Ten years ago on August 2, 2005, the city lost an extraordinary man, Bill Moss. As an independent politician – with no Party machine to fund him, handle him, or promote him – he built his own movement of people who voted him onto the School Board for five terms.
   He fought relentlessly for equality for all children and a quality public education. He was an uncompromising advocate for the poor and the and repeatedly exposed corruption and sweetheart deals. His actions saved WCBE from being privatized and sold for pennies on the dollar.
   But Bill was more than a political maverick. He was a soulful prophet who warned us of the shape of things to come. He was Columbus' Berry Gordy, his Capsoul record company standing as a monument to his creative genius. He was the Nassau Daddy of barbeque and as “the Boss with the Red Hot Sauce,” one of the best damn disk jockeys in the city. The Reverend Moss also could preach a great sermon a la the Rev. Al Green and provide a rousing gospel music show to heal the afflicted and afflict the well-heeled.
   His last great battle was against high-tech Tammany tactics and old-fashioned political thuggery in Ohio’s 2004 election. Bill testified on C-SPAN at Rep. John Conyers' Congressional election forum and he was the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the Bush victory in Ohio.
   Future generations will scarcely believe that such a courageous, unbought and unbossed man walked the streets of their fair city. And we wish he was back now, for he would be the one to prevent the cover-ups and corruption in our current school system and city government.