Houston Defender: November 11, 2010

Page 1

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 80 Number 3

www.defendernetwork.com

Number 47

Energy Savings C tackles Solutions

NOVEMBER 11 - 17, 2010

| FREE

September 16 – 22, 2010 | FREE

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mployment

By Aswad Walker Defender By Odochi Ibe With CORRESPONDENT the holiday season NNPA SPECIAL comes several highly anticipated annual- traditions—family gather- Black Caucus is ON (NNPA) The Congressional ings, decorations, spiritualinobserent debilitating joblessness the Black community vances and to name a between education veral sessions on gift-giving the connection few. But one tradition most could at its 40th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). stand to do without the will be September 15-18isatpaying the Walter E. Washington holiday season energy bill, which er. on average drastically exceedsa panel on “Exploring W. Burris (DIll) recently hosted standard fall and winter bills. Government.” Sen. ss Opportunities with the Federal In an effort to present advocate of looking toward the future when it comes saving tips will be made available consumers withshould more manageable believes Americans devote time into learning to consumers in printed form and holiday energy bills TXU Energy s and becoming aware of new jobs in the emerging online as part of the company’s will visit several cities across the Holiday Cents winter energy constate of Texas bearing the gift of ★CBC Page 3 servation program. energy and money saving tips. In “There are several things conaddition, TXU Energy will make sumers can do around their homes available to online visitors their to save money,” said Colette Vallot, holiday calculator, a service offered TXU Energy’s Senior Manger of on their website (www.txu.com) Community Relations, highlightthat allows users to estimate their ing some of the tips covered in the energy savings by using the tips Holiday Cents Program. Using provided by TXU. These energy

nty financial ctor indicted

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Save the TSU Murals

DEFENDER

Houston, we T have a problem

www.tsu.edu/giving or contact Wendy Adair University Advancement Adair@tsu.edu

exas Southern University’s president has come up with a plan he hopes will put an end to a controversy surrounding the painting over of some historic murals on the campus of the historically Black university. But some students and community members wonder if his contribution of $50,000 for a Preservation plan is enough to undo the damage. University officials say they know it’s not enough, but it’s a first step. “We know $50,000 isn’t enough for the whole project. It’s just enough to bring in a conservator to analyze the

Foreclosures

tions against his relative, who’s H ENERGY, Page 9 older than the age of 65. of financial Harrison faces charges of False rris County has Statement to Obtain Credit, for theft and Tampering with a tments recently Governmental Record, Theft, against Edwin and Misapplication of ★MURALS, Page 7 from allega- Fiduciary Property. Three of le from an eld- the charges are first degree ecile Harrison felonies that expose Harrison defendernetwork.com n Brazoria County (Pearland, Alvin, Lake Jackson, etc.) is leaning toward not participatsponsible for aBy Zenitha up toPrince 99 years or life in prison. ing.jail felony elated issuesElection in Day Thevictories fourthfor is two a state 36.7% increase Let us know what you think adout the Mural Preservation “It’s really heartening to see his indictments Black Republicans raise a rare on Friday @ defendernetwork.com. We want to hear you! Richmond) n Fort Bend County (Missouri City, from Sugar Land, this type of diversity demonstratom the allegaquestion in the House of★INDICTED, ReprePage 3 ed in African-Amer49.1% increase sentatives in the 112th ican representation,” Congress: How will n Galveston County (Galveston, Clearlake, Texas City, etc.) By ReShonda Tate Billingsley NAACP Washington two African-American Defender 53.7% increase Bureau Chief Hilary members of the Grand Shelton said. “[Repubn Harris County (Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, etc.) Old Party interact When Linda Moore bought her Missouri City home lican Party Chairman] with the Congressiofive years ago, it was a dream come true. Years worth 38.2% increase Michael Steele deserves nal Black Caucus? of saving, scrimping and struggling had paid off with a n Montgomery County (Montgomery, Conroe, Splendora, etc) credit for seeing more Fourteen Black place to call her own. Then, like so many Americans, the African-Americans Republicans ran for recession came knocking on her door. 30.0% increase The Houston community is remembering seeking under the Congress in the Nov. “Both my husband and included I were laidsignificant off within three Imani Evans dation by city staff tooffice extend capital a longtime political Republican 2 midterm months,” the mother of two investments, said. “We’ve since managed L TO THE NNPA FROMelections the of banner.” Star during a periAllen West contracts activist who died Sept. 11, to rocket forward added, “They 4,478. Galveston County continues but, after all the votes DALLAS EXAMINER Concessions andHeHudson od ofpay uncertainty following to find other work, but it doesn’t half of what we 2010. Beulah Shepard, couldfirms be a real asset to percent increase over August’s posted were counted, only the 9/11 terror attacks ulti- with a 53.7 Retail Sales - two with used to make.” 89, made her mark both the strategy of passing foreclosures. Fort Bend County was not far behind with Timarcane Scott, a South NPA) - The world of ties to prominent to carry the So, like many, they fell mately behind infailed their mortgage locally and nationally as a legislation in the House a 49.1 percent increase. Harris County and Brazoria Carolina ons contracts hasbusinessbeen laid Democrats, including State argument. payments – it didn’t help matters that their adjustable tireless fighter for civil and in advancing the County finished neck to neck with increases of 38.2 man,see and isn’t Allen pretty. West, Rep. Helen Giddings and In the three years since me, what they rate kicked in, and their payments soared. rights and political jusCBC [Congressional percent and 36.7 percent respectively. Montgomery Army thewe council first embarked sometimesa Florida-based heated discussion, U.S. Congresswoman Eddie “It just became more than could handle,” she tice. Black Caucus] agenCounty was the least hardest hit, with only a 30 percent veteran of the Iraq 8-7 Bernice Johnson - without a ed city council voted on itsthe Love Field modernHelensaid. “We’ve Eddie Bernice been going through modification proFuneral services will be da… It’s very difficult increase. l that would given more competitive bid. izationbutplan, the concesGiddings War,have will take seats. cess for the Johnson past eighteen months, it’s like a neverheld at 10am at Galilee Beaulah through oncessionThey space renovatThe essenceto get of things the city sions contracts arein theafirst ending circle of lost paperwork and varying answers.have MBC, 6616 D.S. Bailey Shepard without the cooperarminal to the airport’s current staff recommendation that the no-bid contracts emerged as in bythe farworld, the most contentious issue, A community African-American It’s the worst feeling to work so hard and Lane. problem Pastor Edwin Tim Scott tion of Democrats and ut a competitive bid for a would be appropriate given the incumbents’ and have led to accusations of political Foreclosed createInterment: problems notHouston just for Republicans to be not know when they’re coming to take our home.” Davis, properties officiating. Republicans.” years. experience, the desirability of minimizing disfavoritism on both sides. homeowners, but for those looking to buy homes. elected to Congress since 1995. The Moore’s story has become all too common Not everyone is as sure and the busithe renovation e of some long-time council Page 4 “If I’m a buyer and I want★SHEPARD, to buy a foreclosed So far, West has said heruptions during across the country as foreclosure rates continue to soar, about the Republican freshmen’s uncil overruled a recommenness risks taken by the incumbents, which ★AIRPORT CONTRACTS, Page 4 property, the title company won’t insure if they can’t be wants to be part of the CBC, and the Houston area is no exception. In fact, foreclovalue to the CBC, raising quessure who owns it,” said Martha Tatum with Keller Williams while Scott is still undecided and sures for the Greater Houston Area totaled 6,689 in SepRealty. tember, which is a 43 percent jump from last month’s INTERVIEW H REPUBLICANS, Page 3 H FORECLOSURES, Page 9

EWS SERVICE

Newly Elected Black Republicans

continue★ to soar

Where Will They Fit? CBC Membership Uncertain

Foreclosures in Houston Area

@

rport contracts divide Dallas City Council in Race debate

REMEMBERING

Beulah Shepard

Kickin’ back with K’Naan Essence Atkins:The Quintessence of Essence

butions by the likes of Damian Marley, Mos Def, Chali By Kam Williams 2na, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Adam Levine of CONTRIBUTING WRITER00 syndicated Disney series “The Smart Guy” and enjoyed co-starring roles in “Looking through Lillian,” By Kam Williams Maroon 5.for The Teenage & Other Four Words,” “Preacher’s Kid” Essence Atkins was born in New York City her recurring role as Marnie on “Sabrina, During his early“Love childhood, the Letter Western music, which Somalia. name alonesense conjures up images of Witch.” and “N-Secure,” which is currently in theaters. on February 7, 1972.The Between her innate reached K’naan’s ears was pretty much limited to “Bob unbridled destruction, merciless and ruthless She was also a series regular on several and other Tracy Chapman,” As a familiar face on and with of comedy and girl-next-door charm, it makes warlords Marley until at four 10, TV he series became terror. A has place where fromshows, the atrocities television including Aaron fascinated Spelling’s “Malibu numerous screen roles under her belt, Essence a sense that she become one ofnobody Holly- is safe by the hip-hop being emitting from a tiny is car of war, wheretalents. eightLast year olds Shores” handleand AK-47s likeacclaimed CBS drama the critically versatile talent whose star continues to rise. Here, wood’s mostand sought-after year, speaker. “I had heard a rap verse, but I had no idea what Forbes magazine unveiled their “Under One Roof.” Her many guest-starring credits about co-starring opposite Terry Crews in shetoys. playedWhen a lead role in “Dance Flick,” a recently it was back then,”she hetalks recalls. “Most Destinations,” Somalia, above Iraq include “House,” “The Class,” “LoveAt Inc.,” “Arehis We three There Yet,” hit sitcom airingattacked on the TBS spoof of the Dangerous dance genre produced by the 14,“MoeK’naan and bestthefriends were and Afghanistan, topped the list. But sha,”it’s “Foralso Your “The Love,” “The John by Larroquette Show,” Network. Wayans Brothers. warlords, just one of countless indelible images for Nation where a “Half poem can inspire peace “Theboth Wayans Brothers,” “The Parent “Family KW: Hi Essence, the time. Onof thePoets,” UPN comedy series the‘Hood,” impressionable teenager. Having thanks chasedfor them and end wars. Matters” and “The Cosby Show.” through the streets of EA: No problem,eventually whatsoever. cornering & Half,” she starred as Dee Dee Thorne, Mogadishu, Growing up, it was both of these Somalias that Atkins’ film career includes the titleboys role ininthean alley, the KW:men What interested you inK’naan playing Sua privileged, honor-roll law school the began shooting. informed musician/emcee K’naan Warsame, who is Blues.” And she delivered independent film “Nikita’s on “Are We There graduate searching for her identity. Still, avoided injury, butzanne his three friends wereYet?” brutally forging own best musical unique blend of regperformances in “Lovegunned Song,” “How EA: Just the desire to play a mom, wanting Essence ishis probably knownpath for via amemorable down. gae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop. Recorded High” and “Deliver Us From Eva.” Furthermore, she’sit was only a matter of time before her her role as Yvette Henderson in the Certain that primarily in Kingston, Jamaica at Bob Marley’s home HESSENCE, Page 2 studio, his second album, “Troubadour,” includes contri★K’NAAN, Page 2

Click on Defendernetwork.com Click on Defendernetwork.com Weekend Marc Morial Harry Alford: Weekend

Is America Marching in President Obama is Two Different Directions? Selling Out Blacks

Weekend Weekend

Monday Monday

Family Holidays:

Julianne Malveaux Judge Mathis:

Raising Readers the WaysEager to Celebrate

season

Ron Walters Increasing College Aid - A Scholar and a Gentleman


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