Dr. Grenita Lathan Peoria Dist. 150 In Conflict

Dr. Grenita Lathan

Peoria School District 150 Supt. Dr. Grenita Lathan has recently faced criticism from the "established" black leadership in Peoria for what appear to be radical changes in personnel, especially at the administrative/Principal level of some of the underachieving schools within the district.

While we uphold the rights of the groups to voice their public opinion in effort to hold officials including Dr. Lathan and her staff accountable, we also wish to state that we do not endorse their position, conclusion or suggestions in any way. We will also take this opportunity to look further than the allegations distinguishing fact from myth in effort to get to the real issues effecting our students and community in general.

The Press Conference


ACT I ~ Mr. Don Jackson

This discourse was designed to rally and motivate individuals against District 150 Leader, Lathan and the actions of the School Board in the recent removal of two principals, Annette Coleman and Kevin Curtin. What is being called into question is not only their removal or demotion to lower level positions, but the overall environment that is being created by Dr. Lathan and the loss of past black leaders who were questionably dismissed.

Myth 1~ There Have Been Multiple Terminations In Leadership.

Out of the 3 persons that Mr. Jackson mentions in the video that were removed from their principal and leadership positions within the District, one, Mrs. Valda Shipp was terminated for cause, which was supported by the evidence as noted below, and a second, Dr. Sharon Kherat left the district on her own accord. Mrs. Taunya Jenkins (a black woman) has stepped into her position and seems to have the support of the District and staff.

Case 1~ Dr. Sharon Kherat

In a Aug. 2011 interview with the Peoria Journal Star, Dr. Kherat had this to say about her tenure with Peoria Dist. 150:  

"It's time for change,"..."There have been challenges regarding the implementation of the restructuring plan. A lot has changed along the way regarding the original restructuring plan I was given in March of 2008. These changes, in my opinion, have created stress."

In that same article, "multiple unnamed sources" went on to say the following:

"Multiple sources close to the situation said Kherat and Superintendent Grenita Lathan had repeatedly clashed and Kherat thought she did not have the support of District 150's current administration. A number of key faculty members Kherat brought to Manual were reassigned this year, including Assistant Principal Taunya Jenkins, currently principal at Northmoor Primary School.
"The bottom line is (Kherat) felt that she didn't get the support she needed to do the job," one school official said. "She wasn't allowed the flexibility she needed to run that school. There were some philosophical differences between her and the administration on what that flexibility meant. There was a difference of opinion on how flexible Manual should have been versus the other two high schools, and that's where some of the problems happened.
"Dr. Kherat felt there were promises made to her by (former superintendent) Ken Hinton that should have been kept by the new administration. That's where the real friction was. Sharon felt like Ken made promises that she would be able to run that school however she wanted, but when Grenita got here, she was taking some of that control away."

What am I saying? I am saying that the sources have spoken more about the "conflict" between Kherat and Lathan than Kherat has herself as far as we are aware in this situation. At any case and no matter if there was conflict or not, Dr. Kerhat left the district on her own accord in 2011. This was not a termination.

Case 2 ~ Mrs. Valda Shipp

A 34 year employee of the district Mrs. Shipp was primarily forced to resign her position in 2010. According to the Peoria Journal Star, these are the circumstances over which Mrs. Shipp's relationship with the district was severed:

"Shipp came under heat from district officials in early February and was admonished again later in the school year for not entering student suspensions into the district's computer system on a timely basis, nor sending students home with the proper paperwork, which contained how students or their parents could appeal a suspension, the suit stated.
Also noted was her unavailability and not returning calls to parents as well as being blamed for poor customer service, including incorrect information that went to a second- and third-grade student, leading them to attempt to walk to their grandparents' home in Pekin. Both children were found along Interstate 74 by a truck driver and authorities were called."

If these reports are true, and there has been ample evidence presented to affirm that they are, is this anyone that the district should advocate to stay employed? Would the basis that she would not have been terminated been on the fact that she was black or because the Supt. was black? This would certainly have been race favoritism and totally unacceptable for any District 150 employee or administrator.

2 out of the 3 persons that Mr. Jackson mentions don't qualify for any unfair treatment as suggested in the news conference. The new individuals, Annette Coleman and Kevin Curtin have not been terminated but been demoted based on employee/personnel issues which are private records of the individual.

ACT II ~ Dr. Rita Ali

In the video above, Dr. Rita Ali claims, and Mr. Jackson affirms, that there is a "culture of fear" among district employees brought on by Dr. Lathan's leadership style and that she has facilitated an environment of "bullying", "intimidation" and tactics of "retaliation" against employees for either speaking out or seeking alternate employment. These are accusations at the heart of the lack of "fairness" claim of Mr. Jackson as well. Dr. Ali has also taken the time to relate this issue to the issue of falsified test scores in the Atlanta Public School District in Atlanta, GA.

Let's clarify this picture 

According to Atlanta News 11 NBC Affiliate, we know the following about the troubles in Atlanta, Ga.: 

Dr. Beverly Hall

The troubles of the Atlanta Public school system centered around the claim that 178 teachers had facilitated cheating on CRTC test scores. 8 teachers and 3 administrators were eventually removed from their positions as a result of this scandal.

The accusation was that Dr. Beverly Hall, the Supt. of the district at that time, had facilitated this crime, by first providing $750 to $1,000 incentives to schools who's students performed well on these standardized tests with the object of providing herself a performance bonus for improved test scores.
Dr. Hall was said to have created an atmosphere of intimidation in the following actions:

1- School board members were discouraged from visiting school facilities impromptu. According to former Atlanta School Board member Ann Harper, Principals were told to call the district office if any board member made an unexpected visit.

2- School board recommendations were consistently overlooked. Dr. Hall did not follow the guidance of the board.

Myth 2 ~ All cases are created equal.

