During Tuesday nights Antioch City Council meeting, Antioch Resident Rich Buongiorno boldly declared to Mayor Wade Harper during public comments that he is being recalled. Shortly after the announcement, nine-residents spoke in support of the Mayor.
Below are the public comments where eight people spoke about the potential recall.
Rich Buongiorno told the Mayor that he was given the opportunity during the last meeting until tonight to resign and did not so he was being recalled.
Pastor Kirkland Smith, Grace Bible Fellowship, spoke as a supporter of the Mayor where the crowd erupted in cheers—Mayor Harper did not try and calm the cheers, instead, Smith stated people had to sit down because he only had 3-minutes.
During the 25-seconds of cheering, the Mayor remained silent as did the rest of the council.
“There are two reasons why people change. The first is they either feel the heat or they see the light. When you feel the heat it forces you to change. When you see the light, it inspires you to change,” explained Smith. “I came here tonight because there are some here tonight who desire forcing the Mayor out. My hope is you will see the light. The problems in Deer Valley for example are problems that did not start this year. They were there two and four years ago. The difference was there was an involved parent. It wasn’t just an involved parents, there was involved principal driving around in golf carts that were checking on the children. It seems to me if we have problems in our schools I believe it starts with inactive parents. Then inactive principals then if not rectified then its inactive school boards. If the school board doesn’t do its job then it needs to be rectified by the school Superintendent. The crime issues in Sycamore are not Mayoral problems either.”
Smith explained that Mayor Harper has been in sycamore, talked with people, held rallies and has been involved and wishes those pointing fingers recognize the amount of work performed by the Mayor.
Velma Wilson highlighted her support of Mayor Harper explaining how she and Mayor Harper woke up one morning and decided to go speak to nearly 200 kids at Deer Valley Plaza on a Thursday morning. She shared that a lot of them didn’t know where their next meal was coming from, where they were going and that they were proud to be able to see Mayor Harper and talk to him.
“All of our kids are not doing bad, there are some isolated situations in the media that happens months ago and years ago. I am not going to say that is okay, but our kids still need to know that we has a community stand with them and we motivate them not to continue with the negativity,” said Wilson. “These kids need to know that we stand with them and pride ourselves and not get a part of the rhetoric that has been going on.”
Joseph Adebayo says crime and the issues at Deer Valley Plaza were an issue during the terms of Mayor Don Freitas and Mayor Jim Davis and instead of people just complaining they become part of the
“I refuse not to be part of the solution. The City has been advertising places on commissions for a while and there are so many in this city. There is a lot of work to be done. If you live or work here why don’t you work to be part of the solution,” said Adebayo.”
Adebayo noted Measure C and the Police Grant as positives and stated people need to be patient because the City is on the right path.
Odessa LeFrancois says she understands the recall issues and everyone has the right to do that but wanted people to also know they have the right to meet with the city and be part of the solution.
“I am here to be part of the solution. I remember about 6-7 years ago when we had issues at Deer Valley Plaza and the community came together,” said LeFrancois. “And another thing, where were these people with Freitas was Mayor. I didn’t see a recall then. Where were they then? Huh? I didn’t see them then. When Dozier-Libby was about to be a Charter School about to be taken over by 23-teachers, where were you then? Let me tell you, the Mayor was there. He came to every one of those meetings with support.”
She stated her support of Mayor Harper and said he is doing what he has to do.
“They can recall all they want but you have a wall. You have god. They can only do what we allow them to do,” said LeFrancois,
Marcita Ennis shared how she was really proud that all three of her kids were able to meet the Mayor.
“I am a voter and I have a say as well. I am saying it right now that I will support you, but I know you cannot do this on your own so I have to do my part. We all have to do our part. I challenge all of you to do your part,” said Ennis. “I know where my heart is and I believe this council has a heart for this city.”
Willie Mims stated that he was here to support the mayor and commend him for all the work he has done. He also supports the police chief who has worked with an undermanned police force.
