Alcee Hastings has heard of Dunbar Village. Who knew?

From an article in the Sun-Sentinel:

At the Westside Park Community Center in Deerfield Beach, U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, D-Miramar, reminded a crowd of the problems that still plague South Florida, including a brutal gang rape last June at Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach."The challenges of today are reminiscent of past struggles," he said. "Many still don't have access to affordable housing, quality education or affordable health care and these struggles are especially exemplified by local tragedies, right up the street. The story of Dunbar Village is not unique. It's obvious that more action must be taken." (Read more here)

Will he attend the town hall meeting? We'd love to see you there representative. I bet Shane is STILL waiting on return phone calls from all THREE of his offices. All that staff and can't even deal with your own constituents?

What to do when the loudest complaints are by the most silent participants

As everyone should know Citoya Greenwood is working hard to improve Dunbar Village for not only her daughter but the other residents as well. Unfortunately, her fellow residents aren't as vigorous in the fight.

How do you motivate the non-believers that they have the strength, the voice and the fortitude to do whatever they want?

Ms. Greenwood is working hard to establish a resident council. She has a few members but I'm sure she would love more. We must all take that giant, scary leap of faith. It is better to do it with help than alone. The residents need to take advantage of the spotlight and help that is being offered in order to improve conditions.

Check out the latest article by Emily Minor in the Palm Beach Post. Thank you Ms. Minor for continuing to bring attention to the tragic circumstances in Dunbar Village.

Private Security to End at Dunbar Village

According to the Channel 12 news in West Palm Beach, the private security detail for Dunbar Village will run out at the end of the month.

The head of the housing authority says she wants to use some of the money that police receive in forfeitures from drug cases or other crimes to use to pay for security guards at Dunbar. She says in the past few months, since security guards have been on the grounds at Dunbar, the place is much quieter and safer. She also hopes to get enough funds to post security guards at the other housing projects in the city.

Okay Rev. Al: Date Changes and Gov. Crist

The date has changed from Feb 1o. So many dates are flying in my head I'm not sure if the new date is the 18th or I just made that up. So, stay tuned.

Meanwhile, check out what happened in Boca Raton, FL.
An 18-year-old being held on $100,000 bail this morning is the sixth West Boca Raton teenager charged with raping two girls, ages 13 and 14, then leaving them partially undressed, bloody and unconscious on a canal bank after drinking on New Year's Day. (Read the story here)

As a woman who lives in Florida I would really like to know that Gov. Crist has as much contempt for savage rapists as he does for All State .

In fact, why don't you call and ask him. (850) 488-4441

I've contacted Gov. Crist as have other bloggers about Dunbar Village, public housing and violence against women in his state. We've heard nothing.

Gov. Crist has been known to meet with family and advocates of victims. (Think Mark Lunsford, father of murdered 9-year old Jessica Lunsford and Kay Shukwit, the mother of a murder victim in the 2004 Deltona massacre.) Is there a reason he can't take a few minutes to acknowledge the pain and suffering in Dunbar Village public housing complex?

DUNBAR VILLAGE TOWNHALL MEETING-FEBRUARY 10, 2008

Thankfully, after further consideration the Dunbar Village Townhall Meeting has been changed to February 10, 2008, 4:00 pm. Now, politicians can't use possible prior Super Tuesday engagements as an excuse.

Stay tuned, this are changing constantly.

TOWNHALL MEETING POSTPONED

The townhall meeting has been postponed until February 5. This will give them more time to get in contact with elected officials like Gov. Crist and Rep. Alcee Hastings who have danced away from or outright ignored Dunbar Village.

How can you help? You don't have to attend the meeting. Feel free to contact the following elected officials who are supposed to represent the residents of Dunbar Village. Let them know you are aware of the apathy, neglience and cold hearts.

Rep. Alcee Hastings
Washington Office
2353 Rayburn Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-1313
Fax: (202) 225-1171

West Palm Beach Office
5725 Corporate Way
Suite 208
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Tel: (561) 684-0565
Fax: (561) 684-3613

Mayor Lois Frankel
200 2nd Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 822-1400
lfrankel@wpb.org

City Commissioner Molly Douglas
200 2nd Street
WPB, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 822-1390
Fax: (561) 822-1399

Gov. Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-4441

Al Sharpton Tours Dunbar Village With Resident Activist

Dunbar Village activist Citoya Greenwood snagged a meeting with Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton toured the public housing residence, promising to send a representative to the January 16 townhall meeting and also return within 30 days to not only spend the night in Dunbar Village but host another townhall meeting.

Read more from Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post.

What Are We Missing?

First, we know this is a long process. This townhall meeting is about rallying the residents, empowerment, and taking the first step on the road to community change. It is time for the residents to become neighbors.

• We have the location, its large enough to hold all who may come. And its across the street from Dunbar Village so transportation is not an issue
• The flyers are to be distributed this weekend. Media has been contacted and prepared to do stories.
• We have the sound system and microphone.
• We have set up daycare for mothers need it.
• Food and beverages will be provided.
• Index cards and pens so residents can write down whatever questions or thoughts they have.
• There will be a recorder to take minutes and possibly a videographer.
• We have politicians, a HUD representative and law enforcement to sit on the panel.
• There will be a question and answer period afterwards.
• We will submit questions to HUD, the West Palm Beach Housing Authority and law enforcement beforehand. Answers will be expected at the meetings not "we'll see" and "we'll research that".
• Local community organizations and churches in the city and surrounding areas are implementing programs to work directly with the adults and children of Dunbar Village.
• We are still attempting to find a lawyer to answer housing questions.

So what are we missing? Maybe I simply forgot to mention it? Maybe we never thought of it.