(see March 26 post below ) Aside from the fact that the night wore on and on as “Moderators” Carl Snowden and the YWCA’s Candice Jackson went on….and on….and on…CP felt the evening was informative and useful. Both Snowden and Jackson were terribly disrespectful to their audience and especially to the second panel by taking too many questions, supplying too many of the answers themselves and not setting the second panel up until after 8:30 (the event scheduled for 6:30 started more like 7), promising to end at 9 and then going to 9:30 so Carl could have everyone hold hands, turn to each other and say “I love you.”….while PC pretended to be dozing. MAIN POINTS--We know the identity of some of the main spreaders of this filthy racist literature. There are laws that define and stiffen penalties for hate crimes. Merely spreading hate literature is usually not a crime. Law enforcement officials from city and county police to sheriff to State’s Attorney General take hate crimes and racist literature seriously. Incidents of hate crimes or of literature should be reported and are important for police to collect. One audience member asked what would result from this final in a series of meetings. The organizers said a report is forthcoming. Okay-we’ll give it some time, but CP does not think anyone is too excited by the possibility of another report. HIGLIGHT OF THE EVENING was when Mayor Ellen Moyer got all bent out of shape, went on the defensive/offensive when asked about plans for public housing. It was a little off topic, but the audience member posed reasonable questions. Thin-skinned Ellen got all huffy and resorted to her normal reply that it’s a federal issue. CP wonders why with her emphasis on talking and listening, that she seems so unwilling to engage in it herself. CP listened to her defend her efforts in talking and encouraging talking yet it has never occurred to her that it is likely that her own unwillingness to talk with the Federal Housing and Urban Development folks could be a major stumbling block to improvements! So, Madame Mayor, if it’s talk you want, stop condemning those who ask you questions and start talking with everyone, including HUD about our public housing. And for gosh sakes, quit being so skin-thinned! You are the Mayor! Be the Mayor!
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In the aftermath of Wednesday’s meeting by Alderwoman Shelia Finlayson and Mayor Moyer, I have one positive thing to say… The turnout was outstanding!! Not only was it a “standing room only” meeting but an overwhelming participation by the residents of Bywaters. I commend everyone who showed up. However, I am at a loss to what was accomplished other than speeches, discussion, and prayer? Where do we go from here?
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>Don’t get me wrong. The Annapolis Public Safety Committee did an excellent job reaching out to meet those residents who want change in the Bywaters Community. Much respect to Chief Joseph Johnson, Lt. Brian Della, and Mrs. Stacy Bolin for providing details on their role in the community. However, their plan for the community, though reasonable, lacked specifics. What their plan lacked Mr. Wayne Taylor (Neighborhood Watch Captain) made up for in his Operation “R.E.S.T.” (Residents Establishing Safety Tactics) plan, which explained in detail how residents could make a difference in ensuring that police and residents are doing what is needed to make our Community safer and neighbors are able to communicate with one another.
I’m concerned that another young man has lost his life and we are still doing the same thing that has been done countless times here in Annapolis: TALK, DISCUSS, PLAN, MEET to TALK, DISCUSS, PLAN and then MEET again to TALK, DISCUSS, and PLAN. Who is stepping up to the plate? And when an individual does; those who are in power and can cut through the bureaucratic red tape do the exact opposite of what they were put into office to do; which is HELP BY ACTION!
Alderwoman Finlayson used the term “Operation: Bring Back the Community” If so, why is it so hard for those who live in the community, volunteered for the community, believe in the community, protect and feed children in the community aren’t given the tools to help their community because those who hold the keys won’t open the door? When asked about helping a developing non-profit organization use the Bywaters Boys and Girls Club building (a building that is for the residents of Bywaters) to do an Easter event for children and teens of the neighborhood the answer was in essence, “This isn’t the forum for this type of question and it isn’t for residents or the safety committee to go against the policy set by the board or the Boys and Girls Club…” WTF? All I heard was how different programs can come in and provide this and that but what about the people who live here in the community? What is keeping those who live here, eat here, drink here, and breathe here from doing “this and that?” A person outside the community with a program is fully supported; but the reality of it is the most vested person will be the one who lives in the environment. Instead of reinventing the wheel find the men and women who are already doing the work, putting hours into the community, and build with them; … It was once said to me when I first moved to Bywaters, “if they can’t dazzle you with brilliance they will baffle you with bull*&%$!” I think I was personally baffled along with others who are sick and tired of being sick and tired!
I wouldn’t be true to my game if I didn’t mention that I ran against Alderwoman Finlayson in the January special election. However, this is not personal, although I’m personally outraged by the response to violence in our community. I also wouldn’t be true if I didn’t mention that some of my mentors and friends showed up at the meeting – Anthony Brown, Robert Harvey, Zastro Simms, Carl Snowden, Kirby McKinney, Wayne Taylor, Allen (Leggo), and Leonard Brown. (I’ve missed a few; however, they know who they are.) Those I did mention have known me for years and I will be calling on them to help with the crisis affecting our community.
In closing, Carl Snowden had a moment of silence for the young man who lost his life and for families and friends who have lost loved ones prematurely to violence… tragedies of terrible and costly consequences which can only be ended by not allowing others to do for us when we can do for ourselves. We should be mobilizing interventions on the front side of these lives. Instead, we spend more on police, crime and prisons on the back end. What will happen in the next 180 days? One of the solutions expressed and overwhelmingly supported was for more entrepreneurial or job training for members of the community. I pray that those who expressed bringing programs for the youth do their part. I only hope they don’t hit the same bureaucratic red tape that I have.
CP thanks for letting me vent,
B-OUT!!
PEACE
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