Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/147897
Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 SERVICE PROVIDERS WEIGH IN Tom Pfaff, a chaplain with the Sarasota Ministerial Association, spoke in favor Wednesday of hiring Marbut as a consultant. Pfaff had traveled to Pinellas County to tour Safe Harbor, a homeless transformation facility operated by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Marbut was instrumental in that center's opening several years ago. "I left there absolutely amazed to see that all seven of Dr. Marbut's guiding principles were instilled in people working there," Pfaff told those attending the committee meeting. "I left that facility knowing in my heart that man can bring a community together and give us a continuum of care. I think we need him." David Klimut, special projects developer for the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, said he thinks Marbut can foster more welcoming situations for homeless people who use local services. Page 12 Dr. David Sutton, director of programs/facilities at the Salvation Army, agreed that Marbut's "expertise in our opinion is unquestioned." However, Sutton added, Marbut acknowledged that Sarasota leaders are already addressing many of the most important issues. Therefore, it might be premature to pay for his consulting services. The priority should be making sure local homeless advocates are all collaborating. "Can we bring everyone together?" David Sutton asked. "I think we can." CONTROVERSIAL PLANS Valerie Guillory, of the nonprofit Trinity Without Borders, also spoke at the meeting. Guillory said she had talked with Marbut about her controversial plans to provide temporary shelter for the homeless on a 4-acre parcel off U.S. 301 near Gillespie Park. Guillory was interested in gaining his advice, to help her operate the shelter more smoothly. Opponents of Guillory's plan have voiced the "It will be a better client experience and will view that a permanent facility run by an eslead to better results in the long run," Klimut tablished nonprofit would be a better option. noted. Nonetheless, Guillory remains committed to Resident Ira McNut, who said he was living her plan, she said, even if city officials have with his father, talked about how he almost not welcomed it with open arms. She hopes to became homeless recently. McNut added that keep operating the facility — with or without bringing in an objective outsider would be the Marbut's assistance and with or without local best way to launch an initiative to improve the support. homeless situation across the county. "I don't care who tries to run me out of this There was one speaker, however, who thought town, my mission is in my heart," Guillory Marbut might not be needed at this point. added, referring to critics. %