MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE VALDOSTA CITY COUNCIL
5:30 P.M., THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2006
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
Excerpts on Renaming Barber Park
Edward DuBose, 5841 Sandy Ridge Drive, Columbus, Georgia, greeted Council on behalf of the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP where he serves as President. Mr. DuBose stated that he was interested in the debate on Barber Park and was aware that Mr. Barber was a segregationist. Mr. DuBose asked that Council give serious consideration in naming the park after Ozzie Davis. Ozzie Davis is not just a name in Valdosta but ranks up there with Martin Luther King, Jr. Mr. DuBose asked Council, on behalf of Bruce Gordon and the State and Regional Office of the NAACP, to not only consider renaming the park in honor of Ozzie Davis, but to move swiftly. Barber Park is located in a predominantly African-American District and it would be a great honor to recognize this and change time by naming the park after a great hero. Mr. DuBose stated that he was also told that discussion of putting together a committee would cause further delay. The interest is bigger than Valdosta and has reached the Georgia State Congress. Mr. DuBose noted that they are prepared to mobilize their units here to further this discussion in Valdosta with whatever efforts may be necessary. They are prepared to challenge the mind-set of this City. There is no other reason why this park should not be named swiftly after a man who stood for justice. Mr. DuBose asked, begged, and demanded that Council make the right decision on behalf of the 97% African-Americans who now surround the park named after an acknowledged segregationist.
Sherry Jarvis, xxxxxxxx stated that she was not African-American and has lived in the area for 33 years. Ms. Jarvis inquired as to whether changing the name of the park would stop the gang activity and street crime in that area. The elderly citizens cannot even go outside without being called ugly names. Ms. Jarvis stated that they are planning to have a neighborhood meeting next Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Craig Center and invited Rev. Rose and his followers to attend. Ms. Jarvis stated that when change the name for one person then you would have to do it for everyone.
Lynnel Dasher, xxxxxxxxx Valdosta, stated that he supported the name remaining as Barber Park. Mr. Dasher stated that the knew Mr. Barber and he would invite all of the grammar school, Jr. High, and High School students out for their annual class picnics at no charge. There are many people who feel the same way and Mr. Dasher asked Council’s consideration in leaving the name as Barber Park.
Clifford Dotson, Sr., Sr. Pastor of County Line Independent Methodist Church, stated that he was asking Council again to not put in the hands of a committee what they were elected to do. Mr. Dotson stated that they would like a vote on this issue and they want the park renamed after Ozzie Davis, who was a legendary figure and whose parents were here in Valdosta. Council had previously said they would have a vote but no vote came forward. Instead, Council recommended the formation of a committee, which Mr. Dotson was not aware of until the last moment. Mr. Dotson stated that it is the responsibility of Council to live up to what the citizens expect from them and that is to either vote up or down on the proposal. The proposal has a lot of merit and it is time that the black citizens, young and old, have somewhere to take their children instead of going to Savannah or Macon. Mr. Dotson stated that it makes no sense at all why the park cannot be named after an African-American because 97% of the citizens of that community are African-American. When Council took their oath, they promised to live up to the responsibility of being a Councilman and that is what they need to do. A committee is not needed because Council already knows what they are going to vote. The proposal letter states that Council has the option to reject or accept what the committee proposes and if that is the case then what is the point in having a committee. Mr. Dotson stated that it makes no sense and Council needs to do what they are supposed to do.
Mayor Fretti stated that there may be some confusion because Council has already voted to form a committee and tonight is merely to submit names for the formation of the committee. In essence, this Council cannot go back and vote on renaming Barber Park tonight for Ozzie Davis or anyone unless there is a super majority within six months of a vote. There may be some citizens who may not have understood what tonight was about. The renaming of Barber was on the agenda two weeks ago and Council could have renamed it, denied the renaming of Barber Park, or formed a committee. Council voted to form a committee and tonight will be to submit names for that committee. Mayor Fretti stated that committees are formed so that names can be submitted and taken into consideration. Committees are good and allow names to be submitted because this is not a dictatorship and one person does not choose someone. Qualifications can be reviewed and a short list can be derived and then presented to Council. Council has final authority to accept or reject any names out of any committee. Committees are formed because it is an open forum of government. Mayor Fretti stated that he did not think any of the citizens at the Council meeting tonight wanted a closed form of government or an autocracy. There are people who will be pointed to the committee that citizens can approach and discuss names for consideration. Mayor Fretti asked that citizens wait until the committee is formed to submit names for consideration.
