ESL voters were given a pre-election gift, last Wednesday, when political “godfather” Charlie Powell was indicted, along with four Department of Regulatory of Affairs staffers, Kelvin Ellis, Jesse Lewis, Sheila Thomas and Yvette Johnson.
All five were charged with Conspiracy to Commit Election Fraud, as the result of a conspiracy “to knowingly and willfully pay and offer to pay voters for voting in the November 2, 2004 general election.”
According to the previously suppressed federal grand jury indictment, all five are accused of paying ESL voters between $5 and $10 apiece for their votes in the November 2 elections.
Four of the defendants (minus Ellis, who is already in jail for a murder-for-hire scheme) were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Proud and pleaded innocent.
However, on the day prior, Democratic Precinct Committeemen Leroy Scott Jr., Lillie Nichols and Terrance Stith, as well as precinct worker Sandra Stith, entered pleas of “guilty” to Election Fraud, with each admitting to paying voters at the behest of Charlie Powell and others.
Looks like someone is lying. Charlie Powell denies telling anyone to buy votes. ESL City Manager Alvin Parks, who was subpoenaed last week and grilled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith regarding voter fraud, is supporting Powell’s assertion.
In fact, Parks went so far as to refer to his appearance before the federal grand jury as a “waste of time,” saying, “Doesn’t (Goldsmith) think I have better things to do with my time?”
Parks needs a reality check. Alvin recently called me, following my column entitled “Parks Punked,” only to hurl expletives at me then hang up.
That I can handle. But when one criticizes the federal prosecutor in the media, amid an ongoing investigation into corruption, then I think that Parks should hope that they don’t further “waste his time” with an indictment, especially if audio and video surveillance concludes that Parks was, indeed, aware of vote buying.
Folks, the indictments are far from being over. And, if it’s true that “(jail)birds of a feather flock together,” then I would expect that Kelvin Ellis and Charlie Powell’s cohorts Councilman Eddie Jackson and TIF Director Lonzo Greenwood will be indicted in the not-too-distant future.
On Tuesday, April 5, ESL voters will have the opportunity to steer clear of city officials who, more than likely, will be going from “pinstripes to prison stripes,” very soon.
“King Charlie” Powell and Eddie Jackson are defending their council seats and should be rejected by citizens who want to end an embarrassing era of ESL “poli-tricks.” School Board President Lonzo Greenwood (a Powell crony) should be sent packing as well, given his history of questionable wheeling and dealing.
In fact, Charlie Powell should “smell the coffee” and step down from the ESL City Council as well as his post as ESL Democratic Chair. I doubt very seriously if he can be effective with St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern doing a “push-off move” to avoid being associated with him since his indictment. The party’s over Charlie.
City Council candidates Delbert Marion and Lester “Boom” Anderson are positive alternatives to the uncertain future of Powell and Jackson. At least they aren’t indicted, subpoenaed or en route to the big house.
Rudy “Showtime” McIntosh’s candidacy for township supervisor is a bigger gamble than a craps game at the Casino Queen. Questions remain regarding a 1979 murder (in which he was mentioned as the possible shooter) and the status of the investigation into whether he even has a high school credential.
In addition, voters should take advantage of the opportunity to vote NO for the city manager form of government. In doing so they will be saying NO to the cronyism of the ESL City Council and YES to a greater voice for the citizens of ESL in how their city is governed.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com.