Daytona
Judge Freddie Worthen dies at age 79
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #189 Daytona Beach, FL
Gerald Mitchell hopes to pass on boxing talent to area youth See page 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
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NOVEMBER 14 - NOVEMBER 20, 2013
YEAR 38 NO. 46
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CHARLENE CROWELL: Private student loans PRESORTED no STANDARD better than credit card for college See page 4
Islam chapter in textbook sparks protest
PEOPLE SPEAK
Residents expected to storm Nov. 18 Volusia school board meeting in DeLand over history curriculum
Prentice Hall World History is the textbook for 10th graders.
BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
More than 200 people have signed up on a Facebook page to participate in a protest rally at a
school board meeting at 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the DeLand Administrative Complex, 200 N. Clara Ave. The name of the Facebook page is “Protest Rally against World History Curriculum in Volusia Public Schools.” The protesters are upset that a chapter in a history book used in Volusia County Schools is devoted to the Islamic religion. A line on the Facebook page set up by Rick Sarmiento and Earl Tony Ledbetter states, “We
cannot allow our local, state and federal governments to take away our Christian heritage and indoctrinate our youth with that of one religion over all others. This is AMERICA for God’s sake!”
Security concerns The regularly scheduled school board meeting on Nov. 5 was cancelled for security reasons after the district was contacted by the U.S. Department of Justice just Please see PROTEST, Page 2
Catching the bus will soon cost more BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
The Volusia County Council voted Nov. 7 to increase the fare to ride on Votran buses with the changes going into effect starting in February. It was passed by a 5-1 vote without discussion. Only Councilwoman Deb Denys was opposed. Councilman Pat Patterson was absent. The changes the council voted on included an increase for a one-way ride from $1.25 to $1.50 in 2014 and to $1.75 in 2015. The reduced fare went up from $.60 to $.75 in 2014 and to $.85 in 2015. An all-day pass will increase from $3 to $3.50 in 2014 and to $3.75 in 2015. Other increases include changing a three-day pass from $6 to $7 in 2014 to $7.50 in 2015; a seven-day pass up from $12 to $12.75 in 2014 and to $13 in 2015; and a 31-day pass increase from $40 to $45 in 2014 to $46 in 2015.
Lines up with Lynx Volusia County spokesman Dave Byron said the only other change the council voted on was to change the definition of a reduced rider minor from age 6 to 17 to 7 to 18. “This standardizes Votran with Lynx so that fare media are compatible for the start of SunRail service. This is a minor change for Votran,” Byron said. Lynx provides public transportation in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. The last time Votran had a fare increase was in January 2007. The county sought public input on the proposed fare increase through five public meetings in September across the county. Bus surveys also were accessible for the public to fill out.
$230,000 annual income Votran currently has about 3.6 million fixed route boardings a year. At $1.50, a one-way fare is still below the state average rate of $1.56, Votran’s General Manager Steven Sherrer has stated. The 25-cent increase in fixed route service fares is anticipated to generate additional annual income of about $230,000. Fares will continue to only be paid with cash, tokens or passes.
Children at Volusia VPK Specialists learn about bike safety during a riding course.
Preschoolers pedal for cancer patients Volusia VPK Specialists Trike-a-Thon raises money for children at St. Jude hospital
for anything,” Burch-Medlock said. “Volusia VPK children understand the concept of helping others people. Philanthropy should start early,” she noted.
Bike riding course
BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Students of Volusia VPK Specialists in Daytona Beach pedaled and rode in their first Trike-a-Thon last month, raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital based in Memphis, Tenn. Director Janice Burch-Medlock said each student at the local childcare center was responsible for collecting donations through sponsors. “The students were also educated about children with cancer. St. Jude treats the world’s sickest children battling cancer and other diseases for free. No family ever pays St. Jude
The students also were taught by a Daytona Beach police officer the importance of being a safe bike rider. “As a result of what was learned, the students took a pledge to be a safe bike rider and to teach others,” Burch-Medlock added. Each child was presented with a helmet as a token of safety from the Daytona Beach Fire Department. A riding course was designed on the school campus so the students can continue to ride their bikes safely. Along with Burch-Medlock, other founders of the school include Dannette Henry and Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry.
A youngster takes a spin on a tricycle for a good cause.
Palm Coast author helping Blacks boys mature to productive men BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Like most people, Sandra Felecia suffered loss and pain. She is the mother of four biological sons, which she says has made her very empathetic to the plight of the Black male. “I have taken my experiences in life and taught my sons to love themselves, God and mankind,”
said Felecia, who is the co-founder of Abundant Life Ministries-Hope House, Inc. located in Palm Coast. Hope House is a residential group home for teen Sandra boys who have Felicia been abandoned, abused, orphaned or neglected. Her current role as executive
director and chief financial officer has empowered her to develop a ministry with a goal of “nurturing today’s boys to become tomorrow’s men.’’
A testimony “There are numerous Black men and boys who have achieved great success beyond sports and this success was achieved as a result of self-determination, self-
discipline, self-accountability and more important belief in themselves,” remarked Felecia. “In my opinion, we must empower our Black men and boys by teaching them to look inside of self first. We must emphasize the power that lies within and reduce the opportunity for excuses to fail due to external circumstances,” said Felecia, who this year published a book titled “The Affirmation of Me.’’
Felecia says the book is a testimony to one’s ability to overcome life’s most challenging situations and to embrace them as orchestrated situations designed by God to bring Him glory.
‘Catharsis for healing’ Felecia shares a story of her journey to self-love. She wrote the book to help others to forgive Please see AUTHOR, Page 2
7 FOCUS
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NOVEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 20, 2013
County manager upholds firing of beach patrol officer BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen has upheld the firing of Todd Snipes, a former beach safety captain. The county’s personnel board voted 3-2 on Nov. 5 for Dinneen to consider a lesser punishment in Snipe’s case. In a document provided to the Daytona Times, Dinneen states that “after careful consideration, I find that termination
is the appropriate penalty due to the undisputed actions of the appellant and the serious nature of some of those actions.’’ Snipes, along with his attorney Jason Harr, had appealed his firing before the county personnel Todd board and the board ruled Snipes in their favor. Snipes was fired on Aug. 9. He was released for texts and picture messages he
posted on Facebook after the George Zimmerman verdict.
Facebook error In a 3-2 vote, the personnel board stated that the officer had committed a personnel violation but the offense warranted a level of discipline below termination. Dinneen had the option to accept, reject or modify the board’s recommendation. Volusia County Beach Safety Director
Mark Swanson received information on July 16 that Snipes had sent derogatory racial texts and picture messages to several individuals relating to the Zimmerman case. A Facebook Snipes had posted on July 14 read, “Another thug gone! Pull up your pants and act respectful. Bye Bye thug, rip,’’ a response to the Zimmerman second-degree murder trial. Zimmerman was acquitted on July 13 in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
AUTHOR
Great role models
from Page 1 themself and others from the strongholds that have hindered them from loving themselves. She says “The Affirmation of Me’’ gives readers reasons to have hope in the face of death and pain. Felecia says it is her goal to teach readers how to appreciate the good that can come as a result of tragedies. “Being able to identify the benefits of a negative event is a catharsis for healing,” Felecia noted.
