Trentonians Chime In After Feds Raid City Hall

TRENTON-- In the wake of last week's FBI raids, the city of Trenton burst onto the national scene. News reports, tweets, and blogs galore, indeed Trenton was the talk of the town last week.

FBI agents descended onto New Jersey's state capitol in the middle of the night last Wednesday, they stopped off at the mayor's Berkely Square home in Trenton.

The city's mayor, Tony F. Mack, has been the subject of scandal and criticism since taking office just two years ago. Since being inaugurated, he and his administration have been slapped with accusations of cronyism and reckless spending. However, at this juncture, despite these accusations, the FBI has not charged the mayor with any crime or offense. Reports indicate that an investigation is ongoing.

After stopping off at the Mayor's humble abode, the FBI also searched the homes of Mack's brother Raphael Mack along with one of the mayor's campaign contributors JoJo Giorgianni, a convicted sex offender.

Over the last two years, the mayor was a target of a failed recall effort. The citizens group that led the recall effort was concerned about "unstable leadership and the laying off of 105 police officers "according to Trentonian columnist LA Parker. Along with the recall, a lawsuit was filed against the mayor by a former parks employee. The employee said that the mayor asked her to give his friends jobs and she refused.

It is unknown whether the FBI investigation has anything to do with these previous issues and if they are connected to the mayor and his administration.

To his credit, Mack has done some things to improve the city of Trenton since taking office. From renovating the Ike Williams Recreation Center to securing grant funds for public safety that is expected to help bring back 12 officers that were laid off due to budget constraints, the mayor has done things enhance the community. For more info, click here.

Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- wanted to get reaction from Trenton residents.

One resident said its tragic that we have a mayor that is being investigated by the FBI. He went on to say that despite being innocent until proven guilty, if the FBI is involved, they must have something on him.

Another resident, Ms. Tuthcil, said that she personally knows the mayor and that she doesn't know too much about what's going on, but that she supports the mayor and is praying for him.

Shawn, a city man, said that his initial reaction after hearing that the mayor's house was raided was that it was 'embarassing'.

Lastly, Richard Cook, a longtime Trenton resident and cousin of former Mayor Doug Palmer, said that he doesn't know what to think but that he never saw a mayor's house get raided by the FBI in his lifetime.

Please see video interviews below:

Trenton Youth Take Part In Spelling Bee

TRENTON-- Empowerment, that's E-M-P-O-W-E-R-M-E-N-T, development, that's D-E-V-E-L-O-P-M-E-N-T. Those were just a couple of the words that local youngsters had to spell Thursday night at  Trenton's First Annual 'Black Pride' Spelling Competition at City Hall. The event was sponsored and hosted by the Capital City Youth Development Council, a local community group whose mission is to 'Motivate And Prepare Future Leaders'.

According to a press release, the event was designed to "promote and continuously enhance the warm spirit of peace and love that was shown at last year's African Pride Festival".  

During the spelling competition, children from throughout the city and surrounding areas showcased their scholastic talent, promoting Black Pride in their quest to become champion spellers. The competition was open to all 4-7th grade students in public, private, charter, and independent schools.

New Black Panther spokesperson, Divine Allah, hosted the event and said that "the spelling bee was designed to offer substance to symbols". He went on to say that "each child has to be a leader, a thinker, and a doer".  

This annual event is being held to highlight the anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, one of the leading figures of 'Black History' in America who embodied educational discipline and scholarship. As a child, young Malcolm Little, - [long before X] was told by an elementary school teacher that he could not become a lawyer. Although discouraged from formal education, and after facing many odds, Malcolm grew to become a worldwide icon and Black America's premier example of courage, manhood, respect and scholarly discipline.

This event is one of many held during Black History Month, where we are striving to showcase positive achievements and educational talents of Trenton children and youth. 

Winners of this competition will move on to the 2nd phase/competition in May [Where Health And Wellness Is The Theme] - and then 'hopefully' onto the main stage at this year’s African Pride Festival, where they will be presented with 'Grand Prizes'.

Included in the spelling competition were Jefreda Presha, Anaya Wells, Ajanay Wells-Daniels, Azikiwe Kemit, Akosua Squarrell-Revell, Corey Hayes, Saleel Siplin, Taylor Green Divine, Trey'von Holt, Chaz Swan, Tyree Swan, DeQuan Rose, Julian Newwman, Ras Makonnen Tafari, Mike Conover, Messiah Crews.

The spelling competition was co-sponsored by Trenton ANTI-VIOLENCE Coalition, WUCUSU Inner & EDUtainment, and the New Black Panther Party.

Please see the video 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: