We are
delighted that Councilman Bill Brownlee (District 5) has been successful in
illuminating some of the functions/events in Maple Heights governance with his
videos of council meetings, etc.
This is a huge step in "open government" in Maple
Heights.
Throughout 2012 and 2013 we watched what we consider obstruction to “open government” in Maple Heights.
Throughout 2012 and 2013 we watched what we consider obstruction to “open government” in Maple Heights.
Unfortunately,
this year we also witnessed the shocking and successful attempts by council leadership, to repeatedly
silence Councilman Brownlee. This councilman does not yell, stomp his feet, wave
his hands, or physically attack anyone.
Yet, the council leadership has sought this councilman’s physical
removal from a council meeting (by a member of law enforcement [***]) on more
than one occasion.
Can anyone recall when a councilman/woman
was threatened with being physically removed by a member of the police force unless
he/she stop talking?
Regarding "Music in the Park" series 2012/2013:
Meeting after meeting we've watched various members of Maple Heights city council
and/or people who have backed the mayor, come out in support and praise of the
Director of Human Services.
There is no
denial of the good works that come out of that department. What we do
object to, and that many (especially of European ancestry) fail to grasp, is the (in our opinion) major highlighting
of European culture (which is the director's background) over the culture and background of the majority of the residents who happen to be African American.
Research after research has exposed the systemic design to deny AfricanAmerican culture and history in the United States.
Our residents
are in dire need of money; yet (in our opinion), the “Music in the Park” donations flow to those of predominantly European ancestry and to those who live
outside the city. This was pointed out to
that department (again) last year, and the result was the use of the “N” word in the comment section of a
2012 (Music in the Park) post; followed by council (who were –and still are- predominantly
of European background) contributing to a singer with the same ancestry; and
the series staying pretty much the same.
This arrogance should have sent a chill (and “wake up call”) through the
Maple Heights African American community.
The cancelling (?) of the “Music in the Park” series (this year) which
we’ve been told has always been funded through solicited donations, was seen by us as defiance for our
persistence in asking that department to
highlight the culture/background of the majority in Maple Heights and giving the
majority of those donations to those
entertainment groups who represent the racial/cultural majority and who
actually live in our city. We feel it is and
should have been the responsible and financially sound thing to do.
Related:
The Importance of Culture
The Need For Afrikan Culture and Traditions
The Importance of Black History
The Importance of Culture
The Need For Afrikan Culture and Traditions
The Importance of Black History
Homeland - African American Roundtable - Culture and Identity
***May 14, 2014 - Special Meeting (Part 1) threat to remove councilman by a member of law enforcement (SEE 17 MINUTES INTO VIDEO)
***May 14, 2014 - Special Meeting (Part 1) threat to remove councilman by a member of law enforcement (SEE 17 MINUTES INTO VIDEO)
