The Friends of Jean Klock Park are reaching out to residents. I fear that the loss of the park will mean that residents will be pushed aside in favor of wealthy second home owners from Chicago and elsewhere who will line some pockets with gold but not those of the people of Benton Harbor.
Here is an example of how the corporations, media and local government are working together to take over parks and communities:
Recently, Jack Nicklaus came to tour the golf project and finalize design plans. He would not meet with the public. Prior to his visit, on August 10th, I and others discovered a 75-100 foot long linear pile of neatly laid out trash -- 13 toilets, tires, furniture, etc, in an area adjacent to the park. I knew this trash had been dumped and was staged for Jack's visit. TV news broadcasts were highlighting the trashy areas of the proposed golf course and reporting that a golf course was the only solution to stop the dumping and clean the up contaminated land.
On the 10th, I met with a fellow member at the park. Upon leaving a Benton Harbor police officer drove into the intersection with lights flashing; then came a four wheeler with more Benton Harbor officers. I knew that Jack was on his way. I went back to warn the other member. Two Benton Harbor police officers and two members of the Cornerstone Alliance approached us. One officer said, "Ms. Drake, you aren't here to cause problems for Jack are you? You aren't going to yell holler and scream are you?" I told him I had no intentions of doing so but did not appreciate being harassed. I was told that they were there for "my protection"
An entourage of 30-40 people soon appeared along with Jack who totally ignored us. We were surrounded by the 2 police officers and Cornerstone people and knew if we moved or said a word we would be arrested. When Jack's entourage left so did our police and Cornerstone bodyguards. When I left the park the entourage was gawking at the pile of trash near the ninth hole. I told an officer that the pile of trash was staged for Jack's visit. His reply was," It's been there longer than a couple of days and I know that for a fact." It was clear that he was taking orders from Harbor Shores. A day later the witness to the dumping went to police headquarters to file a report. They refused his report saying that "workers were hired to pick up trash in the park and put out it there so a front end loader could pick it up at another time."
I have finally experienced just a taste of the police intimidation and personal injustice that many of the citizens of Benton Harbor have been dealt. Until we all understand that we are fighting the same fight to stop the complete corporate takeover of a city and its deeded lakefront access and most precious natural resource, we can't succeed. We are prepared to stand up for the residents of Benton Harbor but need them to stand with us if all are to succeed. Together we CAN overcome anything! And once we do we're on our way up because empowerment is worth more than gold!
Carol Drake
Friends of JKP
