EAST TEXAS REVIEW NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION by infinitieplus magazine

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

The community COMMUNITY . GOSPEL . BUSINESS . EDUCATION . HEALTH . POLITICS . OPINION Complimentary Copy

Vol. 29

FIRST FEMALE VP KAMALA HARRIS

February 4, 2021

NEW POLICE BUILDING

Daughter of a Jamaican Immigrant. Father taught at Stanford University, Mother, a cancer Researcher Daughter of An Indian diplomat

IN MEMORIAM: Cicely Tyson Remembered An extraordinary Legend Who Portrayed AfricanAmericans with Dignity and Strength, Dies At the ripe old age of 96

Police Chief Mike Bishop and City Councilwoman Dist.2 Nona Snoddy Attend recent Ground-breaking For Longview PD New construction

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NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

See Page 2

LPD breaks ground

school spotlight

FOSTER MIDDLE SCHOOL GT

“This is state of the art facility for our police department. It is a lot of money well spent. We have the best safety officers in the state of Texas.” - Mayor Andy Mack. “Today is a good day. I am feeling great. This is a good opportunity to have a part in this project and watch it built.” - Police Chief Mike Bishop.

Isaiah Horton, Foster MS GT

Edwards Olivas, Foster MS GT

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Neighborly Visit

GET YOUR SHOT NOW p.8

COVID-19 Vaccine Available Appointments

INSIDE: ‘Live and Let Live’

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Passport Processing

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Grants available

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The Rise of Vice President Kamala Harris

The daughter of a Jamaican immigrant father who taught at Stanford University, Vice President Harris’ mother, a cancer researcher, was the daughter of an Indian diplomat. And, the new Vice President has never forgotten her roots, nor has she forgotten those who helped her achieve the American dream.

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Principal Ryan Carroll, John Jackson, Isaiah Horton, Mason Lundy, Edwin Olivas, Kason Brooks, Brenden Reese, Coach Stephen Wilson and Parent and Student Intervention Specialist Alicia Johnson

John Jackson, Foster MS GT

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Longview May Election Update Keene Guidry withdraws his candidacy for Mayor

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IN MEMORIAM: Cicely Tyson, a Legend Who Portrayed African Americans with Dignity and Strength, Dies at 96

Contd. on Page 2

More School Funding Urgently Needed TSTA says House Bill 3 did not solve the school funding and educator pay problem

Contd. on Page 7

STATE/NATIONAL

February 4, 2021

The Rise of Vice President Kamala Harris

President Harris’s inauguration, The Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on Howard’s campus rang its bell 49 times to honor Harris. More than 3,000 miles away, in San Francisco, The nation’s first Black Vice President Kamala Harris takes Oath of Office; Husband Douglas many rememCraig Emhoff, an American lawyer and the second gentleman of the United States, looks on. ber when the nation’s first Black vice president cut her The daughter of a Jamaican immigrant teeth as a valiant prosecutor. father who taught at Stanford University, The daughter of a Jamaican immigrant faVice President Harris’ mother, a cancer ther who taught at Stanford University, Vice researcher, was the daughter of an Indi- President Harris’ mother, a cancer researchan diplomat. And, the new Vice President er, was the daughter of an Indian diplomat. And, the new Vice President has never forhas never forgotten her roots, nor has she gotten her roots, nor has she forgotten those forgotten those who helped her achieve the who helped her achieve the American dream. American dream. During a 2018 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) award ceremoBy: Stacy M. Brown/Special to ETR/NIE ny honoring Harris as “Newsmaker of the Vice President Kamala Harris will be the Year,” Vice President Harris talked about her most influential vice president of the 49 that years as a San Francisco’s district attorney. we have had, declared a proud Howard UniAs San Francisco’s top prosecutor, Vice versity President Wayne A.I. Frederick. President Harris worked to reduce recidivism With 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans by offering nonviolent, low-level drug trafseated in the Senate, Vice President Harris ficking defendants’ job training and other life holds the tiebreaking vote, which adds to the skills education as an alternative to jail. power she now wields. Her office reported that during the first “The power in politics is from influence,” two years of the program, “less than 10 Frederick remarked. percent of those who graduated from the “I think, for that reason, she could poten- program were re-offenders — compared tially be the most influential vice president in to 53 percent of drug offenders statewide our history.” who returned to prison or jail within two Following President Joe Biden and Vice years of release.” IN MEMORIAM: Continued from Page 1

“In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actors whose work on the screen was surpassed only by what she was able to accomplish off of it. She had a heart unlike any other—and for 96 years, she left a mark on the world that few will ever match,” wrote President Barack Obama after hearing the news of Tyson’s death. By: Lauren Victoria Burke/Special to ETR/NIE Actress and model Cicely Tyson, a legend of the stage and screen whose roles showcased the lives of famous African American women died on January 28 in New York at 96. Tyson was a much respected and revered artist. Her acting was replete with authenticity and her portrayals won her many dedicated admirers. She was also famously married to another legend, Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis from 1981 to 1988. Tyson iconicly portrayed Kunta Kinte’s mother in the epic television mini-series “Roots” in 1977. She played Coretta Scott King in the 1978 NBC mini-series “King.” She also portrayed Harriet Tubman, in “A Woman Called Moses” (1978) and in 1994, she won an Emmy for her portrayal of Castalia in the mini-series, “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All.” Her roles spanned decades and include theater, television

In 2010, she defeated Steve Cooley to become the first woman, the first African American, and the first Indian American in California history to win the attorney general’s seat. She later joined other state attorneys general in brokering a $25-billion nationwide settlement deal with the nation’s five largest mortgage institutions for improper foreclosure practices during a housing market crash. Born October 20, 1964, in Oakland, the overachiever attended Howard University, where she earned a degree in political science and economics. Three years later, she earned a law degree from Hastings College in Nebraska. The tenacious California native entered the national spotlight in 2012 when she delivered a remarkable address at the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina. During the address, she touted President Barack Obama’s desire to hold Wall Street accountable and argued how everyone deserves a chance to live the American dream. “The American dream belongs to the student in Sacramento who doesn’t have much money but who goes to bed each night dreaming big dreams. It belongs to the men and women across this country who know it shouldn’t be against the law to marry the person you love,” the then-aspiring Senator Harris proclaimed. “It belongs to the immigrants, young and old, who come to this country in search of a better life. And it belongs to little girls who have the joy of watching their mother, like I did, buy her first home. The American dream belongs to all of us.” In 2017, Harris easily won election to the U.S. Senate from California, taking the seat that once belonged to the popular Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer. Contd. on Page 3

and feature films. Tyson stressed the importance of portraying the lives of African Americans with dignity — regardless of whether the character was rich or poor. Tyson recently finished her memoir which was promoting at the time of her death. Her new book is Cicely Tyson, pictured with Wintley Phipps (left) and Larenz Tate (right). called “Just as I Am.” The (PHOTO: Dream In Color Photography / NNPA) autobiography spans over seven decades of Tyson’s career and life ex“My heart is truly broken. Yesterday, we periences. Praise for a life well lived flooded lost not only an iconic award-winning acin for Tyson. tress who distinguished herself in theater, “In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson film and television, but a true pillar of Afriwas one of the rare award-winning actors can American culture,” said Melanie Campwhose work on the screen was surpassed bell, President of the National Coalition on only by what she was able to accomplish off Black Civic Participation. of it. She had a heart unlike any other—and Her death was announced by her longtime for 96 years, she left a mark on the world manager, Larry Thompson. At the time of that few will ever match,” wrote President this writing, funeral arrangements have not Barack Obama after hearing the news of Ty- yet been announced. son’s death. “So saddened to hear my friend #CicelyLauren Victoria Burke is an indeTyson has passed-one of the most profound, pendent journalist for NNPA and the talented and celebrated actors in the indushost of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is try. She was a serious actor, beautiful & spiralso a political strategist as Principal itual woman who had unlocked the key to of Win Digital Media LLC. She may longevity in the way she lived her life. Forevbe contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com er all my love and respect,” wrote Congressand on twitter at @LVBurke woman Maxine Waters on the actress.

February 4, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

‘LIVE AND LET LIVE’

Dear Longview, What a year 2020 has been! I have heard many people use that expression with a sense of negativity. Admittedly, this has been a strange and interesting year, but in spite of all the changes, came many blessings as well. Let’s not lose sight of that. This time last year you were probably making big plans for the year with goals and resolutions. I was too. We really didn’t have a clue of what was awaiting us in March 2020. All of those goals and ideals were quickly turned on their head as priorities were shifted due to COVID 19. I’m curious – had you known that COVID-19 was around the bend, would your goals and priorities have been different in January 2020? In my case, had I known how COVID-19 would be impacting us in early March, there are some definite things I would have done differently. Of course, at my surgery practice I would have made some modifications with our patient rooms and scheduling. As for my personal life, I would have valued those times I went out to eat (I have not dined out at a restaurant since March 9, 2020) with my friends and family. I also would have savored so many social outings and seeing people’s smiles which are now covered up by masks. In spite of all that has been thrown at us, I am thankful for many things this year. I have enjoyed a slower pace of life – as I am sure have many of you. I know that we miss all the social gatherings and parties – but those will be happening again soon enough. I have enjoyed much more intentional time with my family. There is something to be said for family time when there are so many unknowns in the world. It has really made me think about how blessed we are for every moment together. All in all, as I look back there is a lot to be gained from this experience that this

generation can say we went through that no generation has been through since the polio outbreak. That generation survived and essentially eradicated the polio virus and I am sure we will do the same with the Coronavirus given time. One of the things I have been most surprised about, though, is the attitude of some people who are critical of others because of the choices that they make. There have been a lot of instances throughout this Pandemic where it has been left up to the individual to choose. Some have chosen to wear masks. Others have not. Some have chosen to stay at home and limit social gatherings. Others have not. Some have chosen to wash their hands. Others have not. Some have chosen to follow the rules and guidelines set forth by the Governor of Texas with their businesses. Others have not. And some will choose to take the vaccine as it is offered. Others will not. Regardless, each individual has choices to make in life. As such, there are consequences. Not just with COVID-19, but with everything we do and we say. That is really where I want to focus the rest of this column. More importantly, not the consequences of your actions, but your reaction to others’ choices. Are you tolerant of others? Do you allow others to make decisions on their own without criticizing? Do you feel you are always right and there is no room for discussion? These are questions that have gone through my mind since this Pandemic has started and have caused me to reflect inward. I have learned through this ordeal the phrase “Live and Let Live” provides a lot of peace to me. When I do not adopt this philosophy in my life, I find that I am more judgmental of others’ actions without knowing all the facts. A phrase my Dad drilled into us as children was “Don’t judge a man until you have

walked in his shoes”. Think and reflect on that sentence. It is really not our job to criticize the personal decisions that others make. I feel that social media has made it so much easier now to be judge and jury of others. Of course when you compare your behind the scenes story to someone else’s highlight reel it never is a fair game. I am learning at my age that it is better for me to make the decisions that I think are best for me and my family and to trust that others are doing the same. If I do not feel comfortable going out and about, I stay at home. If I feel like going out and about, I go out and about. This is true whether during times of COVID or not, right? It’s one of the blessings about living in America. So let’s suffice it to say – learn tolerance. The younger you learn it, the more benefit you will receive from it. Another phrase my Dad said to my brothers and I our entire life was “Do not burn a bridge that you will have to walk over again someday.” That pretty well sums it up. And next month, we will talk about New Year’s Resolutions. Study hard, have some fun and say your prayers, Andy

LONGVIEW MAY ELECTION UPDATE continued from page 1

located at City Hall, 300 W. Cotton St. The following candidates have filed to run in the 2021 General Election. Mayor Andy Mack age 60, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is running for the last time His would have been opponent Keene J Guidry, a self-employed 49-year-old has withdrawn his candidacy for mayor.

Three candidates are vying for District 1 seat and they are as follows: Temple Carpenter III in commercial sales, age 62. John Sims, retired, age 86. Jeremiah Hunter an entrepreneur age 39. City Councilwoman District 2; teacher, and educator Nona Snoddy is running unopposed.

When Harris accepted her 2018 Newsmaker Award from the NNPA, she urged everyone never to forget the community and always lend a hand. She also spoke about the importance of unifying a nation divided by racism and classism. “We all come from somewhere, and it’s important that we remember from whence we came,” Harris concluded. “The Black Press best represents the vehicle in which real and important stories can and have been told. All of the Black newspapers know that the best way our voices can

be heard is when we use our voices to tell our stories instead of leaving others to tell it. “The Black Press always played a role in making sure that our community has something it can trust. I cannot think of a moment in time when it’s been more important than ever to support the Black Press. Especially in the face of powerful voices trying to sow hate and dissension in this country.”

City of Longview general election for Mayor and City Council Districts 1 and 2 will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot for Mayor, District 1 and 2 till Febraury12. Candidates may file during normal office hours at the City of Longview City Secretary’s office, THE RISE OF continued from page 2

Just ahead of Vice President Harris’ inauguration, Frederick said her ascension to the second-highest office in America is also a testament of Howard University and HBCUs’ exact role in holding politicians and others accountable. “HBCUs have always been at the forefront of holding America to account and insisting on better. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has always embodied our ideals of truth and service. We can find no better role model for all leaders and institutions to emulate,” Frederick remarked.

Mayor Andy Mack

Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent. He can be reached at Stacy Brown Media

OPINION

February 4, 2021

THE OTHER CAPITOL MOB

Much to the embarrassment of major corporations, their political donations were traced to the mayhem of January 6.

February 4, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

THANK YOU

to those businesses helping at this time

Passport processing resumes The Gregg County District Clerk’s Office will resume processing passports Monday, February 8

By Jim Hightower You can’t poke into any issue in Congress without stumbling over sacks full of corporate campaign donations. The recent eruption of pro-Trump mob violence inside the U.S. Capitol exposed boodles of that special interest cash to public view. Much to the embarrassment of major Wall Street banks, Silicon Valley tech giants, and CEOs of brand-name corporations, hundreds of thousands of their political dollars were traced to the mayhem in our Capitol. Specifically, their money was going into the coffers of 147 Republican lawmakers who backed the fraudulent Trumpster attempt to overthrow last fall’s presidential election. Acknowledging the damage these revelations did to their public image, the corporate interests responded forcefully. How? They issued press releases condemning violence. Wow… that’ll make things better! Okay, in fairness, quite a few firms

added a bit of bite to their bark by suggesting that maybe they wouldn’t be so cavalier about tossing out political contributions in the future. Citigroup, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs announced they would “pause” donations to all candidates. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Marriott, and Dow said they were “suspending” donations to the 147 congress critters who voted to reject the people’s choice. Delta, Fed Ex, and Walmart declared they were “monitoring” the situation. Notice the profusion of wiggle words in these professions of corporate principle. The executives are really not biting the system, but merely gumming it for a while. Then, once public attention has drifted, the corporate-congressional complex will be back to business as usual.

After all, while they deplore Trump’s racism, sexism, xenophobia, and overall immorality, they gleefully took it all to the bank, rationalizing, legitimizing — and profiting from — his corrupt presidency. It’s not armed rioters from outside the system who are the main threat to our democracy, but the insiders who keep manipulating the system to take more money and power at our expense.

In April of 2020 – in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to limit traffic into the courthouse – the District Clerk’s Office halted passport processing, but passport appointments are now available. If you need a new passport or need to renew your passport, please make an appointment by calling (903) 234-3138. Appointment times are 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Only one passport appointment will be

Essential workers take the risk, CEOs take the reward Walgreens employees got just 18 cents an hour in hazard pay while their CEO made $17 million. By Sam Pizzigati www.OtherWords.org Every week, millions of us walk into a Walgreens drugstore without giving it a second thought. Maybe we should. Walgreens perfectly encapsulates the longterm economic trends of the Trump years: top corporate executives pocketing immense paychecks at the expense of their workers. At Walgreens, workers start at just $10 an hour. No chain store empire employing essential workers pays less. And no retail giant in the United States has given its workers less of a pandemic hazard pay bump — just 18 cents an hour, according to Brookings analysts Molly Kinder and Laura Stateler. These paltry numbers look even worse when we turn our attention to the power suits who run Walgreens, who face no pandemic hazard. Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina took home $17 million last year. Altogether, the five top Walgreens execs averaged $11 million for the year, a 9 percent hike over the previous year’s annual average. Meanwhile, the typical Walgreens employee pulled down a mere $33,396. Pessina’s take-home outpaced that meager reward by 524 times. In effect, Pessina made more in a single weekday morning than his company’s typical worker made for an entire year. Kinder and Stateler found similar

levels of greed at other U.S. retail giants, especially Amazon and Walmart. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and the heirs to the Walmart fortune, they note, “have grown $116 billion richer during the pandemic — 35 times the total hazard pay given to more than 2.5 million Amazon and Walmart workers.” Amazon and Walmart, they add, “could have quadrupled the extra COVID-19 compensation they gave to their workers” and still earned more profit than the previous year. Not every major corporate player has treated the pandemic as just another easy greed-grab. Workers at Costco — who start at $15 an hour, $5 an hour more than workers at Walgreens — got an extra $2 an hour in hazard pay. Costco’s top executive team, interestingly, last year collected less than half the pay that went to their counterparts at Walgreens. Costco’s most typical workers took home $47,312 for the year. At 169 to one, that’s less than one-third

the pay gap between Walgreen’s chief exec and his company’s most typical workers. As a society, which corporations should we be rewarding — those whose executives enrich themselves at worker expense, or those that value the contributions all their employees are making? In moments of past national crises, like World War II, lawmakers took action to prevent corporate profiteering. They put in place stiff excess profits taxes. We could act in that same spirit today. We could, for instance, raise the tax rate on companies that pay their top execs unconscionably more than their workers. We could also start linking government contracts to corporate pay scales: no tax dollars to any corporations that pay their CEOs over a certain multiple of what their workers take home. Efforts to link taxes and contracts to corporate pay ratios have already begun. Voters in San Francisco this past November opted to levy a tax penalty on corporations with top executives making over 100 times typical San Francisco worker pay. Portland, Oregon took a similar step in 2018. At the national level, progressive lawmakers have introduced comparable legislation. Donald Trump may be gone, but the executives who did so well throughout his tenure remain in place. We need to change the rules that flatter their fortunes. www. OtherWords.org

available each hour. When you call to make your appointment, the district clerk’s office will make sure you have the right paperwork and explain what is needed to complete the process in one visit. With COVID-19 as a continued concern, the district clerk’s office will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their customers and staff. To ensure the safety of everyone, they ask that customers follow all local and CDC guidelines.

GET YOUR SHOT NOW COVID-19 Vaccine Available Appointments

Vision Services Optometry & Optical

Wellness Pointe accepts most medical and dental insurance plans, CHIP, Medicaid, and Medicare. Affordable payment options are available for qualified patients. Walk-ins and new patients are welcome at all locations!

More than 3,000 East Texans passed through the Longview Exhibit Center at the Longview Convention Complex this past weekend, as the City of Longview, CHRISTUS Good Shepherd, and Gregg County officially opened their regional COVID-19 Vaccination hub. “We couldn’t be happier with the way the first weekend went,” Longview Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator J.P. Steelman said. “With an operation this big that has so many moving parts it can be difficult to translate well-formed plans into a successful event, but our collaborative team pulled it off.” Throughout the two-day vaccinate clinic, residents were able to make it through the entire process in less than hour, with much of that time due to a 15- or 30-minute post-

vaccination recommended observation period. “Things can always get better. A little tweak here, a small change there, can help the flow, and we are going to get together and debrief about what worked and what needs to be reconsidered before next week,” Steelman said. “That said, it’s clear we have a great framework for how to operate a clinic of this scale, and we are confident that this hub can be sustainable for weeks and months and can serve as a model for other areas of our state.” All vaccinations are by appointment only, and subsequent clinics will be scheduled based on vaccine allocations from the State. More appointments are expected to be made available on Friday, Feb. 5. For more information or to register for an appointment, visit Vaccinate.ChristusHealth.Org.

GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT

OUR EVER-PRESENT

GOD

February 4, 2021

PHARAOH’S

PROPHETIC DREAM

By Dr. Michael Guido “Sorrow,” begins a French proverb, “comes swiftly on horseback, but leaves slowly on foot.” Few would disagree that our moments of happiness are usually as brief as a heartbeat and sorrow often lasts if the darkest night. Once when he was in deep distress, David cried, “How long, O Lord, will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way?” We all suffer greatly when someone we deeply love is no longer available or does not respond to our cry for help. Betty was suffering from measles. Her infected eyes could not stand the sunlight that was streaming into her room. As her mother closed the curtains and turned out the light, she asked, “Are you afraid?” “No,” said Betty, “as long as I can touch you.” David asked a critical question that every believer in God often asks: “How long, O Lord, will You forget me?” And when he did not get an immediate answer, he cried as we would,

“How long will You look the other way?” And finally, “How long must I struggle?” Our Lord may be out of sight, but we are never beyond His reach! David felt that God had abandoned him, had turned away from him. He felt as we often do - God has lost interest in my problem. But David did not quit or give up. He did what he knew would work. With an abiding faith, he prayed, “I will continue to trust in Your unfailing love.” His faith was larger than all his fears. He knew God would deliver him as He had in the past. When we doubt our future, we need to look at our past and see how God works. Prayer: When we become impatient, Father, remind us of David’s steadfast faith and Your unfailing love, and know that You are somewhere at work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Scripture for Today: How long, O Lord, will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? Psalm 13:1

One of the most common questions of persons who are in the One of themidst mostofcommon questions whoHow are in the grief is some variationofofpersons “how long?” long will midst of grief ispain some variation ofbefore “howI long?” longlike willI did this last? How long am able How to function this pain last? How long before I am able to function like I did before? How long before I stop crying whenever someone before? How long before I stop crying whenever someone mentions the name? mentions the name? We think sometimes thinkas ofagrief as a condition - an illness V. Stanmore Director We sometimes of grief condition - an illness that that V. Stanmore Director has to run a course. particularWith course. With or a cold flu,can we take can take has to run a particular a cold flu,or we that in a we few will days recover. we will recover. Webe will be back to normal. Allsigns signs of of comfort that comfort in a few days We will back to normal. All the be illness will be merely a memory. the illness will merely a memory. Grief is not or an aillness or a disease. It is a transition.We do not better.We We Grief is not an illness disease. It is a transition.We do not getget better. reconstruct in of thethe faceloss. of theWe loss. We learn to live with that loss.Grief Grief is is aa reconstruct our lives inour thelives face learn to live with that loss. difficult journey. We may experience allof sorts of emotions - guilt, anger,sadness, sadness, difficult journey. We may experience all sorts emotions - guilt, anger, loneliness to name may find it difficult to concentrate, distressedby by so so loneliness - to name a- few. Wea few. mayWe find it difficult to concentrate, distressed many We memories. We may hurt physically, less than best. may many memories. may hurt physically, feelingfeeling less than our our best. It It may the we waysbehave. that we We behave. Wefind mayourselves find ourselves avoiding othersororangry angry influence theinfluence ways that may avoiding others the normal of may life. We may struggle withfaith, our faith, trying sortout outall all at the normalatirritants ofirritants life. We struggle with our trying to to sort our whyto this had to happen. our questions ofquestions why thisofhad happen.

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EDUCATION

February 4, 2021

More School Funding Urgently Needed

TSTA says House Bill 3 did not solve the school funding and educator pay problem Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina issued the following statement on Gov. Abbott’s State of the State address: If Gov. Abbott thinks that House Bill 3 solved the school finance and teacher pay problem in Texas, he is sadly mistaken. House Bill 3 was a good start, but the governor and the Legislature must do more. Despite the extra funding provided by the Legislature in 2019, the average teacher pay in Texas and the average spending per student still lag woefully behind the national average. According to the latest survey by TSTA’s affiliate, the National Education Association, the average teacher pay in Texas in the 2019-20 school year was $57,091, more than $6,500 below the national average of $63,645.

And Texas trailed the national average of $14,254 in spending per pupil in average daily attendance (ADA) by an estimated $2,839 per child, drawing on Texas’ own budgetary data. To keep Texas schools and teachers from falling even further behind, the governor and the Legislature must do more than maintain the spending levels of House Bill 3. They must increase that funding level because the needs of educators are greater than ever as a result of the pandemic. To help, lawmakers can tap into the $11.6 billion Rainy Day Fund. For starters, the state must keep all our districts fully funded, at least year’s levels, for the remainder of the spring semester, regardless of attendance losses over which districts have little control

during a health emergency. Our teachers and other school employees have responded heroically to this crisis and are still waiting to be given the priority they deserve for a COVID vaccination. At personal risk, they have protected students, kept them fed and reinvented teaching options, all at significant additional costs to districts. Our state’s economic recovery depends on our public school system, and our school system depends on our still underpaid teachers and support staff. With the pandemic still raging, TSTA also urges the state to let school districts close in-person instruction, without losing state funding, if local health and school officials believe that is necessary to protect the health and safety of students, educators and their communities.

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The history of African Americans has been shaped by many influential figures, including various civil rights activists. Ruby Bridges may be one of the youngest. At age six, Ruby Bridges became the first African American student to integrate the formerly all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Although Bridges lived five blocks away from William Frantz Elementary School, she had to attend kindergarten several miles away at an all-black segregated school. Bridges volunteered to take an entrance test to be able to attend the allwhite school. The test was purportedly designed to be extremely difficult so that students would have a hard time passing it, and thusly New Orleans could avoid

de-segregation if all the African American children failed the test. Individuals from the NAACP informed Bridges’ parents that their daughter was one of only six African American students to pass the test. On November 14, 1960, she was escorted to class by her mother and the United States Marshals Service due to the presence of angry mobs outside the school. Bridges was the first Ruby Bridges first African American to attend a white elementary school in African American student the deep south New Orleans to attend the school and the first black child to principal. The ensuing days even though she ate lunch alone attend an all-white elementary weren’t much better. each day and no one played with school in the south. The first Eventually, only one teacher her at recess. Her early foray into day of school proved poor in the school, Barbara Henry, civil rights prompted Bridges as nearly all of the white formerly of Boston, agreed to to establish The Ruby Bridges parents at the school had teach Bridges. Bridges never Foundation to promote tolerance kept their children home and missed a day of school that year, and change through education. Bridges spent the day with the

Grants available for value-added ag projects By Wyatt Fraas

The Value Added Producer Grant program, one of the few U.S. Department of Agriculture grant programs available directly to farmers and ranchers, is now open. The grants help farmers and ranchers offset costs of developing or expanding their added-value products. USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for the Value Added program, which offers two types of grants, through March 22. Planning grants of up to $75,000 help pay for feasibility studies and business plans that support future financing and business development. Working Capital grants of up to $250,000 can cover marketing and product development costs. Projects more

than $50,000 require a previous feasibility study and business plan to document viability of the product. Individual farm businesses, as well as groups of farmers and ranchers, may apply for funds to develop new or existing products. Applicants must own at least 50 percent of the agricultural commodity being addressed. Matching funds (in-kind and/or cash) of 50 percent of the project are required. Registration with USDA as a business is required; this free process is not immediate, so register early. Contact your local USDA Rural Development office for application materials and advice on a successful

proposal. Wyatt Fraas at the Center for Rural Affairs also can advise you on your project ideas. Contact him at wyattf@cfra. org or 402.254.6893. Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, non-profit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action-oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues. Wyatt Fraas is Farm & Community assistant director, Center for Rural Affairs

February 4, 2021

Neighborly Visit

Color in the pictures that need water to live.

Foster Dragons fire-up donations for Community Outreach Mission By Joycelyne Fadojutimi/ETR/NIE joycelyne@easttexasreview.com

How to conserve water in the yard. Make sure outside hoses and sprinkles don’t leak.

Sponsored by

the City of Longview Water Department

Water lawns and gardens in the morning on hot summer days, so the water isn’t evaporated quickly by the heat. Use a broom to clean off sidewalks instead of hosing them down with water. Use a bucket of water to wash cars and bikes. Use Short bursts of water from the hose to rinse them off.

The Dragons Athletic Leadership Team (DALT) paid a surprise visit to Community Outreach Mission (COM) located down the street from their campus, Foster Middle School GT. They delivered boxes of canned goods to COM that serves indigent families in the area. Even though the students do not live-in south Longview, their visit encapsulates the COVID-19 rallying cry, “We are all in this together.” According to their Coach, Stephen Wilson, these students are leaders in the classroom. “They go to school in this community and we want them to reach out to the community.” Moreover, the students shared reasons for their endeavors. Isaiah Horton, a future engineer said, “It feels good to serve others.” John Jackson an aspiring orthopedic surgeon could not agree more. “We want to give back because it is a blessing to give to people who may not have enough for their families.” Mason Lundy a hopeful mechanical engineer concurred with Jackson. “We want to give back to people who have less so they can have what they need.” Branden Reese who has his eyes on being a civil rights attorney was on point, “We want to help people in need,”’ while Kason Brook who plans to become a construction entrepreneur explained that the art of giving is reciprocal because of the intrinsic reward. “It feels good to help people who need it.” But that is not all. For Edward Olivas, engaging in

Standing: Principal Ryan Carroll and Coach Stephen Wilson. Kneeling: DALT students: Kason Brooks, Isaiah Horton, Edward Olivas, John Jackson, Mason Lundy and Brenden Reese

Principal Ryan Carroll and Coach Stephen Wilson

Francisco Rojas, LISD communications specialist opens door; students walk in with boxed donations

community outreach in not new. He is a member of Centro Vidas Revolucionadas, a Spanish community church known for their outreach especially in south Longview. Olivas and his family are active participants in that endeavor. “For me, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I

helped someone,” Olivas mused. Furthermore, Principal Ryan Carroll explained why his students brought the food donations to COM. “We are inspiring our students to be compassionate, responsible citizens who notice the needs of others and act to meet those needs.”

F e b r ua ry 4, 2021

Pine Tree Tennis Team shines at Meet Members of the Pine Tree Tennis Team showed well at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meet. Congratulations to the following Pine Tree Pirates: Mixed Doubles A Division Cambrie Salser/Luis Molina - 3rd Place Mixed Doubles B Division Fatima Vazquez/Xavier Martinez - 3rd Place Girls Singles A Division Katherine Castillo - 4th Place Girls Singles B Division Chloe Tesser - 3rd Place Boys B Consolation Jose Aranda. Xavier Martinez, Luis Molina, Fatima Vazquez, Cambrie Salser and Chloe Tesser

infinitieplus

LONGVIEW BUSINESS MAGAZINE

www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine www.iplusmag.com

www.facebook.com/ForeverAfterWedding

...Valentine cards for our classmates!

We have been creating fun...

Newspaper Fun! F e b r ua ry 4, 2021

www.readingclubfun.com

Valentine’s Day!

We’ve taken out all of our colored pencils, markers and crayons to design our Valentine’s Day cards. We are using art supplies we have around the house to make cards and adding little items like buttons, lace or stickers to make them interesting. You can, too!

poems

glitter

glue envelopes

1. paper trim lace with fancy designs 2. sweets 3. feeling 4. red + white 5. month 6. Roman god of love 7. rhyming words 8. Saint 9. pair of small parrots 10. when people care about each other 11. roses, daisies 12. symbol of love; pumps blood 13. paper messages 14. a gathering of friends 15. ruby-colored

paper

go share card schoolyard care know

Color them and cut them out for giving to others.

Frie

nds

__ __ __ __ __ !

__ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Friend

I see that “ewe” are The new “kid” in the classroom, Sitting “owl” alone.

__ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

“Bee”-ing new is ___________ – No friends “hare” in the ___________________, I “otter” say Hi! A Valentine _________ Starts the “possum”-bility That “whale” be good friends!

Use the code to fill in the blanks with the letters to see the secret Valentine message:

Today’s a day for Valentines, For cards and candy ________, A day for making silly rhymes For friends both old and ________.

__ __ __ __ X

To see what Cupid did with his bow and arrow, start at #1 where the is and follow the other numbered hearts.

red

It’s hard to dribble basketballs While writing cards for friends. It’s tough to score a three-point shot When one hand holds a pen. The time is running off the clock– Just minutes left to ________. How can I shoot a Valentine To everyone I ________?

Secret Valentine Message

pink

candy

Cupid

A card held by a Teddy ________ And candy that I can ________ ; Today, friendship is in the air, A time to show how much I _______!

friend

Valentine

heart

Candy Hearts

party

Hi ! t h e re

flowers

“

Let’s bee”

It’s that fun time of year again, when we write notes and poems to friends. Here are mini bookmarks that you can finish filling in with the words that fit:

too new

lovebirds

lace

35 31

poetry

37 32

cards

love

Valentines To Share

hard bear

scissors

E-Mail or Snail Mail, get that Valentine note off to grandparents or other family and friends!

pencils

What Did Cupid Do? 45

Read the clues to 43 44 fill in the puzzle using the words inside the friendship 42 dot-to-dot: February 2 41

B__

C__

D__ __E

__J

__K

__L M __

__N

S__ ?

__T

U __ !

W X __ __

F __

G__ __H

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Q __ R_ __P __

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F e b r ua ry 4, 2021

Kids: color stuff in!

...the lives of all of the U.S. Presidents.

In school we are studying ...

Newspaper Fun!

Presidents Day

1 2 47

3 46

By Joycelyne Fadojutimi/ETR/NIE joycelyne@easttexasreview.com

child

map

4 ren At one time, England ruled 13 colonies on the eastern part 5 44 at of North America. Each colony had its own government thro I and ran things its own way. To create unity and keep the 43 6 name I peace, the Continental Congress was formed, and a few men from first each colony went there to discuss things and find answers. They 7 L complained to England about many problems. But, when those 42 ia problems were not fixed, fighting began between the colonies and irgin V I R N England. Armed colonists were brought together by the Congress 41 siblin gs to form an army, the first military group serving all of the colonies. 40 Colonel George Washington was named commander-in-chief I M N T 8 39 of all the armed forces who would fight for freedom (1775). Washington also had a king 37 small Navy to stop British ships that brought supplies to America. When the war 38 by hob 36 ended, so did the small, brave Navy. But, years later, as president of the new 35 H O T United States of America, Washington launched a permanent U.S. Navy. 9 34 a h t r Wh Read the clues to fill in the crossword about George Washington: Ma 10 ite feet A 11 33 10. was a great ________ 1. was our country’s ________ president 32 r 13 e 31 during the American 25 2. was born on February 22, 1732 in 12 lead t s Revolution Westmoreland County, ________ e hon 11. defeated the ________ army at the Battle of Yorktown 30 Br 3. had no middle ________ 14 itish 4. had 9 _______, 4 were half-brothers and sisters 12. was the only President not 15 24 to live in the ________ House 5. was over 6 ________ tall, which was rare 13. would not allow anyone to refer to 6. his favorite ________ was fox hunting 18 Begin at the star 23 him as any kind of royalty or ________ 7. when young, worked as a surveyor – 29 above (number one) 17 a person who ________ out the borders of land 14. was well-known for being ________ 19 and follow the dots 28 15. was retired for less than 3 years when 8. was married to _________ Custis in 1759 22 to see a famous 16 he died of a ________ infection 9. had no ________ of his own, but helped silhouette! 26 21 20 raise his wife’s two children 27

Remembering the ‘Forgotten President’

Franklin Pierce was the only U.S. president from the state of New Hampshire. He had a hard life. Sometimes he is called a “Forgotten President.” Read each clue below to learn about this president. Study the crossword puzzle frame to fill in the correct word.

1. was ________ in 1804 in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. A T E O S E 2. (his) ________ was a farmer and the governor of N.H. 3. was a great lawyer. When he was elected as a rn bo t r a in U.S. Senator, he was one of the ________ ever. T N 4. served during the Mexican War, a war that happened Tex after a large area of what we know now as ________ nt as e d i S s and parts of several other states broke away e r p from Mexico and “joined” the U.S. electe d e 5. was not expected to ________ in the primary race that hors would in turn allow him to run for the office of President. 6. was what is known as a “dark- ________” candidate. 10. tried to buy ________ from Spain. 7. was ________ the 14th President. 11. was not a popular ________ and he was not chosen 8. was in a ________ wreck; his 11-year-old son was killed. to run for a second term. 9. expanded the ________ of the United States by buying 12. left office and took care of his sick wife. He lived in what is now Southern Arizona and New Mexico. his house, in Concord, until his ________ in 1869. R B R R R

Who Are We? In 1775 Congress adopted an army for the nation. Two other branches of the U.S. armed forces have roots this far back. One was founded “to serve on land, on sea and in the air.” The other started with just a few vessels and a handful of brave sailors. To find out, color this puzzle following the color key.

dea

Police Chief Mike Bishop and City council woman District 2 Nona Snoddy

ders bor

fath

win

President Franklin Pierce:

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

younges

Rendition of the new Longview Police building

B R B B R B B B B R B B R R R R R B B R B R B R R RB B R B B R B BR B R BR B R B R B B R R B R R B B R R R B B B B B B B B B R B B R B B B B B BB B B B B B B B B B B B B B Y Y B Y Y B YB B B Y B B Y B B B B B B Y Y B B B Y B Y B Y B B B Y B Y B Y B B Y B Y B B Y B B B BB B Y

B B B R R B R R B R R R B R R B R R B B R R R B B B R B B B B B B B B

B = Blue R = Red Y = Yellow

B B B B B B B B B B B B B B

Declaration of Independence

COMMUNITY NEWS

LPD breaks ground

Kids: color stuff in!

F e b r ua ry 4, 2021

www.readingclubfun.com

February 4, 2021

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Longview, Texas is marching on with its comprehensive plan. Wednesday marked the groundbreaking for construction of a new and modern police department building According to the city, this project includes the construction of a new 3-story Police Department building with a gross building area of approximately 71,300 square feet. Work will include the new building, new secure parking lot, landscaping, and miscellaneous work on approximately 7 acres located on South Street. The new, modern facility will provide more than double the space currently available to the Police Department and will help consolidate multiple office locations. This massive project is funded by the November 2018 Bond Election with a total project budget of $33.4 million (including land, construction, equipment, design) Building design is by BSW Architects and construction by WRL Contractors. The project is expected to be completed late 2022. Furthermore, the new construction includes: Modern facilities with adequate space for existing police employees and was designed to accommodate future needs as well. Consolidation of police employees into single building rather than multiple locations. It is important to note, it was designed with input from police staff. Designed and constructed according to Building Code standards for “essential” buildings. Replacing existing police station, originally constructed in 1977. Subsequent additions constructed for Public Safety Communications and Training Room. This building is much needed because of diverse changes in policing. For example, in 1977, there were 82 Longview Police Employees, versus the 230+ Police

Longview Police Chief Mike Bishop, Mayor Andy Mack, City Councilwoman District 2 Nona Snoddy flanked by contractors break ground for new state-of-the-art police building

employees currently. • Current total square footage in Police Station is 31,000 square feet, however approximately 4,100 square feet is utilized by Municipal Court. • Closet and storage areas have been converted to office spaces. • Currently renting 6,800 square feet in adjacent building for Criminal Investigations Division. • Currently leasing 2,100 additional square feet at Pine Tree ISD for Special Investigations and Apprehension Unit. • Existing police station will be renovated to provide additional space for Municipal Court as well as other city services such as Human Resources.

Councilwoman District 2 Nona Snoddy in whose district the new police building is located is equally excited. “The citizens of Longview supported one of the recognized needs via the Bond project,” she said. “This is only one of the forthcoming projects that will enhance and spur development throughout our community. Thank you, citizens of Longview.” Mayor Mack concurred. ‘” I am humbled to be the mayor of Longview and I do not take the trust citizens have accorded me for granted,” he said. “This construction is a once in my lifetime event. Most important of all, it is a testament that local citizens support our law enforcement who keep us safe every day.”

COMMUNITY HEALTH

February 4, 2021

Women’s Health receives a Boost

Carlos E. Quezada, MD, FACOG: Innovative, multilingual, trailblazer in robotic surgery, topmost physician makes Longview, Texas home By Joycelyne Fadojutimi Longview Regional Medical Center has hired board-certified gynecologist/obstetrician Dr. Carlos Enrique Quezada. In view of present health trends, COVID-19 is not the only health threat faced by East Texas ladies. WOMEN’S HEALTH AND FIBROIDS A 2016, National Institute of Health research indicates that fibroids affect 65% of all women by the time they reach age fifty. As many as half of all afflicted women experience severe menstrual periods that lead to pain, reproductive problems, depression, emotional problems, and menstrual bleeding so copious it causes anemia. Along these lines, uterine fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomies in American women. Consequently, uterine fibroids is a major public health problem resulting in $34.4 billion in medical costs annually without the desired results. Quezada aims to educate individual women on their specific and personal health issues, thus lessen the need for hysterectomies that results in early menopause and hot flashes. Although during his twenty-one years of treating and caring for women, he has dealt with several kinds of medical problems, he specializes in gynecology, obstetrics, minimally invasive gynecological surgery, infertility, and hormone replacement therapy. He is a trailblazer in robotic surgery for various female pelvic issues, including pelvic reconstruction. He hopes to use all his skills to decrease the need for hysterectomies. “There are some procedures I want to bring,” he says. “It will bring improved outcomes with-

out having a hysterectomy.” Quezada can best be described as a mixture of state-of-the-art cutting edge technology Doc. found in big cities, but who is actually a small town kid, loves country music, matured in the U.S. Navy, is fervently proud of his Texas heritage, is a dedicated husband, father and brother with a touch of Latino flare. He also has a predilection for smaller cities like Longview, Texas. “We went all over the world when I was in the United States Navy,” he says. “When I got to San Antonio in 2011, it was not the same town I [had] left. It had gotten very big. I was missing the feeling of my small town.” Longview’s size and modest night life also appeal to this devoted healer. “I like the community,” he says. “The drive [to work] is quick, and at my age, I don’t need night clubs.” FAMILY AND FAITH His devotion to family and faith is also remarkable. Now that his children are grown, he has more time to dote on his adoring wife Christie and worshipping at their non-denominational church. “I am madly in love with my wife,” he says. “I cannot be who I am without her. We are looking forward to putting down deeper roots and making Longview our home.” EDUCATION A native of Laredo, Quezada was four when he accompanied his adoptive grandparents to San Antonio, where he became an ardent San Antonio Spurs fan. After attending South San West Campus, he moved on to Palo Alto College and served as

president of Alpha Theta Pi honor society. He pulled down his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and joined the Pre-Med Honor Society. DR. CARLOS QUEZADA Furthermore, he attended the University of Texas Health Science up in Longview, and now call Center in San Antonio with a it home. Considering his endfull scholarship from the Navy, less litany of credits, he is a true earning his Doctor of Medicine blessing to his new port of call, degree. While still in medical Longview Texas. school he established the MiliQuezada is board-certified by tary Medical Honor Society be- the American Board of Obstetfore joining the Navy and com- rics and Gynecology, worked as pleting a residency in obstetrics Chief of Obstetrics and Gyneand gynecology at the San Di- cology at the naval hospital in ego-based Naval Medical Cen- Bremerton, Washington, where ter in 2003. After twelve years of he was also adjunct faculty for touring the world in the Navy, the Family Medicine Program. he returned to San Antonio. He also served as adjunct faculMILITARY SERVICE ty at Christus Santa Rosa Family Quezada spent a total of six- Medical Center in San Antonio, teen years in the Navy, being and for the Obstetrics and Gynestationed at various points of cology residency at University call in Europe, Asia, and all Hospital in San Antonio. across America, and rising to the AWARDS rank of lieutenant commander. He has earned numerous He now heals as a civilian. awards and recognitions along EXPERTISE AND with his professional memberEXPERIENCE ships. He is a member of the Dr. Quezada is a fellow of the American Congress of ObstetAmerican College of Obstetrics rics and Gynecology, the Amerand Gynecology (ACOG,) a ican Association of Gynecologic past member of the Texas Med- Laparoscopists, and the Ameriical Association, the American can Institute of Ultrasound MedCollege of Obstetrics and Gy- icine. He maintains his certificanecology, Bexar County Med- tion with the American Board ical Society, and the Mexican of Obstetrics and Gynecology. American Hispanic Physicians While in the service he served in Association. While with ACOG, the US Navy Medical Corps. His he served as treasurer for Sec- ability to speak English, Spanish tion V, District XI, representing and Italian is another blessing San Antonio in women’s health for his patients. matters. Although they folFor more information and/ lowed a long and winding road or to schedule an appointment he and Christie finally pitched please call (903) 753-7658.