Benton Harbor: Whirlpool Plans to Incarcerate Kids - Carter Plans to Give Them Jobs (2nd article)
Commentary in brackets
Police patrols added in Benton Harbor
[Ethnic Cleansing continues]
By S. Aiken, HP
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - Berrien County sheriff's deputies and state police will work extra patrols in Benton Harbor to help city police keep the peace during the warm weather months.
[They will not be there to help, but to destroy the morale of the people. BH has become a police state.]
The county and Whirlpool Corp. each contributed $50,000 to pay for the sheriff's patrols, the fifth year of the combined law enforcement effort, Sheriff Paul Bailey said.
[These contributions are to protect golfers and the wealthy from an unknown monster. This money could have created jobs for BH teenagers, many well below poverty level.]
Every weekend, the sheriff's department will have two patrol cars, each manned by two deputies, on patrol in the city, Bailey said.
[They will concentrate on the golf course.]
The patrols will stay in Benton Harbor unless called outside the city temporarily for an emergency, Bailey said.
State police First Lt. Willie Mays, commander of the Bridgman post, said troopers will work extra patrols in Benton Harbor during the week to augment the sheriff's department effort.
[They want to convince Berrien County that BH is super, ultra dangerous. Law enforcement will surround the golf course.]
Mays said state police may also add patrol cars on weekends as needed.
[If golf is being played.]
Benton Harbor Police Chief Roger Lange said the added officers, along with the department's reserve unit, will boost manpower to its highest level in a long time. [The morale of the people hasn't been this LOW in a long time.]
"It gives use extra officers and extra cars for more visibility and proactivity," Lange said.
[To proactively feed more people to the prosecutors and judges of Berrien County Court.]
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/05/12/local_news/1415637.txt
30 days, $200K: Carter challenges groups to raise money for job programs
By Evan Goodenow, H-P
Friday, May 14, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - The view looks bad for kids looking to get paid this summer.
With money tighter than ever, City Manager Ronald Carter Jr. on Thursday stressed teamwork to youth group organizers in finding money for summer jobs and recreational programs. Carter said the goal is to raise about $200,000 in taxpayer and private money in 30 days, which would pay for about 100 part-time, minimum-wage jobs.
"Youth programs are critical. It's something that we absolutely must do," Carter told an audience of about 25 organizers and youths at City Hall. "I know it sounds like a lot of money, but trust me, we can do this."
The effort comes at a time of record youth unemployment for people between 20 and 24 years old. Between October 2007 and December 2009, the number of employed teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 dropped nearly 25 percent and nearly 11 percent for 20- and 24-year-olds, according to a January study by Andrew M. Sum, a Northeastern University economics professor who analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers.
The youth unemployment rates were a higher percentage than the 16 percent rate for all workers during the Great Depression. The 49 percent unemployment rate for black teens was 3.4 times as high as the 14.1 percent unemployment rate for all black people in December of 2009.
Summer employment for teens dropped below 33 percent last year, a record low despite states receiving federal stimulus money.
The U.S. House has approved $600 million for summer teen jobs, but Senate Republicans - and three Democratic senators - on March 9 blocked a separate $1.3 billion proposal to create 500,000 summer jobs.
Benton Harbor is seeking money for 200 summer youth jobs from the state, but has not received an answer, said City Commissioner David Shaw, who was reached by phone after the meeting.
Carter acknowledged the challenge is particular difficult in nearly all-black Benton Harbor, where the destitute city was financially taken over by the state April 1. However, Carter said organizers can capitalize on festivities surrounding the Aug. 10 opening of the Harbor Shores golf course.
Carter said some 10,000 people - including a dozen NBA players he invited - are expected to visit for the unveiling of the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Workers will be needed to spruce up the city for that and related summer events.
Carter emphasized strict accountability on spending, saying his office will oversee payments and the need for collaboration to avoid duplicating efforts.
Jobs will include cleaning and maintaining city beaches and parks, cleaning illegal dump sites, making banners and signs for summer events and overseeing youth sports teams. The deadline is next Friday to apply for money.
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/05/14/local_news/1423727.txt
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ethnic cleansing continues in Benton Harbor. Whirlpool needs the area "cleaned up."
What's wrong with human suffering and destroying lives (not to mention the Great Lakes and environs) so rich white men can play golf?
Here's a dated article from Time on America's drug war: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985050,00.html It's all still true. Over half of US prisoners are in for drugs. Our national madness: 1 in 100 Americans are incarcerated - more than any country on the planet. Research this issue and what you find is mega-corruption on many levels. There are good films on the topic - American Drug War: The Last White Hope (2007) is one worth watching.
