Do They Know Where They're Going with This? (Part 2)

The second "Town Meeting" of the three meeting series sponsored by the Ohio Valley Black Caucus, Inc. and the Steubenville Branch of the NAACP took place at Quinn Memorial AME Church in Steubenville, Ohio yesterday, June 28, 2010 at 6:00 pm.

Presented a New Approach

The organizers of this meeting restructured their approach to the city's widespread problems for African Americans. For this meeting, local and county officials, educators and medical administration were asked to sit on a new panel to address questions regarding the Black Community of Steubenville.

With over 100 people in attendance, Delores Wiggins, President of the Ohio Valley Black Caucus and Michael McIntyre, President of the Steubenville Branch NAACP as facilitators along with Angela Kirtdoll Suggs of Eastern Gateway Community College as moderator approached the meeting with tactical efficiency.

The leaders of these organizations collaborated from the previous meeting to produce a specific agenda of issues to be addressed by the panel. This would be followed with questions from the residents in attendance.

The issues outlined in the in program were complex long-standing problems formulated from the public's outcry and put to agenda in a simple no-nonsense business format.

ISSUES

• Racial Profiling
• Double Standards Disparity
Surrounding African Americans in the Court System
(Municipal, Common Pleas, Juvenile)
• Law Enforcement
• Education
• Standard (Quality) Health Care
• Low Percentage of Jobs

Get It Kicked Off

City Mayor, Domenick Mucci gave a brief welcome to kick off the meeting. The mayor announced, "I don't want this meeting to be a gripe session," alluding to the first meeting, "but rather a coming together of the city and its citizens to reach positive resolutions."

A mission statement or the heart of the meeting's true agenda was presented by Sharon Kirtdoll, Urban Mission. Ms. Kirtdoll spoke about the film To Kill a Mockingbird, which detailed the strife and cruelty of racial injustice. Kirtdoll stated, "The purpose of this meeting is to talk about the discriminatory practices that are made against minorities." "We're here because there has been a cover up of the rights of African Americans in this city and it must stop."

Dig into the Heart of Matters

A major question asked was whether the city had an affirmative action or diversity plan in place. Steubenville Law Director S. Gary Repella revealed that there is not. In most cities in Ohio there is no such plan or practice. "We try to hire the right person for the right job," says Repella.

According to Jefferson County Commissioner Thomas Graham, Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) practices are the rule of thumb.

An additional question was asked regarding enforcing minority hiring with the contractors receiving government bids. Repella replied, "Yes, with federal money, but with city or local money, no, we do not enforce that."

Michael McIntyre probed further stating, "I have many minorities coming to me asking why they are not being hired as contractors." McIntyre revealed that upon his investigation, minorities can be partners in contracts. It is in the stimulus package from Obama. The money is available for minorities.

The topics turned towards education, which intertwined with law enforcement. The moderator queried, "Do you know the percentage of black males that don't graduate from high school and from Steubenville? What is the percentage and what is the plan to do something about it?"

William Kerr, Steubenville Board of Education, couldn't give a percentage only to say that it is very high. "The plan in place is not good enough. If we don't educate the kids, where are they going to go? We have to develop a better way to reach the kids because we're loosing them to the streets."

Many residents testified as to where many already have gone and are heading to is jail or prison to serve abnormally long sentences.

Delores Wiggins and Brenda Ware, Ohio Valley Black Caucus, held firm to the stand that regardless of education and law enforcement, old time family traditions of discipline need to be awakened to control and direct children in the right way to act and live. It is not the duty of the police to control children and keep them off the streets. The responsibility belongs to the parents. Parents need to mature and stop letting their children rear them and run things as they wreck havoc in their homes and local neighborhoods.

"There is a program available for the kids here in Steubenville to keep them off the streets and involved in good activities," said Ms. Ware. However, nobody is supporting the efforts or activities of the program.

Healthcare service was next on the agenda as Fred Brower, CEO of Trinity Health System, spoke saying, "I understand that from the last meeting a lot of complaints were made. If there are still problems, I need to know because I will make sure changes are being made. I hope that the hospital is not picking on a particular segment of the Community. We are working to fix problems. I will be glad to sit with the black community to resolve any problems."

Dr. William Grant spoke from the audience stating, "Complaints fall on dead ears. This has been an ongoing problem. I've had problems with my patients waiting 4-5 hours for treatment. It is not because they were black as they were not, but they were on welfare. The administration needs to change otherwise nothing will change. It's one big happy family up there and no one will do anything to rattle the cage because they're all holding on to their pensions and salaries and that job security."

A Positive or Negative Focus

"Don't always look at the negatives. There are positives going on in the community. There are a lot of good things going on in our community, and we need to address the concerns by working together," says Mayor Mucci.

The fact of the matter is simple. It is very easy to say don't look at the negatives when they aren't happening to you or your neighborhood. The positive and potential is seen in the community. This is the reason for the demand for equality so everyone can enjoy the positives.

Michael McIntyre stated, "People keep coming in complaining about all these problems, but it takes all of us to get things accomplished."

"Yes there are meetings to address all the issues, but it takes the Community getting involved to see some change. If the NAACP gets involved, it takes the residents participating, their support, to make sure things get resolved."

McIntyre's general voice is very clear saying what good is a meeting if you don't have a plan, strategy and support to accomplish the agenda. McIntyre has requested help in putting together the Affirmative Action Plans and Agenda for the African American community as well as any other assistance that can be offered.

If the African American people really care about their kids and their community like they say they do, they'll get involved and show support.

Contact your local Steubenville NAACP or Ohio Valley Black Caucus offices to see how you can give back to your community.