David R. Roefaro, Mayor

City of Utica, New York

United We Stand / Divided We Fall

Historical Black Ministerial Alliance, Inc.

Utica and Rome

Post Office Box 114

Utica, New York 13503-0114

315-768-3372

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Ref: HBMA – Minority Hiring

Honorable Mayor David Roefaro

C/O Angelo Roefaro

1 Kennedy Plaza – Utica City Hall

Utica, New York 13502

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

We the President, Officers, Pastors, and Ministers of the Historical Black Ministerial Alliance of Utica & Rome, Inc, extend our sincere gratitude to you and Angelo Roefaro for helping us to reach the community in the effort of hiring minorities in the Utica – Rome Community. We were truly blessed by the sincere manner in which you expressed in helping to overcome the boundaries that has so long held back a people. You gave us some good ideas that we will discuss at our next regular meeting.

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you and your labor of love. We continue to pray for future endeavors, also we are exited how God continues to use and develop the Mohawk Valley.

It is highly recommended by the Pastor’s and members of the Alliance that we meet again with you as well as Mayor James Brown - Rome and Assemblywoman Roann Destito sometime in April to follow-up and to review the job situation in Utica and Rome.

Again, thanks for your professional approach and your personal courtesy and concern.

Yours In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Erwin W. Shepphard, Sr.- Pastor

Dr. Erwin W. Shepphard, Sr.

President Historical Black Ministerial Alliance, Inc.