300 years of American slavery and under the constitution.

For over ten years, the City of Mebane, Alamance County Transportation Advisory Committee, and North Carolina Department of Transportation had secretly planned the destruction of West End and White Level communities with the 119-Bypass/Interstate highway to Danville, Va.

12/23/94> NCDOT Project Engineer Eddie presented maps of 119-Bypass/Interstate at South Mebane Elementary School, in violation of public hearing laws.

West End and White Level homeowners organized around common issues and formally presented concerns at Mebane City Council meetings--119-bypass, failing septic tanks, dirt streets, dead-end streets, drugs/crime, and poor city   services.  City councilmen responses were negative.

The West End Revitalization Association (WERA) was formally organized and received approval as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Mebane City Councilmen boycott NCDOT public hearing for input from African-American homeowners------------->

(Public hearing was held in city council chambers.)

NCDOT Engineers informed WERA that they would condemn houses in West End and White Level and offer from $26,000 to $52,000 for per house and lot.  No offers were made for St. Luke Christian Church nor Yadkins Masonic Temple because they would be useless without residents. 

In 1992, the Mebane City Council refused to sign a HUD block grant application for over $600,000 that would fund safe water and sewer installation, housing rehabs, and street improvements in Foust Road, West End, and East End communities. Councilmen denied their actions.

In November 1998, a NCDOT official came WERA's office and stated that the City of Mebane and the NCDOT were feed-up with West End and White Level residents getting in the way of the 119-bypass project.  The NCDOT official stated that two paths had been selected for the 119-bypass and both would go through West End and White Level. NCDOT engineers reported that 87% of the “displaced” homeowners would be low-income minority residents.

From 1995 to 1998, Mebane City officials had been invited to WERA's Annual Awards Dinners.  In outreach attempts, WERA's board presented awards to Mebane's Police, Fire/Rescue, and Parks/Recreation Departments.  WERA stopped inviting Mebane officials to its programs due too relentless harassment by City Manager Robert Wilson.

In February 1999, WERA and residents filed administrative complaints at the U. S. Department of Justice for violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898 (1994), due to local and state government agencies having created conditions that “adversely and disproportionately impact” Mebane's low-income and African-American homeowners.

February 19, 1999, an official from the Civil Rights Office of the Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., met with officials from Mebane, Alamance County, NCDOT, and North Carolina FHWA.  The $44-million that was allocated by the FHWA  for the 119-bypass project was placed on hold. A four year moratorium was placed on the 119-bypass project until all local and state governments complied with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898 (1994).

Cherish Every Drop of Water You Drink

     On November 14, 2003, the West End Revitalization Association - WERA celebrated it ninth anniversary at the Annual Fundraising Awards Dinner. Young adult members of WERA's DREAM-Network hosted this special occasion.

     We were blessed the presence of friends, family, and community partners. This Enviro-Art called "Cherish" by Kojo E. Wilson was presents as awards. The short poem below was written in recognition of the "Cherish" and each dinner guests, board member, and community partner was encouraged to add lines or verses in dedication to the poem. WERA needs everyone's support and commitment to eliminate environmental hazards that threaten the public health of Mebane's low-income and minority communities.

Cherish every ounce of air,

Cherish every child’s birth,

Cherish every river and stream both far and near,

Cherish the light of the day,

Cherish the places where we play,

Cherish the legacy of Black struggles in this nation,

Cherish the land where we live, (Steve Smull)

Cherish the land of your family and community, (Author Unknown)

Cherish everything far and near maybe sewer and clean water, (Emma Holt)

Cherish the clean water that you drink, (James Minor)

Cherish everyday that you’ve dreamed, (Wilma Crisp)

Cherish tomorrow only if we keep the dream, (Evon Connally)

Cherish hopes and dreams, (Mary P. Williamson)

Cherish everyone who is trying to keep the dream for you and me, (Author Unknown)

Cherish everything that will help you live your dreams, (Author Unknown)

Cherish every breath you take,

Cherish life for all our sakes, (Shelby Pittman & Giovanni Pittman)

Cherish where you live and what you own, (Cleatis D. Harris)

Cherish everything you see and hear, (Selena Harris)

Cherish your time, It waits for no one, (Shawn Garner)

Cherish community love and support, (Claudia Liggins)

Cherish keeping the ground green, (Author Unknown)

Cherish clean body and souls, (Pattie Fowler)

Cherish your health and spirit, don’t just grin and bear it, (Rachel Hester)

Cherish the manner and beauty with which all the parts need each other, (Author Unknown)

Cherish every connection you make,

Cherish every barrier you break, (Author Unknown)

Cherish the man who has given us understanding, (Author Unknown)

Cherish every person the same. (Author Unknown)