Palm Coast organization to honor 99-year-old SEE PAGE 3
EE FR
CHARLENE CROWELL: More relief for those with student loans SEE PAGE 4
NASCAR’S DARRELL WALLACE WINS AGAIN SEE PAGE 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice JUNE 19 - JUNE 25, 2014
YEAR 39 NO. 25
www.daytonatimes.com
Daytona moves forward on charter Report makes recommendations on how city operates over next 10 years BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Former Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, chairman of the city’s Charter Review Commission (CRC), handed in recommendations for review on Wednesday night, right on schedule. The CRC determined what changes, if any, should be made
to the city charter to make it consistent with current law following a series of meetings held at City Hall and throughout the community. The CRC also provides recommendations for amendments to the charter that the commission believes could enhance the integrity and performance of city government in its pursuit of the quality of life that citizens desire.
Every 10 years “We started on Dec. 18 and today is June 18,” reflected Ritchey at the Daytona Beach city commission meeting on Wednesday. “They did long hard work on
behalf of this community,” he added, referencing the board members of the CRC. “Most importantly, I’d like to thank the citizens of this community offering their thoughts and ideas.” Daytona Beach’s charter, the governing document that outlines how the city operates, is required to be reviewed every 10 years by a committee made up of residents. City commissioners appointed members and alternates to serve on the CRC. “Six months of your time, you gave up your time for your city and that does not go unnoticed or unappreciated,” Mayor Derrick Henry responded.
Suggested changes “Although there were spirited debates over the merits of the many proposals, the remarkable civility and respect given to all participants sends a resounding message about the quality and character of our citizenship in Daytona Beach,” Ritchey added. Notable suggested changes of the charter include: Changing the Daytona Beach Planning Board from 11 members to seven members with at least one member from each commission zone. Requiring the mayor to present an annual “State of the City” address in the month of November.
Lest we forget: Civil Rights Act the focus of NAACP banquet
Prohibiting a member of the city commission from being appointed to city attorney within one year after serving on commission. Making budget and capital program records available “as required by general law.” (State law requires that the budget be available on the Internet.) ‘Accomplished its goal’ Other recommendations including correcting typographical errors in the charter and deleting obsolete terms as well as using one term for continuity of specific subjects throughout the charter. Please see CHARTER, Page 2
City hires teens for summer recreation program BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Above: The banquet brought out community leaders, including Rep. Dwayne Taylor, left, and Volusia County Council member Joyce Cusack, far right.
The Volusia County Daytona Beach 41st Annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet was held June 14 at the Hilton Beach Oceanfront Resort. Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the National Lawyer’s Committee on Civil Rights Under Law was the guest speaker. The theme this year was “The NAACP and the Passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act: 50 Years Later.” Arnwine has been a fighter for critical justice issues, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which among others allowed parties to obtain jury trials, and recover compensatory and punitive damages among lawsuits involving intentional discrimination Legendary singer Shirley Murdock provided the evening’s entertainment. Funds from the event will go toward the NAACP’s programs for youth.
Right: Shirley Murdock belts out a crowd favorite at the annual banquet. PHOTOS BY DUANE FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Thirty local teens will be working full time this summer thanks to a student work program offered by the City of Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry recently announced that 30 youth, ages, 15-18, were accepted into the eight-week program. “As an educator, I am happy to announce a new youth summer employment program at City Hall that is near and dear to my heart,” Henry shared. The Youth Employment Summer (YES) is designed to provide high school students with full-time jobs in the city’s summer recreation programs within the Leisure Services department. They will be making $8 an hour.
Learning marketable skills The program is aimed at teaching at-risk youth positive work habits and marketable skills. Participants will gain meaningful employment experience and receive mentoring and lessons in financial literacy. The summer program will provide hands-on education and job training to students from diverse backgrounds, with a special emphasis on serving underperforming and high-risk youth. Please see PROGRAM, Page 2
Traditional parental roles changing; impacts African-American families BY JAZELLE HUNT NNPA NEWS SERVICE
A cache of new research from the Pew Center paints a picture of the modern American family — a picture in which the historically rigid roles and responsibilities of moms and dads are meeting in the middle. But that picture has always been a bit different for Black moms and dads, and the ways this cultural shift is unfolding reflects those differences. “As such roles change, African-Americans are included too,” says George Garrow Jr., executive director of Concerned Black Men. The nonprofit seeks
ALSO INSIDE
to uplift children and families by building Black male role models. “I would point out there’s an uncounted group of fathers who are staying at home with their children, or they have custody,” Garrow continues. “We focus so much on fathers who are not with their children — and admittedly, Black fathers are disproportionately not in the home — but that group of fathers with primary care is not an insignificant number.”
Numbers show change In fact, those dads are now being counted. According to Pew research, Black fathers account for 16 per-
cent of stay-at-home dads, and 9 percent of fathers who both work and live with all their children. The number of stay-athome dads has nearly doubled since 1989, with 2 million fathers comprising 16 percent of stay-athome parents, up from 10 percent in 1989. Now, 50 percent of working fathers — more than ever before — report the same “work-life balance” challenges that working moms have decried for so long. The challenge is stemming from changing attitudes around the meaning of fatherhood. “Our fatherhood program tries to teach that their role as a father does not hinge completely on
the financial contributions. Your child needs emotional, psychological support as well,” Garrow says. “Those we are helping to reconnect [with their children], we help them appreciate that… the [lack of ] ability to provide is no reason to step away from your family.” Garrow touches upon a gloomy Pew finding: While fathers are beginning to redefine fatherhood beyond bringing home the bacon, there are also fewer fathers (of all races) coming home at all.
