UTICA, NY

It used to be that we could always count on our printed press to give us the unbiased and straight forward news and investigative journalism, without any political slant or filtering.  Unfortunately, that’s not the case anymore.  Especial when it comes to the Observer-Dispatch.  The lines between the Opinion page and News have become so blurred to the point of total chaos.  Take the story about Independence Party Chairman John Dote and a DA investigation into a donation made by Richard Hanna as an example.

The OD has vigorously pursued this story as if there is some major conspiracy or illegality.  First of all, their original story left out many major facts and quotes.  Although they contacted the Madison County Chairman and the former IP Chairman, Jim Zecca, they never reported or printed their quotes.  Was it because both of these men defended the practices?  Second, the complaint filed by party member Rocco Garro never even implied any criminal allegations.  Garro told the UDN, “He added that he didn’t have any specific idea where the money went, and that the substance of his complaint, which he said was filed months ago, was simply that he questioned where the party spent its money. He said the reports that followed have surprised him.”

Kudos to the Utica Daily News for doing a real story and telling all sides.  According to Garro’s own words, he simply wanted to know where money was spent.  That is a party issue and the finance reports are viewable to the public on the NYS Board of Elections website.  If he had any further questions, they should have been directed to the State Board of Elections.  Another issue is why the DA waited months before making this an issue?  Did he wait to see if his friend, Mike Arcuri, was going to receive the endorsement first?  If Arcuri did in fact receive the endorsement, would McNamara have opened an investigation?  I would venture to say no.  Let’s not forget that McNamara was Arcuri’s First Assistant while he was Oneida County’s DA.  Arcuri appeared in television ads in 2007 endorsing McNamara in his successful run for the District Attorney post.

Arcuri Donates $1,000 to IP

Furthermore, the OD never once pointed out that Mike Arcuri also donated a large amount of money to the Independence Party during that same cycle.  Arcuri donated $1,000 to the party that same year.  What they also failed to highlight was the fact that Hanna’s donation came after he was already endorsed and on the line.  Petitions were already filed and there would be no way for the IP to remove him from the line.

Media Connections

With the exception of the Utica Daily News, the mainstream media is dominated in Oneida County by the Observer-Dispatch, WKTV and WIBX.  it’s no secret that they have their own culture and often socialize together.  It’s also no secret that every politician and political faction tries to infiltrate that culture to gain preferential treatment.  So, how could that be the case here?  Well here are a few facts that they should make clear to there readers and viewers.

• WKTV Reporter Pat Bailey is married to the niece of County Executive Anthony Picente, the same niece/wife that is also directly employed by District Attorney Scott McNamara.
• McNamara’s sister was recently hired as the new Research Analyst for the County Legislature.
• Rocco Garro, the complainant, is a frequent columnist for the Observer Dispatch.
• Rocco Garro also maintains a county contract that is dependent on the County Executive and Board of Legislators for yearly renewal.
• The Utica Mayor’s assistant is dating another WKTV reporter.  The same Mayor that is part of the “Gang of 13″.

The list goes on, but connect the dots.  In the meantime, it’s obvious to this observant that this is yet another example of a long history in Oneida County of dirty politics, and elected officials abusing their power to sway public opinion and keep a stranglehold on the people of this region.  They know that most people don’t pay attention to insider politics and believe what they read.  It’s the accusation that sticks – most people can careless about the truth.  Bob Julian said it perfectly in a UDN story, “I’m reminded a story Lyndon Johnston used to tell,” he said. “A Texas politician was running against another individual for office. The politician tells his campaign aides that they’re going to accuse the other candidate of having an inappropriate physical relationship with pigs. The aide says, You can’t do that, you have no proof, and he says, I just want to hear that SOB deny it. The article is not fair in the sense that, particularly the headline, it’s couched in a very ominous, investigatory way. When you get into the substance, you find that, well, reimbursements are permitted by law, and they are custom and practice by political parties.”

Opinion: The human race today has gone tech haywire, they love their toys. People can save money and stay away from bringing their kids to “The Great Escape” this year, or to a “Big League” ball game this summer, but they cannot stay away from getting the latest and greatest in today’s technologies! Programming complete, we are not a nation that can exist without land, as long as we have the information highway.

Utica, NY

In a letter from Bruce Smith, the Syracuse attorney that represents DDS, they asked Ms. Pavelock to “immediately cease and desist from representing or holding yourself out as an owner of DDS or that you have any association with Digestive Disease Medicine, including being married to one of its partners.”

