Still here, Huckleberry: Clay, El-Amins salute saved Twain school
What’s that famous Mark Twain line - “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated?”
Make that double for the city school that bears his name, which this week escaped the district chopping block.
The Special Administrative Board now running the city schools had earmarked Mark Twain Elementary for closure, but on Monday decided to issue a reprieve.
To celebrate, State Rep. Talibdin El-Amin and U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay will be at the school this morning, speaking at a 9 a.m. parent-student assembly. Also slated to attend is First Ward Committeewoman Yaphett El-Amin, Talibdin’s wife.
But notably left off the agenda is First Ward Alderman Charles Q. Troupe, who also wanted to see the Twain school kept open.
Yaphett’s place on the program - and Troupe’s absence - is yet another sign of the growing riff between the El-Amins and Troupe, who has represented the neighborhood at City Hall or Jefferson City for the better part of 30 years.
Once a mentor to Yaphett, it’s now hard to imagine a scenario where she doesn’t challenge Troupe for his aldermanic seat.
Jumping frogs for joy: Twain’s school to stay open
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I’m greatful for the efforts put forth by these elected officials, the parents and school board for its decision. I believe the greater mesage is the unity of those who’ve chosen to work together in unity. I attended one of the few meetings that Alderman Troupe has held, and it was negative and not geared toward any effort to sustain the school, rather than blame white people, Congressman Clay, City Hall, the El-Amins, and everyone but himself. People of the 1st ward and the city are tired of the negative, unproductive, blame game politics of the past. Jake, I know it makes for an interesting twist of speculative politics about Troupe and El-Amin. But let the light shine on the thought there is progress being made and that victory comes with unity.