Dr. Lathan has been one of the most visible and open Supt's that district 150 has known.  Here are a few things that has been done under her leadership:

• She undertook the "Remarkable" mantra left by Dr. Herschel Hannah under the administration of Dr. Hinton and made it into a newsletter called "The Remarkable Times Newsletter" which is a newsletter designed to inform and engage parents, and teachers with new information and what the district is doing.
• Dr. Lathan has instituted Parent University, which is designed to engage parents providing them with informational support about their children's education and encouraging them to be a part of both the school and activities that will enhance the students experience in education.
• There are parent forums in various locations at various times where parents are encouraged to bring their questions and concerns not only about their school, but also about the district at any time. I have been at a few of them and no question was rejected and all concerns were addressed.
• District 150 Board meetings are open to the public and held at various locations on occasion to facilitate participation and public awareness. In fact this is why, in the video the meeting was held at Glen Oak school as opposed to the normal district board room on Wisconsin Ave.

The Atlanta situation was apparently facilitated by leadership wanting to keep board members and more than likely parents out of the school and away from their children in order to manipulate test scores for incentives. That situation has nothing to do with anything happening in Peoria Public schools. In addition Dr. Lathan has not asked a teacher to manipulate grades or standardized test information. The comparison is simply over the top and irrelevant to this case or situation.

What Do We Have?

We have a situation that is an employment related issue between 2 employees and District 150. Both employees have rights under federally mandated employment laws to voice their complaints and receive resolution to their complaints. If they were treated unfairly, the district should suffer the consequence so that other employees will not be effected. In other words each individual should follow due process if they think there were retaliated against.

We have cases publicized that should be discussed over the table of responsibility. Much of this information is private and not contained within the public record. To damage reputations over partial knowledge is not a desirable thing to do when truth is the object at the end of the day

Where Are Our Children?

Our children are in the crunch of a political scheme and a display of power. Change is always uncomfortable, but when an employer is told that they cannot make changes to the business that they oversee based on questionable circumstances at best, this cannot be for and in the best interest of our children. The proposed changes are because our children are failing and test scores are low. Any administrator that does not think that our education system is under in emergency situation has never been to or visited a school. I wish these organizations would work with us to help deliver better quality lunches and address the minority suspension rate that Dr. Lathan has also taken time to address with no intervention from these groups presented in the video.

The Only Thing To Fear Is Fear Itself!

Principals and administrators have a great weight of responsibility in their building. When we drop our children off, they become the parent representative and should act in my child's best interest until we return. This, at times, means standing up for the student so that the teacher will be encouraged to do what is necessary to help the student achieve.   

Yes, change is difficult and challenging and as a District we have many issues to address. I think we should move to do that instead of trying to be the buffer against positive and overdue change in a District that must raise its performance standards at all levels.

Pastor Harvey Burnett

Exec. Director

New Bethel COGIC 

Is This What Concealed Carry Leads To?

Trayvon Martin

This story is in regards to what can only be described as the murder of an unarmed 17 year old citizen Trayvon Martin.  This is about an effort by a neighborhood vigilante, determined to send a message that crime doesn't exist in his neighborhood. The only problem is that in sending this message, Neighborhood Watch leader, George Zimmerman became the police, judge, jury and executioner all at the same time, committing  crimes and  violating every constitutional right that a fellow citizen, Trayvon Martin, shared. What has been little known is that the natural part of the law that makes "concealed carry" effective in most venues, is some form of what is called the "Stand Your Ground Law". The "Stand Your Ground Law" allows a person to act in lieu of the police if they "feel" threatened using their weapon to kill if they deem it necessary to do so. In almost every case where there is concealed carry, there is a version of "stand your ground", which is the little secret not mentioned much by those in Peoria who advocate for concealed carry. The murderer, in this case, George Zimmerman, claims that he had a right to "stand his ground", "protecting" his neighborhood, and ultimately killing an unarmed boy simply because the boy refused to answer his questions.

This is what I have stated on my Facebook regarding this horrible event:

One of the worst things I have heard in a long time. A word to Peoria, Ill who has a Mayor that is advocating concealed carry....this is the result of concealed carry and neighborhood vigilante-ism. If you give law abiding citizens a gun and they "feel" threatened, you can expect the death rate to increase because everyone will make them feel threatened. Is this the blood you want on your hands?

Quick note on the 5th Amendment of the United States Constitution...

NO ONE has to answer anyone as to why they are in a certain place in a public area. Every citizen has the RIGHT to remain silent and as long as they are peaceful and not breaking the law go about their own business. not even the police have a right to harass you if you're abiding by the law and neither can they demand that you leave. This is still America and EVERY CITIZEN still has rights of freedom that the state CANNOT and DID NOT grant and can't take away.

Contrary to the observation of some, I like our Mayor, but we need to ask him and others that support concealed carry this question: 

Mayor Ardis, is this the blood you want on your hands?

"Don't Shoot" Peoria's New Anti-Gun Violence Initiative

Recently Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis announced that a new anti-gun violence initiative will be centered around a concept found within the book, "Don't Shoot" by David M. Kennedy who was instrumental in what has been called "The Boston Miracle" which significantly lowered street level homicides in the Boston area in 1996.

Here is a recent NPR interview with Mr. Kennedy:

The program is similar to the Drug Market Intervention (DMI) program which Peoria adopted in 2009-2010. The DMI was conducted in a 8 block radius on Peoria's South Side. The DMI involved an undercover sweep of those who sold drugs. The nonviolent offenders were given a second chance at life, told that their record would be purged if they didn't re offend but that they would be in double trouble if they continued to be part of the problem. 

There were a host of persons taken off the streets who went to jail to serve time because their records and criminal history did not qualify for the second chance. 9 persons were extended a second chance. 7 of them remained non-offenders with many of them going on to complete their education or undertaking gainful employment.

During the time the DMI zone experienced a marked lower rate of drug sales activity and violent crime. While the same activities in other areas, even adjacent to the DMI zone, was generally higher. Within the DMI zone there was greater neighborhood involvement and the DMI zone community rallied around the idea of a better and more safe neighborhood.