According to a source that wished to remain anonymous, Ms. Pavelock  told the St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee that she was a co-owner of DDS and that she “knows what it’s like to meet payroll and provide health insurance” to employees.  This was allegedly at a recent screening for the St. Lawrence County Democrats’ endorsement for state Senate.  Pavelock was ultimately endorsed by St. Lawrence and Oneida counties.

Mike Hennessy, a Democratic County Legislator from Sherrill, is also seeking the Democratic nomination for Senate.  Hennessy was unavailable for comment but has previously stated that he fully intends to seek the nomination in a September primary.

According to statements made to the Watertown Daily Times, Pavelock is still claiming to be a co-owner.  However, her statement suggests some confusion.  “There are things that make me a co-owner, but there are things that make me not,” Pavelock told the Watertown newspaper.

Stay with GCN as we cover this story and attempt to get reactions from Hennessy and other local Democrat leaders.

Utica, NY

These bombshell allegations are being made by a man who says he witnessed firsthand the illegal removal and possible dumping of dangerous toxic substances from the historic Doyle Hardware Building across from Utica’s historic Union Station.

Dan Olah, a local contractor and the ex-owner of Elwoods’s – a popular eatery located at 614 Columbia St. that burned down in a death related arson on Dec 20 2007 – stands behind his claims and said he has also brought the situation to City Hall’s attention. “I personally went down to City Hall on two occasions” he said. “I spoke with Angelo Roefaro, the mayor’s secretary and Robert Sullivan.” Shrugging his shoulders, he continued. “Nothing has been done.” he said

Olah did not stop at City Hall, he also went to the Labor Department’s office at the State Building. “I spoke with a guy named Robert, he told me personally they found asbestos in there”

Olah was referring to Robert Varano a state worker in the Labor Department that deals with asbestos. At press time GCN was unable get a quote from him.

Why Speak Now?

Olah worked at the building for three months and says he walked off the job because he felt his health was at risk. “I was actually working on a restaurant (remodelling) that was going in another part of the building.  “I have been a certified Asbestos Abatement Contractor so I know when you are dealing with dangerous substances and the proper way of removing them…they were loading up U-Hauls and taking them somewhere to dump” he said.

Olah had enough when he realized what was allegedly going on. “C’mon man, you got these young guys who need money to feed their families and this guy has them doing stuff for $15.00 an hour that can make not only them sick but it can get their kids too,” he said, showing obvious emotion.

The guy he was referring to is Stewart Banntyne, a developer and the current  owner of The Doyle Hardware building. Since Banntyne purchased the building he has put his money where his mouth is as an advocate of        Downtown Utica and its financial potential. Banntyne’s sizeable investment and the fact he made it in an area that has been ignored for decades during hard economic times is exactly why, Olah says: “no one has done a damn thing.”

Robert Sullivan, ex-head  of Economic development and current head of revitalization for Utica said Olah has an ax to grind. “From what I know he has a few claims against the city already and he is frustrated” he said.

Sullivan made it clear he passed Olah’s complaints to the proper people and it was all handled. “This thing all went above me, beyond my authority” Sullivan said.

Regarding Sullivan’s assertions Olah admits his frustration with Utica and his treatment after his building burned down. “My building, business which I invested $500,000 in was damaged by arsonists…damaged” he emphasized.

“Then they (City of Utica) go and raze my property within a week without proper notification…I mean, you tell me what is going on.”

Olah likens his treatment to being chased out of town. “I helped turn around that block (600 Columbia) a lot of other businesses were happy with me there…one little incident and everything changed.”

That incident was a fight and subsequent beating that started inside Elwood’s. “These guys beat the crap out of some kid…I stopped it and they said they were going to burn me down.” Apparently they did (burn him down) and that is where Olah’s complaints begin. “They ignored me then and they are ignoring me now” he said.

At press time we were unable to obtain a statement from Stewart Banntyne but there will be lot more on this in future postings. As far as Angelo Roefaro is concerned, he denied ever speaking with Dan Olah and does not recollect any conversations regarding Asbestos at The Doyle Hardware building.

Did I mention Asbestos?
The plot thickens.

I’ll go out on a limb and answer that myself: yes. It would be absurd to think the acquired council could run up an unlimited bill. Right?
     The city Comptroller, Michael Cerminaro, bravely vowed not to pay for this -’Not So secret ‘- investigation until he is brought up to speed. It is possible his opinion could matter. But we need to be aware of the fact that Cerminaro was not in attendance during the vote for approval at the Board of Estimations meeting. This particular vote, he said , was not on the agenda for the meeting, which he also claimed he looked at.
    Bold statement, considering anyone at City Hall is a possible target of the probe. History has taught us: if you dig in any department of the city, any city, you will more than likely find something. Not just Utica but America as a whole, the world even.

So what gives?

    It is possible that in some strange way we are transforming into an era of integrity. The slow march towards accountability is one we have been on for a long time. Transparency in government is at the foundation. There is not much of that in this case.
    To his credit, the Mayor has not shied away from any of his controversial decisions. High on the growing complaint list, where the multiple appointments and raises he liberally doled out to those closest to him. And more recently : his handling of public safety. He has not wavered in the face of his critics. Why should he? Being elected means you have power; but the culture of nepotism and ‘the good old boy’ network is starting to retard our growth and hasten our decline.
This investigation simply adds more salt to a palpably lower morale around City Hall.

   And couldn’t it be possible the Mayor is using this as some sort of political leverage at the taxpayers expense?
    In a perfect world, with a robust economy, no one cares about City Hall. No one questions who the Mayor hires or gives raises to. In a perfect world the Mayor does not have to take a full page ad to tell his side of the story in a fair manner, in his words.

We all need to grow up.

Maybe he has a plan B?
   

    Perhaps the newly drafted Masterplan, which will be revealed on 4/22 at the Utica Library, holds the keys to success that will change the odor sorrounding City Hall to an aroma.
    Maybe Bill Morehouse, Common Council President, who has planned a future meeting-or Executive Session- with the Mayor, will inform the public. No date has been set. We are all at the edge of our seats.

Until then, we collectively hold our noses.

Gregory Johnson, a first year Councilman in Marcy, made his announcement in the midst of a turbulent political climate that has ignited a lot of different grassroot movements in the Mohawk Valley and abroad.

With historic Ft. Stanwix in the background, serving as the perfect patriotic prop, Johnson made his announcement in front of 1,500 supporters. With a blustery wind beating at his back he outlined a list of issues that have angered many people in the 116th to a chorus of cheers and whistles. He proudly stated his affiliation with the Tea Party and his frustration with the status quo.

Johnson says he will bring a ‘sky is the limit’ approach to this campaign. The retired airline pilot graduated from Whitesboro High in 1969 (same year as good friend, 24th congressional candidate Richard Hanna). He started his career in the airline industry with Mohawk Airlines in 1970. By 1979 he was a pilot with empire Airlines and would eventually retire with US Airways as a Captain.

“The moment I got the job (Mohawk Airlines ticket counter) the goal was always to be a pilot.”

Johnson aimed high then and he is aiming high now.

Johnson also knows his connection to any type of reformist or populist movements will attract all kinds of rhetoric. “There are two words I never want to be associated with” he said, holding up his index finger. “Those words are: fight and change”, adding clarity, he continued, “I would rather use: work (with) and overhaul.“

It is set, there will be a Republican challenge for the 116th Assembly. It will help shape the future political landscape that is surely going to go through some changes.

“I am not running against RoAnn Destito”, Johnson said.  ”I am running for the 116th”

At press time RoAnn Destitio has not announced a decision to run or not.

       The word Trailblazer and Utica are rarely mentioned in the same sentence. But when it comes to civic (city sponsored) community gardens Utica can proudly claim Trailblazer status.
        Utica is the first city of its size in Central New York to donate land and resources toward the building and maintenance of community gardens that have successfully provided food and nutritional education to the poor.

       ”It is great so far, a lot of hard work, but we need more funding to take this to the next level” shared Cassandra Harris Lockwood, CEO of For The Good Inc. and one of the forces behind the original community garden on Linwood Pl..”We started out with an idea and a donation from a philanthropist (Richard Pertz)…that got us going” she explained.
       With a small donation to work with, all they needed was land. The newly elected Mayor of Utica, David Roefaro, came to the rescue and donated land (vacant lots) and the first garden was started.
       Even in this climate of fiscal conservatism and huge cuts to City services Utica saw the value of a small investment in this program.

“The results were positive from the outset.”-

      “We have developed a positive relationship with a lot of community partners.” Lockwood was referring to the many other non-profits and Colleges that have gotten involved with the gardens since they started three years ago.

       The number of gardens has increased with the participation in the community. With the cooperation of the City of Utica, For The Good has added two more locations : Jay St and Noyes.
       “Jay St was a gift from Wal-Mart…they provided the wood and expertise to get it built” Harris-Lockwood said. “But we need this type of commitment from the philanthropists” she said, highlighting the irony of a non-grassroots (some might say anti-Mom & Pop) organization like Wal-Mart willing to offer support.
        She listed the many groups that have offered money or ‘in-kind’ support.”Proctor High School Youth Costruction Initiative Program helped build raised beds, The Community Foundation provided resources to build a shed, Cornell Co-operative Extension provided seeds, RCIL does a healthy cooking and nutrition class and The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees provides people…there are many more”.
       The Linwood Garden houses 36 raised beds that keep the roots of the vegetables away from potentially dangerous elements in the soil. The Jay St. Garden is an exact replica of Linwood that was built last year. Noyes will be the third installed in consecutive years. There is also an heirloom garden donated by Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce President Frank Elias on Genesee St. next door to The Utica Roasting Company.
        “Noyes will house 30 beds this year but we will have room for up to 80″ Harris-Lockwood said. What will be missing is money. Because For The Good Inc is the main facilitator of the gardens; the technical expertise such as the layout, number of raised beds, crop rotation and simple daily maintenance has been handled solely by Harris Lockwood and volunteers of For The Good Inc.
       ”We are getting to a point where the responsibility (of the garden’s maintenance) is beyond what we are willing to ask someone to do (for free)” Harris-Lockwood admitted. “We have applied for multiple grants at a much higher level.”
       Harris-Lockwood was very clear about what is needed. “Added funds will simply keep the gardens operating …we are in danger (financially)…we need help”.
       Harris Lockwood will be taking her message to SUNY Morrisville on Earth Day (April 22). Her message will be heard by the appropriate audience- college students. The idea is catching on. Harris Lockwood has also offered her model to the people of Haiti, through Senator Kristin Gillibrand, to apply these methods in their rebuilding efforts.
      In many bad ways, Utica is leading the pack in Central New York. Teen pregnancy, illiteracy, poverty and the over all health of  all Uticans need to be addressed. No one else is doing this. For once we are in first place for doing something for the good.

     Uptown Utica. Two words, when put in the proper order, can inspire thoughts of heady conversation, good food, good music, strong coffee and gourmet beer on tap. Those are all good things; but until now, those thoughts were reserved for the well informed minority of Uticans who regularly hang there. As spring and summer quickly advance the numbers of well informed regulars continues to grow.

     Only an expert demographer could accurately gauge the group most inclined to visit or regularly hang out in Uptown. But to the casual observer, and member of a fringe group of struggling artists that hang out anywhere, I can attest to the wide range of Uticans that are prone pull up a chair at the cafe or get a table at one of the two restaurants that call Uptown home.

      “We all work together” shared Lauren Helmer General Manager of The Hadley-Balkan (2006-2008 Genesee St.). She was referring to the many creative promotional specials like ‘Dinner and a Movie’ that they run with their neighbor, The Uptown Theatre. The spirit of cooperation between the different businesses extend beyond the Uptown Theatre; it is truly a business community.

       Mini-Coopers, Saabs, BMW’s – hip-cars – compete for the limited parking with Ford Tempos old Hondas and bicycles.

       The drivers? They work, buy art, eat out, drink gourmet beer and like movies. They tend to support the efforts of local farmers and try to do their part to combat climate change by attending lectures, riding bikes and driving the occasional hybrid.

         Because of its unique atmosphere, Uptown Utica, a small cluster of businesses that intersect at Emerson and Genesee St. is establishing itself as one the hippest places to hangout in The Mohawk Valley.

But you need to ask yourself: Am I cool enough?

      If you are into NASCAR, prefer lots o’ Ketchup with your steak and have no appreciation for art or conversations about changing the world; Uptown probably is not for you.

       It is a place where display menus are hand painted and servers have pierced eyebrows. A place where college students drink (coffee) and do their homework on laptops.

      Uptown is a place where you can attend shamanic drum circles twice a month (The Other Side), listen to local poets plan a show, students debate a lecture or just do the crossword (Cafe Domenico).

      Uptown is a place where you can hear an Irish Band, Mandolin players and Utica’s own Rusty Doves all in one week.

      Uptown is the place that recently played host to international Jazz star Jane Monheit who performed for an intimate crowd (75) at The Other Side (2011 Genesee St.), a non-profit cultural universe of it’s own that adds a considerable sum of integrity to Uptown’s growing popularity and cultural importance.

     Uptown has been historically anchored by popular shops like Uptown Automotive- a thirty year success story owned by Jim Amado-that revolves around Model Cars and rare Hotwheels. And The Historic Uptown Theatre.

     Uptown has always been pedestrian friendly and, on good weather days, it reaches it’s potential as a sundrenched center of all kinds of activity. It could be described as a less crowded, quiet alternative to the Spring Break atmosphere of beer soaked Varick St.

     No, there are no tatoo shops, no pizza joints ( although there used to be) and no Police on stand by for beer brawls. It is a mature, ecclectic atmosphere. The perfect place to bring visiting friends when you want to make a good impression.

     Simply put, it is a model Renaissance District. Previously driven by a now defunt dry cleaner, a number of unsuccessful pizza joints and The newly rescuscitated Uptown Theatre. It used to be a part of town most of us just drove through on our way to doing whatever it is we do. Now we slow down, take a look. And some of us even park, get out and go see what’s going on Uptown.

Uptown Plaza (2007 Genesee St.)
     Listed first because it lies right at the edge of the action in Uptown. Uptown Plaza lies on the Northeast side of Emerson Ave and Genesee St. it is home to about seven suites each housing a different business. Uptown’s prosperity has never been in these businesses hands. There are specialty shops that include the Old Training Gym for MMA fighter Matt Hamill (that appears empty), a CPA and a couple of empty suites begging for a creative entreprenuer to take advantage of the spike in foot traffic. The most successful businesses in the Plaza, Uptown Automotive,(“A Hobby Shop For car Nuts”) and Mohawk Valley Music Supply have been operating before the current spike in interest.

Cafe Domenico (2009 Genesee St.)
315-798-8077
      The first business to provide a solid social foundation to the area is Cafe Domenico. Entering it’s eighth year (7/22), Domenico’s has been growing in popularity since it’s opening in 2002. It’s importance is not overlooked.
“Domenico’s is an area of critical mass where a lot of different people can share ideas” said Adam Spiridilozzi a local artist, student, and a regular member of the Domenico’s community.

      Domenico’s is also one of the businesses that everyone has been to. It is moderately to low priced and there is a good chance you won’t overstay your welcome by nursing a twenty minute coffee waiting for late friends.

The Other Side (2011 Genesee St)

      The only non-profit on the block has been extremely active in it’s first year. Still in it’s infancy (non-profit years) this collection of intellectuals, artists and local activists has helped transform more than the culture of Uptown.

They provide a LGBT teen meeting space (rare by any standard), shamanic drum circles (twice a month), a series on climate change, Talkin Bout Jazz musical series (debuted with Jane Monheit) and of course The very successful Imagining America series of free lectures sponsored in part, by Hamilton College.

     The Imagining America Lecture series alone is worth the price of admission, the fact that it is free will elicit feelings of guilt for anyone in attendance that doesn’t give a donation. Where else in Utica can you go and learn about foreign service (espionage) from an expert? Where to get farm fresh local eggs or homemade rootbeer? Why our economy was in danger of collapse?

    They also host poetry readings, live Improv and are open to just about anything that can help elevate the community conversation. The Other Side is aptly named.

The Balkan-Hadley Restaurant Bar (2006-2008 Genesee St.)     The Balkan-Hadley Restaurant Bar 315-507-4264

     The Balkan-Hadley Restaurant Bar is really two restaraunts in one.  The Balkan, which is open year round for lunch and dinner, is the lower priced more accessible option for the Uptown diner. it has its own menu and all lunches come with soup salads and a basket of bread. They have multiple sandwich options as well; feel free to order anything from grilled to deli style. There are ten dinner options that all come with rice or potato and vegetables. To Gotham City News, a low budget operation, the best thing about the Balkan is price, everything, including Steak Au Poivre is well under twenty bucks.

     The Hadley could be described as the upscale version of The Balkan. Compared with the other businesses in the area they are priced above the market. It has not hurt them, they have a lower priced option right next door under the same roof. Lobster, Rack of Lamb, Grilled Veal Chop and , of course Delmonico Steak compete for popularity amongst the high rollers.
Remember to ask about dinner and a movie.

