Daytona Times - April 27, 2017

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East Central Florida’s Black Voice

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APRIL 27 - MAY 3, 2017

YEAR 42 NO. 17

www.daytonatimes.com

Homeless sound off on location of shelter Volusia moves forward with providing funds, but there are complaints about how those who need it will get there.

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

The Volusia County Council voted last week to have County Attorney Dan Eckert draw up a contract to help fund the construction and operation costs for a proposed homeless shelter in Daytona Beach.

The vote passed by a 4-3 margin with Commissioners Ed Kelley, Joyce Cusack, Heather Post and Billie Wheeler in favor of it.

The proposed First Step Shelter in Daytona Beach is a 100bed structure to be located on city-owned property on Red John Drive, just off US Highway 92 near Interstate 95 and near the Volusia County Branch Jail.

Too far?

Homeless advocates welcome a shelter, but some don’t like the location, which would be about 10 miles from downtown Daytona.

“This is a positive first step. It’s a horrible location. Would you like to be taken 10 miles out of town to a concentration camplike setting? It’s ridiculous. We don’t need a shelter 10 miles away from town; we need one closer,” said homeless advocate See SHELTER, Page 2

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry addresses the Volusia County Council on April 20 about funds for the proposed shelter.

Johnson a finalist for Florida principal of the year

BY DAYTONA TIMES STAFF

COURTESY OF PETER LOURDES

Residents of all ages walked during the Easter Seals’ “Walk With Me 2017” at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on April 21.

Making a difference one step at a time Easter Seals’ Walk With Me raises funds, awareness SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

Eleven years ago, twins Jayden and Jordan Harper were born prematurely (at 27

weeks) at Winnie Palmer Hospital. Jayden spent 10 months in an incubator while Jordan was able to return home to his mother, Jasmine Harper, in Daytona Beach after two months at the hospital.

Their mother soon would learn the boys would be diagnosed with autism. For the next 10 years, they would require assistance from Easter Seals, in-

cluding physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Jasmine Harper, who now considers herself an advocate for children and adults living with autism, along with the two boys and their siblings participated in Easter Seals’ “Walk With Me 2017,” which was held April 21 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

Key fundraiser Susan B. Moor, Easter Seals’ vice president of gift planning said the event is a signature fundraiser for Easter Seals of Northeast Central Florida (formerly Easter Seals of Volusia and Flagler Counties) and raised almost $73,000 by the evening of the event.

The Walk With Me initiative is a national fundraising event to raise awareness and support for families living with disabilities.

Easter Seals is a leading nonprofit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs.

Hundreds of walkers Moor said the local event had more than 750 individuals grouped in teams that participated in the 1.3 mile “scenic stroll around the Sweetheart Trail winding through City Island and Riverside Parks” in downtown Daytona Beach.

“Each participant’s motivation to walk is unique - for themselves, a child of a loved one, a neighbor or a colleague,” Moor related.

“We walk for them, their future and the families who love them,” Moor added.

See WALK, Page 2

Dr. Earl Johnson, principal of Matanzas High School in Flagler County, has been named a finalist for the Florida Department of Education’s principal of the year.

Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart announced the finalists last week for the outstanding principal and Earl assistant princiJohnson pal of the year.

“I am pleased to recognize these six finalists for their tremendous dedication to the schools and communities they serve,” said Stewart.

“Principals and assistant principals create an environment for success in their schools, and I am grateful to each of these individuals for their service to Florida’s students.’’

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on June 21.

Nominated by superintendent In a press release, the following was stated about Johnson: “Johnson has consistently sought innovative strategies to help his students reach their full potential. He initiated a partnership with Bethune-Cookman University to offer dual enrollment courses, which has provided students with the opportunity See PRINCIPAL, Page 6

Daytona police hosting bike ride, carnival at Dickerson Center

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

The Daytona Beach Police Department and the City of Daytona Beach will present the Daytona 100, a bike ride followed by a carnival on Saturday, April 29.

The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the John H. Dickerson Community Center, 308 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Check-in for the bike ride begins at 8 a.m. Helmets and closed-toe shoes are required.

“We have several community engagement activities planned.

ALSO INSIDE

This is one of them. The goal for this one is to get 100 or more kids on bikes with us. We are looking for a good time between the police and the kids in our community,” said Daytona Deputy Chief Jakari Young.

‘No limit’ The bike ride was originally designed for kids ages 8-12 but younger kids will be allowed to ride.

“If any kid is old enough where they can ride a bike, we won’t turn them away. I will take every

kid in the city.

There is no limit,” said Young.

The bike ride will be three miles going west on Orange Avenue, south on Jean Street and Jakari east on South Young Street. A water break will be held at Turie T. Small Elementary with the ride continuing on South Street, then north on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and back to the Dickerson Center.

Games, fingerprinting

Young remarked.

Following the bike ride, a carnival will take place with a deejay, bounce houses, games, a dunk tank, free food, giveaways, and McGruff the Crime Dog. The police mobile command unit also will be there for the kids to tour it.

Parents also will be able to get their kids fingerprinted.

“We are encouraging anybody who can to come out and support this event. I am hoping that it will be successful, it grows and that we continue it for years to come,”

In a positive light Another reason for the Daytona 100 is an opportunity for the Daytona police department to step up its community outreach efforts as well as reaching out to the youth.

Young expressed, “It’s important to reach the entire community, but it starts with our youth.

This event focuses on our youth.

