Here is a message being put out by Ken Turnage II, regarding an event scheduled on August 16 in hopes of creating a “United Antioch”.
United Antioch
August 16: On this day we are going to have a community event that will be hosted and sponsored by an unnamed company. The reason it will be unnamed is this is to be a community event not an advertising or self serving platform. With this our goal in which we are trying to achieve is a United Antioch!
As we can all see we have hit an impassable crossroads in our community. The only way we can bridge the gaps that we have is to consolidate the efforts of all the wonderful groups of good people we have in our City. We have groups, organizations and clubs all with the same end goal in mind. A quality place to educate, play and live with our families. As a united group we can make this happen.
Antioch has become an immensely diverse community, with even more diverse needs. That is why the participation of all of our groups is required to make this happen. Our problem that is before us is not a problem of race or religion or any other of the many categories that some people would like to pigeon hole others into. Our problem is of a mindset and of a lack of respect that some people just do not have and or will not display in public.
The issues that we have are numerous, some issues we have are affecting everyone in totality such as safety and crime. Some issues are more specific to certain locations or certain sectors of our community. The only way to satisfy all needs is to make all issues known throughout the community. I may have an idea or a way to help yours. As in turn you may have a way or an idea to help mine.
We are involved and know of many other groups within our city and want all of them invited, so if you have received this invitation please do share with them. If you are not able to share please send me a message with their contact info and I will invite them personally. The only way this can work is if we all work for this to happen.
This is what is being proposed, on Saturday August 16th, there will be an United Antioch BBQ being held at Deer Valley High School parking lot. This is to start at 4 PM. It will be a simple BBQ serving rolls, salad, baked beans, tri tip and chicken.
In order to have something like this there will need to be some order. So there will be a format and rules to follow for everyone that is attending.
Format:
There will be an issue/suggestion box for everyone to write down what their problem or suggestion is upon arrival. When you put this in the box you will be given a section number. Once we have eaten we will be breaking into our sections. Once we are in our sections one person from each section will be the note taker. We will pull one of the issue/suggestions from the box and have an open forum discussion of this item within our sections. This open forum will last for 10 minutes per each item pulled. At the end of the evening all the notes from each section will be gathered and separate per each topic. The fruits of these discussions will be taken to the city and or whatever governing agency is best to help with the required resolutions.
Rules:
- This is to be a positive open discussion, even though we may have a difference of opinion it is imperative we stay respectful.
- As a piggy back of rule number one, anyone who begins to be threatening, berating or confrontational will be asked to leave. And if they are way far out of line may be asked to give back the food they ate!
- This is not a place for finger pointing, we have all allowed this to happen around us and are equally as guilty as the person sitting next to us. Remember if we didn’t want it to be better we wouldn’t be here.
- Hopefully some if not all of our City Council, current and perspective will attend (Including our Mayor). But they will be asked to maintain that they are there as resident of the city and not as political representative or aspiring representative.
- There will be NO Racial or Racially slanderous comments tolerated. This meeting is for the like minded people that we live as a race of people not a people of races. We can’t come together as a United group if we try to remain separated.
- We will clean up after ourselves and leave the parking lot cleaner than when we showed up
We have an opportunity as a people to stand together and tell this City what we want, what we will tolerate, what we demand for a better safer place to live. Let us be united in our efforts, as that we can make the changes we need for our community.
If you would care to volunteer please contact me at 925-250-0400
Respectfully,
Ken Turnage II,
Citizen of Antioch
25 comments
Yeah… good luck with that. Until the core reason is addressed, section 8, this is just another cluster you-know-what.
The core can be addressed by many different ways… this event is a perfect example of addressing the core. It can’t always be done by police or laws, but by residents and local business filling the void. I say kudos to the company and citizens creating the event.
I will see you all there
Antioch Native, I am sorry that the problems in our community have given you such a defeatist attitude towards repair and change in our community. Hopefully this and other events being done by people will change your mind and restore hope that good people coming together and being outside in our community showing ourselves and sharing our ideas will make a difference. Instead of staying behind closed doors and being defeated without effort. I too am an Antioch Native, and I will Not sit back and do nothing. Please if you have an idea that can be implemented join us, but if you aren’t going to join us don’t be against us. And do hope you realize there are a hell of a lot more problems than section 8.
Nice idea but for this to work you will need active, unwavering participation by a large percentage of residents.
Secondly, keep politicians out of it! This MUST be a citizen driven initiative. Since this is an election year individuals seeking election or re-election will try to use your event for their personal political gain. Get the names of the people running for office from the city clerk and exclude them from taking any kind of organizational, leadership or speaking role in your event. Trust me, you will be glad you took this necessary precaution.
Most important, have a definitive plan of action. If you REALLY want individuals to fully support and actively engage in what you are trying to do, you need to have clear and concise ideas and expectations of what you want the final goal to look like. People will not follow a poorly organized or flawed plan.
If your idea gains traction and moves forward, at some point you will need the assistance of your elected representatives on the school board and city council to make change happen at each level of governance. Welcome those who wish to join with you and don’t be afraid to publicly chastised anyone who stands in your way.
