Daytona Times - April 17, 2014

Page 1

The danger behind the power dunk SEE PAGE 7

East Central Florida’s Black Voice

EE FR

MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN: Improving the odds for America’s children See page 4

Food brings Hope donates tablets to Westside students SEE PAGE 3

APRIL 17 - APRIL 23, 2014

YEAR 39 NO. 16

www.daytonatimes.com

Local races starting to heat up Cusack facing several challengers for her County Council At-Large seat BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com

Daytona Beach Commissioners Carl Lentz, Kelly White and Patrick Henry have thrown their names into the proverbial election hat for Election 2014. The three incumbents in Districts 1, 3 and 5 face no challengers for the Nov. 4 election al-

though there’s still time for others to enter the race. The city commission consists of seven elected officials – one mayor and six zoned commissioners. They each serve fouryear terms and elections are staggered on even-numbered years. For this reason, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry as well as Commissioners Pam Woods, Robert Gilliland and Paula Reed will remain on the commission for another two years uncontested.

Cusack’s competition Along with the city seats, various coun-

ty, state and federal spots are up for grabs. One race in particular to be closely watched is the County Council At-Large seat. Current At-Large Representative for Volusia County Joyce Cusack will seek to hold her seat. Her challengers thus far are Patricia Northey, County Council Representative, District 5; Webster Barnaby, Deltona City Commissioner District 2; and Holly Hill Mayor Roy Johnson. The County Council makes broad policy decisions much like the board of directors of a major corporation. It also reviews and approves the county’s annual budget and

Patrick Henry

Kelly White

Carl Lentz IV

passes ordinances as necessary. These elected officials are elected for a term of four years. The current Daytona Beach representative, Josh Wagner, District 2 was elected in 2012. Please see RACES, Page 2

Teacher, former Times writer Annie Doris Christian dies BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com

“Amazing Grace’’ was her favorite song. She was a good cook and she liked flowers. Those are the sweet memories Leonard Christian has of Annie Doris Porter Christian, his mother who lived to be 84 years old. The longtime local resident died on April 8. Mrs. Christian was a very active member of Greater Friendship Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and on other boards and auxiliaries. She also was a deliverer of the Daytona Times and wrote opinion pieces. Born on July 11,1929, she was a 1949 graduate of Carver High School in Dawson, Ga. She attended Albany State College prior to transferring to BethuneCookman College where she was conferred a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education on May 28, 1956.

Taught over 30 years She received a teacher’s certificate in 1957. Known as a very caring and loving teacher to all of her students, Mrs. Christian was employed with the Volusia County School System where she taught first and second grade students for over 30 years until her retirement. She was assigned to her first teaching job at Bonner Elementary School, transferred to Campbell Elementary School then to Highlands Elementary as a result of the integration of public schools. Mrs. Christian received a Masters of Education at Florida A&M in 1972. She married Leonard Victor Christian on July 16, 1951. To this union, five children were born.

Wrote columns Mrs. Christian was a life member of the NAACP, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Volusia Educators Association, Florida Retired Educators Association, and the National Council of Negro Women. After her retirement, she delivered the Daytona Times and also penned opinion columns. “She wrote for the newspaper a very long time ago,” her son related. He also told the Times this week that his mom was an avid gardener who loved yellow and red flowers. She was awarded many beautification Awards from the City of Daytona Beach. Her family also shared “she loved to sing, spend time with her family, attend Sunday School and church. She loved life and did everything that she could to keep her family happy and together. She instilled education in all of us by encouraging us to learn something new each and every day.” Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. April 19 at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach.

ALSO INSIDE

Children were given the opportunity to learn about the legacy of Dr. Bethune while having fun during a “Learn and Grow” art workshop.

Festival celebrates accomplishments of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Far left: Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was an American educator and civil rights leader, she served President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a member of his Black Cabinet.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

T

he inaugural Mary McLeod Bethune Cultural Heritage Arts Festival was held April 6-13. The seven-day celebration of educational and cultural events featured national and local speakers, educators, musicians, artists, poets and craftspeople. The purpose of the festival was to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman University and the National Council of Negro Women. The event was organized by Bethune’s granddaughter, Dr. Evelyn Bethune, who said she wants to see it grow into one of the largest festivals in the southeast region. During the celebration, an awards gala was held to present the Mary McLeod Bethune Cultural Heritage Arts Festival Bridge Builders Award. Recipients were Donna Gray-Banks, Arts & Culture; Con-

gresswoman Corrine Brown, Civic Engagement; Mayor Derrick Henry, Economic Development; Dr. Edison O. Jackson, Education; Dr. John P. Johnson, Education; Dr. Charlie Salter, Philanthropy; and Dr. Michelle Carter-Scott, Faith.

The Bahamas Junkano Shakers based in Miami provided entertainment during the festival. PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ, SR./ HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Above left: Past presidents of BethuneCookman University serve as the backdrop for the awards gala held Saturday.

COMMENTARY: DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX: WOMEN GET UNEQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK | PAGE 4 CULTURE: R.I.P. T-SHIRTS ARE A POPULAR MEMORIAL FOR SLAIN BLACK MALES | PAGE 5


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