"Help Wanted Murder" Signs Impacts Negatively on Newark Business

[Make Newark Clean]

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/aolnews_photos/0c/06/20070312002409990006
Merchants and mayor say billboards are hurting business

Newark Teachers Union campaign
aims to quell deadly violence (http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-6/117488675842940.xml&coll=1)

Monday, March 26, 2007

BY KATIE WANG
Star-Ledger Staff

‘"I know if I had tens of thousands of dollars, I wouldn't use them on billboards," said Booker. "I would use them for after-school programs. I would use them to help teachers get supplies."

Cory Booker, Mayor

"I think we have a serious problem," said Del Grosso. "It's not about me, it's about the problem. It's about people dying."
John Del Gross, NTU’


Artie Wassif, the catering manager at the venerable Newark Club restaurant, was taking a bride on a tour of the premises recently when she asked him a question.

"What's with the stop the killing signs?" Wassif said, recounting the story.

Wassif, who directs the 80-plus wedding receptions at the restaurant every year, tap-danced around an answer. He tried to convince the bride and her mother to ignore the signs and that it was safe to get married in Newark.

His efforts fell short.

"They left and never came back," he said.

According to Wassif, the woman is not the only runaway bride to bolt from the Newark Club because of billboards blazing the message, "Help Wanted. Stop the killings in Newark now!"

Ever since the Newark Teachers Union splashed that message on six billboards a couple of months ago, business leaders and Mayor Cory Booker have complained the signs hurt Newark's image and are fueled by politics. The teachers union endorsed Booker's opponent in last year's mayoral race and the two sides are at odds over school vouchers.

Arthur Stern, chief executive of Cogswell Realty, the developers of the luxury high-rise apartment complex at 1180 Raymond Blvd., was so frustrated by the billboard that he decided to rent the space out with his own advertisement.

One of the six billboards is located in Military Park on Broad Street, facing the apartment complex.

"We felt it wasn't very helpful with regard to our marketing efforts for 1180 and the general image of the city," said Stern.

As far as he knows, Stern said, no prospective tenants have walked away because of the billboards, but current residents complained.

"I know we had tenants who overlook that sign and said, 'Can we get that God-awful sign down?'" said Stern.

So Stern is spending $50,000 to create an ad and rent the Military Park billboard for the rest of this year with a rental sign for his building. The new image will go up Friday. Stern said it costs about $4,500 per month to rent the space.

The community reaction has been more muted. Some are critical, while others said the signs have not created a stir among residents. In addition to renting the billboards, the union spent $12,650 for 44 ads on NJ Transit buses and the light rail.

"I know if I had tens of thousands of dollars, I wouldn't use them on billboards," said Booker. "I would use them for after-school programs. I would use them to help teachers get supplies."

Booker has made public safety the centerpiece of his administration, a high-stakes gamble if the violent shootings do not stop. Last year, 106 people were slain in Newark, the highest number of killings in more than a decade.

Joe Del Grosso, the president of the teachers union, said the billboards are not a political statement, rather a moral one. The union's 29-member executive committee voted unanimously, he said, to put the billboards up. He refuses to say how much the union spent on the billboards. A spokeswoman for the company said Clear Channel does not reveal how much it charges for billboard space in order to protect client privacy.

"I think we have a serious problem," said Del Grosso. "It's not about me, it's about the problem. It's about people dying."

Del Grosso said he cannot believe a bride would be turned off by a billboard.

"If you were getting married in Newark, you probably did your research -- 106 murders. That's one in three days," Del Grosso said. "They didn't pick up the newspaper and see a killing? That's not scarier than a billboard?"

But the signs, posted in the city and its perimeter, have become such a problem for Wassif at the Newark Club that he re-routes customers from Staten Island and Bergen County so they avoid highways with those billboards.

"It hurts our business now and in the future," said Wassif.

Wassif said he did not have the names or phone numbers of those brides he said were scared off.

Both Rutgers University in Newark and Prudential Financial Inc. said they have not seen a downturn in recruiting because of the signs. A spokesman for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center did not return repeated calls for comment on the story.

Roberto Comesanas, a pastor at the New Ark Cathedral, praised the signs.

"I think it's commendable that the teacher's union was asking for help," he said. "It's like the board of education saying -- we can't stop it alone."

Central Ward activist Roger Smith said the signs have not created a stir in the community, but said they are not reflective of what is going on in the city.

"The teachers union needs to use their money for something else," Smith said. "They need to put on billboards positive images."

Del Grosso denied any politics are involved in the billboards and accused the mayor of spinning the issue. He said if he wanted to hurt Booker politically, he would have waited until the 2010 mayoral election to rent the billboards.

Del Grosso said he will keep the billboards up as long as the killings continue. The city has recorded 19 killings this year so far.

"Why don't we stop the political wrangling and sit down and get together? said Del Grosso. The union head has also accused the mayor of being behind a retaliatory billboard campaign that slams Newark teachers.

Booker has denied that and said he refuses to talk to Del Grosso about the billboards.

"I was not elected to get into a finger pointing match with the teacher's union head," Booker said. "I was elected to do a job. My focus is on driving crime down."



Katie Wang covers Newark City Hall. She can be reached at kwang@starledger.com or (973) 392-1504.




© 2007 The Star Ledger
© 2007 NJ.com (http://www.nj.com) All Rights Reserved.

[karimah]

Im going to jump right in and not even finish reading the article. The folks probably didnt use the wedding hall, maybe due to the price or it was an excuse to say no. Before the signs became visible, murders in newark have been in the newspapers and on all news channels, stop blaming the signs for you not getting business that you feel you deserve. Unless your trying to tell me, these individuals dont watch tv, read the paper.

Maybe Del Grasso, should not have been the person to post the signs, but it is the truth, stop the killings in newark. Maybe those programs the mayor was referring too, he can get a jump start on them since he is running the city, he should worry less about del grasso, and worry more about newarkers.

As far as Del Grasso is concerned, he got his right back when they put newark teachers on blast for defending bad teachers. Let's just hope both parties take heed to the message and move on with improving this "great city"

NEWARK

[TE2]

I would think that the actual Dead Bodies, people being killed in each ward, would be bad for bussiness not no sign.

I'ts a shame that the bussiness community is now concerned about how, and what the sign say's, in Newark about the Killings in newark when they never said anything before, the killing just did not start when the NTU put up those bill boards 106 people Killed in 2006 in Newark NJ, maybe more.

People should be outraged that the bussinessman does not care about the people who live in the Cities Safety, that have to deal with the shootings, and the Killings, but rather safety for his out of town customers and the money he is so called losing because some client looked up and seen the Help Wanted Sign.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

The "Stop the Violence" signs and billboards do not provide additional information or contact numbers where one may participate in efforts to stop the violence. Which is why they are bogus and should be removed. What purpose exactly do they serve? How have they stopped any violence? The billboards were a cheap way for Del Grosso to stick it to Booker, because if stopping the violence had been Del Grosso's sincere intent, the billboards should have gone up two years ago. Del Grosso would not have thought twice about pulling such a stunt in his own hometown. That, in itself, reveals a great deal about Mr. Del Grosso's attitude towards the city which has enriched him.

[Downtowner]

Im going to jump right in and not even finish reading the article.

It's good to know that you're taking the time to examine the issue in depth before sounding off.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

"I think we have a serious problem," said Del Grosso. "It's not about me, it's about the problem. It's about people dying."

Del Grosso denied any politics are involved in the billboards and accused the mayor of spinning the issue. He said if he wanted to hurt Booker politically, he would have waited until the 2010 mayoral election to rent the billboards.

Del Grosso said he will keep the billboards up as long as the killings continue. The city has recorded 19 killings this year so far.

I can't read everything so I probably missed it. What were DelGrosso's suggestions for dealing with gun violence in Newark anyhow? I'll wait for it.

[newarknewbbie]

From Clean's post: (my quote function is not working)
Booker has denied that and said he refuses to talk to Del Grosso about the billboards.

"I was not elected to get into a finger pointing match with the teacher's union head," Booker said. "I was elected to do a job. My focus is on driving crime down."

__________________________________________________ _______________

I hate to say this, as I have long been a Booker supporter, but the administration could have spun the billboards in a million different ways-- (Some examples--"I appreciate the fact that the Union is concerned with the violence in this City effecting its students;" "I appreciate that the Union is supporting this administration in wanting to garner community support in ending the violence in this city;"--However, I am concerned that the billboards are bringing more negative attention/perpetuating a negative image of Newark, rather than building the community support that was intended. I look forward to speaking with NTU about collaborating with them on violence prevention initiatives in NPS to secure the safety of our children and those who seek to educate them.) Instead, the mayor has fueled the fire and allowed the billboards to become more than they are. The mayor shouldn't get into a finger pointing match-- be the leader we voted you to be-- better than the status quo, above the bs political jabs, collaborative, innovative. If he takes it as a personal stab at him and his administration, that is what it becomes. If he reframes it, then it will be whatever he reframes it as...

Additionally, the schools are (or will be again) a part of mayoral responsibilities, and for a mayor talking the talk of a man who wants to take over the schools, he is going to have to deal with the Union eventually-- regardless of who is at the helm. If DelGrosso is the man that he is painted as, he will self-destruct (as evidenced by some of the Union members who are already displeased with how their Union dues are being spent), so let him.


Bottom line: Sit down, figure out a solution and do it now. Please stop engaging in the back and forth-- we elected Booker because we believe he can be a great leader and community builder, this city needs the man we believed we were electing-- I hope he has not lost that spirit in the process of "governing."

[Downtowner]

I would think that the actual Dead Bodies, people being killed in each ward, would be bad for bussiness not no sign.

I'ts a shame that the bussiness community is now concerned about how, and what the sign say's, in Newark about the Killings in newark when they never said anything before, the killing just did not start when the NTU put up those bill boards 106 people Killed in 2006 in Newark NJ, maybe more.

People should be outraged that the bussinessman does not care about the people who live in the Cities Safety, that have to deal with the shootings, and the Killings, but rather safety for his out of town customers and the money he is so called losing because some client looked up and seen the Help Wanted Sign.

Those businesses are central to the health of the city and its recovery. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of economics could see that. Businesses produce revenue, which pay for city services. And many of those businesses employ many Newarkers as well. By saying that you don't care about commerce, you're depriving your fellow citizens of job opportunites that they desperately need. The business community, quite frankly, does more for the city than all of the rallies and activist groups put together. They are the ones that fund nonprofits, the Museum, childrens' programs, and a host of other wonderful programs.

It's not the business community's job to police the city. That's the NPD's job. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The sign campaign is a POLITICAL PLOY exploiting the victims of violent crime. Miss Tam has an excellent point. Why didn't the NTU list any resources to help fight crime, or use its money to promote public safety initiatives? It looks like Del Grosso has his back to the wall, and I'm all too happy to see him sweat. He's a disgrace to his union and his profession. Can't you see the irony here? You complain about out-of-towners, but Del Grosso lives in Nutley, making over $150,000 as head of the NTU! He's the biggest carpetbagger of them all!

