Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has vetoed a resolution calling for his own ouster, hinting to the City Council that he intends a bruising battle over members' double-barreled effort to force him from office.
In a 10-page letter sent Tuesday vetoing a resolution asking Gov. Jennifer Granholm to remove him, Kilpatrick warned that ousting an elected official is "irresponsible" and deprives voters of their rights. The city charter doesn't allow him to veto the resolution calling for the start of impeachment-like proceedings next month, but Kilpatrick called the move "legally deficient."
Kilpatrick's letter, drafted by the Law Department, claims the council can only remove him if he was convicted of a felony or "lacked qualifications" to serve in office.
The argument is "brainless," said William Goodman, an attorney hired by the City Council to investigate the $8.4 million text-message scandal that has engulfed City Hall since January. The city charter clearly supports both actions, Goodman said.
It wasn't immediately clear late Tuesday if Kilpatrick's action carried any weight. Liz Boyd, a spokeswoman for Granholm, declined comment. Some observers called it more saber rattling than a serious effort to derail the council's efforts, since state law only requires the governor receive a sworn statement from one person to begin considering removal of officials.
Council may have to re-vote
Still, it's possible the council would have to re-vote on its request to contact Granholm, and it's unclear whether the panel could summon six votes to override a veto. Members voted 5-4 on May 13 to ask Granholm for help and launch forfeiture proceedings against the mayor.
Doing so is "contrary to the board's past actions to uphold home rule," wrote Kilpatrick, who faces perjury, misconduct in office and obstruction of justice charges stemming from the scandal.
His letter cited well-known resentments among Detroiters about outside interference, including
the temporary state takeover of the Detroit Public Schools board, attempts by lawmakers to seize the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and the dissolution of the Detroit Recorder's Court.
Kilpatrick also warned that the City Council's decision to ask the governor to intervene also could put their jobs at risk in the future.
"Council's Removal Resolution is an end run around home rule, which ultimately may set the stage to deprive the People of the City of Detroit of their right to choose and retain its elected leaders and local control over policy matters that impact its citizens," he wrote.
Eric Foster, a political consultant, described the letter as an appeal to Kilpatrick's core backers.
"This is all about posturing and appealing to his supporters," said Foster, director of business and political strategy of the Detroit-based Urban Consulting Group. "He is playing to the same crowd he did when he was in election mode and that is to play the 'us vs. them' card."
Before the council even acted, Granholm had received at least one plea from a citizen to remove Kilpatrick. Also, the charter gives the council the power to pass resolutions that can't be vetoed by the mayor, according to Jeff Blaine, who from 1994-96 was executive director of the commission that produced Detroit's current charter.
"There are many things council can do -- like investigations -- that can't be overridden," Blaine said.
James Canning, a spokesman for Kilpatrick, said the mayor has no other immediate plans to address the council's actions.
"The veto message speaks for itself," Canning said.
But Kilpatrick argued that the council "by an apparent misapplication and misinterpretation" believes it can oust him for other alleged charter violations. It can't, but the council's strategy could backfire and lead to ousters of council members or other elected officials in the future, according to the letter..
"There is more at stake, here, than the recent events between the City Council and me," Kilpatrick's letter read.
Earlier Tuesday, the council began cobbling together the bare-bones of what the forfeiture proceeding would look like after meeting with Goodman.
The quasi-judicial process would involve witnesses, evidence and arguments, with council eventually rendering a decision much like a jury in a civil proceeding.
Kenyatta pushes changes
Also, Councilman Kwame Kenyatta said he sees merit in Detroit changing into a city manager form of government -- with the mayor having less control over city functions -- and plans to pursue the possibility next year by advocating a rewrite of the city's charter.
"We've seen the effect of a strong mayor form of government," Kenyatta said. "We've seen what abuse of power has done to this city."
Kenyatta said he plans on pushing for the convening of a charter commission, whose members would rewrite the city charter. Voters would have to authorize the rewrite and then approve the changes. The last revision to the charter was in 1997.
"It's worth looking into ... if not a city manager, then a weaker mayor (form of government)," Kenyatta said.
San Jose, Calif., with about 930,000 citizens, is the only major U.S. city that has a manager and not a strong mayor system of government.
Kenyatta also wants the city charter changed to give the City Council more oversight of Detroit's corporation counsel.
