North Carolina Newspapers

Page 6A - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Thursday, May 26. 1988 Hey, The Joke Was On Us la a May 19th article In the Charlotte Observer It was re ported that Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Carla DuPuy said the commissioners have expressed "In a Joking manner," that they don't feel ob ligated to the black community because the black community does not vote for them. DuPuy said she "couldn't re member" who actually told this joke. She said nonetheless, It was not "cm uncommon state ment." With just a little deductive rea soning we can figure out which commissioners probably did share In this joke. Under dis trict representation, this county has one predominantly black district. Accordingly, one of the seven commissioners does get black votes. Therefore, it stands to reason who the jokers are and who the jokes are played on. Nevertheless, after making that statement, DuPuy tried to clean it up by saying this joke was not particularly funny right now (in the midst of the recy cling station battle between the predominantly black westside and the County). She didn't, however, exactly say when this particular joke was funny. Perhaps It was funny when the commissioners first decided to stick a waste transfer station In the predominantly black, dense ly populated LaSalle St. area off Bellhaven Blvd. (The commis sioners later decided to make It a recycling station. The black, westside residents still do not want It). Maybe the commis sioners were so broken up laugh- From the Editor's Desk Jalyne Strong ing about this joke that the one, black commissioner didn't real ize that everyone was cracking up about putting a garbage sta tion in the middle of his district. That's why he went along with it. Or maybe it was funny, when the commissioners decided the county no longer needed a Mi nority Affairs office. The joke probably was hilarious when the commissioners began to consider doing away with the county's affirmative action plan. Wasn't it nice of DuPuy to let us all know that the concerns of the black community in Char- lotte-Mecklenburg are a joke. Of course, she admitted sometimes it's a funny joke and sometimes it isn't. But it's common knowl edge that with most racial jokes the laughter you receive usually depends upon the color of your audience. At least we now know why the black community usually gets a raw deal from the County Com mission. When blacks go to them with their concerns, they are not listening, they are snickering. "1 know it doesn't sound funny here today," said DuPuy about the commissioner's racial joke, lmpl3dng that she feels maybe the joke will be funny at some other time. Perhaps it will be amusing to the commissioners after the county dumps more waste on the westside, black community or does away with other services that are impor tant to the black community. Wonder why not one of the commissioners said this joke is not, never was, and never will be funny? Apparently, pur black com missioner didn't have the nerve to tell his co-commissioners to stop laughing at the expense of his race. So it is up to us. The black peo ple of Mecklenburg County must become more involved with the County Commission. Attend the meetings. Vote in strong-willed black commissioners. Monitor the commissioners' actions. Be more like the Westside Coali tion; take matters to court if need be. Use our political clout by whatever means available to make sure that issues that con cern us are not a joke to them. Only through participation and involvement in, and strin gent watching of, the County Commission's activities will black citizens be able to turn the tables and make the commis sioners choke on their joke. To see the County squirm un der an empowered black politi cal coalition could elicit a chuckle or two from us. Remember, he who laughs last, laughs best. ''BLACKS DON’T VdTB fOn US‘-Si> VV£ DON'T PBBL AW OBUBfiCnoH TO ” County coaamission WHO SAID that? ~y-- covNTy Letters To The Post Walton Responds To Post Editorials Dear Editors: 1 feel compelled to respond to your recent editorial en dorsing my opponent for the Primaiy Election. In this edi torial you made several refer ences as to why you were en dorsing my opponent which were incorrect statements and these statements need to be corrected for your own infor mation and to set the record straight for the voting public. The first incorrect statement was that 1 had indicated I would run at-large if the struc ture of the County Commis sion were changed by the vot ers. This is absolutely incoirect. I have never made such a commitment. Secondly, your statement is incorrect that I voted to sup port a resolution as delegate to the 1986 Annual Confer ence of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners aimed at prohibiting counties from using local tax revenue for public school salary supple ments. The main thrust of the resolution voted upon was to call upon the General Assem bly of North Carolina to fund teacher salaries and school employees salaries at ade quate levels so as to not bur den the counties to have to supplement teacher salaries and salaries of other school employees. I have always been in the forefront of allocating suffi cient dollars to fund education at the highest levels. Educa tion has to be one of our top priorities. Our children our fu ture. Furthermore, it would be ludicrous for me to be sup porting a resolution not pay ing teachers adequately, or to be against teacher supple ments - - - if this is the only way to pay teachers adequate ly for one only need to be aware that my wife is a teach er and I am fully aware of the need for higher teacher pay. Thirdly, your editorial goes on to talk about my vote re garding the LaSalle Street site for the then transfer station, now recycling center. Your comments would suggest I was in favor of the site and then changed my vote. Well, let me set the record straight on this matter once and for all (I hope). As I have stated many times before, 1 was op posed to the LaSalle Street site from the very beginning and so shared this with my colleagues at the meetings we had to discussed this matter. 