Friends of Kentwood Review the Town Council

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

I try to attend most town council meetings and events around the town of Kentwood. There is one question that I raised concerning our Town Council. "Is there anything the Town Council add to the monthly agenda?" I haven't heard one issue or item that they put on the agenda to be addressed.  The monthly agenda and the minutes are available for everyone for their review. 

  
I'm aware that all council members are at-large and the town is not broken down by districts. If the town were broken down by district, the citizens can visibly see what their councilman or councilwoman is doing for the community. There would be no questions about measuring what they are doing. 

I do want to point out that I have seen Councilwoman Clines and Councilman Callihan at different events around the town. Also, both of them have attended difference meetings concerning our town.  I do realize that several of our town councilmen work other jobs. That doesn't mean that their duties as elected officials should be neglected. It's one thing to vote on a motion, and it's another thing to be seen in the community working with the mayor and other town councilmembers.  It isn't fair to the town and people to come to a once a month meeting and collect a check. The bottom line is, what are you doing for the community?  I hope that everyone takes a look at Friends of Kentwood page and see who is working for you and the town. 

Role of the individual council member 

Councilmembers’ statutory duties are to be performed, almost without exception, by the council as a whole. For example, the council, not individual members, must supervise administrative officers, formulate policies, and exercise city powers.

Councilmembers should devote their official time to problems of basic policy and act as liaisons between the city and the general public. Councilmembers should be concerned,  not only with of daily affairs but also with the future development of the city. 

The most important single responsibility of a council member is participation at council meetings. In statutory cities, each council member, including the mayor, has full authority to make and second motions, participate in discussions, and vote on every matter before the council. 

In a statutory city, any two council members of a five-member council or any three members of a seven-member council may call a special meeting. Care should be exercised to give proper notice, however. Every community has issues that need to be addressed around the town. I have heard Mayor Gordon ask the council is there anything they want to say or add, the answer is always no.  If we want the town to grow, we need our elected officials to work harder for our town. 

I know that Kentwood is a small town and most of the people here are related to each other and they get their family members to vote for them, regardless if they are working to improve the quality of life for the citizens.

 

As a community organizer, activist and television talk show host, I can't allow myself and others to be taking advantage of.  After reading this blog post, I hope to see our town council get more involved to improve our town and community.

Kentwood Soldier Honored Posthumously

Photo Credit: Kentwood Newspaper 1968

Army PPC Charles Leo Pool was honored posthumously at the Kentwood City Hall. PFC Pool was killed in action in Vietnam on October 26, 1968. The award was presented to his parents, Mr. and Mrs Milton Pool of Tangipahoa.

The Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism: The official report states, for heroism not involving serial flight.

He received the Purple Heart,  Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal. Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon,  and Combat Infantryman Badge.

He attended Dillon High School. He was funeralized on November 6, 1968. Many African American men went off to serve in Vietnam. Several men in my family served in Vietnam.  Nurturing Our Roots Television Talk Show with host Kentwood Native-Antoinette Harrell salute Army PPC Charles Leo Pool.

Source:

The Kentwood Newspaper-1968

Eric Brumfield A Role Model and Mentor

Eric Brumfield
Photo Credit: Connor LaCoste

At the young age of 15 years old, Eric experienced tragedy struck. While participating in one of the various sports that he love and gave considerable efforts, he suffered a catastrophic spinal injury that left him a quadriplegic. After such an experience, the potential for hopelessness and despair can overtake one's life. With support from family, friend, the community and my faith in God, he  gracefully persevering.

In 2014, Eric was a candidate to become a school board member of the Tangipahoa Parish School System. He didn't allow defeat in the race to stop his progress. Being defeated was not an option for Eric.  "The passion for enriching the lives of the youth in my town and surrounding communities in my driving force," said Eric. This summer marked the fourth year for the enrichment camp that Eric spearhead. I had an opportunity to visit the camp this year, I found the students very engaged in their camp activities and the camper leaders working hard with the campers.

The summer campers are striving for academic excellence, enjoying field trips and learning financial

Literacy. Eric and staff were excited about the upcoming college tour of Tuskegee University, Georgia Tech, and other colleges. Although he did not complete the coursework to attain his college degree immediately after high school. He is inspired and has enrolled in college to complete his studies that he started.

Eric didn't allow losing the election for school board member stop him from working hard provide educational opportunities for our youth. He is one of the hardest working people I know. He doesn't allow his physical challenges to stop him. The community of Kentwood appreciates all that he does for our children and our community. Eric will never know just how much he has impacted the lives of generations to come because he chose to help mentor one child.  Eric could have allowed his disability challenged to stop him. But he decided not to allow it to get in his way. He is committed to our youth in our community. 

This summer the campers went to Avery Island, Louisiana to visit the Tabasco company. Nicolette Gordon and Eric spend a lot of long hours working on exciting educational field trips for our children. They are a powerful team that is preparing our youth for greatness. 

