Daytona Times - March 14, 2013 by Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC

A pictorial glance at Bike Week 2013 See page 5

U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #189 Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona

E FR

JAMES CLINGMAN: There are more PRESORTED STANDARD wealthy Black people than you know Page 4

A ROUNDUP OF LOCAL SPORTS See page 7

East Central Florida’s Black Voice

www.daytonatimes.com www.daytonatimes.com

MARCH 14 - MARCH 20, 2013

YEAR 38 NO. 11

Teen’s death helps to spark mentoring program

PEOPLE SPEAK

Daytona commissioner, grieving family on mission to stop violence involving local youths BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES butleramj@yahoo.com

Ji’Ron Jeffery Dent was not related to Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry or his brother, Zone 5 City Commissioner Patrick Henry, but both are slated to speak at the late teen’s

funeral this Saturday. The 17-year old died at Halifax Hospital on March 7 from a gunshot wound to the head. He was shot on March 4 in the Madison Heights subdivision following an argument over a stolen vehicle. This incident and others involving youth have

the mayor will also speak,” Patrick Henry told the Daytona Times this week. Dent’s funeral is set for 2 p.m. at Living Faith World Ministries, 950 Derbyshire Road in Daytona Beach.

Ji’Ron Dent

Patrick Henry

sparked Patrick Henry to start a mentoring program. “I was asked to speak by the young man’s mother and I will do so. My brother,

Reaching out The mentoring program is being started by Patrick Henry and will be housed in the Derbyshire area with 15 teenage boys to start. So far, 12 young men are signed on, but others are

inquiring. “The mayor – my brother – and I have talked about this for a long time. The recent incidents made me realize that I cannot wait any longer,” the commissioner said. “I was thinking, ‘What am I waiting on?’’’ Dent’s family wants people to know that he wasn’t perfect but says his life was taken way too soon. “He has a record and has even been involved in illegal activity. That is no se-

Bike Week started slow, but event expecting to rev up this weekend

cret, but he still did not deserve to be killed. The family is devastated and grieving for the loss of their loved one. They are now reaching out to help others save kids’ lives,” said Norma Bland, a community activist and spokesperson for Dent’s mother, Trena Cord, and family. “I think that it is a wonderful idea for Mr. Henry who has worked with children for a long time to do Please see program, Page 2

Assembly to focus on homeless, jobless BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com

Dr. L. Ronald Durham hopes more than 2,000 residents will fill the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center on March 18 to help persuade city and county elected officials to do something about the homeless and jobless issue in the area. Durham, pastor of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, also is chairman of F.A.I.T.H. (Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony Organization). F.A.I.T.H. is hosting its annual Action Assembly on Monday starting at 6:30 p.m. at the center, 698 W. International Speedway Blvd. The inter-faith organization, made up of 32 church organizations in Volusia County, has been in existence for 12 years. The Action Assembly is free and open to the public. Durham hopes more than just members of the organization will attend.

B-CU now a member ASHLEY THOMAS/DAYTONA TIMES

Motorcycle enthusiasts share stories of years past as well as plans for the weekend during Bike Week 2013. BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES butleramj@yahoo.com

Bike Week brings up to 500,000 bikers and millions of dollars to the Daytona Beach area annually, and the Black community is expecting its share. The event kicked off on March 8 and will run through March 17. The heart of Bike Week activities in Black Daytona occur on Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard (formerly Second Avenue). Although crowds were low on Mon-

day and Tuesday, there was still plenty of excitement, optimism and enthusiasm in the air. “I have been coming here for 20 consecutive years. So far things are slow. Crowds are low, but I am expecting a big increase this weekend,” said Larry Geter. Geter is in town as a food vendor. He owns Doo Dad’s Express Seafood & More out of Woodbine, Ga.

Events on MLK too Local vendors were hopeful of the possibilities of Bike Week.

Former NAACP president appointed to Volusia’s Children and Families Advisory Board BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com

Former Daytona Beach NAACP president Marjorie Johnson recently was appointed to the Volusia County Children and Families Advisory Board. Johnson, who is the second Black serving on the influential board along with

Daytona resident Dr. Willie Kimmons, was nominated for the post on Feb. 28 by Volusia County Councilman Joshua Wagner. The council voted 6-1 on Johnson’s appointment with Councilwoman Pat Northey dissenting. Johnson, founder of MJ Communications, which has her wearing several hats including political consultant, told the Daytona Times this week she is hon-

“We are going to do our usual things. We are opening up everything for the bikers and trying to get them here early. We will have open mic about every night with local talent and on Sunday we will have a block party/festival with jump houses for the kids,” said Sam Ferguson. Ferguson owns the Safari Lounge on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. In recent years, he has tried to bring more activities to the boulevard. “It hasn’t gone as planned. Everyone is used to going on the Avenue (Dr. Mary Please see BIKERS, Page 2

ored to be on the board. The advisory board recommends to council members which women and children agencies should be funded from money budgeted by the council. The budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 is $2,246,352. Marjorie Johnson said she hopes Johnson to help identify and choose agencies that are deserving of financial help who have been neglected in the past.

What the board does The advisory board consists of nine members – one member representing each district, and two members each appointed by the county chair and vice chair for the east and west sides of Volusia. The board is responsible for assessing

Durham said he is proud to announce that Bethune-Cookman University is now a member of F.A.I.T.H., and the school’s interim president, Dr. Edison Jackson, has pledged support. F.A.I.T.H.’s accomplishments include the clean-up of drug hotspots, the re-establishment of a drug treatment program in the county jail, passing a local hiring ordinance at the county level to help local employers and employees. The organization also has a SAVE (Sentencing Alternatives for Volusia Enforcement) Docket program that helps those Please see F.A.I.T.H., Page 2

and evaluating children and community needs, recommending appropriations for various programs servicing children and families, and providing advice and recommendations to the county council on children and families matters. Agencies apply through a bidding process, which is administered through the county’s purchasing department. The Children and Families Advisory Board reviews the bids and makes recommendations for funding to the county council. Some of the agencies currently receiving funding are the Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Advocacy Center, Council on Aging, Easter Seals, Sickle Cell Disease Association, Volusia Literacy Council, and the YMCA. Johnson will participate in her first meeting in April.

