ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 22, 1996 TAG: 9611220022
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARA WILLIAMS PETTIGREW-HOLLAND
AS A LIFETIME resident of Roanoke, I have vivid memories of Henry Street. I remember all three of the eras of Henry Street. Earlier, I remember the configuration of the street: Dell's Luncheonette, Odella and John Patrick, proprietors; The Tribune, the Rev. Alexander, editor in chief; the cleaners owned and operated by the Prunty family; 308 Club, Harry and Annie Russell; Club Morocco, Chris Morris; The Shoe Repair Shop, Mr. Green, proprietor; The Record Shop, first Mr. Wagstaff and later Mr. Kiser; Community Drugstore, Mr. Neighbors; my dentist, Dr. Penn; and last but not least, where the best hot dogs and ice cream were sold, Jack's & Jill's, my childhood friends.
Part of the memories, though, are of not-so-glamorous days. The days of other types of businesses, violence and murders, and the last era, of a ghost town with boarded-up buildings and no activity.
The level of interest and/or sentiment varies with the age of citizens and what era they experienced the "Yard." This will affect the level of interest in the revitalization of Henry Street now.
I am exasperated about the manner in which our community is handling Henry Street matters. Unfortunately, a segment of the community, in their genuine efforts to right some past iniquities, utilize inappropriate tactics by attack and verbal abuse of persons who have given their lives to make Roanoke a better place for all its citizens. The other, larger part of the community is not being heard at all. Assumptions are being made that those who are willing to speak are the spokespersons for the community. This is in error.
I was born and have lived in the city of Roanoke for nearly 62 years. I have tried to be a productive citizen by giving some of my abilities and talents to assist many of those trying to gain self-sufficiency by eliminating barriers that have confronted them. I take pride in having been a part of the solution, rather than the problem.
Fortunately, 25 of those years have been working for an agency whose mission is compatible with mine. The agency is Total Action Against Poverty. TAP has done more than any agency in this valley to assist a segment of the population with whom no one else is willing to work in a long-term effort to restore their lives.
TAP has holistically and effectively worked with individuals who are dropouts, displaced workers, battered and abused. Programs have been provided to encourage first-generation college-goers; to assist with housing and with obtaining pure drinking water; to assist offender families and help offenders re-enter society successfully; to aid the homeless and the elderly, as well as those chained by substance abuse; to help with weatherization and rehabilitation of homes - all helping people toward self-sufficiency.
The Head Start program alone effects the greatest impact on children in acquiring the tools needed to succeed in their educational pursuits. Hundreds of people attest to what TAP has done in helping them to obtain pride in becoming productive citizens, by empowering and educating them.
TAP has made efforts to restore discarded and neglected buildings, as well. Harrison School would not have been restored had it not been for TAP working with a dedicated educator, advising and directing her to available resources. The 19th Street Supermarket was restored after consideration for the need of the community for a supermarket . An all-out attempt to revitalize the facility was made.
Yes, and the Music Center is the only viable, usable facility on Henry Street. Without TAP's effort, that facility would be a part of the desolation and ruin of an entire neglected area. Instead, it is the sole entity on Henry Street that is accessible to the community.
To be accused of being a partner in a conspiracy to exploit and deceive the people of our community is ludicrous. I am infuriated, not only as a staff person of TAP, but as a citizen who has not just started being an activist in our community. I am sick of hearing people loudly request and demand something for nothing. I would proudly be a part of a community effort to come up with some good hard cash (about a cool million). This way, we would put our money where our mouth is and acquire a piece of Henry Street through the power of purchase.
This can be done only with a unified community, eliminating the ruthless and unpardonable character assassination of persons who are not self-appointed leaders, but have been honest, creditable people active through the years, working to make our community a viable part of an All-America city.
We cannot build or gain strength through disunity within our community or any other community. We cannot sit idly by being passive and uninvolved. If we are only spectators, we relinquish and relegate leadership to those who, because of their tactics, we are unwilling to accept as our leaders.
We know that our community is too diverse to have one leader. However, we need to exercise our right to appoint spokespersons who do represent our point of view. We cannot afford to be silent or uninvolved.
We do not have the right, in our anxious pursuit of the truth, to make libelous allegations such as implying some impropriety in TAP's acquisition of the Dumas. Actually, TAP's intention was to develop the Ebony Club, not the Dumas. TAP acquired the Dumas instead because of plans to develop the east side of Henry Street. The Dumas was offered as an alternate facility.
I pray that we can become a stronger community, considerate of all of our citizens. For together we stand, and divided all of us shall be deeply and permanently affected. Let us cooperate and establish broad-based citizen participation. We need to refrain from insulting persons of differing opinions, but respect their right to speak. I may not agree, but I respect your right of expression. That should be a reciprocal action.
I sincerely encourage that we seek healing and unity in our efforts to preserve and restore that which we hold dear.
Sara Williams Pettigrew-Holland of Roanoke is director of youth services and training at Total Action Against Poverty.
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