Cries For Help...Are they unnoticed, or simply ignored?

Cries For Help...No longer unnoticed or ignored, but answered...with a touch of retaliation!

Retaliation At Its Best

Beatrice Shelby, Executive Director of BGACDC Files Criminal Charges Against Tenant Kinsey Williams For Failure To Pay Rent.

Story By: Kinsey Williams

The story “Cries For Help...Are they unnoticed, or simply ignored?”

was the beginning of the voice of the tenants of BGACDC Rental Housing

Units in Marvell. However, I am sad to say that Sheronda did not make it to

the end of the fight with me. I completely understand because I have wanted

to give up many times myself. However, I was reminded that this is not my

fight. Romans 15:1 says that “The strong shall bear the infirmities of the

weak and not just please ourselves”. I was also reminded of a statement that

Mrs. Shelby made to me one morning; she said “well, you won’t be the first

person to go against BGACDC”. I responded that my goal was not to go

against BGACDC, my goal was to try and help it get back to the purpose

that it was developed because somewhere along the way, someone has lost

sight of its purpose. That is evidenced by the situations in the community. I

never would have imagined in a million years that things would get this bad!

I will say that this experience is affording me the opportunity to really see

and experience first hand the maliciousness, calculating, and cold-

heartedness of people. Although it is disheartening at the most, frustrating at

the least, I am encouraged in the Lord and I shall faint not. The Word says,

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let

endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4. James doesn’t say if you face trials, but

when you face them it is possible to profit from them if you have a positive

outlook (count it all joy). James tells us to turn our hardships into times of

learning and that tough times can teach us perseverance. I can honestly say

that I am definitely learning and this experience is most definitely teaching

me perseverance.

He shall be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3

As stated in my first story “Cries For Help” you will find in the Winter 2009 News Letter of BGACDC this statement:

Housing Stock improves for Marvell Residents through rehabilitation efforts.

Decent, affordable housing is a basic human necessity that unfortunately seems to be out of reach for some Eastern Arkansas Residents. BGACDC is endeavoring to combat the widespread problem through its housing programs.

“BGA is committed to improving the housing stock in Marvell because we believe that clean, decent and affordable housing g plays an important part in a family’s health and well-being,” said Rosie Woods, housing director at BGACDC.

You will also find similar statements like that from Beatrice Shelby, Executive Director of BGACDC in most all of the statements that she has made in interviews. You will definitely see where she speaks of Safe and Decent Housing when you read articles on the infamous Delta Bridge Project.

There was another report submitted by Mr. Ron Green who was hired by Southern Bank. Before I actually received a copy of that report, I was told by Michael Boone of Southern Bank that I only had one minor electrical problem in my unit. Michael Boone told me that the one minor problem was with a socket in my hallway. Now when I actually received a copy of the inspection report, I read something totally different from what Michael Boone read. Or did I? My copy of the report stated that I had several electrical issues. It also stated that there were dangerous electrical wires exposed. Mr. Greens Report also stated that there was evidence of a fire in my attic! When was the fire? Did it occur before or after I moved in? If it occurred after, well I just don’t want to think about it right now. If it occurred before, that means someone didn’t do there job. It means that corners were cut because when you remodel, you bring things up to standard. And if it occurred before, that means it was not inspected. Well I will let you see the pictures of the attic too!

In looking at my unit alone, it turns out that I had over thirteen (13) electrical code violations. How is that possible if it was just remodeled in January of 2009? Not only that, Charles Covington, state electrical examiner found problems in every single unit that was remodeled through the Delta Bridge Project. Mr. Covington came out a second time on October 26, 2009 to inspect those things that according to BGACDC, had been corrected. I informed Mr. Covington that nothing had been corrected because no one had been out to correct anything since his first visit. I am enclosing a copy of the inspection report of my unit so that you may see it as well in this story. You will see at the end of his report where it states:

THIS HOME DOES NOT MEET CURRENT ELECTRICAL STANDARDS.

How is that possible if it was just remodeled in January 2009?

Keep in mind also that Mrs. Shelby is aware of all of these facts. Yet, she is trying to kick me and my children out into the streets simply because I want a SAFE and DECENT home.