They are our future. We want to show the kids that the police are See RIDE, Page 2

COMMUNITY NEWS: DISCUSSION TO FOLLOW SCREENING OF JOHN COLTRANE DOCUMENTARY | PAGE 3 SPORTS: COACH READY TO BRING DELAND HIGH SCHOOL BACK TO FOOTBALL GLORY | PAGE 7

7 FOCUS

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APRIL 27 – MAY 3, 2017

Greater Friendship pastor has plans to help youth, seniors, vets

BY JAMES HARPER SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

Dr. Michael A. Chambers says his roots are planted and he’s ready to take Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Daytona Beach to another level.

Chambers came to Daytona Beach from Baltimore, Md., and will be celebrating his first year anniversary next month as pastor of one of the largest churches in the Greater Daytona Beach area.

Chambers, a native of Mississippi, has been pastoring for 28 years. Along with Maryland, he also has pastored churches in Mississippi and Georgia.

He is married to the former Lizzie B. Davis and is the father of four children – Nicholas, Nykia, Aja and Sean.

‘A God move’ Chambers said he believes he was called by God at Greater Friendship for a specific reason.

“It was a God move for me. I felt the spirit of the Lord to make the move,” Chambers said.

He replaced the Rev. L. Ronald Durham last year as Greater

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from Page 1 good guys.

“Sometimes we get a bad rap for different things for different reasons. It’s often seen on the news. We are working really hard in Daytona Beach to change the view and opinion. We want the kids to see us in a positive light instead of only when we make arrests,” he continued.

Planting a seed Young is hopeful that a few kids will be inspired to become officers.

SHELTER from Page 1

Mike Pastore.

Despite not liking the site, Pastore said he is willing to support some type of shelter.

“One advocate told me before he left the area that any shelter is better than no shelter. So, for me to want my homeless brothers and sisters to have a bed to sleep in, food to eat and shelter, then I must stand down and support it in some way,” Pastore explained.

Away from jobs Bill Simmons sleeps on a different friend’s couch every night.

“The location is not good. It is far away from everything. Look around here. They have all these rehab centers for people but no homeless shelter.

There are plenty of buildings that could be used,” he told the Daytona Times.

“The shelter will be a step away from the jail.

Who wants to be there? I’d rather be over here. I’m a musician. Musician gigs are over here,” he stated.

Others are concerned

WALK

from Page 1 Autism and Blacks Harper worries that many children, especially African-Americans, are being diagnosed with autism late or not at all.

“These children end up in the criminal justice system and being mistreated in the schools they attend,” she said.

Harper added that this is why she will continue to make a difference so that other parents can get “the help I’ve been blessed with.”

Friendship’s senior pastor.

Chambers’ one-year anniversary will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, with a banquet at Bethune-Cookman University’s Center for Civic Engagement.

Community outreach Chambers said his plans for Greater Friendship include setting up an Impact Center across from the church in a house the church already owns, which will provide food, clothing and education for members and the community.

“We need to help our people to be more self-sufficient – opportunities are out there we have to avail ourselves of,” he remarked.

Focus on seniors Chambers also said he is aware of the large senior citizen population and sees a need for a day program for seniors so family members have an affordable place for their loved ones dealing with dementia or other issues.

An Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Chambers also “You never know. These community engagement activities could be recruiting mechanisms.

Maybe a kid remembers the event and may think of going into law enforcement or even our police academy when they get older based on positive action with the police,” Young offered.

Police leadership has stated in the past that Daytona doesn’t have many of the problems with its community – even the Black community – that some other cities and municipalities face.

“I agree with (Daytona Police) Chief Craig Capri that we normally don’t have those issues that you see in other communities, especially those that we have seen in recent years. I think

about transportation.

Sandy Cook said, “We need one. It will be hard for us to get over here to the feedings, clothes and showers. We also need transportation over this way for job search and to day labor for work. I heard they might provide transportation, which may be the biggest need. I’ve taken Bus No. 60 between here and DeLand plenty of times. It’s nothing out there but woods.”

They’re skeptical The homeless also are skeptical that anything will get done.

Rob Osorio stated, “I don’t think it will ever open. They’ve got the money but don’t want to spend it. People would rather be closer to this way. I’m waiting on Social Security. Rent is too high. You can’t afford $800 month rent on minimum wage jobs.

“Everything and every place that they get for us someone complains and it’s taken away. The cops harass us. People try to feed us but get fined $300 to $400. I’ve never been arrested until two weeks ago. I’ve been here for four years. The cop was chewing and spitting tobacco.

A 2011 study titled “Autism and the African American Community stated that “evidence demonstrates that although rates of diagnosis for autism occur at the same rates in all racial groups, diagnosis in African-American children occurs later than in White children. As a result, African-American children may require longer and more intensive intervention.”

It’s treatable According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism prevalence in the United States is 1 in

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Dr. Michael A. Chambers is celebrating his first anniversary at Greater Friendship next month. wants to see more done for veterans, especially Black ones who may not be aware of all the benefits they can receive.

“They are missing out on a lot,” he noted.

Appealing to youth Chambers says his aim also is to make the church more progressive “by not moving backwards, but honoring traditions moving towards dealing with the that we’re blessed here. The community leaders have my personal cell phone number. They can get in contact with us directly to clarify issues instead of listening to rumors and gossip,” explained Young.

Change in focus With 16 years of service with the police department, Young said he has seen the relationship between the police and the community improve during that span.

“It’s changed quite a bit, especially from the early stages of my career. Back then, we were more focused on special events – the Speedway and Bike Week and

He arrested me for throwing a cigarette butt on the ground,’’ Osorio complained.

What it’ll cost

whole man, not only one aspect of him.

“The people had their Moses, but then came time for a Joshua,” said Chambers, noting he has to appeal to the younger generation, but he cannot forget about traditions of the past.

Chambers is especially excited about a new summer camp at the church in which kids will be exposed to science and technology and entrepreneurship.

“There was a time when en-

trepreneurs were huge in the Black community, but that has changed – by force or choice,” he added.

Along with the May 5 banquet, an anniversary service is scheduled for May 7 at the church. The Rev. Dr. Roulous Frazier of St. John Baptist Church of Orlando will be the guest preacher at the 9:50 a.m. service.

For more information about the banquet, call the church at 386-252-0322.

BCR (Black College Reunion), sound crafters, spring break, etc.,” he explained.

“We still welcome those events, but we realized our service in the community can’t slack because of those events. We must provide the same services and respond to calls everywhere in the city. We are more community-oriented now than we were then.”

cams. Anybody can come in and ask for a review. We work quickly to look into matters and get them resolved.”

Along with the police department and the City of Daytona Beach, the Daytona 100 is sponsored by Daytona International Speedway; Mid Florida Jeep Club; The Heroes Guy, Your Mortgage Expert; Amscot; Daytona Toyota; Bethune-Cookman University; Wal-Mart and Stewart-Marchman-ACT Behavioral Health Care.

Kids can register for the bike ride at http:daytona100.eventbrite.com or with their school resource officer.

‘Far from perfect’ Young admit work still needs to be done.

“We are far from perfect. We are working really hard to be transparent. If anything happens that may look suspect on us, we now have officers with body

Free Movies in the Park

The Volusia County Council already has already pledged up to $4 million in support for homeless shelters. The Daytona Beach Commission has pledged $400,000 per year to run and operate the shelter.

The First Step shelter is estimated at $2 million for construction with about $1 million per year to operate plus an additional $1 million per year for in kind services.

The county has pledged $1.2 million for construction and capital costs as long as the City of DeLand can make arrangements for the first five years of operational costs to be funded by West Volusia cities, churches and businesses.

The city of DeLand and Deltona have both pledged $50,000 a year for the project. Lake Helen has pledged $1,500; Debary $20,000, and Orange City $15,000.

68 children. By comparison, this is more children than are affected by diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Down syndrome – combined.

Although there is no known cure, autism is treatable, mostly with early diagnosis and appropriate interventions.

Definitive diagnosis and early intervention and treatment reduces costs to the health care system, school systems, state programs and the families of children with autism.

Donations Accepted

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M A YNEWS OR

APRIL 27 – MAY 3, 2017 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

Graduating seniors rack up scholarships at Flagler program Young people and community organizations that have been captured in my articles worked a photo-op at the 31st Annual Senior Scholarship Awards Ceremony of Flagler Palm Coast High School, Matanzas High School and the Flagler County School District.

The students were among 206 graduating seniors receiving $350,000 in scholarships, a combined sponsorship of 70 businesses, civic organizations, individuals, and both high schools.

That’s what happened April 20 at Flagler Auditorium.

Flagler County School Superintendent Jacob Oliva took a moment to say: “To all of you seniors that are here, you have persevered throughout the school year. You’ve made a dedication to service, academics, our community, and tonight, we are able to recognize those accomplishments.”

The accomplishments were made by the soon-to-be graduates of the Class of 2017. The organizations recognized the importance of education and the efforts and commitments made by the seniors.

Award winners Some of the seniors racking up scholarships insuring their postsecondary education were: Abby Duquette, Cassandra Gubala, Krishna Louis, Ivana Moore, Elizabeth Kirkconnell and Micayala LaVaglio, who received the University Women of Flagler Scholarships Deidra Burkley and Ivana Moore, who each received Delta Sigma Theta’s Letitia White Memorial Scholarship Deidre Burkley and Faizah Holmes, the African-American Mentoring Program for Girls Scholarships Deidre Burkley, Jordan Pitt-

PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY

mon, Alana Williams and Alexis Williams, the African American Cultural Society’s Jack Jones Memorial Scholarships and Dr. Madalin Price Memorial Scholarships Alana Williams, Lacey Jackson and Felicity Rollins, the George Washington Carver Foundation Scholarships Alana Williams, Lucey Jackson, Krishna Louis and Anais Mims, the Afro-American Caribbean Heritage Organization Scholarships Alana Williams and Skye Mills, the New York City Transit Retirees of Palm Coast Scholarships.

Other scholarships were awarded to: Alexis Williams from the American Legion Riders Robert Gordon with a scholarship from Dr. Jim and Laverne Guines of the African-American Mentoring Program Michele’ Jackson and Phillip Moultries, the African-American Mentoring Program’s Young Men of Distinction Scholarships Amossi Miller walked away with the African-American Mentoring Program’s Jamese King Memorial Scholarship Alexandra Chong and Daniel Thomas, the United Caribbean Association Scholarships Alexandra Chong and Krishna Louis received scholarship money from the Grenadian Association of Palm Coast.

And then, there’s my niece, Kobi Kane with Krishna Louis, Anais Mims and Jordan Pittmon each receiving a scholarship from the Ivy Community Foundation of Al-

JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY/DAYTONA TIMES

Students Anais Mims, Krishna Louis, Jordan Pittmon and Kobi Kane received scholarships from the Ivy Community Foundation of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. pha Kappa Alpha, Inc.; Kobi Kane, Alexa Colson, Alyssa Diaz, and Sterling Westbrook each receiving a scholarship from Flagler Technical Institute; Kobi Kane and Judy Colindres, earning scholarships from the Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Foundation, and Kobi Kane and Allie Gardner each receiving a scholarship from the Flagler Business Women.

The awards ceremony was an opportunity for taking pictures and underlie the deeper meaning of achievement and scholarship.

Free summer theology program The Rev. Dr. David L. Blow, adjunct professor at BethuneCookman University’s School of Religion, advised of a free, summer theology and leadership program, a phenomenal offer for young people.

Bethune-Cookman University’s School of Religion is now accepting applications for the 2017

Exploring Gifts and Graces: Summer Adventure in Theology and Leadership (EGG) program for high school students.

EGG is a nine-day, all-expense paid, residential summer experience for rising high school juniors and seniors to explore their faith, learn more about themselves, and think deeply about their dreams, goals, and gifts. Fifty high school students will be accepted and have the opportunity to explore Christian faith, ministry, theology, and religious vocation.

EGG will be held on campus at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach from July 1523. Participants will build friendships, participate in community service projects, gain leadership skills, and experience life on a college campus.

“This is a unique and exciting opportunity for high school students who want to explore their giftedness and become more aware of how God is leading them in their lives,” said Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr., dean of the

School of Religion.

Dr. Alice Wood, associate professor of Religion and Philosophy and program director of EGG, emphasized the need for the program, which is funded by a four-year grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. Rising high school juniors and seniors who will enter grades 11 and 12 in August 2017 and live anywhere within Florida may apply at www.cookman.edu/yti/ egg/ or call 386-481-2712.

Priority applications are due

by May 5 with the final deadline to apply falling on May 31, 2017.

••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted, the prodigal son, or daughter, and the bereaved.

Celebrations Birthday wishes to Jimmy Morrison, April 28; Les Town, April 30; David Eurie, May 1; Joy Ragoonan, May 2; and Carl Davis, May 3.

Discussion to follow Coltrane film “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary’’ will be shown May 5-18 at the Cinematique of Daytona, 242 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach.

The documentary is narrated by actor Denzel Washington.

Set against the social, political, and cultural landscape of the times, “Chasing Trane’’ brings him to life as a fully dimensional being, inviting the audience to engage with Coltrane the man and Coltrane the artist.

A film discussion will follow the 2 p.m. May 7 screening. It will be facilitated by Rob Whiting of the Northeast FlorJohn ida Jazz Association.

Coltrane Tickets for this event are $7 general admission and $5 for members. Seating is limited.

Call the box office at 386-252-3118 to purchase a ticket in advance.

Spring cleaning in Zone 5 A Daytona Beach Zone 5 clean up project with Commissioner Dannette Henry, who represents the area, was held April 22. Residents of all ages joined the effort to spruce up their neighborhoods. The group started out at the Yvonne Scarlett Golden Cultural & Educational Center. A curbside collection of appliances, cars, furnishings also was available for residents.

Halifax Urban Ministries to host gala The eighth annual Halifax Urban Ministries Blue Diamond Fundraising Gala and Dinner is May 6 at Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach.

This year’s theme is a “Hope on the Horizon” and will celebrate the accomplishments in homeless prevention and intervention and look toward the future of Hope Place, a new shelter for the homeless.

Individual reservations are $100 and table sponsorship starts at $300.

The website is www.halifaxurbanministries.org.

For more information, call Ginny Kent at 386-2520156 or email her at ginny@halifaxurbanministries. org.

Free diabetes course starts May 17 PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

A free “Take Control of Your Diabetes’’ course is scheduled for May 17-June 8 at the Odessa Chambliss Center for Health Equity, 113 Lockhart St. Daytona Beach. The time will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Participants must be a Medicare beneficiary, have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Spouses and partners are welcome.

Topics will include: What is diabetes?; Can I still eat the foods I love?; Move it, get your groove on; Diabetes medicines; Herbs and more; Keep your diabetes in check; and Eyes, teeth, toes and feet, what you need to know.

Classes will meet once a week for six weeks.

To register, contact the Northeast Florida AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) at 877-784-8486.

Jewelers to speak at library Award-winning jewelers Tracy and Stacy will lead a discussion at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave., Daytona Beach.

The speakers, who own Tracy & Stacy’s Masterpiece Jewelers in Daytona Beach, also will evaluate up to three pieces of jewelry per person.

Registration is not required for the free program, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

For more information, call 386-257-6036, option 4.

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7 EDITORIAL

APRIL 27 – MAY 3, 2017

Beware of ‘Radio-Activists’ There are many Black folks who can tell us “what we need to do” in the context of economic empowerment and other issues that matter. They have all the answers, but too often deal with them from a symptomatic rather than a problematic perspective.

Some of us believe that simply talking about a problem, mainly by delineating its symptoms, is doing the work necessary for a solution. We cite criminal justice symptoms and educational symptoms, we talk about the wealth gap and the health gap and the income gap, and we regurgitate statistics that justify our symptomatic approach to the dire situations we face every day.

Get it done But merely talking and writing about the symptoms have never solved our problems. Someone must execute.

I hear and read a great deal of information as I look for the solution to our problems. You would think that with all the activists we have within our ranks that some actual activity – beyond mere exercising our powers of speech and penmanship – would take place.

That is especially true on radio talk shows.

Those I call “Radio- Activists” are adept at identifying the symptoms while seldom, if ever, laying out the problem and offering a solution on which they are willing to work and help implement. Mere “Radio Activity,” and I would add “TV Activity,” if not acted upon, is just more information. And just like knowledge, information is not power unless you use it to your own advantage.

JAMES CLINGMAN TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE

Look inside So all the pontificators, prognosticators, pundits, and philosophizers who simply offer their assessments of our problems by describing their symptoms, should do a little introspection. Instead of (or in addition to) sounding the alarm, they should also offer real solutions and then prepare to contribute some time, talent, and treasure toward solving those problems.

Radio Activists are usually busy telling others what must be done, as they continue to sit on the sidelines and critique problems. They seldom are willing to get into the game by initiating the solutions they espouse. When it comes to economic and political action, Radio Activity is dangerous and seldom results in any real progress unless someone else picks up the gauntlet and executes a strategy that evolves into a movement to empower our people.

Don’t be a Radio Activist. The next time you have the opportunity to speak on the air – or via any medium – don’t just say what “we need” to do. Follow it up by saying what you either are doing about the issue or what you are willing to do about it.

Besides, after making your transition, wouldn’t you rather have folks speak of you in terms of what you did in addition to what you said? Don’t you want to leave a

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s education plan falls short Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sincerely wants to do something to improve Chicago schools. I have no doubt of that.

Unfortunately, his proposal – called “Learn. Plan. Succeed.” – falls short of the mark.

His idea is to add a new requirement for high school graduation. Starting in 2020, all students eligible for a high school diploma would have to demonstrate that they have a job, admission to college, an apprenticeship or internship, a place in a gap-year program or an enlistment in the military.

Good-sounding plan Emanuel touts the plan as requiring every graduate to have a plan for their lives before they get their diploma. “If you change ex-

REV. JESSE L. JACKSON, SR. TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM

pectations,” he says, “it’s not hard for kids to adapt.” Sounds good, right?

But the City Colleges of Chicago, a system of seven community colleges, already guarantees admittance to any high school graduate. So all the high schools will do is get every graduating senior to apply for admission, whether they intend to go or not.

That will require a dramatic increase in school counselors, of course, and there’s no budget for

America needs and wants comprehensive infrastructure investment Earlier this month, the voters of Kansas City, Mo., handily approved three ballot questions that will allow the city to borrow and invest $800 million over 20 years to improve roads, bridges, sidewalks and flood control, and to build a new animal shelter. They also approved the One City Initiative, a one-eighth-cent sales tax to fund economic development in the city’s struggling central core.

Not only did large majorities vote in favor of the measures, but voter turnout was nearly double that of last year’s mayoral election.

‘Not too much’ One of the most tireless – and

MARC H. MORIAL TRICE EDNEY NEWSWIRE

effective – advocates for the One City Initiative has been president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, Gwendolyn Grant. In a widely-circulated guest editorial in the Kansas City Star, she argued: “An increase of one-eighth of one cent is not too much to pay to create jobs, reduce crime and spawn economic development

You don’t have to be rich; you don’t need to be an intellectual; and you don’t have to be a leader. You have something more than words to give to our people.

Love, trust, respect, encouragement, a smile, a hug, a couple of dollars to a person in need, the willingness to start a project, a movement, or an organization, are all things we can do as individuals. legacy of putting your words into action? Don’t you want your children to know you for your work on their behalf, rather than what you said we “needed”?

We can see what our ancestors did, many of who never gave a speech or wrote a book. They simply worked to leave something better for those who came after

that. (The mayor says he’ll try to raise $1 million from private donors to help.)

Chicago has the worst Black unemployment of any of the five biggest cities in the country. Across the US, a staggering 51.3 percent of young Black high school graduates are unemployed or underemployed (that is, forced to work part-time involuntarily or giving up on finding a job).

No jobs available A majority of young Black high school graduates are looking for full-time work and can’t find it.

The mayor’s plan does nothing to address this grim reality. Instead, it erects a paperwork hoop for kids to jump though that is likely to have very little to do with their plans for their lives.

Why not go a step further down the reform road? Establish the requirement and then guarantee every graduate a job, with the city acting as an employer of last resort. Rather than create another hurdle for graduation, create an incentive to graduate.

on Kansas City’s East Side. An increase of one-eighth of one cent is not too much to manifest our commitment to creating healthy communities in the central city.”

The lesson is clear: Americans want a comprehensive plan to fund urban infrastructure improvements, and they are willing to invest in their nation’s future.

Urban communities were disproportionately battered by the Great Recession, and the fragile economic recovery has been slow to reach them.

Several times in our history, the National Urban League has promulgated the concept of an urban Marshall Plan – modeled on the massively successful economic development initiative that lifted Europe out of poverty in the wake of World War II.

New ‘Marshall Plan’ Last year, we announced the development of “The Main Street Marshall Plan: From Poverty to

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: TRUMP’S FIRST 100 DAYS

NATE BEELER, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

them. It’s more about the actions than it is about the words anyway.

Frederick Douglass told Harriet Tubman, “I have had the applause of the crowd and the satisfaction that comes of being approved by the multitude, while the most that you have done has been witnessed by the few trembling, scarred, foot-sore bondmen and women, whom you have led out of the house of bondage...The midnight sky and silent stars have been the witness of your devotion to freedom and of your heroism...

‘God bless you,’ has been your only reward.”

Everyone can help Everyone can do something.

You don’t have to be rich; you don’t need to be an intellectual; and you don’t have to be a leader. You have something more than words to give to our people.

The problem isn’t that Chicago’s high school graduates don’t want to work. The problem is that they can’t find work. If the city wants to create a requirement, it should fill the need.

In this way, Emanuel’s plan is a faint echo of his mentor Bill Clinton’s welfare reforms. In 1996, when Clinton’s welfare reform bill was passed, the rhetoric was all about impoverished single mothers going from welfare to work. The plan was to abolish the welfare guarantee and require that poor mothers go to work after a limited period of time.

No help provided Great; everyone is for work over welfare. But to hold a job, impoverished single mothers need some way to care for their children, job training, a way to get to their job – and a job to get to. None of that was provided in the welfare reform bill that eventually passed. And the result was, when the recession hit, unforeseen consequences – impoverished mothers and their children took the hit.

Shared Prosperity,” the final version of which will be unveiled May 2 as part of our State of Black America Empowerment Summit in Washington, D.C. While critical of many of the proposals and policies of President Trump, the National Urban League has remained cautiously optimistic about his promise to invest $1 trillion in the nation’s infrastructure, with inner cities being the major beneficiary. If the plan includes a strong jobsbuilding component that guarantees minority business participation and employment for workers in high-unemployment neighborhoods, we could support such a bill.

Congress, however, traditionally has resisted such infrastructure proposals. Obstructionists blocked President Obama’s $50 billion “roads, rails and runways” proposal in 2010 and his American Jobs Act in 2011. They blocked his proposals for an infrastructure bank, a national

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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Love, trust, respect, encouragement, a smile, a hug, a couple of dollars to a person in need, the willingness to start a project, a movement, or an organization, are all things we can do as individuals.

As a collective we can unify, organize, and work on building something for ourselves, because just talking about it will not get the job done. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

James E. Clingman is the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. His latest book, “Black Dollars Matter! Teach Your Dollars How To Make More Sense,” is available on his website, Blackonomics.com, and Amazon Kindle eBooks.

Emanuel operates from the theory that poor graduates lack a plan for life after high school.

What they lack, however, is a real job or a real training program that would lead to a job.

These kids grow up in impoverished neighborhoods and on mean streets. Often, they come from broken homes, without adequate nutrition, with unstable housing. They attend schools with massive needs and inadequate resources. If they make it, they graduate into an economy that has little place for them.

Make the investment If the mayor actually wants to address this challenge – and I believe he does – it will take more than “nudges.” It will take investing in schools, providing intensive counseling, resources for those qualified to go to college but who cannot afford it, affordable transportation and housing, and jobs.

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is president and CEO of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

high-speed rail network and the GROW AMERICA Act (Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America).

The people’s will Congress must heed the results of Kansas City’s infrastructure referenda and respond to the clear will of the American people. As my predecessor Whitney M. Young wrote in the New York Times Magazine in 1963, in calling for a domestic Marshall Plan: “We have the material and spiritual resources as a country to meet the challenge and accomplish the urgent task ahead.

All we need is the will to act and the spirit of decency and sacrifice which abounds in our land.”

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

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M A YNEWS OR

APRIL 27 – MAY 3, 2017 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

OUT & ABOUT

Fashion Breeze, Massy Awards Fashion Breeze Runway Show: The Fashion Breeze Runway Show 2017 was held Sunday at the Marina View Event Center featuring the Epicurean Models from Bethune-Cookman University. The event was part of Fashion Week on the Beach, held from April 21-23 in Daytona Beach presented by Kimiko Productions. The fashion show included designs by Shabar of Deltona, Yesha and Kimiko of Daytona Beach, Inna Rudenko, Scarlie Paul and Yong Lin of Orlando, Pam Botello of Kissimmee, Michael Kors in the Tanger Outlet Daytona as well as AJ Reese Clothier in Jacksonville.

The Massy Awards: Bethune-Cookman’s Massy Awards, presented by the Department of Mass Communications, took place on April 21 on campus with a Great Gatsby theme. The Massy Awards is a student steered competition that recognizes the achievements and media skills of B-CU students.

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

5 7

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PRINCIPAL from Page 1

to take accelerated courses while in high school.

“During his first year as the school’s principal, he increased the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses, expanded Career and Technical Education offerings and created an academic pathway to meet students’ needs. His colleagues commended him for being selfmotivated, driven and dedicated to his profession.’’

Candidates for the awards were nominated by the superintendent from their respective school districts.

Flagler County Public Schools Superintendent Jacob Oliva stated in a press release issued by the school district, “Dr. Johnson has accomplished so much within Flagler Schools since he first stepped foot on the Matanzas High School campus.

His selection is confirmation of something we’ve known all along; he is one of the top educational leaders in the state.”

Humbled by honor “I am humbled by this honor. While this

APRIL 27 – MAY 3, 2017

selection is given to an individual principal, I am successful because of the wonderful team of teachers and administrators we have at Matanzas,’’ Johnson stated.

Johnson’s competitors for the award are Dr. Kevin Hendrick, principal of Northeast High School in Pinellas County, and Dr. Rachel Shelley, principal of Booker High School in Sarasota County.

The three finalists for assistant principal of the year are Dr. Jacqueline Smith, Hollywood Hills High School, Broward County; Marlene Staughan, Mount Dora High School, Lake County; and Kelly Stedman, James Stephens International Academy, Lee County.

26 years in Volusia Johnson has been principal at Matanzas High School since 2015. Prior to going to Flagler County, he spent 26 years with Volusia County Schools.

He began his career in education as a mathematics teacher and quickly rose up the ranks, spending 22 years in school administration.

The award recognizes exceptional contributions of the principals to their schools and communities.

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST Bi- Weekly Payroll Processing, Money Room procedures, accounting reports.

ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE OFFICE ASSISTANT Review vendor invoices and reconcile. Money Room procedures. Organize imaging files.

These are full-time positions with benefits. Must be able to lift up to fifty pounds.

Applications available at Votran.org OR in person at 950 Big Tree Rd, S. Daytona.

EOE - Females/Minorities/ Protected Veterans/ Individuals with Disabilities.

DFWP.

IN LOOKING FOR THE IDEAL RESUME, YOU’VE IGNORED THE IDEAL CANDIDATE.

LEARN HOW TO FIND, TRAIN AND CULTIVATE A GREAT POOL OF UNTAPPED TALENT.

7

M ASPORTS YOR

APRIL 2714–- MAY 3, 2017 DECEMBER 20, 2006

Allen ready to bring DeLand back to football glory

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

Florida High school spring football practice began on Monday and some local teams have new head coaches.

Steve Allen begins his quest to turn around the DeLand Bulldogs.

