Black History Month Event at Johnson Branch Library

Johnson Branch Library - 1059 18th Ave. S 893-7113 Monday, February 23, 2009 at 6:30 pm
	What is Juneteenth? Presentation by Ms. Faye Dowdell, President and CEO of Juneteenth St. Petersburg, Inc.
Ms. Faye Dowdell will discuss the origins of the Juneteenth celebration. Historically, Juneteenth refers to the signing date of the Emancipation Proclamation, and is celebrated nationwide with picnics and potluck gatherings, fun, and programs that feature history and self-improvement.

3 Newspapers: Tribune, Herald and Herald Tribune Endorse Rev. Charles S. McKenzie Jr.

The Bradenton Herald issued an outstanding endorsement of Charles McKenzie. You can read it at http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/story/813356.html

McKenzie in District 55

Voters in Florida House District 55 must feel a sense of dejÀ vu, since they just voted in April for a successor to former Rep. Frank Peterman Jr., now secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The same names are on the ballot, except for one. But the appearance of a write-in candidate closed the Democratic primary to all district voters. No Republican is running in this race.

House District 55 is a largely minority district that winds through most of south St. Petersburg as well as portions of Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Running against freshman incumbent Darryl Rouson, 52, is educator Charles McKenzie Jr., 51.

Rouson, former president of the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP, switched parties before the March primary, but says he will remain a Democrat. Known for his confrontational style, he once called for Midtown to secede from St. Petersburg.

Although less well known, the more low-key McKenzie has an impressive civil rights resume. He was a community activist in Sarasota, taught in middle school and spent a decade as state coordinator for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Though both have a history of community involvement, they differ markedly in style. In House District 55, the Tribune recommends Charles McKenzie.

Link to the Tribune web site

Rep. Darryl Rouson hasn't had long to prove himself to his state House District 55 constituents.

He was elected just four months ago to finish the term of a representative who vacated the seat when he was appointed to higher office. Now, it's already time for Rouson to run for a full term.

The Democratic primary for the post pits Rouson against Charles Mc-Kenzie, who ran against him in March. The winner faces a nominal write-in candidate in the Nov. 4 general election.

Rouson and McKenzie both live in St. Petersburg, the heart of District 55 -- a gerrymandered construct that includes several economically challenged communities south of Tampa Bay: north Palmetto, Tallevast, east Bradenton and Newtown.

Newtown is on the cusp of major redevelopment work; Tallevast is dealing with the legacy of toxic industrial waste. All of the areas have crime problems, need jobs and face educational achievement gaps.

These minority communities need a strong voice in the Legislature, but they are at a disadvantage because of their distance from the core of District 55.

McKenzie, who lived for decades in the southern part of the district and has strong ties to Sarasota and Newtown, seems best suited to meet this challenge. Rouson won their last matchup, but McKenzie outpolled him considerably in areas south of Tampa Bay.

A teacher, minister and longtime advocate for economic justice and civil rights, McKenzie has not been elected to major public office before. In the art of building public support for a project and shepherding it to success, his record is underwhelming. However, his commitment to education -- probably the most important issue on any legislative agenda -- is a powerful mark in his favor.

We by no means dismiss the abilities of Rouson, a rising political star and former NAACP leader in St. Petersburg. A recovered drug addict, his climb to success reveals his tenacious spirit. A former Republican and member of the recent Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, he has useful connections to the governor and other influential politicians.

Rouson is an impassioned but sometimes polarizing speaker. Recently, for instance, he was criticized for his statement (made two years ago) that "homosexuality is morally wrong." He has since apologized and explained that he has "evolved."

McKenzie said he "evolved to that point a long time ago," adding that his "respect for egalitarian values prompts me to care for the just treatment of all people."

Both Rouson and McKenzie say the state's economic problems and insurance costs are vital issues, but neither candidate has put forth detailed solutions.

Rouson deserves credit for reaching out to the stranded precincts south of the bay. McKenzie already has earned credibility and the respect of this community.

We recommend Charles S. McKenzie Jr. in the Democratic primary for state House District 55.

Herald Tribune website

"I'm Not Bitter".. Alan Crotzer, who was exonerated after spending more than 24 years in prison

Justice has finally come for Alan Crotzer!The Florida Senate voted today to pay Alan Crotzer for the 24 years he spent in prison on a bum rape charge. The House acted last week, meaning the ordeal is over for the former St. Petersburg man.

From last June:
Super neighborhood volunteer Norm Bungard has started a fundraising effort to assist former resident Alan Crotzer. The state House has supported compensation for Crotzer but this was stopped in the state Senate. He is trying to rebuild his life and support his family.

Here is an update from Norm:

My "take away" from the Alan Crotzer experience is his comment upon being released from prison after 24 and half years is the above quote. He told me that his mother, who died while he was in prison some four years ago, told him to accept whatever God sends his way and to not be bitter, for bitterness only hurts him. What wisdom from his mother.
I called Alan and his wife Quibella to arrange for him to meet at the Lakewood United Church of Christ, which we did, on Friday. Evelyn Kaspar and friend (and generous donor), Sheldon Schwartz met with us as well. We counted the contributions ($3,365) and turned it all over to Alan. All donations save for a five dollar bill, were in the form of a check. Alan will send his personal thank you to the donors (address as shown on their check). Sheldon and I had a chance to speak with him and we agree that he is extremely well spoken, quite intellectual and inspirational. There is much more to this story but I wanted you to know the results.
Justice delayed - justice denied. Also, some still are skeptical. How sad. For all of us. Remember that the judge and prosecutor both apologized to Alan at his exoneration hearing. Remember too please that at no point did I or we point fingers. Ever. We also did not do this to embarrass the legislature to do something. I did call my state rep though and wrote to the governor.
That said, thanks to state Representative Rick Kriseman for the Times op ed mention that the legislature needs to take care of this matter.
We did something important at a grass roots level and many folks, donors or not, shared their good wishes and prayers for Alan and his family. I am especially grateful to the Times and Jon Wilson, who wrote the two articles, for without those, the outpouring would have been far less. (Alan received two $1,000 checks and I will make arrangements for the Hummer tour, or perhaps two tours.)
Thank you.
Norm

