LITTLE ROCK — A state legislator on Monday accused state historic preservation officials of failing to be strong advocates on behalf of black causes and questioned why the state needs to replace a bridge to “let more white people out of Little Rock to Cabot.”
Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock, also accused a state department head of “messing up with millions of dollars.”
Walker made his comments during a meeting of the Legislative Black Caucus after a request by a black historical group for state money to buy a building.
The Mosaic Templars Building Preservation Society asked the caucus to endorse its proposal for the state to buy a building next to the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
Andre Guerrero of Little Rock, a member of the society, told the caucus that the asking price for the building at 906 Broadway is $2.1 million but it was appraised for $1.8 million. He said the building is now home to a medical clinic and is owned by an out-of-state entity.
He said the building was once home to the Mosaic Templars Arkansas headquarters.He said it could be used for presentations for schoolchildren who tour the museum.
The Mosaic Templars was a nationwide black fraternal organization founded in Little Rock that rose to prominence in the 1920s. The museum marks the spot where the national headquarters stood until 2005 when it was razed by a fire caused by a homeless person. The state spent $8.3 million to rebuild it.
Guerrero said he feared that the building would be bought by a business with no sense of historic preservation.
“This is for the whole state,” he said. “It’s not a Little Rock project.”
Walker told the caucus that the “Heritage Commission is not really sympathetic to African-American circumstances” and is “not representative” of black people. He said the state hasn’t made buying the building a priority.
Guerrero said the Department of Arkansas Heritage, which runs the Mosaic museum, supports the purchase of the building.
Walker said he thinks the commission has one black member and needs at least one more to have a “second” that would allow discussion of issues related to blacks.
Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, suggested holding the department’s budget to “get their attention” to buy the building.
Walker suggested that Heritage Commission officials address the caucus at a later meeting.
The caucus voted to support the Mosaic society’s request to use state funds to buy the building. The caucus consists of each of the 14 black members of the Legislature.
Heritage Department spokesman Melissa Whitfield said later she wasn’t sure what Walker was talking about when he referred to a “Heritage Commission.” She said the agency doesn’t have a commission.
Whitfield said the museum has an advisory board that has six blacks and two whites and one vacant position, which was previously held by a black woman who recently died.
She said Walker’s complaints are unfounded.
“Our department has taken on this museum to tell the story of African-Americans, and I think we’re doing a very good job,” she said.
Whitfield said the department has “worked closely” with the museum’s staff, advisory board and the Mosaic society about buying the building. She said it’s something the department wants to do.
Regarding Walker’s comments about the state not treating issues involving the museum fairly, Guerrero said later that “there is a perception” among some that the department doesn’t do all it can to give people access to the museum.
Whitfield said there are fees to rent the building. She said that’s necessary to pay for staff time for when groups use the building.
Walker asked that the caucus leadership request that Department of Human Services Director John Selig, Higher Education Department Director Jim Purcell, Highway and Transportation Department Director Dan Flowers, and Game and Fish Commission Executive Director Loren Hitchcock attended the next caucus meeting.
“There are no African-Americans on the Highway Commission,” Walker said. “They are building a bridge to take more white people out of Little Rock and to Cabot.”
He said that will “leave behind” the unemployed and others.
Highway spokesman Randy Ort said that Walker requested Flowers to visit with the caucus about plans to replace the Broadway Bridge connecting Little Rock to North Little Rock. Ort said he’s not aware that Walker had brought up race with Flowers. He said Flowers has nothing to do with commission appointees, which are made by the governor.
Walker said, “John Selig has messed up millions of dollars” and despite that has kept his job. He said when black people do something wrong they get fired.
Walker said after the meeting that he was referring to Human Services problems at Alexander.
In 2008, the Alexander Human Development Center superintendent resigned following the mismanagement of a trust fund for residents. Two other employees were fired.
Walker said he wasn’t suggesting that Selig be fired but said that in situations like that the person in charge is usually held accountable.
Human Service spokesman Julie Munsell said her agency had no comment in response to Walker.
Arkansas, Pages 7 on 02/15/2011