7FOCUS

Volusia health expert named interim chief for state’s Bureau of Communicable Diseases SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

Dr. Celeste Philip, assistant director for Public Health for the Volusia Department of Health has been named Interim Bureau Chief for the newly formed Bureau of Communicable Diseases for the Florida Department of Health. In the Volusia position, she was responsible for environmental health, WIC and nutrition, tobacco prevention and public health preparedness. “Joining us with over a decade of acaDr. Celeste demic and professional experience, (DePhilip partment of Health) DOH looks forward to Dr. Philip’s leadership in laying the

BRIEFS Volusia to start taking applications this month for summer camp scholarships

Summer camp scholarships are available to income-eligible children and children with special needs through Volusia County’s Community Assistance Division. Families with children ages 5 through 14 who meet residency and income requirements are encouraged to apply for scholarships. To be eligible, 5-year-old children must have completed kindergarten. Applications will be available March 20 in Volusia County Public Library branches and the Human Services offices at 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand; 250 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach; 107 E. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach; and 2765 Rebecca Lane, Suite B, Orange City. They also will be posted online at www.volusia.org/community_assistance/applications.htm.

Drop-off sites Completed applications will be accepted at these times and locations: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 25 at the Daytona Beach Regional Library – City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 27 in the first-floor training room of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand 1 to 6 p.m. April 2 at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 10, at the Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave. After April 10, applications may be submitted in person or by mail to the

F.A.I.T.H. from Page 1 with legal problems who can’t afford to pay fines and other fees assessed by a judge in criminal cases. Durham said homelessness and joblessness are the two issues of critical importance to the Volusia County community.

Shortage of beds for homeless According to information provided by F.A.I.T.H., homelessness in Volusia County has increased by over 60 percent in the last five years with more than 2,000 homeless children attending the county’s schools. F.A.I.T.H. Volunteer JoAnn Schafer of Ormond

bikers from Page 1 McLeod Boulevard). We want to get some vendors down here on MLK to also have this part of town upbeat as well,” noted Ferguson. Vendors also are feeling the impact of increases in vendor fees. “Fees have increased. It looks like it jumps every two years. I remember when I first started it only cost $150. Now, I pay $1,058. You don’t see as many ven-

MARCH 14 – MARCH 20, 2013 groundwork for this new and crucial addition to the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection,” said Dr. Dennis Cookro, Deputy Secretary for Health. Philip’s interim position in Tallahassee will continue through June at which point a permanent bureau chief will likely be named. She has served as interim director for DOH in Volusia, Calhoun and Liberty counties. In addition, she served as medical director for DOH in Polk County. While in Lakeland, she also chaired the Polk Health Care Alliance Infrastructure Committee, led community health activities, and served on the board of the Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, through which she provided primary care to uninsured patients.

PROGRAM

Vast experience

One of the goals of the mentoring program will be to give the youngsters some one-on-one attention. “A lot of young men get into trouble. They get incarcerated – whether it’s in the detention center or other programs. I realize that a lot of these men never get any individual or personal one-on-one time where somebody asks them what they have to say,” said Commissioner Henry. He also touched on the act of violence plaguing the city’s Black community. Police reports indicate that Dent was riding in a red Ford 500 with John Headon when it was followed and later fired upon by a gray Dodge charger. Both vehicles were reported stolen.

Philip’s contributions to public health are not just limited to Florida. She also is a board member of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) six-state Greater Affiliate and the chair of AHA’s Health Equities Committee. She also was at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for three years where her research focused on sugar-sweetened beverages in schools, breastfeeding trends and infant mortality in Mississippi. She also dedicated herself to maternal and child anemia projects in the Philippines and Niger, as well as a nutrition surveillance system in the Dominican Republic. Philip graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish. She later received a Master of Public Health in maternal and child health and a Doctor of Medicine from Loma Linda University in California. She completed her residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando.

Volusia County Community Assistance Division, 110 W. Rich Ave., DeLand, FL 32720. Faxed applications will not be accepted. Eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list until an opening becomes available. For more information, call Peggy Johnson or Myra Gaziano at 386-7365955. •••

Daytona State to host free summer camps

Daytona State College is offering a series of free, four-day summer camps for Volusia County high school students in grades 9, 10 and 11. All camps will be held June 10-13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach. A total of 80 students (20 students per camp) will have the opportunity to participate in the following camps: Robotics: Create small robots for lifting and hurling. Students will learn about the theory of simple machines, electronics and system control, as well as mobile platforms, projectile accuracy, radio control and other engineering concepts. Interior design: Create a living space in a New York apartment. Students will learn the elements and principles of design, color theory and furniture planning as they select appropriate furnishings, finishes and accessories to design their dream apartment. Each student will leave the camp with a printed floor plan using AutoCAD and a color board of materials from the camp’s resource library. Machining: Learn how to cut metal, design prints, operate machine tools, program CAD/CAM software and build a part to take home. AutoCAD/Drafting: Using 3D modeling, students will create their own “Decepticon” in virtual space; animate the transformer to make it change

Beach said, “We must protect our most precious resource – our children.” The organization’s research also found that there are only 21 emergency beds for single homeless people. At the Action Assembly, F.A.I.T.H. will ask for commitments from members of the Volusia County Council to work with them on a comprehensive plan for a shelter that includes case management, intake centers, beds, food, and others. Durham said the organization is hoping to set up a trust to help pay for a new shelter and other amenities. A similar trust has been set up in South Florida funded by a tax, but Durham said F.A.I.TH. hopes to come up with another income source for the trust. dors. I don’t think the price will slow vendors down, but if the fees rise our prices for goods and merchandise rise,” explained Geter.

Free Harley Another element of Bike Week that people can enjoy is the Harley-Davidson display. “We have been here for four or five years, but this is our second year having our big rig on the Avenue. We bring a big display with a variety of bikes of different categories for people to see,” commented Frank Burchfield with Harley-Da-

from one state to the other and record the process in a movie file.

How to apply

from Page 1 this. He is comfortable with the children as well as their parents. I think that it will be a difference maker and make an impact on these kids’ lives,” added Bland.

‘One-on-one time’

with possession of cocaine, trespassing and possession of cannabis under 20 grams. Isaac was identified as the shooter and Chapman the driver, according to police reports. Green, 18, was charged with grand theft auto and resisting arrest without violence. Nelson, 22, was charged with motor vehicle grand theft and violation of probation.

Education is key “Our police department has statistics that show that there is a group of about 20 to 25 young men committing most of these car thefts and some of them have multiple charges. A car is a deadly weapon just like a gun,” commented Henry. He also believes that education is key to helping these youngsters. “In this county, there is a statistic that 50 percent of Black men don’t get a high school education,” Henry explained. “I noticed at my son’s graduation two years ago that most of the Black graduates were girls. The boys had disappeared. It wasn’t many. The question is what happened?’’ Henry is seeking mentors and taking applications for other teenagers. For more information about the mentoring program, call Commissioner Patrick Henry at 386-3073926.

Eligible Volusia County high school students must be in grades 9, 10 or 11, In a standard diploma track and have a teacher recommendation. Limited bus transportation will be provided from identified stops. Students can pick up applications from their school guidance department or their career and technical teacher. They must be submitted by April 30 to Debra Dumas, Career and Technical Education, DeLand Administrative Complex, 200 N. Clara Ave., DeLand, Fla. 32720. Students will be notified of camp acceptance by Friday, May 17. For additional information about the free summer camps, contact Heather Burke, BurkeH@DaytonaState.edu or 386- 506-3737. •••

GOSPEL HALLELUJAH WORLD WIDE RADIO MINISTRIES

Workshop, expo to help caregivers

Hosted by: Bro. Harold Ford and Prophetess Deborah Ford

Providers United in Local Service to the Elderly (PULSE) will host a workshop for caregivers from 10 a.m. to noon March 19 at the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island. Caregivers will learn how to care for themselves while caring for an aging loved one. Mark Spivey, M.A., L.C.S.W., who specializes in caregiver fatigue in the home and work environment, will deliver a 30-minute presentation titled “Self Care for the Caregiver.” Afterward, expo vendors will be available with free information, giveaways and door prizes. Light refreshments will be served. More information: Deborah Shafer, 386-257-6036, ext. 16264.

Help wanted with reaching jobless Although Volusia County has services in place to help people not only look for work but get necessary training that will give them their best chance at finding good paying jobs, F.A.I.T.H. says few members of the community know about them. “With more than 23,000 people unemployed in Volusia County, we cannot afford to have a workforce development agency that is not effectively connecting with the people in our community who need them,” cites a statement released by the organization. During the Action Assembly, F.A.I.T.H. is going to ask the Center for Business Excellence, which runs the One-Stop Career Centers, to make services more accessible and recognizable to the people they vidson. “We will give away a 2014 Harley and a 2013 Iron Elite patch. The Iron Elite is for the African-American biker community. We also highlight how Black riders have contributed to motorcycling. We have a museum in Milwaukee and we have an Iron Elite website called www.ironelite.com.’’ Both the display and drawing for the bike are free.

Rich heritage There is a rich AfricanAmerican heritage when it comes to motorcycles in

Four arrests The occupants of the Dodge Charger – George Green, Jr., Justin Nelson, Tijuan Isaac and Enrique Chapmen – all have been arrested. Both Isaac, 18, and Chapman, 20, have been charged with first-degree premeditated murder. Isaac also was charged

LISTEN TO WPUL 1590 Saturdays 10 am -noon Sundays 5am- 7am & 1pm-3pm Listen online at: www.wpul1590.com website: www.gospelhallelujah.com

Come let the Holy Ghost Get Ya!

are meant to serve and to promote themselves to the community at large. Shanae’ M. Holman, one of the organizers of Monday’s event said as of March 7 only two of the seven Volusia County Council members had committed to attend – County Councilwoman At-Large Joyce Cusack and District 2 Councilman Josh Wagner. Holman said Volusia County Chairman Jason Davis will be out of town but has agreed to participate by written response. “F.A.I.T.H. leaders are still hoping that Pat Northey, Deb Denys, Doug Daniels, and Pat Patterson understand the importance of their presence and make the decision to attend,” Holman added. For more information about this event, contact F.A.I.T.H. at 386-238-7060. this country. “Historically, Blacks have contributed in so many ways to motorcycling. Through Rides Magazine, we have gathered the information on how Black biker clubs began. Going back to World War II, many Blacks rode bikes in the military and when they returned they started clubs and kept riding. “The clubs have the information, which isn’t written anywhere. We have also put this information in our museum,” added Burchfield.

INSTEAD OF JUST HANGING OUT ON SATURDAYS

I HELP KIDS HANG IN THERE

AT SCHOOL BECAUSE I DON’T JUST WEAR THE SHIRT, I LIVE IT.

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED

Michael Cleveland is part of United Way’s ongoing work to improve the education, income, and health of our communities. To find out how you can help create opportunities for a better life for all, visit LIVEUNITED.ORG.

MARCH 14 – MARCH 20, 2013

COMMUNITY M ANEWS YOR

3 7

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

National Council of Negro Women recognizes Brain Bowl winners Investing in future

SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

The top spot in the eight annual National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Black History Brain Bowl staged recently at Daytona State College went to a team of students from Seabreeze High School. The team, coached by educator Agnes Ingram, was comprised of the following students: Andrew W. Baker, Hugh D. Woodard III, Justin Massey and Raymond N. Arieux. Each student received a Toshiba laptop computer. The runners-up, representing the National Honor Society at Atlantic High School, received Kindle e-readers. “We are pleased to stage this event each year. We didn’t know what to expect when we started this competition in 2006 to fill what we felt was a void in the community. No one else – to our knowledge – was doing this in Volusia County,” said Valerie W. Lowery, chairman of the NCNW Black History Brain Bowl Committee. The competition is open to both middle and high school teams.

Eyvette Presley, cochairman of the committee, said the purpose of the event is to educate Volusia County’s middle and high school students on historical and current events. “We are honored as an organization to invest in the future of our young people as we create tomorrow’s leaders today and support them in order for them to achieve academic and personal success,” Presley said. Some schools compete each year, Lowery said, adding the event is held annually on the last Saturday in February. This year’s event took place on Feb. 23. Lola C. Young, section president, said the nonprofit organization is grateful for the support it has received through the years from local businesspeople, city leaders and corporate sponsors like Bright House Networks.

