some high lights of some media stories of guy templeton blacks colorfull activism-

Cleveland

guy templeton black

"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about" - Oscar Wilde.

Mayor Michael White and others know that he has done, and will continue to do, a wonderful job as mayor. And, as I have often told folks who are or have been critical of him because of ignorance or racist politics, "The more White does for the city, the more his opponents will criticize."

Mayor White's greatest gift is that when he makes so-called mistakes, those mistakes somehow end up benefiting all. White has a magical gift that others can't see, and the more independent he becomes, the more his gift(s) will become an inspiration to us all.

GUY TEMPLETON BLACK

"My fellow candidates are wonderful," he said. "They will make wonderful state representatives. And we need more women" in public office.

But beyond that sweeping solution, the write-in candidate's ideas take some unusual turns.

For example, Black would start neighborhood teaching centers, which he calls "manufactured school units," to allow parents to teach their own children. He doesn't say what would happen if either one or both parents work during the day.

Black also said such localized schools would solve most problems, including student performance, discipline and the school district's budget-deficit woes. But he can't spell out how the teaching centers would increase student performance on such basic tests as the college-entrance exams.

"Most people don't know that they can teach their kids legally at home," he said.

Black is competing against 22 other candidates - including three other write-ins - for the three four-year school board terms.

Black is a fixture in local politics. He has unsuccessfully sought election to become mayor, governor and a member of City Council.

There's one catch to Black 's support of the manufactured school units. He said his non-profit firm, called Quest Inc., which he called an altruistic organization, could provide the units to the board at a discount and said his firm would not make a profit.

Reminded that school board members are prohibited from doing business with the boards they sit on, Black responded: "It would not be a conflict of interest if you aren't making any money off the schools."

Black declined to discuss in much detail traditional school issues, such as student test scores, competency testing for teachers or court-ordered busing to achieve racial desegregation.

"I favor desegregation, period, and whatever helps get us all together ain't bad," Black said.

"The schools are not safe, and the kids are not taught specific subjects, such as sociology and psychology, for success in life," he added. Black also said Cleveland public schools had not focused on Afrocentric education.

"Parents could begin that process by teaching their kids about African history at home," said Black .

But he was quick to discuss what he termed schools that are not "earthquake proof" and why he wanted the school cafeterias to serve "natural, organic foods like vegetables, fruit and protein-rich foods."

"These old school buildings that are costing millions of dollars to maintain, and should be demolished or sold, will come down with the earthquakes," he said. "The manufactured units are small and earthquake resistant. It's highly unlikely that many kids in a manufactured unit would be injured or killed in an earthquake."

And on organic food: "Most of the people who work with the disadvantaged stop at a food cooperative or the health food store and buy the good foods," he said. "The same people who are trying to help are eating better than the people they are trying to help."

Age: 50 Never married, Black lives on Brayton Ave. in the Tremont area, west of downtown. He has no children. Born and reared in Cleveland, Black attended Cleveland public schools. He dropped out of high school in the tenth grade. "I'm proud that I did not graduate from the Cleveland public school system because I didn't learn anything," he said. Has attended Cuyahoga Community College, taking sociology classes.

Black is founder and president of Quest Inc., which is a non-profit organization which does dog-guide coaching, publishing, advocacy for assistance when existing institutions cannot or will not provide assistance for the needy.

"No one did it but her," Black said.

He called the indictment "a vendetta of the male-dominated structure in Washington."

Black , the Natural Law Party candidate, has a unique idea for representation.

"I will have a co-state representative with me every day and I will pay them half of my salary," he said. "They will follow me around and learn. It would be state rep for a day, but every day. That's government as represented by the people."

Black said he would also enforce equal rights for women, minorities, gays and lesbians.

Black said he would also try to outlaw nonvoluntary experiments on humans and other species.

"There are 25 million other species, cat, dogs, birds, etc.," he said. "They are all tortured and slaughtered with public funds. We humans will never solve our problems until we treat other species as equals. That's called karma."

Even his challengers, Republican Hiawatha Nowden and Independent Guy Templeton Black , think James is a nice guy .

Said Black : "If I were elected, I would resign and appoint him; and hopefully he would appoint me as an administrative assistant."

