THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: SCLC PRESIDENT, JEFF ARTIS; PRESIDENT EMERITUS, PERNELLER-CHUBB WILSON; BISHOP EDWARD MITCHELL, VICE PRESIDENT; MAC MCCADDEN, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, ATLANTA, GA.
ROANOKE, VA. CHAPTER
MISSION OF THE SCLC
IN THE SPIRIT OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IS RENEWING ITS COMMITMENT TO BRING ABOUT THE PROMISE OF "ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE" TOGETHER WITH THE COMMITMENT TO ACTIVATE THE "STRENGTH TO LOVE" WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF HUMANKIND.
TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL SCLC OFFICE, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SCLC ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, OR TO GET INFORMATION ON THE MANY SCLC STATE AND LOCAL CHAPTERS, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO VISIT ONE OF THE TWO SCLC NATIONAL WEBSITES AT:
Our "JUNETEENTH UNITY DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATION", with COMMUNITY UNITED IN FAITH and YOUNG LEADERS OF AMERICA was a huge success. Over 1,000 people attended this event with free food, entertainment, community outreach, education, brotherhood and fellowship. Plans are already underway to make the SCLC "JUNETEENTH, 2008" Celebration an even bigger success. Please visit the "JUNETEENTH UNITY DAY, 2007" page on www.jeffartis.com to see all who helped with this great event. Please visit the "JUNETEENTH PICTURES" page on www.jeffartis.com to see pictures of this great event. As always, thank you so very much for all of your support in helping with this fantastic event. I hope to see you next year at "JUNETEENTH, 2008" and at other upcoming Roanoke SCLC events.
Take care. Jeff Artis, President The Roanoke, Va. SCLC
MAY, 2007
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES
No one can live in Roanoke, Va. and not somehow be connected to or affected by Virginia Tech. You may love Virginia Tech. You may not be a Virginia Tech fan. You may chuckle over those who drink the Virginia Tech Kool Aid. Still, the events of April 16, 2007, have reduced me to tears more than once. After the horrible events on that day, many are asking themselves, "How can so much evil happen on such a grand scale at such a beautiful location where such evil isn't supposed to happen?"
I don't know the answer to this question. What I do know is this. I know there is a God. I know there is a devil. I know there is good. I know there is evil. God and good are always fighting a pitched battle against the devil and evil. The devil and evil may have won this battle. God and good will win this war. All of us who believe in God and good will be better because of His ultimate victory.
We must never forget the victims of this evil, those who lived and those who died. We must also never forget the parents and families of the victims of this evil. These people will not only need our help today. These people will need our help in the coming days, months and years.
The worst thing that can happen to a parent is the loss of a child. These parents will never forget the evil that happened on April 16, 2007. These parents and other family members will relive the evil of that day for the rest of their days. Right now and in the near future, America will be there to support these parents and their families. But, what about in a month, 6 months from now or next year, where will we be then?
I know we live busy lives. I know we have responsibilities. But, I'd like the people of America to do one thing. One day next week, next month or next year, please say a prayer for the parents and families who lost a loved one or who had a loved one harmed on April 16, 2007. Ask God to watch over these people and their families as they come to grips with their loss. They won't know you are doing this. But, I know they will appreciate this act of love and kindness.
Thank you. Jeff Artis, President The Roanoke SCLC
APRIL, 2007
People have asked me why I made such strong statements concerning Sherman Lea, Jr. not being granted an interview for the Roanoke, Va. School Board by Roanoke City Council. The answer is simple. I'm tired of the double standards The Roanoke City Government has for itself and for the citizens of Roanoke, Va. Some people don't have a problem with these double standards. I do. As President of the Roanoke, Va. SCLC, I feel an obligation to expose double standards. I have an obligation to speak out on these double standards. If people's feelings get hurt in the process, so be it.
