You can reach Syracuse United Neighbors (SUN) in the following ways:
in person or by pen & paper: 1540 S. Salina St. Syracuse, NY 13205
e-mail: sun [at] sunaction [dot] org
voice: 315-476-7475
fax: 315-476-4523
SUN Action!
Syracuse United Neighbors: Organizing Powerful Grassroots Leaders Since 1977.
This is a copy of an email I sent to the mayor:
Mayor Miner-
As a recovering alcoholic of 7 years and a first year MSW student at Syracuse University, I am outraged at the idea that the city may block Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare from establishing a home for people in recovery on Lincoln Ave. If the home were for people suffering from diabetes or cancer, would you support it then? If a group of people were fighting to block a home for people of color, would you be on their side?
There is a general gross misunderstanding of addiction and recovery in our society, and people in recovery will tell you firsthand about the discrimination they face as a result of stereotypes. I plan on bringing this issue to the attention of my professors and fellow students today.
Sincerely,
Heidi Effinger
Heidi:
Thank you for your comment on our blog. The situation surrounding this building is more involved than you portray the situation.
1) For years, the building at 168 Lincoln was used a group home for folks with developmental disabilities. They were wonderful neighbors and folks were sad to see them go, but the organization running the facility lost their funding.
2) The proposed manager of the drug rehabilitation facility, Syracuse Behavioral Health Center (SBHC) soured their relations with the community. While waiting for funding and approval to open the drug treatment center, they decided to run a homeless shelter on a temporary contract with the county. There was no outreach to the community prior to this development and the facility was extremely poorly run. Noise, trash, public drunkenness, drug use and drug sales, urination on adjoining houses–it was a nightmare.
3) After two public meetings with the management of SBHC, the neighbors were not convinced that the facility would be run in a manner that was respectful to the community. The managers were arrogant and took an angry tone, questioning the neighbors right to even question their proposal.
4) The question for neighbors is two-fold 1) the fact that SBHC is not viewed as a trustworthy manager 2) the fact that this predominately residential neighborhood already is home to at least seven homeless shelters/drug treatment facilities. This is not a case of “not in my backyard.” It is a case of “my backyard is full.”
5) Residents are also quite aware of the fact that low income, predominately African American neighborhoods are tartgeted for developments that more affluent neighborhoods shun. This is the neighborhood that, despite all objections, saw the construction of the Midland Avenue Sewage Treatment plant.
Thank you for your response. I do appreciate that there are more issues behind your stance. I can also imagine that it is very frustrating to deal with people who seem to not take your concerns into consideration. For me, however, it is SUN’s opinion that people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction are “bad” that bothers me. That said, your point about African-American neighborhoods being targeted for what could be perceived as unsavory developments is well taken.