Steve Parsons, who helps run the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church food pantry and is involved in the homeless outreach program working to get the homeless in Manteca off the streets, believes the general community aversion to a homeless shelter is misplaced.
He agrees that Manteca doesn’t want to replicate problematic shelters that essentially are just that — shelters — or soup kitchens per se. Instead he believes the mission-style rescue programs have a proven track record of improving the lot of the homeless while reducing associated problems a community experiences.
To that end one of Manteca’s “invisible” homeless who has been living on Manteca’s streets for the past several years due to financial difficulties without drawing attention to himself is hoping the community will help Pastor Kandee Williams of Heart 2 Heart Ranch Ministries with her vision to obtain a building somewhere in the Manteca countryside to open such a rescue mission.
The man, who asked not to be identified, wrote the following as an open letter to Manteca residents:
“The Church with No Walls needs to raise $50,000 to open Mission Rescue Shelter Heart-to-Heart Ministries. Pastor Kandee Williams’ husbands dream was to help feed the homeless and to search for God and shelter them – give them a chance to get back on the road to live. Pastor Kandee’s husband Joe died and her struggle with her life tested her faith and she would love to finish her husband’s dream. Her faith is going to carry her through and the help of the community will help give her hope.
“We need the money for the building and the electricity and garbage, but we need to find the building. We’re hoping somebody will donate a building or rent us a building for a small price. The Rescue Mission of Heart-to-Heart Ministries is a non-profit – it’s a little hotel where for $3-a-night people can come and they can check-in at 5 p.m. and they check out at 8 a.m. and from 8 to 9 a.m. they will get breakfast. Pastor Kandee’s Church with No Walls is here to help with the plight of the homeless. We would like the Mayor to give volunteers for the Dial-a-Ride so the homeless can get out there. The Homeless Ministries Shelter could be between Manteca and Ripon where the homeless are. Their dogs will be welcome as well. With the help of the Mayor and the city council, this will be possible.”
 If you would like to assist Heart 2 Heart Ranch Ministries contact Pastor Williams at (209) 923.3425 or email kan4him@yahoo.com.

Beloved rose garden
. turns into homeless
& trash magnet
Manteca’s most enduring rose garden is no more.
The garden that once had perhaps six dozen roses is now not only in its death throes but it has gone from downtown bright spot to blight. It has become a dumping ground and a stopping point for Manteca’s homeless including several that have bene known to camp behind overgrown and dead foliage.
The rose garden was planted in the 1930s by Winn Henry, wife of dentist Lloyd Henry. His practice was in the adjoining brick building that in recent years housed dentist Ricardo Cuevas’ practice until he relocated to New England.
For years after her husband’s retirement Winn Henry lovingly tended the rose garden. She did so after her husband’s death and continue until a few years before her own passing.

1,100 weed
violators getting
second inspection
Speaking of fire hazards, the 1,100 properties that were issued notice of violations in May by the Manteca FireDepartment for weed abatement issues will be re-inspected starting this Wednesday, June 15.
If parcels aren’t abated when firefighters re-inspect them they will be put on a 15-day notice that the city will have contractors clean it up passing the cost along with fines. The property owner is billed for the work. If they opt not to pay, the city places a lien against their property.
Property owners are also subject to a $100 fine for the first infraction and $200 fine for subsequent infractions.

Bob Elliott
has class
Who had the classiest campaign sign in the primary election?
Hands down it was San Joaquin County Fifth District Supervisor Bob Elliott who ran unopposed for a second term.
Elliott and his supporters after Tuesday’s election went back to his campaign signs such as the one at Cottage Avenue and Yosemite avenue in front of Rain Drop Car Wash and tacked on a “thank you” sign atop of the original sign.
Elliott, who represents Manteca south of Yosemite Avenue, Tracy, and Mountain House, will be removing all of his signs in a few weeks.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@manetcabulletin.com