Apparently city government has chosen to keep its head low, with the exception of the HPPD. Such as it is , this is Dred’s Discussion, a look at HP city government from street level. I’m not sure if Police Chief Ken Shultz is taking credit for what he appears to think Covid-19 has done or not. HPPD reported a double-digit drop in crime, with the exception of the “boys will be boys” type crimes we seldom hear about and perps get slap on the wrist and returned to their parents to commit the same crimes later in the week. In the wake of proposed budget cuts the City Council was bombarded with public sentiment in opposition to said cuts. In response to public outcry, the Council re-examined its position and look elsewhere to cut funding, something I think should have been in the first place. The Council as a whole appears to remain reactive instead of pro-active. While this is not city government it is interesting. The BLM demonstrations that have rocked not only the nation, but the world, came to HP in the form of two days of demonstrations in our city. The first was led by HP youth, playing out peaceably for the most part, except where police intervened to confront demonstrators. The second led by local clergy and select city leaders culminating in a march through city streets ending at Moorehead Rec Center with various speakers, amongst which was HPPD Chief Ken Shultz, who has made it clear in the past he is no friend of the Black community. In fact it looks as if the second demonstration was held to wrest the momentum from the hands of our youth, who are fueled by passion, to “more level heads”. It is a tactic the city has used throughout HP history. While it appears to have been more work than they wanted to put in it, the City Council arrived at ways to keep both the HP Museum and Moorehead Center open. I’m certain the Council will have to revisit the root of the Moorehead issue, P&R management. P&R has been at contention with the Black community for several years. I personally submitted a proposal to Council to allow community volunteers to operate Moorehead in lieu of P&R, an idea that could work citywide at our recreation centers. Programs could be crafted to fit each community need. BBT Point continues to be a problem, with the Covd-19 implications, than the anticipated draw. Along with funding asked for to support city schools, which actually are County schools. Resilience High Point, a group headed by Patrick Harmon, is asking for funds to place public sanitation or hand washing stations to combat the spread of Covid-19. One would have thought the Council would have advocated this. Proactive, reactive? In the wake of Greg Demko’s resignation, Interim City Manager Randy McCaslin made out like a bandit, through no apparent effort on his part. The Council remains tight-lipped on the subject of budget. The latest Juneteenth celebration in the city also revealed another committee that has formed for “social change” in our city. While I’m grateful for the opportunity to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth, I have mixed feeling about this new committee formed on my behalf. Just as the observation of Juneteenth lacked the blessing of the city’s highest elected official, it’s speakers give me pause. Rep. Amos Quick, whom I admire on many levels, only represents a tiny portion of HP and is not a residentof our city. County Commissioner Carlvena Foster, by her title, represents County, not city interests. Whoever the members of this newly formed committee are, keep in mind this is not the HP of old. Such as it is, this is Dred’s Discussion.
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