Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 2 September 2004 — Page 2

Page 2 • The Muncie Times • September 2, 2004

EDITORIAL Bravo Mayor Canan on renaming Broadway to MLK

With a stroke of his pen, Muncie Mayor Dan C. Canan has resolved the festering problem over the partial renaming of Broadway as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The signature brings to an end a divisive debate between those who thought the renaming would honor the martyred civil rights icon and those, some motivated by racism, who opposed the idea. Mayor Canan deserves

accolades for putting the overall interests of the city above those narrow-minded and cynical Muncie residents who stubbornly sought to resist anything suggested by the city’s African American residents and their supporters. The mayor exhibited the kind of leadership and courage often lacking in this city. Once convinced that he had the legal power to do so, he moved boldly and decisively to rename a portion of

Broadway renamed. The Republican mayor's actions contrasted sharply with the cowardice from the Democraticdominated nine-member Muncie City Council. Three Democratic Council members Murphy, Quirk and Shrower wanted their colleagues to show guts and leadership by supporting the renaming measure. Unfortunately, they got no support from their leaders. Council President Chuck

Leonard skulked away from the issue, while Mary Jo Barton, who represents a district that was not affected by the renaming proposal, chose to demagogue the issue and once more show her disdain for African Americans. To his credit, Mayor Canan chose to act, rather than engage in verbal bluster. His actions, even though limited, should help bring closure to this debate. They should help close

some of the racial fissures that had been opened by this debate. A racially united Muncie is a better place for all residents. It is also a more inviting target for investment and economic development. Investors often do not want to come into communities where residents are at each other's throats. With this action, Muncie has taken a step in the right direction.

You can help stop Fatuka Flake's threatened deportation Last month, a whether she will be sent Fatuka Flake arrived future uncertain, as her Muncie woman stopped for back to her native Sierra in Muncie more than 30 loving husband and sons speeding was arrested when Leone, in West Africa, or years ago. She established wonder what will happen to it turned out that there was released and allowed to roots here, got an education her next. Her coworkers at an old immigration rejoin her American and, at the time of her arrest, Ball Memorial Hospital also deportation order against husband of 10 years and was working at Ball wonder and wait, as do her. Today, Fatuka Rake sits her two young sons in Memorial Hospital. Today many many of her friends in a Chicago cell, uncertain Muncie. her world is shattered, her and acquaintances in Delaware and Madison .-• „ . * -f /' v..* y * j , -A. 4" • . •:> . LETTER POLICY counties. ^ “ "r"” ~ T It is hard for many The Muncie Times accepts and However, the writer’s full libel. , .. publishes “Letters to the Editor” particulars.must he included in ‘All correspondence should be ^ ea CrS °, S ne '^^P a P er 0 underdie following condkipn^Tt^he leltei "'ofowg with the addressed to: The Editor, The w “ a t 4 18 W® * ,e •The letter must indicate the suggestedpseudonym. Muncie Times, 1304 N. locked up in a cell as your writer’s name, address and' •Letters must he brief*. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. fate is determined, to phone number where the writer preferably no more than 300 •Unsolicited manuscripts will wonder whether you will be can be reached during the day. words long and should, if only be returned if the writer a 5j e ( 0 reunited with your Addresses?and phone numbers possible, be typed and double- includes a self-addressed, loved ones or be sent back will not be published. spaced. Hand-written letters stamped envelope with correct ^ , . . . •IftowLr wishes .he leaer will atvkbe accepted \ package. 10 a home that you left so to be published under a •The editor reserves the right to -Thank You- l° n g a g°pseudonym, that wish will be edit dinAtters for brevity* ' Fatuka Flake needs honored. accuracy, taste, grammar and your help. As the Immigration and MUNCIE TIMES STAFF Naturalization Department Publisher...... .I. ... Ilea Moten-Foste, decides what to *> “ i,h her ’ 4 v it is important to support Editor John T. Lambkun what the Flake family , „ • „ attorney is doing to prevent her deportation. Her Layout/lypesetting Patty Haisley church. Union Missionary : i ’ ' • ; ’ v" V ' ^ y • -* : £ .• i - ■ ;A- . * ■ ■■• 5 ■ Contributors: T.S. Kumbula, Maurice Taylor Administrative Assistant Belinda Castelow

Baptist, is raising money and taking other steps to support Fatuka. So is her husband. So are friends and colleagues in the community. It costs money to engage a lawyer to battle immigration officials and try to get the deportation order rescinded. Another area where help is also needed is in mobilizing legislators td step in and make sure that Fatuka Flake has a hearing on her case. Writing to members of Indiana's congressional delegation would certainly help. Letters can be sent to U. S. Sens. Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh or to U. S. Reps. Julia Carson and Mike Pence. It's important to prevent a travesty from occurring. If enough people become involved, it may be possible to ensure that Fatuka Rake is not deportfed to Sierra Leone. Your help can make that happen.

The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.