As you will note this strategy contrasts to "Broken Windows". up until this point "Broken Windows" was a strategy adopted under Peoria Police Chief Settingsgaard. We have been passionately against the broken windows strategy claiming that it has actually contributed to the rebellion and does not lead to community stability.

This particular approach appears to be one which involves the community and creates layers of accountability which we believe is a much better approach to create and facilitate sustainable change and improvement within the community.

Moving Forward, Problems To Be Avoided:

1- Lack Of Preparation For The Necessary Community Elements

Community involvement was always a part of the DMI effort, but these things were not set in place until after the DMI sweep and until almost 6 months after it was determined that there would be no additional drug sweeps in the same area.

This was a problem. There was no plan for the community element and a plan had to be developed on the fly and volunteers such as myself and neighborhood association leaders such as LaVetta Ricca were expected to expand upon their already busy schedules to implement what would become yet another neighborhood association. 

Eventually the community meetings would fade out due to lack of participation, no funding and no staff to carry out community tasks and duties.    

2- Funding For More Persons Than Grant Recipients If Available

In the DMI effort, there was a certain amount of dollars and jobs that were created for persons who would help facilitate the program. All community assets, were brought to contribute without any funding for their participation. We were simply volunteers with no financial support. This quite naturally lead to the next problem: 

3- Sustainability

Because there was a lack of funding and low preparation for the community assets and involvement, the neighborhood portion of the DMI slacked off.  Frankly speaking, when the DMI grant dried up, many of the agencies and persons associated with the effort could no longer participate. Some could and would continue because this project was within their job already, but others could not.  

My question is can we avoid these problems in a new effort geared toward eliminating gun violence and reducing gang offences?

Speaking as the former DMI Community Leader and one who has experienced the problems encountered first hand, a sustainable and funded program is what is necessary in order to address this problem. Within Peoria, violence is only a problem when it occurs. Community leaders and assets should be involved, but if there is funding from grants, community participation and participants should be made receipients of funds as well.

Here's is another key to solving the problem of crime and violence within Peoria that officials have not considered as well as they should in my opinion.

A Recidivism Plan

In my next post, I'll deal with the exposure of a City recidivism plan that I personally proposed to Peoria Police Chief Settingsgaard in 2008-2009 which was met with disregard.

In 2012, we need everyone involved to step up to make this a better community and to address the issues that we face. 

Pastor Harvey Burnett
Exec. Director    

Dr. Michael E. Dyson & Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday ~ Peoria Style

Dr. Michael E. Dyson

On behalf of the Peoria Assn. of Pastors, I would like to take the time to welcome Dr. Michael Eric Dyson to the Peoria community. His work and dedication to civil rights and issues that effect people of color, not only in America, but internationally, is not without notice or high regard. We are certainly honored to have him in our community.  

It is unfortunate that Dr. Dyson had to come to Peoria as a fourth choice and on the back of  a threatened boycott. Forest Whitaker was originally scheduled, followed by Tavis Smiley. Under normal circumstances a boycott and civil rights would go together handsomely. However, in this case  the threatened boycott was raised by a group of Peoria women calling themselves The Colored Ladies Book Club who committed to protest Tavis Smiley's appearance at the luncheon in which he would be featured.

Tavis Smiley

For certain Dr. Smiley has said many controversial things in recent times, but some of his recent and most poignant criticisms have been directed toward current President Barack Obama. Obviously, the Peoria elite hasn't learned to distinguish the difference between criticism for the sake of criticism and holding our elected officials accountable for their actions and policies. EurWeb.com reports Tavis as saying this in response to the actions of the Peoria elite:

“I don’t see my role as one of criticizing the president. I see my role as one of holding the president – this and every other president- accountable,”...“Something is wrong with this country … that so often the political right, and I am no defender of the political right … gets accused of playing the game of political correctness. What this underscores is that those on the left, the Democrats can play that game of political correctness as well,”

Certainly the game of "political correctness" from Peoria's black democratic elite is in full effect. Evidently the Colored Ladies Book Club believed that criticisms directed toward out nations first Black President are anathema and anyone doing so should be condemned and boycotted especially if they are black.

Does Stifling Accountability Toward Political Officials Uphold The Legacy Of Dr. King?

I began to wonder, in light of all of this, is this really the vision of civil rights and freedom that Dr. King fought for? I couldn't imagine that Dr. King would not have spoken directly to a government in which the President was black, latino or otherwise who failed or underperformed in delivering help to a suffering community. However it seems that Peoria blacks, the Colored Ladies Book Club in particular, care more about public appearance and the facade of "black unity" rather than addressing the real pains, hurt and despair of people at ground level.

Secondly, after all that black people have suffered historically at the hands of racist whites and unfair and imbalanced laws created by racist whites in order to oppress, I simply can't imagine an organized boycott (threatened or real) against a spokesman and leader of the black community simply because that person held true to the civil rights commitment of speaking to power, and holding governmental officials accountable for their actions. I couldn't imagine former NAACP leader of Peoria, the late John Gwynn, boycotting black people for voicing their opinion on issues to the highest degree and at the highest levels.

Speaking to power and holding officials accountable for their actions is the heart of the civil rights movement. Simply because our President is black should not, in any way, give him a free pass to overlook the needs of the black community or respond to the same ones that paved the way and helped him get elected.

President Obama's Core Support Was From Black People 

We remember that when our President was running for office, he was front and center in the black community and every black church. He was at almost every denominations major convention, asking for support, stating that the time to life the black community had come. Religious leaders bought it all, hook, line and sinker and gave themselves to photo shoots and opportunities to communicate that we were making history by electing our nations first black President.

I even remember Peggy Joseph, an Obama supporter, naively assuming that because Obama had been elected President that "I won't have to worry about puttin' gas in my car, I won't have to worry about payin' my mortgage, y'u-know, if I help him, he's gonna help me" The promises of hope were high and the expectation was that because a black man was President that he was supposedly "in touch" with the needs of the black community that the black community would be especially benefited as a result. Well we all know that was sheer fantasy.