The council has squabbled with city attorneys since the text message scandal broke in January. Members complain city attorneys misled them into approving an $8.4 million settlement with fired Detroit Police officers. The council wasn't told the deal kept secret text messages allegedly exchanged between Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty, that contradicted testimony during a civil trial last year.
Beatty also faces perjury, obstruction of justice and misconduct in office charges.
The next court date involving Kilpatrick and Beatty's criminal charges is June 3, when lawyers will argue about keeping the text messages secret. Kilpatrick and Beatty have claimed that although some messages already have been publicized, the prosecutor has obtained copies of a total of 625,000 and they should remain private under federal law.
The judge overseeing preliminary stages of criminal proceedings will allow The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press to argue for release of the messages at the June 3 hearing, but in an opinion placed in the court's file on Tuesday 36th District Judge Ronald Giles denied the newspaper's efforts to keep the hearings themselves open to the public.
detnews.com
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Japan Pledges to Help Africa Double Rice Production
Japan promised African leaders Wednesday that it would step up aid and investment and use its expertise to help double rice production to ease the burden of soaring food prices.
A three-day summit in Yokohama, near Tokyo, is seen as a bid by Japan to expand its clout in Africa, where China has been rapidly sealing political alliances and business deals.
Fifty-two African nations are taking part in the summit, 40 of them represented by senior leaders -- including South African President Thabo Mbeki, who faced criticism for going abroad amid anti-immigrant violence at home.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda opened the conference by pledging to double aid by 2012 and offering four billion dollars in low-interest loans to develop infrastructure.
Amid spiralling food prices that have triggered unrest in some parts of the world, Fukuda also promised to devote Japanese technology to help Africa double rice production over the next 10 years from the current 14 million tonnes.
"If I were to liken the history of African development to a volume of literature, then what we are about to do now is to open a new page entitled 'the century of African growth,'" Fukuda said.
"In the future, Africa will become a powerful engine driving the growth of the world," he said.
World Bank president Rob Zoellick also gave an upbeat assessment of Africa's potential.
"I believe Africa can become a new pole of global growth, just as we have seen over the last 15 years China and India and others have become complementary poles of growth to the developed countries," Zoellick said.
The summit, called the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), comes little more than a month before Japan hosts the annual Group of Eight summit of the world's top industrial powers.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, current chairman of the African Union, expressed hope that TICAD would help ensure that the G8 summit fulfilled its commitments to Africa.
"Besides the increase in (aid), which is highly appreciated, TICAD needs to go further. What remains to be seen is increased trade and investment between Africa and Japan," he said.
Fukuda said Japan would send a delegation to Africa in the coming months to step up investment.
He also announced a 2.5 billion-dollar Africa fund for Japanese businesses, making their investments in the continent less risky.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said that despite rising growth, Africa "is still faced with a number of challenges."
"These include those occasioned by globalisation, rising food and fuel prices and failure to gain access to new markets and inadequate direct foreign investment," he said.
UNICEF chief Ann Veneman warned that the food crisis threatened to set back improvements in nutrition for the continent's children.
The food crisis has "increased the risk of malnutrition and has the potential of reversing important health gains," she said.
Rock star and activist Bono praised the pledges on infrastructure and investment, saying it showed Fukuda's "sharp understanding of Africa's drive towards self-sufficiency," although he also called for money to be earmarked for AIDS sufferers.
"It is possible, between now and the G8, to turn well-meaning rhetoric into well-funded actions. But if not, a cynical impression will be left," Bono said.
Japan, the world's second largest economy, holds the TICAD summits every five years. But it has looked with alarm as emerging economies, notably China, expand their reach in Africa.
C
hina, which is hungry for African minerals and other resources, has held its own three-yearly African development conferences since 2000, while India held its first-ever summit with 14 African countries last month.
Beijing has been heavily criticised in the West for not linking its aid to democracy or human rights. It has also been a major backer of Sudan, which the United States accuses of genocide in its crackdown in Darfur.
Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir used his opening address to demand international pressure on Chad, renewing charges that the neighbouring country backed a rebel incursion on Khartoum this month.
by Kyoko Hasegawa from AFP
A three-day summit in Yokohama, near Tokyo, is seen as a bid by Japan to expand its clout in Africa, where China has been rapidly sealing political alliances and business deals.
