Garland Journal

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Serving North East Texas

My Truth Publisher Cheryl Smith

Get Your Stuff Together Last century, I was dealing with some issues that were almost devastating. While I wasn’t shouting my situation from the rooftops, some knew of my situation and were very supportive. Others didn’t have a clue, while still others couldn’t have cared less. Now I did talk to myself from time to time. It was the safest way to deal with the situation. You see, I talked myself out of reacting and equally important, talking to myself kept me from talking to some people who would have ensured there were consequences and repercussions. During that time, I was told by others that “tough times don’t last forever, tough people do!” Well, guess what? Those tough times did pass and I am still here. But there are people who left me high and dry then and so when the good times came back around it was clear that they were not, to use a word

see MY TRUTH, page 5

www.GarlandJournal.com

VOL IX ISSUE 17

MAY 6, 2020

GARLAND CITY COUNCIL POSTPONES MAY 2 ELECTION

District 1: David Gibbons

District 2: Deborah Morris

District 2: Koni Ramos-Kaiwi

District 4: B.J. Williams

District 4: Jim Bookhout

District 5: Rich Aubin

The Garland City Council postponed the City’s general election six months to Nov. 3 to keep voters from gathering during a time of concern over the spread of COVID-19. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott authorized those holding May 2 elections to postpone their election to Nov. 3. “ I strongly encourage local

election officials to take advantage of these waivers and postpone their elections until November,” Gov. Abbott said. “Right now, the state’s focus is responding to COVID-19 – including social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. By delaying this election, our local election officials can assist in that effort.”

Garland voters will decide representatives for Council Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5. They’ll also consider a proposal to repurpose park land at 3925 W. Walnut St. as the new site for the Walnut Creek Branch Library. Candidate filings for the election remain valid and there will be no additional filing period. Applications for mail-in bal-

lots are still valid for those over 65 and those voting by mail due to disability. The voter registration deadline for the election is extended to Oct. 5. Early voting will be Oct. 19-30. Candidates are as follows, listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot: • District 1: David Gibbons (unopposed) • District 2: Deborah Morris Koni Ramos-Kaiwi • District 4: B.J. Williams Jim Bookhout • District 5: Rich Aubin (unopposed) In January, both the Park Board and Library Board unanimously approved the plan to use land adjacent to Hollabaugh Recreation Center, 3925 W. Walnut St., as the site for relocation of the Walnut Creek Branch Library. By law, voters must approve any plan to use park land for purposes other than a park. Voters approved a $10.9 million relocation and expansion of the Walnut Creek Branch Library in the City’s May 2019 bond election. In subsequent months, the City has been looking for property that would accommodate a 16,000-square-foot building

see POSTPONE, page 2

Black-Owned Businesses Demand share of federal dollars as COVID-19 rages on

By J. Cunningham Special to Texas Metro News

Ambassador Moseley-Braun

Sen. Royce West

Ambassador Moseley Braun endorses West in Texas US Senate race From Staff Reports CHIC AG O—A mba ssa d o r Carol Moseley-Braun, the first African American woman to win a seat in the United States Senate, announced that she is supporting Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) in the July 14 Democratic Primary runoff for U.S. Senate. “Senator West is a true Democratic leader of tremendous substance and experience,” said Ambassador Moseley-Braun. “He has been a longtime leader in the Texas Senate on healthcare issues, protecting women’s healthcare choices, public education, criminal justice reform, and more,” she said. “America needs Senator

West’s experienced leadership in the U.S. Senate during these difficult times our nation currently faces. I call on Texas Democrats to support Senator West with their vote, and for Democrats around the country to support him by visiting RoyceWest.com to sign up and volunteer for the campaign,” Moseley-Braun said. West said he was honored to receive the Ambassador’s endorsement. “Carol Moseley Braun-is a trailblazer and has given much of her life to public service, in local office, in the Senate and as our Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. I am honored to have her endorsement,” West said.

The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the U.S. economy, leaving scores of businesses in limbo and livelihoods in jeopardy. And Black businesses, many of which were already fighting to access capital, are struggling to weather this economic disaster COVID-19 has wrought. They are calling on the federal government to ensure that their companies aren’t wiped out by the pandemic’s onslaught. Last month, the government passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, which was supposed to help support businesses and sustain underemployed and out-of-work Americans. But business owners said the funding fell short. The $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program that was part of the CARES Act ran out of money in just two weeks, and multimillion-dollar chains extracted huge sums from the program. For example, Ruth’s Chris Steak House received $20 million, and the Potbelly Sandwich Shop got $10 million.

Smaller business owners meanwhile complained that they couldn’t get their applications through. Last week, the release of a second loan program to bolster businesses and revive the economy provides about $484 billion for small businesses, hospitals and additional test-

Larry Ivory

ing. But Black business owners said funds need to be earmarked specifically for African American firms to ensure that their companies survive the pandemic. “It’s clear that we’re taking the biggest hit, but we’re finding that the resources aren’t being given to the worst hit,” said Larry D. Ivory, president of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce, which represents 144,000 businesses, calling the

Peace out during coronavirus lockdown I was just Thinking Norma Adams-Wade Actress/activist Alfre Wood -ard stands next to abolitionist/ activist Harriet Tubman as one of my special heroines. So, my eyes focused and ears perked when I saw the award-winning thespian on social media. The Tulsa Oklahoma-born talent was advising us how to peace out during the coronavirus shelter-in-place orders that are keeping active individuals and families confined at home. If Woodard-the-great said

it, her advice must be worthwhile, I thought. So, I continued to listen. She made the point that we can perform a number of positive actions and accomplish a good amount of positive deeds while hunkered down at home. That unplanned time, she said, can allow us to do meaningful tasks that we normally would not think about or have time to accomplish otherwise. I continued to listen, basking in the actress’s calming voice and expression that has filled so many movie and television screens with her innate performing brilliance. Woodard, you see, comes across so natural and down-toearth that you want to listen to

her and believe her message. She suggested various activities to fill one’s day while confined. Such as: a. Organize old photographs in boxes in your closet. b. Practice meditating as you have always wanted to do but

never found the time. c. Of course, organize your closet, and d. Reach out to friends and family on social media, which so many of you are doing already. My heroine’s list inspired me. So, I was just thinking... Let’s each come up with our own list. I’ll start. 1. Box up all those old but wonderful magazines that come in the mail but, like me, you will never read beyond the cover. 2. Take those boxes to Half Price Books so someone else will get the chance to

Alfre Woodard

see THINKING, page 2

phenomenon “pandemic racism.” “It makes no sense. If you have devastation, you need to put money and resources into the people and places worst hit.” Black-owned businesses already stand to be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, reinforcing disparities in the United States. Some 40 percent of revenues from Black-owned businesses are in the top five most vulnerable sectors, including retail, leisure and hospitality, according to a report from the McKinsey Institute that was released earlier this month. Compared to other businesses countrywide, just 25 percent of revenues are affected, the report says. “We need relief economically,” said Regina Smith, the CEO of the nonprofit Harlem Business Alliance. “We cannot continue to support the continued demise of Black businesses.” There are about 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in the United States, which employ about one million people, according to the U.S. Small Busi-

see BUSINESSES, page 3

Inside

VA North Texas Health Care System acquires Garland Hospital Facility page 3

Trump’s fight for Black Communities page 4 The Celebrity Interview COVID-19 Survivor page 6


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