“I am not going to say these people do not have a right to a recall, but I hope that they fail,” said Mims. “Also, the folks orchestrating this recall did not vote for you in the first place.”
Hiaasen Bay stated this is a social issue and social economic issue saying Antioch has a lot of people coming here and problems grow faster than you can tend to them.
“These kids are not criminals, they are children. The schools need to take more responsibility. Parents need to take more responsibility,” said Bay.
Bay explained that they need more after school problems, mentoring and tutoring.
“We need to have those stronger components in those areas so we can serve those kids. I’ve personally broken up 8-fights at Deer Valley Plaza since last year. We need to get a relationship with these kids as adults,” said Bay.
He accused the folks of the recall being scared of “black boys”.
“The ones they are scared of are black boys, lets be real. A lot of those with this recall, we know what it is. I saw who clapped. It wasn’t that hard to see the demographics of those who called for or against so I am letting you know brother we have your back. Its going to take us to get dirty, if you want to plant something, you have to get dirty so we have to get in there and not be afraid of our kids.”
Essence Phillips called the accusations against Mayor Harper slander but noted through her research that crime has always been a problem and increasing since Mary Rocha, Don Freitas (2004) and Jim Davis (2008).
We went from 36-murders in 2004 to 31-murders in 2008 and now we are under 20-murders so I really urge the community to do their research and stop listening to the media and the feeds on social media,” explained Phillips. “Of course we put drama on Facebook, our students like drama and negativity but there are a lot of great things that you have been doing and in our city.”
Phillips encouraged people to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem. She further explained the blame to the school district, superintendent the mayor and city was not fair because they did not give birth to these children, it starts at home.
“I am unhappy about crime, but I have to be part of the solution and not part of the problem,” said Phillips. “I appreciate the work you do. I appreciate the leadership. You teach in the schools with these kids. How many of you in the city council or audience who are complaining take the time to work with our kids. How many have been in a leadership position and know what it’s like to wear that weight on your back when you can’t control everything. Who doesn’t want to live in a great city? Who doesn’t want to lead a great city? Do your research and get that actual facts because none of the previous mayors have done any better job than what our current mayor is doing.”
Sandra McGee observed that a month ago during the meeting the mayor told the audience to hold their applause and that did not happen tonight.
“A month ago we had a meeting down here that got a little rowdy with people clapping and mayor you told us to hold our applause and quiet down so that you can call other speakers up. I don’t see that happening here tonight,” said McGee.
Editors Note: Mayor Wade Harpers comments were during the Mayors Comments. Check back later for his comments in full.
File Photo of Rich Buongiorno
17 comments
Two quick observations
1. The people defending the Mayor have no idea why he is being recalled and blindly following him. Crime is not the only issue as to why the Mayor is being recalled. Yes, crime is the main reason, but he has failed the city for many reasons.
2. It’s obvious the mayor stacked the deck in his favor prior to the meeting. 8 people would not be prepared to speak on a topic like this unless they were staged ahead of time. Mayor Harper is being very sneaky but its quite obvious where his support is coming from.
The Mayor is not to blame for the crime problem in Antioch, today’s crime falls under Davis and Freitas. Am I happy with the Mayor? No, but just because I am unhappy does not mean a recall should go forward. Its a lot of wasted time and money.
Also, ECT, I am offended by some of these speakers comments who claim race is the reason without really saying it. I hope you did not make a mistake in the publishing of these comments. Race should not be any reason to do something negative.
@FrankS We recorded the meeting and transcribed them.
I agree Mr Harper had people come out to speak on his behalf knowing that this was coming. I wish he was that proactive in fighting crime in Antioch. But alas it still comes down to talking and all those folks that talked about being a part of the solution and how crime started before he became mayor have to realize that talking is not enough he is mayor NOW. We want a mayor and a council that will be ACTIVELY and visibly be outraged and are constantly pushing to fix things.