George Boston Rhynes, stated that he is the President of the Valdosta-Lowndes NAACP, and he understood what Mayor Fretti was relaying to the citizens; however, at the same time, those people who are selected to be on the committee are not the ones who saw the name and history of Barber Park and who went to jail because they took it to heart about what is going on in the community. Mr. Rhynes stated that very few people know about Mary Turner Hayes, Eugene Thompson, and the violence that went on in Lowndes County and Brooks County in 1938. The museum could teach the black children about what happened in the past. Mayor Fretti inquired as to whether Mr. Rhynes was aware of planning for a black history museum for the MLK Corridor. The City has just received notification of another $350,000 in Federal Funds for the MLK Corridor and a non profit group is working on a black history museum. Mr. Rhynes stated that he appreciated all of the work that was being done in that area because at the last Council meeting someone stated that it was not an honorable dedication. This is a great dedication; however, if you look at Quitman, Homerville, and Cairo, you will see large thoroughfares honoring Dr. King. Mr. Rhynes stated that Council should want for their neighbors that which you want to have for yourself. If he wanted to name a street for Malcolm X in the white gated community, they would not be here tonight.
Leigh Touchton, stated that she was the former President of the NAACP and was a product of the desegregation of the schools. Most of the white men there before her went to all white schools and she was lucky enough to have a black teacher named Juanita Miller who kept her job because she was the only person who could teach French. There were no white teachers who could teach French when the schools were desegregated. Most of the black teachers and principals were relegated to custodial staff and cafeteria jobs. This left a mark in people’s lives. Ms. Touchton stated that as a white person, she did not understand why it was so difficult for other white people to understand how black people might feel. She went to Ms. Miller’s alma mater, Morris Brown, and she saw black students learning to be engineers, attorneys, and doctors. There is a great feeling to be had if this park’s name is changed from Barber Park. Mr. Barber may have been a good man but the fact remains that the park was segregated and if she had been a white child allowed to swim in that park watching black people walk past, she would not be proud to come here today and say that she remembered the great times when the school children got to swim in the park. It is time that the Barber name goes away. Mr. Barber’s daughter donated the Chamber of Commerce house which could be renamed for the Barber family. Ozzie Davis comes with a group of citizens behind him with a plan. Ms. Touchton stated that, with all due respect to the Mayor, no one had heard about that plan until tonight. Ms. Touchton stated that the power of government is retained by the people and they come and petition the government for change. Ms. Touchton did not agree with the legal advice that has been given to Council with the six month rule. The Council is elected to serve the will of the people. Ms. Touchton stated that she did not agree with the five-year moratorium that you are going to put on this committee’s findings. The people retain the power in a democracy and the people are here petitioning the government and she was not going to jail tonight. This proposal comes with citizen backing and an economic plan that will help one of the poorer areas of the City and alleviation of crime in the area. Ms. Touchton stated that she did not see any sense in continuing the charade and the committee was put into place simply to delay and possibly circumvent a proposal that has been brought by the people.
