NORTON EXTENDS SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATION DEADLINES 11
Survey shows parents move kids from booster seats too early Page 8
Christmas Creep getting earlier each year Page 3
October 30 - November 5, 2014
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Democrats bash Obama yet want Black vote By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Columnist
H
ere are a few electionrelated questions to think over: why in the world do Democrats think they can bash President Obama and his policies, and still win Black votes? Why should Black voters be motivated to turn out after months of watching Democrats bash the president? What exactly is the strategy for Democrats to get Black voters out? Many Democrats running in the electionthis cycle, even in states and districts with large Black voting populations, have made the deduction that aggravating and ignoring Black voters is less important than winning White ones. The White swing voter is supposedly a more vital target than the Black voter, who is a 95 percent sure bet to vote for a Democrat. It’s a fascinating strategy featuring Democrats running in fear of their own record while ignoring what’s happened over the last six years. Thanks to the president, Osama Bin Laden is dead. The unemployment rate is now 5.9 percent. Even the Black unemployment rate dropped from 16.5 percent in 2011 to its current 11.4 percent. More than 8 million Americans have signed up for health care. The Republican contribution? Gridlock, more than 50 votes on Obamacare repeals and shutting down the government. The approval numbers for Republicans in Congress is lower than the president’s, yet Democrats shun his policies? Yes, Obama has a 40 percent approval rating. But Congress’ approval sits at 14 percent – the lowest since 1974. Do you wonder what the numbers would be if Democrats actually stopped apologizing for their record, and instead put the GOP on defensive? Who among the GOP leadership in Washington can claim legislative achievement in a party whose number one ideology is gridlock? Apparently, Democrats have forgotten – or don’t care – that Black voters are the party’s most loyal voting bloc. In 2012, Black voters turned out at a higher percentage than Whites. Black wom-
pryor.senate.gov
Editorial
Some candidates like Senator Pryor have distanced themselves from the President.
en are the highest turnout group among all women. But this enthusiasm will likely lessen, not just because the first Black president will no longer be on the ballot, but because Democrats fail to support the policies enacted while he was there. In a midterm election it will take more than a pre-election day Sunday swing-by to get Black voters and others out. Yet many Democrats make no specific references or pledges on specific policy that might motivate that turnout. Few Democrats dare discuss racial profiling, mandatory minimums or justice reform or – God forbid – health care reform. Alison Lundergan Grimes, a Democrat running for Senate in Kentucky against “gridlock king,” Sen. Mitch McConnell won’t even admit she voted for President Obama. Instead of running a campaign that puts McConnell on the defensive by bringing up how little he’s done for Kentucky, Grimes is frantically telling voters how much she disagrees with President Obama. Likewise, in Arkansas, Sen. Mark Pryor’s race has become about Pryor dodging questions on whether he agrees with President Obama, which is exactly what the GOP wants. In Colorado, Demo-
crat Mark Udall was asked “which of the president’s proposed policies are you prepared to vote against” by a moderator. Even some journalists have bought in to the GOP’s narrative. If a voter’s big concern is whether a candidate agreed with the president in their party, you can pretty much bet that’s a Republican voter. For some reason, Democrats are trying to win the voter who hates the president and get out the base simultaneously. Good luck with that one. Even after 8 million Americans have signed up, Democrats run from the idea of bringing up the Affordable Care Act as a success. The number of Americans without health care has dropped to the lowest rate since the 1990s. The uninsured rate for African Americans is now 15.1 percent, from 18.9 percent. But Democrats fail to mention how dead wrong Republicans were in 2010 and beyond after health care reform was signed into law. Instead they continue to run from their own shadow. It seems Democrats are on the brink of getting the results they deserve. Does running away from your own record work? The Democratic Party is likely to find out the answer to that question the hard way on November 4.
