Daytona
‘42’ coming to Jackie Robinson Ballpark
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CHARLENE CROWELL: Consumers of color PRESORTED STANDARD pay more for dealer-financed loans See page 4
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #189 Daytona Beach, FL
STEM education gap threatens economic success See page 5
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
See page 3
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FEBRUARY 13 - FEBRUARY 19, 2014
YEAR 39 NO. 7
Board ponders power of city manager job
PEOPLE SPEAK
Change to mayoral form of government discussed at Daytona Charter Review Commission meeting BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
The power of the Daytona Beach city manager has been the topic of much discussion in recent years and is at the forefront of considerations by the Daytona Beach Charter Review Commission (CRC). “The current structure gives, in my opinion, all the power to a person who’s not an elected official,” Dr. Willie Kimmons, vice chair of the CRC said to the board
on Feb. 4 at City Hall. “The people that elect people, I think that is where the power should be.” The City Commission hired Jim Chisholm as city manager in August 2004. As city manager, he is responsible for implementing the policy of the commission, preparing the city’s annual budget and ensuring the city operates in a fiscally responsible manner. As the city’s chief executive officer, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of all operations of city government.
Mayoral form sought Kimmons was not the only one to voice an opinion of the role of the city manager. In an interview with the Daytona Times Hemis Ivey also voiced concerns. “As past chairman of the Midtown Redevelopment Board, I strongly advocate for change in the charter review,” Ivey related. “It is important that we go to a mayoral form of government where we can hold our commissioners and our mayor accountable and we won’t be stuck with
them on a contractual obligation. We (voters) can change them every four years vs. the city manager form of government.” Kimmons noted that the elected officials – the mayor and city commissioners – should be responsible for the citizens. “But if you look at the current day-to-day structure that we have in place, the city manager runs the day-to-day operation of the city, who is not an elected official, who is supposed to report through the city commission and the mayor and that can be a tre-
Weather didn’t dampen spirit of Black Heritage Festival
mendous, tremendous morale problem when you look at the lines of demarcation and span of control, it makes it very difficult,’’ Kimmons added.
Favoritism and nepotism? The current city manager is an employee of the city and as such cannot be simply voted out through the electoral process. If he were to be relinquished of his duties, the commissioners would Please see BOARD, Page 2
Services Saturday for longtime entrepreneur, truck driver Wilbert Kendrick FROM STAFF REPORTS
The family of Wilbert Kendrick referred to him this week as “a kind, humorous and generous man’’ as well as an “inspirational example of a Godly man.’’ The longtime Daytona Beach resident who had been living in Georgia for the past few years, died Saturday at age 80. A homegoing service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 539 George W Engram Blvd. The Rev. Ronald L. Durham is the pastor. Visitation hours will be 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at R. J. Gainous Funeral Home. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Wilbert PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ, SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
A youth group from Bethel Baptist Church sang during the festival.
‘Proud of what went on’
BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
T
he Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum celebrated its 23rd Annual Black Heritage Festival last weekend in New Smyrna Beach with food, arts and crafts, hair weaving, and face painting. The museum offered an opportunity for visitors to learn about local Black history and culture. The event was dampened by rain on Friday and Saturday but festivalgoers still came out to tour the museum and enjoy the bands. The museum houses a collection of photographs, memorabilia and artifacts dating back to the early 1960s. The displays educate citizens about history and race relations in smalltown Florida over the course of the 20th century.
“We had outstanding entertainment that you would not find anywhere else in the state of Florida. We had some of the finest bands on site,” related the Rev. Lorenzo Laws, chairman of the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum. The festival was to celebrate history but also to bring residents throughout the city, the county and the state for tours of the museum and other activities of the festival, he said. “Overall, the 23rd Black Heritage Festival was truly a great event,” Laws said. “We had a lot of families that toured the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum, visited the shotgun house, and although the weather was beyond our control, we did what we had to do to continue on. We are proud of what went on.”
Above: Festival attendees enter the Heritage House to observe history up-close. Left: Willie Mack’s Barbecue prepares to serve ribs for hungry patrons.
Kendrick
Retired in 1992
Born on Aug. 31, 1933 in Bunnell to Willie Lee and Alberta Kendrick, Wilbert Kendrick was raised in the Daytona Beach/Ormond community area by an aunt and uncle along with his older brother Calvin and cousins. A hardworking young man from a very young age, Wilbert Kendrick started his first job as a bicycle delivery boy for a pharmacy on Daytona Beach’s “beachside” at age 12. He was a dedicated long distance truck driver and entrepreneur. He retired in 1992 after an honorable career having received multiple awards for safety. He married Mary Shaw in 1967. Of their union came two children, Wilbert II and Salathiel. He married his first wife, Olivia Groover at age 19 and continued over the years to serve as a father figure and role model to her son, Kenneth Casher. “He was an excellent provider, supporter, and a humble friend. He cared for other people and adopted new friends like family,’’ daughter Dr. Salathiel Kendrick-Allwood told the Daytona Times this week.
Dutiful church member Mr. Kendrick dedicated his life to Christ in 1967. He was a longtime member of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the ushers, trustee, deacons and tape ministries. He also served as superintendent of Sunday School and assistant church treasurer. After 77 years as a Florida resident, he and wife Mary relocated to Mableton, Ga., to live with their daughter and her family. During this Please see kendrick, Page 2
Circuit court seeking advocates for kids BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
The Guardian ad Litem program of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court is seeking people with the time and heart to fill a gap of child advocates in Volusia County. The circuit covers Volusia, Flagler, Putnam
and Saint Johns counties. Of the more than 900 Volusia County children currently in court case proceedings, 774 of them fit the criteria of needing an advocate. Of the 774 children, 300 do not have one. “The children we advocate for have been removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse, neglect
or abandonment,” Lael Prytherch, the volunteer recruiter for the Guardian ad Litem Program of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, explained. “Our volunteers are everyday people. They make sure the children’s best interests are heard so they don’t fall through the cracks.” Please see CHILDREN, Page 2
Guardian ad Litem volunteers are sworn in at the Volusia County Courthouse. Courtesy Guardian ad Litem program.
7 FOCUS
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FEBRUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 19, 2014
February an ideal month to focus on keeping the heart healthy BY ASHLEY THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Valentine’s Day is a reminder of love, but it is the entire month of February that is dedicated to the heart. Marking Heart Health Awareness, February has been chosen as the month to really push cardiovascular health. “Every year, Americans suffer more than 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes,” explained Stefany Strong, public information officer for the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County. “It is important for our residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat nutritious meals, and participate in regular physical activity to keep their hearts healthy.” For nearly 100 years, cardiovascular disease has caused more deaths in the U.S. than any other cause. The good news is that within the past 40 years, there has been a striking reduction in coronary heart disease deaths in men. The bad news is that reductions in women have lagged behind, says Volusia/Flagler Florida Hospital spokesperson Lindsay Rew. Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease. Among women, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, one in three dies of heart disease. The fact is heart
LINDSAY REW/FLORIDA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
At Florida Hospital Flagler in Palm Coast, approximately 100 women - and a few men - joined the thousands of people across the nation in support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day on Feb. 7. disease kills approximately one woman every minute.