Other projects The Brain Bowl is one of several community service projects carried out by the local section. Oth-

Palm Coast

Community news

By Jeroline D. Mccarthy | Daytona Times

Eagles host golf tournament Florida’s golf tournaments abound, and when it comes down to it, The Eagles Golf Club of Palm Coast promotes the enjoyment of playing golf. Members and guests took advantage of the 18-hole Grand Reserve Golf Course, the area’s newest course in Bunnell, making a great day for a recent annual “4 Club” Golf Tournament. The members were gratified by the participation. The weather was wonderful with excellent course conditions and excellent service from the pro shop, cart staff, and in the restaurant. Goals were established

in less than 4 1/2 hours. In the 4 Club Stroke Play (no handicap) Tournament, congratulations go to: Flight A, first place, Harry Davis, gross score 70; second place, Ralph Lightfoot, Harry gross score Davis 75; third place. David Ragsdale, gross score 78. Ragsdale won on card off over Charley York on No. 1 handicap hole (11) with a 4 vs. a 5. Flight B, first place, George Weaver, gross score

PHOTO COURTESY OF NCNW

The Daytona Beach Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. has announced the winners in its Brain Bowl. The winning team is from Seabreeze High School, above. The young men are shown with Agnes Ingram, left, and Eyvette Presley, right. ers include Educate to Elevate, which involves donations of books and supplies to area elementary school. The most recent recipient was Turie T. Small Elementary. The group also has made donations to the Salva-

tion Army Christmas Angel Tree, donated luggage for foster children to the Children’s Home Society, and helped sponsor youth swimming lessons, among other things. The Daytona Beach section is part of a national

81; second place, Nat Harris, gross score 82; third place, Doug Coleman, gross score 84. Flight C, first place, Ken Arthur, gross score 93; second place, Al Brown, gross score 97; third place, Howard Jennings, gross score 98. Flight S1, first place, John Rucker, gross score 76; second place, Foster Vestal, gross score 81; third place, Jim Freeman, gross score 83. Flight S2, first place, Vern Stallings, gross score 83; second place, Joe Shields, gross score 91; third place, Byron Stewart, gross score 94. In the Par 3 competition: Doug Coleman, hole 4; Charley York, hole 10; Foster Vestal, holes, 13 and 16. Prizes were available for the Eagles’ last club meeting at the African American Cultural Society. They were talking about the next outing on March 30 at the Grand Club’s Pine Lakes Course in Palm Coast. Information on the March outing with plans for the one in April, along with sign-up sheets for both, are available at 386-

446-9982.

HIRED Jasmine Green

Monitor Support Technician, Shands Hospital

JOB resOUrCes at EmployFlorida.com helped Jasmine choose a career path and find a job she loves.

You too can discover REAL RESULTS with Employ Florida.

EmployFlorida.com

Employ Florida is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. The Employ Florida telephone number may be reached by persons using TTY/TTD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. Disponible en Espanol.

than 1.4 million women. The national website is www.ncnw.org. For more information about the local section, call 386-299-0007 or 386 2531753.

••• A baby shower had all the makings to honor David and Joy Eurie with gifts at Bunnell City Hall for the arrival of their baby. It was a welcome for men attending the unisex shower, along with other relatives and friends far and near. Edward Tucker Caterers prepared a buffet with relatives also “putting it down” in the kitchen. David and Joy received lots of gifts - a stroller, car seat, crib, and plenty of clothes - ready and all fixed up in the baby’s room. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.

Happy Birthday to You! Birthday wishes to: Ruthie Saunders, Stanley Henderson, March 14; Ronald Ambrose, March 16; Master Devin Price, Maxine Hicks, Patrice Henderson, March 17; Miles Baker, March 18, and Reginald Pincham, March 19.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE EURIE FAMILY

David and Joy Eurie were honored with gifts for the arrival of their baby.

Community Calendar To list your community event FREE, e-mail us at news@daytonatimes. com. No phone calls or faxes, please. Events are listed on a space-available basis, and in the sole discretion of the Daytona Times staff. Effective immediately, paid events will no longer be listed in the Daytona Times Community Calendar. You can advertise local events for as little as $35 per week. Call 813-319-0961 or email sales@daytonatimes for more information.

Compiled by the Daytona Times Crime info-session with DBPD Join Daytona Beach Police Department Chief Mike Chitwood and his command staff as they discuss current crime patterns and learn how to assist police in preventing and solving crimes in your neighborhood on March 21, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. at the DBPD Headquarters, 2nd Floor CompStat Room, 129 Valor Blvd. More information: 386-671-5102. Community swap meet A community swap meet will be held March 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and March 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Pyramid Community Café 868

1-866-FLA-2345

organization founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. The national headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. The 501 C (3) organization has more than 250 community sections across the country, with outreach to more

George W. Engram Boulevard in Daytona Beach. Community members are asked to bring something they ‘no longer need and find something you do.’ More information: Linda Carson, 386-322-6102, ext. 7, or email Corey Best at coreybest@rocketmail.com. Cultural Council to meet The Cultural Council of Volusia County will meet at 9 a.m. March 22 at the Museum of Florida Art, 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Members will discuss the Cultural Council’s programs and upcoming activities. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting. More information:

386-736-5963, ext. 15872, or mfincher@volusia.org. County Council retreat The Volusia County Council’s team-building retreat will be held March 28 at 9 a.m. in the first-floor training room of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave. There will be no public participation. More information: 386-736-5920. Watch ‘Forrest Gump’ under the stars The Daytona Beach Regional Library – City Island and Cinematique will feature “Forrest Gump” during their free book-and-a-movie series titled “Cinematique under the Stars” in March. The movie will begin at dusk March 22 in Riverfront Park at Beach Street and Magnolia Avenue. Moviegoers should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments will be sold. The book discussion will begin at 10 a.m. March 25 in the library’s boardroom. More information: 386-257-6036, ext. 16264.

East Central Florida’s Black Voice Visit us online at daytonatimes.com

7 EDITORIAL

MARCH 14 – MARCH 20, 2013

Gun violence a bigger problem for White Americans We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote those words in his April 1963 Letter from a Birmingham jail in the same passage with his well-known warning that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” A few months later, Dr. King wrote that the same culture of violence that killed Medgar Evers in Mississippi in June 1963 and four little Black girls in Birmingham in September 1963 had finally killed President Kennedy in November 1963, reminding us that it’s not possible to confine injustice, hatred, or violence to one group or community. What is tolerated in one place will eventually infect and affect everyone.

Urban gun homicide When many people think about gun deaths in America, the first stereotype that comes to mind is urban gun homicide — a crisis that disproportionately affects the Black community. As a result, too many people assume that despite recurring cases of often labeled “isolated” or “unpredictable” mass gun violence primarily committed by White male shooters, “ordinary” gun violence is mostly a Black problem that is or should be the Black community’s responsibility alone to solve. This is simply not true, although the Black community must mount a much stronger and more persistent voice against gun violence. The fact is that most Americans killed by guns are White, and most

Marian Wright Edelman NNPA COLUMNIST

Americans who kill themselves or others with guns are White and our nation’s gun death epidemic is not simply a White or Black crisis but an American crisis.