“I like the mix of kids and the demographics here. I spent two years as an assistant here. There is a challenge of there being so many coaches that have been here with varied amounts of success.,” Allen said. “Some haven’t had success or the stability. It’s a good job. I like Principal Mitch Moyer as a boss. I like how he does things. All those attracted me here.’’

2-7 season Allen was hired in December and takes over a DeLand program that has won just four games over the past two seasons, including a 2-7 mark last season.

Vernon Shelton led the program last year. James Thomson, the coach before him, stepped down with three games remaining in the 2015 season.

“One of the biggest challenges is just overcoming what happened in recent years. This team hasn’t won much the past two years. It’s not going to be easy,” Allen related.

May 19 game However, the Bulldogs return with plenty of talent, including safety Avantae Williams, linebacker TyShaun Woulard, quarterback/receiver/defensive back Taron Keith, linebacker Sid Elzayat, quarterback Dylin Lemons, defensive lineman Anthony Bruten and offensive linemen Jason Murphy.

DeLand will host New Smyrna Beach at Spec Martin Stadium at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 19, for its

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS spring game.

Allen commented, “Going into spring practice, everyone is always excited when it’s a new thing going on. The kids have been training. We’ll be hitting the field. They want to get started. We want to win our spring game and build momentum for the fall.”

Winning coach With 32 years of coaching experience, Allen knows what it takes to be winner.

He was head coach at a big school, Flagler Palm Coast (Class 8A now, 6A then) from 20022009, and at a small school in Warner Christian Academy in South Daytona (Class 2A) from 2012-2013.

He went 20-4 in two seasons at Warner with two district titles and a state semifinal appearance.

At Flagler Palm Coast, Allen went 51-35 with two district titles and four playoff appearances in five seasons between 2003 to 2007.

“It helps that I have done it.

Having been a head coach coming to another program, you know what the job is. You know what it takes to build a program.

You get the job because the program has had some trouble and they are looking for something.

You wouldn’t get the job if it was no trouble. You’re always rebuilding to a certain extent,’’ he explained.

On classifications To Allen, school classifications don’t matter. It’s all about numbers.

“I had kids play for me in my 2A program that played for me in a 6A program and vice versa. The level only states the numbers of

kids a program has – not talent,” he remarked.

“The larger schools have more numbers to choose from. At the end of the day, it’s still football. You have to line up 11 guys, coach them, scheme, and then they have to play and execute.’’

Early career Allen also has been an assistant coach at DeLand, Atlantic, Deerfield Beach high and West Virginia Wesleyan College.

He played football, baseball and track at Christiansburg High in Christiansburg, Va. In college, he played football at Emory & Henry College in Emory, Va. He was elected to the Emory & Henry College Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Radio show analyst Allen returns to coaching after spending a few years away.

The past two years he was a collar commentator/analyst for WELE 1380 Ormond Beach “The Cat’’ for Bethune-Cookman University football.

The experience taught Allen some lessons that can help him as a coach.

“If you’re a relatively intelligent person, you should be learning something in any situation. It kept me in the game traveling and covering the games with Cookman. Being with Cookman and the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), you’re watching Division I football college football league,” he explained.

“It keeps you tuned in with some things that some of our colleagues seem to have had trouble with. I am not a young guy when it comes to coaching. I think some coaches have had trouble keeping up with the times. I enjoyed that gig and learned from the gig. I also got to see the game from another perspective.”

COURTESY OF DELAND HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

Steve Allen was hired in December as DeLand High School’s new football coach.

Allen is shown with Paul Ryder, DeLand’s athletic director.

Decision shows Earnhardt sees future beyond NASCAR

BY GEORGE DIAZ ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS

Dale Earnhardt Sr. died chasing his passion for racing. His son will walk away chasing his passion for life.

Dale Jr.’s decision to retire from NASCAR’s highest circuit at the end of this season isn’t surprising, given the concussion-related symptoms that left him in no shape to drive for half of the races in 2016 Instead, multiple concussions since 2012 have given him clarity.

“I wanted to be able to make that decision myself and not have it made for me,” Earnhardt said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C. The implication is obvious:

Focus on health

JEFF SINER/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/TNS

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is shown prior to driving in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26 at the t Daytona International Speedway.

Earnhardt Jr. to retire at end of 2017 season

BY MARK PRICE AND ADAM BELL CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/TNS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s most popular driver, will retire after the end of the 2017 season.

“After 18 seasons and more than 600 races behind the wheel, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will bring his NASCAR Cup Series driving career to a close at the conclusion of 2017,” said the statement from hendrickmotorsports.com.

Earnhardt first shared the news with members of his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team.

His father, Dale, was also one of the sport’s most popular stars.

He was killed while driving at the Daytona 500 in 2001.

The next chapter The younger Earnhardt, 42, discussed his decision in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

He was joined by Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick,

for whom Earnhardt has driven since 2008. The two first met about the driver’s decision on March 29, Hendrick added.

Driver Mark Martin was among the first of his peers to acknowledge the news, with a Tweet that said: “I’m really excited for the next chapter in @DaleJr and @ AmyEarnhardt lives. JR has made #NASCAR so much better and will continueo do so.”

Fans react Online reaction from fans was swift, with many saying his departure will impact the sport’s popularity.

“The PomPom Girl” tweeted, “There goes 67 percent of the fans. I understand the why but it doesn’t make it any easier. He’s a perfect representative of the sport and class.” Another fan said simply, “Sundays won’t be the same.”

“I about gave up NASCAR when we lost his dad,” George Cumbee posted on Facebook.

“I’ve tried hard to stay with it with

Dale Jr. Now with him leaving I’ll have to find something else. With all the changes and this the sport is not what it once was.”

