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Urban League honors Renee Wesley at annual dinnerLewis optimistic about black AmericansBy LARRY NEELEY“How are race relations in Massillon?** asked Milton Lewis, guest speaker at the local Urban League’s 41st annual dinner June 1 at the Four Winds Restaurant.“Is the old swimming hole on Tremont ave still bricked over?” continued Lewis, who was the League’s director here in 1958-60. He said the pool, which was closed in the late 1930's, was “a monument to racism.”The pool was closed after an east side-west side dispute inwhich black youths were involved because they were among west side residents who wanted a pool.Lewis, addressing the more than 200 in attendance at the dinner, also asked if Massillon football stars are honored now for their academic performance.“Are they just Saturday heroes?” he asked.Lewis, for the past 10 years a mediator in the U.S. Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, said he sees “reasons for optimism” aboutthe state of black Americans in the first half of this year.“Urban Leagues are ideally suited to probe (a community’s) potential problem areas and alert agencies like ours,” Lewis remarked.He added that community leaders “Should consult Urban Leagues for assistance . . .and to save money, explaining that league officials can assist city leaders in obtaining federal grants.Massillon’s Urban League has succeeded dramatically in the$1.6 million pledgedMCH buat 85 per centfund of goalThe Massillon City Hospital building fund campaign has reached 85% of its goal, with $1,691,319 in gifts and pledges reported, it was announced this week by Gene Workman, campaign general chairman.Physicians, trustees, employes and the auxiliary of the hospital have pledged $679,427 of the total, Workman said, whileteams of volunteers, involving 360 men and women, are at wotk in this division, seeking the support of hundreds of prospects in Massillon, Jackson and Perry Townships, Navarre, Canal Fulton, and other Western Stark County communities.The goal for the community division is $100,000, with $14,773 in hand after the first week of solicitation.the combined efforts of the leadership gifts, special gifts and business and industry division have produced $997,119.Workers in the community appeal division of the $2,000,000 fund drive, which got underway on May 23, were to hold their second report meeting Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Massillon. Sixtv-twopast five years in obtaining city and federal funds: The Urban League budget was $20,695 in 1972 and is $303,620 in 1977; there were 127 people served in 1972 and 4,000 in the past year.Wilfred Reynolds, the league’s executive director, said that today “the Massillon Urban League is a viable agency providing direct service to the minority and white communities of Massillon and western Stark County . . . (providing) vital community services, a bridge between the races, and an advocacy voice for minority Massillonians. We remain committed to an opep, pluralistic and integrated society. ”Members of the League elected Mrs. Mary Christian, Ms. Willa Ray, Eugene McBride and the Rev. Karl Bucey as board members.Renee Wesley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wesley, was revealed as the recipient of the league’s scholarship for college tuition and books. The amount was not announced. She will attend the University of Akron this fail and plans to major in education.“I have an excellent staff,” said Reynolds to preface his introduction of Mrs. Barbara Clark, manpower director; Miss Pat Hudson, manpower counselor; Joel Owen, youth counselor in the Alliance area, where a league may be formed; Mrs. De-(See URBAN — Page 24)'Smooth sailing* seen for Lowry-Price(See editorial on Page 4)Construction could start in November on the first phase of the Lowry-Price renewal project which includes a six-story apartment complex for senior citizens.Massillon Mayor Mark Ross learned May 31 that the Federal Housing Authority had given preliminary approval for a $338,980 rent subsidy guarantee. The apartment complex will be built on Oak ave SW and will house about 150 senior citizens.Final rent subsidy approvalfinancing program is submitted to the FHA, according to Marshall Bleckman, a staff member from the city planning department.“We don’t anticipate any problems,” said Bleckman. “It looks like smooth sailing from here on.”The high-rise will be built adjacent to a new $400,000 St. James AME Zion Church. The $3 million apartment and church complex will be called St. Jamesin 15 to 17 months, according to the Rev. Chester O. Newton, pastor of St. James Church.“This is the first concrete evidence that the federal government is looking on the project with its blessing,” said Mr. Newton, an active proponent of Lowry-Price since he became pastor of St. James Church five years ago.St. James Garden is only one phase of the Lowry-Price project. Land acquisition is cuiktinuing in order to make way for familyspace areas.The Lowry-Price renewal area encompasses a 22-acre tract bounded by Ohio 21 to the west, Erie st to the east, Laurel ave to the south and Tremont ave to the north.Proponents of the project have encountered several “setbacks” since the project was first proposed in the early 1970’s, including 2 freeze cn all such project funding imposed by the federal
Newspaper Details
Massillon News
Massillon, Ohio, US
Wed, Jun 08, 1977
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Massillon P.
OH, USA 22 Jul 2023
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