If you want to make Antioch a better place to live for your families, you must be willing to FIGHT for your civil right to feel safe in your homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
Good luck and may God bless you!
Excellent points. The real issues need to be specifically pointed out and addressed one by one. This article sounds more of a hug and hold hands type of meeting. No offense, but real change comes from not being afraid to address the real issues without candy coating.
I totally agree with G. You don’t need this to be a bandwagon for candidates running for office.
I agree, no politicians. They tend to inhibit conversation. Example the most recent little discussion groups that went no where but to produce a worthless piece of paper. The least respected people in town right now are the city council. Do this with out them Mr. Turnage. UCBN rarely had politicians involved & was a well respected and productive group
Thank you for giving this a try!
Julio:
Groups have come and gone but none have been as effective as UCBN.
We were focused and had the know how, strength, ability, and no fear of getting things done.
I greatly appreciate the advice, any and all suggestions that you or anyone else has is welcomed. I try to be as open minded as possible, please if you can get involved with this. We can make a change in our community! If you have ways that have worked please feel free to contact me directly and share that information.
Mr. Turnage:
I no longer live in the area but have many dear friends who are still in Antioch and I am very concerned about their safety and well-being. I fully understand what you are trying to do because I have some experience encouraging and organizing individuals to get involved in making your community safer for all.
In my experience, civil disobedience (in a lawful, organized manner) coupled with a willingness to confront and personally hold elected officials accountable when they appear to ignore or demonstrate a lackadaisical attitude towards the constituents they took an sworn oath to serve in the best interest of the city.
Many Antioch citizens will talk and complain about what needs to be done to make neighborhoods safer but very, very few have the courage to stand in the gap and take on this difficult mission and I applaud you for wanting to be person to create positive change.
Stand firm, stand courageous, and may God bless you in this endeavor and I hope large numbers to citizens will rally to your side.
Wherebis UCBN now?
Where have you been, there is no UCBN. The group ended 5 years ago.
The REAL question is, “where were all of the so called “concerned and fed up w/ crime residents” who complain on this message board but didn’t show up?
Just give up and move because Antioch will NEVER improve.
My question is this a forum for politicians to get up on a podium and tell us how great everything is? My other concern is are we going to have APD to protect us if the wrong element gets out of hand. I see positives and negatives, but it’s a good start as long there are zero politicians. This should be a place were we come togather as citizens to show we are united against the the grime in the city council as well as the streets.
There is a huge liability issue here. I hope this has gone through the city attorneys hands and the school district because of use of their property Also the County has to issue a permit for the food. This isn’t like it is on private property. If you have everyone I mentioned signed off…good work.
I would love to see the companies that sponsered this so we as a community can support those companies. I tend to frequent businesses more that I know are giving back.
Checking my schedule I may come out to volunteer. I dont live in Antioch any more but I hate what the city has become.
I greatly appreciate everyone who is playing devils advocate, to help answer some of the questions that are being posed I will give some responses. First and foremost this is no way shape or form to be used by any politician as a podium or will they even be able to address the group if they do show up. If they do decide to (which I can’t stop them from doing so or honestly would I try) they will do so only as a citizen of Antioch and be granted zero additional considerations.
As for this being a hand holding session well I truly hope that isn’t the case, because discussing real issues and even hard issues with people is not a problem for myself and a multitude of people that I know are coming(I can’t speak for everyone) please read it in detail as to what expectations are (I know the difference between expectations and reality).
Yes all the correct paperwork has been turned in, this is to help correct our community and you can’t do that by starting off doing something illegal!
All the people that are on here seem to be the exact type of people that are needed for something like this to succeed, so join in! Those of you with experience please step to the front and show the people that don’t have experience what to do and most importantly what not to do.
But I do have one question, why are so many people afraid to use their real name? If you have something to say put your name it.
I would never put my real name on a forum like this. Criminals can read, get your info via the internet and ka bang. Any kind of criminal. No one should expose themselves. This is a public forum. To many nuts in this world, you have to protect yourself and family. That being said my husband and I will get in contact about volunteering. (. : Thanks for stepping up for our community!!
ITS A COLD WORLD
Thank you Ken for getting the ball rolling on this. I have supported Antioch not as an activist, but as a volunteer in many of the youth sports leagues and at the schools that my kids have attended. I feel as though I have been a part of the silent majority of honest hard working people of this city. I hope others like me will attend this event and that we can develop some next steps in an effort to organize the silent majority. I will spread the word and will look forward to seeing everyone there.
THUG, Put your guns down for awhile and go to the Bar B Que. You might enjoy a normal happy life.There is happiness not being a THUG.
This is awesome cuz I was becoming really depressed for living in Antioch, and worried cuz my sisters and parents house got robbed. I don’t feel safe anymore at my own house. Hoping antioch doesn’t become as bad as Oakland. And getting tired of thug life stupid comments. I will be there thanks foe giving me hope .
its hard 2 put your gun down, when everybody got guns out here.. #NEVER.LEAVE.HOME.WITHOUT.IT
Thug Life, remember that some of us good people don’t leave home with out one also! We may meet up some day.
CAN’T WAIT, DEATH TO ALL INFIDELS
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