[Miss Tam-Tam]

People should be outraged that the bussinessman does not care about the people who live in the Cities Safety, that have to deal with the shootings, and the Killings, but rather safety for his out of town customers and the money he is so called losing because some client looked up and seen the Help Wanted Sign.

Did the businessmen express that they didn't care about the violence in Newark or its people? Newark cannot have a healthy economy without a vibrant business community. They pay taxes and provide employment to Newark residents. Would you prefer that the "Newark" Club do business elsewhere?

[TE2]

Common Sense say's that Del Grasso is not doing this all by himself so let's stop acting like Del Grasso is the only one, I'm quite sure that other teacher union members are in support.

And how come a sign asking for the Killing to Stop is a Bad thing I thought after reading many, many, of your threads, and replies that we all want the Killing to End in this City and in every City, was I reading yall's post wrong, I was reading alot of concerned post, or was I.

Is that people are concerned about the Killing just don't want to join the Stop the Killing Campaign that the NTU is mounting.

as for a number you can call Crime stoppers, Police, Churhes, community groups, City Hall, your Councilman, or Anti Violence Organizations that's common sense, and you don't need no telephone number on the Bill Boards or signs to tell you that.

But the real deal here is not the numbers to call, but how many will make that call Let's Keep It Real Here

What the diffrence in one sign saying Help Wanted Stop the Killing & a sign all over the City saying Safe Summer Initiative on every block and community that is suppose to be rough
Baxter Terrace, Georgia King Village, Strafford Place, Hawthrone Ave, Pennington Courts, Bradley Courts, South Orange Ave, West Side Park Area------- Couldn't I say the same thing about those Safe Summer Signs that they make people feel that it is no way safe in those neighborhoods that's why they had to come up with a safe summer program.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Those businesses are central to the health of the city and its recovery. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of economics could tell you that. Businesses produce revenue, which pay for city services. And many of those businesses employ many Newarkers as well. By saying that you don't care about commerce, you're depriving your fellow citizens of job opportunites that they desperately need. The business community, quite frankly, does more for the city than all of the rallies and activist groups put together. They are the ones that fund nonprofits, the Museum, childrens' programs, and a host of other wonderful programs.


Thanks, Downtowner.

[JoefromPGH]

I would think that the actual Dead Bodies, people being killed in each ward, would be bad for bussiness not no sign.

I'ts a shame that the bussiness community is now concerned about how, and what the sign say's, in Newark about the Killings in newark when they never said anything before, the killing just did not start when the NTU put up those bill boards 106 people Killed in 2006 in Newark NJ, maybe more.

People should be outraged that the bussinessman does not care about the people who live in the Cities Safety, that have to deal with the shootings, and the Killings, but rather safety for his out of town customers and the money he is so called losing because some client looked up and seen the Help Wanted Sign.


TE2...

I think everyone is well aware of the murders and if their not, than they've been watching the Weather Channel too long. But putting these signs out does no one any good. The image of the city, its people, its mayor, its police force, its businesses, all take a beating with these signs that simply make the wounds even wider as they offer NO solution. Its purely political baloney done by a union that should be offering solutions to the abysmal 39% graduation rate and let others do their job about the murders.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

but Del Grosso lives in Nutley, making over $150,000 as head of the NTU! He's the biggest carpetbagger of them all!

Where were the Nutley billboards and bus signs when African Americans and Latinos were not allowed to use the swim club in Del Grosso's home town?

http://www.aclu.org/racialjustice/gen/15904prs20040526.html

[Make Newark Clean]

"Help Wanted" indeed! These signs are cynical ploy to affront a mayor because he seeks greater responsibility in making over a failed Newark Public Schools system.

Those signs play into every stereotype. And they never get at what is really necessary to stop murder in Newark. Why couldn't they post some solutions since Del Grosso knows so much? It is because there really are none (that he can offer)?

What is going on in Newark's streets is the same ebb-and-flow that happens in communities throughout this country that we have all come to expect as being more lawless than others. Instead of proactively dealing with this unnatural state of affairs, those signs play into every stereotype about poor black and latino people.

The signs also create hysteria on just how dangerous Newark's streets are. To be sure, Newark has high crime and is relatively dangerous even to other mid-size cities, but the perception of those likely to be murdered is out of relation to the population group that actually is getting murdered. Sharpe James remark -- they're not shooting at [me] -- impolitic and aloof as it may be, was, also, for the most part, true.

I'm not on Booker side of this ledger either. His actions indicate he sees crime and murder as a law-enforcement issue with a social service/policy component, rather than the other way around. Indeed, law-breakers come in all colors, making up a percentage of any ethnic group. However, policies geared toward increasing incarceration rates for minority (and chiefly, black/latino) men and women as The Answer To Our Safety Woes is one that exacts too much price on our tattered people. Overaggressive law enforcment with merely token outlets for would-be law abiders only benefits the entrenched power structure. What we have nationwide is a system tantamount to a black man playing overseer in a racist system. Yet it's not realpolitik for such system to be effectively challenged and summarily dismantled.

Murders, largely driven by drugs gangs enforcing their turf, are on the upswing nationwide everywhere, but concentrated in poor communities of color. They decimate those communities and reduce the esteem and opportunity for all. But how many can we lock up theorizing that that will solve the issue once and for all? What kind of people are we when we feel powerless to stop the inevitable tide of one-of-three black men destined to attend Prison University and what that portends for its graduates instead of, say, Princeton? The numbers are too high to make it about signs. And what would derive from the hysteria such signs create? -- more aggressive civil-liberties crushing law enforcement with the concomitant result of alienating even many law-abiders (or would-be law abiders) from the very structures society creates to make us safe.

We cannot just classify ourselves away from the lawless element around us because we're all painted with the same broad brush. We have structural issues that no mayor on his own has the power to staunch other than schemes of mass incarceration and reduction in civil liberties for the whole group, lawbreakers and law-followers alike.

So, those signs are misguided at best and a cynical disingenuous attempt to use our anger and frustration with what has beset black people since Day One in this country for some other fellow's gain. The campaign is odious and hysteria inducing, and I cannot support it and would hope that any black person who really thinks about what is really need to "Stop the Killings in Newark" would spend time pondering what will such a campaign likely yield: Stalag Newark.

We need black local officials to begin a movement, incorporating other ethnic groups, to tease out the real issues behind murder and law enforcement in Newark. Police cannot stop people from killing each other on a moment's notice. We need to progressively revamp how this country deals with illegal substances (drugs) and remedies that will heal our war-torn communities in an atmosphere of expecting greatly reduced crime. But crime reduction needs to be based on positive reinforcement, not year-to-year percentage reductions in a never-ending scenario of blacks seen as genetically crime prone. Given this sole tactic, there is no real view of ever seeing the reductions of murder and violent crime to levels satisfactory to all, especially to those who suffer the immediate consequences of living with violence and murder daily.

Locking Pookie up ain't doing it. Those signs offer no substance, just saliva--spit--on our great people and city for cynical politics. But I suppose it's all fair to use the city as a political prop.

[karimah]

Downtowner,


The bigger problem is you won't have any jobs to fill, if the residents are dead. I don't have to read an article all the way through to give my opinion about the portion that i did read.



Good Morning to you and to my Newark Speaks family,


I know it's monday but back up alittle, we didnt sleep with you last night, so no need to get moody with us

[OneEyeOpen]

Im going to jump right in and not even finish reading the article. The folks probably didnt use the wedding hall, maybe due to the price or it was an excuse to say no. Before the signs became visible, murders in newark have been in the newspapers and on all news channels, stop blaming the signs for you not getting business that you feel you deserve. Unless your trying to tell me, these individuals dont watch tv, read the paper.

Maybe Del Grasso, should not have been the person to post the signs, but it is the truth, stop the killings in newark. Maybe those programs the mayor was referring too, he can get a jump start on them since he is running the city, he should worry less about del grasso, and worry more about newarkers.

As far as Del Grasso is concerned, he got his right back when they put newark teachers on blast for defending bad teachers. Let's just hope both parties take heed to the message and move on with improving this "great city"

NEWARK

but let's not pretend that Del Grasso's actions have anything to do with his concern for the welfare of Newark. The public has a short memory, and they are willing to move forward if you let them. That cannot happen when there are those willing to pimp Newarks misery for their political ends. Make no mistake, without business investment fueling jobs creation, those murder rates won't drop by even one. Who exactly is the NTU really trying to help when they themself have NO history of doing a damn thing when the opportunity presented itself. Where are their programs to better assist their rank and file boost those abysmal reading scores? Just how exactly do they figure that pointing out the obvious is going to inspire Booker to do what their political friends haven't been able to do for better than a generation? The only hope is to take the enforcement actions already being taken, and work on the image of the city so that the investment necessary to her recovery can be encouraged.

Del Grasso's blatently political actions have nothing to do with bettering Newark, it has to do with his beef with Bookers position on vouchers. As you clearly stated, the murder rate is no secret, so who exactly is he making that plea to? The NTU facilitated that bogus SaveNewark.org campaign last year that was determined to be so grossly false, and rife with outright lies that it is distasteful to even think that educators were behind it. What was their interest for Newark with that, or is doing Sharpe's bidding their only mission?

If we truly believe that Newark's future is rooted in the education of her children, Del Grasso absolutely should be put on blast if he is defending those among him who are not acting in the best interests of Newarks kids.

[TE2]

I can agree alittle but how come the Teacher Union can't do both have a concern for the school and for the residents and the City.

Again Joe I'm just saying I did not hear all of this outrage when Newark Now put up Safe Summer Signs in all the Targeted Areas, and the Mayor called them Targeted areas of the City.

Where was all the anger than, that's all Im saying don't seem right to me, we can have our communities labled Tagreted areas post safe Summer signs around those Blocks and no one say's a thing, about being targeted now why was they called Targeted area because of the Shootings, Murders, Car Jackings, Robbery, Rape, etc. etc.

So could it be that the NTU is saying the same thing that Newark Now was saying in the Summer, It's just that Now in the Winter NTU is saying It---- Looks like to me they both are saying the same thing just taken diffrent approaches.

Exzample---- I know 2 ways to get to Central Ave west market, you can go to Broad and Central drive up and make a right at 1st street Central-- or you can come straight across Bergen to West Market---the point here is there is more than one way to get to the same location, they are taken to diffrent roads but end up at the same place Stop the Killing.

[LastCubanStanding]

I can agree alittle but how come the Teacher Union can't do both have a concern for the school and for the residents and the City.

Again Joe I'm just saying I did not hear all of this outrage when Newark Now put up Safe Summer Signs in all the Targeted Areas, and the Mayor called them Targeted areas of the City.

Where was all the anger than, that's all Im saying don't seem right to me, we can have our communities labled Tagreted areas post safe Summer signs around those Blocks and no one say's a thing, about being targeted now why was they called Targeted area because of the Shootings, Murders, Car Jackings, Robbery, Rape, etc. etc.

