Citizens Forum

Verbatim public testimony extracted from Newark Municipal Council meeting recordings

80
Meetings with testimony
217
Unique speakers identified
536,686
Words of public testimony
Accountability
Most common complaint topic (174 comments)

What residents keep saying

Pattern analysis across 80 council meetings (Jul 2024 – Jun 2026). Topics are flagged by keyword match against all extracted public testimony.

Topic persistence — % of sessions raised
Accountability ⬆ +26% 58 of 80 sessions (72%)
Taxes & abatements 48 of 80 sessions (60%)
Infrastructure ⬆ +33% 46 of 80 sessions (58%)
Environment ⬆ +33% 43 of 80 sessions (54%)
Safety 41 of 80 sessions (51%)
Housing & rent ⬆ +29% 34 of 80 sessions (42%)
Displacement ⬆ +35% 33 of 80 sessions (41%)

Red = raised in 80%+ of sessions. Amber = 60–79%. Blue = under 60%. Arrows show surge (≥+15 pp) or decline (≥-15 pp) vs prior year. The same issues being raised every single meeting — with no documented council response — is the defining pattern of the corpus. Red = raised in 80%+ of sessions. Amber = 60–79%. Blue = under 60%. Arrows show a surge (up 15+ percentage points) or a decline (down 15+) versus the prior year. The same issues coming up at every single meeting — with no documented council response — is the defining pattern of these records.

Year-over-year trend (% of sessions topic was raised)
Topic202420252026
Accountability90%63%89%
Taxes & abatements80%58%56%
Infrastructure60%50%83%
Environment75%39%72%
Safety70%45%56%
Housing & rent55%32%61%
Displacement45%32%67%

Red = surging (+15 pp vs prior year). Green = declining. 2026 covers Jan–Jun only.

Recurring civic watchdogs (5+ appearances)
Alif Muhammad 12 appearances housing, taxes/abatements, safety, displacement

Court Towers founder and Near School founder (Whisper also transcribes the name as “Aleef Mohammed” — the same speaker). Tracks individual PILOT deals and abatement structures, called out the Baxter Terrace developer deal by name, and connects abatement approvals directly to displacement pressure on Court Towers residents. Also raises barriers to employment for returning citizens and high-rise housing conditions, with specific building-level data.Court Towers founder and Near School founder (the automated transcription also renders the name as “Aleef Mohammed” — the same speaker). Tracks individual PILOT deals and abatement structures, called out the Baxter Terrace developer deal by name, and connects abatement approvals directly to displacement pressure on Court Towers residents. Also raises job barriers for returning citizens and high-rise housing conditions, with specific building-level data.

Miriam Bay 8 appearances housing, infrastructure, accountability

48-year Newark activist, homeowner, school board president. Comes to every meeting with ward-level specifics — Underwood Street conditions, Weequahic Park infrastructure, absentee landlords. Consistently demands the council follow through on votes rather than just voting.A 48-year Newark activist, homeowner, and school board president. Comes to every meeting with ward-level specifics — Underwood Street conditions, Weequahic Park infrastructure, absentee landlords. Consistently demands the council follow through on its votes instead of just voting.

Felicia Austin Singleton 7 appearances housing, accountability

Called out the rent ordinance directly: "you all passing that ordinance to allow slumlords and landlords to raise our rent up to five percent whether or not the quality of life is better." Returns every cycle with the same demand: "We got to come up here and provoke accountability."Called out the rent ordinance directly: "you all passing that ordinance to allow slumlords and landlords to raise our rent up to five percent whether or not the quality of life is better." Returns every cycle with the same demand: "We got to come up here and provoke accountability."

Deborah Salters 7 appearances housing, taxes/abatements, accountability

Tracks the city's AMI affordability math in real time: "You say yes to things that our people can't afford — 16 to 36 thousand dollars a year." Consistently challenges whether development deals benefit existing residents. Cross-references budget line items from the mayor's office.Tracks the city's income-based affordability math in real time: "You say yes to things that our people can't afford — 16 to 36 thousand dollars a year." Consistently challenges whether development deals help the residents already here. Cross-references budget line items from the mayor's office.

Nadira Brown 7 appearances housing, safety, accountability

North New Jersey resident who documents the gap between council votes and community outcomes. Appears after legal victories in housing court to report back. "People got together. They didn't need a lawyer to oppose something that was going on right here."A North New Jersey resident who documents the gap between council votes and what actually happens in the community. Appears after legal victories in housing court to report back. "People got together. They didn't need a lawyer to oppose something that was going on right here."

Donna Jackson 6 appearances housing, accountability, safety

Challenges the council on selective enforcement and what gets ignored: "Silence gives consent, council." Shows up when specific development items are on the agenda to demand community input that didn't happen upstream.Challenges the council on picking and choosing what gets enforced and what gets ignored: "Silence gives consent, council." Shows up when specific development items are on the agenda to demand the community input that never happened earlier in the process.