Fifty-two African nations are taking part in the summit, 40 of them represented by senior leaders -- including South African President Thabo Mbeki, who faced criticism for going abroad amid anti-immigrant violence at home.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda opened the conference by pledging to double aid by 2012 and offering four billion dollars in low-interest loans to develop infrastructure.
Amid spiralling food prices that have triggered unrest in some parts of the world, Fukuda also promised to devote Japanese technology to help Africa double rice production over the next 10 years from the current 14 million tonnes.
"If I were to liken the history of African development to a volume of literature, then what we are about to do now is to open a new page entitled 'the century of African growth,'" Fukuda said.
"In the future, Africa will become a powerful engine driving the growth of the world," he said.
World Bank president Rob Zoellick also gave an upbeat assessment of Africa's potential.
"I believe Africa can become a new pole of global growth, just as we have seen over the last 15 years China and India and others have become complementary poles of growth to the developed countries," Zoellick said.
The summit, called the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), comes little more than a month before Japan hosts the annual Group of Eight summit of the world's top industrial powers.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, current chairman of the African Union, expressed hope that TICAD would help ensure that the G8 summit fulfilled its commitments to Africa.
"Besides the increase in (aid), which is highly appreciated, TICAD needs to go further. What remains to be seen is increased trade and investment between Africa and Japan," he said.
Fukuda said Japan would send a delegation to Africa in the coming months to step up investment.
He also announced a 2.5 billion-dollar Africa fund for Japanese businesses, making their investments in the continent less risky.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said that despite rising growth, Africa "is still faced with a number of challenges."
"These include those occasioned by globalisation, rising food and fuel prices and failure to gain access to new markets and inadequate direct foreign investment," he said.
UNICEF chief Ann Veneman warned that the food crisis threatened to set back improvements in nutrition for the continent's children.
The food crisis has "increased the risk of malnutrition and has the potential of reversing important health gains," she said.
Rock star and activist Bono praised the pledges on infrastructure and investment, saying it showed Fukuda's "sharp understanding of Africa's drive towards self-sufficiency," although he also called for money to be earmarked for AIDS sufferers.
"It is possible, between now and the G8, to turn well-meaning rhetoric into well-funded actions. But if not, a cynical impression will be left," Bono said.
Japan, the world's second largest economy, holds the TICAD summits every five years. But it has looked with alarm as emerging economies, notably China, expand their reach in Africa.
C
hina, which is hungry for African minerals and other resources, has held its own three-yearly African development conferences since 2000, while India held its first-ever summit with 14 African countries last month.
Beijing has been heavily criticised in the West for not linking its aid to democracy or human rights. It has also been a major backer of Sudan, which the United States accuses of genocide in its crackdown in Darfur.
Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir used his opening address to demand international pressure on Chad, renewing charges that the neighbouring country backed a rebel incursion on Khartoum this month.
by Kyoko Hasegawa from AFP
Graduation Rates, Gender Disparity Causing Concern at HBCUs
According to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, in 2007 Howard University had a graduation rate of 60 percent, up two points from the rate the journal reported in 2006.
That rate, for those graduating within six years, is 16 points above the national average graduation rate of 44 percent for blacks nationally.
The Journal for Blacks in Higher Education calls the 44 percent graduation rate "dismally low."
Howard is one of only seven HBCUs, which include Fisk University and Claflin University, that graduate more than half of their students.
Alvin Thornton, Howard's Associate Provost of Academic Affairs, said Howard graduates 50 percent of its students within four years, a rate that he says the university is working to increase.
Thornton said that one of the key components in increasing the graduation rates at Howard is when students first step foot on campus during orientation.
"Students have to have clear understanding of the academic process at a university when they get here," Thornton said.
Thornton stressed the importance of students balancing life outside of the classroom which in many cases is a defining factor on whether or not they will graduate.
In addition to balancing extracurricular activities, Thornton said the university's financial aid office is encouraged to stretch every dollar to ensure that financial instability will not prevent students from graduating.
One area that Howard is paying close attention to is its male students. Thornton said that the board requires regular reporting on the male student matriculation, retention and graduation rates.
David Richardson, a graduate with a degree in political science, said it took longer than the four-years he expected to graduate in but that didn't deter him from his ultimate goal."It took me an extra year," Richardson said. "It wouldn't matter if it took me another year as long as I didn't give up and kept reaching for my goal."
