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MAY 9 - MAY 15, 2019
YEAR 44 NO. 19
www.daytonatimes.com
Time to move Daytona Beach forward BY CHARLES W. CHERRY II DAYTONA TIMES PUBLISHER
VOTE
FOR
HALFPENNY SALES TAX
Forward ever, backward never. – Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of modern Ghana, West Africa Your humble writer has spent weeks advocating for passage of the half-cent sales tax that I believe is critically important to the city’s future. I stepped into the so-called “lions’ dens” of local radio talk shows and online to make the case that it is time to fix infrastructure in Volusia County’s Black communities that have been ignored and neglected for more than a century. I’ve pointed out the disproportionate pain Black Daytonans and Volusians continue to suffer as a consequence of inconvenient local historical facts.
And what’s been the response from some (but not all) of our mostly beachside fellow citizens? I’ve been accused of playing the “race card,” making it a “Black or White issue” when one doesn’t exist. I’ve been accused of being a “carpetbagger’’ who doesn’t even live or vote in Daytona. (I live and vote here.) I’ve been called “a race baiter” and other names, then banned from a local Facebook group whose purported goal is to openly discuss issues affecting our county. (Free speech and independent thinking must be more dangerous in Volusia County than I thought. It must be terrible to be so mentally and emotionally fragile.) There are historical reasons that we find ourselves where we
DAYTONA TIMES / 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Kirksey recognized, LPGA protest
are in 2019, some facts that many of our beachside friends (and some enemies) are unable or unwilling to recognize and accept: • Northern transplants must understand that Daytona is a Southern town with a Southern history that affects them, whether they like it or not. Florida was just as racist as Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and other notorious Southern states. Racial segregation was REAL in the lives of any Black person 60 years old or older in Volusia County. Don’t let Florida’s sunshine, “The World’s Most Famous Beach,” and the occasional orange blossom fragrance fool you. Just one example. To our beachside friends, ask your neighbors about how and why the Volusia County School Board fought school desegregation for
almost a decade before putting the burden of school “equality’’ on the backs of Black families here by splitting communities between Mainland and Seabreeze High Schools after shutting down Campbell High. That’s just one way that previous elected officials made decisions decades ago that affect our lives today. There are too many other historical decisions to count, so I’ll only list a few. Blacks all over the South were forced to live only in flood-prone, undesirable areas. Example: Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune built Bethune-Cookman College (now University) 115 years ago on Daytona Beach’s former city dump. (The university now injects $251 milSee TAX , Page 2
Centenarian Jessie Corbitt shares life experiences BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
Jessie Corbitt smiled, sat and jumped around a little in his home on Tuesday morning, just two days after his 100th birthday. His family threw him a birthday party in the Joe Piggotte Community Center in South Daytona on May 3 with over 200 people in attendance. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Daytona Beach Zone City Commissioners Danette Henry (Zone 5) and Ruth Tragor (Zone1) attended, and the City of Daytona Beach gave him a proclamation. “I feel good. I feel like I am 16 years old. I work in my garden. I can do what I need to do. I can drive my car to Walmart, church, etc.,” Corbitt told the Daytona Times.
Cab driver, entrepreneur Corbitt was born on May 5, 1919 in Abbeville, Alabama.
“I was a country boy. We lived on a farm out in the country. We were farmers. I had friends who lived downtown,’’ he noted. Corbitt is a retired businessman, cab driver and builder/construction worker. He owned his own cab business called “Lucky Star Cabs” from 1946-1994. “I enjoyed driving the cab. I was first on Second Avenue for many years. I made many friends too,” said Corbitt. He recalled what it was like driving decades ago in Daytona Beach. “When I first drove cabs in Daytona, Black drivers could take White passengers anywhere but we couldn’t be stationed on the beach side. Blacks couldn’t really go beach side unless working,” he reflected.
Building days Corbitt mentioned how he See 100, Page 2
PHOTO BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Jessie Corbitt, center, celebrates his 100th birthday with loved ones on May 3 at the Piggotte Community Center in South Daytona.
Clergy host informational meeting on proposed sales tax
Twenty-two years ago in 1997, the Daytona Times reported on Daytona Beach native Dr. Otis Kirksey receiving the Teacher of the Year award from Florida A&M University, and a protest at a Ladies Professional Golfers Association tournament protesting lack of diversity in donations and on the LPGA board.
ALSO INSIDE
BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
Office mailed out the ballot for the special election on May 1.
Residents in Daytona’s Black community got one last spiel on a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax. The Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance hosted a meeting on Monday where city officials explained the tax to the public at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. The tax is designed to raise revenue for capital improvement projects, including roads, bridges, sidewalks, stormwater projects, etc. The Supervisor of Elections
‘Very informative’ Registered votes are to fill out the ballot in favor of or against; sign it and mail back to the elections office no later than May 21 at 7 p.m. Ballots can be dropped off at any city or town hall across the county and the Supervisor of Elections Office. Voters can have someone drop off ballots for them. If a registered voter did not receive a ballot in the mail, the
COMMENTARY: DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS: IMAGINE A NATION OF EQUALITY, JUSTICE FOR ALL | PAGE 4 SPORTS: DAVID HOWARD RETURNS TO SPRUCE CREEK AS HEAD BASKETBALL COACH | PAGE 5
See MEETING, Page 2
7 FOCUS
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MAY 9 – MAY 15, 2019
B-CU mourning death of former football player BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
As Bethune-Cookman University prepares to graduate more than 300 students on May 11, the institution is also mourning the loss of graduate student and former football player Alfred Adams. Adams 23, was found dead of a Alfred gunshot wound to Adams the head on Tuesday night. He was found inside an SUV in the parking lot of Ashley’s Furniture at 2400 International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach. “We are brokenhearted. Our thoughts and prayers are ex-
tended to Alfred Adams’ family, friends and loved ones. He will be greatly missed,” commented Interim President Hubert Grimes via a press release from the university on Wednesday.
