For Immediate Release: Friends in Support of the Honorable Oscar S. James, II

[Friends of Oscar S. James II]

Friends of Oscar S. James, II
555-557 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108

January 22, 2008

On behalf of the membership of the Friends of Oscar S. James, II the following statement is being issued with regard to the on-going defamatory remarks about the Councilman, which have been made on the NewarkSpeaks.com website:

“We, the friends of Oscar S. James II, are infuriated by the false allegations made by John Sharpe James, an author on the “NewarkSpeaks” website. The statements that have been made are completely false and not simply insulting to the Councilman, but also, they are an affront to the South Ward community, our City and the elected seat of the South Ward Council representative. This body, consisting of over 800 South Ward residents, is both offended and enraged by the complete disregard shown by this repulsive behavior.

As early as 2004, John Sharpe James has been allowed to violate not only the civil rights of our Councilman, but also the terms and conditions of the service agreement by which members of the Newark Speaks site are obligated to abide.

The following statement is available on the Newark Speaks site upon registration and all members are required to acknowledge having read and must agree to abide by the following specified terms and conditions:
“Although the administrators and moderators of Newark Speaks will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of Newark Speaks, nor Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. (developers of vBulletin) will be held responsible for the content of any message. By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientated, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws. The owners of Newark Speaks reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason.”

The direct and indirect allegations that the Honorable Oscar S. James II, South Ward Councilman, is a drug dealer/abuser, a criminal or otherwise, are totally untrue. Moreover, Councilman James is a man who has never been engaged in, arrested for, or charged with any acts which are deemed criminal. The following are facts about Councilman James: 1) He has been engaged in positive activities within his community since a very young age, including but not limited to the African American Heritage Parade and youth mentoring programs; 2) When the South Ward experienced a crossing guard shortage, it was Councilman James who served in that capacity for 3 months, ensuring the safety of our children; 3) Councilman James made a supreme sacrifice, at a very young age, by donating one of his kidneys to his uncle, a Newark police officer; 4) Councilman James has helped to raise over $150,000, enabling this organization to extend services to thousands of our South Ward youth and provide positive activities for families to gather in a safe environment, 5) Whenever a crisis situation occurs in our community, Councilman James has been front and center, ensuring that the proper services are made available; 6) Councilman James has been extremely vocal regarding the South Ward’s dissatisfaction with the amended restaurant ordinance and has taken strides to rectify the issue; 7) Councilman James hosted a summer camp at University High School in 2007 as a means to engage youth from the greater Clinton Hill area in constructive activities; 8) Councilman James has hosted trips for the youth from Seth Boyden and sponsored several activities for the adult residents of the Seth Boyden community; 9) Councilman James has lobbied for the Administration to encumber the funds to ensure that a new police precinct (with community meeting rooms) would become a reality during his initial term; 10) As a result of Councilman James’s efforts, St. Peter’s Park (Lyons Avenue) will be refurbished to include a new turf field and playground 11) Councilman James heard the pleas from the Clinton Hill Community and will soon unveil a plan for the old Boys’ and Girls’ Club on Hawthorne Avenue; 12) Councilman James stalwartly supported our residents to ensure that rent control would be maintained, protecting the population from involuntary displacements.
While only a few of his many positive contributions, these actions reflect the true integrity, morality and values of our Councilman. The reality is that these twisted, insensitive and libelous comments are offensive to anyone who reads them and even those who did not have the displeasure of doing so. Moreover, they share in the same conceptual devastation as the racially charged comments made by Imus and Kelly Tilghman.

This body will soon take further action that will send a clear message that we will no longer tolerate obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful or threatening attacks against our Councilman. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

It is far past the time for us to unite on the frontline for the common cause of continuing to improve our quality of life in the South Ward. Behaviors and comments such as those expressed by John Sharpe James are counter-productive. This type of slander should not be accepted as the moral fiber of the South Ward community. This is not about countering freedom of speech or political beliefs. This is about eliminating all of that which does not reflect the true spirit or ethical nature of our beloved ward and its residents. We cannot expect our children to assume a responsible posture in this society if we continue to allow such despicable actions to tear away at the very core of our community’s beliefs.

In the interim, we are hereby requesting that the NewarkSpeaks website expeditiously remove all of John James’s posts and immediately terminates his membership. Lastly, we respectfully request that the NewarkSpeaks website effectively monitors the activity of all of its participants and takes the necessary action to cease any relationships where the website’s terms and conditions are violated.


Sincerely,


Terrance L. Bankston, President
Jackie Harper, Vice President
Jennifer Stone, Treasurer
Juanita Jordan, Secretary

And the full membership of the Friends of Oscar S. James, II

[J. Sharpe James, J.D.]

