The latest saga in sloppy city politics isn’t even over money, but over volunteer services for the youth.
According to the Chester/Community Spirit, allegedly a city employee telephoned sisters Shakuwra and Shakirah Randolph telling them their volunteer services would no longer be needed.
The sisters brought the issue up in a recent City Council meeting asking why their program must stop, and here’s where the sloppiness begins.
- Council-Lady Williams said it wasn’t her doing.
- Council-Lady West said those decisions are made by the mayor and Council.
- Councilman Nichols said an official decision to terminate their services could not have possibly been made.
- Even the solicitor got in on it saying the Randolphs would have to officially apply for the non-paid, volunteer position to follow protocol.
- Then, Councilman Nichols said that if that paperwork can be produced, it will be up to Council lady Williams to determine the final outcome.
So, I think we’re at the point where we’re trying to determine if the Randolph sisters officially applied to volunteer their youth program to the city a couple years ago. If not, they’ve been volunteering illegally. God forbid.
They’ve been asked to produce the paperwork to prove they applied. Or, maybe they didn’t apply and must apply now for the first time.
I imagine the city does not keep these applications on file and it’s up to the volunteer organization to produce the application paperwork. (I hope that’s not the case).
Finally, if the paperwork is found or if they do have to apply, Council Lady Williams will review it and the mayor and council will make a final decision.
Isn’t the city proceeding like the program is canceled? But didn’t they also say that no one had the right to call - no one was instructed to call - in fact, they don’t even know who called?
Somebody help me understand if you can.
Oh, by the way, the Randolph sister’s mother has been allegedly dropped by the city, too. She does catering, and in the same article she says she was told her services were no longer needed after she performed her last gig for them. Seems like it’s not a good month to be a Randolph.
So let me try and understand this. If I want to volunteer to help children in my City, I have to go thru a formal application process and then get official approval from the Mayor and Council?! How do they determine if someone is "eligible" to volunteer? Maybe they should have gone thru a formal application and reviewed some of the folks they hired at city hall last year! No wonder nothing is getting done in the City anymore with these incompetent control freaks!
ReplyDeleteThat is correct. And it makes sense. I wouldn't want you volunteering for me if I didn't like what you were offering.
DeleteIn this case, they seemed to like what they were offering last year but not this year. If they get their paperwork together, there's a chance they'd like them again this year --- I think. If they had already submitted the paperwork, maybe they really didn't like them last year.
Does anyone have the application form and guidelines to volunteer? I'll peek on the City website. I'm sure it's probably there.
I've volunteered at the City numerous of times, and I never had to fill out an application. New Rules?
ReplyDeleteYou were breaking the law. Repent.
DeleteMayor LINDER the sisters ran the program LAST YEAR UNDER YOUR ADMINISTRATION. Why are you trying to throw the last Mayor Butler under the bus. You and your ADMIN are JACKA**. You have two highly educated young black woman GIVING back to the City of Chester and now because they are running as Republicans they cant volunteer. I thought you stated that you were for the people. You will never get my vote. Let me ask you this did all volunteers fill out forms? What about the mayors clean up did them volunteers fill out forms? what about the river front ramble did them volunteers fill out forms? What about the football camp and basketball camp did them volunteers fill out forms?
ReplyDeleteI was going to mention the Mayor's clean up, but I wouldn't want anything to get in the way of picking up trash.
Deleteso you dont want to "get in the way" of trash pick up but its okay to stop a positive city program?
DeleteHuh?
DeleteAs President Obama loves to say, 'Let's be clear'.
I did not include in my blog post any mention of the Mayor's Clean Up day in hopes that those who participate in that activity will not be subject to filling out forms if they desire to participate. Also, I would not want those who offer their brooms, shovels, and trash bags to have to fill out a form in order to participate in the Mayor's Clean Up Day. Now that we've made a big deal of it, I'm sure folks will be pushing a lot of paper from now on for any city partnerships. My question is, is it really worth all the fuss.
Are you asking me if I think it's okay to stop a positive city program? The short answer is no. But, let's be clear again.
If the city see's fit to stop a program, they have every right. Many of the old department of recreation programs that were conducted by the former deputy director of recreation were stopped. Maybe the city didn't like those programs. Maybe they can't afford them. It's not for me to make those decisions. They said they wanted to go in a different direction. Maybe these forms are part of that direction.
I don't know anything about the Randolph sister programs. All I know is what I read in the Chester /Community Spirit and that article did not go into detail about their program but did go into some detail on how the city is handling the legality of keeping that program running under the auspices of city government. Since I know nothing of the program, I don't know if it is positive or not.
If this is a Randolph sister program, can you also label it a city program?
Please stop trying to read between the lines. Just read the lines. I try hard to keep posts short and clear so there's no confusion.
This would be a good time to move the service to a church or one of the schools, instead trying to figure out who's on first!
