r. rex parris

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Apr 5 2012

Change, transparency needed, they say

David Abber, a candidate for mayor of Lancaster, describes his attempt to unseat incumbent R. Rex Parris as a David-versus-Goliath contest.

The other two Davids—David Grajeda and David Paul—would most likely agree with Abber.

Although, many in the community have voiced displeasure with the way Parris runs the city, the lawyer is currently vying for his third term in office, and for the Feb. 26 to March 24 reporting period, he collected nearly $16,000 in non-monetary donations to help his campaign.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 19 2012

Three Davids and a pair of brothers challenge incumbents

LANCASTER, Calif.—Nine candidates, including incumbents R. Rex Parris, Sandra Johnson and Ken Mann, have thrown their hats into the ring for open seats in the city government, and this will be the first election under the new Lancaster city charter.

The election is April 10. Two City Council seats and the mayor’s slot are open. In order to win office, a candidate must garner the majority of votes cast. The winners will be sworn-in on April 24.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Mar 11 2010

Business deals with the Chinese for jobs in AV

Lancaster, CA – Mayor of Lancaster, R. Rex Parris set off to China this week to establish a business relationship with Chinese investors, as invited by L.A. County Supervisor, Michael Antonovich. A small delegation of city officials will join the mayor and will return March 17. The delegation includes, Lancaster City Manager Mark Bozigian, Economic Development and Redevelopment Director Vern Lawson, and Assistant Communications Specialist Chenin Dow.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”