Welcome To The Chuck Turner Daylight Network:
The Antidote For The Apathetic
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City Council President:
Michael Ross
At-Large City Councilors:
Stephen Murphy,
John R. Connolly,
Ayanna Pressley,
Felix Arroyo
District Councilors:
Maureen Feeney, Charles Yancey, Mark Ciommo, Rob Consalvo, Salvatore LaMattina , Bill Linehan, Chuck Turner
Dear Boston City Councilors :
Union members at Boston Medical Center strongly urge the Boston City Council to vote at the City Council hearing on Wednesday, December 1, against removing Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner from office. Chuck Turner should not be removed from office by the Council. The Council should defer a decision on this matter, and wait to see whether the judge in Councilor Turner’s case rules to place Chuck Turner on probation, since Councilor Turner has steadfastly stated that he has committed no “crime” that would warrant him to serve time in prison.
Union members and employees at Boston Medical Center need Chuck to be allowed to serve out his term.
It is well known in Boston communities that Chuck Turner is a dedicated organizer for the rights of working people, the labor movement, and for the rights of people of color.
Chuck Turner has contributed greatly to full inclusion of Communities of Color in the labor movement in Massachusetts, and on many community issues.
Recently at a labor rally Councilor Turner eloquently stated:
It’s Time for Justice for American Workers !!!
This country was built by the labor of men and women of all races. The wealth of this country is a product of the creativity and productivity of American workers, paid and unpaid. Yet, this wealth has never been shared. The tragic history of this country is that those who have built this country and its wealth have been systematically exploited and this exploitation is continuing to run rampant.
Organized labor and its allies are not only faced with the challenges of rebuilding a movement for justice for all workers in this country but also faced with the myriad challenges based on changes in industrial technology, the exporting of jobs, and the greed of corporate America.
Here in Massachusetts as well as throughout the country we are confronted by new labor challenges every day. Our energies are consumed by the constant fight against corporate exploitation such as that being practiced by the Hyatt Corporation in its flagrant and obscene attempt to undercut the wage standards established by the heroic organizing of hotel workers by Local 26.
We are here today not only to support the un-unionized Hyatt workers but also those IBEW, local 2222 workers who are facing a potential sale of a major sector of Verizon’s business that would create chaos for Verizon workers. Experience has taught us that solidarity among workers is the key to success. We can not allow them to pick us off sector by sector. Standing together is the only protection we have.
However, if justice is to prevail we need a plan designed to bring justice to all the workers of this country. It is time for a movement focused on creating an economy with good jobs for all. As the American economy implodes, it is essential that we use this chaotic moment as the opportunity to build a movement for Justice for American Workers.
Such a plan must include a strategy to deal with the millions of unemployed in this country. Before the recession officially began in December 2007, a 2006 federal survey indicated that there were 10,800 young people in Boston between 16 and 24 who were out of school and out of work. Andy Sum of Northeastern in 2006 reported that 40% to 50% of black and Latino males across the country were unemployed.
Eighty years ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, facing a similar crisis, developed the Civilian Conservation Corp and the Works Progress Administration to put Americans back to work. We have to demand similar programs now rather than wait for a moribund economy that was not serving all the people to come to life. How do we finance such a needed program? Since our tax dollars were given to the banks to bail them out as those dollars come back, they need to be focused on the development of programs to put us back to work.
However, such programs are interim interventions not long range solutions. It’s essential to invest in our children’s future through developing funding strategies that can provide sound educational systems throughout the country. It is obscene for our federal government to spend 60 billion a year on educating our children while spending a trillion a year making war on others.
We must demand legislation not only to strengthen the right to organize but also to prevent corporate greed from destroying our industrial and technological capabilities through exporting job opportunities. There must be a united effort in building an economy that provides decent work at decent wages for all. How can we call ourselves a democracy if our children can not look to a future where they and their fellow citizens can live in peace and prosperity? We can not allow corporate America to destroy the American Dream. It’s time for Justice for American Workers.
Chuck Turner is not corrupt !!!!....
Even Ron Wilburn, FBI “informant” against Councilor Turner, admitted to the press on a number of occasions prior to the trial -stating repeatedly - that Chuck Turner “wasn’t corrupt”; although Wilburn said other things against Chuck when he became self-defensive, trying to “save face” on the hot seat during the “trial”.
Adrian Walker, a columnist in the Boston Globe wrote:
Turner made it clear that he began as an activist and plans to die as one. In a remarkable press conference after the verdict, he seemed almost unfazed about going to prison. “If they’re going to send me to jail, I’ll organize in jail,’’ he said. “I’m not the first person who’s innocent to be sent to prison.’’ He said there are a lot of people in prison who have been “thrown away.’’...
Adrian Walker continued in his column: Turner is a man whose life has been defined by struggle, and he seemed almost buoyed by the verdict... as if it simply furnished one more reason to wage battle against The Man. His supporters, flanking him, were alternately angry and sad. Tellingly, he seemed neither. “I’m gong to continue to do the work,’’ he said. “As long as I have a breath in this body, I’m going to struggle to bring justice to this country and this earth.’’
Chuck is a key leader on the Boston City Council, and in the Black Community, opposing a Level 4 bio-terror lab in the South End, that if allowed to get off the ground poses a dangerous threat of release of bio-warfare viruses to patients and employees at Boston Medical Center, where many members of SEIU, AFSCME, MNA, and other unions are employed; a bio-defense lab that poses a threat to neighborhoods in the South End/ Roxbury; and poses a threat to surrounding cities and towns who have passed ordinances against the Level 4 “Bio-defense” Lab.