Frankly, I view the outcry as interesting. When I speak out for the good people of Southeast Roanoke, Va. a majority White section of the city, nothing is said. When I criticize some of the events that go on in Northwest Roanoke, a majority Black section of the city, nothing is said. However, when I speak out for the good people of Northwest Roanoke, Va, then there is a problem. That's fine.
I will continue to be a strong advocate for all sections of and for all citizens in Roanoke, Va. As I've said so many times. The Roanoke SCLC makes is decisions based upon the simple concepts of right and wrong. We will continue to do this. If people get upset over this, I suggest they don't get upset with the Roanoke SCLC. I suggest they get upset with the person the look at in the mirror when they brush their teeth in the morning.
To read more about this controversy, please visit the 4/11/07, 4/13/07, and 4/16/07 editions of THE ARTIS BLOG.
MARCH, 2007 A MESSAGE FROM JEFF ARTIS, PRESIDENT, THE ROANOKE VA. SCLC
Let me be perfectly clear about the following statement. The following statement in no way, shape or form are directed at Roanoke City Councilmen Sherman Lea or Brian Wishneff. Lea and Wishneff are honest, honorable men who truly want what is best for the city of Roanoke, Va. I wish that could be said for some of the other members of Roanoke City Council who continually send mixed messages about the funding of the new William Fleming High School for unethical political purposes.
TO HEAR THIS MESSAGE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE ROANOKE SCLC AS WE CELEBRATED THE BIRTHDAY OF SCLC FOUNDER, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
On Jan. 15, 2007, The Roanoke, Va. SCLC held its annual Youth Day Celebration. We will meet at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge in Downtown Roanoke, Va. at 1:30 P.M. At that time, we marched to the First Baptist Church for our Youth Day Celebration. The Youth Day Celebration will began at 2 P.M. The Guest Speaker for this event was the Honorable Judge Renee Berry. The Roanoke SCLC honored the following people at this event for their work in the community.
Rev. Mac Craighead
Mr. Marvin Thompson
Dr. Kenneth Wright
Dr. Shadrack Brown
The Mistress of Ceremonies was Ms. Joy Sutton, WDBJ 7 Health Reporter
Admission was free to the public.
On Jan. 19, 2007, the Roanoke SCLC held our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet. The banquet began at 6:30 P.M. and was held at the Airport Holiday Inn in Northwest Roanoke, Va. Admission to the banquet was $40.00. The following people were honored at the banquet for their work in the community.
The Honorable Renee Berry
Dr. Billy Cannaday, Jr.
Ms. Susan Willis
Ms. Janet Claytor
Ms. Janet Raybin
Ms. Melinda Payne
Mr. Mike Stevens
Dr. Virginia Stuart
Ms. Nicole Terry
Ms. Andrea Haley
Mr. Delvis "Mac" McCadden
Ms. Angela Norman
Ms. Mary Parker
Mr. Andre Whitehead
Mr. Robert Johnson
Ms. Carolyn Word
"The Perneller Chubb Wilson Award" was presented to Bishop Milton Hardy
Special Recognition was given to Mr. David Bowers Thank you for joining us as we celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
THE RESULTS ARE IN FOR THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC ELECTIONS
THE NEW OFFICERS FOR THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC ARE:
PRESIDENT: Mr. Jeff Artis
VICE PRESIDENT: Bishop Edward Mitchell
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Mr. Mac McCadden
THIRD VICE PRESIDENT: Mr. Herman Carter
SECRETARY: Ms. Wincy Ricard
TREASURER: Ms. Ida Rayford
SCLC MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH. FOR FEBRUARY, THE SCLC MEETING WILL BE FEB 5, 7:00 P.M. AT THE EURIKA PARK REC CENTER. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
SEPTEMBER, 2006
JOIN THE SCLC CHILDREN'S CRUSADE
MAY, 2004 REPORT, "LEGISLATIVE TOOLS FOR COMBATING GANGS IN VIRGINIA" BY VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY KILGORE SAYS THERE ARE GANGS IN ROANOKE, VA.