So could it be that the NTU is saying the same thing that Newark Now was saying in the Summer, It's just that Now in the Winter NTU is saying It---- Looks like to me they both are saying the same thing just taken diffrent approaches.

Exzample---- I know 2 ways to get to Central Ave west market, you can go to Broad and Central drive up and make a right at 1st street Central-- or you can come straight across Bergen to West Market---the point here is there is more than one way to get to the same location, they are taken to diffrent roads but end up at the same place Stop the Killing.

Perhaps the NTU should concentrate on educating Newark students - which they have failed to do for decades - before they take on other responsibilities.

DelGrosso is a political hack who could care less about students or the City itself - it is all about politics.

[JoefromPGH]

I can agree alittle but how come the Teacher Union can't do both have a concern for the school and for the residents and the City.

Again Joe I'm just saying I did not hear all of this outrage when Newark Now put up Safe Summer Signs in all the Targeted Areas, and the Mayor called them Targeted areas of the City.

Where was all the anger than, that's all Im saying don't seem right to me, we can have our communities labled Tagreted areas post safe Summer signs around those Blocks and no one say's a thing, about being targeted now why was they called Targeted area because of the Shootings, Murders, Car Jackings, Robbery, Rape, etc. etc.

So could it be that the NTU is saying the same thing that Newark Now was saying in the Summer, It's just that Now in the Winter NTU is saying It---- Looks like to me they both are saying the same thing just taken diffrent approaches.

Exzample---- I know 2 ways to get to Central Ave west market, you can go to Broad and Central drive up and make a right at 1st street Central-- or you can come straight across Bergen to West Market---the point here is there is more than one way to get to the same location, they are taken to diffrent roads but end up at the same place Stop the Killing.

TE2,

I understand your points, loud and clear and while I don't disagree, there is one thing about marking an area as a targeted area and putting the criminals on notice and there is another thing about creating hysteria throughout the entire city.

Please see the posts of Make Newark Clean and One Eye Open, both of which explain the issue much better than I.

[TE2]

Did the Safe Summer Signs hanging all over the City throughout the Targeted area create Hysteria.

Maybe Del Grasso should give out Hot Dogs, Hambergers chips and a drink with his signs and then It's all good.

[Downtowner]

"Help Wanted" indeed! These signs are cynical ploy to affront a mayor because he seeks greater responsibility in making over a failed Newark Public Schools system.

.....

Locking Pookie up ain't doing it. Those signs offer no substance, just saliva--spit--on our great people and city for cynical politics. But I suppose it's all fair to use the city as a political prop.

Well said.

[5Reasons]

Tam & MNC - great comments. Everyone knows this is political. If DelFatso spent half as much time worrying about improving test scores, we wouldn't have half the crime in this city. After all, ask DelFatso when Newark's kids will average a 900 on the SAT and 75% will be able to pass a MINIMUM basic skills exam? Ask him? His answer - yep, he won't give one. Delfatso is a fraud that will say and do anything to protect his fiefdom.

DelFatso lives in Nutley where Negroes are scarce and the few that are around have to carry a "weez free" card. This joker will do anything to skewer the issue. In fact, what is DelFato's solution to Newark's crime problem? Hey, I have one. How 'bout we get rid of DelFatso?

The NTU is a dying organization that's out of touch with everyday Newarkers. They care MAINLY about protecting their teachers who just so happen to be some of the highest paid in the state. Lots of money for little results - that's what we get with this clown. And that's what we'll always get UNTIL we make wholesale changes. Luckily for Newark, Bolden only has one year max. And when that puppy falls (provided Booker doesn't select some complete shill), then that will present a great opportunity for even more change.

Enjoy your retirement Fatso. Thanks to you, another generation of poverty has been hatched and another one is baking in the oven - or, in this case, classroom. Again, thanks for nothing, bum!:mad:

[TE2]

Than about the Signs/ Billboards---------------------------

But do any of you who disagree with the NTU putting up Help Wanted signs think that Safe Summer Signs were just as Bad I'm waiting for your reply.:D :D

[OneEyeOpen]

Than about the Signs/ Billboards---------------------------

But do any of you who disagree with the NTU putting up Help Wanted signs think that Safe Summer Signs were just as Bad I'm waiting for your reply.:D :D

The help wanted signs are just a political ploy that play off the misery that Newarkers suffer on a regular basis. They offer NOTHING redeeming whatsoever, they simply pimp that suffering for political means.

In comparison, the Safer Summer initiative was a faith based community program that actually took action to provide the young people with alternatives to activities that could get them killed. Where is that component of the NTU's "Help Wanted" signs?

[TE2]

My question was do you think the Safe Summer signs were just as Bad not what type of program it was and who was running it, and It was a Newark Now program not Faith Based.

FYI Newark Now Ran, organized, and sponsored Safe Summer Initiative program not the Churches.

[black4rob2]

It does nothing...NOTHING whatsoever to help stop the crime in this city. The thugs from this city are loving this attention...Sort of a celebrity status in the thug world. "Don't mess with us...cause we'll kill you."

It only adds more fuel to the already buring inferno. Anyone who thinks that this guy did this to help the City of Newark is smoking crack. Plain and simple.

To entertain you TE2...this is not comparable to the Safe Summer program, simply because they were providing some sort of solution (whether it was successful or not is a different story), whereas this is simply advertising.

MNC, TAM, 5Reasons, etc.....
You guys pretty much summed it all up.....
This is BS and I believe in my heart that everyone here understands that. Its unfortunate, that visitors coming here will get this false impression of Newark based off of this negligent and selfish act.

[OneEyeOpen]

My question was do you think the Safe Summer signs were just as Bad not what type of program it was and who was running it, and It was a Newark Now program not Faith Based.

FYI Newark Now Ran, organized, and sponsored Safe Summer Initiative program not the Churches.

In clarification of your irrelevant semantic points:

"The Safe Summer Initiative sought the overall reduction of crime in Newark with a particular emphasis on violent crime and murders. The hallmarks of the initiative were the broad based partnerships established throughout the city withthe nonprofit partner, Newark Now, led by Modia Butler. Newark Now coordinated a coalition of groups and individuals who sought to drive down crime, increase community activities and expand opportunities for our youth and adults. Partnering with a variety of community organizations, the Safe Summer Initiative conducted more than 60 weekly events across the city, including weekend long campouts at three of the most troubled Newark Housing Authority complexes. These events were celebrations of community and brought activities for our children, job and health fairs, social services and a host of other opportunities into neighborhoods. Other activities included community and clergy patrols, meetings with young people, and canvassing operations to inform residents about programs available to them.

The outreach programs reached 25,741 people and our Safe Summer Community Coordinators signed up more than 1,500 Newark youngsters for meaningful activities. The Safe Summer Initiative also saw the creation of 16 safety zones within our city. Communities within these safety zones were provided with a combination of increased police presence and more concentrated community outreach activities to provide residents with jobs, opportunities, and recreational and social services. City-wide, shootings and murders did not decrease. However, in the safe zones, murders decreased by over fifty percent. Further, city-wide, overall crime decreased by 6.6% in July, 22% in August and 20% in September. A Newark resident had less of a chance of being a victim of crime or violent crime this summer than in any July or August in recorded history."

"Newark's faith-based leaders played a vital role in the Safe Summer Initiative, encouraging citizens to organize and participate in initiatives throughout the city. The faith-based community brought love, hope, care, professionalism, justice, and empowerment. Faith-based organizations were central in getting young people and families into positive activities, providing re-directive services for our youth, and enabling people to take back their lives and neighborhoods."....................... Source: Newark's Official website

Maybe you can now tell us what positive thing the NTU signs did for Newark, or is it simply the concept of pimping death for the sake of politics all you support?

To put it plainly, the NTU Help Wanted campaign was an attempt to pimp death for a strictly political motive, while the Safe Summer initiative signs were designed to promote positive attitudes, while providing a vehicle for positive change.

[TE2]

All the Murders that took place last summer, while the safe summer initiative was going on I can recall even the Mayor saying that It was Not a Safe Summer so now you tell me what did all of that do can you show me some tangable results or are you going to say that this program was a success when the Mayor said that It wasn't even with all those colaborating agencies.

I'm just saying that the Safe Summer Signs sends the same message as the Help Wanted Stop the Killing signs why can't you see that, and that message is we want a safe neighborhood, we want the Killing to stop. Same Message just different Messengers, but you want to agree with the Mayor's Message Safe Summer, and Disagree with the NTU Help Wanted Stop the Killing---- Can you tell me what part of the NTU message you disagree with is it the Help Wanted message or the Stop the Killing In Newark, seem like to me alot of you are acting out of emotion, because NTU message should be all good.

They are asking for Help in stopping the Killing's ain't that a good thing.
When the people are unemployed and they are looking for work they look at the Help Wanted, well we have some work to do---- here's a job for everybody and that is to stop killing each other don't you agree.
Now as for the Stop the Killing in Newark part of the sign that say's it all......................

Would you be upset if Newark Now had put up signs saying------ Newark Now needs your Help help us to Stop the Killing's in Newark Now.

I don't think So matter of fact some of you would be on here giving out Kudo's for the idea and touting what a great PR move to get the people in the City involved with reduceing crime, and doing something to make their neighborhood better, and Safer, Matter of fact you same people would be playing up the Help Wanted part of the sign, you maybe even would have twisted it to say that the City is finding people Jobs and they have a large help wanted add for all.
But now are you saying that if NTU had Programming, Activities, Mentorship, or something else to go with the signs that they will be OK, you guy's are starting to confuse me alittle here.

[karimah]

In clarification of your irrelevant semantic points:

"The Safe Summer Initiative sought the overall reduction of crime in Newark with a particular emphasis on violent crime and murders. The hallmarks of the initiative were the broad based partnerships established throughout the city withthe nonprofit partner, Newark Now, led by Modia Butler. Newark Now coordinated a coalition of groups and individuals who sought to drive down crime, increase community activities and expand opportunities for our youth and adults. Partnering with a variety of community organizations, the Safe Summer Initiative conducted more than 60 weekly events across the city, including weekend long campouts at three of the most troubled Newark Housing Authority complexes. These events were celebrations of community and brought activities for our children, job and health fairs, social services and a host of other opportunities into neighborhoods. Other activities included community and clergy patrols, meetings with young people, and canvassing operations to inform residents about programs available to them.

The outreach programs reached 25,741 people and our Safe Summer Community Coordinators signed up more than 1,500 Newark youngsters for meaningful activities. The Safe Summer Initiative also saw the creation of 16 safety zones within our city. Communities within these safety zones were provided with a combination of increased police presence and more concentrated community outreach activities to provide residents with jobs, opportunities, and recreational and social services. City-wide, shootings and murders did not decrease. However, in the safe zones, murders decreased by over fifty percent. Further, city-wide, overall crime decreased by 6.6% in July, 22% in August and 20% in September. A Newark resident had less of a chance of being a victim of crime or violent crime this summer than in any July or August in recorded history."

