I Can.

I can.


June 26, 2006

I can’t speak for my neighbor but I can speak to him. It is time to loose the stranglehold by which we have been held by this political party for far too many years. In 1997 Milton Milan was elected mayor of Camden, N.J. That was the first time in my own voting experience that Camden voters had aligned themselves behind one candidate who promised change and inspired much hope among the people. Surely, most of his supporters were Hispanic, but not all of them were. Milton Milan’s appeal transcended those color lines drawn in desperation by his opponents. The disappointing result of his term in office had a devastating effect on the newly discovered self-awareness of Camden’s Hispanic voting bloc and on me and others as well.

But as difficult as this might seem at first, we must re-kindle this spirit. We have been under attack by a political party and will always be subject to their political whims as long as we remain non-combatants. For surely a war is being waged against the people. Think of it:
1.) Our local government, bolstered by its state henchman, arrogantly threatens . again to take their homes after Cramer Hill residents were first victorious.
2. A polluted city water supply, paid for by those who are expected to drink it.
3.) A city council which, after the Dayton Manor debacle and recent dubious actions taken after the most recent deadly shooting on Mt. Ephraim Ave., has been known for it’s too- little, too-late approach to any significant issue which faces us.
4.) Our city administrations’ seeming unwillingness or inability to remedy the Waterfront South situation. The foul odors that they still must put up with are only overcome by the stench coming from city hall.
5.) A long-dysfunctional school system plagued by recent allegations of all different kinds. Hey! Anybody there? How about our children? Yes, there have been success stories coming out of Camden’s schools. But I say that they are those fortunate few who succeeded despite what little they were given to work with.
6.) It’s a different kind of war they wage against our much-maligned but very capable Police Force. The way the 2nd Police District under Capt. Cassandra Smith handled the recent drug-dealer infestation in my Centerville neighborhood was both courageous and brilliant. You might ask why then does our city administration insist on going outside our own Police Dept. for leadership? Could they be doing this in order to keep the Dept. within their sphere of influence?

I could go on with this knowing my fellow-citizens out there could add some of their indictments. Tough statements? Yes. Will our present leaders counter our charges? Yes.
But we must be strong and persistent. I can almost hear certain ones in council chambers now. “Who are these voices? Who are these instigating people speaking out of the wilderness?”
I say, wait until Election Day and I’ll give you your answer. As you are leaving City Hall for the last time.
We can do this. We did it in 1997 and we can do it now. We the people can speak through the ballot box. They will not listen any other way.