Cardiovascular health and the Black woman The American Heart Association says the prevalence of high blood pressure in African-Americans is the highest in the world. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, and it can cause permanent damage to the heart before you even notice any symptoms, that’s why it is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Heart disease is more prevalent among Black women than White women, and also develops earlier in life. More than 80 percent of midlife African-American women are overweight or obese, 52 percent have high blood pressure, and 14 percent have been diagnosed with diabetes. All of
children from Page 1
Voice of the child Guardians ad Litem (GALs) are not the same as legal guardians and are often appointed in under-age-children cases, many times to represent the interests of the minor children. They are the voice of the child and may represent the child in court, with many judges adhering to any recommendation given by the advocate. They may assist where a child is removed from a hostile environment, usually by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and in those cases may assist in the protection of the minor child. “In dependency court, where a child is removed, the state has an attorney, the mother has an attorney, the father has an attorney, the other father has an attorney, depending on how many people are involved. But the child really has no voice unless there is a Guardian ad Litem appointed to that child,” explained Barbara Jacobi, director of the Guardian ad Litem program for the Seventh Judicial Circuit. “And that person, that volunteer, and our program behind that volunteer represents what is in the child’s best interest, because everybody standing in front of the judge has an interest in the outcome of the case.”
watchful eye of people who pick up on much smaller cues. It may be an administrator at a VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten) program, a nurse at the doctor’s office or a daycare provider that notices something isn’t quite right. “We have them from all ages, starting from birth,” Prytherch continued. Instances where children are immediately removed from the parent could be if the child is born with drugs in their system, but advocates are needed for kids up to age 18. Neither race, age nor socioeconomic background is immune to the system. However, the rate of Black children involved in court proceedings hovers closely to the makeup of the population.
Taking care of their own As there are negative disparities across the board on so many other statistics – including, lower test scores and higher incarceration rates for Blacks – Prytherch, who has data on thousands of children in Volusia, has a hunch that the pattern is static because of the way the Black family takes care of its own. “Black communities tend to stick together more; families take care of their own more,” she said. “That is just my interpretation of it (the data), and I don’t have anything to back that up.” The amount of Black children in the system is around 18 percent whereas the Black population is about 11 percent.
Impacts all backgrounds
What the volunteer does
Although there are children who have an advocate due to being in the foster care system, some children find themselves involved in a case due to the
Prytherch said volunteers are given a file that has information about why children were removed from their homes, police reports, and other pertinent in-
BOARD from Page 1
have to vote him out. Ivey explained that if the position was modified, commissioners could be the head over different departments, which he believes can stop “the favoritism and nepotism’’ in hiring. “Right now you have people in positions at City Hall that only have high school diplomas that are over people with master’s degrees and that is not right and it’s not fair,” Ivey said.
What is the charter? Daytona Beach’s charter, the governing document that outlines how the city operates, is required to be reviewed every 10 years by a committee made up of residents. City commissioners appointed members and alternates to serve on the Charter Review Commission (CRC) in January.
The commission is tasked with examining the city’s existing charter and to make recommendations for changes, additions or deletions. Any recommended changes will be presented to the Daytona Beach City Commission for authorization on June 18 and two public hearings will be established for public input. Upon approval, a referendum is held where amendments are presented to the electorate for final adoption. Finally, the amendments will be placed on the ballot at the next general election on Nov. 4. “I just hope that the City Commission adapts and adopts some of the changes being recommended from the Charter Review Commission,” Ivey concluded.
Additional changes discussed Former Mayor Glenn Ritchey, who is serving as chairman of the seven-member CRC, said he wants to review charter language that’s
which contribute to an overwhelming cause of heart disease. Almost two-thirds (64 percent) of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. Even with no symptoms, women may still be at risk for heart disease. To help address this problem, the CDC has created what it calls the Million Hearts Initiative, a national initiative that aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. The center is pushing these heart-healthy tips that correspond with the “ABCs”: A: Take aspirin as directed by your health care provider. B: Control your blood pressure. C: Manage your cholesterol. S: Don’t smoke. For more information on heart health, consult your doctor or visit the American Heart Association online at www.heart.org. formation. The volunteers then find out more about the child by visiting them. “These are children that may have had eight foster homes, multiple case workers, their parents may or may not be doing what they need to do to get these kids back, and these kids have suffered a lot of loss,’’ she explained. “We don’t want to be another person that is in and out of these kids’ lives,” Prytherch continued. “We aren’t counselors, we aren’t therapists, we are just people who care.” The goal isn’t to have the child removed from the caregiver, she remarked. “If it is a good placement, let’s help. “If you have a case with a 1 year-old you may get on the floor, play with them. It doesn’t have to be perfect (the home environment). It doesn’t have to be pretty; it just has to be safe. Say for instance, it is 1 year-old and there are some exposed wires. Do you remove the child or could we maybe help with that? Pull a dresser in front of it, go to Home Depot and buy some electrical tape and cover it up.”
Advocate weighs in Robert “Mickey” Waters, a volunteer with 16 years of experience and hundreds of cases, says that the help is needed. “Because I have been here this long, and we have the choice of which cases we are offered and if we want to take it or not, some of the volunteers base their decisions on how much travel is involved or how egregious it is. I’m not interested in those things, and I don’t want a fluff case where someone has spanked a child. I know the difference in a spanking and a beating and I only take the most egregious cases.
become obsolete such as references to eminent domain powers that are now illegal and beach access that’s now controlled by the county. Kimmons also asked the board to consider changing the number of zones on the city commission and the balance of power at City Hall. “I often wonder if we need six zones or do we need four zones. We are Willie growing as a Kimmons city,” he pondered. “If you look at Zones 1-4, there is a different makeup in 5 and 6,” Kimmons told the board. “I own houses in five and six. I want to make sure we expand the resources. The resources look like they are going in Zones 1,2,3 and 4.” “As Mayor Derrick Henry says, ‘We are one city and one vision,’” Kimmons told the Daytona Times. “Let’s get a balance
Family, friends, sorors celebrate 80th birthday of retired educator Birthdays are opportunities to celebrate someone we care about and appreciate. So, this was cause to celebrate Eva Cofield’s birthday, her special place that no one can fill because she is amazing! Family, friends and sorority sisters trekked to Miami from near and far, including Atlanta and Detroit. And still, Palm Coast was in the house because my husband, Louie, was there celebrating his cousin Eva’s birthday. Karen Hawkins, Ph.D., and Carl Cofield, a New York Citybased director/actor threw the 80th surprise bash for their mother. Hawkins, a professor at Miami Dade College, said the party was a year in the making. It was time spent at the stunning Grand Salon Reception Hall at the Shoppes of Killian. Grandson Dr. Curtis Hawkins II, a pharmacist, was responsible for bringing his grandmother, who was unaware that it was her surprise party. Eva, a retired educator, has been involved in teaching students at Miami Dade College to prepare for success. Carl got the entertainment “on the road” as master of ceremonies, using the flamboyance from his theatrical training. He brought his young son, Cassius, and wife, Marina, the deputy chief academic officer in the New York public schools. The program was worth remembering with vocalists Paul Golatt and Tangela Shepard singing “Endless Love.” It was off the chain for saxophonist Jon Saxx, who worked the room playing Sam Cook’s “A Change Is Gonna I tell the newer volunteers to start with one they are comfortable with,” he began. “There was one case where a young mother who was 23 years old had five children, different fathers, and had given up the first child in another case out of state. I was introduced to the case when a child showed up to the hospital with some injuries. “Eventually her (parental) rights were terminated one at a time. Reunification just wasn’t possible. We found a couple that were able to adopt the children, twin boys. Fortunately a relative of that couple adopted the third child and another relative adopted the fourth. The children will always be able to see and have access with their siblings. They were all adopted into families with strong core values,” he said.