Six arrested in BH drug busts
Herald Palladium, Sat., May 15, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - Four people were arrested on drug charges after police served search warrants at four residences in Benton Harbor this week, the Berrien County Sheriff's Department reported. Two other people were arrested on unrelated warrants during the drug busts.
The narcotics unit, along with road patrol, Benton Harbor police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency made the arrests at 1172 Columbus Ave., 1002 McAllister St., 607 McAllister St. and 862 Lavette Ave., police said.
The search warrants were the result of investigation into citizen tips regarding possible illegal drugs at the residences. Police said they seized suspected cocaine and marijuana, $424 in cash and other evidence of drug trafficking.
The following people were arrested for investigation on the listed charges: *******, 36, of **********, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house, all second offenses; ***********, 22, of *********, possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house, both second offenses; **********, 34, of ************, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house; **************, 29, of **************, possession of cocaine, second offense; and ***************, 24, of ************, felony warrant for probation violations and bench warrant for contempt of court.
A Watervliet woman at one of the houses was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant for driving with a suspended license, police said.
What's wrong with human suffering and destroying lives (not to mention the Great Lakes and environs) so rich white men can play golf?
Here's a dated article from Time on America's drug war: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985050,00.html It's all still true. Over half of US prisoners are in for drugs. Our national madness: 1 in 100 Americans are incarcerated - more than any country on the planet. Research this issue and what you find is mega-corruption on many levels. There are good films on the topic - American Drug War: The Last White Hope (2007) is one worth watching.
Six arrested in BH drug busts
Herald Palladium, Sat., May 15, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - Four people were arrested on drug charges after police served search warrants at four residences in Benton Harbor this week, the Berrien County Sheriff's Department reported. Two other people were arrested on unrelated warrants during the drug busts.
The narcotics unit, along with road patrol, Benton Harbor police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency made the arrests at 1172 Columbus Ave., 1002 McAllister St., 607 McAllister St. and 862 Lavette Ave., police said.
The search warrants were the result of investigation into citizen tips regarding possible illegal drugs at the residences. Police said they seized suspected cocaine and marijuana, $424 in cash and other evidence of drug trafficking.
The following people were arrested for investigation on the listed charges: *******, 36, of **********, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house, all second offenses; ***********, 22, of *********, possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house, both second offenses; **********, 34, of ************, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house; **************, 29, of **************, possession of cocaine, second offense; and ***************, 24, of ************, felony warrant for probation violations and bench warrant for contempt of court.
A Watervliet woman at one of the houses was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant for driving with a suspended license, police said.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Homeless Court-Watch Program
The Benton Harbor NAACP has been working with the homeless in a combination court-watching program. It has been a great success.
There is also an effort to take the court system to the neighborhood. We want court sessions for the homeless defendants convened in a homeless shelter to resolve warrants and misdemeanor offenses without jail sentences.
The NAACP would like to build strong relationships between the courts, local shelters, service agencies, prosecutors, and court-appointed attorneys. It seeks to resolve the problems that homelessness represents with a practical solution.
The NAACP proposal is for the prosecutor and the defense attorney to review the cases before the court hearings. The court sentencing for fines, cost, and custody would be substituted by participating in agency programs. The program is designed for efficiency. The majority of the cases would be heard and resolved. The people would be sentenced in one hearing. The initial referrals to a homeless court would originate in the shelters and service agencies.
This program is designed to counteract the effect of criminal cases pushing homeless defendants further outside society. This program combines a progressive plea bargain system, an alternative sentencing structure, assurance of no jail and proof of program activities to address a full range of misdemeanor offenses. It brings homeless people back into society. The homeless need justice too. --Rev. E. Pinkney, 269-925-0001
The Benton Harbor NAACP has been working with the homeless in a combination court-watching program. It has been a great success.
There is also an effort to take the court system to the neighborhood. We want court sessions for the homeless defendants convened in a homeless shelter to resolve warrants and misdemeanor offenses without jail sentences.
The NAACP would like to build strong relationships between the courts, local shelters, service agencies, prosecutors, and court-appointed attorneys. It seeks to resolve the problems that homelessness represents with a practical solution.
The NAACP proposal is for the prosecutor and the defense attorney to review the cases before the court hearings. The court sentencing for fines, cost, and custody would be substituted by participating in agency programs. The program is designed for efficiency. The majority of the cases would be heard and resolved. The people would be sentenced in one hearing. The initial referrals to a homeless court would originate in the shelters and service agencies.
