by Bro. C. Griffis
08/18/2003

Mayor Chris Koos
Town of Normal
100 East Phoenix Avenue
P.O. Box 589
Normal, Illinois 61761-0589

Dear Mayor Koos,
Thank you for meeting with us, regarding the concerns that the members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated have with the Town of Normal. We feel that this was a first step to addressing some very serious issues in our community. While we will continue to work with MAPP and other entities in the community, as you suggested, we are looking to you for something more tangible than just committee meetings. Your assistance with finding us a venue for hosting our August 28, 2003, commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington is a positive step towards your commitment to the success of our Partnership.

After our meeting, we feel confident that we have provided enough verifiable information to demonstrate that our organization has been misrepresented in the media as being irresponsible in our management of the aquatics center in previous years. Many misstatements have been communicated and we, as an organization with a rich history, would prefer that these items be cleared up immediately. If additional information is needed on these misstatements please let me know.

In order for us to create a partnership with the Town of Normal, in good faith, we feel a public statement is necessary from the Town for it’s mishandling of our organization and this event. In considering this we ask that you keep in mind that we have been systematically denied access for two years in a row after previously being told that our attendance and participation on committees would alleviate potential problems with our rental request. As a community service organization we are limited in our ability to provide service by our ability to fund raise. This event has been our major means of generating revenue to support our efforts at providing scholarships for two Bloomington/Normal high school minority students. By not allowing us to rent the aquatics center, the Town through its representatives (Ms. Reece, et. al.) has in effect kept us from reaching our goal to provide two scholarships for the past two years. It is our belief that any further discussion of a partnership between Omega and the Town should also include a commitment from the Town to provide support (financial and otherwise) towards the development and awarding of scholarships for minority students (including those opportunities that have been forfeited due to the Town’s denials).

During our last meeting we spent a great deal of time focusing on the issues in regard to the Omegas denial of a rental request to use Fairview aquatic center. However, there were several other issues we have presented in regard to improving the overall climate for African-Americans in Normal.

We, as an organization, are very concerned that with the continued growth and development of the Town of Normal that no initiatives have been introduced to designate specific facilities after prominent African-Americans. The haphazard naming procedure that is allowed for new Town streets illustrates the need for minority input and consideration. Developers are being allowed to name city streets after their children and other loved ones. This process virtually guarantees that minorities will not be reflected in the street signs due to the lack of minority developers doing business in the Town of Normal. To this end we request that you work to have a new process created for naming public facilities which would allow for a more fair and inclusive means for naming Town streets and other public works projects. We would further request that you select a few of the streets already in existence and slate them for renaming after prominent people of color. This small step will start the process of ensuring that Normal streets, parks, and public schools reflect the diversity of the citizenship of Normal.

An additional area of concern was the lack of minority presence in the Normal Police department. We would like the Town to work with National Organization for Blacks in Law Enforcement (NOBLE) in order to create a recruitment plan with measurable goals and a realistic timetable. This plan should be used by the city manager as an additional means for evaluating the Chief of Police. We would also like to see the creation of a Police Explorers unit specifically working with minority youth to help educate and encourage them to seek careers in law enforcement.

The lack of representation does not stop at the police department. This appears to permeate throughout the entire Town. A strong recruitment effort within the administration should be used to garner applicants from the base of African-American residents. A similar approach should be taken for the Normal Fire Department as well.

During the meeting we did not address the concerns that we have with the comments that were made by the Assistant Police Chief, Mr. Kent Crutcher. His statement regarding comfort level with attendees to the event – “I would have no problem if we have 300 of people like you, its those other people that we have concerns with” – was insensitive in nature. We have been redirected that we took this out of context however we find it very hard to mistake the meaning of these words. We firmly believe that this is a cultural sensitivity issue and the Town of Normal should not condone these types of remarks regardless of the situation. We would propose a cultural sensitivity program be initiated for all Town employees and associates. This training should be mandatory and offered on an annual basis.

The process of healing will require some give and take from both parties. Due to our previous experiences with representatives of the Town we are unable to trust that things will change for the better by our attendance and participation on a committee. We’ve done that and accomplished nothing. Time for change and action is now. We plan to continue to raise the aforementioned issues and others that concern people of color. We are asking for a serious show of good faith and an investment from the Town that would be more than symbolic in nature. It’s time for the Town to show its commitment to diversity and inclusion. We look forward to your response.
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns.

Sincerely,

Charles Griffis
CC: Representative Dan Brady