Funds available to protect homes against strong winds SEE PAGE 2
EE FR
CHARLENE CROWELL: Debt settlement programs can be costly, misleading, not very helpful SEE PAGE 4
GIRLS GET LESSON ABOUT LIFE FROM VOLUSIA JUDGE SEE PAGE 3
East Central Florida’s Black Voice JULY 10 - JULY 16, 2014
YEAR 39 NO. 28
www.daytonatimes.com
Four city zones idea gets nowhere Kimmons says reducing Daytona districts would mean better resources for all residents BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Daytona Beach commissioners dove into a list of around threedozen charter changes for over two hours at their last meeting. The changes came from the city’s Charter Review Committee and
input from Daytona Beach residents. The commissioners agreed with many of the ideas, which will go before the voters in November. There were some disagreements about should be brought before voters in November. One focused on changing the districts of Daytona Beach from six zones to four. Dr. Willie Kimmons, a Daytona Beach resident who sat on the Charter Review Commission, explained to the Daytona Times why he believed there should be four zones instead of six. “When I said we should reduce the number of zones from six to
four, it was to assure the citizens in the two poorest zones in our city – Zones 5 and 6 – more resources. Resources in the areas of clean streets, frequent Dr. Willie garbage pickups, Kimmons more police protection and better response times, more livein communities with less commercial and small businesses in these communities such as liquor stores, dollar stores and payday loan stores,” he explained.
Breakdown of zones “Zones 5 and 6 have a tremendous number of home foreclosures and abandoned houses. There is a proliferation of young people loitering on street corners daily. Zones 5 and 6 have fewer elementary, middle and high schools. The vast majority, if not all, of our public housing units (Housing Authority of Daytona Beach) are located in Zones 5 and 6. All the major growth and development in our city is located in Zones 1 through 4, he added. “That is where we have gated communities, condominiums,
A winning smile
streets with sidewalks and other safe and decent family amenities. The list goes on and on. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.’’ “When you can drive through a zone/neighborhood in our city and recognize that you are in a majority Black or Hispanic community, this isn’t progress. This racial makeup is what we have in Zone 5 and Zone 6. The major hotels, condominiums, gated communities, billion dollar industries, new construction and a variety of cultural events in our city, are all located in Zones 1 Please see ZONES, Page 2
Crossdressers pass off phony currency as real deal BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
You may want to give your bills the onceover while Daytona Beach police officers identify and apprehend two men who passed off counterfeit currency as authentic at the CVS Pharmacy on LPGA Boulevard. The two men exchanged the money for merchandise on June 20. Video surveillance may make it difficult to identify either person as the two were dressed in women’s clothing. The first suspect wearing a white T-shirt and a black flowing skirt wore long black braids as he entered and exited the store. He stood between 5’7 and 6’1 and between 150-165 pounds. The second suspect wore tight skinny jeans, a white shirt, had a close-cropped haircut and stood between 5’3 and 5’6. The video footage can be seen on the Daytona Beach Police Department’s YouTube page.
What happened
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Aric Almirola takes a selfie with a fan on Saturday at the Daytona International Speedway. Almirola, who was born in Fort Walton Beach, won the rain-shortened Coke Zero 400 race on Sunday. See a story and more photos on page 7.
According to a police report, the store manager Axel Bralts stated that just before noon the two men entered into the store dressed as women. Bralts recalled one of the suspects carrying a white purse and wearing “a lot of jewelry.” The man purchased two gift cards using two counterfeit $100 bills. The bills were not identified until after he received a call from another store that had already turned down the suspects attempting to use the fake $100 bills. It was then that Bralts went to the register to check if any fake bills were present and there
Cyber camp gives students a peek into high-paying field BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
COURTESY OF DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE
Students furthered their computer skills at the summer camp held at Daytona State College.
ALSO INSIDE
Forty students from schools throughout Central Florida became junior cyber sleuths June 23-26, participating in a virtual world of fun, learning and interactive challenges at Daytona State College’s second annual summer cyber camp. The students, ranging from high school freshmen to seniors, were introduced to beginner and intermediate computer security techniques involving digital fo-
rensics, browser security, malware handling, and virtualization. “This was a perfect way to introduce students to the potential in pursuing careers in cyber security and cyber forensics,” said Dr. Philip Craiger, an associate professor in Daytona State’s School of Engineering Technology, and a principal investigator leading the Advanced Cyberforensics Education (ACE) Consortium. “The students were enthusiastic about what they were learning and very motivated to take on the challenges we gave them.”
Please see COUNTERFEIT, Page 2
Funded by grant The free camp, held at Daytona State’s Advanced Technology College, was made possible by the consortium. Daytona State is the lead institution among nearly a dozen southeastern colleges and universities. The consortium’s goal is to advance cyber forensic education in the southeastern United States and is funded by a four-year National Science Foundation grant totaling more than $1.8 million. It has resulted in cybersecurity education program development at K-12 schools and higher education institutions throughout the southeast region, including Daytona State’s new advanced technical certificate in cyber sePlease see CAMP, Page 2
COMMENTARY: LEE A. DANIELS: THE SUPREME COURT’S ‘RELIGIOUS FREEDOM’ SCAM | PAGE 4 HEALTH: WOMAN LOSES ARMS, LEGS IN BOTCHED BUTT SURGERY | PAGE 5
7 FOCUS
BRIEFS
Halifax hosting free wellness forums for women Halifax Health Medical Center physicians will host interactive health forums covering topics important to women of all ages on July 12 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the France Tower Mezzanine, 303 N. Clyde Morris Blvd. Topics include incontinence, menopause, weight loss and bariatrics and cardiovascular health. Vendors will be present at the event. This free event will also feature giveaways and chance drawings. Light food and refreshments will be served. To RSVP, call 877-842-5432.
West Volusia center wrapping up pet-food collection campaign with July 12 event Earlier this summer, The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia kicked off its inaugural “Pounds for Hounds” food-raiser for families with pets who receive assistance from the center. The Pounds for Hounds campaign is culminating with a petfriendly event at The Neighborhood Center from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 (434 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand). Pets and people are welcome to attend. Dry pet food has been collected since early June at the Neighborhood Center’s Thrift Shoppe, with the goal of collecting 2,000 pounds of dry cat and dog food. Dry pet food donations will be accepted during the event. To date, more than 2,000 pounds have been collected, exceeding the campaign goal, with several days remaining in the campaign. The July 12 Pounds for Hounds wrap-up and celebration event will include: • Free pet health exams by the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) • Pet adoptions by ASPCA • Information by Journey’s End animal sanctuary • Dog wash by Frontier Communications Community Engagement Team • Live DJ music • Free pet photos by the Kohl’s Community Team • Free sandwiches donated by Free Wil BBQ • Pet art for sale For more information, contact Susan Clark or Patty Rivera at 386-734-8120.
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2014
Mason Avenue, S. Peninsula Drive to be overhauled Residents are invited to learn about roadway improvements for Mason Avene and S. Peninsula Drive at an open house on Tuesday. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will host a public information open house to introduce two proposed roadway projects in Daytona Beach. The open house is July 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the El Caribe Resort & Conference Center, 2125 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. The proposed state roads are Mason Avenue/Seabreeze Boulevard, from Mulberry Street to A1A, and South Peninsula Drive, from south of Silver Beach Avenue to International Speedway Boulevard. Both projects are funded for construction in June 2015. In addition to milling and resurfacing, both road projects include the addition of bike lanes, curb ramps and signalization upgrades. Throughout the two-hour open house, residents can view display boards and watch an automated presentation. FDOT staff and the consulting team will be available to discuss the project and answer any questions.
Group meets July 16 about disaster response Community Organizations Active in Disaster will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, in room 516-C of the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach. The meeting is open to the public. The multi-agency group assists local governments in organizing and deploying volunteers and resources in response to the unmet needs of local disaster survivors. Membership is open to individuals, faith-based groups, government agencies, civic clubs, volunteer organizations, social service agencies, business people and emergency management personnel. For more information, visit www.volusiacoad.org or contact Ray Parkhurst at rparkhurst@ volusiacoad.org or 386-846-4673.
Cultural Arts Grant workshop set for July 16 in Palm Coast The City of Palm Coast offers a Cultural Arts Financial Assistance Matching Grant program
CAMP
from Page 1 curity and cyber forensics starting this fall.
Higher salaries According to a recent study of 2008 college graduates released Tuesday by the National Center for Education Statistics, 16 percent of college graduates nationwide took home degrees in science, technology, engineering or math, or STEM disciplines. Those degree holders were paid significantly better — averaging $65,000 a year compared with $49,500 of graduates of other degrees. The findings are based on a survey of 17,110 students conducted in 2012, about four years after the students obtained their bachelor’s degrees. The survey found a strong correlation between earning money and highly specialized degrees specifically those in the STEM disciplines, which include the cyber program the
COUNTERFEIT from Page 1
were two. The manager proceeded to call the clerk who accepted the bills and the clerk recalled receiving the bills and checking them under the store’s black light. This light is a mechanism in place that helps determine the authenticity of American currency. However, he related that he did not know what he was looking for when using the light. According to the police report, the U.S. Secret Service has been made aware of the incident.
to provide funding for cultural arts programs and/or events that are conducted within the City of Palm Coast by Palm Coast-based non-profit organizations. Grant applications will be distributed at the annual Grant Workshop, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Hosted by the Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Department and the Leisure Services Advisory Committee, the workshop will focus on the grant submittal process and timeline; completion of the grant application and the required information/documentation; the event and organization budget form; and provide general information about grant writing and grant funders. Beginning July 17, the grant application can be downloaded from the Parks and Recreation webpage at www.palmcoastgov. com/government/parks-recreation. For more information, call 386-986-2323.
College plans free bachelor’s degree workshop on July 22 Since transitioning from a community college to a four-year-degree-granting state college, almost 2,000 graduates have earned a bachelor’s degree from Daytona State College. With fall classes just around the corner, the Bachelor’s Degree Workshop is the ideal opportunity to learn about advancing or changing careers. The free workshop is set for Tuesday, July 22, at 5:30 p.m., in the Hosseini Center, on the college’s Daytona Beach Campus at 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona State offers 11 careerfocused baccalaureate degrees: Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management (BAS), seven degrees in Education, Engineering Technology, Information Technology, and Nursing. Daytona State faculty, academic advisors and studentservices staff will be on hand to answer questions about programs, admissions, financial aid, scholarships and more. The Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management (BAS) degree is designed for students who already have an associate degree, many of whom are working in their field and looking for advancement. Salaries range from approximately $46,000 to upward of $100,000 (U.S. Department of Labor). The Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED) degree is designed for students who already
at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, in the Frank T. Bruno Jr. County Council Chambers on the second floor of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand. The board will consider a request for designation of a historic district in Cassadaga and receive updates from staff on current projects. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting. The Historic Preservation Board is appointed by the Volusia County Council to issue certificates of designation for eligible historic resources such as structures, archaeological sites and historic districts; and certificates of appropriateness for demolition, alteration, relocation and new construction. The board advises the County Council on matters related to historic preservation policy, including use, management and maintenance of county-owned historic resources. For more information, contact Historic Preservation Officer Julie Adams Scofield at 386-7365953, ext. 12008, or jscofield@ volusia.org.
Human Services Advisory Board meets July 22
Volusia County anticipates the award of an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the amount of $163,427, of which the county will retain $16,342 for planning, evaluation and administration. The amount available for countywide distribution is $147,085. Applications are being accepted until noon July 25. Eligible programs include law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; prevention and education programs; corrections and community corrections programs; drug treatment programs; crime victim and witness programs; and planning, evaluation and technology improvement programs. The county’s Substance Abuse Policy Advisory Board has established funding priorities in the area of behavioral treatment services for substance abuse and mental health problems to score the applications and make funding recommendations. Final approval for funding will be made by the Volusia County Council. Applications are available online at www.volusia.org/community_assistance/applications or by calling Myra Gaziano at 386736-5956 in DeLand, 386-2544648 in Daytona Beach, or 386423-3375 in New Smyrna Beach extension 12880.
Volusia County’s Human Services Advisory Board will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at the United Way office, 3747 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Members will discuss upcoming community meetings, review the Community Services Block Grant third-quarter reports, discuss the status of the grant application for fiscal year 2015, approve a new board member, and appoint a Planning and Development Committee. 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, call Myralis Hopgood at mhopgood@ volusia.org or 386-736-5956, ext. 12985.
