Caw 51 - Hispanic & Caribbean Leaders Call on Mayor de Blasio to Change Intro 911 Law

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She’s Better for the Caribbean & Minority Communities

Calls for Obama to Reform Deportation Policy ...see page 10

Anthony Herbert 55th Assembly District, Brooklyn ... see page 5

HOT TOPICS:

Zephyr Teachout Governor, NYS ... see page 8

Rickie Tulloch 42nd Assembly District, Brooklyn ... see page 6

Erectile Dysfunction: Involving Your Partner ... see page 16 (CV2)

Jamaica Diaspora Comes Up Big ...see page 14

Breakups: Is Social Media Making It Hard to Move On? see page 17 (CV3)

Obama’s Proposed Amnesty to Expand DACA?

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BY DAN NOWICKI & DANIEL GONZALEZ, THE REPUBLIC VIA NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LATINO POLICY

mmigrant advocates are pushing President Barack Obama to "go big and go bold" when he wields his executive authority in the coming weeks to shield potentially millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

But no matter what independent action Obama takes on immigration,

big or small, it could scramble U.S. politics just weeks before the Nov. 4 congressional midterm elections and reverberate into the 2016 presidential election.

Obama's unilateral move to provide deportation relief risks hurting the reelection campaigns of some fellow Democrats in the Senate and House by angering Republicans voters and spurring them to the polls.

A political backlash could help continued on page 11

DIASPORA ISSUES: SALIS Indicted!

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Are Injuries Covered When the Employee Is Partially at Fault?... see page 21

Hispanic & Caribbean Leaders Call on Mayor de Blasio to Change Intro 911 Law

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BY VANDELL PARK

he New York State Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (NYSCHCC), The New American Chamber of Commerce and other local minority chambers of commerce are calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to immediately implement changes to New York City Intro 911 Law, also known as NYC Local 1 Law. Chamber officials says the law put in place by former mayor Michael Bloomberg, is

The Economic Injustice Press Conference

An Open Letter to Dr Keith Rowley ...see page 18 (CV4)

The Shortcomings of Governor Andrew Cuomo ...see page 4

discriminatory and deprives minority businesses and contractors an equitable share of City contracts. The minority chamber officials say Mayor de Blasio, while on the campaign trail, promised to fix the disparity the law presents to minority -owned businesses, but eight months into office he has only continued to enforce the Intro 911 law, and has further deprived minority businesses and contractors.

At a recent press conference held on the continued on page 22

How NACC’s Small Business Solutions Can Help Your Business ...see page 12

Beauty to Represent Haiti on International Stage ...see page 15 (CV1)

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Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0277

Antigua & Barbuda 610 Fifth Avenue, Suite 311 New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-1240

Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-768-2480

Grenada 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400K New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica 767 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360

SPECIAL CARIBBEAN REPORT

Boosting Resilience in the Caribbean

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BY JESSICA FAIETA

aving lived and worked for more than a decade in four Caribbean countries, I have witnessed firsthand how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are extremely vulnerable to challenges ranging from debt and unemployment to climate change and sea level rise.

Such aspects make their paths towards sustainable development probably more complex than non-SIDS countries. That was my experience, working closely with governments, civil society organizations and the people of Belize, Cuba, Guyana and Haiti – where I led the U.N. Development Programme’s (UNDP) reconstruction efforts after the devastating January 2010 earthquake.

That’s why the upcoming UN Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), taking place in Samoa, Sept. 1-4 is so important. It will provide an opportunity to increase international cooperation and knowledge sharing between and within regions. And it takes place at a key moment, ahead of the Climate Change Summit at the UN General Assembly, to be held on Sept. 23.

Climate change—and all natural hazards, in fact—hit Small Island Developing States hard, even though these countries haven’t historically contributed to the problem. Extreme exposure to disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, droughts, landslides and earthquakes place these countries in a particularly vulnerable position.

In the Caribbean, two key sectors, agriculture and tourism, which are crucial for these countries’ economies, are especially exposed. Agriculture provides 20 percent of total employment in the Caribbean. In some countries, like Haiti and Grenada, half of the total jobs depend on agriculture. Moreover, travel and tourism accounted for 14 percent of Caribbean countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2013 — the highest for any region in the world.

According to Jamaica’s Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, during the period 2000-2010 the country was impacted by 10 extreme weather events which have led the country to lose around 2 percent of its GDP per year. Moreover, sea levels have risen 0.9 mm per year, according to official figures. This causes Jamaicans, who live

largely on the coast, not only to lose their beaches, but it also increases salinity in fresh waters and farming soil.

Also, when I visited Jamaica in July, the country was facing one of the worst droughts in its history. This had already led to a significant fall in agricultural production, higher food imports, increased food prices and a larger number of bush fires – which in turn destroy farms and forested areas.

Clearly, if countries do not reduce their vulnerabilities and strengthen their resilience — not only to natural disasters but also to financial crises – we won’t be able to guarantee, let alone expand, progress in the social, economic and environmental realms.

Preparedness is essential—and international cooperation plays a key role.

UNDP is working closely with governments and societies in the Caribbean to integrate climate change considerations in planning and policy. This means investing in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and preparedness, particularly in the most vulnerable communities and sectors.

In Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, where I also met recently with key authorities, UNDP is working with the government to enhance climate change preparedness on three fronts: agriculture, natural disasters and promoting the use of renewable energy resources, which is critical to reduce the dependency on imported fossil fuels.

Knowledge-sharing between and within regions is also vital. UNDP has been working with governments in the Caribbean to share a successful practice that began in Cuba in 2005. The initiative, the Risk Reduction Management Centres, supports local governments’ pivotal role in the civil defense system.

In addition, experts from different agencies collaborate to map disaster-prone areas, analyze risk and help decisionmaking at the municipal level.

Importantly, each Centre is also linked up with vulnerable communities through early warning teams, which serve as the Centre’s “tentacles”, to increase awareness and safeguard people and economic resources.

This model has been adapted and is being rolled out in the British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad &Tobago.

In Jamaica, for example, in hazardprone St Catherine’s Parish on the outskirts of Kingston, a team has been implementing the country’s first such Centre, mapping vulnerable areas and training community leaders to play a central role in the disaster preparation and risk reduction system.

In Old Harbor Bay, a fishing community of 7,000 inhabitants, UNDP, together with the government of Jamaica, has provided emergency equipment and training for better preparation and evacuation when hurricanes or other disasters strike.

Boosting preparedness and increasing resilience is an investment. In addition to saving lives, for every dollar spent in disaster preparedness and mitigation, $700 will be saved when a disaster strikes.

However, it is also crucial to address vulnerability matters beyond climate change or natural disasters. Small Island Developing States—in the Caribbean and other regions— are often isolated from world trade and global finance. The international community needs to recognize and support this vulnerable group of countries, as they pave the way to more sustainable development. l Jessica Faieta is United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

For more information, visit www.latinamerica.undp.org or contact her at @jessicafaieta @undplac

St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

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EDITORIAL

The Shortcomings of Governor Andrew Cuomo

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BY COLIN MOORE, ESQ.

ndrew Cuomo, the son of Mario Cuomo, the former Governor of New York State, has inherited all of his father’s political vices, but none of his virtues. There is some truth to this observation. Andrew Cuomo, is part of a long line of liberal democrats who have clung to the false hypothesis that New York State is not a “blue” State but rather a “purple” State. They believe that there is a geographical and ideological line of demarcation between the predominantly White conservative communities upstate and the predominantly Black and Hispanic communities downstate. After racking up large pluralities in New York City for several generations, White liberals like Andrew Cuomo and his father Mario Cuomo, have shown nothing but contempt for the Black and Hispanic communities of New York City, while assiduously courting the support of the White conservative community upstate.

Andrew Cuomo is not the first Democrat to pursue this schizophrenic policy of implementing a Republican policy, while claiming to be a life-long Democrat. His former boss, Bill Clinton, was one of the early Democrats who implemented this policy called triangulation, and in the State Legislature, Pedro Espada, Jr., and Malcolm Smith proved to be Democratic wolves in Republican sheep’s clothing.

Wayne Barrett, a reporter for the Village Voice, once observed that Mario Cuomo only visited Brooklyn twice during his long tenure as Governor of New York State. It is said that when Elliot Spitzer nominated David Patterson as Lieutenant Governor, Andrew Cuomo took umbrage at the fact that he was not picked as Lieutenant Governor, and waged a virulent campaign against David Patterson, undermining his administration at every turn and sabotaging Patterson’s attempt to run for Governor in 2010, just as his father Mario Cuomo, had undermined the administration of David Dinkins, and sabotaged Dinkins’ campaign for re-election. Andrew Cuomo himself has never chosen a minority to run as Lieutenant Governor and has chosen as his running mate in 2014, Kathy Hochul, a White conservative from upstate Erie County with virulent anti-immigrant and pro-gun rights credentials.

TEAM

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My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6

Publisher I.Q. INC.

Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip

Senior Editors Colin Moore, Esq. Randall Toure, Esq.

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman

Andrew Cuomo has demonstrated his contempt for the Black and Hispanic communities. He has failed to support legislation in Albany for the New York DREAM Act and he has failed to choose a minority running mate.

Andrew Cuomo himself has shown little sensitivity to the immigrant community in New York State, that constitutes over 27% of the state population.

Andrew Cuomo, while paying lip service to the Dream Act, has failed to support legislation in Albany which will provide $25 million in tuition assistance money to help undocumented immigrants attending colleges in New York State.