Single-parent homes One paper reports that 27 percent of all fathers live apart from
at least one of their children. For Black men, that figure is 44 percent. Further, 55 percent of Black children were living in a singleparent home, according to 2011 Census data. At the same time, Black fathers who live apart from their children are the most likely of all dads outside the home to see their child at least monthly (67 percent do), and most likely to talk to their child several times a week about their day (49 percent). Garrow says that the reasons behind absentee fathers in the Black community are often overlooked. Please see FAMILIES, Page 2
COMMENTARY: JULIANNE MALVEAX: DID THE UNCF MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL? | PAGE 4 SPORTS: SPEEDWAY MAKEOVER COULD INCLUDE NFL, OTHER EVENTS | PAGE 7
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JUNE 19 – JUNE 25, 2014
National HIV Testing Day to be recognized June 27 FROM STAFF REPORTS
An estimated 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States and almost one in five don’t know they are infected. Thanks to better treatments, people with HIV are now living longer — and with a better quality of life — than ever before. Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV. “National HIV Testing Day is a time to take the test and take control. It is important to know your HIV status and it is important to prevent the spread of HIV,” remarked Stefany Strong of the
Florida Department of Health in Volusia County. If you have HIV, getting medical care and taking medicines regularly helps you live a longer, healthier life and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others. Free rapid HIV testing will be available with results in 15 minutes June 27 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, 1845 Holsonback Drive. No appointment is needed. It’s open to all ages 13 years and older. Contact Betty Hollis at 386-274-0662 for more information or visit www. volusiahealth.com.
CHARTER from Page 1
“Your commission has accomplished its goal of providing positive charter amendments that will fulfill the goal of continuous improvements in the governance of Daytona Beach while maintaining the flexibility city-elected officials and staff must have to provide for the ongoing needs of our citizens,” Ritchey stated.
Board lauded “I was totally impressed with every meeting I attended, the comments from each one of them. It shows the dynamics of the City of Daytona. The members that we have, the residents, and it goes
FAMILIES from Page 1
“Rarely do you see…fathers who just feel like, ‘I don’t want to be a father, I don’t have desire to be in my kids life,’” he explains. “There are a number of reasons they step away, and a big one is they don’t want to be there if they can’t provide economic support. Sometimes [their child’s mother] may feel this way, too.” The shift in attitudes and norms is affecting moms, too. “Since 1965, mothers have almost tripled the amount of paid work they do each week, but they still lag fathers who work, on average, 37 hours a week,” it explains. “Meanwhile, fathers have increased their housework and child care time, but still only do about half of what mothers do.”
Family roles change Black children are least likely to grow up with a stay-at-home mom (23 percent, compared to 37 percent for Asians, 36 percent for Latinos, and 26 percent for Whites). This is likely because egalitarian views about breadwinning are not new for African Americans. “According to the survey, Blacks are far more likely than Whites to see earning
to show that Daytona is up and coming and has a very good future,” said a Daytona Beach resident at the Wednesday night meeting. Following the submission of the report, two public hearings will be established for public input. The first meeting will be held on July 2 followed by a July 16 meeting at City Hall. Upon approval, a referendum is held where amendments are presented to the electorate for final adoption. The amendments will be placed on the ballot at the next general election on Nov. 4.
a living as a top responsibility of dads and moms. Fully half (51 percent) of Blacks say providing income is “extremely important” for fathers compared with 40 percent of whites,” say the researchers. Black respondents felt the responsibility was just as great for mothers, compared to 21 percent of Whites who agreed. The changes in family roles are also reflected in public attitudes, although the attitudes seem to be changing more slowly. For example, 58 percent of respondents believe that the ideal situation for kids is to have a working mother — though most (42 percent) believe that she should only work part-time. In reality, moms are the breadwinners in 40 percent of households.
Collaborative effort “There are also some differences in the way the public weighs the roles of mothers and fathers, especially when it comes to being an income provider,” says one report. “Just 25 percent of survey respondents say this is an extremely important role for mothers, compared with 41 percent who feel that way about fathers.” Interestingly, public policy doesn’t seem to be keeping up with the times, according to Garrow. “Our social system is not making it particularly easy for fathers to receive as-
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR.
Young people enrolled in Daytona Beach’s YES program stand on the steps of City Hall. Percy Williamson is in the foreground.
PROGRAM from Page 1
knowledge, tools, and confidence to achieve their fullest potential. Donations totaling $40,000 paid for the program and no tax dollars were used in the funding.
$40,000 in donations
Mentors needed
According to information provided to the Times, mentors will use cultural affirmation, social awareness, and community building in an effort to empower young people with the
According to Leisure Services Director Percy Williamson, life skills, work experience, education and a reduction in delinquency are all goals of the program.
“Our long-term objective is to increase the number of students enrolling in post-secondary education after successful completion of our programs,” Williamson shared. Mayor Henry has asked citizens to “please join us by volunteering in our schools and community organizations to mentor a child. If each adult reaches out to one wayward or struggling young person, we can save this generation.”
sistance, for example, if they’re the single head of their household. And a lot of our fathers have complained…when there’s custody disputes, their input or response is not considered by judges,” he says. “But when we bring fathers back into their child’s lives they are sharing roles in raising their child. It’s always collaborative.”
GERTRUDE J. BURNETT,
99, homemaker, died June 14. Survivors include her daughters, Fannie J. Humes, Juanita J. Woods, and Gloria Johnson; grandson, Dr. Miles D. Johnson (Tracey) of Atlanta, Ga., and Ronnie Newbold; granddaughter, Michelle J. Jackson, and Natalie V. Moore; eight greatgrands; one greatgreat grand; and a host of other relatives and friends. Service is 11 a.m. Friday at St. James A.M.E. Church, Miami. Final rites and burial Saturday at 1:30 p.m., Daytona Beach. Arrangements: Range Funeral Home, Miami, 305-691-4343.
The LATCH system makes it easier to be sure your child’s car seat is installed correctly every time. Just clip it to the lower anchors, attach the top tether, and pull the straps tight. To find out more, visit safercar.gov.
