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S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS
Inspirational-Informative-Empowering...Your Source For The Truth Vol. 15 Edition 22 Free Thursday Juy 16, 2020
A View From A Pew
Justice For Hector “I Can’t Breathe!”
“Dem’ Bones”...My 4 Bones For Success Page 3
Rob Landers Provides A Fresh Start
St Louis Native and University of Kansas Graduate Is New Civic Center Director Page 7
A Pictorial View
PAGE 5
The Queens In Crowns Unity March From The Lens Of Our Photographer Kenneth Blackmon Page 9
JULY 16, 2020 Kudos Mayor Henderson
The street committee is not sure if Mayor Skip Henderson read the article in our last publication; “A Perfect Time for A Fresh Start”, suggesting he conduct a national search for the Chief of Fire and EMS or he really is intent on making a change in Columbus, either way he gets a thumbs up from us for his upcoming recommendation on Tuesday, July 28th at the City Council meeting. As the result of a national search Henderson has selected Salvatore (Sal) Scarpa to fill the position of Chief of Fire and EMS for the City of Columbus. According to his bio Sal Scarpa has over 29 years of experience, including 12 years in fire services management. Since 2013, he has provided leadership to accreditation of the Shawnee Fire Department, Shawnee, Kansas, as well as spearheading the efforts to move the department from an ISO rating of 3 to 1 in 2019. Sal has experience rebuilding upper-level department leadership, and he directly supervised the Emergency Management function in Shawnee. He has knowledge and experience with all elements of fire services; he is a forward thinker and committed to staff development. Sal is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and an Executive Fire Officer (EFO) graduate of the National Fire Academy. With the approval of City Council, Mayor Henderson selected an executive search firm, The Mercer Group, Inc., to conduct a national search for the Chief of Fire and EMS. The Mercer Group has extensive experience conducting national searches for local governments. The recruitment process was highly competitive, and the leading applicants went through an extensive selection process resulting in Sal Scarpa being the recommended candidate.
Will the Mayor Have The “Cojones”?
It will be interesting to see if the Mayor will continue his national search and recom-
mendation for someone not from within the current organization as the Chief of the Columbus Police department. The minority members on our city council should be adamant on requesting nothing less than finding the best person for the job, however, In a community that is 52% Black surely the executive search firm, The Mercer Group, can find at least one African American who has the necessary qualifications and leadership experience to serve as our next police chief. With the official announcement that Columbus Chief of Police Ricky Boren will be leaving office after 49 years, the Street Committee is buzzing with talk that the new Chief or Assistant Chief may very well be a senior member of CPD (a Major), who is documented on record for being untruthful numerous times in the course of being investigated by CPD. The Columbus Consolidated Government has a standing policy against "untruthfulness." The policy was used without hesitation in the firing of Parks and Recreation Tony Adams. There was an attempt to use it against the first Black female battalion chief with the Columbus Fire and EMS. Obviously favored senior CPD officers are of a special privileged class in the CCG and the truthfulness policy does not apply to them as it did to Tony Adams when he was investigated by CPD, which is even more reason why Columbus should have a citizens review board with the power to subpoena if deemed necessary, and there should be a national search and outside hire of a new Chief of Police, preferably a well-qualified African-American. The documented history and negligent retention of this senior officer may come as news to mayor and council, which speaks volumes whether it does or doesn't, especially as it could have led to the dismissal of cases and several lawsuits for the city. One way or another, the Street Committee, and a new generation of dedicated community activists, will certainly be watching this one even closer than usual in this current climate of police reform.
