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Homeless Camp Complies With Pasco Regulations

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: March 31, 2009

Updated:

HUDSON - Changes made at a homeless camp in Hudson should satisfy a judge at an April 1 hearing about county citations for zoning and building code violations, an attorney representing Elisha Ministries said.

Beverly Barnett, a member of the Waller & Mitchell & Barnett law firm, said she has been representing the Elisha charitable organization pro bono since December when the facility first ran afoul of county inspectors.

County officials complained about possible safety hazards from makeshift buildings for showers or sleeping quarters at the Elisha homeless camp.

The facility lies on Rhodes Road, about midway between Hudson and New York avenues.

The county also frowned upon people residing in an area zoned for commercial business only.

The Rev. Jeff Fries, who owns the property and operates Elisha Ministries, faced a raft of citations.

"He's complied with what's needed," Barnett said of Fries. "The county has been very cooperative."

The April 1 county court hearing is still scheduled, Barnett said, but officials intend to explain to a judge the problems have been cleared up.

"We've got it all worked out," Barnett said about an accord with the county. "It will all be taken care of."

For instance, some recreational vehicles that had been converted into showers have been removed.

"You can't do that anywhere you live," Barnett remarked.

Pasco code enforcement officials did not respond to a request for comment about the status of the county's negotiations with Elisha Ministries.

Fries said he had cleared off all the offending travel trailers from the site.

The homeless problem in the area still disturbs Fries.

"It's very hard to say, 'I can't help you.' It breaks my heart," Fries commented.

So Fries intends to seek other ways he could help people. For information, go online to kampelisha.org or call 727-967-2393.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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