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Attorney for apartments denies discrimination
Published Thursday, July 23, 2009
The owner of Rolling Oaks Apartments, who is being sued by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly discrimination against blacks when renting apartments, said Thursday that the charges are not true.
Anthony B. Bush, a lawyer representing Rolling Oaks owner Chandi Biswas, said his client “strongly denies” ever discriminating against anyone or adopting policies intended to discourage black people from applying to live there.
Bush added that approximately 10 percent of Rolling Oaks tenants at the 72-unit complex are African Americans.
“Mr. Biswas is looking forward to appearing in court to defend these charges and clear his name,” Bush said.
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court. The suit claims employees Kenneth R. “Ken” Scott and Frankie L. Roberson told white individuals acting as renters that a major selling point of Rolling Oaks was the lack of black tenants. Biswas is also named in the complaint.
The government alleges the employees also said the apartments had changed policies hoping to keep blacks from applying to live there. It isn’t clear what those policy changes were.
The charges came from evidence collected during the department’s Fair Housing Testing Program, where people pose as renters to gather information about possible discriminatory practices.
If true, the actions would violate the Fair Housing Act, which outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, family status, national orgin and disability.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, civil penalties and a court order barring future discrimination.
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Comments
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 23, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets remember there is two sides to a story.The manager at Rolling Oaks ,and the mantaince man ,were always very good people to everyone there.I think this is something that is probably getting blown way out of context.
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very well said .
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 2:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IYou people talking all this trash about racism probably never lived with or around the opposite race. You are just trying to sound smart with your comments .Yes civil rights laws are written for Whites as well as Blacks Smart one.
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 24, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SNORE! ....
Posted by Care4GodsEarth (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Posted by SECorBust (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Definately the two employees should be fired. The owner is probably not racist and probably doesn't have policies in place that keep blacks away. He probably checks credit scores and keeps people with bad credit away which may also keep some trashy people out. Most every quality rental complex does that.
Chilton county is behind the curve in terms of racism. You can't go spouting off about affirmitive action; it just makes you look like a racist. It is supposed to allow equal opportunity regardless of race.
I met a member of the KKK (in Chilton Co.) once and it chilled me to the bone to realize that there was that kind of hate in this world.
Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
everybody is racist and discriminating to some degree. for instance my brother went into the tag division in Clanton just the other day to purchase a tag . there was a female Hispanic in front of him buying a tag for her husband who had an out of state drivers license that was expired they had no insurance and she had no license at all. they sold her a tag and my brother said she got into the vehicle and drove away with no drivers license. but when he got to the counter he had to show proof of insurance to get his tag. now is that not discrimination by our own local government employees against white and black Americans. People including the government are all racist and discriminating lying hypocrites at some degree if you ask me.
Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you guys want to hear a very touching song that fits perfectly between the lines of this post go to (myspace) and type in (Buddy Guy) and listen to his new song (skin deep) I guarantee you cant listen to it just once.
Posted by southernpride (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by bobbyb (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Southernpride your comment is 100% correct. Now lets all stop and think for a few seconds before we hang the managers. What questions were ask of them to get this information. Were they led into giving these answers. Everyone please remember that these were probably government investigators asking for this information and they probably new what they wanted to hear. Would you trust our government to do a fair investigation if you were the subject of it. Remember there are two sides to every story and all we have been told is what they want us to know.
Posted by bobbyb (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Southernpride your comment was removed. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear but it is still the TRUTH.
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it that every time someone makes a comment about black on white discrimination or crime, the CA seems to remove the comment???? Is the Advertiser afraid of Jesse or Al coming to picket them?????????
Posted by chilton77 (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dang it! I missed another comment that was removed.... I always come in too late to see those juicy comments. CA- stop doing that and let people exercise their rights!!!
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Readers...if you want to have a totally open discussion, go to Yahoo and establish a Group, then let in the members here. The group owner and moderators can then decide what to allow. It will never happen here in this forum. Just some advice from one who has been owning and managing Yahoo discussion groups for quite a few years.
Posted by amanda_adams (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I lived in Rolling Oaks for about 6 months- a couple of years ago. I never got to know my neighbors very well because of my work schedule and short stay there. But I do know that there were colored children swimming in the pool with my child, or out playing and everyone seemed to get along real well. And in dealing wiht both Ken and Frank- anyones race was NEVER mentioned as selling points to rent me the apartment or any other context. If this is true, then it should come out. But I really don't believe it and I hope that 2 very nice men aren't stuck with something this awful, if it isn't true.
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok like I said the single mother of 15 children did not get the apartment maybe no job to pay rent. Well let’s holler racism for a law suit may then this person will never have to work get free money, sounds good to me. Why don’t we all quit work?
Posted by mrjones0913 (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I happen to know one of the managers very well and I know that the owner is not of the white color. I have heard parts of the otherside of this story that has not came out in the paper or within these Fedreal papers. We live in a society now that thinks if the Federal Goverment sayes somthing then it has to be true. We have to let this play out in the court system and see what happens. As for the Clanton Advertiser you are quick to put these peoples names in the paper but I personnally know of 2 people in this county that have been arrested for acts against children and not a word has been mentioned in this paper. In one instance the man is serviving 2 months after our great DA's office pled a Child Abuse charge down to assault. The other has not went to court yet. So in chilton county I guess you can stomp on a child and leave shoe marks and choke marks on them but don't say anything that can be consider racism.
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jESSE JACKSON AND AL SHARPTON ARE JUST AS RACIST AS THE KKK . WE REALLY DO NOT NEED THEM HERE.(GETBIZI) OH YEH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REVERENDS.
Posted by bobbyb (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 4:56 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
American working men don't have chance in America anymore. The apartment mangers were only renting to people that would pay the bills. Now what about their jobs and their family they were just trying to make a living.
