Houston Defender: May 26, 2011

OPINION HOUSTON ASTROS, MORE THAN BASEBALL...THANK YOU, DRAYTON MCLANE P13

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source Volume 80 | Number 30

www.defendernetwork.com

WEEK OF MAY 26, 2011 | FREE

NEWSTALK

DRAINAGE

Fee appeal deadline approaching

P3 ENTERTAINMENT YOLANDA GREEN Moving on to Comcast

P7 SPORTS

ASTROS Jason Bourgeois’ patience pays off

P11

P14

CHAG’S PLACE

Jason and Alvia Few, Children’s Defense Fund-Beat the Odds

P16

Clarence Brandley

denied justice...again  PAGE 8

Republican runs for president Another Black man has entered the 2012 presidential race. He is Republican Herman Cain, a Tea Party candidate. Cain, the former chairman and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, is also a businessman, author and radio talk show host.

His agenda? Among other things, he supports a strong national defense, opposes abortion and backs replacing the federal income tax with a national sales tax.  PAGE

4

Malcolm X defended by kin The grandson of Malcolm X said a new biography of his grandfather is slanderous.

Malcolm Shabazz insists the biography, written by the late scholar Manning Marable, is an assassination of character. In “Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention,” Manning mentions rumors of Malcolm’s sexuality, as well as infidelity by both he and his wife, Betty.

Marable died shortly before the book’s release.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

 PAGE

10

2

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26| 2011

defendernetwork.com

ontheweb

Stay Connected! Experience the Defender on the world wide web.

In The Book Corner News &

Living Tips to Help You Shape Up

Opinion

Where’s the Birth Certificate?

The Case That Barack Obama is Not Eliigible to Be President

by Jerome R. Corsi, Ph. D.

Demonizing the Poor for being Poor

If you are looking for new ways to eat better and shape up before the summer arrives….Here are some tips that work.

George Curry

Automotive highlight

Question of the Week

Should the State of Texas pay Clarence Brandley for wrongful incarceration?

2011 LEXUS GX460 Five Doors SUV

See more on: defendernetwork.com B:9.75” T:9.75”

S:9.75”

IN

Houston

Independent School District

Learn more at Target.com/ HereForGood

Target is on track to reach $1 billion

for education by the end of 2015

TGA110054_51110_HoustonROP-A 1

5/12/11 1:40 PM

T:6.5”

PARTNERSHIP WITH

Target® Book Nooks and 38,500 books were donated to 11 schools in Houston, TX, including some serving homeless shelters, all providing cozy and safe places for students to curl up and blossom into readers. It’s one of the ways we support communities like yours, for kids like yours.

S:6.5”

©2011 Target Stores. The Bullseye Design and Target are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc. All rights reserved.51110

our vision for kids:

defendernetwork.com

WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011 | DEFENDER

newstalk Residents ready to localbriefs protest drainage fees

By Aswad Walker Defender

For more information on drainage fees

O

nce a hotly contested campaign issue (Proposition 1), drainage fees are fast becoming a hotly contested reality. Voters were told consistently last year that drainage fees would average five dollars per month or $60 per year.

However, Houston residents are now receiving drainage fee notices well in excess of campaign estimates.

Many area residents who must begin paying drainage fees on July 1 are now seeking recourse by protesting their bills. However, such protests will only be heard within a 60-day window.

The drainage fee is based on the impervious surface on a home owner’s property – the combined square footage of the driveway, home, garage and other structures. Those who believe their bill is too high can protest to potentially change the amount they owe as long as it’s done before time runs out.

Residents such as renter Dave

www.TAA.org – The Texas Apartment Association has a sample lease addendum that can be downloaded from the Redbook online area at this site or through use of Blue Moon software. www.RebuildHouston.org – City of Houston site dedicated to the drainage fee implementation. This site includes videos about the estimation of impermeable surface and contact information for protesting your impermeable surface calculation.

Abode Magazine – Houston Apartment Association’s monthly magazine for members will include new information as it becomes available regarding the fee.

Resources for HAA members – Members can access downloadable resources at www.haaonline.org for owners to use when communicating with residents about the fee.

Source: Houston Apartment Association

Jackson received bills in excess of $100, or $40-plus dollars more than the average fee touted in campaign literature.

“I couldn’t believe what I was reading,” said Jackson, whose annual bill is $107.

“If you think the bill is too high, look at your house, look at how big your driveway is, take

measurements,” advised Former Harris County Tax Assessor Paul Bettencourt for those who think the city over-estimated their property’s impervious surface numbers.

“Look at what your bill costs to how much you have and if it is out of whack, protest it,” said Bettencourt. “But you only have 60 Continued on page 5

Drainage fee frequently asked questions What will the drainage fee be used for?

All drainage charges collected by the city will be used exclusively for the creation, operation, planning, engineering, inspection, construction, repair, maintenance improvement, reconstruction, administration and other reasonable and customary expenses associated with the cost of service to provide drainage services within the city.

Who is responsible for paying the drainage fee?

All property owners, with certain exceptions, are required to pay the drainage fee. To recover the city’s cost of service, the drainage charges are imposed on all parcels of real property within the city, except for those properties exempted from the payment of charges as provided in this ordinance.

How is the drainage fee calculated?

Drainage fees will be calculated by multiplying 3.2 cents (the current, City Council approved rate) by the area of square feet of impervious surface on a property. Apartment properties are considered “nonresidential” in the fee structure. You can find a map of your property through the Harris County Appraisal District at www.hcad.org.

What is “impermeable?”

The drainage fee ordinance defines “impervious surface” as “any area that has been compacted or covered such that it does not readily absorb water or does not allow water to percolate through to undisturbed underlying soil strata.

Surface materials considered impervious shall include, but not be limited to, bricks, pavers, concrete, asphalt, compacted oil-dirt, compacted or decomposed shale, oyster shell, gravel, or granite, and other similar materials…”

If I disagree with the City’s determination of impervious surface, how do I dispute it?

The director of Public Works and Engineering is required to establish and implement a system of verification and correction of drainage charges. Under this system, the amount of surface on a particular property determined to be impervious by the city will be reviewed based on documentation provided to the city. The user requesting the verification and correction must either use the city’s official web page or a form provided by the city with the notification letter and mailed by the user to the address shown on the notification

letter. As a condition of requesting the verification and correction, the user is required to grant the city reasonable access to the property for the city to independently verify on-site information.

A user’s request for verification and correction must be made within 60 days from the date of the initial notification letter. The documentation to be provided must include, at a minimum, a drawing or other depiction, with accompanying measurements, supporting the claim that the city’s calculation of impervious area is in error. To be eligible for correction the request must, at a minimum, provide information sufficient to support a correction in the annual drainage charge in the user’s favor of at least two percent or three dollars, whichever is greater.

Any documentation submitted to the city must also include an affidavit in a form approved by the city whereby the user signs and verifies under penalty of law that any document the user is submitting is true and correct.

Source: Houston Apartment Association

3

HISD redistricting focuses on two areas

The Houston Independent School District board has taken the first step toward redrawing trustee district boundaries, approving a draft plan that calls for restructuring two districts.

District I, on the north side and represented by Anna Eastman, lost significant enough population, and District IX, to the south and represented by Larry Marshall, gained enough people in the 2010 U.S. Census to create a need to restructure them. The board is expected to vote on a final map after hearings in June. The revisions will then be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice before they can be finalized.

Texas lawmakers finally agree on budget deal Texas House and Senate leaders have finally agreed on a budget that would slash state spending by billions of dollars, affecting public schools, as well as Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals and higher education.

The deal hinges on passage of revenue and school finance reform measures, but leaders were pleased after days of tense negotiations. Critics called it shortsighted to cut back spending so much in a growing state.

Family planning programs face cuts The state’s family planning budget is getting increasingly thin. Senate Finance Committee Chair Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, said that budget negotiators will likely adopt a 2012-13 family planning budget that is “pretty close” to the House’s proposal — $37 million for low-income women under the Department of State Health Services — compared to the $100 million proposed by the Senate. Meanwhile, Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, says that the Medicaid Women’s Health Program, operated under the Health and Human Services Commission with a nine to one federal match, is likely dead. Both pots of money are a casualty of GOP lawmakers’ efforts to keep Planned Parenthood or any other clinic that provides abortions in some of its affiliate branches from getting state dollars for family planning.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

4

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011

defendernetwork.com

national

U.S.briefs

Herman Cain:

Black Republican running for president Defender News Services

Tea Party candidate Herman Cain, the former chairman and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, recently entered the 2012 presidential race.

“In case you accidentally listen to a skeptic or doubting Thomas out there, just to be clear ... I’m running for president of the United States, and I’m not running for second,” he told a crowd of thousands in downtown Atlanta.

The announcement by the businessman, author and radio talk show host that he was joining the expanding Republican field came after months of traveling around the country to introduce himself to voters.

Now the 65-year-old, who has never held office, will see if he can use that grassroots enthusiasm to turn a long-shot campaign into a credible bid.

Cain supports a strong national defense, opposes abortion, backs replacing the federal income tax with a national sales tax

and favors a return to the gold standard. He said President Barack Obama “threw Israel under the bus” because he sought to base Mideast border talks partly on the pre-1967 war lines, and criticized the Justice Department for challenging Arizona’s tough crackdown on illegal immigration.

“We shouldn’t be suing Arizona,” he said to cheers. “We ought to send them a prize.”

Cain lost a three-way Republican U.S. Senate primary bid in Georgia in 2004 with one-quarter of the vote. His “Hermanator” political action committee has taken in just over $16,000 this year. He said he’s running “a bottoms-up, outside-the-box campaign.”

Born in Memphis and raised in Atlanta, Cain is the son of a chauffeur and a maid. He attended Morehouse College, earned a master’s degree from Purdue University and worked as a mathematician for the Navy before beginning to scale the corporate ladder.

He worked at Coca-Cola, Pillsbury and Burger King before taking the helm of the failing Godfather’s Pizza franchise, which he rescued by closing hundreds of restaurants.

Clarence Thomas goes home, but not all cheer him

By Erica Butler AFRO Staff Writer

Clarence Thomas, the only Black justice on the Supreme Court, was welcomed with a standing ovation at a recent ceremony to dedicate an Augusta, Ga., courthouse. But not everyone in attendance was pleased to see him.

According to the Associated Press, some residents were angered that Thomas, 62, was selected to speak at the grand opening of a courthouse named after civil rights lawyer John “Jack” Ruffin Jr. Ruffin was the first Black chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, and was recognized for his push to

integrate local schools. Thomas’ conservative record and stance against affirmative action programs have strained relations with Black residents in his home state.

“The folks that had a vested interest weren’t really consulted,” said David Watkins, a state court judge. “Look, imagine you invite someone to your house to spend the night and you don’t ask your wife, and it may be someone she didn’t agree with. Would that go well?”

In the past year, the affiliation of Thomas’ wife with the Tea Party movement has surfaced. Critics have also called for him to sit out of the anticipated court fight over President Obama’s health care

reform act, as his wife publicly criticized the legislation.

James L. Kendrick, a leader in Augusta’s Black community said, “[Thomas] has a tough relationship with his native state.”

“In most cases and by the standard of a lot of Black people, Justice Thomas voted to the opposite of what they felt was good,” Kendrick said. “People feel betrayed by him.”

During his speech, Thomas addressed public criticism and said judges should not be consumed by public opinion and said he expected “this courthouse will always be a refuge from the shifting tides of public interest.”

President’s speech on Middle East draws mixed reviews President Obama’s recent speech on the Middle East garnered a mixed reaction at home and abroad. Obama spoke of the people in the Middle East and North Africa moving toward claiming a free life of their own, in concert with Western values. Part of Obama’s speech also focused on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Obama would like Israel to return to using the 1967 borders before the Six-Day War in which Israel invaded East Jerusalem. However, many conservatives shot down that theory, including Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who opposed the Obama approach in an Oval Office meeting with the president.

Haitian refugees allowed to stay in U.S. 18 more months Haitians living in the United States under temporary protected status since their country’s devastating earthquake would have been forced to return this July, despite Haiti’s ongoing political, social and physical battles. But the Department of Homeland Security recently announced that eligible Haitians would be granted an 18-month extension to remain in the U.S. until Jan. 22, 2013. The temporary protected status program allows foreign nationals to reside in the U.S. legally if their homeland is in crisis.

Approximately 48,000 Haitians were granted the status after the 2010 earthquake.

Report says troop morale in Afghanistan plummeting A recently released Army study on Afghanistan found that U.S. soldiers and Marines assigned there reported plunging morale and the highest rates of mental health problems in five years. Some 70-80 percent of troops surveyed for the report said they had seen a buddy killed, roughly half said they’d killed an enemy fighter, and about two-thirds of troops said that a roadside bomb — the No. 1 weapon of insurgents — had gone off within 55 yards of them. Some 20 percent of troops said they had suffered a psychological problem such as anxiety, severe stress or depression. A limited troop withdrawal is planned by this July.

VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 28 MAY 26- JUNE 1, 2011

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editors Reshonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender audited By Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011 DEFENDER

5

Houston-area

homeless population rises Defender News Services

Homelessness is on the rise in Harris and Fort Bend counties. The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County recently released a report showing that the homeless population in the two counties jumped 25 percent this year.

The coalition’s January census found that 8,538 men, women and children were homeless this year, compared to 6,819 in 2010. If jail inmates without homes were included, the 2011 count would surpass 13,000.

Volunteers canvassed the two counties using vehicles and on foot. To get a more accurate count, workers walked under bridges, through homeless camps and along bayous.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides funding for homeless services, and requires local jurisdictions to count the homeless population. The numbers are used to determine the amount of federal funding allocated to area social service agencies.

Drainage fees...

Continued from page 3

days. If you miss the 60 days from what that notice says, you will not be able to protest it.”

Bettencourt says if a resident’s property measurements are different from the city’s estimate, they should include their findings in the forms sent by the city with the resident’s drainage fee notice. Residents can also protest their bills by submitting the information online as long as it is done within 60 days.

The city uses impervious surface estimates provided by the Harris County Appraisal District. Thus, Bettencourt believes seeking professional assistance is the best way to go for protesters.

“If you have a high bill, hire a surveyor. That’s what they do for a living. And if not, go take measurements of your own property. [The city] knows that if you have real measurements, it means they should not be billing you as much,” added Bettencourt.

After the 60-day window closes residents will not receive another chance to protest their bill as the city will assume non-protesting residents are in agreement with the city’s measurements and thus with the assessed bill.

SEE WHO WON! GO TO FACEBOOK.COM/MACYS TO WATCH THE FINALE

WOW! PASS EXTRA SAVINGS ON ALL SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL!

(EXCEPT SPECIALS & SUPER BUYS)

EXTRA 15% OFF

SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL FOR HIM, HER & KIDS PLUS FINE & FASHION JEWELRY & INTIMATES EXTRA 10% OFF ALL SALE & CLEARANCE WATCHES, SHOES, COATS, SUITS, DRESSES; SUIT SEPARATES & SPORTCOATS FOR HIM; ELECTRICS AND SELECT HOME ITEMS Excludes: specials, super buys, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, men’s store electrics, cosmetics/fragrances, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services, macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES.

VALID NOW-5/30/2011

NOW THROUGH MONDAY, MAY 30

MEMORIAL DAY SALE 25% TO 5O% OFF STOREWIDE PLUS VALUES

DON’T MISS SPECTACULAR ALL-DAY SPECIALS THURSDAY, MAY 26 TAKE AN

EXTRA 15% OR 1O% OFF WITH YOUR MACY’S CARD OR PASS

‡

‡Exclusions apply; see pass.

FREE ONLINE SHIPPING EVERY DAY + EXTRA 15% OR 10% OFF! Free shipping with $99 purchase ($8 flat-fee shipping with purchases under $99).

Use promo code: KICKOFF for extra savings; offer valid now-5/30/2011. Exclusions apply; see macys.com for details.

FIND MACY'S EVERYWHERE!

Shop, share and connect anytime.

MEMORIAL DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT NOW THROUGH 5/30/11.

OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, select licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food and wine. On furniture, mattresses and rugs/floor coverings, the new account savings is limited to $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible.

N1040055Q-R1.indd 1

5/23/11 7:21:05 PM

6

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011

business

Business community opposes

cuts to child health care

By AswAd wAlker Defender While the Texas Legislature is debating budget proposals that will result in drastic funding cuts for CHIP and Medicaid, there is a broad spectrum of business leaders arguing for even greater investment in the health and welfare of Texas children, touting the two programs as fiscally responsible investments for Texas.

According to some of the state’s leading business executives and economic experts, balancing

the budget by endangering children’s lives is neither a fiscally responsible, economically profitable, nor sustainable solution.

One of those leaders is Larry Kellner, board chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), an organization that represents businesses in 10 area counties generating billions of dollars worth of local, national and global business.

“On behalf of the GHP board of directors, I encourage the Texas Legislature to support initiatives that preserve, protect and promote

the life-saving medical research and care that are provided in the Texas Medical Center, including full funding of Medicaid and CHIP to care for the 3 million Texans who have medical needs with limited resources,” Kellner said in a statement.

Representing Houston’s education community, Dr. Vivian Ho of Rice University’s James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics, stated in a report titled “The Economic Impact of Uninsured Children on America,” T:9.75”

Continued on page 12

Don’t miss out!

We Invite You to Attend:

texas Lottery Commission Annual Historically underutilized Business (HuB) Forum

The forum will provide information about the TLC’s HUB program, procurement processes, and Mentor Protégé initiatives. It will also feature a roundtable networking session with key Lottery Commission staff and prime contractor representatives.

Roundtable assignments will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day of the forum.

This TLC HUB Forum is FREE of Charge!

Register on-line on or before 6/2/11 at: www.txlottery.org/hub

For more information contact: Joyce Bertolacini, HUB Coordinator (512) 344-5293 joyce.bertolacini@lottery.state.tx.us ©2011 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

T:6.5”

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 H 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm 611 East 6th Street – Austin, Texas

WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011 DEFENDER

defendernetwork.com

entertainment

what’sup  Diddy changes his name again; this time it’s Swag

He’s the man of many names: Sean, Sean Combs, Diddy, P. Diddy, Puff, Puffy, Puff Daddy… and now, he’s changed his name once again to Swag. Yes, Swag. He says it’s in honor of his comeback from his illness that killed the last dates of his recent “Coming Home” tour with his group, Dirty Money. Mr. Swag made the startling announcement via his new Twitter account and the YouTube video. According to the Urban Dictionary, swag is defined as “How one presents him or herself to the world.”

 Bishop T.D. Jakes set to produce another film

“Jumping the Broom” was a hit and shows T.D. Jakes’ growing abilities to produce a good flick.

So with the new success, the preacher/movie mogul is moving forward to co-produce with former Fox Studios head Joe Roth a new production for Sony based on a non-fiction book.

“Heaven is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back” was originally written by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent and sold over 4.5 million copies. It chronicles the story of how Burpo’s now 11-yearold son Colton took a journey to the afterlife after he died during an emergency appendectomy operation. But he recovered. No word yet when the film will begin production or when to expect a release.

 Ealy, Henson to star in

Harvey’s ‘Act Like a Lady’

Michael Ealy and Taraji Henson will topline director Tim Story’s “Think Like a Man” opposite the previously-announced Kevin Hart, Variety reports. It’s based on the Steve Harvey self-help book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment.” Ealy and Henson will play a couple, while Hart stars in the Harvey role. Ealy most recently appeared in “For Colored Girls” and “Takers,” while Henson just starred in the remake of “The Karate Kid” and “Peep World.”

7

Yolanda Green moving on up By resHoNdA tAte BilliNGsley Defender

When Yolanda Green started at KIAH, Channel 39 in their Community Affairs Department, she was fresh out of college and ready to take on new challenges. Not only did she accept the challenge of making sure the then-WB network was a viable force in Houston’s community, but she excelled so much, that she was soon promoted to community relations director and host of “Outlook Houston.”

It’s a job that would last her 17 years. And one that she was sad to see come to an end.

In April, KIAH (now known as CW39) canceled “Going Green,” one of Green’s signature programs, as well as “Outlook Houston” and informed Green they were phasing out her department.

While the news saddened many of her fans, Green – who is moving on to become manager of community investment for Comcast Houston – says she walks away with a smile on her face.

“My shows had been successful, but there are business decisions that have to be made and you know what? I was okay,” Green said. “To be in this business 17 years was a miracle in itself. You just prepare for the day when you understand you will no longer be on the air.”

The mother of a college senior looks back on her nearly two decades at 39 with pride.

“When I started, my daughter was in elementary school. Now she’s a senior in college, but things have evolved, but even as my role evolved. At first, we were just doing community relations, then we started giving away money and the adoption program and each one took on a life of its own. Once that went away, then we started with the Green initiatives. We just kept it going,” she said.

During her tenure at CW39, Green worked to help empower the community through the

CW39 Cares for Kids Fund by facilitating the distribution of more than nine million dollars to local non-profit agencies. She was also the driving force behind establishing a comprehensive broadcast public service campaign that has helped nearly 5,500 children find adoptive homes.

“To this day, people still refer to me as the adoption lady,” said Green, who became the “face” of Channel 39. “People ask me questions about finding children. It was something I accepted, lived with and enjoyed at the same time.”

Green’s tireless efforts on behalf of Houston’s children have brought her state, local and national recognition, everything from a Five Outstanding Young Texans Award to a Texas Association of Broadcasters Outstanding Community Leader Award to a Women Saving the Planet Award.

