Description: Christy George reports that George Bush has nominated attorney Wayne Budd for the post of Massachusetts US Attorney. George reviews Budd's career as an attorney and state official. Budd at a press conference talking about his credentials and that the color of his skin is irrelevant to his nomination. Scenes of Budd in his office at the Budd, Wiley and Richlin law firm, including architect Paul Parks visiting him in his office. Former Massachusetts US Attorney Frank McNamara left the post after a controversy. There are some pending cases being handled by the present Massachusetts US Attorney.
1:00:19: Visual: Shot of Wayne Budd (Nominee for Massachusetts US Attorney) entering a room. Footage of Budd speaking at a press conference. Budd says that he is very proud of his black heritage; that the color of his skin is irrelevant to his nomination for US Attorney. Budd says that his credentials are the important issue. Shots of Budd walking past desks and cubicles in an office environment; of Budd sitting down at his desk. Christy George reports that Budd served as the first African American president of the Massachusetts Bar Association. George notes that Budd has been in private practice since he stepped down from his post in the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General's office in the 1970s. George adds that Budd has strong ties to Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts); that Dukakis picked Budd to head the Civil Service Commission in 1983; that one of Budd's law partners was an advisor to Dukakis' presidential campaign. V: Footage of Budd sitting with two African American women in his office. Shots of Budd and the women conversing. George reports that George Bush (US President) has nominated Budd for the Massachusetts US Attorney post. V: Footage of Paul Parks (architect) and another man entering Budd's office. Budd greets the two men. Shot of Parks. Footage of Budd at the press conference. Budd says that he is an advocate of social and civil rights. Budd says that he ranges from moderate to conservative on fiscal matters. Budd says that he bears no grudges against anyone; that he is not beholden to anyone. Budd says that he will not "go after" the Democratic Party on Bush' s behalf. Shots of members of the media at the press conference. Shots of Budd greeting colleagues. George reports that Budd was on the short list for US Attorney in 1986; that Ed Meese (US Attorney General for Ronald Reagan) chose Frank McNamara for the post; that McNamara left the office after a controversy. V: Shot of McNamara leaving a press conference. George reports that Budd says that there are morale problems in the US Attorney's office. V: Footage of Budd at the press conference. Budd says that public servants are given a "public trust"; that violations of the "public trust" should be investigated. Budd says that violators of the "public trust" should be prosecuted. Budd says that "the drug war" is another priority. George stands outside of the offices of Budd, Wiley & Richlin. George reports that there are some pending cases in the US Attorney's office; that the 75 State Street case is one of the pending cases. V: Footage of Budd at the press conference. Budd says that Jeremiah O'Sullivan (Massachusetts US Attorney) will probably finish the 75 State Street case before he leaves office.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/30/1989
Description: Meg Vaillancourt reports that the Boston School Committee is deeply divided over whether to renew the contract of superintendent Laval Wilson. Committee members discuss Wilson's contract renewal at a School Committee meeting. Committee member John O'Bryant says that he refuses to watch Wilson be lynched by members of the Committee who do not respect his professionalism. Vaillancourt reviews Wilson's record as superintendent. She speculates on how each member of the Committee will vote and quotes Committee member John Nucci as saying that Wilson's prospects look "gloomy." Vaillancourt reports accusations that Mayor Ray Flynn has been lobbying against Wilson. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Marcus Jones reports on the debate over the terms "black" and "African American"
1:00:18: Visual: Footage of Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) addressing members of the Boston School Committee at a meeting of the School Committee. Meg Vaillancourt reports that Wilson is fighting for his job. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson told the School Committee at last night's meeting that the debate over his contract should be postponed. Vaillancourt notes that Wilson said that he did not have proper legal counsel with him at last night's meeting. Vaillancourt adds that there are deep divisions among School Committee members over the renewal of Wilson's contract. V: Footage from Say Brother of School Committee members John O'Bryant, Juanita Wade and Rita Walsh Tomasini at a School Committee meeting. Footage of Abigail Browne (Boston School Committee) saying that the School Committee must decide whether it will negotiate a new contract with Wilson. Browne says that Wilson does not need legal counsel if the School Committee decides not to negotiate a contract. Footage of Peggy Davis-Mullen (Boston School Committee) saying that she would like the School Committee to decide if it should renew Wilson's contract. Footage of John Nucci (Boston School Committee) saying that Wilson has made a respectful request not to negotiate this evening. Nucci says that he would not blame Wilson if he got up and left the meeting. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson and his supporters were prepared to walk out of the meeting; that they did not walk out of the meeting. V: Footage of O'Bryant speaking to a few School Committee members during a break in the meeting. O'Bryant says that he refuses to watch Wilson "be lynched" by Committee members who have no respect for his professionalism. Vaillancourt reports that the meeting was postponed until next week. V: Shots of audience members at the School Committee meeting; of Wilson standing alone at the meeting as he sips a beverage. Vaillancourt reports that some School Committee members are angry about Wilson's handling of a new student assignment plan; that some members fault Wilson for stalled contract talks with the teachers' union. Vaillancourt notes that Wilson is credited with an increase in student test scores; that Wilson is blamed for the School Department's $3 milllion deficit. V: Shots of a group of School Committee members conferring, including Davis-Mullen, Daniel Burke, Robert Cappucci, and Walsh-Tomasini; of Wilson conferring with another group of School Committee members, including Nucci, O'Bryant, and John Grady. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson asked for a raise and a housing allowance; that the School Committee voted in the fall to begin negotiations with Wilson. Vaillancourt notes that some members do not want to renew his contract. V: Shots of Davis-Mullen, Wilson and Thomas O'Reilly (President, Boston School Committee) at a School Committee Meeting. Footage of Robert Cappucci saying that he will give no support to Wilson. Vaillancourt reports that Wilson needs seven votes in order to extend his contract. Vaillancourt notes that Committee members Walsh Tomasini, Cappucci, Davis-Mullen, Burke, Kitty Bowman, and Browne are opposed to renewing Wilson's contract; that Committee members O'Bryant, Jean McGuire, Wade, Gerald Anderson and Grady support Wilson; that Committee members Nucci and O'Reilly are undecided. V: On-screen text details the breakdown of the potential votes of School Committee members. Vaillancourt reports that O'Reilly has said that he is open to negotiating with Wilson; that O'Reilly has not said how he will vote. Vaillancourt reports that Nucci wants to discuss Wilson's plans to deal with the School Department deficit before casting his vote. Vaillancourt notes that Nucci has characterized Wilson's chances as "gloomy." V: Shots of O'Reilly; of Nucci. Vaillancourt reports that O'Bryant has accused Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston) of lobbying against Wilson. Vaillancourt reports that a spokesman for Flynn said that "there is no basis for that charge. The mayor has worked cooperatively with the Superintendent and the School Committee." V: Shots of O'Bryant; of Flynn. A quote from a Flynn spokesman appears written on the screen. Vaillancourt reports that Flynn would like to have more influence over the school system; that Flynn has suggested doing away with the Boston School Committee. Vaillancourt wonders if Flynn would also like to choose a superintendent more to his liking.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/15/1989
Description: Christy George reports that the Boston School Committee held an executive session to make a decision on the renewal of the contract of superintendent Laval Wilson Several audience members addressed the Boston School Committee about Wilson's performance before they made their decision. Jim Hobby (South Boston resident), Minister Don Muhammad (Roxbury community leader), and Pedro Posado (Latino activist) address the members of the School Committee at a meeting. The School Committee has offered Wilson a two-year contract with constant performance reviews and no perquisites. George adds that the contract does not allow Wilson much freedom to operate. School Committee president Thomas O'Reilly and Committee member Robert Cappucci announce the contract at a School Committee meeting. O'Reilly talks about the details of the contract. Cappucci expresses his non-support of Wilson. Wilson speaks to reporters about his new contract. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Marcus Jones reports on the Ninth Annual Black-Jewish Seder held in Roxbury
1:00:18: Visual: Footage of a Boston School Committee meeting. Shots audience members crowded into the chambers of the Boston School Committee. Shots of Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) standing at the front of the School Committee chambers. Christy George reports that audience members had 30 seconds each to address the School Committee on the subject of Wilson's contract. V: Footage of Jim Hobby (South Boston resident) saying that there is a high drop-out rate in South Boston. He accuses Wilson of not doing his job. Shots of School Committee members John Grady, Jean McGuire, and John Nucci at the front of the School Committee Chambers. Footage of Don Muhammad (Roxbury community leader) saying that Wilson's contract should be renewed; that Wilson has begun to turn the school system around. Shots of audience members. Footage of Pedro Posado (Latino activist) saying that the School Committee needs to address the concerns of the Latino community. Shots of the School Committee members at the front of the chambers. George notes that the Committee members made their decision in an executive session; that the members of the School Committee ended up with a compromise. V: Footage of Thomas O'Reilly (President, Boston School Committee) standing at the front of the chambers with Wilson and Robert Cappucci (Boston School Committee). O'Reilly announces that the School Committee decided to offer Wilson a two-year contract. O'Reilly notes that the contract includes provisions relating to on-going performance relationships. Footage of Cappucci saying that the School Committee vote was seven-to-six; that there are six School Committee members who do not think Wilson should continue as superintendent. Cappucci says that the six members will do everything they can to see that Boston gets a new superintendent. Shots of School Committee members speaking to the press; of Gerald Anderson (Boston School Committee) speaking to the media. George reports that Wilson had wanted a three- or four-year contract. George notes that the first year of the contract is guaranteed; that the second year of the contract depends on good performance reviews. V: Footage of Wilson speaking to the media. Wilson says that he has served for six years in Boston; that six years is the longest tenure of any superintendent in the recent past. George reports that Wilson's contract is a two-year contract with constant performance reviews and no perquisites. George notes that Wilson will have another chance to prove himself; that he will not have a lot of room to maneuver.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/11/1989
Description: Carmen Fields interviews South African journalist Zwelakhe Sisulu about the situation in South Africa. Sisulu was jailed for two years without charges by the South African government. Footage of Sisulu celebrating with his family upon his release from jail. Sisulu discusses his confinement and the terms of his release. He talks about the government's censorship of the press, including his newspaper New Nation. Sisulu urges the US to impose sanctions on the South African government and talks about the effects of sanctions. Fields notes that F.W. de Klerk is expected to be elected the new leader of South Africa on September 6, 1989, and the black majority in South Africa is not allowed to vote. Fields's report includes footage of de Klerk giving a speech and footage of South African citizens. Sisulu says that does not believe that de Klerk will institute changes in the South African regime. Sisulu says that the black majority will not be content with negotiations. He says that the tension is great because the black majority wants a transfer of power.
