What it takes for Black males to graduate from college SEE PAGE 5
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
EE FR
RAYNARD JACKSON: CBC: THE CLUELESS BLACK CAUCUS SEE PAGE 4
CASINO CLOSURES WILL LEAVE ATLANTIC CITY SHORT ON ROOMS FOR CONVENTIONS SEE PAGE 7
SEPTEMBER 4 - SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
YEAR 39 NO. 36
www.daytonatimes.com
Facts to know about Land Development Code Final draft of city’s LDC ready for review BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
The Daytona Beach Land Development Code rewrite project is in its final review stage before being submitted to the City Commission for adoption. The project began three years ago. “The purpose of the rewrite is so that it will be
easier to get property zoned for the right purpose for the right reason,” Commissioner Patrick Henry explained to the Daytona Times. “It will get rid of some of the zoning codes that are outdated and irrelevant.” The consultant, Clarion Associates, will provide an overview of the rewrite at the next Planning Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m. at City Hall.
LDC explained Deputy City Manager
Paul McKitrick, the Development & Administrative Services director, gave an overview of the LDC to the Times as well and spoke about the importance of the rewrite. “It is commonly known as the zoning code,” McKitrick explained. “In the code, there are hundreds of pages of regulations pertaining to where homes can be built, setbacks, the size of homes, how public roads can be constructed, environmental protection regulations and provisions regarding signage for busi-
NAACP president disappointed with voter turnout for primary
nesses. Many of the codes that regulate the use of land are in the LDC. “ The almost 800-page code is referred to as 93187, the number of the ordinance that adopted it in 1993, 21 years ago. “While it has been amended numerous times in those 21 years, it is obvious to all of us that use this code regularly that it is very outdated. What the community wanted in terms of regulation almost 25 years ago needed a serious review and update, which is the purpose of this exercise
of updating the code now.” While the amendments have addressed specific issues, they have not addressed comprehensive changes such as incorporating the city’s Vision Plan, the updated Comprehensive Plan and the plans for the city’s redevelopment areas.
Prime example McKitrick explained that the update would not have a major effect on current property owners, whether business or residential.
“For almost all property owners, commercial and residential, there will be almost no direct effect on property rights. More importantly for those people that perhaps are thinking of putting an addition on their home or doing other substantial improvements the new code has been specifically designed to make the permitting of that easier than the old code.” McKitrick explained a new provision in the code: contextual zoning. For an Please see CODE, Page 2
B-CU’S FOOTBALL SEASON UNDER WAY
BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Less than a quarter of registered voters cast their vote for the primary election, according to reports released by the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections office. Voter turnout was a meager 23 percent. “We were disappointed in the primary election turnout,” Cynthia Slater, president of the Volusia County-Daytona Beach chapter of the NAACP, told the Daytona Times. “Our goal is to increase the turnout by at least another 10 perCynthia cent.” Slater According to a report released by the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections, on Sept. 3 there were 28,984 Black registered voters in Volusia County with 16,959 female registrants compared to 11,649 males. Exact numbers were not available by racial makeup in the report. However from available data, about 6,000 Blacks showed up to vote on Tuesday, Aug. 26. “Our main goal is to increase voter registration and voter turnout. These local elections are just as important as a presidential
Bethune-Cookman quarterback Quentin Williams (3), wide receiver Jhomo Gordon (5) and the rest of the team head into the FIU Stadium in Miami.
They’re back! The players. The cheerleaders. The band. The fans. Bethune-Cookman University’s football season kicked off on Aug. 30 as the Wildcats faced the Florida International University (FIU) Golden Panthers. The Wildcats defeated FIU 14-12 at the matchup in Miami. Quarterback Quentin Williams threw a touch-
down in the fourth quarter to help BCU beat FIU. It was the season opener for both teams. With 12:26 left to play, Williams hit Frank Brown for a 55-yard touchdown pass that put the Wildcats up 14-6. Williams had 149 yards passing for Bethune-Cookman. B-CU next faces Grambling State University at home on Sept. 13 in a 4 p.m. game. For more on the Wildcats’ roster and schedule, visit www.bcuathletics.com.
PHOTOS BY KIM GIBSON/DAYTONA TIMES
B-CU’s band, the Marching Wildcats, performed at the Aug. 30 game.
Please see VOTING, Page 2
Community recognizes Campbell Elementary’s ‘Passion for Preparation’ BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
An appreciative audience of approximately 150 people celebrated the legacy of Campbell Elementary School during an August 23 banquet with the theme “A Passion for Preparation,” honoring Campbell’s administration, faculty and staff. Campbell Elementary began as Daytona Colored School in 1884 on Second Street. That’s the same location on which the John H. Dickerson Center – named Campbell’s longestserving principal – is now located.
ALSO INSIDE
Oldest school for Blacks The school originally educated Black students of all ages. Thus, Campbell is the oldest school for Black students in Daytona Beach. Cypress Street Elementary (now Bonner Elementary) opened in 1926. South Street Elementary (now Turie T. Small Elementary) opened in 1943. Both came into existence due to overcrowding at Campbell Elementary. A local organizing committee of Campbell Elementary alumni who attended the school from 1962 to 1969 organized the banquet.
A proud teacher “It was something else. They made us feel proud. We are still getting compliments from the community,” Geneva Loper, a former Campbell Elementary teacher shared. “My kids told me I was walking around like a schoolgirl. I was excited to see the students I hadn’t seen for years. I saw our principal, Lawrence Broxton, whom I hadn’t seen in ages. On Wednesday, I received a postcard from a student on how I had made a difference in her life. “You really don’t know how you affect kids. It’s been a long time. I tell you, Please see CAMPBELL, Page 3
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ, SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Audience members pay rapt attention during the Campbell Elementary celebration.
COMMENTARY: GEORGE E. CURRY: COPS LIED ABOUT ‘SUICIDES’ OF HANDCUFFED BLACK MEN | PAGE 4 CULTURE: THE ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE: CAN IT BE REPLICATED? | PAGE 8