Daytona Times - April 13, 2017

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Good start for Mainland team SEE PAGE 7

EE FR

JULIANNE MALVEAUX: THE NATION’S LATEST JOBS REPORT IS FAR FROM SOLID PAGE 4

East Central Florida’s Black Voice

CANDY CARSON VISITS PALM COAST FOR READING ROOM DEDICATION SEE PAGE 3

APRIL 13 - APRIL 19, 2017

YEAR 42 NO. 15

www.daytonatimes.com

New Smyrna passes ‘weed’ ordinance People caught with a small amount of pot could get a small fine, not jail time. BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

The New Smryna Beach City Commission passed a city ordinance Tuesday night making possession of marijuana less than 20 grams a misdemeanor violation. The commission passed the measure with a 3-2 vote with Mayor Jim Hathaway and Commissioner Judy Reiker voting against it. The ordinance goes into effect immediately. The city’s police department now has the discre-

tion to ticket offenders and fine them up to $103 instead of taking them to jail. “Our take on this is it’s just another option for us to use and gives us another tool out there,” said. Lt. Steve Riggle, spokesman for the New Smyrna Beach Police Department.

‘A great move’ Proponents of the measure feel it will help free up law enforcement to deal with more serious crimes. Community leaders are receptive of the measure. “I think it was needed. They are offering for under a certain amount a citation rather than jail time. I think when you arrest people in these situations that it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money. I am

highly in favor of it,” said the Rev. Jeffrey Dove, pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in New Smyrna Beach. Resident Shyriaka Morris, who runs the P.E.A.C.E. Arts program for youth, offered, “I think it’s a great move, especially for the Black community in regards to recreational use of marijuana.” She also is a member of the New Smyrna Beach NAACP and was recently elected its first vice president.

Other options? Morris still has questions about the law. She poses, “I still want to know what happens if you don’t pay or can’t pay the fine? Will community service be an option, including classes on critical think-

ing, being aware of the law, and how it impacts your life if you’re found on the wrong side of it?” Law enforcement believes the new ordinance could be useful. “We’ve had 70 events of incidents with possession last year where this law could have been used. Still, it’s not an actual decriminalization, but it gives a person the option of handling it right here in New Smyrna,” Riggle explained.

Similar measures The Volusia County Council passed a similar measure, which has been in effect since last year. The county measure gives law enforcement the discretion to fine trespassers $100 with under 20 grams instead of arresting them.

SERVING IN TALLAHASSEE

Checking on their young man

“This new city ordinance also puts us in line with what the county is doing. I think all the cities should flow that way,” added Dove. Florida law states that marijuana possession of 20 grams or less is a first-degree misdemeanor under state law. The maximum punishment is a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. Across the nation and in other Florida municipalities, decriminalization of marijuana laws are being put in place. Florida counties like Alachua, Miami-Dade, Broward and Osceola also have similar measures. Major Florida cities, including Miami, Orlando and Tampa, also have similar laws.

Where to observe Good Friday and Easter BY DAYTONA TIMES STAFF

For area residents who want to participate in Easter services, there’s a plethora of special events scheduled. Here’s a list of just some of the services sent to the Daytona Times.

Good Friday On April 14 at noon, the Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance will host “The Seven Last Words of Christ’’ at Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church, 300 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Easter egg hunts

CHARLES W. CHERRY II / DAYTONA TIMES

Genesis Robinson, a legislative assistant to first-term State Representative Patrick Henry, is flanked by his grandmother Johnola Robinson and mother Demetrice Robinson. Both visited him during last week’s Florida Legislative Black Caucus conference in Tallahassee.

Master’s Domain Church of God in Christ will host a “Super Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic’’ on Saturday, April 15, from noon until 4 p.m. at 511 Freemont Ave. Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in New Smyrna Beach will host its Easter egg hunt on Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. The church is located at 344 Sheldon St. Calvary Christian Center in Ormond Beach has scheduled a community egg hunt for April 15 at 10 a.m. at 1687 W. Grenada Blvd. Sunday services will be at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Port Orange Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday at 10 a.m. at the City Center Amphitheater, 2001 City Center Circle. The free event is for kids up to 12 years old. The City of New Smyrna Beach’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will begin at noon Saturday in Old Fort Park, 210 Sams Ave. (across from City Hall). The Ormond By The Sea Lions See EASTER, Page 2

Delta Sigma Theta to present Miss Jabberwock 2017 on April 22 The Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has scheduled its Miss Jabberwock 2017 for 7 p.m. on April 22 at the Mainland High School Performing Arts Center, Daytona Beach. The theme is “Verses & Flow Rhythm and Rhyme: Get Up! It’s Jabberwock Time.’’ Four girls are vying for the title of Little Miss and Miss Jabberwock. Ken Moore, “The Voice’’ of Bethune-Cookman University’s marching band, and JoJo O’Neal of Star 94.5 FM, will emcee the event. The sorority also will showcase girls and boys ranging in ages 6-12 as Children Theater Poets. Tickets are $10 in advance from contestants and sorority members or can be purchased at the door. Children 3 and under will be admitted free. Proceeds from this event are earmarked for scholarships and other Delta Sigma Theta community service projects. For more information, contact Alma Glover-Smith at 386-299-6819 or Carla Lester at 386-871-4207.

ALSO INSIDE

Ta’Naijah Martin First grade Living Faith Academy

Amina Mosely-McCloud Second grade Living Faith Academy

Elise Butler Seventh grade David C. Hinson Middle School

Ta’Nyah Lloyd Eighth grade Campbell Middle School

COMMUNITY: COMPANY SURPRISES HALIFAX URBAN MINISTRIES WITH CLOTHES, TOILETRIES | PAGE 2 NATION: WANTED: MORE BLACKS, LATINOS FOR HIGH-PAYING OIL INDUSTRY JOBS | PAGE 5


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