Finance
Watch your pockets during the Christmas creep By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist
D
id you notice that some stores are already touting Christmas sales? They are encouraging people to start buying for Christmas now. We’ve been experiencing this Christmas creep for years. Some of us are reluctant to call it Christmas Creep because there is no Christ or Christianity in the profligate spending that accompanies a season that should be defined by gratitude and reflection. The birth of Christ the child should symbolize rebirth, the symbolism of the seven principles of Kwanzaa a signal to African-American community building and spirituality. Part of the reason for the Christmas creep is that fourth quarter spending can make or break annual sales for retailers. Lots of consumer electronics, jewelry, and even automobiles are disproportionately purchased during these fourth quarter months, although in the past this heavy spending was reserved for December. Not only will fourth
quarter spending influence annual profits, but they will also signal the strength of the economic recovery that only a few are experiencing. If high-end retailers (Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman) see their sales boost while lower end retailers see their sales grow only modestly, that might be an indication that recovery is not trickling down. And for all the talk of the end of the Great Recession, the fact that incomes have remained flat means that recovery will remain slow. During the third quarter of this year, spending was more sluggish than expected, so much so that some retailers are adjusting their spending forecasts downward. Some may even have less inventory on hard so that prices might rise a bit from demand. When toy retailers, for example, have shortages in this year’s popular toy, parents are likely to make return trips to a store both to check on the coveted toy and to buy “just one more thing” for children. And despite sluggish spending, the post-Thanksgiving Day stampedes are not a thing of
Retailers are enticing consumers with Christmas deals early but for African Americans, it is important to avoid overspending this holiday season.
the past when they are properly marketed. This heavy Christmas marketing has a special impact on African-American consumers, those who how have less income, more debt, and a likelihood of overspending during holidays because “stuff” means “love” for some. The Christmas creep gives youngsters more time to whine and cajole for “stuff” and places parents under more pressure to spend. While the
spending may help stimulate the economy, it will depress the financial standing of those who participate in the spending game. We live in a nation of over consumers, but African Americans are the ones who can least afford to play this game. One in eight has nothing – no savings, no investments; no tangible belongings (automobiles, for example). Fewer than half (compared to 70 percent of Whites) own their homes – the primary path to wealth accumulation for the middle class. About half have “bad” debt, or credit card debt. Few have saved for future tuition payments or retirement. Yet, some of these folks will queue up to spend money, all in the name of a Christmas shopping season that starts in October. The holiday season is a good time to convey a series of economic and community building messages to African Americans. First, can you afford the holiday spending? Second, if you must shop, do some of your spending with Black-owned businesses. African Americans
spend less than a tenth of their income with Black-owned businesses. Doubling the level of spending would increase the number of jobs that can be generated within the African-American community. Third, it ought to go without saying, but don’t pay full price for anything, especially at the end of the year. There are sales galore, and when you have the money, you ought to take advantage of them. Fourth, you can build community and affinity by giving someone the gift of a contribution to their favorite charity: a church building fund, sorority or fraternity capital campaign, or a scholarship fund. Fifth, use your 2014 holiday spending as a way to develop a budget for holiday 2015. Christmas at Halloween? Only if you buy into the spending game, you will get tricked and predatory retailers treated by your behavior. Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.
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Neighborhood
Metro Briefs: Notable news in and around Washington District of Columbia
Capitol Heights woman claims million dollar DC lottery prize
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Montgomery County Montgomery County maintains Triple-A bond rating
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County Executive Ike Leggett announced last week that Montgomery County has maintained its Triple-A bond rating from three Wall Street bond rating agencies, just a week after meeting with the agencies to brief Wall Street on the county’s fiscal situation and future plans. Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s all affirmed the “AAA” rating – which is the highest achievable – for the county. They all termed the outlook for Montgomery County as “stable.” This rating enables Montgomery County to sell long-term bonds at the most favorable rates, saving county taxpayers millions of dollars over the life of the bonds. The rating also serves as a benchmark for numerous other financial transactions, ensuring the lowest possible costs in those areas as well.
dclottery.com
he $1,000,000 DC Mega Millions prize from the September 9game has been claimed by Aisha Hawkins of Capitol Heights, MD. The winning ticket was purchased at Palisades Deli & Market on 4554 MacArthur Blvd., NW. The winning numbers were 25-34-55-70-71, and the Mega Ball number was 1. Hawkins matched every number except the Mega Ball. “I thought the ticket was for $250,000! And, I was thankful for that. When I called the lottery to make sure, the nice lady said that I’d won $1,000,000! I had a hot flash!” recalled the surprised stayat-home mom of four, who runs a nonprofit benefitting critically ill children. “I feel very fortunate. I am very thankful.”
