Tommie Smith reflects on Black Power salute at Olympics SEE PAGE 7
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MARC MORIAL: President rallies help for young males of color See page 4
Banquet to shine spotlight on youth in Flagler NAACP SEE PAGE 3
East Central Florida’s Black Voice MARCH 13 - MARCH 19, 2014
YEAR 39 NO. 11
www.daytonatimes.com
Speedway chief pledges jobs for minorities One Daytona project gets $40 million from city, county BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Developers requesting $20 million in taxpayer-funded infrastructure for One Daytona received the green light at last week’s Daytona Beach city commission meeting. The group al-
so received $20 million from the county. The resolution approving the funding is for the project proposed by Jacoby Development and International Speedway Corporation for the One Daytona Mixed-Use Project across from the Daytona International Speedway racetrack. The development is supposed to offer a premier entertainment, dining and retail destination for tourists and locals alike. “A lot of people don’t under-
stand the scale,” explained Brian Leary, managing director of Jacoby Development, Inc. “We will start this summer and you will see buildings coming in early next year.’’
Water show, theater The venture will be heavy on entertainment, Leary explained, naming parts of it an outdoor living room, featuring a water show with fountains choreographed to music and a 12-screen movie theater on site.
“To get off I-95 and see the World Center of Racing, living here we take it for granted. What they are doing to it now, we won’t take it for granted anymore. The gateway to our community is being completely redefined,” Zone 1 Commissioner Carl W. Lentz IV said before the Daytona Beach City Commission voted 7-0 yes to the funding.
Thousands of jobs “Tonight we have an opportunity that will complement the
Bikers rev up for more riding, racing, partying
Daytona Rising and extend tourist stays and year-round entertainment. Thousands of jobs, millions of dollars in new labor income and new taxes going to city and county,” Lisa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation, said to Daytona Beach commissioners at their March 5 meeting. “The time is now. Daytona Rising will open in 2016. We feel that One Daytona should open at the same time. It needs to happen all Please see JOBS, Page 2
$20 million awarded to former employee of Daytona hospital in Medicare lawsuit BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
The Daytona Beach-based Halifax Hospital Medical Center and Halifax Staffing Inc., agreed to pay $85 million in a settlement that involved allegations they submitted Medicare claims that violated federal law, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. The settlement stems from a whistleblower complaint filed by a former employee of Halifax Hospital, Elin BaklidKunz, pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private persons to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the government and to share in the proceeds of the suit. Elin The act also permits the Baklid-Kunz government to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it did in this case as to some of Baklid-Kunz’s allegations. Baklid-Kunz will receive $20.8 million of the settlement.
Decade of fraud alleged
Bikers are already enjoying the scenes on Dr. Mary McLeod Boulevard as the festivities are underway. BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
H
undreds of thousands of bikers and the million dollars they will spend are being welcomed to the Daytona Beach area during this year’s annual Bike Week, which continues through March 16. Motorcycle enthusiasts will find plenty to keep busy with as the festival spans Flagler and Volusia counties. Bikers will take part in free motorcycle demos, bike shows, bike races, fashion shows, bikini contests and plenty of good eating. The philanthropic rider can also contribute to charity through bike rides such as the 2014 Bike Week Ruff Ride & Poker Run sponsored by the Humane Society. Though the events are plentiful, many have no formal advertising. The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event, has taken on the duty of compiling as much information as possible on the chamber website to keep bikers informed.
Get your popcorn The heart of activities catering specifically to Black bikers in Daytona occur on Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, known as MMB and formerly Second Avenue. Oils, perfumes and sprays are a crowd favorite and Daniel Robertson of Scents By Alameen brought dozens of them. His fragrances range from sweet and flowery to sensual, manPlease see BIKE WEEK, Page 2
Above: The Electric Slide, The Wobble and Cupid Shuffle will all be played during the dance offs by center stage. Left: These bikers are part of the motocross races held at Daytona International Speedway PHOTOS BY DUANE S. FERNANDEZ/HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Allegations from the 47-year-old Baklid-Kunz say the medical center violated what is known as the “Stark Law.” This law prohibits physician referrals of designated health services (DHS) for Medicare and Medicaid patients if the physician (or an immediate family member) has a financial relationship with that entity. She alleges that she witnessed more than a decade of billing fraud, unnecessary hospital admissions, inappropriate spinal surgeries and illegal kickbacks to doctors. The Justice Department allegations involved contracts with six oncologists and payments to three neurosurgeons, according to a news release issued by the department. “Patients deserve to know that recommendations are based on sound medical practice, not illegal financial relationships between providers,” said Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Daniel R. Levinson in a prepared statement. “Halifax now also is required to hire a legal reviewer to monitor provider arrangements and an additional compliance expert to assist the board in fulfilling its oversight obligations. Both of these independent reviewers will submit regular reports to my agency.”
Quick payment, no admission According to a statement from Halifax Hospital, the payment of $85 million will be made within 10 days of the settlement. The hospital also has agreed to operate under a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement. The agreement includes oversight of all physician contracts and assurance that compliance programs meet all of the government’s laws, rules and regulations. The settlement does not include any admission of fraud, and the judge has determined that there were no violations of the federal anti-kickback statute by the hospital, medical oncologists or neurosurgeons. “We believe we have a fiduciary responsibility to avoid the risks associated Please see LAWSUIT, Page 2
ALSO INSIDE
COMMENTARY: MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN: STRUGGLING TO CHANGE WHAT YOU’RE GIVEN | PAGE 4 EDUCATION: COLLEGE COSTS RISING MORE RAPIDLY FOR POORER STUDENTS | PAGE 5