• Affordable Housing A Path to Homelessness
    Hi, I am a 73 year old retired, disabled, veteran who lives on Social Security and if you haven't guessed already, I live in an Affordable Housing Project owned by the County of Kauai. I have done everything requested of me from the first notice of violation as I cherish my home and can't afford to lose it. I requested a Grievance Hearing with the local Public Housing Authority (PHA - HCV Program) for my Section 8 housing. The Federal Register lists The Kauai County Housing Agency as the local PHA. The hearing was approved and I waited for a date and time. Then it was canceled saying that I had done nothing wrong within the program to warrant a hearing. I was referred to the Agency of Elderly Affairs who referred me to the Legal Aid Society. After providing everything asked for I was told it was believed I had a case and awaited an appointment with the managing director. Then I was told that the managing director was leaving to accept another job and the only other lawyer in the office doesn't believe these types of cases are winnable because the County makes out the contracts as month to month rentals rather than the HUD mandated year to year lease and you can't introduce the federal law in court because the HUD mandated Tenancy Addendum is not attached to your contract. Therefore HRS 521-71 applies, that basically says management can evict a tenant for no reason. A few days later I got a call from the legal assistant who was originally helping me, saying she had forwarded all my paperwork to a lawyer in Honolulu who specializes in this type of case. After spending several hours telling him the details, he kept saying that I wasn't giving him anything to work with. In his words it always ends in a he said she said even with witnesses or so called proof where the judge couldn't decide the truth, until I mentioned management cheating on the House Rules. The next day I got a call telling me that after an hour on the phone with EAH Housings lawyer he had convinced him that management could not win this case in court. Now I'm a bit vague as to what happened next even though I asked questions, but the next thing that happened was the new best way out was a Mutual Termination Agreement sent by EAH Housing's lawyer. When I asked what happened I was told, we work in teams using local lawyers, we do not have the budget to island hop for court appearances. All the members of the team must agree on a course of action. The only thing that makes sense here is the local lawyer refused to litigate the case in court. I read the agreement and refused to sign it because of all the illegal things it contained. We then spent time rewording the agreement and sending it back. Basically they were to dismiss the case and I must move in 60 days. The next hearing was on Aug 19 and the local lawyer presented the agreement to the judge. EAH Housing's lawyer was a no show and the judge refused to dismiss the case. He asked for a stipulation from EAH Housing's lawyer to dismiss. I knew at this point they were not going to live up to their agreement. I was assured that this would not happen until the time ran out on Oct 31, 2019 and it did not happen. I didn't move because they broke the agreement the day they were a no show in court. Next I get a summons to appear because they were suing me for breaking the agreement. That summons broke the state law for not giving me time to prepare. So the next summons was dated Dec 2, 2019 the same day they dismissed the original case. EHA Housing's lawyer flew in from Honolulu specifically for this hearing. The judge puts us in mediation because I do not have representation. EAH Housing's lawyer proceeds to tell me I can not win this case and he is very good at what he does. If we do not reach an agreement you will lose your HCV (Section 8 voucher) for five years and become homeless. I'm EMR Sensitive and the first problem I have in Lihue because of all the cell towers and free Wi-Fi is organizing my thoughts. Doctors do not recognize this problem yet. While the mediator was asking good questions he could not see a good end result for me. The fair housing Act gives up to 60 days for disabled people and I caved to that. The agreement was signed and the judge agreed. I have all along been looking for a place to live, desperately wanting to get away from this manager. Affordable Housing directly from the state or HUD (through the Hawaii Housing Agency) is 3 years out after you fill out the paperwork and approved you are put on a waiting list. Looking for other affordable housing, the waiting lists are not open and there are no vacancies. Looking on the retail rental market, no one accepts the HCV Program. So on Jan 31, 2020 at 4PM I will become homeless. The cost of moving into storage and out of storage and the deposit and my portion of the first month rent will put me in debt. I had a blowout on the way to a doctor's appointment and while I could get the spare out of the trunk I could no longer change the tire. I passed out on the front seat of the car and a kind woman stopped to help and found me. This made me realize that my desire to move out wade my physical ability to move. So I am here asking for help. If you think this was a long story you should hear the long version. If you agree this is wrong on multiple levels please sign my petition. Or better yet call (808) 241-4440 and ask to speak with Steven Franco and express the fact that management broke the house rules when getting a lawyer to serve a 45 day notice. When I was a kid this was called cheating, but she is also a habitual liar. This is why she hates me because I call her out. I'm not the only one here. According to the chair of Health and Human Services for the County she has had at least 4 complaints against her. She evicts people because their kids are out playing without supervision and making too much noise.
    18 of 100 Signatures
    Created by David LaBarre
  • Fired Bill O’Brien
    The fans are tired of being let down, by O’Brien conservative play calling.
    14 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Jerome Robinson
  • Country over Party - Vote for a fair impeachment trial
    Senator Toomey has been a party line Trump supporter. He has never detailed what he considers to be an impeachable offense. He has been asked by many and parrots the talking points of the GOP. He is adept at avoiding publicity will not hold town halls and behind the scenes has continued to support Trump and his agenda. He believes he is safe if he stays quiet and follows the Republican Majority. As a Senator from Pennsylvania he should reflect our views not those of McConnell and Trump. We must let Senator Toomey know that he cannot hide in the Republican Majority. We expect more than appearances at the Farm Show and sampling milkshakes. To every Citizen of Pennsylvania endorsing this petition let Senator Toomey know that abdication of his Constitutional duty will result in every signee of this petition voting against him in 2022.
    412 of 500 Signatures
    Created by John Vivian
  • Pledge and Vow to Vote Bernie Sanders as 46th President of the United States
    We will not vote for EVIL, even the lesser of two evils. We will not compromise and settle for pretenders who pale in comparison. This is not a game. This is not a bluff. To nominate anyone else the DNC would repeat the same folly as 2016. In order to defeat Trump, Bernie Sanders is the best option, one that will attract record voting highs full of independents, traditionally non-voters, former centrists and right wingers that have 'seen the light' and #FeelTheBern. In order to successfully make change in healthcare, climate change, tax reform, stopping legal tax evasion, gun reform, prison reform, and stopping the wars the President will need to have unprecedented fortitude and courage to remain noble and stedfast in the face of pressure and attacks by very powerful industries. Bernie Sanders is that candidate. No other candidates satisfy our criteria of not being corrupt in their policy decision making, no other has integrity, no other has determination to follow through with the lip service of their platform, such as true Single-Payer Healthcare in the form of Medicare for All. We will also vote out any opposition in local elections, and support candidates that pledge to support his agenda. Brought to you by The Forte Foundation and the Purple People's Party. #NotMeUs #WeThePeople #BrandNewCongress
    2,421 of 3,000 Signatures
    Created by Darnell Forte
  • Stop Killing Animals
    You have local, regional and national communities including non-profit no kill shelters and experts with years of experience in the management of no-kill shelters willing to help manage the situation you believe you are in: needing to kill animals: especially dogs. You are refusing to yield and let people and organizations step in and take these animals. Volunteers, staff and community are experiencing leadership as indignant. You are violating the mission and ethos of Brother Wolf. You have take nationally known organization and tainted it with no care as well as the community of Asheville, NC. We want you to stop and legally allow non-profit no-kill shelter or specially trained individuals assume care of animals you deem not worthy of living with no legal responsibility on you once transfers are complete
    201 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Lisa Wheeler
  • Amazon reuse your cardboard boxes
    We need to conserve resources (ie forests) and energy. Boxes used only 1 time, then recycled or thrown out, wastes resources, energy or adds to landfills. Carboard boxes should be used multiple times. With the ever increasing use of delivered goods, mainly by Amazon, carboard use is increasing. We need to reuse resources. Amazon should start a cardboard box reuse program, which could set an example for other on line services.
    40 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Christine McCann
  • Reduce Plastic Waste in STEM Labs at Schools
    This is important because we are trying to protect sea life. "According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, and as much as 80 percent of that litter is plastic," says Pewtrusts.org. Also, National Geographic Kids said, "Over 700 species of marine animals have been reported to have eaten or been entangled in plastic."