Hawkings purchased her winning ticket in the Distrtict.
“We are always excited to congratulate winners,” said Buddy Roogow, executive director of the DC Lottery. “And, Aisha has been a standout because of her care and her commitment.”
When asked what she was going to do next, she replied delightfully, “We have some home improvements in mind. But right now, I’m going to have lunch with my husband.”
“What is remarkable about this is that Montgomery County has continued to receive a Triple-A bond rating from all three bond rating agencies even during these past few years when other jurisdictions – including the federal government – were seeing downgrades, and despite federal shutdowns, budget sequestrations and the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression,” said Leggett. “Our ability to maintain our coveted Triple-A rating affirms my approach to putting the county’s fiscal house in order, and reducing unsustainable increases in county spending, while investing in making government more effective and creating opportunities for the growth of good jobs in the future. “We have boosted our reserves to the most ever, closed nearly $3 billion in budget gaps, made tough choices on spending, and saved millions for taxpayers with changes in county health and retirement benefits. Montgomery County has weathered the downturn and the investments we made during the toughest of times are enabling us to
create more jobs and opportunity,” said Leggett. The bond rating agencies underlined the county’s successful approach. “Despite the 2013 federal government shutdown and sequestration, we note that the county did not experience significant disruptions to its financial performance due to, what we consider the diversity of its revenue base and its strong management practices,” wrote Standard & Poor’s Rating Services. “Montgomery County continues to exhibit a very impressive economic profile,” wrote Fitch Ratings. “The county has gained employment each year between 2010 and 2013 … Montgomery County has a sophisticated management team that uses conservative budgeting and established debt and reserve policies that have resulted in healthy reserve and liquidity levels.” “The stable outlook reflects the county’s improved financial position that is supported by structurally balanced budgets and increased reserves,” wrote Moody’s.
Divine Intervention
Five ways churches can help stop the Ebola hysteria
Health | EXCLUSIVE
LASTING RELIEF from
Hysteria has gripped the nation ever since Thomas Eric Duncan contracted and died of Ebola in the United States.
By Tom Ehrich Religion News Service
O
nce the first person in America died from Ebola, the usual bigots and ideologues blamed it on President Obama, whom they loathe. Some suggested Obama deliberately allowed the virus into the U.S. for nefarious purposes. “He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That’s his attitude,� said Phyllis Schlafly, the matriarch of America’s religious right. Every misstep will be laid at the president’s doorstep, as if he personally ordered a Dallas hospital to screw up. Such nonsense plays well in an election year, at least with a certain portion of the electorate. But the question remains: how are we as a society to deal with a potential contagion that could impact our lives? Our worst instincts, as always, will be to blame whatever we don’t like, to imagine barriers and travel bans that would protect us, and to turn against each other. Schlafly, for one, blames Obama personally for “letting these diseased people into this country to infect our own people.� Similar instincts served us poorly after 9/11, during various Red Scares and during our many
wars. They are like a child’s instinct to hide under a bed: we crouch in fear without thinking first. Our current legislative leaders, unfortunately, have little instinct for leadership. They are most likely to harvest votes among the fearful by stoking their fears. All but the most responsible media will join them in making hay from havoc. Let’s imagine a better scenario, perhaps even one that faithful people could help to bring about. First, no cheap blaming. God isn’t causing this virus to spread through western Africa as some sort of punishment for the people there, or to come to these shores as some punishment of us. Diseases happen, and they spread through a combination of bad luck, human error and ignorance. Second, people need to be helped back from the edge of hysteria. Not through unrealistic predictions, as we seem to be hearing now, but through confidence in those tackling the virus and our ability, through common sense and bravery, to deal with it. Third, we need to take personal responsibility for getting informed and staying informed, so we can provide useful guidance to children and the vulnerable, and take appropriate precautions within our sphere of care and influence. Fourth, we need to look outside our walls to see who needs help. Beyond family, beyond church,
beyond our community – where is help needed, and can we provide it? Fifth, we need to muster our personal and spiritual resources and find the courage to face something largely beyond our control. If the Ebola virus breaks out of current containment measures and spreads into the general population, our communities will require people with mature judgment and the courage to stand against the legions of fear. This is a lot to ask. Little in our faith formation has prepared us to deal with such things. Faith communities need to be preparing now, not later. Teaching good theology, for example, in the area of disease causes. Forming emergency response teams. Preparing safe places in case hysteria gets out of hand. Checking in with constituents to counter isolation. It could well be that none of these steps is necessary to deal with Ebola. But the effort won’t be wasted, for these are fearful times. Ideologues are in full assault, and people are too isolated for their own good. Getting ready for Ebola will get us ready for other crises, as well. Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant and Episcopal priest based in New York. His website is www.morningwalkmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @tomehrich.
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Cover Don’t sleep the November 4 midterm election By Bill Fletcher, Jr NNPA columnist
T
he November 4 election is next Tuesday, Nov. 4. Believe it or not, as of about two weeks ago, two thirds of the people in the U.S.A did not know that there is to be an election on November 4, 2014. As far as some segments of our society are concerned, that is just fine. They would rather that we remain asleep. We can’t. The political Right is mobilizing forcefully. They are trying to make this election about Obama. With Obama hovering below 40% in the polls, the right-wing expects to wrestle control of the Senate from the Democrats while retaining control of the House of Representatives. With both the U.S. Senate and House in Republican hands, what do you think
the fate of affordable health care, minimum wage increase, Black access to higher education, housing, same-sex marriage and immigration reform would be. But the right-wing may be in for a surprise, if you get out and vote on Tuesday. This election is not about Obama. It really comes down to two things. First, YOUR right to vote, and, second, what sort of future you really want. Unless you are interested in trying to turn the clock back to about 1950, you will need to be at the polls on November 4th. And call, email, or text your friends in North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, South Dakota, Colorado, Wisconsin and Alaska to do the same. Beginning after the 2008 elections, sections of the Republican
Party went about passing voter ID laws under the pretext of addressing voter fraud allegations. In Texas and Wisconsin, for example, their voter ID laws could have dis-enfrachised about a million voters on November 4, according to National Urban League President Marc H. Morial, if the U.S. Supreme Court hadn’t intervened and ruled the Wisconsin law unconstitutional. Sadly, the Court let the Texas law stand in spite of only two cases of voter fraud being found over the years. The potential for voter fraud is less than the potential of being hit by lightning. Nevertheless, playing to racist fears on the parts of many whites (of African Americans and immigrants), the right-wing was able to invent a problem where none existed. They convinced many people that there needed to
be more stringent requirements to vote, steps that tend to disenfranchise people of color, youth and senior citizens. In the 2012 elections African Americans and Latinos revolted against this effort and turned out in force. But showing up in one election is not enough. The aim of the political Right is to beat us down. The future is also at stake. The political Right fears the demographic changes in this country. But they also fear real discussions about economic inequality, the environmental crisis, the rights of women, and, actually, the role of government. Their most articulate spokespeople openly talk about shrinking government which will mean that many things that you and I take for granted will disappear, such as social security, food safety inspections, fair tax systems,
and a reasonable discussion about what to do about climate change. The right-wing ends up reminding me of the child bully who seeks to intimidate others and will only stop when we stand up to them. At that moment we come to realize that they are nothing more than pathetic cowards. So, there you have it. We can sit home and pretend that the Nov. 4 elections don’t mean anything, or we can get to the polls and make it clear that we have no interest in giving up on the future or giving up on our right to make a statement. The choice really is ours. Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the host of The Global African on Telesur-English. He is a racial justice, labor and global justice writer and activist. Follow him on Facebook and at www.billfletcherjr. com.
Howard, Georgetown students stump for Democratic candidates By Jailyn Anderson Contributing writer
E
arly voting for November 4 midterm elections has begun in the DMV. At Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex on Bock Road in Fort Washington, Prince George’s County for example, elections officials there said 1100 people voted on Thursday, the first day of early voting. Elections Administrator Alicia Alexander confirmed that 5, 614 voters voted in the PGC County in the first three days of early voting. Down at Howard University the Howard University College Democrats are gearing up to encourage fellow students to vote not to sit out next week’s elections. “Midterms are terribly important for a number of reasons, says Said Kelli Slater, communications director of the Howard University College Democrats. “This Congress has the lowest approval rating in our country’s history. Our representatives in Congress are so gridlocked they shut the government down around this time last year because they couldn’t agree on a budget. We can’t risk another government shut down. “These races are also important because our country is facing a pivotal time in history right now, with the LGBTQ battle for
same-sex marriage, our desperate need for immigration reform, and threats abroad. We need leaders that will act courageously when faced with tough issues.” In the final days of campaigning, Slater said Howard students will be canvassing in DC neighborhoods, encouraging voting. They are teaming up with Georgetown University Democrats on a get out the vote trip to West Virginia to campaign for Democratic candidates there, starting tomorrow returning on Sunday. Several out-of-state students who will be knocking at doors to get voters to polling sites have cast their absentee ballots in their home states. Adriyanna Andreus, secretary of the Howard Democrats eBoard, for example, has cast her absentee vote in Dover, New Jersey. Communications Director Slater sent her absentee ballot back to Terry, Mississippi. Treasurer Monique Harvey mailed her ballot to Colorado. In West Virginia the students will be campaigning for John Foust a Democrat running for re-election in the U. S. House of Representatives. Foust is advocating creation of more jobs for the middle class, improving education for pre-K and K-12. While he plans to make college more affordable for everyone he also plans to improve transportation, the environment and much
6 | Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, 2014 | District Chronicles
The Howard University College Democrats will be on DC neighborhood streets encouraging others to vote.
more. They will also be canvassing for Senator Mark Warner, who is running for re-election. Republicans are expected to keep control of the 435-seat House of Representatives. But they have invested millions of dollars in trying to control the Senate, too. Pollsters are giving the Democrats a 50 – 50 chance of retaining the Senate. Thirty-three of the 100 seats in the Senate are contested, but the results in only 12 seats are expected to determine who will control the Senate, with the outcome hing-
ing on youth, Black and Hispanic voters turnout in large numbers in those states. These 12 states include Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina and South Dakota. Noah Lyons, executive assistant of the Howard University College of Democrats, believes this year’s midterm election is equally important as the presidential election held in 2012. “It is one of the best opportunities for us as people to truly change our communities,” Lyons
said. “In the 2012 presidential election, the turnout rate for blacks was 67%. For the 2010 midterms, it was 41%.” As a result, the Republicans and their Tea Party partners in Congress have been able to stymie President Obama’s political agenda, Lyons said. “For us to get leaders who are representative of us in both skin tone and policy, we need to vote,” Lyons said. “We must remember that having a black president speaks of progress but having black congress people, mayors and city council people screams change and power.”
Politics Group launches 10-day voting countdown WASHINGTON, DC - To increase Black voter turnout for the Nov. 4 election, this past Saturday the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation kicked-off an aggressive 10-day voter mobilization countdown to close out its #Vote4Justice Campaign focused on motivating Black women and youth to seize the voting power they have to impact the outcome of the 2014 Midterm Elections.. “Because of the lagging economy in Black communities, each candidate’s position on issues like jobs with livable wages, equal pay for women, retirement security, and student loan relief is motivating people to vote,” said Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO, NCBCP and convener, Black Women’s Roundtable. “But, all politics is local, so for this countdown period we have neighbors talking to neighbors via personal phone calls, robo calls, door-to-door canvassing, and social media, to remind them they have the power to make change in their community .”
Affiliates of the NCBCP’s youth initiative, Black Youth Vote!, and their women’s empowerment program, Black Women’s Roundtable, are leading the mobilizing efforts on the ground in AL, FL, GA, MI, NC, OH, PA. Volunteers are disseminating non-partisan information about state and local ballot initiatives that will determine whether medical marijuana use should be legal, if the governor should have the power to appoint certain judges, or if they need public transportation in a predominately Black county with a 9.4 percent unemployment rate. “Throughout Florida we’ve hosted a BWR Don’t Count Us Out statewide tour, town hall meetings on college campuses, , and partnered with the AME Church for a march to the polls for early voting,” said Salandra Benton, convener Florida BWR. “We are making personal contact to remind voters that in Florida this election will give voters an opportunity to send a message about the 15 million Black Floridians without health care.”
Helen Butler, convener of Georgia BWR, adds, “Early voting already started and we’re busy giving rides to the polls. What’s driving a lot of voters in Georgia is their rejection of attempts to suppress the Black vote. Also, Black voters are excited about the fact that five Black women are running for state offices at one time for the first time in history.” The myriad of get-out-the-vote (GOTV) activities include: hosting rallies, festivals, #PoweroftheSisterVote events, twitter townhalls, and other social media events to motivate voters. Volunteers are providing rides to the polls and coordinating marches from churches and college campuses for early voting. Celebrity voices enlisted to urge Black women to vote include TV Judge Glenda Hatchett and actress, Janet Hubert (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air). “In Michigan, access to good jobs with good wages, childcare and the shifting of the tax burden to the poor and middle class are key issues,” says Danielle Atkinson, convener, Detroit BWR. “Black
Students hit the streets to get people out to vote.
mothers are also worried about the lack of school programs and high expulsion rates for Black children.” According to Black Youth Vote fellow, Sherman Justice, young voters are still motivated by the Michael Brown killing in Ferguson and other police brutality and criminal justice issues so they are getting a lot of students volunteering for the final push on college campuses. On Election Day, in addition to the local mobilizing efforts in the states, in Washington, DC the NCBCP will host a national war
room - The Ronald H. Walters Election Day Command Center - monitoring voter turnout and potential problems at the polls. This year the command center will be co-hosted by Howard University’s Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center on Howard’s campus. For anyone interested in volunteering or participating in any of the state events, NCBCP has a detailed schedule of GOTV activities and local contact information on their website at www.ncbcp.org or call the national office at (202) 659-4988.
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Cars and Trucks Know when to move child from booster to seat belt AMG | PHOTOGRAPHY We photograph concerts, birthdays, weddings, sporting events, portraits and more. E-mail amgunited@ymail.com to receive a free quote on your next event. Messiah and Friends at G2 Lounge 10-21-11. See more photos at flickr.com/amgunited.
A survey revealed that nine out of 10 parents move their children from a booster to seat belt too soon.
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(BPT) – Babies are measured and weighed frequently in the first few years of life so parents and pediatricians can be sure they are getting a healthy start. But as kids get older, many parents don’t know exactly how tall or heavy their children are. Knowing your child’s height and weight, and using the right car or booster seat when they travel could save their life. Booster seats protect children who are too big for a car seat but too small for a seat belt. And yet, according to Buckle Up: Booster Seats, a new study released by Safe Kid Worldwide, an alarming number of parents are allowing kids to use a seat belt alone before they are big enough. The report, funded in part by a $2 million grant from the General Motors Foundation, surveyed parents of children ages 4 to 10 and found that seven in 10 do not know that a child should be 57 inches tall to ride in a car without a booster seat. Furthermore, in practice, nine out of 10 parents move a child from a booster seat to a seat belt too soon. While car seats, booster seats and seat belts are engineered to offer more protection than ever, anyone who drives a child needs to remember to use a booster seat until a seat belt alone fits safely. Safe Kids offers this easy tip: a child needs to be at least 57 inches tall (4 feet 9 inches) and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds to ride with just a seat belt.
Motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading cause of death for children 4 to 10 years old in the U.S. In 2012, 340 children of this age died in motor vehicle crashes. A third of these children were riding without a restraint that could possibly have saved their lives. Booster seats can reduce the risk of serious injury by 45 percent compared to seat belts alone. Safe Kids Worldwide also recommends these tips for parents: Buckle up every ride, every time, in the right seat. This is important for everyone, both drivers and passengers. Make buckling up a habit starting when kids are young. A child needs to be at least 57 inches tall (4 foot 9 inches) and weigh 80100 pounds to ride with just a seat belt. Weigh and measure your child today. Be confident that a car seat is installed properly. Learn more about car seat safety and find a car seat inspection event near you by visiting safekids.org.
The report also found that carpooling can be a particularly risky time for small passengers. One in five parents whose children carpool say they “bend the rules” when driving, letting children ride without seat belts and without the car seat or booster seat they would normally use. And 61 percent of parents say they notice other carpool drivers bending the rules.
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Metro Briefs: Notable news in and around Washington District of Columbia Norton announces extension of Service Academy deadline
C
Montgomery County Mid-term elections tips to enhance your voting experience Early voting began last week in the Maryland Gubernatorial General Election. Margaret Jurgensen, the Montgomery County election director, encourages all registered voters to cast a ballot. Jurgensen has also made some suggestions for steps that can help the voting process go smoothly, as well as protect your voting rights. Whether you chose to vote during early voting, or at the polls on November 4, Jurgensen provides five suggestions for voters: Be on time and try to avoid peak hours: Early voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Election Day voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Whichever option you choose, you must be in line to cast your ballot by 8 p.m. Avoid the rush
norton.house.gov
ongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced on October 23 that the application deadline for nominations to the Service Academies has been extended for from November 3, to November 17 for independent and public high school seniors in the District of Columbia. “We have received impressive responses from potential nominees, but would like to fill as many of our slots as possible and therefore have extended the deadline before moving forward with selections,” said Norton. Each year, Norton nominates high school seniors from D.C. public and independent high schools to the four United States Service Academies: the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis,
Norton with Naval Academy graduate Anthony Clay, a prior service academy nominee.
the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. Successful candidates, ranging from 17 to 23 years of age, receive a tuition-free college education, room and board, health and dental coverage, plus a monthly stipend. Academy graduates become commissioned officers with a five-year active duty commitment. by getting your vote in by the late morning or mid-afternoon. If you vote on Election Day, make sure you know your assigned polling place: on Election Day, you are only registered to vote at the polling place that serves the precinct you live in. Going to the wrong polling place can lengthen your time at the polling place and cause longer lines. You can find your polling place by checking the sample ballot mailed to your home, by visiting the official polling place locator at 777vote. org, or by contacting your local Board of Elections. Bring a sample ballot to the polling place: familiarize yourself with the contests and candidates on the ballot. Read your sample ballot carefully, make your selections in advance, and take it to the polling place to use as a guide – the voting process will be easier as a result. Your sample ballot also has answers to your
Norton, who oversees the nomination process, holds a Service Academy College Fair in the District each year during the summer in order to provide information about the academies. She also hosts a celebration for those selected for admission into the Service Academies after nominations end in the spring. This year, Norton held her annual Service Academy College Fair at her alma mater, Dunbar High School, to recruit future applicants to the service academies, and to present her 2014 nominees. This year Anthony Bertram Clay, Jr., McKinley Tech High School alumnus, recent spring graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy, was the featured speaker. He spoke about his experience transitioning from a D.C. high school to a physically and academically rigorous service academy. Students who wish to submit within the new deadline for 2015 nominations are urged to view the fact sheet and application found on Norton’s website, and call or contact Cartwright Moore in Congresswoman Norton’s District Office at 202.408.9041 for more information.
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questions about the voting process, including where to vote and how to operate the voting machines. Bring your ID with you: Firsttime voters may be required to show proper identification such as a driver’s license or an official document including their name and address. It can also be helpful to bring your voter registration card, but it is not required to vote. If you need help, ask: If you have a question or problem at the polls, do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Election officials are trained to answer questions about the voting process, as well as assist voters with physical disabilities. The ballot is available in both English and Spanish. Voters may also bring their own interpreter to the polling place to help them with the voting process. If you make a mistake on your ballot, notify the election official immediately so that you may get a new ballot before you cast it.
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