(These two youngsters, lifetime
members of the NAACP, are looking at a different
future, thanks to those who came before them.
Observer Photo)
Keeping the Dream Alive
NAACP Freedom Lunch
Columbia County, FL (Posted April 24, 2010 12:35 pm)
Walking in the footsteps of giants in the history of the NAACP and America, the 28th annual Columbia County Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Luncheon went off without a hitch this past Saturday.
Fannie Lou Hamer would have been gratified to see
Columbia County's branch secretary, Glynnell Presley's
remarks in the program: "It
is imperative that we continue to remain vigilant to the
obstacles of economic recession, political
narrow-mindedness, social injustice, civil rights
infringement and bigotry. The NAACP has blazed uncharted
trails, despite the insurmountable obstacles."
NAACP annual dinners are a time of fellowship, good humor, recognition and award giving, and a time for politicians to show that they are interested in the issues that Mr. Presley mentioned.
Observing some of the areas in and around Lake City, it would appear that this interest, as it is with many politicians throughout the land, is a one day event.
Walmart was honored for giving back to the community day in and day out and received both a community service award, which was accepted by Lake City store manager Dennis Morse and a Corporate Award, received by Zack Paulk, the Walmart Logistic Center's general transportation manager.
About the Walmart awards, Secretary Presely said, "Walmart has been good – real good... we are so pleased – I am bubbling over.
This
year's annual dinner was attended by a host of Columbia
County's luminaries, who enjoyed an afternoon of
fellowship and an instructive address by keynote
speaker, the Rev/Commissioner William "Bill" Proctor of
Leon County, who gave an interesting and informative
presentation of the history of the law and the black man
in America, going back to the founding fathers and
ending up with today.
Judge
Julian Collins, State Attorney (SA) Skip Jarvis and
Sheriff
Mark Hunter hopefully listened as Mr. Proctor
spoke about the
14th Amendment to the Unites States Constitution and
the importance of
equal protection.
Four
officers of the Lake City Police Department, along with
Tax Collector Ronnie Brannon and SA Jarvis enjoyed the
luncheon, sharing the same table. Noticing the absence
of Lake City's Police
Chief
Gilmore, Mr. Jarvis told the Observer that the Chief
couldn't make it and quipped that it should be noticed
that it took four of Lake City's finest to fill in for
the Chief – everyone smiled at the State Attorney's good
humor.
At the conclusion of the meeting Columbia County's
top law enforcement official, Sheriff Mark Hunter told
the Observer, "This is a good way to stay in touch with
the community and I learned today that we have a very
good support group in our minority community and they
are working hard for change and I am all for it."