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My Truth
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2023
Not a Lovely Matter for the City of Garland
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
Expressing a Father’s Love! Everyone is not fortunate enough to know or experience the love of a father or father figure. Sure, we’ve heard the jokes about Father’s Day versus Mother’s Day when there appears to be a clear disparity in the gift giving arena.
Cheryl Goode is committed to making her voice heard about the trash issue affecting her condo that is less than a mile from Lake Ray Hubbard.
According to Goode, there are two trash bins and 63 units in her condominium complex. When the bins fill up the trash can spill out into nearby parking spaces.
Resident says trash leading to bacteria, insects and rats
Waste Management
The Real Chill Clarence Hill Jr. and Sr.
Many athletes have smiled for the cameras and said “Hi Mom” or declared that as soon as they became a professional athlete, they were going to “buy Mom a house.” In times of distress, like in the cases of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin who was beaten and murdered by George Zimmerman, 46-year-old George Floyd who died as Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck, and most recently Tyre Nichols brutally beaten by several officers and later dying from those injuries; they all called out for their mothers. Fathers are equally important and necessary in our lives. Unfortunately two many children die without ever knowing their fathers or knowing a father’s love. And sadly too many men die never knowing that they had planted a seed, that they’d helped create another life. Which brings me to my truth. I had the benefit of a father’s love. Whether he was stopping by my school to help teachers understand that he was present and accounted for or doling out money to my friends and I because we all wanted to be ready when the ice cream man, Mr. Softee drove down the street; I could count on Daddy. When I went away to college, he made regular visits to FAMU’s campus and he always made sure I was taken care of. Joe Smith was also good at vetting potential mates. Just imagine a cross between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in “Bad Boys” and “Uncle Bernie” on the Bernie Mac Show. Young brothers had to come correct and they still didn’t stand a chance! He was there to uplift and could always brighten my day because he was strong and fearless. He was an astute businessman who was a visionary. He loved his daughter and he wanted the best for her! I witnessed a love just as strong between Clarence Hill, Sr. and Clarence Hill, Jr. They shared a father - son love that was an example worthy of showcasing and celebrating. They also shared a love as Omega Psi Phi brothers, as Jr. followed his father into the fraternity. See MY TRUTH, page 5
VOLUME X
By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines News Correspondent
As people are buying gifts and celebrating loved ones during the month of February, Cheryl Goode is just hoping to end her on-going trash pickup issue In Garland, Texas. Over a month ago, Dallas was swamped with issues about trash pickup. Goode admits Garland
is also experiencing their issues with waste management in her local condominium complex. “There is one bin in our condominium that is routinely overflowing into a nearby parking space of one of the residents. There has also been a couch and a desk sitting behind one of the bins for over a month,” said Goode. Goodes’ concerns about trash
pick up at the Westwind Condominiums in Garland began shortly after she moved in last July. The complex, which is less than a mile from Lake Ray Hubbard, has 63 units and two trash bins. “I am not sure what the resolution for this issue is. With 63 units, we might need more trash bins, larger bins, or there may need to be more frequent pickups to keep the issue from getting
out of control,” said Goode. According to Goode the condominiums have a Homeowners Association (HOA) fee of an average of $380 a month. This fee is scheduled to go up 20 percent and includes additional fees for large pick-up items and an extra assessment. “Many of the residents were complaining regarding the additional charges. Most of us were concerned that they are not picking up the items now, it doesn’t make sense to pay more for this service,” she explained. Garland Mayor Scott LeMay said that he was unaware of the trash issue. However; he did admit the City of Garland was behind on trash pickups for three days due to the recent ice storm. He also stated that he would elevate this matter to the city’s sanitation department. “This is more than an ice storm issue. I am not someone that is going to complain because of a one time thing,” said Goode. “This is becoming a habit. I know that I am not the only one complaining at the HOA meeting in January. One of the major consistent complaints was the lack of trash pickups. “They finally picked up the trash after a month, but I noticed there are still trash bags down in the drainage ditch and under the bins. It’s like the issue is not being taken seriously.” See WASTE MANAGEMENT, page 6
Presidents Call for Unity Between NABJ and NNPA By The Texas Metro News Team San Juan, PR - It was a moment in history that ironically happened on the second day of Black History Month. Two leaders of organizations gathered to discuss how their missions were similar and they needed to work together to better serve Black communities, journalists and the industry. The discussion laid the groundwork for future moments as Black Journalists and Black Publishers under the leadership of Presidents Dorothy Tucker of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and Dr. Ben Chavis of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) made a commitment to work together. During a fireside chat at the NNPA’s mid-winter conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the two leaders, joined by NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards, discussed a decades old issue where publishers felt that Black journalists working for the so-called mainstream media, or white press, acted as though they were better than those in the “Negro Press.” Tucker read from a letter from NNPA addressed to founding NABJ president Chuck Stone in 1977, outlining perceived slights by the newly-established NABJ. Members of NNPA said they felt snubbed by Black journalists who received their jobs in the “mainstream” through the efforts of Black publishers and activists who advocated on their behalf only for them to get jobs and look down on them. Now 46 years later, the two organizations’ leadership says the time is now to heal, to focus on their missions and discuss the impor-
DART CELEBRATES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
NNPA's Dr. Ben Chavis and NABJ's Dorothy Tucker
tance of and value that each brings to the industry and their communities. “Our voices have to be unified” said Chavis, who was a political prisoner when the letter was written. “We’re bringing justice, equality and equity.” Noting that it has been years since the two officially attended one another’s convention, Chavis committed to being in Birmingham for NABJ’s Convention in August and NABJ will be represented at NNPA’s convention in June. The two presidents also discussed collaborating on programming at respective conventions and regional conferences. Tucker suggested holding joint webinars to discuss issues and share information. NABJ has a Black Press Task Force and Tucker said members would be getting involved to identify not only digital journalists but also opportunities within the
We recognize the history and cultural significance of African Americans and value their contributions to our vibrant community.
See NABJ AND NNPA, page 5
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