The Condition Of Black Peoria

When the financial crisis began to impact the country, Peoria and surrounding communities adopted the "It's Better Here" campaign to seduce people into believing that Peoria was some sort of national anomaly and that increasing unemployment, investment and savings loss and increasing rates of poverty didn't effect Peoria as much as the rest of the country. The campaign was later dropped because the reality was that Peoria was by certainly and no means exempt from the ills that the nation was suffering and is yet suffering. Within the black community that suffering is especially poignant.  I would think that those in "black leadership" would certainly know these things and be on the front line petitioning governmental officials for relief and holding them accountable for taking the votes and running. unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case.

To prove my point, let's just look at Peoria County for a minute to see if the Colored Ladies book Club has read how their fellow Peorian's are faring in this economy.

Unemployment

According to the US Census Bureau 2008 American Community Survey, blacks were almost 21,000 of Peoria's population. The unemployment rate was 9.4% compared to whites which was 3.7% out of an estimated population of 115,600.  In 2009 the unemployment rate doubled to 18.2% for blacks and 7.8% for whites in the Peoria County area. In 2010, out of an estimate of 23,000 blacks the unemployment rate increased again and was 20.7% Comparatively, unemployment among whites during the same period of time from 2009-2010 rose less than 1% to 8.3%.

Although both were increases exceeding 100%, over 2 years (since President Obama was in office) the numbers indicate that 2 out of every 10 black people in Peoria are unemployed, while 1 out of every 10 whites are similarly situated. Neither number is good, but blacks are certainly effected heavily.

Poverty

In Peoria County the same survey estimates that in 2010 37.9% of blacks lived below the poverty level compared to 8.6% of whites with an overall average of 14.3% of citizens living below the poverty level. This was up from 32.9% in 2008 for blacks and 4.7% for whites.

I won't go further to as to bore with details of and national rates of unemployment and poverty among blacks, but as bad as it is among whites, it is worse among blacks. Advocates can say that President Obama took over a sinking ship and without his intervention it would be worse. While both of those things may be true, none of those things are an excuse for why anyone should simply allow the President to remain unaccountable for fulfilling his promises to America and the black community which he rallied heavily in order to be in office.

Conclusion

The Colored Ladies Book Club would have been better served to boycott, institutions such as Bradley University who's minority management numbers are questionable, Methodist, OSF  and Proctor Hospitals who also don't seem to have minority development or recruitment programs for upper level  management, Ameren CILCO, CAT or any number of employers who can do a better job of minority recruitment by opening apprenticeship training and minority development programs for all levels and classifications of employment.

Instead Peoria threatens to boycott a diverse voice and opinion arising out of and centering on its very own community. A voice with a proven track record of speaking to pertinent social and political issues. This is the unfortunate style of Peoria and the unfortunate condition of certain black leaders within Peoria. No wonder some of us feel that crumbs are good....unless, they are crumbs on OUR table.

The following is my response to the actions of the Colored Ladies Book Club:

"I'm sorry...I like Tavis, although he has presented some strange if not down right confused messages in recent times, he certainly wasn't confused on his criticisms of Obama and statements seeking to hold Obama accountable...

This President was elected on the back of the black church and black people who voted simply because they thought progress had been made by electing a black President and some of us just wanted to have something said positively regarding our actions on this side of history.

The facts are these however, under his leadership, the black community has received no abnormal benefits or gains but has received more extraordinary pains.

The black community leads in underemployment, poverty and almost as many categories that can be named that display the negative status and welfare of a community or group of people. Remember, the President (when Senator and while campaigning)lived in Chicago which suffered the greatest gang violence and child death in modern times within any inner city. Here are some facts that this President walks away from:

~ In Chicago, IL. during the 2008-2009 school year, about 27 Chicago Public School (CPS) students lost their lives to crime and violence.

If that weren't bad enough, during the 2009-2010 school year over 37 (CPS) children were murdered.

~ The injury rate of CPS youth was 100 TIMES that of the murder rate...that means for every 1 child that was killed, there were over 100 nonfatal injuries...Add up the numbers; there were nearly 400 injuries of students in the CPS system during the 2009-2010 school year. ~ {Dr. Dexter Voisin, a researcher at the University of Chicago as reported by The Washington Times 5/13/2009}

In fact Chicago was named the murder capital of the US in 2008...

Now, who was by disproportionately effected by murder, crime and violence in the President's "serving" hometown?....BLACK PEOPLE 

When Obama was elected did he even ONCE look back and do something about any of this? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

What he has done is cater to the homo-agenda, claiming that homosexuality is a human right and other notions of the extreme liberal left...cowered to religious pluralism, and even upheld not defending laws such as DOMA which were instituted and established lawfully by representative process.

In light of the anti-boycott sentiments against Tavis, who simply asks the President to be accountable to a group of people that he will invariably wine and dine and woo, I would like to know what HAS Obama done for the black community???

The thought that anyone, who has the public's best interest at heart, would not recognize the absence of this President as it pertains to issues of importance among blacks and American citizens in general, leads me to believe that they themselves need to be "boycotted". Such onlookers and supporters cannot possibly be thinking of and catering to the reality of the thousands unemployed (over 33% in some census areas of Peoria) and living in poverty (over 40% in some census tracks).
For these issues, we don't need "clone" leaders who are dedicated to the establishment simply because it looks good and serves their purposes. We need leaders and voices that will challenge the establishment and demand higher standards of accountability.

One thing we can see is that Peoria black leadership hasn't arrived nor adopted standards demanding excellence, but simply sold themselves out for photo-ops and novel popularity.

Put it on record that this person, whether one deems him leader or not, HAS NOT and REFUSES to cower to the sentiments of them that would rather window dress issues and pretend that things are well when they are not."

Pastor Harvey Burnett

Video Reference:

Tavis Smiley & Dr. Cornell West Outline The Problem. Can Any Rational Person Disagree?

The Battle Against Community Terrorism...A Question Of Accountability

8/20/2011 Citizen's Speak Out Rally 4:30 PM

Peoria Harrison Homes.