Oscar James, II

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today the Star-Ledger ran a very probing article about the notorious drug den that was located at 27 Tillinghast Street in the Clinton Hill/South Ward. Anyone who lived near the area or was familiar with the neighborhood, knew about Tillinghast Street. The article talks about the Bass brothers who ran the operation. The Ledger writes: <<Police suspected Bass and some of his siblings were behind the operation.>>

Now here is where I fell off my chair. The Ledger writes: <<Police say they believe several Bass brothers played key roles in the operation, an allegation disputed by their relatives and friends, including Newark City Councilman Oscar James, II. He (Oscar) and others acknowledge drugs were sold at the building but contend that authorities inflated the arrest statistics and the house's notoriety.>>

http://blog.nj.com/ledgerarchives/20...d_boxes_a.html

[J. Sharpe James, J.D.]

Residents of the Forgotten South Ward
New Member Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2

What Fools You Are

This is nothing but a poorly played game of chess that I'm afraid you have clearly lost. What losers you sound like and it is no wonder the South has the worst council representation in the city.

Terrance how dare you engineer such an embarrassing episode as this for who you know is nothing more than an absentee councilman.

How dare you lower yourself to defend a man who had every opportunity to make a change in this ward since the summer of 2006 and has failed miserably?

How dare you and Mayor Booker support Oscar S. James? Do you actually live in the South Ward? Do any of these supposed supporters live in the South Ward? Do they not see the death and doom that has gripped this Ward? I would like for all of the supporters who support this Councilman to step up and say so. Be real men and women. Stand up and be counted. Because I swear I will be counting you too. For every person who is bold enough to co-sign this invisible man known as Oscar S. James you will never get my vote again. Over 800 South Ward residents? I doubt it.

To Terrance Bankston: If you truly care for the people of this Ward be honest. Stop playing politics. This man who you are standing up for is a failure and a disgrace as South Ward Councilman and if you don’t know it God help you.

If there are over 800 people co-signing this foolishness where is the councilman? Not only is he invisible in our Ward but also he is invisible in speaking up for himself. Your “Friends” organization is claiming to take action for “slander” that took place against someone else? I’m not a lawyer but I don’t think you can do that. Now if I was a thinking person I would guess that maybe the reason why our Councilman James has not made these statements personally is probably because if any of these “allegations” regarding his drug use were ever found to be true he can claim that HE never personally disavowed these allegations.

This was a bad move. What fools you are. Where is the dignity in your defense of this political fugitive? Let the Councilman stand up and speak for himself.

Once again, any politician who stands up and defends Councilman James for what he has not done will never get my vote. Now who is going to be man or woman enough to stand up and openly defend this person?

[harriet tubbman]

Wow!. .. Im new to this site. . .. and I read your challenge. Im gonna wait and see who actually steps up. This should be real interesting. Whose gonna actually admit they voted for a child to run an entire ward when he did'nt even live in Newark at the time he ran. He never held even the smallest office such as block assocation president, district leader. . .. or for that matter. .. . troop leader. . . lol . . .this is funny!!! But hey. . .if Cory Booker can come from nowhere and become the mayor I guess a child can emerge from the womb and go straight to the council chamber. . .. lol

[JustaThought]

June 22, 2009 (Newark) – Emphasizing the theme of “A Child Shall Lead,” earlier this month South Ward Councilman Oscar S. James II hosted his 2nd annual Youth Empowerment Workshop, featuring a dynamic group of speakers that simultaneously engaged, encouraged and inspired a group of more than 100 high school students from the South Ward. The students—who currently attend University, Weequahic and Malcolm X. Shabazz High Schools—responded enthusiastically to the workshop sessions.



The conference featured a variety of speakers, from medical professionals, to corporate executives and non-profit organizers. Topics such as “Dress for Success,” “Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be,” and “Knowing Your Health,” offered the students advice on everything from male and female health, and avoiding the gang culture.



“This program is close to my heart, and I am honored to have the opportunity to not only coordinate this type of conference for our young people, but to also work with these fascinating professionals, who have such a wealth of knowledge to offer Newark’s best and brightest,” said Councilman James. “Newark’s young people are smart, energetic and thirsting for knowledge and opportunity. It’s our responsibility to offer them the tools they’ll need to be contributors to our society.”



The conference’s featured speakers included: Marcellus “Bishop” Allen, community activist and president of Saving Our Selves (S.O.S.); Marshall A. Alston, Vice President of Human Resources at Prudential Financial; Dr. Afriye Amerson, OB/GYN and Assistant Attending at Hackensack University Medical Center; Renau Daniels, executive director of the Ashley Stewart Stores Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Urban Brands, Inc.; Towanda McEachern, founder and executive director of Supporting Our Sisters, Inc.; Khalil Sabu Rashidi, health educator and Prevention Case Manager for the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, UMDNJ; Kathy Scott, executive director of Live Life Again; Porsha Smith, ; and Jenabu Williams, crisis teacher at the Academy of Vocational Careers High School in Newark.

[JustaThought]

I keep reading articles where he is engaged in the community. In today's paper.

Newark Councilman steps up effort for Girl's Scout.


http://www.nj.com/newark/index.ssf/2...ps_up_gir.html

[Maximus Returns]

OJ II has been an absentee councilman, and no long-winded post at the eleventh hour by a bunch of hacks looking to score points with Booker is going to change that.

[J. Sharpe James, J.D.]