Best interest of children “The children will be able to have opportunities to things that they would have never had,” Waters continued. “I am sad in my heart for the mother, because no matter what the misgivings, she is still the mother. The father of the youngest child had put his child in in a tub of scalding hot water, the child was five or six months old. “What could a child that age do to deserve that? Any child? But that is the world that we live in. We have to always take in the best interest of the children and, yes, sometimes it hurts, but we have to be concerned with their best interest.” Prytherch continued, “Best interest is a million different things for a million different kids. That’s why we need our volunteers. No one else has the time in all honestly. They will have a state caseworker and the caseworkers are
of power and wealth.” Other issues raised during the Feb. 4 meeting included: • Power of the mayor and the commission. • Whether the city manager needs to reside in the city. • Financial reporting of the city manager to the commission. • Financial disclosure of elections. • Sharing of agenda powers between the city manager and the commission. • A map of how city resources are spent among city facilities in a yearly published document, known as a fair-share. • A review of planning and advisory boards. • Organizational structure of the city government. The public’s involvement is encouraged. The next meeting of the CRC will be held Feb. 18 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at City Hall in the Commission Chambers, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave.
Palm Coast Community news Jeroline D. Mccarthy
JEROLINE MCCARTHY/DAYTONA TIMES
Carl Cofield holds son, Cassius, while wife, Marina, delights in their son. Eva Cofield is in awe of saxophonist Jon Saxx. Come” and Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It.” Alpha Kappa Alpha sorors serenaded Eva with a tribute in song. She is a charter member of Pi Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to: Candace Price, Feb. 14; William “BJ” Jones, Lilieth Vaz, Feb. 18; Mamie Cauley, Feb. 19. amazingly hard workers, they may have 15 cases they are doing. They are not only looking out for the best interest of the kids, best interest of the parents, best interest of the foster parents, so in reality they are kind of putting out those fires and can’t hit those little things. But volunteers that have one or two cases, they are going to get it.’’
Goal: Stable, permanent home “If you look at the statistics, kids that have a volunteer representing them are in the system roughly half the amount of time than kids who do not have a volunteer. Our kids that have a volunteer have better educational outcomes, they are half as likely to come back into the system because we help make sure that foundation is there. “We save the counties that we are in a lot of money. Educational outcomes are better so schools get more funding. It costs a lot to have kids in foster care. Prytherch added, “I have seen where the judge in the courtroom has shushed everybody and pointed at the Guardian ad Litem and said you, you tell me what to do. “The goal for everyone is to get these kids in a safe, stable, permanent home as quickly as possible. That is the end goal.’’ Volunteer training takes 30 hours with trainees also taking part in a court watch program to view actual court cases for an additional three hours. For more information in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, contact Lael Prytherch at 386-453-1362.
KENDRICK from Page 1
time, he enjoyed greeting his grandchildren daily and playing with them often. Mary Kendrick served the Daytona Times for decades as its administrative executive. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Wilbert Kendrick II (Tina) of Leesburg; daughter, Dr. Salathiel Renee’ KendrickAllwood (Dr. Steven) of Mableton, Ga.; stepson, Kenneth Casher of Clearwater; five brothers: Claude Bernard (Patricia) of Dayton, Ohio; Donald (Sharon) of South Daytona; Ronald (Mary) of Philadelphia; Craig (Jennifer) of Greenville, S.C.; Bruce of Daytona Beach; one sister, Barbara Jean Kendrick of Daytona Beach, one sister inlaw, Frankie Kendrick of Millen, Ga.; and two granddaughters, Assata Ire and Asantewaa Isoke Allwood of Mableton, Ga. Other survivors include a step-grandson, Brian Morris of South Daytona; two step-granddaughters, Tasha Cason and Faith Grace Cason of South Daytona; two goddaughters, Felecia Wright Thayer (Renard) and Auburn Thayer of Salt Lake City, Utah; a godson, Army Sergeant Xavier Thayer (Zendy) of Fort Drum, NY; and a host of other relatives.
FEBRUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 19, 2014
Sorority plans free health and wellness event The Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will present “Your Body, Your Temple,’’ a health and wellness event, on Saturday, Feb. 22. The free event is the work of the sorority’s Physical and Mental Health Committee, which is chaired by Dr. Sadie McConner. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bethune Cookman University Civic Engagement Center, 740 W. International Speedway Blvd. Presentations will be made on the hour and every half hour. Dr. Primrose Cameron Hall, a marriage and family therapist, will give a presentation at 11 a.m. A Zumba class is at 11:30 with Dr. Stephanie Pasley. Dr. Maryann Thorhallsson discusses self-care at 1 p.m. A polewalking demonstration by Sheila Vidamour is at 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact sbm98@aol.com or r.jackson314@ gmail.com.
BRIEFS
Author Chris Lamb will discuss his biography, “Blackout: The Untold Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Spring Training,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1, in the auditorium of the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. The free events are part of the library’s Connecting with the Community series, a two-year program funded in part by a partnership grant from the Florida Humanities Council. Throughout 2014, the library is sponsoring book talks, dramatizations, panel discussions, films and music programs commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The grant will continue into 2015, when the programming emphasis will change to contemporary issues. For more information, call Adult Program Coor-
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Organization that helps schools receives $25,000 grant from SunTrust Foundation SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES
DAYTONA BEACH – FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools received a $25,000 contribution from The SunTrust Foundation. The donation was given to FUTURES Foundation to partner with SunTrust executives to set up and administer a Finance Academy Grant program. The two existing finance academies in Volusia County – at Spruce Creek High School and University High School – will benefit directly from this program, with the hopes that future finance academies may also come to fruition. FUTURES Foundation is a nonprofit, direct funding organization founded to support Volusia County Schools. The organization’s board of directors consists of business and community leaders who raise funds for needed programs, for which tax money is not available, in the public schools.
The SunTrust check was presented to FUTURES Foundation at University High School.