1:00:07: Visual: Footage of Zwelakhe Sisulu (South African journalist) being interviewed by Carmen Fields. Sisulu says that he spent nine months in solitary confinement. Fields reports that Sisulu was in jail in South Africa last year; that Sisulu was detained for two years without charges being brought against him. V: Footage of Sisulu talking about the negative psychological effects of detention. Sisulu says that confinement can often strengthen the resolve of the prisoner. Footage from a news story from December 2, 1988. The news footage shows Sisulu celebrating with his family upon being released from jail. Shot of Sisulu sitting next to a woman who is speaking to the media at a press conference. Shot of the media at the press conference. Fields reports that Sisulu is forbidden from attending gatherings of more than ten people; that Sisulu is banned from speaking to or being quoted by the press; that Sisulu is banned from practicing his profession of journalist. Fields reports that Sisulu was the editor of the New Nation newspaper. V: Shot of the masthead of the New Nation newspaper. Fields reports that Sisulu now works in the circulation department of the newspaper. V: Footage of Sisulu talking about the difficult conditions in South Africa. Sisulu says that the New Nation newspaper was banned for three months last year. Shots of the offices of the New Nation newspaper; of employees in the offices of the New Nation newspaper. Sisulu says that the newspaper has a lawyer who advises them on the regulations of South African law. Sisulu says that it is no longer possible for lawyers to advise them on the law. Sisulu says that the emergency regulations imposed by the South African government are arbitrary; that police officers are the sole arbiters of the law. Shot of a poster with photographs of imprisoned South African leaders including Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela. Fields reports that Zwelakhe Sisulu's father, Walter Sisulu, is imprisoned; that there have been rumors of the impending release of Mandela and the elder Sisulu. V: Footage of Zwelakhe Sisulu saying that the South African regime is playing politics. Sisulu says that the South African government may be making conciliatory moves in order to convince Western governments to roll over their debts next year. Sisulu says that the South African governments always talk about releasing Mandela when they want to improve their relations with the outside world. Sisulu says that he does not believe these rumors. Fields reports that Sisulu believes that US business sanctions are effective. V: Footage of Sisulu saying that the flight of US capital from South Africa has had a sobering effect on the South African government. Sisulu says that the South African government has pulled out of Angola as a result of US sanctions. Sisulu says that the South African government is now trying to attract investment to the country; that the government is facing an economic crisis. Fields asks Sisulu about the effects of sanctions on black South Africans. Sisulu says that many black South Africans have lost their jobs as a result of sanctions; that black South Africans are prepared to suffer in order to bring down the South African regime. Sisulu says that the effects of sanctions are now visible. Footage of F.W. de Klerk (South African National Party leader) addressing an audience of white South Africans. De Klerk says that South Africa can be saved if there is hope in the hearts of all people. Shot of de Klerk and a woman walking on a street in South Africa. Fields reports that de Klerk is expected to succeed P.W. Botha as president of South Africa. V: Shot of white South African officials walking in a garden. Fields reports that South Africa's election day is September 6; that the country's black majority is not allowed to vote. Fields notes that some white South Africans do not support changes in the country's regime. V: Shot of a black South African and a white South African walking past a store. Shot of a white man and a white boy sitting on swings at a playground. A sign posted on the fence of the playground reads "Whites only." Footage of Sisulu saying that many believe that de Klerk will promote change within the South African military regime. Sisulu says that all nationalist prime ministers begin their terms on a conciliatory note. Sisulu refers to former South African leader John Foster and present leader Botha. Sisulu says that de Klerk's statement are aimed at improving South Africa's image abroad. Sisulu says that de Klerk's statements have no substance. Shot of de Klerk addressing an audience of white South Africans. Footage of Sisulu saying that the South African regime has made it known that it might be ready to negotiate with black liberation movements. Sisulu says that the black liberation movements do not want to negotiate with the South African regime; that the black liberation movements will only discuss a transfer of power. Sisulu says that the tensions within South Africa are very great; that the housing shortage is severe; that there is a shortage of schools. Sisulu says that the situation in South Africa is likely to become explosive once again.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/08/1989