Huntington's Black Community and Chief of Police Will Resolve Profiling Issues

The Cabell-Huntington Chapter of the NAACP is claiming members of the African-American community have been the victims of illegal racial profiling. The NAACP and the Huntington Black Pastors' Ministerial Association say they are not indicting the Huntington Police Department, but they do say there is a need to temper the actions of law enforcement officers in the African-American community. Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook said he was surprised by the claim.

Holbrook is an excellent law enforcement administrator, and the members of the NAACP executive committee and members of the association of black pastors are all highly respected members of our community. We are confident that the chief and members of the NAACP and the Black Ministerial association will meet immediately to review the claims of racial profiling. If profiling is occurring, we have confidence in Chief Holbrook's commitment to fair and equal law enforcement, and he will investigate the issue and resolve it - in a timely manner. Holbrook has said he is willing to meet with individuals about allegations of racial profiling, and he takes pride in the Huntington Police Department's goal "to provide organizational transparency."

We are confident the groups will participate in prompt, frank and open discussions to ensure the continuing cooperation between the citizens of our various neighborhoods and the Huntington Police Department.

Citizens of Huntington have the desire for a safe and secure hometown for each and every person. Let the talks begin!

Huntington Woman Shows Compassion and Love

I received this email this morning from Huntington resident, Mary Clayborn, who is a neighborhood advocate for our hometown and a member of Create Huntington:

"The morning is cool and overcast as we started out a very normal morning. Knowing our routine would be broken for a few minutes at the bank, we were ready to get on with our day. Jaylen, my two-year old granddaughter, is already excited about saying good morning to everyone, and "bye-bye" to mommy, as we arrive to drop my daughter off for her work day.

Jaylen and I are taking our time meandering home this morning. The van is quiet except for Jaylen singing and playing in her car seat. The dogs are lying on the floor, the van is warm, and all is well. We are safe and loved.

The window of the world opened up for me, as I was sitting at the light beside the TTA terminal. A woman and man were busy getting ready for their day. I had a birds eye view of their makeshift bedroom, and the world did too, if it were only to stop for a moment to see this sight.

The woman was picking up their bed clothes from a night's sleep. The man gently helped her up off of their bed. As she put away their belongings. she stowed them away, as if they were the most valuable possessions they owned. I was so mesmerized by this sight. I pulled the van over and continued to watch this event unfold before my eyes. They didn't stop at the bathroom to brush their teeth, or to wash up in the bathroom. They didn't stop by the kitchen to get a fresh cup of coffee, or grab a slice of toast. They took their time getting their belongings together. As they got ready to leave their home for the day. They spoke a few words to one another. They reached for one another to hug and give a big kiss.

The woman stood alone and watched her man off to parts unknown. She watched him until he was out of sight as though she was a mother seeing her child off to school. She had two large ferns with her as she began to move slowly down the alley. I could not help but be touched by the display of gentle care I had witnessed between these two homeless people.

Their bedroom is the world ... not inside a safe house. Their bathroom is wherever they can find one. Their kitchen is a convenience store, if they have enough aluminum cans to sell for the day for money to buy food at the store. They will eat whatever they can find, and will be content to find one another at the end of the day.

I could not help but notice her clothes were thin and very worn. I drove around the street and stopped the van and ask if she would except some warm clothes. She accepted my love gift of clothing that had been donated the day before ... almost the size she could wear. Such a tiny lady.

I ask her if she needed a coat, and she said she did. She said she could wear a large jacket and her husband could wear a 2x in men's. She in turn asked me if I could help her with a blanket, or two, because the nights now get cold. As, I watched her go down the alley. I was reminded that love is a gift and a treasure for us to find and hold onto. I knew in my heart that today I would search by emails and phone calls for two coats and some blankets to return tonight back to the "bedroom of the world" to see Cheyenne and her husband ... with a little bit of help and a whole lot of love.