"Newark's faith-based leaders played a vital role in the Safe Summer Initiative, encouraging citizens to organize and participate in initiatives throughout the city. The faith-based community brought love, hope, care, professionalism, justice, and empowerment. Faith-based organizations were central in getting young people and families into positive activities, providing re-directive services for our youth, and enabling people to take back their lives and neighborhoods."....................... Source: Newark's Official website

Maybe you can now tell us what positive thing the NTU signs did for Newark, or is it simply the concept of pimping death for the sake of politics all you support?

To put it plainly, the NTU Help Wanted campaign was an attempt to pimp death for a strictly political motive, while the Safe Summer initiative signs were designed to promote positive attitudes, while providing a vehicle for positive change.



This statement is not true, most of the continued killings and shootings took place in these location, near and around. Bradley courts and Baxter terrace, just to name two. This is so not true. While i do not agree with what Del Grasso did, the news and the paper advertise Newark shootings on a regular basis. The point is Booker needs to find programs and jobs to help decrease the perception of newark, because it's certainly not a rumor regarding the murders and Del Grasso needs to either get rid of the bad teachers or get rid of himself and let someone else do the job.

[5Reasons]

Fraud,

There's nothing confusing at all. Your agenda is obvious. It's been obvious for quite some time. Luckily for real Newarkers, we know what you are. And we know that your death pimp programs will NEVER change anything in Newark.

Now tell me Fraud, since I'm up for a challenge today and I feel like currupting this thread. Why haven't you registered your fake non-profit? Where does your money come from? How come you endorced a funeral palor owner in the Central Ward race last year? Have you EVER received ANY MONEY for steering dead bodies to certain funeral homes (be careful my friend on this one)? :rolleyes:

The only thing more disgusting than the deaths are the death pimps. You, your fake organization, and DelFatso can go to you know where. Neither of you are interested in solving the problems in Newark. Instead, like Fatty, you stand to benefit from every dead body in the street. Although, unlike Fatty, you can't go to near Negro-free Nutley to rest your head.

If you're going to be a fraud, at least make some money at it.

[OneEyeOpen]

All the Murders that took place last summer, while the safe summer initiative was going on I can recall even the Mayor saying that It was Not a Safe Summer so now you tell me what did all of that do can you show me some tangable results or are you going to say that this program was a success when the Mayor said that It wasn't even with all those colaborating agencies.

I'm just saying that the Safe Summer Signs sends the same message as the Help Wanted Stop the Killing signs why can't you see that.

But know are you saying that if NTU had programming, activities,or something else to go with the signs that they will be OK, you guy's are starting to confuse me alittle here.

The signs attributed to the Safe Summer Initiative were advertising to the masses that those valuable services were available, and a beacon of hope that someone was at least trying, not a partisan political ploy like the Help Wanted signs, or their SaveNewark.org debacle. The murder rate was unacceptable, but that isn't justification to denounce the program, as it was clearly a success. The drug and gang wars won't be won with alarmist signs, and photo ops at crime scenes. It will be won when attitudes are changed and opportunity is increased. Positive programs are but one component of that, business investment is another, neither of which the NTU promotes. The Safe Summer initiative speaks directly to that, if you really cared to see that, you would.

What positive impact did either of those NTU actions have for Newark? What positive activity on the part of the NTU, were those signs designed to promote? How exactly is that NTU campaign supposed to promote the sort of business investment that a Safe Summer initiative, designed to keep youth occupied with positive activities, off the streets, and out of harms way, is designed to promote?

There is no legitimate comparison between the two, and only someone looking to make it so would even attempt to sell that fatally flawed position as such. The safe summer signs say that they're trying to do something positive, while the help wanted signs say that the NTU intends to do nothing but pimp the deaths of these kids to suit their patently obvious political purposes. There is no lower form of life than someone seeking to profit off the suffering of widows, orphans and grieving parents.

No one being honest with themself would see it differently, as I assure you that the NTU's nonsensical rhetoric isn't fooling a soul here.

[TE2]

I do not get any money for what I do, I do it because it is the right thing to do, besides I am a Victim of Gun Violence Myself.
Now as for Sam Arnold when I first started Enough Is Enough Coalition here in Newark in 1998 I went to several groups, organizations, Churches, and Bussiness to get them involved with our movement, back then there was only a few who supported us Roche Carter Law Firm E.O. Newark Fighting Back, Perry's Littleton Ave Boy's and Girls club where i conducted anti Guns/ Violence workshops for the youth, and Sam Arnold, remember in 1998 there was no Newark Now, Booker was not the Mayor, but a Councilman, there was no Street Warriors, there was no Cease Fire, there was no NTU signs, matter of fact back in 1998, 2000, even into 2001 Mayor Sharpe James was not even supporting us, so let's get it right.

Again I don't have to have a 501c3 to help my people, and no we are not recieving funds like other's who have a 501c3 and doing nothing but making it look good on paper.

You kind of said it for me all those 501c3 organizations-----, and the NTU had to come up with a sign that reads Help Wanted Stop the Killing in Newark what are those 501c3 organizations doing they are the ones getting millions.

Now in 2006/ 2007 when Killings are off the hook in this City Crime is on the rise, and people are scared to go out after dark here come all these I got a plan people, but I only can help if I can get my RFP approved, I can share my solution with you if I get my 501c3 so that I can get funding, I want to help but I dont have the Money, I have a great Idea but you have to pay me for it people need to stop, you don't have a plan you got an agenda, you want Money, Money, Money, and That's all, if you think I am lying listen to this as soon as the New Mayor took office in July you should have seen all those people running down their City Hall with solutions to our problems on paper, but they did not want to put those solutions into action unless they got paid, got a job, recieved a grant or funding, in the mean time the masses of the people are still hurting, being treated unjustly, being abused, but because you could not get any money for your Idea/Solution you will keep it to yourself.

That's the real Problem in our Hood In Our Community we are to Selfish Help your People, Because when you help others you are helping yourself also.

[OneEyeOpen]

This statement is not true, most of the continued killings and shootings took place in these location, near and around. Bradley courts and Baxter terrace, just to name two. This is so not true. While i do not agree with what Del Grasso did, the news and the paper advertise Newark shootings on a regular basis. The point is Booker needs to find programs and jobs to help decrease the perception of newark, because it's certainly not a rumor regarding the murders and Del Grasso needs to either get rid of the bad teachers or get rid of himself and let someone else do the job.

Anyone can say that the administrations numbers are wrong, but do you have the numbers that contradict their claims? The point as I got it was that where the programs were, the violence numbers were down by 50%. That's simple logic to me, but if you contend that it isn't true, I'd like to know how you came to that conclusion, and what numbers you have in support of your position. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that though violence went up, that the places the Safe Initiatives operated saw a decrease, as the police presence alone would account for that.

As for the concept of inspiring business investment, just what company would spend money in a city doing nothing to stem the tide of crime? You have to start with the children to seriously impact crime, and provide a workforce capable of justifying the investment. You have to give kids and young men an alternative, and encourage an atmosphere where the people simply don't passively accept their condition.

You can't change negative perceptions when it is the political intent of a self-serving few to keep that perception going. The murders are a badge of honor for some. What has to be done to get that situation in hand is not something Newark will suffer easily. More than a generation in the making, there is a lot of self examination to do, and the so-called community activists have to do more than just talk about what they want, and actually engage in some community oriented activism, not the political posturing that has Newark wallowing in its present state.

[JoefromPGH]

. More than a generation in the making, there is a lot of self examination to do, and the so-called community activists have to do more than just talk about what they want, and actually engage in some community oriented activism, not the political posturing that has Newark wallowing in its present state.

And that political posturing is more than exemplified by the NTU who puts up signs but runs away and hides from offering any solutions.

[karimah]

Anyone can say that the administrations numbers are wrong, but do you have the numbers that contradict their claims? The point as I got it was that where the programs were, the violence numbers were down by 50%. That's simple logic to me, but if you contend that it isn't true, I'd like to know how you came to that conclusion, and what numbers you have in support of your position. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that though violence went up, that the places the Safe Initiatives operated saw a decrease, as the police presence alone would account for that.

As for the concept of inspiring business investment, just what company would spend money in a city doing nothing to stem the tide of crime? You have to start with the children to seriously impact crime, and provide a workforce capable of justifying the investment. You have to give kids and young men an alternative, and encourage an atmosphere where the people simply don't passively accept their condition.

You can't change negative perceptions when it is the political intent of a self-serving few to keep that perception going. The murders are a badge of honor for some. What has to be done to get that situation in hand is not something Newark will suffer easily. More than a generation in the making, there is a lot of self examination to do, and the so-called community activists have to do more than just talk about what they want, and actually engage in some community oriented activism, not the political posturing that has Newark wallowing in its present state.

I will try to have my facts in to you soon.

I would like to know what business has left newark due to crime or has newark put out businesses due to there own personal agenda ?

[TE2]

Have anybody asked them for solutions, have anybody asked them NTU what else do they have to offer with the signs, and if so what did the NTU not ONLY Del Grasso SAY.

Did anyone speak with someone besides Del Grasso just curious?

[OneEyeOpen]

I will try to have my facts in to you soon.

I would like to know what business has left newark due to crime or has newark put out businesses due to there own personal agenda ?

the poverty, unemployment and crimes figures support the conclusion that there simply isn't enough business investment, and that there probably hasn't been for some time now. Whether or not major employers left due to crime or some other reason is irrelevant, the concern is whether or not they will come back and fill the employment void we presently have. It is doubtful that major corporations are going to transplant their headquarters or increase their operations in Newark if the perception is that crime is out of control. I think that we can all conceed that point.

Your question as to whether Newark has "put out businesses due to their own personal agenda" is an interesting one. First question is obvious, who are the individuals at the root of that agenda? Once we figure that out, then we can work to counteract the negative affects of that agenda.

[OneEyeOpen]

Have anybody asked them for solutions, have anybody asked them NTU what else do they have to offer with the signs, and if so what did the NTU not ONLY Del Grasso SAY.

Did anyone speak with someone besides Del Grasso just curious?

are you suggesting that WE are responsible for not suggesting to the NTU that they do more than spew their clearly politically motivated rhetoric?

You couldn't be serious.

[TE2]

No- what I'm suggesting is that the people who have a problem with the Billboards/ Signs Help Wanted Stop the Killings in Newark Now go downtown Broad street to their Headquarters an tell them. How many on here went down to the office and spoke to them about how you feel.

It's easy to post threads, and reply with all kinds of this and That, but the answer would be to go to the Mountain, if the Mountain won't come to you-- go to a Parents/ Teachers meeting and express your outrage, go to a Newark School Board meeting, It's easy to complain about the signs on this blog site, but how many of you have spoken to other members of the Teachers Union and asked them how do they feel, It's easy to tell others what to do but what are you--(General Terms) doing when it was 12 murders in 06 what were you doing when it was 22, 37, 51, 68, 77,89,95,99,100,101,104,106, what were you doing to help with stopping the Murders going on in this City, again You is General so don't take it personal.

