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ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER RETURNS TO JONES HALL P5
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Volume 85 | Number 23 APRIL 7, 2016 | FREE
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NEWSTALK GENE LOCKE will run for county commissioner
P3 ENTERTAINMENT WHOOPI GOLDBERG promotes medical marijuana
GENE LOCKE
P5 HS ZONE
MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER
THE FIRST 90 DAYS H PAGE 6 | Grade the Mayor on facebook
Ingrid Robinson leads council
Ingrid Robinson has been named president of the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council and will take charge on May 1. See why she is “uniquely qualified” to lead the business organization. Discover what she thinks about her role. H PAGE 8
KHAMRY TATUM helps Madison in playoffs
P11 TOP EVENTS
Ronald Lewis new appointee
Ronald Lewis has been selected by Mayor Sylvester Turner as Houston’s city attorney. See why Lewis is considered a “lawyer’s lawyer.” Learn about his experience, education and affiliations. Find out what he has in common with Turner. H PAGE 3
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Percy Creuzot IV and Percy Creuzot III at Houston Black Restaurant Week event
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APRIL 7 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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Ronald Lewis named new city attorney Mayor Sylvester Turner announced his selection of Ronald C. Lewis as Houston’s new city attorney. Like the mayor, Lewis is Harvard educated and has operated his own law firm. “I wanted a lawyer’s lawyer, someone highly respected who can relate well to me as well as City Council and the general public,” Turner said. “Ronald certainly fits this description. He is an outstanding lawyer with excellent credentials and the experience necessary to run the law firm that is part
of City government.” Before co-founding Marshall & Lewis LLP in 2006, Lewis was a partner at Baker Botts LLP, which he joined after graduating from Harvard with honors in 1983. He is a trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience handling complex cases in the energy, real estate, construction, financial and manufacturing industries. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association as well as a Life Fel-
low at the Houston Bar Foundation, where he was chairman of the board in 2000. His undergraduate degree is from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. “I look forward to serving the people of Houston, their elected officials and city employees,” Lewis said. City Council is expected to be asked to confirm Lewis’ appointment in two weeks. He will replace retiring City Attorney Donna Edmundson.
Locke will run for commissioner
Victims’ Rights Week observed A public awareness billboard campaign for National Victims’ Rights Week – April 10-16 – was recently launched at City Hall. Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) and Clear Channel Outdoor have partnered to present the messages in English and Spanish to offer help to those who are being abused. The Texas Department of Human Services estimates that
more than 250,000 women are in domestic violence situations in Harris County alone. In addition, Harris County had the highest number of domestic violence fatalities in the state in 2014, with 23 women killed by their intimate partners. The Houston Police Department tallied some 23,512 reported incidents of domestic violence in 2015.
Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Gene Locke, who temporarily replaced the late El Franco Lee in January, announced he will seek the office. Locke originally said he would not run for election in November and would return to practicing law. “After much thoughtful considGene Locke eration and prayer, I have decided to seek the Democratic nomination for a full term as Harris County Precinct One commissioner,” Locke said. “I am now calling each precinct chair to explain how I reached my decision and to ask for their support.” Locke, a former Houston city attorney and mayoral candidate, most recently served as a partner with Andrews Kurth law firm. He became the second African-American to hold
the county commissioner position. Lee, who was the first, died on Jan. 3 after serving more than 30 years in office. “With a heavy heart and a sense of great responsibility, I was honored to be chosen in late January to serve the remainder of Commissioner Lee’s term,” Locke said. “Since that time, I have worked to continue Commissioner Lee’s legacy of service by maintaining his various programs, plus launching new projects to serve our citizens. “As I have traveled Precinct One, I have had the opportunity to meet with many residents and discuss their concerns, and to see firsthand the challenges they face. Many residents and community leaders have urged me to continue Commissioner Lee’s legacy of service and seek the nomination of the Democratic Party for County Commissioner, Precinct One,” Locke said.
Yates students get media tips School of Communications students at Jack Yates High School received some valuable advice from media professionals during a Final Four Sports Symposium held on campus. Sports producers and executives representing CBS sports, Turner Sports and NCAA Sports discussed what it takes to become media professionals. They shared tips of the trade, including finding internships and maximizing the experiences gained in high school to secure jobs after graduation. In addition, they spoke with students in small groups and joined advanced media
students in the Yates Radio Lab to produce a 15-minute podcast for the JY iTunes Channel, which can also be accessed on Podomatic for non-iPhones. Participating Yates instructors were Andrea Brown, Ray Carrington III and Tyrone Dargins. The Yates Magnet School of Communications was established in 1978. It offers students challenging academics combined with opportunities to learn skills in photography, graphic design, printing technology, digital print journalism, electrical technology and radio, TV and film production.
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Sports media professionals shared information about the industry with Yates High School students.
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U.S.briefs
President Obama grants clemency to 61 inmates By ZENITHA PRINCE Senior Afro Correspondent
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resident Obama commuted the sentences of 61 drug offenders, underscoring his administration’s commitment to reforming unfair and overly-harsh sentencing laws. More than one-third of the 61 individuals who were granted clemency were serving life sentences, according to White House Counsel Neil Eggleston. To highlight his dedication to criminal justice reform and also the rehabilitation and re-integration of ex-offenders, the president shared a meal with people whose sentences were commuted by his administration, and by former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. “By exercising these presidential powers, I have the chance to show people what a second chance can look President Barack Obama hugs ex-offender Kemba Smith during a meeting with formerly incarcerated individuals who received commutations. like,” Obama said. The president added that listenAdvocates of criminal justice reform praised Obama’s ing to the stories of the former prisoners “reminded me of efforts. how out of proportion and counterproductive so much of our Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen, ranking sentencing is when it comes to our drug laws. member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the “It does not make sense for a non-violent drug offender Constitution and Civil Justice, called the commutations an to be getting 20 years, 30 years, in some cases life in prison,” “encouraging development” and “a significant step” toward he added. “That’s not serving anybody. That’s not serving a “more rational and fair justice system for Americans who taxpayers. It’s not serving public safety. And it’s damaging are incarcerated.” families.” “Not only do our nation’s outdated drug laws disproThe commutations bring to 248 the number of individuportionately affect minority populations, but it also costs als whom President Obama has granted clemency, more than more than $30,000 per year to incarcerate each individual. the previous six presidents combined, according to the White These people need to be returned to their families and House. society,” he added. “I hope the president continues his “But we’re not done, and we’re going to keep on workefforts to commute unjust sentences during his remaining on this until I leave,” Obama said. ing time in office.”
Supreme Court upholds ‘one-person, one-vote’ The United States Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ruled to uphold the “one-person, one-vote standard” disputed in Evenwel v. Abbott. The ruling maintains Texas’ current system for drawing legislative districts so they are roughly equal in population. The ruling is considered a victory for legislators – primarily Democrats – who represent districts with significant populations of people who are not eligible to vote. In the ruling, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg focused on U.S. history and longstanding practices allowing states to divide districts by total population. “Our nation’s ‘one-person, one-vote’ principle is at the very heart of American democracy,” said Hous-
ton Congressman Gene Green. “The Founding Fathers understood this and enshrined in our Constitution that congressional districts be allocated by total number of people. Today’s unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court makes clear that every person living in our country deserves equal representation in Congress, regardless of race, language, or age. “The fight for equal access to the ballot box is not over, however, and I will continue to push for Congress to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act and ensure that all Americans, regardless of their income or background, have an equal opportunity to vote,” Green said.
FERGUSON, MO. named a new police chief, Delrish Moss. He is a veteran Miami police officer with two decades of experience, and community members hope he will help the St. Louis suburb heal as it rebounds from the fatal 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown. Moss, who is Black, will be in charge of a mostly white department that serves a town where African-Americans make up two-thirds of the residents. The shooting of Brown prompted months of unrest that sometimes grew violent and helped spark the national Black Lives Matter movement. Moss, 51, grew up in Miami’s inner-city Overtown neighborhood and as a teenager lived through rioting after white police officers fatally beat a Black motorcyclist in 1980…….. MORE THAN 50 CITY and county governments from 28 states, together with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and the mayors of Dallas, Knoxville, and Orlando, signed an amicus brief explaining why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan is critical to the safety and economic security of local communities across the United States. “The nation’s mayors are pleased to join in the defense of the Clean Power Plan, which is an essential part of our nation’s ability to respond to climate change,” said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. “This plan will significantly cut carbon pollution from U.S. power plants; we must implement it now,” she said……..THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION released a report highlighting the efforts of colleges and universities to promote access, opportunity and success among low-income students, and identifying areas of much-needed improvement. The report, “Fulfilling the Promise, Serving the Need: Advancing College Opportunity for Low-Income Students,” also recognizes the important role many community colleges play in serving more than 40 percent of the nation’s undergraduates.
VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 23 APRIL 7, 2016
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Social|Online Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
Contributing writers Jasemine Knowles Amber Vernon
The Defender is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. (713-663-6996). The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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APRIL 7 | 2016 | DEFENDER
entertainment
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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns
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he Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the most legendary dance companies in the United States, will return to Houston. Performances are presented by the Society for the Performing Arts and will be held in Jones Hall on Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. The dance company has been hailed as America’s cultural ambassador to the world, and features contemporary favorites and beloved classics. Closing the program will be the iconic “Revelations,” called “one of the great works of the human spirit” by The New York Times. Dancers include Marcus Jarrell Willis, a native of Houston. Willis began his formal training at the Johnston Performing Arts Middle School, the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and Discovery Dance Group. At age 16, he moved to New York City and studied at the Ailey School as a scholarship student. He joined the company in 2008. The dance company was founded in New York City in 1958 by Ailey, a native of Rogers, Texas (part of the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood area). His experiences of life in the rural South would later inspire some of his most memorable works. Ailey was also a pioneer of programs promoting arts in education, particularly those benefiting underserved communities. He died in 1989. The Ailey company has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 48 states, 71 countries and on six continents. Tickets range from $28 to $118 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org by phone at 713-227-4SPA or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.
Rachael McLaren is an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer.
Dancer Marcus Jarrell Willis is from Houston. (Photos by Andrew Eccles)
Other dancers include Glenn Allen Sims, Akua Parker and Jacqueline Green.
what’sup WHOOPI GOLDBERG is branching out into medical marijuana business. “The View” co-host announced she is launching weed-infused products including a balm, bath soak and sipping chocolate, aimed at women suffering from menstrual cramps. The brand will be available to Californians legally licensed to purchase medical marijuana products. “I want to go nice and slow with this. I don’t want this to be a joke to people. It’s not a joke to women,” Goldberg said........ BEYONCÉ is launching a new leisure and active wear collection called Ivy Park. The collection ranges from $30 to $200.
Beyoncé models Ivy Park’s bodysuits, pants and crop tops in the latest issue of Elle. “I called it Ivy Park because a park is our commonality. We can all go there; we’re all welcomed. It’s anywhere we create for ourselves,” she said……..“Meet the Blacks,” a new comedy starring MIKE EPPS, debuted at No. 8 at the box office, earning $4 million. Epps plays Carl Black, a Chicagoan who moves his family to Beverly Hills just as President El Bama (GEORGE LOPEZ) announces that an annual “purge” is about to begin and Carl and his loved ones must endure a 12-hour period of lawlessness……..The
MILES DAVIS biopic “Miles Ahead” starring DON CHEADLE got off to a good start, grossing $122,751 in only four theaters. The film, also directed by Cheadle, will open in other major markets in coming weeks. It depicts Davis’ attempts to get his career back on track in the 70s. Davis, a legendary jazz trumpeter, bandleader and composer, died in 1991 at age 65……..KTSU Radio will host an open house and meet-and-greet reception for its new General Manager ERNEST WALKER on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. It will be held in the KTSU multi-purpose room and the public is invited.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 7 | 2016
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Turner, State Sen.Rodney Ellis, State Rep. Carol Alvarado and others participated in the 2016 Tour de Houston.
Houston’s leader keeps hectic schedule
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ways to be more responsive to neighborhoods or balancing the budget, I am very pleased with the progress we’ve made. he first 90 days on a new job Defender: What have been the greatest are an important time frame in challenges? the business world, and work Turner: Balancing the budget has been performance is often assessed the greatest challenge. We were facing during the first three months. a $160 million gap between anticipated In the case of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, his first 90 days in office have been spending and available revenues. This is the largest budget gap the City has ever “highly productive” though somewhat “exexperienced and it is a direct result of the hausting.” economic downturn and the revenue cap Since taking office in January, Turner approved by voters over a decade ago. We has been visible and active. He put an have devised a plan emphasis on his to address this with constituents, focusminimal impact to ing on residents the services Houstoand their problems. nians expect and deAs mayor of the facebook/defendernetwork.com serve. The solution country’s fourth is a combination of largest city, he has shared sacrifices to juggle managing by the employee unions, pension system, people, finances and resources. Though Turner stresses that he is mayor departments and other entities that receive city funding. Everyone had to contribute to of the entire city, he has made a conscious make it work. effort to serve and visit members of the Defender: Where do you see the greatAfrican-American community. est opportunities? In a Q&A with the Defender, Turner Turner: We have a great opportunity to talked about his first three months on the help hard-to-employ Houstonians turn their job. lives around and participate in this city’s Defender: Describe your first 90 days success. There are many in our community in office? who have difficulty securing jobs due to Turner: It’s been very busy, sometimes exhausting, but highly productive. Whether a variety of reasons, which may include a it was tackling our pothole problem, finding lack of education, prior criminal history, Defender Exclusive
Grade Mayor Turner on his first 90 days
Mayor Turner visited Sunnyside to stand with mothers who lost children to violence.
MAYOR SYLVEST
THE FIRST poverty, mental health issues and a lack of positive influences. They are in dire need of assistance and it’s our responsibility to ensure that they are plugged into vital resources and become a part of our city’s success. With the launch of the City’s first Turnaround Houston in Sunnyside in March, we began breaking down the barriers they face by providing direct access to job training, resume writing, tattoo removal, social service agencies, educational institutions, counseling and intervention. Other Turnaround Houston events are being planned. The goal is to provide a roadmap for a brighter future. Defender: What are you primarily focused on during the next 90 days and why? Turner: The budget will continue to be a priority. I am
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Turner joined Houston ministers who are working to stop the violence.
Turner handled a shovel to help plant trees on Arbor Day.
TER TURNER
T 90 DAYS working on a solution to our unfunded employee pension issues and intend to have a plan ready to take to the legislature by the end of 2016. Reducing our costs here will go a long way toward securing a strong financial foundation for the City for years to come. I am also interested in the flooding problem that has plagued so many Houston neighborhoods. I want to rebuild our communities and neighborhoods that have been overlooked for a long period of time. Defender: When you look back on the year 2016, what do you want to say you have accomplished? Turner: My goal is a safe, financially stable city with a stronger infrastructure that is better prepared to meet the future.
he Houston area for over 80 years
8 THINGS:
Mayor Turn er says: 1. I got on a horse for the my life so I first time in could ride in the rodeo par 2. I rode 20 ade. miles on a b ike in the an nual City-sp onsored Tou r de Houston 3. I have vis . ited every co city and eate rner of this n many types of ethnic foo some of whic d, h I didn’t reco gnize and had never tried b efore. 4. I was up b efore the sun public works to greet employees w ho are workin hard to fix o g ur streets.