OCTOBER, 2004: ROANOKE, VA. SHERIFF GEORGE McMILLAN ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO FIGHT GANGS IN ROANOKE, VA.
ROANOKE CITY GOVERNMENT ADMITS THAT THERE ARE GANGS IN ROANOKE, VA.
For the past 10 years, the Roanoke SCLC has been fighting against drug activity and gang violence. Our "NO DRUGS, NO GUNS, NO GANGS, STOP THE VIOLENCE, STAY IN SCHOOL" campaign has been successful in educating young people about the problems of gang violence, drug use, gun violence and the value of a good education. The Roanoke SCLC has also been politically active in this area.
Today, the Roanoke SCLC calls upon Roanoke City Government implement the following action plan:
1) Now that Roanoke, Va. government has admitted that it has gang problem, we call upon Roanoke, Va. to implement Virginia's anti-gang legislation package. The SCLC feels perpetrators of gang violence need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in order to protect the law abiding citizens of Roanoke, Va.
Lynchburg, Va. and Danville, Va., two cities less than 60 miles from Roanoke, Va. have acknowledged they have a problem with gang activity and gang violence and have instituted this step to address the problem of gang violence with great success.
2) Establish a Roanoke Valley Gang Task Force to address the problem and to pool information about the problem.
3) Work with civil rights organizations, community groups and crime watch organizations to pool information about the problem of gang violence and establish a public database on the problem.
4) Educate the public about the problem of gang violence by providing information to parents, schools, churches, community organizations, civil rights organizations and such about the warning signs of possible gang involvement or gang activity by our children.
5) Use all local, state and federal legislation to combat the problem of gang violence.
6) Establish a 24-hour Gang/Drug Activity Hotline to better document to problem of gang violence and to improve the collection of data on the problem of gang violence. This hotline will also allow citizens to opportunity to notify the police of gang/drug activity in the area without having to worry about suffering retribution from gang members for calling the police about crime where they live.
To that end, the Roanoke SCLC is now calling our efforts THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE. We must save our children for they are our future. We will continue to fight for the future of our children. The Roanoke SCLC will not stop in the fight to save our children. Please support THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE. How many more children must we lose to gang activity and gang violence?
TO READ MORE ABOUT GANGS IN ROANOKE AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN VIRGINIA, CLICK ON THE VIRGINIA DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT LINK PROVIDED BELOW.
The Roanoke SCLC wants to thank all of the registered voters living in Roanoke, Va. who voted in the May 2'nd Roanoke City Council Elections. The Roanoke SCLC does not and cannot support any candidate for elected office. However, the Roanoke SCLC feels it has an obligation to thank the voters for going to the polls and voting on Election Day. People have died so we can live free. We cannot forget the contributions and the memories of those who died trying to give Americans the right to vote.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC, PLEASE CONTACT PERNELLER CHUBB-WILSON @ (540)344-7064.
REMEMBERING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
The Roanoke SCLC would like to thank all who attended the "REMEMBERING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR." event on the 38'th anniversary of his assassination, Tuesday, April 4, 2006, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge in downtown Roanoke, Va. We cannot never forget what this great man did not only for African-Americans, but for all Americans, as well. The Roanoke SCLC would like to thank everyone who was able to attend this event.
REMEMBERING "BLOODY SUNDAY"
Thank you for joining the Roanoke, Va. SCLC as we remembered "BLOODY SUNDAY," that awful day when Alabama state troopers attacked peaceful protesters as they exercised their Constitutional right of peaceful protest in trying to acquire the right to vote. "BLOODY SUNDAY" took place on March 7, 1965 in Selma, Alabama. This case of extreme police brutality led to the famous march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. This march was led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Selma to Montgomery March in turn led to the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The event took place March 12, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge in Downtown Roanoke, Va. Admission was free to the public. Again, thank you for attending.