So I guess yall have a problem with our Enough Is Enough Sign that's all over the City, I guess yall have a problem with our Peace in the Streets sign our Stop the Violence Unity Now sign that is all over the City and in the Newark Public Schools.

There is a Newark Advisory Board Election in April can anyone tell me who is running and what date is the election?

[OneEyeOpen]

No- what I'm suggesting is that the people who have a problem with the Billboards/ Signs Help Wanted Stop the Killings in Newark Now go downtown Broad street to their Headquarters an tell them. How many on here went down to the office and spoke to them about how you feel.

It's easy to post threads, and reply with all kinds of this and That, but the answer would be to go to the Mountain, if the Mountain won't come to you-- go to a Parents/ Teachers meeting and express your outrage, go to a Newark School Board meeting, It's easy to complain about the signs on this blog site, but how many of you have spoken to other members of the Teachers Union and asked them how do they feel, It's easy to tell others what to do but what are you--(General Terms) doing when it was 12 murders in 06 what were you doing when it was 22, 37, 51, 68, 77,89,95,99,100,101,104,106, what were you doing to help with stopping the Murders going on in this City, again You is General so don't take it personal.

So I guess yall have a problem with our Enough Is Enough Sign that's all over the City, I guess yall have a problem with our Peace in the Streets sign our Stop the Violence Unity Now sign that is all over the City and in the Newark Public Schools.

There is a Newark Advisory Board Election in April can anyone tell me who is running and what date is the election?

I don't believe that anyone here has parsed words in their feelings regarding what many perceive as your agenda. You claim that you have been out there, so what exactly has YOUR program done to reduce the numbers as they went from "22, to 106?" You sure ask a lot of others when you have NO substantive examples of any progress you've made, as we have already long established that your photo ops at homicide scenes haven't done much to reduce those numbers. When I'm out there talking to those kids about their life options, you never seem to be there, but let one of them get killed and you're out there in full force waiting for the media to turn on their lights, points their cameras and have you perform your shtick.

It was merely a matter of time before you showed your true face, that your defense of the NTU's indefensible position is really about you and your ineffective, politically motivated actions thus far. Your sudden indignation at the state of Newark's crime figures is transparent, as none of this existed for the 20 years of record numbers that proceeded your June 2006 revelations. You have no credibility on that matter, just as the NTU has no history or cred either.

No one here is responsible for being the ethical voice inside the NTU leaderships unethical head. The NTU is not a mountain, they are an irrelevant pimple in the broad scope of the development of this city, which is why they pulled this selfserving political stunt in the first place. They rendered themself irrelevant over a span of several decades by their own inaction, and the fact that they make clear their allegiance is to their political patrons, and not the children they are supposed to protect, and trot out everytime they have no answers for their now repeatedly proven hypocrisy.

What exactly is the man from Nutley supposed to say in his defense? Are we to believe that he suddenly cares about Newark's kids, when all the evidence suggests otherwise. You wish smoke to be blown up your behind, you go over there and enjoy yourself, the rest of us have IQ's too high to waste that much of our time.

[TE2]

Bro. OneEyeOpen I understand that you are out there speaking and dealing with the youth of this City, I would like for you to have some of your youth participate in our (STK) Stop the Killing Production entertainment Project, a positive alternative to Guns/Violence, which has been going on since 1993.

If you can give me a call I can meet with you ,and we can work together, that's what It's all about Working Together, No one person has all the answers, but Together Great Things Can Happen.

I have asked several times on this site for people to contact me, about several of the projects we have going on, but------------- So I am asking you my Brother to contact me or send me a private message with a number to contact you so we can join up against this Maddness of Guns/Violence & Death of our People ,any little contribution can make a diffrence, and people working together is the solution.

[OneEyeOpen]

Bro. OneEyeOpen I understand that you are out there speaking and dealing with the youth of this City, I would like for you to have some of your youth participate in our (STK) Stop the Killing Production entertainment Project, a positive alternative to Guns/Violence, which has been going on since 1993.

If you can give me a call I can meet with you ,and we can work together, that's what It's all about Working Together, No one person has all the answers, but Together Great Things Can Happen.

I have asked several times on this site for people to contact me, about several of the projects we have going on, but------------- So I am asking you my Brother to contact me or send me a private message with a number to contact you so we can join up against this Maddness of Guns/Violence & Death of our People ,any little contribution can make a diffrence, and people working together is the solution.

We'll see TE, but just to correct you, these are not my kids. These are just area young men and women who appear to need an interested adult voice telling them the things they need to hear to counteract the misinformed deathstyle they learn in the street from other at-risk older young people.

I'll call you direct when I get a chance.

[EverythingMatters]

So here is my 2 cents as a business operator in Newark.

As I drive home at the end of a 14 hour day there is a "Protecting bad teachers dot com" BILLBOARD. As I come in in the morning there is a "Help Wanted" BILLBOARD.

So I ask myself, who is paying for these billboards and how? BILLBOARD advertising is really expensive, let alone the design and set-up costs.

Is this really money well spent?

While I struggle to make payroll, pay insurance, pay bills, etc etc. I think it would be great to EARN enough money to advertise on Billboards. It might increase sales and provide some hard to accomplish name recognition for the business. That in turn may provide job security for the staff.

Maybe one day. But for now I'll try and keep all my staff working so we can take care of our families.

I'm just shocked that a union serving the best interests of the city of Newark has room in their budget to finance this expesive fight on Billboards.

Lastly; since I read Newarkspeaks on occasion and I know you're a tough bunch, yes.... I do employ people that live in Newark. And WE as a company
reach out to help as much as we can in whatever way we can.

Thanks you for listening.

[LastCubanStanding]

So here is my 2 cents as a business operator in Newark.

As I drive home at the end of a 14 hour day there is a "Protecting bad teachers dot com" BILLBOARD. As I come in in the morning there is a "Help Wanted" BILLBOARD.

So I ask myself, who is paying for these billboards and how? BILLBOARD advertising is really expensive, let alone the design and set-up costs.

Is this really money well spent?

While I struggle to make payroll, pay insurance, pay bills, etc etc. I think it would be great to EARN enough money to advertise on Billboards. It might increase sales and provide some hard to accomplish name recognition for the business. That in turn may provide job security for the staff.

Maybe one day. But for now I'll try and keep all my staff working so we can take care of our families.

I'm just shocked that a union serving the best interests of the city of Newark has room in their budget to finance this expesive fight on Billboards.

Lastly; since I read Newarkspeaks on occasion and I know you're a tough bunch, yes.... I do employ people that live in Newark. And WE as a company
reach out to help as much as we can in whatever way we can.

Thanks you for listening.

The highlighted text is where you make your mistake.....Your assumption is 100% incorrect.

[TE2]

While logging on to AOL this morning I noticed that the Help Wanted signs Stop the Killings in Newark Now story has made AOL News when you log on the big billboard sign appears with story group not taking them down.

[JoefromPGH]

While logging on to AOL this morning I noticed that the Help Wanted signs Stop the Killings in Newark Now story has made AOL News when you log on the big billboard sign appears with story group not taking them down.

TE2,

I respect your opinion but really, at the end of the day, can't you admit that this just puts the spotlite on what is bad in Newark? Does it help the city any to publicize this sign nationally? The solutions to the murders are a lot harder to come up with than posting signs that offer no solutions. Its sorta like congress coming up with a time schedule to get our troops home but the president saying I ain't going to go along with it. Symbolistic rhetorec has no substance. We all want the murders to stop but some people want to make the murders into a political agenda. Those people, especially one in particular, goes home every night to his little safe haven (Nutley). He cares more about politics and power than he cares about you.

[TE2]

Now--- At the end of the day the spotlite was already on the City when we hit 106 do yall remember those News reports, those media stories, Newark higest murder rate in 10 years, I think that put the City in the spotlite more than some sign.
How come so many people are against a Stop the Killings message.

In New Orleans where less than half of the people has returned since Katrina the Murders are off the hook, they are now calling it the Murder Capital do you think that they need to hear the Stop the Killing message, listen to me here half the residents returned and the killings in the 9th ward have increased, the killings in the hood has risen, matter of fact I read where the residents of the City have begun to arm themselfs WOW.

Now let me ask you this do you think everybody with Guns will solve their problem?
so the sign ain't that bad in my opinion, and besides at least they are saying something against the Violence and the Murders or better yet let me say that the Signs are saying a awful lot.

Now end the end some may agree and some may dis-agree but at least we are talking about the Violence, and the Murders, and through dialog maybe someone will take a action and Do Something.

[CaseClosed]

to inform visitors of the plight of Newark. Those of us who live in Newark know what life has been like where murders occurred every week. Fear was in the minds of most residents.

When children are living in fear, they can not learn and if the NTU put the signs up to put Newark officials on blast and remind them the world is watching and business investors are watching, so be it.

Good Morning Newark Speaks & Guests

[Downtowner]

to inform visitors of the plight of Newark. Those of us who live in Newark know what life has been like where murders occurred every week. Fear was in the minds of most residents.

When children are living in fear, they can not learn and if the NTU put the signs up to put Newark officials on blast and remind them the world is watching and business investors are watching, so be it.

Good Morning Newark Speaks & Guests

That's where you get it wrong. Those signs have nothing to do with helping Newarkers. It's a campaign of retribution that seeks to undermine the mayor and exploit the victim of violent crime for political gain. Don't you agree that the money would be better spent on after-school programs, school supplies, and mentoring? THAT is the kind of stuff that keeps children away from a life of violence. They know it, too. Why didn't they do this earlier? When those four guys were killed a few years ago? Why do it when crime is actually being addressed in a more aggressive way? Del Grosso is a self-serving, geriatric hypocrite who claims to know Newark's problems although he has lived in Nutley for over 20 years. If you support this fool, you're shooting yourself in the foot (pun intended). And what on earth do they expect the administration to do in addition to what they've already been doing? Almost every day someone posts about a new NPD initiative. I'm literally shaking with anger, I'm so upset about it. The NTU doesn't deserve a break until they police their own and vote out Del Grosso. This sign campaign will bleed them dry, and the teachers will suffer.

[karimah]

Let me ask this question,


What would your response have been if The Mayor posted those signs to get attention from corporation and grant givers. What would your response be to that.

I just dont think it mattered who put the signs up, yes I'm aware that Del Grasso did it for a political stunt, but Newark needs help in stoping the murderers that is going on in Newark.

I dont understand, why the media and newspapers are not being condemned for reporting what is happening but the billboards get criticized. You can't see the billboards unless you come to newark, but you dont have to leave your house to watch tv or read the paper.


I do understand the business and commerce aspect of it, but customers and consumers knew about the killings long before the billboards.

How do you know that these billboards are not helping Newark. Their may be plenty of Corportations willing to donate money and time to help reduce crime by bringing in jobs and programs. We wont know unless it's told to us.