 

NOI Student Minister Roy Muhammad

Minister Roy Muhammad of the Nation Of Islam Peoria Study Group, has rightly raised the question as to the Police Department's role of accountability in the inflow of weapons into the Peoria area and community.

In short he has said, what has the Peoria Police Dept. done in tracking the proliferation of illegal weapons into the Peoria community? In other words are we to believe that the weapons being used by thugs are legally obtained weapons? Or, if these weapons are gained by illegal means, what is the method by which they are entering the community? How does the police not know this information or take responsibility for this knowledge or lack thereof? Behind all that...what is the department doing to STOP the proliferation of illegal weapons into the Peoria community and South Peoria in particular?

We know that dismantling or disrupting the supply chain is a tactic that can be used in any war and especially a war against terrorism. In fact in the Iraqi War, American troops became proficient at finding and eliminating weapons stashes of the enemy so that the enemy could not replenish themselves or rekindle their effort to resist. What has the Peoria Police Department done to dismantle or disrupt the supply chain of the enemy that we are facing within our community.  

The police are rightfully asking citizens to provide information in response to crime and violence. They are seeking and asking citizens to become involved in bringing criminals to justice, however, the CITIZENS need to know what efforts the department is undertaking to cut the pipeline of illegal weapons distribution. Although turning in individuals is the right thing to do, it only creates room for others to stand up and take their place. It is our belief that we must approach this problem in a fundamentally different manner than we have been approaching it up until this point if we are truly sold out to reducing or eliminating crime and violence within our community and the African American community in particular.   

To date, we have no information from the Peoria Police Department regarding this issue and to our knowledge it has not been addressed. The facts are that not only are guns being proliferated, but the ammunition for the guns seem to also be in adequate supply.

Interested community partners would like to know, how these weapons are entering the Peoria area community and what is the primary source of distribution into our streets? If there is no current investigation or operation looking into this, whether openly or undercover, we MUST ask why has not this issue been raised to this level of importance? Especially in light of the fact that most of the murders in any given year are primarily due to illegal weapons activity.

The Association of Pastors and related community partners will seek to get a definitive answer from the Peoria Police Dept. regarding this issue.

Pastor H. Burnett

Exec. Director  

Albert Billups -Wilson Vigil & Citizen's Speak Rally

The problem is that we somehow we believe that one particular effort will satisfy all needs as it pertains to Peoria's crime and violence and that after that has been done we can simply call it a day. There is nothing further from the truth.  In order to deal with public violence and potential gang activity, one must yield themselves to this fight in an ongoing fashion. One cannot start to address the issues and suddenly stop or become AWOL or develop an assumption that someone will waive the "magic wand" and all things will change.  

The rallies are only one source of inspiration for the community and the object of the effort is to galvanize the community, eliminate the fear that grips neighborhoods in the face of violent crime and provide encouragement to citizens to step up to address the issues of violent crime and the resultant fallout. The Rally is also designed to connect individuals to the network of individuals who are tired of our community being downtrodden and used by both community terrorists and ineffective leadership, whether that be political or social leadership. 

Those that don't feel any change will either be lasting or sustainable, should be challenged when we ask, "where is your presence, when called upon?" In other words, those simply looking to others to bring or provide a solution are often not delivering any solutions to the table of discussion. This is not necessarily a bad thing if one has no solutions.  However, if one has no solutions and disregards or overlooks the solutions and steps that exist, then how credible can a complaint be regarding the ineffectiveness of the efforts?

There are 2 more Citizens Speak Out Rallies scheduled for this weekend August 19th and 20th...

Friday August 19th 5:30 PM ~ Peoria Village Green Apartments

Saturday August 20th 4:30 PM ~ Harrison Homes

Those who think that things won't change, one thing is certain, without a commitment to change and being a part of the effort, one can only receive what is provided by others. This is part of the problem that we face. This community owes Albert Billups-Wilson somewhat more than reluctance to be a part of community restoration efforts, especially in light of what this family and others over the last few years have had to pay.

My question is, will you and your family make plans to attend and be a part of current efforts?

Pastor H. Burnett

Exec. Director 

Citizens Must Speak! An Invitation To All Peoria Citizens

The 2011 Safe Community Campaign

~ Citizens Speak Rally~
"Take Our Community Back!"

When: Saturday Aug. 6th 5:30 PM

Location: The Corner Of Lincoln Ave. & Western Ave.
(near the scene of the recent shooting of the Peoria city bus)

Who Is Responsible For This & Future Events?

Pastor Harvey Burnett, the New Bethel COGIC, The Peoria Association Of Pastors, The Peoria Study Group Nation Of Islam, & other Peoria citizens and community groups.

Description:

This is the first in a series of community rallies against crime and violence promoting neighborhood awareness, and citizen involvement in making our community a safer and better place to live and reside.

Goal:

The goal of the initial and subsequent rallies, is for Peoria citizens to speak openly and clearly regarding crime and violence within Peoria in general and more specifically within their neighborhoods of residence

These public forums will be designed to foster citizen citizen participation in forging, building, and creating relationships at a grass roots level in effort to build a sustained resistance against crime, violence and other social ills from which our community has suffered and continues to suffer.

Future Rallies:

LOCATIONS UPDATE:

Friday August 12th ~ Taft Homes Pavillion 5:30 PM
Saturday August 13th ~ Peoria East Bluff
(The location where 8 year old Albert Billups Wilson was killed~ 1031 E. Behrends Ave.) 4:30 PM
Friday August 19th ~ Village Green 5:30 PM
Saturday August 20th ~ Harrison Homes 4:30 PM  

For additional information please email Pastor Burnett and the Pastor's Assn. at Dunamis1@netzero.com or call (309)688-6599

Peoria's New Inner City Track & Field League

This is the second year for the Peoria Inner City Track and Field League. The League began in 2010 and was founded by Pastor Harvey Burnett. The League is currently solidifying a relationship with the Peoria Area Track & Field Club (PATFC) in order to present a more encompassing program for all participants. Participants in this league will have the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills both through one on one training and ongoing competition.