Dock 5 appearances accountability, taxes/abatements

Former senior program analyst in the mayor's Office of Affirmative Action — a city insider. Feb 2026: "I appear before you regarding statutory compliance and economic consequences of non-implementation of the council's own enacted ordinances." Cites specific statutes — Faulkner Act, NJSA 40 — that the council is not following.A former senior program analyst in the mayor's Office of Affirmative Action — a city insider. Feb 2026: "I appear before you regarding statutory compliance and economic consequences of non-implementation of the council's own enacted ordinances." She cites the specific laws — the Faulkner Act, NJSA 40 — that the council is not following.

The defining signal: Accountability and housing concerns appear in over 80% of sessions — virtually every meeting, the same residents return with the same unresolved complaints. The corpus contains no documented instance of the council formally responding to a public comment with a concrete follow-up action. The speakers who appear most frequently are not newcomers — Miriam Bay has been a Newark activist for 48 years, Felicia Austin Singleton returns every cycle demanding accountability for the same ordinances. Public comment functions as a record, not a feedback loop. The defining signal: Accountability and housing concerns appear in over 80% of sessions — at virtually every meeting, the same residents return with the same unresolved complaints. The records contain no documented case of the council formally responding to a public comment with a concrete follow-up action. The most frequent speakers are not newcomers — Miriam Bay has been a Newark activist for 48 years, and Felicia Austin Singleton returns every cycle demanding accountability for the same ordinances. Public comment works as a record, not a feedback loop.

Criminal justice & reentry — what the meetings show

520 references across 65 sessions — five documented patterns extracted from public testimony and pre-council deliberations. Ordered by severity.

Shelter operators threatening returning citizens with parole violations — documented pattern, Sep–Dec 2024
A case worker appearing before council, Sep 2025: "I'm getting complaints from clients regarding the condition and treatments. If they are returning citizens who are complaining about the conditions, they will be threatened to be sent back to prison by contacting parole or probation. I recently received a complaint by a client who believes he is being discriminated against because of his race." A separate speaker, Dec 2024, corroborated: "My concern is as you know I work primarily with brothers and sisters who have been incarcerated and they're staying in these shelters. If they complain about the condition they're forced to either get put out." Urban Renewal is specifically named in the corpus as an organization engaging in this practice. Multiple independent witnesses across at least 8 sessions. No council response documented.A case worker appearing before council, Sep 2025: "I'm getting complaints from clients regarding the condition and treatments. If they are returning citizens who are complaining about the conditions, they will be threatened to be sent back to prison by contacting parole or probation. I recently received a complaint by a client who believes he is being discriminated against because of his race." A separate speaker, Dec 2024, backed this up: "My concern is as you know I work primarily with brothers and sisters who have been incarcerated and they're staying in these shelters. If they complain about the condition they're forced to either get put out." Urban Renewal is specifically named in the records as an organization doing this. Multiple independent witnesses across at least 8 sessions. No council response is documented.
OVP and quasi-government agencies used for patronage hiring — $174M in COVID funds unaccounted — Aug 2024
A speaker at the Aug 2024 regular meeting, on the public record: "You created quasi government agencies like the Office of Violence Prevention, Brick City Peace Collective, the Newark Park Foundation, Invest Newark to hire incompetent friends and family that have no accountability for revenues to these agencies. 174 million in COVID money missing from the 2022 budget. Parking authority, no accountability and we don't know what monies you collect." A separate July 2024 speaker urged the council to contact the Office of Inspector General in Washington to open an investigation into City Hall and its agencies. OVP accountability concerns appear across 36 of the 65 sessions in the corpus — the most persistent institutional critique. No forensic audit was announced.A speaker at the Aug 2024 meeting, on the public record: "You created quasi government agencies like the Office of Violence Prevention, Brick City Peace Collective, the Newark Park Foundation, Invest Newark to hire incompetent friends and family that have no accountability for revenues to these agencies. 174 million in COVID money missing from the 2022 budget. Parking authority, no accountability and we don't know what monies you collect." A separate July 2024 speaker urged the council to ask the federal Office of Inspector General in Washington to investigate City Hall and its agencies. Concerns about the Office of Violence Prevention's accountability appear in 36 of the 65 sessions reviewed — the most persistent institutional criticism in the record. No forensic audit was announced.