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JUNE 19 – JUNE 25, 2014 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
M A YNEWS OR
99-year-old to be honored at July 3 luncheon How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life, you will have been all of these. – Dr. George Washington Carver, 1864-1943, scientist, botanist, educator, inventor The ethics of esteeming the elders - listening and learning from their teachings, valuing their labor, knowing their faith, respecting, revering, and loving them are the dynamics of a celebratory luncheon at the African American Cultural Society on behalf of members 90 years young and older. Some celebrants that will be honored are Mary Henderson Francis, Robert Alleyne, Doris Boyd, Hazel Mills, John Mills, Violet Gordon and Kate Solomon. Walter Boone, former AACS president, was tasked with the joyous celebration of the elders. Boone’s committee makes up Stephanie Robinson, Alfreda Brown, Sondra Henderson and Diana McKie-Robinson. They will provide the platform for esteeming the elders like Mrs. Francis, who graduated from Hunter High School in New York, and received a master’s degree in speech pathology from Hunter College. Mrs. Francis worked in the summers for a while as a “show-
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
room girl” in New York’s garment district. She was employed with New York State Unemployment Insurance Division in the Hearing Unit. She says, “I seemed to have found my niche when I worked for New York State Department of Labor as a labor relations investigator. I stayed there 28 years and retired in 1971.” In addition to countless achievements, Mrs. Francis was a volunteer in the winters in Antigua at a school for the deaf and served 10 years at Old Kings Elementary School in Palm Coast as a volunteer for a third-grade class. She’s traveled to Italy with the choir from her church – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church – and the Black Catholic Guild to Africa. As a sidebar, she’s also the sister of the late actor Rosetta LeNoire, better known as Mother Winslow in the TV sitcom “Family Matters.” Mrs. Francis’ story is reminiscent of many of the achievements of the elders to be celebrated July 3 – the 99th birthday of Mrs. Francis – 3 to 6 p.m., at the African American Cultural Society,4422 U.S. 1 North, Palm Coast.
The ticket price is $15. For ticket sales, call Stephanie Robinson at 386-439-7174.
Coming in January: Flagler Film Festival Lights, camera, action! Start getting your films ready so audiences will fall in love with them at the second Flagler Film Festival. The flicks will be released Jan. 9-11, 2015. Organizers Kathryn Barry and Orion Christy are working with Renny Roker to expand the festival’s reach. Their first role in presenting the inaugural festival was Jan. 13 at the Palm Coast Hilton Garden Inn. A well-versed promoter for the late icon Nat King Cole, Roker has produced movies and TV shows, and has worked as a record executive. He’s related to Al Roker of NBC’s “Today Show.” They are cousins, along with the late Roxie Roker of “The Jeffersons,” and composer/singer/songwriter Lenny Kravitz. For further details surrounding the Second Flagler Film Festival, visit flaglerfilmfestival.com.
NAACP to meet June 24 Join the Flagler County NAACP for the June 24, 6 p.m., membership meeting at the African American Cultural Society, 4422 North U.S. 1, Palm Coast. You will be on course with Jim Landon, Palm Coast City Manag-
Mary Henderson Francis is one of the celebrants to be honored on her 99th birthday at the African American Cultural Society. er, in his State of the Palm Coast address. For further details, contact the NAACP at 386-446-7822. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to: Elaine Koonce, June 19; Randenese Litkett, June 21; James Sharpe, June 22; Monica Baker, June 24; and Howard Wilson, June 25. Happy anniversary to Donald and Shirley Jones, June 24; and Errol and Carmel Hooke, June 25.
Sorority to present eight debutantes at biennial event The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Gamma Mu Omega Chapter, will present eight young women to society at its biennial Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Gala. The event will be 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at the Shores Resort and Spa, 2637 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores. The eight young ladies are: Bri’elle Black, a 2014 graduate of Spruce Creek High School, daughter of Lynnetta Oglesby and Brenton Black; Antoinette Chapman, a rising senior at Mainland High School, daughter of Sheila and Michael Chap-
man; Tristen Johnson, a rising senior at Calvary Christian Academy, daughter of Teresa and Rufus Johnson; Jazmine Logan, a 2014 graduate of Mainland High School, daughter of Ramona Carswell and Durwin Logan; Alexia Scarbough, a rising senior at Mainland High School, daughter of Adrian and Andre’ Scarbough; Katrinka Strickland, a rising senior at Spruce Creek High School, daughter of Sheila Alexander and stepdaughter of Laron Alexander; Kemari Thomas, a rising senior at Mainland High School, daughter of Shenika Davis and grand-
Human Services to host public meeting June 23 Volusia County’s Human Services office will host a public meeting to provide information about services provided, identify gaps in service, and elect a community representative and alternate to serve on the Human Services Advisory Board. The meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 23, in the fellowship hall of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 214 N. Myrtle Ave., New Smyrna Beach. The advisory board assists the Volusia County Council in developing Community Services Block Grant program goals and objectives, identifying community needs, and evaluating program effectiveness. For more information, contact Myralis Hopgood at mhopgood@ volusia.org or 386-736-5956, ext. 12985.
Tobacco Free Partnership offers presentation June 23 The Tobacco Free Florida Volusia County Partnership will have an informational session on tobacco use and the Affordable Care Act at its next meeting on Monday, June 23 at 4 p.m. at the Volusia County Health Department, 1845 Holsonback Road, Daytona Beach. Alyce Shelton from the Health Planning Council of NE Florida will touch on how tobacco use among employees and individuals affects health insurance rates and more. The partnership is a countywide, locally organized group committed to saving lives and improving the overall health and wellbeing of residents and visitors by reducing and/or eliminating the use of tobacco products. The partnership is organized to advocate on the local, state and national level for: prevention of the initiation of tobacco use among youth; protection from secondhand smoke; and, promotion of tobacco cessation. Anyone is welcome to attend
daughter of Albert Grayson Jr.; and Tamera Wiggins, a 2014 graduate of Mainland High School, daughter of Shaunelle Hill.
‘Bud Debutantes’ too The debutante program is open to juniors and seniors at high schools in Volusia and Flagler counties. Interested young ladies and their families are invited to apply beginning in the fall. Those selected take part in various workshops and activities prior to the final presentation. Funds raised through the program are used to underwrite scholarships. The theme for this year’s
this and any of the meetings. For more information, call Kristen Mialki at 386-274-0601.
program is “Les Pearles de Elegance.” Besides the presentation, the event will include dinner and dancing. A highlight of the evening is always the father-daughter waltz. In addition to the older girls, the program will showcase eight “Bud Debutantes,” which are girls between the ages of 5 and 8 years old. The buds for this year are Kaila Bellamy, Tori Burns, Jade Long, Jayla Long, Amina McGee, Athena McWilliams, Jaziah Miller and Terrianna Williams. For more information, call 386-253-1753.
Volusia County’s Environmental, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor (ECHO) Advisory Committee will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, 1776 Lightfoot Lane, Barberville. Members will discuss an emergency stabilization application submitted by the settlement. Public participation will be welcomed at the end of the meeting. For more information, contact ECHO Program Manager Nancy Maddox at nmaddox@volusia. org or 386-736-5953.
This is the third year in a row that Palm Coast Parks and Recreation has joined with children and adults at aquatic facilities across the country and around the globe to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever conducted. Led by Recreation Supervisor James Hirst, participants in Palm Coast will follow the “World’s Largest Swimming Lesson’’ curriculum – learning about floating, kicking, jumping in correctly and sun safety. Last year, 150 people attended the lesson at the Frieda Zamba Pool. Palm Coast can accommodate up to 148 people for the free lesson. For more information, visit www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org or call the pool at 386986-4741.
Palm Coast AACS to meet June 28
Holly Hill, County Council to meet June 25
ECHO Advisory Committee to meet June 26
An African American Cultural Society general membership meeting to close the 2014 fiscal year will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, at the AACS Center, 4422 North US Highway 1. The African American Cultural Society, Inc. is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Light breakfast refreshments will be served starting at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. For details, contact Jean Tanner at 386-445-8403.
‘World’s Largest Swimming Lesson’ scheduled June 20 The City of Palm Coast’s Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool is an official participating site for the “World’s Largest Swimming Lesson’’ at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20. Swimmers and those who want to learn to swim should arrive by 10:30 a.m. to sign in and be in the pool when the lesson begins. Admission is free and all ages are invited to participate. The pool is located at 339 Parkview Drive, Palm Coast, right behind the Buddy Taylor/Wadsworth School complex.
The Volusia County Council and the Holly Hill City Commission will have a joint public meeting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, or immediately following the River-to-Sea Transportation Planning Organization, at the Indigo Professional Center, 2570 W. International Speedway Blvd., Suite 100, Daytona Beach. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the city’s proposal to place non-ad valorem assessments for code abatement and remedy on property tax bills. For more information, call 386-736-5920.
Mt. Bethel celebrating 129th anniversary Mt. Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, 700 S. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd, was created as the first organized religious institution for African-Americans in Daytona Beach on June 22, 1885. On June 22, the church will celebrate its 129th anniversary. At the 11 a.m. service, the Rev. Dr. Eugene Hudson will give the anniversary theme message “Triumphing in Christ. The Rev. Dr. L. Ronald Durham and Greater Friendship Baptist
Bri’elle Black
Antoinette Chapman
Tristen Johnson
Jazmine Logan
Alexia Scarbough
Katrinka Strickland
Kemari Thomas
Tamera Wiggins
Church will be the guests at a 4 p.m. service. The public is invited to attend. Call 386-255-6922 for additional information.
The Domestic Abuse Council seeking sponsors for Purple Parade The Domestic Abuse Council, Inc. is a private nonprofit agency in Volusia County providing temporary emergency shelter for women, children and men who are victims or survivors of domestic violence. The council is seeking sponsors for its third annual Purple Parade, which is scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center, 925 George W. Engram Blvd.,Daytona Beach. Proceeds for this event will support the agency’s shelter programs. Individuals who fear for their safety and would most likely be homeless if they left their current residence will benefit from the sponsorships. Last year’s walk included a drum line, anti-bully pledge table and a pinwheel peace sign.
Sponsorship levels Here are the sponsorship levels for the Purple Parade. Bronze: ($500) Includes your name on promotional flier and media releases if received by July 1, 2014. Mention in our quarterly newsletter. Mention on the council’s Facebook page and mention on the corporate website. Silver: ($1,000) Includes all of the above plus logo on the event marketing fliers, your marketing materials on display at the event and at least two mentions at the podium. Gold: ($1,500) Includes all of the above and your corporate banner on display at the event. Contact Lynn Kaiser Conrad for more information at 386-2572297, ext. 22 or lynn@domesticabusecouncil.com.
South Daytona to host Business Scavenger Hunt Area residents can go “hunting” for a chance to win prizes and help local businesses. The City of South Daytona and the Port Orange/ South Daytona Chamber of Commerce will host an inaugural U.S. 1 Business Scavenger Hunt, June 24 through 28. The rules are simple and it could mean a chance to win a gift basket with great items. Just visit 14 participating businesses during the five-day hunt and get the answer to simple questions. No purchase is required and the event is open to everyone. Answer cards may be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce, 3431 S. Ridgewood Ave. Port Orange or in South Daytona at City Hall, 1672 S. Ridgewood Ave. and the Piggotte Community Center, 504 Big Tree Road. Answers must be returned to these same locations by 3 p.m. on Monday June 30. This scavenger hunt will be a fun experience for participants, but it will also benefit local businesses by showcasing services and products offered in the local community, said Debbie Connors, chamber executive director. “Whether your interest is good food, unique merchandise or general services, South Daytona has something for everyone, so come visit the newly renovated Ridgewood corridor,” Connors said.
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JUNE 19 – JUNE 25, 2014
More relief for those with student loans With outstanding student loans totaling more than $1trillion and still counting, the White House and Congress have proposed measures to ease the financial burden now borne by 25 million borrowers. At the White House on June 9, President Obama endorsed Senate and House bills that would allow student loan borrowers to refinance their loans into lower interest rates. He also directed the Department of Education to begin a public rulemaking procedure to expand the most generous income-based repayment options to an estimated 5 million more borrowers. The new “Pay as You Earn Program“ limits monthly loan payments to no more than 10 percent of income and forgives any remaining money owed after 20 years of payments. It is also expected to save the average student loan borrower $2,000 over the life of the loans.
