Gwendolyn Johnson chosen as Homecoming parade marshal See page 5
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EDITORIAL: Is South Africa returning to apartheid under Black rule? Page 4
B-CU volleyball team picks up first win of season See page 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
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OCTOBER 4 - OCTOBER 10, 2012
LOSS OF A LEADER
PEOPLE SPEAK
Volusia County School Board Chairman Dr. Alfred Williams will be remembered as dedicated educator, administrator and family man BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
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PHOTO COURTESY OF FAMILY
Dr. Alfred Williams first became a member of Volusia County’s school board in 1984.
he Volusia County community will come together at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Basilica of St. Paul Catholic Church to remember School Board Chairman Dr. Alfred Williams, who died unexpectedly Monday at Halifax Health Medical Center. Williams was 70. Williams, who first moved to Daytona Beach, in December 1978, was known as a dedicat-
ed family man, an accomplished educator and administrator, an active community volunteer and successful businessman. “He dedicated his life to providing a quality education for every child and an excellent working environment for teachers,” Volusia County Schools Superintendent Margaret Smith said in a statement. She referred to Williams as a loyal member of the “Team Volusia’’ family. “He had a big personality and a bigger heart for students,
Reaching out to young voters
teachers and the world of education. Dr. Al, as he was affectionately known, will be deeply missed,” she added. Williams started out as a teacher and a professor and worked as an educational consultant for low-performing high schools for Chicago Public Schools. He also was the executive director of the personnel department for the Austin (Texas) Independent School District. He was first elected to the Volusia County School Board in 1984 Please see WILLIAMS, Page 2
Elections probe zooms in on financial records of county council candidate BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
PHOTOS BY Jean-Marie Appleby/Daytona State College
Cathy Washington, a candidate for Zone 6 City Commission seat, speaks with a Daytona State College student.
Candidates have their say at Daytona State College’s meet and greet BY ASHLEY THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Candidates and their representatives filed into Daytona State College’s main campus Wednesday afternoon for a meet and greet. Candidate Day 2012 served as an opportunity for candidates, students and visitors to interact with each another and discuss issues affecting Volusians – just hours before the first presidential debate. Daytona State students and staff had a chance to hear from local, state and national representatives for this season’s elec-
tions as each candidate or representative was allotted a time to speak to the audience and share their stand on issues. “We had approximately 40 candidates show up. Some showed up that were not invited, which was great,” said Robert Grimm, director of Government Relations at Daytona State. “We had a fabulous turnout. It was a great success for the students and Student Government Association and has helped raised awareness of the election and the candidates.”
Account questioned
About 20 registered Grimm said about 200 persons were in attendance at any given time and many students were involved in the process. “The League of Women Voters registered about 20 people during the event. There was Please see VOTERS, Page 6
The Daytona Times has learned the Florida Elections Commission (FEC) has launched an investigation against Volusia County Council candidate Nancy Epps pertaining to a complaint filed against her by a former mayor of Ponce Inlet. Epps also is a former mayor of Ponce Inlet and is running against incumbent Volusia County Councilman Josh Nancy Wagner. Epps Former Ponce Inlet Mayor Tony Goudie filed a complaint with the FEC against Epps, alleging that she has committed multiple violations during her bid to unseat Wagner.
Edith Shelley, a Daytona Beach mayoral candidate, listens to a group of students expressing their concerns about the future of Daytona Beach.
In a letter sent to Epps obtained by the Times, FEC Interim Executive Director Eric Lipman said the agency is investigating whether Epps incurred expenses for the purchase of goods or services without sufficient funds on deposit in her primary depository account and if Epps made or authorized expenditures prohibited by Florida election statues. “I believe voters should know this because it’s factual, salient information that gives one the ability to evaluate a candidate,” Goudie said about why he filed the complaint Please see EPPS, Page 6
Remembering the life of ‘Mrs. No. 1’ Minnie McCrary, popular teacher, remembered for work in classroom and community BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Although Minnie McCrary distinguished herself as a popular teacher at several Volusia County
Schools, many in the area called her “Mrs. No. 1.’’ She was married to former Volusia County School Board member Earl McCrary, who before being elected to that post was a popular principal at Campbell Junior High. He was known for referring to all his students as “No. 1.” They, in return, called him “No. 1.’’ “I knew Mrs. McCrary from the time that I spent at Campbell Middle and the years after. She was our original “Michelle Obama.” The way that she sup-
ported Mr. McCrary, the staff and faculty, the students, and especially the community was unlike any other. She was a ‘Mother’ to all and will greatly be missed,” said Tommy Huger, who works for the City of Daytona Beach as its facilities manager.
NAACP life member Daytona Beach NAACP President Cynthia Slater remembered Mrs. McCrary as a staunch supporter of the NAACP. Please see MINNIE, Page 6
Minnie and Earl McCrary worked diligently to improve the lives of children in Volusia County.