Teacher Corendis Hardy receives an oversized check for her work in Atlanta Public Schools. She is a graduate of Spruce Creek High School.
Daytona native recognized as one of Atlanta’s outstanding educators BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Atlanta Families’ Award for Excellence in Education (AFAEE) announced last month that Douglass High School teacher Corendis Hardy was one of 10 Atlanta Public Schools educators named 2013 AFAEE winners. It is an award that recognizes and honors outstanding educators in the school system. Hardy is a 1983 graduate of Spruce Creek High School and is the daughter of Vivian M. Brown of Daytona Beach and the late Roy Raines. Hardy currently teaches French and world literature. She has a Master of Science degree in education and a specialist degree in curriculum and instruction.
Money for program AFAEE worked quietly
PROTEST from Page 1 prior to the board meeting was to begin at 4 p.m., said Nancy H. Wait, spokesman for Volusia County Schools. “The nature of this information raised substantial safety concerns. Upon evaluation of this late information, the district determined that a short-term postponement would permit additional security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the students, public and employees at the meeting. While the district does not comment on security procedures, there was no specific threat of violence in this matter,” Wait Said. Ida Wright, Volusia County Schools’ only Black school board member, told the Daytona times she agreed with canceling the Nov. 5 meeting. “Our employees’ safety is a priority. I am going to review the textbook over the next two days,” Wright said before she would comment on the content that has upset some of the county’s residents.
Used throughout state Tony Ledbetter, chairman of the Volusia County Republican Party, was among 100 protesters who arrived at the Nov. 5 meeting before it was canceled. In a press release, Ledbetter said, “Citizens of Volusia County have expressed
with Douglass administrators to surprise Hardy with the award. The shocked teacher received balloons, an oversized check for $7,500 and T-shirts for her students. The $7,500 monetary award includes $1,500 to fund a professional development opportunity, a $2,500 personal stipend and $3,500 to fund her Language Enrichment Program. “I plan to use the money for a literacy program, perhaps also books on tape and other reading materials needed to support student learning,’’ she stated.
From Orlando to Atlanta Hardy began her service with Atlanta Public Schools 15 years ago after leaving Orange County Public Schools in Orlando. For eight years, she taught an exploratory world languages course concern that the history presented in this textbook is not truthful and is biased in favor of Islam at the expense of Christianity and Judaism. Our concern is about history being taught accurately in our Volusia County Public Schools.” The textbook Ledbetter was referring to is Prentice Hall World History. Wait said Volusia County Schools is one of many school districts in Florida that have chosen the textbook as a primary resource for teachers to use as they ensure quality instruction on Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for World History. Wait also noted World History was one of three state-approved textbooks that met the state’s criteria for the adoption process.
What textbook covers A committee of Volusia County Schools Social Studies teachers selected the textbook. Volusia County Schools procedures for textbook adoption provide for public participation and viewing of the textbooks chosen by the committee before a final decision is made. The Prentice Hall World History textbook presents coverage of the standards for world history, which require students to learn information about world religions and their relationship to the development of civilizations. The textbook covers information related to Muslim civilization in one
and was selected to teach in the “Literacy Project,” a special program that focuses on correcting reading deficiencies for at-risk students. During her tenure with Atlanta Public Schools, Hardy was featured on an episode of APS Today, highlighting foreign language educators. She also served as a teacher/mentor for Metro-RESA during the 2010-2011 school year. She presented a professional development workshop titled Didactic Games in a World Language Classroom and was a member of the Student Learning Objectives and Assessments team for French I. Hardy also organized and hosted the first Atlanta Public Schools French Spelling Bee for middle school students as well as an African Heritage Trivia Contest. chapter and information about Christianity and Judaism in seven chapters.
NAACP responds Local NAACP President Cynthia Slater weighed in on the issue. “If the Muslim culture is taught as a segment in history classes (like Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism), I don’t see any problems with that. Our children need to learn about racial, religious and cultural differences. I think in this day and time, we all could stand to take a lesson or two in these areas,” Slater said. “But as far as the actual teaching of the Muslim religion in schools as a course, that is a violation of the constitution,” she added.
History lessons Wait said the Volusia school district teaches world history at grades 6 and 10. In grade 6, the time period that is covered begins with ancient history from 1.8 million B.C. through the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. The textbook for grade 6 world history is History Alive! The Ancient World from the Teacher’s Curriculum Institute. The textbook has two separate chapters on Judaism, one chapter on Hinduism, one chapter on Buddhism and two chapters on Christianity. The teaching of world history in Volusia County Schools continues at grade 10 with a review of what was taught in grade 6 and
Minister, educator Felecia considers herself an anointed woman of God whose ministry mission is to motivate, encourage and provoke others to fulfill their God ordained purpose. She began her ministry training at Hope Fellowship Church in Daytona Beach under the tutelage of Bishop Derek Triplett. She was licensed as a minister of the gospel in 2005 and in 2007 she accepted the elevation to elder under the ministry of Triplett. She currently serves at Grace Tabernacle Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Charles Silano. She is a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a master’s in Urban Education. As a former classroom teacher and assistant school administrator in the Miami-Dade County Public School system, she has touched the lives of many young people.
full advantage of. She relocated to Palm Coast in 2001 from Miami. She also worked as a classroom teacher for five years and was the assistant site administrator at Gladeview Academy in Miami. Gladeview Academy was unique in its design concept; all of the students had open cases in the Department of Juvenile Justice and were direct referrals through the courts. “This was an extremely rewarding job as one of my passions has always been to work with at-risk youth,” Felecia stated.
Helped to start Y.O.U.R.S.
Felecia says education is not an option, but a privilege that should be taken
At age 14, along with her father, Sandy Hall, and the support of then-State Attorney Janet Reno, she helped to start Y.O.U.R.S., a youth group in response to the 1982 riot that was ignited by the killing of Nevell Johnson by Miami police officer Luis Alvarez. Felecia said the purpose of Y.O.U.R.S. was to address the tension between the Miami Police Department and the residents of Overtown. She said they were successful at bringing the two groups together to improve community relations and the opening of a substation in the Overtown neighborhood.
then begins more in depth starting with the time period of the Middle Ages in 500 B.C. and progressing through history until the present day.
arranged upon request. Because the textbook is subject to federal copyright protections, the district is unable to post the textbook online or make copies of it.