All children are welcome to participate ages 11-18 in various events. There is a $25.00 registration fee for all participants, a statement of rules and regulations that must be adhered to and a parental waiver must be signed before an athlete can participate in the program. Both the flier, the registration forms and the rules and regulations are available for download below.  

Please contact Pastor Harvey Burnett by email at Dunamis1@netzero.com of call at (309)688-6599 for more information.   

Track League Rules & Agenda


Track League Waiver & Registration Form

We're Not Through Yet!

As the summer season of 2011 is upon us the Peoria Association Of Pastors is seeking to increase community awareness in effort to stand against crime and violence to hopefully turn the tide of fear that has taken our community in recent times.

Peoria Crime At A Glance

According to a 2010 Peoria Journal Star report crime in the basic 8 categories in 2009 consisted of:

• 16 homicides
• 414 robberies 
• 624 aggravated assaults 
• 62 arsons, 
• 1,645 burglaries
• 97 criminal sexual assaults 
• 3,437 thefts 
• 374 motor vehicle thefts

In contrast, all crimes, except for murder and the number of shootings, were down in 2010. According to the Peoria Police Department compiled statistics, the number of crimes in the same categories were as follows:

• 22 homicides
• 307 robberies
• 560 aggravated assaults
• 61 arsons
• 1,473 burglaries
• 49 criminal sexual assaults
• 3,477 thefts
• 179 motor vehicle thefts

The arrest of both first time offenders (1,478 {down 24%})and repeat offenders (5,985 {down 8%}) decreased from 2009 levels. Although the numbers decreased, many citizens were not convinced that life in the city was any more safe because of the number of shootings. According to the city Crime View statistics,  in 2011 there has been already over 240 incidents involving unlawful possession, sale, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapons, and 5 murders or homicides. The greatest thing to fight is apathy and the reluctance to get involved in helping to reverse the murder rate.

Who Is Responsible?

One question that we wrestled with last year was "why are there so many shootings and murders?" There were any number of answers including gang retaliation, drug and territorial wars and just plain old loss of common sense. One of the best deterrents however are citizens that band themselves together and demand that their living conditions be as descent and safe as possible. That is what we are trying to promote this year. Citizen unity and vigilance against the negative influences in their neighborhoods and communities that if left unchecked will have a further negative impact on their families and children.

In 2011 we will continue to spread the word of Community Hero and ask citizens to continue to stand strong, speaking to their children, relatives and friends and do what we can do to help support these families and individuals in the best way possible while they take a stand.

What Can We Do?

The Establishment Of A Community Hero Fund:

Although I have talked and circulated the word among certain individuals, we have yet to push this idea forward. That is changing as of now. We are asking the public to contribute to the Community Hero Fund. This fund has two primary purposes:

First, the fund will be conducted similar to Peoria Crime Stoppers but at significantly lower levels and targeted specifically towards Heroes that deliver information that lead to the arrest and conviction of individuals who have committed murder.

Secondly, the fund will also address some of the most basic needs associated with the surviving family of homicide victims. Currently within Peoria, there are no city sponsored victim services such as services for clean up, emotional and psychological referral or for temporary housing for those who fear reprisal. Families of victims who suffer homicide are totally on their own as they try to rebuild their lives. We would like to address those issues and change that, by contributing to the acquisition of fundamental resources to families that have faced and endured the tragic loss of loved ones.

The fund will not be geared to provide comprehensive resource in these areas, but it will be geared to help relive and address some of the stress and strain normally associated with murder and untimely death. Having experienced this aspect of crime and violence within Peoria personally, I am in a position to know what some of the gaps are in  this area.

Support The Fund

Contributions toward this fund can be made by Paypal. If you use Paypal, please complete the contribution form and indicate COMMUNITY HERO FUND so that we may direct 100% of the contribution to that area. We will provide a charitable contribution receipt for all contributions made. You may also contribute by mailing a check to the following address:

Peoria Assn. Of Pastors
Attn: Community Hero Fund
P.O. Box 6167
Peoria, IL. 61601

Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and will be used for the purposes stated above.

The Peoria Church & Crime And Violence

In this segment  I wanted to break from the normal routine and do a little biblical exposition as it pertains to the mission of the church in modern times. In part, this is due to the response and grumbling that we have heard from many in the ministerial community as individuals, including myself, have promoted and questioned various ministers as to why they have been absentee or non-existent in the current fight against crime and violence within the Peoria community.

Clarification: I first want to affirm that the church is NOT in and of itself, a "crime fighting" organization, neither should it be. However, I believe it is clear that the church should be an extension of the love of God through Christ in the world and an organization which facilitates the peace of God within the community. It's from this perspective that we examine the church's intervention into these issues.

Let's rehash this: According to the Emerge Blog to date there have been over 84 shootings, 17 murders, and a borderline state of martial law imposed upon the citizens of South Peoria.  There is additional police intervention and sweep patrols designed to nab the perpetrators and potential perpetrators of crime and violence. I addressed this both HERE and in a Peoria Journal Star Article and we must be careful about how we proceed. There is, rightfully so, a curfew upon the youth that is being strictly enforced and at least one councilman that even thinks that the adult citizens should have all their constitutional rights taken away and be restricted to their homes after certain hours for their own safety. The problem is that some of the shootings have been at people in or around their homes and houses also, so staying at home doesn't guarantee safety by any means.

The Pastoral Community

In all of this the pastoral community has been asked to engage these issues. Mrs. Monique Caradine of Chicago's WVON has undertaken the same issue through her radio broadcast with many of the same results that we have experienced here in Peoria.

To add context, I have personally made calls, sent letters, appeared on TV asking and promoting events and all. Unfortunately, by large, the pastoral community has simply reverted to a position and condition of "blessed quietness". However, some of them haven't been exactly silent. They have spoken in at least two ways:

1- Through inaction (as I have pointed out)

2- Directly saying that they have no responsibility beyond what they currently do

First, neither of these positions are acceptable. In fact they are ridiculous and only expose a greater problems many of which are beyond the scope of this writing.