City awarded returning citizen housing sites to 11+ named contractors — Aug 2024 pre-council
The Aug 2024 pre-council session listed contractors awarded returning citizen housing development sites by name: Bridge Builders Newark, Nehemiah Builders (returning citizens site), Putnam and Burrow's Development Group, Badger Madison Partners, Terry Developments, Apex, Urban League of Essex County, A&M Development, Fairmont Commons Holdings, WBS Real Estate Development, La Casa Don Pedro, and Cara Squared. Bridge Builders Newark founder Gerald Whitaker also appeared at the Sep 2024 regular meeting as a public commenter, identifying himself as both a commenter and the owner of a commercial construction company awarded a site. In Dec 2024, council approved an MOU for bi-weekly art therapy sessions for families of currently or formerly incarcerated individuals — sponsored unanimously. As of Dec 2024, 68 young people remained incarcerated; the city reported working with 102 parents from a cohort of 203.The Aug 2024 working session named the contractors awarded returning-citizen housing development sites: Bridge Builders Newark, Nehemiah Builders (returning citizens site), Putnam and Burrow's Development Group, Badger Madison Partners, Terry Developments, Apex, Urban League of Essex County, A&M Development, Fairmont Commons Holdings, WBS Real Estate Development, La Casa Don Pedro, and Cara Squared. Bridge Builders Newark founder Gerald Whitaker also appeared at the Sep 2024 meeting as a public commenter, identifying himself as both a commenter and the owner of a construction company awarded a site. In Dec 2024, the council unanimously approved an agreement for bi-weekly art therapy sessions for families of people currently or formerly incarcerated. As of Dec 2024, 68 young people remained incarcerated; the city reported working with 102 parents out of a group of 203.
Justice-impacted resident testifies before council member who knew his mother — Sep 2024 pre-council
At the Sep 2024 pre-council session, an unidentified speaker gave direct testimony: "I'm justice-impacted. In 1986 I was sentenced to 30 years in prison. I grew up in Newark. Councilman Canana, you may not remember, but over 30 years ago my mother — God rest her soul — came to you and asked you to write a letter on our behalf." The speaker addressed a sitting council member by name, invoking a decades-long personal history with the institution. The nature of the request was not captured in the available transcript window. Councilman Canana did not respond on the record.At the Sep 2024 working session, an unidentified speaker gave direct testimony: "I'm justice-impacted. In 1986 I was sentenced to 30 years in prison. I grew up in Newark. Councilman Canana, you may not remember, but over 30 years ago my mother — God rest her soul — came to you and asked you to write a letter on our behalf." The speaker addressed a sitting council member by name, drawing on a decades-long personal history with the institution. What the request was is not captured in the available transcript. Councilman Canana did not respond on the record.
ECCF conditions called out — phone call from inmate played during public comment — Oct 2024
At the Oct 2024 regular meeting, a speaker played a live phone call from Essex County Correctional Facility during public comment: "Hello? This is a pre-paid call. You will not be charged for this call. This call is from an inmate at the Essex County Correctional Facility." The speaker cut it off theatrically but the point was made. A Jan 2025 speaker stated more directly: "Both this formal body and the Essex County Commissioners who oversee the Essex County jail, both the Essex County Youth House and the Essex County Green Monster, are operating out of alignment with the national constitution." A Dec 2024 speaker added that county employees — sheriff officers, prosecutors, youth house staff — had been without contracts for up to nine years: "He's just as bad as y'all. Because you give these employees nothing. Zero."At the Oct 2024 meeting, a speaker played a live phone call from Essex County Correctional Facility during public comment: "Hello? This is a pre-paid call. You will not be charged for this call. This call is from an inmate at the Essex County Correctional Facility." The speaker cut it off for effect, but the point was made. A Jan 2025 speaker was more direct: "Both this formal body and the Essex County Commissioners who oversee the Essex County jail, both the Essex County Youth House and the Essex County Green Monster, are operating out of alignment with the national constitution." A Dec 2024 speaker added that county employees — sheriff officers, prosecutors, youth house staff — had gone without contracts for up to nine years: "He's just as bad as y'all. Because you give these employees nothing. Zero."

