“The Black community is receiving a rash of citation for high grass of 10 inches are more and we would like to know if the white community is getting the same thing. The citation is referring to ordinance # 157 which states in the amended ordinance states that a notification would be sent out to the owner of the property in writing and the owner would have 10 days to take care of the problem . after the problem is taken care of why do the owner have to pay a $200 fine if the grass is cut with the 10 days and is this happening in the white community also. We know that you can drive down south ward and there is a least 3 properties that has grass more than 10 inches high. we also know that across from the city hall building and on the wall of the old furniture building that grass is waist high. Behind the post office the building on the same side as the bank the weeds are waist high also is there a double standard in Italy. There are old people that are in the nursing home getting citations the cannot walk and on dialysis how can they cut their own yard. I suggest that the city of Italy should have a Town Hall Meeting at one of the Black Churches in Italy and talk this thing out. the people are tired of being nickel and dime to death. We need to try and work this situation before it gets out of hand. We are tired of this mess we need to get some understanding. Why not put a sign on the property that is in violation with the ordinance stated on the sign then everybody would know that everybody is treated the same and at the town hall meeting define the meaning of ordinance #157 so the people can get on board with the plan.”

Thanks
Jim Jackson

Comment from Minister Billy Burkhalter, May 12, 2010, 1:46pm

Response to Racial Profiling in the Black Community

Being told to cut your grass is not racial profiling. Racial profiling is being singled out because of ones race when nothing is wrong. I’m sure you all would agree that having grass over 10 inches high is definitely a problem. Why would an individual have to be told to cut their grass? That is mortifying. The simple thing to do is keep the grass cut. We don’t need a meeting for that.

There is definitely no excuse for the businesses and city facilities that have high grass; however, that has nothing to do with the issues in our community. Furthermore, if there is a need to help the ones who are not able to cut their yards, why don’t we form a committee in our own community to facilitate getting that done? Let’s meet at one of the churches to identify the ones in need, and challenge our people to have the cleanest and neatest community in town. We could form a coalition of volunteers from each church in town to assist the ones who are not physically able to cut their grass.

Charity begins at home, and then spreads abroad. This is our neighborhood. Let’s show love to one another, and not make racial issues out of things that we should be handling. We have an opportunity to mitigate a community need, let’s be accountable to ourselves and get it done. I’m willing to pitch in and help.

Minister Billy Burkhalter

Comment from Jim Jackson received May 13, 2010, 11:53am

Mr. Burkhalter you are missing the point. We don’t need you are any other minister to get involved. We have access to Fox 4 news State Representative Jim Pitts and the ACLU. we just want to have a town hall meeting at one of the black churches within the city of Italy so the city council, the city manager,and the code enforcement officer can explain ordinance #157 and the execution of this ordinance. Because the ordinance says one thing and they are doing something else and we want to know is the ordnance out dated already it was just amended. We appreciate you comments.

Jim Jackson
609 Belclaire
Desoto, Texas 75115

Comment from Sharon Kinsey, May 13, 2010, 5:58pm

I live on south ward and can attest to the fact that people have received citations for many different things including tall grass, im at a loss as to why anyone would think that a neighborhood is being singled out because of what race is predominant in that neighborhood. I agree with the minister that if there are people who need help with their yards then the community should come together and help them out, im aware of at least one home whos yard is matained by a very nice person while the owner was in a nursing home and and has since the owner died a few years ago. i can also assure you that south ward is not an all white neighborhood and i wasnt aware that there are any all white neighborhood in italy. your letter sounded more as if you were more concerned with racial profiling than citations as you stated “all black church” does that mean that i would not be allowed in the church any other time than to have a meeting, i can assure you that you would be more than welcome in my church anytime regardless of your race! and as i stated before im not aware of any “all white neighborhoods” in italy. whats wrong with having the meeting at city hall? is that not where most meetings in most towns take place? as a RESIDENT (i noticed you gave your address as desoto) i like to drive around my town and enjoy how nice our neighborhoods are. and i also agree with minister as to why would you want to have high grass in your yard in the first place? high grass invites mice, snakes and any other number of things to hide in. its just my opinion!