Nehemiah Update: Importnat Info
Published: Wed, 03/29/17
We are drawing close to our Nehemiah Action this Monday, April 3rd at 7:00 PM at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Thank you in advance for reading all of these updates!
There will be carpools meeting at the church at 6:00 PM. If you would like to carpool, please get there as close to that time as possible so we can make sure we have enough room for everyone and be on our way.
If you have a First Congregational Church t-shirt, this would be a great time to wear it! If not, you might want to wear red so we can find each other and sit together.
IF you do not have a ticket, you can pick one up on Sunday. You can also get one at the door on Monday night. If you do, please make sure you fill out our church name, First Congregational UCC, so we can keep track of our 90+ we will be bringing!
Confirmed public officials at the meeting include West Palm Beach mayor, Jeri Muoio, and State Attorney Dave Aronberg who will be there in support of our work on youth arrests.
We will be asking for the support of our county commissioners on the issue of homelessness. So far, ONLY 3 commissioners have committed to attend.
Melissa McKinlay - attending
Dave Kerner - attending
Mack Bernard - attending
Paulette Burdick - hasn't let us know for sure either way, says she may have a conflict related to an ailing aunt
Hal Valeche - we met with this morning; he said he has a conflict (he would not share what it was), but we pressed him and he said he would let us know within a few days. We plan on following up on Thursday.
Steve Abrams - we meet with tomorrow afternoon
MaryLou Berger - will not even meet with us
Three commissioners attending is simply not enough. Given the fact that 3,000 of their constituents are coming, and the enormity of the problems around which we are seeking commitments from them - we need them there!
So, we are asking you to continue your calls, and asking others to place calls to the offices of Commissioners Burdick and Berger -
Here are their numbers, and a sample script -
Commissioner Paulette Burdick
(561) 355-2202
Commissioner Marylou Berger
(561) 355-2205
Sample Script for Burdick and Berger:
Hello, my name is ________________________. I belong to ____________________________ (congregation). I heard that the Commissioner has not confirmed that she will be attending the Nehemiah Action this year. We have a crisis with homelessness and immigrants being criminalized in our community, and for those reasons – as well as the fact that the Action is the single largest grassroots gathering of her constituents that this County sees on regular basis – I really hope to see her there that night.
And, we now think it would be a good idea for people to place calls to Commissioner Valeche's office; as he takes tomorrow and Thursday to reconsider his decision not to come, I am sure hearing from people encouraging him to come would be helpful!
Commissioner Hal Valeche
(561) 355-2201
Sample Script for Valeche:
Hello, my name is ________________________. I belong to ____________________________ (congregation). I heard that the Commissioner has a conflict, but is considering shifting things so he can attend the Nehemiah Action on Monday. We have a crisis with homelessness and taxpayer dollars being wasted on taking immigrants to Jail. For those reasons – as well as the fact that so many of his constituents will be there really hoping to see him - I hope he decides to come.
Finally, this Thursday, at 1:30 pm, we plan on having a Press Conference on the Patio of St. Ann (with the County Commission building in the background for the cameras). It would be great to have as many people present as possible. Reply to this email if you can be there or if you have any additional questions.
This is a lot of information I know - if you have any questions - please ask!
Thank you for your commitment to justice work at First Congregational United Church of Christ!
Peace,
Pastor Jason