This program is designed to counteract the effect of criminal cases pushing homeless defendants further outside society. This program combines a progressive plea bargain system, an alternative sentencing structure, assurance of no jail and proof of program activities to address a full range of misdemeanor offenses. It brings homeless people back into society. The homeless need justice too. --Rev. E. Pinkney, 269-925-0001
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Workplace Racism and Sexism Out of Control in Benton Harbor
Dawson Manufacturing in Benton Harbor, Michigan
is a workplace steeped in racial abuse.
The most recent, blatant racial attack was the
hanging of a noose in an area where 15
African-American employees could see it.
(A similar incident: 2 weeks ago, a man
living 1/2 mile from Dawson found a noose hanging
in his backyard. He's not a Dawson employee.)
Black workers are the brunt of racist jokes
and sexual attacks on a daily basis. White supervisors
constantly touch black female employees inappropriately.
Dawson's owner, Mr. Bob Trived, simply fires female
employees who complain. Trived has fired over 10
employees for reporting racial attacks of various
kinds to the EEOC. (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
For African-Americans living in Benton Harbor, life
can be very difficult. A culture of fear has been
created in the city. It makes it possible, and even
tolerable, for a business to make a noose and hang
it in plain sight. In 2010.
Another Benton Harbor company with serious racist workplace
violations is Autozone. Supervisor Brian Waldschmidt uses the "N" word
regularly, and his Tennessee home office Supervisor, Gary
Bailey, protects him from any charges. Waldschmidt
told an employee of Indian descent to "start
'dressing black' so people won't think we're racist."
Whirlpool's racist and sexist workplace behavior
is well-known. It creates an atmosphere, especially
in the majority African-American Benton Harbor, where
inhumane treatment is tolerated and even encouraged.
Anyone can contact these companies and demand
the end of workplace racist and sexist abuse.
Thank you for any effort you take in this matter.
Dawson Manufacturing
1042 North Crystal Avenue
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-9266
(269) 925-0100
Autozone
www.autozone.com
1681 Old State Highway 139
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-5715
(269) 925-2288
Dawson Manufacturing in Benton Harbor, Michigan
is a workplace steeped in racial abuse.
The most recent, blatant racial attack was the
hanging of a noose in an area where 15
African-American employees could see it.
(A similar incident: 2 weeks ago, a man
living 1/2 mile from Dawson found a noose hanging
in his backyard. He's not a Dawson employee.)
Black workers are the brunt of racist jokes
and sexual attacks on a daily basis. White supervisors
constantly touch black female employees inappropriately.
Dawson's owner, Mr. Bob Trived, simply fires female
employees who complain. Trived has fired over 10
employees for reporting racial attacks of various
kinds to the EEOC. (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
For African-Americans living in Benton Harbor, life
can be very difficult. A culture of fear has been
created in the city. It makes it possible, and even
tolerable, for a business to make a noose and hang
it in plain sight. In 2010.
Another Benton Harbor company with serious racist workplace
violations is Autozone. Supervisor Brian Waldschmidt uses the "N" word
regularly, and his Tennessee home office Supervisor, Gary
Bailey, protects him from any charges. Waldschmidt
told an employee of Indian descent to "start
'dressing black' so people won't think we're racist."
Whirlpool's racist and sexist workplace behavior
is well-known. It creates an atmosphere, especially
in the majority African-American Benton Harbor, where
inhumane treatment is tolerated and even encouraged.
Anyone can contact these companies and demand
the end of workplace racist and sexist abuse.
Thank you for any effort you take in this matter.
Dawson Manufacturing
1042 North Crystal Avenue
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-9266
(269) 925-0100
Autozone
www.autozone.com
1681 Old State Highway 139
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-5715
(269) 925-2288
Thursday, April 22, 2010
"I work for Lansing," Harris said in a voicemail. "I don't dictate what happens."
State financial CPA and Granholm's man in Benton Harbor apparently cannot act without her say-so. Joseph Harris, in BH for about 3 weeks, has little control over the job he's being paid (by BH) $11K per month to do - maybe it takes $11K to have complete control over an employee. The following Herald Palladium article on Harris, journalistic integrity intact, is a breath of fresh air. Comments at end.
Stood up?
Financial manager's absence at Tuesday meeting viewed as snub; Harris says Lansing wouldn't allow him to attend
By Evan Goodenow, Herald Palladium, April 21, 2010
Benton Harbor - When appointed by the state in the financial takeover of Benton Harbor, Emergency Financial Manager Joseph L. Harris promised transparency, not invisibility.