The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper *Any editorial content are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper, publisher or staff” The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper 1300 Wynnton Rd Suite 104 Columbus, Georgia 3190 Phone: 706.225.0106 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5747 Columbus, Ga 31906
Email: couriereconews@gmail.com Visit Us Online At: www.couriernews.org
STILL IN CHAINS They brought us here in boatsin chains Weharvested their crop. They worked us raped us – bred us… Whipped us still we dropped. They maimed us – hanged us – sold us AND STILL WE DID SURVIVE. They shackled and abused us… AND STILL THE RACE DID THRIVE. Someone said, “let’s free them – let’s see what they will do.” Others yelled , “No – they’re our niggers!” Whatever will we do ? Who will cook and clean our mansions? were the madame’s cry… who will bare our halfbreed children? Laughed the masters sly . But freed we were and on our own – But on our own indeed? For many years have passed – And are we still not freed ? Yes years have passed and time… It still passes us by. ‘Cause here today with slavery gone – we hear another cry. Our children they are dying In every major city… Mothers and fathers are weeping… while others say “what a pity.” There is no war between us and them. The war is with ourselves. Our children they are angry – And they are killing themselves. “With what?”, you ask. With slavery – with colors, guns and gangs… With masters who are using them… Extinguishing their flame. Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful – Our children…handinhand Wearing all the many colors To make a glorious plan… To free ourselves of slavery For this too is our land. So…if you are wearing RED and I am wearing BLUE – Don’t hate me…don’t shoot me – You’re only shooting YOU ! Let’s bring our colors together. They are powerful you see. Only hand – inhand TOGETHER will we ever becomeFREE. © 1988 Sandra G. Hunley
COURIER THURSDAY JULY 16, 2020
A VIEW FROM A PEW
3
Dem’ Bones
COVID-19 has challenged many of us to look within ourselves, forcing those who have found themselves furloughed or worst, unemployed to create novel solutions to the problems caused by the pandemic. If you are one of those individuals contemplating “a leap of faith” through entrepreneurship allow me to offer a few suggestions that have worked for me over the years. First and foremost; “find your passion and you’ll find your paycheck”. When you do I ask you to have rely on (4) bones. The first is a Wishbone. I remember as a child, this was well before chicken tenders and boneless wings; my siblings would fight over that oddly shaped forked chicken bone that, according to ancient romans was a symbol of luck. When snapped apart evenly by two people while making a wish both would have their wishes come true. Like a child I’ve never stopped believing that my wishes equate to my dreams and aspirations and when combined with strategic goals there is nothing I can’t accomplish. The second is a Funny Bone. I’ve learned that life is no dress rehearsal you are going to have ups and downs. The key is to not take it personal. When you don’t take yourself so seriously you’ll find that humor offers a new perspective on a situation. Any psychologist will tell you that humor leads to laughter, and laughter is healthy. Laughter is a natural stress reliever.
Of course I could not have achieved any level of success without a Backbone. Synonymous with fortitude a strong backbone has given me the ability to encounter adversity with courage. It has provided me the fearlessness to speak truth to power. It has held me up in the face of rejection and a host of hardships I have encountered over the years. It has given me strength during times of uncertainty and despair. Finally no success is achievable unless you get up off your Tailbone. When starting my paper fifteen years ago the biggest challenge for me getting started was the uncertainty. Wo u l d t h e c o m m u n i t y accept another Black newspaper? Will I be able to convince businesses to advertise with me? My greatest fear, however, was that I had absolutely no experience in running a newspaper. I didn’t even know how to get started. Here’s a secret most folks won’t tell you: uncertainty is something you might as well get used to. You will never know with any guarantee how something is going to turn out unless you get up off your tailbone and try and keep trying and then try some more. So whatever your path during this time of uncertainty I offer to you my recipe for success: Again when you “find your passion you will find your paycheck”. Add these four bones and see what the Lord has in store for you.
Wane A. Hailes
July 16, 2020
PAGE 4
F RIENDSHIP B APTIST C HURCH
831 6 TH AVE C OLUMBUS , G A
Early Worship 8am Breakfast 9am Sunday School 9:30 am Morning Worship 11am Wednesday Prayer Meeting/Bible Study 7pm Thursday Noon Bible Study 12 noon Sunday Child Day Care Services Available For Those Attending Our Worship WEBSITE : friendshipbchurch.org (O FFICE )706.323-6996 (FAX ) 706.322.7596 (PASTOR ’ S HOME )706.561.6733 friendshipbaptistcolumbus@gmail.com or friendshipbc@juno.com Transportation available, must contact church office by Friday at 12:00 noon.
R EV. D R . E MMETT S. A NITON , J R PASTOR
P ROGRESSIVE F UNERAL H OME Evergreen Covington, CEO
4236 St. Mary’s Road Columbus, Georgia
706.685.8023 evergreenfc@mediacombb.net
Metropolitan Baptist Church 1635 5th Avenue . Columbus, Georgia
706.322.1488 Service Sunday School 9:30 A.M Monday Night Tuesday Bible Study Pastor Curtis Crocker, Jr.
Schedule Sunday Worship 11:00 A.M Prayer 6:00 P.M 12:00 P.M & 5:30 P.M
Mission Statement A growing church for growing Christians attempting to grow the Kingdom, one soul at a time.
Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church Corner of 3rd Avenue and 5th Street Rev. Dr. J.H. Flakes Jr. Way Columbus, Georgia 31901 706.324.2055 Rev. J.H. Flakes, III -Pastor Rev. Dr. J.H. Flakes, Jr. - Pastor Emeritus
COVER STORY
PAGE 5
Courier Thursday July 16, 2020
Justice For Hector...“I Can’t Breathe” During a recent interview Hector’s sister, Patricia Ragan and father, Retired SGM Rod Arreola recounted what they witnessed from the video of Hector’s encounter with the police. “Stop, Stop, Stop police yell. I’m not even doing nothing, Ma they’re going to kill me”, Arreola says.
By Wane A. Hailes The Courier
Hector pleaded 16 times, I can’t breathe, his dad recounted. He’s hurting, he’s hurting, his mother tells officers on the scene that night. I can’t breathe, Hector says before the police officer tells his mom he’s fine, he can breathe. They applied pressure for over 2 minutes after he was handcuffed until he went nonresponsive. A third officer arrived on the scene with leg
The family of Hector Arreola knows all too well the anguish that the family of George Floyd is going through. They are angry too as they observe a much different response from officials in Minneapolis compared to what occurred here. On January 9, 2017 Columbus police responded to a call on Moss Drive around 5 a.m. At some point there was a struggle and Hector Arreola was taken to Midtown Medical Center where he died the next day. To this day the family of Hector Arreola have yet to receive any answers about what actu-
irons and shackles. After shackling Hector, he continued to sit on his back for a few minutes for you know the Kodak moment, said Rod. The family recently won a partial vic-
ally happened that night. According to his sister Patricia Ragan local law enforcement and city officials continue to deny any wrongdoing. ìMy brother’s life mattered,.
tory in federal court where the judge denied the officer’s immunity paving the way for the excessive force claim. But the family is demanding action now. When someone says I can’t breathe, it means they can’t breathe, and you need to back off. You need to back off and let that person breathe. You just can’t take it for granted, oh he’s okay and they do that because they get trained on that it’s part of their policy when somebody says I can’t breathe uh, they can breathe. If they couldn’t breathe, they wouldn’t be talking. That has to be abolished from the policy. We have to make that change not for this community but for the Country, Hector’s dad said. The family initially approached Teresa Tomlinson who was the Mayor at the time. She did nothing except for put-
ting out misleading information. Recently they have sought answers from the current Mayor Skip Henderson but have yet to receive any response. ìAll we wanted was an apology, acknowledgement of what happened, an ounce of compassion for Hector Arreola’s death. Today they said they’re way past an apology. They are demanding action and accountability from the Mayor’s office all the way to the District Attorney. The GBI concluded their investigation months ago yet the District Attorney, Julia Slater refuses to release the results. According to the family former Prosecutor Mark Post represents the Arreola family and is demanding a jury trial.
OPINION
Page 6
Thursday July 16, 2020
Why The Dreadful Fear Of Subpoena Power For A Citizens Review Board? A Thought-Provoking Opinion By Brother Love The people asked for a citizens review board with subpoena power, the mayor and council gave the people what they wanted to give them in response to the call for greater accountability and transparency, which was the Columbus Public Safety Advisory Commission without any power to do anything much but to convene and talk. The PSAC is prohibited from coming close to a formal investigation. PART I Following the shooting death of Kenneth B. Walker by Muscogee County Sheriff's Office Deputy David Glisson, many citizens, Black, White, and Brown, the local NAACP, including every branch president beginning with Edward O. DuBose, and the Grassroots Unity Movement for Change have called formulation of the Columbus Citizens Police Review Board with Subpoena Power. Former Councilor, now Muscogee County Recorder's Court Chief Judge, Julius Hunter was a voice of reason and a tireless advocate for a citizen’s review board with the necessary added on subpoena power to do a thorough and efficient job relative to accountability and full transparency. Councilor Hunter understood the issue and need, he cared about the people, and without fear he spoke out in support of a citizen’s review board with subpoena power to educate fellow councilors and the public. Interestingly enough, Mayor Bob Poydasheff opposed a citizen’s review board with subpoena power, along with Council members Gary Allen, Glenn Davis, and Berry "Skip" Henderson.