As we drove away, our van was still warm, and Jaylen was talking to one of the dogs, which had gotten up to see why the motion of the van had stopped. We slowly started our journey back home to our warm comfy place for the day. I felt warm and good inside as we continued our drive, knowing that I had just met the most impressive person of the day ... Cheyenne. She had the biggest and brightest smile, one I have not seen on any one's face in a very long time.

She is homeless, and she has no immediate family to trust and rely on, except for her husband. However, Cheyenne has that one precious thing, love. We all dream about love, but they have it.

They lost their jobs several years ago and became homeless. I was also reminded to tell each one of you whether I know you personally, or not, you matter to me."

Sincerely,

Mary

Note - Mary needs two blankets and two Jackets - size large for a woman and size 2x for a man - for this couple. Call her at 304-781-1061, and she will pick them up.

Huntington Street Division Responsive in Picking Up Bagged Leaves

After blowing all of the leaves off of the street in front of our residence and bagging them, we called the City of Huntington Street Division and advised them that we had about twenty bags of leaves we removed from the street and the city's property. The nice lady on the phone took my name, address and phone number and advised me that she would have them picked up. They were picked up within 48-hours.

If each property owner will bag all fallen leaves on your property and place them at the curb, the street division will pick them up, but you must call them to schedule the pick-up. Do not merely rake them into the gutter, as this practice is harmful to our combined sanitation/storm water sewer system and, also, reduces the number of on-street parking spaces.

We encourage city residents to assist our city government by raking/blowing and bagging all fallen leaves on your property and in the street at the perimeter of your property. The city does not currently have enough equipment, or manpower, to remove fallen leaves throughout all of our neighborhoods. However, they have announced they will pick up bagged leaves, if requested.

So, bag them. Then, call the City of Huntington Street Division at (304) 696-4483. If you do your part, the street division will do theirs. Let's all work together to make our city a better place to live, work, study and play!

City of Huntington Street Sweeper Attacking Fallen Leaves

Several people have mentioned that the city's street sweeper has been seen cleaning fallen leaves from our neighborhood streets. Although the operator must deal with getting around parked cars, he is doing an admirable job. We saw them in our neighborhood, which is near Julian's Market on 12th Street on the southside. Before the fall season has ended, we will see the continuation of the trees shedding their leaves. The Street Division is doing the best they can do with the equipment they currently have to use. Our compliments to them and the City of Huntington.

We encourage all property owners, who are physically able, to rake and bag your property's fallen leaves and place the bagged leaves on the curb for pickup by the city. If you really want to be of assistance to the city and your neighborhood, why not rake the leaves in the street in front of your home, bag them and place them on the curb for pickup? Let's all help our city by pitching in to present a "clean and green" appearance for our home town? To have your bagged leaves picked up by the city, call the City of Huntington Street Division at (304) 696-4483.

Dancing with the Tri-State Stars set for Nov. 7

"Dancing with the Tri-State's Stars" is set for Nov. 7, and Delegate Kelli Sobonya will be dancing the Cha Cha for a good cause.

Dancing with the Tri-State's Stars is a dance competition to benefit Ebenezer Medical Outreach. The event will be Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Tickets are $20 and are on sale at the box office and through Ticketmaster. Here is the official Ticketmaster link:

Dancing W/ Tri-State Stars tickets, dates. Official Ticketmaster site.

The lineup of "Tri-State stars" includes: Dr. Eric Arnold, chair of the Kinesiology Department at Marshall University; Dr. Rick Booth from Valley Health; Sabrina Conley, director of health and wellness at the YMCA; Dee Delancy with WOWK-TV.