While claiming that he would sign the Bill if passed by the Senate, Andrew Cuomo has done nothing to push the Bill forward in the predominantly Republican Senate. Meanwhile, he has failed to replicate Elliott Spitzer’s decision to grant State licenses to undocumented immigrants. In fact, his Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, not only opposes Spitzer’s attempt to grant New York State license, but threaten to summon sheriff deputies to arrest undocumented immigrants who appeared at her DMV office in Erie County.

Andrew Cuomo has claimed to be a passionate advocate against public corruption, but when the Moreland Commission was appointed to root out public corruption, there was a gaping chasm between Andrew Cuomo’s actions and his rhetoric. The New York Times in a July 24, 2014 edition reported that “Mr. Cuomo’s aides blocked the anti-corruption commission whenever it tried to

investigate the Governor’s office or his biggest supporters.” The normally placid and objective New York Times, in a July 24, 2014 editorial, called Cuomo a “liar and phony.” The New York Post stated that “the then governor pledged to end the corrupt culture that had come to define the Empire State. Now he is a symbol of it.”

As a newspaper which is dedicated to addressing the concerns of the predominantly Black and Hispanic immigrant community in New York State, we strongly oppose the candidacy of Andrew Cuomo, based upon his demonstrated contempt for the Black and Hispanic community in New York State, his failure to support legislation in Albany to provide tuition assistance to undocumented immigrants in New York State, his failure to choose a minority as his running mate in 2010 and 2014, his choice of a running mate with a demonstrated history of virulence and aggression towards the immigrant community, and his hypocrisy in appointing an anti-corruption commission and then preventing it from implementing anti-corruption policies. For all these reasons, we unequivocally oppose the candidacy of Andrew Cuomo and endorse the candidacy of his rival, Zephyr Teachout.l

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CIVIL RIGHTS

Agreement with Barneys New York to

Address Customer Discrimination

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ttorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently announced an agreement with Barneys New York that will help ensure that customers, regardless of their race or ethnicity, have equal access to its stores throughout New York. This agreement follows a nine-month-long investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, which was launched after two AfricanAmerican customers alleged they were falsely accused of credit card fraud while shopping at Barneys’ flagship store.

“Profiling and racial discrimination remain a problem in our state, but not one we are willing to accept. This agreement will continue our work to ensure there’s one set of rules for everyone in public accommodations, including customers in New York’s retail establishments,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “This agreement will correct a number of wrongs, both by fixing past policies and by monitoring the actions of Barneys and its employees to make sure that past mistakes are not repeated.”

Sherrilyn Ifill, President and DirectorCounsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., said, “One of the most significant problems we face today, concerns racial profiling of African-Americans and Latinos. The

Civil Rights Act of 1964 stands as one of our most important tools for confronting those problems that persist in the public accommodations context. I thank the Attorney General's Civil Rights Bureau for working to ensure that the doors of our public establishments are equally open to all, regardless of race.”

The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau reviewed several complaints from customers and former Barneys employees. The complaints alleged that: •Door guards identified minority customers exclusively as warranting surveillance;

•In-store detectives followed minority customers, even when the customers had been identified by sales associates as clients and frequent patrons of the store;

•In-store detectives disproportionately asked sales associates to reprint receipts after minority customers made purchases in order to confirm the purchases were legitimate;

•In-store detectives disproportionately called sales associates who handled and completed minority customers’ transactions in order to investigate the customers’ credit card use; and

•Some sales associates avoided serving minority customers so they would not be contacted by loss-prevention employees seeking to investigate the use of credit cards by minority customers.

Additionally, the Attorney General found that Barneys maintained inadequate records of stops made by their lossprevention employees, but despite these lapses, existing records showed a disproportionate number of African-American and Latino customers being detained for alleged shoplifting or credit card fraud.

After its investigation, the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau concluded that Barneys did not have comprehensive written policies regarding racial profiling; use of objective, race-neutral criteria for investigating potential shoplifting and/or credit card fraud; use of excessive force and handcuffs, or treatment of detainees. The Bureau also concluded that Barneys lacked consistent recordkeeping policies with respect to stops and detentions made by its loss-prevention

employees or by local law enforcement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Barneys will: •Retain an independent anti-profiling consultant with expertise in the prevention of racial profiling in loss prevention and asset protection;

•Establish new recordkeeping requirements on investigations, detentions and false stops conducted by loss-prevention employees; •Limit access to its closed-circuit TV areas by local law enforcement officers and maintain records of visits by local law enforcement officers; •Adopt new loss-prevention detention policies and a new anti-profiling policy;

•Develop and conduct anti-profiling training for loss-prevention and sales employees; •Investigate customer complaints of profiling; and

•Pay $525,000 in costs, fees, and penalties.l

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VOTE 2014: IN THE COMMUNITY

Faith-based Leaders Support Community Activist, Anthony Herbert

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BY VANDELL PARK

s the September 9th primary elections date draws near, a number of individuals working towards securing a seat in the New York State Assembly, are seizing every opportunity to rally the support needed to get them elected. On Saturday, August 23, 2014, Anthony Herbert, the candidate running to represent New York’s 55th Assembly District, hit the campaign trail in an unusual way, by hosting a religious concert that engaged several choirs from churches within his district. Herbert believes the church community is a strong base he can rely on for political support: “The program put together here is just to galvanize my base with the churches, given that I am supported by over 16 pastors from within this community. At least 10 of them are very influential with regards to having large members at their church; that’s where the voting base is and I’ve gotten all their endorsements and now we are just working to make sure that we win so that we can move the churches back to the table, so that when people come in our community they know that this is the place where they have to stop and talk first before they cut any deals.”

Herbert’s political strategy appears to be working as a number of prominent pastors

and their parishioners attended the concert/rally held at the Pleasant Grove Tabernacle Church on Fulton Street here in Brooklyn. The head of the National Fellowship Council of Churches, Bishop T. Bernard Hibbler П, spoke on behalf of the pastors associated with the church council, while Reverend Dennis Dillon, Founder and CEO of the Christian Times and the New York Community, Church and Business Empowerment, share their support for Herbert’s campaign: “We endorse the campaign of Anthony Herbert. We believe he is the man for the job; he has proven himself, and he is a man of integrity. We want someone in office who will get the job done and we believe that Tony is that man and we stand

behind him 100% percent.”

“I think that we desperately need the kind of leadership in our community who understand the needs of our people, understand the challenges that our community faces and are going to specifically address and deal with those needs and issues, and the fact that Tony Herbert has already been in the trenches, the fact that he has shown a passion for our community and our people, is clearly a reason why we need to support him. I am pretty confident that if we support him and get him elected to the Assembly, he is going to deal with the issues that are pressing… it is not just police brutality and police abuse that we are dealing with, but when we look at the housing landscape, when

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we look at the land grab, we deal with the economic displacement of our community; there are just a myriad of issues that needs to be addressed; we definitely just not need to get him elected, but we also need to hold him accountable.”

The 55th Assembly District which is made up of Brownsville, East Flatbush, parts of Crown Heights, Weeksville, Bushwick, East New York and Ocean Hill, was represented by New York State Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. Herbert ran for Assemblyman for this district two years ago but came in fourth behind Boyland, Anthony T. Jones and Roy Antoine. In the September 9th primary elections, Herbert will face off against fellow Democrats, Lori Boozer, Anthony T. Jones, Latrice Monique Walker, Ineisha Williford, David R. Miller and Bilal Malik. His Republican opponent is Bemeda Jackson who will run unopposed. Asked how his campaign is doing so far, Herbert said: “The campaign is going good; so far I am endorsed by the PBA (The Patrolmen Benevolent Association) which gives me a voice at the table to have a conversation so that they can understand what’s going on in our community. Hope to get the endorsement of the NY Daily News and other law enforcement agencies.”l

Hosea: 4:6 - My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge

An Introduction to

HeartSmarts

HeartSmarts is a program to empower others to live heart-healthy lifestyles. The program seeks to educate pastors and community leaders to become educators in the community about cardiovascular health. What makes HeartSmarts different is that it uses a faith-based curriculum, so each of the ten sessions of the HeartSmarts program has a biblical scripture that goes along with it.

Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 Who should attend?

Applications will be available for the FREE Lay Health Ambassadors Program

Faith-based and community leaders Visit www.mynacc.org to register.

Location: NACC Conference Room 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242

Tel: 718-722-9217

Email: info@mynacc.org

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6 NEWS

VOTE 2014: CARIBBEAN STAR

Rickie Tulloch Looks to Carry on the Work of Rhoda Jacobs in the 42nd Assembly District

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BY JANET HOWARD

ssemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs has served her constituents of the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn for 36 years with an exemplary record of achievements. After much deliberation, Jacobs has decided that it is time to pass the mantle of leadership to a candidate she feels will continue serving the community with the traits that every good elected official possesses—i.e., honesty, transparency, and integrity. That candidate is Rickie Tulloch. With several candidates vying for the seat, Jacobs was asked what qualifies Rickie Tulloch for that seat and sets him apart that made her endorse him.

Speaking to Caribbean American Weekly, Jacobs responded, “Well to begin with, I’ve known him for many years and I know him as someone who has been active in many things that are the kinds of things that I care about and that I think are important to our community. You know that the 42nd district is diverse. It’s largely Caribbean….There are some things that an entire community needs. There are some things that you always have to pay more attention to. There are people who need more but don’t have the voice and having worked with Rickie Tulloch all these years, I know he was involved with child care, being on the board of day care

community based day care. You probably know that I was one of those people who started child care on CUNY campuses. He was a member of the community board.

He hasn’t forgotten his roots. He came here as a youngster. He’s an immigrant from Jamaica. I always find it wonderfully interesting that somebody who came from a large family each of them struggled to become something. So in all his endeavors in the community he’s been there for the broader community and he comes with a professional background— that’s very important to our district which is in health care financing. We have a surprising number of people in our community who even with Obamacare need access to affordable care. It’s probably the largest concentration of people who prob-

ably work in some sort of health care which is interesting--registered nurses, home care attendants. He brings those qualities— honesty, transparency, integrity. He has worked in the community all those years. He hasn’t moved in just to run in the elections”

Who is Tulloch?

Leithland Rickie Tulloch’s story is one of the American dream. It is the story of a man who was lifted up through hard work, public education and the support of his great Brooklyn community. Finally, his is the story of a community advocate who has dedicated his life to giving back to the diverse Brooklyn neighborhoods that welcomed him and his family with open arms in 1976, when they arrived in Flatbush

from Jamaica in search of a better life.

Today, Rickie is the proud father of four adult children, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Harlem Hospital Center and the Chair of Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs’ Community Advisory Council.

In these roles, Tulloch continues to nurture a deep understanding of the issues that matter to community residents and is a strong advocate for the concerns of our working and middle class families, senior citizens, youth, immigrants and local community groups.

In these roles, Tulloch continues to nurture a deep understanding of the issues that matter to community residents and is a strong advocate for the concerns of our working and middle-class families, senior citizens, youth, immigrants and local community groups.

Rickie has come a long way since his journey began in the halls of Erasmus Hall High School when he arrived in Brooklyn as a teenager. He went on to attend Brooklyn College, where he received a B.S. in Accounting and a M.A. Economics.

Along the way, Tulloch grew passionate about public service and assumed leadership roles in a range of community organizations. His positions included: Founder and Chair of the Visionary Political Action Committee; Treasurer and Chair of the Lands Use Committee of Community Board 17; Chairman of the Flatbush Action Community Day Care Center Board; Board Member of the Erasmus Neighborhood Association; President of the Ginger Ridge High School Past Students Association; and Vice Chair of the West Indian Progressive Action Council.

Along with his extended family, Tulloch has been an involved resident of the 42nd Assembly District for the past 38 years.

On September 9, Tulloch is looking to carry the mantle of Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs and become the representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn.

As constitutents head to the polls to vote in the September 9 primaries, Jacobs has had the honor and privilege of representing it for over 30 years successfully, and had this to say: “It’s important that which enabled me to stay in office for so long was understanding the common needs— what the constituents have in common and to advocate and fight for them and to bring them together. The important thing is that too often people think they have to vote once every four years. It’s not just voting for President; it’s going out there and voting for your local official every two years to get the person who’s most empathetic, who stands for what you believe in and to show people running for office that you have a voice…Choose the person who will be your voice and fight for you and for the issues that are important to you and your family. Choose Rickie Tulloch. I support him 100% and you should too.”l To volunteer or donate, visit: www.friendsoflrickietulloch.com

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7

FAMILY MATTERS

How Can Spirituality Affect Your Family Life?

C

REVIEWED BY STEVEN DOWSHEN, MD

an spirituality promote a healthier physical life for your family?

Recent medical studies indicate that spiritual people exhibit fewer selfdestructive behaviors (suicide, smoking, and drug and alcohol abuse, for example), less stress, and a greater total life satisfaction.

Much of the research linking spiritual and physical health has involved elderly patients; however, the data offer a glimpse into a possible tie between a spiritual life and good health for people of all ages.

Although spirituality has been shown to reduce depression, improve blood pressure, and boost the immune system, religious beliefs should not interfere with the medical care kids receive.

So what exactly is spirituality, and how can it enhance your family's health?

Spirituality and Physical Health Doctors and scientists once avoided the study of spirituality in connection to medicine, but findings within the past 10 years have made some take a second look. Studies show that religion and faith can help to promote good health and fight disease by: •Offering additional social supports, such as religious outreach groups •Improving coping skills through prayer and a philosophy that all things have a purpose Although research on kids hasn't been

Don’t Lose Your American Dream: Your Home!

done, many studies focusing on adults point to the positive effects of spirituality on medical outcome: •In a 7-year study of senior citizens, religious involvement was associated with less physical disability and less depression. Death rates were lower than expected before an important religious holiday, which suggested to researchers that faith might have postponed death in these cases.

•Elderly people who regularly attended religious services had healthier immune systems than those who didn't. They were also more likely to have consistently lower blood pressure.

•Patients undergoing open-heart surgery who received strength and comfort from their religion, were three times more likely to survive than those who had no religious ties.

Spirituality and Mental Health Religious and spiritual beliefs are an important part of how many people deal with life's joys and hardships. Faith can provide people with a sense of purpose and guidelines for living.

When families face tough situations, including health problems, their religious beliefs and practices can help them fight feelings of helplessness, restore meaning and order to life situations, and promote regaining a sense of control. For some families, spirituality can be a powerful and important source of strength.

Medical studies have confirmed that

Studies

show that

religion and faith can help to

promote

good health and fight

disease... spirituality can have a profound effect on mental states. In a study of men who were hospitalized, nearly half rated religion as helpful in coping with their illnesses. A second study showed that the more religious patients were, the more quickly they recovered from some disorders. A third study revealed that high levels of hope and optimism, key factors in fighting depression, were found among those who strictly practiced their religion.

Can Spiritual Beliefs Enhance Parenting?

Attending organized religious services may help some families connect with their spiritual values, but it's not the only way. Less traditional paths also can help

kids and parents find spiritual meaning.

To foster spirituality within your own family, you may want to examine your own values. Ask yourself: What is important to me? How well do my daily activities mirror my values? Do I neglect issues that matter to me because I'm busy spending time on things that matter less?

This search can be conducted on your own or as part of a larger group — a religious community, friends, or your own family. Making a spiritual journey might help you and your family live a healthier life, both emotionally and physically.l © 1995-2014.

The Foundation/KidsHealth®. with permission.

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8

VOTE 2014: POLITICS

A Feisty Democratic Challenge for Cuomo

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“I talk to people all the time who are unhappy that Andrew Cuomo failed to pass the DREAM Act, and chose as his Lieutenant Governor running mate, in an act that I find deeply offensive, somebody who has run as an anti-immigrant, Kathy Hochul...”

BY VANDELL PARK

he New York State 2014 gubernatorial race has taken an interesting turn for incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo, who probably thought his ride to a second term in office would have gone unchallenged from anyone within the Democratic Party. Instead, Governor Cuomo is now forced to employ a number of political ploys, even using the courts to derail his Democratic challenger, Fordham University Law Professor, Zephyr Teachout. However, in spite of the incumbent Governor’s political tactics, the vivacious woman challenger, is making inroads with Democratic primary voters and has begun to secure major endorsements in her bid to become the first woman governor of New York State.

In an interview with Caribbean American Weekly, Teachout said of her challenge to Governor Cuomo: “It’s a monumental task, but it’s one worth doing and is one I can do. In the last Public Employees’ Federation and on a single day, over 600 people donated to my campaign. There are people who are giving just $10, whereas people who gave to Andrew Cuomo’s campaign, gave hundreds of thousands of dollars, but every day what we are seeing is new excitement, new energy, and then to get a little practical, in a Democratic primary, not that many people vote. It could be half a million, seven hundred and fifty thousand people, and I can tell you that Democrats who’ve been paying attention to what is happening in this state are not happy with Andrew Cuomo. They are not happy with how he’s treated schools. I talk to parents and teachers all the time who have noticed that he has looted from our schools to pay for tax breaks for big banks, and that unhappiness is becoming something of a movement. I talk to people all the time who are unhappy that Andrew Cuomo failed to pass the DREAM Act, and chose as his Lieutenant Governor, a running mate, in an act that I find deeply offensive, somebody who has run as an anti-immigrant, Kathy Hochul, who has made her political career that way. New York is the most open to immigrants than any other state in the country and we have to maintain that role. He hasn’t been a leader and people feel that absence of leadership.

When they find out about my campaign they get very excited.”

When asked how she is faring, being a woman and challenging an incumbent male, Teachout had this to say: “I think I surprised Andrew Cuomo very much by running, I think he did not expect a primary challenger and he certainly did not expect a woman. I don’t know if you know this, but New York’s politics is primarily dominated by men. I think something like 84 percent of people who are running for Senate this year are men and that’s an embarrassment; it’s a little like minority -owned businesses. If you look around and notice that people are not represented, you actually know that there is a problem with the system and not a prob-

Democratic challenger Techout with her running mate, Wu lem with the women themselves. It’s a classic old boys’ club. It’s very, very secretive, tends to protect its own, so when there is the major scandal against Governor Andrew Cuomo’s top aide interfering with subpoenas. This is a very serious issue because it suggests that Governor Cuomo does not respect the idea of law, and the idea of law means that even if you are wealthy and wellconnected the same laws apply to you.

