Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 8 June 1996 — Page 5

The Muncie Times, June 6,1996, Page 5

CENTERS continued from page 1 the centers were under-utilized. He said more involvement must come from the churches and community. Pastor Gregg Parris of Union Chapel United Methodist Church spoke on behalf of a group of clergy representing the Delaware County Ministerial Association, the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy and the Combined Clergy. “I would like to offer a word of apology for our lack of participation and relative ineffectiveness,” he said. “We want to be there for our kids and the elderly. We are not being naive but will sacrifice what is needed.” Molly Plodder, TEAMWORK for Quality Living member said, “We have 125 people ready to do something. We want to be a part of the solution.” Teresa Huggins of the Educational Task Force said that she already had programming in place for each of the centers in conjunction with volunteers from Ball State University. “These students are prepared to volunteer where needed,” Huggins said. An 18-member committee was selected to help in the transition of the centers from government administration to private administration. Mayor Dan Canan said he would commit to keeping the centers open for an additional two weeks and would keep the three centers’ directors on the city payroll. The centers were originally slated to close May 31. It is expected that a grant of $100,000 from the Urban Enterprise Association will help to keep the centers open through Dec. 31. A group of children, along with parents and staff of the Buley Center, met with Mayor Canan on the steps of City Had. Some of the children carried signs which read, “Play Fair - If You Care,” and “Good Fun or Bad Fun - Which Will It Be?” About five of the children asked Canan about the closings. “This is not your fault at all. There were problems in the past with how the city has been run. Now the city is broke. There are serious problems I didn’t

create,” Canan said. Tristan Martin, who has been with the Buley Center for over 20 years, tok Canan, “One day these children will, too, have to make a decision. They’ll have to ask themselves, ‘What will we do? What will we do with the elderly, the lame, the feeble?’ ” On Saturday, June 1, a second public gathering heard the recommendations of Caldemeyer that the Youth Opportunity Center become the entity to temporarily administrate the Buley, South Madison and Ross centers. “They have a proven track record. They will deal with these kids at one time or another, anyway,” Caldemeyer said. The recommendations met with the approval of Canan and the 18-member committee. Former YOC board president, Bill Smith said he would take the lead on this project. “We will apply for the grant Monday morning,” said Smith. It was noted that the Youth Opportunity Center is not interested in overseeing the operation of the centers on a long-term basis. A subcommittee Advisory Board was formed to meet with the three center’s directors, Carolyn Knox, Lillian Dunn and Dot Dillard, to discuss programming and staffing needs. “We will also meet with community members to see what is needed,” said committee member Rick Rowray. The Advisory Board will meet with the 18-member transition committee to expedite the decision-making process and then report to the YOC board. City council member Barbara Demaree announced that a bank account has been opened at American National Bank to help defray costs associated with running the centers. Donations may be deposited at any ANB branch to the “Save The Community Centers Fund.” “This fund was basically set up for the whole community to come together and assist financially,” Demaree said. H H SI

Public slams closing of 3 community centers by Judy Mays Several community leaders and members of the clergy, joined by about 200 people, recently criticized Mayor Dan Canan’s proposed closing of the city’s three community centers. “I really think the centers are a tremendous investment in the city,” said Jody Crabtree-Hoffyon. “The closing of these centers is saying we don’t care about the poor and disadvantaged. “Something should be done by administration to reallocate funds. I’m a Ball State student and I work two jobs. I don’t use the centers, but I do care about what’s going on. Basically I don’t know what I can do to help but I came here today to find out.” Pastor James Lawson of Terrestrial Temple Church of God in Christ, said he was gravely concerned about the youngsters in the community. He encouraged everyone to get on the bandwagon and stay on it. The outrage stems from Canan’s announcement that he would close Buley, Madison and Ross Community Centers. The centers provide various services to the city’s youth and senior citizens. The programs offered at the centers range from Shots for Tots, to Girl Scouts, karate, arts and crafts, homework study sessions and a club for senior citizens. “We are a check-in point for families. In other words, parents can know where their children are and that they are safe. Oftentimes, they will say ‘Call me when you get to the Buley Center’,” said Tristan Martin, assistant director of the Buley Center. The Rev. Henry Fuller, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church said it is bad for a city to begin the budget-cutting process by punishing people who have no voice. “But we are their voice,” said Fuller. “The centers must remain open and we must keep them open now. “Do not stand by. We must each commit. Our fight is not with the Mayor, but with those who sit by and do nothing. ‘The fight is on. The byword is no more. No more decisions made for us without our voice. Whoever is elected must have a shopping list from us.”

A release circulated at the closure of the news conference said, “In Mayor Canan’s see PUBLIC on page 6

Rev. Larry Carther, Faith Center for All Nations