Richardson is among the increasing number of black males who earn their bachelors degree from a college or university.
The Journal for Blacks in Higher Education holds data from 1990 to 2007 showed that the black male graduation rate increased from 28 percent to 37 percent.
Still, black women at Howard and universities and colleges across the country are surpassing Black males in large percentages. In 2007 black women had a graduation of rate of 48 percent an 11 point difference to black men.
Having taught for over 30 years, Thornton understands the importance of reaching out to male students so that they matriculate at higher rates."I don't think that males approach the academic arena with the same sophistication as women do," Thornton said.
Thornton said from his experience men do not seek counseling or advising from professors or advisors with the same rigor that he has seen women do."As professors and advisors its our job to make sure we are engaging with him to the same degree we are with females," Thornton said.
He also said that male athletes tend to graduate at higher rates than males who do not participate in sports programs. "It could be because they are in a more disciplined setting or because they get tutoring on a consistent basis,"Thornton said.
The university is conducting a study, the Black Male Student Initiative, which will scientifically evaluate why males in high school are able to produce the SAT scores and GPA scores but miss the mark when they enter college.
Among HBCUs, Spelman College has the highest graduation of blacks with 78 percent, but the college does not top the overall list of schools with the highest black student graduation rate . Although Harvard University has a small black enrollment, it tops the list with 96 percent, with Yale trailing at 94 percent.
Thornton cited their selection process." Students who are accepted into institutions like Harvard and Yale usually come from backgrounds that show that they will be successful and graduate at high rates," Thornton said.In addition, Thornton said that students who attend universities with very large endowments usually have substantial financial assistance. " Getting our students to graduate at rates of 90 percent and higher would only make our institution greater than . . . it already is," Thornton said.
By Eboni Farmer -- Black College Wire
That rate, for those graduating within six years, is 16 points above the national average graduation rate of 44 percent for blacks nationally.
The Journal for Blacks in Higher Education calls the 44 percent graduation rate "dismally low."
Howard is one of only seven HBCUs, which include Fisk University and Claflin University, that graduate more than half of their students.
Alvin Thornton, Howard's Associate Provost of Academic Affairs, said Howard graduates 50 percent of its students within four years, a rate that he says the university is working to increase.
Thornton said that one of the key components in increasing the graduation rates at Howard is when students first step foot on campus during orientation.
"Students have to have clear understanding of the academic process at a university when they get here," Thornton said.
Thornton stressed the importance of students balancing life outside of the classroom which in many cases is a defining factor on whether or not they will graduate.
In addition to balancing extracurricular activities, Thornton said the university's financial aid office is encouraged to stretch every dollar to ensure that financial instability will not prevent students from graduating.
One area that Howard is paying close attention to is its male students. Thornton said that the board requires regular reporting on the male student matriculation, retention and graduation rates.
David Richardson, a graduate with a degree in political science, said it took longer than the four-years he expected to graduate in but that didn't deter him from his ultimate goal."It took me an extra year," Richardson said. "It wouldn't matter if it took me another year as long as I didn't give up and kept reaching for my goal."
Richardson is among the increasing number of black males who earn their bachelors degree from a college or university.
The Journal for Blacks in Higher Education holds data from 1990 to 2007 showed that the black male graduation rate increased from 28 percent to 37 percent.
Still, black women at Howard and universities and colleges across the country are surpassing Black males in large percentages. In 2007 black women had a graduation of rate of 48 percent an 11 point difference to black men.
Having taught for over 30 years, Thornton understands the importance of reaching out to male students so that they matriculate at higher rates."I don't think that males approach the academic arena with the same sophistication as women do," Thornton said.
Thornton said from his experience men do not seek counseling or advising from professors or advisors with the same rigor that he has seen women do."As professors and advisors its our job to make sure we are engaging with him to the same degree we are with females," Thornton said.
He also said that male athletes tend to graduate at higher rates than males who do not participate in sports programs. "It could be because they are in a more disciplined setting or because they get tutoring on a consistent basis,"Thornton said.
The university is conducting a study, the Black Male Student Initiative, which will scientifically evaluate why males in high school are able to produce the SAT scores and GPA scores but miss the mark when they enter college.