‘A light on our team’ Adams had completed his undergraduate work at university and was enrolled in graduate school at B-CU. He is a former walk-on football player who played three years at the school, finishing his career following the 2018 season. “We are praying continuously for his family. It is difficult to put into words what huge impact Alfred has had on our program. Alfred was goal-driven to make his dreams come to reality and was
a light on our team for so many years. We offer our love, prayer, and unwavering support for his family,” said B-CU head football coach Terry Sims. Adams, a Jacksonville native, was a member of the All-MEAC Academic football team for three seasons. His highlights this season included three carries for 41 yards and a touchdown against Nebraska and one carry for five yards against University of Virginia Lynchburg.
Student urges prayers B-CU’s 2019-2020 Student Government Association issued this statement about Adams’ passing: “As many of us struggle through the tremendous loss of Alfred
Adams, we solicit the prayers, thoughts, and well wishes of our Bethune-Cookman University Family,” said Jerykah Thomas, 2019-2020 student body president. “The Thomas-Storey Administration conveys our sincerest heartfelt condolences to the Adams family and many friends. Mr. Adams will truly be missed.’’ Rell Black, founder and CEO of the Community Healing Project and a Daytona Times commentator, said he remembered Adams. Community Healing Project is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the Daytona Beach community. “I remember him. He came once or twice to our events and helped out. He was really a cool dude. It’s just a tragic situation,”
MEETING
Getting the word out The Rev. Victor Gooden, president of the Black Clergy Alliance and pastor of New Life Church Minis-
100 from Page 1 helped to build structures in Daytona Beach. “There was nothing here really. This was a small place with a lot of dirt roads and woods. Many of these homes in this neighborhood weren’t around. I build a lot of homes and some churches. I’ve done a whole lot of building here.
TAX from Page 1 lion yearly in economic impact to Daytona Beach, as our Florida Courier revealed in a front-page story last month.) Most Black communities have existed on such low-lying property (including swamps and wetlands) for 120 years or more, again as a consequence of locally restrictive laws, ordinances and practices. • Black property owners in the South paid ad valorem property taxes for DECADES. Their tax money went to build and maintain infrastructure everywhere but in Black neighborhoods. Black people, for well-known reasons, couldn’t vote for politicians who could represent their interests on city commissions, school boards, or county councils. They had NO SAY in local government that impacted their daily lives. This happened under Democrat, Dixiecrat, Republican, White Citizens Council, and non-partisan-controlled local governments in both Volusia County and Daytona Beach and all over the South for some 150 years. It was when the first generation of Black politicians were elected locally 25 years ago (after Black citizens had to sue in federal
Prayer and reflection A moment of silent prayer and reflection was scheduled during B-CU’s Service of Consecration on Wednesday night at Gertrude Heyn Memorial Chapel. According to a police report, Adams was found slumped over in his vehicle by a woman who called the police. Police did not state if the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. B-CU is providing counseling and grief support services to student-athletes at Sports Medicine at 386-481-2282. Other students may contact 386-481-2170. The Office of Chaplaincy Services is also available at 386-481-2443.
lic Works study from a few years back. No road projects are approved yet but the scale helps make them eligible.’’
from Page 1 voter can pick it up from the elections office. Only the registered voter is authorized to pick it up. Residents like Posey Jackson, who attended Monday’s session, feel more informed and ready to make their decision. “It was a very interesting and very informative meeting. I am curious because they have been taking taxes for years but fixing up other areas. I found out a few things, which is it’s a countywide tax not just citywide. I also found out that ballots could be picked up if you didn’t get one, which may help my sister who has Alzheimer’s. This meeting has helped me make up my mind,’’ Jackson noted.
Black said.
Jobs wanted
PHOTO BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Community activist Kim Brown-Crawford and Rev. Victor Gooden of the local Black Clergy Alliance discuss the vote-by-mail ballots. tries, believes Monday’s event served its purpose. “We procedurally speaking did what we set out to do. The crowd wasn’t as good as we’d like. The clergy will work with the NAACP to get the word out. We will make phone calls, announcements and help people get and drop off ballots,” he said. “It’s important that peo-
ple express their opinion. We can’t tell them how to vote, but we just want to make sure they vote.’’
I built this house and that house,” commented Corbitt. Before coming to Daytona, Corbitt was building in Pensacola, Florida (19421945) and Alabama. He also worked in a sawmill in Alabama. “I’ve built some of everywhere, including shipyards in Panama City and Alabama. I helped build Camp Rucker Army base in Alabama. I worked for a contractor in Panama City who brought me to Dayto-
na. I worked for C&M Construction – the office was located on Segrave and South Street. When he left town, I got my license to be a cab driver,” recalled Corbitt.
court to get single-member districts that allowed ‘zoned’ rather than citywide voting) that things began to change in Black Daytona. • Folks in Daytona Beach’s public housing and the surrounding mostly Black neighborhood still occasionally get flooded out during a hard rain because they are located in low-lying areas. They damn near drown New Orleans-style during a tropical storm. It used to be worse, until Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden and an activist city commission (Charles Cherry, Sr., Dwayne Taylor, occasionally Gwen AzamaEdwards or another vote) made changes. Ironically Jim Chisholm, a man many of our beachside citizens hate so much, was the city manager when Daytona’s majorityBlack commission began long-delayed infrastructure projects. The same commission competently handled Black College Reunion (without shutting down Black peoples’ access to the beach as was previously done); did business with local Blackowned businesses; and hired Blacks in high-ranking positions, including city clerk, fire chief, chief financial officer, Leisure Services head, Community Development head, and Economic Development head. But the anti-flooding
Flooding concerns City officials at the meeting did their best to answer residents’ concerns. Questions ranged from flooding to how streets will be chosen for improvements. “We have a lot of flood-
ing issues. During the heavy rain storms back in 2008-2009, we went in and looked at the pipes. Many were clay and some were wood, which was common construction back in the ’60s,’’ responded Hardy Smith, Daytona Beach’s Government Relations administrator. “As for the roads that we graded, we used a Pub-
Residents also want local minorities to be able to find employment as workers, contractors and business owners on these projects. “My wish is that minority contractors, especially African Americans get jobs as a result of these projects,’ commented Pastor Derrick Harris of Master’s Domain Church of God in Christ and owner of Cut Master’s Barbershop. Daytona Beach Zone 5 City Commissioner Danette Henry responded, “This is a big conversation within the city commission to hire minority contractors. We are looking at our procedures.” She added, “We have some in place that we must look over. The Mayor (Derrick Henry), Commissioners (Quanita) May, Reed (Paula) and myself are committed to doing so. We will hold ourselves and city staff accountable.”
City improvements Money raised by the tax will be spent in the municipality where it’s raised. The tax will not apply to purchases of gas, groceries or medicine. The half-cent sales is estimated to bring in $45 million per year countywide. In Daytona Beach, the tax is estimated to bring $3.7 million per year and over $74 million over 20 years. The sales tax could give Daytona Beach $46.4 million to improve existing streets; $12.9 million for new sidewalks and $15 million to improve flood prone areas. The city plans to spend 62 percent of funds raised by the tax on roads, 20 percent on flood control and 17 percent on sidewalks. Road improvements could net the following: Zone 1 (28 miles of roads at over $6.9 million); Zone 2 (32 miles at over $8.2 million); Zone 3: (27 miles at $8.1 million); Zone 4 (31 miles at over $8.7 million); Zone 5 (24 miles at over $6.5 million); Zone 6 (27 miles at over $7.7 million).
Advice: Follow God
J. Gainous, Herbert Thompson and Buddy Young.
During his lifetime, he said he befriended many people, including Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. “I used to talk to Dr. Bethune. I used to rent a house from her niece but when her niece weren’t around, she would take my rent. I
talked to her. Dr. Bethune was also responsible for many of the Black police officers during the time,” he noted. “They couldn’t go beyond the railroad tracks or arrest nor ticket a White person. Bethune also encouraged me to go back to school. I went to night school and made it up to 11th grade.’’ Other prominent local friends of Corbitt included Albert Bethune II; Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Dr. Rabbi
Corbitt also noted that he got to see Jackie Robinson. Robinson broke the color barrier in Minor League Baseball in Daytona, a year before he did it with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Majors. “I only got to see him play. I didn’t get close enough to talk to him,” he related.
A man of great faith, he attends New St. James Missionary Baptist Church. He remarked, “God has got me here. I helped build the church, I am a founder and one of the builders. I’m here to tell you today to follow God. I will keep following him. I’ve been doing it since 1953.” Corbitt’s wife, Catherine, died in 2010. The couple raised five children and several grandchildren.
project wasn’t finished due to Cherry’s and ScarlettGolden’s untimely deaths, lack of subsequent mayoral leadership, AND lack of funding. (Incidentally, current Mayor Derrick Henry has been missing in action regarding the half-cent sales tax. Have you seen him on TV, heard him on the radio, or read any guest commentaries in local newspapers educating Daytonans as to why this proposal is so important? Seems that Mayor Henry’s greatest claim to fame is being mayor while the city is sued for racial discrimination by the son of Daytona Beach’s first Black city commissioner. But I digress…) Many of our brothers and sisters on the beachside continue to ask where have the millions of dollars in property taxes gone over many years, since it didn’t go to fixing infrastructure. I can’t tell them where that money went. But I CAN tell them where it DIDN’T go – into infrastructure in Black communities in Daytona Beach and all over Volusia County who paid their fair share of taxes, but had NO SAY in how it was spent. • This half-cent plan ain’t perfect. Developer impact fees should increase. The Volusia County Council must do a much better job of managing growth and protecting our local environment. The mail-in ballot scheme ain’t
something I would have done. But some folks won’t pay two cents more for their Wendy’s “Four for Four” meal, or three cents more for their Chipotle chicken bowl, to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. They won’t agree to a small tax increase even as they review a long list of sidewalk and road projects they can see for themselves. They won’t pay a little more even with a layer of state and local ordinances, and an oversight committee, all of which could be used to get standing in court for citizens to sue cities that don’t perform. That’s downright nuts. • I’ve urged our beachside neighbors to QUIT WHINING about not trusting the government and the politicians THEY elected. If there’s anyone that shouldn’t trust local government, it’s Black folks. At local, state and federal levels, we’ve ALWAYS had to throw America’s “freedom, justice and equality” in the country’s face and force America to realize and deal with its own hypocrisy. We don’t whine about it. We sue, we march, we boycott, we protest, we vote, we use the Second Amendment to defend ourselves when necessary, even when financial, criminal justice, health care, political and legal systems are blatantly stacked against us.
The fact that we still run for office, vote in numbers, or still care about politics (given literally centuries of disappointment) is actually pretty wondrous. Yet we “keep hope alive,” with many of us trying to trust the government but verify its performance. Yet our beachside neighbors complain when most of them vote 100 percent Democrat or 100 percent Republican for their own incompetent, corruptible tribe member just because he/she is “one of ours.” Damn the party affiliation. Vote for people who can get the job done.
• I say vote YES. Why? Because we can’t wait another mango season, hurricane season, or election season to fix what’s been broken all over Daytona and Volusia County for more than a century. And do the opponents of the sales tax increase have a better solution to fix that problem NOW? Hell no, they don’t. It’s time for Daytona and Daytona BEACH (yes, there’s a difference) to move forward together into a brighter future for us all. This half-cent tax can help us to do just that.
Knew Dr. Bethune
Remembers Robinson
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH (DBHA) NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP No. RP-2019-DP Developer Partner CONTACT: procurement@dbhafl.org HOW TO OBTAIN THE RFP DOCUMENTS: Packets may be obtained by visiting the Daytona Beach Housing Authority website and clicking on the Procurement Tab under the heading: Procurement Announcements PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE: June 12, 2019 at 2:30 p.m., Daytona Beach Housing Authority PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL RETURN: July 17, 2019 to The Housing Authority of the City of Daytona Beach, 211 N Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32113, Procurement Office [Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]. DBHA reserves the right to waive minor informalities a nd to reject any or all proposals if, in its sole judgment, it is in its best interest to do so.
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M A YNEWS OR
MAY 9 – MAY 15, 2019 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
Family and friends celebrate life of James W. Allen Spurred on by a trip to New York, James W. Allen became aware of the opportunities the world has to offer. His discovery was made just prior to his 18th birthday. He was born Feb. 13, 1933, on a farm in Kendrick, a sharecropper’s grandson, and the son of a Methodist minister and his wife, the late Walter and Thelma Allen. Young Allen played football, ran track, and sang in the choir. These words were spoken at his funeral, eulogized recently by the Rev. Dr. Kevin James of Palm Coast United Methodist Church. His pastor was assisted by the Rev. Theresa Waters. The celebration of life was held before family and friends at Clymer James W. Funeral Home Allen and Cremations. Allen passed away April 22 at Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House in Palm Coast.
transportation for Flagler County Transportation and the frontrunner to organize the Flagler County Historical Society’s bus tours. Allen was a member of the NAACP, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the former Commander of VFW Post 8696 in Palm Coast. He also was a member of the African American Cultural Society (AACS), a Gold-Life member, and the creator of the organization’s 200 Club and the Men of the AACS. Moreover, he was a member of the AACS Mortgage Elimination Committee involved with getting a $380,000 mortgage paid off in 12 years rather than 15 years. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling on the church’s league, and fishing.
From Army to Flagler
Military salute
He enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18. Over a 29-year tenure – always serving in administration during the Korean and Vietnam Wars – he mentored men and women as a first sergeant. Allen was honorably discharged, and was cited to be respectful - a man’s man - and a caring and loving family man. Following relocation to Palm Coast in 1981 from Fort Meyer, Virginia, Allen became director of
Allen is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Anne Allen of Palm Coast, as well as one son, two daughters, a son-in-law, four grandchildren, and five greatgrandchildren. A repast was held at the Palm Coast VFW. A private interment with military honors took place at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in James W. Allen’s name were
to 386-931-4637.
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS
Mother’s Day soiree to benefit church
JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
PHOTO BY JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY/DAYTONA TIMES
Tending the AACS mortgage burning in October 2012 were President Edmund G. Pinto Jr.; Mortgage Liquidation Chairman James W. Allen, who also served on the Mortgage Elimination Committee; Board Chairman Richard P. Barnes, and Mortgage Elimination Chairman Lionel Holder. made to Stuart F, Meyer Hospice House, 150 Memorial Medical Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32164, or Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 5200 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32137.
AAEA awards first scholarship AAEA President Leslie Giscombe announced that Victor Torrao’s knowledge gave him a leg up to become the first $500 entrepreneurship scholarship awardee. Matanzas High School’s 2019 graduating senior became the first recipient presented with the
scholarship from the AfricanAmerican Entrepreneurs Association (AAEA). The AAEA scholarship program offers a $500 scholarship, providing financial and personal support, as well as focus on helping scholars succeed in college and also in life. AAEA scholars are selected to have embodied the principles and the association’s core values of mission and goals, involving strength of character, leadership potential, commitment for serving the community, academic performance, or promise; and all while manifesting an entrepreneurial mindset. Any questions may be directed
Sylvain’s Caribbean Restaurant will salute the women in our lives for Mother’s Day. Culinary skills will shine to partner with the God’s Family Bible Church for a layout choice of stuffed chicken breast, roast beef, or salmon. The checklist will include appetizers, rice and vegetables, and dessert. All proceeds of a $35 charge will be earmarked for God’s Family Bible Church. This Mother’s Day soiree will take place May 12, 3 p.m., at Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway, N. E., Palm Coast. All questions may be directed to 386-586-4019. In addition, God’s Family Bible Church holds its Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The church is located in Bunnell at 256 Old Brick Road. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted, the prodigal son, or daughter, and the bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to Lucille Huesner, May 9; and Alicia Pincham, May 12. Happy anniversary to Lloyd and Deborah Freckleton, May 9.
Halifax Health and partners launch suicide prevention initiative SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES
Halifax Health, with assistance from several community partners, has launched an initiative that aims to prevent suicides in Volusia and Flagler counties by providing mental wellness services and resources for those in need. “Suicide affects all ages. Nationally, it is the second leading cause of death for people 1034 years of age, the fourth leading cause among people 35-54 years of age and the eighth leading cause among people between the ages of 55 and 64,’’ explained James Terry, service line administrator for child and adolescent behavioral services at Halifax Health. “Here, in the Volusia-Flagler area, suicide rates are well above the state average. It’s clear we have a serious crisis taking place that we need to address. Halifax Health’s Connect 4 Hope initiative will hopefully assist in raising awareness of this crisis and providing our community with the resources necessary to prevent suicide.”
Community partners With the assistance of community partners SMA Healthcare; Randy Dye, owner of Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram & FIAT; Mission 22 and Volusia County Schools, Halifax Health has launched the Connect 4 Hope initiative, which is committed to suicide prevention through community programs and events, and making educational tools and resources easily available to all ages – children, adolescents and adults. Last November, Halifax Health hosted its first awareness event – the Ride to Stop Suicide Poker Run. Dozens of local motorcycling enthusiasts took part in the inaugural poker run which is slated to become an annual event.
Driver on board Daniel Dye of DeLand, a
Daniel Dye, a 16-year-old Pro Late Model Driver for Ben Kennedy Racing, has the message “Race to Stop Suicide” displayed on the hood of his race car and on his hero cards for fans. 16-year-old Pro Late Model Driver for Ben Kennedy Racing, is a spokesperson for the initiative’s Race to Stop Suicide campaign. Dye, who races at New Smyrna Beach Speedway and other racetracks in the series, has the message “Race to Stop Suicide” displayed on the hood of his race car and on his hero cards for fans. In addition, Dye is featured in the campaign’s public service announcements airing on local radio stations. The PSAs include a message from Dye providing information on suicide prevention and mental health resources.
Author to portray Bethune at library event Author and motivational speaker Dr. Ersula Knox-Odom will portray Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune during a one-woman play at 2 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. Knox-Odom has written more than 100 articles that have illuminated the lives of historically important persons. She also wrote “At Sula’s Feet,” the recolDr. Ersula Knox-Odom lections of a country girl whose life was shaped and enriched by the wit, wis-
QPR classes Through July, Halifax Health and SMA Healthcare are partnering to present free classes that provide Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training. QPR is an instant response system, much like CPR, that includes proper questioning, practice, referral, and genuine persuasion in the event of a suicide crisis. The classes also provide training on how to identify the warning signs of suicide and the proper ways to deal with a crisis. Upcoming QPR training class-
dom and love of her grandmother. Bethune (1875-1955) was an American educator, stateswoman, philanthropist, humanitarian and civil rights activist best known for founding Bethune-Cookman University. She served as a New Deal government official, founded President Franklin Roosevelt’s Black Cabinet, and served as president of the National Association of Colored Women and the National Council of Negro Women.
Q&A about research In costume and in character, KnoxOdom will portray Bethune in 1954 and share fascinating stories of her extraordinary contributions to democracy. After Bethune “leaves,” Knox-Odom will answer questions regarding her research. The free program is part of the Volusia
es will take place on the following dates from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, Ormond Beach YMCA, Healthy Living Center, 500 Sterthaus Drive Wednesday, June 12, DeLand YMCA, Healthy Living Center, 761 E. International Speedway Blvd. Wednesday, July 17, Four Townes YMCA, Healthy Living Center, 280 Wolf Pack Run, Deltona
More resources
In addition, Halifax Health’s official website – halifaxhealth.
County Public Library system’s Florida Humanities Speaker Series, which is honoring indomitable women who helped shape the Sunshine State. This program is sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Reservations are not required. For more information, call the library at 386-257-6036, option 4.
Daisy Grimes to discuss Dr. Bethune’s life Daisy Grimes will present “Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune: The Woman and her
org – now features a Connect 4 Hope page that includes a comprehensive listing of local and national suicide prevention and mental health resources, including: SMA Healthcare, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Mental Health America of East Central Florida, BeginAgain Children’s Grief Center and the Halifax Health-Hospice Traumatic Loss Program. To learn more about the Connect 4 Hope initiative and the mental health and suicide prevention resources available, visit halifaxhealth.org/connect4hope.
Vision” at 10 a.m. Monday, May 20, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. Grimes is the director of Legacy and Women’s Initiatives at Bethune-Cookman University. She will discuss Bethune’s work as Daisy an activist, her commitGrimes ment to education, her position as an adviser to four U.S. presidents, and her role as the matriarch of her family. The free program is part of the Volusia County Public Library system’s Florida Humanities Speaker Series. Reservations are not required. For more information, call the library at 386-257-6036, option 4.
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7 EDITORIAL
MAY 9 – MAY 15, 2019
This way to ‘The Great Egress’ In mid-19th century New York City, at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street, stood Barnum’s American Museum. The museum was a popular tourist attraction, due principally to the ability of its owner, P.T. Barnum, to advertise and attract the public. The museum charged 25 cents for admission and boasted possession of the trunk of a tree under which Jesus and his disciples sat. It also had on display a “Feejee Mermaid,” which in truth was the upper body of a small monkey sewn to the back half of a large fish.
The back door But as scandalous as these frauds were, they did not compare to the “Great Egress.” Throughout the museum, signs were posted directing visitors to the Great Egress. The prominence of the signs generated curiosity and visitors followed them, not realizing that “egress” meant “exit.” Eventually the signs led to a door that deposited the curious on the street and locked behind them. And the hapless visitors had to pay another quarter if they wanted to gain re-entry. P.T. Barnum is closely associated with the saying: “There’s a sucker born every minute.” Today, there is another huckster giving New Yorkers a bad name. The United States government has a chief executive who has neither a sense of morality nor an understanding of the rule of law. Having lived his entire life in an entitled bubble, Donald Trump never had to answer to anyone except, perhaps, his father. The Trump Organization under Donald Trump has always been an au-
OSCAR H. BLAYTON, ESQ. GUEST COLUMNIST
No adjustment Having moved from the private to the public sector, Trump has been unwilling to adjust his thinking and his behavior in order to conduct himself appropriately. He runs the White House – and tries to run the nation – in the same dictatorial manner that
How strong is our economy? The April unemployment rate, at 3.6 percent, is at its lowest rate since December 1969. First-quarter growth was reported at 3.2 percent, a robust figure that exceeds estimates, earlier this year, that growth would be somewhat slower. This perhaps gives the man who lives in the House that Enslaved People Built something to crow about. But many economists are waiting for the other shoe to drop, having workshops and forums about the coming recession.
Black pain continues Take the unemployment rate. It declined overall. At the same time, the unemployment rates for African-Americans and teenagers were unchanged. The Black unemployment rate, at 6.7 percent, is more than twice the White rate
JULIANNE MALVEAUX TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE
of 3.1 percent. This ratio of 2.16 percent is higher than the usual 2:1 unemployment rate, widening inequality. Despite claims of economic improvement and an improvement in some of the indicators, the fact that others remain stagnant is telling. For example, 1.2 million people have been out of work for more than half a year. They represent one in five of the unemployed. The persistence of unemployment for some individuals should
Imagine a nation of equality, justice for all Black Americans have never known what a nation of “justice for all” looks like. That doesn’t stop us from seeing the difference in how others are treated and how different it is for us. I watched the May 1 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Attorney General William Barr. He personally took on the responsibility of representing our known corrupt president, and Sen. Lindsey Graham took on the role of Mr. Barr’s protector-inchief.
What happened? To put Mr. Graham’s craziness in perspective, he spoke the truth in 2016 about Mr. Trump when he was running for office. He said
he ran his private business enterprises. Never mind that he crash-landed on multiple occasions and engaged in nefarious conduct to cut his losses. Being an expert scam artist and spinmeister, he has been able to convince many people that each of his many failures was a total success. Now Trump has shifted his con game into high gear. While wildly attacking Congress for attempting to carry out its constitutionally mandated function and demonizing the American press for trying to bring the truth to light, the chief executive officer of the federal government is instructing his subordinates to ignore congressional subpoenas.
P.T. Barnum is closely associated with the saying: “There’s a sucker born every minute.” Today, there is another huckster giving New Yorkers a One example bad name. The United One such subordinate is Carl Kline, the former director of DonStates government has ald Trump’s White House Presidential Personnel Office, who a chief executive who approved security clearances for individuals not deemed fit to rehas neither a sense ceive them. The House Oversight and Reform Committee subpoeof morality nor an naed him to appear before the understanding of the rule committee on April 23 and be deposed on this issue. Trump, having contempt for of law. tocracy, where the law always has been whatever he said it was.
DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ. TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE
horrible (but true) things about Trump. Now Graham is trying to protect Trump and Barr from having to live within the laws of our land. Graham is the same person who said, “I’m not going to try to get into the mind of Donald Trump because I don’t think there’s a whole lot of space there. I think he’s a kook. I think he’s crazy. I think he’s unfit for of-
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: DONALD TRUMP’S ‘FIXERS’
everything that does not glorify him, instructed Kline to ignore the subpoena. This prompted the committee chair, Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, to begin proceedings to hold Kline in contempt of Congress. Faced with this threat, Kline has ‘volunteered’ to appear before the committee and provide limited testimony, an offer that has not been accepted by Rep. Cummings. Federal law states that any person summoned before Congress
be troubling for those who make public policy. The number of people who are considered “marginally attached” to the labor force – which means that they’d work if they could find work, but they’ve ceased to look – is the same as it was this time last year. These marginally attached workers include discouraged workers, and there are nearly half a million of them, again the same as last year. There is an indication that the 3.6 percent unemployment rate that is being hailed as so historic is a false indicator of progress.
Still not looking While employers are clearly hiring, they aren’t hiring enough people to make those at the bottom confident enough to look for work! The labor force participation rate is also falling, again suggesting that our ‘strong economy’ is not pulling enough more people into the labor market. Instead, some are leaving! Why? Even though wages grew at 3.2 percent last month, they have not yet reached the 3.5 per-
fice.” I wonder what changed since Trump has been in the White House. I know President Barack Obama set such high standard for honesty, integrity and respect for the American people that it’s extremely hard to live up to who Mr. Obama was and still is. Barr, Graham and Trump together with all the privileges they have enjoyed as a result of just being White can’t even come close to the way President Obama represented and inspired our country and people around the world. Graham is floor-showing that he’s had enough, but fortunately he doesn’t have the last word about what happens with the Mueller report or with our corrupt president who has corrupted the attorney general. I believe Judgment Day will come for them.
No role model Most people don’t want their children to grow up thinking
ADAM ZYGLIS, THE BUFFALO NEWS, NY
who “willfully makes default, or who, having appeared, refuses to answer any question pertinent to the question under inquiry” is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months. Kline’s refusal to respond satisfactorily to his congressional subpoena fits the definition of contempt. The question now is whether Congress has the will to exercise its power. The House of Representatives has the authority to seize, try, convict and punish Kline. But Trump’s administration will try to raise the nonsensical argument that the purpose for which Kline was subpoenaed was invalid, and therefore there was no legitimate congressional authority to subpoena Kline or hold him in contempt. Multiple sources, including in testimony before Congress, have accused Kline of approving “unwarranted security clearances”
over the objections of professional security experts in 30 instances. Two clearances were approved for Trump’s daughter and sonin-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, at Donald Trump’s insistence.
cent level that the Federal Reserve Bank would consider healthy. Thus, the Fed indicated that they change the interest rate, although No. 45 has pushed for a full percentage point drop in the interest. The Fed’s decision to hold interest rates constant is partly a result of weaknesses in the first quarter growth report. It’s always good news when the growth rate is more than 3 percent, but consumer spending is down for the third straight quarter. And the 2018-2019 shutdown clearly had some impact on consumer spending. Too many consumers who are still recovering from the shutdown. Many who are contractors but not government employees lost roughly 12 percent of their annual income.
improve the economic status of Blacks. H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, would provide remedies to close the gender pay gap. Congressional Black Caucus member Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced the Raise the Wage Act, HR 582. It would provide increases in the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the legislation would give Black workers a 38 percent pay increase (compared to 23 percent for White workers). And when workers earn more, they can spend more, strengthening economic growth. While the top one percent are certainly benefitting from growth and expansion, those at the bottom haven’t yet benefitted. Why aren’t the needs of those on the bottom significant enough to address?
Not enough hiring Our economy is stronger than it was a year ago, but not as strong as some claim. Companies aren’t hiring enough African-Americans to close the unemployment rate gap. There is legislation that might
laws don’t apply to them. A policy about not being able to indict a sitting president is ludicrous. Everybody who commits such immoral acts as this president should have long been kicked out of office. Nobody should want their son or daughter to be like him! Dick Gregory warned us about the chaos we would experience under Trump. Many people probably didn’t believe him. Even I was a bit reluctant because I couldn’t see how somebody like Trump could possibly be elected. I don’t believe he actually was elected. Everything points to serious cheating. He got into the White House to disrupt our democracy with the help of crooks. I continue to hear that nothing has happened to prevent the same thing from happening again.
We were fooled With the use of the term “di-
Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher
Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.
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Sign of the times Clearly Donald Trump is instructing his minions to defy Congress in an effort to continue to obstruct justice and hide his criminal acts committed before and after occupying the White House. And the thinks he can get away with it because Trump, like P.T. Barnum, believes that there’s a sucker born every minute. So he keeps putting up impressive signs that say, “This Way to the Great Egress.”
Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.
Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. Her latest book, “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy,” is available at www.juliannemalveaux.com.
versity,” some of us were lulled into thinking we were approaching equality and justice for all, at least moving in the right direction. But we have been fooled again. When Trump is finally out of the White House, instead of moving forward, we’ll have to go back and recoup some of the rights we thought had been secured. Barr didn’t read the underlying evidence before he concluded that Trump was cleared in the Mueller report! I’m fairly confident that everybody on the Mueller team isn’t crazy and isn’t a crook trying to hide something. It’s obvious who the real crooks are!
Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.
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MAY 9 – MAY 15, 2019
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SPORTS
Howard returns to Spruce Creek as hoops coach BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
David Howard Sr. is returning home to his alma mater after being named head coach on Monday of the Spruce Creek High School boys’ basketball team. Howard spent the past six years (2013-14 to 2018-19) as the head coach of the Atlantic Sharks boys’ basketball team. During that span, he led the Sharks to a 137-41 mark with four playoff appearances. Atlantic went 23-8 and made the playoffs this season (201819). Howard was Spruce Creek boys’ basketball coach from 1997-98 to 2007-08, his first stint with the program. During that time, he led them to a 160-142 record with two playoff appearances. “You can’t go wrong with Spruce Creek. It’s a great situation. It will take time to get the program back to where it was. I am looking for a challenge. I felt when I went to Atlantic they only won nine games before I got there, which was a challenge. I won at Atlantic and I hope that I can do that at Creek. I want to help these kids reach their potential. It’s always a great day to be a Hawk,” responded Howard.
