Publisher’s Note: Who’s Advocating for MBEs
By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE – April 1. 2014
I keep asking “Who’s advocating for Black-owned businesses in Columbus?” Folks continue to complain that they are not getting a chance to participate in local contracting opportunities or that the general contractors have preferred lists and MBEs are hard pressed to get access to the general contractors.
What’s going on? Is there a connection between advocacy and contracting opportunities? Who are the advocates? Is there a plan to keep MBE’s and micro-enterprises out of the procurement process? Is bid information being distributed to outlets that actually cater to MBE’s? Are locally tax-payer funded programs designed to assist Black-owned businesses simply dog and pony shows for the politicians who fund or endorse them?
Are MBE’s advocating for themselves? In other cities, MBES are protesting and demanding their fair share of participation in economic development particularly on construction projects in their neighborhoods. They have demanded that their elected officials put funding into studying discrimination in purchasing practices in an effort to establish goals and equity programming. What’s up Columbus? Another election season is upon us. Do you know the commitment upcoming candidates have towards improving purchasing opportunities for MBES? Are you supporting candidates that are advocates for true economic development in the Black community?
Is Community Policing a Joke?
My recent interactions with a Columbus police officer leaves me to question the city’s community policing and how cops treat folks. Recently I needed to get a police report. There appears to be a Columbus PD sub-station on E. Main St. Ironically, the front door to the community policing station is locked. There are no posted hours or any published way to access assistance. On the advice of a local resident, I went to the back door. It was locked. So I knocked. To my surprise, Officer Tomlin answered and repeated yelled at me to leave the property as they were at roll call. Puzzled by his reaction, I explained that the front doors were locked to no avail. He gave me a look of either do what I say or I will arrest you.
He never inquired if I needed police assistance. Most people go to the police department seeking help. His only concern was that I remove myself from CPD property. I can only image how Office Tomlin treats those he suspects of breaking the law as I witnessed first-hand his total disregard to help someone who was seeking assistance.
This has left quite the impression on how CPD treats residents, particularly those in the Central City. Office Tomlin was rude and unprofessional. Perhaps he and his crew could benefit from diversity training.
Just my thoughts…rwb
