Please pray for Michael Lassiter a high school sophomore as he fights for his life.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/MichaelLassiter
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Cromartie's constituents knew what they were getting
How Cromartie's Constituents Contributed to Cromartie's Actions.
BY: Keith H. Seymour
I have been a journalist for close to twenty years in this town,and most of that time, I have dealt with the African-American press. I have been a community advocate for slightly longer. From 1994-2001, I was even public information director for a non-profit organization in Mr. Cromartie's district. During and since that time, I have always be confused that in spite of this man's public known dishonesty, that he has been re-elected. Having said that, I am going to make a statement that will get me in trouble, but needs to be stated. Yes, E.W. Cromartie has caused a lot of people a lot of problems, and he did it with the help of his constituents. They knew about this man's dishonesty, and still re-elected him, when there have been alternatives over the years. Let's look at the fact that prove that Mr. Cromartie's own constituents assisted in creating this situation that has disgraced their district and this city.
Mr. Cromartie has been found guilty of every thing from parking illegally in handicapped zones, and running up expense accounts, to landlord violations and not paying property taxes. As Public Information Director for Waverly United for Action, Inc. neighborhood group, I actually had a run in with him. The situation was at a forum where one of his constituents/tenants complained about the sub-standard conditions of the rat infested apartment building in which she lived. The woman must have been about eighty at the time,and this was in 1995. The woman complained that one apartment in her building was so rat infested that, the rats chewed through the ceiling though the floor, which was a ceiling that landed on her neighbor's bed.Mr. Cromartie's answer was he would get around to it, when he got around to it.
This same man has run up expense accounts, and then had his constituents hold fund raisers to pay off his overspending of "thie" tax dollars. So my question is: Why are they surpised. There is an old saying: If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." Columbia District Two residents chose not to be part of the solution, by voting his sorry ass, out of office, so they are part of the problem.
Now, I am not denying that Mr. Cromartie has done a lot of good things for his community such as cleaning up Read Street, the Saxon Homes area, and getting the funding for the Drew Wellness Center. However, to keep re-elect him because of this, when his lack of ethics has become habitual, is like keeping on a dishonest employee, because he came up with some good ideas. As sorry as I feel for the residents of District Two, I also acknowledge that they got that for which they allowed their tax dollars to pay. The real sadness here, is the that if only the District Two residents had exhibited the good sense to vote this man out, when they had the chance, they would not have to deal with the disgrace of knowing that there first and only district representative will now be a “federal” convict. Mr. Cromartie committed his most recent and most criminal acts for one simple reason. He knew he could do it, and either get away with it, and if he got caught his constituents would forgive him, and not hold him accountable. Well, thank goodness the federal government is holding him accountable. Even if it is for less time than anyone else would get, for the same crime.
The best thing that could have happened to Mr.Cromrtie's constituents, and this city, was his being kicked out of office. I am just sorry that it had to be in a manner that will mar the reputation of his constituents, this city, and honest African-American leadership of this town.
Keith H. Seymour is a 32 year resident of Columbia, who has worked for about 20 years, as freelance journalist, media consultant, and community advocate. He may be reached at keithhseymour@bellsouth.net, or at 803-233-9622.
BY: Keith H. Seymour
I have been a journalist for close to twenty years in this town,and most of that time, I have dealt with the African-American press. I have been a community advocate for slightly longer. From 1994-2001, I was even public information director for a non-profit organization in Mr. Cromartie's district. During and since that time, I have always be confused that in spite of this man's public known dishonesty, that he has been re-elected. Having said that, I am going to make a statement that will get me in trouble, but needs to be stated. Yes, E.W. Cromartie has caused a lot of people a lot of problems, and he did it with the help of his constituents. They knew about this man's dishonesty, and still re-elected him, when there have been alternatives over the years. Let's look at the fact that prove that Mr. Cromartie's own constituents assisted in creating this situation that has disgraced their district and this city.
Mr. Cromartie has been found guilty of every thing from parking illegally in handicapped zones, and running up expense accounts, to landlord violations and not paying property taxes. As Public Information Director for Waverly United for Action, Inc. neighborhood group, I actually had a run in with him. The situation was at a forum where one of his constituents/tenants complained about the sub-standard conditions of the rat infested apartment building in which she lived. The woman must have been about eighty at the time,and this was in 1995. The woman complained that one apartment in her building was so rat infested that, the rats chewed through the ceiling though the floor, which was a ceiling that landed on her neighbor's bed.Mr. Cromartie's answer was he would get around to it, when he got around to it.
This same man has run up expense accounts, and then had his constituents hold fund raisers to pay off his overspending of "thie" tax dollars. So my question is: Why are they surpised. There is an old saying: If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." Columbia District Two residents chose not to be part of the solution, by voting his sorry ass, out of office, so they are part of the problem.
