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Robert L. McKinzie sworn in as Fort Lauderdale District III City Commissioner

By Charles Moseley

McKinzie filled the District III seat vacated by Bobby DuBose, who recently was elected to the State House of Representatives District 94.

As family, friends, and supporters proudly looked on, former Broward County Judge Zebedee Wright officiated over the swearing in ceremony of City of Fort Lauderdale District III Commissioner Robert L. McKinzie, Jr., this past Tuesday night, at the Beach Community Center.

McKinzie filled the District III seat vacated by Bobby DuBose who recently was elected to the State House of Representatives District 94. McKinzie is the fourth African American elected to the City of Fort Lauderdale’s City Commission.

The late Andrew DeGraffenreidt was the first African American elected to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. He served from 1973 to 1979. The late Carlton B. Moore served from 1988 to 2009 and most recently Dubose served on the commission from 2009-2014.

Although this is Mckinzie’s first time holding public office, the Fort Lauderdale native has had many years of experience of service in Broward County

both in the public and private sector.

McKinzie is a licensed General Contractor for over 20 years and is the President of Harper & Sons Construction, Inc., a residential and commercial construction company with more than 41 years of experience in general contracting services.

The construction company was started by one of the first African American contractors in Broward County, a man who was also one of the founders of the Broward County Minority Builders Association, Robert McKinzie, Sr., better known to others throughout Broward & Dade County as “Mr. Fix-it”.

Young McKinzie has been active in a number of community organizations; Board of Directors for the Central Broward Kiwanis, member of the Broward County Housing Finance Authority, Vice Chair of the Board of Trus-tees First Baptist Church Piney Grove, member of the Associate Board of Trustees Bethune-Cookman University, a past member of the Board of Directors of the

Broward County Minority Builders Association, Leadership Broward Class XI, Broward County School Board Consultants Review Committee, and Boys and Girls Club volunteer, and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Zeta Chi Chapter.)

Commissioner McKinzie recently sat down with the Westside Gazette (WG) to share his thoughts on his vision for the community he was elected to serve.

WG: What prompted you to enter into the political arena, most specifically a run for a seat on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission?

McKinzie: “I think it’s been a long time coming. It stemmed from my concerns for the neighborhood I grew up in. As a result of that I felt a need that

I had to give back. When I came home from college in 1986 I immediately became involved with reading programs with my fraternity where we helped organize activities for the Sistrunk Festival, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, which we historically participated in.

These activities a-wakened me concerning some of the needs of the community. My professional affiliation with the United Way of America gave me further exposure concerning the human service needs of the community as a whole. But, in particular, I saw what was going on in my community and just wanted to get involved. Because of that and those who came before me, I was inspired to seek public office.”

(Cont'd on Page 13)

A mother’s mission: Combating domestic violence

Black pollster: ‘Democrats got their [butt] whipped’

By Freddie Allen NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – Even with overwhelming support from Black voters, Democrats still lost control of the United States Senate in the midterm elections and President Barack Obama will have to compromise with the GOP-controlled Congress in order to get anything done in his last two years.

“First let’s put it in context, and this is not an excuse, the Democrats got their a—- whipped, but it was predict-able,”

First let’s put it in context, and this is not an excuse, the Democrats got their a — whipped, but it was predictable,” said Cornell Belcher.

said Cornell Belcher, a Democratic strategist, pollster and president of Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies, a polling firm that works with the Democratic National Committee.

Belcher, an African American, said that Republicans had both history and geography on their side. Many of the key races were run in the heart of Republican territory, through the heart of the South. Belcher added that the midterm electorate also tends to be older and less diverse, voters that tend not to be very favorable towards Democrats.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

Black Americans wrestle with prospects for the future

Feds to create wrongful convictions unit

U.S. Attorney Machen

By Jazelle Hunt Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – U.S. Attorneys across the nation are professional prosecutors, making sure criminals

are locked up for their crimes.

Beginning this fall, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia will take on a new and very different role as it turns its attention to those convicted of crimes they did not commit.

It will be the first time any of the nation’s 93 presidentiallyappointed federal prosecutors has taken up this cause.

The Convictions Integrity Unit will re-evaluate violent felony cases in which defendants can supply sufficient, new evidence that warrants a reconsideration of the conviction, especially DNA or biological evidence that can prove innocence.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

Pleading Our Own Cause

Yolan Corner becomes an activist.

By Mary L. Datcher From Windy City Word Newspaper (Part Two)

“They need to look at facts. Fact is Black people didn’t vote in high numbers", said Pinckney.

By Derek Joy So let it be written. So let it be done.

The 2014 Mid Term Elections are a memory. Republicans won in Florida and elsewhere around the country to send a devastating message to Democrats.

While municipal elections don’t have the high powered

political partisanship as the state and federal elections, the impacts are just as important.

That was a constant reminder of Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard, (Dem., Dist.

40) and many other Black American elected officials in the months before the Nov. 4, election date.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

CHICAGO, ILL. -- While struggling financially, Nova Henry realized she was pregnant with a second child, Ava. Although Loni felt that the support of family would be enough to sustain her daughter, Nova, through the hurdles she would face as a single Mom, the decision to approach Eddy Curry for child support was unavoidable.

At the time, he was playing for the Chicago Bulls. Nova felt that it was only fair that he share the parental responsi-bility for both children. But the process would not be an easy one. Curry’s legal team immediately slowed Nova down with court continuance after court

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countiuance, evidently hoping to wear her down. While seeking legal representation, Nova met Frederick Goings, a 30something attorney who moved in Chicago popular social circles and was best known as a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

“Immediately, he was involved in Nova's case – showering her with gifts. Pretty soon, they moved in together and the relationship turned obsessive,” Loni recalls.

Not only had Goings become Nova’s legal representative in acquiring child support, but he also became her boyfriend with an agenda beyond professional interest. The family was suspicious of his motives and so was Nova as she began to slowly retreat.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com) MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

Page 2 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • November 13 - November 19, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Northwest Federated Woman’s Club and their Senior Center unveiling and blessing of their new 30 passenger bus Oct. 3, 2014 was a day of celebration for the Northwest Federated Woman’s Club and their Senior Center unveiling and blessing of the new 30 passenger bus! A long awaited goal was recognized.

Finally, the dream came true: reliable, comfortable transportation for Adult Day Care participants. Bishop Clarence Glover and Commissioner Bobby Dubose were instrumental in mobilization of fund raising efforts by individuals and community organizations to secure funds for the purchase.

Emphasis was placed on the need to take care of “our own” additional contributions are needed to secure painting of the center’s name and logo on the bust.

Founded seventy-six years ago, the Northwest Federated Woman’s Club focus has been a community beacon with focus

on services for the elderly and youth: Former Youth Organization members recall the role of the Woman’s Club in their lives and they feel a sense of obligation to “give back.”

In recognition of services to their grandparents, parents or other relatives through the Senior Center, they give in the spirit of the African ‘tradition, Sankofa (reflect on the past to build a successful future). Their donation of time, talents and resources support the Woman’s Club programs.

Membership is open to interested persons who wish to join the Northwest Federated Woman’s Club and make a difference in community services.

Additional information may be received by calling (954) 7303442 applications may be picked up at 2161 N.W. 19 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Ribbon cutting for new bus.

Microsoft chairman gifts FAMU $5 million Mangum leads in 1890 land grant university quest for dollars

Dr. Mangum presided over the APLU discussion on ways to improve the federal government partnership and the need to increase access for students who would otherwise never receive a college education TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida A & M University received the largest single donation in its 127 year history from alumnus Microsoft Chairman John W. Thompson and his wife Sandi. The $5 million will provide scholarships to high performing students from low wealth families. Thompson discussed the need for diversity in the new economy. “There is a dearth of talented people of color in the tech industry. Anything I can do is in my company and my industry’s best interest.”

The President’s Academic Progress and Readiness Fund will provide financial assistance to students who are creative and show promise as entrepreneurs. FAMU President Elmira

Mangum says the gift will also reduce student debt which is an enormous burden upon graduation. Dr. Mangum says, “I am primarily interested in those who will do well when they get to college. We want to give them grants so they won’t have to take out so many loans.”

Dr. Mangum has focused on what she sees as the most debilitating threats to FAMU and historically Black universities: the lack of financial resources exacerbated by the expense of a quality education. The tuition factor puts a college education out of reach for an increasing number of students every semester. The Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities gathered in Orlando to find so-

lutions to the crisis. Land grant universities like FAMU were established more than 120 years ago to level the field for

access to a higher education for students without means. The poor. Because financial resources are shrinking, staying true to that mission has become more difficult.

Dr. Mangum presided over the APLU discussion on ways to improve the federal government partnership and the need to increase access for students who would otherwise never receive a college education. Resolving the student’s high cost of living expenses and increasing graduation rates is also a nagging problem.

FAMU’s new president is addressing those issues successfully but believes that land grant institutions must forge new partnerships that will deliver the necessary financial resources to complete the mission.

Her alternative path is clearly working with the help of alum-

FAMU President Elmira Mangum and Microssoft Chairman John W. Thompson. nus John W. Thompson and initiatives like“10 for 10” by popular alumnus Checka Rose Green who has jump started alumni rededication that will push Rattlers forward.

Dr. Mangum continues to peruse an aggressive global strategy that enhances the university status as a respected STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) insti-

tution. Not only is FAMU ranked as one of the most affordable institutions in the nation, its Online Program is ranked among the most affordable in Florida.

FAMU is the nation’s # 1 public Historically Black University according to US News and World Report. Learn more about the College of Love and Charity at famu.edu

Employment outlook for Black males improving

Wilson said that Black men saw most of the labor market gains that Black workers experienced over the past 12 months.

By Freddie Allen NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) — Last month’s Black unemployment rate (10.9 percent) was more than twice the white unemployment rate (4.8 percent), but when it comes to key measures in the labor market, Blacks and Latinos have experienced greater gains than whites over the past year, according to a recent report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

Valerie Wilson, the director of the Program on Race, Eth-

nicity, and the Economy at EPI, a nonpartisan think tank working to improve economic conditions for low- and middle-income families, said that not only have the unemployment rates for people of color declined faster than the jobless rate for Whites over the last year, the labor force participation, the measure of people that have jobs or currently looking for work, has also increased, pulling more people into the labor market.

Wilson said that an examination of the employment-population ratio, the share of the population of people that have a job, those numbers have also

increased more for Blacks and Latinos than the employmentpopulation ratio for whites.

“That shows that strong job growth matters when we talk about improving employment outcomes for people of color,” said Wilson. “It would be especially beneficial for these groups if the economy continues to proceed on this path.”

According to the latest jobs report from the Labor Department, the economy added 214,000 jobs in October and is averaging of 229,000 added per month this year. The national unemployment rate edged down to 5.8 percent in October.

Wilson said that the white labor force participation rate continues to shrink, partly because the white labor force is older while retiring and Black and Latino workers tend to be younger.

Wilson said that Black men saw most of the labor market gains that Black workers experienced over the past 12 months.

The unemployment rate for Black men over 20 years-old decreased from 11 percent in September to 10.7 percent in October and the jobless rate for White men fell from 4.4 percent to 4.2 percent.

The jobless rate for Black women ticked down 0.2 points, from 9.6 percent in September to 9.4 percent in October and the unemployment rate for white women also declined 0.2 points, from 4.8 percent to 4.6 percent over the same period.

However, since October 2013, the labor force participation rate for Black men has increased significantly compared to white men. The participation rate for Black men increased by 1.1 percent, while white men saw their participation in the labor force shrink by 0.3 percent.

Even though the employment-population ratio for Black women over 20-years-old increased in the last 12 months, the labor force participation rate for Black women fell from 61.6 percent in October 2013 to 61.4 percent last month. The participation rate for white women increased by 0.1 percent from October 2013 to October 2014.

A recent analysis of stateby-state unemployment rates

by EPI shed more light on the economic recovery for Blacks in the United States.

“The African American unemployment rate was lowest in Virginia (8.2 percent) and highest in Nevada (16.8 percent) and Michigan (16.7 percent),” wrote Wilson in a post for EPI’s website. “By way of comparison, although 8.2 percent is the lowest Black unemployment rate in the country, it is still a percentage point above the highest white unemployment rate (Nevada’s).”

During an interview about the state-by-state analysis, Wilson said that Nevada was a state that was bad for Blacks and for whites and that a lot of the problems plaguing Nevada’s economy are related to the housing crisis and the value of real estate plummeting.