Historic Preservation Board to discuss Cassadaga district The Volusia County Historic Preservation Board will meet
ZONES
teens experienced at Daytona State.
from Page 1
Growing field Students continuing in this field may find themselves working in financial institutions, for Internet providers and software developers cyber forensics professionals, as well as for governmental agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security and for state and local law enforcement agencies. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, job growth in the cyber forensics field is expected to grow from 13 to 22 percent over the next five years, depending on which industry or government sector one chooses to pursue. Craiger said the cyber camp will serve as a blueprint for other consortium institutions. “We believe we’ve learned enough about running a successful cyber camp to help our partner schools run their own.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the demand for cyber security professionals will increase by 37 percent over the next eight years.
have an Associate of Arts degree and want to teach in the k-12 system. Daytona State offers bachelor’s degrees in seven education fields. Salaries range from approximately $34,000 to $53,000. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) degree, which offers a concentration in Electrical Engineering Technology, is designed for students who already have an associate degree. Salaries range from approximately $51,000 to $78,000. The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) degree, designed for students who already have an Associate of Science degree, is offered online and at Daytona State’s Advanced Technology College. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates ITrelated job growth to expand by more than 50 percent through 2018, with salaries for experienced B.S. graduates averaging in the $70,000 range. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree offers a traditional face-to-face method requiring 48 credit hours, building upon the 72 credit hours already earned in the Associate Degree in Nursing program. For more information, e-mail Admissions@DaytonaState.edu or call 386-506-4471.
through 4,” Kimmons concluded. The city commission did not accept the c934 idea. 121926
State of the City Commissioners will take a final vote on what they would like to see on the Nov. 4 ballot at the Aug. 20 meeting. The commission will then have until Aug. 25 to have the language sent on to the supervisor of elections office. Such changes as having a yearly State of the City to be delivered each January was addressed and lamented.
Volusia accepting grant applications
Mayor Derrick Henry cerned changing the nummade it known that if the ber of signatures required event is to be held it would on a petition to initiate ornot be a grandeur affair dinances from 20 percent and not used for any sitting to 10 percent. Additionally mayor to use as a campaign commissioners discussed platform and charged to whether some of the sugthe taxpayers. Instead, it gestions would better serve would an informative the city JC as resolutions 2 be9:25 2/16/01 65and event that could include ordinances that can be mailers and technology to voted on in regular meetdeliver the current state of ings instead of making the Daytona Beach. change to the charter. For that reason and othThe charter is the offiers, the commission de- cial document that lays out cided to have the charter how the city will be run. specify the event to be held Another idea the comin January and not Novem- mission did not accept is ber as the Charter Review to have the charter review Committee had suggested. every five years instead of 4.25" 10. Commissioners decidNo five-year charter ed that the process was too Another topic that will lengthy and unnecessary go before the public con- to have more frequently.
This is the watch Stephen Hollingshead, Jr. was wearing when he encountered a drunk driver. Time of death 6:55pm.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.
Know the law Police encourage store managers to make employees aware of what to look for to detect signs of counterfeit money when handling currency and to use special markers or other mechanisms to detect fakes. Manufacturing counterfeit United States currency or altering genuine currency to increase its value is a violation of Title 18, Section 471 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both for any amount of money over five cents. Possession of the money carries the same fine. Anyone with information should contact the police department at 386-6715100.
Photo by Michael Mazzeo
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JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2014 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
M A YNEWS OR
‘Success: You can get it if you want it,’ judge tells girls This news piece speaks of success as the acclaim we all can seek to have. “Success: You Can Get It If You Want It, If You Work For It” targeted Judge Shirley A. Green’s keynote address with a backdrop ending the year for the AfricanAmerican Mentoring Program For Girls (AAMP-Girls). It sustained interest in Judge Green, good grades and appropriate behavior from the girls, a better understanding solving their problems, and celebrating their accomplishments during a buffet set out at The Bistro of Flagler Palm Coast High School. The mentoring program, established by Flagler County schools, is coordinated by women of color, imparted to the girls academically, physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually through the tireless efforts of Melba J. McCarty, AAMP-Girls president; Sheryl Lewis, planning and development; Michaelyn Pitts, Ways and Means; Carolyn Boswell, finance; and other program mentors.
Path to the bench In 2004, Green became the first Black female elected as a Volusia County Court judge. She discussed success with the girls, parents and mentors – and Jacob Oliva, superintendent of Flagler schools; Sabrina Crosby, school events coordinator; Katrina Townsend, director, Student Services; Andy Dance, school board chair; other school officials, including Dr. Pamela Jackson-Smith, mentor/Families in Transition Liaison. Green, hammered out of life’s circumstances, spelling success - renewing the spirit - and inflating hope for the future. Green’s granddaughter, Simone Green, ushered in her grandmother with an introduction. Other young performers included Amossi Miller, Victoria Starks, Tselote Holley, Angel Hopkins, and Darice Mills. McCarty showed a projectory of Green’s past, sharing that her legal experience extends from private practice, specializing in discrimination, family law, real property and bankruptcy, to general poverty law, taking Green on her way to the bench as a Volusia County Court Judge in the Seventh Circuit. Green’s professional affiliation includes “membership and service to the Florida Bar, Volusia County Bar, Association of Women Lawyers, the National Bar Association, Central Florida Minority Bar Association... She’s in the mix, ladies and gentlemen,” reiterated McCarty. She has the heart for community, she has a heart for people... Judge Green works extensively with the Coalition for the Homeless, Workforce Development, the NAACP, and Upward Girls...
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
All of these point to the fact that the Honorable Judge Shirley A. Green is a ‘bad’ sister,” added McCarty.
Faced tragedy and turmoil Green took the high road during a 1980s aftermath and attended college at 29 years old with six children in tow and meager means of support. She became widowed when her husband succumbed to leukemia in her junior year at the University of Miami. She had married at 17 before graduating from high school and worked as a migrant worker with her husband and children - picking cotton, watermelon, and sugarcane as a child on her grandparents’ farm, sharecropping in Alabama – the farm lacking inside plumbing, and the two rooms separated by cardboard and newspapers. Green suffered turmoil during segregation while integrating her class in KKK country of Homestead, almost near Key West, where an angry mob of Whites blocked the streets – armed with rifles and pitchforks – and setting up a sign that read, ‘Niggers Go Home,’ and Green’s school bus riding along the streets. Nagged by the circumstance, she told her mother that she was not going back because the people scared her half to death. Green’s mama replied, “If they don’t kill you, I am because you are going back to that school tomorrow. You don’t let somebody steal your life from you; don’t let them steal your education.” She received a doctorate degree and passed the Florida bar while her South Florida home was grossly destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, and a job waiting in New Smyrna Beach with Community Legal Services was given away.
Kept going So when Legal Services found another job, Green became in charge of the Volunteer Lawyers Project, giving legal services to the less fortunate, and getting acquainted with numerous lawyers, and learning to fund-raise and plan events that she would be proud to invite President Obama. And not doing a job to be thanked, she welcomed the opportunity to learn new skills. Had she refused to do the job would dictate that someone other than herself had control of her life.
PHOTOS BY JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY/ DAYTONA TIMES
Above are students with some of the mentors in the African-American Mentoring Program For Girls (AAMP-Girls).
Judge Shirley A. Green, the first Black female elected as a Volusia County Court judge, told of the challenges she faced on the road to her destiny. When she began to rebuild in New Smyrna Beach, the Bunnell factory furnishing the building parts burned in the late 1990s fires, causing another ruin to her finances. Most people would have suffered a meltdown of mental anguish. But instead, Green views success as starting on the inside, “that little urge that says you want to do better.” She was the first in her family to graduate from high school. “I graduated from high school; therefore, I had done my work,” said Green. “Somebody else needs to graduate from college.” At that time, she had a really good job at a furniture store, managing two departments. She quit the job and signed up for college, realizing that a high school diploma was not enough.
‘Have a plan’ In order for you to succeed, “you have to have a plan,” Green said, “and I always encourage
people to write down their plan because it then becomes something tangible...there is always something you can do to change yourself.” She charged that the biggest obstacle to success lies within the person, while encountering sinkholes and large mountains. “So it doesn’t matter what other people think about you,” she said, “It doesn’t matter what other people say about you.” All they know is the surface; you are the one who knows deep down inside who you really are... “Not everyone is going to celebrate you and your success,” she continued. “...A lot of people would say, ‘well, I’m just not going to try it again.’ But don’t tell me that I can’t do something.’’ “If you want to do something, you have to get up and do it. It is not going to come to you by osmosis,” asserted Green. “You need to be willing, have determination. You need to have self-esteem if you are to move forward. You have to have education...Just
like the people in the civil rights movement - somebody had to stand up. Somebody had to not be afraid,” she persisted. “You know what? I’m a Christian...and I don’t think that anything happens by happenstance,” she said. “I believe that everything is a divine intervention. So if God is putting me in a place, I want to find out why I am there, and I am not afraid to find out...” she recapped. Green’s keynote address applied to the girls in the mentoring program as well as to grown-ups. The message boiled down that in order to have success, you must be willing to work for it. “Success: You Can Get It If You Want It.” •••
Hattitude Luncheon takes place July 26 An array of styles for hats will be worn by women at the Hattitude Luncheon presented by the Women’s Day Committee of First Church - Sondra L. Henderson, chairman; and Vivian Richardson, co-chairman. The luncheon of July 26, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - at a $10 donation - is one of the events to celebrate Women’s Day. It is inclusive having men attend, and prizes awarded for the most significant hats. First Church, the Rev. Gillard S. Glover, pastor, is located at 91 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast. To contact the church, the telephone number is 386-446-5759. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
Celebrations Happy anniversary to Smitty and Thea Smith, July 15.
Daytona State schedules ‘get it done’ registration day New and returning students can “get it done” – sign up for classes, financial aid, etc. – in one visit to Daytona State College on Saturday, July 19. Registration for fall semester is as simple as stopping by the Daytona Beach Campus for Enrollment Day to complete everything from admission to registration and have a chance to win a $350 scholarship from the Daytona State Foundation. Students start by completing a Daytona State application (apply online or download the application from www.DaytonaState.edu), then meet with an Admissions Advisor and Financial Aid Counselor, take an assessment test (if applicable), meet with an Academic Advisor, and then lock in their schedule. Fall classes start Aug. 13 and 25. Enrolment Day is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 19 at the Daytona Beach campus, Wetherell Center, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd.
Scholarship drawing The Daytona State Financial Aid Office will be open to assist with college education financing and to help students complete their financial aid application (FAFSA). The Enrollment Day event will culminate with a free drawing for a $350 scholarship presented by the Daytona State Foundation – only students registering for classes at the event will be eligible for this drawing. Immediately following Enrollment Day, at 1 p.m., students can attend the Honors Learning Community Workshop (QUANTA) in Bergengren Hall, room 112. A freshman experience program for the Associate of Arts transfer-degree-seeking student, QUANTA integrates three courses into one earning experience. Attend this informative workshop to learn more about QUANTA and how to earn a 10 percent tuition refund. For more information e-mail Admissions@ DaytonaState.edu or call 386-506-4471.
Expressing their independence The Daytona Destiny Drum Line does its thing at the Fourth of July parade in Daytona Beach. Members of the Tin Lizz Unit of the Bahia Shriners also revved up the parade held on Independence Day. DUANE C. FERNANDEZ, SR./ HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
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JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2014
Democrats ‘ain’t loyal’ Rev. Jamal Bryant of Baltimore was widely criticized recently for quoting a line from a popular Chris Brown’s song: “Hoes Ain’t Loyal.” Bryant could have avoided controversy – and been on point – if he had instead said, “Democrats ain’t loyal.” They ain’t, to borrow the vernacular. Although people of color comprised 45 percent of Democratic voters in 2012, less than 2 percent of the $1.1 billion collected over a 4-year period by the three primary Democratic fundraising committees went to people of color – defined as U.S. residents who are African-American, Latino, Asian American or Pacific Islander, or Native American – according to the “2014 Fannie Lou Hamer Report” by PowerPAC+, a national advocacy organization that helps elect progressives to office by building on the political power of the multiracial majority in America.