You don’t kn about Mayo ow r Turner
5. I visited th e office of ev Council mem ery City ber, somethin g that past m ors have not aydone. 6. I helped p lant trees on Arbor Day. 7. Except fo r Easter, ther been one day e has not that I have n ot done som thing pertain eing to the Cit y. 8. I have a d aily schedule tently includ that consises 12 or more meetings and events. That makes for ap proximately more than 1,0 00 appointm ents in three months.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 7 | 2016
Minority supplier council names president After a national search, the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) announced the selection of In-
Boykins addresses gang injunction District D City Councilmember Dwight Boykins is speaking out about the proposed Southlawn Safety Zone gang injunction suit, which was filed by the offices of the Harris County Attorney and Harris County District Attorney. Boykins said he is concerned about the safety of residents in the zone but does not support racial profiling. “I believe that it is critical to work toward the common goal of eliminating crime within our communities, as all people deserve to feel safe within their homes and throughout their neighborhoods,” Boykins said. “I do not, however, support any type of discrimination or racial profiling against individuals based on their appearance, current residence, or prior mistakes made for which they have paid their debt to society.” Boykins said that through meetings and conversations, “I have been assured that there has been a proper vetting process of those individuals named in the petition, and I commend county officials for working toward a compromise by significantly reducing the number of individuals named in the petition, from 92 to 46.”
grid M. Robinson as new president of the business development organization. Robinson will take charge on May 1. She
will succeed retiring president Richard “Dick” Huebner, who dedicated more than 31 years of service to the organization.
classified The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting proposals for the following:
AGENCY REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE SERVICES Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Services located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, April 11, 2016. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Monday, April 18, 2016. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2016 in a sealed envelope marked "PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – Wednesday, April 27, 2016, AGENCY REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE SERVICES". Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Buyer III, Senior Purchasing Coordinator or Nina Cook, CPPB, MBA, via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to Sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org cc: nina.cook@mhmraharris.org. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all Proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest Proposal.
Over the course of her career Robinson has worked on behalf of minority, women and small business owners. Her background includes serving as owner of MIR Advisory Group, senior manager of supplier diversity for Pennzoil-Quaker State Company and Halliburton, and assistant director of HMSDC. Chris Haas, chairman of HMSDC’s board of directors, said, “Robinson’s expansive leadership and management experience in every aspect of minority business development makes her uniquely qualified to build upon HMSDC’s legacy of excellence
Ingrid Robinson
and business opportunity creation.” Robinson said her first objective is to listen to and to talk with council members. “I want to make it clear that I view my role as an active partner, charged with ensuring the organi-
zation’s continued success and leadership in minority business development,” she said. Robinson received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Houston and MBA from Rice University.
The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD
(formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting proposals for the following:
AGENCY GROUNDS KEEPING SERVICES Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Services located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, April 11, 2016. A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Wednesday, April, 27, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at 9401 SW Freeway. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in a sealed envelope marked "PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – Tuesday, May 17, 2016, AGENCY GROUNDS KEEPING SERVICES". Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Frances Otto, Buyer II or Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Buyer III, Senior Purchasing Coordinator, via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to frances.otto@mhmraharris.org cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all Proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest Proposal.
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The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive sealed bids for the Paver Repair Work, located in Downtown Houston. Bids will be received until 11:00 AM, local time on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 by the Director of Construction, Downtown District, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. Bids received after this time will not be accepted. Beginning 11:00 AM, Monday, April 11, 2016, Bid Documents may be picked up free of charge from the Downtown District. Addenda will be distributed by email to those who pick up Bid Documents and attend the Pre-bid Conference. Bid Documents may also be examined at plan rooms of the Minority Business Development Center (2302 Fannin Street, #165, Houston, TX 77002), Amtek Information and Plan Room (4001 Sherwood Lane, Houston, TX 77092) or viewed online at isqft.com.
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APRIL 7 | 2016 | DEFENDER
opinion Texans play role in Social Security benefit fix
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By BOB JACKSON
ver the years, millions of retired state and local workers – including teachers, police officers and firefighters – have received sharply reduced Social Security benefits, simply because they have had multiple jobs during their careers and weren’t allowed to pay into Social Security at all of them. It’s a case of the whole being less than the sum of the parts. Thirty-three years ago, Congress changed the Social Security benefit formula to add a “Windfall Elimination Provision,” which adjusted some former public employees’ benefits to account for the time they had not paid into Social Security while working in vital public service jobs. While the intent was to make the system fairer, the formula actually penalizes those who have had jobs both inside and outside the Social Security system. The formula may be complex, but what’s really at stake here isn’t a proposed bipartisan solution that saves the system money in the process. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands), who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, and Congressman Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) have filed a bill to restore fairness in calculating Social Security benefits for these workers. It would benefit approximately 95 percent of all Texas public school teachers, as well as many retirees in teaching and other fields. HR 711, which AARP fully supports, is also backed by another prominent Texan in Capitol Hill – Congressman Sam Johnson (RPlano), who chairs the Social Security Subcommittee. Also actively working to fix the problem is Texan Tim Lee, who as executive director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), who leads the largest association for retired public and higher education employees in the country. Lee has been working for years on a solution that will help teachers and other affected parties. He notes that retired teachers are currently losing hundreds of dollars a month in much-needed Social Security benefits and that the problem may be keeping many Texans
from becoming teachers at all. Someone who knows this first-hand is retired Marine Lt. Col. Link Ermis. The 54-yearold paid into Social Security for more than 25 years before taking a job as a middle school teacher in Huntsville in 2007. If he keeps teaching for another 15 years, he told us, his teacher pension and Social Security benefits combined would amount to less than if he just took Social Security based on his past contributions. He plans to roll his teacher pension earnings into an IRA and take the lower Social Security payment. “No matter what course I take, I’m punished because I chose to work as a teacher after military retirement,” said Ermis. AARP President Jeannine English, who along with TRTA’s Lee recently testified to Congress about this topic, says the proposed bill represents “a fair solution that will benefit the 1.6 million workers affected by the current… policy.” This includes nearly 150,000 Texans. Not coincidentally, AARP was founded by a retired high school principal who was inspired by the plight of a retired teacher living in a chicken coop. That led to the establishment of the National Retired Teachers Asso-
ciation, which is a part of AARP today. Much has changed for the better for educators over the years, but this Social Security provision has lingered on for more than three decades. So how would public sector workers benefit if the bill becomes law? For those already retired or turning age 62 before December 31, Social Security will recalculate benefits, increasing them. For those who turn 62 after this year, the bill will also raise Social Security benefits each year once their retirement begins. At a time when retirement security is increasingly becoming out of reach for millions of workers and their families, we can ill-afford to leave any hard-earned Social Security benefits on the table. For Patricia Vorhees, a retired elementary school teacher from Conroe, it all boils down to an issue of fairness. “We’re entitled to the money because we earned it,” she says. “I feel that it is wrong that I, and others like me, collect a very tiny amount of the money we earned.” Bob Jackson is director of AARP Texas, a nonprofit organization with nearly 38 million members nationally, including 2.3 million in Texas.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 7 | 2016
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sports
Astros the team to beat in AL West
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By MAX EDISON Defender
he Houston Astros made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years in 2015, securing an American League wildcard spot. With a core of young blue chip stars, the Astros have become the “sexy” choice nationally to not only win the AL West, but go on to represent the AL in the World Series. Are these expectations too lofty? Only time will tell, but the 2016 Astros are poised for greatness. The American League has been put on notice that Astros are a team to reckon with. They won’t sneak up on anyone. Instead the bullseye will be on their back. Astros manager A.J. Hinch has seen and heard all of the talk about his team’s expectations for 2016. He is quick to point out that action speaks louder than words. “Expectations are external,” Hinch said. “They’re nothing we have to deal with on a daily basis. “It’s more about what people say about us, not how we operate. I’m very proud of the coverage we’re getting and the excitement around our team, but it stops there. We haven’t done anything close to accomplishing the things people are talking about.” The Astros took eventual World Series champion Kansas City to five games in the 2015 AL Division Series. They boast a core group of stars that are as solid as you’ll find in the majors. First you have AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa and three-time All-Star Jose Altuve. Then you liberally sprinkle in George Springer, former All-Star Carlos Gomez and 2015 post season sensation Colby Rasmus. Now you understand why Astros faithful are giddy with expectation. “We didn’t have this entire team together except for maybe the last half of the season,” Hinch said. “It’s hard to believe that a playoff team didn’t have Correa, didn’t have Gomez, didn’t have [Mike] Fiers and didn’t have Ken Giles. “It’s pretty remarkable to think of what this team can be if we stay healthy and stay hungry. My job is to keep us humble and help us get off to a great start by winning one game at a time. The likes of those guys being available for a full season will be a big deal.” Team GM Jeff
Carlos Gomez, a centerfielder, was a two-time All-Star with Milwaukee.