This case has attracted national attention. Read what USA Today has to say:

Consider the case of Alan Crotzer, who was exonerated last year of rape and kidnapping charges for which he had spent more than 24 years in a Florida prison. The state House voted overwhelmingly to pay Crotzer $1.25 million in compensation, but the state Senate refused to go along. Senate leaders were quoted variously as blaming a budget squeeze and a lack of time to address the issue before adjournment last month. But Florida had had plenty of time - more than two decades - to deny Crotzer the justice to which he was entitled. And the Legislature somehow found $4.8 million to deal with another injustice perpetrated by the state, compensating the family of a teenager who died after being roughed up by guards at a state boot camp.
Reform is happening - slowly. With the addition of Vermont this year, 22 states, the District of Columbia and the federal government now have laws allowing innocent ex-prisoners to seek compensation. That's helpful, though actually getting the money often requires a lawsuit or lengthy administrative appeals. And the reward can be puny: New Hampshire, for example, caps potential compensation at $20,000, no matter how long the wrongful imprisonment might have lasted.
Norm adds: ... a check made out to Alan Crotzer may in fact be mailed to the Lakewood United Church of Christ, 2601 54th Avenue South, St Pete 33712

Alan has a sister here I believe in Bartlett Park (not sure about that tho') and he spends some time here and he also has his residence, as I understand it, in Tallahassee....
Update: State owes debt to man it wronged , a column by Roosevelt Wilson
First posted on 6/13/07

Will St. Pete taxpayers resume funding a revolutionary communist party?

If the three candidates backed by Mayor Rick Baker, his financial backers and the newspaper win next Tuesdays city election the city will be set to once again provide taxpayer support for this unique government sponsored movement. I am referring to the African People's Socialist Party and its various offshoots.

Candidate Gershom Falkner was specifically asked if he would support funding this group and said that he was not opposed to this.

The current council has blocked Baker’s attempts to reopen the city checkbook to his Marxist comrades. Support has been limited to staff assistance and very successful private fund raising. When council was asked to vote on a specific subsidy members got cold feet. The city was about to win a lawsuit from the TyRon Lewis family so naturally the Mayor asked council to offer a generous cash settlement. When this was denied the Uhurus staged a rally that turned into a riot. The mayor rewarded this conduct by arranging for private donations to the family.

Two years ago the city administration was back asking council to provide city land for a parking lot that was required for the Uhuru House to operate. Rene Flowers killed this by asking council to keep these vacant lots for future affordable housing. She described her move as dropping a “monkey wrench” into the city plans. When her term ends the balance will shift to the mayor on this issue. This meeting was not covered by the local media. During the debate former councilman Jay Lacita asked if the city had been providing these lots on the south side of 18th Ave. as a free parking lot to this group for many years. Apparently the city had quietly waived parking requirements for decades but could not get away with this now that the group was applying for building permits for a major building renovation.
Recently the local paper wrote a story about the renovation which proceeded without the city parking lot. Instead of thanking the city for giving them the VIP treatment the group actually complained about having to meet city building requirements.

After the ’96 riots the city found some backbone and refused to meet with the Uhurus. An editorial called them a hate group. HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros told the city to include this group and with the promise of $20 million in disaster relief funds he got his way. For a very brief time the Uhurus were leading a coalition of mainstream neighborhood groups. By the time residents were forced out of this coalition the city had given this group a prominent role in planning for south St. Pete.

Rick Baker had enormous influence from behind the scenes: Campaign manager to the mayor, leader of the Chamber of Commerce and part of the newspaper's law firm. When he personally asked council for a $100,000 gift so they could start an “African Market” the money came freely. The market had a great idea but without community support it wilted with the summer heat.

Other assistance included a computer lab that was to be part of one of Gov. Jeb Bush’s new charter schools. The school board was less than enthusiastic on this one and it never materialized.

A grant for a gym was diverted from the Community Development Block Grant that was intended to help the poor. This TyRon Lewis gym was not supported by the neighborhood so the city changed a requirement that it serve residents. Embarrassment over the center being named to honor a drug dealer did not stop council from handing them your tax money.

I mention the political ideology of this group only because it seems an unusual pairing with the supposedly conservative Republican mayor who has led the local campaigns for both Bush brothers. If they could demonstrate a public benefit for these expenditures I would defend them despite their unpopular views. This waste of scarce public money adds insult to the injury of their incitement of violence. I don’t agree with them but I respect their right to promote their views in a free market of ideas.

Where they loose me is with their close connection to throwing rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails at police, at law abiding residents and at businesses. Were they to renounce violence they could use their influence to help bring criminals into law abiding society and lift the curse of violent crime that holds the southside down.

What will next Tuesday’s elections bring? What will you do about this? You can ask the candidates where they stand on this issue, and tell them where you stand. You can support southside residents who want to be free of Uhuru violence. Take our poll at the top of the column on the right.

Printer friendly version of this post.