According to the numbers Actually, the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) figures are even smaller than reported because the study counted any firm that had a person of color as a principal owner, not the more commonly accepted definition requiring that they be the majority owner. The research was compiled from Federal Election Commission reports filed by the three largest Democratic fundraising committees: the National Democratic Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “Even amidst the massive infu-
GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA COLUMNIST
cent of all MBE Research, dollars); SKD Knickerbocker, $2,138,671 (24 percent); Brilliant Corners Research, Inc., $1,908,369.26 (22 percent) and Thoughtworks ($1,328,464.92). Peter D. Hart, whose firm received the most MBE dollars, is a White male. Yet, highly-respected Black pollster Ronald L. Lester received only $45,670.00 from the Democratic Party, according to the report. Brilliant Corners, headed by Cornel Belcher, an AfricanAmerican, was third among MBEs with $1.9 million. Dewey Square Group, with Minyon Moore, African-American, and Maria Cardona, a Latina, on its team received only $81,054.73, or 0.9 percent of MBE dollars.
sion of ‘outside’ money, the Democratic Party remains the largest source of funds for Democrats seeking office (other than the Presidency ). Each cycle, the Party takes in hundreds of millions of dollars and uses these funds to provide the national electoral infrastructure and support those of the states,” the report stated. It explained, “While most of the media attention falls on the megadonors who make significant financial contributions to the Democratic Party, in the aggregate, small donors actually contribute Study findings more to the Party’s finances than Among the study’s recommendo the mega-donors. Indeed, dodations: nors who made contributions of • Conduct a disparity study to less than $200 provided a full third diagnose the problem; of the Party’s financial resources • Set goals for diversifying conover the past two cycles, having tract awards; donated over $371,345,529.” • Make a plan to increase access and capacity and Minorities left out • Measure progress and hold deBut few of those dollars found cision-makers accountable. their way to people of color. In 2014, the Democratic ParOverall, of 285 firms receiving disbursements from the Demo- ty has no credible excuse for such cratic Party in the 2010 and 2012 poor performance. Even with an election cycles, only 14 – or 4.9 exaggerated definition of what percent – were MBE firms. Five of constitutes a Minority Business the MBEs were polling firms, three Enterprise, Democrats fall short. provided communications servicGeorge E. Curry, former edes and six provided political stratitor-in-chief of Emerge magaegy services or IT. Among the 14 firms, four of them zine, is editor-in-chief of the Nareceived 87 percent of all dollars tional Newspaper Publishers disbursed to MBEs. They were, in Association News Service (NNorder, Peter D. Hart Research Asso- PA.) Write your own response at ciates, Inc., $2,206,772.50 (25 per- www.daytonatimes.com.
Debt settlement programs misleading You’ve probably heard the advertisements on urban radio urging consumers with at least $10,000 in debt to call a number right away for a financial rescue. Promising to end debt troubles by getting creditors to somehow accept less money than what is owed can sound really appealing. In reality, however, consumers mired in debt may often find debt settlement programs to be costly, misleading, and far less helpful than the radio ad promises. In the newest chapter in the research series titled The State of Lending, the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) finds that debt settlement is a risky strategy that can leave consumers more financially vulnerable and still laden with debt years after they enroll in such programs.
Companies may not cooperate Regardless of how well consumers follow the instructions of their debt settlement firm, they may ultimately be unsuccessful because many creditors simply refuse to deal with debt settlement companies. According to the report, “Debt settlement companies do not tell consumers whether creditors will work with their firms at the time of enrollment. However, even if debt-settlement com-
creased, and the likelihood of creditor lawsuits loom near.
CHARLENE CROWELL NNPA FINANCIAL WRITER
panies were required to disclose whether a particular creditor routinely works with their firm, this provides no real guarantee. In many cases, the party who owns a debt changes over time, since a debt may be sold successively to multiple parties.” Available data suggests that at least two-thirds of debts must be settled in order to achieve a net positive outcome from debt settlement. Even more debts must be settled for the consumer to achieve real savings if they end up being liable for taxes on the debt reduction. In the end, many consumers never realize that kind of experience. Rather, they end up worse off financially. According to the American Fair Credit Council, an industry trade association, consumers must typically be enrolled in debt settlement plan for three to four years in order to complete the program. During this time, debt balances grow an average 20 percent while consumers wait for settlements to be reached. Additionally, their credit scores are negatively affected, financial instability in-
Legislation in place In 2010, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued regulation that barred debt settlement companies from charging fees until they reached settlements with the client’s creditors. While this regulation has stopped some of the most egregious industry practices, CRL’s report finds that significant financial risks remain for debt settlement clients. Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shares regulatory oversight of debt settlement with the FTC. Thus far, CFPB has taken multiple enforcement actions against several debt-settlement companies and one payment processor. CRL also sees a role for states to establish meaningful limits of debt settlement fees. One recommendation is to limit the fees that can be charged and to calculate such fees on the basis of the amount of savings achieved for the consumer.
Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
SCOTUS seeks to gut labor unions The Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Harris v Quinn essentially means that personal care attendants who are represented by a union do not need to pay a service fee that would cover the cost of representing and advocating on their behalf. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority justified this decision purportedly on the basis of freedom of speech. What is clear is that the Supreme Court’s conservative majority has a sniper’s scope trained on workers and unions. They will soon aim to eliminate the ability of labor unions to collect service fees from non-members to cover representation. The implications of this are profound but a little context is necessary.
Pay the fee
BILL FLETCHER, JR. NNPA COLUMNIST
whether one is a union member or not, the union is obligated by law to represent fairly and fully all workers in what is called a “bargaining unit,” which is a recognized body of workers who share similar interests. This means that whether a given worker likes the union or not, if they have any challenges, the union must represent them. As you can imagine, representation costs money, including legal fees, cost of staff, administrative costs, etc. Additionally, the union lobbies on behalf of those workers around salaries, benefits and working conditions. Thus, in the absence of a fee, a worker can benefit from all that the union brought about but pay nothing. This is why agency or service fees are permitted.
In the public sector, there are many states, counties and municipalities that permit union membership and collective bargaining, but do not require that employees in a given agency join the union. While they may join the union, they are obligated — if there is such an agreement– to Right to work The Supreme Court’s conservapay a service or agency fee. The idea here is that regardless of tive majority is trying to say that
this is a violation of free speech. Thus, using the Supreme Court’s logic, a person working in a given situation who gains the benefits of a labor union and can be guaranteed representation, should not have to pay anything. This is frequently called “right to work,” but a more accurate description is freeloading. Think about it for a moment. Is there any other institution in the U.S. that permits this? If you do not agree with the policies of a government, can you choose not to pay taxes yet gain the benefits of public education, water, police and fire? Of course, not. So, why should it be different in a collective bargaining context? The answer is simple. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority, along with other forces on the political Right, simply wish to gut labor unions. It is really that simple and that deadly. And, unless they are stopped, they will succeed in doing just that.
Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a racial justice, labor and global justice writer and activist. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: HOBBY LOBBY
STEVE SACK, THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
The Supreme Court’s ‘religious freedom’ scam Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two decisions that the Court’s conservative majority and the larger conservative movement pretended were about “religious freedom.” In the one case, involving the Hobby Lobby chain of craft stores and the Conestoga Wagon Specialties company, which makes wood cabinets, the majority ruled that a federal law guaranteeing “religious freedom” means family-owned corporations don’t have to provide insurance coverage for contraception under the Affordable Care Act. That decision, which the Court issued on June 30, seemed to leave in place the law’s provision governing nonprofit organizations in place. The law allowed nonprofit organizations to, if they wished, transfer the delivery of free contraception to others. However, in the second ruling, which the Court handed up on July 3 and specifically involved Illinois’s Wheaton College, a conservative Christian institution, the court majority temporarily exempted it from having to comply at all with the contraception provisions of the law.
Religious Liberty Critics of the decisions, which produced extremely sharp dissents from the court’s three female justices, said they have stripped women workers of any guarantees that contraception coverage will automatically be part of their health insurance. That’s because these rulings aren’t about “religious liberty.” Now they’ve re-cast themselves as “victims” whose “freedom” to adhere to their religious beliefs is being violated. It’s a scam the conservative political movement is pushing in brazen fashion — as exemplified by a strikingly apt word in the Hobby Lobby opinion written by Justice Samuel A. Alito.
Rights of people That word is “fiction.” On page 18 of the majority opinion, Alito acknowledges that defining corporations as persons in legal terms is a “fiction,” but asserts that “the purpose of this fiction is to provide protection for human beings … When rights, whether constitutional or statutory, are extended to corporations, the purpose is to protect the rights of those people.” A moment later, Alito defines “those people” in this way: “And protecting the free-
LEE A. DANIELS NNPA COLUMNIST
exercise rights of closely-held corporations thus protects the religious liberty of the humans who own and control the companies.” As Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank pointedly noted two days before the Wheaton College decision, that sentence does not contain any mention of the rights of these corporations’ employees. In other words, in declaring that a family-owned corporation – which, after all, is an artificial entity created in accordance with governmental regulations – can, in effect, take on the religious coloration of “those who own and control” it, the court’s conservative bloc was indulging in another of the “fictions” by which it’s been trying to hold back the expansion of democracy for more than a decade.
Possible precedents That became even clearer once it issued the Wheaton College ruling. Given that it is indeed a “fiction” to pretend the ruling was not a politically driven gift to the Christian right, here are some questions to think about: How long will it be before some conservative Christian business owners require their female employees to wear dresses (no slacks, please) down to their ankles? And for all employees to genuflect before crosses set up at entrances to their businesses? And to join them in “prayer sessions” before and after the workday? And to attend only those houses of worship they “approve” of? And how long will it be before some White business owners claim — as in the Jim Crow days — that their “religious beliefs” require that they not serve or employ Black Americans? Or, will they try that on Muslim Americans first? Or gays and lesbians? Or Hispanic Americans? Or Jewish Americans?
Lee A. Daniels is a longtime journalist based in New York City. His latest book is Last Chance: The Political Threat to Black America. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
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HEALTH MA YOR
JULY 10 –14 JULY 2014 DECEMBER - 20,16, 2006
rung was really a concussion.”
ImPACT program On the most diligent and well-resourced student teams, players take baseline tests — a battery of motor skill drills and survey questions to record their individual peak cognitive health — and have athletic trainers who check for signs of decline. If a concussion is suspected, a player does another test to compare those results to his or her baseline. The ImPACT Concussion Management program is currently the program of record for these tests among school athletic programs. But according to Dr. Vernon Williams, neurologist and medical director of the Sports Concussion Institute, a lack of access to care compounds the (now fading) problem of awareness. ImPACT, for example, costs a minimum of $400 per year for 100 baseline tests and 15 post-injury tests for one school. Meanwhile, many schools and school districts, largely populated by Black and brown children, routinely have to make cuts to balance their budget.
ROBERT WILLETT/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER/MCT
North Carolina trainer Chris Hirth and Boston College EMS attend to UNC’s P.J. Hairston (15) after he suffered a concussion in January 2013. The CDC estimates that 5.3 million U.S. citizens are living with disability as a result of a traumatic brain injury.
Concussions a greater problem for Black youth Lack of access to funds cited as major barrier to schools’ providing stateof-the art tests BY JAZELLE HUNT NNPA NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON – Despite the flurry of news about NFL lawsuits over concussions, the problem affects far more athletes at the high school and junior high school level, according to the federal government statistics. In 2009 alone, near-
ly 250,000 youth age 19 or younger were treated in emergency rooms for sports and recreation-related injuries that included concussions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 2001 and 2009, the rate of such visits rose 57 percent. Concussions occur when the brain is shaken violently against the skull. Although concussions are the most common brain injury, widespread awareness and concern about this issue in the world of student athletics is fairly recent. But it is especially relevant for Black commu-
nities, particularly young men most likely to die from traumatic brain injuries, according to the CDC. And according to data from research nonprofit, Child Trends, 50 to 60 percent of Black American high schoolers were on a sports team in 2011.
Untreated cases In severe or untreated cases, they can cause brain damage, seizures, emotional distress, and death — in fact the CDC estimates that 5.3 million U.S. citizens are living with disability as a result of a traumatic brain injury (or TBI, an umbrella term that includes concussions).
“From an athletic trainer perspective concussions have always been a big concern. Coaches seemed to think that injuries increased because [athletic trainers] were there, but really it’s that awareness is increased,” says Jennifer Rheeling, a veteran athletic trainer in D.C. Public Schools and chair of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the D.C. State Athletic Association. “In the last five years particularly with the NFL starting to talk about it, and the lawsuits, has helped immensely now that people get it on a mainstream level. What they thought was just getting their bell
Woman loses hands, feet from botched butt surgery EURWEB.COM
Be careful what you wish for and how you get it. As one woman found out, the price could be too high to pay. Chatting with CNN, Apryl Brown revealed that her desire for a bigger butt resulted in the loss of her hands and feet. “I really wanted to live. I just really wanted to live,” said Brown, who was told in 2010 that a staph infection eating her body away resulted in her having 24 hours to live. Brown’s quest for beauty led an acquaintance who offered her silicone butt injections at her house at a cheaper price than a doctor’s office. The result was far from what Brown wanted. “I was in pain, my butt was hard, and I was itching,” the one-time cosmetologist said. As if the pain and itching wasn’t enough, Brown soon learned after the silicone was removed from her body and tested, that the substance was something entirely different. “It was bathroom caulk, sealant,” she told CNN. To deal with her infection, Brown underwent 27 surgeries. “My hands popped out with this pink nail polish, and I’m like, oh my God, I’m going to lose my hands. I’m going lose my hands,” she said.