Look at both sides not just the side you want to see

[CaseClosed]

That's where you get it wrong. Those signs have nothing to do with helping Newarkers. It's a campaign of retribution that seeks to undermine the mayor and exploit the victim of violent crime for political gain. Don't you agree that the money would be better spent on after-school programs, school supplies, and mentoring? THAT is the kind of stuff that keeps children away from a life of violence. They know it, too. Why didn't they do this earlier? When those four guys were killed a few years ago? Why do it when crime is actually being addressed in a more aggressive way? Del Grosso is a self-serving, geriatric hypocrite who claims to know Newark's problems although he has lived in Nutley for over 20 years. If you support this fool, you're shooting yourself in the foot (pun intended). And what on earth do they expect the administration to do in addition to what they've already been doing? Almost every day someone posts about a new NPD initiative. I'm literally shaking with anger, I'm so upset about it. The NTU doesn't deserve a break until they police their own and vote out Del Grosso. This sign campaign will bleed them dry, and the teachers will suffer.

and you're right?:(

I'm independent and speak for myself. I am a long time resident of Newark and at this point, Newark needs all the help it can get for the present and the future. And if the signs call attention to the crime infested in Newark, maybe the authorities will be constant in reducing crime in Newark which will benefit investors, visitors and the residents of Newark and surrounding areas.

[Make Newark Clean]

The only way those signs would stop murder in Newark is if they were low to the ground and made of Kevlar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar). Then perhaps our citizens can hide behind it.

If an organization of academics were really invested in reducing murder in the Newarks of America (this is NOT a local issue), they would propose something a heckuva lot more comprehensive than 8 large black words on a white background suspended from a pole. (Simple black characters inked on a white background attached to a pole in the air. Hmmmmm. Metaphor?)

[counterattack]

While we are on here debating rather posting signs are right or wrong let's not forget that two people where killed this weekend a man shot in the face on Tracy ave and a woman stabbed to death on Broadway.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

While logging on to AOL this morning I noticed that the Help Wanted signs Stop the Killings in Newark Now story has made AOL News when you log on the big billboard sign appears with story group not taking them down.

I, too, have AOL and noticed the news bulletin on the Newark billboards. Again, it means renewed national attention.

[CaseClosed]

The only way those signs would stop murder in Newark is if they were low to the ground and made of Kevlar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar). Then perhaps the citizens could hide behind it.

If an organization of academics were really invested in reducing murder in the Newarks of America (this is NOT a local issue), they should propose something a heckuva lot more comprehensive than 8 large black words on a white background suspended from a pole. (Simple black characters inked on a white background attached to a pole in the air. Hmmmmm. Metaphor?)

won't , or haven't seen the signs, or the signs won't put a dent in crime in Newark, why are we having this discussion?

No one knows what will, at this point, reduce crime in the inner cities. Some people say employment will reduce crime. However, how many people would be willing to work for minimim wage when they have been working for much more than minimum wage selling drugs? I don't support drug selling, but let's be realistic. People have to be given more than minimum wage to sustain themselves and their families.

If someone doesn't have a solution to the problem and someone else trys to come up with a solution, stop dismissing something you don't see as a possible solution.

[TE2]

You are right 2 more people were killed and that increases the numbers of Murders in this City so Far to almost 20 if it is not at 20 already, now this clearly show that Newark Needs Help, now when I say Newark Needs Help, I mean the Police need help, the City need Help, the Community need Help, the School system need Help, the Children need help, now that we know and understand that what are we going to do to Help----- I hope people don't think that complaining about the Signs is Help, because it is Not, Help would be doing something right where you live, help would be volunteering after 5pm when many get off work and go to a community center, and work with those youth, Help would be if you have a group or organization go into the hood and give back your time, take off those wing tips, and that fancy colorful Tie and roll up your sleeves and speak to the youth.
Females take off those pumps, that pretty skirt, and tell some of those teenage girls how to be woman instead of hoochies.

[Doofus1]

While we are on here debating rather posting signs are right or wrong let's not forget that two people where killed this weekend a man shot in the face on Tracy ave and a woman stabbed to death on Broadway.


You mean the signs didn't save them? OMG, somebody tell Del Fatso his plan to "save" Newark isn't working! :rolleyes:

[TE2]

If his plan is not working I'ts because he needs your Help:D :D

[CaseClosed]

You mean the signs didn't save them? OMG, somebody tell Del Fatso his plan to "save" Newark isn't working! :rolleyes:

itching and moaning on Newark Speaks.com to "save" Newark working.

Doofus, what is YOUR solution to save Newark?

[LastCubanStanding]

itching and moaning on Newark Speaks.com to "save" Newark working.

Doofus, what is YOUR solution to save Newark?

Is to bury our heads in Google and post an inordinate amount of irrelevant minutia.

[Make Newark Clean]

Well, Since Visitors To Newark won't, or haven't seen the signs, or the signs won't put a dent in crime in Newark, why are we having this discussion?

This is why the signs should NOT be up. They do NOTHING constructive. What they will do, however, is play into people's perception of crime and what they think criminals looks like. The perception of crime is an issue separate and distinct from the actual crime rate (http://www.tedconline.com/uploads/Downtown_Detroit_Crime_Study_2006.pdf) and is out of proportion to real crime. Folks driving by don't give a fig about Newarkers. Look at the city, does it look like a city folks care a lot about? They care about their own personal safety. How many visitors to Newark are killed on a daily basis? Even if it's slim to none, people will more than think twice and perhaps STOP or NEVER ENTERTAIN STOPPING in Newark to patronize its arena, performing arts center, its restaurants and nightlife because of RACE PREJUDICE.

Does Del Grosso have any interest in the Meadowlands district? He is feeding into the same scaremongering used by those in Bergen County who opposed building both the arena and the successful NJPAC complex.

No on knows what will, at this point, reduce crime in the inner cities.

This is not true.

If someone doesn't have a solution to the problem and someone else trys to come up with a solution, stop dismissing something you don't see as a solution.

Like I said, the only way those signs would be effective in reducing crime in Newark is if they were bullet proof and low to the ground. As a means of stemming murder and gun violence in Newark, such signs DO NOT pass the critical thinking (http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/definingCT.shtml) test.

[newarknewbbie]

That's where you get it wrong. Those signs have nothing to do with helping Newarkers. It's a campaign of retribution that seeks to undermine the mayor and exploit the victim of violent crime for political gain. Don't you agree that the money would be better spent on after-school programs, school supplies, and mentoring? THAT is the kind of stuff that keeps children away from a life of violence. They know it, too. Why didn't they do this earlier? When those four guys were killed a few years ago? Why do it when crime is actually being addressed in a more aggressive way? Del Grosso is a self-serving, geriatric hypocrite who claims to know Newark's problems although he has lived in Nutley for over 20 years. If you support this fool, you're shooting yourself in the foot (pun intended). And what on earth do they expect the administration to do in addition to what they've already been doing? Almost every day someone posts about a new NPD initiative. I'm literally shaking with anger, I'm so upset about it. The NTU doesn't deserve a break until they police their own and vote out Del Grosso. This sign campaign will bleed them dry, and the teachers will suffer.

I am not supporting ANY of the billboards, it is glorified, fiscally/morally irresponsible tagging in my opinion. But I have to say that I am just as pissed at the Mayor for even getting into this. He had the power to shut this down when it happenend--but he chose to take the attitude that it was a direct attack against his administration (which, it likely was, but SERIOUSLY-- Booker and Co. are politically wise enough to spin it and kill it) and then engages Del Grosso by saying that he is not coming to the table (while making himself anti-NTU/anti-Newark teachers). Furthermore, he has said nothing (to my knowledge) condeming the billboards attacking NTU. ONLY because I have the utmost respect for the Mayor and ONLY because I think he has the class to handle this bs back-and-forth in a mature, responsible (read: not business-as-usual) way, I am holding him just as responsible. Based on the consensus here about Del Grosso, it seems that this behavior is par for the course-- but as for the Mayor's response, I am disappointed, he has given Del Grosso the response that he wanted.

[Make Newark Clean]

I am not supporting ANY of the billboards, it is glorified, fiscally/morally irresponsible tagging in my opinion. But I have to say that I am just as pissed at the Mayor for even getting into this. He had the power to shut this down when it happenend--but he chose to take the attitude that it was a direct attack against his administration (which, it likely was, but SERIOUSLY-- Booker and Co. are politically wise enough to spin it and kill it) and then engages Del Grosso by saying that he is not coming to the table (while making himself anti-NTU/anti-Newark teachers). Furthermore, he has said nothing (to my knowledge) condeming the billboards attacking NTU. ONLY because I have the utmost respect for the Mayor and ONLY because I think he has the class to handle this bs back-and-forth in a mature, responsible (read: not business-as-usual) way, I am holding him just as responsible. Based on the consensus here about Del Grosso, it seems that this behavior is par for the course-- but as for the Mayor's response, I am disappointed, he has given Del Grosso the response that he wanted.

I agree that mayor is ultimately responsible for his policies and the perception of Newark on a whole. There's no escaping that. Still, the signs are racist scaremongering.

[CaseClosed]

This is why the signs should NOT be up. They do NOTHING constructive. What they will do, however, is play into people's perception of crime and what they think criminals looks like. The perception of crime is an issue separate and distinct from the actual crime rate (http://www.tedconline.com/uploads/Downtown_Detroit_Crime_Study_2006.pdf) and is out of proportion to real crime. Folks driving by don't give a fig about Newarkers. Look at the city, does it look like a city folks care a lot about? They care about their own personal safety. How many visitors to Newark are killed on a daily basis? Even if it's slim to none, people will more than think twice and perhaps STOP or NEVER ENTERTAIN STOPPING in Newark to patronize its arena, performing arts center, its restaurants and nightlife because of RACE PREJUDICE.


Does Del Grosso have any interest in the Meadowlands district? He is feeding into the same scaremongering used by those in Bergen County who opposed building both the arena and the successful NJPAC complex.



This is not true.



Like I said, the only way those signs would be effective in reducing crime in Newark is if they were bullet proof and low to the ground. As a means of stemming murder and gun violence in Newark, such signs DO NOT pass the critical thinking (http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/definingCT.shtml) test.


even if it's slim to none, people will think twice and perhaps stop or never enertain stopping in Newark to patronize its area, performing arts center, its restaurants and night clubs because of race prejudice. Yet they will work in Newark regardless of race prejudice. Nor will they invest in Newark due to the high crimes in Newark which they will be reminded of when they see the Newark Wanted signs. When I am traveling, if I see a sign, I usually look up at the signs and ohers look up to read signs also.

