April 13, 2010

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Cincinnati NAACP

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Thanks to all of the organizations and individuals who have rallied to support the residents who live in the three apartment buildings in Avondale with no gas and electric.  The Cincinnati NAACP would like to thank Duke Energy for responding in 24-hours to reconnect service at the three locations.  All three locations have power today!  The Legal Aid institution played a critical role in organizing the residents and filing the proper paperwork to advocate for their legal rights during this crisis.  The Kroger Company by way of Carver Johnson and Rachel Betzler have extended support for the residents in Avondale.  "The Cincinnati NAACP Executive Committee and Members did an excellent job providing financial support for the residents of Avondale.  We all learned that Ishton Morton knows how to cook on a grill,"  Christopher Smitherman, president of the Cincinnati NAACP says.

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Mrs. Iris Roley did an excellent job of coordinating services for the residents.  She has been working closely with Rev. Russo O'Neil and Rev. Baines to deliver food to the residents in Avondale.  Any member who would like to make a contribution can take food to Southern Baptist Church or write a check to the Cincinnati NAACP.  This issue will be discussed on the Smitherman on the Mic Show on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.  The community must engage the city to develop a process that alerts residents prior to any disconnection of services.  "These are real people with beautiful children that had no gas, electric, or water for seven days.  The three locations looked like Katrina when Cincinnati NAACP arrived yesterday afternoon at 12 noon.  The Cincinnati NAACP never wants this situation to happen again," Smitherman says.