On October 24, 2009 I was served a Notice To Vacate at the home of my children and me by Winston Jackson. The Notice To Vacate was signed by Beatrice Shelby on October 7, 2009. Mr. Jackson for those of you that don’t know is the brother of Mrs. Annie Huff, Friend of Beatrice Shelby and former employee of BGACDC. Mr. Jackson informed me that Mrs. Shelby had made calls to the Sheriff Department every single day from the time she signed the notice to see if I had been served yet. That is when he finally served me on the morning of Saturday October 24, 2009 at my home where I was with my children. I looked at the Notice To Vacate and the way it is filled out, it is obvious that it isn’t legal. On November 9, 2009 I went to the Sheriffs Department to get a copy of the Notice To Vacate. The copy I received from them has very obvious discrepancies. There are also two different signatures for Mrs. Shelby. However, I went to Marvell Police Department and showed the forms to the Chief. The Chief verified that I was improperly served. The Chief also informed me that I needed to make sure I had all my documentation and my proof if I intended to see this through to the end. I did not move because according to Arkansas Law, it is imperative that the paperwork is served correctly in an eviction process.

Make sure you observe the following things on the 2 Notice To Vacates that I have included. This is our legal system at work!

Beatrice Shelby signed it October 7, 2009It is stamped received by Sheriffs Department September 7, 2009I was served October 24, 2009I was given until November 10, 2009

Look at the blank spaces on both copies There are two different signatures for Beatrice Shelby for which she

acknowledged in court that she only signed one. Who forged the other signature? Judge King disregarded all of this.

This is my copy that I was served!

This is the copy that they have on file at Phillips County Sheriff’s Department. Interesting how two documents that should be identical, yet they are different!

Check out the signatures….they are different. Mrs. Shelby stated in court that she only signed one. So, who signed the other?

On December 3, 2009 Mrs. Shelby went to the Phillips County Sheriffs Department and signed an Affidavit For Criminal Summons against me. By signing this form, she acknowledges that the facts are true and correct and she asks that criminal charges be filed. As you will see, it states that I was issued a notice to vacate by Phillips County Sheriff’s Office on October 24, 2009. (You know the one that was improperly served) You will also notice that it was notarized on December 15th 2009 by Janice D. Wells.

Now the interesting thing about that is the fact that a statement was faxed on December 18, 2009 from Rosie Woods to Ms. Wells. Even more interesting is that there is a date on there that states effective today December 14, 2009. Oh Well I will just include for your review as well. This is an exact replicate of the original document minus the actual signature of Rose. (I do have the original)

BOYS, GIRLS, ADULTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.

P.O. BOX 1356-306 HWY 49Marvell, Arkansas 72366

Phone (870)829-3274Fax (870) 829-2282

bgacdc@suddenlinkmail.com- www.bgacdc.net

December 18, 2009

Ms. Janice WellsPhillips County Sheriff DepartmentHelena, AR 72343

Dear Ms. Wells:

Per your conversation with Beatrice Clark Shelby, Executive Director, effective today December 14, 2009 Kinsey Williams owes Boys, Girls, Adults Community Development Center $2,450.00.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Rosie Woods,Housing Director

“An Equal Opportunity Employer”“People united to save children”

This is the day that the electrician was officially contracted and I told Mr. Jackson of the mold problem in my home.

Beatrice Shelby and their Attorney, Michael Jackson came to my home and took samples of the mold that I reported to them in my kitchen and bathroom. Later on Mr. Jackson confirmed in an email that it was in fact mold that was growing in my home.

Mold and Snails in my Kitchen

Yes, those are snails on the door.

Well, instead of immediately calling in a specialist to take care of the mold as it is a health hazard, Mrs. Shelby and her nephew Marvin came to my home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009 to take care of it.

Mrs. Shelby Cleaning Mold

The Vacuum Cleaner is supposed to dry it up

Beatrice and Marvin- The Mold Experts

12-24-09

Me photographing Marvin recording the Mold

1/6/10 The Snails are back!

1/7/10 Still in the kitchen

Yes, it looks terrible but it was very necessary!

I reported this problem several times.

The air coming through the cracks was very cold!

January 12-14, 2010

Grayer Electric has finished completely rewiring the other three (3) units remolded through Delta Bridge Project. Now he begins on the duplex at 609 A/B Ward Street.

Meet Mr. Grayer and his crew, hard at work.