An American crisis Between 1963 and 2010, 73 percent of gun deaths in America were among Whites — more than 1 million deaths. Large numbers of White parents have borne the terrible burden of losing their child to guns: Whites comprised 62 percent of child and teen gun deaths between 1963 and 2010 — exceeding 100,000 deaths. In 2010, 65 percent of gun deaths among Americans of all ages were among non-Hispanic Whites, as were 34 percent of gun deaths among children and teens. Gun deaths were the second leading cause of death for non-Hispanic White children and teens that year, second only to motor vehicle accidents, and the fourth leading cause of death among non-Hispanic Whites ages 1 to 64 after cancers, heart disease, and non-gun accidents. Eighty-three percent of White gun deaths were suicides, 14 percent were homicides, and two percent were accidents. Among White children and teens, 63 percent of gun deaths were suicides, 26 percent were homicides, and nine percent were accidents. The total of 31,328 people of all ages who died from guns in 2010

included 20,427 Whites, 7,291 Blacks, 2,943 Latinos, 378 AsianAmericans, and 289 American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Dying from guns Gun violence is a White problem because most gun death victims in America are White. Gun violence is a Black problem because Blacks are disproportionately more likely to be gun death victims. Gun violence is a Latino and an Asian-American and an American Indian and Native Alaskan problem because shamefully children and people of all races are dying from guns. We should take our blinders off because when the 2010 gun death rate for non-Hispanic Whites in the United States was nearly eight times higher than the average gun death rate in 25 other high income countries — and the overall gun death rate for all Americans was seven and a half times higher than the average gun death rate in those countries — and when children are killed or injured by guns every 30 minutes, gun violence is an all-American crisis. Other countries have already made the decision to say no more. It is time for all Americans to stand up, speak up, work together and do the same for our children and all of us.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund. For more information, go to www.childrensdefense.org. Click on this story at www.daytonatimes.com to write your own response.

Time to stop appeasing Israel When I saw in the news that Vice President Biden had gone out of his way to assure the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) that the Obama administration was completely serious about military action against Iran if Iran moves forward with its alleged nuclear ambitions, I became sick. AIPAC is the most prominent anti-Palestinian lobby in the U.S.A. and is known for the considerable weight that it carries in Washington. Candidates for office and elected officials on a regular basis make a pilgrimage to AIPAC to get their blessings and to demonstrate how opposed to Palestinian rights they are. Biden, it appears, has done it once again. What makes Biden’s speech so sickening is that it comes at a moment intense negotiations are underway with Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear plans. Biden emphasized that the U.S.A. was not interested in containing a nuclear Iran but in preventing Iran from going nuclear. By the way, the only country that has nuclear weapons in the Middle East is Israel. They have at least 100 such weapons, though they will not admit to possessing

not acceding to the wishes of the Israeli government and their front groups, including AIPAC, in attacking Iran, Vice PresiBILL FLETCHER, JR. dent Biden’s saber-rattling is not helpful. Something more helpful would be a U.S. suggestion for NNPA COLUMNIST a “nuclear weapons free” Middle them. Second, Israel is not a signa- East. That would mean that there tory to the Nuclear Non-Prolifera- should be no nuclear weapons at tion Treaty while Iran is. Third, Is- all held by any side. rael has repeatedly violated United Nations resolutions in connec- Stop backing AIPAC Both President Obama and Vice tion with its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. Iran is occu- President Biden need to pull back from their embarrassing overtures pying no one’s territory. to anti-Palestinian groups such as AIPAC. In addition to inflaming Objectives of Iran tensions with Iran, tensions that The mainstream U.S. media, could quite accidentally spark a along with groups such as AIPAC, war, such administration bowing are insisting that Iran plans on to AIPAC does nothing to assure developing nuclear weapons. Palestinians that the U.S.A. wants Iran denies this. The reality is that to do anything other than serving no one, other than the Iranians, as a supply depot for Israeli ambiknow the objectives of Iran. What tions, regardless of the costs. Iran does say, however, is that Time for a change. they want to use nuclear power for peaceful means. Now, leaving Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a Senior aside what you think about nucle- Scholar with the Institute for ar power, the reality is that Iran Policy Studies. Follow him at has that right under the Nuclear www.billfletcherjr.com. Click Non-Proliferation Treaty. on this story at www.daytonaWhile the Obama adminis- times.com to write your own retration should be applauded for sponse.

Future of our democracy at stake The two of us sat in utter shock and disbelief as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, with a simply bizarre oral utterance, insulted an entire race of people, particularly those who have given their lives so that all citizens in this country can have the right to cast a ballot in fair and unbiased public elections. The hurtful words flowed from the lips of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia during oral arguments on February 27 in the case of Shelby County v. Holder in which the court will decide the future of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Crucial deterrent Section 5, the pre-clearance provision that is a crucial deterrent to voter disenfranchisement and abuse, is being challenged by those who say that it is outdated and discriminates against those states and jurisdictions to which it applies. The two of us, veterans of the Civil Rights Movement in this country, have personally been the victims of racial discrimination in voting practices. One of us has experienced the challenge of having to pay a poll tax to vote. The other has held voting discrimination hearings throughout

EDDIE BENICE JOHNSON AND GARY BLEDSOE NNPA COLUMNISTS

the state of Texas, and has had to establish a statewide hotline to assist minorities who were being challenged when they attempted to exercise their right to vote. We were at the hearing because we thought it important that our presence be noted and because we believe that a fair and equitable voting system is fundamental to American democracy. Like many others in the room, we found ourselves gasping for air when Justice Scalia, the leader of the court’s conservative wing, said that Congressional action in 2006 that reauthorized the Voting Rights Act for another 25 years was the result of “a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement.”

Malicious intentions If Justice Scalia were to read literature other than law books he would discover that since 2010, eight southern states have passed laws designed to make voting more cumbersome for minority voters. He would understand why

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: RODMAN SUMMIT

groups such as the Congressional Black Caucus, the NAACP and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have consistently fought for Section 5. The federal government has relied on Section 5 to prevent those with malicious intentions from setting the country back 50 years by imposing restraints on voting. It is our hope that the Supreme Court, when it finally makes its decision, will grasp the fundamental reasoning behind the duty of Congress to write legislation that protects all of our country’s citizens without regard to race, national origin, gender or sexual preference. It is our hope that at least five members of the Supreme Court disagree with Justice Scalia and rule that Section 5 should stand. The very future of our democracy is at stake.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas and Gary Bledsoe is an Austin, Texas-based attorney and NAACP state president and national board member. Click on this story at www.daytonatimes.com to write your own response.