There's more: Sean Hornbuckle, Marshall's student body president; Brandi Jacobs-Jones with the city of Huntington; Brittany Mills, Miss West Virginia United States; former Marshall University head coach Bobby Pruett; Marshall Reynolds of Champion Industries;

And even more: Rich Blankenship, mayor of Ironton, Ohio; William Smith, superintendent of Cabell County Schools; Kelli Sobonya, West Virginia delegate; Carol Templeton, principal of St. Joseph Grade School; JB Miller of Miller in the Morning; Huntington Mayor Kim Wolfe; and Randy Yohe with WSAZ.

Some of the Tri-State’s stars will dance the salsa, the tango, the cha cha and the jive all for an incredible cause. Ebenezer Medical Outreach has been providing health care for the uninsured for years in Huntington and the surrounding area. Your attendance will support the cause and your applause will choose the winner. Be there to support your favorite dance!

A few corporate tables are still available. $500 and $1,000. The $1,000 tables are on the floor. Both types of corporate tables receive 8 tickets and attendance to the pre-show mix and mingle with the dancers and food & beverages.

Program ads are also available for sale. More information is available by calling 304-529-0753, Ext. 118. Additionally, you can e-mail ashleythompson@emohealth.org; or, call Kelli Sobonya (304) 733-9169. Her email address is Sobonya4WVHouse@aol.com.

Notice by City on Development Projects is Needed

The City of Huntington's current policy for notifying residents of proposed development projects and zoning appeals that affect residential neighborhoods is inadequate. An example of its shortcomings was obvious recently when a developer's plans for building 25-30 apartment units, along with 100 storage units at 745 3rd Street in West Huntington was considered by the Huntington City Council at its September 28, 2009, meeting.

It was revealed that a developer had applied for a $300,000 Federal Home Program Grant which would require an undetermined number of low-income housing units. No one could verify the required number.

A large group of residents from the neighborhood surrounding the proposed site attended the city council meeting to protest the rezoning ordinance and development proposal for the address. The neighborhood group voiced several concerns as to the inconsistent and flawed manner in how the rezoning ordinance was handled. They were alarmed that only sixty (60) notification letters were sent to residents near the subject property, most going to addresses outside of their district (District #4) which were not impacted by the proposed development.

Thankfully these residents were concerned enough to distribute fliers to the residents close to the project. They had no prior knowledge that the zoning change ordinance would be on the agenda for a final vote at the city council meeting.

The group was additionally concerned about the sewer and sanitation problems, traffic issues. Fortunately for the neighborhood, the rezoning has been canceled because the property owners withdrew their offer to sell the property.

The city council should implement a better notification process that informs a larger number of residents. If possible, to everyone in the affected district. The current 200-foot radius used for notification is not ample to allow citizens who are impacted by ANY proposal to voice their opinion.

Please contact your city council representatives and ask them if they would raise this issue in one of their upcoming meetings. Request that they vote to make an inquiry into the idea of changing the Huntington City Code, making the code more appropriate and responsive to those of us who live within the city of Huntington.

The westside neighborhood group wants to make sure other Huntington residents are aware of what could happen in their districts without ever hearing from the city about drastic changes that may affect the quality of their lives, environment and property value.

For further information, please call Mary Bryan at (304) 525-2255, or Terry Ballard at (304) 522-3461. They brought this situation to our attention.

Trick-or-Treat at the Minton Street Kid's Peace Garden

Huntington, WV – Residents of Northcott Court, Minton Street, Fairfield, or anyone out and about on Trick-or-Treat night is welcome to visit the 1016 Minton St. Kid’s Flower Peace Garden!

During Huntington’s Trick-or-Treat night – Thursday, October 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – the Huntington Community Gardens (HCG) volunteers will be handing out candy, hot apple cider, and other healthier options to area youth and offering the neighborhood a chance to tour the garden.

Also, don’t forget to visit the AD Lewis Center’s “Trunk-or-Treat” where area children can ask for candy and other nutritious options within the safety of the parking lot.

For further details, contact:
HCG Project Coordinator, Jennifer Williams at 304-840-2500
Assistant Coordinator, Eve Atkinson at 304-697-1402.