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Tuesday, July 26, 2016
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The national divide ... Princeton Peace and Justice Roundtable and police look at national problems By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The tragic police shootings that occurred earlier this month have only fueled concerns about racism and inequality this country continues to face today. The incidents have caused an even greater up-rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and have motivated thousands of protesters in larger cities all over the nation to come together and shine light on police brutality and racial profiling that exists in today’s America. The Black Lives Matter movement has
been gaining momentum during the last four years — it began in 2012, following the shooting of Tayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla. The movement continues to grow more widespread with the deaths and aggressive violence exhibited by some white police officers to black individuals around the country. While these incidents seem worlds away from Bureau County, the topics surrounding injustice and this new movement are frequently discussed during meetings of the Princeton Peace and Justice Roundtable. At a recent informal meeting, the group discussed the Black Lives Matter move-
ment and America’s root issues that may be the cause of this new demonstration. As a historian, member Sarah Cooper knows about the several grassroots attempts that have formed to showcase inequality in America since the ‘60s civil rights movement. However, none have been so prevalent as the Black Lives Matter movement, she said. While many have compared this new movement to the 1960s, there have been numerous activists claiming it has a fresh focus and “is not your grand-mamma’s civil rights movement.” Fredrick C. Harris, an author and professor at Columbia University, published
an article in Dissent Magazine last summer called, “The Next Civil Rights Movement.” He said unlike the ‘60s movement, which demanded specific civil and political rights, the new movement calls for American society to reconsider how it values black lives and focuses on the policing in black communities and dismantling of mass incarceration. The new movement also challenges the politics of respectability, which are invested in changing the personal behavior and culture of poor and working class black people, he stated.
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Taking steps to unmask a cure Relay for Life of Bureau County is Saturday By Terri Simon tsimon@bcrnews.com
Even if some of them have a pool in their backyards, area children will always gather at the public swimming pools — in this case Alexander Pool in Princeton — to join their friends in cannonball competitions and cooling off during the dog days of summer. BCR photo/Eric Engel
The biggest backyards in the county Area parks will always be a place to retreat for community members By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com
Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series on public parks and how they survive. PRINCETON — When it comes to looking at the usefulness of the parks in a community, one should begin by understanding parks are a privilege for community members to enjoy because every year, the expense of
having quality parks is far more than the revenue generated by their presence. Elaine Russell, executive director of the Princeton Park District, said the park district went in the hole almost $47,000 at Alexander Pool alone in 2012-13, due to upgrades and the cost of chemicals and salaries. Individuals who might complain about the lack of a slide or a splash pad are asked to recall the pool is a community service, not a revenue producer. “We keep track of yearly revenues and expenses just so we know what the costs are of keeping the pool open,” Russell said, noting the district doesn’t make a dime off the operation. “People should be happy
about a swimming pool in town because we’re literally giving it to you — it’s not paying for itself.” Russell continued with the fact outdoor water features are used for such a short season, only three to four months, and yet the park district is expected to spend millions of dollars on upgrades. The conundrum is that someone who visits an area park in poor shape will not use the amenities regularly, yet the only way to fix up those amenities is to gain donations and grants generated by the proper volume of residents frequenting the parks.
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PRINCETON — When one thinks of a masquerade party, they might visualize a lot of masks, costumes and plenty of fun. This year, the 2016 Relay for Life of Bureau County is doing just the same — hoping the fundraiser that spans the nation will help by “unmasking a cure” to the disease which continues to rob so many of so much. The Bureau County Relay for Life, dubbed “Masquerade: Unmasking A Cure,” is set for 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Zearing Park in Princeton. This year’s goal is to raise $35,000, which goes to support cancer research and a variety of outreach services for cancer patients and their families. The Saturday event (a change from previous years when the Relay for Life was held on Friday evenings) is filled with a host of activities for cancer survivors, their caregivers, the Relay for Life teams and the public. The event revolves around the lake at Zearing Park, where Relay teams walk the track as an event fundraiser.
Relay Page x Year 170 No. 89 One Section - 20 Pages
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Economical lab services and diagnostic testing, including digital x-rays, are also offered on-site. These services are available to anyone, regardless of your doctor’s practice or hospital affiliation.
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