Rev. Jones & the NCNCHINC the Avon Park Community’s Springboard
What started out as a project to startup one non profit organization called the National Community Network and Coalition of Highlands, INC has become a community project says David Noel Certified Business Annalist from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) who is funded by the SBA. While the NCNCHINC remains the catalyst of the structuring movement, it has become all inclusive.
Rev. Frank Paul Jones the President of the NCNCHINC who is the facilitator in this movement for change says if everyone who needs help in this business district is not included in the development plan, we at the NCNCHINC in actuality really gains very little, it is about community growth. David Noel of the SBDC plans to come to this development district as a result of an invitation from Rev. Jones to survey the area to get a better idea of what can be done to revive the businesses in the area. The time and place of the meeting is tentative as it is being organized by officers of the NCNCHINC.
As so much is about to happen in the Avon Park area, which will result in higher real estate values for property owners. As new roads are on the calendar and are planned to be paved in the area, benches. parks and new affordable housing projects are already funded and about to go into effect in Avon Park. Now with “Operation Revive Black Businesses,” actually in effect we at the NCNCHINC see light at the end of the tunnel and hopes for a better community.
Rev. Jones a strong critic of the black churches in the community says he loves them, as he loves all people, but sometimes it is a tough love. Knowing when to pick a battle is so important, as Rev. Jones admits to sometimes being outspoken, by saying inappropriate things at times. “I know I am not a very good orator, nor was the most significant teacher of the gentiles,” says Rev. Jones, “however I write with an iron hand and it sometimes gets me in trouble with the establishment and the community at large.” “However people should know I am a stand up guy and often very selfless in my actions and Operation Revive Black Businesses is proof of that.”
However Rev. Jones proclaiming himself as the Apostle Paul in the new millennium, says “all my life was basically a living hell, as I am a slave to black folk causes and so unappreciated.” Once asked “but what have you ever done for the black community?” And his sincere response was “I suffered almost all of my life.” When redundantly asked the same question he responded, “What more has a man to give?” “I could have had wealth in abundance but I chose to walk the path of the oppressed, underserved, the sick and suffering only to ask myself today, why I suffered for such ungrateful ignorant fools.” As he walk away he said, “That is what I mean by tough love.”