Both Black and Nowden know it is unlikely either will topple the veteran James in this district that includes the Central and Hough neighborhoods and other parts of Cleveland's East Side.

James handily beat his four Democratic challengers in May, receiving almost twice as many votes as the second-place finisher.

Winning is not everything to Black , whom some refer to as "Mr. November." Since 1985, barely an election has passed without Black 's name appearing on the ballot. Among the offices Black has unsuccessfully sought are City Council, governor, congressman, Cleveland mayor, Cleveland Board of Education and state attorney general.

"I know a lot about a lot of things, and I want to share," said Black , who heads Quest, Ministries, a social-service and advocacy group.

In an overwhelmingly Democratic district, Nowden knows his chances of winning are slim.

"African-Americans must resolve the reality that this is a two-party system," said Nowden, who is black . "With the Republicans being in the majority [in the legislature], I could have more of an impact than a Democrat."

James said his party may not be in control, but he has something else going for him - 32 years of seniority.

Nowden said James' longevity and popularity have not helped him in doing a good job for the district. Nowden said he was not alone with such sentiments. In March, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party declined to endorse James when he was unable to garner the necessary 60 percent support of party Executive Committee members.

James said he has been an effective lawmaker. During this session he has introduced five bills, including one that would expand the policing power of public housing authorities' police departments. The measure passed the House and is pending in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill May 28.

James said he intended to do something about the housing issue that brought constituents to the recent City Council meeting. The council unanimously passed a resolution, sponsored by Councilman Frank Jackson, expressing concern about a trend of the Department of Housing and Urban Development canceling the contracts of private landlords who had received federal subsidies to house low-income renters.

"I'd like the state [legislature] to get a resolution like the city of Cleveland," he said.

Both Black and Nowden agree subsidized housing should be of concern to anyone who represents the district, since it contains the highest concentration of such housing in the county.

Nowden said welfare reform is among the issues he would face if elected. He supports training programs, like those run by Cleveland Works and the Black Trades Council.

Black said that if elected, he would give three-fourths of his pay "to anyone who wants to be a co-state representative," in order to encourage residents to participate in the political process. He said he would seek to outlaw unethical medical procedures on humans and animals.

Annie L. Key, Caroline Gioitta and Guy Templeton Black are seeking the 10th District seat. But Black , perennial candidate of the Natural Law Party, said that if by some long shot he is elected, he "will probably resign and give it to Annie."

"She deserves it, karma-wise," he said. 

"My fellow candidates are wonderful," he said. "They will make wonderful state representatives. And we need more women" in public office.

Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - March 27, 1986

8 CERTIFIED FOR BALLOTS

Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - October 1, 1986

WRITE-IN CANDIDATE CERTIFIED

Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - March 27, 1986

8 CERTIFIED FOR BALLOTS

Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - October 1, 1986

GUY T. BLACK

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - October 29, 1991

GET INVOLVED, THEY SAY, BUT HOW?

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - October 29, 1991

CASE AGAINST TREMONT TRAILER DROPPED, MAY BOUNCE BACK

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - November 16, 1991

COUNCIL HOPEFULS, CONGRESSIONAL WRITE-INS FILE

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - September 25, 1992

STOKES MAKES RACE AN ISSUE MAYOR ROTHSCHILD SAYS WOMEN ARE A MINORITY IN CONGRESS

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - October 28, 1992

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, GREENE COUNTY/ VOTERS' CHECKLIST

Dayton Daily News (OH) - November 1, 1994

OLD FRIENDS STAND BY OAKAR SAY FEDERAL INDICTMENTS ARE POLITICAL `WITCH HUNT'

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - February 24, 1995

DISTRICT 10 BATTLE CENTERS ON CANDIDATES' CHARACTERS

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - February 28, 1996

OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - March 21, 1996

NATURAL LAW HOPEFUL TESTS 15-TERM WINNER

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - October 10, 1996

OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - November 7, 1996

STANDING BY THE MAYOR THOUGH MANY ADMIT TO WHITE'S ATTITUDE PROBLEMS, THEIR PRAISE FOR WHAT HE'S ACCOMPLISHED IS UNWAVERING

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - June 4, 2000

OHIO HOUSE DISTRICT 10

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - October 17, 2000

OHIO HOUSE

Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - November 9, 2000