[TE2]

I think what raises the perception of Violence in this City is the helicopters, the hundreds of new police hired, the 3 new crime programs, the new Narcotic cops hired, the moving of many police officers from days to nights, the T.V. Media riding around with the Newark police like it's Cops, not to mention the numbers that has been shot or killed in the past 9 months the numbers are stagering, and people watch the News, people read the paper, people listen to the Radio----- Question why aren't yall attacking the Star Ledger for reporting those Murders, Shootings, CarJackings, and other Crimes because when they report it --- it makes the perception of crime, and violence look like it's out of Hand.

Now all of the Above really helps to raise the thoughts that Newark is not a Safe City, and all of this was going on way before some Help Wanted Signs put out by the NTU------------ WOULDN'T YOU AGREE----------

[5Reasons]

Once again, Reverend Fraud, if crime is rising isn't that a black mark on your organization? I thought your organization was supposed to be "enough is enough"? That must mean your candlelights and turkey dinners aren't having an effect. I suggest a new crime strategy: how 'bout you leave town and then we'll see if that helps Newark? I think it could work, frankly,

BTW, did you get your momma out the projects? :mad: I would NEVER let my mother live in the projects for one day. How you can live with yourself knowing that your mother has to walk through that filth each and every day disgusts me. Get it together, fraud.

[TE2]

You give me 5 reasons why you should Stay:D :D

[TE2]

Once again, Reverend Fraud, if crime is rising isn't that a black mark on your organization? I thought your organization was supposed to be "enough is enough"? That must mean your candlelights and turkey dinners aren't having an effect. I suggest a new crime strategy: how 'bout you leave town and then we'll see if that helps Newark? I think it could work, frankly,

BTW, did you get your momma out the projects? :mad: I would NEVER let my mother live in the projects for one day. How you can live with yourself knowing that your mother has to walk through that filth each and every day disgusts me. Get it together, fraud.

5 My Brother I hear you (Ring, Ring) hold on that's the phone--- It's my Mother I'll put her on Speaker:D :D :D

[lucylou]

Listen to this or further more read this what ever the debate is about between you and my son has nothing to do with where i'm living like i stated before if you or anyone is having a problem with where i'm living than by all means please feel free to move me.I will except any condo,penthouse that you can afford or maybe even a mansion.other wise don't worry about where i live for i'm not having a problem with it.And not that i have to set you straight but where i live is not a project its a privately owned development.And let me set you straight on something a lot of good people have came from the projects and some of them are lawyers, doctors.etc.Maybe you should have been raise there it might have made you a better person.SO EITHER SHUT OR PUT UP.

[CaseClosed]

just called me from Florida and said when you first enter Florida, there is a billboard up that says Warning All Criminals: We use deadly force.

Would a billboard like that work in Newark?

[karimah]

just called me from Florida and said when you first enter Florida, there is a billboard up that says Warning All Criminals: We use deadly force.

Would a billboard like that work in Newark?


No because folks already know Newark uses deadly force or force for that matter.

[Make Newark Clean]

We can't shoot or incarcerate out of these problems. What you get is what's happening now, thugs are no longer afraid of the polie and shoot back. Look at all the shootings of police recently in New York. I guess crime still goes on there, too.

Now if they could just lock the remaining free blacks and hispanics away, maybe, just maybe...

[LastCubanStanding]

We can't shoot or incarcerate out of these problems. What you get is what's happening now, thugs are no longer afraid of the polie and shoot back. Look at all the shootings of police recently in New York. I guess crime still goes on there, too.

Now if they could just lock the remaining free blacks and hispanics away, maybe, just maybe...


Crime in NYC is at a 40 year low.

[Make Newark Clean]

What's your point, Cuban? Still calling for more jackbooted patrolling? How about apartheid-style pass laws? I want leadership that doesn't act like overseers. I wouldn't vote for Booker again or anybody who chooses to address Newark's issues the way he has over the last nine months.

You sure make a lot of comments on what Newarkers should do to reduce crime for someone who doesn't live here. It is my sincere hope they they set up stop-and-frisk for you and your whitebread neighbors in Warren County. Let's see how many nonviolent drug offenders that yields. Maybe one and three of your people can be locked up.

Of course, that level of intrusion would never be tolerated except in desperate places like Newark where they have us all convinced that this is a law-enforcement issue when increasing numbers of us are being locked up everyday. BTW, NY for the most part is an anomaly. But even still, there are cities that have experienced higher reductions in crime without all the "glamor" of the somewhat discredited broken windows theory. How do you explain that? Do you want me to cite them?

Maybe you should just stick to your little mean-spirited sarcastic quips at Case and John James and other one-liner meaningless, personal rants that you accuse others of doing although YOU are the main culprit in creating.

Good day.

[Downtowner]

All this back and forth is missing the point. On the one hand, we have demands for more aggressive policing, and on the other, the canard of drug legalization is held out like an elusive prize that we must all strive to grasp. With all due respect, I find the idea of using drugs as an entreprenural tool for blacks to be as repellent as suggesting all at-risk black men set up liquor stores. Everyone is ignoring the elephant in the room, which is the joblessness that pushes people to degradation. Newark has a huge pool of (mostly unskilled) low-cost labor. God knows that there isn't a demand for it. America's insatiabale demand for illegal immigrants bears that out. Everybody would be better served by trying to encourage capital to move into the city, and make what is currently a liability an asset. In that respect, EVERYBODY has failed. No amount of policing (and I support dynamic policing) will solve the matter completely, and neither will pie-in-the-sky dreams of ujamaa and black separatism. It really is, as Clinton said, "the economy, stupid."

[Make Newark Clean]

I don't give a darn about drugs legal or illegal if they the ECONOMIC INCENTIVE of dealing them in my neighborhoods IS REMOVED. We are participants in our own demise thinking we're doing something good by stampeding our HATED young men and women TO JAIL.

Cory is an overseer on Plantation, soon to be Stalag, Newark. He's worst than the rest because none of them made the promises that he has to make things better. He has not. Murder is the same as it ever was.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that legalizing substances that were ONCE LEGAL AND CAUSED NO HARM ON THE LEVEL THEY DO WITH BEING ILLEGAL is a dollar-free way of making black people's lot IMMEDIATELY BETTER. That's what studying this issue as led me too. I actually took the time to study it.

If you disagree, fine. But EVERY HOOD IS SELLING DRUGS AND RECORDS NUMBERS OF OUR "GENE POOL" (you'll never live that down, as far as I'm concerned) ARE BEING LOCKED UP WHILE TOO MANY OF US ENTERTAIN MIDDLE-CLASS respectability fantasies that MOST of us WILL NEVER ATTAIN.

Let's do this.

[OneEyeOpen]

I don't give a darn about drugs legal or illegal if they the ECONOMIC INCENTIVE of dealing them in my neighborhoods IS REMOVED. We are participants in our own demise thinking we're doing something good by stampeding our HATED young men and women TO JAIL.

Cory is an overseer on Plantation, soon to be Stalag, Newark. He's worst than the rest because none of them made the promises that he has to make things better. He has not. Murder is the same as it ever was.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that legalizing substances that were ONCE LEGAL AND CAUSED NO HARM ON THE LEVEL THEY DO WITH BEING ILLEGAL is a dollar-free way of making black people's lot IMMEDIATELY BETTER. That's what studying this issue as led me too. I actually took the time to study it.

If you disagree, fine. But EVERY HOOD IS SELLING DRUGS AND RECORDS NUMBERS OF OUR "GENE POOL" (you'll never live that down, as far as I'm concerned) ARE BEING LOCKED UP WHILE TOO MANY OF US ENTERTAIN MIDDLE-CLASS respectability fantasies that MOST of us WILL NEVER ATTAIN.

Let's do this.

I agree that the solution to the drug problems that plague this nation is not in enforcement of draconian laws that historically target specific segments of the population, and achieve little to nothing, but I don't agree that even the legalization of drugs would magically solve all the problems that face Newark. The drug culture is interwoven into the gang culture, and no one will suggest that the sole reason young people join gangs is because of drugs. Drugs are but a symptom in a much more complicated social disease. It is no coincidence that crime rises in weak economies, where opportunities are limited to the controlling top one percent of the nation.

The nation can certainly benefit from a serious examination of decriminalization, but I see it as a fools dream to believe that all our problems will be solved in one fell swoop by such actions. The other elements that contribute to the maintaining of the underclass you so accurately describe will still be there. The criminal mentality of that minority of people who are not engaged in such activity for survival, will still be there. Lastly, the demons that motivate human beings to do evil things to one another will still be there. The violence Newark is experiencing today is the product of several generations of systemic abuse and neglect, and nothing anyone does will correct those issues in a matter of months. You have to first address a mindset that accepts that degradation, all the while showing that there is another way. In the meantime, you need to provide safe passage for people to go about their lives. There are ways to do so without egregiously infringing on the civil and human rights of the populace, and it is the responsibility of those of us who know better to ensure that that is exactly what the administration and their law enforcement body does.

[Downtowner]

I don't give a darn about drugs legal or illegal if they the ECONOMIC INCENTIVE of dealing them in my neighborhoods IS REMOVED. We are participants in our own demise thinking we're doing something good by stampeding our HATED young men and women TO JAIL.

Cory is an overseer on Plantation, soon to be Stalag, Newark. He's worst than the rest because none of them made the promises that he has to make things better. He has not. Murder is the same as it ever was.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that legalizing substances that were ONCE LEGAL AND CAUSED NO HARM ON THE LEVEL THEY DO WITH BEING ILLEGAL is a dollar-free way of making black people's lot IMMEDIATELY BETTER. That's what studying this issue as led me too. I actually took the time to study it.

If you disagree, fine. But EVERY HOOD IS SELLING DRUGS AND RECORDS NUMBERS OF OUR "GENE POOL" (you'll never live that down, as far as I'm concerned) ARE BEING LOCKED UP WHILE TOO MANY OF US ENTERTAIN MIDDLE-CLASS respectability fantasies that MOST of us WILL NEVER ATTAIN.

Let's do this.

All right, let's get this clear. How does advocating decent employment for poor people equal support for mass incarceration? Increasing the flexibility of labor in poor communities has had great effects in the smaller test cases where it has been implemented. You reinforce success, not failure. The chances of a fundamental change in drug policy within your lifetime are slim indeed. While a new consensus is being formed, (which will take a painfully long time) redress must come immediately. It's more cruel to deny a group of people immediate help of one kind because you feel ideologically attached to another. It's like banging your head against the wall.

One moment, you praise FDR for creating the modern middle class, and the next, you're deriding middle-class sensibilities. You do know that some of those sensibilities include things like higher voting participation, right? There's absolutely no reason why people shouldn't aspire to achieve a better station in life. Stifle that and you end up with a society as paralyzed as that of the former Soviet Union.

And in ten months, a 40% drop in crime does count for something. I, quite frankly, wasn't expecting anything close to that figure. My streets are cleaner, too. Of course murders need to stop, but your posturing and hyperbole of plantation language detracts from your message.

[Make Newark Clean]

I agree that the solution to the drug problems that plague this nation is not in enforcement of draconian laws that historically target specific segments of the population, and achieve little to nothing, but I don't agree that even the legalization of drugs would magically solve all the problems that face Newark.

