Guest Columnist James Ingram
By definition, a hypocrite is one who professes certain values or beliefs, but acts in a contradictory manner. A coward is one who, simply put, lacks courage. If I were to define either term, I would simply refer to East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. and his political wheeling and dealing over the past few months.
Previously, I cautioned ESL voters about Parks’ well-publicized series of prayer vigils and fasts, all hyped as some attempt (by Parks and certain preachers) to solicit divine intervention to heal the political and criminal corruption which plague ESL.
Now, after two recent events, we find that Mayor Parks continues to be the spiritual, political and hypocritical coward that I’ve described him as being, from his mayoral campaign up until today.
Just three weeks ago two federal-vote-fraud felons, Jesse Lewis and Sheila Thomas, returned to ESL City Hall as employees, thanks to Mayor Alvin Parks and his partner-in-crime, ESL City Manager Robert Betts. You remember Jesse and Sheila. They received 18 months in the pen for their roles in paying ESL voters $5 and $10 for their votes in the 2004 general elections. Their new jobs are a political “thank you” for not snitching on their ringleader, Charlie Powell.
Quite naturally, neither Parks nor Betts returned my calls, but both were quoted by other media as saying that Thomas and Lewis had “paid their debt to society.” I’ve heard that line before, when Kelvin Ellis was rehired (after his first prison stint). And what did Ellis do when he returned to ESL City Hall? Aside from allegedly running a prostitution ring (from City Hall), committing tax evasion and attempting to have a federal witness murdered, I guess Parks would call Ellis a model citizen. So why not also give Jesse and Sheila a chance to embarrass ESL again?
So much for spirituality, integrity and “doing the right thing,” Mayor Parks. Let’s call it what it is: flagrant, brazen, HYPOCRISY. Alvin Parks is nothing more than a smiling crony and lackey for the St. Clair County Democratic machine. That same machine sponsored the criminality of Charlie Powell and funded Parks’ campaign. Alvin Parks does as he is told … or else.
And it’s hard to stomach that Parks is either too naïve or dense (after all of his rhetoric about integrity) to not understand how the rehiring of felons only further undermines the credibility of ESL officials (and the city) and paints it as, simply, an employment agency for the hiring of recycled criminals.
Obviously, Parks could care less, just as long as he and his clan benefit from ESL “politricks” at every opportunity.
Speaking of the Parks clan, did anyone see how Parks ran when KTVI’s Elliot Davis questioned him about his nepotism in hiring family in key City Hall posts? I wrote about this issue some time ago, but Elliot’s report showed the true cowardice of Parks, who literally ran past Davis into the lobby of ESL City Hall.
Parks’ excuse (to Davis)? “We don’t have an appointment,” followed by “I don’t have any time for you, sir.”
Cameras caught Parks’ sister fleeing to her car. Her husband, Rocco Goins, had the audacity to even crack jokes (when questioned), while Parks’cousin, Tommy Dancy, attempted to hide his nearly 300 lb. frame from the TV camera.
My advice to Alvin Parks: MAN UP! If you’re bold enough to have family members (including yourself) drawing salaries totaling $172, 284 per year from ESL taxpayers, then be man enough to admit that it was a “family thing” and that you don’t care how it appears or what voters think.
To their credit, ESL Councilmen Delbert Marion and Roy Mosley had the courage and character to denounce the rehiring of Lewis and Thomas, while Councilmen Robert Eastern III and Eddie Jackson (in allegiance to the political machine) have remained, unfortunately, silent on this matter.
Finally, media relations are a two-way street, Alvin. Your imaginary “Parks pedigree” does not grant you immunity from criticism. Non-answers and running away only create the impression of guilt. Also, four years is a long time to avoid the press.
However, I think that two words will (very soon) dissipate the silence and arrogance of many ESL politicians. Can you say “more indictments”? Stay tuned.
Email:jtingram_1960@yahoo.com.