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Some of the most promising initiatives to combat homelessness have been those that involved private partnerships, including churches and nonprofits. Most recently there was the effort by First Assembly of God to acquire igloo-style dwellings for the homeless.
And now a group of architects and a money manager, working pro bono, aims to convert decommissioned city buses into mobile showers and laundromats. This may work, in some circumstances, better than building permanent comfort stations.
Some things government can do best — providing land for homeless services, for example — but the private sector is key. It will take a village to solve this problem.
TMT hearing faces a flurry of objections
If you thought building a giant telescope atop Mauna Kea was hard, try holding a contested case hearing on it.
Mauna Kea Hui, representing opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope, has issued numerous objections to the process: The hearing officer has a conflict of interest. The process by which the hearing officer was selected violated the state’s Sunshine Law. Now, Mauna Kea Hui has criticized the request by the telescope’s builders to be a party at the hearing. But if allowed, Mauna Kea Hui’s attorney said, other parties with an interest should be admitted as well — after a public hearing.
If this drags on, Mauna Kea Hui could get its wish by default. TMT’s builders say they are seeking other options if permission isn’t granted by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. One thing seems clear: The longer it takes, the more expensive it will be — for all parties, which includes the taxpayers.