CHRISTOPHER WEYANT, THE HILL

More wealthy Black people than you know Who is the first Black person that comes to your mind when you think of wealth? Probably 99 out of 100 of us think of Oprah Winfrey, followed by Bob Johnson and his ex-wife, Sheila Johnson, and then on down the line with the likes of Michael Jordan, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Tiger Woods. Let’s not forget about P Diddy (or whatever his name is these days), Jay Z and Beyoncé, Tyler Perry, and Bill Cosby. Sadly, we’d probably leave Dr. Michael Lee-Chin and the Roberts brothers, Michael and Steven, off the list because they choose not to be as visible and flamboyant as the others. The estimated net worth of the top twelve Black tycoons in this country is approximately $10 billion, with Oprah leading the pack at a robust $2.7 billion. Following are athletes, entertainers, corporate execs, and entrepreneurs – not necessarily in that order, which comes to an additional estimated $10 billion. That’s a lot of “jack” as they say; makes those folks who are “only” millionaires look poor.

African billionaires There is another group of Black folks we should be cognizant of when it comes to wealth: Africans. Those of you who still have images of Tarzan movies in your mind, and those of you who picture Africa as “the Dark Continent” are in for a pleasant surprise. There are three men and two women in Africa whose collective wealth is more than $37 billion. According to the latest Forbes calculations, Aliko Dangote of Nigeria tops the list with a net worth of more than $16 billion. Mohammed Al-Amoudi, with a net worth of $13 billion, is said to own more than 70 percent of all the oil in Ethiopia and produces four tons of oil per year. Mike Adenuga, a Nigerian who made his fortune in oil, tele-

JAMES CLINGMAN NNPA COLUMNIST

communications, and banking, is worth about $4 billion. African females, Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria, and Isabel dos Santos of Angola, billionaires themselves, also stand out as some of the wealthiest people in the world with more than $5 billion in net worth. Black Africans are leading the world in wealth creation and growth, and we should be proud of the brothers and sisters who have turned the tremendous natural resources of Africa into billions of dollars for themselves and their families.

Change perception Let’s work to change the perception of Africa, especially among our young people, as they will be exposed to the many opportunities therein. As they approach adulthood and begin to choose careers and business strategies, they should have information about Africa so they will not continue to see Africa in a negative light, the way many of my generation were taught Congratulations to all of those Africans who are taking care of their business and doing quite well at it. They have capitalized on Africa’s natural resources, in many cases starting from meager beginnings, and used what they had to become some of the wealthiest people on earth.

Jim Clingman is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and can be reached through his Web site, blackonomics.com. Click on this story at www.daytonatimes.com to write your own response.

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.

THE CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that Americans can best lead the world away from racism and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person. The Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief...that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

W W W.DAY TONATIMES.COM Central Florida Communications Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, publishes the Florida Daytona Times on Thursdays. Phone: 877-352-4455, toll-free. For all sales inquiries, call 877-352-4455; e-mail sales@ flcourier.com.

Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC

Subscriptions to the print version are $59 per year. Mail check to P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, or log on to www.daytona.com; click on ‘Subscribe’.

Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Chief Executive Officer

SUBMISSIONS POLICY SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO NEWS@DAYTONATIMES.COM. Deadline for submitting news and pictures is 5 p.m. the Monday before the Thursday publication date. You may submit articles at any time. However, current events received prior to deadline will be considered before any information that is submitted, without the Publisher’s prior approval, after the deadline. Press releases, letters to the editor, and guest commentaries must be e-mailed to be considered for publication. The Daytona Times reserves the right to edit any submission, and crop any photograph, for style and clarity. Materials will not be returned.

Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Lynnette Garcia, Deborah Ford, Marketing Consultants/Sales Linda Fructuoso, Marketing Consultant/Sales, Circulation Angela van Emmerik, Creative Director Larry Steele, Circulation James Harper, Andreas Butler, Ashley Thomas, Staff Writers Delroy Cole, Kim Gibson, Photojournalists MEMBER National Newspaper Publishers Association Society of Professional Journalists Florida Press Association Associated Press National Newspaper Association

MAYOR ENTERTAINMENT

5 7

MARCH 14 – MARCH 20, 2013DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

BIKE WEEK 2013

Getting ready for a roaring good time Flashy bikes, tasty food, good music. Thousands of people will descend on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune boulevards this weekend. Here’s a sneak peak at what to expect during Bike Week 2013. Daytona Times staff writer and photojournalist Ashley Thomas was on the scene this week as vendors and bikers were preparing for this weekend’s action. PHOTOS BY ASHLEY THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES 1

3 1. Veteran bikers: Robert Webb of Baltimore, Daniela Reinhardt of Germany and Cedric Lofton of West Point, NY. Webb and Lofton have made it to the past eight Bike Week events in Daytona Beach.

2. Motorcycles are towed in as out-of-towners make their way to Daytona Beach.

3. Harley Davidson sets up an interactive demonstration where bikers and non-bikers can experience the thrill of a ride without the fear of a fall. A flat screen TV, lounge area and cruiser and sport style bikes will be on display as well. 4. Kendrick Flowers of Kiki’s Kitchen, who has been serving Bike Week patrons for a decade, prepares an order of chicken wings for waiting customers.

5 5. Cowboy boots and hogs venture down Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard on Tuesday. 9

6. Altamonte Coley, a native of Washington D.C., waits on his Suzuki JSXR as friends locally and out of town make plans to meet for the weekend.

7. Hawg of Atlanta, Lady Sapphire of Sanford, and Daytona Beach locals Nick Nixon and Jim Fort find a good spot to do some sightseeing. Fort says he is looking forward to seeing “lots of ladies’’ over the weekend.

8. Five sisters – Stella, Twanna, Ann, Mamie and Rutha – hail from Baxley, Ga. They make it a point to visit Daytona Beach every March and October.

9. You can capture your own Bike Week 2013 moment via a cell phone photo or have the pros from Selena Photographs create a 10x13 print or commemorative T-shirt.

7 CLASSIFIEDS

MARCH 14 – MARCH 20, 2013

Florida Health Care Plans www.fhcp.com

Odds of having 3 multi-platinum albums

1/ 1, 650,000

EOE/AA A Drug Free – Smoke Free Work Place

Advertise For all local sales for The Daytona Times & WPUL AM 1590 News Progressive Talk, Sports & Inspiration call Deborah E. Ford at 386-492-2908 Ext. 12

Odds of having a child diagnosed with autism

1/ 88

Toni Braxton encourages you to learn the signs of autism at autismspeaks.org Early diagnosis can make a lifetime of difference. © 2012 Autism Speaks Inc. “Autism Speaks” and “It’s time to listen” & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment.