Specific allegations on the public record

Four documented incidents from council meeting recordings — specific enough to be independently verified or investigated. Each was raised by a named speaker at a public meeting. None received a formal council response in the corpus. Four documented incidents from council meeting recordings — specific enough to be independently verified or investigated. Each was raised by a named speaker at a public meeting. None received a formal council response in the records.

Nov 2024 Alif Muhammad, housing authority commissioner
HUD/OIG complaint filed — mayor allegedly attempted removal of commissioner same day
Alif Muhammad, speaking as a housing authority commissioner, stated on the public record: "April 12–14, 2021, I filed a complaint with OIG, with HUD. The same day I filed the complaint, the mayor tried to remove me from the Commission as a Commissioner of the housing authority." He described a deal brokered afterward: he would drop the civil suit, the administration would stop the removal, but the federal investigation would continue — both sides agreed it could not be stopped. He states he brought 40 documented visits to federal authorities and presented video evidence of a meeting where an official attempted to convince him not to perform his fiduciary duties. Documents were waved at the council dais. No council response is documented in subsequent sessions.Alif Muhammad, speaking as a housing authority commissioner, said on the public record: "April 12–14, 2021, I filed a complaint with OIG, with HUD. The same day I filed the complaint, the mayor tried to remove me from the Commission as a Commissioner of the housing authority." He described a deal worked out afterward: he would drop his lawsuit, the administration would stop trying to remove him, but the federal investigation would keep going — both sides agreed it couldn't be stopped. He says he brought 40 documented visits to federal authorities and showed video of a meeting where an official tried to talk him out of doing his legal duty as a board member. He waved documents at the council. No council response appears in any later session.
Oct 2024 Lisa Mitchelson Parker, Newark resident
$1.5M in legal fees added as last-minute agenda starters — council unaware of underlying subpoena
Lisa Parker identified two items added as 'starters' (last-minute additions) to the Oct 2024 council agenda: a New York law firm receiving $500K and a Willemborg firm receiving $1M, both for pipe replacement litigation. "The city was subpoenaed in January of this year for pipe replacement of the contractors. The Willemborg firm was retained to handle [it] for one quarter of a million dollars. Why didn't the council members know what the subpoena was — by the city clerk?" Parker also called out the pattern of emergency appropriations being approved without budget transparency: "There is no transparency from this body as to how mismanagement of our budget, nor money spent for law firms contracts, nor emergency appropriations to departments." No council response documented.Lisa Parker identified two items added as 'starters' (last-minute additions) to the Oct 2024 council agenda: a New York law firm receiving $500K and a Willemborg firm receiving $1M, both for pipe replacement litigation. "The city was subpoenaed in January of this year for pipe replacement of the contractors. The Willemborg firm was retained to handle [it] for one quarter of a million dollars. Why didn't the council members know what the subpoena was — by the city clerk?" Parker also called out the habit of approving emergency spending without budget transparency: "There is no transparency from this body as to how mismanagement of our budget, nor money spent for law firms contracts, nor emergency appropriations to departments." No council response is documented.
Apr 2025 Nadira Brown, North Newark resident
Missing meeting videos and minutes on city website — raised under Sunshine Act, speaker then removed
Nadira Brown raised an Open Public Meetings Act compliance issue on the record: "There's a lot of missing minutes. There's a lot of missing video on the website." She cited the Sunshine Act directly and noted that the sign-up process for public comment — requiring advance registration and disclosure of speaking topic — may itself violate open meetings law: "Why do we have to sign up in advance, tell you what we want to talk about?" Immediately after raising the Sunshine Act, Brown was ordered removed from the chamber mid-comment. The missing records are independently verifiable against the city's published meeting archive.Nadira Brown raised an open-meetings-law compliance issue on the record: "There's a lot of missing minutes. There's a lot of missing video on the website." She cited the Sunshine Act (New Jersey's open public meetings law) directly, and noted that the sign-up process for public comment — requiring advance registration and telling the council your topic — may itself violate that law: "Why do we have to sign up in advance, tell you what we want to talk about?" Right after raising the Sunshine Act, Brown was ordered removed from the chamber mid-comment. The missing records can be independently checked against the city's published meeting archive.
Apr 2025 (pattern across multiple sessions) Multiple speakers
Physical removals concentrated among accountability speakers — documented pattern
The Apr 2025 regular meeting produced at least two documented physical removals in a single session: Nadira Brown (removed after citing the Sunshine Act) and a speaker identified as El-Amin (removed minutes later). The council president stated: "What we are not going to do is allow back and forth." Across the full corpus, the speakers subject to removal orders are consistently those raising procedural accountability — Sunshine Act compliance, missing public records, ordinance non-enforcement, and budget transparency. General political criticism and personal testimony about housing conditions proceeded without removal orders in the same sessions. The pattern suggests removal authority is applied selectively against procedural accountability challenges rather than disorder generally.The Apr 2025 meeting produced at least two documented physical removals in one session: Nadira Brown (removed after citing the Sunshine Act) and a speaker identified as El-Amin (removed minutes later). The council president said: "What we are not going to do is allow back and forth." Across all the records, the speakers who get removal orders are consistently the ones raising procedural accountability — open-meetings compliance, missing public records, unenforced ordinances, and budget transparency. General political criticism and personal testimony about housing conditions went on without removals in the same sessions. The pattern suggests removal power is used selectively against procedural challenges, not against disorder in general.

Accountability pressure — what residents demanded, on the record

Five documented demands pulled verbatim from council meeting recordings (2024–2026). None received a formal council response in the corpus. These are not isolated complaints — they recur across sessions, from the same speakers, about the same unresolved issues. Five documented demands pulled word-for-word from council meeting recordings (2024–2026). None received a formal council response in the records. These are not one-off complaints — they come back across sessions, from the same speakers, about the same unresolved issues.

