City of lorain wants to hire you

The city of Lorain is looking for more Lorain residents to apply for city employment.

In a recent community meeting, city officials noted only 30 applicants applied for a cleaning position and indicated no applicants were minorities.

Which in a city with about 42 percent minority is not good?

A dialogue began about why more people do not apply and specifically, why there were no minority applications.  The common theme was lack of knowing there was an opening, hesitation to apply based on past criminal record, and belief in the “gold old’ boy network”, which would lake applying worthless. 

A follow up meeting is scheduled for August 12 at 6pm to develop a plan of action to get more Lorain residents to apply preliminary ideas include canvassing certain neighborhoods to let residents know of the openings and specifically, more minority applicants.  For more information email

Marcustitoatkinson#att.net

Martin case brings to light need for change

Saturday July 20 the International Council for Urban Peace, Justice and Empowerment of Lorain County organized a rally at Veteran’s Park, downtown Lorain.  The rally was to show solidarity for the injustice which came upon the life of Trayvon and to show support for his family.  Despite opposition, the rally in Lorain was not only peaceful, it was beautiful.  The voices of those who have died and have unsolved cases were heard, the voice of those who feel oppressed were heard and the voice of those who have no hope were heard.

The rally spoke of the importance healing our community, and about the importance of educating ourselves to take back our streets from crime, to demand justice in a system that all too often appears to be unjust.

No child is born with hate and no child is born inferior, yet somewhere in our teachings we are stereotyped, profiled, and classified, creating a system with clear lines of social, economical and political divisions, and these divisions become engrained in the conscious of our young people.    

The ICUPJE of Lorain County aims to empower each one of us to take hold of their life situation, don’t accept inferiority, don’t accept violence on your street, and don’t accept poverty, educate our youth, respect each other and be the change.