To receive a CD Picture Disk with 30 pictures covering the event, please send a $5.00 donation to:
CD Picture Disk, The Roanoke, Va. SCLC, 318 Raleigh Ave., Vinton, Va. 24179
The $5.00 donation covers the cost of producing and mailing the CD Picture Disk.
RELIVE THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION BY ORDERING THE YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION DVD
The Roanoke, Va. SCLC is now selling the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Day Celebration DVD. The DVD is $15.00. The DVD can be ordered by sending a check or money order to:
THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC Ms. Perneller Chubb-Wilson, President 3045 Willow Rd. NW, Roanoke, Va. 24017
Please make your check or money order payable to the Roanoke SCLC. For more information, please call (540)344-7064.
THE ROANOKE SCLC IN 2006
THE ROANOKE SCLC CELEBRATES THE BIRTHDAY OF SCLC FOUNDER DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Thank you for helping the Roanoke, Va. Chapter of the SCLC celebrate the birthday of our founder Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 11'th ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BANQUET. The banquet was be held Jan. 20, 2006 at the Clarion Hotel, 3315 Ordway Drive, Roanoke, Va. at 6:30 P.M. Awards were given to community persons who have served the cause of equal rights and justice for all people regardless of race, creed, or color.
Dr. Theodore C. Delaney of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. was the guest speaker for the night. Dr. Delaney's speech was excellent. Over 350 tickets were sold for the event. The Roanoke SCLC would like to thank all who were in attendance.
THIS YEAR'S HONOREES
Mr. Frank Beamer, Va. Tech Head Football Coach, Dr. Nathaniel Bishop, Vice President of Community Hospital, Mr. Lewis Brown, Coach, Mr. Chester Bundick, Community Affairs Worker, Mr. Joseph Gaither, Coach, Dr. Thomas Garland, Econo Drug Store, Rev. William Lee, Community Affairs Worker, Ms. Charlene McCadden, Veterans Hospital RN, Mrs. Rolanda Russell, Assistant Roanoke, Va. City Manager, Ms. Wanda Spraggins, Teacher, Ms. Juaneva Walker, Teacher, CHIP, Kuumba, The Rescue Mission
Ms. Dorothy Lavinder received The Perneller Chubb-Wilson Award
ROANOKE SCLC INVESTIGATES THE ROANOKE, VA. POLICE DEPT.
The Roanoke, Va. Chapter of the SCLC has announced it is launching an investigation into alleged acts of police brutality against Black and White teenagers by members of the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept.
The Roanoke, Va. SCLC feels the majority of the members of the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept. do an outstanding job under difficult circumstances. However, the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept. has a few bad, rogue policemen who feel they are beyond reproach while wearing their uniforms.
The Roanoke SCLC has received several reports from community members over the past several months about practices by several Roanoke City policemen that the Roanoke SCLC feels are simply unacceptable. It is our position that good police work can be accomplished without the use of excessive force, threats, taunts to the community and brutality.
The Roanoke SCLC will continue to support the outstanding members of the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept. However, the Roanoke SCLC will not support rogue cops who taunt and brutalize the community.
If you wish to file a complaint against the Roanoke City Police Dept., please contact the Roanoke SCLC at (540)344-7064, (540)982-1856 or (540)345-5030. You may also contact the Roanoke SCLC by using the e-mail link posted above.
THANK YOU MRS. CORETTA SCOTT KING
The Roanoke SCLC is saddened by the passing of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the first lady of the Civil Rights Movement. Mrs. King is the widow of SCLC founder Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Roanoke SCLC would like to thank Mrs. King for all she has done in the area of Human and Civil Rights. Mrs. King and the King Family will always be in our prayers. May God Bless.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW: THE ROANOKE SCLC IN 2005
ROANOKE SCLC AGAINST ROANOKE, VA.'S RACIST FIRE STATION PLAN
Several years ago when the City of Roanoke, Va. announced it's new fire station plan, the Roanoke SCLC said we were against the plan for three main reasons.