A chance given President Obama said, “I’m only here because this country gave me a chance at higher education with help in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. This is why I feel so strongly about this.” The president also directed the secretaries of Education and Treasury to find new and innovative ways to best serve students and taxpayers, while ensuring that distressed borrowers learn about repayment options available to them. Treasury and Education will also work together to educate students, families, financial aid ad-
CHARLENE CROWELL NNPA COLUMNIST
ministrators and tax preparers to ensure that all consumers better understand and receive the education tax benefits for which they are eligible. The two departments will also create a pilot program to investigate improved loan counseling. A new report, co-authored by the White House Domestic Policy Council and the Council of Economic Advisers, underscored why loan refinance is urgently needed. The report states, “Over the past three decades, the average tuition at a public and four-year college has more than tripled, while a typical family’s income has barely budged. More students than ever are relying on loans to pay for college. “Income-driven repayment plans, like the President’s mew ‘Pay as You Earn Program’ can be effective tools to help individuals manage their debt and avoid the consequences of defaulting on a Federal student loan, especially for borrowers whose college investment has yet to deliver its full benefit,” the report noted.
Lower interest rates Meanwhile Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) drew support for her bill enabling student loan debt to be refinanced at lowered market interest rates. Entitled the
Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act (S. 2432), it was introduced in early May and gained 39 co-sponsors. The measure was also supported by 30 national and state organizations, including the Center for Responsible Lending CRL). Spanning organized labor to educators, mortgage bankers and youth advocates and others, the broad coalition sought to influence the Senate floor vote scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, just days following the President’s actions. Despite this broad and diverse advocacy, the Senate invoked its procedural cloture vote instead of allowing the bill a full vote on its merits. The cloture vote failed to reach the necessary 60-vote threshold that would cut off debate. In response to the filibuster actions, Senator Warren acknowledged the bipartisan support the measure has and vowed to continue fighting for passage. Additionally, Sen Tom Harkin (R-Iowa), chair of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee termed the June 11 vote as “only a first step.” Maura Dundon, CRL senior policy counsel posed a key question, “The ability to refinance is something we take for granted in other consumer credit. Why treat students differently?”
Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
How much are you worth? In a 2010 report titled, “Lifting as we Climb: Women of Color, Wealth, and America’s Future,” posted by Insight – Center for community and Economic Development, a startling and unbelievable statistic was cited. Written by Mariko Chang, with the help of Meizhu Lui, Director of the Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Initiative, the report stated the median wealth for Black females from “3649 years of age is $5.00.” If you studied statistics, you may remember that the “median” is the number in the middle of a given set of numbers. That being true, this statistic also means that an equal number of Black women in that age group have even less wealth, while the other half is higher. To be exact, the report used the term “women of color,” which includes Hispanic as well as Black women. So what are we to make of yet another indicator of Black economic disparity – or should I say economic despair? Do we just shake our heads and continue down the path of apathy, giving into the notion that there’s nothing we can do about it? Do we view it as a microcosm of our overall economic condition? Or, do we address this issue head-on with our “leaders” and demand economic, political,
JAMES CLINGMAN NNPA COLUMNIST
educational, and social change? For perspective, the report also states: “White women in the prime working years of ages 36-49 have a median wealth of $42,600. Prior to age 50, women of color have virtually no wealth. Moreover, in comparison to their same-sex White counterparts, women of color in the two youngest age groups, have less than 1% of the wealth of White women…” The report also noted the same relative statistics for Black men.
Not quite last Compared to White people, Blacks are so far behind that it’s almost meaningless to even discuss the “gaps” in income and wealth. In addition, compared to Asians and so-called “East Indians,” who even exceed Whites in some categories, we have moved to fourth place on the economic scale, only barely ahead of Hispanics. We are still in very poor economic shape as a whole, which
the $5 of wealth Black women 3649 years of age hold graphically indicates. Our families are still at the bottom in median net worth; our businesses are at the bottom in receipts and number of employees; and our children are still at the bottom in education and employment, but at the top in incarceration. Doesn’t this suggest to you that we have to change our economic behavior? Doesn’t it indicate a dire need to develop multiple streams of income for our people? Some of our women are worth less now than they were on the auction block, and we are sitting around waiting for Barack Obama to make things right. We are ensconced in discussions about politics and politicians who are doing absolutely nothing to help us. We are spending our time on voting rights instead of economic rights, not understanding that our voting rights only lead to economic rights for the politicians and their hacks. We are not asleep; we are in a coma!
Jim Clingman is the founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
Harry Belafonte: An international treasure The long protracted struggle of African-Americans for freedom, justice and equality is recognized as a vital and important part of the global struggle for human dignity and freedom. There are no freedom movements without the contributions, sacrifices and commitments of freedom fighters. For more than seven decades, Harry Belafonte continues to stand tall among social visionaries and activist-leaders who champion the cause of equality and liberation throughout the world. In the immediate aftermath of the loss of Maya Angelo and Ruby Dee, we all should take a moment to salute this international leader in our midst while he is still alive. Over the years, Belafonte has been a strong advocate and supporter of the Black Press of America, especially in the 1950s and 1960s when Black newspapers across the United States covered Belafonte’s involvement and support of the Civil Rights Movement.
March on Washington
BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR. NNPA COLUMNIST
and Marlon Brando. They all discussed the issue of race in America and the challenges that remained in the wake of the success of the March on Washington. But it was Belafonte who asserted that Black Americans were “not going to wait any longer for change to come.” I remember when Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett, publisher of the Sun-Reporter in San Francisco, encouraged me during the height of the struggle to free the Wilmington Ten in the 1970s to reach out to Belafonte because of his effective international progressive influence. Harry Belafonte is more than just a great entertainer. He remains a magnificent role model for artists, actors, film makers, and entrepreneurs who want to contribute to making the world a better place.
On the evening of the historic 1963 March on Washington, Campaigner for children Belafonte was the lead orgaHarry Belafonte, James Baldwin, and Sidney Poitier joined in an nizer for the Grammy award winunprecedented television inter- ning record “We Are the World” view panel with Charlton Heston that won record of the year in 1985
and raised millions of dollars for emergency assistance in Africa. The United Nations affirmed that “Belafonte was an eloquent campaigner for the world’s children.” In 1987, the UN appointed Belafonte to be the Chairman of the International Symposium of Activists and Intellectuals for African Children. President Bill Clinton awarded the National Medal of the Arts to Harry Belafonte in 1994 for his outstanding leadership and service to humanity. A couple of years ago, I had the rare pleasure of sharing a train ride from Washington, D.C. to New York City next to Belafonte. We talked the entire trip on topics ranging from contemporary music to the rise of hip-hop culture and music in Cuba as well as to assess the status of the freedom movement across the globe. Freedom fighters never retire. Rather, they keep fighting for freedom.
Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is president of Education Online Services Corporation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: OBAMA BUSH AND IRAQ
BOB ENGLEHEART, THE HARTFORD COURANT
Did the UNCF make a deal with the devil? When the Koch Foundation gave the United Negro College Fund $25 million, it set off a maelstrom of comments in cyberspace and real time. How dare the UNCF take money from the Koch brothers, some asked. They ought to send it back, said others. One woman told me she would never give to UNCF again because of the Koch donation. Another says the Koch donation changes her perception of UNCF. The donation will provide $18.5 million in scholarships, money that is badly needed to get some of our young people out of school, especially with the cuts so many experienced because of reduced access to the Parent Plus loan. Another $4 million will go to the 37 UNCF schools for general support, again to make up some of the losses that came from reduced enrollment due to Parent Plus. The remainder goes to UNCF for their general support. What’s wrong with this picture?
Make the most of it Koch scholarships will be awarded to students with good grades, financial needs, and an interest in studying how “entrepreneurship, economics and innovation contribute to well-being for individuals, communities, and society.” Sounds like conservative free markets to me. More than that, it sounds like granting scholarships to further the Koch government-reducing, free market focus. Koch protects its interest by having two seats on the five member scholarship committee, with the other three from the UNCF. While non-Koch interests are the majority, it will be interesting to see if a donor can sway a committee. What else? The Koch brothers are making the most of this gift in the media. Rarely have I seen so many headlines generated by a gift of that size. $100 million, maybe. $250 million, surely. But while $25 million will mean a lot to the UNCF, schools such as Harvard would likely consider it nothing more than a modest behest. The Koch brothers must think they’ll get some positive publicity from their gift,
JULIANNE MALVEAX NNPA COLUMNIST
and they obviously have the PR team to pitch it.
Voter supression culprits Furthermore, these are the very Koch brothers who have supported voter suppression efforts.They would reduce the size of government, which means the Pell grants that so many students depend on would shrink in size. What one hand gives, in other words, the other takes away. If the Koch brothers would fight to maintain or increase the size of the Pell grant, fewer would look askance at their gift. Instead, many see this as the cynical manipulation of a deep-pockets donor who gets much publicity from their gift. On the other hand, when the New York Times criticized the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation for its corporate support, Elsie Scott, the then-director said that if we spent money on certain products it was only right that we get their support. Does this apply to the Koch donation? Unfortunately, too many African-American organizations buy what we want and beg for what we need. Many in the African-American community have $25 million to give to the United Negro College Fund. Many could spend the dollars to support our students. The fact that we do not leaves us vulnerable to contributions like Koch, contributions that come with strings and, perhaps, a conservative agenda. Should UNCF President Michael Lomax send the money back? Only if someone steps up to replace it.
Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer and President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. 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.
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HEALTH MA YOR
JUNE 19 – JUNE 2014 DECEMBER 14 - 20,25, 2006
DUANE FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Children enrolled at the Rose Marie Bryon Children’s Center in Daytona Beach find plenty on Wednesday to keep them busy and happy.
FROM FAMILY FEATURES
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ummer is a time of playground fun, camping, swimming and other outdoor activities. When kids are outdoors, their sense of adventure and curiosity soars, which can, unfortunately, lead to a higher risk of injuries. In fact, according to the Safe Kids Worldwide organization, each year one in four children 14 years of age and younger will sustain an injury that requires medical attention. The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable by following a few simple tips and learning how to avoid accidents and injuries. “We know kids are active, especially during the summer months,” said John Cinotto, chairman of the board of directors of Shriners Hospitals for Children. “At Shriners Hospitals for Children, we see patients every day with life-changing injuries caused by accidents. We’re always working to help raise awareness that our medical experts are here to get young patients back on track to the childhood they deserve, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.” Here are some tips to help your family safely enjoy all the fun summer has in store.
Drive with care
Fire safety simplified
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death and acquired disability for children and teens. These tips can help you and your children to stay out of harm’s way while in or around vehicles. • Teach your children to buckle up every time they get into a car, regardless of the length of the car ride. Buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats and seat belts dramatically reduces the risk of serious and fatal injuries. • Check around your parked car for children before you pull away. Teach children to be aware of moving vehicles and to wait in safe areas where drivers can see them. • Accompany young children when they get in and out of a vehicle. Hold their hands when walking near moving vehicles, in driveways and parking lots.
Every hour, approximately 16 children are injured from fires or burns, according to the Safe Kids Worldwide organization. Use these tips to keep your little ones safe around fireworks, grills and other heat sources: • Teach kids never to play with matches, gasoline, lighter fluid or lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children. • Do not leave children unattended near grills, campfires, fire pits or bonfires. Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby when burning fires. • To ensure a safe celebration, leave fireworks to the professionals. • If your child is injured by fire or fireworks, immediately take them to a doctor or hospital.
Mowing matters While it may seem like just a common household tool, thousands of children are injured in lawn mower accidents each year, some with severe effects. • Teach children to never play on or around a lawn mower, even when it is not in use. They should never be permitted to walk along side, in front of or behind a moving mower. • Children under six years of age should be kept inside the home while mowing.
Playground 101 The Centers for Disease Control revealed that emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries every year. Before you let them play at the park or school playground, be sure they keep these precautions in mind: • Use appropriate and properly fitting safety equipment when participating in any sport, such as helmets and goggles, which can greatly reduce the risk of head and eye injuries. • Take your children to playgrounds with
shock absorbing surfaces. Choose parks and playgrounds that are appropriate for their age. Check for hazards or broken equipment and continuously supervise your children while they are at play. • Teach children to use playground and sports equipment properly. • Remind children that pushing, shoving and crowding on the playground can result in accidents and injuries.
Make a Safe Splash While playing poolside may be a blast, the Safe Kids Worldwide organization also revealed that drowning is the leading injury-related cause of death for children between 1–4 years of age. Fill your family’s summer days with these safe practices around the water: • Teach children to never go near or in the water without an adult present. Children and adults should never swim alone. • Give children your undivided attention when they are swimming or near any body of water. • Always have your children wear a Coast Guard approved, properly fitting life jacket while on a boat, around an open body of water or when participating in water sports. To learn more, visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/safesummer.