“The only reason I have watched NASCAR for the last few years and now he’s retiring,” posted Michael Milazzo on Facebook.

“You had big shoes to fill and you did your best. Go enjoy life now good luck to you JR.”

1999 debut Earnhardt made his first career Cup Series start on May 30, 1999, at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Since then, the Kannapolis native has captured 26 points-paying Cup race wins and been voted by fans as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver a record 14 consecutive years, reported Hendrick Motorsports. He has qualified for the NASCAR playoffs eight times.

Now in the midst of his 18th full-time season at the elite Cup level, Earnhardt made his 600th career series start on March 26 at Fontana, California. He will compete in his final NASCAR Cup Series race on Nov. 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports said it will announce plans for its 2018 team alignment at a later date, said NASCAR.com.

This was a proactive strike against the forces of nature.

They were fully engaged against him last year.

At one point after being sideline by a concussion, he couldn’t focus on road signs while riding as a passenger, so he put his head between his legs to avoid getting dizzy. He couldn’t put one foot in front of the other without falling over, “like a drunk-driving test,” he said.

There was no point in risking his health, nor his life. Not for a man with an estimated net worth of $300 million. Not for a recent newlywed, married to Amy Reimann on New Year’s Eve last year. Not for a man who has achieved far more than he ever thought he could, following his father’s iconic footprints.

26 victories Earnhardt, 42, has 26 victories on his resume, including a pair of Daytona 500 wins in 2004 and 2014. In the most recent win, he celebrated by posing in front of his father’s statue outside Daytona International Speedway.

“Look who I ran into at the Daytona Experience. Dad’s Happy!” Earnhardt tweeted, honoring his father, who died after an accident on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001.

Earnhardt Jr. started tweeting that day on a dormant account and had more than 450,000 followers within hours. He now

COMMENTARY has more than 2 million.

That number speaks to his heavy footprints of generation next. He has never won a series championship competing in NASCAR’s highest tier, but he has been named the sport’s most popular driver for 14 consecutive seasons.

Three stars lossed He will be irreplaceable, no matter what marketing plan NASCAR has in mind. A sport that has been struggling for mainstream relevance will now lose three crossover stars in as many years: Jeff Gordon in 2015, Tony Stewart in 2016, and Earnhardt in 2017.

Earnhardt says he doesn’t see himself “detaching from NASCAR,” committing to two lower Xfinity-circuit races for his Junior Motorsports team in 2018.

But that’s nothing like competing in the 36-race grind of the Cup season, when Earnhardt moved the needle every week.

“It’s really emotional,” Earnhardt said. “I don’t like letting people down. We all depend on each other. To say I’m not going to be here one day is very difficult.”

‘At peace’ Earnhardt didn’t specifically give a reason for retiring — a decision he shared in a private conversation with his team owner Rick Hendrick on March 29 — and one that has led to no second-guessing.

“I’m at peace with the decision,” he said. “I’m very comfortable with it.”

Most importantly, the decision is his. It is easy to connect the dots to concerns about his health.

So Earnhardt leaves because he can, and another world with his bride awaits, free from the demands and the dangers of racing stock cars at crazy speeds.

He is not his father’s son.

Dale Earnhardt scoffed at some of the innovative safety devices a handful of drivers were using before he died 16 years ago.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has listened very carefully. It leads him to the truth, and the inevitability that he is not indestructible.

Nobody is.

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7COMMUNITY NEWS

APRIL 27 – MAY 3, 2017

Flagler graduates first Mental Health First Aid class SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

Flagler County graduated its first Mental Health First Aid class that included participants from the Clerk of the Circuit Court, CareerSource and Flagler County staff among others.

“This was a wonderful class that provided the attendees with the tools to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders,” said Flagler County Commission Chair Nate McLaughlin, who was one of the participants.

Salvatore Gintoli of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare taught the eight-hour course over two days, which is said to be similar to a CPR course in that it prepares the participants to interact with a person in crisis.

Fall class possible

The eight-hour course was led by Salvatore Gintoli of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare.

Volusia health department to offer services at CMS SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

Starting May 1, the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOHVolusia) will begin serving families from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays at Children’s Medical Services (CMS), 421 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach.

Services available at the CMS location include the Women, Infants, and Children

program (WIC), dental care, and child immunizations. WIC is a federally funded supplemental nutrition program for infants and children under age five and for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding mothers.

The department also has begun to provide weekly WIC, dental and clinical services for students at The Chiles Academy, a charter high school in Daytona Beach.

“We are working to make it more convenient for our clients to access our services,” said DOH-Volusia Administrator Patricia Boswell. “It can be difficult for some to find transportation to our health department locations, so we’re actively looking for opportunities to partner with other agencies who have space in the communities where many of our clients live.”

Other sites The department has been offering community-based services for several years.

For example, the WIC program assists families in Northwest Volusia on Wednesday’s at Family Health Source, a federally

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McLaughlin had facilitated the discussion for the class at the Flagler County Public Safety Coordinating Council meeting about the need to better understand mental health issues in today’s society. The county is looking into hosting another class in the fall.

“The statistic provided is that one in four Americans is experiencing a mental health or addiction disorder,” McLaughlin said. “There needs to be more awareness about how to assess a potential problem, and how to get help for someone who is having an issue.”

For additional information or questions about Mental Health First Aid, send a message to info@mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

qualified health center in Pierson. Dental staff also have offered dental assessments, sealants and dental education countywide to more than 50,000 students in their schools since 2013.

Partnering with agencies not only assists the clients, Boswell said. It also helps public health staff to reach more people who need the department’s services. Boswell said the department is looking for additional innovative ways to serve more residents where they live and at more convenient times.

A complete list of locations and services is online at volusiahealth.com/locations.