[about] how do we make sure we keep going forward? “The closer you get to the top, the harder it is to stay here. Our goal is to win a championship. There’s a lot of luck involved in that and a lot of planning, but we’re going to take it day by day. e Year. We’re in a good spot.” th f o ie Rook n League The Astros will count on a strong young starting America 15 0 2 e th op, was st pitching unit led by Keuchel (20-8). He will be joined rt o sh orrea, a Carlos C by Collin McHugh (19-7), Fiers (7-10) and Scott Feldman (5-5). Lance McCullers (6-7) will start the season Luhnow acknowledged the team’s success last season, on the disabled list. but the ultimate goal has not been reached. In addition, the Astros have a potent bullpen featur“It is rewarding knowing that all the work we ing hard throwing leftie Tony Sipp, sidewinder Pat did over the past four years since Jim [Crane] Neshek, Mike Feliz, Luke Gregerson and newcomer bought the team has led to this point,” flame-throwing closer Ken Giles. Luhnow said. “It also makes us nervous The only question mark defensively is how rookie Tyler White will perform as the new first baseman. Altuve (2B), Correa (SS) and Luis Valbuena (3B) round out an impressive group in the infield. The outfield potential is impressive with Gomez (CF), Springer (RF) and Rasmus (LF) all poised for big things. The Astros are an Tony Sipp, a relief pitcher, extremely talented young is an important part of the team and have tasted the Astros’ bullpen. playoffs. The players think 2016 can be their year and it certainly starts with them. Correa echoed the sentiments of the entire team. ‘’I’m focused on helping my team,’’ he said. ‘’My top goal is winning a championship. To me that’s the most important thing.”
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APRIL 7 | 2016 | DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs
Tatum helps Madison close in on playoffs
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By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
ven facing an eight-run first inning deficit to North Forest in a pivotal District 20-5A matchup didn’t deter Khamry Tatum or her Madison High School softball teammates from their goal. When the dust settled at Butler Stadium, Madison squeezed out a 15-14 victory over North Forest and moved one step closer to an invitation to the postseason. “Our goal has been to make the playoffs from the first time we stepped on the field,” said Corey Gallien, Madison’s first-year head coach. “I believe we solidified a playoff berth with this win.” Tatum was a key contributor to the Madison victory. The junior had a base hit (single), an RBI, a run scored and came in relief to be the winning pitcher. “Khamry’s a fighter. She’s one of the girls on the team that I’ll always go to bat with,” Gallien said. “She brings a lot of heart to the game and she’s one of our leaders. “She’s a hard worker and comes out every day to practice ready to get better at her craft,” Gallien said. “Her leadership ability and her willingness to pick up the team are major pluses. She’s dedicated to the game and wants to be the best that she can be. I love that about her.” Tatum takes her leadership role on the team seriously. “Sometimes I get a little frustrated but I try to put it together for the team,” Tatum said. “It ended up being a good game for us.” Tatum was searching for a sport to play in the ninth grade when she settled on girls’ softball. “I always liked watching softball and I wanted to try something new,” she said. “I tried out for the team and ended up making it.” In the two-and-a-half years since then, she’s seen growth within herself and hopes to one day secure a college scholarship with the sport. “I’ve gotten better over the years,” she said. “I’ve had some hits this season that have helped the team. I’ve probably done better this year than any other year.” Gallien constantly stresses fundamentals to his team both in practice and during games. “Everything comes down to fundamentals because that’s how the game is played,” he said. “Coach Gallien has taught me a lot as far as fundamentals and different things that I can do to make myself better,” Tatum said. “He works with us a lot.”
