Georgia official challenges ‘mentally retarded’ living in community; discrimination alleged
August 20th, 2008From NBC Augusta News in Augusta, Georgia:
Corey Johnson, a commissioner in Georgia’s Richmond County, is questioning whether two people with intellectual disabilities should be allowed to live on their own. He said neighborhoods should be warned before people with intellectual disabilities move in.
“I find it disturbing if you have two people that are somewhat, you know, mentally retarded who are living together. It’s like having two blind people living in a house together. How one is going to show the other one how to maneuver, how to get around?” he said. Johnson called for regulations and said he wanted a board committee to study the matter.
Another county commissioner disagreed, saying Johnson’s comments were discriminatory. “We need to make accommodations for people who are probably the most discriminated against group in America, and that’s people with disabilities,” said Commissioner Joe Bowles.
The heated debate followed a complaint from the head of a neighborhood association about two renters. Homeowner Isaac Miller told reporters the renters do not cause problems. “They are just a little slow, that’s all,” he said. “I really don’t understand what the problem is.”
“People with disabilities have the right just like you and I do to live where they choose and to be supported as they need to be,” said Estelle Muherin Duncan of Serenity Behavioral Health Systems, a group that provides services to people with disabilities.
(NBC Augusta photo. Video available)
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February 9th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I live in a nice little modest neighborhood in the Southeast. I bought my home in 2006 and used most if not all of my investment dollars to put down on this house. My husband and I are within 5 years of retirement. We are proud of this home and have continued to put money in it to improve the landscape and curb appeal. All that said, last year two special needs and disabilites training homes were put in our neighborhood, without notification, of course. I believe the builder who sold me my home knew of these plans because we had asked about the lots that now hold the homes and we were told “I believe they have plans for those lots”. Anyway, since the homes opened, my husband and I have tried to keep an open mind but, I have to say, our experience has not been positive. We have experienced a marked increase in traffic and a steady stream of “strangers” in here. It has bought in people who love to play that loud, vibrating music. The residents walk the streets in gangs or alone and just stop and stare at us or our houses. They ride bikes up and down the streets and side walks with little or no regard for traffic. To add to this, we have had several foreclosures in here. These foreclosed homes are not selling so the banks mark them down every month. My question is this, if people are not buying these foreclosed homes because of the special houses (and I know for a fact this is the main reason) and my home value is going down every month, what governmental agency is going to protect me? Don’t misunderstand me. I know special and disabled people need all the help we can give them, but at what expense? Who’s going to help me? My neighborhood is only one street and 33 houses. There is no way these special homes are ever going to fit in. They also do not really look like the rest of the houses and they share a drive way and a large parking pad. The residents, visitors, workers also use the cul de sac in front of their homes as an additional parking lot, blocking driveways and making it look terrible. Can you help me?
August 21st, 2008 at 7:56 am
In my former job I opened a group home for four young ladies who had intellectual disabilities. The home owners association somehow discovered our intentions to purchase the home so they called an EMERGENCY HOA meeting.
At this meeting residents asked for profiles of all four ladies, wanted to know if their living in the neighborhood would lower property values and questioned whether they were “fit” to live in a “regular” neighborhood. Meeting attendees questioned why a government agency would be purchasing such a nice home when they could get a cheaper house in another neighborhood. They questioned whether the home would be kept up nicely and who would be coming to visit these ladies.
They also requested profiles on the staff that would be in the home 24/7. They actually held a vote (nonbinding of course)on whether to “allow” our organization to purchase this home.
The vote outcome is irrelevant as we did in fact purchase the home and these four young ladies moved in and they are still living there eight years later and are now an accepted part of the community. Ignorance clearly breeds unfounded fear, as is the case with County Commissioner Corey Johnson.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:29 am
I think we need to start working on legislation that prohibits insensitive and unthoughtful people from political positions.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’m just speechless.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:06 am
This man should be removed from his position, apoligize to both the intellectually disabled and blind community and encouraged to take some diversity training. That a man in his position of authority would be so inherently discriminatory without having the facts speaks to the discrimination disabled people still face in this society.