Clarence

I agree with that. I think that I'm going to pile on with this. I think there's some real systemic issues that we have in our state, in our country, that we need to be honest and try to address. And for me, it is the... That's why I asked you, Julie, about what are your hopes and expectations for the community? Because I think that there is a...

I agree with that. I think that I'm going to pile on with this. I think there's some real systemic issues that we have in our state, in our country, that we need to be honest and try to address. And for me, it is the... That's why I asked you, Julie, about what are your hopes and expectations for the community? Because I think that there is a...

This is a bi-directional kind of conversation that we have to have, you know, that people need to understand what are the risks they're taking for utilizing those corner stores and utilizing those foods, as well as we need to talk about why don't we have more access to grocery stores and things like that. Why do we have to travel? Why don't we have access to pharmacies anymore?

This is a bi-directional kind of conversation that we have to have, you know, that people need to understand what are the risks they're taking for utilizing those corner stores and utilizing those foods, as well as we need to talk about why don't we have more access to grocery stores and things like that. Why do we have to travel? Why don't we have access to pharmacies anymore?

I mean, you know, you've got, you know, we've got all these different things and these are all factors around health. And so the question for me always is how can we have a, a honest conversation about what we really need to be doing?

I mean, you know, you've got, you know, we've got all these different things and these are all factors around health. And so the question for me always is how can we have a, a honest conversation about what we really need to be doing?

You know, I think that there is a, there is a politically safe kind of conversation that we can have, but I think that there comes a time where we're starting to see this stuff, uh, it's becoming so prevalent.

You know, I think that there is a, there is a politically safe kind of conversation that we can have, but I think that there comes a time where we're starting to see this stuff, uh, it's becoming so prevalent.

In fact, I think Teresa, we were talking about the fact that when we're talking to Diana Hawthorne, she's talking about a kid that was 13 years old, came in, he was 300 pounds and we couldn't find a coat for him. You know what I mean? So when do we have, when are we going to sit down and have some real hard, hard, hard conversations where we don't feel, where we don't feel attacked?

In fact, I think Teresa, we were talking about the fact that when we're talking to Diana Hawthorne, she's talking about a kid that was 13 years old, came in, he was 300 pounds and we couldn't find a coat for him. You know what I mean? So when do we have, when are we going to sit down and have some real hard, hard, hard conversations where we don't feel, where we don't feel attacked?

You know what I mean? So that's why I'm asking about the hope for this particular opportunity is can we just talk? I mean, can we talk and then really come up with some activities? So that's my comment. I'm finished.

You know what I mean? So that's why I'm asking about the hope for this particular opportunity is can we just talk? I mean, can we talk and then really come up with some activities? So that's my comment. I'm finished.

I think too, I appreciate that. I think that the, you know, I applaud that because that's what I would like too. And I think that it's going to be important to bring in those voices that may not necessarily be kumbaya because we have to speak truth to a lot of these issues. And sometimes it's not, it doesn't appear to be nice, but it's necessary. And so I just want to put that out there too.

I think too, I appreciate that. I think that the, you know, I applaud that because that's what I would like too. And I think that it's going to be important to bring in those voices that may not necessarily be kumbaya because we have to speak truth to a lot of these issues. And sometimes it's not, it doesn't appear to be nice, but it's necessary. And so I just want to put that out there too.

So I think that, that, that part of the key is identifying who the real messengers are going to be. Because anytime you start talking about money and funding, they're going to be those people that's going to come up with the big voices saying, look at what, you know, look at, we can do this. We can do that. I think to find, um,

So I think that, that, that part of the key is identifying who the real messengers are going to be. Because anytime you start talking about money and funding, they're going to be those people that's going to come up with the big voices saying, look at what, you know, look at, we can do this. We can do that. I think to find, um,

to go in and find out who are the people that have really been doing the work for a long time, who are the people that are really the influencers, to give them a chance at the table when they've been excluded out is how we're going to really be able to make it. Because these are the people that are really making a difference.

to go in and find out who are the people that have really been doing the work for a long time, who are the people that are really the influencers, to give them a chance at the table when they've been excluded out is how we're going to really be able to make it. Because these are the people that are really making a difference.

But their voice is not being heard because they're being overshadowed by others. I know that that's a tricky thing with government because you can't be as selective. You know, and it's what I always talk about. It's like, you know, you got folks been talking about this stuff for 40 years. They ain't done nothing.

But their voice is not being heard because they're being overshadowed by others. I know that that's a tricky thing with government because you can't be as selective. You know, and it's what I always talk about. It's like, you know, you got folks been talking about this stuff for 40 years. They ain't done nothing.