In 2012, CNN reported that Nevada led the country in foreclosures with a shocking 1 in 6 houses in foreclosure, compared to 1 in 69 houses, nationally.

“People are experiencing the recovery much differently based on their race and their location, and for far too many people, particularly people of color, the recovery has yet to occur,” said Wilson. “Until the recovery reaches these families, policymakers should use every available tool to put more people back to work.”

November 13 - November 19, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

FCC approves sale of KLJB-TV in Iowa to Marshall Broadcasting serve the public interests and needs of local viewers, hometown businesses, and organizations in the markets where we operate,� said Perry A. Sook, chairman, president and Chief Executive Officer of Nexstar Broadcasting Group. “As a result of this approval, Nexstar will lead the industry in incubating a new, minoritycontrolled entrant to broadcasting and bringing additional news, information and specialized programming to markets where MBG will operate.

Sook said Marshall’s acquisition of the station com-

plements Nexstar’s strategic focus on localism, including expanded local news, sports and other programming. “As an established and longtime media executive with extensive broadcast operating experience, Pluria Marshall has the background and skills necessary to serve local interests while maintaining independent operations and programming decisions for the stations,� Sook said.

Marshall, president and CEO of MBG, said he is “delighted to secure the approval from the FCC and the support of Nex-

star� as the two companies move forward in diversifying the ownership of media assets among minority operators. “This is a great day for Americans, minorities, MBG and Nexstar as equality of media asset ownership is as important as equality is in all facets of the country,� Marshall said. “We applaud the FCC for its forward-thinking approach to providing appropriate guidelines and structure that enable new entrants to own, operate and program television stations.�

Marshall said he looks forward to playing an active role

in the new communities his station serves while “developing minority-oriented public affairs programming that will air on MBG stations and be syndicated to other television stations nationwide.�

Earlier this year Nexstar and MBG entered into definitive agreements whereby MBG would, subject to FCC approvals, purchase three FOX affiliates, including KLJB, for $58.5 million. The other stations are KMSS in Shreveport, La. and KPEJ Odessa-Midland, Tex. The Louisiana and Texas acquisitions are pending.

Nigerian Government again lies about missing girls

By Lekan Oguntoyinbo NNPA Columnist MARSHALL From Los Angeles Wave Federal regulators have approved the sale of a FOX TV affiliate in Quad Cities, Iowa to longtime media executive Pluria Marshall, Jr., president and CEO of Houston-based Marshall Broadcasting Group (MBG), officials have announced.

Marshall, also publisher of Wave Publications Group in Los Angeles, will acquire Fox affiliate KLJB in Quad Cities/ Davenport, Iowa, officials said.

Two other proposed acquisitions in Shreveport, La., and OdessaMidland, Texas remaining pending, officials said.

The license transfer from Nexstar Broadcasting to minority-owned Marshall Broadcasting is an important step in fulfilling Nexstar’s commitment to incubate broadcast station ownership by minority-owned companies, which is also a key FCC initiative, officials said. “The MBG transaction serves as a model to increase media ownership diversity while extending Nexstar’s long-term, well-documented initiatives to

Like most people, I’d given up hope that the more than 200 high school girls who were kidnapped in northern Nigeria early this year by the terrorist group Boko Haram would ever see their parents again.

Then a couple of weeks ago, several major news outlets reported that the Nigerian government was negotiating with Boko Haram, whose attacks in the last five years have resulted in the deaths of perhaps 10,000 people. There was speculation that an end to the attacks – the kidnappings, suicide bombings, church bombings, massacres of hapless villagers, attacks on military installations and bank robberies – was imminent.

Of even bigger interest to the international community was a disclosure by sources close to the Nigerian government that the kidnapped girls would be coming home soon.

The kidnapping of the girls from their boarding school last April shocked the world, galvanizing much international attention from the media and celebrities as varied as Michelle Obama and Sylvester and created the ubiquitous hash tag

“bring back our girls.� Around the world people marched, prayed and hoped.

So like many people, I was elated when the news broke a couple of weeks ago. But my elation was short-lived. A few days ago, we learned that the Nigerian government had lied – again.

Not only were the girls not coming home, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the nefarious group boasted in an online video, they’d been converted to

“I found a better deal on prescriptions.�

Islam and married off to Muslim men in neighboring countries.

And at no time had Boko Haram been negotiating with Nigerian officials, Shekau added.

It was an embarrassing rebuke to the Nigerian government, which has been repeatedly criticized for its mishandling of this crisis.

Equally embarrassing for the Nigerian government was the fact that it was caught in another lie – this time relating to Boko Haram leader Shekau.

“We found lower co-pays.�

Months earlier, leaders of the country’s underfunded, illequipped and overmatched military, which has been losing the war against Boko Harm, claimed they’d shot and killed Shekau in a raid. Their claim was aided by Shekau’s brief mysterious silence. When he resurfaced online, the government claimed the videos had been made before his death.

Then they claimed the person in the video was a look alike. It was spin run amok.

The three acquisitions have been endorsed by several media monitors and by members of the Congressional Black Caucus because they would significantly boost the number of Black-owned TV stations in America, provide broader career options for Blacks in television and create an opportunity for more diverse and increased local programming in broadcasting.

Before today’s approval, only three of the nation’s 1,300-plus full-power commercial stations were Black-owned.

Now, of course, it is widely believed that Shekau is alive and well.

It wasn’t the first time the government had cheerily announced progress in locating and rescuing the girls. A few months ago, one top military officer even claimed that his men knew exactly where in the Sambisa Forest, a former game reserve an area the size of West Virginia, the girls were located.

The officer’s claim raised questions about the use of judgment and common sense (or lack thereof) in disclosing military intelligence.

A credibility gap has long existed between the Nigerian government and its people. In Nigeria, the saying goes, when the government says “good morning� people look out their windows to see if in fact the sun is up.

But Nigerians have learned throughout much of their 54year independence to expect nothing from public officials.

The government stumbled badly at the beginning of the crisis by doing exactly what the people have come to expect – nothing. Life went on for members of the ruling class who are largely insulated from the mayhem unleashed by Boko Haram and whose children do not attend the same schools as the missing girls.

(Reads full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

“I found a plan that works better for me.�

WHAT WILL YOU FIND DURING MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT? You’ll never know unless you go. Compare your current plan to new options. See if you can lower some costs or find a plan that better suits your needs.

Many people do. Even if you like your current plan, check to see if the costs or coverage are changing at medicare.gov. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE for help.

Medicare Open Enrollment Oct. 15 - Dec. 7

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Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • November 13 - November 19, 2014

James E. Drake, CPCU, CLU, ARM, Executive Vice President of McKinley Financial Services Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been elected to the board

of directors of MetroBroward Economic Development Corporation.

MetroBroward is the only CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) in Broward County (certified by the US Treasury Department) which provides technical assistance and small business loans to entrepreneurs in Broward County.

McKinley Financial Services Inc. is a full service insurance agency providing all forms of insurance – life, health, property & casualty – personal and commercial for the past 27 years.

Nguyen Tran named director of Northwest Community Redevelopment Agency in Pompano POMPANO BEACH, FL - The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has promoted Nguyen Tran to Director of the Northwest District. Mr. Tran will oversee the day to day operations of the (Northwest Community Redevelopment Agency) NWCRA as they continue with ongoing improvements throughout the area.

Tran has over 21 years of both Public Sector and Private Sector experience. He served as a Senior Planner for the City of Delray Beach, working in Long Range Planning for over 10 years before accepting a position with Lennar Homes as a Project Manager.

After leaving Lennar, Mr. Tran joined HDR Architecture.

As a Senior Consultant, he was responsible for managing all aspects of multi-disciplinary projects and coordinating the work with professional staff, to achieve successful project delivery.

Prior to joining the Community Redevelopment Agency, Tran served as Development Officer for the Delray Beach Housing Authority, as well as

TRAN Vice-President of Operations for its non-profit subsidiary. During his tenure with the Housing Authority, Mr. Tran was successful in acquiring, managing and rehabilitating approximately 41 units for affordable housing purposes.

For more information about the NWCRA and upcoming projects, please contact Shanna Benson at (954) 786-7824 or shanna.benson@copbfl.com.

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Child Watch

Overcoming homelessness to become an A-student

By Marian Wright Edelman NNPA Columnist “I decided that my education was the most important thing that I could ever have, because without your education, you can’t do much in this world.

Some people find out the hard way. I did not want to be one of those people.”

Diamond May Seventeen-year-old high school senior Diamond May is devoted to her education. She takes all college-level classes in her school’s demanding International Baccalaureate program, where her grade point average last year was above a 4.0. Her favorite subjects are math, biology, psychology, and “Theory of Knowledge,” and she’s considering forensic science, mechanical engineering, and architecture as possible careers. Diamond also lives in southeast Washington, D.C., one of the most poverty- and violence-stricken neighborhoods in our nation’s capital— and was homeless for part of her sophomore year and nearly all of her junior year.

At a time when many other college-bound students’ biggest worry was prepping for the SAT, Diamond had evenings where she, her mother, and younger brother were unsure whether they’d arrive at the local shelter in time to have a roof over their heads. When they first became homeless, they doubled up with relatives and then stayed with friends where Diamond shared a small space with two adults and five preschoolers. During those

days, she spent as much time at school as she possibly could—“I would get to school at 8:00 and I wouldn’t leave until school closed and they told me I had to go home, because I could focus there and get work done.”

When the temperature dropped dramatically last January, the District of Columbia was required to find shelter for all those on the waiting list. Diamond’s family was assigned space at a motel outside the city, where Diamond had to wake up at 4 a.m. to travel an hour and a half by public transportation in order to arrive on time and stay at her beloved public school. When that facility was forced to close, her family was moved to the D.C. General Homeless Shelter for Families with Children.

A former abandoned hospital, the squalor and desperation in the shelter made national headlines after 8-year-old Relisha Rudd went missing just days before Diamond’s family moved in. In the wake of that tragedy, newly-enforced rules dictated that parents and children had to arrive at and leave the shelter together. One of Diamond’s biggest challenges was rearranging her own academic and after-school activities every day in order to coordinate with her mother and brother. Yet, through it all Diamond actually increased her academic performance – while many of her peers never had any idea what her family was going through.

On November 18, Diamond and four other extraordinary D.C.-area high school seniors will be honored with the Chil-

dren’s Defense Fund’s Beat the Odds® award and a scholarship for college, given each year to students who have overcome great odds to excel academically and give back to their communities.

Diamond’s phenomenal high school counselor Nigel Jackson describes her this way: “She has a warrior spirit. She is humble and she’s focused, and she has a goal, and when she faces circumstances, she attacks and she fights, and it’s an internally driven fight . . . Most people don’t persevere through this upheaval that she’s faced and circumstances that she’s faced, and not only has she persevered, but she’s thrived.”

And he expands on the odds Diamond and children like her are fighting against every day: “There’s been breakdown in the family. There’s been poverty.

There’s been homelessness. So all of what we call risk factors, you can apply to every facet of Diamond’s experience . . . children who grow up in a community that is under-resourced, where all of the public schools are underperforming, where there’s crime, violence, where people experience trauma, where there’s loss, they are essentially being prepared to fail. At best, they’ve been prepared to fail, and at worst, they’ve been prepared to die.

Our students treat death like it’s a common occurrence. They haven’t been taught that they’re allowed to grieve.

They’ve been taught that they have to tolerate trauma. And when you consider all those circumstances, she has beaten the

EDELMAN odds because she’s not just alive but she’s thriving, and she’s performing, and she’s considering a long life for herself, and she’s set long goals, and she doesn’t see herself as small, or a victim, or minor. She sees herself as a diamond.”

I am so proud of Diamond, the other four young women the Children’s Defense Fund will honor on November 18, and the millions of other children like them who are forced to endure circumstances many adults could not imagine. Please consider joining us or supporting other Children’s Defense Fund Beat the Odds programs across the country or honoring a parent, grandparent, teacher, or mentor by providing a college scholarship in their honor. So many children need help escaping the poverty and violence and homelessness and unequal schools that are setting them up to fail. They have never been taught that they, too, are diamonds.

