The Civil Rights-Era Activist Who Cleaned Up Indianapolis
Long before Keep Indianapolis Beautiful had us planting trees and adopting blocks, Mattie Coney campaigned for cleaner streets.
April 7, 2021
Mattie Coney understood the Declaration of Independence promised the pursuit of happiness, but insisted, “You got to work for it.” Known for her big hats and blunt ideas, Coney promoted good citizenship and civic responsibility in the Black community. After 30 years teaching for Indianapolis Public Schools, she founded the Citizens Forum with her husband, Elmo, in 1964. According to Olivia Hagedorn, a history doctorate candidate at the University of Illinois who has studied Coney, she worried the Civil Rights Act and a citywide Open Housing Ordinance would trigger resistance to integration. “She especially feared that whites would use poor neighborhood conditions in Black communities as a wedge,” Hagedorn says.
WBGZ Radio 2/1/2021 |
By Mark Ellebracht - WBGZ Radio
The candidates for Alton’s 2
nd ward have formally kicked off their campaigns. Both incumbent Carolyn MacAfee and challenger Steve Potter officially announced the beginning of their campaigns late last week although both have already circulated petitions and their names will be on the April ballot.
MacAfee is seeking her third term as Alderwoman, having held the post since being elected in 2013. She also served on the board of Pride Incorporated, was former chair of the Alton Beautification and Clean City Committee, a member of the Alton Park & Recreation Commission, and volunteers with the Alton Parks Department. MacAfee says she wants to continue improving the district, especially through road projects and eliminate derelict properties. She supported creation of the landlord licensing program and supported freezing the city’s tax levy. Potter has lived in Alton since 1988 and is semi-retired from the radio bro