'Nickelsville' moves again

SEATTLE — Members of the homeless encampment known as "Nickelsville" gathered around a burn barrel in the parking lot of a University District church Wednesday night, listening to the details of their move.

For three months, the parking lot of the University Congregational United Church of Christ (UCUCC) has been home to the camp, dubbed "Nickelsville" as a political jab at Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

The dozens of tents will be folded up and moved to another church just south of the city limits, because the group's 3-month permit from the city has run out.

Moving is nothing new to William Lester, Jr. He has been a member of the homeless community for six months.

"We're shooting for a permanent spot," he said. "But if it takes us going to another place for another 3 months, we can," he sighed, knowing the turmoil moving miles away will cause himself and his friends.

Last week "Nickelsville" and the Bryn Mawr United Methodist Church in Skyway applied for a permit with King County.

"Nickelsville" organizer Scott Morrow is frustrated by dealing with Seattle, and the hurdles the group had to jump to get a temporary permit.

"That process took 6 weeks to do," said Morrow, "lasted only a month, and expired before 'Nickelsville' will leave UCUCC."

As for dealing with King County; "It will take less than 30 days to issue, will last 90 days, probably won't contain nutty conditions, and cost $200," said Morrow.

Charges for the permit process with the City of Seattle totaled $3,550.

Critics of the encampment say there are social services which can help the homeless. Those, like William Lester, without a home scoff at the premise that the "government" will care for them. "We're homeless," he said, "We have to go somewhere."