Success Story: Public meeting held at New Bethel Bastist Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ACTION Success Story:

Public Meeting New Bethel Baptist Church October 10, 2010

WARREN TRIBUNE   OCT 11, 2010

YOUNGSTOWN - Standing in front of the police chief, mayor, state attorney general and a slew of other public officials and representatives from about 25 churches and community organizations that filled the bottom level of New Bethel Baptist Church, a composed Keysha Martin delivered her message Sunday afternoon.

Martin, the granddaughter of recently slain real estate agent Vivian Martin, told those who gathered at the church for community group ACTION's annual public meeting Sunday of her grandmother's success and that the city has lost its streets to violence.

Keysha Martin told the audience her grandmother raised two children on her own, put herself through college, owned her own business and beat cancer - twice. Martin was murdered last month while showing a home at 3660 Nelson Avenue. Law enforcement allege that two men, Robert Brooks and Grant Cooper, strangled her to death and set the home on fire.

Brooks and Cooper are indicted on aggravated murder charges and face the death penalty if convicted.

Keysha Martin's message was short and direct.

''We need to gain our streets back because violence is taking over,'' she said.

Sunday's meeting, attended by officials such as state Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, police Chief Jimmy Hughes, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, and officials from Gov. Ted Strickland's office, addressed several community issues including health and wellness, supporting local businesses, education and crime and safety.

Members of ACTION, or Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods, called public officials to the stage to ask for their ideas.