January 12, 2010

This is the Real Mold Specialist called in from Memphis in his protective covering!

He Came back a second time with someone to do air quality test, and he was told not to come in with his protective suit on. I will include those photos at a later time. I requested a copy of the results of the air quality test, unfortunately Mrs. Shelby did not give them to me.

They finished on the 15th of January 2010 finally! Two days of people in and out of my home with no heat while they worked! I am grateful to the team of Grayer Electric!

And they clean up their mess!!!!

Well, it still isn’t over. Grayer Electric finished on January 15th 2010, and by golly I was served Saturday morning January 16th 2010 with the Affidavit for Criminal Summons by Benny Daniels of Phillips County Sheriff’s Department! Yes, once again I was served while at home with my children! Officer Daniels told me that I had to appear in court on January 29, 2010. Well of course you know I went to the Sheriff’s Department for a copy of the summons. While there asking for a copy, I noticed that the lady took the top sheet off and turned it over face down on her desk. I asked for a copy of that as well. To my surprise, that copy stated Warrant of Arrest!

WARRANT OF ARRESTPhillips County, Arkansas

THE STATE OF ARKANSAS, TO ANY SHERIFF, CONSTABLE, CORONER OR POLICEMAN IN THE STATE

It appearing that there are reasonable grounds for believing at Kinsey Williams

has committed the offense of Violation of notice to vacate in the County of Phillips

you are hereby commanded to arrest Kinsey Williams and bring Kinsey Williams

before me to deal with according to law. Given under my hand this ______day of DEC 30 2009

This Warrant of Arrest was signed by Judge Durwood King and stamped December 30, 2009! Now let me go back and make sure you all get what’s going on here……

Beatrice Shelby signs criminal summons 12-3-09Janice Wells notarizes criminal summons 12-15-09Rose faxes letter to Ms. Wells dated 12-18-09 but states that effective today 12-14-09Judge signs Warrant of Arrest and it is stamped 12-30-09Benny Daniels serves Criminal summons 1-16-10

On January 29, 2010 I went to court and Mrs. Beatrice Clark Shelby and Marvin were both present as well. I was very last on the docket. I gave a plea of Not Guilty. I told Judge Porter that I was improperly served and he asked was it about more than just rent. I said yes. Judge Porter told me to come back for trial on February 4, 2010. On February 4, 2010 I appeared in court and conveniently I was first on the docket. Mrs. Shelby was there and she testified against me. When I got on the stand Judge King was not interested in anything I said. I didn’t expect him to since he totally disregarded the obvious discrepancies of the Notice to Vacate as pointed out by the State Attorney as well. Judge King told me that he could charge me up to $25 dollars a day if he wanted. Judge King told me that he didn’t know what he wanted to charge me so he said that I would have to come back the following week while he decided what to charge me. Judge King told me that if I came back the following week and told him that I had moved, he would only charge me $1 dollar a day. But, if I came back and told him that I had not moved, he would charge me the $25 dollars a day. Well, I didn’t want to have to take off a third (3rd) day from work and plus I had no where to go. So I told the Judge that he could go ahead and charge me the $25 dollars a day because I had no where else to go. I also told him that BGACDC owned the largest portion of the rental units in the town and the only ones vacant were owned by them. Judge King said no, I am going to give you another chance to move. I came off the stand and gathered my things and left. The look on Mrs. Shelby’s face was priceless. On February 11, 2010 I returned to court. Of course Mrs. Shelby and Marvin were there as well. Once again I was first on the docket. Judge King called me up along with Mrs. Shelby. He asked if I had moved. I told him no I had not as of yet. The court was quiet, Judge King propped his hand on his head and he began writing quickly and quietly. When he finished, Judge King fined me $4463 dollars and said that if I wanted to appeal his decision I had thirty (30) days to do so. He also set an appeal bond at $7000 dollars. Judge King told Mrs. Shelby “Well, I can’t put her out, you will have to go through another court, civil court for that.” He told me to have a seat on the second bench until someone came and got me to make arrangements. Mrs. Shelby was still standing there. Once again the look on her face was PRICELESS.

Well that is all I have thus far…. I have officially obtained an attorney and I will keep you posted on the APPEAL PROCESS as well as the COST! I will

also keep you posted on my next step after the appeal and few other details that I want to include with the photographs.