    55 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Junior Girl Scout Troop 70133
  • Legalize Recreational Marijuana In Georgia
    Marijuana should be legalized recreationally and regulated in state of Georgia for users 21 of age or older. Marijuana can help people with chronic pain, epilepsy, nausea, and vomiting. According to herbonaut.com, a 2011 study showed that smoking or vaping marijuana 3 times a day for 5 days led to a 27% decrease of perceived pain in people who have chronic pain. More studies have shown cannabinoids reduce seizures especially in patients who are resistant to normal treatment. A 2001 study showed, 'patients who smoked cannabis showed a 70 - 100% relief from nausea and vomiting while those who used a THC capsule experienced 76 - 88% relief. Many military veterans suffer from PTSD, a disorder which is cause by traumatic events and may last months or years due to reoccurring memories of that moment. A 2009 research shows that " a cannabis based medicine name Nabilone reduced daytime flashbacks and improved overall sleep-quality in PTSD patients". Marijuana has many benefits, but did you know you can't fatally overdose? According to the independent article David Schmader says 'Even aspirin can kill you if you take too much, but a fatal dose of marijuana would require ingestion of fifteen hundred pounds in 15 minutes physically impossible for any human'.Legalizing marijuana can bring in an estimate of $1 billion a year. 11 states are now legalized for recreational and medical use. Why not be the 12th state?
    57 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Najhae Wheeler
  • Let’s Cancel The Biggest Loser New Season
    This show caused so much harm to the health of contestants and viewers alike by perpetuating weight stigma. Since the show went off the air, we have research related to how weight stigma and yo yo dieting actually harms people in larger bodies. Additionally there is research from prior Biggest Loser contestants indicating long term negative effects: Participants not only gained the weight back due to a slowing of the metabolism but that participants had increased leptin levels that causes extreme hunger: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html From The National Association of Eating Disorders: “Weight stigma, also known as weight bias or weight-based discrimination, is discrimination or stereotyping based on a person's weight. Weight stigma can increase body dissatisfaction, a leading risk factor in the development of eating disorders.” https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/weight-stigma From Abbys Kitchen: DANGEROUS SECRETS FROM THE BIGGEST LOSER & MY PETITION TO MAKE IT STOP “A study published in the Journal of Obesity suggested that watching even one episode of the Biggest Loser increased hateful weight bias among viewers! This is particularly concerning to me when there are children watching, as it’s easy to sense and duplicate the disgust for fatness when they see it in their peers or even themselves.”https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/nutrition-dangerous-secrets-biggest-loser-my-petition-make-i/ From Today’s Dietitian: January 2018 Issue The Health Impact of Weight Stigma By Carrie Dennett, MPH, RDN, CD Today's Dietitian Vol. 20, No. 1, P. 24 “The health risks of weight discrimination are consistent with the observed effects of racial discrimination.8,35” Being the target of weight stigma increases the risk of poor mental health outcomes,36 including depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and eating disorders. These associations happen regardless of BMI, so it's unlikely that body weight itself is a cause.8” “Harrison says. "The majority of the clients I've treated for disordered eating cite bullying or shaming for their weight by parents, peers, coaches, or health care professionals as the initial trigger for their issues with food." https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0118p24.shtml
    1,902 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Kathleen Bishop
  • No Adding 7 Countries to the Muslim Ban
    The Muslim Ban is a racist and xenophobic policy dividing families and targeting refugees from Muslim nations. This latest expansion is nothing then more of the same.
    58 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Iman Boukadoum
  • City council to take back our beloved civic center!
    So that the building can be maintained and properly overseen. So that our community can be involved in the programs that go on there without harsh criticism from the Board of parks. We need to be able to use the facility for more activities to give our youth and community a fair option to stay within our town to enjoy sports, events, dances, classes, etc. The possibilities are endless. We feel that the board of parks has failed to work with the community and run things fairly. Our community deserves better and it is up to us to see that it happens.
    163 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Tana Crummel
  • Grandfather Clause for individuals that we're already 18 before the smoking age changed
    Our rights are being violated. Our rights to vote on a law before it goes into effect, and our rights as a legal adult.
    39 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Mackenzie Loughin