HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-SUB-Commissioner's Talking Points for D5.1 Regarding Little Haiti Park04.24.08 Commission Meeting Talking Points
D 5.1 Little Haiti Park/Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
I wanted to put this up for discussion because the
community in Little Haiti wanted the park to be a legacy to
Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr..
He started the idea for the park at the urging of the
community and pushed to have it developed. The park and
his dream have now become a reality and the community has
asked that its existence - recognize his contribution.
In some corners of this city — this could be seen as
scandalous. In other parts of the community the naming
may provoke anger and dismay — but within the community
where the park sits — there is no doubt that the park should
recognize his contribution to the park.
Despite the circumstance surrounding his life the bottom
line is that the historical records of this body and the history
of the Little Haiti community is tied to his actions for this
park. This history cannot be ignored.
Too often in this country
The historic contributions of African Americans gets lost or
distorted by the press - because of public opinion outside the
African American community. I can not sit by and allow
others to dictate what aspect of our history should be
remembered.
You would think, now after some 25 years - that the national
celebration of Martin Luther King's birthday was a forgone
conclusion when it was proposed in Congress and in the 50
states. — IT WAS NOT.
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In fact, though past by Congress in 1983, some states still
resisted observing the holiday. It was not officially observed
in all 5o states until 2000 - some 17 years after passage.
I do not need to repeat all of the reasons why some corners of
this country resisted celebrating his birthday — but all those
reasons were distorted by public opinion caught up in the
recentness of the times.
I believe the same is true with Commissioner Teele. There is
no hiding the fact that there was controversy surrounding his
life.
But no amount of controversy can erase the historical fact
that he was instrumental in creating Little Haiti Park.
This park is in Little Haiti.
This park is in District 5.
And Commissioner Teele was the commissioner for District
5.
This community would like to see this recognition, and as
their representative - in this representative form of
government I must follow their lead.
I would like to see the community center within the park
named after Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
5.1 Little Haiti Park/Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
I w ted to put this up for discussion because the
com nity in Little Haiti wanted the park to be a legacy to
Commi sioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr..
He started he idea for the park at the urging of the
community . d pushed to have it developed. The park and
his dream hav now become a reality and the community has
asked that its e tence - recognize his contribution.
I some corners oft 's city — this could be seen a scandalous.
In other parts of the • mmunity the naming may provoke
anger and dismay — bu . within the community where the
park sits — there is no dobt that the park should recognize
his contribution to the par
Despite the circumstance surr
line is that the historical record
the Little Haiti community is tie
This history cannot be ignored.
Too often in this country
unding his life the bottom
of this body, the history of
o his action for this park.
The historic contributions of African Arne cans gets lost or
distorted by the press - because of public op ion outside the
African American community. I can not sit b and allow
others to dictate what aspect of our history sho d be
remembered.
You would think, now after some 25 years - that the ational
celebration of Martin Luther King's birthday was a for:one
conclusion when it was proposed in Congress and in the , o
states. — IT WAS NOT.
04.2408 Commission Meeting Talking Points
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SUBMITTED IN THE
PUBLIC RECORD2' • R
ITEM Ds:/ON V-4v-o;
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fact, though past by Congress in 1983, some states still
re , isted observing the holiday. It was not officially observed
in a 5o states until 2000 — some 17 years after passage.
I do no , need to repeat all of the reason why some corners of
this cou ry resisted celebrating his birthday — but all those
reasons w e distorted by public opinion caught up in the
recentness • the times.
I believe the sa e is true with Commissioner Teele. There is
no hiding the fac that there was controversy surrounding his
life.
But no amount of con oversy can erase the historical fact
that he was instrumentin creating Little Haiti Park.
This park is in Little Haiti.
This park is in District 5.
And Commissioner Teele was the •ommissioner for District
5.
This community would like to see this - cognition, and as
their representative - in this representati e form of
government I must follow their lead.
I would like to see the community center with the park
named after Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
0424.08 Commission Meeting Talking Points
Submitted In
record in conn
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Priscilla A. Th
City
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the public
with
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Jerk
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