I must admit, I was disappointed to hear that the State's Attorney has summoned General Parker to his office. Some of the problem in the black community is that after folks do their time, they are often the first to be "pulled over and/or in" when they are just walking down the street. This thing with General and Kevin Lyons reminds me of that exact same type of relationship - only General is not committing crimes or being pulled over by the police - he is being pulled in by the State's Attorney for attempting to having a voice in his community. I don't know, but somehow this does not seem to be fair.
The Press Release below is from General Parker, a candidate for the second district BOE seat that is currently held by Debbie Wolfmeyer. Parker, frustrated by the prospect that he has turned his life around, but feels that the powers that be, won't let him move forward and he questions their motives...
Peoria County States Attorney Playing Plantation Politics
PEORIA, Ill. – With the April 5 election just six weeks away, voters are being left in the dark about the political backdoor dealings that are manipulating County Board races to help the status quo remain in power.
2nd District candidate, General Parker, a previous mayoral candidate, has been summoned by the Peoria County State’s Attorney office to appear in courtroom 203 of the Peoria County Courthouse to answer a complaint seeking and injunction to bar him from not only holding office for school board but to keep him from being on the ballot also.
Why? Because rumor has it the Democratic Leadership wants to teach Parker a lesson that no one runs, especially a black man, without their approval. “You know, I can understand if they choose not to support me like they didn’t for mayor, but to actually do things to harm me is beyond comprehension” Parker said. I am really hurt if Dave (Senator Koehler) has any part in this. He’s like a father to me even calls me his Godson and vice-versa.
Kevin Lyons seems to have different rules for different people in this town. He seemed to want to give Mayor Ardis a pass for something he was quoted in the paper as saying was a “felony if committed by an elected official. “Me, I guess I’m not light enough for his liking” quips Parker.
What’s hard to understand is are the organizations that supposedly stand up for a person’s rights? Do we just stand back and allow Lyons to misuse this office and the taxpayer’s money. Shouldn’t Parker be allowed face the will of the people and not Kevin Lyons? Shouldn’t the office of the State’s Attorney use its resources as a shield for the people by prosecuting active crimes and criminals and not be allowed to be used a weapon for personal vendettas against minorities or those who don’t support you politically? That’s the question that will be answered today in Courtroom 203 of the Peoria County Courthouse, located at 323 main St., Peoria, IL 61602.
Dan Fishel, mayor of Brimfield, IL had a felony conviction and held that office for eight years until a complaint was made and he gave it up and sought a pardon by Blagojevich and was able to run again for mayor of Brimfield again uncontested in 2009. Kevin Lyons office allowed him to hold office for eight years without saying a word even though there was a statute that prevents him from holding municipal office. There seems to be no such requirement for school board.
Parker is an activist and was recently leading a rally in the State Capitol on February 10, 2011 in support of the Steven Watkins’ Bill. This bill increases the penalty for visitation interference for custodial parents attempting alienate their children from the non-custodial parents. Being an activist, Parker has called out Lyons on unfair practices in prosecutions of cases and his disparities in applying the death penalty and charging minority youth as adults.
Parker is an activist and was recently leading a rally in the State Capitol on February 10, 2011 in support of the Steven Watkins’ Bill. This bill increases the penalty for visitation interference for custodial parents attempting alienate their children from the non-custodial parents. Being an activist, Parker has called out Lyons on unfair practices in prosecutions of cases and his disparities in applying the death penalty and charging minority youth as adults.
Related article: Parker — a convicted felon — has week to withdraw from mayoral race
Lyons' Complaint (click thumbnails to view document)
General's Response (click thumbnail to view document)