The fact that they didn't wait for anyone else to come in and start a summer camp for the youth. They

Avery Island, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Nicolette Gordon

realized it wasn't going to happen if they didn't do it. Eric is truly a role model, and he is aware how important it is for children to have role models and mentors.

I attended my first meeting as a newly appointed board member for the Louisiana Statewide Independent Council and I had to inform the board about the work that Eric is doing in the Town of Kentwood. 

Eric wants to expose our youth to other places, cultures, travels, and food. He knows that traveling and being expose are part of educational process. Many schools in our parish do not take the children on fields trips. Eric understand the valuable learning experiences outside the classroom is important for our children. 

Kentwood After-School & Summer Enrichment Program

Today was the first day of summer camp for kids age 6-13, who is excited to learn and explore new educational adventures. The camp will offer science technology, math, creative writing, iRadio, sports, healthy living, gardening and Y.A. Know.

They're looking forward to going on educational field trips. I interviewed Eric Brumfield the Camp's Director. He said that this is the second year for the summer camp. "I wanted to see a summer camp for the kids," said Eric.  Summer camps weren't available to me as a child Eric pointed out.

We have available space for other kids, said Eric. It's not too late to register your child for summer camp.  A fee of ten dollars can register your child. The camp fees are ten dollars a week. There is a lot of great benefits to summer camp. A wide variety of activities can only help the youth enhance their educational and fun learning skills. Learning should be fun for all children.

Antoinette Harrell Encourage Genealogist to Donate Their Collections

Harrell donating 2017 collection

My family roots run deep in the Florida Parishes. When I first started researching my family history in the local libraries and university, I couldn't find any records, photographs, and any other genealogy resources. I know that my family has been in the parishes since the founding of the parishes and contributed to the society they lived in. 

They owned their land, they built their one-room schools. African American people in the Florida parishes worked hard to own and maintain their own farms and some owned their own business. They served in the military and not one monument with their names listed can be found throughout the Florida Parishes.  "Why wasn't their contributions documented?" As I moved forward to pursue my own genealogy research as planned. I started collecting photographs, documents, artifacts and genealogical records from other African American families in the Florida Parishes, I had to find a repository to deposit the items collected. 

Bennett donating family files

In 2012, I called the office of Samuel Hyde, Jr. Ph.D., Professor of History and Director, Center for Southeast La. Studies/Archives to set up an appointment with him to talk with him about the rich collections. After talking with Dr. Hyde, he informed me that he would be happy to archive the collections, and how   important it is to the history of the Florida Parishes. The collection  help fill in the missing pieces of history in the Florida Parishes as it relates to African American people. 

I asked my colleague Bernice Alexander Bennett a Maryland resident, who is the host of "Research at the National Archives and Beyond," author, genealogist, family historian to consider donating her family papers and research to the Center for Southeast La. Studies/Archives. She agreed to donate her collection to the center.  Bennett spends countless of hours researching civil war records for Louisiana color troops at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Another genealogy researcher named Stephanie Quiette-Addison Martin, spent twenty-five years  researching and documenting the history of African Americans in the Florida Parishes, Martin has submitted work to Afrigeneas and to Christine's Genealogy website. She is also published in the "Louisiana Genealogical Register." Martin offered to donate her extensive collection to the Center for Southeast La Studies/Archives. She has collected over 10,000 names. Martin is the Manager of the African American Archives for  Louisiana

Karran Harper Royal, co-host of "Nurturing Our Roots Television Talk Show," and Executive Director of the Georgetown University 272. Royal is a native of New Orleans and talks about the impact of Georgetown. 272 slaves were sold to benefit Georgetown University.

Words can't explain how delighted and happy I am to hear that these noted and reowned genealogists  and family historians will follow the lead and donate their collections to the center.  

North Tangi News-Sweet Home Baptist Church Museum

Donated Laptop Computer for Kentwood High School Senior

Mr. Rochell Bates, Tatyanna Robinson and Antoinette Harrell
Photo Credit: Angela Bates

Kentwood High School Senior Tatyanna Robinson received a laptop computer today from Bellarmine College Preparatory School and Gathering of Hearts. Gathering of Hearts Co-founder Antoinette Harrell wanted to donate a computer to a student who work hard to excel and maintain good grades. 

Robinson is planning to go to school for nursing after graduating from high school. Harrell had one request for Robinson, she asked her to give back to someone once she becomes successful. Without hesitation Robinson agreed to help someone else.

Rochell Bates, Principal and Guidance Counselor Barbara English chose Robinson, because she work so hard and is determined to beat all odds. Robinson was surprised and speechless for a moment. Giving back to our youth is very important.  Three laptop computers are going to be donated to the Kentwood Community Center for after school enrichment. 

Last week eight computers were donated to the St. Helena Multi Purpose Center for after school enrichment. The board of directors were excited to get the computers. They're planning to get the internet service next week. After school Enrichment Centers are needed in rural communities that can assist with homework and enrichment resources and programs to expand learning opportunities in technology, the arts and tutoring.