Love to the rescue With a talented and experienced team of medical professionals, Shriners Hospitals for Children is transforming lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. One young patient who experienced this remarkable care is 14 year-old Brendon Wiseley, who lost his foot and part of his leg in a lawn mower accident. A fifth generation race car driver, Wiseley was referred to Shriners Hospitals for Children when his first prosthetic leg did not fit correctly and was difficult to use. The event had caused him to lose hope of ever racing again. But with an experienced team of medical experts, he was provided with a custom-built prosthetic and child-centric rehabilitation that not only rebuilt his strength, but also his spirit. “I was injured in a lawn mower accident. Thanks to Shriners Hospitals for Children, I was able to get back to doing what I love,” said Wiseley, who is now a patient ambassador for the organization. With 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the hospital provides advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
7 CLASSIFIEDS
JUNE 19 – JUNE 25, 2014
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7
M ASPORTS YOR
JUNE 19 –14JUNE 25, 2014 DECEMBER - 20, 2006
Another win for Black driver Darrell Wallace Jr. wins second NASCAR race FROM WIRE REPORTS
Darrell “Bubba’’ Wallace Jr. won his second career victory last Saturday in his 29th career start. He raced to his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck victory, holding off German Quiroga at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill. Wallace won for the first time at Martinsville (Vir-
ginia) Speedway last October. But his second win didn’t come that easily. He had problems during his first round of pit stops where he lost valuable time. However, he was determined to get back to the front of the race, which he did. “This Made In America Toyota Tundra was on a roll tonight,” Wallace Jr. said. “We got into a little trouble the first pit stop, but a little adversity never hurts anybody. We come through. I’m so proud of my guys, they worked their
tails off.” He added, “This place is so cool, so different, here we can actually race and show what we’re about and have fun with it,” Wallace Jr. said. “From the moment I got here, I was a little iffy about it, because I was way off the pace, took some pointers from (Matt) Crafton and figured it out fairly quickly.”
Stayed positive Wallace remained positive throughout all the complications of the race. “We were back and forth
on the setup, but from the drop of the green flag, we didn’t have the takeoff speed, but we had the long-run speed, but we stayed positive about everything and we came out with the victory.” Wallace took the lead from Quiroga on a late restart after Quiroga tangled with Erik Jones, Wallace’s Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate. Jones bobbled while leading with seven laps left, and Quiroga slammed into the back of Jones’ truck, sending it spinning hard into the inside wall.
Darrell Wallace Jr., center, shows off his trophy after his win on Saturday. “It was wild,” Wallace said. “Such a bummer for Erik.” The 20-year-old Wallace won last year at Martinsville
to join Wendell Scott as the only Black winners on NASCAR’s national level. “I’m so proud of my guys,” Wallace said.
DIS makeover could include NFL, college games, concerts brand awareness regionally as well. Anything and everything is on the table when it comes to Daytona Rising. “There’s no rush,” Chitwood said. “If we do add an event, I want it to be done exactly right. It’s an interesting conversation now with this massive renovation.”
Different view
STEPHEN M. DOWELL/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT
Jimmie Johnson is congratulated by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., left, as Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 race on Feb. 24 24, 2013. Track president Joie Chitwood III is in the center. the bigger picture: college games, NFL games, major concerts. Just recently, Chitwood said that two major concert promotion companies have looked at the venue. There has been some rumblings about an MMA event, too.
Pit stop at Jags complex
E ATS
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D SH OO TI NG HEA HO O ON LTH I P S WITH S ER A CONSI ND DERIN S KI P S T G CH DE S S E R ANG Y” ING ADD NAM E TO “ BUFF D
And just last week, Chitwood joined driver Jamie
McMurray for a Coke Zero 400 promotional pit stop at the Jacksonville Jaguars training complex, where he speculated about the natural tie-in with bringing a Jags game to his refurbished venue. The Jags, who play in one of the smallest markets in the NFL, already are scheduled to play one home game a year in London through 2016 and are actively seeking to build
Remembering Ray Fox The NASCAR family lost a beloved member this week in Ray Fox, considered one of NASCAR’s top engine builders and mechanics in the 1950s and ‘60s. Fox, 98, died at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona on Father’s Day, with his family by his side. Fox worked with such distinguished company as Junior Johnson, David Pearson and Buck Baker. Although he was credited for just 14 victories as a car owner, he was the lead engine builder and mechanic for a considerably larger number of victories. “Ray Fox was one of the individuals who helped form the foundation of our sport, with a personality that was every bit as important as his on-track accomplishments,” NASCAR said in a statement. “His place in our record book is secure, but no one should ever view Ray Fox solely in terms of statistics.” Fox had spent his last years living in Daytona Beach and serving as an ambassador of sorts for the sport. He recently celebrated his 98th birthday at the Living Legends Museum in South Daytona on May 24.
CHRIS LEE/ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH/MCT
St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam with head coach Jeff Fisher, left, and general manager Les Snead during an introductory press conference on May 13 at Rams Park in Earth City, Mo. 10.5"
na International Speedway (DIS). As president of the track, Joie Chitwood is a man Chitwood has embraced on the move these days. this baby like one of his own. And like any good Catch him if you can. 210987A02v1 parent, he is thinking long He is calling from Charlotte, N.C., on a Tuesday past the due date of 2016 morning, taking a quick when the project is set to break from updating NAS- be completed for the DayCAR officials on one of the tona 500. 6.437" The concept of stock most ambitious projects in the history of the sport: a cars rolling round-and$400-million makeover on round is obvious to the nathe frontstretch of Dayto- ked eye. But Chitwood sees BY GEORGE DIAZ ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT
Chitwood — who used to be launched out of a cannon back in the day when he worked for his family entertainment business — is the perfect man to oversee this project. There will be some roll of the eyes at the thought of spending all this money on renovating a NASCAR track. Just look at the other monsters that sprung up during the NASCAR boom a little more than a decade ago. The empty seats at Charlotte Motor Speedway and other tracks reflect the struggle to bring in those massive crowds that were once the norm. But Chitwood sees things differently. He sees fans buying into amenities like 14 elevators and 40 escalators that will bring fans no farther than 20 rows from their seats. There will also be more than 101,000 wider and more comfortable grandstand seats plus more bathrooms. Another modern twist: Adding “social neighborhoods” the size of a football field to allow fans to gather while watching the race. “We’re creating the fu-
ture,” Chitwood said. “We’re planting the flag. No one has done anything like this. We’re true to the core and representing the brand. It’s what we need to do to be there for the next 50-plus years.”
