Anwar's Reflections Honors Dion Clark

TRENTON-- Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- sat down with East Trenton community activist Dion Clark Saturday morning to discuss his lifelong commitment to community service.

Recently, Clark said good bye to his life of activism and community service after suffering a heart attack at the age of 49.

While working in the community, Clark has run for political office and consistently fought for quality of life issues like eliminating urban blight and keeping elected officials accountable. Along with this, Clark demonstrated his commitment to the community by not missing a single City Council meeting. Rain or shine, the East Trenton native was there.

In the past, Clark has been recognized by individuals like State Senator Shirley Turner, Congressman Rush Holt, and others for his work in the community.

Clark is Anwar's Reflections first ever recipient of the Community Servant of the Year Award for his work and dedication to the community.

In an exclusive interview, Clark said that he has always sought to be "a good neighbor" to others when doing work in the community. He said this desire ultimately came from the way he was raised. Clark went on to say that despite walking away from his life of activism, he hopes others will pick up where he left off and keep working.

For access to Anwar's Reflections exclusive interview with Dion Clark, click below:

Local Activist Demands Accountability on Crime in Trenton

TRENTON-- Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- sat down with community activist Dion Clark, Saturday morning at a local Dunkin Donuts, to discuss a variety of issues, including but not limited to, his recent stance against ATV riding on city streets, his desire to have certain city council members excuse themselves from landlord ordinance votes, and his view on what Trenton should do about its recent spate of violent crime.

During the interview, Clark, a former candidate for Mercer County Freeholder, voiced concerns about four members of city council voting on landlord ordinances because they, too, are landlords. Clark argues that these individuals should not vote on matters that they could potentially benefit from as landlords in the city. To him, this presents a conflict of interest. Members of council can vote on landlord matters that include inspections, fines, rules and regulations, etc.

Others have made the case that city council members that own property and rent it out have every right to vote on landlord matters because they bring a unique insider perspective that others may not have.

Later during the interview, the East Trenton native spoke on the issue of ATV riding in the city. While speaking on this ongoing problem, Clark gave an account of a recent incident involving an individual riding an ATV near his Wilbur Section home. He said that he witnessed a young man revving his engine outside his home. When looking out his window, Clark reports that from looking at the young man it was almost as though he was looking for the police to spot him. According to Clark, this is a regular event in his community. ATV riding is illegal to do on city streets.

With regard to the recent series of violent crime in the city, Clark said city officials have not responded adequately to address the problem. He said the best way to respond to the city's crime is by adopting a 'zero tolerance' approach where both police and residents alike take action and do their part.

Clark went on to say that one does not have to visit Saudi Arabia to know what a terrorist is. He said there are communities all over America that are coping with what he calls 'urban terrorists' in the same way Trenton is currently.

Please see videos below:

Anwar's Reflections One Year Anniversary

TRENTON-- Ladies and gentleman, Anwar's Reflections, a cutting-edge local blog, survived its first year, learning a great deal about the city of Trenton and the larger Mercer County area. Thanks to all the supporters of the blog that made it possible.

In particular, I as editor and chief, would like to take a moment out to acknowledge some very special people. First, there is Meggin Sanez, Anwar's Reflections' first guest blogger. She is highly professional and her work is both practical and entertaining.

Secondly, I would like to give a big thank you to Monique Corbin, she was my camera-person on more than a few occasions, we have been friends since high school.

Third, I would like to publicly say thank you to Hallie Townsend for her support. She works diligently to teach people the virtues of online education. Visit her website by clicking here.

I would also like to give a shout-out to the Trentonian newspaper for helping me and Anwar's Reflections extend our reach.

With their help, I have been able to reach a much broader audience through their regular blog alerts. In particular, I want to thank Aaron Nobel, former editor at the Trentonian, along with Joey Kulkin, managing editor at the Trentonian. Both Aaron and Joey gave me tips to become a better a citizen journalist/ blogger.

