Councilman Sabotaged Chance for Award, Pomona Leaders Say

Angry Pomona civic leaders charged Monday that a city councilman sabotaged their efforts to have the community honored as an All-America City by writing a defamatory letter to the National Civic League, which issues the annual awards.

Councilman C.L. (Clay) Bryant wrote April 21, urging the league not to recognize Pomona. He said the city’s application was “distorted,” in part because it failed to mention that areas of the city are “overrun with dope dealers and gang-bangers.”

“The image and reputation of Pomona have become a joke and a laughing stock in this county,” Bryant wrote to the Denver-based league. “Your award is a dignified and coveted recognition. In plain truth, this city has done nothing to deserve that award.”

Inglewood was the only California community among the 10 All-America cities selected by an 11-judge panel in Chicago on Saturday. The city of 100,000 residents, 79% of whom are minorities, was hailed for its interracial harmony and programs to combat drug dealing and gang activity.

“Inglewood has suffered from an extremely high crime rate throughout the 80s,” a statement from the panel read. “Now the citizens are fighting back.”

Pomona was among 30 finalists. During its 10-minute presentation, city representatives showed a video highlighting the community’s successes in such areas as crime prevention and gang diversion. But delegation members said their hopes withered when the judges questioned them about Bryant’s accusations.

“I felt humiliated,” said Reggie Webb, co-chairman of the Pomona committee. “You cannot make an adequate response to something (this) low and scurrilous . . . . “

Bryant said Monday he doubted that his letter was decisive in Pomona’s failure to garner the award, but added, “If they want to lay that on my doorstep, I’ll accept it.” To proclaim Pomona an All-America city, he said, would have been a “travesty.”

“They gave a specious presentation,” Bryant said of the committee. “They didn’t give the whole picture: 13 gangs, people living in fear to go out, drug dealers occupying private property. That’s not a model city. That’s not even American.”

Bryant, a longtime city government critic, has become part of a majority voting bloc on the five-member council. The newly formed majority voted May 1 to oust City Administrator A.J. Wilson, who helped lead the drive for All-America status.