Posted by penandpaper1 (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that there is 2 sides to this story, as far as Sharpton and Jackson is concerned is this story....They are not, its just you people, probaly white , just mouthing off, because you gave no facts to back up your ignorant comments. Court is the place to settle this matter, and if they have no proof, this case will be dismissed. I am black and not only do I pay my way, I dont need any one to give me any thing, I work and I work with blacks and whites. No one cares about your "let me tell you about my experience with the black people." The days of saying yes sir mr.white man is long gone, look at your president. If they violated the law at that apartment site, they should be held accountable. I am turning off my pc now, cause I have read enough of your trashy comments. Oh, and as far as me or any other black caring about what some of you think, keep dreaming.
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 25, 2009 at 5:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cain't we all just get along?...
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
penandpaper1 has made the most ignorant comment I have heard in a while.You say you do not care about what white people say ,you need to stay off your computer! I do not think you have the right to speak for all black people either.
Posted by jewelry4u35045 (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
looks like another get attemept of our govenment to keep all of us from getting along, thanks so much you guys. I have never once heard them tell us or ask us to help others, love one another, bind together, no its always about he has what you want and you desireve it and if he ain't willing to give it then take it; at all cost. have to wonder why this is happening now, who will be the first to take steps to stop the craziness. If we all will learn to treat each other according to how God sees and values us, the world would be healed.
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 25, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SNORE !! ...
Posted by sapuser (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Want to talk without being censored? Here is a place you can start it up. Only rule....No Death threats! or setting up meets to fight. TRY to keep it talk only please. Talk it out. All Welcome!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/talkfreely...
Posted by davyhay (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Darn right! Americans, who seized ownership of their God-given claim to this land away from all those pesky Native Americans!!
Americans, who by their very nature are a people comprised of immigrants from other lands, melded together to form the greatest country in the world!!
Americans, who...... Wait a sec, you are making a pejorative reference to a "foreigner" and we are all essentially immigrants, just a couple generations removed. Hmmm.. I think my little soapbox speech I started there turned hypocritical real quick like. Sorry Ms. D, I tried!
Posted by justme (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love all of you ,after all we are gods children.
Posted by ATC1962 (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Back in the early 80's Rolling Oaks did not discriminate against race. There were a few black families living in the complex. What management did discriminate against were those who did not and could not pay their rent in a timely manner. The owners would put you out. BTW, the company at that time was based out of Birmingham. The manager, the same one that Debby mentioned was from Chilton County. Yes, she and her husband did keep a watchful eye on all that went on. I find it hard to believe they would not rent to anyone who coiuld pay the rent and was respectful. I personally would not want to own or manage property with renters. Simply because it takes an act of congress to move them out when they do not pay. Think we need both sides to this story.
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 26, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Take it away ... Elvis
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 26, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry Dr. I wouldn't intentionally bully anyone. I think what happened is I put my comment in and yours hit before mine did. Sapuser said something about "talk it out" and I remember Elvis singing a song withe the same lyrics, so that's why I put that in. I don't know why it went in so late, though.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on July 26, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Happy Sunday, everyone!
We sure got up on the commenting side of the bed this morning.
Race is a such a touchy issue. I'm disgusted with the way Mr. Obama's comment about the police "acting stupidly" has been blown WAY out of proportion. They arrested Henry Lewis Gates for breaking into his own home. Now mind you, Mr. Gates might have acted stupidly, as well. Maybe he should have shown the officer a little respect, however, isn't our president allowed to have an opinion? Doesn't the media have more important things to report on that this one silly incident over and over? I'm not just talking about the arrest - but Mr. Obama's comment. I mean we've been hearing about it for days now!
I kinda liked the way the president joked about that if it were him breaking into the White House, he would have been shot. No one focused on that - they just magnified the word "stupidly" and turned this into a big FUBAR issue. Too often, the more a thing is discussed the more heated the discussion becomes.
I'm not complaining as far as the Clanton Advertiser comments are concerned though, because, it makes for some pretty entertaining reading. Y'all keep em coming!
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on July 26, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are we talking about the right apartment complex? I have had friends over the years living there of all different races, but it has just so happened that I have had more black friends live there than any other specific race and I have seen this place. I find it hard to believe they discriminate against anyone.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on July 26, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DR,
I think Dude is just always around to add a bit of humor to these comments. He's kinda like a "don't take none of this crap too serious" wit cop - ya know...
He even just said, "I'm sorry Dr. I wouldn't intentionally bully anyone..."
He's always making a funny comment. I don't think Dude or Eagle are out to do anything but add a little fun to these comment sessions. If I'm wrong about that, I'm sure they will let us know or at least let my clueless tail know, Ya know-right?
Posted by gkeys (anonymous) on July 26, 2009 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, I guess some drugs do cause some serious paranoia! I appreciate ya Dude :-)
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 27, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do like to play a little bit ... and you always seem to be in the right place at the right time, with kw running a close 2nd. All in all, "cain't we all just get along?" ALRIGHTY THEN!! TRUCE! Lets all jus start over like we never have met on-line on The Clanton Advertiser. How about that? For ya'll that dint throw me to the dawgs, I 'preciate that.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alright, I'm in.
Posted by southernpride (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So you can not be honest but respectful here without insulting the advertiser staff. I thought this was a place that you could state your opinion.
Guess if I had said I do not hang out with homosexuals or believe that to be an acceptable life style, I would upset the advertiser staff. You know that would make me the bad person.
Exactly why did I get removed? The advertiser staff should at least let you know why. To confirm what I said, I went to church Sunday at a "white church" and there were only whites there. I went by the "black" church just down the street and only blacks came out of it.
Guess this means I am bieng removed again.
Amazing how the truth offends dumb people!!
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