Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 December 1989 — Page 2

PAGE A2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2,1989

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Wishard employees need Golden Rule lessons

She’s on ihe telephone talking to or who bark out responses to your tier girlfriend while you’re standing questions. They’re the ones who let waiting for service. Or she’s com- you know that today they are not in the plaining to the cashier next to her mood to deal with customers and about all the customers in line 15 they’re mad at the world, minutes before closing, as you stand What causes so many employees— patiently waiting for her to ring up especially black women employees— your purchases. to have so little respect for customers? Ihcrc arc the employees who an- What causes them to bring perswer telephones in a haughty manner sonal problems to the workplace?

Bakery robbed at gunpoint The Roselyn Bakery at 6805 E. 38th St. was robbed Monday evening by a man who pointed a .45-calibcr handgun at an employee. The employee told police that a man entered the bakery at 7:15 p.m. Monday and asked for five chocolate donuts. When the employee rang up the total, the man brandished the handgun and told the employee to putall the store’s money in a bag. He also demanded the employee’s wedding

rings.

The man ran away from the store in a western direction. I le is described as an African-American man around 27 years old, 5’6" to 5’7" tall, with a dark complexion and a medium build. He wore a black cap and matching jacket, a red shirt and blue jeans. Three arrested at Radio Shack Three city men were arrested last week near a Radio Shack at 2319 E. 53rd Place and were charged with the theft of several items. The men arrested were Anthony P. Johnson, 33, of the 2800 block of N. Delaware St.; Reginald Hamilton, 31, of the 2900 block of N. Delaware St.; and James E. Jackson, 30, of the 2200 block of N. Meridian St. A clerk at the Radio Shack called police saying three AfricanAmerican men had left the store carrying a compact disc player. Police stopped a car matching the clerk’s description on the 4100 block of N. College Avc. Police saw two telephones and a cable converter on the floor of die white Mustang, as well as the compact disc player — which was on the front floorboard between a passenger’s legs, police said. The men were arrested and charged with theft after being identified by store employees as the perpetrators. 74-year-old janitor attacked on job

What makes them believe that they are justified (or funny) when they treat customers unprofessionally? Of course customers could take their business elsewhere or complain to management for better service. In some cases, the customer has no choice. Case in point is Wishard Memorial Hospital, where poor people must go when there is an emergency illness. Recently while at Wishard’s Emergency Room, waiting clients found it ignore a clerk who complained about the many patients who should have waited until Monday to come to the hospital, instead of coming in on a Saturday. In a voice loud enough for waiting patients to hear, this woman fussed about it being her break time, commented about it almost being time to gel off work for the day, and then took 1 time out to chit-chat with relatives who visited theemcrgency department. Finally she began to help a co-worker register patients, calling the first one in a loud, stem voice, “Jones, over here.” It was clear that she really didn’t want to sec Mrs. Jones. There was the emergency room worker who told a mother that her daughter would have to just sit and wait her turn. For two hours the woman’s daughter

improved awareness tocustomer service matters. “It’s just belter business when you t get along with people and treat them with a smile,” he said, but acknowledged that it was not unusual to hear complaints from patients who say they received neither smiles nor good treatment. Wishard, managed by the IU Med Center, is a division of Health and Hospital Corporation, a county agency controlled by a board of directors. There are seven board members: three appointed by the mayor, two by the U a T\M ET 17 M City-County Council and two by the Z u „ ~ ” "l 5 n cT a Persons who receive poor treatment from this hospital must com- „ By EUNICE TROTTER plain, starting with the administrator Editor & Publisher of the hospital. Dr. William Poynter, 630-7356 and if necessary, going to vomited and choked in the waiting the Health and Hospital Corporation, room before rccicving medical atten- This column should no/be taken as t ion. an indictment against all Wishard Wishard spokesperson Tim employees because most arc very Johnson said hospital administrators, professional and courteous providers who arc actually employed by the of medical services. Indiana University Medical Center, I observed one African-American arc sensitive to patient treatment is- emergency room nurse whose patience sues. A year ago a program called impressed me as she dealt with an Customers Arc Really Everybody unruly female patient. (C.A.R.E.) was inititated to bring But there has been a group of

employees there who have long tainted the hospital’s reputation and provided second-class treatment to patients who have had no choice but Wishard. This group has tended to be drawn from the ranks ofthe lower clerical level. More training must be given to this group.* In fact, more training should be given period to service workers who tend to staff the cash registers of shopping malls, restaurants and grocery stores all over the city. At the 7-11 on Fairfield, a clerk (a young black woman) fussed about all of the people rushing into the store at 10:45 p.m. ‘These people make me sick,” she said in a voice loud enough for persons standing in lines to hear. What this woman and so many others fail to realize is that their paychecks are determined by the volume of customers, regardless of the time of day or night that they come. If they stopped coming, so would employee paychecks. Somewhere along the way, the concept of treating others with dignity has been lost or forgotten. For businesses to remain competitive this concept must be recaptured. And quickly. Between the Lines appears on alternate weeks with Blackside.