1 voted for the site in executive session and at the public meeting following the execu tive session (commissioners indicate their votes in execu tive session and have to go out and vote publicly). 1 did so be cause 1 knew the site was sup ported by a majority of the boai'd and if 1 had cast my "no" vote at that time, I would not have been in position to bring the matter up again for dis cussion. This is a parliamen tary maneuver used many times by elected officials in order to keep an issue alive. You only know about these maneuvers when you have "experience". Finally, your April 28, 1988 editorial stated you were en dorsing my opponent because of his own words "I believe in leadership by example. You can't influence people if peo ple don't respect you. I think we have a responsibility to be good role models for our youth." Then you say your pa per is endorsing my opponent because he is a man of "integrity". I question anyone's integrity when they promise one thing and then do anoth er. My opponent promise not to talk about my controversy. Well for all practical purpose my opponent has talked about my controversy. If my oppo nent is making the statements mentioned above , then what is he talking about or what is he referring to? Do you call such , being a person of integ rity? Hardly Not!!! I hope your readers will get the record straight from hav ing read these comments. Having done so. I hope your readers will go to the polls on this coming Tuesday, May 31, 1988 and vote to return Bob Walton to thie County Com mission. By the way, let me say to my good friend, Gerald "As I see it" Johnson. If you and your pa per are going to pattern after the Charlotte Observer and endorse candidates, please do like the Observer and "interview" candidates before endorsing. Otherwise, please follow the pattern set by your "beloved" father, the late Bill Johnson, and leave endorsing alone and present the news as fairly and as accurately as he did. REV. BOB WALTON Vote Griffin For Equity In Education Dear Editor: The education of our youth, tomorrow's leaders, is vital to this community and nation. Our local schools need a per son who has stressed quiity education and equity for all in the educational system. Arthur Griffin is such as per son. Elect him to the Char- lotte-Mecklenburg School Board and you will elect a per son committed to improving the education of tomorrow's leaders. WILLA CLINE lA Letters To The Post No Hope For Change On Commission Dear Editor: I am sorry that the entire community did not attend the hearings in Federal Court of the Westside Coalition Against the Garbage Plant vs. the Mecklenburg County Com mission with Judge McMiUan presiding. As you know, the Westside Coalition sued the commis sioners for voting in closed session to place another nega tive faclliiy on this side of town. Attorneys Yvonne M. Evans and Mel Watt represent ed the Westside Coalition. At torney Mims was excellent. Attorney Watt was a prince in every sense of the word. In control the entire week of de liberation, he was a joy to watch! The most revealing fact that came out of the trial was that the black community has been abused historically by those officials we've elected to repre sent us. Isn't it still amazing what 30 pieces of silver will do? This community should vote out the entire Board of County Commissioners be cause it has not addressedlthe needs and concerns of the black community. , As one Commissioner ^id two years ago in a meeting of about 250 concerned westside residents, he doesn't need our vote! And again, at the trial, our attorney pulled out of the Commission Chairman, Caila DuPuy, that commission members had been heard stat ing that they don't need the black vote. This means the erv tire Commission is anti-blacl and there is no hope for a change of heart. It seems to me that these elected officials talk out of one side of their mouths on one side of town and out of the oth er side when they are meeting - — all for personal gain and self-service. So, I submit there are some things the community should be concerned about: 1. What was the relationship between the commissioners and the construction company (black) that attempted to se cure the contract for the trans fer station? And who esta blished a workshop anticipat ing that company would get the contract? 2. Who organized a consult ing firm anticipating that the company would get the con tract involving approximately six to seven million dollars? 3. Why do some elected offi cials vigorously support peo ple who have been charged, ad mitted, convicted, served time, and been classified as ex convicts? This is public record, and something is wrong! 4. Shouldn't we wonder about the numbers who sup port and vote for people of this caliber? At least we know how many we have in the commu nity. And finally, it is unfortu nate that ALL the Baptist con gregations have been dragged into a situation that all of them had no part in. Maybe '.hose ministers need to be thecked out by their member- drips. JAMES FOXX Walton’s Shadow On Charlotte Progress Dear Editor: It's a good thing that we don't live in Haiti, where political intimidation and rancid be havior usurp the Democratic process. Evidence suggests that from Bob Walton's view. District 2 is his personal slice of the deep, dark and dumb South: a land where anything goes, from religious bigotry right on through to political chicanery and you just can't forget (although we can for give) the sacrilegious hypocri sy of "there is nothing wrong with a little fondling." Approaching the 21st centu ry, Charlotte is only 12 years away from its dawning. Al ready a preeminent metropo lis, it is the most rapidly ex panding metro center between Washington, DC and Atlanta, Ga. Outstandingly poised with an overall growth rate of ap proximately five percent --- compared to Atlanta's four percent which represents a rate of decline — Charlotte's prospects are striking. As the regioiral dominance of Atlan ta wanes, it is only rational to assume that this will work in the Queen City's favor. In the city itself, the dynamics of growlh have brought a surge of the city's pulse rate. Magnifi cent plans have been unveiled to add sparkle to the Queen City's skyline profile. Amidst this swelling ocean of