Twice a year I publish a column 'We must hold our Elected Officials Accountable". As I rally with the community members and we discuss the issues that are important to them, I see the fire in their eyes. They are passionate about so many things. Their concerns range from salaries of the city attorneys, property being sold in the community, police stops & police interaction, councilpersons voting the influence of the Mayor, diversity of city hall employees, number of marijuana facilities within the city, hiring practices and more.

But there are two common BUTS, that stop the progress. This is what I hear, ' But, they are going to do what they want to do anyway' or 'But, if I speak out, they will retaliate on me. That ends the process... temporarily.

I don't give up because I believe that the elected officials work for the citizens and we have the right to ask questions. It should be part of their job that they are held accountable by the residents that pay their salaries. However, I continue to press on by asking questions or speaking out at council meetings and now on ZOOM. But guess what; those two BUTS show up. Yep, they do whatever they want to do even though I and others point out a questionable decision/statement that is made. And yep, I am retaliated against. My name and my business are slandered and decisions are made by council against me. The objective is to what, cause me harm, prevent my success or what?! It's not working.

I have put up with these shenanigans for over six years and with God's grace and my belief that He doesn't put more on me that I can bear, I continue to fight on. Their actions just give me more desire to fight. But you know what, the fight is not for me; I'm fine. God takes care of me and my family. The fight that I fight is to help level the playing field in the cities that I am constantly involved in and to bring about a sense of equity, inclusion and fairness for the residents. It is our responsibility to make sure that our children and grandchildren grow up in communities where they are valued, included in the process and they have a chance for success. If I have to continue to take abuse from people that I haven't done anything to (except to try to hold them accountable) in order to make life better for the generations that come after me, I am up for the Risk.

A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few.

John Lewis

Stay tuned,

Gina Wilson Steward

CEO/Publisher