So some of the Benton Harbor residents paying Harris' $11,000-per-month salary wondered why he didn't show up for a Tuesday public meeting at City Hall.
"No one was looking for him to be a messiah, but at least someone to say, 'I'm coming here to help you,'" said meeting moderator Dr. Donald C. Tynes, a member of the NAACP Benton Harbor/Twin Cities chapter. "When you had your chance to say hello, you let it go."
NAACP member and meeting organizer George Moon said he never spoke to Harris directly, but was told by Ivy Gill, City Manager Ronald Carter Jr.'s secretary, that Harris would meet with residents. Gill refused to comment, but Harris on Monday denied agreeing to meet and said organizers needed to get approval from his bosses in the state Department of Treasury.
Harris said it was irresponsible for organizers to announce a meeting was being held when it hadn't been approved by the state, but said he would attend. But on Tuesday Harris said his bosses vetoed the meeting.
"I work for Lansing," Harris said in a voicemail. "I don't dictate what happens."
Those who do made a bad call, said some of the 40 people who attended the approximately two-hour meeting. Treasury officials said on April 1 when they appointed Harris he would have a public meeting several weeks into his tenure. That would allow him time to develop drafts of budget balancing and financial recovery plans, which he has until July 1 to complete for Treasury officials.
However, Harris met with about 100 bigwigs at an April 8 invitation-only gathering in which he announced that city employee layoffs would be necessary to deal with a $300,000 projected shortfall in this fiscal year and a $1.4 million shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year.
Residents on Tuesday expressed frustration that Harris could make time for the private gathering but not for them.
"He's just a free agent collecting $11,000 a month," said resident Catherine Barnaby. "He's for us, supposedly, and he won't meet us."
Barnaby questioned who Harris was accountable to as residents read copies handed out at the meeting of a Sunday Detroit Free Press article story about Arthur Blackwell II, the Highland Park emergency financial manager accused of embezzlement.
The article detailed how Treasury officials allowed Blackwell to keep his job despite learning he had written himself checks from the financially hurting city's coffers without state approval. Blackwell wasn't fired until the Free Press began investigating.
Treasury officials and Harris weren't the only ones criticized at the meeting.
Berrien County Commissioner Marletta Seats said Gregory G. Roberts, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm's special adviser and Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships director, has been acting as a gatekeeper for Harris in violation of the separation of church and state.
Roberts was assigned by Granholm to help oversee state efforts to improve conditions in Benton Harbor after the 2003 riots.
Seats, the mother of takeover critic and Benton Harbor Commissioner Duane L. Seats, said she has been steered to Roberts when calling the state about Benton Harbor issues.
"I'm elected by the people and I've got to go through the church? Not me," she said. "I'm an evangelist too, but there is a separation."
Roberts said while he regularly confers with Harris, Deputy Commissioner for Local Government Services Valdemar Washington and State Treasurer Robert J. Kleine are Harris' bosses.
"My role is a dual role. Not just working with faith-based leaders, but with community leaders like in Benton Harbor," said Roberts, when reached by phone after the meeting.
"She clearly does not have all of the facts. She's looking at Greg Roberts through a portion of the lens."
Roberts said most residents will eventually appreciate Harris - Detroit's auditor general from 1995 to 2005 - due to Harris' financial acumen.
For now, residents like Willie Lark, owner of Lark & Sons Barbecue, remain skeptical. Lark said he resents that while the state appointed Harris, residents of the nearly broke city have to pay him.
"If I send somebody to work at Lark's, I'm paying them," he said. "If you send somebody to Lark's, you need to pay them."
COMMENTS: Harris says he works for Lansing -- why isn't Lansing paying him? He's losing the peoples' trust and will have to work to attain it (if he cares). He met with Whirlpool bigwigs, but not residents - that says it all. Harris is a pawn in "corporate fascism" (total merging of government and business interests). Detroit tried to get rid of Harris - Mayor Dave Bing finally did. Goodenow reports the Free Press investigated another financial manager; how about the HP investigating? Start with Whirlpool. Granholm adviser Greg Roberts was assigned to look out for Whirlpool's best interests and their takeover of BH. (The faith-based part of his job has absolutely no place in government.) Ms. Seats has the facts on Roberts - she went to high school with him.
State financial CPA and Granholm's man in Benton Harbor apparently cannot act without her say-so. Joseph Harris, in BH for about 3 weeks, has little control over the job he's being paid (by BH) $11K per month to do - maybe it takes $11K to have complete control over an employee. The following Herald Palladium article on Harris, journalistic integrity intact, is a breath of fresh air. Comments at end.
Stood up?
