Lanier explained that Ivory Bay was named as a partner in the “Weeping Time Village” concept plan without her knowledge when the developer, Rich Ferguson, presented the plan on paper to the city’s Planning Commission.
“So in his mind, it was a good idea,” Lanier said. She added that when Ferguson listed Ivory Bay as a partner and also named the project Weeping Time Village, she had not had the opportunity to present the concept to Ivory Bay’s board, so it appeared that there was a conflict of interest on Lanier’s part.
Before the plan was put on paper, Lanier said, we had verbalized for years what we wanted. But we had nothing on paper, we had nothing concrete to show anyone that reflected what we really wanted.
Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier: West Savannah needs economic development, not homeless shelters
Neighborhood in need of development that provides affordable permanent housing, community-friendly businesses, retail and commercial job generators, healthy food alternatives, a grocery store, and cultural and entertainment outlets
Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier
This is an op-ed by Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier, who represents the city s first district. She is in her first term on Savannah City Council. Read Salvation Army leader: Center of Hope an investment in West Savannah community for another view on this topic
We say we want equity. We say we want smart growth and development. We say we want to do something about poverty. Yet, deliberate acts of structural and systemic racism continue.
Savannah gathers virtually to commemorate The Weeping Time
Savannah gathers virtually to commemorate The Weeping Time By Amanda Aguilar | March 6, 2021 at 11:53 PM EST - Updated March 7 at 12:26 AM
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Itâs a dark, but meaningful point in Southeast Georgiaâs history â The Weeping Time.
It was a two-day-long sale of enslaved people which happened in Savannah back in 1859.
On Saturday, a ceremony remembering The Weeping Time was held virtually, a way to honor the 436 enslaved people sold.
âWe come to this space and place to commemorate what happened 162 years ago.â
A virtual ceremony, remembering the largest slave auction in the United States.
Kwesi DeGraft-Hanson knows what slavery smelled like.
He was 14 years old and on a trip with friends to Cape Coast Castle, located along the shore of his homeland, the African nation of Ghana. He arrived thinking castles were “associated with kings and queens and knights in shining armor.”
He left with the “scent of suffering” in his nostrils.
“The fort is built of porous stone that absorbs odors, and when you descend into the dungeons, you can still smell the sweat and other bodily functions of thousands of men who were kept there before being put on ships for the Americas,” DeGraft-Hanson said. “The memory of that smell is still with me.”
Remembering the largest slave sale in American history, The Weeping Time, is important savannahnow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from savannahnow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.