Real kids are curious about alcohol. 40% will try it by the time they reach 8th grade.

UNDERAGEdrinking.SAMHSA.gov or Text TALK to 30364 Message and data rates may apply.

MARCH DECEMBER 14 – MARCH 14 -20, 20,2013 2006

MSPORTS AYOR

Wildcats hoping for some March Madness magic BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES butleramj@yahoo.com

Both Bethune-Cookman basketball programs are competing this week in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament in Norfolk, Va. The men’s team used a balanced attack to knock off Coppin State University 89-78 in the first round of the tournament on Tuesday. Adrien Coleman scored 28 points with nine rebounds and seven assists, Kevin Dukes 22 points with a season high five three pointers and Javoris Bryant tallied a career-high 19 points with 10 rebounds for B-CU. “I feel really healthy right now and our seniors know that these are our last games. We just want to keep extending the season,” said Bryant. Responded Dukes, “My teammates just kept giving me the ball and I just kept shooting it.’’ A three-point play by Coleman capped a 25-5 run with 11:08 remaining to give the Wildcats a 5837 lead. Coppin State rallied to get within 75-72 with 2:25 left on two free throws by Patrick Cole. “We knew that they would make a run, but we kept our composure and executed down the stretch,’’ said Gravelle Craig, B-CU’s basketball coach. The Wildcats shot 50 percent from the field and held the advantage in the paint 50-30 and in rebounds 4027. B-CU avenged a 69-61 loss to the Eagles five days earlier in their regular season finale. In that game Dukes posted 18 points, Coleman 15 and Bryant 12 points with 11 rebounds. The Wildcats played top-seeded and defending champion, Norfolk State on Wednesday night. The Spartans beat B-CU 62-61 on March 2 and 73-71 in last year’s championship game.

Ladies fall short in opening The Lady Wildcats (1217) lost to Delaware State University 55-44 to open the MEAC tournament, ending their season on Tuesday afternoon. With the game tied at 35 all with 8:29 remaining, the Lady Hornets had a 10-0 run to lead 45-35 and never looked back. Tierra Hawkins posted 16 points with 10 rebounds to lead Delaware State. The Hornets outrebounded the Lady Wildcats 40-27 and held the advantage in second-chance points 22-10. “Our ladies played hard. I felt like we wanted to pro-

DUANE FERNANDEZ/HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Bethune-Cookman’s Sharnese Neal (24) brings the ball up during an earlier game. Neal, a senior, led the Lady Wildcats with 12 points against Delaware State in the MEAC Tournament on Tuesday.

B-CU ROUNDUP tect the paint but failed to do so and second chance points killed us,” commented B-CU Coach Vanessa Blair. Sharnese Neal had 12 points to lead B-CU. “I wanted to go and get it. I didn’t want to go home so I went out and played hard,” responded Neal. The Lady Wildcats lost to Coppin State 53-40 on March 7 in their final regular season game. Shakeyia Colyer had 14 points and Chastity Taylor 11 for B-CU.

Coleman named All-MEAC B-CU’s Adrien Coleman was named to the AllMEAC First Team on Sunday. Coleman, a junior forward/guard, won the MEAC scoring title. He averaged 17.6 points per game. Coleman also averaged 7.1 rebounds per game and shot .547 percent from the field. On Dec. 8, 2012, Coleman recorded the school’s first recorded triple double with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Webber International.

Baseball: Wildcats take series from Eagles Bethune-Cookman kept the lead in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division by taking a series from North Carolina Central University. Deltona alum Montana Durapau (3-0) pitched a complete game to help the Wildcats win the series finale 3-2 on March 10. Anthony Stokes went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Brandon Turner 2-for-4 while Eric Sams and Matt Noble both had an RBI for the ‘Cats. North Carolina Central won the series opener 3-2 in the first game of a double header on March 9. Eros Modena went 3-for-4 in that game for B-CU. The Wildcats rebounded with a 7-0 win in the next game. Anthony Stokes pitched five scoreless innings to get the win on the mound while Matt Noble went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and Eros Modena 1-for-4 with two RBIs for B-CU. Heading into the series with North Carolina Central, the Wildcats had just wrapped up a 5-1 home stand. They swept Florida

COURTESY OF B-CU SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman’s Javoris Bryant (11) was said to be the X factor by Coach Gravelle Craig heading into the season. After battling injuries, Bryant has been steady for the Wildcats. He posted three straight double doubles including a career-high 19 points with 10 rebounds in a win over Coppin State to open the MEAC Tournament. A&M in three games, beat the University of Central Florida and split a series with Central Michigan. BCU has won seven of its last nine games. The Wildcats traveled to DeLand to play Stetson on Tuesday night and hosted Jacksonville on Wednesday night, which was after the Daytona Times’ deadline. They travel to Greensboro,

N.C. to face MEAC rival North Carolina A&T from March 16-17. They return home to face South Florida on March 19.

Football: Wildcats set for spring football Colleges around the country are gearing up for spring football practices,

so is Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats will begin spring football practice on March 23. They are scheduled to practice four times a week. Spring practices are closed to the public. The defending MEAC champions will hold its spring showcase (game) on April 13. The location and time of the showcase will be announced later.

Marsh leads Spruce Creek past New Smyrna BY ANDREA BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES butleramj@yahoo.com

Kyle Marsh pitched five shutout innings and struck out 11 batters to lead Spruce Creek past previously unbeaten New Smyrna Beach 6-0 on March 8. “I didn’t have my stuff the first couple of batters, but I settled down and all my pitches were on. I was cruising from there,” responded Marsh. “Kyle is probably the most competitive kid that I have ever coached. He has a mean streak in him. The bigger the game the better he pitches,” added Johnny Goodrich, Spruce Creek’s head coach. It was a big game atmosphere with a full house on a cool night. Spruce Creek honored the military and veterans before the game

VOLUSIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS REVIEW and they wore camouflage jerseys. “It was a big game. It’s good to be challenged by a really good and competitive team. We had been complacent lately and this will be good for us,” said Goodrich. Spruce Creek is the defending Class 8A state champions and New Smyrna made the Class 7A Final Four last season.