Rev. Floyd Rose, held up a bottle and stated that this is a satisfier and it is designed to satisfy the baby. It contains nutrients to build muscle and tissue and contribute to the growth and maturity, both physically and mentally, of the baby. It is for the baby’s benefit. He then held up a pacifier. It is designed to fool the baby because you are giving the baby something when in fact the baby gets nothing. When the baby whines and cries you stick the pacifier in his mouth to shut the baby up so you can go on back to doing what you were doing. Unfortunately, the baby comes to a point and learns the difference between the satisfier and the pacifier. What Council has proposed in the establishment of the committee is designed to satisfy white people and pacify black people. The resolution that was submitted by Councilman Vickers was designed to satisfy whites who rejected the name change in a vote on April 25, 2005. The vote was two blacks for changing the name and three whites against. Now the whites who voted against it will be satisfied and you have given the blacks something that you think will pacify them. The restrictions contained in the resolution virtually guarantee that the name will not be changed. Not one person who has been actively working to get the name changed was appointed to the committee. Rev. Rose stated that he had never heard of anything like that because usually people who have been working on something and who have suffered and sacrificed are approached first to see it they would be interested in being on a CITIZENS TO BE HEARD (CON’T) 06/08/06 CONTINUED
committee. Although the committee meetings will be public, but no one will be allowed to speak. All nominations must be in writing only and sent to the Associate City Clerk who will pass them on the Chairman of the committee. You must be a resident of the City of Valdosta to submit a name and no Lowndes Co. resident can submit a name even though money that was used to renovate the park came from SPLOST funds which were collected by the County. Duplicate submissions will not be accepted nor will multiple copies of the same submission. If 1,000 people wanted the park renamed for Ozzie Davis then only one person could submit the name and no petition bearing his name will be accepted. Rev. Rose stated that the true motive of the resolution is revealed in the last paragraph which reads: “The Mayor and Council agree that in consideration for appointing a committee and voting on the recommendation that no further action will be considered related to the name Barber Park for a minimum of five years.” If Council intended to do anything except keep the name Barber Park then that would not be there. Rev. Rose stated that if the name is changed to Ozzie Davis, it becomes more than a park. It becomes an opportunity for an African-American museum and cultural arts center complete with a library, conference room, and smaller rooms to house the history and artifacts of local notables who have contributed to the community and city such as Councilman Vickers, Ruth Council, Randall Godfrey, and others whose deeds are noteworthy. There is not a single person who believes that if the park were in a Jewish neighborhood and the Jews wanted the name changed because it was named for someone who had anything remotely to do with the mistreatment of Jews then it would have been changed long ago. Rev. Rose inquired as to why they had to accept something less than what any other group would accept. Rev. Rose stated that at the last Council meeting he was approached by a white business man who inquired as to why the black Councilmen did not want the park named after someone who looked like them.
Willie Head, stated that the veteran spoke of Mr. Barber and how good he was to him, but he was not good to black people. Mr. Head stated that Forrest Street was named after Bedford Forrest who was the first Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan. Approximately 80% of the first black regiment in Mississippi was black and they surrendered when Bedford Forrest came upon them; however, they were killed anyway. Mr. Head stated that they will want to change the name of Forrest Street also. This is just the beginning and the first step is to change the name of Barber Park to Ozzie Davis Park. Mr. Head stated that they want more than just a park. They want an African-American cultural center. There are plenty of places for black people to play but now they want to learn. Mr. Head stated that the black Councilmen must take a responsibility and a stand.
Eric Louis Juriton, Sr., 3908 Fox Ridge Drive, stated that he was the Minister of the River Street Church of Christ. Mr. Juriton stated that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressed. It must be demanded by the oppressed. For years he has heard the word “wait” and it has always meant “never.” Mr. Juriton noted that justice too long delayed is justice denied. When former Mayor James H. Rainwater passed away, it did not take this long to put his name on the Conference Center.
Mayor Fretti closed out the Citizens to be Heard portion of the Council meeting and moved into the Agenda Item 7(d) – Consideration of the appointment of a committee concerning the name of Barber Park.
Larry Hanson, City Manager, stated that at the last Council meeting, Council voted unanimously to appoint a committee to make a recommendation concerning the name of Barber Park. Council was asked to submit names to the City Manager’s office so that they could formally appoint a committee tonight. Names were submitted as follows: (1) Robert Jefferson – submitted by Mayor Fretti, (2) Calvin Graham – submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Head, (3) J. C. Williams – submitted by Councilman Wright, (4) Joan Allen – submitted by Councilman Vickers, (5) Richard Campbell – submitted by Councilman Payton, (6) Dan Davis – submitted by Councilman Sumner, (7) Jeff Lind – submitted by Councilman Yost, and (8) Wallace Albritton – submitted by Councilman Eunice. Larry Hanson asked Council’s consideration in formally appointing the committee and approving the formal nomination form. Mayor Fretti stated that if there were any editorial changes to the nomination form then that could be discussed after a motion has been made. Mayor Fretti entertained a motion to accept the pre-submitted slate of names for appointment to a committee concerning the name of Barber Park.
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