Monday’s East Valley Tribune featured a story on page A2 - MLK parade backer to pass torch. The backer — John Goodie.John Goodie, MLK Committee Parade Chair this year has been involved with the MLK Celebration for 18 years. Today he told me it all has been good and he’s enjoyed the involvement immensely.His hope is that more people will get involved - more young people from all walks of life, coming together to bring about new ideas for fund raising. Times have changed and a lot of work goes into planning.This year was the first year this event, along with others, had to raise their own funds due to the city budget cuts. John was counting on the same prices as last year for such costs as barricades and insurance. They went up dramatically, thousands of dollars - plus hiring ten police officers to ensure public safety which is necessary, welcomed, and a must. Even with that someone had come along and re-arranged all the cones he had numbered for the parade entries creating extra work and some confusion.I didn’t realize fully until John explained all the contacts and paperwork necessary that must be done months before to accomplish the task of the parade. He was successful even though he accomplished all this himself. If you know John he never complains, his heart is in it, but I can surely relate to knowing when it’s time to retire!Like John, I see the call for young men and women to get involved in this effort of civil rights - it is for all of us - all of our diversity - not just color, but religion, health challenges, age and gender discrimination, prejudice, wage differences, income levels, welfare support, educational opportunities, and the list goes on.Who will hear the call and step up to the plate? John is handing over the torch - will it be you?
Archive for January 16th, 2007 |