Riviera Beach CRA helps oldest neighborhood grow more beautiful with launch of Community Garden

Mid-Term Elections also affect us the students

By Maria Montanez, Student at Florida Memorial University Initiatives are being taken by students of Florida Memorial University to discuss social, economical and political issues that affect our community. A Democrat representative of Miami-Dade and four students from different majors volunteered to participate in a debate. This special event was organized by the Civic Engagement Group at school in order to bring awareness of the issues that are affecting the State of Florida, as well as the nation.

As the midterm elections loom, it is of great importance that the community gets educated about the issues the nation is facing in which both parting are attempting to solve. Consequently, Florida Memorial University has chosen to be politically involved, and as a result it acted to prepare students and teachers alike on the main issues affecting the quality of life of Floridians. The main issues being the argument for raising minimum wage, legalization of medical marihuana, and the allowance of same sex marriage.

In addition to this, much was discussed on possibilities of how kids can afford college and finally how Florida Memorial University can begin its process of being a more recognized HBCU, as well as how it can potentially grow and help aid our future generation.

A special guest set the tone and pace of this interesting debate.

Bobby Henry, Sr., publisher of the Westside Gazette, as the moderator of this event was able to challenge the panelists with different questions about the various plans that candidate Charlie Crist has and will impose if he gets elected. Therefore, several differing views were presented by the panelists in response to each question given to them. This in turn created controversy as the panelists offered their own opinion also allowing for the audience to take notes and throw in any questions and opinions they may have had.

FMU President Roslyn Artis was in the audience and offered her input on how students could get further engaged in participating in the midterm elections “it is a matter of accountability from each of us to go and vote”.

In a land where freedom of speech is valued and the right to access information is equally available for everyone, students were able to exchange ideas and opinions impressing the faculty staff and president of the school. Juan Cuba, executive director, Miami-Dade Democrats gave solid updated information about what is going on in Tallahassee and what lobbyist are attempting to do in order to make people’s voices heard by those in power.

After an hour of discussing the main issues at hand within the state, panelists along with the audience did not come up with a definite conclusion. Some of the issues that created divided opinions were firstly, whether raising minimum wage will be beneficial for low-middle class people and businesses. Secondly, will the legalization of medical marihuana in fact help those ill and in need? And lastly, the controversy if allowing same sex marriage will indeed help society progress and emphasize or encourage the fight for equal rights for all. Although there were not concrete answers, the outcome of this debate was the realization of how fundamental and crucial it is to have discussions of this caliber in order to execute democracy properly.

City leaders in Riviera Beach on October 25 broke ground on the first phase of a $1.1 million, three-part project to beautify the Riviera Beach Heights neighborhood.

(Photo by Essie Knowles) From Tony Theissen RIVIERA BEACH, FL — City leaders in Riviera Beach on Oct. 25, 2014 broke ground on the first phase of a $1.1 million, three-part project to beautify the Riviera Beach Heights neighborhood. City Commissioners kicked off the beginning of construction for the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s “Community Garden,” to be operated in conjunction with its nonprofit affiliate, the Riviera Beach Community Development Corporation.

The Community Garden, located at Ave. K and Tenth St, will provide residents with plots to grow a nourishing assortment of fruits, vegetables and herbs, and well as flowers and other plants.

“For some of our residents who are stretching their dollars to make ends meet, growing their own fresh fruit and vegetables will provide healthier menu choices at home,” said Tony Brown, Executive Director of the Riviera Beach CRA. “At the same time, the Community Garden will beautify the surrounding area and create a lively meeting space for friends and neighbors.

Additional projects aimed at beautifying Riviera Beach Heights include a Linear Park,

to be built along Ave. L between Sixth St. & Eight St., as well as a sidewalk improvement program throughout the neighborhood. Riviera Beach Heights is the city’s oldest neighborhood, and has been selected for improvement as part of a program

to beautify and revitalize vacant and underutilized properties, and improve the overall appearance of the neighborhood. In the years to come, further improvements will include additional parks and new homes, backyard gardens, small

business improvements and new directional signage.

For additional information about the Community Garden or the Riviera Beach Heights improvement plan, contact the Riviera Beach CRA at (561) 844-3408.

CONGRESSWOMAN FREDERICA S. WILSON PRESENTS $1,000,000 CRIME FIGHTING GRANT TO THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) will present the Miami-Dade County Police Department (MDPD) with a $1,000,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help reduce crime and violence in the county’s highest crime area, the Northside District. The check was presented Nov. 6 at the Northside District Station, 799 N.W. 81 St. Miami, Fla. Congresswoman Wilson worked closely with the MDPD to secure the grant issued under the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program (BCJI). In a May 2014 letter, Congresswoman Wilson described the challenges facing the Northside District and urged the U.S. Department of Justice to fund MDPD’s proposed solutions “This is much-needed funding that will support crosssector partnerships and innovative strategies to tackle crime and violence in the Northside District. I commend the Miami-Dade County Police Department and their partners for their work to make the Northside District a safer place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Congresswoman Wilson.

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

November 13 - November 19, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

Community Digest

Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Forum

District 5 School Board Representative Dr. Rosalind Osgood presents Anti-Bullying Community Forum, Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 at 6:30 p.m., at Parkway Middle School Auditorium, 3600 N.W. Fifth Court, Lauderhill, Fla. Mr. Brad Mattair, principal.

Yard Sale

Thank you from the Northwest Federated Woman’s Club Give Back Community Yard Sale for your support of our Club. Spaces are free on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2161 N.W. 19 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. To secure your space and additional call (954) 730-3442.

Meeting

Yard Sale

Dear Members November meetings, please note the following General Membership meetings of the NAACP Fort Lauderdale/Broward Branch, for the purpose of election of officers and atlarge members of the executive committee.

3. On Nov. 13, 2014 at the Mizell Cultural Center at7 p.m., the election of officers and atlarge members of the Executive Committee will take place Polls will open from 5 to 8 p.m. In order to vote in a Branch election, one must be a member in good standing of the Branch 30 days prior to the election. A form of identification is required.

Should a run-off election be necessary then election shall occur on the following date at time certain (at least 1 hour) at this location, Run-off elections shall be conducted not less than ten days after the original election.

STAYCONNECTED -- www.thewestsidegazette.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Westside Gazette Newspaper FOLLOW US ON Instagram @thewestsidegazettenewspaper

Bethel Apostolic Temple and The Bethel Temple C.D.C. invites the community to Ultimate Yard Sale, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at 1855 N.W. 119 St., Miami, Fla. For vendors there is a fee required for space to reserve your booth space and more info call (305) 688-1612.

Family Fun Night

Join us at the library and enjoy games, crafts and dinner on us! Bring your whole family, specially your children, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Tyrone Bryant Library, 2230 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info call (954) 357-8210.

Event

Walk

The City of Fort Lauderdale, to host 2014 Turkey Trot, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, registration at 6 a.m. and Run/ Walk/Paddle at 7:30 at DC Alexander Park, 501 Fort Lauderdale Blvd., South of Las Olas on A1A.

The Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down Give Back Day, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Holiday Park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

EDUCATION MATTERS Every Child Deserves a Chance to Succeed.

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center is located at 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Call the Welcome Desk at (954) 357-6210.

Youth Services Please call the Youth Services Desk for info on programs and services for children and teens.” · Tuesday, Nov. 18, 25, from 10:30 to 11:15, Preschool Story Time Fun! Stories, finger plays, songs and crafts – youth service area. · Saturday, Nov. 15 from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Celebrate International Games Day! Family game time fun – youth service area. · Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m., Free Homework Help available for students grades K thru 12.

(Only homework and educational games are allowed on Children’s and Teens’ computers during Homework Help hours.) For more info call (954) 357-6157. · Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at 2 p.m., Kheprera Study Group: Featured book African Holistic Health by Llaila O. Afrika. For more info call (954) 357-5950. · Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 from 1 to 5 p.m., local educators Dr. Carol Tomlin and Dr. Paul C. Mocombe will discuss their Reading Room Curriculum. For more info call (954) 357-6210. · Monday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m., an afternoon with Dr. Rosalind Osgood. Third in the Culture Keepers Series moderated by Dr. Tameka Hobbs, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of History at Florida Memorial University · Saturday, Nov. 15, from 1 to 5 p.m., The Mocombeian Foundation’s 2md Annual Reading Night. The foundation’s mission is “Teaching Reading Strategically”.

Free Computer Classes Schedule – pre-registration is required for all classes. Call (954) 357-6236, due to limited seating, registration begins (6) six days prior to each scheduled class. Pre-registered students are asked to arrive 15 min. before class to check in. **Please bring a storage device (such as thumb drive) if you wish to save your work** The following classes are funded by the Broward Public Library Foundation · Thursday, Nov. 13, from 10:30 to 12 noon, Resume Writing II · Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Computer Literacy, I · Thursday, Nov. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Computer Literacy I

Event at The New Mount Olive Baptist Church

· Annual Donation Day at Florida Memorial University (FMU), Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2014.

If you are interested in attending or if you wish to make a donation to FMU, please do so

by Nov. 16. Checks should be payable to Florida Memorial University, contact Sis. Elouise LeSane, Sis Carolyn Stephens, or Sis. Patricia Williams before the deadline, or contact the church at (954) 463-5126. · Black Noel – The Fort Lauderdale African American Christmas Spectacular – Show Times Friday, De. 12 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m., and 8 p.m., - Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m., 400 N.W. Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Tickets on sale now, to purchase call the church (954) 463-5126.

Drive Humana will host a Stand Down clothing drive in honor of Veterans Day throughout November at the Humana Guidance Center in Tamarac.

All clothing collected will be donated to the Vietnam Veterans of America at the end of the month. All clothing donations can be made during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Humana Guidance Center, 7666 Nob Hill Rd. Tamarac, Fla. For more info call (954) 724-1540.

ATTENTION RADIO LISTENERS We have free gifts for everybody who calls into the show and shares their opinion. Listen every Saturday at 4 p.m. to Spiritual Downloads with Anna Stephenson on WWNN Radio AM 1470. It’s a live Call in talk show that discusses everything from Spiritual Matters to what matters to you. The show can also be heard on the Internet at wwnnradio.com; just click on the listen live button. Your voice is the most important part of the show. So call in and let us hear what you have to say. The toll free call in number is 1-888-565-1470.

Also e-mail Anna Stephenson at annasmiami@aol.com with a subject you want to hear discussed on the show. The show also interviews special guests Like Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best. Shelia Raye Charles, Melba Moore and different preachers and gospel musical artists and politicians.

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • November 13 - November 19, 2014

Opinion

The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the responsible individual(s) who submit comments published in this newspaper.

Not just one day,but a lasting commitment

By Susan Shaer and Karen Camper Let me first state the obvious. Veterans Day is for those who return from war. Memorial Day is for those who have not survived. Two days to remind us in a multitude of ways how to remember, and also act. Our veterans need us now.

On Veterans Day, it’s one day to think hard. What do we contemplate when we launch into war? Do we plan for the seemingly endless painful plight of veterans –their families, friends and communities?

Planning for outcomes is common sense. A skydiver won’t fling herself into the air without considering a fall.

A doctor does not operate without knowing the patient’s recovery plan. Our federal government invests in education to better education outcomes. Why don’t we plan to pay for the long range costs –physical and mental – of those we send to war?

In not so long ago wars, soldiers died on the fields of battle or were MIA (Missing in Action). Modern battlefield medics provide on the spot medical assistance, so more soldiers return home.Their wounds, however, often last a lifetime. As do the costs.

Headlines scream that our recent wars leave vets longing for help. Lines and waiting for health care. Joblessness makes housing an effort for many, leaving them homeless, or living in squalid shelters.Veterans’ families suffer with them, they break apart, or, worse yet, suffer domestic violence and sometimes suicide or worse.

This pain is public. Widely known.

Our leaders hold that they take us into war with veterans in mind. I have to trust that it’s true. But I ask that they demand that as we pay for war, we plan and pay for the outcomes we know will follow.

Right after the election, Congress may debate and consider an Autho-

Equality often unfolds the politics of political diversity Derek Joy The aftermath - Election 2014. . .

Let the bloodletting begin. Or, as they say, to the victor go the spoils.

Westside Gazette Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

Bobby R. Henry, Sr. - PUBLISHER Pamela D. Henry - SENIOR EDITOR Sonia M. Henry Robinson COMPTROLLER Elizabeth D. Henry CIRCULATION MANAGER Carma L. Henry - DATA ENTRY Charles Moseley MARKETING DIRECTOR Norman Edwards & Ron Lyons PHOTOGRAPHERS Levi Henry, Jr. - CHAIRMAN Yvonne F. Henry EDITOR (Emeritus)

Sure. Republicans, like the Lions did to the Miami Dolphins in Detroit last Sunday, delivered a blow to the gut of Democrats. Not only in Florida, but around the nation, too.

Just the time when JOY Republicans are quietly saying what the late rhythm and blues singer Billy Paul sang about in the words of his Gamble and Huff hit tune of the early 1970’s: “The Whole Town’s Talking ’Bout Us.” The same could be said for the winners of some municipal elections.

Ah, yes. Those municipal elections, the often forgotten, or at least the least publicized prizes on the ballots.

So, take a look at just a few of the winners in four of Miami Dade County’s municipalities having a Black American majority population.

Miami Gardens Councilman Ehrabor Ighadaro, a Nigerian American, defeated former Councilman Andre Williams in a runoff.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Race and the 2014 midterm elections

A PROUD PAPER FOR A PROUD PEOPLE

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist

SERVING BROWARD, DADE & PALM BEACH COUNTIES 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 5304, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 PROUD MEMBER OF THE: NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER’S ASSOCIATION (NNPA) FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF BLACK OWNED MEDIA (FABOM) AND

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HOW TO REACH US: (954) 525-1489 ● Fax: (954) 525-1861 The WESTSIDE GAZETTE is published WEEKLY by Bi-Ads, Inc./dba WESTSIDE GAZETTE at 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311. Subscription price: $40.00 annually or .50¢ per copy.

PRINTED BY SOUTHEAST OFFSET. CREDO -- The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

E-MAIL ADDRESSES: MAIN wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com PUBLISHER westside-gazette@att.net EDITOR pamlewis@thewestsidegazette.com WEBSITE: www.thewestsidegazette.com

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Is there any doubt about the preeminence of CHAVIS the race factor that helped to determine the outcome of the 2014 midterm elections across the United States? I have no doubt. Many of the Democrats who lost their campaigns for Congress and statewide office made no sustained effort to embrace President Barack Obama in their political campaigns. In fact, they ran away from their ties to him.

Why did Democrats seeking re-election and election to office run from the nation’s first Black president, the titular head of the Democratic Party? Why were millions of dollars in campaign contributions spent by Democrats in a manner that disproportionately avoided mobilizing the Black grassroots activists and the Black Press? What role did race play in the election.

Ironically, the Republican Party paid more attention this year than in the past to attract Black American voters. Consequently, Blacks casting ballots for Republicans increased from 8 percent in 2012 to 10 percent in 2014, according to exit polls.

The GOP results were historic: In South Carolina, Tim Scott became the first Black American to be elected to the U.S. Senate from the South since Reconstruction. Mia Love became the first Black American Republican woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. And in Texas, Will Hurd became the first Black American Republican to be elected to Congress in that state since Reconstruction.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES The Westside Gazette welcomes your letters. Letters must be signed with name clearly legible along with a phone number and complete address. No unsigned or anonymous letters will be considered for publication. The Westside Gazette reserves the right to edit letters. The letters should be 500 words or less.

rization of Military Force for Iraq and Syria. At the same time, they will possibly consider passing budgets to fund government programs, including an outrageous emergent sum to fund wars which is essentially a slush fund on top of the already mushrooming Pentagon budget. On its face, just that slush fund is outrageous. We already fund the Pentagon; they should not just be on contingency and then ask for billions on top of that to make war. That is especially true if there is not an end to war in sight, and there is no additional funding for the veterans who will come from that war, or wars.

Some are trying to recognize what we have learned. At least 22 veterans commit suicide each day, according to the Veterans Affairs Department. This adds up to more than 2,000 veterans killing themselves so far this year alone. There is an offer in the Senate with provisions to force the Pentagon to reexamine troops who were discharged for PTSD-related behaviors and expand the number of years to adjust for delayed reactions to time in combat. How to pay for it has stopped the measure in its tracks. Money is always the issue.

Backed by the First Lady, Michelle Obama, there is a push to end veteran homelessness by 2015. This will be an even harder pull if we have even more and more veterans to manage. Homelessness obviously affects the whole family, and the ability to be employed.

Unemployment for the post-9/11 veterans is also staggering. As with

all these veterans, local communities must be a part of the mix of post combat p r o b l e m s SHAER AND CAMPER for vets. Providing health care, suicide prevention, domestic dispute consultation, housing, employment and job training often falls to local governments, agencies or non-profits. These can be overwhelming, unexpected and therefore unplanned local expenditures.

The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation poll, survey and report issued in March of this year mapped A Legacy of Pain and Pride.” Our recent wars must alert us to war’s legacies aptly described in this report. Endless pain, endless financial burdens, the endless downsides to war plus the simultaneous pride in serving our country cannot be ignored.

We will always have patriotic soldiers who will fight for us, and for others. We must, now, on this day, consider the future for our patriotic soldiers who will become veterans who face pain and pride. As we reward them in passing with a “thank you for your service,” and they proudly receive medals, we have an obligation and a commitment to them to plan for that pain and plan to pay for it. Maybe that will stop us from sending more into battle if the legacy is not worth the price.

Has the Democratic Party lost its way in 2014?

By Roger Caldwell The national results are in, and the National Democratic Party was given a royal beating by the National Republic Party. There are many excuses and reasons for this beating, but the Democrats never showed up at the polls. Only 38 percent of the registered voters in the country were inspired to participate in the Democratic process, and the only color they saw was red.

Congratulations to Reince Priebus and his team, on their execution and winning strategy, which put the Democrats to shame. The Republicans stayed on message, and they were able to condition their members and many independents that it was un-American to vote blue. Even though, the turn out for the election was terrible, the Republicans believe they have a mandate from the American people to stop President Obama.

Instead of President Obama operating as the head of the Democratic Party, he hid in the shadows, and allowed party members to run away from his record. It makes no sense to allow party members to operate independently of each other without a united front. When the team is disorganized, the voters have no idea what the message is and who to vote for.

From the very beginning of Rep. Debbie Wasserman chair ship, she never brought innovative and creative ideas to the party. As a result, the Democrats paid at the polls for her lack of leadership. For the last two years the Democrats have been lethargic and apathetic about the mid-

term election, and no one appeared to be enthusiastic about the president’s message and record.

On certain levels, it appeared that the lead- CALDWELL ership in the Democratic Party was sabotaging the election, and expected to lose. The Democrats appeared to be on the defense, and never was the aggressor with their message and the president’s record. Everyone in the country knew in order for the Democrats to win, there would have to be a strong showing by the African Americans and Hispanic communities.

Instead of the Democrats spending money in the minority communities early in the race, they waited until the last six weeks to spend money with the Black and Hispanic media. This strategy essentially told the Black and Hispanic voters that they were not important enough to get engaged in early in the race. Some African American pastors told their congregations not to vote, because of the way they have been treated.

Many Black candidates around the country loss their races because the Democratic leadership refused to help fund their campaigns. There are many Black candidates at this point charging the Democratic leadership with racism. Many candidates think it is no accident that many of them received no money, but other candidates received millions of dollars.

The midterm elections are over, the final numbers are in and they don’t look pretty if you’re a progressive. So, I am going to propose something our national African American leaders should have suggested a long time ago: It’s time for us to switch. No, not to the Republican Party. That would be tantamount to drinking Jim Jones Kool-Aid (Young people, Google “Guyana Massacre”). It’s time to switch our emphasis from politics to economics.

I remember Al Sharpton, speaking at the 2004 Democratic convention, saying Blacks had decided to ride the (Democratic) donkey as far as it would take us. Well, Al, that donkey has taken us as far as we can go in politics, even into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Now, it’s time to park that old, tired pack animal on a farm and try a new mode of transportation.

Even when we have given it our best, politics have never delivered the expected results. I am old enough to remember how exuberant we were with the election of the first wave of Black big city mayors: Carl Stokes in Cleveland, Richard Hatcher in Gary, Ind., Ken Gibson in Newark and later, Tom Bradley in Los Angeles, Andrew

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Columnist If there was one lesson to be learned on Election Day it was this: Until President Obama is gone and the Democratic BURKE Party leadership changes, Democrats will continue to lose.

Under Nancy Pelosi’s leadership over the past four years House Democrats have lost 74 seats. In 2010 alone, Democrats lost 63 seats. This week they dropped another 12. For the 2014 campaign it was as if leaders of the party never talked to one another on strategy. Obviously, there was none.

President Obama was out bragging about his record week after week while Democrats were campaigning against it.

In a speech on September 28, President Obama said, “There’s almost no economic measure by which we are not better off than when I took office.

Unemployment down. Deficits down.

Uninsured down. Poverty down. Energy production up. Manufacturing back.” That’s what the president was saying this campaign season.

“Make no mistake: These policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them,” President Obama said at Northwestern University on October 10.

Those words were then immediately used by Republicans to beat Democrats all over the country.

It’s one thing to say that Democrats should have run on the things they’ve gotten done. It’s another to pretend you don’t see that the overriding message of the 2014 campaign is an antiObama one. That’s what President Obama did. He pretended not to notice this entire campaign was a referendum on him. When you consider that race mixed with “stopping Obama” was a driver for some of what happened on election day that conclusion should have been easy to come to.

“President Obama should have known that saying,” These policies are on the ballot” would not help Democrats at the polls and was bad strategy for this election cycle.

On Oct. 20, the president said so many of the Democrats avoiding him on the campaign trail were “strong allies and supporters who “supported my agenda in Congress.” Of course, that’s true and of course that message ran counter to what 95 percent of the Democrats running were saying.

Within all this you see a complete strategic disconnect between the president and his party.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Republicans can make headway with Blacks

By Raynard Jackson NNPA Columnist

Young in Atlanta and David Dinkins in New York. We saw Doug Wilder elected governor of Virginia, the cradle of the ConfedCURRY eracy. The outgoing governor of Massachusetts is another African American, Deval Patrick. In January, we will have not one, but two Blacks in the U.S. Senate (Cory Booker and Tim Scott), the largest African American contingent ever in the upper chamber.

And the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), which bills itself as the conscience of Congress, has behaved as though it was unconscious the last six years, too afraid to even critique President Obama for fear of facing a backlash back in their home districts. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri, stated: “Well, I’m supposed to say he [Obama] doesn’t get a pass, but I’m not going to say that. Look, as the chair of the Black Caucus I’ve got to tell you, we are always hesitant to criticize the president. With 14 percent [Black] unemployment, if we had a white president we’d be marching around the White House.”

Last week’s midterm elections were historic.

Republicans regained control of the U.S. Senate, increased their ma- JACKSON jority in the House, and expanded their majority among governors. While these gains were historic and impressive, there was a bigger story that no one is talking about.

According to early polling figures, Black participation in this year’s midterm was 12 percent, down slightly from 13 percent in 2010. Eighty-nine percent of Blacks voted for Democratic congressional candidates and 10 percent voted for Republicans. This year’s figures match the 2010 midterm figures for Democrats and represents a slight increase in support for Republicans, up from 9 percent in 2010 to 10 percent in 2014.

In Illinois, incoming Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner received 6 percent of the Black vote. He actively courted the Black vote, but did it the wrong way. For example, how many people in Illinois know that Rauner has endowed a full professor’s chair at historically Black Morehouse College in Atlanta? There was no reason why he should not have earned upwards of 25 percent of the Black vote with his history in the Black community. But, as with many white Republicans, his white consultants and staff thought they knew more about the Black community than Blacks.

The exit polls further noted that 11 percent of Black millennials, 12 percent of Gen Xers, and 7 percent of those ages 45-64 voted Republican.

The RNC, under the leadership of Reince Priebus, is the only Republican entity that “gets it” when it comes to the Black vote. The House and Senate campaign committees and the Republican Governor’s Association (RGA) are still living in the dark ages when it comes to the Black community.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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Time for Black Democrats to switch

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist

Democrats: A party out of sync

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

AF amily T hat Prays T ogether, Stays T ogether Family That Together, Together

Church Directory

November 13 - November 19, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7

St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church 145 NW 5th Avenue Dania Beach, FL 33004 Office: (954) 922-2529

Bishop Victor T. Curry Senior Pastor/Teacher

Worship T his and Every Sunday at the Church of Your Choice This

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2211 N.W. 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33061 Church: (954) 583-9368 Email: bethelmbchurchfl@att.net

Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Sunday School ........................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday (Prayer Service & Bible Study) ............................... 7:30 a.m.

Saturday (Women Bible Study) ............................................................ 8 a.m.

"Baptized Believers working together to do the will of God"

First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Inc. 4699 West Oakland Park Blvd.

Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313 Office: (954) 735-1500 Fax: (954) 735-1939 fbcpg@bellsouth.net

Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes, Pastor SUNDAY SERVICES Worship Services .......................................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Children's Church ........................................................ 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Communion (First Sunday) ......................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

New Members' Class .................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Church School .............................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Baptist Training Union (BTU) .................................................... 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ...................................... 11:15 a.m.. & 7:00 p.m.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Juana Jordan, M.Div E-MAIL:juana.jordan@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520 Church Fax: (954) 731-6290

WORSHIP SERVICES Bible Study (Wednesday Night) ...................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 8:45 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service ............................................................. 10:00 a.m.

Williams Memorial CME “PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” 644-646 NW 13th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net (Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

The WITNESS of “The WILL” Sunday Worship Experiences ................................................................ 7:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday Night Triumph {Prayer, Praise and Power} Prayer Meeting ................................................................................................................ 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study ........................................................................................................................ 7:30 p.m.

We STRIVE to PROVIDE Ministries that matter TODAY to Whole Body of Christ, not only the Believers, but also for those stranded on the “Jericho Road”!

“Celebrating over 85 Years of FAITH and FAVOR! Come to the WILL ... We’ll show You the WAY: Jesus the Christ!”

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home BRYANT Funeral services for the late Shirley Ann Graham Bryant – 69 were held Nov. 8 at Welcome Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor James G. Dye, Sr officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

SERVICES Sunday Worship ................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ........................................... 11a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mtcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net

Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

New Member Orientation ........................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................ 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service ........................................ 11:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting ............................................... 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study ..................................................... 7:00 p.m.

"Doing God's Business God's Way, With a Spirit of Excellence"

New Birth Baptist Church The Cathedral of Faith International Bishop Victor T. Curry, M.Min., D.Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher 2300 N.W. 135th Street Miami, Florida 33167

ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday Worship ........................................................ 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Sunday School ....................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday (Bible Study) ......................................................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................................................... 10:45 a.m.

1-800-254-NBBC * (305) 685-3700 (o) *(305) 685-0705 (f) www.newbirthbaptistmiami.org

New Mount Olive Baptist Church 400 N.W. 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33311 (954) 463-5126 ● Fax: (954) 525-9454 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY Sunday .................................................... 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ............................................................................ 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Noonday Service .................................. 12:00-12:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ............................................ 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship.

Leadership, Ownership and Worship F.L.O.W. To Greatness!

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmissionarybapt.com

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship Service .............................................................................. 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ............................................................................................................... 10:00 a.m.

Communion Service (1st Sunday) ......................................................................... 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ........................................................................... 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (2nd & 4th) Growth & Orientation ........................................................... 9 a.m.

But be doers of the Word - James 1:22 nkjv - “A Safe Haven, and you can get to Heaven from here”

WinterFestival Of Faith

HENRY Funeral services for the late Lindsey Mae Henry – 71 were held Nov. 8 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Elder Emma Lowery officiating. Interment: Landers Grove Cemetery, Harrison, GA. IRVING Funeral services for the late Baby Criston Maurice Irving, Jr. – 7 months-old were held Nov. 8 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. Philbert Hilliman officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

LOCKHART Funeral services for the late Bonnie Lockhart - 85 were held Nov. 8 at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Kito D. March, Sr. officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MATHIS Funeral services for the late Madine Linder Mathis – 68 were held Nov. 8 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Anthony Taylor officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

THOMAS Funeral services for the late China Lee Thomas – 87 were held Nov. 8 at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Kito D. March, Sr officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

A Y THA T FAMIL AMILY THAT PRA YS TOGETHER PRAY ST AYS TOGETHER STA

McWhite's Funeral Home ANTHONY Funeral services for the late Julia Elizabeth Anthony -78 were held Nov. 8 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Osborne officiating.

SEABROOK Funeral services for the late Elderess Girlean Seabrook – 81were held Nov. 8 at Mount Hermon AME Church with Elder officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery) Central).

WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Henry C. Williams were held Nov. 8 at McWhite’s Funeral Home with Min. Kenneth Jackson officiating.

Attention! The Community is invited meet your city, county and national leaders. You are invited to help us honor our pioneers and outstanding citizens who are living legends and the families of those trailblazers who are deceased.

We are honoring many trailblazers who fought and they stood up for the good of the South Florida communities.

These outstanding citizens dedicated their life and worked hard to make our community what it is today. You may visit the Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park where around the columns are the great pioneers.

A few of the outstanding citizens are County Mayor Barbara Sharief, Congressman Alcee Hasting, Commissioner Dale Holness, Commissioner Bobby Dubose, Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Editor of the West-

side Gazette Newspaper, Dr. Von D. Mizell, Dr. Mack King Carter, Dr. Dorothy Orr, Dr. James Sistrunk, Essie “Big Mama” Reed, Dr. Samuel Morrison, Coach Marcia Pinder, Coach Otis Gray, Coach Butch Ingram, and Dr. Rosalyn Osgood.

This is just a few of the honorees: We are going to add new outstanding pioneers to the columns and we are honoring these outstanding heroes at the Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park and those names will be placed on the columns around walls. There will also be a Best of the Best Jerk and BBQ contest, Gospel Singing Challenge, a Praise Dance Showdown, a concert, a Kidz Fun Zone, as well as food, fun, and give a ways all day. For volunteering, vendors, VIP tickets and/or more info call us at (954) 767-0197 or visit us at www.winterfestivaloffaith.com.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home KIDS TALK ABOUT GOD Who Is a Disciple of Christ?

GLASGOW Funeral services for the late Baby Tristian Macai Glasgow were held Nov. 8 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Rev. Alvin Jones officiating.

GRAY Funeral services for the late Queen Elizabeth Gray - 87 were held Nov. 8 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Marcus D. Davidson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Clark & Norris Home of Funerals DUPUIS Funeral services for the late Denise Marie Dupuis - 55 were held Nov. 8 at Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. G. Bernard Pope officiating.

By Carey Kinsolving and Friends “People will know that I am a follower of Jesus if I get caught doing good deeds,” says Emma, 8.

Being caught for doing good deeds?

That isn’t the way it worked at the elementary school I attended. But that’s the policy instituted at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy where Emma attends. When students get caught for doing something good, teachers send them to the principal’s office. There they choose a prize from a treasure chest packed with all sorts of goodies.

To access free, online “Kids Color Me Bible” books, “Mission Explorers” videos and all columns in a Bible Lesson Archive, visit at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org.

To read journey-of-faith feature stories written by Carey Kinsolving, visit www.FaithProfiles.org.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • November 13 - November 19, 2014

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Are we the only ones spinning in circles? How do you get off of the merry- go- round and put your life on the fast track to success?

Since you are reading this article, you probably have a few questions about coaching. Is life coaching the answer? What can life coaching do for you? What can you realistically expect from it?

First of all, let’s consider whether you are a good candidate for life coaching To make any changes in your life you must first acknowledge that something needs to change. This realization might come about after experiencing difficulties in one, or commonly, more areas of your life. These might include: • Self esteem and confidence • Relationships • Career • Work/life balance • Health • Parenting • Stress • Bad habits (smoking, excessive drinking) • Exercise and nutrition • Debt and finances • Weight loss • Anxiety, depression and panic attacks It is however important to acknowledge that although many of these factors impact on our life situation, truly they are just symptoms. It is our core beliefs that shape our life experience; those things that we believe and think about ourselves, others and the world at large.

Exploring your core beliefs begins to raise self awareness and acts as the catalyst for change.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

FUNdraising Good Times

How to solicit a gift for a nonprofit

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It’s time to ask, but just exactly what do you say?

As the year comes to a close nonprofits look to board members, volunteers and donors to ask their friends, family members and colleagues to consider making a meaningful gift. You may have the internal fortitude to overcome your fear of asking (read, fear of rejection), but what exactly do you say and do?

Make your own gift first.

As a volunteer fundraiser you need to make your own gift before you can ask someone else to give. If you’re not willing to give, why should anyone respond to your ask? Consider sharing how much you gave and why. If you made a stretch in your giving, talk about what motivated you to do so.

Be prepared. As a solicitor you will need to “make the case” for why others should join you in giving. This means knowing the nonprofit’s history, mission,

successes, challenge areas and projected growth. Brush up on your facts (check out the website!). You’ll want to be able to talk numbers and emotions. Depending on who you are talking with you may be asked to explain allocation of current funds, costs associated with growth, and revenue streams.

At the same time you have to talk passionately from a feeling place about what the organization means to you and those served.

Don’t hide behind email.

If you’re asked to solicit a meaningful gift, do it in person. Make an appointment, and make the reason for your meeting clear.

For example, “Jane, can you join me for coffee on Friday? It will be my treat. I want to talk with you about the food bank.”

This allows your friend to begin thinking about how to respond.

When its time for the meeting, get dressed up. This is a big deal. Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success.

For help with your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Discrimination in car dealer financing

By Charlene Crowell NNPA Columnist

ROSCHELL J. FRANKLIN, Jr.

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A diverse group of civil rights leaders representing Blacks, Latinos and Asian-Pacific Islanders have joined forces to call for major changes in auto dealer compensation. Together, the organizations are calling for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to use its rule-making authority to stop dealer markups on auto interest rates that in CROWELL 2009 cost consumers $25.8 billion in extra interest payments.

In an October 31 letter to Richard Cordray, CFPB Director, leaders of 11 organizations wrote, “It is our experience that discretionary, non-risk based pricing in lending often leads to discriminatory results. This is often the result of practices that, while not discriminatory on their face, lead to discriminatory impact.”

Participating organizations are: Center for Community Change, the Greenlining Institute, the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the League of United Latin American Citizens, NAACP, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Council of LaRaza, National Urban League, the William C. Velasquez Institute and the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL).

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

November 13 - November 19, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

Broward County Child Care Licensing & Enforcement Office is moving!

BROWARD COUNTY, FL -- Broward County Child Care Licensing and Enforcement, currently located at 2995 N. Dixie Hwy., Fort Lauderdale will close their doors on Friday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. and re-open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 relocating to the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 119 in Fort Lauderdale. The agency’s phone (954) 357-4800, business fax (954) 357-7446 and Background Screening fax (954) 357-5935) will remain the same.

General hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. New expanded hours for background screening are available every day (except Thursday) from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Paid parking is available in the Government Garage (Validated Parking) at 151 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale or the City of Fort Lauderdale- Annex Lot (Metered and Paid Parking), 25 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

Child Care Licensing and Enforcement (CCLE) is part of Broward County’s Community

Partnership Division. The agency is responsible for the licensing and monitoring of approximately 850 child care facilities and family child care homes in Broward County serving approximately 90,000 children. CCLE monitors child care providers for compliance with more than 250 health and safety standards, and registered and non-public schools offering

child care services. CCLE is the only regulatory agency in the nation to be accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) for delivery of the highest quality services based on national standards for best practices.

For more information about Broward County Child Care Licensing and Enforcement visit Broward.org/Communitypartnerships and select

Child Care Licensing and Enforcement.

About Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Broward County’s Child Care Licensing and Enforcement section of the Community Partnerships Division regulates, enforces and improves the quality of child care in Broward County. Child Care Licensing and Enforcement is responsible

Nigerian government again lies about missing girls

of the girls’ parents have died from grief.

To some extent, the girls and their families are victims of the fickle nature of the media and celebrity attention as much as they are the victims of their government’s incompetence.

The international community, including the media, social media mavens and celebrities need to continue to do – and sustain – what they did so well last spring: keep this issue in the public eye and pressure the Nigerian government to take the mission of rescuing these girls much more seriously.

This way, the deaths of their relatives will not be in vain.

(Cont'd from Page 3) The day after the kidnapping Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who faces re-election next February, danced at a political campaign rally.

His wonderful wife denied there had been kidnappings.

She alleged the story had been concocted by her husband’s enemies to make him look bad.

Only intense international attention and an unprecedented social media campaign orchestrated by some Nigerians and their allies abroad finally spurred the government to at least act like it gave a hoot.

Black Americans wrestle with prospects for the future (Cont'd from FP) Regrettably, for some, far too many Black American voters didn’t heed the reminders of Bullard and others. The church community’s effort with the “Souls to the Polls Campaign” was enough to oust Republican Governor Rick Scott, who narrowly won a second term over former Republican Governor Charlie Crist.

“Enough of my supporters didn’t vote,“ said long time El Portal Village Mayor Daisy Black, who was defeated by Councilwoman Claudia Cubillos. “You, one resident called me and apologized for not voting. There’s nothing I can do about that. If you didn’t vote, don’t complain.”

Fact is, Black American voters turned out just above a mere 40-percent in Miami Dade County and a little higher in Broward. It wasn’t much higher throughout the rest of the state, which virtually made Scott only the second Republican - Jeb Bush is the other - to win the Florida Governor’s Mansion two consecutive terms.

Nationally, a low voter turnout could have factored into how Republicans increased their U.S. House majority and won a majority in the U.S. Senate.

“I had to tell somebody about that this morning,” said Ted Pinckney, a Miami native now living in Pinellas County.

“Black people need to stop blaming everything on discrimination.

“They need to look at facts.

Fact is Black people didn’t vote in high numbers. Not like they did in 2008, and, to a lesser extent, in 2012. Republicans were better organized, worked hard-

er and got more people to the polls.”

Pinckney also noted that President Obama is to blame for some of that because he wasn’t outspoken enough.

Another factor noted by Pinckney is that “Younger voters voted in 2008 and 2012 based on Obama’s promise for change.

But then became disillusioned and discouraged when change was slow in coming. Young people don’t have the patience to wait.”

Still, there are haunting questions to be answered.

Questions such as, will people of color and Black American communities prosper or stagnate in the aftermath of resounding Republican wins in the Florida State Legislature and both Houses of Congress?

One person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Republican policies are geared to towards the upper class.

Their policies hinder Blacks and poor people.”

Dr. Clarence Jones, a Nova Southeastern University Administrator, went a step further.

“Of course their policies (Republi-cans) will negatively impact Blacks and poor people,” said Jones. “They will attempt to repeal or block Obamacare (Affordable Health Care Act), which will be a tremendous blow to the people needing healthcare the most.

“Also look for them (Republicans) to try and eliminate the National Labor Relations Board, further weakening the influence of unions and depressing the pressure to raise wages - both minimum and regular.

“They will not do anything to strengthen the Voting Rights

Black pollster: ‘Democrats got their [butt] whipped’ (Cont'd from FP) “There was a lot of conversation going into this election about how wildly unpopular the president is and that was the narrative that the Republicans ran with and the media actually helped them run with it,” said Belcher.

On Election Day, roughly 40 percent of Americans approved of the job the President was doing, according to a recent Gallup poll. In Iowa, Kansas and Arkansas, where Democratic candidates were soundly defeated, the President’s approval rating was below 40 percent.

“If the president’s job approval was 51, 52, 53 percent, that would mean absolutely nothing in Kentucky or a lot of these solidly red states where you’re not going to see a lot of enthusiasm for a Democratic candidate,” said Belcher.

Belcher suggested that the Democrats have a white voter problem.

“Democrats haven’t won White voters since [President Lyndon Johnson] signed the civil rights legislation, said Belcher. “You would think that because we’re post-racial now, we’d been winning more white

voters, but the truth of the matter is we’re winning less.”

Minority voting, as a proportion of the electorate, actually increased during the 2014 midterm elections compared to 2010 midterms, Belcher said. Those gains were driven largely by Black voter turnout.

According to the Pew Research Center’s Hispanic Trends Project, a group that provides public opinion surveys on Latino views on social economic and cultural issues, Hispanics accounted for 8 percent of midterm voters, the same share they garnered in 2006 and 2010. The share of Black voters has increased steadily from 10 percent in 2006 to 11 percent in 2010 and 12 percent in 2014.

Meanwhile the share of white voters in the electorate continues to decline, down from 79 percent in 2006 to 75 percent in 2014.

The Pew Research Center found that 89 percent of Black voters supported Democratic candidates. Meanwhile, whites voted for Republican candidates (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

In the meantime, Boko Haram continues to perpetrate unspeakable atrocities with impunity.

The group, which seeks to create an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria, seized a large city at the end of October. Last week, the group renamed it “City of Islam.” The group also controls a city that is a major trading center and is near the Cameroon border. The bombings, raids and finger pointing within the Nigerian establishment continue. And the girls’ where-abouts remain unknown. According to news reports, several Law and will encourage more voter suppression. They will try to undo Dodd-Frank Regulations, allowing banks to once again fleece poor people and attempt to privatize social security, which will have negative impacts on all people.”

Of course, there is always a chance, however slight, that Republicans will take advantage of the opportunity to recruit more Black Americans.

And also a chance, however slight, that Republicans will act for the benefit of the masses rather than the wealthy few.

At any rate, Florida, as is America, will have to deal with the consequences of a Republican majority.

Feds to create wrongful convictions unit (Cont'd from FP) The National Registry of Exonerations, a joint project between the University of Michigan Law School and the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law, compiles information on all known exonerations since 1989, with convictions beginning in the late 1950s.

Florida, California, Illinois, New York, and Texas have the highest rates of wrongful convictions, and according to the registry, 1,467 people – 46 percent of them Black – have been exonerated since 1989.

This year alone, 81 people have been cleared; (49 of them are African American).

On average, these men and women are imprisoned for at least a decade before their convictions are overturned and their records expunged.

“There’s nothing to suggest that the rate of false convictions is slowing down, at all,” says Samuel Gross, law professor at the University of Michigan, and editor and co-founder of the National Registry of Exonerations.

Together, murder and sexual assault convictions account for 60 percent of the registry’s exonerations. The high rate of homicide in Black communities is reflected in both conviction and exoneration rates; but in the case of the Black men who have been wrongfully convicted of sexual assault, a discrepancy emerges.

“Of the approximately 250 people exonerated for adult sexual assault, a majority are African American, over 60 percent.

That’s way higher than their rate of imprisonment [for sexual assault],” Gross says. “Among those exonerated, the African Americans are primarily Black men convicted of raping white victims. And their exonerations are based on mis-identifications… because cross-racial identification is notoriously more difficult. This is especially true of white people.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

YOU HAVE READ THE REST, NOW READ THE BEST, CALL AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE NEWSPAPER

(954) 525-1489

for implementing statemandated licensing of all child care facilities and family child care homes in Broward County and monitoring child care providers for compliance with health and safety standards. It also reg-

isters religious and non-public schools offering child care services.

For more information, call (954) 357-4800 or visit B r o w a r d . o r g / HumanServices.

Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • November 13 - November 19, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Big Bank Hank of the Sugar Hill Gang dies at age 57 Hip-hop lost one of its important figures this week. Big Bank Hank from The Sugar Hill Gang is no longer with us. According to TMZ, the rapper, also known as Henry Jackson, succumbed to cancer and has moved on to the afterlife.

Hank is best known as “the grandmaster with 3 MCs that shock the house for the young ladies.”

Jackson and the other two members of the Sugar Hill Gang were among the first rappers to take hip-hop mainstream. Their song, “Rappers Delight” took hip-hop from the streets of the South Bronx to the midwest, west coast and around the world.

Wonder Mike and Master Gee, two other members of the group told TMZ … “So sad to hear of our brother’s passing.

Rest in peace Big Bank.”

The 57-year-old and his bandmates were not without controversy. Some accused the Sugar Hill Gang of taking hiphop away from its roots in order to make it appeal to whites.

The three members of the group were not among the original

Bank Hank from The Sugar Hill Gang.

The three men were pulled founders of hip-hop and had instead been selected by a re- together into a group by Sylvia cord label to perform the song. Robinson and her newly found Some felt that the first to take hip-hop mainstream should be rappers who were known in the streets.

Serena Williams hails as the queen of tennis in third WTA win

Serena Williams Reported by Nigel Boys Although she’s now 33years-old, which is considered by some to be advanced in her game, Serena Williams is again the No.1 ranked player of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

Some believed that Williams was finally starting to fade, especially since she didn’t have a good start against Simona Halep last Wednesday, but she came back to claim her fifth WTA Finals title in Singapore.

She proved her critics wrong once again on Sunday by beating Halep 6-3, 6-0 although Halep had been the victor four days earlier with a win of 6-0, 6-2.

Maybe Williams was holding back for the final event or she responded as usual when she knew that the prize could be hers, but she beat Halep in the last match of the season in Singapore’s BNP Paribas WTA Final, without seeming to break into much of a sweat.

It took Williams just 69 minutes to win her third, consecutive year-end title over Halep, who is her junior by 10 years.

Williams appeared in her first WTA championship 10 years and one day before the Romanian was born.

After the battle, Williams said that at first she had been

LEGAL NOTICES PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing.

Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2014

nervous facing Halep again, only four days after her defeat by the Romanian who had been playing so well. She continued that she told herself that she had nothing to lose, so just relax. Once she did this, she started playing better and making the shots against her younger opponent, she added.

Williams went on to say that she knew Halep was capable of playing really well and she had started out to do just that in their second match. She added that she then asked herself if she really wanted to win and when she realized that she did, she just knew she had to play better and did what it took to claim the prize.

Williams had been forced to withdraw from a quarterfinal match against Samantha Stosur in Beijing, China earlier this month on account of a gimpy knee. She added that although she had been unsure if she would play in the recent competition, she had again walked away with the Billy Jean King Trophy which was an amazing feeling.

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label, Sugar Hill Records. The label was co-founded with Sylvia’s husband Joe. The label went on to make millions from the release of the song and are responsible for putting hip-hop on the airwaves, where it remains till this day.

Despite their foundations, there was no denying their impact. “Rapper’s Delight” is listed

by About.com and VH1 as the #2 most impactful hip-hop song in history. In case you’re wondering, Chuck D and Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” is listed as #1. That’s precisely the moment when people started seeing the power of hip-hop and turned it into something racist, negative and as a promotional tool for violence and misogyny. So, you might say that it’s been kind of downhill ever since.

RIP Big Bank Hank. It was a wonderful life.

Will Smith is turning one of the hit films into a TV show Reported by Kacie Whaley Were you a fan of the charming 2005 romantic comedy Hitch? Fox is now working with Will Smith to bring fans a small screen version of the film every week.

Fox is developing a television show based on the box office hit movie that starred Will Smith as smooth-talking match maker Alex ‘Hitch’ Hitchens who was hired to help clumsy Albert Brennaman (played by King of Queens‘ Kevin James) win the girl of his dreams. Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith will both serve as executive producers, with Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont as the script-writers, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The show is being described as a half-hour workplace com-

Will Smith edy revolved around dating and sexual politics.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

November 13 - November 19, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 11

Six myths slowing the prophylactic use of ARVs

By Greg Millet Biomedical strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and ARV treatment as prevention are essential to bringing an end to the HIV epidemic. After all, through them, HIV-negative people can avoid HIV infection by taking medication.

Yet despite their effectiveness, the prophylactic usage of ARVs in the U.S. has been slow.

“I think the challenge that we

have both in the United States and globally is how are we going to get access for this particular type of medication for those communities that need it the most,” says Gregorio Millett, vice president and director of public policy for amfAR. Among those communities most in need of ARVs are Black gay men and the Black community in general, Millett says.

Unfortunately, there are fewer resources today to advance PrEP and other forms of

prevention. A study released in July by the HIV Vaccines and Microbicides Resource Tracking Working Group found that investment in HIV-prevention research fell by $50 million in 2013 largely because of declining investments by the U.S. and Europe. As a result, the rollout of new HIV-prevention options could slow down even more, the working group says.

Money isn’t the only thing keeping ARVs from being used prophylactically. Here are six

Diabetes and eyes: What people don’t know could leave them blind Recent studies show low awareness of diabetic eye disease among African-Americans and Hispanics, low uptake of sight-saving exams among Medicare beneficiaries SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. -- While people with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases, recent studies have revealed low awareness of the issue among ethnicities at higher risk for diabetes and low uptake of preventive eye exams among affected Medicare beneficiaries.

With the findings signaling that many Americans may not be defending themselves against diabetes-related vision loss, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is sharing information about diabetic eye disease and dilated eye exams to encourage those with diabetes to take proactive steps to protect their vision.

Although Hispanics and African Americans are more likely to have diabetes than most other ethnicities, a recent poll commissioned by the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research has revealed that only 27 and 32 percent (respectively) report to know about diabetic eye disease. In addition, while the Academy recommends that people with diabetes have a dilated eye exam every year, one study recently published in the journal Ophthalmology found that, among Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetes – all conditions that require an annual eye exams – three-quarters of those who did not have an exam in five years were those living with diabetes “It’s alarming that so many people with diabetes or at risk for diabetes may be unaware of the damage their condition can do to their eyes and may not be getting exams to check for it,” said Raj K. Maturi, M.D., ophthalmologist and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

“Outside of maintaining good blood glucose levels, having an annual dilated eye exam is the best first line defense against vision loss from diabetic eye disease.”

While “diabetic eye disease” is often used, people may be unaware that this term encompasses a number of diseases and conditions that can cause blindness if left untreated.

These include: · Diabetic Retinopathy affects 28.5 percent of people age 40 and older living with diabetes. It occurs when the small blood vessels in the eye change by swelling, leaking fluid or closing off completely, blocking blood flow from reaching the retina. In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy does not have symptoms, but can lead to changes in the eye, such as macular edema, which is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy and many of its related changes include laser surgery, medical injections and

myths that are also contributing to the lag.

Myth 1: PrEP should be used for prevention only after all eligible AIDS patients are on treatment. Some believe that we shouldn’t redirect HIV/AIDS medications to people without HIV until all people with HIV are treated. But there is a flaw in that thinking, says South African scientist Salim Abdool Karim, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and director of the Center for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, or CAPRISA. For every person who begins treatment, two more people become infected, so while we’re saving lives, we have to “use all tools to prevent those two people from acquiring HIV,” says Dr. Karim.

Myth 2: It is not safe to give ARVs to healthy people. This myth plays on the fear that, because of their adverse effects, the treatments will do more harm than good. While that may have been true in the early days of HIV/AIDS medications, it’s no longer true today, Dr. Karim says. In fact, most of the drugs used today have excellent safety profiles and have been taken effectively by hundreds of thousands of patients.

Myth 3: Asymptomatic people will not adhere to ARVs for prevention or treatment. Some feel that PrEP is a waste of time because people who aren’t HIV positive won’t have the sense of

urgency to take their medications. But Dr. Karim disagrees, saying that HIV-positive and HIV-negative partners have strong motivations for taking PrEP drugs.

HIV/AIDS professionals must also educate the community and work with it to break the barriers to adherence, says Seema Sahay, Ph.D., a scientist with the National AIDS Research Institute in Pune, Maharashtra, India. “We can find solutions and talk to [community members], and then adherence will be enhanced,” she says.

Myth 4: Drug resistance from PrEP will undermine future AIDS treatment. Some fear that if people who don’t have HIV take PrEP, they will build up a resistance to HIV drugs in the future. But according to studies, the bulk of resistance occurs when ARVs are used for treatment, not prevention.

Besides, Dr. Karim says, “If you use PrEP, you don’t get infected, so you don’t have [to worry about] resistance.”

Myth 5: PrEP will increase HIV risk by lowering condom use. If people have a biomedical means of prevention, they’ll engage in unsafe sex practices and use fewer condoms over time, some say. Yet studies show that this isn’t true, Dr. Karim says.

Education will also play a role in making sure people are aware that condom usage is still important. For example, clinicians must do a better job ex-

MILLET plaining the need, says Edwina Wright, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor with the Burnet Institute, based in Melbourne, Australia. They must balance the duty of caring for patients with providing care to partners and the broader community, which can be done through PrEP, she says.

Myth 6: We do not know how PrEP works and need more education efforts before the rollout. While it’s true that more must be done to educate people about PrEP, “through implementation we learn,” Dr. Karim says.

If not, “we’re still going to have hundreds of thousands of infections among African Americans and specifically among young Black gay men who are dispossessed, who don’t have access to care and really have no place to go,” Millett says. “And that’s problematic.”

Are not-for-profit hospitals earning their tax breaks? New study says no vitrectomy surgery in which blood and scar tissue caused by abnormal blood vessels is removed. · Cataract occurs when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing vision to become blurry, cloudy or dim. While this happens in many people as they age, those with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts than their peers without diabetes. Mild cataracts may be treated with eyeglasses, but once the cataract is advanced, it will require cataract surgery, in which the natural cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant known as an intraocular lens or IOL. · Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve and peripheral vision. The damage to the optic nerve is usually caused by elevated pressure in the eye. People with diabetes are also more likely to develop glaucoma, which rarely has any noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Glaucoma can be treated with medication such as prescription eye drops or with surgery, but will result in blindness if left untreated.

The Academy recommends that those with those with type 2 diabetes should get a dilated eye exam at the time of diagnosis and every year following. Those with type 1 diabetes should start receiving annual eye exams five years after their initial diagnosis.

Seniors who have not had a recent eye exam or for whom cost is a concern may qualify for EyeCare America, a program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, that offers eye exams and care at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible seniors age 65 and older. EyeCare America is the largest public service program of its kind in American medicine, and has helped more than 1.8 million people access eye care services.

Visit www.eyecareamerica.org to learn more.

Through its public education website, EyeSmart, the Academy also offers tools and

information such as · Vision simulators that show the impact of diabetic retinopathy: http://bit.ly/ 1wJEWgZ · Videos about dilated eye exams: http://bit.ly/ 10CupJzhttp://bit.ly/ 10CupJz · Tips to help prevent diabetes-related vision loss: http:/ /bit.ly/PJYQEE About the American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology, headquartered in San Francisco, is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, serving more than 32,000 members worldwide. The Academy’s mission is to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care. For more information, visit www.aao.org.

The Academy is also a leading provider of eye care information to the public. The Academy’s EyeSmart® program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve healthy vision. EyeSmart provides the most trusted and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program.

Visit www.geteyesmart.org or www.ojossanos.org to learn more.

About EyeCare America Established in 1985, EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public service and education.

EyeCare America provides year-round eye care services to medically underserved seniors and those at increased risk for eye disease. More than 90 percent of the care made available is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients. EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc., with additional support provided by Alcon, Genentech and Regeneron. More information can be found at www.eyecareamerica.org.

Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco.

By Anna Challet From New America Media Not-for-profit hospitals, like Kaiser in San Francisco, receive tax breaks in exchange for providing benefits to their communities — services like charity care for people who are uninsured. But are the not-for-profit hospitals in California providing enough of these services to earn their tax breaks?

Not by a long shot, according to a new study by The Greenlining Institute.

According to the study, notfor-profit hospitals in the state take in over twice as much money in tax breaks as they spend on community benefits.

And an investigation into the community benefit spending of three large hospitals in San Francisco – Kaiser, St. Mary’s Medical Center and California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) – revealed shoddy data reporting on where the money is going.

“It’s an unfair exchange.

Hospitals receive about $3.2 billion in tax breaks because of their not-for-profit status, but from what we can see at the state level, there’s only about $1.4 billion going back into the community through their community benefits,” says Carla Saporta, Greenlining’s health policy director and one of the study’s authors.

Additionally, hospitals are required to provide documentation that demonstrates how they’re spending their community benefit dollars, and the data is supposed to be publicly available. But when Greenlining tried to access that information, they found most of it to be incomplete or totally unclear.

“You can’t even really follow the money and understand how they’re really spending their community benefits dollars,” says Saporta.

Kaiser, for example, claims just over $24 million in community benefit spending, but accounts for less than $600,000 of that. Sutter Health’s five CPMC campuses claim over $167 million in community benefit, but Greenlining found the financial details to be largely inconsistent and incomplete.

Complicating the picture even more is the fact that costs aren’t standardized in hospital care. Different hospitals often charge vastly different amounts for the same services. For example, if you were a patient at Kaiser and a nurse gave you one generic Tylenol, you would be billed $19 for that pill. But at CPMC, you’d pay less than a dollar.

Because costs aren’t standardized, it becomes difficult to confirm how much charity care the hospitals are actually pro-

viding.

“Because they set their own pricing, when they’re claiming that a service costs a certain amount and claiming it as charity care or as a community benefit, it’s basically the hospital determining how much they’re truly spending to help underserved populations,” says Saporta.

“When you have this arbitrary pricing, then it allows hospitals to actually pad their numbers.”

And it’s communities with higher numbers of people who are uninsured that pay the price.

“Certain communities, communities of color in particular and low-income communities, shoulder a higher burden of health inequities, of chronic illness,” says Saporta. Community benefit spending is meant to be one way of addressing those inequities, but a lack of transparency on the part of hospitals makes it difficult to tell if taxpayer dollars are going back into the community.

Greenlining recommends a legislative fix – the Medicare reimbursement rate, it says, should serve as the standard charge for any care that a hospital claims is a community benefit. And, critically, not-forprofit hospitals in California need more detailed requirements for reporting how they’re spending those dollars.

Page 12 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • November 13 - November 19, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Black PR Wire President Bernadette Morris receives Lifetime Achievement Award at National Black Public Relations Society Conference BLACK PR WIRE – Black PR Wire President/CEO Bernadette Morris proudly received the Pat Tobin Lifetime Achievement Award during the recent National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) 2014 Conference. The South Florida Chapter of NBPRS hosted the event, which attracted top communications professionals and stu-

dents from across the nation to Fort Lauderdale for an informative weekend of industryrelated networking, workshops and expert discussions. “I am greatly humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Morris. Morris is also the owner of Sonshine Communications, a nationally renowned public relations firm specializing in

cause-related campaigns.

About Black PR Wire Established in 2001, Black PR Wire is a powerful leader in effective news delivery services with an unmatched database and listing of over 1,500 Black (African American, Caribbean and Haitian) media, organizations, social influencers and opinion leaders. Black PR Wire

is the first and largest news distribution service to target the Black market, serving a myriad of small business and corporate clients nationally, including the ASPiRE Network and the Tavis Smiley Group. Black PR Wire is also the African-American distribution partner for Business Wire, the world’s largest newswire distribution firm.

Services of Black PR Wire include a full range of comprehensive news release distribution, electronic audio and video messages, newsletters and more. The company offers its services in both English and Creole.

Learn more at www.blackprwire.com where you can view Thrivin,’ our award-winning monthly newsletter, and join The Hook Up and receive customized releases on demand. Also, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ BlackPRWire, and get updates on Twitter @BlackPRWire. At Black PR Wire, we distribute the news our media can use!

Contact us toll-free at 1-877BLACKPR (252-2577).

MORRIS

Stevie Wonder, Alvin Ailey to recieve Presidential Medal of Freedom

WONDER President Barack Obama is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people, including Meryl Streep and Stevie Wonder. The two performers are among those who will receive the medal at a White House ceremony Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. The medal is the highest honor granted to civilians in the U.S. and honors contributions to U.S. security, world peace and cultural achievement.

Choreographer Alvin Ailey,

AILEY who died in 1989, will receive the medal posthumously. Musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim and former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw will also receive the award.

Other recipients include author Isabel Allende, scientist

Mildred Dresselhaus, golfer Charles Sifford, economist Robert Solow and actress Marlo Thomas. President Obama says the winners helped write new chapters in America’s story.

ThePresident announced the recipients while traveling Tuesday in China.

First trailer for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic looks amazing

By Joshua D. Copeland Another biopic is on the way to the big screen. David Ovelowo is going to portray the legendary icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the upcoming film “Selma.” From the looks of the trailer, there’s no doubt that audiences are squirming with anticipation.

This movie is going to explore the depths of the Civil Rights Movement that took place from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. In the first trailer of the film, we can expect the challenges that Dr. King had to endure involving president Lyndon B. Johnson (played by Tom Wilkinson), the Alabama Gov, George Wallace (portrayed by Tom Roth) and FBI director J. Edgar Hoover (played by Dylan Baker). If you remember anything about the Civil Rights marches prior to watching this film, expect the marches to be violent and emotionally impacting.

“Selma” will focus on the 3 month period where Dr. King campaigned for the right to vote for African Americans, which resulted in three protests down

a 54-mile highway. Because of his contributions to the Black community, Dr. King made history by demolishing segregation in America.

Oprah Winfrey will be a producer for the film and will also be featured along with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Carmen Ejogo. AFI will be debuting 30 minutes of the film on Tuesday.

“Selma” is scheduled to premiere in theaters on Christmas Day. The trailer has been racking up positive reviews like crazy, which is due for some excitement. Critics are saying that actor David Ovelowo is barely recognizable while portraying Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and that he may as well be as spitting image. Will his portrayal of the Civil Rights legend be just as authentic acting wise?

What do you think about the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic? So far we’ve seen all kinds of them, just as many of them are yet to premiere in the near future. Will “Selma” be the film to set the bar for biopics?

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

November 13 - November 19, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 13

Improved quality of HCA Hospitals of Broward County donate Medicare plans and $5,000 to Park Trails Elementary PTA steady premiums are Student wins #Healthy Selfie contest and choice of charity for donation great news as open enrollment begins

By Marilyn Tavenner, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Fall is a wonderful time of year. Changing leaves. Cooler weather. It’s also the season for people with Medicare to review their current Medicare coverage, as Medicare Open Enrollment begins.

As we prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment, which began on Oct. 15 and ends on Dec. 7, Medicare wants everyone to know that quality continues to improve both in Medicare Advantage and in the Part D Prescription Drug Program.

Each year, plan costs and coverage can change. During open enrollment, seniors and people with disabilities across the country have the opportunity to review their current Medicare coverage and see if they want to make any changes for the next year. It’s important for people with Medicare to take the time to make sure their current situation still meets their health care needs best.

To help people choose a plan, Medicare calculates plan “star ratings” for Medicare health and prescription drug plans.

Each plan gets a number of stars on a scale of 1 to 5—with 5 being the best—based on quality and performance. These ratings are designed to help people with Medicare, their families, and caregivers compare plans, in addition to information on their premiums and benefits.

This year, people with Medicare who choose to enroll in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan will have access to more high-rated, four- and fivestar plans than ever before.

Approximately 60 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees are in a Medicare Advantage Plan earning four or more stars in 2015, compared to an estimated 17 percent back in 2009.

Likewise, about 53 percent of Part D enrollees are currently enrolled in stand-alone prescription drug plans with four or more stars for 2015, com-

pared to just 16 percent in 2009.

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, enrollment in Medicare Advantage will increase to 42 percent to an alltime high of over 16 million and Medicare Advantage premiums will have decreased by 6 percent.

For people with Medicare, this is good news in how they receive care. Plans that are higher rated deliver a high-level of care, such as improving the coordination of care, managing diabetes or other chronic conditions more efficiently, screening for and preventing illnesses, making sure people get much-needed prescription drugs, or getting appointments and care quickly. A high rating also means these plans give better customer service, with fewer complaints or long waits for care.

If you have Medicare and need assistance, you can visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). You should have received the 2015 “Medicare & You” Handbook and important notices from your current plan, Medicare, or Social Security about changes to your coverage. If you’re satisfied with your current coverage, there’s nothing you need to do.

Better quality in Medicare health and prescription drug plans isn’t the only good news for people with Medicare. For most seniors who have Original Medicare, the 2015 Part B premium will stay unchanged for a second consecutive year at $104.90. This means more of seniors’ retirement income and any increase in Social Security benefits will stay in their pockets. The Part B deductible will stay the same as well.

Medicare is working hard to make sure this good news continues so that seniors and people with disabilities will continue to get the health care coverage they deserve.

The winner of the #Healthy Selfie Contest Bryce Schafer at the check presentation ceremony with; back row l to r: Renee Crotts, marketing director, University Hospital and Medical Center; Marisol Cintron, marketing director, Westside Regional Medical Center; Joseph D. Melchiode, CEO, University Hospital and Medical Center; Thomas Redshaw, principal, Park Trails Elementary School; Mark Rader, CEO, Northwest Medical Center; Abbe Rosen, director, Northwest Medical Center and Raquel Alderman, marketing director, Plantation General Hospital.

PARKLAND,FL -- Officials from HCA Hospitals of Broward County along with Bryce Schafer, a first grade student at Park Trails Elementary School, presented a $5,000 check to Park Trails Elementary PTA at the school on November 3, 2014. Bryce won a donation to the charity of her choice by entering a #Healthy Selfie contest sponsored by HCA Hospitals of Broward County. The contest asked entrants to submit a selfie that represented how they keep healthy. Bryce’s #Healthy Selfie photo entry, a picture of the nimble gymnast hanging upside down from a gymnastics bar, will be featured in an ad by the hospitals. Bryce chose Park Trails Elementary PTA as the recipient to help fund the renovation project of the playground at the school. “I’m excited to win and help my school build a new playground,” Bryce said.

“We’re proud to present this donation with Bryce to Park

Robert L. McKinzie sworn in as Fort Lauderdale District III City Commissioner (Cont'd from FP) WG: What skill set do you bring to the office of the City Commissioner which you feel qualifies you to fill this leadership role?

McKinzie: “I think we need to look at the history of this commission seat. When we elected Mr. DeGraffenreidt he wrote the blueprint. Then Carlton Moore came in and laid the foundation. After the foundation was laid, Bobby Dubose came in and built upon it. Now you have me with my particular skill set, being a General Contractor who is in the building industry, I think I understand what it takes to build this thing as we move forward.

Economic development is the last piece which is going to happen here in particular on Seventh Avenue, along the Sistrunk Corridor, and we’re seeing things developing along Broward Boulevard as well. I think the skill set that I bring to the table are those I have in finance and construction.”

WG: As the newly elected Commissioner for District III what do you consider your top priorities?

McKinzie- “I think our No.1 priority should be Public Safety.

Everyone wants to reduce crime without harming people who may have other challenges than just the crimes that they’ve com-

mitted such as a mental illness or other social issue that they may be in. We’ve got to address crime and make our neighborhoods safe. We also need housing.

I don’t think we need any more rental properties. I think the Housing Authority, and the City of Fort Lauderdale, and some of the developers have given us enough rentals. I think we need to give people opportunities to own affordable single family homes. One of the things I want to do is provide the opportunity for single family housing for young professionals.

I think there are plenty of opportunities. There are a lot of infields that are overgrown. I think we can continue what was started years ago before the real estate bust.

I think everybody got into this multi-housing thing because housing was too expensive and rentals became the more economical way of living. Now I think it’s time that we should be able to begin to provide adequate housing opportunities for young professionals.

The third area would be the economic development piece. We see it coming together slowly from Andrews westward through the Sistrunk Corridor to what is titled the Mid-Town District but still not enough.

We need to look at the Sistrunk Corridor from where it starts to

where it ends and start businesses and entrepreneurs to take this opportunity to provide goods and services to our community. When I was growing up everything we ever needed was here whether it was to go out for entertainment, or buy food or clothing, it was right here in our own community and they tore down those businesses with the promise of redeveloping the area.”

WG: What is your vision for the future of District III specifically, as it pertains to providing access to economic development to those who reside within your district?

McKinzie: “I think by having a voice at the table not just including your commissioner, but from people from the community to get involved and sit at the table to be a part of the decisions that are being made, and grants you an opportunity to participate. When that time is afforded we need to have qualified people there to take on these challenges.

Brian Johnson over at Minority Builders is doing a great job engaging the business world and the government in terms of providing those opportunities and gaining a seat at the table with these types of partnerships. I know that there are many, many other groups as well that are doing these things so we’ve got to get

Trails Elementary PTA,” said Mark R. Rader, CEO of Northwest Medical Center in Margate. “Not only does Bryce live a healthy lifestyle, but she has a big heart by wanting to help her fellow classmates get a new playground.”

“All of us at Park Trails Elementary are incredibly grateful

to HCA Hospitals of Broward.

This donation demonstrates their incredible support of the community,” said Tracy Gaynor, Park Trails Elementary PTA President. “I’d also like to recognize Bryce Schafer for submitting the winning entry.

This is a victory for everyone involved.”

“It’s exciting to see so many kids living healthy lifestyles and getting involved with their community,” said Joseph D. Melchiode, CEO of University Hospital and Medical Center in Tamarac, referring to the high number of contest entries by students at Park Trails Elementary School. “It’s important that children are educated about healthy eating and exercise at a young age. We’re seeing continued growth of families with young children in our communities and our goal is to help keep them healthy and well.”

The HCA Hospitals of Broward County include Northwest Medical Center, Plantation General Hospital, University Hospital and Medical Center and Westside Regional Medical Center. The hospitals provide a comprehensive range of adult and children’s medical services including emergency, cardiology, orthopedic and surgical services.

HCA affiliated facilities in East Florida area a part of a quality healthcare network that includes 12 affiliated hospitals, 12 surgery centers, one integrated regional lab and one consolidated service center. Together, the network employs more than 12,500 individuals and has close to 6,000 physicians on staff and offers expertise in all fields of medicine and nursing.

"If you have no confidence in self you are twice defeated in the race of life.

With confidence you have won even before you have started." -- Marcus Garvey

Page 14 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • November 13 - November 19, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

United States could realize huge economic benefits by closing racial and ethnic education gaps, new CAP Report Shows By closing education gaps for Black and Hispanic children, U.S. gross domestic product would be 5.8 percent or nearly $2.3 trillion larger by 2050

LYNCH WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States changing demographics will have enormous ramifications for both the country’s education system and economy in the decades to come.

A new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) quantifies the multitude of economic benefits that would result from closing the educational achievement gap that exists between Black and Hispanic children and white non-Hispanic children, finding that the U.S. gross domestic product, or GDP, would be 5.8 percent or nearly $2.3 trillion larger in 2050 if educational achievement gaps were closed. Federal, state, and local revenues would grow by billions of dollars annually, while Social Security tax contributions would grow by $877 billion by 2050.

Black and Hispanic children make up an ever-larger share

of our population and our workforce, and one of the greatest problems they face is lagging achievement gaps, said Robert G. Lynch, CAP Senior Fellow and co-author of the report.

Even using a conservative analysis, it’s clear that major public investments toward closing education gaps would more than pay for themselves in the form of increased GDP and tax revenues.

Ensuring educational equity is not just an investment in students and in schools it’s an investment in our economy, said Patrick Oakford, CAP Policy Analyst and report co-author.

But more importantly the United States risks wasting its greatest asset; human capital if it does not act to significantly lift the educational outcomes of all of our children.

CAP’s analysis projects how much greater U.S. GDP would be from 2014 to 2050 if the educational achievements of Black and Hispanic children were raised to match those of white, non-Hispanic children, finding that the cumulative increase from 2014 to 2050 would amount to $20.4 trillion. Federal tax revenues alone would skyrocket by $4.1 trillion between 2014 and 2050, or approximately $110 billion per year, and state local revenues

would rise by another $88 billion annually.

CAP’s analysis and the resulting data show that even very large public investments that close achievement gaps would pay for themselves in the form of significant economic growth by 2050.

CAP’s report notes that government investments in closing educational achievement gaps that cost less than an average of $198 billion annually over the next 37 years would pay for themselves, even in strictly budgetary terms.

To get a sense of the magnitude of such investments, consider that the annual cost to implement the Obama Administration high-quality; universal pre-K program averages just $7.5 billion per year over the first 10 years.

The report also notes that the benefits of closing educational achievement gaps mean more than just increased GDP and tax revenues: It would also mean higher earnings, higher material standards of living, and an enhanced quality of life

IT PAYS TO ADEVERTISE IN THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE

for these children when they grow to be adults.

Click here to read “The Economic Benefits of Closing Educational Achievement Gaps: Pro-

moting Growth and Strengthening the Nation by Improving the Educational Outcomes of Children of Color” by Robert G. Lynch and Patrick

Oakford. For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Tanya S. Arditi at tarditi@americanprogress.org or (202) 741-6258.

Baptist Health South Florida provides a brush of kindness

Employees volunteer at Habitat for Humanity work day in Liberty City Dedicated to making a difference, 60 employees of Baptist Health South Florida and their families and friends provided a “brush of kindness” by offering time and talent to Habitat for Humanity on Nov. 8 The Baptist Health team helped to paint, lay new grass and plant flowers at four homes in Miami’s Liberty City community.

Baptist Health South Florida has been a long-time partner of

Habitat for Humanity. Employees and their families and friends volunteer their time each year to help construct homes.

Baptist Health South Florida is a faith- based organization that believes in giving back to the communities it serves.

Focused on driving diversity in - the workforce, workplace and marketplace, Baptist Health has created a world where each person understands

its commitment to inclusion. As one of America’s preeminent healthcare institutions, Baptist Health is composed of seven hospitals and more than thirty outpatient facilities.

Baptist Health is visited by more than a million patients annually.

For more information and to learn about The Best Place for Diversity, visit www.baptisthealth.net.