What’s so striking to me is that there is a scandal and the old boys’ club isn’t speaking up. There isn’t any political competition and it has taken an outsider in a woman to stand up and say this is wrong; this may or may not be illegal, but it is immoral to have one set of laws for your friends and wealthy business partners, and another set of laws for the rest of us. I’ve got to tell you though, that it is really exciting to run as a woman, because people are coming out of the woodworks and one of the most inspiring thing is when women 20 years old would say to me, you have inspired me, I want to go into politics, I want to follow your path. We need to have more women in politics.

Teachout says her campaign is making headway as she works relentlessly day after day in the various communities across the State. She says she has chosen Tim Wu, a minority, as her running mate because she believes in diversity, and because they both share a passion for service to people. Teachout is calling on Governor Cuomo to debate her publicly before the primary elections. The Fordham Law Professor who won Governor Andrew Cuomo in the courts on August 20th, 2014, after he chal-

lenged her five-year residential eligibility as a New Yorker, to run for the Governorship, says she is confident of beating him at the primary elections as well: “I have been working from morning to night going to small community groups, talking to people, listening to people, hearing what their concerns are, and I know that poll looks bad, but when we look at the polls we see something very different which is that Democratic primary voters, and I really urge your readership to vote in the Democratic primary because this is such an important election and we can’t afford four more years of this, Democratic voters are getting to know who I am, we had five stories in the New York Times just in the last two weeks, and an extraordinary editorial in the New York Times that called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to debate me because I am a serious candidate and a serious challenger. I would admit that it is a serious challenge to be an underdog, but New York loves underdogs and there is so much excitement because people are tired of the Andrew Cuomo regime.”

Teachout says once elected as Governor of New York State she will ensure small businesses, and minority-owned businesses are given the attention they deserve. She also promises to work with the immigrant community in a number of ways: “I’m in favor of expanding voting rights; I think it is essential. What makes a New Yorker is someone who is here; that’s the definition, and we have to maintain our openness and we shoot ourselves in the foot if we have an attitude of closing down the gates behind us. New York’s strength traditionally, why it has

strived, why it has been so vibrant is because of its openness. Right now we are having a national debate about immigration and Arizona is on one side. New York should be on the other side, and as Governor I would be on the other side with open arms. Andrew like what he does in so many areas, which is stay silent, not answer questions, refuses to talk to people, and I have to suspect is because he’s running for President, but in New York we need a governor who cares about New Yorkers, not about their own political future. Tim and I both stand strongly for drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants, and of the New Yorkers Home Act which would recognize that people are New Yorkers whether or not the federal government recognizes that, if they have been here for five years and paid their taxes.”

The courageous and formidable Zephyr Teachout says New Yorkers deserve a Governor who will fight for their interest first, and she will ensure the needs of all New Yorkers are met. “The most basic reason is that we will fight for all New Yorkers. We have a vision of an economy and democracy that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and well connected.

We are traditional Democrats, we believe in schools. We believe every child deserves to be in a small class no more than about 20 kids; we believe in arts, and music and sports for every child. We believe in public employees. Governor Andrew Cuomo has real disdain for people who work for the State and people who work for the City. We believe in infrastructure, and Andrew Cuomo has proven over four years that he believes in himself and his donors, and his priorities are cutting taxes for big banks, cutting taxes for millionaires, changing the estate tax rates so that the wealthiest New Yorkers now actually pay less as a percentage of their income than middleclass New Yorkers and the effect is that we now have a New York public that is the most open, where we have the most unequal State, and we have the schools that are the most segregated than any other State across the whole country.

That’s unacceptable. That’s not who we are and this race is about two very different visions: do we want a New York that works only for the wealthy and well connected? Or, do we want a New York that works for all of us?

Thank you so much for this interview and I hope that your readers follow my campaign and vote for me in the September 9th primary.”l

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MONEY MATTERS

Spend Smart and Score Brilliantly

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ne of the questions most often asked about credit cards is how they can impact your credit score. With so many different types of credit cards now available, it's no wonder consumers have lots of questions.

Here are five credit card best practices to help you pay down your outstanding debt and improve your score for the months ahead:

n Start small. One of the best ways to establish credit is to apply for a credit card with a low limit. Keep making ontime payments and your credit score is likely to improve. Once you have established a track record of managing your credit card account wisely, ask the card issuer for a larger credit line. Credit scoring models look at the total amount of credit you have available, so a higher limit can also have a positive impact on your credit score. In fact, if you manage your credit card properly, the card issuer may increase your credit limit without even having to ask.

n Don't charge more than you can pay off by the due date. This is perhaps the most obvious yet also most important credit card best practice. The average interest rate on credit cards is around 15 percent, which is probably going to be the most expensive debt you'll ever carry,

so maintaining a low balance each month helps to improve both your budget and your credit score. Remember the purchase you made with your credit card because it seemed like a good deal? Well, it ceases to be a great deal if you have to pay interest on it month after month. And the balance you have on your credit card can have a significant negative impact on your credit score if it's a large percentage of your total amount of credit available.

VantageScore Solutions recommends keeping balances under 30 percent of the limit for any given card.

nThink of your credit score as a snapshot in time. If that snapshot includes a significant credit card balance, it could have a negative effect on your credit score. Remember to pay off your balance early, or, at worst, make significant payments in order keep the balance low if you expect your credit score will be pulled by a creditor and used to finance a purchase. Here's a trick you can try to help improve your credit scores even more: Pay your credit card bill online even before you receive your statement.

Or pay your bill down to zero or below 30 percent a few months ahead of the next time your credit is checked in anticipation, for example, of applying for a mortgage or financing the purchase of a vehicle. As long as you don't charge anything new, it will help to ensure a low

balance on your credit reports, and will likely mean an improvement in your credit scores.

n Don't open up multiple cards within a short timeframe. Each time you apply for a credit card, a "credit inquiry" will be made with one or more of the three national credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).

Each inquiry can cause your credit score to decline slightly, but it should recover to its previous level in a relatively short time, as long as you haven't exhibited any other risky credit behaviors such as missing a payment. Credit score models generally do allow you to shop for the best rates for certain lines of credit, such as those for auto and home loans, so its okay to have multiple inquiries, as long as they occur within a two-week timeframe — and experts encourage shop-

9

ping for the best loan terms, even if that means a short-term impact on your credit score. Having said that, if you're in the market for a large loan, like a car or home loan, it's a good idea not to open any new accounts until you've closed on the loan.

n Hold on to your credit card for a while.

The longer you have a credit card with consistent on-time payments, the better it is from a credit-scoring standpoint.

Credit-scoring models like to see that you are a good credit manager over a long period of time. One common myth about credit scores is that they will improve if you close credit card accounts. Not only is that untrue, but closing unused credit card accounts could actually cause your scores to drop. l(BPT)

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10

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Civil and Human Rights Coalition Calls on Obama to Reform Deportation Policy

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BY TYLER LEWIS

n July 1, President Obama announced that his administration would take executive action to reform our broken immigration system, with an eye toward reducing unnecessary deportations. The changes could have far-reaching implications for millions of immigrant families who are suffering as a result of the current system.

The President’s announcement came after more than a year of the U.S. House of Representatives refusing to advance any legislation to address immigration.

The Senate passed a bipartisan bill (S. 744) on June 27, 2013.

Legislation passed by Congress remains the most effective and comprehensive way to address our broken immigration system, but in the absence of legislation, President Obama can mitigate some of the problems through his constitutional power to fine-tune the details of existing laws.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights believes the following reforms must be part of any executive changes made by President Obama:

Broaden the Use of Affirmative Relief The administration should follow the model of the 2012 “Deferred Action for

Childhood Arrival” (DACA) policy by defining certain groups of immigrants — such as parents of U.S. citizen children, or those with strong community or work ties here in the U.S. — who pose no threat and whose cases can be “deferred,” sparing them and their families from senseless deportations.

Reform Immigration Enforcement Policies The administration should do more to ensure that immigration officials apply common sense in cases where immigrants do not qualify for DACA or other forms of affirmative relief. The government should do more to use “prosecutorial discretion,” where officials look carefully at individual cases and stop deportations that do not serve the public interest. And it must do more to protect human rights and prevent abuses near the border.

Promote Humane Treatment in Detention Policy The combination of sweeping mandatory detention laws, rigid numerical quotas, and the widespread use of private, forprofit corporate jails to house immigrants have turned our deportation system into a national disgrace. The administration should increase the use of bond hearings,

Starting a Successful

and it should do more under existing laws to use cheap, effective, and humane alternatives to prison-like detention conditions.

Protect the Rights of All Workers Many immigrant workers are exploited as cheap labor, only for their employers to turn them over to immigration authorities when they stand up for fair pay or safer conditions. This hurts immigrant and native-born workers alike. The

administration should swiftly move to protect immigrant workers involved in labor or civil rights disputes, and should prevent employers from using immigration policies to retaliate against workers.l For details about the letter to President Obama, please visit www.civilrights.org

For immigration news and updates, please visit www.ijlef.org

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IMMIGRATION

Obama’s Proposed Amnesty to Expand DACA?

continued from page 1 Republicans retake the Senate in the coming November elections if Obama's action drives more angry Republican voters to the polls than Democrats who would want to reward him.

Obama also risks alienating Republican allies of immigration reform, such as Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz), who was the lead GOP negotiator on last year's bipartisan reform bill — which passed the Senate in 2013 — and is warning Obama not to overreach on his own.

Still, Obama's presidential legacy on immigration is at stake and he may be ready to "go big" despite the political ramifications.

"I think the people want the President to be bold," said Petra Falcon, Executive Director of Promise Arizona, an immigration advocacy group. "They want the president to be a leader. He needs to be a problem solver."

Plenty of criticism President Obama may soon make an executive move on the immigration crisis, bypassing Congress to help some of the children at the border and other illegal immigrants avoid deportation. The President has taken flak from both sides on immigration reform. He has been criticized by reformers for the record number of deportations during his administration. He has been frustrated by Republicans in the House, who declined

to take up the Senate-passed bipartisan reform package.

On June 30, Obama signaled that he would try to fix as much of the nation's broken immigration system as he could unilaterally.

He directed Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to identify by summer's end, the actions the administration legally can take "to do what Congress refuses to do and fix as much of our immigration system as we can" and vowed he would "adopt those recommendations without further delay."

After numerous closed-door meetings, the timeline for presidential action is expected to be early to mid-September, although there already are rumblings that the President should push the decision until after Election Day.

Using executive authority By using his executive authority as president, Obama would try to reshape policy without going to Congress. But whatever he does would not carry the weight of a law and he could provoke a legal challenge if he tries to legislate on his own.

Some of the recommendations Obama may be considering are: •Expanding his Deferred Action for Arrivals (DACA) program. The program is currently limited to young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. Some advocates are recommending that Obama expand the program to include undocumented parents and siblings of immigrants already approved.

•Expanding the use of "parole in place" to include undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. who are eligible for green cards. That would allow them to get green cards without having to first return to their country and wait 10 years.

•Allow some family members who have been deported to return to the U.S. to reunite with relatives in the U.S. who are citizens through the expanded use of "humanitarian parole."

•Allow immigrants who receive deferred action, temporary protected status, asylum or refugee status to join the military and, after serving five years, be eligible for citizenship. Immigrants without permanent residency are currently barred from the military.

There also are indications Obama could make concessions to business interests such as the high-tech industry in hopes of softening opposition to the other policy changes.

By using his executive authority as President, Obama would try to reshape policy without going to Congress. But whatever he does would not carry the weight of a law and he could provoke a legal challenge if he tries to legislate on his own.

11

because it is now clear that Congress is not going to act before his second term as President ends. He also argues that Obama is bound to receive criticism from Republicans for taking even limited action on immigration so why not use his authority to protect as many people as possible from deportation?

Grijalva dismisses McCain's claim that Obama will destroy chances for passing an immigration bill if he takes action on his own.

"If the president does something big, it is going to build momentum, maybe not during his time in office, but I guarantee you, whoever runs for president in 2016 will have question Number 1 to answer on the issue of immigration reform," Grijalva said. "The question will be: Are you going to extend (Obama's) executive actions on immigration?"

After immigration-reform efforts fell apart in the House, Falcon's organization, Promise Arizona, shifted its attention to push Obama to take action to protect as many undocumented immigrants as possible from deportation and allow them to have work permits.

"What we want him to do is bring relief to as many of the 11 million undocumented (in the country) as possible," Falcon said.l

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Arizonans weigh in Rep. Raúl Grijalva, (D-Ariz.), said Obama must take action on his own

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12 NEWS

SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS

How NACC’s Small Business Solutions Can Help Your Business

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BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

re you an entrepreneur who is frustrated and perplexed and simply overwhelmed by the plethora of rules and regulations out there and are just at your wit’s end since you don’t have the foggiest idea who you can turn to for help? You took a huge step and exited the world of 9-5 and are now anxious to attach that “Open for Business” sign on your retail establishment. But before you climb that ladder you must make an appointment with the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) Small Business Solutions.

NACC’s Small Business Solutions consultations are facilitated through the Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates. We have the answers. We have the expertise. We have the knowledge. We have the experience. And we have compassion and respect for the small business owner who wants to achieve the American Dream of business ownership. Here’s how we can help: If you are running a home-based business, which incidentally, is a very popular business genre today—your office can be but a few steps away in your kitchen, bedroom, basement, attic or wherever —you might just qualify for

home business tax deductions. You just started your business and already, we’re saving you money.

If you are operating a business, you will need an accountant to help you pay your taxes every year; all those pages and pages with the tiny print, are time-consuming. Who has the time?

If you are a savvy entrepreneur, you will most certainly want to avoid the unpleasant and scary experience of being audited. Who wants to meet with the IRS? If you are in business with a colleague, you will need a partnership or shareholders agreement. A handshake is not enough, even if your business partner is

your spouse. You should be knowledgeable about the most preferred legal structure for your business, e.g., sole proprietorship, corporation or LLC. You should formulate a business plan, which is an absolute prerequisite for every single business owner—this is needed when you are hunting for funding sources; e.g., banks or venture capitalists.

You certainly are not going to dip into your pocket for cash.

You should decide what type of accounting software would be most appropriate for your business. Is QuickBooks the right choice?

You should either handle your bookkeeping and accounting in-house or out-

source it; the latter is a cost-effective strategy since you won’t have to hire fulltime staff to perform this vital function.

You should make a determination as to who should control your business’s checkbooks. You should be aware of your sales tax responsibilities.

You should have an expert review your franchise agreement in the event you are interested in exploring opportunities in the exciting and lucrative world of franchising.

In summation—under one roof, Small Business Solutions incorporates the expertise and experience of a Legal Department, a Tax Preparation and Audits Department, an Accounting and Bookkeeping Department, a Franchising Department and a Collections Department—all of the departments that will enable you to focus all your energy on attracting customers and watching your business grow. Just imagine, you are a small business and yet, you will enjoy personalized attention from departments that are an integral component of Big Business. That’s how NACC’s Small Business Solutions can help your business.

To set up an appointment for a Small Business Solutions consultation, call 718-834-0910.l

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13

SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS

Government Contracting and Certification – What Does lt Really Mean?

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business as small.

BY K. MURRAY

ou’ve heard the phrases before: government contracting and small business certification, but what do they really mean? And does it really matter for your small business?

Maybe — and maybe not. Let’s cut through all the noise and define these phrases in a meaningful way for your entrepreneurial endeavors.

What is government contracting?

Government contracting is the process that lets you sell your goods or services to the government and its various agencies. The government has a contract or agreement with you, whereby it purchases what you do or make. And U.S. government agencies buy a lot from small businesses — nearly $100 billion worth of goods and services each year! From market research to janitorial services, if you want to make the government your customer, there’s a good chance there’s a need for what you offer.

So, what does it mean to be certified as a “small business”?

Being certified as a “small business” is only significant if you’re interested in government contracting. Why? Because

there are certain set-asides that the government must adhere to when they’re looking to buy goods or services – there’s a percentage of business set aside for different kinds of companies, including small businesses. (Others include women-owned, veteran-owned, etc.) So if you want to be a contender in the federal marketplace, your small business has to meet official criteria to be eligible for government contracts.

How do I certify my business as small?

First, make sure you do, in fact, have a small business. For most industries, Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a "small business" either in terms of the average number of employees over the past 12 months, or average annual receipts over the past three years.

Then, when you know you adhere to the size standards, you register for government contracting. This process also serves the purpose of “certifying” your

Where can I get help?

Starting out in government contracting can be overwhelming, but SBA has resources to help: •The Government Contracting Classroom: Online, self-paced training courses to fill you in on the government contracting landscape — from starting out to special programs •Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs): PTACs offer local, inperson counseling and training services to businesses that want to sell products and services to federal, state and/or local governments.

•Selling to the Government – Get Started With These 5 Steps: A five-step plan that summarizes the process of entering the federal marketplace, plus links to additional resources.l K. Murray is an author and moderator for the the SBA.gov Community.

The New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC ) offers seminars on government contracting and certification.

For more information, visit www.mynacc.org

GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

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14 NEWS

CARIBBEAN NEWSBRIEFS

Jamaica Diaspora Comes Up Big

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amaicans living abroad have remitted US$16 billion to the local economy over the past decade, according to the island’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Arnaldo Brown.

Brown told the launch of the North East United States leg of the “Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora Project” that this level of inflow from the Diaspora continues to demonstrate its commitment to the country.

But in addition to remittances, Brown said other aspects of the Diaspora are critical to the development of the Caribbean island.

“The Diaspora, which has already been playing an integral role in nation building, particularly in the health and educa-

tion sectors, is now being invited to strengthen its cooperation with their land of origin in the areas identified in the national growth and investment agenda,” he told the launch.

Brown said that, last year, over 300 health missions visited Jamaica from the Diaspora, and that schools also continue

he St. Lucia government has appointed a task force to determine whether or not the island should establish an Economic Citizenship Program (ECP).

The Kenny Anthony government said that the task force, which is expected to submit a report by December 1, will be chaired by Professor Vaughan Lewis, the foreign policy advisor to the government and former University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer.

It also includes McHale Andrew, the

chief executive officer of Invest St. Lucia, trade unionist George Goddard, US attorney Larry Bashman and Timothy Ferdinand, President of the National Youth Council.

Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, in the Thorne Speech earlier this year outlining the government’s policies, had noted that it would have the question whether or not St. Lucia should establish an ECP as a new area of investment.

“The time has arrived for us to examine the case for defining and broadening the

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Minister Arnaldo Brown

to receive “tremendous support” from organizations, institutions and alumni.

He noted that an estimated three million Jamaicans are in the Diaspora, with the United States accounting for 1.8 million. The United Kingdom and Canada account for an estimated 800,000 and 300,000, respectively.

Brown said the goal is to have 100,000 Jamaicans in the Mapping Jamaica’s Diaspora database by June 2015 and that the sixth biennial Jamaica Diaspora conference will take place in Montego Bay from June 14-18 next year under the theme “Jamaica and the Diaspora, Looking for Growth and Prosperity”.l Source: www.caribbean360.com

St. Lucia to Examine Economic Citizenship

framework under which citizenship might be offered as part of investing in St. Lucia; and if we should think that it is a viable option, then under what circumstances we should do so.”

She said then the government hoped “that this matter will be addressed with urgency during the current parliamentary year.”

Several Caribbean countries have implemented ECPs as a component of their national capital mobilization goal of national development.l

Remains of Jonestown Masssuicide Victims Discovered in Former U.S. Funeral Home

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he cremated remains of several victims of the 1978 Jonestown Massacre have been found in a former funeral home in the U.S. state of Delaware.

The remains were found among 38 small containers of ashes found inside the former Minus Funeral Home in Dover, Delaware.

The Dover police told local media that of the 38 containers, 33 were clearly marked and identified. Nine of the 33 containers of unclaimed ashes were identified as victims of the Massacre.

The marked containers spanned a period from approximately 1970 through the 1990s. The funeral home’s owner, Edward Minus, died in 2012, and the funeral home was foreclosed on in October 2013.

“It was definitely a shock when we found out exactly what we had,” said Dover police spokesman Mark Hoffman.

“Obviously, it’s an intriguing story and a tragic story, and to think this was found right here in our jurisdiction, about six blocks from the police department, makes it very compelling to us.”l

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CV1

NEWS

nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

Stunning Beauty to Represent Haiti On International Stage

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BY SMITH GEORGES

isa Drouillard is a smart young woman and she is stunningly beautiful. She holds a degree in Criminal Justice, and she is also a violinist and has been competing in pageants for eight years holding many titles and is now Miss Grand Haiti International. During her early years she started modeling and doing philanthropic work that came along with her winning titles.

Lisa has been featured in magazines such as Today’s

N

nSPORTS

Black Women, Super Models Unlimited and Hype Hair. NY Daily News featured Lisa in an article after her victory as Ms. Teen New York USA 2010. She has also appeared on several TV shows.

On Haitian Flag Day in 2011, Lisa received a citation from former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and she was also awarded a citation and a proclamation at the New York City Council at City Hall.

Lisa is in the midst of creating her own nonprofit organization and several projects for Haiti.

Early this summer 2014, Lisa assumed the title of Miss Grand Haiti International. This is the first time Haiti will be represented on the "Miss Grand International" stage, which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, in October.

"Miss Grand International" is one of the largest international pageants in the world, where about a hundred countries are represented.

"I have always been proud of my Haitian heritage and culture. I will be wearing a Toussaint Louverture outfit during the competition in Thailand. It's such an honor for me to represent Haiti on such a grand scale," said Lisa.

To follow and keep up with Lisa, you can follow her on her Instagram @itslisadee or the Facebook Miss Grand Haiti. The hashtag to use if someone wants to spread the message along with Lisa’s photo is #MissGrandHaiti.

To view Lisa and other beauties from around the world, who will compete in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 7, 2014 for "Miss Grand International," go to ww.missgrandinternational.com/?page=contestant.

To go directly to Lisa's page/website, go to www.missgrandhaiti.wordpress.com. l

nHOROSCOPE

Caribbean Kitchen Corner

Caribbean Zucchini Bread SUBMITTED BY TAHOEGIRL ALLRECIPIES.COM

"My grandmother came up with this recipe to use up some larger than life zucchini that came from her garden.

This is an easy way to use up those leftover bananas too!" — TahoeGirl

Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 2 ripe bananas, mashed 3 eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups grated zucchini 1 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup shredded coconut

wheat flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a bowl. Beat the bananas, eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla together in a separate large bowl. Stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Fold the zucchini, walnuts, and coconut into the batter until evenly combined. Pour into the prepared pans.

2.Whisk the all-purpose flour, whole

• • •

Directions 1.Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 9x5-inch loaf pans.

3.Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 25 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.l PREP 20 mins COOK 45 mins READY IN 1 hr 25 mins

Visit www.cawnyc.com for the latest Caribbean news, sports, information and more!

Pink Friday to be Released Nov 28

icki Minaj's "Pink Print" is due out November 28th, which happens to be Black Friday. The release of Nicki Minaj's new album has been up in the air for a while. The success of "Anaconda" which benefited from a strong viral campaign, climaxing with the record-breaking release of the ass-tastic music video makes it a bonafide hit; and a bonafide hit means a release date.

Sticking with the Pink Friday theme of her albums, the record will hit stores November 28th, AKA Black Friday.

Will you be grabbing a copy?l

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CV2 NEWS

HEALTH

Erectile Dysfunction: Involving Your Partner

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hile erectile dysfunction (ED) is common, it’s also frequently misunderstood. Perhaps that’s because ED is a subject that is not often talked about—it can be awkward and embarrassing for both and men and women to discuss, even with a healthcare provider. But talking about it, and learning about it, can help men and their partners understand and manage this common condition.

What ED is: •The inability to maintain an erection suitable for intercourse.

•A medical condition that can affect men of any age.

•A common sexual problem that typically has a physical cause, but can also be the result of psychological issues or a side effect of medication.

•Often, the first sign of an underlying medical condition.

What ED isn’t: •A “natural part of aging.”

•A sign that a man isn’t interested in sex or isn’t attracted to his partner.

•Something that only happens to older men.

•Just a man’s problem.

•A problem without solutions.

This last point is an important one to remember—there are solutions. The first

step to that solution is talking to a healthcare provider to figure out what is causing ED. There are many things that can cause this condition: •Heart disease •High blood pressure •Diabetes •Parkinson’s disease •Trauma from surgery, such as surgery related to prostate cancer •Hormonal problems (e.g., thyroid disease) •Anxiety •Depression •Relationship problems •Fear of intimacy or performance anxiety •Drug abuse •Alcoholism •Smoking •Obesity •Certain prescription medications

A healthcare provider can help figure out what is causing ED, and what treatment might be best.

Involving Your Partner ED isn’t just a man’s problem—his partner is affected as well. ED can cause a man to withdraw from sex and his partner.

A female partner may blame herself, thinking that she is no longer desirable.

She may also blame her partner and suspect infidelity as the cause behind his ED. A lack of communication can be destructive for couples dealing with ED. For men in relationships dealing with ED, talking with a partner is an essential part of managing the condition.

So how do couples start the conversation about ED?

What to do: •Acknowledge that this is difficult to talk about. For many men, sexual performance

is a real part of self identity, and problems in that area can be a blow to a man’s selfesteem. Recognize that this is hard to talk about, even embarrassing, but important—for both of you.

•Educate yourselves about ED. Learn what ED is (and isn’t) to better understand what might be causing the problem. As most cases of ED have physical causes, focus on this as a medical problem like any other.

•Stay positive and focus on solutions.

There are many treatment options available and professionals, including healthcare providers and therapists, who can help.

What not to do: •Withdraw from your partner and avoid sex. This can only lead to greater misunderstanding of the issue.

•Discuss this in the bedroom. Instead, choose a neutral place to talk and approach the subject in a calm manner, away from the heightened emotions of the bedroom.

•(For partners) Internalize the problem.

This is a medical problem your partner is dealing with. ED does not mean your partner is cheating or no longer finds you attractive. Focus on helping your partner and encouraging him to seek medical help.l Source: American Association.

Sexual

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Health

CV3

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Breakups: Is Social Media Making it Hard to Move On?

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his posts and pictures. It can be hurtful to see that he’s moved on, and you’re just reopening the wound every time you log in.

BY JENNINE ESTES

hen you're happy in your relationship, posting about it on social media seems only natural. Uploading pictures, adding your anniversary to your profile, and tagging each other on a regular basis is very common. One professor at University of California, Santa Cruz calls these things "digital possessions." So what do you do with your virtual scrapbook when the relationship ends? Social media and breakups aren't a great combination.

Looking at old social media posts and content can make it very hard to move forward in your new life. Here are some tips for how to begin to get over a break up even if you have social media connections.

Social Media and Breakups Make It More Difficult to Get OverYour Ex In a study where 24 young adults were interviewed, researchers found that “…

12 of the study subjects deleted the digital reminders, eight were keepers and four were selective about what they kept or deleted.” Basically, half of the study subjects deleted all reminders of their ex, but the other half didn’t find it so easy to remove all digital reminders of the rela-

tionship. The study also found that some of the people who deleted content regretted it afterwards. Here are some tips for how to stop social media from making it hard to heal from your breakup:

Step Away Before you take any steps on social media that you might regret later, turn away from social media for at least a week or two. Deactivate your account, or just log out and clear your browser history so it’s harder to return to the site. This cooling off period will give you distance from the digital reminders, and prevent

you from deleting everything which you might regret. It also gives you time away from all of the digital reminders that are like salt in a wound.

Hide People You can hide people from some news feeds, such as Facebook. This will stop pictures of your ex or his status updates from popping up without actually having to remove your connection. This usually won’t be enough, however, because it’s too tempting to keep visiting the profile.

When you need to, unfriend your ex so that you can really distance yourself from

Save Pictures Before You Delete Them It might be necessary to remove images with your former flame, because it’s just too hard to look through the albums.

Save these images to a flash drive or external storage device, and then remove them from Facebook. This way, if you ever want the images you have a copy, but you are not continuing to concentrate on a negative memory of the past when looking through your pictures.

Digital evidence can make it really hard to move on after a breakup. At the end of the day, do what you need to do to move forward in a positive way. If that means untagging yourself in images, or even blocking people — the most important thing is that you’re taking steps to remain positive and starting to heal.

Article compliments of Jennine Estes, a Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego, California. Jennine is certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and creator of #BeingLOVEDIs campaign.

MFC#47653.

Visit www.estestherapy.com l

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CV4 NEWS

CONVERSATIONS

An Open Letter: Dear Dr. Keith Rowley

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•If by your measure the response given

by Google does not exonerate the Hon. Attorney General from your claims, do you possess any information or evidence to the contrary?

BY RAVI MAHARAJ

or countless years our country has witnessed an over-abundance of accusations from various political parties and organizations leveled at their opponents, and oft-times even their colleagues, with regards to your run-of-themill allegations of sinister transactions and dealings. Quite rare, however, have we truly had the opportunity to authenticate these claims one way or the other in an effort to put the matter to rest in the best interest of the national community.

How many questions are there that are still being asked of the previous administration, including those that hover over your own head, that could utilize closure to put the minds of the citizenry to rest?

For you see, for all the denunciation placed on the current constitutional amendment that is purportedly diminishing the trust that the population holds in our democracy, it is really the mistrust generated by these unsolved, alleged abuses that is responsible for any dwindling faith.

It is with this knowledge that I find your recent tirade on the winding down of the "emailgate" probe to be quite amusing. The issue you have raised in relation to the Hon. Attorney General's communication of Google's official release, summarizing their investigation into the matter is that it was the Hon.

•If you have indeed validated them, why have you not produced it to the public?

•If you have validated them, which firm did you use to do so and when did you do it?

•If not, have you ever sought to have them validated, and if not, why?

Attorney General who was in fact investigating himself. How in your mind you can arrive at the conclusion that someone seeking to obtain information during which time a separate and independent investigation was taking place (information that can be used as evidence should legal action be taken against him) amounts to investigating himself, is simply baffling. By that logic, I would say the same of the man who goes to the police station for a copy of an accident report if the matter is being taken to court. But more than that, there are some obvious questions that are begging to be asked, but unfortunately has not been done as yet. Those would be:

IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW?

You speak of the Hon. Attorney General investigating himself, but who did you approach to conduct your investigation into these allegations before you openly shared these falsified documents with the Members of Parliament and the rest of the nation? Or did you think that our democracy would allow you to act as judge, jury and executioner in doling out your verdict without a second thought or reason? When I listen to your pleas for the government to consider public consultation in parliamentary affairs, I wonder, with whom did you consult before dispensing these falsified documents and untruthful allegations unto our unsuspecting citizens? Was it that you were so heart-warmed by the magnanimity of the persons who generously offered up the

documents that it became an impossibility in your own mind that these documents could have been falsified? Or were you just desperate to produce any glimmer of affirmation that you're not completely ineffectual as the Leader of the Opposition? Your hypocrisy good sir, it would seem, knows no bounds.

Based on this, there is no wonder why you would therefore oppose any amendment to the constitution. In its current form, you are protected as a member of Parliament to do and say as you please without fear of removal. But how long do you think your constituents would tolerate your incompetence should the right of recall be available to their discretion? It almost certainly would not be five years.

The least you can do now is to apologize to the Hon. Prime Minister, members of Cabinet and the public at large for your deception and betrayal. To ask that you remove yourself from office would indicate that you may indeed still be conscionable and capable of observing the Honorable prefix attached to your name.

Honorable Dr. Rowley, is not just a title, it is a code that you swear to live by while you maintain public office, and the moment you lose your honor, you should give up your office and your title, otherwise you will continue to mislead the public for as long as you remain in their service.l

Hosea: 4:6 - My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge

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AMERICAN DREAM

Looking for the Best Mortage: Shop, Compare & Negotiate

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hopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage— whether it’s a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan—is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You’ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars.

Home loans are available from several types of lenders—commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions.

Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you should contact several lenders to make sure you’re getting the best price. You can also get a home loan through a mortgage broker.

Brokers arrange transactions rather than lending money directly; in other words, they find a lender for you. Whether you are dealing with a lender or a broker may not always be clear.

Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and brokers. And most brokers’ advertisements do not use the word “broker.” Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved. This information is important because brokers are usually paid a fee for their services that may be separate from, and in addition to, the lender’s origination or other fees. A

mation about the same loan amount, loan term, and type of loan so that you can compare the information. It’s important to know about rates, points, fees, down payments and private mortgage insurance.

broker’s compensation may be in the form of “points” paid at closing or as an add-on to your interest rate, or both. You should ask each broker you work with how he or she will be compensated, so that you can compare the different fees. Be prepared to negotiate with the brokers as well as the lenders.

Obtain All Important Cost Information Be sure to get information about mortgages from several lenders or brokers.

Know how much of a down payment you can afford, and find out all the costs involved in the loan. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Ask for infor-

Obtain the Best Deal That You Can Once you know what each lender has to offer, negotiate for the best deal that you can. On any given day, lenders and brokers may offer different prices for the same loan terms to different consumers, even if those consumers have the same loan qualifications. The most likely reason for this difference in price, is that loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation.

Generally, the difference between the lowest available price for a loan product and any higher price that the borrower agrees to pay, is an overage. When overages occur, they are built into the prices quoted to consumers. They can occur in both fixed and variable-rate loans and can be in the form of points, fees, or the interest rate. Whether quoted to you by a loan officer or a broker, the price of any loan may contain overages.

Have the lender or broker write down all the costs associated with the loan. Then

19

ask if the lender or broker will waive or reduce one or more of its fees or agree to a lower rate or fewer points. You’ll want to make sure that the lender or broker is not agreeing to lower one fee while raising another or to lower the rate while raising points.

There’s no harm in asking lenders or brokers if they can give better terms than the original ones they quoted or than those you have found elsewhere. Once you are satisfied with the terms you have negotiated, you may want to obtain a written lockin from the lender or broker. The lock-in should include the rate that you have agreed upon, the period the lock-in lasts, and the number of points to be paid. A fee may be charged for locking in the loan rate. This fee may be refundable at closing. Lock-ins can protect you from rate increases while your loan is being processed; if rates fall, however, you could end up with a less favorable rate.

Should that happen, try to negotiate a compromise with the lender or broker.

Remember: Shop, Compare & Negotiate When buying a home, remember to shop around, to compare costs and terms, and to negotiate for the best deal.l

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20 NEWS

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Avoiding Student Loan Mistakes

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oday, families across America are facing a dilemma—they are confronted with a very expensive investment for their children when they brainstorm and make the decision to send them to college. But fortunately student loans are available for their sons and daughters who want to achieve the American Dream and get better jobs than their parents and go to college to realize that dream. They just have to be very serious about doing their homework and becoming knowledgeable about all of those student loans out there. Do not be discouraged; do not procrastinate; student loans are out there waiting for applicants just like you.

You don’t think you qualify for financial aid.

So many college students don’t even bother applying for financial aid because they don’t think they qualify, but that is a huge mistake. You are passing up the opportunity to see if you qualify for grants, which basically, is money for college that you do not have to pay back, which of course is the situation with loans. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still qualify for federal loans as opposed to private student loans, the former which come at a lower interest rate. You’ll also find out if you qualify for work study, which is an opportunity for you to work on campus to earn extra money.

You forget or miss the deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) To find out if you qualify for this type of financial aid, you must fill out the free FAFSA. You’ll have to provide information about your income and possibly your parents’ income as well as your parents’ assets. There is a deadline to filling out this application, and it needs to be done either every year or every semester; every college has their own policy. The sooner you fill out the FAFSA, the better, because once this financial assistance is used up, it’s gone.

You have the “borrow now, earn later” mentality.

A lot of the problems with student loans is attributable to the fact that you can

borrow as much as you want, because in just a few short years you’ll be earning a steady, good salary and will be able to pay it back with ease. Unfortunately, in today’s recessionary economy, this isn’t always the case. A lot of recent graduates struggle to find a job once they graduate, or even when they do, it’s not the salary they expected. Plus, even if you do land a job, shelling out a good portion of your hard-earned income stings every month.

Be conscious of the money you are borrowing, and do everything possible to reduce what you will owe.

You take out more loans than you need.

Going along with that same borrow now, earn later mentality, many college students take out extra loans. Hey, what’s an

extra few thousand each semester to be able to live in a nicer apartment, buy some new clothes, take a vacation, or simply have more fun with friends. It’s not a good idea because those extra loans add up quickly, and you’re paying interest on them as well. Once you’re done with school, working, and trying to pay off those loans, you’ll realize those extra loans weren’t worth it.

You take more classes than you need.

Depending on where you’re headed to college, one single class can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Taking classes you don’t need to graduate, is a horrible financial mistake. This is a common occurrence when people change their major. It’s tricky because you certainly aren’t going to stick with something you realize isn’t a good fit for you. To avoid this, really think about your major before you start taking required courses. Sit in on classes, meet with advisors, talk with professors, shadow people in your field, and do plenty of research on the job outlook, what the job entails, and other working conditions including salary. This way, you aren’t making a rushed decision on a major.

Another reason why people take classes they don’t need, is that they aren’t quite sure and take something by accident.

Requirements for colleges are constantly changing, so it’s a good idea to meet with continued on the next page

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Are Injuries Covered When the Employee Is Partially at Fault?

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orkers’ compensation provides a claim and benefit system for workers who become ill, are injured, or die on the job. To be covered by workers’ compensation, an injury need not be caused by a sudden accident (such as a fall or equipment malfunction). Equally common claims are for injuries due to repeated physical motions—backstrain from lifting heavy boxes, for example.

Physical conditions that are aggravated by workplace conditions—such as emphysema made worse by airborne chemicals — may also be covered. And, workers can sometimes be compensated for the effects of psychological stress caused by the job.

The common requirement for any of these types of injuries is that they happened at work or are related to work.

From the employee’s standpoint, workers’ comp is a no-fault system. It does not matter whether a worker was careless when injured. However, claims made by employees who hurt themselves while drunk or fighting have often been rejected as outside the bounds of “work-related activity.” In some states, being intoxicated is not usually enough to bar a claim; in these states only if the intoxication caused the injury will it not be covered by workers' comp.

Some states restrict coverage for injuries

caused by employees’ own misconduct.

For example, in California injuries that are intentionally self-inflicted are not covered by workers' comp, nor are injuries received by someone who started a fight or engaged in horseplay that was clearly discouraged by the employer. And a number of states expressly restrict or deny benefits when an employee’s claim is based on injuries caused by the use of nonprescription, illegal drugs.

However, courts have often sided with the injured worker when such cases are disputed, ruling that the injury is covered as long as the employee’s behavior was not the only thing that caused the injury.

Another questionable area is injuries caused by a coworker’s violent behavior, although the workers’ comp laws in a few states, including California, specifically cover them.l

Source: www.nolo.com

Avoiding Student Loans Mistakes/

NEWS 21

continued from the previous page

an advisor in your major’s department every semester to figure out what you should be taking.

You don’t apply for scholarships.

Scholarships are free money used to apply towards your college education.

Many people don’t think they’ll qualify for any scholarships or simply don’t want to take the time to apply. But you never know if you qualify for a scholarship.

You can find scholarships offered through your college, city or state government, private organizations, community groups, professional organizations, and much more. Ask your college’s student finance service department about what scholarships your school offers and advice on where to find other organizations that offer scholarships.

You don’t stick to a budget.

Just because you’re in college, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be trying to stick to a budget. Know where your money is going. You might be shocked to learn what you’re spending on coffee or when you grab a quick bite with friends. Go back over the last three months to see what you spent on food, gas and transportation, entertainment and going out with friends, and all of your other bills, like cable, electric, and rent. See what the average cost was. It might be more than you anticipated. Make an amount that

you’re comfortable spending and stick to it by keeping track of your spending and finding ways to cut costs.

You don’t really understand how the student loans work.

That saying ignorance is bliss is somewhat applicable to student loans, at least while you’re still in school. It may sound irresponsible, but it’s pretty common for people just to blindly take out loans, not realizing what they’re paying in interest and what they will actually owe once they get out of school. Really understand what you’re borrowing, the interest, and what the payments will be when you graduate.

You drop classes.

Two weeks into the semester and you realize you don’t like your professor, you’re having issues in your personal life, or you just don’t like the class.

Before you register, be sure you know the specific date when you can drop a class without any fees or penalties.l

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22 NEWS

DIASPORA CONCERNS

Is Race Cuomo’s Real Reason for Staying Quiet on Immigration?

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BY JHODIE-ANN WILLIAMS

overnor Andrew Cuomo’s evasiveness on immigration causes a very clear correlation, for minority immigrant communities, between race and priorities.

As governor of one of the most ethnically diverse places in the world, one would expect Governor Cuomo to take a more proactive stance for state legislation that would help New York’s varied immigrant population, but he doesn’t.

Governor Cuomo holds the strongest political power at the state level, yet he acts as if legislation that would alleviate the constraints on undocumented immigrants is completely out of his political jurisdiction, but it isn’t.

While the federal government has fumbled with comprehensive immigration reform, several other states have passed state laws—access to drivers’ licenses, state IDs, and tuition assistance—to help the undocumented community.

Since he took office in 2011, members of the Hispanic, Caribbean, and Latino communities have called, written letters, and used social media outlets as a means to directly reach out to Governor Cuomo for his assistance.

The New York DREAM Act, a proposed legislation that would allow undocumented college students to access government tuition assistance, is a measure that Governor Cuomo should have openly endorsed. His support would have greatly

impacted its chance of passing the NY Senate this year.

Several weeks prior to Cuomo’s 2014 State of the State Address, Latino lawmakers and DREAM Act supporters petitioned the Governor to take a stronger stance in favor of the measure and make it a priority in his speech.

During his speech, Governor Cuomo reduced the plight of undocumented immigrants in New York—the inability to access health care, provide for their families, tuition assistance, state IDs—to an anti-Semitic incident he read about in an article.

“I found a situation that I actually found quite disturbing, and there was an article

in the newspaper about a high school in Pine Bush, New York, and the article said that a group of Jewish parents were bringing a lawsuit against the school because their children had been victims of anti-Semitism,” said Cuomo. “Swastikas were drawn in the school, anti-Semitic remarks, throwing money at kids and making ugly, crude statements.”

He never mentioned the Dream Act. The mistreatment of any group based on race or religion is wrong and should be addressed, but it’s hard to comprehend how an article that he read was more pertinent to his speech than the thousands of direct messages he received from non-white immigrants.

Caribbean, Latino, and Asian immigrants—groups that make up New York’s undocumented majority—are also discriminated against and taken advantage of daily in the state that he governs.

It remains to be seen how Governor Cuomo’s 2014 reelection campaign will be affected by his lack of initiative on state legislation that would help a majority of minority immigrants. l

Hispanic & Caribbean Leaders Call on Mayor de Blasio to Change Intro 911 Law continued page 1

steps of City Hall, minority chamber leaders challenged Mayor de Blasio to meet with them to discuss how they can work together to eliminate the discriminatory aspects of the law and seek ways to increase minority business participation in doing business with New York City. Chambers officials say that a number of minority business owners have fulfilled the City’s certification requirement but are still sidelined from procuring contracts with the City.

Founder, Chairman and CEO of the New American Chamber of Commerce, Brian Figeroux, Esq., made a passionate appeal to Mayor de Blasio: “Bill de Blasio, we love you; we respect you.

What we are asking you, Mayor De Blasio to do, is to work with minority businesses, because America’s future according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is vested in minorities, minorities who are going to become the majority, whether it be the Hispanic, Asian or Black, by 2015, and we have to invest in that majority by working with them. So we are calling on Mayor de Blasio to do the right thing and work with minority chambers and businesses, if not, our message here today is if we can’t negotiate, then we will litigate.”l For more, visit www.mynacc.org

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NEWS 23

JOBS & RECESSION

Tips to Successfully Transform from Graduate to Employee

W

ith the summer comes warm weather, vacation planning and an influx of recent graduates on the job hunt. In fact, during the 2013-14 school year, colleges and universities are expected to award nearly 5.3 million degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

All those recent grads can easily translate to a highly competitive job market.

As students begin planning for their future outside the classroom and preparing for the next chapter of their lives — finding a job, apartment hunting, paying back student loans — many realize that graduation is an opportunity to refresh one's persona and digital reputation. This can include social media makeovers, refreshing your tech skills and upgrading your outdated email service to something more suitable for the next phase in yourlife.

"Think of your digital footprint — your email address, social media and even the results of a search of your name — as the first impression you make on a company or recruiter. An excellent one will open doors," says Karen Elizaga, executive coach and author of Find Your Sweet Spot: A Guide to Personal and Professional Excellence. "Because recruiters and executives receive hundreds of inquiries a day, they need easy ways to weed people out. Many recent

nLeverage the tools employers care about most: A recent Microsoft survey looked at the job and skill requirements from 14.6 million job postings from the second and third quarters of 2013 and identified the 20 most common skills required for those positions. Proficiency in Microsoft Office was among the top five skills employers look for in a prospective new-hire.

grads overlook the importance of their digital footprint and use amusing, old email addresses that undermine the professional image they want to convey, or their social media pages reflect a candidate who is irresponsible, profane or disrespectful, any of which quickly moves someone to the 'no' pile. Jobseekers’ first task: clean up their digital image and make sure it makes a positive impression."

There are several mail tools and features recent grads should leverage when making the transition from student to newly employed, including:

nManage your email reputation: Your email says a lot about you. In fact, it can be thought of as your first impression to employers. You may need to migrate

over from an outdated email address or upgrade to a more professional email username Additionally 81 percent of all email users are using multiple email services, making it hard to keep up with numerous or old accounts, a recent study by Radius Global revealed. Consider consolidating to one personal email address to keep you connected and manage your contacts in one place.

nUtilize a shared calendar to organize your networking schedule: Having an always up-to-date address book and shared calendar available across your phone, tablet, and other devices makes networking easier because you aren't tied to any one device where information might be saved.

nRemember that's it's all about who you know: As the old saying goes, "it's all in who you know," so working off one set of contacts that pulls in information from your social networks allows you to check your contacts' recent status updates, profile pictures, and Tweets while you email them. Additionally, many recent graduates are looking for jobs outside of their current residence. Don't let distance be a factor in the job hunt by staying connected with Skype chat and video calls right from your Outlook.com inbox.

Staying organized and being informed can be the difference between landing a job and a missed opportunity.l(BPT) Note: To better prepare yourself, visit www.mynacc.org and register for the seminar: Picture This... Your Career Success.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!