Do some research Brown’s hands weren’t the only
“We have coaches who understand the need, but they have different resources. For example, we know baseline testing for people in contact collision sports can help evaluate when people get injured,” Williams explains. “But it’s uncommon for people to have access to state-of-theart baseline testing. Players, school systems, and parents don’t have access to those funds. But we can still implement treatment using creative measures.”
‘Open source’ platform Currently, Dr. Gary Harris, who specializes in computer engineering and serves as associate provost for Research and Graduate Studies at Howard University, is working with engineering students and the Bison football team to devise an inexpensive concussion monitoring system, using an open source platform. “Open source” is a tech industry term that means the equipment and information to create this system is public as opposed to proprietary, so as to encourage others to innovate and improve on the idea. The project uses a computer chip attached inside the helmet that measures impact up to 100 gs of force. For reference: a sneeze is about 2 or 3 gs of force on the human body; an F-16 fighter jet barrel roll exerts 7 to 9 gs; a car crash at 45 mph is about
EURWEB.COM
thing she lost. According to the LA resident, her feet were the other casualty of the bogus surgery. With Botox and fillers being commonly used among people as well as fast and easy access available online, Dr. Richard Glogau of the University of California-San Francisco, doesn’t blame the patients. “People assume that it’s just as easy as getting your hair colored. But at the end of the day it’s a medical procedure,” he shared with CNN. As it stands now, Brown has come a long ways from when she first started on the road to recover. CNN notes that she has learned to walk with
prosthetics and even knows how to write. Knowing that her experience may be able to help someone avoid what happened to her, Brown is determined to share her ordeal with others in hopes of teaching them to avoid falling into the same trap. “All I would ask them to do is, when they have that first thought, make sure they have a second thought about it and do a little research,” she stated. “They won’t be blindsided, and they won’t be saying ‘oh, my god I had no idea that a simple procedure like that can leave me with no hands, no feet and no butt cheeks.’”
‘Brain timing’ Technology is also being used to improve care and outcomes the aftermath of serious concussion cases. Interactive Metronome, a health tech company that creates neurological research-based brain training programs and activities, is one example. The activities are designed around “brain timing” — the ability to clap to a beat, for example. As users play games and do activities that test their reaction time, those brain cell connections are repaired and strengthened. Originally (and primarily) used to improve motor skills and cognitive function in children with ADD/ADHD, the program is beginning to see success with TBI rehabilitation. “We fit into concussions in a new way, which is helping out when those [post-concussion] symptoms don’t dissipate,” says Nick Etten, vice president of Strategy and Business Development at Interactive Metronome. “There’s a lot of emphasis on technology these days — it’s really important in the world of concussions and cognitive rehab. We’re starting to understand that there was a big void in information.” Technology has helped improve identifying and treating concussions; on the prevention front, sports health care professionals now have the backing of the law. In all 50 states, a student athlete must be immediately removed from play if a concussion is suspected, and cannot return to practice or play without medical clearance. Some states also mandate that a student must remain free of symptoms or remain on the injured list for a set period of time, even if they gain medical clearance immediately.
Hookah use increasing dramatically among teenagers BY BONNIE MILLER RUBIN CHICAGO TRIBUNE/MCT
Bathroom caulk was used to give Apryl Brown a larger behind. She has undergone 27 surgeries.
60 gs. Concussions usually happen with collisions between 80 and 120 gs. The chip records the force of impact for every collision — it can be programmed to transmit this information wirelessly, say, to a cell phone app. Or, it can be downloaded from the helmet using a USB cable. It can also be programmed to send an alert when a hit exceeds a certain threshold. “You can have an entire team’s list where you know all their shock, trauma, and incidents on file,” says Dr. Harris. “We still don’t know the threshold of force for brain damage, we don’t know how many hits it takes, but the first thing we have to do is collect the data.” Each of these chips costs approximately $30.
Hookah use is increasing dramatically among U.S. teens, according to a study in Pediatrics, published online Monday and in the August issue. The study, “Hookah Use Among U.S. High School Seniors,” found the annual prevalence of hookah use was 18 percent, based on a national survey of 5,540 high school seniors. “Hookah use is not less harmful or addictive than cigarettes,” said Joseph Palamar, the lead author and assistant professor of population health at New York University. “There is a common misperception that the water in hookah filters out the bad things, like nicotine ... but that simply isn’t true,” he said Monday.
Less stigma Students who smoked cigarettes, and those who had ever used alcohol, marijuana or other illicit substances, were more
likely to use the hookah. Unexpectedly, researchers also found that students whose parents had higher levels of education, and those with higher incomes, were more likely to use hookah — unlike cigarette smoking, which is associated with lower socioeconomic status. “Hookah use isn’t frowned upon as much, especially by the upper class because use doesn’t have the typical smoking stigma,” Palamar said. “It’s also trendy to use at hookah bars.” If there is any silver lining to the upsurge, it’s that hookah tends to be a once-in-a-while habit, unlike cigarettes. Still, researchers concluded it is crucial for public health officials to fill in the gaps in public understanding about the harm of hookah smoking. “Users ... need to be educated about the potential adverse effects,” said Palamar. In light of this latest findings, he added “please use sparingly.”
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7
M SPORTS AYOR
JULY 10 –14JULY 2014 DECEMBER - 20,16, 2006
PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
The Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway was called on Sunday, 48 laps short of the scheduled 160-lap distance.
Plenty of rain, wrecks at the racetrack Opinions differ on shortened Coke Zero 400 BY DAVID SCOTT CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/MCT
One thing is certain at the conclusion of a rainshortened race: The winner thinks it was called at the right time, and those who didn’t win wish it could have continued. That was the case Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, where Aric Almirola won a Coke Zero 400 that was called on the 112th of scheduled 160 laps when rain settled in around the track. “The rain came at the wrong time for us and the right time for them,” runner-up Brian Vickers said. “It’s unfortunate. I was hoping they would wait it out. We’ve got lights. But I guess they felt the need to call it, so it is what it is.” The race, which had been postponed from Saturday also because of rain, was red-flagged at about 2 p.m. for the weather, then called off for good at 2:56. The wet weather didn’t let up as the afternoon progressed, so a timely restart for the race would have been unlikely. It was the second time this season rain played a major role in a race at Daytona: The seasonopening Daytona 500 was delayed six hours by wet weather in February, but the entire race was run.