Uptown Theatre (2012 Genesee St.)
The Uptown-315-797-0020
     The Theatre has been given a new lease on life. It is home to video game tournaments live action performances and, of course, movies. Remember to ask them about dinner and a movie.

The Green Onion (2014 Genesee St)
The Green Onion-202-276-1049
      The newest addition to The Uptown scene is The Green Onion. On October 22nd they will celebrate their first year. The intimate little Barspace next door to Uptown theate is a departure from the usual Utica drinking experience all the way down to it’s real Cork dartboard, well heeled bartenders and really good microbrews.

See you Uptown.

    At 7:00p.m. on April 17th Rome’s Capitol Theatre will be host to a viewing of D.W Griffith’s controversial 1915 film: Birth of a Nation.

     For those of you in the dark, Birth of a Nation, filmed in 1915, is the first epic Blockbuster in American History. Noted by film scholars for it’s technical breakthroughs in directing and editing it is equally reviled by civil rights activists and older African Americans for it’s stereotypical depictions of Black folks at their worst.

     Due to the subject matter, centered around the civil war and reconstruction, many consider it a lightning rod for old school southern racist.

     The images of too dumb to know any better, happy slaves and chicken eating, toe picking black Congressman is just too much for some to handle.

     Many blame the movie for attributing to a climate of violence during the times (20′s). When it was released in 1915 lynchings were on the rise and would eventually reach a statistical peak several years after. The early 20′s were also wrought with race riots all over the United States . These were not typical riots. They were attacks on Black communities by armed white people. The theme was always the same, domination of the ‘uppity’ black community.

     What gets lost is the subject of the film: Reconstruction. Reconstruction, a few years after the Civil War was the first time Black Americans were on any type of equal footing with white people. Blacks held office taught in schools served as Postmaster, you name it.

What happened?

    The Federal troops left and the dominant planter class, ex-plantation owner waged war with prosperous black ex-slaves to ‘set things right’. This began a bloody terrorist campaign that would forever taint the image of The South to African Americans.

 To racist whites it was called Redemption.

      It is natural for people who have witnessed the outcomes of these events to feel a little uncomfortable with any imagery that reminds them of the causes.
     For those lined up in protest against the showing, their reasons are simple – It’s racist.

     “Why now” asks Utica’s Loretta Johnson, a longtime member of the NAACP.

     “Why do they have to show it now? I mean, look at the current climate, people are freaking out over health care and there seems to be an unusual amount of veiled racism”. Johnson was referring to the historic passage of healthcare legislation that has been the source of intense debate for almost a year.

     “Now that it’s over some people are angry, especially around here  (Mohawk Valley)”.

    On March 22 a group of African Americans along with mayor James Brown of Rome met to discuss alternatives to showing the film.

    The group, with the Mayor in agreement, want the showing moved or cancelled.

     “Cancelling is out of the question, we have put too much into planning this, we have been thoughtful with our planning as well” said Art Pierce the artistic director at Rome Capitol Theatre.

     Pierce has invited Hamilton College Professor of Film History Scott Macdonald to introduce the film and he has also assembled a multi-cultural panel of Mohawk Valley residents to keep it all in perspective.

     “We are also going to play a live musical score, the original” Pierce said.

     Despite his care in planning Pierce said they were unable to reach a compromise.

     Sharing his emotions Pierce said “I think emotions are high right now, we tried to have discussion but we could not get anywhere…they walked out, a few stayed, but most of them left”.

     Those that stayed were able to share their fears and discuss possibilities. Never the less, Pierce feels he is misunderstood, but sees a positive in establishing a dialog with the Black community in Rome.

Why Now?

     The Rome Capitol Theatre has been doing a silent film series since 2002. “We have been getting a lot of requests for this film, in fact it is the most requested movie since we started this” Pierce said.

     One could wonder why this movie? Why do so many people want to see it.

“Well, it is a materpiece” Pierce added.

      Morbid curiosity? A reminiscence of times past perhaps? Let us all hope it is all about how far we have come from the dark days of ignorance and violence. Let us all hope it is about learning from our mistakes.

     “It is a racist film” admits Art Pierce, the man responsible for organizing this viewing.

“It also has a lot of value as an educational tool”

   Yeah, I agree, but we need to know our history before we can learn anything from it.