Forensic audit of legal fees demanded — Oct 2024, recurring
Lisa Parker, Newark resident, Oct 2024: "I am requesting from this body a forensic audit of all legal fees paid to law firms and audit of the law department. There is no transparency from this body as to how mismanagement of our budget, nor money spent for law firms contracts, nor emergency appropriations to departments. Each elected has violated the public trust." The same session included approval of a ~$2M legal settlement with no adopted 2025 city budget — a fact noted on the record. No audit was announced. Parker returned with the same demand at multiple subsequent meetings.Lisa Parker, Newark resident, Oct 2024: "I am requesting from this body a forensic audit of all legal fees paid to law firms and audit of the law department. There is no transparency from this body as to how mismanagement of our budget, nor money spent for law firms contracts, nor emergency appropriations to departments. Each elected has violated the public trust." The same session included approval of a roughly $2M legal settlement while the city had no adopted 2025 budget — a fact noted on the record. No audit was announced. Parker came back with the same demand at multiple later meetings.
Local hiring ordinances enacted but not enforced — Feb 2026 (city insider testimony)
Sandra Dock, former senior program analyst in the mayor's Office of Affirmative Action, Feb 2026: "I appear before you tonight regarding statutory compliance and economic consequences of non-implementation of the council's own enacted ordinances. Under the Faulkner Act... this council used that authority to adopt binding local hiring and affirmative action ordinances requiring Newark residents employment participation, minority contractor inclusion, and compliance oversight in connection with development projects receiving public approvals and economic incentives. Once enacted, those ordinances are not discretionary guidelines... failure to meaningfully enforce them raises serious concerns under NJ Constitution article one, paragraph one." Dock concluded: "Poverty is not inevitable — it is a calculation of government." No council response documented.Sandra Dock, former senior program analyst in the mayor's Office of Affirmative Action, Feb 2026: "I appear before you tonight regarding statutory compliance and economic consequences of non-implementation of the council's own enacted ordinances. Under the Faulkner Act... this council used that authority to adopt binding local hiring and affirmative action ordinances requiring Newark residents employment participation, minority contractor inclusion, and compliance oversight in connection with development projects receiving public approvals and economic incentives. Once enacted, those ordinances are not discretionary guidelines... failure to meaningfully enforce them raises serious concerns under NJ Constitution article one, paragraph one." Dock closed with: "Poverty is not inevitable — it is a calculation of government." No council response is documented.
Developer abatements vs. five years of buckets on the floor — Oct 2025
A Newark resident, Oct 2025: "I've been living with a leaking ceiling for five years. Buckets on the floor for five years of false work orders, years of 'We'll fix it soon.' Code enforcement comes out, documents violations, and still nothing has been done. Nothing. How do I explain to my child? You have developers getting tax abatements for 20 years while families can't even get their ceilings fixed in five. You have inspectors falsifying reports and officials pretending not to see the mold, the leaks, the rodents. This is not government anymore. This is organized neglect. This is betrayal of the people you swore to serve."A Newark resident, Oct 2025: "I've been living with a leaking ceiling for five years. Buckets on the floor for five years of false work orders, years of 'We'll fix it soon.' Code enforcement comes out, documents violations, and still nothing has been done. Nothing. How do I explain to my child? You have developers getting tax abatements for 20 years while families can't even get their ceilings fixed in five. You have inspectors falsifying reports and officials pretending not to see the mold, the leaks, the rodents. This is not government anymore. This is organized neglect. This is betrayal of the people you swore to serve."
Mayor running for governor while schools show 70% economic disadvantage — Apr 2025
Aleef Muhammad, president of Near School, Apr 2025 — after a Warren Township resident noted the mayor should be in Newark rather than campaigning: "With a mayor for 11 years, this town — in Barringer, 51% of kids are economically disadvantaged. Arts High, 64%. Central High, 67%. East Side, 71%. Malcolm X Shabazz, 69%. University High, 84%. In your town that you've been running for 11 years, 70% of the kids are disadvantaged. You should be embarrassed. Talking about governor."Aleef Muhammad, president of Near School, Apr 2025 — after a Warren Township resident said the mayor should be in Newark rather than out campaigning: "With a mayor for 11 years, this town — in Barringer, 51% of kids are economically disadvantaged. Arts High, 64%. Central High, 67%. East Side, 71%. Malcolm X Shabazz, 69%. University High, 84%. In your town that you've been running for 11 years, 70% of the kids are disadvantaged. You should be embarrassed. Talking about governor."
Public comment as structural barrier — five minutes, pre-registration, removals — Apr 2025
Nadira Brown, Apr 2025: "We keep getting the five minutes and everyone brings great points. Why do we have to sign up in advance, tell you what we want to talk about? Why isn't there a list so individuals can sign up that night so you can really talk to the people? You only give me five minutes. We never talk later. Because you're tired." Brown was then removed from the chamber mid-comment. The same session included multiple interruptions and speaker cutoffs. The five-minute limit, advance sign-up requirement, and discretionary removal power create structural conditions where the most persistent residents — the ones who show up to dozens of meetings — can be silenced before completing their testimony.Nadira Brown, Apr 2025: "We keep getting the five minutes and everyone brings great points. Why do we have to sign up in advance, tell you what we want to talk about? Why isn't there a list so individuals can sign up that night so you can really talk to the people? You only give me five minutes. We never talk later. Because you're tired." Brown was then removed from the chamber mid-comment. The same session had multiple interruptions and cut-off speakers. The five-minute limit, the advance sign-up requirement, and the power to remove speakers at will add up to a structure where the most persistent residents — the ones who show up to dozens of meetings — can be silenced before they finish.

Council chamber: who votes no?

Roll call votes extracted from 82 council sessions (Jul 2024–Jun 2026). The council votes yes on roughly 99% of items that reach a roll call. Only two members break that pattern in any meaningful way. Roll call votes extracted from 82 council sessions (Jul 2024–Jun 2026). The council votes yes on roughly 99% of items that reach a roll call. Only two members break that pattern in any meaningful way.

