Community Meeting Report

By Bill C.

Hi folks, I just got back from attending the community meeting, hosted by the honorable Chairman of the City Council, The very HONORABLE MR. JESSIE GARCIA. No political agenda to promote, just one fine community meeting. On behalf of everyone in Weber County, I thank you.

The room wasn't nearly large enough to hold the overflow crowd of very concerned citizens; but we made it do. Parking was also a very big issue; many had to walk a couple of blocks. Jessie wisely delayed the start to accommodate those that had formed lines on the sidewalk coming to air their feelings,experiences and possible solutions. True leadership, accommodation of the people, something that's been very rare in Ogden these days.

Jessie opened with a short overview of recent happenings concluding with the slap in the face reminder of the senseless slaughter, "Our kids are killing each other." He then turned the meeting over to the people.

What followed was the most beautiful example of democratic anarchy I've ever been able to witness. Anyone that wanted to speak was allowed to, no time constraints or rules to inhibit the valuable input. Any other format would not have been near as effective in revealing the scope and depth of this very significant issue, and everyone was treated with respect and accorded their dignity.

We had the privilege of hearing from, mothers, fathers, siblings, cousins and all forms of relations effected by this problem. Ex-gang bangers that have been through the in and out cycle of the penal system and have somehow finally broken free. Ex-addicts, elected officials, a retired gang task force expert that stated "I finally have the right to say what ever the hell I feel."

The ecumenical community was well represented as well. We also heard from the Director of the Girls and Boys Club, one of the most effective tools in fighting gang affiliation.

The NAACP was on hand as well as La Raza, school district employees speaking as individuals, neighborhood watch and many common residents of our city.

What did we learn tonite? This problem is here, and here to stay.

No silver bullet will be found. We must fight it from every angle -- fight may be the wrong word. We shouldn't kick the disenfranchised; we should provide them opportunity. The elimination of opportunity and programs has accelerated the problem greatly. These kids have nothing to do and no money to do anything. The result is devastating to our community, and tragic.

What should we expect? Jessie is committed to holding more of these community meetings, organizing citizen groups and finding solutions; but it's going to take the help and dedication of every resident of this broader community to accomplish anything significant.

Let's consider it all our duty to do all we can to help in this effort, and as the the preacher Willy said tonight, "love is the most powerful weapon we have; lets use it on this."