Last Stand: Vet Group Fights Eviction
100 protesters band together to stop eviction
By CARLOS MILLER
Updated 5:15 PM EDT, Wed, Oct 14, 2009
A Miami organization that helps feed hungry veterans was on the brink of getting evicted from its Liberty City office until more than 100 protesters showed up to demonstrate Wednesday morning.
Now Make A Wish Veterans was given new hope after the chairman of the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation – which had voted to evict the organization - assured that he would try to talk to the other board members into trying to come up with some type of rental agreement.
Make A Wish Veterans had moved into the office a few months ago with the permission of MLKEDC Chairman David Chiverton until the board approved of the move.
The non-profit organization was offering to pay $650 a month for the office space at 6102 NW 7 Ave., but the MLKEDC said it needs at least $2,000 a month, so the board voted 3-2 to reject the offer.
On September 25, MLKEDC President and CEO Miltoria Fordham sent them a letter saying their request had been denied along with the return of a $1,300 check for first and last month deposit.
The doors were locked and the eviction process was set in motion.
Make A Wish Veterans founder Charles Buford believed the decision stemmed from Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones because she was upset that the group had not endorsed her for the upcoming election.
“We’re a non-profit,” he said. “We are not allowed to endorse anybody.”
However, Fordham said it was simply a matter of economics.
“We have a mortgage we have to pay,” she said.
The organization receives no grants and little donations, so it operates on bare bones as it feeds between 20-50 veterans a day. On some days, they host large feedings where hundreds of people get fed.
“We can barely afford to pay $650,” said Make A Wish Veterans founder Charles Buford who met with MLKEDC board chairman David Chiverton.
“All we’re trying to do is feed a hungry community.”
During the demonstration, Chiverton, one of two board members who voted for accepting the $650 a month, assured that he would call the other board members to see if they can come up with some type of resolution that would allow the group to remain in the office.
“We need to find some type of medium,” he said, adding that it would most likely require paying more than $650 a month in rent but perhaps not as much as $2,000.
Meanwhile, Buford is asking the community for donations to help his organization.
First Published: Oct 14, 2009 2:28 PM EDT
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