Now, I am not denying that Mr. Cromartie has done a lot of good things for his community such as cleaning up Read Street, the Saxon Homes area, and getting the funding for the Drew Wellness Center. However, to keep re-elect him because of this, when his lack of ethics has become habitual, is like keeping on a dishonest employee, because he came up with some good ideas. As sorry as I feel for the residents of District Two, I also acknowledge that they got that for which they allowed their tax dollars to pay. The real sadness here, is the that if only the District Two residents had exhibited the good sense to vote this man out, when they had the chance, they would not have to deal with the disgrace of knowing that there first and only district representative will now be a “federal” convict. Mr. Cromartie committed his most recent and most criminal acts for one simple reason. He knew he could do it, and either get away with it, and if he got caught his constituents would forgive him, and not hold him accountable. Well, thank goodness the federal government is holding him accountable. Even if it is for less time than anyone else would get, for the same crime.
The best thing that could have happened to Mr.Cromrtie's constituents, and this city, was his being kicked out of office. I am just sorry that it had to be in a manner that will mar the reputation of his constituents, this city, and honest African-American leadership of this town.
Keith H. Seymour is a 32 year resident of Columbia, who has worked for about 20 years, as freelance journalist, media consultant, and community advocate. He may be reached at keithhseymour@bellsouth.net, or at 803-233-9622.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Coming soon: op-ed on cromartie plea bargin
Well, it finally happened! Columbia City councilman E.W. Cromartie, who has a list as long both my arms for dishonesty, is finally going to jail. This time it is for Federal Tax Evasion charges.
However, it seems even now this guy is going to get nothing more than a slap on the wrist amount of jail time for his fraudulant behavior. He is living proof of what is wrong with this country, state, and city's legal and political processes.
When a political fat cat ( I use the term in both the figurative and literal senses) that wears gold rim glasses gets a year, and will likely serve only ten months, there is not only something wrong with the person who is in office, but the people who put and kept him there, in spite of his dishonesty. Especially, when in the same situation, any regular person would not see the outside of a jailhouse for a couple of decades, at least.
More to come on this topic in the near future.
However, it seems even now this guy is going to get nothing more than a slap on the wrist amount of jail time for his fraudulant behavior. He is living proof of what is wrong with this country, state, and city's legal and political processes.
When a political fat cat ( I use the term in both the figurative and literal senses) that wears gold rim glasses gets a year, and will likely serve only ten months, there is not only something wrong with the person who is in office, but the people who put and kept him there, in spite of his dishonesty. Especially, when in the same situation, any regular person would not see the outside of a jailhouse for a couple of decades, at least.
More to come on this topic in the near future.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Flash: Rossi killer not paroled
I just got an e-mail from the mother of Barbara "Bobbi" Rossi, who was up for parole today, January 6, 2010, for the 1984 for of Barbara Rossi. See previous blog article.
I join Mrs. Rossi in thanking everyone who signed and circulated petitions to keep Marcellus Pierce behind bars.
As a contibuting editor to schotline.com, I have spoken to Editor at Large and owner of Sewell consusltancy, and he has offered to put a free banner ad up to promote the scholorship funds that have been created in honor of Bobbi Rossi, who was a nursing student at the Univerisity of South Carolina, at the time of her murder.
Donations may be via The Central Carolina Community Foundation www.yourfoundation.org or to BOBBI ROSSI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
C/O Central Carolina Community Foundation 2711 Middleburg Drive
Suite 213 Columbia, SC 29204parole
I join Mrs. Rossi in thanking everyone who signed and circulated petitions to keep Marcellus Pierce behind bars.
As a contibuting editor to schotline.com, I have spoken to Editor at Large and owner of Sewell consusltancy, and he has offered to put a free banner ad up to promote the scholorship funds that have been created in honor of Bobbi Rossi, who was a nursing student at the Univerisity of South Carolina, at the time of her murder.
Donations may be via The Central Carolina Community Foundation www.yourfoundation.org or to BOBBI ROSSI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
C/O Central Carolina Community Foundation 2711 Middleburg Drive
Suite 213 Columbia, SC 29204parole
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Life should mean Life: Oppose Parole of Barbara Rossi's Killer
Murderer of Barbara Rossi should serve full life sentence
By: Keith H. Seymour
During the Fall of 1984, one of the most heinous crimes ever a committed in Columbia, South Carolina was committed. A young lady who was a senior at the University of South Carolina, and who had a promising career as a nurse was kidnapped. What made this particular kidnapping so unique was that there was no apparent reason for it, other than victimizing an innocent woman for the sake of it. What also made this kidnapping so unique was the fact that the young lady was kidnapped in “broad daylight,” while walking to her car at a local mall. The end result of this kidnapping was that the young lady was raped and subsequently murdered. The young lady;s name was Barbara Rossi, known to her family and friends as “Bobbi.” The name of the killer, who is now up for parole is Marcellus Pierce. Mr. Pierce was found guilty of the crime, and was sentenced to life in prison., with the possibility of parole. At the time, this was the second highest sentence for such a capital crime at that time.
I did not know Ms. Rossi, however, two of my sisters did since they played on the soccer team that her father's business sponsored. However, the one thing that everyone in Columbia, and much of South Carolina had in common, whether or not they were acquainted with the family, was the arrogance of Mr. Pierce. The fact that he committed this crime in a very public place, during broad daylight alone, is enough to boggle the mind. In addition to which, here was a woman whose goal was to protect and save lives, that had her life taken, and her killers are now once again up for parole. Mr. Rossi has since passed on, but his Bobbi's mother is still alive, and the fact that she must be subjected to making sure her daughter's killers are kept off the streets, is no less than mind boggling.
