the Internet, but when I got here, they (employers) wanted local references. How was I going to get local references having just arrived in town?"
Jarrett and a number of homeless interviewed in front of the Shade Tree shelter for women and the nearby Catholic Charities St. Vincent shelter, said they knew nothing about the stand down or, for that matter, where Cashman Center is located.
However, at the Salvation Army, where about 100 homeless men, women and children gathered Monday, the stand down was foremost on their minds.
"Stand down is the big topic of conversation for us," said native Nevadan Eugene Carr, 34, who is residing in the Salvation Army shelter and recently was hired as a bell ringer for the organization's upcoming Christmas kettle drive.
"A lot of the people over at St. Vincent's are new homeless. We've had a lot of homeless people come to town this week because it is getting cold in other cities. Las Vegas to the homeless is like Yuma, Ariz., to the snowbirds."
On Question 11, Carr said: "Many of us really didn't follow that one too much. Many homeless people were more upset when they heard that voters defeated Question 9," the legalization of up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Proponents said passage of Question 11 was the humanitarian thing to do. Opponents were skeptical that creating a new agency would gobble up the money meant for the poor.
Brian Brooks, former chairman of the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition and longtime director of the stand down, said he is concentrating on the good that resulted from Question 11 -- things that can be used to help the homeless.
"I think it was positive that 36 percent voted in favor of it and that we got our message out that the homeless in this community need help," he said. "Of course we are disappointed it failed, but people know that the problem of homelessness will not go away because Question 11 was defeated."
A 1999 study revealed that there were at least 6,700 homeless people in Southern Nevada, including people living in shelters or with friends.
"The trust fund would have been helpful because there are so few sources of money," said stand down co-chairwoman Charleen Aydt-Stann of Safe Nest. "But with what we have seen in the community this year with the issue of the downtown homeless encampments, the leaders realize the problem has to be addressed."
Last week Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said the only election "surprise" was that Question 11 was soundly defeated. City spokesman David Riggleman said Monday that the city will continue its winter relief funding but that other government entities also must help because homelessness is a regional issue.
The homeless are not so sure from where the help will come.
"If the voters won't help us, we'll just have to help ourselves," said David " Sarge" Moore, who is 49 and blind. "I'm going to the stand down to see if I can get a housing voucher. I've worked in culinary and I've done security work. I may need some help, but I can help myself too."
Charles Gary, 35, a resident of 16 years who is in the St. Vincent job program, said: "When I saw that Question 11 failed, it didn't surprise me because it reflected the attitude in Las Vegas toward homeless people.
"I can only say to those who voted against it, put on an old coat and come spend a little time with us. You'll be surprised at what you see."
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