She plans to continue her passion for children through her public speaking ventures.

“I am truly passionate about children who are in underserved communities, who others have given up on. Because of my situation of being a teenage mother, it has a special place in my heart.”

And she’ll uphold her commitment to the community through her new job at Comcast.

“I still have a lot left in front of me in terms of careers. So I’m just looking forward to doing more community relations, creating programs that will help the least, last and the lost as Al Green puts it,” she said. “I just want people to know that I always worked to make a difference and that I was genuine in what I did.”

You can find out more about Yolanda Green at www.yolandagreenspeaks.com.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

8

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011

coverpage

Clarence Brandley denied justice again T

by Aswad Walker Defender

he Texas Comptroller’s office recently denied former Texas inmate Clarence Brandley’s claim for compensation for being wrongfully incarcerated.

As a result, Brandley and his supporters are seeking to shed light on case in hopes that Brandley will soon receive restitution for being wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime he did not commit.

Convicted of murder in 1981, Brandley spent nearly 10 years on death row. In 1987, State District Judge Perry Pickett ordered him retried or released due to what Pickett determined was a gross misuse of justice leading to Brandley’s initial conviction.

According to Pickett after an evidentiary hearing, “The litany of events graphically described by the witnesses, some of it chilling and shocking, leads me to the conclusion the pervasive shadow of darkness has obscured the light of fundamental decency and human rights.”

Brandley was eventually freed in 1990.

However, the comptroller’s office informed Brandley that his claim for compensation did not meet the actual innocence requirement of the Texas Code, Section 103.051(b-1).

Gloria Rubac, a longtime prisoners’ rights activist, was a member of the Coalition to Free Clarence Brandley, the group largely responsible for getting Brandley off death row and eventually freed from prison.

Rubac has kept in contact with Brandley ever since, and is part of the contingent working with Brandley today to win compensation.

“If you read Pickett’s opinion he says it was the worst case of injustice he had ever seen, and that Brandley needs to be released or retried,” said Rubac. “But he never said specifically that Brandley was innocent.

That’s the state’s argument for denying compensation. It’s the same thing that happened to Anthony Graves.”

Graves was found innocent of the crime for which he was convicted after spending 18 years in prison. Graves too was denied

Chronology of the Brandley case 1980 – Cheryl Dee Ferguson, a 16-year-old white high school junior, was murdered on August 23. She was playing in a volleyball tournament at another school in Conroe. Her body was found in the loft above the school auditorium.

Brandley was one of five custodians at the school and the only African American. Although he cooperated with police – he gave samples of his hair and clothes and took a lie detector test, which he passed – he was a prime suspect in the murder.

Brandley went on trial in December before an all-white jury. There was no physical evidence linking him to crime and one juror found the evidence insufficient to establish guilt, forcing the judge to declare a mistrial.

1981 – Brandley’s second trial began in February before another allwhite jury but a different judge. Brandley was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. A year later it was revealed that the majority of the murder investigation’s physical evidence had mysteriously disappeared while under police control.

1986 – Brandley got a break when Brenda Medina came forward with new evidence. She told her lawyer that her former boyfriend, James Dexter Robinson, had admitted to killing a girl at the same time and place Cheryl was killed. However, Bradley’s defense was repeatedly denied a new trial, while a vocal protest movement around his case began to grow.

1987 – A judge agreed with Brandley’s attorneys that he had not received a fair trial. State District Judge Perry Pickett wrote that, “no case has presented a more shocking scenario of the effects of racial prejudice, perjured testimony, witness intimidation (and) an investigation the outcome of which was predetermined.”

1990 – The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld Pickett’s ruling and Brandley was freed after serving nearly 10 years in jail. Brandley eventually got married and was ordained a Baptist minister.

2002 – Brandley was the subject of a TV movie titled, “Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story.”

2011 – Brandley’s request for compensation for wrongful imprisonment was denied by the Texas Comptroller’s Office on the grounds it “does not meet the requirements set in state law.”

compensation because the judge that said he should be released never stated specifically that Graves was innocent.

A recently passed bill authored by Houston State Sen. Rodney Ellis (The Timothy Cole Act), provides the legal means for Graves to receive compensation. Rubac hopes the law will also apply to Brandley, and believes the legalese issue is a problem

with the law that has to be straightened out.

Since his release from prison Brandley has experienced several post-incarceration challenges and is currently unemployed.

He now seeks close to $1 million from the state.

“According to the Timothy Cole Act he is entitled to receive $80,000 per year wrongfully incarcerated – over $800,000,”

said Rubac. “But you can’t put a pric years of a man’s life. And to think th even apologized. To me that’s crimin

Fighting for compensation

Reverend Ozell Brandley, Claren leading efforts to secure compensatio of Texas for what he and others see a tice still having negative effects on B “Clarence has nothing; no job, ca insurance. He lost his job with Metro issues but no insurance. All he wants barbecue place. They said he should h three years of his release, but he did. then that they had immunity. Then th for child support straight out of jail,” Human rights activist Edward Fa

defendernetwork.com • Serving the

ce on taking 10 he state never nal.”

nce’s brother, is on from the state as a gross injusBrandley’s life. car, house, or o. He has health s is to open a have filed within The state said hey dogged him said Rubac. ana Vincent

9

believes Brandley’s story is emblematic of a larger social problem.

“It fits the pattern of oppression of Black males and the insensitivity of the so-called justice system to the human experience that Black males have,” said Vincent. “It assumes that if we didn’t do anything wrong we wouldn’t have been charged in the first place. To me, this is the arbitrary arm of racism; institutional racism.”

Vincent also views Brandley’s case as a modern-day reflection of past social roadblocks.

“One experience I had during ‘60s was being a part of civil rights workers arrested and picked up simply to deplete us economically, having to deal with the cost of bail, loss of job wages, and lawyer fees. It seems like the same thing – a different shape but same ideology. Black males don’t have to be treated with humanity,” added Vincent.

e Houston area for over 80 years

Still, Brandley and his supporters are progressing with their go-forward strategy to hold Texas accountable for its wrongful convictions, whether done because of prosecutorial misconduct by officials withholding exculpatory evidence or faulty eyewitness identification.

“We’re trying to get the legislature to pass something for Brandley like they did with Graves,” said Rubac.

“This is a righteous cause to bring justice and have it work the way it is supposed to work,” said Rev. Brandley. “We will hold those public officials accountable for their actions of refusing compensation for those who were wrongfully imprisoned. Their careers should be over if they cannot dispense justice. My brother Clarence and the families of the wrongfully convicted as well as the victims’ families deserve more. Clarence and my family have paid a high price for the state’s injustice.”

10

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011

Malcolm X’s grandson denies rumors in book

By Nayaba Arinde Special to the NNPA

Throwing a book at the book, “Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention,” Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X, is unimpressed with Manning Marable’s hefty biography written about his world famous relative.

Marable’s book stirred up a virtual hornet’s nest when he noted that although there was no evidence, there was a rumor Malcolm X was involved in homosexual acts during the years he hustled on the streets before gaining knowledge of self. Marable went further and mentioned talk of infidelity by both Malcolm and his wife, Betty.

“This is an assassination of his character.

Slander. There is no evidence, no facts. They put these claims out there to sell books and to discredit him,” Shabazz said.

“I haven’t read the entire book; I have read excerpts,” Shabazz said of Marable’s controversial biography, which was released days before

With you when

Marable’s passing.

Shabazz said the book is “about making money,” and questioned Marable’s research. “…

You know, J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI, and the CIA were monitoring my grandfather to put out dirt about him. If they couldn’t find anything, what makes anyone think Manning Marable has?”

“My grandparents had a very unique relationship,” he said. “It was a model for us as a people. They had six children together, so they were obviously intimate and they were mating … to have six children to one woman – that shows the love right there.”

Shabazz said his grandfather spoke out against the social ills that produced criminal lifestyles.

“People from all walks of life, from pimps to a drug addict, drug dealer, convicts, they all can all look at him and think, ‘He’s been in my shoes and look where he is now.’ What did he represent to our people? He is an inspiration. He’s a perfect example of the epitome of change.”

opportunity hits home

Home Mortgage Opportunity is knocking and it could be at the door to your first home. It’s an opportunity to create a home for your family and become part of a community. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage consultants will help guide you through the process, and will help you estimate your mortgage payments and closing costs, and what you’ll need for a down payment. And our PriorityBuyer® Preapproval can help you determine a shopping price range so you can target homes within your budget and shop with confidence.1 When a homeownership opportunity knocks, we’re with you to help open doors. It’s time to call, click or stop by and talk with a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage consultant today.

wellsfargo.com/aspirations © 2011 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801

A PriorityBuyer® preapproval is based on our preliminary review of credit information only and is not a commitment to lend. We will be able to offer a loan commitment upon verification of application information, satisfying all underwriting requirements and conditions, and providing an acceptable property, appraisal, and title report. Not available on nonconforming products.

1

WFB Home Mortgage 9.5” x 6.19” N The Washington Informer WFB_HmMrtg_N_9.5x6.19.indd 1

: Muse

K

100 L/S K-45

1104089

1

4/27/11 4:50 PM

WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011 DEFENDER

defendernetwork.com

11

Ken Jeong, M.D.

‘The Hangover’s funniest doctor around by kAM williAMs

The son of Korean immigrants, Ken Jeong was born in Detroit on June 15, 1969, but raised in Greensboro, N.C. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 after playing violin in the orchestra and being elected to the student council. Next, he attended Duke University, earning a bachelor’s degree before studying medicine at the University of North Carolina.

However, while completing his residency in New Orleans, Jeong was moonlighting as a standup comedian, and he moved to L.A. after winning “The Big Easy Laff-Off.” He has since delivered unforgettable performances in such movies as “The Kims of Comedy,” “Knocked Up,” “Pineapple Express,” “Couples Retreat” and “The Hangover.”

On TV, he’s appeared in a number of series and currently enjoys the recurring role of angry Spanish teacher Señor Chang on the NBC sitcom “Community.” He has also done a number of television specials, most recently hosting this year’s Billboard Awards.

As for his private life, Ken’s wife, Tran, is a physician, too, and they have twin daughters, Alexa and Zooey. Here, he talks about reprising his role as the flamboyant Mr. Chow in “The Hangover Part II.” KW: How did you enjoy shooting “The

Hangover Part II” over in Thailand?

KJ: I loved it! It was just great. Being invited to go back to the big dance for the sequel to the movie that made my career was like a dream come true for me. It was an amazing opportunity to revisit the character that put me on the map and to revisit with family. These guys are my favorite crew to work with. I just had a blast!

KW: Who do you credit with telling you to head for Hollywood?

KJ: It was a standup comedy contest in New Orleans called “The Big Easy Laff-Off,” and the judges of the contest were both Bud Friedman, the founder of the Improv, and Brandon Tartikoff, the former president of NBC and ex-chairman of Paramount Pictures. I won the competition and got to perform at the Improv in Los Angeles. This was 15 years ago. When I finished my residency in New Orleans, I went to L.A. where I would work as a doctor during the day, and then at night I would actually go to the Improv and do standup, all the while kind of cultivating my comedy

resume.

KW: You performed with the Brown Improv group, which just celebrated their 17th anniversary in New Orleans. Do you still keep in touch with any members of the troupe.

KJ: Of course. That was the improv group I worked with every Saturday for three years while I was doing my residency. I credit Brown with really helping me find my comedic voice. And there are many talented actors and comedians I worked with there who I still keep in touch with today. I look back upon Brown as my training ground, my Second City, if you will.

KW: Given the number of years you invested in becoming a doctor, from med school to residency, before switching careers, do you ever wish you had spent that time pursuing your comedy career?

KJ: My answer is, no. I’m real glad I studied medicine. I truly believe that without my medical background, I wouldn’t have the career I have right now. Medicine really matured me as a person be-

cause, as a physician, you’re obviously dealing with life and death issues, issues much more serious than what we’re talking about in entertainment. You can’t get more serious than life and death. And if you can handle that, you can handle anything. So, to me, to have the discipline in comedy to always do the best you can, is a work ethic I credit as coming from my being a physician. And I apply it all the time in my work as an actor.

KW: Have you ever had to treat someone who became ill on the set?

KJ: Yeah, when I was doing “All about Steve” with Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper. We were shooting in 105-degree weather, and I remember catching one of the extras who was just about to collapse from heat exhaustion and taking them to the medic. So, yeah, I get asked medical advice all the time and, being a doctor, I don’t mind. It’s par for the course for me.

KW: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

KJ: Working hard. There’s really no substitute for working hard. I think that’s my biggest talent.

There are always people who are funnier and more talented than I am, but I don’t take anything for granted and I commit myself 100 percent to each of my roles.

Buy your electricity in advance. say goodbye to big electricity payments.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1 2 3

enroll and fIll up your prepaId account. You’ll receive a text message or email with your account number within 24 hours, so you can load your account. receIve account updates. You’ll get helpful text messages or emails with regular updates so you always know when it’s time to reload.

Make a payMent at your convenIence. When your account balance is low, buy as much or as little as you need! And you can pay at an authorized pay station, by phone or online.

Call today to see if direct energy power-to-Go is available in your area and learn how you can get a $25 credIt.

sM

no deposIt!

no credIt check!

no contract terM!

1-866-278-1966 | directenergy.com/prepaid *$25 credit available to new customers of Direct Energy Power-To-GoSM to be applied to the account after enrollment. Service not available in all areas. Payments can be made online, by telephone or with cash at authorized payment centers only. Visit www2.directenergy.com/paystations for a list of authorized pay stations. Certain eligibility requirements, terms of service and restrictions apply. Contact Direct Energy ® for details at 1-866-278-1966. © 2011 Direct Energy, LP. Direct Energy® , the Lightning Bolt design and Direct Energy Power-To-GoSM are trademarks of Direct Energy Marketing Limited, used under license. (PUCT License No. 10040).

12

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011

Business community...

An important investment “In my estimation as both a former local elected official

and now as chamber president, investments in healthcare have some of the highest return on investment you can make,� said Richard Perez, president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. “This is true because these investments translate into healthier babies, who are able to grow-up to be better students, who then can succeed in our schools and ultimately have better career opportunities. Everything starts with good health and good healthcare.�

Though voices from across the state are calling on legislators to protect healthcare for children, it remains in jeopardy.

Still, members from various segments of society are voicing their concern – and warnings.

One such person is Dr. Dan Stultz, president/CEO of the Texas Hospital Association “Businesses and families want good schools and healthcare,� Stultz said. “Cutting too deep will damage efforts to attract employers to Texas.

Texas’ track record as an economic powerhouse and our reputation as the envy of other states is in jeopardy.�

Dr. Steve Murdock, Rice

LEGAL NOTICE

These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon: GAME #

GAME NAME / ODDS

$

Official Close of Game

End Validations Date

1295

Green Machine - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.98

$5

06/04/11

12/01/11

1147

Mega Bucks - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.70

$2

06/11/11

12/08/11

1276

Texas Lottery Black - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.32

$10

06/24/11

12/21/11

1291

Fabulous Fortune - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.94

$5

07/27/11

01/23/12

1305

Triple Lucky Diamonds - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.85

$3

07/27/11

01/23/12

1345

LoteriaÂŽ Texas - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.99

$3

07/27/11

01/23/12

1347

Cash to Go! - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.60

$1

07/27/11

01/23/12

For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas Education. Š 2011 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

TX4563_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_0526.indd

Saved at

is less bad. The House version cuts far deeper into vital safety net programs.�

Shaw urges Houstonians to call their state representatives and members of the Budget Conference Committee and urge them to support the Senate’s version. “It’s obviously a critical concern for a lot of people, but lawmakers won’t realize that unless they hear directly from us. So call and tell your reps to protect funding for schools, health care and jobs, and to use the rainy day fund.�

ment for Texas,� highlighting many of the same concerns. “If today’s proposed cuts become tomorrow’s law there will be serious challenges for Texans being able to access affordable healthcare for kids, seniors and other vulnerable Texans,� said Anat Kelman Shaw, CDF communication director. “Funding cuts are being discussed right now by members of the Budget Conference Committee trying to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the budget. Both versions are bad but theT:5.78�

Senate version

Smart DeciSion

classiďŹ eds 1

University professor, former Texas demographer, concurred with Stultz. “If we don’t change the socioeconomic factors that go with the demographic factors, it is hard to see anything but a Texas that is poorer and less competitive in the future than it is today.�

Adding an organizational voice to those of the individual business leaders and educators is the Children’s Defense Fund Texas. The CDF recently released a new report, “Business Leaders Support Child Health: A Fiscally Responsible Invest-

T:2.82�

that: “Providing health insurance to all children in America will yield substantial economic benefits.�

According the Lan Bentsen, a Texas-based international investor, the proposed cuts to children’s healthcare are simply not good business. “To ‘save’ $7 billion at the state level, Texas taxpayers must forfeit $10 billion of their own federal taxes rerouted to other states, and incur an additional $10 billion in new cost burdens at the local level,� said Bentsen. “At a 3:1 loss for Texas taxpayers, this is not a fiscally responsible option.

From a business perspective, these cuts call into question our collective judgment.�

Mike Moncrief, mayor of Fort Worth and former Texas state senator, argued that children are a better investment than budget cuts. “There is no better return on investment than placing our dollars where they will insure the health of future generations,� said Moncrief. “It just makes sense.�

Continued from page 6

5-16-2011 12:34 PM

Job info

from

HCCfacultyfacts.org by

Tommy-MacPro

HCC, FontsAt & Images

Approvals

Job # TX4563 Client TX Lottery Headline/Tag JUNE EOG Trim 5.78� x 2.82�

Bleed None Live None Color Setup BW Vendor/Pub Houston Defender Media Newspaper 7KH %RDUG RI (GXFDWLRQ RI WKH +RXVWRQ ,QGHSHQGHQW 6FKRRO 'LVWULFW ZLOO Type FRQGXFW Die CutORFDWLRQV N SXEOLF KHDULQJV RQ UHGLVWULFWLQJ RI LWV 7UXVWHH 'LVWULFWV DW WKH IROORZLQJ

Creative Dir Art Director Copywriter Account Mgr Proofreader

:?,63- 2/+<381=

23=. ,YK\N YP /N_MK^SYX <ONS]^\SM^SXQ

Notes Due: 05/19 Pub: 05/26

Tommy / Steve Grill

None None None ALVARO CIFUENTES None

our faculty knows the theory

Fonts yet applies the practice of real world Helvetica Neue (95 Black, 77 Bold Condensed, 65 Medium, 85 Heavy, 75 Condensed), experience in Bold, the57very same classroom.

Times (Regular)

We are preparing students to be the next

Images None

generation of thinkers and doers.

Inks Black

DQG WLPHV

>R_\]NKc 7Kc

AONXO]NKc 4_XO

206 E. 9th Street â&#x20AC;˘ Austin, TX 78701

S P S P Tel 512.479.6200 Fax 512.479.6024 Prepared by LatinWorks Marketing, Inc. 2009. All rights reserved. %XFKDQDQ *ULPHV (OHPHQWDU\ 6FKRRO %DUEDUD -RUGDQ +LJK 6FKRRO IRU &DUHHUV -XWODQG +RXVWRQ

(DVWH[ )UHHZD\ +RXVWRQ

>_O]NKc 4_XO !

>R_\]NKc 4_XO #

S P S P &HVDU ( &KDYH] +LJK 6FKRRO +,6' +DWWLH 0 :KLWH $GPLQLVWUDWLRQ %OGJ +RZDUG 'ULYH +RXVWRQ :HVW WK 6WUHHW +RXVWRQ

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ÂŁV ZHEVLWH DW ZZZ KRXVWRQLVG RUJ

Printed At None

Dept. Chair for Health Information Distinguished Author

&

Dr. Carla Tyson-Howard

hccs.edu

Defender Summer 2011 ad.indd 1

5/5/11 12:29 PM

WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011 DEFENDER

defendernetwork.com

opinion

pointofview

13

Pay the man

H

ow many years will the State of Texas continue this saga of taking the essence of a man’s life away?

Pay Anthony Graves and Clarence Brandley what they are due and end this slow persecution resulting from the state’s error in judgment and in justice.

Wasn’t it enough to convict these innocent men? Wasn’t it enough to steal from them over a decade of their lives while in prison? Wasn’t it enough to try and collect child support for the years they were in prison? Wasn’t it enough to have these men jump through legal hoops to get their due compensation for those years they were wrongfully incarcerated?

It has been almost 30 years since Clarence Brandley went to prison and almost 20 years for Anthony Graves. Today they are both still locked behind the legalistic bars that confine them and limit their ability to get justice – payment for wrongful conviction. As if one error by the state of putting an innocent man in prison was not enough, now another error is committed by the state not meticulously stating the obvious…the man is innocent.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has denied both Brandley and Graves compensation because the documents ordering their release did not contain the words “actual innocence.”

An amendment authored by State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, was added to the Timothy Cole Compensation Act stating that a person is eligible for compensation for being wrongfully convicted if “granted relief in accordance with a writ of habeas corpus (demanding evidence of a crime) and an affidavit from a prosecutor stating the dismissal was based on actual innocence.”

The bill now awaits Gov. Rick Perry’s signature.

So Governor, sign the bill and pay the man.

Pay Clarence Brandley. Pay Anthony Graves.

Wright, The Detroit News

Thanks Drayton McLane

Houston Astros, more than baseball

T

he sale of the Houston Astros marks the end of the Drayton McLane era and the beginning of the Jim Crane reign.

Looking back, it is evident the Houston Astros are more than baseball and the Houston area Black community has played a role in every chapter. Remember the referendum to build the new baseball stadium and the African-American voters that helped make the difference in building the new stadium. Oh, and don’t forget the commitment that gave minority contractors a piece of the stadium pie from construction to concessions.

Even though two other stadiums were built afterward, neither of them came close to the minority share of Minute Maid Park. And community investment was equally important helping organizations grow and progress. At the center of all these decisions was Drayton McLane demonstrating his character through action.

Granted, the Houston Astros were not perfect and there were some areas in need of improvement. McLane was criticized for years in the pages of this newspaper for his lack of African-Americans both among the ranks of players and the front office.

Obviously, the complaints did not fall on deaf ears when the Astros selected Cecil Cooper, a Black man, as their manager. In addition, throughout the 19 years under McLane’s ownership, we have enjoyed some outstanding performances

by Black players wearing the Astros’ uniform.

But beyond the baseball field in the Black community, many organizations and communities benefited from the

Astros’ contributions: NAACP, Houston Area Urban League, United Negro College Fund, and the Urban Youth Academy, Major League Baseball and the Astros joint venture to nurture future professional baseball players based in Acres Homes.

Today, the Astros are preparing to start a new chapter in their history and we want to take the opportunity to thank Drayton McLane for his support and welcome Jim Crane to the owner’s circle.

Although we know little of Crane, two factors stand out.

On the positive side, it is impressive to see that minorities are included as primary investors such as Milton Carroll, chairman and founder of Instrument Products, a Houston oil-tool manufacturing company, and board chairman of Centerpoint Energy.

Carroll, former chairman of the Texas Southern University board of regents, former Port of Houston commissioner and former chairman of the Houston Endowment, has demonstrated his commitment to the Black community both personally and professionally.

On the other hand, minorities should be somewhat apprehensive considering Crane’s track record shows the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claimed one of his companies had a “dismal record in the area of discrimination” and asked that he be “monitored very closely in the area of employment discrimination as it relates to minorities and women.”

As we prepare to start a new game with a new man at the helm, its important to make it clear that we, members of the Black community, are watching you Jim Crane and “what you do speaks louder than what you say.”

nextweekonlineopinions We Have to Raise the Debt Ceiling

Julianne Malveaux

Ending Poverty By Creating Black Wealth in 2011 Benjamin F. chavis, Jr.

A Great Black Entrepreneur Passes On

Fighting Cuts to Child Care

Marian edelman

Harry Alford

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

14

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011

defendernetwork.com

sports

Patience paid off for

Astros Jason Bourgeois

By MAX edisoN Defender

A

wise man once wrote, “Patience is a virtue.”

Astros outfielder and Forest Brook graduate Jason Bourgeois should have it emblazoned on his license plate.

Bourgeois, a highly touted, second-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers in 2000, bounced around the minors with four different organizations until finally making his major league debut in September of 2008 as a member of the Chicago White Sox. He was subsequently released by the Sox and signed by the Milwaukee Brewers in November of 2008. Bourgeois was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros on Oct. 26, 2009. He was called up from the minors by the Astros on June 20, 2010, playing in 69 games on the Major League level, a 10-year odyssey that would have crushed a less determined player.

When the Astros spring training broke to begin the 2011 season, for the first time in his career Jason Bourgeois’ name was on the big league roster as the fourth outfielder.

For Bourgeois to start the season in the Major Leagues after 10 years was special.

“It’s a great feeling,” Bourgeois said. “You feel like you’re a part of the team. To start off with the team, it’s an honor all by itself.”

It also indicates that Astros management believes in his ability to contribute to the team’s success. That belief starts with team skipper Brad Mills.

“He [Mills] has a lot of faith in me to come off the bench and play any time,” he said. “It’s the ultimate compliment whenever the head of a team has that faith in you, from the GM on down.”

Even though Bourgeois took the “scenic” route on the way to the Major Leagues, he’s appreciative of the journey.

“Baseball’s minor leagues makes regular life easy, you go through so much,” Jason recalled. “It was a little bit of a longer road for me than a normal prospect that comes up. I went from being a prospect to a suspect. I had patience and I never gave up.

“We always hear that growing up and its true you have to believe in yourself and your ability to play the game.

When you’re out there grinding every day you have to will yourself for it to happen. That’s what I did during the minor leagues and it’s paying off right now.”

Bourgeois is the latest big league talent to emerge from the Northeast corridor of the city, an area known for its rich Little League tradition. Bourgeois is indeed proud to carry on the tradition.

“I started loving the game by following my brother John out to Smokey Jasper Park, where we played,” Bourgeois recalled.

“The Smokey Jasper Little League was so cool because we had just hundreds of kids every Saturday playing

baseball.

“We had cheerleaders, parades, barbeques, fundraisers, just a fun time for the whole community. Some of my friends tease me that I wasn’t even the best player back in Smokey Jasper Park when we played.”

“There’s a lot of talent here in the inner city,” he said.

“Guys have to keep grinding, keep working and have faith.

Playing against Carl [Crawford] and Mike [Bourn] and later with them for some TTAB championships was just priceless.

Now here we are playing in the big leagues.”

As coincidence would have it, not only has Jason Bourgeois made the Major League roster on his hometown team, he’s now being asked to get reacquainted with his old position, second base.

“They always say versatility in the National League is a great way to keep a job,” he said. “I came up as a second baseman. For the past four or five years I’ve been playing in the outfield. I’m eager to get back in there. I’ve always had a passion for playing the infield so hopefully I’ll get the opportunity.

“The infield position is not a position you can take plays off. It requires a lot of hard work. There’s a lot of repetition, handling ground balls, turning double plays, that sort of thing. Regardless, if that’s what they want, I’ll be ready.”

Somehow you get the feeling that Bourgeois’ journey has concluded where it all began, in his hometown. Here’s hoping he’ll be an Astro for years to come.

After 10 years in the Minor Leagues Jason Bourgeois has found a home in his hometown.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

Versatility has been the key to Bourgeois’ success.

WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011 DEFENDER

defendernetwork.com

h.s.zone Rivalry week in

baseball/softball playoffs

By Darrell K. Ardison Defender

Lamar High School head baseball coach Mike McGilvray wanted his team to take the next step against a District 20-5A rival the Redskins knew all too well.

Facing Westside in game three of a best-of-three Region III-5A quarterfinal series at Butler Stadium’s Ray Knoblauch Field, McGilvray got his wish as junior right-hander Chris Lanham tossed a complete-game one-hitter and senior Matt Luna delivered a clutch two-run double to highlight Lamar’s 3-0 victory.

The 33-5-1 Lamar players celebrate in the aftermath of a clinching regional Redskins advance quarterfinal series victory over Westside. to the Class 5A hard and they are going to put up a fight.” allowed Lamar to win Region III semiIn the other Region III-5A semifinal the series and secure its final round for the matchup, Clements and Memorial will fourth win in five tries this first time since 1997, repeat last season’s regional championship season against Westside. and will face a familiar series that Clements won to advance to the “It was harder for us foe in perennial powLamar senior lefthander John state tournament. to prepare for Westside erhouse Brazoswood. Williamson has been productive Clements is ranked No. 2 nationally by this week because we had The Bucs are on the mound and in centerfield ESPN Rise Magazine and features a powerbeaten them three straight for the Redskins. making their third ful lineup led by first baseman G.R. Hinsley. times before they got us last consecutive appearThe Rangers own playoff victories over night,” McGilvray said. “To beat a team ance in the regional semifinals.

Alvin, Dobie and Clear Springs. four-out-of-five times that is talented as they “This is a very special accomplishMemorial scored 22 runs in its 2-0 ment for us,” McGilvray said, over a chorus are is tough. They played us really hard. sweep of Seven Lakes led by Boomer “The best thing we have going for us of celebrating players in the winning dugWhite. The Mustangs have posted playoff is our team chemistry,” McGilvray said. out. “We went to the regional quarterfinals series wins over Bellaire, Langham Creek “We’ve had great teams in the past, but it’s in 2008, but we wanted to make that next and Seven Lakes. not always about your talent level. My best step. To make the regional semifinals is a Both Clements and Memorial rallied teams have always had good chemistry huge step for this program. We’re one of 16 from game one losses in the bi-district round and this one has it along with great senior (Class 5A) teams remaining in the state.” to reach the regional semifinals. leadership.”

For the second time in three 2011 In Houston area girls’ high school Lamar won its only state baseball playoff series, Lamar had to survive an softball, defending Class 5A state champion championship in 1969. elimination game. In the second round Pearland is making its third consecutive trip Brazoswood swept Deer Park 2-0 in against Cy-Fair, the Redskins edged the to the regional finals after sweeping Belits best-of-three regional quarterfinal series Bobcats 7-6 in game three. laire. The Lady Oilers will face Dobie, who to advance.

After defeating Westside in game defeated Katy Taylor (7-3) in a one-game “They [Brazoswood] have a lot of one (4-2), the Wolves rebounded to tie the tradition and they’ve won two state champi- playoff. series (1-1) with a 3-2 victory on Miguel Both Pearland (1996, 2010) and onships,” McGilvray said. “They go deep in Figueroa’s walk-off, RBI double in the botDobie (1993, 1997) have won two state the playoffs quite a bit and it’s somewhere tom of the seventh inning. softball titles. we haven’t been recently. Our kids play Lanham’s stellar effort in game three

15

sportsbriefs Klein, Klein Oak advance to Region II-5a semifinals Five years ago, The Woodlands was ranked No. 1 nationally and swept Klein without allowing a run in a high school baseball regional quarterfinal series en route to a state championship. Klein finally got its revenge by sweeping The Woodlands 1-0, 4-3 in the 2011 Region II-5A quarterfinals and advancing to this weekend’s regional semifinals against nemesis Klein Oak. The Panthers advanced with a 12-6 game three victory over Lufkin.

The Woodlands/Tomball meet for state softball berth Ranked No. 1 nationally, The Woodlands parlayed two one-run victories over Belton (2-1, 3-2) to earn a berth in the girls’ Region II-5A state softball championship series against rival Tomball. Tomball clobbered Bryan 10-0 and 11-1 in the regional semifinals.

Santa Fe and Montgomery will battle for the Region III-4A girls’ softball title this weekend.

UH Lady Cougars win regional softball championship The Lady Cougars softball team defeated LouisianaLafayette 4-1 recently to capture the NCAA Regional Championship. “We’ve talked about all week that we had a lot of work to do this weekend,” head coach Kyla Holas said. “Now that we’ve finished that work here, it is such a good feeling and we’re so happy for these girls that we get to keep playing. It’s huge for this program.” The team has been paced by senior pitcher Amanda Crabtree and junior outfielder Melissa Gregson, who were named to the 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Region Second Team.

With a record of 43-16, Houston now awaits the schedule of its NCAA Super Regional hosted by the Oklahoma State Cowgirls.

Who will the L.A. Lakers select as new head coach?

With Phil Jackson now retired the search to find a new coach has taken on a life of its own. Before the Lakers were swept by the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semi-finals, it was widely presumed the heir apparent to Jackson would be long time assistant and former player, Brian Shaw.

Shaw has the endorsement of team superstar Kobe Bryant. Of course that was before the sweep. Now names have been coming out of the wood works. No less than former Rockets coaches Rick Adelman and Jeff Van Gundy have been rumored to have interest.

Also former Cavs Coach of the Year, Mike Brown and former Clipper coach, Mike Dunleavy’s names have been thrown into the mix. In typical Hollywood fashion, the 2010 champs are in need of some cosmetic surgery. It will be interesting to see which doctor they select.

Join Darrell Ardison and Max Edison for the “Daily Blog” in high school, college and pro sports.

16

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 26 | 2011

defendernetwork.com

For Event Coverage...visit

defendernetwork.com

chag’splace

MAKING A DIFFERENCE……..HoustonWorks audience was entertained by Hanq Neal and the Reagan USA is certainly making a difference in the lives of High School Jazz Band. CEO of HoustonWorks Houstonians. For the past 27 years, the organization has USA, Larry Green, expressed his gratitude to been a leading provider of services everyone for their continued focusing on job placement, continuing support. Congratulations!..........

Join Yvette Chargois education and vocational training.

CELEBRATING Events of the Week Their annual scholarship luncheon EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG More photos on defendernetwork.com was recently held at the Wortham PEOPLE…….At the annual See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads Center and attended by over 300 folks.

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Beat with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.

The 10 scholarship recipients included the Odds luncheon, six extraordinary Heather Woitena, Chelsea Minter, young people were the recipients of Victor Hu, Christian Mata, Marisol scholarships. CDF is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly Palomares, Cailey Cotner, Warren Douglas, Lizet for over 35 years to ensure a level playing field for all Pantaleon, Christian Tulio and Ty Wilson. HISD children. College scholarships are awarded to youth board president Paula Harris was the keynote speaker, who have overcome tremendous adversity and by all Desrie McCoy sang the National Anthem and the

CEO Larry Green, Ty Wilson and Board Chairman Howard Lederer

Michelle Browman and Saki Indakwa

Jason and Alvia Few

accounts, have beaten the odds. This year’s scholarship recipients included Avery Gibson, Luis Gonzalez, Nernwon Kargou, Marshall Scheon and Katrina Taylor. Linda May served as this year’s luncheon chair and Barbara Best, former CDF Texas executive director, was the guest speaker. We wish all of you continued success!.......

KUDOS……We salute Jodie L. Jiles, managing director of RBC Capital Markets, who was the only Houstonian to receive the 2011 University of Texas Distinguished Alumnus Award and Jene Guess-Cash, CEO of the Guess Group, Inc., who was recently selected as one of the Houston Business Journal’s 2011 40 Under 40 recipients for her exceptional business leadership. Congratulations!........From Chag’s Place to your place, Ciao Darling!

George Anderson and Larry Green

Warren Douglas and Christian Tulio

Luis Gonzalez, Nernwon Kargou, Marshall Scheon, Katrina Taylor and Avery Gibson

Guest Speaker Paula Harris and Arnold Viramontes

Gail Revis and Charlotte Packer

Sharon Owens, Phyllis Williams and Vicki Johnson

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years