Mayhue Loses County Commission Seat, Will Be Missed

W. Paul Mayhue lost his seat on the Kent County Board of Commissioners in yesterday’s primary election.

There was a small voter turnout, with slightly more than 1,000 votes between him and his opponent. Mr. Mayhue received 434 votes. Jim Talen had 687.

The citizens in the county’s 16th District have lost a strong voice that would speak on their behalf.

As Third Ward City Commissioner Elias Lumpkins puts it, “If Paul felt something was wrong, he would address it. If he felt there was a need, he tried to fill it.”

W. Paul Mayhue worked diligently to influence public policy to benefit all whom he served and to benefit citizens in the larger community as well.

Mayhue has taken a strong stance against police misconduct and racial profiling.

He has spoken out on behalf of veteran affairs, has been an advocate for mental health parity, for parity in the construction industry and for alternatives to incarceration.

He has championed voter education and voter’s rights.

He reactivated the Kent County Black Elected Officials and sponsored town hall meetings for voter awareness.

Paul also kept a strong sensitivity for the welfare of disenfranchised and impoverished people.
His service as a County Commissioner will be missed.

For the next two years, African Americans, in particular, will need to be sure that Jim Talen is aware of their concerns and needs and that he addresses them.

Jim Talen must rise to the challenge of staying in touch with this particular community and to his responsibility to represent them.

Why Paul Mayhue Lost The 16th District County Seat

The Grand Rapids Times
8-8-2008
By Barbara J. Cleveland

It is unfortunate that Mr. Mayhue was not re-elected.

The bigger issue is voting.

On my way to vote, I spoke and saw people, and they were not aware that we were supposed to vote on yesterday.

There has to be a better way to get the news out to the community about voting.

When and where to vote; what and whom to vote for.

Some people had no (after taking a few minutes to talk to them) idea what was being voted on.

My feeling that is a lot of the community had no idea about voting – when, where and for what.

Those who knew and really cared did vote.

My concern is not “who” they vote for but that they vote.

I vote at every election and that’s because I keep up with what’s happening in my community, state and nationwide.

Some don’t have this ability, some don’t care.

We must get the word out to the community about what they will need to vote, where to vote and what issues are at hand.

Mr. Mayhue, maybe God has another plan for you. He will not bring you to “it” without bringing you through “it”.

There is always more work for God’s people to do.

There will always be work to do for our communities, just maybe your gifts can fit “now” in another area.

Carter – Stewart Family Reunion

Obama Promises Urban League: White House Will Be People’s House

The Grand Rapids Times
8-8-2008

Read all about it on Page 1 of the Print Edition of the Grand Rapids Times

Incidents Of HIV Worse Than Previously Known

By George E Curry
Special to the NNPA from the Black AIDS Institute

Mexico City (NNPA) - The number of people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is 40 percent higher than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been reporting each year, according to new figures released last Saturday.

Read all about it on Page 1 of the Print Edition of the Grand Rapids Times

Juveniles Don’t Belong In Adult Prisons

Jails and prisons are dangerous places for anybody, but especially for children and teens. Many of these institutions house vicious predators who have been locked up for brutal violent crimes.

Yet, on any given day, approximately 9,500 juveniles under the age of 18 are locked up in adult penal institutions. Children as young as 15 can be prosecuted as adults in many states without review by a judge or a court hearing.

The Campaign for Youth Justice report, ‘’Jailing Juveniles: The Dangers of Incarcerating Youth in Adult Jails in America,’’ released in November 2007, outlines the challenges to keeping children safe in adult jails.

[Click here to log in if you have a subscription and read more.  Or, click here to buy a subscription.]

Strong Beginnings Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week

Grand Rapids Times
8-8-2008
By Richard Pulliam

Breanna Rogers, an expectant mother, is excited about the birth of her second child.  She is also well informed about how to become the best mother that she can possibly be.

[To continue reading, click here to download page 16 from this week's edition of the GR Times]

RETURN TO TOP

  Log In