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Pastor John Girton, Christ Missionary Baptist Church

The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST for Thursday, September 3, 2015. (Interview With Pastor Girton Starts At 30:10 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). The new, relatively young Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in the Riverside/UNWA area, Rev. John Girton, is planning his own crusade to bring attention to the growing violence that’s occurred in the area this year.  Last year was relatively peaceful in the area, this year has been vastly different.  So, Pastor G as he’s known, plans a thirty day vigil in a Red Tent at 30th and Dr. King Streets starting Friday September 4th to dramatize the issue.  Pastor Girton appeared on Afternoons with Amos to explain the effort saying it was borne out in part because the pastor was tried of preaching funerals to those victimized by violence.  Girton told a story of a young man who joined his church last Sunday, who called him the next day in pain and wanting to talk.  The desire of that young man to want to change his life in a positive direction is a cry Girton knows is out there among young people and young adults.  Girton feels its time for the church to take a stand against the problems of violence.  Girton also said another factor contributing to the problem is the breakdown of the Black family structure.  For the past several years, before accepting the call to Christ Missionary, Girton has been head of the Indiana Healthy Marriage and Family Coalition (IHMFC).  In the interview, Girton talked about the organization’s upcoming Family Conference next Friday and Saturday, September 11th and 12th at Martin University.  Pastor Girton also reacted to the exclusive Afternoons with Amos report on what Chase Bank told Federal bank regulators were the “reasons” they used for closing four Indianapolis area Chase locations (with once closing rescinded) all in low and moderate income areas.

Chase Bank 29th & MLK

Now Closed Chase Bank 29th & MLK

(EXCLUSIVE Release Of Reason Chase Bank Closed Indy Branches Starts At 44:25 Mark On Media Player).  In the midst of the Chase Bank closing crisis and not knowing if Chase would accept an invitation to appear on the air, Afternoons with Amos requested the official applications by Chase to close four Indianapolis area branches.  The ones in the Meadows, 38th & Washington Blvd and 29th and Dr. King and one in Kroger in Speedway.  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the division of the Treasury Department that regulates bank locations received the request July 23rd and sent the information on August 28th. Here are the reasons Chase told the Feds for closing the branches.  38th & WASHINGTON BLVD: Chase said there were five Chase branches and ten other financial institutions with a total of 12 branches within a three mile radius of this branch.  Chase also said the closing “Is being recommended based on the decline and age of the retail trade area which has caused the Bank to experience low volume transactions”. Chase also slapped the area saying, “Because there is no indication that any new developments will occur that would help the branch performance improve significantly over time”, Chase would close the branch. CHASE AT KROGER IN SPEEDWAY: Chase said in this area were five Chase branches and ten offices of competing financial institutions with a total of 19 branches within a three mile radius.  Chase also said closing was based on “Recommendation based on the decline of the retail trade area which has caused the Bank to experience low volume transactions.” Also another Chase branch was located 900 feet away. DR. KING STREET: Chase states at this branch, like the others, that there were five Chase branches and ten offices of competing financial institutions with a total of 30 branches within three miles of this location. But the closing recommendations were drastically different.  Chase did say they were closing “Due to the decline of the retail trade area”. Then added this ominous addition, “That may be a contributing factor to a number of recent Banking Center burglaries”.  Chase added, “Due to safety concerns for the Banking Center’s employees and customers, the Bank has decided to permanent close the facility”.  Which explains why there is no ATM at the closed facility.

Chase Meadows

This Chase Bank In The Meadows Was Spared

MEADOWS: Even though the branch closing was rescinded, Chase told originally told regulators basically the same story as 38th & Washington Boulevard. Four branches of Chase and ten competing financial institutions with 15 branches within a three mile radius.  Chase’s recommendation was again “Due to the decline of the retail trade area which has caused the (branch) to experience low volume transactions.” And just like 38th & Washington Boulevard, Chase damned the Meadows saying “There does not appear to be any indication that any new development will occur in the near future that would help the branch performance improve significantly over time.” After hearing the reasons, Pastor John Girton told Afternoons with Amos he wished Chase had been open and honest with the community about problems at the Dr. King Street branch, so the community could have worked with Chase to try and solve those problems.  Click the Link To Read/Download the Documents Chase Bank Filed With Federal Regulations On Reasons The Banks Were Closing And Copies Of Letters Sent to Chase Customers About the Changes.  DOCUMENTS CHASE BANK FILED EXPLAINING BRANCH CLOSING W/LETTERS TO CUSTOMERS EXPLAINING  During Open Lines, as Always, Afternoons with Amos listeners brought a wide range of topics front and center for discussion and dialogue. The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST For Thursday, September 3, 2015. Runs 95 Minutes ©2015 WTLC/Radio One. PODCAST Starts After Brief Video Ad.