BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Almost half of a $273,000 grant awarded in 2002 to fight the Goth culture in Blue Springs has been returned because of a lack of interest — and the absence of a real problem.

Blue Springs received the grant two years ago from the Youth Outreach Unit, money the city and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves trumpeted proudly as a way to fight a perceived Goth problem.

But $132,000 of the grant was returned because officials never found much of a problem with the Goth culture, which some students called a fad that most people eventually outgrow.
Slightly more than $118,000 of the money was earmarked for therapy, assessment and case management, and the plans also included a series of town meetings to discuss the issue.

"It never happened because referring someone for looking, acting Goth is not a concept that ever got imbedded in people's heads," project manager Allyce Ford said of the therapy proposal.

The town hall meetings didn't happen, either, she said, because there wasn't enough interest in the community to conduct them.

About halfway through the project, the focus shifted from Goths to counter cultures and negative influences facing children, Ford said.

"You have to admit if you saw one, two, three, four or more people dressed in traditional Goth, it would be discerning," she said. "Those kids have every right to be there. I hope the lessons you're teaching are tolerance and understanding."

Assistant City Administrator Eric Johnson said despite the change in focus, the project helped dispel myths and stereotypes associated with the Goth culture.


"That was part of the goal," Johnson said. "If we were able to accomplish that, we are able to accomplish something effective."

link: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp..._st/goth_grant

people are stupid.

yes.... thats bloody rediculous indeed.

i could've told you that goths aren't worth $273,000.

That article is shit. Furthermore, when you post an article YOU POST A FUCKING LINK TO WHERE YOU GOT IT.

I didnt have a link, as it was emailed to me, but i got the person to send me a link, so its up above boss erosion.

for whatev it's worth:

May 21, 6:58 PM EDT

$132K of Grant to Combat Goth Returned

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (AP)


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...T&SECTION=HOME

goths rule but i don't see why everyone has a problem with us??????

It was a stupid idea. Goths aren't a problem. When I see someone in handcuffs on the local news, or a composite sketch of someone wanted for rape or whatever, it's never a skinny white boy with black hair and makeup.

ha ha ha................*mutters to self* "we have got the world fooled haven't we"

"people are stupid"

americans are stupider

I don't know.. Maybe it's the "holier than thou" attitude, rank stench of patchouli and clove cigarettes, the grating voice of Dani Filth, the constant whining and bitching about "not being understood", the intellectual posturing, the hypocrisy, and being subjected to a throng of fat goth girls in too-small fishnet shirts and pleather pants.

For once I agree with you.

Lets hope this doesn't become a trend.

but isn't that you trying to put yourself above them.....!

keep your stupid thoughts to your self and become a suicide bomber and go blow up some of your ethnic neighbours