In 2008, a Columbus Citizens Review Board with Subpoena Power was again the issue before mayor and council. Georgia State Conference NAACP President Edward O. Dubose and I were both involved in the push for a board with subpoena power. NAACP Branch President William "Bill" Madison had never given up on that issue or the killing of an unarmed Kenneth Brian Walker a rest. He fought for both issues, as did all the faithful few of us who refused to surrender and give up on justice just because it was not easy, as it never is going to be an easy fight in Columbus, Georgia because of deepseated fear, ignorance, and prejudice. The true civil rights and human rights activist knows there is no easy fight against the power structure, especially in a city where the Black elite is more interested in convincing you to go along and get along than urging and openly support you while you continue to fight a righteous cause. Fakes always fade in the fight for justice in Columbus. The fight in 2008 was a little different, since there was a citizen’s review board in Atlanta, Georgia with the full support of mayor and council, the very thing you never get here in Columbus when the issue comes up. Of course, you had Muscogee County Sheriff Deputy Randy Robertson, now
Republican state senator, coming up with every reason in the world why local law enforcement should not be subject more accountability and transparency. He was represented the local Fraternal Order of Police. He went on to become the Georgia Fraternal Order of the Police president. Police Chief Ricky Boren was against a citizen’s review board with subpoena power. He went as far as to suggest on more than one occasion in comments that placing CPD under such board may very well cost the life of some officer in the field just trying to do his job. Chief Boren did not even want the sham Public Safety Advisory Commission in 2004, and that commission was to be purely advisory, no threat at all to CPD. Columbus Police Department Lieutenant Lynn Joiner was so adamantly opposed to citizens review that would hold police accountable and contribute to greater transparency that he started an internal petition against any ordinance establishing a citizen’s police review board with subpoena power. He collected 199 signatures of Columbus police officers. Go do your homework and research. If there was any case to be made why we must have a citizen’s police review board with subpoena power, then Lt. Joiner's petition with 199 police officer signatures in 2008 is it. Nobody is that fearful if they indeed are conducting themselves properly as professionally trained to do. Put it into perspective, Police want the citizens to totally trust them as law enforcement officers, but at the same time they are not willing to trust a board of Columbus citizens reviewing their actions. Why are they so averse to accountability and transparency? The citizens are not the enemy, or is that how they truly see us, as an enemy of sorts. Notably, the 2008 vote on a citizen’s review board with subpoena power went almost straight down racial lines except by one vote. Five (5) White councilors voted against the review board with subpoena power. Three (3) Black councilors, one (1) Latino councilor, and
one (1) White councilor, a Christian minister, all voted for a citizen’s review board with subpoena power. Mayor Jim Wetherington, the former CPD police chief, voted against the ordinance sponsored by Councilor Hunter to break the 5-5 tie. What did the six (6) White elected officials know about what goes on with Columbus police that the other five (5) did not? Allen, Davis, and Henderson have for some secret reason protected the police from being held accountable by a citizen’s review board with subpoena power for almost twenty (20) years. The police officers who had filled the Council Chamber loudly applauded the vote that day. As previously stated, Current Councilors Allen and Davis along with now Mayor Berry "Skip" Henderson III were three (3) of the five (5) White councilors opposing the citizens review board with subpoena power for the second time since Deputy Glisson shot and killed an innocent, unarmed man, Kenneth Walker. Councilor Jerry Clairmont "Pops" Barnes never parted his lips one time to say a word publicly in support of a citizen’s review board with subpoena power. He only voted for it because he already knew that it would end up with the mayor breaking a 55 tie. When I called on the phone before the vote to speak with Councilor Berry "Skip" Henderson III, he let me know then in no uncertain terms that he would never vote for any thing like that so unfair to our appointed police chief. This was the attitude and the climate just five (5) years after Kenneth Walker's shooting death. We are not really treated or respected as citizens on an equal footing. (Continued in Part II)
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COVER STORY
Courier Thursday July 16, 2020
Rob Landers Offers A Fresh Start As Civic Center Director Request for Bids RFB No. 21-0003 Landscape Materials (Annual Contract) Due: August 12, 2020 – 2:30 PM Patti Postorino, Buyer RFB No. 21-0004 Electrical Fixtures, Parts & Supplies (Annual Contract) Due: August 12, 2020 – 2:30 PM Patti Postorino, Buyer
By Wane A. Hailes The Courier Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri Rob Landers is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor ’s degree in Sports Management. He is currently on target to receive a master’s degree in December 2020 from the University of West Alabama in Business. Landers comes to CCG with over 10 years’ experience in Event Operations and Venue Management. He has a proven record of successfully overseeing logistics and administration of Events, Security, Guest Services, Crowd Management, Food Services and Operation. Rob has executed successful events on a large scale at the Mercedes Benz stadium, and the Phillips Arena ranging from 5K-70K attendees. He is certified as a trained Crowd Management Instructor through the International Association of Venue Management; Risk and Incident Certified through the National Center of Spectator sports safety and security and SerSafe Manager, certified through the national Restaurant Association. He has successfully managed budgets exceeding $25M. His emphasis has been in the area of revenue enhancements and spectator experience. We are certain that we will see a strong emphasis on creating a world class venue while ensur-
ing and creating that red-carpet experience. Under his leadership, many public/private partnerships were garnered, and attendee numbers increased per event. “I am thankful to the selection committee and the City of Columbus for this opportunity. My goal is to work with community partners in creating world events for the Columbus Civic Center. I’m look forward to building new relationships and eager to share my passion for producing memorable experiences”, says Rob Landers. Landers is married to Marissa Landers and they have 3 children.
