Despite hiccup, MLK Day event went on

The city narrowly avoided a political blunder this month when it belatedly threw its support behind an independently-planned Martin Luther King Jr. march, Councilman Paul Riddick said last week.

In the past, the city, through the city clerk's office, actively promoted and helped organize the annual march, but Riddick and city spokeswoman Lori Crouch said there was a delay this year.

"We saved them from being embarrassed," said Riddick, who joined with Bishop Levi Willis II from the Garden of Prayer worship center on Church Street in organizing the event.

"Had we not had that march, that would have been one of the biggest political faux pas the city would have ever committed."

This year, Riddick said, the city seemed tooverlook the event, though it sponsored a free musical tribute to King with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, he said.

Riddick said that after he contacted the city's public works director about the King march, support from the public works, police and parks departments was willingly provided, "with the blessing of the city manager."

"I am not upset with the city because after Willis and I decided to do the march, there was no hesitation or questioning on the part of the mayor or manager or any organizations within the city," he said.

Crouch said that once the council agreed to sponsor the symphony concert, City Hall assumed it had taken care of its annual opportunity to host a King event.

"I guess there was a thought, because the council agreed on the event, that that was the event," she said.

Only after Riddick inquired about city help for a march did the administration act to give support as it had done historically.

"Was there a delay from past and previous years? Yes," Crouch said. "As soon as Councilman Riddick asked, we said yes."

Steven G. Vegh, 446-2417 or steven.vegh@pilotonline.com