Member Yes No Abstain Absent
Crump (President)1740220 (10%)
Kelly58313103 (15%)
Quintana114219 (7%)
Roundtree331504 (1%)
Silva32843121 (27%)
Ramos467410155 (24%)
Gonzalez47418956 (10%)
Gonzalez is the only member who dissents with regularity — 18 no votes at a 3.2% rate, compared to Crump’s 0 no votes and Kelly’s 1 in 690 roll calls. His challenges cluster around PILOT/abatement deals (questioning affordability terms), code enforcement contracts, and third-party inspection services.Gonzalez is the only member who regularly votes no — 18 no votes at a 3.2% rate, compared to Crump's 0 no votes and Kelly's 1 in 690 roll calls. His challenges cluster around PILOT/abatement deals (questioning affordability terms), code enforcement contracts, and third-party inspection services.
Abstentions are the real blocking mechanism. 13 of 82 sessions ended with at least one item failing to adopt. The pattern: when Gonzalez and Ramos both abstain on an affordable housing or land-sale item, the majority threshold collapses. Ramos’s 10 abstentions (primarily on affordable housing items) make him the pivotal second vote on these failures.Abstentions are the real blocking tool. 13 of 82 sessions ended with at least one item failing to pass. The pattern: when Gonzalez and Ramos both abstain on an affordable housing or land-sale item, there aren't enough votes left to pass it. Ramos's 10 abstentions (mostly on affordable housing items) make him the pivotal second vote on these failures.
Crump (council president) has never voted no. 174 yes votes, 0 no votes across all 82 sessions. The council president’s 100% yes rate sets the tone.Crump (council president) has never voted no. 174 yes votes, 0 no votes across all 82 sessions. The council president's 100% yes rate sets the tone for the body.
“Gonzalez, you always say as an attorney, oh, they didn’t do this and how do we pass it? But you bring it up and you vote every time.” — public commenter, Jul 10, 2024 (on record) “Gonzalez, you always say as an attorney, oh, they didn’t do this and how do we pass it? But you bring it up and you vote every time.” — public commenter, Jul 10, 2024 (on record)
Absence rates are high. Silva was absent 26.5% of roll calls; Ramos 24.4%; Kelly 14.9%. High absence concentrates effective voting power in the members who show up consistently.Absence rates are high. Silva missed 26.5% of roll call votes; Ramos 24.4%; Kelly 14.9%. When members miss this many votes, the real voting power concentrates in the members who consistently show up.

Two parallel conversations — residents and council are not talking about the same things

Public comment topics (42 regular meetings, Jul 2024–Jun 2026) vs. what council deliberated in 25 pre-council working sessions over the same period. The two bodies share a room. They do not share an agenda. Public comment topics (42 regular meetings, Jul 2024–Jun 2026) compared to what the council actually deliberated in 25 working sessions over the same period. The two share a room. They do not share an agenda.

What residents raise at public comment — % of sessions
Accountability 76% of sessions
Environment 64% of sessions
Displacement 60% of sessions
Taxes & abatements 62% of sessions
Housing & rent 62% of sessions
Infrastructure 69% of sessions
Safety 57% of sessions
What council deliberated in pre-council — share of discussion
Housing & rent 23% of deliberation
Safety 21% of deliberation
Infrastructure 16% of deliberation
Tax abatements/PILOTs 14% of deliberation
Economic development 13% of deliberation
Redevelopment/zoning 6% of deliberation
Education 4% of deliberation
Environment 1% of deliberation
Accountability 0% of deliberation
Displacement 0% of deliberation
76% → 0%
Accountability
residents raise it every meeting; never a pre-council topic
60% → 0%
Displacement
residents being priced out; not a deliberation topic
64% → 1%
Environment
raised in 27 of 42 sessions; nearly absent from pre-council
The abatement inversion: Residents raise taxes & abatements as a grievance in 62% of public comment sessions — calling out developer tax deals as coming at their expense. Pre-council deliberates the same deals in 14% of its working session time, but from the approval side: processing PILOTs, setting PILOT terms, advancing financial agreements. The council and the residents are looking at the same transactions from opposite ends. The pre-council room is where the deals get made. Public comment is where the costs get named. There is no documented instance in the corpus of a public comment triggering a change to a pending development deal. The abatement inversion: Residents bring up taxes and abatements as a complaint in 62% of public comment sessions — calling out developer tax deals as coming at their expense. The council's working sessions spend 14% of their time on the same deals, but from the approval side: processing PILOTs, setting terms, moving financial agreements forward. The council and the residents are looking at the same transactions from opposite ends. The working session room is where the deals get made. Public comment is where the costs get named. There is no documented case in these records of a public comment changing a pending development deal.

