3Challenger Community News • May 11-17, 2016 • www.thechallengernews. AREA BRIEFS
3
Challenger Community News • May 11-17, 2016 • www.thechallengernews.com
LP Ciminelli Company Extends 'Olive Branch' To Activists After Main Street Protest Rally By Legislator Betty Jean Grant
O
From left: Paulette Woods, Theresa A. Harris-Tigg, Sharon Belton-Cottman
COMMUNITY CANDIDATES SCHOOL BOARD WINNERS!
Paulette Woods was the winner in the race for the Central District in last week’s School Board Elections with 1,207 votes to candidate Bryon J. McIntyre’s 932. She will replace former School Board Member Mary Ruth Kapsiak. East District representative, Theresa A. Harris-Tigg, who called the election results (which essentially ushered in a new majority) “a victory for our community,” was also a decisive winner in her bid for reelection with 846 votes. Incumbent Sharon Belton-Cottman ran unopposed in the Ferry District but still came out with 1,186 votes. Additional winners were Jennifer L. Mecozzi in the West District, Hope R. Jay in North District and Carl Paladino in Park District. Mr. Paladino’s opponent, 18-year old Hutch Tech senior Austin Harig (1,436 to Palaldino’s 1543), ran an impressive race. Although some predicted a low voter turnout, almost as many people went to the polls as three years ago when the turnout was in record numbers. (Figures from Board of elections Election Night results).
Investigative Post to Host Free Workshop on Workforce Diversity in the Construction Trades Investigative Post is holding a workshop May 25 aimed at educating the community, contractors, unions and policymakers on how to promote diversity in the construction trades. Charlotte Keith will recap her extensive reporting on the topic for Investigative Post. John Goldstein, a national expert in workforce diversity, will then discuss the key steps in building a pipeline to connect low-income residents and construction jobs. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, 641 Delaware Ave. For more info investigativepost.org
Attention Residents! Take Part in Planning for The Development of Deaconess Hospital Site The Deaconess Site Community Coalition ( DSCC) would like to inform the community of our planning for the development of the former Deaconess Hospital site. The site is located on the east end of the two blocks bounded by Riley, Kingsley and Northhampton Streets in the East-West direction and Humboldt Parkway running North-South. DSCC has been continuously meeting the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Herbert V. Reid Senior Citizen manor, located at 228 Kingsley St, 2nd floor Community Room. We will be having conceptual drawings of the former Deaconess Hospital site to reflect the community’s desire for home ownership. We expect this task to be completed in the very near future. The public is invited to attend regularly scheduled meetings. Call 716 400-2041.
FREE LEGAL ADVICE
The Free Legal Advice Clinic is free of charge and open to the public. Lawyers will be on hand to discuss issues and give advice on ANY issues you have questions about. Hosted by WNY Council on Occupational Safety and Health (WNY COSH) and PUSH Buffalo. Our Lady of Hope Church corner of Lafayette and Grant. Thursday 5-19-16 / 4:30pm to 6:30 pm Any questions call Marshall at WNY COSH @ 716 833-5416
n Monday, May 9, the members and officers of the Contract Compliance Review Committee participated in a protest rally to call attention to the plight of African American and Latino men and women as it relates to the employment and training of individuals from these two minority groups. The rally, organized by the committee's cochairs, Charley H. Fisher and Betty Jean Grant, was called after a controversial article by a Legislator Grant (center) and Charley H. Fisher (right) speak to news local newspaper reporter stated media at protest rally and press conference. that the minority percent on the SolarCity project was not only being met but was exceeding the minority workforce goals of 15% minority and 5 % women. The Contract Compliance Review committee members were confused because only a few short months ago, data was released that showed the participation levels were only 5.6% instead of the aspirational goal of 15%. The decision to protest at LP Ciminelli's company was also made because in the past our committee had requested certain information from the company to back up their claims. Up to and including the day of the protest rally, no information or even an acknowledgement of our request was ever confirmed by LP Ciminelli. After a 30 minute rally and press conference in front of the company, our group led a small procession to the door of the company for a personal meeting with the company's officials. We were allowed in and after a couple of hours, we departed with business cards and promises from them that they would attend meetings in the community at a place and time chosen by us. One thing we found out at the meeting, was that many of the concerns and issues we raised at this particular meeting could only be addressed and possibly solved by dialogue and interaction with the area's union leaders. The Contract Compliance Review Committee is looking forward to the community meetings with LP Ciminelli and the unions that we believe will lead to a collaboration that will increase training and employment opportunities for those who, at this time, seem to be left behind in Buffalo's job and construction boom.
Buffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash to Keynote Stop The Violence Awards Banquet
B
uffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash will deliver the keynote address at the 5th Annual Stop The Violence Coalition, Inc. Awards Banquet on Friday, May 20 from 5:3010:30p.m. at The Aqua Restaurant, located at 2192 Niagara St. This year’s theme “Stand Up and Speak Out…the March Continues” speaks to those who have continued to stay focused in the mission of peace and bettering the community in spite of adversity and struggles. The following awards will be presented to those individuals who have successfully continued in their mission to leave a positive legacy for our community: Clergy Services Award, Pastor Garney Davis; Business Services Award, Darrell Saxon – Thomas Edwards Funeral Home, Thomas Childs of Destiny’s Pizza and Tim Hall, The ink Spot; Criminal Justice Services Award, Attorney General William Hochul and Judge Craig Hannah; Youth Services Award, Danielle Roberts, YMCA and Pastor Bob Kuebler, Youth With A Purpose; Community Service Award, Marnetta Malcolm and Buffalo Fire Department Commissioner Garnell Whitfield Jr.; Peacemaker’s Award, Buffalo Police Department Commissioner Dan Darenda and Officer Harold Walker; and the Stop The Violence Honorary Award, Paul Hogan – Oishei Foundation. Dr. Cash In addition to a keynote address by Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cash, the event will also include a silent auction, raffles, dinner and dancing. Donations for tickets are $50 per person and $350 per table of 8. Gold, silver and bronze sponsorships are also available. Carlanda Wilson - Banquet Co-Chair The Coalition has earned a well-deserved reputation as the “Peacemakers of Buffalo” since its founding in July 2004.
Mound Bayou Residents in Front of Store, Late 1930s. Photo courtesy of BlackPast.org
OUR TOWN
The Land of Promise: Mound Bayou, Mississippi Mound Bayou was an all-Black town located in the Yazoo Delta of Northwest Mississippi. Established in 1887 by Isaiah Montgomery and 12 other pioneers, the town was considered a new “land of promise” for Black Americans. According to BlackPast.org, an online reference guide to African-American history, this promise included “self-help, race pride, economic opportunity, and social justice.” The community was also self-segregated, which limited interaction with Whites until integration was an option. Mound Bayou had a post office, six churches, a bank and countless public and private schools. Through its newspaper, The Demonstrator, the town pushed the importance of education. The community continued to thrive and boasted a population of 8,000 by 1911. Unfortunately, The Great Migration period from 1915 to 1930 caused a sharp decline in the populace. Yet, the town still exists today.
The Town Destroyed to Make Way for Central Park: Seneca Village, N.Y. Seneca Village was founded in 1825, when Epiphany Davis and Andrew Williams became the first African-Americans to buy land in the area. Trustees of the AME Zion Church then purchased eight plots of land close by. By 1829, nine homes had been built. The dwellings ranged from one-room houses to three-story houses made of wood and brick. The town also featured three churches and a schoolhouse. According to the Central Park Conservancy, an 1855 census showed 250 residents living in Seneca Village, with 70 homes built. After a history of just 32 years, the end of the town came when the New York State legislature used eminent domain to seize the occupied land and build what is now Central Park. SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!