Foundation’s mission “Assisting our public school system and developing new and innovative programs is one of the key priorities of The SunTrust Foundation,” said David Fuller, chairman, president and CEO of SunTrust Bank’s Central Florida division, speaking on behalf of The SunTrust Foundation.
“The SunTrust Foundation is doing just that by providing support across the region to help our public schools offer important financial educational programs.” The SunTrust Foundation’s mission is to provide monetary support to nonprofit organizations and institutions engaged in activities promoting educa-
dinator Deborah Shafer at 386-257-6036, ext. 16264. •••
Free events
Volusia County’s Purchasing and Contracts Division will hold two workshops for vendors who want to learn how to do business with the county. The workshops will be in the first-floor training rooms of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, and 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5. County representatives will demonstrate how to register as a vendor; submit bids, proposals and quotes; and discuss state and local ordinances relevant when working with the county. Staff will explain the information channels available to vendors and answer questions.
Hosted by: Pastor Harold Ford and Prophetess Deborah Ford LISTEN TO WPUL 1590 Saturdays 10 am -noon Sundays 5am- 7am & 1pm-3pm Listen online at: www.wpul1590.com website: www.gospelhallelujah.com
Come let the Holy Ghost Get Ya!
tion, health and human services, culture and art, and civic and community involvement that contribute to the social and economic development primarily in the communities SunTrust serves. For more information, contact FUTURES Foundation Director Kelly Ferguson at 386255-6475, ext. 50730.
‘42’ coming to Jackie Robinson Ballpark this month
County to hold workshops for prospective business vendors
GOSPEL HALLELUJAH WORLD WIDE RADIO MINISTRIES
M ANEWS YOR COMMUNITY
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
Chadwick Boseman stars as Jackie Robinson in “42.’’
For more information, call the Volusia County Purchasing and Contracts Division at 386-736-5935, ext. 12490. •••
Parade of racing vehicles revs up Feb. 15 in Ponce Inlet During the 2014 Speedweeks, in addition to the roar at Daytona International Speedway, race fans can marvel at some of the legends of racing during a beachside historic race car parade at 1 p.m. Feb. 15 in Ponce Inlet. Through a cooperative sponsorship between the Volusia County Government, the Town of Ponce Inlet and Racing’s North Turn restaurant, the vintage race cars will once again run down Atlantic Avenue, making the south turn on-
to the world’s most famous beach, ending at the famed north turn. These are the sites of the original north and south turns of the early 4.1-mile beach and road course where the Grand National Race ran from 1948 until 1958, when they were relocated to the new Super Speedway, today known as Daytona International Speedway. Following the parade, Racing’s North Turn restaurant will host autograph sessions and interviews of drivers, including NASCAR Hall of Fame historian Buzz McKim. •••
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 18 Volusia County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the county’s personnel conference room, Bank of America building, 230 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. The advisory committee recommends initiatives to the Volusia County Council to facilitate affordable housing in Volusia County. For more information or accommodation, call Paula Szabo at 386-736-5955, ext. 12308. •••
Daytona State to host FAFSA assistance day On Saturday, March 1, Daytona State College will host a College Goal event from noon to 4 p.m. on the Daytona Beach and DeLand campuses. Financial aid specialists will help college-bound students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students will receive step-by-step instructions for completing and submitting their FAFSA. The FAFSA helps students access billions in federal funds available for higher education. In addition, information about other financial aid resources such as state
Jackie Robinson will be back in the infield as the movie “42” is shown at Jackie Robinson Ballpark Friday, Feb. 28. The Daytona Cubs will open their concession stand at 5 p.m., and the movie will be shown at dusk. Moviegoers will watch the free screening from the stands. The popular 2013 film tells the story of Robinson, who played at the ballpark in 1946 when it was named the Daytona City Island Ballpark. The following year, Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African-American to play in American Major League Baseball.
government, grants, scholarships and loans will be available. All are welcome to stop by the Daytona Beach Campus, Baker Academic Support Center/computer lab, at 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., or the DeLand Campus, Business Hall, room 115, at 1155 County Road 4139, on Saturday, March 1, from noon to 4 p.m. Students who attend may be eligible for a drawing for a $250 scholarship provided by CGS!Florida. For more information, visit www.DaytonaState. edu/FinAid or call 386-5063015. •••
Grief Center plans Hearts and Hooves retreat this month Halifax Health – Hospice BeginAgain Children’s Grief Center will present Hearts and Hooves – a camp for families, young children and teens involving expression through art and horses – on Feb. 22. During the all-day retreat, trained grief counselors will guide participants through artistic activities and allow them healing interaction with horses. These activities give children and teens, who have experienced the death of a loved one, a safe and peaceful outlet for their grief expression. The retreat will take place at Artquest School of Art & Design, 571 Leeway Trail, Ormond Beach. The retreat is available for families, children eight to 12 years of age and teens 13 to 18 years of age. To receive an application to register or for additional information, call 386-2585100. The deadline to apply is Feb. 14. •••
Free HIV testing takes place on Valentine’s Day Free HIV testing will be available Feb. 14 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, 1845 Hol-
sonback Drive, Daytona Beach. Results of the test are available in about 15 minutes. For more information, call 386-274-0634. •••
Open house for lifeguards set for Feb. 22 Volusia County’s Beach Safety Division will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Lifeguard Headquarters and Administration Center, 515 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Residents can tour the facility and learn about summer lifeguard jobs. On the third floor, residents can watch a recruitment video, enjoy refreshments and talk to lifeguard instructors. Lifeguard vehicles, a jet ski and rescue boat will be displayed outside. Volusia Surf Lifeguard Association apparel and novelty items will be available for sale. For more information, call 386-239-7873. •••
Professor to enact Hurston story Feb. 15 Dr. Lynn Hawkins, professor of English at Daytona State College, will present an enactment of “Sweat,” a 1928 story by Zora Neale Hurston, at 2 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island. The audience will be invited to participate in a reading of the story, which is set in an imaginary village near Orlando and portrays a wife’s revenge on her abusive husband. Before the reading, Hawkins will introduce Hurston, her literary achievements and her personal challenges. This free program is part of the library’s Connecting with the Community series, a two-year program funded in part by a Partnership Grant from the Florida Humanities Council. For more information, call Deborah Shafer at 386257-6036, ext. 16264.
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7 EDITORIAL
FEBRUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 19, 2014
A knockout punch for Zimmerman Had he not massacred Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman would be an average White man holding down a mediocre job, living under the radar, and aspiring for a law enforcement job. He and his wife would probably be divorcing (as they are now) on account of his brutality (she cites his beatings in her divorce proceedings). Nobody, but nobody, would know his name or give a hoot about him. Zimmerman massacred Trayvon Martin, though, and that’s his claim to fame. He shot down a Black teen armed only with Skittles and iced tea. He said he did it because he felt “threatened.” The police told him not to act after he called them. He also had time to walk, or even run, away. Stand your ground laws gave him an excuse to massacre Trayvon Martin. And so he did.
Wait, there’s more This ought to be the end of the story. But George Zimmerman could not give up the limelight so easily. His “legal defense fund” raised more than six figures and got his wife charged with perjury after she claimed the family had no assets. Tens of thousands of that money were used to get Zimmerman “established” post trial. Who are these people who not only support Zimmerman, but are also willing to pay to make their support clear? Don’t they understand that in supporting Zimmerman they also support the massacre of a young Black man?
It’s all economics DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM
Zimmerman’s next venture was to take up painting. Though his artwork most resembles a child’s etch-a-sketch rendition, the first paining he put on eBay sold for more than $100,000. The Associated Press has sued him for using their images to create a painting of Angela Corey, the Florida state attorney who decided to try him in the massacre of Trayvon Martin. Always flippant and out of order, Zimmerman said he will sue AP, putting his threat on Twitter. Does he not understand that the $100,000 he made on his painting is no threat to the Associated Press? Now, Celebrity Boxing owner Damon Feidman, was considering a three-round, Pay-per-View fight between Zimmerman and rapper DMX. George Zimmerman just wants headlines. What is the DMX agenda? Doesn’t he understand that if he looks even close to losing the fight, he might have a stand your ground massacre in his hands? Furthermore, doesn’t he understand, don’t we all, that this is all about monetizing a massacre, allowing Zimmerman to gain because his notoriety is directly connected to the killing of Trayvon Martin.
Every dollar spent on this payper-view debacle, is a dollar transferred to the man who not only killed Trayvon Martin but also has no shame about profiting from that massacre. Fortunately, the match was cancelled over the weekend. In our haven of capitalism anybody has a right to attempt to monetize anything. But markets depend on supply and demand. Zimmerman can supply all the nonsense he wants to in an open market. His massacre can only be monetized when consumers demand it. The same people who stood by Trayvon Martin need now stand their ground against George Zimmerman and actively jettison his plan to monetize his murder of an innocent and unarmed black teen. Memo to DMX and the other 15,000 people who said they wanted to fight George Zimmerman. When this murderer understands that the market will not embrace him, he will have to go back under the radar and get a job like everyone else. He’ll learn that his traffic tickets and his wife beating are not national news. He will learn that he cannot reap rewards from massacring a child.
Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
Diverse ways of viewing diversity Comedian Jerry Seinfeld made some comments last week about not caring about “diversity” in Hollywood, especially in the area of comedy, and set off some very heated conversations across the country. Seinfeld was on CBS This Morning being interviewed about his Internet-based show, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” Seinfeld has been criticized in the past, as he is now, for having no minorities on his hit TV show “Seinfeld.” When asked about this by the reporter from CBS, Seinfeld said, “People think it’s the census or something? This has gotta represent the actual pie chart of America? Who cares? Funny is the world that I live in. You’re funny, I’m interested. You’re not funny, I’m not interested. I have no interest in gender or race or anything like that…It’s more about PC nonsense than are you making us laugh or not?” I happen to agree with Seinfeld. I have never watched his TV show nor have I watched his webcasts. He has absolutely no obligation to have a diverse cast on any of his projects. If that really bothers you, then why do you watch his shows? It’s called choice. Turn him off and tune him out.
RAYNARD JACKSON NNPA COLUMNIST
his intended viewer. Have you ever thought about that? don’t support diversity for the sake of diversity. The rap group, NWA has no Whites in it; should they be required to have at least one White person in the group? The Delta’s have no men in their sorority; should they be required to just for the sake of diversity? If you want diversity, then it must be sought across the board. But who determines what is diversity and how do you know when you have enough? According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Whites are 72 percent of the U.S. population, Hispanics are 15 percent, and Blacks are 13 percent. For the first time in American history, the White death rate outnumbered White births in 2012. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
be reflected in our society is an open question. The Census Bureau projects that Whites will be the minority in the U.S. within three decades. What will be the impact on America when this happens? What will be the legal definition of minority? Will it be Whites who will be making demands of us – the newly constituted majority? Diversity can be an asset or it can be a liability, depending on whether it is embraced or resisted. Certain things must be embraced in order for diversity to be an asset. English must be the language that binds us together. Knowing and understanding America’s “total” history is mandatory to understanding how good we have it. Believing in America’s promise of freedom and opportunity, while never forgetting your heritage, helps you to fully embrace the American dream. America is far from perfect; but sometimes we spend so much time focusing on that which divides us that we forget what unites us. Remember, we can’t have unity without “u-n-i.”
Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a WashAsset or liability ington, D.C.-based public relaSo, this continued march to- tions/government affairs firm. Just for the sake of it wards diversity will only become Write your own response at Maybe, just maybe, you are not more pronounced. How that will www.daytonatimes.com.
Consumers of color pay more for dealer-financed loans New research by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) finds that consumers of color still report paying higher interest rates on dealer-financed car loans than other consumers. This disparity is even more disturbing given that Black and Latino consumers report making more of an effort than Whites to negotiate their interest rates. Thirty-nine percent of Latinos and 32 percent of Blacks reported negotiating their interest rate, compared to only 22 percent of White buyers. CRL’s October 2012 report, NonNegotiable: Negotiation Doesn’t Help African-American and Latinos on Dealer-Financed Car Loans, is the first research on the impact of shopping habits as well as information consumers report receiving from car dealers and disparities related to “add-on” products.
Mark-ups, misleading and add-ons The report identifies three specific sales practices as the main culprits behind higher financing costs for buyers of color: Dealer interest rate mark-ups, sometimes called “dealer reserves” or “dealer participation” can and do raise interest rates above those charged by financial institutions. Lenders bidding to buy the auto loan contract from dealers allow the dealer to add to the interest rate for compensation. Dealers
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: OBAMA SKIS ARE TIED UP BY CONGRESS
Charlene Crowell NNPA FINANCIAL WRITER
then pocket most or all of the difference. Misleading sales information is a second cause of higher costs. For example, many consumers report they were told that they were offered the “best interest rate available,” when it was not. Misrepresentations, when accepted by consumers, can increase the total purchase price and then lead to higher default rates. Similarly, “add-on” products sometimes known as “loan-packing” also increase the amount of financing. Non-essential items such as optional insurance and warranties become part of the financing package at highly-inflated costs. Since the report’s January 23 release, auto dealer representatives have criticized CRL’s research for being based on a survey. However, the industry to date has withheld their own data that would allow better side-by-side comparisons – the same kind that consumers deserve when shopping for a vehicle. CRL has called on regulators to prohibit compensation for dealers that is tied to the interest rate of the loan. Until regulators enact
rules to better protect consumers, here are a few useful tips: • Get pre-approved loan financing. Historically credit unions and banks offer better deals than loans obtained from car dealers. • Don’t shop by monthly payment. Dealers have many tricks, such as making the loan term longer, that can make a monthly payment look affordable. • Avoid showroom fever. Buying a car is often the second most costly consumer purchase – after that of buying a home. Know the cost of insurance, registration tags and regular preventive maintenance. • Decide how much of a car loan you can afford. If your budget has little flexibility for a long-term debt, it could be better to begin a dedicated savings account to lessen the amount of a loan you will need. Taking these steps will place consumers in a stronger bargaining position. You’ll know when to walk away from a bad deal or close on a good one. Consumers can save significant stress and costs with thorough planning and preparation.
Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene. crowell@responsiblelending. org. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
RJ MATSON
‘Economic Freedom’ should be rallying cry Because the Negro does not own and control retail establishments in his own community, he is unable to stabilize his community…The Negro must pool his capital in order to help himself…. This will enable him to solve his own problems. - S.B. Fuller Has the thought ever occurred to you that despite having the highest unemployment rate in this country, our job creation rate is perched at the other end of that spectrum? That’s right, Blacks are some of the best job creators in this nation. We have created jobs in the clothing industry, entertainment industry, communications industry, food industry, liquor industry, music industry and, oh yes, the prison industry. There are many other areas I could name but I am sure you get what I’m driving at. Amos Wilson, in his book, Afrikan-Centered Consciousness Versus the New World Order, posits: “How different our education would be if we sent our children to school to create jobs for themselves, to create their own economic and political systems, to see themselves as the major source of their own employment.” He continued, “…I heard about some people protesting for jobs and pushing other people for jobs. I asked the question: Do we know how many jobs we really create for other people?”
Create jobs for ourselves No, Brother Wilson, I don’t think we do. Paradoxically, and much to my chagrin, Black folks, the very ones who need jobs the most are too busy “ma-chin’” and begging someone else for jobs rather than using the same money we spend to create jobs for others to create jobs for ourselves. In other words, we, the unemployed, are virtually employing others via our silly response tactics and our ridiculous spending habits. We provide the profit margins for several industries, thereby, keeping many people employed. The other point is that high profile Blacks, mainly entertainers and athletes, earn a large portion of their money by being entrepreneurs. They sell stuff, some of which creates jobs for others,
JAMES CLINGMAN NNPA COLUMNIST
but all of which allows them to fly on private jets and drink highpriced liquor. We cannot do that, and all the fake, pretentious, wannabe, spending in the world will not make that possible; what it does is continue the cycle of the unemployed creating jobs and keeping others employed.
Equality not freedom Economic freedom, not “economic equality” must be our goal. Equality requires measurement; it requires the party seeking equality, by default, to elevate someone else and seek his standard and his approval. It also requires an effort to be accepted by the party to which one aspires. It makes little sense to get into that game because every time we reach that standard it can — and will be changed to an even higher standard. Economic freedom means setting our own standards, and not having to meet those set by others. Economic freedom means the ability and willingness, and dare I say eagerness, to create jobs for our children. Economic freedom means that we have multiple streams of income that can, of course, empower us individually and then empower us collectively. Economic freedom means producing, manufacturing, and distributing; it means owning natural resources to whatever extent possible and vertically integrating our businesses. Currently, Black folks for the most part are out of control and/ or under control. We cannot be economically free under those circumstances.
Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.
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FEBRUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 19,142014 DECEMBER - 20, 2006 EDUCATION
PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY RDECOM
The gap in STEM education and employment for African-Americans and Latinos undercuts a promising American economic opportunity.
STEM education gap threatens American economic success BY JAZELLE HUNT NNPA NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON – At a time when 6.7 percent unemployment (or, 11.9 percent among African-Americans) is an improvement, the STEM sector still has more available jobs than qualified American professionals. And according to a study released last week, the United States’ will halt its economic success unless the racial gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is addressed. The report, STEM Ur-
high-growth areas of the economy.”
STEM training in the workforce
Discouraged by coursework
Joseph Miller, co-author of the study and deputy director and senior policy counsel of the Joint Center’s Media and Technology Institute, believes adults already in the workforce also need access to STEM training. “We need to talk about K-12 education and those investments have to be made, but we also need to put an eye toward lifelong learning,” he says. “We are culturally pessimistic about the versatility of the American worker.” That idea may be reflected in the influx of foreignborn skilled workers. Tech companies have had such trouble filling their ranks that they routinely hire via “temporary workers in specialty occupation” (H1B) visas. According to the study, more than a third (35.6 percent) of all foreign-born Americans aged 25 and older with a science and/or engineering degree were born in India, China, or the Philippines. Also, the Obama administration is currently seeking to strengthen the nation’s ability to attract overseas talent through administrative reforms in the Department of Homeland Security. In short, African-Americans and Latinos represent a large pool of American potential talent that isn’t being developed. And with changing demographics— the Census predicts that the nation will be majority-minority by 2043—this underdevelopment will continue to hinder the nation’s ability to compete globally. “We’re talking about the implications on the future of our country,” Miller says. “We’re talking about building infrastructure, we’re talking about cybersecurity; we need Americans working on these things.
Once the global pinnacle of innovation, the United States now ranks 47th in math and science education quality, according to the World Economic Forum. This dearth in quality STEM education and professional training has resulted in a few widespread problems. For starters, students of color (excluding Asians)— even those who have the interest in and access to STEM training—tend to be discouraged from continuing their studies. The report points to a 2012 White House council study, which found that high-performing students consider available coursework “uninspiring.” It also found that 40 percent of the 1,226 female, African-American, Hispanic and American Indian chemists and chemical engineers surveyed had had a teacher or employer discourage them at some point. This discouragement is reflected in higher education. According to the report, if the proportion of Black and Hispanic students who earned science and engineering bachelor’s degrees in 2010 had been raised to the same rate as Asian science and engineering grads, 48,000 more graduates would have entered the US STEM field that Region: year alone. English Language:
“While these trends are gency: Science, TechnoloThe Joint Center also gy, Engineering and Math- convened a panel last week troubling for the nation ematics Education in an to introduce the paper and overall, a disproportionate number of people of colIncreasingly Unequal and discuss its findings. or—particularly AfricanCompetitiveClient: World, ex-Bank Fifth/Third Bleed: BHN Newspaper amines the Campaign: inadequacy of 3.9 percent of Trim:Americans 9.889” x 10” and HispanAgency Job #: 610-FTFTBNP4001 Live:ics—are even further away Notes: None STEM education, particuBlacks in STEM jobs #/AD ID: QFRC3705 from becoming STEM-litlarly amongAD African-AmerAdditionally, the gaps in Date Modified: 02/6/14 1:55 PM Scale: 100% According to the report,Keyline erate and having the abili- STEM education also have icans and Latinos, and how CR: Output at: 100% that inadequacy impacts just 17 percent of degreedPage:ty to thrive in a hyper-com- implications on employAD Round: and employed Black pro- petitive, global marketU.S. economic power. ment. The national unemThe paper is presented fessionals hold a STEM de- place,” the report states. rate has been NOT TO BE USED FORployment COLOR APPROVAL “Closing the gap in col- above five percent since the by the Joint Center for Po- gree. In the field itself, African- lege graduation rates for litical and Economic StudAM: R. Bernadine P: E. Garber BM: J. Lewandowski recession, peaking at 10.2 and percent in 2009—or nearies, a nonprofit, nonpar- Americans make up just African-Americans tisan think-tank dedicat- 3.9 percent of the ranks of Hispanics could add a sig- ly 16 percent for Africaned to research and policy all science and engineer- nificant number of peo- Americans. Meanwhile, analysis on issues affect- ing occupations. White ple to the workforce able jobs that depend on STEM STEM professionals hold to do jobs that require ad- skills will grow 17 percent ing African Americans and 71.8 percent of these jobs. vanced skills and are in in the next four years. other people of color.
Jazelle Hunt is a Washington correspondent for NNPA News Service.
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FEBRUARYDECEMBER 13 – FEBRUARY 2014 14 - 20,19, 2006
What’s ahead for NASCAR this season Racing empire wants fast finish as season gets ready to start with Daytona 500 BY CARLOS MENDEZ FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM/ MCT
NASCAR is looking for some drama this year. Ten years after introducing a playoff format to stock car racing for the first time, the sport has a plan to pump in drama. This year, four drivers will go into the final race of the season with a chance at the championship. It might be the four best drivers all season, it might not. It might be the best driver and three underdogs, it might be all underdogs. Whatever happens between now and the Sunday before Thanksgiving in Miami, when the final race of the season is run, it is what NASCAR is seeking in Sprint Cup racing — more go-for-it finishes, more surprise, more drama — as the sport heads to Florida this week to get ready for the Daytona 500, which takes place on Sunday, Feb. 23. “There will be a lot of pressure on everybody to just up their game,” vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said when NASCAR unveiled the new playoff system — a “Chase Grid” of 16 drivers for the final 10 races that will be reduced to four for the season finale. “Who knows what strategies will unfold? “Because it’s obvious that it will be different strategies moving forward to try to get a win, to try to advance to that next level. When it comes down to the last race, we all want a moment where we have to have head-to-head competition.”
‘Game 7’ moments wanted NASCAR wants “Game 7” moments, where the championship hangs in the balance not only into the final week, but the final laps. It’s what the “Chase for the Championship” was supposed to do. But only once did it provide a title at the wire — in 2011, when Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards tied for the points lead at the checkered flag in Miami, requiring a tiebreaker to give Stewart the championship. “That was a dog fight,” Pemberton said. “It’s what you live for. It’s what you want to see. I think this will just allow us to see more of that action.” Last year, there wasn’t much fight at the finish. Jimmie Johnson went into Miami needing only to finish 25th or better to secure the championship. And while Johnson’s victory was a historic sixth in eight seasons for him, leaving him one shy of
PHOTOS BY JEFF SINER/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/MCT
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick slaps hands with fans as she is introduced prior to the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach on Feb. 24, 2013.
Predicting the grid In NASCAR’s new playoff system, 16 drivers make the “Chase Grid” that eventually is cut down to a “final four” for the last race of the season. Here’s our stab at predicting the 16 playoff drivers: 1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Matt Kenseth 4. Kyle Busch 5. Joey Logano 6. Dale Earnhardt Jr 7. Denny Hamlin 8. Kasey Kahne 9. Austin Dillon 10. Brad Keselowski 11. Tony Stewart 12. Clint Bowyer 13. Carl Edwards 14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 15. Jeff Gordon 16. Jamie McMurray
Hip-hop artist T.I., left, visits the NASCAR Sprint Cup Garage with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Darrell Wallace Jr. at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach on Feb. 24, 2013. NASCAR’s all-time greats Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, it did nothing for the search for drama in a sport that has long tried to reward both consistency and victory over the course of three dozen races. “You have to compete at a higher level,” NASCAR chairman Brian France said. “Riding around and being pleased because the current format rewards consistency, those days are going to be pretty much over.”
A look ahead The new days in NASCAR begin with the 56th Daytona 500. Here is a
look ahead at the season in store: The new playoffs. It’s an elimination format now. At the end of 26 races, 16 drivers will be eligible for the championship. Every three races, four will be eliminated from title contention until four are left for a winner-take-all finish in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first of the four to cross the finish line is the new champion. The drive for seven. Jimmie Johnson has six championships. Only two drivers in history have seven, and they are big names — Petty and Earnhardt. Johnson, with six champion-
ships in eight years, already has the top equipment and resources on his side. He is at his peak, and he may be there a while. Dale and Steve. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is coming off a good year. He is more confident in himself than ever. But one of the main sources of that confidence, crew chief Steve Letarte, is leaving for TV next year. This is their last chance together to put Earnhardt in position for a run at a championship. Patrick’s evolution. Danica Patrick dipped her toe in Sprint Cup two years ago. She ran a full schedule last year, but with awful results. It’s clear she has a lot
to learn about racing stock cars versus driving fast, as Kyle Petty suggested last year. Her performances this season will show how much she gained from a full season. The return of Smoke. Guess who’s back: threetime champion Tony Stewart, who knocked himself out of competition last summer with a broken leg suffered in a crash while he was moonlighting in sprint cars. He says he won’t be 100 percent for Daytona, but he’ll be close enough.
How the Chase works After 26 races, 16 drivers
are eligible for the championship. Every race winner and the regular season points champion, if winless, qualify. If more than 16 drivers have won, the 16 with the best point totals qualify. If fewer than 16 drivers have won, the best point totals fill out the field. After every three races in the Chase, three drivers are eliminated. A win in any Chase race qualifies a driver for the next Chase round. The final four drivers have their points reset for the season finale. The highest finisher of the final four drivers is the champion.
Petty critical of Patrick’s driving ability ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty says Danica Patrick can only win a Sprint Cup Series race “if everybody else stayed home.” The seven-time champion made the comment during a Sunday appearance at the Canadian Motorsports Expo in Toronto, according to the website wheels.ca. Petty also said Patrick only gets attention because she’s a woman, but added that publicity is good for NASCAR. “If she’d have been a male, nobody would ever know if she’d showed up at a racetrack,” Petty said, according to the website. “This is a female deal that’s driving her. There’s noth-
ing wrong with that, because that’s good PR for me. More fans come out, people are more interested in it. She has helped to draw attention to the sport, which helps everybody in the sport.”
‘Marketing machine’ Petty still maintains partial control of Richard Petty Motorsports, which fields cars for Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola in the Sprint Cup Series. Patrick is beginning her second full season at NASCAR’s top level. She became the first woman a year ago to win the top starting spot for the Daytona 500 and she finished eighth. It was Patrick’s best finish during a rough rookie
year in which she averaged a 26th-place finish. Patrick was 27th in the final Sprint Cup standings. A year ago, Petty’s son, Kyle, called Patrick a “marketing machine” during various media appearances. Kyle Petty is a former driver and current television analyst. “That’s where I have a problem – where fans have bought into the hype of the marketing, to think she’s a race car driver,” Kyle Petty said. “She can go fast, and I’ve seen her go fast. She drives the wheels off it when she goes fast. She’s not a racecar driver. There’s a difference. “The King (Richard Petty) always had that stupid saying, but it’s true, ‘Lots of drivers can drive fast, but very few drivers can race.’ Danica has been the per-
fect example of somebody who can qualify better than what she runs.”
‘Way out of line’ Patrick, who recently starred in her celebrityleading 13th Super Bowl commercial for sponsor GoDaddy, dismissed Kyle Petty’s comments at the time. “It’s true that there are plenty of people who say bad things about me; I read them,” she said at the time. “At the end of the day, you get over that stuff and trust that you are doing a good job.” Patrick was defended by team co-owner Tony Stewart, the three-time champion, who called Kyle Petty’s comments “way out of line and very inappropriate.” Stewart also said Patrick’s
JEFF SINER/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/MCT
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving legend Richard Petty smiles as he responds to questions during a breakout session during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Media Tour on Jan. 29 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. finishes weren’t indicative of her talent. “When somebody like Kyle beats you up like that, you take it to heart,” he said. “She’s somebody who wants to do
things the right way. She works at it. It’s a scenario where somebody has to tell you, ‘You are doing the right thing and disregard what one person says.’”
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7 PERSONAL FINANCE
FEBRUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 19, 2014
Hearts, flowers, chocolates and credit scores for Valentine’s Day? Some information for consumers to ponder about money and romance BY CLAUDIA BUCK SACRAMENTO BEE/MCT
Valentine’s Day is all about hearts, flowers, chocolate, maybe some bling. What it’s typically not about: credit cards, credit scores and anything as crass as cash. Except lately. Whether it’s because recessionrattled consumers are still focused on their bottom lines or whether personal finance experts are trying to capitalize on Valentiney sentiments, there’s been lots of attention recently on romance and money. “Love and money cannot be separated,” said Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling in Washington, D.C. Because money is “intertwined with just about everything we do, it can impact a relationship — even before it gets off the ground.” With Feb. 14 just a day away, we thought it’d be romantically responsible to share a few gems:
Money heart-tohearts Too many couples never talk seriously about their finances. Financial experts say that’s a major mistake,
whether it’s a new romance or a years-long marriage. “It really is an act of love to share your finances with your significant other,” the NFCC’s Cunningham said. “The more you’re on the same page (financially), the less trouble you’ll have down the road.” Without a clear financial picture, the first time you go together to rent an apartment, buy a car or take out a home loan, it could be potentially embarrassing — and costly. If one partner has an iffy credit history, it likely will mean much higher interest rates or even having a loan denied. Schedule a time for a serious talk in a casual setting, Cunningham suggested. For new couples, it could be looking together at income (yes, bring out the pay stubs, she said), existing debt (credit cards, car loans, etc.), investments and even credit reports. Being honest about your financial past and current situation can put a relationship on a healthy financial footing. For established couples, it might be having a talk about retirement readiness, how to share financial tasks more equally, understanding the family investments, or checking beneficiaries on life insurance and bank accounts. Or review your goals for some of life’s big-ticket items, like a new house, kids’ college or special vacation.
was favored by 39 percent. “That surprised us,” said Jelena Ewart, a NerdWallet credit/debit card analyst. While the flashier cards might mean a date is a bigspending, high-income, globe-trotting professional, that’s not always appealing. While admittedly a “khakipants” kind of choice, a local credit union card might indicate your date has a “well-researched, responsible, well-thought-out” approach to money, Ewart said.
Is credit score sexy?
BRIAN PETERSON/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/MCT
Eleven couples were married on Valentine’s Day 2013, in a ceremony at the Mall of America Ice Castle, in Bloomington. The couples were chosen out of 40 who applied for an event sponsored by the Mall and KARE-11 TV. Here, Brandon and Natasha Green, of Minneapolis, give each other a smooch after the ceremony.
Avoid ‘financial infidelity’ Money squabbles are often cited as a major cause of marital tension and divorce. In its annual Couples Retirement Study this month, Boston-based Fidelity Investments said 51 percent of U.S. couples admit that they “frequently or occasionally” fight about money. Especially for couples just starting out, being reluctant to share your financial history can be a sign of potential trouble. “It’s a form of financial infidelity to hide negative financial information from someone you’re considering having a serious relationship with,” Cunningham said. “If someone is unwilling, it sends a red flag.”
Insure the bling Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day for marriage proposals, according to a survey last December. (The most popular? Christmas Eve.) For those putting a ring on it, there’s one aspect that’s frequently forgotten: insurance. An engagement and wedding ring are often the first sizable investment a couple makes together. But you don’t want to leave it uninsured in case it’s lost, stolen or damaged. (And the same goes for fine jewelry, a perennially popular Valentine’s Day gift.) “Jewelry is one of the most common insurance claims that pop up,” said Tully Lehman, spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute in Walnut Creek, Calif.
Flirting via credit card? Pulling out your credit card on a first date could affect your love life, said NerdWallet, a San Francisco-based personal finance website. While flashing an American Express card might be expected to impress, it’s not always so, according to NerdWallet’s recent online survey of 500 never-married adults, ages 25-59. Given a list of 13 credit cards, respondents were asked which they’d find most “impressive” when a date pulled it out to pay for dinner. Not surprisingly, an American Express Platinum and a Visa Black card ranked second and third, scoring roughly 28 percent each. But the most popular choice? A “local credit union” credit card, which
Nothing says romance like leftover
Savings.
Favorite meal, music, and flowers: Check. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to preparing dinner for that special someone. The same can be said for enjoying great savings at Publix. There are Buy One Get One Free deals and weekly specials on the items you love throughout the store. Bring in your coupons and save even more. With all the ways Publix helps you save, you can cross something else off your list. Leftover money: Check.
Love To Shop Here. Love To S ave H e r e . For a list of current Buy One Get One Free deals, weekly specials and coupons, visit publix.com/save. To view deals on your smartphone, scan the code.
In some cases, especially among women, it appears so. In NerdWallet’s survey, 40 percent of singles say they are “somewhat more likely” or “much more likely” to date someone with excellent credit, defined as a FICO score of 750 or above. And single women apparently value a high score more than men, roughly 52 percent to 29 percent. The survey also found that 9 percent of 30-to-44year-olds — the highest of any age group — admitted to “snooping” into their dating partner’s credit history.
Love is cheap Perhaps the easiest piece of money-and-Valentine’s advice: It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be heartfelt. For instance, want to send your sweetheart a message that’s a mashup of cash and cupid? TheMintGrad.org, a financial literacy website aimed at 18-to-24-year-olds, offers a series of free Valentine’s e-cards to send your significant other. Dubbed “a financial twist on the traditional cheesy Valentine’s card, the e-cards bear such messages as: “Love makes the world go round, but money pays for the ride.” “Let’s spend more time and less money together.” “You had me at no debt.”