Now, this post will undoubtedly offend some who say they are my friends and challenge those who are to continue in the mission of Christ. If it does those things then the post has accomplished it's mission. We need friends who are convicted of the mission of Christ, dedicated to the service of community and humanity and know that the cause of families and those that are hurting are of essential and primary concern. If one must separate themselves because of the mission of Christ, well then...SO BE IT! The scripture outlines that we can't walk together unless we agree. (Amos 3:3)

Here's The Command:

Matthew 28:19-20 ~ "19- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20-Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen."

Inaction has been a silent facilitator of the current problems that we experience and face within the community. Last year, 2009, I asked pastors and ministers to come together to devise an action plan against crime and violence. We had a meeting in which roughly 30 ministries attended. A second meeting was held and it was down to 3 ministries. A third couldn't be held due to lack of attendance. Now over 30 murders later, we are wondering why things are like they are.

Roll Call

Let me tell you, without being specific, (although I could) who has never stopped to dawn the door of the frequent calls made to the pastoral community by our organization over the last 3 years. With limited exception many of the following organizational churches have failed to unify to show any cause during this recent episode of violence and murder within the black community:

1- With limited exception, the prominent black Baptist churches in the inner city Peoria have not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed.

2- With limited exception, the Apostolic Assemblies or Jesus Only churches in the inner city Peoria have not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed.

3- With limited exception the Assemblies Of God churches have not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed

4- With the exception of 3 churches the remaining 6 or 7 Church Of God In Christ churches in inner city Peoria have not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed. 

5- With the exception of one church, the Methodists, AME or United Methodist, in inner city Peoria have not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed.

6- The Presbyterian church has not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed.

7- The Catholic church has not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed.

8- The Lutheran church has not engaged this epidemic in any known public format that I have witnessed

The list goes on and on. Although churches can be pointed to in general, the lack of response from the churches from within the affected areas are the focus of this writing and the lack of response from them has been astounding.  

Blessed Help

Para-ministries such as Teen Challenge and the ELITE programs of Carl Cannon and few others have been the ones engaged and physically present during this battle against crime and violence. The Peoria County States Attorney's office and the Peoria Police Department has stepped up to provide what seems like a true partnership with the community. There are individuals even within many of the absentee churches who support and encourage efforts and make themselves available. That is a good thing. However, but we must make a transition and challenge leaders and leading organizations who have had their hands off the particular issues to come front and center and engage the issues. There are some, and I could name them specifically, who have never responded to calls, emails, public notices and requests and who have not approached this matter with any sense of urgency. This is to their shame.  

The criticism:

In response to my encouragements and challenges, a pastor recently said that, his mission was in the pulpit and that he didn't have to go to the streets to minister. In other words, what happens in the streets doesn't affect the church.

Houston (or should I say Peoria?)...We have a problem!

You mean to tell me that the city is on fire and all the pastor can think about is pulpit ministry?  (ie: the confines of safety and a safe environment and collecting a tithe) This is a perversion of the word of God and the mission of Christ. Those that support this sort of sentiment either financially or by physical presence only lend themselves to the problem and not the solution.

We have heard this same shoddy sentiment before, speaking that "the people" (members of the congregation) "are the sheep, and sheep beget sheep"...In other words, the pastor has no or little obligation in church growth or proliferation of the ministry. According to them, that's the "sheep's" job...

That sentiment isn't biblical. In fact as I stated, it's seduction and an effort to justify laziness. Now, please understand, my criticism is not against inaction so much, as some may not know what to do or may not be able to do what others can do. My sentiments are against excuses and using the scriptures to justify disunity, ungodliness and a complete seduction of the mind.

I'll point out three biblically centered reasons why the church should be actively engaged in this effort. There are many more, but I'll simply point to three:

1- The Leadership Of Moses

In Exodus 3 and 4, when God called Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, he called him to LEAD, not follow. There were three things visible as God led HIS people to freedom:

1- God, as a pillar of fire and smoke by night and a cloud by day (Ex. 13:21)

2- Moses, as he followed the Lord (Ex. 3:10)

3- The people as they followed God under Moses direction and course (Ex. 14:31)

The LEADER led the people into the freedom and deliverance of the Lord as HE (God) led and directed. The leader encouraged the people and protected them with the petition that he made to God on their behalf. How can the leader (pastor) do this when he is not engaged within the community or with the people?

2- The Apostleship Of Paul

After his conversion, the Apostle Paul had 3 missionary journeys and a journey under guard to Rome in which he preached continuously. He traveled either by foot, horse or by boat. No Caddy's, Mercedes, Lexus's or BMW's. 

• 
  
  Paul's first missionary journey covered approximately 1,200 (plus) miles and took about 2 years.
• 
  
  Paul's second missionary journey covered approximately 2,700 (plus) miles (1,290 by sea and 1,410 by land) and took about 2.5 to 3 years.
• 
  
  Paul's third missionary journey covered approximately 2,500 (plus) miles (1,190 by sea and 1,325 by land) and took about 4 years.
• 
  
  Paul's journey to Rome covered approximately 2,130 (plus) miles (1,920 by sea and 220 by land) and took about 2.5 years.

In all, we have one man (with ministerial companions), who traveled over 8,530 miles in about 11 years to "finish his course", preach to the poor, and minister to those in distress, converting and helping men wherever he could find them. The modern preacher seems to be enamoured with a building, pulpit, microphone and church salary. I have done this for almost 30 years and have seen many come and go with those ideas and sentiments. One thing that seems to be forgotten is the mission to take the gospel to the world and facilitate change within the community.

I would ask that preacher, that delivered that "word of wisdom", what happens when the pulpit is closed or the church is gone? Does all of the calling of God go away because there is no church building or pulpit from which to preach? I begin to wonder was that preacher or minister ever called of God to begin with? Does he have any conviction at all? 

Obviously this pastor/minister has no clue as to the real mission of Christ. As much as I would like to believe otherwise, it would seem that his sentiments are in good company among his peers which value excuses, lethargy and inaction.  