I believe, especially with taxation of those substances geared toward repairing the damage they caused in our communities, that it's the closest thing to a magic bullet around.

The drug culture is interwoven into the gang culture, and no one will suggest that the sole reason young people join gangs is because of drugs.

Quite possibly it is the ultimate reason. Illegal drugs and gun violence are inextricably tied. The proliferation of illegal guns (and legal ones too) make the streets less safe. One of the most cited reasons for children joining gangs is for a sense of security (http://gangsta411.com/why_do_kids_join_gangs.htm).


Drugs are but a symptom in a much more complicated social disease. It is no coincidence that crime rises in weak economies, where opportunities are limited to the controlling top one percent of the nation.

Anyone who wants drugs today can find them. The problem is where they find them. They find them in marketplaces controlled by gangs of increasing depravity and firepower. Chief Justice Rehnquist was a drug addict yet no one is rolling back his rulings. Alcohol and tobacco, both drugs, are among the most dangerous substances available yet they are legal, taxed and providing money for building roads and operating governments. Tax those scheduled substances in the same manner and use the money to repair our drug-war torn neighborhoods.

The nation can certainly benefit from a serious examination of decriminalization, but I see it as a fools dream to believe that all our problems will be solved in one fell swoop by such actions.

Honestly, all bets are off with decriminalization. If you do nothing to legalize the marketers of these products, whom we can then bring under regulatory authority, decriminalization will only help gangbangers and hasten the destruction of our neighborhoods.

The other elements that contribute to the maintaining of the underclass you so accurately describe will still be there. The criminal mentality of that minority of people who are not engaged in such activity for survival, will still be there.

I think it is internalized racism to think that a larger segment of black people are congentially criminal moreso than the rest. There will always be criminals in any population group, but murder and gun violence comes along with illegal drug markets and are necessary to control corners.

Lastly, the demons that motivate human beings to do evil things to one another will still be there. The violence Newark is experiencing today is the product of several generations of systemic abuse and neglect, and nothing anyone does will correct those issues in a matter of months.

Again, I see much more of our problem as economic than moral. This is one of the reasons why I support Mayor Bloomberg's pay families for good behavior program. It's too small scale and small potatoes, but I bet it works.

You have to first address a mindset that accepts that degradation, all the while showing that there is another way.

Again, this presupposes that black people are somehow congential criminals. We have no bad-parent or gun-violence gene.


In the meantime, you need to provide safe passage for people to go about their lives. There are ways to do so without egregiously infringing on the civil and human rights of the populace,

Apparently, with the war on drugs--stop and frisk, street barricades, garrisons, helicopters, this doesn't appear to be the case.

and it is the responsibility of those of us who know better to ensure that that is exactly what the administration and their law enforcement body does.

I don't see how law enforcement can do a delicate dance. Under the current auspices, there will always be clamoring for more police to protect against a manmade problem and the cries from the same groups when those police overreach. I guess that's when we offer the offending parties money without any admission of guilt. That's what is vogue nowadays.

Again.... the human genome project proves that we are one species and more closely related to each other than a single group of chimpanzees in a given tropical forest. In other words, we have less genetic variability than what is common in nature. I ask again, why are we always on the bottom throughout this country? Why do we insist that our leadership follow paths that make the problem worse?

Our is an economic, not moral issue. Europeans are in position of being morally superior and this is not killing their children. Our leadership should be ashamed of itself and we should be ashamed for allowing them to carry out the Master's plan.

[Make Newark Clean]

All right, let's get this clear. How does advocating decent employment for poor people equal support for mass incarceration?

Because of the gun and gang violence in black neighborhoods centered on the illegal drugs trade, even law-abiding poor blacks cannot find employment (http://www.zmag.org/ZMag/articles/july00bauder.htm).


Increasing the flexibility of labor in poor communities has had great effects in the smaller test cases where it has been implemented. You reinforce success, not failure. The chances of a fundamental change in drug policy within your lifetime are slim indeed. While a new consensus is being formed, (which will take a painfully long time) redress must come immediately. It's more cruel to deny a group of people immediate help of one kind because you feel ideologically attached to another. It's like banging your head against the wall.

Aren't we already banging our head against the wall? Unemployment for African American males (http://www.spa.ucla.edu/main2.cfm?d=xr&f=news.cfm&s=school&news_id=12157), even when skewed for our 500% increase in incarceration, is not pretty. Also, people are waking up quickly to what the real ramifications are. That it's not the drug use but the illegal drug markets that is the scourge. The Governor of Rio de Janiero in Brazil chimed in (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/02/america/LA-GEN-Brazil-Drugs.php) a few weeks ago. Right along our border, in Mexico, illegal drugs have corrupted the very underpinnings of society (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N08405786.htm). Drugs-driven crime is roiling the Caribbean (http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t051013.html). In 2005, Jamaica a nation of some 2.7m people had 1400+ murders. Trinidad and Tobago, a county of about 1 million people had 300+ murders in 2005. Police departments in these places are corrupted. Government officials are corrupted. Everybody knows drug demand is not going anywhere and that the money is illegal. So they try to steal it from the other crooks.

I would hope that we'd wake up to the war on drugs being a war on black people (http://www.alternet.org/rights/49782/) sooner rather than later. I'm going to do my part.

One moment, you praise FDR for creating the modern middle class, and the next, you're deriding middle-class sensibilities. You do know that some of those sensibilities include things like higher voting participation, right? There's absolutely no reason why people shouldn't aspire to achieve a better station in life. Stifle that and you end up with a society as paralyzed as that of the former Soviet Union.

Huh? I have no problem with people enriching themselves and looking after their own interest. I do have a problem with negroes willing to condemn those who look like them as genetically inferior all based on trying to achieve some station in life to quote Chuck D: "you'll never be accepted as." As long as economic influences give gravity to the simplistic notion of our supposed intelligence inferiority, we never will be equals. As goes the ghetto dweller, so goes middle-class black America. It's modern-day passing.

And in ten months, a 40% drop in crime does count for something. I, quite frankly, wasn't expecting anything close to that figure. My streets are cleaner, too.

My streets are not cleaner. Honestly, I'm skeptical of this number. A drop in crime is a good thing. What is done to achieve it may not be. In fairness, I haven't read the article in the Times yet.

Of course murders need to stop, but your posturing and hyperbole of plantation language detracts from your message.

If it walks, talks and acts...

On a more positive note, I saw this kat on Gil Noble Sunday, Dr Ronald Mincy (http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/news/jan2007/mincy%20jec%20hearing.html). I like his idea of extending EICs (earned income tax credits) to working fathers (http://www.mnfathers.org/blackmales.html) provided they can find a job. It's still not enough, but I commend his out-the-box thinking.

[OneEyeOpen]

I can accept all your assessments as your heart felt beliefs, except that curious assumption on your part that somehow my impressions are based in self loathing, or some psychological dynamic that assumes African Americans are predisposed to commit crime. My positions are quite the contrary, and if you took the time to read my responses without the apparent prejudices, you might have understood that.

The criminal minority of which I spoke is the same criminal minority present in all races and cultures, and I find it exasperating to even feel the need to explain concept, when no such statements to the contrary were offered.

If you're simply playing devils advocate, then please accept my apology now, as I don't see anything I've offered through the prism you seemingly do. I firmly believe that there are things that each of us can do better our situation, and that we are responsible for monitoring our governments actions. Decriminalization is an option not yet explored with any degree of sincerity by our government, but again it is not a panacea for all our societal woes. If there were no drugs, there would still be murder. If there were no drugs, there would still be theft, greed and all the human failings that have plagued man since he was intellectually aware enough to engage in such behavior. Those issues are real, and need to be dealt with. If you're some sort of Libertarian who believes that we as a society don't need government, then you simply need to say so. We'll of course disagree, but at least all the cards will be on the table and we can proceed from there, as your personal assessments of others positions are so fundamentally flawed that they discredit your otherwise astute observations.

[Make Newark Clean]

I can accept all your assessments as your heart felt beliefs, except that curious assumption on your part that somehow my impressions are based in self loathing, or some psychological dynamic that assumes African Americans are predisposed to commit crime. My positions are quite the contrary, and if you took the time to read my responses without the apparent prejudices, you might have understood that.

I'm talking about general prevailing attitudes and drawing a conclusion. It's not intended to be personal.

The criminal minority of which I spoke is the same criminal minority present in all races and cultures, and I find it exasperating to even feel the need to explain concept, when no such statements to the contrary were offered.

Understood.

If you're simply playing devils advocate, then please accept my apology now, as I don't see anything I've offered through the prism you seemingly do. I firmly believe that there are things that each of us can do better our situation, and that we are responsible for monitoring our governments actions. Decriminalization is an option not yet explored with any degree of sincerity by our government, but again it is not a panacea for all our societal woes. If there were no drugs, there would still be murder. If there were no drugs, there would still be theft, greed and all the human failings that have plagued man since he was intellectually aware enough to engage in such behavior.

I agree, but it still rings true that money is the root of all evil. At least evil that seeks to be rational.

Those issues are real, and need to be dealt with. If you're some sort of Libertarian who believes that we as a society don't need government, then you simply need to say so.

I DEFINITELY believe we need government. That's the GREAT EQUALIZER. I prefer to phrase it as Good Governance because "government" has taken on an unwarranted pejorative.

We'll of course disagree, but at least all the cards will be on the table and we can proceed from there, as your personal assessments of others positions are so fundamentally flawed that they discredit your otherwise astute observations.

Nothing specifically meant to be personal in my remarks and, to the extent such perception detracts from my point, I consider a failure to communicate effectively. Really, I'm just tired of us chasing our tail.

Peace.

[OneEyeOpen]

this dialogue alone is proof positive of that. Where there is intelligent, constructive dialogue, there is hope for a better day. These idea's and ideals are getting out there, and you can embrace the credit for such concepts reaching those whom they need to reach. That is what forums like these are designed to do. We know that both the talking heads from the polar opposites in Newark as well as the media read this message, and contrary to popular belief, they are not stupid people. They can take what is workable in these dialogues and apply them to solutions if they choose. More important is that these dialogues can inspire action on the part of the individuals who will be the movers and shakers that Newark will require in the coming years.

You want change, I want change, and many here want change, that's the beginning of a movement as far as I'm concerned.

[Make Newark Clean]

this dialogue alone is proof positive of that. Where there is intelligent, constructive dialogue, there is hope for a better day. These idea's and ideals are getting out there, and you can embrace the credit for such concepts reaching those whom they need to reach. That is what forums like these are designed to do. We know that both the talking heads from the polar opposites in Newark as well as the media read this message, and contrary to popular belief, they are not stupid people. They can take what is workable in these dialogues and apply them to solutions if they choose. More important is that these dialogues can inspire action on the part of the individuals who will be the movers and shakers that Newark will require in the coming years.

You want change, I want change, and many here want change, that's the beginning of a movement as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them.