First, SCLC felt the plan was inherently racist due to the fact that fire stations were being disproportionately closed in African-American neighborhoods that primarily served Roanoke's African-American community.
Second, the SCLC felt the plan for the new fire stations was not well thought out. SCLC was not given concrete answers to the questions we had about the changes in response times the Roanoke Fire/EMS Dept. would have to deal with in the proposed new locations of Roanoke's fire stations. SCLC also had concerns about whether or not the proposed new locations for Roanoke's fire stations were actually the best and most efficient locations for the new fire stations.
Third, SCLC was concerned about the cost of the new fire stations. Was the plan for these new fire stations cost efficient? In the eyes of the SCLC, the answer is clearly no.
After voicing our concerns, former Roanoke City Councilwoman, Linda Wyatt said over a year ago, that yes, Roanoke's new fire station plan was indeed racist. She also said she could not support the plan. For the past several years, Roanoke's fighters and EMS personal, who should know better than anyone else about cost, fire stations and fire fighting efficiency, have also questioned the validity of the plan. Yet, it appears Roanoke City Government will continue with the new fire station plan. Roanoke City Government will do so in spite of the fact that the plan has been called racist, inefficient and cost inefficient by people other than the Roanoke SCLC.
It is the hope of the Roanoke SCLC that this racist, cost inefficient fire station plan will be put on the shelf until the plan's problems can be resolved. The City of Roanoke needs to ask itself if it is following through with this plan primarily due to governmental arrogance. The Roanoke SCLC thinks it is.
THE VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT SAYS THE VIRGINIA SCLC NAME BELONGS TO THE VIRGINIA SCLC
Though the media gave Jack Mills a free pass on his behavior in this controversy, refusing to go into detail to say why Mills was removed as SCLC State President, the three year court battle over those wishing to destroy the Virginia SCLC is over. The only people who can use the SCLC name is the SCLC.
JOIN THE SCLC'S FIGHT AGAINST THE HERSHBERGER ROAD METHADONE CLINIC
For the past two years, the Roanoke SCLC has been leading the fight against the opening of the Hershberger Road methadone clinic in Roanoke, Va. Now that the Hershberger Road clinic is open, the Roanoke SCLC will shut it down through nonviolent peaceful protest. Visit the "PLAN SHUT IT DOWN" page in jeffartis.com for details. For updates concerning SCLC's fight against the Hershberger Road methadone clinic, visit THE ARTIS BLOG in jeffartis.com.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW: THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC IN 2004
NEW ANTI-GANG LEGISLATION WILL NOT BE USED IN ROANOKE, VA. BY THE ROANOKE, VA. POLICE DEPT. THE ROANOKE SCLC WILL CONTINUE ITS FIGHT AGAINST GANG ACTIVITY AND GANG VIOLENCE
The 2004 Virginia General Assembly passed a comprehensive plan of legislation specifically aimed at dealing with the problem of gangs and gang violence. However, before this legislation can be used in a locality, the locality must first admit it has gangs operating there.
Roanoke City Police Chief Joe Gaskins refuses to say that Roanoke, Va. has gangs. Gaskins prefers to call Roanoke's gangs "organized groups who are engaging in criminal activities." Gaskins says that calling these "groups" gangs only enhances these groups' stature. In the meantime Gaskins political spin on the problem of gangs and gang violence prevents the City of Roanoke from using powerful crime fighting tools to combat the problem, though this is not the first time Roanoke, Va. has failed to use laws on the books to fight crime in the city.
While Gaskins puts political spin on the problem of gangs and gang violence in this city, Roanoke, Va. keeps losing our children to the city's criminal element. We know that kids in the city are being recruited to join gangs as early as elementary school. We also know that Roanoke's gangs, especially VH1 and LTP, are responsible for the majority of violent crime in the city.
