May 19th, Minutes following the arrest of 15 citizens (SEE ALL)

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING OF THE VALDOSTA CITY COUNCIL

5:30 P.M., THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2005

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL

Excerpts from Valdosta Minutes on Barber Park ISSUE

Jesse Clark, , stated that he was pleading for the vision for the park on River Street. Mr. Clark stated that he would like for Council to explain to the public what the vision really is for the park. They want a park, a museum, and a library which will encompass a mini conference center. It has been said that Council dictates to the Valdosta Daily Times what is printed in reference to Council business. If the Valdosta Daily Times would print the vision and Council would explain to their constituents what the benefit would be to this community, then everything would be positive coming from people throughout the community. Mr. Clark stated that they have proposed a small mini conference center and would like to see the Ossie Davis Library and Museum established. Mr. Clark also suggested that the library be considered for east and west Valdosta. Young people who live near the park on River Street cannot get to the library in north and south Valdosta. They need more than basketball courts and picnic tables. They need to improve the minds of the young men and women in the community. In reference to truancy, a lot of this is caused by Judge O. Wayne Ellerbee. He has expelled a large number of children and told them they could not attend school in Lowndes County or the City ever again. These are not students who are 16 years old but 9 and 10-year olds. These young people will probably be recruited by gangs and they will want to retaliate. The conference center would try to serve a purpose of intervening and combating gang violence, teenage pregnancy, Aids epidemic, and try to improve the standards of this community. They will get the assistance from the public school systems and Valdosta State University. Mr. Clark asked that Council explain the facts to their constituents and ask the newspaper to print the true facts and ask the radio talk show host who likes to exploit the situation to do likewise. We will have a much better community to raise our children and grandchildren.

Jeremiah Lawton, xxxxxxx, stated that he saw Barber Park from both sides, when it had deteriorated to nothing and to the present. Mr. Lawton stated that he appreciates what has been done; however, there are some issues. Mr. Lawton stated that he has supported SPLOST each time and would like to see some things done differently in order to tell others that SPLOST is totally good. He was appalled to read in the newspaper that Council voted on racial lines not to consider having a committee to discuss the renaming of the park. There were two blacks and three whites and they are still doing things racially. If it was right to form a committee, then it should have been five or four and not along racial lines. Mr. Lawton stated that they are not any further along now than where they were years ago if Council is going to do things according to racial lines. The vote should have been 5-0; however, with three whites voting no and two blacks voting yes, then many of the decisions that Council makes is racially motivated. Until there is a cross section of voting there may not be anything accomplished if you are going to have a 3-2 vote. Mr. Lawton asked Council’s consideration in reconsidering the request to have a committee of people who live in that area and throughout Valdosta to come together and discuss the issue. Mr. Lawton stated that he agreed with Mr. Clark to rename the park in honor of Ossie Davis to benefit the community; however, you could also rename it Westside Park, River Street Park, or many other names but at least give it consideration.

George Rhynes, stated that he is the President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County branch of the NAACP and was speaking as a concerned and patriotic retired military man. Mr. Rhynes thanked Mayor and Council for having him arrested on May 5, 2005. It gave him an opportunity to feel what other great Americans have felt as they stood for the principles of this great republic. His belief is stronger than ever that elected officials must have a sense of loyalty, respect, and responsibility to the people who elect them to serve their interests. A public servant is a unique position. It is unlike the local media who can get away with half-truths and lies. Mr. Rhynes stated that they were told by the media that the Barber Park land was donated and there was a contractual agreement between the family and the City. Mr. Rhynes stated that he spoke with someone who was elected by the people and that person says this is not true. Valdosta may need a newsletter so the people of this community can get the real truth of what is happening in these meetings at City Hall. For years, problems were brought before Mayor and Council and it was never reported to the citizens of this community. They talked about gang activity, voting problems in Councilman Wright’s district, and nothing was done about it or reported to the citizens of this County. The citizens who try to make intelligent decisions cannot make intelligent decisions because they are not getting the truth of what is happening in these meetings. Mr. Rhynes stated that Ms. Leigh Touchton is a national hero because she was the first white woman elected President of the NAACP in this country. She made comments at the May 5, 2005 Council meeting but the citizens of Lowndes County do not know she made comments because it was not reported by the media. Two of the seven females who were arrested and went to jail were white. That was excluded by the newspaper. Mr. Ari Santas, a professor from Valdosta State University, spoke eloquently about renaming the park but the citizens do not know because it was not reported. His wife, Pat Santas, spoke but citizens of this community do not know about that. Nothing was mentioned to the people of this community about Jesse Clark, a retired educator from Lowndes High School and Vice President of the NAACP, speaking out to his elected representatives. Queen Ann Robinson, a nationally recognized poet, spoke about justice and truth in this community but the citizens do not know. Mr. Rhynes stated that we may need a newsletter to inform the people of this community about what we are doing at the Council meetings. Mr. Rhynes inquired as to why they have to argue and go to jail. He thanked Council for letting them go to jail because now he has seen inside the jail and it is no place that anyone should be.

Willie Head, stated that he understood the dedication of Barber Park would take place on May 28, 2005 and asked that Mayor and Council postpone the activities until the park issue is resolved. Mr. Head stated that they would like a response in a timely manner.

Laval Castleberry, Lakeside Drive, stated that on April 21, 2005, he stood before Council asking to resolve a matter that has taken place within one of the departments. Mr. Castleberry stated that he did not stand as a member of the Valdosta Fire Department, which he has served for 20 years, but stood as a concerned citizen. As a taxpayer, he was concerned that when someone leaves and comes back their job is given to them over others who have stayed here. Mr. Castleberry stated that his credibility was called in question. Mr. Castleberry stated that he has a Masters Degree from Valdosta State University and is a certified instructor with the State of Georgia. He trained all the Lake Park volunteers, modular one, two, and three from 1991 until he resigned a couple of years ago. He was in one of the first classes to go through trench rescue and was given an award by Mayor Gill Autry for going into a trench and saving a young man. He has also assisted in rescuing two people stranded on silos at ADM. He is a certified system rescue specialist and is certified with the nation so he could be called to any national disaster because of his knowledge. Mr. Castleberry stated that there may be some question as to what his qualifications are, but he is not bitter. He stood before Council because he was a qualified individual and has served the City for 20 years. When a position becomes available which he is more than qualified for, then he expects Council to defend his right to compete for that position. Mr. Castleberry stated that he reviewed the City’s Personnel Manual and there is nothing in there that says a person cannot come back in a position which they have vacated; however, this allows the Department Head to use discretion and write his own memorandum governing the employees that work for him. Mr. Castleberry stated that they could side step the issue and say that they have the most qualified individual, but he would gladly put his resume and certificates up against any individual in the Valdosta Fire Department. George Talley, City Attorney, stated that there is a grievance procedure under the City’s Personnel Policy and if Mr. Castleberry felt he has been done wrong then he should have filed a grievance. Mr. Castleberry stated that he understood about the grievance policy and he has used it many times.