3- The Mission Of Christ Within The Community & Church

A third reason that the church must be engaged is because of the Kingdom purpose of God within the community. The church was called to spread the "good news". The community wasn't to be lent to terrorism and ungodliness in light of the presence of Christ Kingdom's representative's and their promotion and expansion of the mission of Christ in the earth. Jesus said it like this:

Matthew 5:9 ~ "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

For sure, violence and murder isn't peace. The church was supposed to be the entity bringing peace into the community and was supposed to be actively involved in facilitating that peace. When leaders don't lead the church down this path, the church becomes inactive and deftly silent as it is in Peoria.

Now we must reconcile that the church is not asleep. When Peoria mayor Jim Ardis called the church to a community prayer effort, almost every church in Peoria (with some exception) was in attendance looking for how they could be involved and engaged. That was good, but this wasn't a KINGDOM call, it was a Mayoral call asking the church to do what it was already engaged in doing. The difference is that when political figures are involved there is a certain level of acknowledgement by the political and social elite. 

Conclusion:

As you can see, this is thought provoking and I know I haven't won any "haters" and have probably gained a handful of "Christian critics". I would say, however, that those critics were probably critical anyway and more than likely haven't contributed to the solution of the problems that we face.  

A member of my church (New Bethel COGIC) was around another particular pastor when my name came up in a conversation for some reason. The pastor jumped right in to say, "Pastor Burnett talks too much!" If this is a stigma, and if because of that stigma, someone gets angry enough to lose the laziness that has defined them and their efforts during this critical period of Peoria's history, then this post has been more than worth it and has hit the spot right where it should be hit. I am glad to talk too much if someone does more than what they've been doing or if someone is helped as a result. Thanks for the astute observation Pastor _ _ _ _ _. (BTW: I haven't heard or seen anything from him either during this crisis)  

Is the church committing the greatest crime by not being actively engaged in this fight? I don't want to say that they are, but that question should be considered and addressed.

What Can You Do?

1- Talk to your pastor and ask him/her what their community plan against crime and violence is. If they have none ask them to associate themselves with me/us who have a plan and who are actively engaged. We can use their help and support.

2- Encourage other members within your church to become actively involved in these issues and supporting causes and events that arise within the community that facilitate a better community.

3- Join our Facebook page and subscribe to this web page for new and updated information.  

4- If neither your church or pastor is responsive, call (309)688-6599 or email me at Dunamis1@netzero.com for a church referral or for an invitation. DO NOT subject your time and energy to anything or anyone that will only serve itself. The Peoria community needs your help and we can do this together with the Lord and one another.

5- Contribute to the cause. I have not solicited nor received a dime outside of the gun exchange for any of the services that this organization renders. In order to do what must be done however, we need cash to help proliferate the message. Please feel free to send a contribution in any amount to the Peoria Assn. Of Pastors at P.O. Box 6167 Peoria, IL 61601. I commit that every dime will be spent to provide some service or outreach to this community and to spread the anti-crime and violence message.

As an organization, we are far from from being alone in this fight. however we need the churches and leaders than can stand along with us in partnership and effort to do so. We can help change this community and in the process further the mission of Christ. Thank you.

Pastor H. Burnett

Exec. Director/Founder 

The Face Of Community Terrorism

Pictured below are Skylar Jordan, 24, and Taurean C. Gregory, 24 who the Peoria Police say gunned down 43 year old Anthony Johnson on Frink St. at 10:30 AM Sunday July 18th 2010

Skylar Jordan (Left) Taurean Gregory (Right)

Arrested and booked on charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. Jordan also was booked on unlawful use of weapons, aggravated discharge of a firearm and criminal defacement of a firearm. Murder and unlawful activity is the claim to these men's fame. God help their children to be better men. (PJStar.Com)

Unfortunately there are a few more that we can add to the list of SHAME:

Keith Little

Keith Little, 18 was arrested on May 3 and booked on charges of unlawful use of weapons, no firearm owner's identification card and resisting arrest. He was arrested after a vehicle he was in fled from police attempting a traffic stop. A handgun found in Little's possession at that time was sent to the state police crime lab in Morton. On Wednesday, Peoria police investigators were notified that the gun was used in the murder of Abdallah Kattoum, 31, prompting them to interview Little and charge him with first-degree murder, armed violence and armed robbery. (PJStar.com)

Daniel Moore

Daniel E. Moore, 31 was found guilty for his role in the robbery of the Flat To Grill in Peoria in June of 2010 and currently faces 21to 45 years in prison as a result. In this case citizens were forced into and locked in a cooler while both they and the establishment was robbed. Although no lives were taken, just think that in a moment anything could have happened. Ronald Batton, 43, and Samuel F. Stewart, 31, both pleaded guilty to armed robbery in return for lesser sentences of 24 and 17 years respectively. Their deals, however, required them to testify at Moore's trial and likely at the trial of the fouth suspect, Terry Payton, 42. So here we have a classic example of 4 lives destroyed and countless family members including the children of all of these men, which will have no or a significantly challenged relationship with their fathers. This is because they thought that becoming a community terrorist and robbing to take what they didn't earn was the best route in life. (PJStar.com)

Questions:

Aside from the obvious flat out stupidity of pretending to be God and taking a life

• What motivated these actions?
• Were they ever taught the value of human life?
• What did their upbringing tell them or how did it affect them?
• Do they even care about their own lives yet alone that of others?
• Was drugs or fast living involved?

These are questions I intend to follow and present the answers to as information becomes available. We need to know what is motivating these silly, stupid and wanton acts of indecency among some in Peoria who seem intent on making life difficult for others.

Special Thanks

To those community heroes who turned in information quickly on these terrorists and help send a strong message that community terrorism won't get a pass in Peoria. THANK YOU neighbors and we stand along with the Frink Street/Columbia Terrace community and believe God for removal of all fear.

Pastor Harvey Burnett

Community Terrorism? Yes, Without A Doubt