Lots of pressure Joey McKee pitched well for the Barracudas but neither the defense nor offense helped him. “Joey pitched well enough to keep us in the game. We didn’t handle

the pressure defensively. A tough team like that it’s hard to beat when you make mistakes,” commented Nick Regilio New Smyrna’s head coach. New Smyrna (7-1) threatened in the first inning when Dylan Woods reached on an error and Brandon Amendolare singled but Marsh struck out the next three batters. “That kid Marsh has a good arm. He kept them in the game and gave them a position to win. We had a chance there, but didn’t get it done,” added Regilio. Spruce Creek (9-2) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Marsh hit an infield single to score Austin Hayes who reached on an error a few batters earlier. The Hawks led 4-0 in the fourth behind Chandler Rodriguez’ RBI on a sacrifice bunt, Brandon Wilkes’ sacrifice fly RBI and Casey

PHOTO BY CASEY BELL/SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

Spruce Creek’s Kyle Marsh throws a pitch during a recent game against New Smyrna. Marsh helped the Hawks hand the Barracudas their first loss of the season. Bell’s RBI single. McKee’s one out double in the fourth inning was the only other hit for the Barracudas. Griffin Fuller and Rodriguez each went 2-for-2 with

two RBIs for the Hawks.

Prep Sports Seven Baseball 1. Spruce Creek (9-2), 2. New Smyrna (7-1), 3. Trin-

ity (6-3-1), 4. University (83) 5. Flagler Palm Coast (43), 6. Mainland (7-3), 7. Father Lopez (7-1), Taylor (82). Others: DeLand (5-5), Deltona (4-4-1), Seabreeze (4-5).

7BUSINESS

MARCH 14 – MARCH 20, 2013

More boomers starting over with startups meet the intense demand during tax season, which requires working from early in the morning to late in the evening and on weekends, she said. “My husband says I live and breathe it,” Dyer said.

BY VIRGINIA BRIDGES NEWS & OBSERVER/MCT

At 52, corporate veteran Bob McEwen and his wife sold their home and moved into a friend’s basement so they could cover payroll for their young commercial sign company. “It’s very humbling,” McEwen said. A year earlier, McEwen had lost his six-figure salary after being laid off, ending a 22-year career that included working with missile systems and mortgage products. During his frustrating and unsuccessful job search, McEwen attended a franchise expo and decided to invest in a Signworld business. He opened SignCraft Solutions in Wake Forest, N.C., in August 2009. “It just felt right,” said McEwen, now 54. McEwen is among a growing number of baby boomers — people born between the years 1946 to 1964 — who are turning to small business opportunities as a way to build a new career, supplement retirement, or give them a way to spend their time.

More startups Research conducted by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation indicates that the percentage of firms created by Americans ages 55 to 64 grew more than any other age demographic, up 6.6 percent to 20.9 percent in 2011 compared to 14.3 percent in 1996. Firms created by entrepreneurs ages 45 to 54 rose 3.8 percent in that period. The trend is somewhat predictable, considering the number of baby boomers reaching retirement age mixed with an economy that has limped through the past six years, said Michele Markey, vice president of Kauffman FastTrac, an arm of the Kauffman Foundation that provides training and resources to prospective and current entrepreneurs. Some boomers are turning to franchising, while others use existing skills to start a business from scratch. Regardless of the

Paying off

TAKAAI IWABU/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER/MCT

Sign Craft Solution employees Brian O’Neal, from left, Don Browning and Matt Key place stainless steel letters on a pan sign on Jan. 27. Bob McEwen, 52, not pictured, started the business a little over three years ago after he was laid off and couldn’t find a job. motivation, Markey said, starting a business requires consideration and planning, especially for boomers. “Their (business) on-ramp and off-ramp are much closer together,” Markey said. “The biggest mistake is not spending adequate time planning.”

Training, planning key New boomer entrepreneurs need to understand how much money they are willing to invest, how long it will take to reap financial benefits, and when they’ll be able to exit the business, she said. They also need to be realistic about the level of commitment a new business will take, surround themselves with resources and mentors, and build a network of support, Markey said. Solid financial advice is also critical, she said. Jane Bryant Quinn, AARP Bulletin columnist and author of “Making The Most of Your Money Now,” said that training and

an excellent business plan are key for boomers who are starting a business because of a need to build or supplement their income. “At your age, you are going to be spending significant money to buy yourself a job and if that fails, if that doesn’t go well, you are going very hard-put 10 years from now,” Quinn said.

Best move ever Kerry Dyer, who has 25 years of accounting management experience, decided to start her own firm in July 2010 after being laid off twice in three years. Dyer, 54, initially started applying for jobs, but she was told she was over-qualified or the employer wouldn’t believe her when she said she would take less pay, she said. “Finally I said, ‘If I am going to make that little pay, I might as well work for myself and do something I enjoy doing,’ ” said Dyer, whose certified public accountant firm caters to business-

es making less than $3 million in revenue and have up to 10 employees. She obtained one client after she sent letters to friends and family. She met her second through her church. Then she joined a networking group. “That was probably the best move I ever made,” Dyer said.

One-woman show Dyer works from home in Raleigh, N.C., to keep her costs down and has met personal goals such as bringing in more revenue than her unemployment checks. “I am hoping within the next two to three years to make what I made in corporate America,” Dyer said. The advantages of building her own firm include working with other business owners who are passionate about their business, and being able to control every aspect of her business, Dyer said. But that also means that she is a one-woman show that has to handle computer issues and

McEwen said he saw his January 2009 layoff coming, but it was still scary. His four kids were grown and out of the house, but he needed an income for bills and retirement. After a six-month job search, McEwen decided to invest in Signworld, a company that helps entrepreneurs set up businesses that manufacture and distribute commercial signs. McEwen cashed out his retirement and paid $175,000 for equipment. The company offers training and other support, McEwen doesn’t have to pay royalty fees, and it has more flexibility than an actual franchise, he said. The first year, McEwen said, was hard, even with his wife’s income from her occupational therapist assistant job. “There were days we didn’t know how we were going to cover payroll,” McEwen said. “We ended up going more and more in debt.” McEwen worked 65-hour weeks, and didn’t earn a paycheck for two years. His debt topped out at $80,000 in 2011, but he has since been able to pay off $30,000 as business has increased, he said. Finances have become stable, and the business has continued to expand, so much so that McEwen’s wife was able to quit her job and start working full time for the company in 2011. “Within the next couple of years, we expect our business to be grossing a million dollars or more,” McEwen said. Recently, a friend reached out to McEwen and said there was an open position at a regional bank. “I had to think about that for a second,” McEwen said. “I felt like, ‘No, I don’t want to do that.’ I am committed to this. This is my lifestyle. This is where I want to be.”

Fresh

whipped topping, toasted almonds, and a fresh lime slice. Finished in store one at a time. Finished at home in no time at all. Publix Bakery Key Lime Pie