ReplyDeleteThere's not doubt that the kids who benefit from the program will still participate and benefit. You'd think the City would like to take credit for sponsoring this effort as opposed to challenging it. Which action makes them look better? Which action will they take?
DeleteI have to agree with Joe Kane just move the site and keep moving on Randolph Sister's you are doing something positive for the children in the this city, I have volunteered with the city for years and never filled out anything not even a gum wrapper...WOW it is worse then bad over there if the council have to trump up these kinds of charges if they are looking for something to do maybe they can I don't know get to work and help solve the problems of the city with the people instead of continuously alienating the "VOTERS!" It has been nothing but controversy over at city hall since day 2 of this administration I feel like I'm living in DC do nothing politicians and a bunch of talk.....ijs
ReplyDeleteYou admit to volunteering without proper credentials? Atone yourself.
DeleteNote to the dumb dems of Chester City: the children in your community need all the support and love that they can get! if you have a group of volunteers that are edcuated, support the youth and willing to do work for FREE take the HELP. Politics should have nothing to do with this decision. Liz Williams make a decision it's your department. You need new and MORE recreation for the children anyway. Again what is the problem. Oh I get it THE DUMB DEMS ONLY LIKE TO SPEND TAXPAYERS MONEY!! NOTHING FREE RIGHT!!! they are not taxpayers Mayor Linder, Liz William, Portia West, Al Jacobs delinquent!!!! come on chester wake up
ReplyDeleteHere we go biting each others BLACKS out again, let's just wait for due process and go from there, Everyone is always getting defensive about EVERYTHING, be PATIENT and think pass POLITICS for a change.WAKE UP BLACK PEOPLE.... D@M D@M D@M!
ReplyDeleteWhat is due process? What is the process? Why is there confusion over the process?
DeleteNever mind. Let's all just be patient.
I volunteered for the City and gave them a copy of my child abuse clearance and criminal clearance as part of my application because that's what most, if not, all government organizations that provide services to children require. I believe the Boys & Girls Club has the same requirements. If not, they should. I am not familiar with the Randolph Sisters, but I have seen video clips of the Fashion Show they hosted featuring little girls with very revealing clothing that was quite inappropriate. Is that an example of the work they do as volunteers.
ReplyDeleteWhat program did you volunteer with? and when?
DeleteMy daughter was in a few of Shakuwras programs and i must say she adores her. She has helped my child with self esteem and was a personal role model for her.my child was never outgoing and she didnt speak much but Shakuwra help her to become who she is. She always revieved good grades but shes now a straight A student and shakuwra calls 3 times or more a week just to check in on her.Yall can say what you want but i KNOW what those girls have done for mine! i dont think its fair that yall(dems) take this program from them(sisters) just because they are running for office.
Deletei searched this blog under "fashion camp" thats the program the sisters ran.... there is a photo of the fashion camp, is that the inappropriate clothing your reffering to?
DeleteMr. Roots didnt you report on the sisters fashion camp and how great that program was ?
ReplyDeleteBy report, I assume you're asking if I attended fashion camp to offer my thoughts, do an interview, and take photos. No, I did not.
DeleteBut, I did a search the blog, and on June 21, July 3, and October 7, 2010 there are posts on the Fashion Camp submitted by Brian Warren.
I don't see what's the big deal, they haven't had any of their camps or programs over city hall since 2010. The fashion show they had last year was held over at the Boys & girls Club. The camps that they had in the past was sponsored by the department of recreation so it wasn't a problem. Now they are trying to start it back up independently but they wanted use the community room over city hall. Everyone is blowing this out of proportion, all the mayor and council is asking that fill of the application. All of sudden they're getting ready to run for office they wanted try it up again in hopes they'll gain more supporters. Stefan your so fucking bias it's not even funny.
ReplyDeleteBased on your comment, I now understand that this whole issue is about the use of the community room. Of course they should fill out the application and.pay the room fee.
DeleteThe Chester/Community Spirit got the whole story wrong. They're making people believe it's about volunteering.
I'm ashamed of myself for misunderstanding.
yea your blog reports wrong all the time pa law set if you work with children you must fill out child abuse papers
ReplyDeleteThe past administration always had people full out child abuse papers. I had to when I volunteered.
ReplyDeletethe person that told the randolphs will be f-----
ReplyDelete3 to 1 in city dems to rep we dems come out to vote its over
ReplyDeletethis is not a fashion show did you see what the young ladies had on
this sisters would not be around my daugther
did the sisters find out who call them know one did they are trying
ReplyDeleteto make look like they were called let ms williams know who called you
so she can deal with them go dems go 2013 clean sweep
every time i saw sisters they were helping mom getting paid by city
ReplyDeletecity events river ramble so when were they volunter true will come out sisters
The BIG Question is is the program Successful?? Maybe it wanst successful so they cut it out!
ReplyDelete