Sam makes history again – signs contract with Rams EURWEB.COM
TAKE A SMALL STEP TO GET HEALTHY. Get started at www.smallstep.gov
Michael Sam made history when signing his contract as a rookie player with the St. Louis Rams. Sam is already the first openly gay athlete selected in the NFL Draft. The former University of Missouri linebacker is now the first openly gay NFL draftee to sign a contract. His is a $2.65 million, four-year agreement with the Rams. Sam went through some
financial training before signing his contract, which $46,000 of that contract is guaranteed. “With the new rookie cap and everything it’s really not difficult to get the deals done,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher told ESPN.
249th Draft pick He continued, “so we just felt like this time would be better served putting them in situations from an educational standpoint, fi-
nancial planning, those kind of things. We’ve done a lot of that.” Sam was selected as the 249th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Some feel that Sam fell in the draft due to him coming out in February. Nevertheless, Sam — who was selected as the 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year – is still pretty proud of his accomplishment. “I’m determined to be great,” he said.
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7BUSINESS
JUNE 19 – JUNE 25, 2014
Greyhound starting to hit its stride again BY TERRY BOX DALLAS MORNING NEWS/MCT
Suburbanites with schnauzers in white tutus rarely rode Greyhound a few years back. But on a recent weekday, Philip Stevens of Coppell, Texas, and his festive companion dog, Gigi, waited at Greyhound’s Dallas terminal, bound for Houston on their first bus ride. They sat among a cluster of passengers who included a couple of middle-age professionals, several millennials and a guy in an orange mohawk. It was the sort of diversity Greyhound celebrates these days. In the past decade, old-world, road-worn Greyhound has spent millions to rebuild and reinvent itself, aiming to add the Internet set and others to its traditional lower-income customer base. In this, Greyhound’s 100th year in business, the company continues to put a new shine on the old dog with leather seats, Wi-Fi and a growing focus on shorter, nonstop routes. “The future for us looks really exciting,” said David S. Leach, president and CEO of Dallasbased Greyhound.
$73 million profit Urbanization is luring people back to big cities — particularly 20- and 30-somethings — offering new opportunities for a longtime inner-city bus line like Greyhound. Many Gen Y’s live close to where they work downtown, and some don’t own cars. When they travel, they want convenience, low cost and portals for their digital devices. Meanwhile, a growing number of veteran travelers, weary of the hassles of airports, are also looking for alternatives — particularly for intrastate trips. “More people are moving to cities than ever before, and with it comes issues of congestion, infrastructure and transportation that we can help solve,” Leach said. Last year, Leach said, Greyhound earned a profit of about
LOUIS DELUCA/DALLAS MORNING NEWS/MCT
Above is a scene from the redesigned interior of the Greyhound bus station in downtown Dallas. $73 million on revenue of $990.6 million, and it expects profit to grow to $80 million this year. “It’s a pretty cool story — for the city of Dallas and North America,” said Leach, 49, who worked his way through college as a baggage handler at Greyhound.
Thousands of ‘city pairs’ The transit transformation began more than 10 years ago in the midst of a growth era for privately held Greyhound, a period when its buses ran more miles than ever. But many left terminals with dozens of empty seats, and those that were filled often had been sold at discounts. Predictably, revenue was weak and fading. “We realized the network did not make sense,” Leach said. “We realized the urbanization of America was occurring.” Rather than send its buses out on long trips between distant cities — stopping at small towns along the way — Greyhound began to emphasize shorter, more
frequent routes between cities 300 or so miles apart. “We took miles driven between New York and Los Angeles and put them into New York to Boston, which we do every 45 minutes,” Leach said. “We continue to rationalize our miles, putting buses on routes that people want to ride.” The bus line now serves thousands of “city pairs,” he said, nonstop routes like Dallas to Austin or Dallas to Houston. “You take all these pieces and ask where can we provide value? And it’s in shorter trips,” he said.
Megabus competition New companies like Megabus see some of the same changing urban dynamics as Greyhound and also seek to attract customers on relatively short routes like Dallas to Austin — and with newer buses. But Leach said the competition should benefit all the carriers because it calls attention to buses. “We’re the ones with the iconic brand and the established net-
work,” he said. “But the fact that Megabus is coming in just gets buses in general out front and at a time when you’ve got all these great changes going on.” Although privately held Greyhound declined to provide comprehensive financial numbers, Leach said the express bus services generated $121 million in revenue last year, up from $2 million in 2011. “That’s getting it right,” he said. Moreover, the bus line currently serves about 10.5 million customers annually. As urban populations and congestion grow, it has “potential prospects” of 31.6 million people, Leach said. On a recent Wednesday morning, about 40 people sat in contemporary gray-metal chairs at the Dallas bus terminal, waiting mostly for departures from three gates.
Tired of airports While the exterior of the terminal remains well-worn, the interior has been refurbished with a gray tile floor, blue tile trim on the walls, a couple of flat-screen
TVs and electronic signboards. Stevens, the new customer from Coppell, was not happy, though. He and his dog got to the terminal at 8:20 a.m. for a bus to Houston that was 90 minutes late. (Leach says, incidentally, that Greyhound buses were on schedule 91 percent of the time in 2013.) Dressed in long white shorts and a blue dress shirt, Stevens poured water into a small dish for Gigi, a “designer schnauzer” mix who sported a pink leash in addition to the tutu. “I just decided to do it at the last minute,” said Stevens, who owns a dog fashion business. “I was so tired of airports and security hassles, and I thought I would try this. I figured it would be a nice four-hour nap.” Though he wasn’t pleased about the delay, he said Greyhound refunded the entire cost of his ticket — which can range from $20 to $90, depending on how far in advance a ticket is purchased.