Boston City Councilors, I urge each of you to listen to your heart in this matter, and vote to keep Chuck Turner on the Boston City Council, pending the outcome of the judge’s decision in January. In your hearts you know that Chuck Turner is not “guilty” of corruption. Chuck is a warrior against the injustices of a corrupt system that scapegoats leaders of people of color who are powerful advocates for the working class.
Sincerely,
Howie Rotman
Dorchester Resident, 1199SEIU leader and activist at Boston Medical Center. Former 1199SEIU Chapter Chair at Boston Medical Center & former MA 1199SEIU Exec. Bd. Member. Active as a leader in AFSCME & SEIU for over 39 years at BCH/BMC. Past AFSCME Pres. at Boston City Hospital & BMC.
Dear Everyone:
Still Stand for Councilor Turner:
DATE: WEDNESDAY 12/01/2010
TIME: 2:15 PM
LOCATION: IN FRONT of CITY HALLHEARING FOR HIS FATE ON THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE AT 3:00 PM ON THE 5th FLOOR OF CITY HALL.
ALSO: TAKE A LOOK AT THIS DOCUMENT THAT CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MICHAEL ROSS HAS SENT OUT:
| The Beacon Hill Times, November 30. Mayor Menino calling for Councilor Turner to resign even though Chuck is innocent strikes me as gratuitous or simply mean spirited. For years the integrity of Councilor Turner has been a hindrance to political clear sailing for a Mayor who has lied to his people and refused to talk with us, his constituents. I was in the courtroom during the legal fiasco. I have also been on juries when justice would have no hearing. It is physically impossible for the transaction to have happened. The prosecutor simply told the jury in his opening statement--you are going to see--and they saw. I sat there knowing Chuck was innocent and feeling deceived. If there is proof, what can Chuck say. I was so relieved when the recording did not show any transfer of money. It is impossible for fifteen bills to be concealed in a hand offered for a handshake. I went home thankful that Chuck would be vindicated. Then the verdict of guilty? I am really concerned that jurors can be convinced they are seeing something that could not happen. And I am concerned that this paper can even suggest that the innocent should accept a verdict of guilty. Tell that to the families of innocent men and women who have been executed. The integrity of the Council will hang on whether they are honest enough to allow an innocent man to complete his term. The constituents deserve to be served honestly, not according to political expediency. This current Mayor is himself involved in court cases of the ultimate seriousness and we, the residents of Boston, are not served by his getting rid of someone who stands in his way. Thank you Charles Yancey for acknowledging goodness. Chuck is a dinosaur after all. He is one of the last who stands for honesty and integrity. We should all support him and thank him for his willingness to be put on trial. No one wins. Not even the FBI who had to find someone desperate for money to bribe to lie. $30,000 to this collaborator. Shame on them. And shame on you for this travesty of journalism. --Alice Kast, 8 Whittier Place, Boston 617-523-2747 |
Dear Friends:
They say you don’t know who your friends are until times get tough.
Given how tough the times have been for Terri and me over the last two years, we thank you for showing the strength of your friendship by giving support when others were viewing me with suspicions or calling me a crook.
Even though the verdict is shocking, it is not surprising. Our predominant feeling is one of relief. Despite the fact that we think we have handled the pressure well, we are both drained and thrilled to have the trial over despite the shocking verdict.
Some have suggested that I should appeal to try to get a new trial.
However, I can’t see what would be gained by an appeal. The main problem created by the verdict is that it puts pressure on my fellow Councilors to vote me off the Council. However, the appeal process moves too slowly to help me remain on the Council.
While I am not going to appeal the verdict, I will not resign from the Council. In fact, I intend to fight to finish my term of office ending 12/31/2011 since there are a number of projects that I initiated that need more work.
It is impossible to say how many of the Councilors will be willing to support my remaining on the Council despite the tremendous pressure I know will be exerted to remove me. However, my fellow Councilors know from their experience with me over the last eleven years, I’m an honorable man.
I have a two step strategy to keep a seat on the Council until the term ends.
The first step is for supporters to send letters to my City Hall Office, addressed to Honorable Douglas P. Woodlock. In the letter please ask him that I be put on probation in order to continue my work in Boston rather than spend time in prison. Based on the charges, the maximum time in jail is 35 years. We will give these letters to the federal Probation Office that handles the pre sentencing work.
The second step is for supporters to send emails or letters to Council President Ross and all the Councilors at City Hall with copies to my City Hall Office. In that letter please ask that during the December 1st hearing (called by Council President Ross) they vote against the motion to remove me. The effect of a No vote regarding my removal from the Council would allow me to continue to serve unless Judge Woodlock sentences me to jail.
Again, thank you for your support. Once we know whether or not and how long I will be on the Council, I will write and let you know my plans.
Sincerely,
Chuck
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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-- THE END --
OR, IS IT JUST THE BEGINNING?
YOU DECIDE!
( Stay tuned, as the struggle continues. )
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_________________________________________________________________
Chuck Turner, District 7
City Hall Office--(617) 635-3510
Chuck.Turner@cityofboston.gov Angela.Yarde@cityofboston.gov Darrin.Howell@cityofboston.gov
Paulette.Tillery@cityofboston.gov Lorraine.Fowlkes@cityofboston.gov Edith.Monroe@cityofboston.gov
ROXBURY: WARD 8, Pcts 3-4, 7; WARD 9, Pcts 3-5; WARD 11, Pcts 1-3, 5; WARD 12, Pcts 1-9
SOUTH END: Ward 4, Pct 4; Ward 9, Pct 2
FENWAY: Ward 4, Pcts 5, 8-9