Young Leadership Equals New Vision: The Time Is Now (Lamont Robinson)

This letter is in support of the courageously leader in Lamont Robinson. The time is now for the city of Salem to get behind a young motivated and passionate trailblazer. On May 29, 2012, it was mentioned in the "Letters to the Editor" section that in the city of Salem there has been a "steady progress of improvements." Well, I guess that depend on who you ask. Many residents that I have spoken with do not believe that the planting of such things like a cherry tree and laying of brick sidewalks, speaks for the progress of Salem. What I like most about my interface with the residents, is that they understand the "truth" from "reality". The truth of the matter is, yes cherry trees have been planted, yes there are sidewalks made of brick and yes a developer rehabilitated an apartment complex. The reality of it all is that the residents feel as though the "cherry trees" do not show the real issues that remain relevant and a constant problem as well as unattended by the same so-called leadership that is running for office now. Standing outside a local business, many residents spoke of issues such as quality education, gun violence, drugs and jobs. One resident said, "The cherry tree do not show the bullet shells that lay on the brick sidewalks, the cherry tree do not show the guns and drugs that the children are selling and carrying in the neighborhoods."

 I concur with the residents of Salem City. It seems as if the residents are fed up with incompetency in the previous leadership. Many believe that the leadership in place now has faltered the people by not dealing with the resident(s) concerns and issues. In my opinion, the cherry trees that have been planted, has created a mirage over some of the people in the community. The cherry trees have covered up the nasty and deep gash wounds that stop the progression and cultivation of the community and the residents who live in Salem. The cherry trees and other tangible fixes, appear to some as a cover up of  the tue issues that is really happening in Salem. In order to give Salem City a true progress in the right direction you have to deal with the essence of the community and that is the "people." No cherry trees will give the people jobs that need to work. No cherry trees will give the young children education. No cherry trees will suppress the crime that is happening on the streets that rob children of a future and compromises the safety and welfare of the people. I believe the Salem residents are tired and want new change.

In my opinion, that cherry tree does not show the passion, bravery, courage and the visionary in Lamont Robinson who is able to initiate action for the people as well as lead them. Lamont Robinson is a proven leader that has defied the odds and here is why; all Lamont life he has been against the "odds." Starting in his early childhood development stages in life, Lamont's absent father (drugs), mother on welfare for a time, poverty conditions in first phases of youth and his mother worked way off welfare to raise three (3) children. As society and statistics would have it, Lamont Robinson should be in prison or dead by way of a life in crime or by way of a troubled upbringing. Heavy church influence in Lamont's life and a grandfather (role model) is a pastor, who kept him on a straight and narrow path.

Lamont was born and raised in Salem City. Attended the Salem City School District and graduated in 2005 with honors. Through hard work and determination Lamont became All-American, All-State, All South Jersey, All Tri-County, All-Area football player. Lamont Robinson served on the team as a three (3) year captain. Striving for greatness does not stop for Lamont. He reached the top 100 football players in the country while in H.S. by Rivals.com. A talented athlete, Lamont excelled in basketball, as well as, Salem High garnering All-Area, and Tri-County honors. National Honors Society member while in H.S. Graduated with a  4.29gpa. Another of his attributes, he served as Freshman Class V.P., Sophomore Class President, Junior Class President & Student Council President. Again, Lamont Robinson is still evolving and proven that he as the skills and talents to be successful, as well as lead by example. Yet Lamont Robinson wanted better.

Through Lamont's accolades, gave him the opportunity to attend the University of Oklahoma on a full Athletic Scholarship.  Lamont help lead his team to three (3) consecutive Big XII Conference Championships, made three (3) BCS bowl game appearances including the 2009 BCS National Championship game against the University of Florida. He also graduated with not one but two (2) B.A. degrees; one in Africa and African American Studies the other in Religious Studies. You show me a mountain and I will show you Lamont Robinson. Now Lamont Robinson has come back to Salem, New Jersey to toss his hat on the referendum for mayor. Lamont Robinson has come up through the streets of Salem, in what Grammy Award singer Marvin Gaye would call, "Trouble Man." Lamont Robinson has a set of tremendous skills equipped with knowledge. That tells me that he has what it takes to lead Salem. Under the leadership of Mayor Davis and council, crime rate has risen over forty percent (40%).  I do not believe the people do not want more cherry trees in the matter.