This brings me to my main point of this article. There is a petition circulating to oppose the parole of Marcellus Pierce, that will be presented at his parole hearing on January 6, 2010. The signatures should not only come from people who knew Ms. Rossi or are acquainted with her family, but every law abiding citizen, who wishes to keep our communities safe. I apologize for offending anyone, but if you take an innocent life and are sent to jail for the rest of your life, that is where you should spend the rest of your life. Unlike their victims, these murderers still possess life. Someone sentenced to life in prison has had their freedom taken away, a choice they made when they committed the crime. Barbara Rossi did not make the choice to be murdered. So where is the justice in freeing her killer. If you know, please contact me. As one person who agrees that Barbara Rossi's killer should never be set free, put it: letting Barbara Rossi's killers out because they served a certain amount of time, is like rewarding Attila the Hun with Spring break, because he took a day off from killing people.
If this man gets out, it could be the daughter, wife, sister, etc, of someone reading this or hearing about this article.
Anyone wishing to assist in this cause, may e-mail me at seymour892000@yahoo.com, and I will be happy to send them a copy of the petition to sign and circulate. They should feel free to make as many copies as possible. Petitions may be sent to:
Vince DiMaria
1660 Belmont Dr.
Columbia,SC 29206 or faxed to 803-782-4470
By: Keith H. Seymour
During the Fall of 1984, one of the most heinous crimes ever a committed in Columbia, South Carolina was committed. A young lady who was a senior at the University of South Carolina, and who had a promising career as a nurse was kidnapped. What made this particular kidnapping so unique was that there was no apparent reason for it, other than victimizing an innocent woman for the sake of it. What also made this kidnapping so unique was the fact that the young lady was kidnapped in “broad daylight,” while walking to her car at a local mall. The end result of this kidnapping was that the young lady was raped and subsequently murdered. The young lady;s name was Barbara Rossi, known to her family and friends as “Bobbi.” The name of the killer, who is now up for parole is Marcellus Pierce. Mr. Pierce was found guilty of the crime, and was sentenced to life in prison., with the possibility of parole. At the time, this was the second highest sentence for such a capital crime at that time.
I did not know Ms. Rossi, however, two of my sisters did since they played on the soccer team that her father's business sponsored. However, the one thing that everyone in Columbia, and much of South Carolina had in common, whether or not they were acquainted with the family, was the arrogance of Mr. Pierce. The fact that he committed this crime in a very public place, during broad daylight alone, is enough to boggle the mind. In addition to which, here was a woman whose goal was to protect and save lives, that had her life taken, and her killers are now once again up for parole. Mr. Rossi has since passed on, but his Bobbi's mother is still alive, and the fact that she must be subjected to making sure her daughter's killers are kept off the streets, is no less than mind boggling.
This brings me to my main point of this article. There is a petition circulating to oppose the parole of Marcellus Pierce, that will be presented at his parole hearing on January 6, 2010. The signatures should not only come from people who knew Ms. Rossi or are acquainted with her family, but every law abiding citizen, who wishes to keep our communities safe. I apologize for offending anyone, but if you take an innocent life and are sent to jail for the rest of your life, that is where you should spend the rest of your life. Unlike their victims, these murderers still possess life. Someone sentenced to life in prison has had their freedom taken away, a choice they made when they committed the crime. Barbara Rossi did not make the choice to be murdered. So where is the justice in freeing her killer. If you know, please contact me. As one person who agrees that Barbara Rossi's killer should never be set free, put it: letting Barbara Rossi's killers out because they served a certain amount of time, is like rewarding Attila the Hun with Spring break, because he took a day off from killing people.
If this man gets out, it could be the daughter, wife, sister, etc, of someone reading this or hearing about this article.
Anyone wishing to assist in this cause, may e-mail me at seymour892000@yahoo.com, and I will be happy to send them a copy of the petition to sign and circulate. They should feel free to make as many copies as possible. Petitions may be sent to:
Vince DiMaria
1660 Belmont Dr.
Columbia,SC 29206 or faxed to 803-782-4470
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Midlands Citizens for Life has new meeting time and place
Beginning October 16, 2009, Midlands Citizens for Life will now meet at 6 p.m. at First Baptist of columbia,South carolina. Located in downtown Columbia. Meetings are open to all pro-life minded individuals, or anyone who wishes to find out more about the pro-Life cause.
For more information contact me at 803-960-8785 or keithhseymour@bellsouth.net or Deb marks at 803-920-4933 or at djresearch@bellsouth.net
Respectfully Yours
Keith H. seymour
Recording Secrtary
Midlands citizens for Life
Columbia, south Carolina
For more information contact me at 803-960-8785 or keithhseymour@bellsouth.net or Deb marks at 803-920-4933 or at djresearch@bellsouth.net
Respectfully Yours
Keith H. seymour
Recording Secrtary
Midlands citizens for Life
Columbia, south Carolina
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
