By now many of you are aware of the new sidewalk construction on North Hughes Street. The east side of the street is nearing completion. BlackAmarillo.com would like for you to voice your opinions on the sidewalk project.
Please take time to complete our survey.
North Hughes Sidewalks: A layman’s perspective
comments by L. Arthalia Cravin
What do the many black churches in North Heights have to say about the ongoing decay in the community? That is my question. I am fed up to here with the various and sundry non-scriptural, self-indulgent, self-promoting, lookee-me, gimme-me money, so-call church leaders who have relinquished what used to be a voice for community change. What we have now are a bunch of air-headed, “Furst-Lay-dees,” “I can sang and wave my hand high in the sky,” American Idol in the pulpit wanna bees, who are content to watch their own personal wealth increase to the detriment of folks who can least afford it—black women. Hey, folks, the latest data said that a black woman’s average wealth is $100, compared to $41,500 for white women. But look at who is filing these church pews–a lot of older black women, in bondage to pulpits who are having a field day with their social security and SSI checks. Take a look at the preacher’s houses, car, and glad rags. Yet these same so-call “cream of the crop” church folks aren’t saying a word about the sidewalks and the general community decline.
Click to read more … Comments » North Hughes Sidewalks: A layman’s perspective
Friday April 9, 2010
Come and Share and
Let us say thank you for your
Business and Professional support
Public Reception
5:00 – 6:30
Door is locked at 6:50 p.m.
The Business Program
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Theme: Business Ethics & Image
“Returning the Hand Shake Integrity to Business”
**RSVP: (817-469-9229) or jclewismoss@sbcglobal.net
N. L. Robinson Family Life Center
Mount Olive Baptist Church
301 West Sanford Street
Arlington, Texas 76011
North Hughes Sidewalks: A layman’s perspective
comments by Kami Ashley
Well well well……. Where shall I start? As a young Black person my first thought was, ‘ Somebody didn’t know what they were doing and they are getting paid to waste time, cement, sod, cheap metal mail boxes (look good right now but wait til the water hit em’), Black and Mexican talent, and money’. You know compared to the rich and classy White side of town when they built and rebuilt sidewalks and wheelchair ramps, what they have done on the Black side of town is very (excuse the expression) half assed. How in the world is a wheel chair about to fit on that one of several ramps without endangering the occupant and causing a potential mess? And not only that. I noticed that the new sidewalks slant at a very unhealthy angle in which if you get distracted and happen to be looking at something while walking, your body will go with the angle and you will find yourself out in the street possibly and more than likely putting you in danger. And yes I am a rather large person and when I was looking at the photos and the actual side walks, I was stuck thinking that if I wanted to go walking as exercise and I had invited a friend, how would we both FIT on that SMALL, NARROW, CROOKED, LUMPY, and ROUGH sidewalk? There is enough room to walk toe-to-heel but not the normal way of walking which is with your feet side by side at an even distance apart. I don’t understand. And what is up with the gaps and spaces between the new sidewalks and property? Is that supposed to be saying that whomever lives at the residence does not own the portion of sidewalk that crosses in front of their home and therefore cannot get happy and possibly be able to brag ” Hey check out my new jacked up sidewalk! Them cracks is nice, huh?” to whomever comes to visit?
Click to read more … Comments » North Hughes Sidewalks: A layman’s perspective
By Dexter Harper
The construction of sidewalks on North Hughes Street started recently and is nearing completion on the east side of the roadway. If you are like me, your primary view of the project comes from your vehicle as you go about your busy day. With that in mind, BlackAmarillo.com compiled a photo essay of the project.
Keep in mind that this is only one layman’s perspective as documented by his camera. Not having any construction background or equipped with mandatory city, state or federal guidelines I will only display the photos and comment on a few things that seemed odd to this layman.
Sidewalks starting at the curb with small retaining wall.
Sidewalk butted against fence, no retaining wall.
Newly poured driveway cracked and broken.
New mailboxes installed …
… but not everywhere.
New sidewalk cracked.
South side of NW 14th and Hughes, without a measuring tape I can’t tell you the exact measurements. But I can tell you that these are my size 14 shoes and this is a newly poured wheelchair ramp. But will a wheelchair fit in this space?
North side of NW 14th and Hughes, once again my ugly size 14’s. Newly poured wheelchair ramp but notice the width difference compared to the previous photo.
No, it wasn’t as green as Forest Lawn, but it was in better shape before construction began
Kept my shoes on for this one, but really is this enough room for a wheelchair to navigate?
New meets the old, words serve no purpose here.
