Results tagged “John Snyder” from York Town Square

In resolving one of the many issues he inherited as York's mayor, John Brenner tells Hattie Dickson, Lillie Belle Allen's sister, that 'we are sorry for your loss' during a 2005 news conference after the city settled a civil rights lawsuit with Allen's family. Allen was a victim of the 1969 race riots in York. Brenner said this week that he would not seek re-election next year for a third term. Background posts: Meeting of riot victims brought racial accord, Mayor: 'We're going to clean up this site' and York Charrette or charade?

Time needs to pass before a full assessment of John Brenner's mayorship can be undertaken.

But clearly his administration signals the importance of a committed and competent mayor of York.

Brenner's chief legacy may show that he took over the shambles of mayor Charlie Robertson's administration and ran a semblance of order through racial and financial chaos... .

Hattie Dickson, facing, hugs Sharon Howe, while Sonja Gilmore, right, looks on during a meeting at the African-American Love Feast in early 2002. Dickson was a sister of Lillie Belle Allen, killed in the 1969 race riots. Gilmore was the wife of York Police Officer Henry C. Schaad, the second riot victim. Howe is Schaad's and Gilmore's daughter. This was the first public meeting of the families, who had met privately a month earlier. Background posts: School violence struck York County in 1970 and First pitch could break link with York race riots.

In a recent York Sunday News column, I applauded efforts to arrive at a community consensus over a "Healing York" memorial.

I contrasted that to a moment in 1970, a time of community coming together called the York Charrette, in which York's elected officials belated and reluctantly participated... .