By Mary Lackie

Members of the corporation appear for the weekly board meeting dressed in conservative business suits, white shirts and ties. The next morning—and six days a week, the same board members are on the job in work clothes, steel helmets and boots caked with clay.

Known as the Sum-Mec Development Enterprises, Inc., the corporation was organized by men with basic construction skills and plenty of determination.

The Technical Neighborhood Advisory Committee sprung from recognition of a need for a self-help project for the underemployed and unemployed Negroes in the area.

The six-month old company began with a $500 anonymous gift, a board member said during an interview Tuesday night. “Guidance in planning the original organization and continued technical advice is provided by Jaycee volunteers,” he said.

Most members of the corporation live in the Summerhill-Mechanicsville area, but their first contract was for demolition work on the West Side. “We are house wreckers by trade,” said Robert Blount, vice president, as he stood surveying mounds of earth and fallen bricks that marked the end of an era at Ten 16^th St. An old mansion, designed by architect Neil Reed was literally falling apart. “You can feel a sense of history—the old houses are torn down to make way for progress,” said one member of the company, “but we can’t afford to be sentimental.”

Sentimentality is left to avid collectors. “We had people swarming all over this place for tow days, Blount said, looking for paneling and light fixtures. Up for sale were the while columns at the entrance and old shutters coated with layers of green paint.

Profits come from two sources: sale of salvaged materials and contracts for demolition. The company salvages material too, and uses it in remodeling older homes.

A contract with the city of Atlanta for demolition of 25 homes, plus private contracts, give the men “enough work to keep us busy seven days a week and all year long,” said Robert Tucker, secretary and a former machinist.

“We aren’t afraid to make mistakes—we learn form them,” a member said, commenting on the fact that sometimes salvageable material is overlooked. “The important thing is that we are learning form our mistakes; the corporation is more cohesive now, morale is better, and the men have respect for work.”

While old homes are demolished, a new image arises. “People in the area who know the men, take pride in the company. We have neighbors who will go out to see where we are working—this new image the company has created in the community will rub off,” said a member.

As the walls came tumbling down, Charles Holt, bulldozer operator (“I started running these things when I was six years old”) stopped to comment, “All people aren’t selfish—there is no limit to the help they will give to men who are willing to make any sacrifice—when they see this, they will work with you. The only respect I have for any man is the same respect he has for himself; it stands out.”

Holt looked up at the board members on the roof, started the motor of the bulldozer, and yelled, “All right, let’s get to work—we have a deadline to meet.” By noon that day, the property would be leveled for use as a parking lot for the First Presbyterian Church.

Is this company going to be a sound financial success? “Right now,” said Blount, “we are breaking even.” Larry Swann, president, added, “It is going to be a success. I’m proud of the approval people have given us, and the chance we have to prove ourselves.”

At the recent meeting board members and their attorney discussed enlargement of operations to include renovation of older homes in the Summerhill-Mechanicsville area, billing charges, salaries, and a sign of success—their tax headaches.