OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Heated words were fired at members of the troubled Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs on Wednesday.
North Omaha community leaders want to know what the commission has done in the past four and a half years to positively affect their community.
“Since 2020, what have you accomplished? This seems to be the same ol’ same ol'” said North Omaha community advocate Cheryl Weston.
She was the first to speak before the commission on Wednesday, pointing out the Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appoints members of the commission. She said she believes the community isn’t involved at all in choosing commission members.
Weston said she also wonders how the commission spends its money.
“Record show that the taxpayer-funded commission was awarded $1.2 million since it’s inception in 2020. What has been done with that money for the community? Who has benefited from that $1.2 million?” she asked.
Community members want to know why the commission was not dealing with issues that affect people who live in North Omaha, pointing to the lack of safe and affordable housing as well as the physical environment and how it affects the minority community.
“I would remind you all that there is a coal fired power plant that is placed right here in historic North Omaha, which is shortening lives and subjecting young people to respiratory disease,” community advocate Anthony Rogers-Wright said.
Other community members on the front line for change point to the need for economic development and making North Omaha a safer place to live.
“We can’t take no more mess from anybody that’s saying they’re doing something when you’re not really doing it. And so I’m here today, really, to find out what is it that you do,” community advocate Sherman Wells said.
Minister Sundiata Menelik echoed those sentiments.
“The people in the community don’t even have a clue who you are in the last four and a half years,” he told the committee.
Commissioners admit there have been problems in the past, but asked the community for time to get things on the right track.
“Give us an opportunity,” said Tim Clark, chairman of the state commission. “This is something we have inherited, and I’m not going to stand here and say all is bad in terms of what has happened since Day 1; because we’re here, we’re here. That means we have an opportunity to fix it and make it better.”
The commssion has four new members, and Clark is the brand new chairman. They’re looking to the future and working on a strategic plan.
“I take serious in terms of the comments that were made today critizing the commission; but I want to see that same level of energy when you see us do the work,” Clark said.
Other board members remind the community that the commission has to help African Americans in Nebraska who might be dealing with other issues.
“The reality is that we have a statewide responsibility, and I want to make sure that everybody is well aware of that,” interim chairwoman Dorothy Johnson said.
Newly elected State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha has introduced a bill this session that calls for more transparency from the commission. LB69 will require reports from the commission and change requirements relating to their meetings.
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