Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 14, 1991 TAG: 9102150467
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Five years ago, Gilmer raised the ire of city officials by very publicly pointing out that minorities - specifically, black citizens - were inadequately represented on city boards and commissions and in city departments. And he demanded that the disparity be corrected.
Then president of a young civic organization called the Community Awareness Council,Gilmer held press conferences, voiced his concerns at City Council meetings and, as he says, became "one of the most hated people in Salem."
But his self-styled "outlandish, outspoken" approach got results.
In those five years, the number of blacks serving on the city's 18 boards and commissions has more than doubled - to 10. As a member of the Board of Viewers, Gilmer is among those 10.
"I used many attention-getting mechanisms to break the ice, and I think progress has been made," says Gilmer, whose car now sports an "I love Salem" bumper sticker and who smiled and waved from a red convertible at the Black History Celebration parade in downtown Salem Saturday.
"Salem had a reputation of being a segregated city. But that's not true now. I say that without any reservations."
In 1987, City Council appointed its first black person to city administration, when Forest Jones was named assistant city manager. Gilmer saw the appointment as indirectly related to the CAC's efforts.
"It was done without any coercion from anybody," Gilmer said. "As a matter of fact, I was in California at the time. I came home, and I didn't believe it. It is a very important position, and he plays a very important role. That gives me faith."
But Gilmer - and the entire CAC membership - has not stopped pushing for better representation. Gilmer has worked with city administration to increase minority hiring in city departments and the school system.
The city has been very open to hiring suggestions, Gilmer said. He is worried, though, about finding qualified applicants.
"I'm disgusted that we can't find applicants," he said. "There isn't one applicant that I've sent with good qualifications that they haven't hired."
Gilmer and four others - three of whom are CAC members - serve on a committee appointed by School Superintendent Wayne Tripp to help ensure that there is input from all segments of the Salem community on school issues.
Five years ago, the CAC pushed for a minority appointment to the School Board, a feat that has not yet been accomplished. Tripp's advisory committee, "is at least a start," said George Daniels, a committee member and CAC's municipal affairs chairman.
"Salem has always had one of the best school systems in Virginia," Daniels said. "If I've ever had a problem with it, it's that it hasn't included all segments of the community in its representation."
Daniels, who is Salem's representative to the Mental Health Services Board of Directors and to the Virginia Western Community College's board of directors, has applied twice for a School Board appointment. Each time an incumbent was reappointed.
Gilmer said he realizes that under the current state system - appointed, rather than elected, school boards - a minority appointment will be hard to come by in Salem.
"There's no reason to push unless there's an opening," Gilmer said. "The people on the board now are doing good jobs. And I don't believe in appointing someone to fulfill a racial quota."
Not surprisingly, Gilmer supports proposed legislation that would bring elected school boards to Virginia.
"The school boards should be an elected situation so people can't get on and stay for life," he said.
Gilmer continues to stand by the CAC's original intent - to open channels between city administration and "mid-town," as he refers to the segment of the city that is predominantly populated by black people.
"People say now that I've always be treated nice because of my personality," Gilmer said. "I don't believe that. I was one of the most hated people in town five years ago."
"I spread a little salt to get people's attention. Now, it's time to spread a little sugar."
by CNB