Thursday, August 19, 1999
Candidate Bush on inner-city tour today
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — The director of a community center in a housing development once nicknamed “Uzi Alley” said Texas Gov. George W. Bush will see in a visit today how people can change a neighborhood.
“There were five drug-related killings here the first year I was down here,” said John Gregory of The Enrichment Association of Community Healing (TEACH) center. “You used to be able to buy drugs here as easy as going through a McDonald's drive-thru.”
Mr. Gregory said five years ago the people there decided they had enough and organized block watches and protests against drug dealers.
“We had 200 people show up and stand in front of crack houses and shout at drug dealers to leave our neighborhood,” he said.
Crime has dropped, and “it's a very normal community now,” Mr. Gregory said. “Kids play outside and people are not afraid living here.”
The Republican presidential candidate is visiting the TEACH center with Gov. Bob Taft and Mayor Greg Lashutka to hear about how the program gets people off welfare and strengthens the community.
Following the visit, Mr. Bush is scheduled to attend a private fund-raiser at the New Albany home of billionaire retailer Les Wexner.
“Governor Bush has proposed expanding the role of charity-based programs across the country when he becomes president,” said Mark McKinnon, senior staff member for Mr. Bush's campaign.
“This gives us a chance to see this kind of program and encourage them.”
Mr. Gregory said for the past five years, the faith-based center has helped about 270 people a month get from welfare to work.
“We tell them they need to get up and get a job,” Mr. Gregory said. “We push self-sufficiency and taking responsibility for your own life.”
Mr. Gregory said he looks forward to Mr. Bush's visit so he can show him that, given the chance, inner-city neighborhoods can take responsibility for their own destiny.
County to pay for new radio system
This mom beat the odds - and City Hall
70 years, 1 question: What makes us tick?
Former principal under suspicion
No challengers for county judgeships
Bodies from river crash found
Father asks help in finding daughter
Shooting victims ask for prayers
Getting off welfare gets easier
'Longest garage sale' starts today
Cop accused of tampering with evidence quits
Gun-toting student to be sentenced
Schools in search of subs
Timing tangles city tax vote
Training center tops N. Ky. wish list
Woman's killing ends a life adrift
County plan charts development
Dayton decision to rezone street a real clunker
How to help earthquake victims
Politically incorrect? Stand in line
State fair beckons exhibitors
Attorney starts 2002 re-election bid
GET TO IT
Improved Pap test resisted by insurers
Butler Co. voters to decide 9 non-school levies
Candidate Bush on inner-city tour today
Country Day makes 1-year move
Drug use starting to fall among teens
Face on video, appearance in court lead to arrest
Federal judge lets Klan march in Cleveland
Levies approved for ballot
Most of suit vs. Hamilton thrown out
New levy for police on ballot
Ohio looks at violence in schools
Pioneer Village seeks helping hand
Schools told math, science need work
Silverton to welcome new official
Stadium finds new life as a lake reef
TRISTATE DIGEST