Ready for challenge Howard takes over a Hawks’ program that has gone 18-35 over the past two seasons under Chase Tramont who resigned last month. The team was 9-13 this season. Howard is up to the challenge of turning the program around. He said, “The challenge is really just teaching the kids how to win. I met with them today and told them that I can do everything but make them believe in themselves. You must change the culture, attitude and mindset. I must get them to believe
that they can be winners like everyone else. I did it at Atlantic, they accepted it. If I can do that at Creek, we will win.” Leaving Atlantic wasn’t an easy move to make for Howard. “When you commit to kids where they depend upon you to get them college ready, it’s kind of hard in these situations. We always had a great group of kids coming in each year. We had a great group that graduates this year. It’s never a good time to retire or go to another school, but this may be the best time,” commented Howard.
‘They trust me’ Howard played basketball at Spruce Creek and college ball at Bethune-Cookman. With his local ties and his success at different levels, Howard plans to use that to help him at Spruce Creek. Howard stated, “My biggest thing which helped me is that I have been teaching for 30 years. I see kids now who parents I taught and coached coming into the school now. Those kids believed in me, now their parents so they trust me. They trust me with their kids. I think that’s a big plus for me.” He is also the boys’ basketball coach at Campbell Middle school where he has won four county championships during his tenure (20112019). “It’s always good to have a good resume. Dr. (Todd) Sparger was looking for the right person. He has known me for a while. A lot of candidates applied for the position. This is a high profile job. He wanted to give me an opportunity and go my direction to get the program back to prominence. I appreciate it,” Howard added, referring to Spruce Creek’s principal.
“I must get them to believe that they can be winners like everyone else. I did it at Atlantic, they accepted it. If I can do that at Creek, we will win,’’ David Howard said.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOR BLACK STUDENTS. NO EXCUSES. PRAISE FOR ‘EXCELLENCE WITHOUT EXCUSE’: “This guide for African-American college-bound students is packed with practical and insightful information for achieving academic success...The primary focus here is to equip students with the savvy and networking skills to maneuver themselves through the academic maze of higher education.” – Book review, School Library Journal
COURTESY OF B-CU ATHLETICS
Alexis Bermudez, shown pitching for Bethune-Cookman, is from Santa Fe Springs, California.
B-CU’s Bermudez named MEAC pitcher of the year SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES
www.excellencewithoutexcuse.com
NORFOLK, Va. – Bethune-Cookman University’s Alexis Bermudez has been named the 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Pitcher of the Year. The honor was announced on May 7 and she was joined by three Wildcats on the All-Conference team. A sophomore from Santa Fe Springs, California, Bermudez was the 2018 MEAC Rookie of the Year. The 2019 season saw Bermudez compile a 12-19 overall with a 3.48 ERA and a conference-best 146 strikeouts. In league play, she posted a 9-2 mark – seven of those wins by shutout – and a 1.94 ERA.
No-hitter game She registered B-CU’s first no-hitter since 2013 with 8-0 win at North Carolina Central on April 16. Bermudez had a pair of 10-strikeout games against South Carolina State and Savannah State.
During non-conference action, Bermudez saw action in the Wildcats’ upset win over No. 17 Oregon, giving up just two hits. She fired a one-hitter with five strikeouts against Kansas that gave Head Coach Laura Watten her 700th win back in February. Joining Bermudez on the First Team is shortstop Jacki Smith, while Brianna Paysinger and Kaiya Epps-Lee garnered Third Team honors.
Other honorees Smith, a junior from Mount Vernon Washington, led the Wildcats with a .333 average. Paysinger, a junior from Hesperia, California, batted .292 with team highs of eight doubles and three triples. Epps-Lee, a junior from Lancaster, California, batted .290 overall (.381 in league play) and led the team with 30 RBI. B-CU (22-28 overall, 13-2 MEAC South) opened tournament play Wednesday against Coppin State. The Wildcats are the MEAC South Division’s top seed.
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7MAY 9 – MAY 15, 2019
YOUR BALLOT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE VOLUSIA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS OFFICE ON OR BEFORE MAY 21 BY 7 P.M. TO BE COUNTED.
FOR our roads FOR our waterways FOR our community
IT’S TIME TO VOTE! Insert the Secrecy Sleeve into the return envelope. Seal the return envelope, then sign it on the back with your name and address. Mail the return envelope. It doesn’t need a stamp. You or a friend can also drop the envelope off at Daytona Beach City Hall, the Volusia County Department of Elections office, or any municipal city hall in Volusia County.
All registered Volusia County voters will be mailed a ballot in an envelope. It will contain your ballot, a Secrecy Sleeve, and a return envelope. The ballot will only contain one question. Vote FOR or AGAINST the half-cent sales tax. After you vote, place the ballot in the Secrecy Sleeve.
QUESTIONS? CALL the Volusia County Department of Elections at 386-254-4690
Need more info on the sales tax? Call 386-671-8400 On the Web, go to HTTP://CODB.US/HALFCENT