‘Tough call to make’ For drivers, the racewithin-the-race was figuring out how hard to compete with rain approaching as the event passed its halfway point (80 laps) and became official. “It was tough because I thought we were racing to 80 there for a while,” said rookie Austin Dillon, who finished fifth. “It’s tough not knowing if you’re going to get to 160 because you’ve got guys saying, ‘Oh, it’s going to rain out.’ There are so many opinions, so you’ve just got to trust yours when it comes down to the end.” Almirola passed Kurt Busch for the lead on Lap 106, which turned out to be six laps from the end. Busch had led a race-high 36 laps. “It seems early to call a race,” Busch said. “It’s Sunday, and the majority of our fans were going to use this day to travel back home. Maybe we could have run later and finished and everybody could have made it back home and to work on Monday. “It’s a tough call to make. But I didn’t do my job as the leader for when the race was going to get called.”
Aric Almirola signs autographs before the Coke Zero 400 was scheduled to start on Saturday.
Two major accidents The rain, which played havoc with events all weekend at the track, wasn’t the only story. The race was interrupted by two major accidents – the first involving 16 cars on Lap 21, the second involving 26 cars on Lap 99. Pole-winner David Gilliland, a victim of the second big wreck, finished 35th. Points-leader Jeff Gordon, who would have clinched a spot in the Chase with a victory, was 12th. Almirola stayed away from each of the race’s big wrecks. The first one happened when Gordon forced Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to get loose coming out of Turn 1, causing a huge pileup on the front stretch. The main victim of the wreck was six-time champion Jimmie Johnson, whose day was finished because the damage to his Chevy was too severe to repair. The second accident was highlighted by Kyle Busch’s Toyota being flipped on its top by Cole Whitt. Busch was OK and joked on the radio to his team that he was “just hanging around” while waiting for track workers to extricate him.
Petty anniversary And while the victory – the first of his career – earns Almirola a spot in the Chase for the Cup playoffs, his car also earned plenty of post-race attention. Almirola, with Richard Petty Motorsports, drove a No. 43 Ford in the race. It was the 30th anniversary of Richard Petty’s victory in the 1984 summer race at Daytona in his familiar red-and-blue No. 43 Pontiac, the 200th and final triumph of his driving career that was also witnessed by President Ronald Reagan. Almirola was the drive of Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 Ford in last weekend’s Coke Zero 400. Petty’s final victory in Daytona’s summer race came just months after Almirola, 30, was born in Walton Beach. He and his family often came to Daytona to watch races when he was a child. “I know all about the history of the car,” said Almirola, who is in his second season of driving for Richard Petty Motorsports. “I’m appreciative of it, that it’s 30 years to the weekend since (Petty) won his 200th race with the president here. But I’m also a little bit selfish. I just won my first Cup race!”
Sisaundra Lewis of Orlando sings the National Anthem.
Daytona Beach Commissioner Patrick Henry welcomes the crowd. Gary Littrell and Melvin Morris, Medal of Honor recipients, attended the race.
Two race fans have some fun in the fan zone area on Saturday.
R8
7EDUCATION
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2014 preparation in both universitybased and alternative-certification programs.”
Higher benchmarks Researchers also proposed higher benchmarks for teachertraining programs. The CAP report also cited the Education Department’s recruitment campaign aimed at preparing 80,000 Black teachers for classrooms across the country by 2015 to provide students not only with high-quality educational experiences, but also to present them with role models with a variety of cultural experiences, as well. “There is a need for more teacher-preparation programs to embrace calls for higher quality and candidate expectations — indeed, to marry the call for quality and diversity,” stated the report. “Improved preparation will go a long way toward minimizing the number of new teachers that enter our schools ill-equipped and quickly exit through the revolving door.” The report concluded that policymakers needed to shift their focus to retaining effective minority teachers, while supporting the efforts of minority professionals seeking to enter the field. MATT PEARCE/LOS ANGELES TIMES/MCT
Shawonna Coleman, left, a teacher at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, discusses segregation with sophomores in a U.S. history class on Aug. 27, 2013.
Report: All students benefit by having minority teachers BY FREDDIE ALLEN NNPA NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON – Despite the cry from people of color for more teachers who look like them, both Whites and Blacks benefit from a more diverse teaching force, according to a study by Center of American Progress (CAP). “A study of the relationship between the presence of AfricanAmerican teachers in schools and African-American students’ access to equal education in
schools found that fewer AfricanAmericans were placed in special-education classes, suspended, or expelled when they had more teachers of color, and that more African-American students were placed in gifted and talented programs and graduated from high school,” stated the report. Teachers of color also have, “an affinity for infusing their classrooms with culturally relevant experiences and examples, setting high academic expectations, developing trusting stu-
dent-teacher relationships, and serving as cultural and linguistic resources — as well as advocates, mentors, and liaisons — for students’ families and communities.”
Male teachers missing A study titled, “Teacher Diversity Revisited” reported in May 2014 that learning from and networking with a multicultural teaching staff is also important for preparing White students for
a workforce and society where they will no longer make up the majority. CAP researchers said that male teachers of color are more than twice as likely to ditch the classroom for another career than female teachers of color. Black male teachers also told researchers that feelings of isolation or being the only Black male on the faculty increased their, “desire to leave their current schools.” When male minority teachers get certified in their main subject, they “are only half as likely to leave the field as are other teachers.” In an effort to address the lack of minority teachers and to retain the ones currently in our nation’s classrooms, CAP report suggested states should “develop innovative approaches to teacher
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By the numbers Minorities account for nearly half of the students in public schools in the United States, but less than 20 percent of teachers are non-White. According to a 2011 study by The National Center for Education Information (NCEI), more than 80 percent of teachers are White and less than 10 percent are Black. At 70 percent, White females account for the majority of all teachers. Only 2 percent of all teachers are Black men, underscoring the paucity of Black male role models in U.S. public schools. A 2014 report by the Children’s Defense Fund said that more than 80 percent of Black students can’t read at grade level and in 2010 less than 70 percent were graduating from high school in four years. Black students also received 1 in 6 out-of-school suspensions, compared to their White peers who received 1 in 20 out-of-school suspensions.