RFB No. 21-0006 Playground Mulch (Annual Contract) Due: August 12, 2020 – 2:30 PM Heather Biddle, Buyer RFB No. 21-0001 Bus Route Signs & Poles (Annual Contract) Due: August 5, 2020 – 2:30 PM Della Lewis, CPPB Buyer Specialist Electronic responses must be submitted via DemandStar by the due date shown above. Specifications may be obtained by visiting the webpage of the Purchasing Division at , notifying the Buyer via email , faxing 706225-3033, or telephoning 706-225-4087. Andrea J. McCorvey Purchasing Division Manager
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COVER STORY
Pagina 2
16 de julio 2020
Justicia para Héctor ... "No puedo respirar" Durante una entrevista reciente, la hermana de Héctor, Patricia Ragan y su padre, el SGM retirado Rod Arreola relató lo que presenciaron en el video del encuentro de Héctor con la policía. "Alto, alto, alto", grita la policía. "Ni siquiera estoy haciendo nada, Ma, me van a matar", dice Arreola. "Héctor suplicó 16 veces, no puedo respirar", contó su padre. "Le duele, le duele", le dice su madre a los oficiales en la escena esa noche. "No puedo respirar", dice Héctor antes de que el policía le diga a su madre que "está bien, puede respirar". “Le apli-
By Wane A. Hailes The Courier La familia de Héctor Arreola conoce muy bien la angustia por la que está pasando la familia de George Floyd. También están enojados porque observan una respuesta muy diferente de los funcionarios en Minneapolis en comparación con lo que ocurrió aquí. El 9 de enero de 2017, la policía de Columbus respondió a una llamada en Moss Drive alrededor de las 5 a.m.En algún momento hubo una lucha y Héctor Arreola fue llevado al Midtown Medical Center, donde murió al día siguiente. Hasta el día de hoy, la familia de Héctor Arreola aún no ha recibido ninguna respuesta sobre lo que
realmente sucedió esa noche. Según su hermana Patricia Ragan, la policía local y los funcionarios de la ciudad continúan negando las acusaciones. "La vida de mi hermano importaba".
caron presión durante más de 2 minutos después de que lo esposaron hasta que no respondió. Un tercer oficial llegó a la escena con grilletes y grilletes. Después de encadenar a Héctor, continuó sentado boca arriba durante unos minutos para que conozcas el momento Kodak, dijo Rod.
La familia recientemente obtuvo una victoria parcial en un tribunal federal donde el juez negó la inmunidad del oficial allanando el camino para el reclamo de fuerza excesiva. Pero la familia ahora exige acción. "Cuando alguien dice que no puedo respirar, significa que no puede respirar y que debes retroceder". Debe retroceder y dejar que esa persona respire. Simplemente no puedes darlo por sentado, oh, él está bien y lo hacen porque se entrenan en eso es parte de su política cuando alguien dice que no puedo respirar, pueden respirar. Si no pudieran respirar, no estarían hablando. Eso tiene que ser abolido de la política. Tenemos que hacer ese cambio no para esta comunidad sino para el país ", dijo el padre de Héctor. La familia inicialmente se acercó a
Teresa Tomlinson, quien era la alcaldesa en ese momento. "Ella no hizo nada, excepto por poner información engañosa". Recientemente han buscado respuestas del actual alcalde Skip Henderson, pero aún no han recibido ninguna respuesta. "Todo lo que queríamos era una disculpa, un reconocimiento de lo sucedido, una pizca de compasión por la muerte de Héctor Arreola". Hoy dijeron que han pasado una disculpa. Exigen acción y responsabilidad de la oficina del alcalde hasta el fiscal de distrito. El GBI concluyó su investigación hace meses, pero la fiscal de distrito, Julia Slater, se niega a publicar los resultados. Según la familia, el ex fiscal Mark Post representa a la familia Arreola y exige un juicio con jurado.
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Eco Latino
S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS
La voz de la comunidad hispana Vol. 15
Edición 22 Gratis
Jueves 16 de julio 2020
Justicia para Héctor ..."No puedo respirar"
Pagina 2 Ingles Courier Pagina 5