Among HBCUs, Spelman College has the highest graduation of blacks with 78 percent, but the college does not top the overall list of schools with the highest black student graduation rate . Although Harvard University has a small black enrollment, it tops the list with 96 percent, with Yale trailing at 94 percent.
Thornton cited their selection process." Students who are accepted into institutions like Harvard and Yale usually come from backgrounds that show that they will be successful and graduate at high rates," Thornton said.In addition, Thornton said that students who attend universities with very large endowments usually have substantial financial assistance. " Getting our students to graduate at rates of 90 percent and higher would only make our institution greater than . . . it already is," Thornton said.
By Eboni Farmer -- Black College Wire
Support Group Helps African-American Fathers
Christian Davis hasn't forgotten the hurt of mourning an absent father.
"I said I would never let my child feel the way I felt," says Davis, a 24-year-old single dad. "With my friends, I do try to get that point across, that you should be with your kids. It does make a difference."
Still, resolve alone can't always meet the demands of a rambunctious 3-year-old.
That's way Davis was grateful to find Supporting Father Involvement, a Contra Costa County program that provides counseling and other services for African-American parents.
Funded by a $1 million state grant, the effort builds from a simple premise: Involved dads improve children's lives.
"Scientists and researchers have really focused only on mothers, attachment theory and the like, but the evidence shows us how important dads really are," said Lawrence Ferber, a clinical psychologist and group leader for the project.
About half of African-American children live in homes without fathers, studies show.
But targeted interventions show promise in changing that, by building parenting skills and reducing the stress and depression that tear apart parents and erode family ties.
Based on pilot projects in other counties, Supporting Father Involvement focuses on 11-week support groups where fathers can discuss the realities of raising children in urban areas.
"It's a lot of real gut-level stuff," Ferber said. "It could be 'I didn't have enough food,' or 'I
don't know what to do'; 'my kids needs to go to the doctor,' or 'I'm trying to be on the right track because I don't want to go back to jail.'"
Recruiters find families at grocery stores, playgrounds and social service programs. Many are lured by a $400 stipend, paid in increments. "People come for the money "... but once they get here, they find out what it's worth," Ferber said.
Sessions, held in Richmond, begin with dinner, and always include child care.
Some fathers attend with their wives. Others come with ex-girlfriends. A few bring grandmothers or other relatives.
Davis, who lives in Richmond, enrolled with his aunt, who helps care for his daughter.
"I'm a new father, and I just wanted to get as much information as I possibly can," Davis said. "It's not easy by yourself."
He dotes on 3-year-old Amani, but knows he needs to learn about discipline.
"I'll be honest: If she cries, she gets what she wants," he admits. "It's hard for me to say no."
Parents discuss their own childhoods, assessing which things they want to replicate or avoid, said group leader Tracy Ward.
"We talk a lot about what's going on in the community, with the shootings and violence ... how hard it is telling your kid, you can't walk around the corner now, it's not safe.
"A lot of them want to get out of here, but financially they just can't. A lot of the dads are really beating themselves up because they can't leave and they want to. They feel like their kids should be able to go outside and play."
For up to 18 months, program graduates can get help from case managers with jobs, food, housing and other services. Many remain friends, and even swap baby-sitting.
As parents of seven, Anterious and Sonya Ellis deemed the support groups a welcome break.
"I had been kind of talking about counseling, and they said they had day care here, too," said Anterious, 34. "When you have seven kids, you don't get out much."
By their second session, they were full of praise.
"I'm just optimistic," Anterious said. "We were able to enjoy ourselves, and we haven't argued as much this week."
"It's always about the kids," added Sonya, 38. "Once you have kids you forget that you need couple time."
Aaron Lee, 26, who graduated from the program last year, said he went in committed to being a good father.
"Kids are so precious and so beautiful," said Lee, whose own father was shot and killed when he was 5. "Every time I look at my daughter and my son, it just brings something out in me that I never thought was there."
But talking to other parents helped Lee see how to find time for his 13-month-old daughter, Areanna, even when he walks in the door exhausted from his job at a recycling company. He also learned to manage his money.
"It feels good, when you need diapers, and you have the funds to go in and buy diapers. Or milk. Or food."
Lee is working to secure more visits with his son, 2-year-old Aaron Jr., who lives with Lee's former girlfriend.