Meetings

June 17, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 4,134 words of testimony
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June 3, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
3 speakers · 2,659 words of testimony
Action JacksonFakira BradleyAndre Santana
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May 20, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
14 speakers · 16,410 words of testimony
Debra SaltersManera ElSharonda AllenCheseray Adams
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May 6, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
2 speakers · 1,673 words of testimony
DavisPresident
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May 5, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
5 speakers · 1,993 words of testimony
Christina CherryChristina Cherry running forChristina CherryChristina Cherry
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April 15, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
18 speakers · 12,242 words of testimony
Latoya Jackson TuckerQueen Danisha ClyburnLisa Richardson ParkerJamar Youngblood
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April 14, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 2,350 words of testimony
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April 1, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
9 speakers · 18,812 words of testimony
dr lashini renee davisfelicia austin singleton ohlachey lopez duranmichael charity michael charity
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March 31, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 1,220 words of testimony
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March 24, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 117 words of testimony
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March 18, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
13 speakers · 23,823 words of testimony
Lamont VaughnpayShay ColterShaquille Moore
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March 17, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 2,569 words of testimony
Bomani
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March 4, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
14 speakers · 6,688 words of testimony
ClyburnShaquille MooreDarnell LeeAlif Muhammad
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March 3, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 2,471 words of testimony
Justin Gomez
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February 18, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
23 speakers · 10,151 words of testimony
DockBermadiChae CoulterLatoya Jackson Tucker
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February 4, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
7 speakers · 4,743 words of testimony
Zariah HaglerAlif MuhammadQueen Danisha ClaiborneDeborah Salters
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January 21, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
11 speakers · 12,001 words of testimony
Felicia Austin SingletonMiriam dayMutala mainCassandra dog
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January 7, 2026
Municipal Council Meeting
5 speakers · 4,565 words of testimony
Benita RogersDarnella LeeAleef MuhammadOpal Allwright
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December 17, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
15 speakers · 16,235 words of testimony
Ali MuhammadJacqueline PeoplesCesar AdamsOpal R. Wright
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December 16, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
5 speakers · 12,772 words of testimony
Mercy Guadadany questionsAdam MarshallMercy Guadad
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December 9, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 2,465 words of testimony
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December 3, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
3 speakers · 2,795 words of testimony
Ali MuhammadArnella Leeby Kara Bradley
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November 25, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
12 speakers · 7,610 words of testimony
Amina BayAli Muhammad presentSarah CrispinKim Gatti
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November 6, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 2,488 words of testimony
See none public speaking
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November 5, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 736 words of testimony
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October 22, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
19 speakers · 12,638 words of testimony
Felicia Austin Singleton appearingAnthony SierraCassandra dog appearingDenise Davis
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October 7, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
5 speakers · 4,333 words of testimony
Ariel LeavitzKellyKellyAriel Leavitz
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October 1, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 166 words of testimony
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September 30, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 928 words of testimony
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September 17, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
5 speakers · 3,647 words of testimony
Deborah SaltersFelicia Austin singleton appearingGeorge Tillman Duhnerameen bradbury
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September 9, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 3,198 words of testimony
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September 4, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 794 words of testimony
Dorothy Arouse
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September 3, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 4,087 words of testimony
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August 28, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 4,030 words of testimony
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August 6, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
3 speakers · 3,828 words of testimony
Lisa Mitchison ParkerBeth Zach CohenFelicia Austin Singleton
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August 5, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
3 speakers · 7,960 words of testimony
El BowmaniMilagro BlancoMilagro Blanco
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July 2, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 7 words of testimony
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June 4, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 32 words of testimony
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June 3, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 1,174 words of testimony
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May 21, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
18 speakers · 16,805 words of testimony
Che CoulterShakur TillmanJamar YoungbloodFelicia Austin Singleton
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May 20, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
6 speakers · 6,513 words of testimony
Ja DuncanDerek Lampley to ColgateDerek LampleyJa Duncan
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May 13, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 98 words of testimony
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May 7, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 69 words of testimony
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April 29, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 492 words of testimony
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April 16, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
19 speakers · 16,244 words of testimony
Debra Mapson appearingTuckerLinda McDonnell CarterCesar Adams
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April 2, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 404 words of testimony
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April 1, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 3,315 words of testimony
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March 19, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
11 speakers · 5,132 words of testimony
Alicia Austin SingletonSean Paul appearingNadirah BrownAlif Muhammad Kortowers
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March 18, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 5,474 words of testimony
Seeing none
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March 5, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 444 words of testimony
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March 4, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 552 words of testimony
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February 25, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 1,944 words of testimony
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February 19, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
17 speakers · 11,543 words of testimony
Linda McDonnellShayna AmeliusDeborah SaltersNadira Brown
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February 5, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 28 words of testimony
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February 4, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 6,424 words of testimony
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January 22, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
13 speakers · 14,920 words of testimony
larry amTracy GardnerMarion Baylatoya jackson tucker appearing
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January 14, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 712 words of testimony
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January 8, 2025
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 7 words of testimony
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December 18, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
12 speakers · 15,618 words of testimony
douglas freemanAlif MuhammadDonna Jacksonwill near
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December 17, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
2 speakers · 7,889 words of testimony
marira BradleyWalter Jacobs president of
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December 10, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 7,928 words of testimony
Dolores black
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December 4, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
9 speakers · 10,277 words of testimony
Debra Saltersfor breakfastAleef MohammedLinda McDonnell Carter
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December 3, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 4,162 words of testimony
to be
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November 26, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
22 speakers · 14,851 words of testimony
richard aviddarnella leedeborah sultresaliyah clark
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November 7, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
11 speakers · 19,071 words of testimony
seeing none public speakingjay colterfakira bradleylisa mitreson parker not
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November 6, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
3 speakers · 5,462 words of testimony
Dr ingred Diaz ownerLisa Smith with myLisa Smith with my
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October 23, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
8 speakers · 19,321 words of testimony
Shabazzreception iswho nearLinda McDonald Carter
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October 22, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
7 speakers · 12,386 words of testimony
oen dardJohn CrystalMelvin waldrupSergio Pereira
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October 8, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 4,422 words of testimony
fera Bradley
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October 2, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 8 words of testimony
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October 1, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
2 speakers · 5,507 words of testimony
Lisa bestLisa best
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September 18, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
11 speakers · 12,232 words of testimony
Lisa ParkerAleef MohammedQuadir PorterMiriam Bay
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September 17, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
11 speakers · 42,436 words of testimony
edwiin OrtizCali to fipsbmannen Wright aru Baka
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September 5, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 11 words of testimony
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September 4, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 4,133 words of testimony
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August 13, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 2,355 words of testimony
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August 7, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
0 speakers · 7 words of testimony
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August 6, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
4 speakers · 24,467 words of testimony
baJoy black my addressbaJoy black my
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July 10, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
1 speakers · 2,826 words of testimony
Felicia Austin Singleton
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July 9, 2024
Municipal Council Meeting
4 speakers · 9,653 words of testimony
my apologies for delayingrayor steel monong adamesrayor steel monong adamesmy apologies for
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Recurring Speakers