As I stated above, this is just one layman’s perspective as documented with his camera.
Your comments and opinions on this project are greatly needed.
by Fransetta Crow
I’m sure that some people are wondering how I came up with this subject to talk on . Yes I am aware that there are many reasons that could be stated and a thousand opinions given but I want to give my take on the issue.
As I drove around the community the other day I was saddened and grieved from within at the gloom and neglect and complete deterioration of my community for over a period of 40 to 50 years. As I drove up and down street after street and observed the broken down houses and , the trash and unnecessary build up of tires and old vehicles and the total neglect that those of us who still live here are confronted with each and every day . The depressive feeling that all the residents feel, and have lived in and the negative environment day after day, week after week, year after year that most have accepted and have become complacent and lost hope and now accept as normal.
My question is what type of Person, or Community Leader or Organization, or Church, or Government, or Power that could have contributed to this grave , ungodly injustice that has taken place in a City, a Community and to a People that justifies such CONFRUSION and DISORDER , and all seem to be satisfied with this devastation and smile to themselves and say It’s OK, THERE IS NO PROBLEM. Some that are not informed even have the ordasity to speak against any type of progress or improvement when an opportunity presents it’s self for any positive change. If someone wanted to point fingers and place blame I guess we could start with the Churches, yes there is a responsibility of the Church in community affairs. WHERE ARE THEY? Then we could look at our Community Leaders, and ask them, “WHAT HAPPENED ?” to whom much is give much is required and is part of the responsibility of being in a position of authority , did they serve God first, and then mankind or serve their own personal agenda ( SELF SERVING) . What Legacy have they left , what evidence will God and History record of their Vision and dedicated service ? Our Government, National, State and Local Must take a LARGE PART and responsibility of the sad condition of our community because funding has and is in place to work with and in poor and low income poverty targeted communities to improve and make them livable and safe for the resident. Where are the WATCH DOGS that are supposed to be making sure that those in charge are held accountable for a job that they are paid for from our TAXES to perform for and to us.
Oh yes What about Each INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT, who are property owners or inherited property that their PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS worked hard all their lives for and were proud of that has been taken for granted and neglected, and destroyed due to unappreciative family members that will not even make an attempt to pick up trash or paint or has not done one thing to improve the property or the community. Let us also give the BANKS a part of this responsibility, for refusing to work with residents and approve home improvement loans and opportunities to assist in the positive growth and development of a community yet they brag about how community involved they are as a community service. We must also mention all those that live in other communities that use our neighborhood as the CITY DUMPPING GROUND to avoid taking their trash to and paying a fee at the city dumping grounds to get rid of unwanted trash. There is one more group that has contributed to the slow death of our community and that is the ABSENTEE LAND OWNERS who purchase property and neglect it year after year and use it as a property write off, and never intend to improve their property. WHO HAS KILLED NORTH AMARILLO ? DO YOU HAVE A PESPONSIBILITY OR A PART? WILL YOU START TODAY TO TRY TO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE AND A DIFFERENCE ? PLEASE HELP AND DO YOUR PART STARTING TODAY. It has taken a group effort to destroy and it is going to take the same unified effort to RESTORE OUR COMMUNITY BACK TO LIFE . This article is not intended for any particular person or organization but if anyone takes offence, I say IF THE SHOE FIT Then this article is for you. EVERY ONE HAS A PART IN THIS SAD DEATH OF A COMMUNITY AND WILL HAVE TO GIVE ACCOUNT FOR IT TO THE REAL PROPERTY OWNER! GOD concerning how we were responsible for what he gave us responsibility to take care of, and we will all have to give in account for our part. This message is in LIVING COLOR!!
I’ll BE BACK SOON!
FRANKLY FRAN
Saundra Ann Vaughn and Reverend Leo Bibles were married Saturday, March 13, at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. The Reverend Morris E. Mitchell, Pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, officiated.
Matron of Honor was Keeshi Wiley Gilmore, Maid of Honor was Ketra L. Wiley. Bridesmaids were Francesa Bibles, Soronja Vaughn, Shannetta Harris and Michelle Wiley. Junior Bridesmaids were Jennica Wiley and Demodria Johnson. Flower Girls were Kaijah Johnson and Lyric Wiley.
Best Man was Gilbert Gregg. Groomsmen were Dillian Bibles, Adrian Vaughn, Leslie Fulbright and Joshua Gilmore. Ring Bearer was Malachi Johnson.
The wedding party also included the sister and bother of both the bride and groom: Jimmie Vaughn Adams, Alphonso S. Vaughn, Lynza Harrington and Charles Bibles.