Seeking a safer neighborhood, Lee and Areanna's mother moved last fall from North Richmond to Vallejo. Lee makes a point to help care for Areanna's daily needs, changing diapers, spooning peaches into her mouth, replacing the tiny shoes she constantly pulls off.
"When I see her smile, especially when I hear her call me 'Da-da,' when I'm home, and she comes crawling up to me so fast — that's something special."
By Sara Steffens Contra Costa Times
"I said I would never let my child feel the way I felt," says Davis, a 24-year-old single dad. "With my friends, I do try to get that point across, that you should be with your kids. It does make a difference."
Still, resolve alone can't always meet the demands of a rambunctious 3-year-old.
That's way Davis was grateful to find Supporting Father Involvement, a Contra Costa County program that provides counseling and other services for African-American parents.
Funded by a $1 million state grant, the effort builds from a simple premise: Involved dads improve children's lives.
"Scientists and researchers have really focused only on mothers, attachment theory and the like, but the evidence shows us how important dads really are," said Lawrence Ferber, a clinical psychologist and group leader for the project.
About half of African-American children live in homes without fathers, studies show.
But targeted interventions show promise in changing that, by building parenting skills and reducing the stress and depression that tear apart parents and erode family ties.
Based on pilot projects in other counties, Supporting Father Involvement focuses on 11-week support groups where fathers can discuss the realities of raising children in urban areas.
"It's a lot of real gut-level stuff," Ferber said. "It could be 'I didn't have enough food,' or 'I
don't know what to do'; 'my kids needs to go to the doctor,' or 'I'm trying to be on the right track because I don't want to go back to jail.'"
Recruiters find families at grocery stores, playgrounds and social service programs. Many are lured by a $400 stipend, paid in increments. "People come for the money "... but once they get here, they find out what it's worth," Ferber said.
Sessions, held in Richmond, begin with dinner, and always include child care.
Some fathers attend with their wives. Others come with ex-girlfriends. A few bring grandmothers or other relatives.
Davis, who lives in Richmond, enrolled with his aunt, who helps care for his daughter.
"I'm a new father, and I just wanted to get as much information as I possibly can," Davis said. "It's not easy by yourself."
He dotes on 3-year-old Amani, but knows he needs to learn about discipline.
"I'll be honest: If she cries, she gets what she wants," he admits. "It's hard for me to say no."
Parents discuss their own childhoods, assessing which things they want to replicate or avoid, said group leader Tracy Ward.
"We talk a lot about what's going on in the community, with the shootings and violence ... how hard it is telling your kid, you can't walk around the corner now, it's not safe.
"A lot of them want to get out of here, but financially they just can't. A lot of the dads are really beating themselves up because they can't leave and they want to. They feel like their kids should be able to go outside and play."
For up to 18 months, program graduates can get help from case managers with jobs, food, housing and other services. Many remain friends, and even swap baby-sitting.
As parents of seven, Anterious and Sonya Ellis deemed the support groups a welcome break.
"I had been kind of talking about counseling, and they said they had day care here, too," said Anterious, 34. "When you have seven kids, you don't get out much."
By their second session, they were full of praise.
"I'm just optimistic," Anterious said. "We were able to enjoy ourselves, and we haven't argued as much this week."
"It's always about the kids," added Sonya, 38. "Once you have kids you forget that you need couple time."
Aaron Lee, 26, who graduated from the program last year, said he went in committed to being a good father.
"Kids are so precious and so beautiful," said Lee, whose own father was shot and killed when he was 5. "Every time I look at my daughter and my son, it just brings something out in me that I never thought was there."
But talking to other parents helped Lee see how to find time for his 13-month-old daughter, Areanna, even when he walks in the door exhausted from his job at a recycling company. He also learned to manage his money.
"It feels good, when you need diapers, and you have the funds to go in and buy diapers. Or milk. Or food."
Lee is working to secure more visits with his son, 2-year-old Aaron Jr., who lives with Lee's former girlfriend.
Seeking a safer neighborhood, Lee and Areanna's mother moved last fall from North Richmond to Vallejo. Lee makes a point to help care for Areanna's daily needs, changing diapers, spooning peaches into her mouth, replacing the tiny shoes she constantly pulls off.
"When I see her smile, especially when I hear her call me 'Da-da,' when I'm home, and she comes crawling up to me so fast — that's something special."
By Sara Steffens Contra Costa Times
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