It's time to end the cover-up of gangs in this city. It's time to admit there is a gang problem in Roanoke, Va. It's time to use all legislation on the books that can be used to combat this problem. It's time for the City of Roanoke to stop playing games on the issue of gang activity and gang violence and combat the problem head on. It's time to stop losing our children to political spin.
TO LEARN ABOUT THE ROANOKE SCLC'S FIGHT AGAINST GANGS AND GANG VIOLENCE IN ROANOKE, VA. READ ABOUT THE SCLC'S "CHILDREN'S CRUSADE" FOLLOWING THIS SECTION OF jeffartis.com.
FIRST STREET BRIDGE IN ROANOKE, VA. BECOMES A MEMORIAL TO SCLC FOUNDER, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.; DR. WILSON'S DREAM BECOMES A REALITY
After years of fighting to bring a proper memorial to Roanoke, Va. for SCLC founder Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Roanoke SCLC in conjunction with Roanoke City Government and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge Committee have agreed that the First St. Bridge in Downtown Roanoke, Va. is the most appropriate site to honor Dr. King.
A quick recap of the controversy shows that a plan to create a Roanoke Black History Tour along with renaming Orange Ave. after Dr. King was defeated by Roanoke City Government when White business owners along Orange Ave. complained that renaming the street after Dr. King would scare off their customers. These White business owners claimed if Orange Ave. was renamed after Dr. King, their customers would think their businesses were located in a Black neighborhood and therefore would be afraid to come there to do business. Other business owners, both White and Black, complained about the costs involved in changing the name of the street, though these costs were tax deductible and they had two years to make the necessary changes brought about by the renaming of Orange Ave. to honor Dr. King.
A plan to rename a downtown park after Dr. King was also defeated by Roanoke City Government after a committee was put together by the Roanoke SCLC and Roanoke City Government to find an appropriate memorial for Dr. King. This plan had the support of the majority of Roanoke citizens, including The Roanoke Times newspaper. However, a small racist minority applied pressure to Roanoke City Government and the park plan was defeated. Roanoke City Government tried to offer a compromise plan concerning the park. However, this compromise was a slap in the face to the memory of Dr. King and was quickly rejected by the Roanoke SCLC.
The plan to rename the renovated First St. Bridge, spearheaded by Roanoke SCLC President Perneller Chubb-Wilson, has its critics. However, once the renovations to the bridge are completed, SCLC is sure everyone will be happy with the finished product. Included in the bridge will be a statue of Dr. King, 4 medallions at the bridge entrance, 4 audiovisual stations featuring Dr. King's speeches, observation platforms, benches, lighting, an elevator for handicap access and a park. The estimated cost for this memorial is $565,200. In the end, given the historical significance of the bridge itself, (the bridge was the main crossing point between White Roanoke and Black Roanoke during segregation), the bridge is a fitting memorial to Dr. King. Dr. Wilson's dream has become a reality.
ROANOKE, VA. SCLC PRESIDENT DR. PERNELLER CHUBB-WILSON RECEIVES "EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARD" FROM THE VIRGINIA STATE SCLC AT THE VIRGINIA STATE SCLC CONVENTION
Roanoke, Va. SCLC President Dr. Perneller-Chubb Wilson was given the EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARD by the Virginia State SCLC at the 2004 Virginia State SCLC Convention. Dr. Wilson's work in civil rights is known nationally. The Roanoke SCLC congratulates Dr. Wilson for her tireless efforts in the civil rights field to insure justice for all.
ROANOKE, VA. SCLC PRESIDENT PERNELLER CHUBB-WILSON STEPPING DOWN WHEN CURRENT TERM ENDS
Long time Roanoke, Va. SCLC President, Perneller Chubb-Wilson has announced she is stepping down as SCLC President at the end of her current term. SCLC will hold elections for this position in 2006. To date, no candidates have announced any intentions to replace Ms. Wilson.