Originally Posted by Maximus Returns

OJ II has been an absentee councilman, and no long-winded post at the eleventh hour by a bunch of hacks looking to score points with Booker is going to change that.

But Booker folks would rather see an absentee councilman.

Take note I was the first one on this forum to say how bad he would do. He is clearly the worst councilman the South has ever had.

[thinktank]

What a Joke!

[thinktank]

Originally Posted by Friends of Oscar S. James II

Friends of Oscar S. James, II
555-557 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108

January 22, 2008

On behalf of the membership of the Friends of Oscar S. James, II the following statement is being issued with regard to the on-going defamatory remarks about the Councilman, which have been made on the NewarkSpeaks.com website:

“We, the friends of Oscar S. James II, are infuriated by the false allegations made by John Sharpe James, an author on the “NewarkSpeaks” website. The statements that have been made are completely false and not simply insulting to the Councilman, but also, they are an affront to the South Ward community, our City and the elected seat of the South Ward Council representative. This body, consisting of over 800 South Ward residents, is both offended and enraged by the complete disregard shown by this repulsive behavior.

As early as 2004, John Sharpe James has been allowed to violate not only the civil rights of our Councilman, but also the terms and conditions of the service agreement by which members of the Newark Speaks site are obligated to abide.

The following statement is available on the Newark Speaks site upon registration and all members are required to acknowledge having read and must agree to abide by the following specified terms and conditions:
“Although the administrators and moderators of Newark Speaks will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of Newark Speaks, nor Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. (developers of vBulletin) will be held responsible for the content of any message. By agreeing to these rules, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientated, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws. The owners of Newark Speaks reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason.”

The direct and indirect allegations that the Honorable Oscar S. James II, South Ward Councilman, is a drug dealer/abuser, a criminal or otherwise, are totally untrue. Moreover, Councilman James is a man who has never been engaged in, arrested for, or charged with any acts which are deemed criminal. The following are facts about Councilman James: 1) He has been engaged in positive activities within his community since a very young age, including but not limited to the African American Heritage Parade and youth mentoring programs; 2) When the South Ward experienced a crossing guard shortage, it was Councilman James who served in that capacity for 3 months, ensuring the safety of our children; 3) Councilman James made a supreme sacrifice, at a very young age, by donating one of his kidneys to his uncle, a Newark police officer; 4) Councilman James has helped to raise over $150,000, enabling this organization to extend services to thousands of our South Ward youth and provide positive activities for families to gather in a safe environment, 5) Whenever a crisis situation occurs in our community, Councilman James has been front and center, ensuring that the proper services are made available; 6) Councilman James has been extremely vocal regarding the South Ward’s dissatisfaction with the amended restaurant ordinance and has taken strides to rectify the issue; 7) Councilman James hosted a summer camp at University High School in 2007 as a means to engage youth from the greater Clinton Hill area in constructive activities; 8) Councilman James has hosted trips for the youth from Seth Boyden and sponsored several activities for the adult residents of the Seth Boyden community; 9) Councilman James has lobbied for the Administration to encumber the funds to ensure that a new police precinct (with community meeting rooms) would become a reality during his initial term; 10) As a result of Councilman James’s efforts, St. Peter’s Park (Lyons Avenue) will be refurbished to include a new turf field and playground 11) Councilman James heard the pleas from the Clinton Hill Community and will soon unveil a plan for the old Boys’ and Girls’ Club on Hawthorne Avenue; 12) Councilman James stalwartly supported our residents to ensure that rent control would be maintained, protecting the population from involuntary displacements.
While only a few of his many positive contributions, these actions reflect the true integrity, morality and values of our Councilman. The reality is that these twisted, insensitive and libelous comments are offensive to anyone who reads them and even those who did not have the displeasure of doing so. Moreover, they share in the same conceptual devastation as the racially charged comments made by Imus and Kelly Tilghman.

This body will soon take further action that will send a clear message that we will no longer tolerate obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful or threatening attacks against our Councilman. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

It is far past the time for us to unite on the frontline for the common cause of continuing to improve our quality of life in the South Ward. Behaviors and comments such as those expressed by John Sharpe James are counter-productive. This type of slander should not be accepted as the moral fiber of the South Ward community. This is not about countering freedom of speech or political beliefs. This is about eliminating all of that which does not reflect the true spirit or ethical nature of our beloved ward and its residents. We cannot expect our children to assume a responsible posture in this society if we continue to allow such despicable actions to tear away at the very core of our community’s beliefs.

In the interim, we are hereby requesting that the NewarkSpeaks website expeditiously remove all of John James’s posts and immediately terminates his membership. Lastly, we respectfully request that the NewarkSpeaks website effectively monitors the activity of all of its participants and takes the necessary action to cease any relationships where the website’s terms and conditions are violated.


Sincerely,


Terrance L. Bankston, President
Jackie Harper, Vice President
Jennifer Stone, Treasurer
Juanita Jordan, Secretary

And the full membership of the Friends of Oscar S. James, II

LMAO OSCAR IS A JOKE!