Next, I want to give a special thank you to Leslie Taylor, a person that is near and dear to me and my family. She has consistently been there for me and my endeavors over the years. I like to think of her as my MVP (Most Valuable Player). I love her dearly.

Then there is one of my strongest supporters, Janice Flynn. Janice and I met through Facebook and she is great. I enjoy her thoughtful comments and ongoing support.

I can't forget one of my best friends, Rance Robeson II, a former classmate and colleague at Rider University. Rance has mentored me through thick and thin and is like a brother to me. So, I would like to extend a big shout-out or acknowledgement to him.

Also, I can't forget about all the community leaders that have helped me. From Daryl Brooks and Dion Clark to Eric Maywar and Baye Kemit, these individuals do great work in the community. In particular, I want to shout out Raul 'Polo' Cortes, a highly talented poet that truly loves his community and has been very supportive of Anwar's Reflections.

Last, but not least, I can't forget my big brother, Rahman, he originally gave me the idea to create a blog in the first place. I love him immensely along with my mother, Sandra, and my father, Kalaama.

For all those I forgot to mention, please chalk it to my head and not my heart.

Last year was a great year, but now is not the time to cool off and rest on my laurels. Now is the time to build off the momentum of last year and make this year better than the last. Thank you for all your support.

Best wishes to everyone in the New Year ahead.

Trenton Black Republican Speaks Out

TRENTON-- Local activist Dion Clark speaks out about being a Black Republican in a predominantly Democratic town after viewing Kevin Williams new documentary Fear of a Black Republican at Princeton's Nassau Inn.

Clark, a longtime resident of East Trenton and former Mercer County Freeholder candidate, sat down with Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- Saturday morning to discuss his views on the Republican party and the state of his beloved hometown, Trenton.

In the interview, Clark said that Democratic leadership has failed urban communities like Trenton for far too long and that it is time for change.

The East Trenton native said that many people from Trenton ended up not voting for him when he was running for Mercer County Freeholder this past November simply because he was a black Republican. Clark thinks those sorts of judgments are misguided and rooted in ignorance.

Clark says that its important that people come to the Republican party with an open mind. During our interview, he said that it was important to focus on providing more opportunities to individuals living in urban communities like Trenton, not simply throwing money at social programs as Democratic leadership has done.

The East Trenton native insisted that the emphasis should be on giving people a hand-up, not a hand-out. He said that the current system under Democratic leadership has helped create a welfare state where some people have ultimately developed a sense of entitlement after receiving assistance from the government. He went on to say that some people have turned this assistance into a way of life where they rely exclusively on the system generation after generation. He said, "its kind of like a checking account at a bank, if you don't deposit anything, how do you expect to get anything back".

On the other side of the coin, there are those that suggest that the Republican party is indifferent to the plight and predicament of struggling working and middle class individuals. Nine times out of ten, these critics point to budget cuts that adversely affect the everyday lives of poor and working class individuals. Cuts to city aid, education, and so forth are usually what they reference.

Critics like New York Times columnist, Paul Krugman, argue that the Republican party only seeks to undermine social programs like Social Security, medicare, and veteran's health despite the value they bring to society. Critics of the Republican party argue that they only look out for the rich and well-to-do by refusing to raise their taxes despite their large incomes.


Please see videos below:

Clark Affects Change At City Hall Yet More Needs To Be Done

TRENTON-- Mercer County Freeholder candidate Dion Clark says progress has been made at City Hall, but more needs to be done.

Thursday morning, Clark, the longtime East Trenton resident, took a walk with Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- around City Hall, to highlight changes made to parking arrangements to benefit the handicapped.

However, in the process of recognizing that sign of progress, a city van was spotted illegally parked in the rear parking lot.

Clark brought the issue of handicapped parking to the attention of city council during their weekly meetings along with stating his concern on this blog just over a month ago.

Changes have since been made in response to Clark's previous complaints. Just a month and a half ago handicapped parking spaces were located 70 feet away from the historic building located on East State Street, now they are located only 23 feet away.

From a civic engagement standpoint, Clark's story is a testament to how speaking out and speaking up can affect change in your community.

