I saw a billboard that supports Dama Rice for Petersburg City Council. She is asking us to vote for her because of 16 years of experience on council. That is exactly why we should NOT vote for her.
She has voted with the current council to spend millions on a golf course when the mass of her constituents were not in favor of such an act. Our 1st Ward has dilapidated housing and no public recreation for our children. I really don't know what she has done in those 16 years and I can't see giving her another four to add on to that. It is time for someone else to fill that seat.
Her opponent Treska Wilson-Smith has done some very remarkable things during those same 16 years. Treska worked tirelessly for 16 years to promote school uniforms, bringing our community to hear that our children should focus more on education and less on fashion while at school.
Treska brought a celebration of African-American culture and history to our city when she organized Juneteenth for several years. She engaged musicians, vendors, artists and city workers, bringing them together to work in harmony for the good of the community. There was peace and love without discontent or chaos. There was an opportunity for the children to learn about the Buffalo Soldier and the United States Colored Troops. There were lectures by Howard Baugh and Col. P.T. Taylor. She was presenting history in the making.
She spearheaded and organized National Children's Day at Historic Cooper's Field. In cooperation with Petersburg Advocates for Children, Treska professed: "This is for our children. This helps support their knowing how much we love them, and to let them know that they are not just a test score." She walked the street from business to business to get funds for this event. She put her heart, soul and a lot of energy into getting it all together for the children.
Treska has over 100 children enrolled in scouting programs. She has brought together men and women to be leaders in these programs and she has gotten many parents involved in supporting these activities. There are several different levels of scouting and she coordinates the activities of them all. Children learn a lot from a well-organized scouting experience and Treska ensures that what they learn in scouting is complimentary and supportive of the SOL program.
Those are just a few of the highlights of what Treska can and will do. When it comes to years of experience, I will vote for Treska. Ward 1, let's put her on Petersburg City Council on Nov. 2. If she can do this much just as a caring citizen, think of what she can do as a member on City Council.