Multiple Christian references
Nov. 18 meeting guidelines
The textbook for grade 10 is Prentice Hall World History. Christianity is referred to multiple times throughout the textbook found in sections of three chapters and referenced in seven other chapters. There is a separate chapter on Muslim civilizations that addresses the rise of Islam. The textbook also references 10 of the world’s major religions and provides a summary of their key beliefs, including Christianity. Reference to the role of these religions in human history is referenced throughout the textbook. Wait stressed that the textbook does not provide religious instruction or “indoctrination” on any faith. “The United States Supreme Court has clearly held that reference to religion in public school courses is constitutionally permissible for information rather than indoctrination purposes. For example, the study of world history is incomplete without reference to the role of religion in human development,” Wait said. The World History textbook that is being targeted, according to Wait, contains 34 chapters. Wait said arrangements to inspect the textbook at a school district site can be
In order to accommodate all those who want to speak at public participation time during the Nov. 18 school board meeting, Wait said the following guidelines have been established: The main door to the building will open at 3 p.m. and access to the boardroom will be available at that time. Members of the public who wish to speak to the board will fill out a yellow public participation card prior to 4:30 p.m.; no additional cards will be taken after 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be called to order at 4 p.m. and public participation for all those who wish to speak to the board will be
Worked with at-risk kids
Felecia, a product of the Miami-Dade public school system, said she was inspired to become a classroom teacher “because I was blessed to have teachers who cared.” “During my formative years, I had teachers who motivated me to do my best. They recognized my potential and would often allow me to present subject matter on the chalkboard in front of my peers. This fostered in me the ability to present and explain topics before an audience,” she said. Felecia says Freddie Pittman Sr., an African-American principal, was very instrumental in her education while she was attending North Miami Jr. High. “He ensured that I was challenged at the highest level. When the typing teacher tried to make life difficult for me because I was the only AfricanAmerican in that class, he stood firm and said I would remain in her class,” she said.
Hundreds of boys helped Felecia said she overcame many challenges as an African-American student in a school that was slowly experiencing cultural change. Shortly after moving to Palm Coast, Felecia became a member of Hope Fellowship Church. One day while visiting the church, Felecia said that God had laid it on her heart to open a home for boys. Thus began the birthing of what has become to be known as “Hope House.’’ In 2003, Abundant Life Ministries-Hope House, Inc., was opened. Felecia said more than 200 boys have been helped in the past 10 years. For more information on Hope House, call 386-9311420. the first item of business on the agenda. Speakers will be called in the order in which public participation cards are received. Each speaker will state their name and address and be given four minutes to address the board. Board members will listen to comments. *When the boardroom is filled to capacity (about 72 available seats), a designated waiting area will be established and speakers will be permitted to enter when their names are called. Residents interested in discussing the textbook before the Nov. 18 school board meeting can attend a meeting being organized by some of the protesters. It will take place Nov. 14 at 921 North Nova Road in Holly Hill starting at 7 p.m. The invitation is to registered voters in Volusia County. For more information about the meeting, contact Ledbetter at 386235-7755.
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Come let the Holy Ghost Get Ya!
NOVEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 20, 2013
M ANEWS YOR COMMUNITY
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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
Flagler AKAs present seven Princesses at inaugural Fashionetta “The Beauty of a Princess” was the program theme of the inaugural Little Miss and Miss Fashionetta recently sponsored at Matanzas High School by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Chi Delta Omega Chapter, and The Ivy Community Foundation, Inc. The Fashionetta was presented to showcase seven female students of elementary and middle school age. Pre-pageant activities comprised the participation of many months of workshops, aimed at academic achievement, cultural enrichment, personal development, community service, and career selection. A song offered by former scholarship recipient Miss Kayon Jones and an African dance performed by the 2013 Fashionetta Princesses provided entertainment to an audience of family, friends and supporters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Princesses also modeled fall fashion provided by Macy’s department store in the Volusia Mall. Princesses and escorts danced to the “Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss II. The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Little Miss and Miss Fashionetta, Princess Erica Cousins and Princess Alana Williams, respectively. The talent contestant winners, Princess Erica Cousins and Princess Angel Hopkins, were announced. Princess Alana Williams and Princess Kylia Hines were recipients of the Richie Bell Martin “Miss Congeniality Award.” Proceeds from the Fashionetta will benefit the awards of annual chapter scholarships for deserving high school students and community service activities. President Sue M. Fray and Fashionetta Co-Chairs Dr. Myra Middleton-Valentine and Geraldine Dillon noted the event a grand success and thanked all for their endearing support.
Palm Coast Community news Jeroline D. Mccarthy
Friends for Obama plan Nov. 16 gathering Florida Friends for Obama will gather Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway to show support to President Barack Obama and the Affordable Health Care Act. They will gather as United Citizens In Action to represent a day of action. They will let those trying to discredit the president and the long-awaited ObamaCare program know that they, who elected the president, are still standing behind him and supporting him. They say, “We, the Florida Friends for Obama are going forward and not backward. Party affiliation is not an issue; we are representing the United States and not the Divided States of America.” Florida Friends for Obama was founded in 2008 by Loyce Nottage Allen in support of getting the president elected. The organization picked up momentum in 2012 to get President Obama reelected. In addition, they are getting ready for election year 2014. They say, “We intend to clean house - from the Governor’s House to the House of Horrors oops, we meant to say the House of Congress. They say, the new year is quickly approaching and they are letting those empty suits in office, who are there for self-gain and running interference, know that they, the people, are not and will not forget their actions There will be speakers, food
Kylia Hines, Erica Cousins, Shaunte’ White and Cimone Williams
Angel Hopkins, Alana Williams and Kiara Hines drive, and voter registration and Affordable Health Care Act information will be available. Attendees are asked to bring brooms because they will be “Sweeping It Clean In 2014.” They are asking that signs be brought,
BRIEFS
‘Advance Directives’ will be topic of Palm Coast Lunch n’ Lecture
From left to right are Gamma Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Social Justice and Human Rights Committee Chairman Patricia James; Darlene Wolfson, director of outreach for the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County, Inc.; and Gamma Mu Omega Chapter President Tracia Culver.
Alpha Kappa Alpha donates supplies to Domestic Abuse Council Throughout October, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Gamma Mu Omega Chapter recognized National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with activities planned by the chapter’s Social Justice and Human Rights Committee. Coordinated by Patricia James, the chapter’s Social Justice and Human Rights Committee chairman, the chapter made a donation to the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County, Inc. The donation included supplies needed for victims staying at the Domestic Abuse Council emergen-
cy shelter, including hair care products and other toiletries. In addition, on Oct. 26, chapter members marched in the Bethune-Cookman University homecoming parade wearing specially made purple T-shirts, the color used to commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While marching in the parade, chapter members distributed information on domestic abuse awareness and emergency contact information, as well as information on breast cancer awareness and human trafficking.
Haven Hospice’s local professional liaison, Laura M. Zublionis, will present a talk about advance directives during a free Lunch n’ Lecture program offered by the City of Palm Coast’s Parks & Recreation Department, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. The lecture will start at 11 a.m. at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, with lunch immediately following. The event is free, but pre-registration is required by calling Palm Coast Parks & Recreation at 386-986-2323. Advance directives are written instructions regarding a person’s medical care preferences, often near end of life. Advance directives are used by family members and doctors when a person is unable to make their own health care decisions. They include: living will, medical or health care power of attorney, and/or do not resuscitate (DNR) order. Haven Hospital promotes the nonprofit organization Aging with Dignity’s “Five Wishes,” which let a person’s family and doctors know: • Who you want to make health care decisions for you when you can’t make them. • The kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want. • How comfortable you
East Central Florida’s Black Voice Visit us online anytime at daytonatimes.com
even Obama signs, in addition to inviting friends and neighbors. Moreover, if every person would bring a can of food, it would be awesome for a local food bank and in time for Thanksgiving. They are sending special
want to be. • How you want people to treat you. • What you want your loved ones to know. Zublionis is responsible for educating the community about Haven and the many benefits of hospice care. Haven Hospice is a not-for-profit community hospice organization providing services since 1979 and licensed in Florida since 1980.
PACE Positively Passion Night set for Nov. 21 The Passion Creative Arts Group will present an event on Nov. 21 to showcase the talents of the students at the Pace Center for Girls. The girls will make presentations in the forms of spoken word, poetry, dance, artwork and songwriting. It will include an open mic segment. The event will be hosted by the Daytona Christian Center, 1017 Mason Ave. at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
‘Medicare 101’ offered at Daytona Beach library Learn the basics about Medicare during a free program from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. Judy Hahn, SHINE counselor for Volusia County, will explain what is covered under Medicare, how individual parts differ from Medicare Advantage, and how to avoid potential financial penalties if you opt in at a future date. Seniors needing further assistance may also sign up for free individual counseling sessions to be held from 1 to 3 p.m. every Thursday through Dec. 6 in the library’s computer e-lab. SHINE stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. Its mis-
thanks in advance for all considerations. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
sion is to provide free, unbiased health insurance counseling through a dedicated network of volunteers, empowering Florida seniors to make informed healthcare choices. Reservations are not required. For more information, call Deborah Shafer at 386257-6036, ext. 16264.
E-readers and tablets: Try before you buy If you’re thinking about getting an e-reader or tablet but don’t have a clue what to get, you can attend a free program that will let you “try before you buy.” Librarians Kristin Heifner and Deborah Shafer will offer information and comparisons of various edevices at these times: • 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. • 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St. They will also describe the Volusia County Public Library system’s free eresources, which include e-books, e-audiobooks, emagazines, music downloads, streaming movies, and online language learning resources. At the end of each session, participants can “test drive” a few devices for themselves. Reservations are not required.
‘Phantom of the Opera’ to be shown for free at park “The Phantom of the Opera” will be shown at dusk Friday, Nov. 22, at Riverfront Park in Daytona Beach. The 2004 film, directed by Joel Schumacher, is based on the Gothic horror story by French writer Gaston Leroux. Published in 1911, the tale of a disfig-
ured musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House and his love interest, opera performer Christine Daae, has been adapted into some of the most successful film and stage productions of all time. The park is on the corner of Beach Street and Magnolia Avenue. Moviegoers should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Hot dogs, popcorn, candy and soft drinks will be available for sale. In case of rain, the movie will be shown in the auditorium of the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island. A book discussion will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, in the library boardroom. The free programs, part of the monthly book-anda-movie series, are sponsored by Cinematique, the Front Porch Friday Festival, the Daytona Beach Regional Library, and the Friends of the Library. Reservations are not required. For more information, call Adult Program Coordinator Deborah Shafer at 386-257-6036, ext. 16264.
Pyramid Community Café dialogue scheduled Nov. 15 A guided discussion recognizing the critical roles families and community partners provide is scheduled Nov. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as part of the Pyramid Community Café. The Café is a network of families, caregivers and providers partnering to strengthen families of expectant parents and families of young children. The dialogue question to be discussed: How challenging is it to practice new ways of parenting? The location of the discussion is at Chiles Academy, 868 George W. Engram Blvd., Room 216 W.
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7 EDITORIAL
NOVEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 20, 2013
It’s time to raise the minimum wage The first federal minimum wage of 25 cents an hour was established in 1938. Since then, it has been raised 22 times. It’s time to increase the floor for the 23rd time, from its current $7.25 to at least $10 an hour. According to the Center for Economic Policy Research, the value of the minimum wage peaked in 1968. If the minimum wage had been indexed to the official Consumer Price Index each year, the minimum wage today would be $10.52. The last time the minimum wage was raised was in 2007, when it was raised from $5.15 to $7.25. Still, there is resistance.
Common myths Republican leaders say raising the minimum wage will cost jobs. But opponents, such as Washington Post columnist Jared Bernstein, argue that rather than job loss, employers compensate by charging higher prices and increasing productivity. Another common myth is that employers shouldn’t be forced to pay young people the minimum wage. But 88 percent of workers who would be affected by raising the minimum wage are at least 20 years old and a third are at least 40 years, according to the Economic Policy Institute. EPI found that of the workers who would benefit from the raise: • The average age of affected
high school diploma and 8 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Robert Greenstein, president George E. of the Center on Budget and PolCurry icy Priorities testified before ConNNPA COLUMNIST gress in February: “I would note that over recent decades, the minworkers is 35 years old; imum wage has been allowed to • 88 percent of all affected work- erode and is now 20 percent lower, ers are at least 20 years old; after adjusting for inflation, than in • 35.5 percent are at least 40 the late 1960s. For this and a numyears old; ber of other reasons (relating in • 56 percent are women; part to globalization of the econo• 28 percent have children; my), wages for low-paid jobs have • 55 percent work full-time (35 fallen.” the minimum wage from $7.25 hours per week or more); to $8.25. Where city or state min• 44 percent have at least some imums exceed the federal stanMinorities will benefit college experience. dard, workers receive the higher A fact sheet by Economic Policy wage. The federal minimum wage is covered by the Fair Labor Stan- Institute found, “A disproportionThe movement to increase the dards Act. There are approximately ate share of minorities will benefit federal minimum wage has stalled 3.6 million workers, or 4.7 percent from a minimum wage increase. in Congress. In March, the House of all hourly paid workers who are African-Americans represent 11 voted 233 to 184 against raising the at or below the federal minimum percent of the total workforce, but minimum wage to $10.10 by 2015, are 18 percent of workers affected with all Republicans voting in the wage of 7.25 an hour. Employers are allowed to pay by an increase. Similarly, 14 per- majority. students and the disabled – de- cent of the total workforce is Hisfined as those “whose earning or panic, but Hispanics are 19 per- Overcoming opposition productivity is impaired by age, cent of workers affected by an inTwo Democrats, Senator Tom physical or mental deficiency, or crease.” Washington State has the high- Harkin of Iowa and Rep. George injury” – less than the minimum wage. It also places limits on work- est state minimum wage at $9.19, Miller of California have sponers who derive part of their income indexed to inflation. California en- sored legislation, called the Fair acted a law that will raise its mini- Minimum Wage Act, to raise the from tips. A study by the Congressional mum wage to $10 over three years. federal minimum wage. In his State of the Union address Research Service found that 40 Some cities have wages that are percent of those earning the min- even higher. The minimum wage in February, President Obama proposed a federal minimum wage of imum wage or less work in “food is $10.55 in San Francisco. And in the recent election, New $9. preparation and serving related The EPI study stated. “When occupations.” It also discovered Jersey voters approve a constithat 72.2 percent have at least a tutional amendment increasing describing who would see a raise
We need immigration reform now Nine-year-old Jaime Gordillo Villa was born in the United States and is a good student who has gotten awards for both good grades and behavior. He wants to be a lawyer when he grows up to help immigrants and others who need help. He says he doesn’t want people to suffer for things they didn’t do. His family knows about suffering since coming to the United States to start a new life. Jaime adored his big brother. They studied and played soccer and video games together. But when his brother was detained by immigration officials, his family had to spend so much money on lawyers to try to keep him here that they lost their home. And then his brother was deported, anyway. Jaime’s afraid his mother or father might be next if they are caught by the police and he might lose them, too. He is one of 50 courageous children the Center for Community Change has coming to Washington, D.C. on November 14 to share their stories with members of Congress and urge them to pass immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship this year.
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: LIAR LIAR
Marian Wright Edelman NNPA COLUMNIST
the need to protect children’s rights and keep families together during immigration reform to ensure children’s health. Family-focused immigration reform would result in better child health. Our current immigration policies push families apart and children into illness and poverty. HIP projects that if current policies remain unchanged, 43,000 U.S. citizen children will experience a decline in health status, 100,000 will develop signs of withdrawal, and more than 125,000 will go hungry in the next year. The Children’s Defense Fund has joined with many child and family advocates supporting a set of key principles for children we hope Congress and the administration will incorporate in immigration reform without more delay. Limbo is a very bad place for children to live.
As the debate on immigration reform continues in Congress, millions of children have so much at stake. One in four children in the United States currently lives in an immigrant family, representing about 18.4 million children. Children of immigrants represent the fastest growing segment of the child population. Immigrant populations are diverse, but many children in immigrant families face significant challenges to their health and wellbeing, including poverty, lack of health insurance, low educational attainment, substandard housing, and language barriers. Any longterm solution to our immigration Pathway to citizenship system must take into account First, we believe there must what is best for these children. be a direct, clear, and reasonable pathway to citizenship. Any pathChildren’s rights way to citizenship must be open, A recent report from Human affordable, safe, and accessible to Impact Partners (HIP), Family children in need of status, includUnity, Family Health, highlights ing beneficiaries of Deferred Ac-
tion for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), undocumented children under the age of 21, and unaccompanied immigrant children. Second, our immigration system must uphold children’s basic human rights and ensure access to critical public services, programs, and economic supports for children and their families. Protecting a child’s human rights should include ensuring children receive legal representation before all immigration authorities and, for all unaccompanied children, the appointment of an independent child advocate from the moment of detention throughout the course of any immigration or other related court proceedings.
Interest of child Third, we need to ensure enforcement efforts have appropriate protections for children. In all enforcement actions, including those along the border, the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration and children must be given the benefit of the doubt during any investigation or detention. There should be appropriate and accountable training policies for interacting with and screening children that reflect a humanitarian and protection-oriented approach, prohibit the use of force, and create
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant
if the minimum wage were increased, it is important to look at everyone who earns between the current minimum wage and the proposed new one, as well as workers earning just above the new minimum wage (who would likely also see a small pay increase as employers move to preserve internal wage ladders). The typical worker who would be affected by an increase in the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour by 2015 looks nothing like the parttime, teen stereotype: She is in her early thirties, works full time, and may have a family to support.”
George E. Curry is editorin-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He can be reached through his website, www.georgecurry.com. Click on this story at www.daytonatimes. com to write your own response. reasonable and safe conditions for children. Finally, we must keep families together. All policies regarding admissibility, enforcement, detention, and deportation of children and their parents must consider the best interests of children, including enabling immigration judges to exercise discretion in admission and removal decisions based on the hardship to U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident children. The immigration system must be updated by resolving current backlogs and ensuring family-based immigration channels are adequate for future migration without lengthy family separation. Please urge your member in the House of Representatives to take action on immigration reform that promotes child well-being by ensuring families stay together and gives all children the opportunity to grow and thrive. The Senate has acted. The House must vote – now.
Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund. For more information, go to www.childrensdefense.org. Click on this story at www.daytonatimes.com to write your own response.
Private student loans no better than using credit card for college An analysis of the recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Student Loan Ombudsman report concluded that private student loans (PSLs) are a risky and high-cost method to pay for a college education. PSLs comprised 7 percent of student loans taken out last year and are 15 percent of the nation’s total outstanding student loan debt. American consumers currently owe approximately $165 billion on PSLs. “Choosing to pay for college through a private student loan is no better than paying for it on a credit card. Private student loans are generally more expensive and risky for consumers than morecommon federal student loans, and dealing with private student lenders can be a tremendous hassle,” states the PIRG analysis. PIRG also found that high debt borrowers are also disproportionately PSL borrowers, often with $40,000 or more in total debt. Even worse, PSL repayment was the subject of nearly 65 percent of the more than 4,300 complaints received by CFPB from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. Repayment concerns included fees, billing, deferment, forbearance, fraud and credit reporting. Additionally the inability to repay was a pivotal factor in default, debt collection and bankruptcy. How borrowers incurred these PSL debts is also addressed by PIRG.
Deliberately misled “In 2008, a majority of PSL bor-
Charlene Crowell NNPA FINANCIAL WRITER
rowers took out less in federal student loans than they could have. Of these borrowers, a full quarter took out no federal student aid whatsoever. . . .In large part, private student borrowers fell prey to a range of unsavory marketing tactics. . . .Some lenders deliberately misled borrowers into believing that their private student loan products were superior to federal loans.” These kinds of financial abuses are among the reasons why the Center for Responsible Lending and other consumer and civil rights allies pushed for and won historic reforms with enactment of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform Act When lenders of varying financial products and servicers operated with scant – if any – financial regulation, untold abuses occurred. Now with the CFPB at work investigating complaints, it is important for consumers to share
what is wrong or what is not work- available to take complaints on Charlene Crowell is a coming in the marketplace. student loans and other lending munications manager with areas at www.consumerfinance. the Center for Responsible Obtaining relief gov/complaint. Lending. She can be reached The CFPB’s Student Loan OmThe price of higher education at Charlene.crowell@responbudsman is a statutory office cre- is too high and the multiple sac- siblelending.org. Click on this ated within the bureau to assist rifices to earn credentials too story at www.daytonatimes. consumers in resolving private dear to allow abusive financial com to write your own restudent loan problems. Through sponse. practices to go unchallenged. this effort, the CFPB assisted hundreds of borrowers to obtain relief from their lenders. The median monetary recovery is $700; the maximum amount of relief W W W.DAY TONATIMES.COM granted thus far is $75,000. How America Pays for College, Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder Central Florida Communicators Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 a 2012 research report from SalCentral Florida Communicators Group, LLC Tampa, Fl 33646, publishes lie Mae, the nation’s largest fithe Florida Daytona Times on nancial services company speDr. Glenn W. Cherry, Thursdays. Phone: 877-352-4455, cializing in education, found that Cassandra Cherrytoll-free. For all sales inquiries, Kittles, Charles W. Cherry II, call 877-352-4455; e-mail sales@ among Black families, 51 percent Managing Members flcourier.com. borrow for college costs and 35 Subscriptions to the print version Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Chief Executive Officer percent of Black students take are $59 per year. Mail check to P.O. out loans in their own names Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, or log to attend four-year institutions, on to www.daytona.com; click on Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources both public and private. ‘Subscribe’. Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Consumers of color – those SUBMISSIONS POLICY Deborah Ford, Marketing Consultants/Sales hardest hit by student loan debt – SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO should not suffer in silence with NEWS@DAYTONATIMES.COM. Linda Fructuoso, Marketing Consultant/Sales, Deadline for submitting news student loan problems. If you Circulation and pictures is 5 p.m. the Monday or someone you know has been Angela van Emmerik, Creative Director before the Thursday publication harmed by financial abuse, file a date. You may submit articles at Larry Steele, Circulation any time. However, current events complaint with the CFPB. received prior to deadline will be James Harper, Andreas Butler, Ashley A convenient online form is
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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5 7
HEALTH MA YOR
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 14 - 20, 20, 20062013
with gauze and tongue depressors that her mom, a nurse, brought home from work to their modest home in Long Beach, Calif. Still, it was a big leap for her to think about pursuing that goal because she knew only one doctor who looked like her, she says. In many ways, Taylor’s history shows how far Black women have come in the medical field in the last three generations.
Family influence
Dr. Myiesha Taylor, left, lets Matthew Sanchez, 2, listen to his heartbeat at the Disney Jr. event, “The Doc Mobile” tour, highlighting the animated character Doc McStuffins at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History on Sept. 6. Taylor also founded the Tarrant County-based Artemis Medical Society for female doctors of color.
Meet the real ‘Doc McStuffins’ Inspired by Disney character, doctor on mission to promote female physicians of color BY NANCY CHURNIN DALLAS MORNING NEWS (MCT)
Dr. Myiesha Taylor isn’t usually a big fan of children’s animated television shows. But the minute she saw Doc McStuffins, which
premiered last year on the Disney Channel, she was transfixed by the young Black girl who becomes a doctor to her toys. “That character looks like me when I was a little girl,” says Taylor, 39. “It was like Disney peeked through my playroom window and heard me talking to my dolls.” Taylor was so inspired by the show that she created a “We Are Doc McStuffins” collage with pictures
of herself and her friends who are female doctors of color and sent it to Disney as a thank-you. Disney returned the compliment by asking Taylor, an emergency room physician at Texas Regional Medical Center in Sunnyvale who also runs a clinic in Carrollton, to appear in a segment on the show this past February. That appearance has been just one aspect of Taylor’s ever-more-visible mission to
promote and inspire women doctors of color.
Started ‘practicing’ early How she got to this point is a story that is rooted in generations of family history and tragedy. Like the cartoon character she admires, Taylor created medical records for her toys. She used empty toilet paper rolls to examine their eyes and treated them
Her grandmother, Margaret Montgomery, who died 10 years ago, moved from Tatum in East Texas to California, where she persevered to achieve her dream of becoming an entry-level nurse who took blood pressure and changed sheets. Taylor’s grandmother encouraged her daughter, Carolyn Bartlett, to become a registered nurse. Bartlett did and earned a master’s degree in public health. When Taylor talked about following in her footsteps, Bartlett, who died this year at 63, pushed her to go for a medical degree instead. Taylor credits her specialty to her father, who died when she was 18. Dwight Taylor, who worked in a fish market, was in the Watts area of Los Angeles in 1992 when he was shot – one of the victims of the riots that followed the acquittal of police officers who had been videotaped beating Rodney King. It took 12 hours for him to get help; by then it was too late. “That’s one of the reasons I decided to become an ER doctor,” Taylor says. “I wanted a field where you can potentially immediately change the outcome of someone’s illness. “There’s a golden hour, where if you can get to the hospital, we can sew up the holes and keep your heart working. But if the hole is not repaired in that hour, your body loses the ability to compensate. I think that if my dad had gone to the hospital within that hour, maybe he could have been saved.”
Supportive spouse Determined as she was to become a doctor, she said it was challenging to find herself among so few women of color. She remembers feeling deflated when people, not realizing she was a medical resident, would ask her to fetch a cup
of coffee in the hospital. It helped that her husband, William Schlitz, was supportive and stepped up to take care of their children in the early years. She laughs now, remembering how during her residency she handed her first child, Haley, off to her husband right after she gave birth, saying: “See you in 2 1/2 years.” She more than made up for it after graduation, Schlitz says. A few years after she gave birth to their son, Ian, the couple adopted Hana from Ethiopia. After her initial “Doc McStuffins” appearance, Taylor was inspired to found the Artemis Medical Society, which she incorporated in June with the mission “to serve, nurture and celebrate a global sisterhood of women physicians of color” through mentoring, networking and advocacy. Fewer than 5 percent of doctors in the U.S. are Black women, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Taylor’s organization already includes more than 3,000 members.
Impact of McStuffins Schlitz, 43, a public relations professional and consultant, says he expects the number to grow as his wife embraces Artemis with the passion, dedication and commitment she brings to all endeavors, just as her mother and grandmother did before her. “Recently, she was going over family photographs and our son, Ian, said to her, ‘Do you ever not work?’ That’s her personality. When she decides she’s going to do something, she gives 100 percent to it and there’s no downtime. I know Artemis is going to be successful, because she’s not going to let it fail,” Schlitz says. “ “And I know that somewhere 20 or 30 years from now, there will be someone who will develop a medical device that will help wounded veterans or who will discover a cure for cancer who will say the reason she wanted to be a doctor is because she saw the ‘Doc McStuffins’ television show and then got to meet real-life ‘Doc McStuffins’ from Artemis afterwards.”
New FDA rules would eliminate most trans fats in US BY SAMANTHA BOMKAMP CHICAGO TRIBUNE (MCT)
CHICAGO — The Food and Drug Administration moved last week to virtually eliminate trans fat, an artificially created arteryclogging substance, from Americans’ diets. The move follows a widespread effort by food makers and restaurant chains to remove the substance over the past decade, as consumers become more educated about risks and buy healthier alternatives. The FDA has required nutritional labels break out trans fat content since 2006, a regulation that spurred many companies to alter their recipes. The FDA noted that trans fats in processed food have been shown to raise “bad” cholesterol, raising the risk of coronary heart disease. Reducing the use of trans fats could prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease a year, the FDA said. “While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States, current intake remains a significant public health concern,” Food and Drug Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said.
Lauded by nutritionists Under the new rules, the FDA has declared that partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans
fats, are a food additive not “generally recognized as safe.” The new guidelines will require companies wishing to use the ingredient to first seek approval from the FDA. It also would prevent companies from claiming their food contains “zero grams trans fat” if the product has a half-gram or less per serving, the latitude currently allowed on nutrition labels. Nutritionists say it’s a win that will take a dangerous substance out of the American diet. Trans fats are used mostly for texture and stability — they extend shelf life, preserve flavor, impart flakiness to crusts and biscuits and keep peanut butter from separating.
Steady decline in use Trans fatty acids, or trans fats, are formed when manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats by adding hydrogen atoms, a process called hydrogenation. The fats increased in use as Americans added more processed foods into their diets starting in the 1950s. A few decades later, trans fats came into favor as a reportedly healthier alternative to saturated fat amid growing concerns about health risks. But by the 1990s, studies began to question trans fats own impact on health. The FDA has opened a 60-day review period to take input from the food
Phasing out trans fats The Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to eliminate trans fats in American diets.
Adding hydrogen Partially hydrogenated oils are the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods Low trans fat
High
director of the Rush University Prevention Center and a registered dietitian at Rush University Medical Center. “If you see the words ‘partially hydrogenated’ on the label, that’s the clue that there’s trans fat in the product.”
Trimming the trans fat Vegetable oil
Semiliquid margarine
Soft margarine
Stick margarine
Shortening
As the product gets more solid, trans fat increases • On shelves Popular because of easy use, extended shelf life, desirable taste and texture it gives to food • Up and down Increase risks for heart disease by both raising bad cholesterol levels and lowering good cholesterol • Healthier Americans Change could potentially prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths a year • Other options Butter, vegetable oils, such as palm or coconut; inventing a man-made fat without ill health effects
industry and other experts. Americans’ consumption of trans fats has declined almost 80 percent in the last decade, thanks to broader education about their risks, voluntary reduction by food manufacturers and restaurants and some local bans, like New York City’s in 2007.
Life-saving measure California became the first state to require restaurants to stop cooking with trans fats in 2008. A proposal that would have banned trans fats in Illinois failed in 2011.
Worst foods • Fried, battered food • Microwave popcorn • Frozen desserts • Baking mixes • Ready-to-use frosting • Frozen pizza • Pie crusts, cookies © 2013 MCT
Source: American Heart Association, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
“Getting rid of artificial trans fat is one of the most important life-saving measures the FDA could take,” said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog group. Nutrition experts note that many people are largely unaware of the actual trans fat content in foods. Smaller serving sizes can sometimes distort true fat content. “If the serving size is small and you eat several servings, the amount of trans fats adds up,” said Jennifer Ventrelle, lifestyle
Also, trans fats most often turn up in products without food labels, like the scones at your local coffee shop or restaurant French fries, Ventrelle said. “It’s how they prepare the food that’s important,” she said. How people prepare foods at home also has an impact on trans fat content. For instance, the nutrition label on a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese lists zero grams trans fat per serving. But additional information included on the label notes that preparing the dish by adding margarine and 2 percent reduced fat milk adds 4 grams of trans fat per serving. Kraft declined comment, saying it wasn’t prepared to discuss the issue. Mondelez International, which makes snacks under dozens of brand names including Oreo cookies, Wheat Thins, Triscuits, Fig Newtons and Nilla Wafers, said all of its cookies and crackers are labeled as “zero grams trans fat” per serving. But some Mondelez products, like Ritz crackers, still contain partially
hydrogenated oil, according to the label. General Mills, owner of brands Betty Crocker and Pillsbury, said that it has taken the trans fat out of more than 90 percent of its U.S. retail products. It pledged on Nov. 7 to eliminate the rest in response to the FDA’s proposed rules. “This is a major development, and food companies will need to quickly consider and respond to this request,” General Mills said in a prepared statement. “We will...need to move to respond quickly to FDA on this question, and we will.”
Still on some menus Most major restaurant chains eliminated partially hydrogenated oils for use in cooking in the midto late-2000s, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. But a number of chains still have menu items that contain some partially hydrogenated oil in baked goods. McDonald’s Corp. uses cooking oil that contains zero grams of trans fat per serving, but the USDA’s nutritional database notes that some of its products, such as apple pies, cookies and pancakes contain trans fats. McDonald’s declined to comment last week. The FDA proposal focuses on partially hydrogenated oils and would not affect the small amount of naturally occurring trans fat found in some meat and dairy products.
R6
7 OBITS & CLASSIFIEDS
NOVEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 20, 2013
Retired Volusia County Judge Freddie Worthen dies at 79 BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 16 for Judge Freddie J. Worthen at Allen Chapel AME Church. Worthen served as a Volusia County Court Judge until his retirement on Jan. 3, 2005. He had a private law practice and worked as an assistant state attorney in the Seventh Judicial CirFreddie cuit until March 1989 when Worthen then-Gov. Bob Martinez appointed him to the county bench. He was married to wife Fran, a former Daytona Beach NAACP president, for 54 years. In an interview Wednesday, his daughter Dawn Gross said her father worked hard and was dedicated to whatever he undertook.
ta Kappa, an honor fraternity. He also served 22 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a lieutenant colonel. He then began to launch his second career. He applied, was accepted and studied at Howard University Law School, graduating again with top honors, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1978.
‘Fair but firm’ Worthen worked at the National Bar Association in Washington and the Howard University Law School. Upon returning to Florida, in 1981 he went into private practice. In May 1982, Worthen became a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office, an Assistant State Attorney and in 1989, he was appointed to the Volusia County judgeship in the 7th Judicial Circuit. “He oversaw civil, criminal, misdemeanor and traffic cases, as well dispensed justice with a fair but firm temperament,” Gross said.
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Many medals
Young achiever “It was a work ethic that also had served him well in school and in the military,” Gross said noting that Worthen graduated from Euclid High School in 1949 at the age of 14. He was accepted at the-then Florida A&M College, graduating in 1953 with top honors receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. This was all done by the age of 18. Worthen was a member of the FAMC Concert Chorale, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, R.O.T.C., and because of his excellence in his academics, was inducted into Phi Be-
Worthen received many awards, honors and medals, including the Bronze Medal, (Korean War). He was a member of the V.F.W. Post #3282, and the Navy League. He was a past board member of the Seabreeze Kiwanis, and the Knights of Columbus. His professional affiliates included being a member of the Florida Bar and the Conference of County Court Judges. In addition to his wife Fran, he is survived by daughters Dawn and Erika Nesbit; three 7.875andin. grandchildren other relatives. The R. J. Gainous Funeral Home, Daytoin. of arrangements. na Beach, 7.0 is in charge
A childhood only lasts 6,570 days.
Take time to
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7
SPORTS MA YOR
NOVEMBERDECEMBER 14 – NOVEMBER 20, 2013 14 - 20, 2006
Gerald Mitchell is shown with his boxing students. He started a boxing program at the John H. Dickerson Center.
Mitchell shares boxing talent with area youth, others Dickerson Center program helps residents learn how to fight, get fit BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Pinklin Thomas, Oliver McCall, Tony Tucker and Alex Stewart. There was Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Michael Spinks and Joe Frazier. These are some of the boxing world’s greatest. One name that is missing from the list is Gerald Mitchell. If you ask him, he should be there. Mitchell was born and raised in Daytona Beach. He has been fighting since he was five years old.
Compared to Tyson “Back then, people wanted to fight me. I never started a fight in my life. I grew up with a poor spoon, not a silver one. People used to pick at me, and I was not one to take the picking. I’ve been knocking guys out since the third grade,” said Mitchell, who went to Mainland High School where he played football. He would eventually transition to boxing. In the early 1990s, he
was being compared to Mike Tyson. Unlike the aforementioned boxers, even though he sparred and met many of them in person, Mitchell, who is 46, didn’t get the breaks they did. He had a 9-2 amateur career that included two Florida Golden Glove titles and a Michigan Golden Gloves title. Mitchell was 20-2 with 18 knocks as a professional.
Signed by Don King At one point in his boxing career, he was called to meet with boxing promoter Don King. It’s an exchange Mitchell said he will never forget. “He invited me to his office in Delray Beach. He was looking at me. He said to me, ‘I don’t like you, but I’ve been watching. I’m going to sign you because I know you can fight,’” Mitchell recalled King saying to him. King would line Mitchell up for a couple of fights but would mostly use him as a sparring partner for his more well-known fighters. One of those fighters Mitchell sparred against was heavyweight boxer Oliver “The Atomic Bull” McCall, best known for winning the WBC heavyweight title in 1994, scoring an upset knockout victory over Lennox Lewis.
2002 has been working for the City of Daytona Beach. “I had realized my boxing career was over. I had to get a job. It was like being born again,” he said, adding his mind and heart was still in boxing when he started working full time. Some people might have even perceived him as bitter.
Focused on others
Sent home A year before that match, during a sparring session, Mitchell ended up knocking out McCall. The next thing Mitchell knew he was told to pack his bags and was sent back to Daytona Beach. Mitchell said he was led to believe if he did his best he would be McCall’s permanent sparring partner. He would later be told by someone he wasn’t hired because “they can’t have you embarrassing him (McCall) in front of the press.” Mitchell would get another chance to land a sparring job against boxing champion Arthur Williams. Again, the same thing happened. Mitchell knocked him out while sparring and again was told to pack his bags and go home.
Nobody to fight Mitchell said he was advised to not come out so aggressive when sparring. “The man in me couldn’t do that. I couldn’t be punked. I couldn’t lie down,” he said, not realizing by not playing along he was ending his career as a professional boxer. “They set me up to fail because nobody would fight me. You get in the door when you fight somebody with a reputation,”
A young boxer gets sparring advice from Gerald Mitchell. His goal is to help young people learn the skill while keeping them out of trouble. Mitchell said, noting he never got a chance to fight a big name during a sanctioned match. Mitchell would later spar with Lennox Lewis and he also met and got to know Tyson. “I knocked Lenox Lewis out. I had hurt him sparring,” Mitchell recalled about the former heavyweight champion.
Advice from Tyson Mitchell said Tyson has gotten a bad break from the media and the public. “Mike Tyson is an awesome guy. People pick at him because he is Mike. He told me you hear about the bad things I do but not the good things I do. He confided in me. He saw himself in me,” Mitchell continued. Mitchell remembers the advice given to him by Ty-
USF pulls away, defeats B-CU 91-65 in basketball SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Bethune-Cookman basketball team cut an 18-point first-half deficit down to seven, but South Florida pulled away to a 91-65 victory Tuesday night in the Sun Dome. Corey Allen Jr. scored 21 points to lead five Bulls in double figures as USF (2-0) outshot the Wildcats (111) 49 percent to 29 percent from the field. B-CU did hit 10 three-pointers, and that helped the Wildcats trim a 38-20 deficit to 38-29 at halftime. Malik Jackson, Clemmye Owens and Mikel Trapp each scored in the final 1:36 of the first half. Two Travis Elliott free throws cut it to 38-31 in the opening minute of the second half, but the Bulls scored five unanswered point to push their lead back to 14. A Trapp three-pointer with 17:02 remaining trimmed it to 48-39, but that would be the last time B-CU would get within double figures. Owens, a freshman, led B-CU with 14. Trapp hit a career-high 13. Daquan Brown also scored 13 in addition to eight rebounds, and Tony Kynard, also a freshman, scored 10. B-CU faces UCF Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
son, which he now passes on. “He let me know you are only good as your last fight. Everybody loves a winner and hates a loser. After I lost my first fight, I knew what he meant. It doesn’t matter how many you knock out, if you lose one fight they call you a bum,” he said Tyson told him.
Not bitter Mitchell hasn’t fought a professional fight since 2000. “I stopped boxing because I couldn’t get any matches,” he said. “I learned people don’t love you or respect you – they love what you are, not who you are. When you are in the boxing world, they appear to be for you as long as you are winning,” he remarked. There are no sour grapes for Mitchell, who since
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B-CU football team falls to Norfolk; faces Hampton next SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Clemmye Owens is shown during basketball game against the University of South Florida.
Boxing is still in his blood and his new dream is not for himself, but training others to reach the heights he never achieved. When not working for the city, Mitchell works with kids in a boxing program he has started at the John H. Dickerson Center in Daytona Beach. The program is four days a week beginning at 4:30 p.m. Having a program to participate in keeps the kids off the streets, Mitchell said. “Florida has the best talent in the world. In Daytona, I’ve seen guys who could be champion in every weight division,” he noted. Mitchell said his boxing program helps keep crime down among young Black males. “Show them the way to a boxing ring and they can become somebody. I can say I had a part in helping them,” he remarked. Mitchell said his program is not only for people who want to learn how to box, but also for those who want to get fit. “People have a misconception about boxing. You are learning how to defend yourself and it is a good weight loss program,” he said.
A furious fourth quarter rally fell short on Nov. 9 as Bethune-Cookman dropped a 27-24 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game to Norfolk State at Municipal Stadium. Rolandan Finch rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown and Tyler Clark threw for 151 yards and a score as the Spartans (3-7 overall, 3-3 MEAC) snapped the Wildcats’ 18-game conference winning streak. Trailing 27-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Wildcats (8-2,5-1) closed to three points on Isidore Jackson’s 11-yard run with 5:48 remaining. A fourthdown penalty kept B-CU from getting a meaningful final possession. Nick Addison started the rally when he stripped a Norfolk State receiver of the ball and took it 14 yards for a touchdown. On the
next possession, Jonathan Cagle kicked a 23-yard field goal after a touchdown was called back for illegal procedure.
Spartans rally A 61-yard Jackie Wilson to Jontavius Carter set up Jackson’s touchdown, his second of the game. The Spartans capitalized on three Wildcat turnovers to take a 17-7 halftime lead, then extended their lead to 24-7 on Natturner Harris’ 31-yard fumble recovery and a 29-yard Vamern Marouf field goal in the third period. Jackson finished with 69 yards on 12 carries. Wilson was six of 12 for 94 yards. The Wildcats host Hampton University in the final home game of the regular season next Saturday in a contest slated for 4 p.m.
This story is courtesy of B-CU Athletics.