ACTIVISTS CLASH IN DANIA BEACH OVER ANTI-DRUG PROGRAMS

DANIA BEACH -- Normally, activist Arlon Kennedy's energy is focused on
developing programs to keep children away from drugs.

Usually, activist Herman Wrice is planning his next move to drive drug
dealers from neighborhoods.

They are supposed to take aim at the same target, drugs, but they now seem
to be fighting each other.

Their disagreement stems from a statement Kennedy, of the Institute for
Community Empowerment, made in a grant application to the state Department
of Juvenile Justice. The city submitted the application last year on behalf
of the institute. The department has approved the request, and it's a
matter of city commissioners accepting the $54,099 grant.

The statement stresses that several local organizations, including Wrice's
Turn Around America, "appear" to not have a "clear and collective focus on
addressing" some of the community's needs.

"There is a need for their efforts to be coordinated ..." the statement
said, among other things.

At a commission meeting last week, Wrice, whom the city pays $35,000 to
help fight drugs, blasted Kennedy, who was not at the meeting, and urged
the city to retract the statement. He said he was concerned because the
statement could taint his reputation, since he fights drugs on a national
level.

"I don't do a lot of things," Wrice said, "but I know how to do this job.
I've been in there since 1963. I do know how to go down the street."

Wrice said one of the commissioners told him about the statement, but he
would not reveal his name.

Former Mayor Bobbie H. Grace, whose Dania Economic Development Corp. was
one of the organizations mentioned in the statement, said the statement
also offended her.

Kennedy said Kevin Dick, former assistant to City Manager Mike Smith, wrote
the statement 1 1/2 years ago, before Wrice brought his drug-fighting
approach to Dania Beach.

Kennedy said he put it in a recent grant application and added Wrice's
organization to the list because the statement was based on input Dick got
from the community.

"I agree with it, and I'll defend it," Kennedy said. "There has been a lot
of interest in fighting drugs. Whatever the groups are doing, it's not
coordinated."

At stake now is about $145,000 earmarked for the institute because the
issue has shifted quickly to whether Kennedy is cooperating with other
organizations, and whether he has been effective in making Charlie Will
Thomas Park drug free.

Because of Wrice's objection, commissioners didn't vote Tuesday on whether
to accept the $54,099 grant, as they had planned. They also postponed a
vote on the city's $45,000 annual contract with Kennedy's institute. The
Broward Sheriff's Office, which patrols Dania Beach, matches the contract
by another $45,000.

Commissioners plan to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall to discuss the
Kennedy-Wrice controversy and to decide whether they would renew Kennedy's
contract. Kennedy and Wrice said they would attend.

"I just think they need to work together more harmoniously," Smith said of
Kennedy and Wrice. "There is no competition for tax dollars. Hopefully,
they will be able to work out their differences."

Commissioner Bob Mikes calls Charlie Will Thomas Park, where Kennedy's
institute is based, the "Kmart for crack cocaine." Mikes said he has
received many complaints critical of Kennedy and the drug situation in the
park.

"A lot of people who are dealing with the drug problem think Arlon Kennedy
is not cooperating," Mikes said. "If we feel confident that these people
can't work together, then there's going to be some changes."

Kennedy came to the park four years ago as an employee with Friends of
Children, a nonprofit organization the city had contracted with to run the
park. The city gave him Friends' contract last year. He said he's made a
positive impact on life in the northwest area.

Kennedy said things were so bad four years ago parents were scared to let
children play in the park. He said only 18 children used to attend the
park's after-school program.

Now, Kennedy said, he runs an after-school program for 90 children and has
20 more on a waiting list. He said the Ice Cube, the computer lab his
institute operates in the park, services more than 40 children a day, plus
college students and adults. He also takes credit for bringing organized
football and other sports to the park.

Regarding the lack of cooperation with Wrice, Kennedy said he has attended
at least six drug marches held by Wrice's group.

"What's being suggested is that there is a rift between us based on
different philosophies and the tactics that we use," Kennedy said. "I am
not in any kind of conflict with Mr. Wrice, nor his philosophy and his
tactics."

Kennedy focuses on prevention and rehabilitation. Wrice trains and
mobilizes fed-up residents to confront drug dealers.

Commissioner Jim Cali and former Commissioner Al Jones said Wrice could
have discussed his concerns with Kennedy and the city manager in private,
instead of creating a controversy that's dividing the community.

Cali said Kennedy is doing a good job. "If they cannot work together,
someone will have to go, and it's not going to be Mr. Kennedy," Cali said.
"The success of the Ice Cube is clear and documented. The success of
Wrice's program has yet to be seen."