progress, sitting in divine bovine posture is Bob Walton. Indeed, while the tide of a new day sweeps in, the Rock of Phyllis Lynch casts a dubious shadow onto the aspirations of progressive individuals and groups who seek to illuminate rather than obscure. That shadow is Walton, a most bi zarre marionette. Thus, with those very aspira tions of hope hanging in the balance, it is most regrettable that the citizens of District 2 are l\eing held back, like cap- tlvesibound hand and foot by the political shackles forged by th(s devious duo. What could \>e imagined as more re pulsive than these buddy- buddy bulky, bulwarks beat ing the bushes, thrashing the waters lo lay their covetous, avaricious mits on some mud to sling. Let the Unwary take heed and be forewarned about this per fidious pak. Rarely, even in nature, will one find varmints that are an)rwhere near as vindictively vulturous or as vehemently venomous. I don't believe there are enough lemmings in Char lotte to pave Walton's way back to respectability, respon- j sibility or decency. M.L. LANEY Walton Has Worked For The People Dear Editor; We need to be reminded that we only have had one Demo crat on the County Commis sion during the last four years, and unless Cedric Jones wins in his bid for a seat, that will not change. Additionally, dur ing the past 12 years, we have had only one black elected to the County Commission. WhUe I am among the many who support Bob Walton who don't condone his misfortune, I would admonish the voters in District 2 to refer to the old saying, "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face." There is not a person serving on the commission (or run ning for a seat) with more knowledge or experience than Walton. He understands the complex budgetary issues and process. He has the contacts and the ability to articulate the needs of this county, espe cially the multi-varied needs of District 2. Additionally, Walton is not only articulate, but he has a thorough working knowledge of parliamentaiy procedures, and when to use those proce dures to foster continued de bate, usually to his advantage and the advantage of the peo ple he represents. A prime example of of this was when Walton had to vote on the hotly contested Waste Transfer Station proposed for LaSalle St. on the westside. If he had not supported the mo tion, all debate on this issue would have ended. But Wal ton's efforts resulted in con tinued debate and most impor tant, increased the public's input surrounding the matter. Commissioner Walton, on many occasions, has used his political influence to assist the elderly and poverty strick en in keeping their utility ser vices on during the bleak, cold winter months. He aids many who need food stamps, cloth ing, shelter, child care and employment. By his service over the years, he has clearly shown that he is not only con cerned but also committed to help all people. Additionally, he has demonstrated that he is both sensible and approacha ble for all, whether they live in District 2 or not. I know this from personal experience, because I have observed and worked with Walton to keep those services for persons who could not afford them other wise. Walton is an outspoken and strong advocate for public edu cation and has exemplified true leadership in his support for a contlnous pay supple ment for Charlotte- Mecklenburg teachers. The next two years are very critical to the black communi ty. In addition to the day-to- day business of the commis sioners, we need to make sure that we do not lose any of the 'few gains" that we have made iuring the past few decades. In 1990, we will have new census igures which in all probabili- y will change the makeup of he system we presently have f six Republicans and one Semocratic commissioner. At hat time, we should be able to erpect some redistricting vhich will help minority rep resentation. For those who feel that Wal- tm needs to be replaced be- ause of his recent misfortune (vhich was a misdemeanor), I sjy to you again, "Don't cut off ymr nose to spite your face." Tiere are other ways to ex- pEss your dissatisfaction or toichastise Walton. let us all go to the polls to vole with our heads, and not wlh our emotions. 1 urge you toyote on Tuesday, May 31, for Bob Walton County Com- miision District 2, and for the otter candidates of your chdee. 1 W. PETE CUNNINGHAM Ministers' Action Enhances fhe Church Dear Editor; It is quite obvious to me that Sherman Miller knows noth ing about Christianity and is meddling in community af fairs. In a recent Charlotte Post editorial (May 5, 1988), Mr. Miller criticizes the mini sters of the community for en dorsing Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bob Walton in liis reelection bid for District 2. Specifically, Mr. Miller sug gests that "church leaders' ac tion can damage the reputa tion of the black church" and that "the Walton endorsement is obviously a mistake by the black church of Mecklenburg County." For Mr. Miller's informa tion, we Christians in Meck lenburg County believe in the Blessed Trinity. This doctrine states that there are three Di vine persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — united in one God. As the Son, Jesus is equal with the Father. He had absolute authority for his teachings and absolute powers to forgive sins and give eternal life. As Christians we are taught to show love and forgiveness. This is why the church lead ers' action to endorse Walton's candidacy can only enhance the reputation of the black chifch. I commend our mini- steis for their action. Rffnember the Prodigal Son (Lu^e 15:11-32)? Jesus used the parable to teach of God's love'and forgiveness for sin- nerdwho repent. I lige the voters of District 2 andlfie readers of the Char- lotte;Post to send thank you notei to the Christian Mini sters Fellowship Association for tleir honorable action. Alsi; I urge the voters of Dis trict 2 to join me in voting May 11, to return Walton to Meckinburg County Board of Commissioners. CLEMENTiNE REID What's On Your Mind? Let us hear your comments, ideas and opinions. Write to: Letters To The Post P.O. Box 30144 Charlotte, NC 28230 Please include name, address and phone number. We edit letters for clarity\nd grammar.