Financial manager's absence at Tuesday meeting viewed as snub; Harris says Lansing wouldn't allow him to attend
By Evan Goodenow, Herald Palladium, April 21, 2010
Benton Harbor - When appointed by the state in the financial takeover of Benton Harbor, Emergency Financial Manager Joseph L. Harris promised transparency, not invisibility.
So some of the Benton Harbor residents paying Harris' $11,000-per-month salary wondered why he didn't show up for a Tuesday public meeting at City Hall.
"No one was looking for him to be a messiah, but at least someone to say, 'I'm coming here to help you,'" said meeting moderator Dr. Donald C. Tynes, a member of the NAACP Benton Harbor/Twin Cities chapter. "When you had your chance to say hello, you let it go."
NAACP member and meeting organizer George Moon said he never spoke to Harris directly, but was told by Ivy Gill, City Manager Ronald Carter Jr.'s secretary, that Harris would meet with residents. Gill refused to comment, but Harris on Monday denied agreeing to meet and said organizers needed to get approval from his bosses in the state Department of Treasury.
Harris said it was irresponsible for organizers to announce a meeting was being held when it hadn't been approved by the state, but said he would attend. But on Tuesday Harris said his bosses vetoed the meeting.
"I work for Lansing," Harris said in a voicemail. "I don't dictate what happens."
Those who do made a bad call, said some of the 40 people who attended the approximately two-hour meeting. Treasury officials said on April 1 when they appointed Harris he would have a public meeting several weeks into his tenure. That would allow him time to develop drafts of budget balancing and financial recovery plans, which he has until July 1 to complete for Treasury officials.
However, Harris met with about 100 bigwigs at an April 8 invitation-only gathering in which he announced that city employee layoffs would be necessary to deal with a $300,000 projected shortfall in this fiscal year and a $1.4 million shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year.
Residents on Tuesday expressed frustration that Harris could make time for the private gathering but not for them.
"He's just a free agent collecting $11,000 a month," said resident Catherine Barnaby. "He's for us, supposedly, and he won't meet us."
Barnaby questioned who Harris was accountable to as residents read copies handed out at the meeting of a Sunday Detroit Free Press article story about Arthur Blackwell II, the Highland Park emergency financial manager accused of embezzlement.
The article detailed how Treasury officials allowed Blackwell to keep his job despite learning he had written himself checks from the financially hurting city's coffers without state approval. Blackwell wasn't fired until the Free Press began investigating.
Treasury officials and Harris weren't the only ones criticized at the meeting.
Berrien County Commissioner Marletta Seats said Gregory G. Roberts, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm's special adviser and Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships director, has been acting as a gatekeeper for Harris in violation of the separation of church and state.
Roberts was assigned by Granholm to help oversee state efforts to improve conditions in Benton Harbor after the 2003 riots.
Seats, the mother of takeover critic and Benton Harbor Commissioner Duane L. Seats, said she has been steered to Roberts when calling the state about Benton Harbor issues.
"I'm elected by the people and I've got to go through the church? Not me," she said. "I'm an evangelist too, but there is a separation."
Roberts said while he regularly confers with Harris, Deputy Commissioner for Local Government Services Valdemar Washington and State Treasurer Robert J. Kleine are Harris' bosses.
"My role is a dual role. Not just working with faith-based leaders, but with community leaders like in Benton Harbor," said Roberts, when reached by phone after the meeting.
"She clearly does not have all of the facts. She's looking at Greg Roberts through a portion of the lens."
Roberts said most residents will eventually appreciate Harris - Detroit's auditor general from 1995 to 2005 - due to Harris' financial acumen.
For now, residents like Willie Lark, owner of Lark & Sons Barbecue, remain skeptical. Lark said he resents that while the state appointed Harris, residents of the nearly broke city have to pay him.
"If I send somebody to work at Lark's, I'm paying them," he said. "If you send somebody to Lark's, you need to pay them."
COMMENTS: Harris says he works for Lansing -- why isn't Lansing paying him? He's losing the peoples' trust and will have to work to attain it (if he cares). He met with Whirlpool bigwigs, but not residents - that says it all. Harris is a pawn in "corporate fascism" (total merging of government and business interests). Detroit tried to get rid of Harris - Mayor Dave Bing finally did. Goodenow reports the Free Press investigated another financial manager; how about the HP investigating? Start with Whirlpool. Granholm adviser Greg Roberts was assigned to look out for Whirlpool's best interests and their takeover of BH. (The faith-based part of his job has absolutely no place in government.) Ms. Seats has the facts on Roberts - she went to high school with him.
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