The people do want to be a part of the solution so they elected Harper because they wanted him to fix the crime problem. He ran saying that was his priority. They did want to be a part of the solution so they passed the Measure C. When the mayor and the council then let that sales tax increase fix another problem (their budget issues) the people were outraged and now they will recall him because of the crime. When things flair up and Harper sits around smiling and talking about how it will get better and lets pray I get pissed and so do a lot of other people.
The people are trying to be the solution by giving the mayor and the council the tools to fix the problem. The mayor and council left those tools behind and blindly follow the staff recommendations which is probably what led Antioch to the place they are now in the first place. Ask the police chief “What do you need to fix this?” and give it to him! If he can’t turn things around in a reasonable time then move to someone else but we have to give our police force our full support- not just what we can afford according to staff. Common sense says that if you fix the crime property taxes & sales tax revenue goes up. Antioch needs to agree to make crime priority #1.
Mayor Harper is not the courageous leader we expected. We need leaders that don’t care if they get elected again. We need leaders that aren’t just serving the unions but are serving everyone. Harper is notoriously a puppet of the unions. Using the religious community for guidance for this problem is just one element of what should be used not the base.
I hope this gives a wake up call to the current council and the candidates that are running for council. We don’t want people that sit up there and say stuff. We elected you all to dig in, be bold and be outraged. We want bulldogs that will not back down and fix this problem. The time is now to do something.
Very well put Jeff. I hope people read, understand, and support what is needed for the City of Antioch – finally.
Rich
Extremely well put Jeff! High Five!!
Excellent post
This has not been racial until Mr Harper made it so. He has orchestrated the whole thing. I was there. We had the best PD this city has ever had under Mayor Freitas, highest number of officers ever, and specialized police to clean up the vermin in this city. If Measure O does not pass, this city will fry in hell under Harper and will deserve it.
Harper clearly took the matter to the East County NAACP (of which half of his supporters belong). He himself may not have played the race card verbally, but his actions clearly speak otherwise.
ECT is correct. I watched it on tv as the race card was tossed into the ring by Mr. Harpers own cast of players. So obviously scripted.
Willie Mims…you have no clue what you are talking about. I am as white as they come and I voted for Wade Harper because of what he said he was going to do. He lied! Hiaasen Bay….shame on you for trying to make this racial. I am not afraid of “black boys”…I am afraid of people like you & your ignorance. This only has to do with a mayor that was on the school board for 2 years, city council for 2 years & mayor for 2 years. That adds up to 6 years of nothing!! He always says he is working behind the scenes. You are the MAYOR. Stand in front of your constituents and let us know what is happening, what are you working on. Don’t leave us frustrated & trying to guess and then when we complain, you show up with your friend Velma Wilson to meet with kids. Lets’ see, was that a couple of days after the last council meeting but 3 weeks after all the fighting?? Put your big boy pants on and do what you promised and stop crying racism! It’s always the excuse you fall back on. Shame on you!
Excellent Susan, I could not have said it better if I tried!
Excellent post Susan!
If people want to see why racism in America has not been reduced since Barack Obama was elected president, look no further than the Antioch City Council meeting. I am offended by comments made by Mr. Bay and Mr. Mims.
Some of these people speaking are ignorant as hell. People are afraid of STUDENTS, not black boys as being suggested by Mr. Bay.
For Mayor Wade Harper to be elected, he needed more than a certain type of race to be elected Mr. Mims, People of all ethnicity supported this him. Race has nothing to do with it, he made promises he could not keep.
I am truly disappointed in Mr. Mims. Many times I have thought of him as the wise old guy with a lot of common sense. No more. Sorry Mr. Mims you let us all down. All races Mr. Sims. I am Hispanic, not that it matters.
Change doesn’t come from the top. That’s where it’s call gone wrong, in the microcosm of Antioch and in the rest of the planet. As primates, we naturally look for answers and guidance from these alpha-males. As time rolls on hopefully our species wakes up to the illusion of authority and starts making things happen in favor of the people, not institutions.
WTF? What the hell are you talking about?
Comments are closed.