Harold Washington remembered

CHICAGO (AP)—African- . second four-year term. American leaders, carrying on the Jackson told a crowd of about legacy of the late Mayor Harold 1,000 people gathered at Operation Washington, say plans are underway PUSH that Washington s genius lor for organizing a voter registration voter registration and coalilion-build-drivc in the city’s black community, ing must be regained. The Rev. Jesse Jackson joined “When Harold won, we won,” local black leaders over the weekend Jackson said at Saturday s tribute, in a tribute marking the second anni- “When Harold died, our ship wrecked, versary of Washington’s death. But we re capable of coming back. The city’s first black mayor died Aid. Danny Davis said, “We must Nov. 25,1987 of a heart attack, only unite our people and put together the months after winning election to a most massive voter registration drive

we’ve ever seen in this country.” also attended the service. Davis and Tyrone Crider, exccu- “In tribute to Harold, the family is tivedircctor-cIcctofOperationPUSH, asking that the day be devoted to the said there were plans to launch a voter spirit of unity,” said Ramon Price, registration drive starting in January. Washington’s half-brother. Among the dozen or more public The City Council scheduled a spefigurcs attending Saturday’s memo- cial session today in Washington’s rial were this year’s two unsuccessful honor. A City Council tribute for the black mayoral candidates, Aid. Timo- late mayor called by three black alderthy Evans and Eugene Sawyer, who men Friday was adjourned for lack of was appointed mayor by the City a quorum. Council after Washington died. Members of Washington’s family

A 74-year-old janitor at the Indiana Slate Library was robbed and hiifcd last week as he attempted to clean a restroom at the building. I he janitor, Leroy Gant, of the 38(X) block of N. Capitol Avc., told I'olke he was entering the staff restroom to clean it when a black male push'd him and then struck him in the head with a black metal object, I -v 'La piece of a cast iron statue. Gant wrestled with the man, at which i uuc 'hi' man removed Gant’s wallet, conuiining $300 and identification. I he man wrestled free of Gam and ran to a fire escape. Gant suffered ails to his forehead, right arm and right hand and was taken to Methodist

I lospiml.

Ihe perpetrator is described as a black male approximately 5’8" to (V short hair, fair complexion, weighing about 170 pounds. Two arrested for coke dealing Indianapolis police arrested two men this week after allegedly observiiu; one, of them selling cocaine to motorists and pedestrians at the 2300 ''■it of N New Jersey St. Anestcd were Ronald L. Davis, 20, of die 1700 block of N. Central Avc, charged with dealing cocaine and possession of cocaine; and M uirice Cannon, 18, of the 300 block of E. Fall Creek. Police said they saw Cannon exchange money for cocaine with Davis, j I hey described the area as one where drugs arc often sold and used.

tLlie Jufriaitapolts ^ecoriter Index

j News a 1-3 A2 -Police Beat -Between the Lines -Harold Washington remembered A3 -Time For Talk, ‘Week In Review Business as-6 AS -NAACP celebrates solidarity with labor -Business Briefs Af> -On the business scene -Business Calendar Editorials A8-9 f .b Columns A9 -readers write Around Town AlO Religion Ail-13 A 11 -Compton Disciples’ giving consultant -Concerned Clergy,Inc. A 12 -Church World Today A 13 ‘National Council of Negro Women meet General A14-16 A14 -Education Notebook A IS * S. African whites march against apartheid ' is -SO Years Ago, Teen Talk

Lifestyle Bis-ie B1 -Computers ease learning -Social Potpourri B2 -Child Watch -Clark-Atlanta has homecoming B3 -Coping B5 -Winter entertaining Entertainment B6-8 B6 -Boys Choir of Harlem at Clowes * Deuce- new Indy music -Mills, Soul II Soul reviews B7 -Astrology Talks -‘Harlem Nights’ rides on Murphy’s name B8 * Lives of black Americans on PBS Sports BIO BIO -Pacers’ Person in command on court -Ill’s Anthony Thomas lives American dream Bit -Obits, In Memorium Classified B12-14 Automotive BIS

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