TARGETING EFFORTS A SUCCESS
Thank you for supporting the targeting efforts of the Roanoke, Va. SCLC. After Roanoke City Council turned its back on Roanoke's Northwest community, the Roanoke SCLC targeted Roanoke City Council members who were running for re-election for defeat. They said it couldn't be done. They were wrong.
Though Roanoke Councilman Bev Fitzpactrick won re-election, Councilwoman Linda Wyatt and Councilman Bill Bestpitch lost their bids for re-election in the Democratic Primary in February. Nelson won the race for mayor. However, he failed to carry one Black voting precinct.
We sent a clear message to Roanoke City Council that the SCLC will not be trifled with. Again, thank you for your support.
JACK MILLS LOSES CASE AGAINST VIRGINIA SCLC
The Roanoke Tribune Newspaper reported that on 4/1/04, Newport News, Va. Judge Edqard L. Hubbard decided against Jack Mills, of Bedford, Va. in his case to control the name of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the State of Virginia. Judge Hubbard's decision ended a three year court battle between Mills and the Va. SCLC.
Judge Hubbard ruled that Mills' new SCLC "could neither assert control of the name (SCLC) nor seek to claim money raised in Virginia in the name of the SCLC simply by incorporating as a chapter within the State of Virginia."
The Roanoke Tribune story went on to say that the ruling creates a precedent that could protect other national groups operating state affiliates from having people create corporate entities to claim rights to their names and their earnings in this state.
METHADONE CLINIC VIDEOTAPE
The Roanoke SCLC has released to the public a videotape showing drug dealing and other problems at a methadone clinic in Santa Ana, California. The tape was made by the Santa Ana, Ca. Police Dept. and disputes claims by methadone clinic supporters that methadone clinics in residential neighborhoods don't cause problems. For more information on this development, go the "PLAN SHUT IT DOWN" page of jeffartis.com.
McCRAY COURT SENIOR LIVING CENTER UPDATE
JAMES LESNIAK, DIRECTOR OF THE NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION AND HEAD OF THE MCCRAY COURT SENIOR LIVING FACILITY RESIGNS. LESNIAK'S TERM AS DIRECTOR OF THE NNEO IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
For the past several months, the Roanoke SCLC has been monitoring the living conditions at the McCray Court Senior Living facility in Roanoke, Va. in support of the residents living there. SCLC's concerns and the concerns of the residents living at McCray Court were parking at the facility, lighting at the facility, security at the facility, the treatment of the residents by the McCray Court management, residents being targeted for eviction when they spoke out about the living conditions there, as well as, several other concerns including the way finances were being handled at the facility.
Two thirds of the residents at the McCray Court facility signed a petition saying they were not happy concerning several other issues at the facility in addition to the problems already stated. In meetings with the residents, SCLC learned that many residents at the McCray Court facility felt that living conditions there were not as advertised. The residents felt that McCray Court management, led by former NNEO Director James Lesniak, was not providing the type of living environment they expected when they moved into the facility. Management and facility workers there were disrespectful, some said racist, toward the residents. The residents also said management was not meeting the needs of those living at the facility, especially in the area of safety in the McCray Court facility, public safety around the facility, parking at the facility and services not being provided at the facility that were supposed to be provided to the residents.
Through the efforts of McCray Court resident Ingrid Smith, who was targeted for eviction by McCray Court management for her activism at the McCray Court facility and the efforts of the Roanoke SCLC, the Roanoke SCLC is happy to report that the concerns of the residents at the McCray Court Senior Living Center have been addressed. Though James Lesniak, former director of the facility has continually denied SCLC brought about any changes at the facility, all concerns SCLC had about the McCray Court facility have been addressed to the satisfaction of the residents living there and to the satisfaction of the Roanoke SCLC. The Roanoke SCLC will continue to monitor the situation there.
Former NNEO Director James Lesniak last day at the facility was 3/31/04. Lesniak is currently under investigation by several law enforcement agencies for the way he ran McCray Court and the NNEO.
