Local Public Activists Honored
for Service
By Robert
Rogers
Courtland “Corky” Booze was touched, but not content.
At the outset of City Council business Tuesday, Booze stood
beaming before about 200 of his fellow citizens, his young
granddaughter at his side.
The longtime community leader was honored along with three
other living local legends, all hailed by the mayor as tireless
drivers of “positive social change.” [emphasis added]
Lillie Mae Jones, Rev. Phil Lawson, Eula Averhart and Booze
received proclamations for demonstrating “past and on-going
commitment to positive social change.” The recognitions came
as part of the city’s Black History Month observances.
But less than an hour after receiving the honor, Booze had
set the plaque aside and strode to the lectern for some tough
talk.
He was already back into the role he’s played for decades:
The no-nonsense firebrand guarding his conception of the public
virtue. This time he delivered a tongue-lashing to council
members he said were neglecting the city’s south side in favor
of pumping public money downtown and in a Point Richmond pool.
Moments later, his voice softened, he said he will always
be engaged with public business.
“I haven’t missed a council meeting in 18 years,” Booze said.
Each of the four longtime local leaders were praised for their
dedication to the city and its people, particularly the impoverished
black residents that have made up a significant portion of
the city’s population during the post-WWII economic and industrial
decline.
Richmond’s population is about 36 percent black, according
to the U.S. Census, giving it one of the highest proportion
black populations in California.
Mayor Gayle McLaughlin read the individual accolades for each
honoree before embracing them and handing them a framed certificate.
[emphasis added]
Booze, who currently serves as vice chair for the Recreation
Department in addition to his roles as grassroots organizer
and hawk-like council-watcher, wasn’t the only honoree to affirm
a reputation for blunt speech.
Jones sat in her wheelchair during the ceremony, her face
impassive as McLaughlin ticked off examples of her work in
Richmond over the years. [emphasis added]
Jones led successful efforts to convert former railroad property
into the Richmond Greenway, creating a community garden and
art display at Harbor Way and Macdonald Ave. and founded the
CYCLE organization that trains and mentors at-risk youths,
McLaughlin said. [emphasis added]
Then the mayor handed over the microphone.
“I demand that the city reopen the (police) substation in
the Iron Triangle,” Jones said loudly, adding that she has
been a local resident for more than 70 years. “I want that
done right away!”
The crowd cheered approval, but no councilmember directly
addressed the issue. The substation, located in the city’s
poorest and most crime-addled neighborhood, was closed years
ago in a cost-cutting measure.
Averhart said few words, but her history of service earned
her the proclamation. She has been active in the community
for more than 50 years, and was instrumental in the early ‘80s
launch of Richmond’s Community Development Commission and has
headed neighborhood councils, McLaughlin said. [emphasis added]
Rev. Phil Lawson was honored for his work with Richmond’s
poor through his ministry at Easter Hill United Methodist Church,
and leadership in the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program and
other organizations, McLaughlin said. [emphasis added]
After the ceremony, Lawson, a soft-spoken man with long gray
hair, chatted with residents outside council chambers. Asked
of what work he was most proud, he cited the work he and others
did to establish the nation’s highest living wage ordinance
in 2001, and negotiating with state leaders to forgive about
$4 million in debts owed by the local school district.
“We were very successful in those two projects,” Lawson said.
“And they did good for many people.”
|