Yet while recording the positive change at City Hall, a city van was seen parked illegally for 30 minutes in a fire zone that does not permit parking at any time.

During a brief interview, Clark said that "people need to be held accountable" regardless of any position they may hold. He said that we all need to be held to the same standard.

Clark, who has consistently spoken out on quality of life issues in Trenton, went on to suggest that City Hall should have someone enforcing the parking rules and regulations here at City Hall, someone like a security guard, because it presents a safety issue, an accident may occur when parking rules are violated.

He went on to say that "there are many people here paying their bill, but that doesn't give you the right to park anywhere and break the rules".

Clark says he intends on reporting the city van parking violation to ensure that someone is held accountable for not adhering to parking rules and regulations.

Please see videos below:

Longtime Trenton Activist Dion Clark Says He Is Your Man This November

TRENTON-- Longtime city activist Dion Clark speaks out about why he believes he is the best candidate for Mercer County Freeholder.

As Election Day approaches, Clark, 48, of East Trenton, sat down with Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- to discuss a variety of topics, including but not limited to, his decision to run for office, his commitment to keeping locally elected office holders accountable, and much more.

Growing up in the city's Wilbur Section, Clark developed a reputation as city watchdog and a committed community activist.

Over the years, he has been a staple at city council meetings. From holding city councilman, Alex Bethea, accountable for occupying a handicapped parking spot at City Hall to helping nab a thief on his street, Clark has a proven track record in the community.

Clark said that he wants to stabilize taxes, promote economic growth and bring good leadership and good government to Mercer County.

There are two other candidates running for Mercer County Freeholder, James Castelize III, Dave Maher along with Democrat incumbent Lucille R. S. Walter and John Cimino. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th.

For more information about Clark, please see the videos below:

City Activist and Concerned Citizens Say Old Cook School Needs To Be Razed

TRENTON-- Longtime community activist, Dion Clark, of East Trenton speaks out about the blight at the old Cook School located at the corner of Walnut and Cuyler Avenues Monday morning. The 101 year old building, William E. Cook School, has been vacant and abandoned since the 1990's.

From looking at the facility, the building has boarded up windows with shattered glass, littered debris, and uncut grass.

Clark, an activist that is passionate about safety and quality of life issues in the city, said that the building is an eyesore and needs to be tore down and used for another purpose. He has visions of turning the former school into a community center where computer classes are taught and new mothers can take their children to daycare.

City resident, Ms. Jenkins, lives on the same street as the old Cook School, and said that the building is an eyesore and something should be done with it because it has asbestos in it. She went on to say that she isn't surprised why businesspeople don't want to invest in Trenton because "look at what you see when you walk or drive down the street, you see abandoned buildings, eyesores". Jenkins went on to suggest that the school be cleaned up or turned into a parking lot to make more room for residents to park when the city plows the streets.

In an op-ed piece written by the Trentonian's own LA Parker, the well-known columnist, is quoted as saying, "the old elementary school house at the end of Walnut Avenue needs a facelift".

According to the director of energy education, planning, and research at Isles, a non-profit organization that seeks to foster self-reliant families in healthy, sustainable communities, there are 1,719 abandoned buildings in the city of Trenton.

City government officials are aware of abandoned buildings like the shuttered Cook School. Just this past summer, the city demolished two abandoned industrial buildings with the hopes of creating a greenway along the Assunpink Creek located between Monmouth Street and St. Joes Avenue.

Trenton Mayor Tony Mack said that the razing of those abandoned buildings is the beginning of a totally different direction for the city. He was quoted as saying that he wants to rid the community of eyesores and turn them into beautiful open spaces.

What happens to the old Cook is still undetermined. Clark and others say they will continue to voice their concerns to city council and members of the Mack administration until something is done to the building.

To contact city council or the Mack administration, please click the link below for their contact information:

http://www.trentonnj.org/Cit-e-Access/ContactInfo/?TID=55&TPID=5557

Please see videos below of the facility and a brief interview with Dion Clark: