The September 20 issue of the Southern Digest

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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Volume 57, Issue 6

Ga. board considers Troy Davis case see State & Nation, page 4

Today

One day it will all make perfect sense

Jags lament missed chances against JSU

see Commentary, page 7

see Sports, Page 5

SU reaches out to Scotlandville Charles Hawkins II & Samantha Smith The Southern Digest

While others were tailgating and getting ready for the Jackson State game, Southern head football coach Stump Mitchell and SU students participated in cleaning up and beautifying the Scotlandville community Saturday as part of Scotlandville Community Outreach Weekend. “It’s what I do, I’m a part of this community,” said Mitchell as he began to cut grass. The community of Scotlandville has been neglected for many years, which has led to its current state. Professors, students and community members wanted to improve the Scotlandville area in some way since it is so important to Southern University’s survival. The real purpose for the cleanup was part of a plan to revitalize the Scotlandville area. Community Against Drugs and Violence, CADAV, in partnership with the SU Center for Social Research and the School of Architecture sponsored a day of service in the Scotlandville community. Volunteers arrived early Saturday morning to clean up litter and debris, cut grass and clean vacant lots. Some students were motivated by a desire to give back. “The Southern University Center for Social Research

received a grant to clean up the community and revitalize homes in the Scotlandville area,” said Kristie Perry, program director at the SU Center for Research. She also went on to explain how the school of architecture has been assisting them in developing this plan, and that they are currently only in phase one. “Our vision started in 2009 with an eight-stop listening tour,” said Jason Lockhart, an architecture professor. “We were able to understand the problems and concerns of the community.” Lockhart said the full plan addresses a wide range of issues, including transportation, community image, education and economic development. The student involvement from the School of Architecture was heavily required to complete this project. Marlon Stepp serves as the student director, in which his responsibilities include setting up events, student liaison, and setting up community meetings to better understand the neighborhood’s complaints. “Scotlandville has always really supported Southern University it’s about time for students to back the Scotlandville community,” Stepp said. Also assisting in carrying out this plan is Exxon Mobil. Architecture professor Jin Lee said the school is working

PHOTO BY evan taylor/digest

Southern head football coach Stump Mitchell pitches in during Saturday’s Scotlandville Community Outreach Weekend. Mitchell raked up grass in a joint effort to beautify the Scotlandville area. Scotlandville Outreach Day was hosted by The Southern University School of Architecture and The SU Center for Social Research.

with Exxon-Mobil to create a solar farm, which will cultivate energy that can be sold in order to give back to the community. Lee also discussed the Devil’s Swamp area near Scotlandville. Devil’s Swamp, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, industrial facilities discharged waste into the wetland and flood plain that makes up the swamp since the 1960s and 1970s.

The School of Architecture plans to meet with EPA officials in the near future to discuss possible environmental impacts on the Scotlandville community and the university. There will be more educational sessions that will assist the community members of learning more about these plans and events. Scotlandville Outreach Day was sponsored by Southern

University Center for Social Research, SU school of architecture, and Community Against Drugs and Violence (CADAV). For more information concerning the Scotlandville Comprehensive Community Development Plan (SCCDP) plan books are located in area libraries. The SCCDP website is www.SCCDP.org and another website with information is www.URCDRC.org.

Edwards: Democrats need to be more moderate Melinda Deslatte The Associated Press

photo by travis spradling/ap photo

In a August. 24, 2011 photo, former Gov. Edwin Edwards addresses fifth graders at Walker, La.’s Levi Milton Elementary School as his recent bride Trina Scott Edwards listens, right. Edwards spoke for about 25 minutes, giving a brief introduction, and then answered 11 questions posed by students and filtered by teachers.

As the Democratic Party seeks to rebound from a string of losses in Louisiana, former Gov. Edwin Edwards said Monday he has advised party leaders to shift to more moderate positions and persuade people that the party doesn’t advocate socialized government. “We are not a giveaway party. We are a responsible party who likes to take care of the indigent and the aging and provide education for those who need it and want it. And while we are considered to be of the liberal side, it is only because we have a concern for

the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana

the needs of people,” said Edwards, a stalwart of Louisiana’s Democratic Party for half a century before he was convicted of federal corruption charges. The four-term former governor, who recently completed a more than eightyear prison sentence, spoke about politics and his legacy to the Press Club of Baton Rouge. Always quick with a joke, when asked how the Democratic Party can re-brand itself, Edwards first quipped, “Change the name.” Democrats lost control of the state House and state Senate in the last year See Edwards page 3


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