SpeakerAppearancesMost Recent Meetings
Miriam Bay92026-05-20, 2026-04-15, 2026-04-15
Felicia Austin Singleton82026-03-18, 2026-02-18, 2026-01-21
Nadira Brown72026-05-20, 2026-04-15, 2025-11-25
Deborah Salters72026-04-15, 2026-03-04, 2026-02-18
Aleef Mohammed62026-05-20, 2026-02-18, 2025-02-19
Donna Jackson62026-05-20, 2026-02-18, 2025-10-22
Jamar Youngblood62026-04-15, 2026-03-18, 2026-02-18
Alif Muhammad62026-03-04, 2026-03-04, 2026-02-04
Fakira Bradley52026-06-03, 2026-03-04, 2026-03-04
Dock52026-02-18, 2025-12-17, 2025-12-17
Barry Brown52025-12-17, 2025-02-19, 2025-02-19
Christina Cherry42026-05-05, 2026-05-05, 2026-05-05
Latoya Jackson Tucker42026-04-15, 2026-03-18, 2026-02-18
Denise Davis42026-03-18, 2026-03-18, 2025-10-22
Ali Muhammad42025-12-17, 2025-12-03, 2025-10-22
Debra Salters32026-05-20, 2025-04-16, 2024-12-04
Elijah Morgano32026-04-15, 2025-05-21, 2025-03-19
Shaquille Moore32026-03-18, 2026-03-04, 2026-02-18
Lamont Vaughn32026-03-18, 2026-03-04, 2026-03-04
Lisa Mitchelson Parker32026-02-18, 2025-11-25, 2024-12-04
Opal R. Wright32026-02-18, 2025-12-17, 2025-03-19
Darnella Lee32026-01-07, 2025-10-22, 2025-02-19
Sarah Crispin32025-11-25, 2025-05-21, 2025-05-21
Ariel Leavitz32025-10-07, 2025-10-07, 2025-10-07
George Tillman Jr32025-05-21, 2025-03-19, 2024-12-18
Che Coulter32025-05-21, 2025-03-19, 2025-03-19
Rachel Jones22026-04-15, 2026-04-15
Vaughn22026-04-15, 2024-11-26
Reginald Turner22026-03-18, 2025-12-17
Darnell Lee22026-03-04, 2024-09-18
Valeria Rivas22026-02-18, 2026-02-18
Muta El22026-02-18, 2025-04-16
Mayra Rodriguez22026-02-18, 2026-02-18
Chae Coulter22026-02-18, 2026-02-18
george tillman jr appearing22026-01-21, 2024-11-26
Aleef Muhammad22026-01-07, 2025-04-16
Cesar Adams22025-12-17, 2025-04-16
Amin Proctor22025-12-17, 2025-12-17
Mercy Guadad22025-12-16, 2025-12-16
any questions22025-12-16, 2025-12-16
Atisha Davis22025-11-25, 2025-10-22
Felicia Austin Singleton appearing22025-10-22, 2024-10-23
George Tillman jr22025-10-22, 2025-01-22
Kelly22025-10-07, 2025-10-07
Lisa Mitchison Parker22025-08-06, 2025-01-22
Milagro Blanco22025-08-05, 2025-08-05
Emily Aikens22025-05-21, 2025-04-16
Derek Lampley22025-05-20, 2025-05-20
Derek Lampley to Colgate22025-05-20, 2025-05-20
Ja Duncan22025-05-20, 2025-05-20
Felicia Alston Singleton22025-04-16, 2024-12-04
Linda McDonnell Carter22025-04-16, 2024-12-04
Daniel Carney22025-04-16, 2025-03-19
Marion Bay22025-01-22, 2025-01-22
Alif Mohammed22024-11-26, 2024-10-23
Miriam ba22024-11-26, 2024-11-26
che koulter22024-11-26, 2024-11-26
Anderson22024-11-26, 2024-11-26
seeing none public speaking22024-11-07, 2024-11-07
Lisa Smith with my22024-11-06, 2024-11-06
John Crystal22024-10-22, 2024-10-22
oen dard22024-10-22, 2024-10-22
Lisa best22024-10-01, 2024-10-01
Youssef Shabazz22024-09-18, 2024-09-18
bman22024-09-17, 2024-09-17
nen Wright aru22024-09-17, 2024-09-17
uh Mr Mr chair22024-09-17, 2024-09-17
edwiin Ortiz22024-09-17, 2024-09-17
Cali to fips22024-09-17, 2024-09-17
ba22024-08-06, 2024-08-06
rayor steel monong adames22024-07-09, 2024-07-09