When I see this young prince, he reminds me of a story in the bible. In the book of Judges after the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, "Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?" The Lord answered, "Judah is to go; I have given the land into his hands." Life experiences have proven for Lamont Robinson that he is able and brave enough to lead. Come June 5, 2012, as the bible says, Salem residents "choose this day whom you want to serve you." The Community Awareness Alliance and I, Walter L. Hudson Sr. Chairman, endorses Lamont Robinson. Blanch Hogate letter to the editor have some inaccuracies and it is clearly evident Blanch Hogate have not been on the rough side of the mountain. Remember in the previous text I said, "If you show me a mountain I will show you Lamont Robinson." Salem residents I say to you in solidarity, if you want to continue to plant cherry trees with failed leadership then continue on. If you want new youth, new vision, and new proven leadership then consider the "mountain" as known as Lamont Robinson.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

Walter L. Hudson Sr.
Chairman of Community Awareness Alliance
Penns Grove, New Jersey

Does Leadership Care?

Penns Grove, NJ: No matter whether you are a CEO of a fortune 500 company or a professional athletic team, you have to be well in-tune with what is going on within your establishment. Many people who live in the community of Penns Grove know that the Community Awareness Alliance and I, have been very forthright in bringing awareness to the way leadership practice their hiring procedures, when it come to the position of certified teacher and administration in the Penns Grove Carneys Point School District. That procedure is believed by the people of the community to have created a sense of disparity and disenfranchisement of minorities whom have applied. In fact, the Community Awareness Alliance has been vocal enough to composed and file a 10 page complaint letter with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania EEOC. The objective of the "movement" is bring awareness and exposure to the injustice in the Penns Grove Carneys Point Regional School System.

The Community Awareness Alliance will continue to forward the objective of bringing awareness and attention to what is seen as unfair hiring practice to every level of government in the community of Penns Grove. Last council meeting, I brought this matter to the attention of the leaders of Penns Grove, Mayor Washington and council members. I gave each council members, including the mayor, a copy of the ten (10) page complaint letter. Since 40% of the residents' tax dollars  goes toward the school district, in my opinion, I felt as the mayor needed to know about the issue. Mayor Washington has mention in previous council meetings that he is "concerned about the community". However, you cannot be concerned about the community and not become concerned of the education of the children that live in the community. The previous words of the mayor was tested when I brought the matter of an inequality in the hiring in the school district. The Mayor said, "Myself and the council will not take a position on this matter". I think that comment was very disappointing to the children, parents, and residents of the community. If leadership will not speak up for injustice that the people face, who will?

The mayor has been part of the council for over 25 years. The mayor already took a postion years ago.  In fact the mayor, as a councilman, was part of a diversity recruitement team that went out and recruited certified minority teachers.  If the problem of hiring practices existed then when mayor was a councilman and it still exist now, what is the difference? I believe that is contradictive to say that you are concerned about the community and not concerned about the education, which is part of the community. When the school district needs assistance with a defeated school budget, the Superintendent is in communication with the mayor(s) and what happens is that the mayor approves a certain amount of tax dollars to aide in helping the school budget. So as a result, I guess the mayor only takes a position when finances are concern but not when there is a climate of disparity.

Since we are upon another election year with the school board and council, the residents of the community should start attending more council and school board meetings. Also, the people should pay close attention to who is running for office. We should vote people in office that will be a true and stern force, as well as a voice for the community. The people that will not do what is right by the people and for the people, is an "enemy of progression." I like Mayor Washington, let me make that plain! I told the the mayor I am supportive of his efforts to bring about change in the community but if his politics compromise the cultivation of the people, which I represent, I do and will not support that. 

Consequentially, there will be some exposure and some critiquing on leadership. If the leaders of the community, that are in place place now, cannot get the job done, come November we must consider who is at the helm of the community. Next time the seat is up for mayor, the people should speak out by way of the power of their "vote", especially if the mayor is not delivering.

"Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." Colin Powell