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Rockets vie for playoffs With one week remaining in the NBA season, the Rockets are literally fighting for their playoff lives. The Rockets, who made it to the Western Conference playoffs in 2015, could very well find themselves at home for the playoffs in 2016. They are fighting with Utah and Dallas for the remaining two playoff slots. It has been a rollercoaster season for the team, filled with frustration and underachieving player performances. No single performance has been more lackluster and uninspiring than that of center Dwight Howard. He averaged a very pedestrian 11 points per game for the month of March along with 11 rebounds. That’s hardly the type of production you want for a $22 million investment.
Another honor for Griffin Texas Southern University redshirt freshman center Derrick Griffin has already swept virtually every individual honor the SWAC has to give, including Player of the Year. Now the talented big man has been named Boxtorow Co-National Player of the Year (POY) along with Howard University junior guard James Daniel III. Griffin led TSU to the regular season SWAC basketball title. He ranked third in the nation in field goal percentage (66.2), 10th in rebounds (11.1) and 13th in double doubles (19). He averaged 13.3 points per game. Griffin is the first freshman to be named Boxtorow POY. Daniel averaged 27.1 points for the Bison and was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference POY. Boxtorow is a national publication covering HBCU sports.
Hightower sets standard
About Khamry Tatum Birth date – Sept. 17, 1998 Birth sign – Virgo Favorite subject – English, Language Arts Future career – Culinary arts (chef) Best dish she prepares – Seafood pasta World problem she would solve – Hunger
Fort Bend Hightower head girls’ track coach Natasha Fisher was running out of solutions. For the first two months of the 2016 high school track and field season she had tinkered with her 4X400 (mile) relay team with less than scintillating results. The personnel of Jyria Smith, Tyler Rose, Evette Blanks and Birexus Hawkins seemed to be right but the chemistry was off. Rose was the only newcomer. Smith, Blanks and Hawkins had run on relays together before. After putting Rose on the anchor leg and scratch leg, Fisher settled on running Rose second with Smith leading off and Blanks third followed by Hawkins on the anchor leg. That combination clicked at Rice University’s Victor Lopez Classic when the foursome won in a time of three minutes, 40.82 seconds, more than four seconds faster than the nation’s previous best time. “The Hightower girls’ 4x400 is always dominant,” Fisher said. “I was tired of losing. We had to figure it out. I’m still in awe of what they did. I didn’t even sleep that night.” Fisher knows there’s still room for improvement because Hawkins ran 56 seconds on her leg and she can do better than that. However, Hawkins ran 41.86 seconds in the girls’ 300-meter hurdles on the same night and that was the nation’s second best time to date.
HISD track meet on tap The Barnett Sports Complex located in southeast Houston will host the HISD District track and field meet beginning Monday, April 11 and concluding Thursday, April 14 with the finals at 5 p.m.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 7 | 2016
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
HOUSTON BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK……..The inaugural Houston Black entertainment. Guests included Dr. Docia Rudley, Derrick Mitchell, LeRence Snowden, Restaurant Week (#HOUBRW) runs through April 10 and offers area tastemakers, Winell Herron, Dianne Madere, Keisha Cohen Phillips, Derrick Mitchell, Tiffany professionals and foodies a full week dedicated to highlighting Black restaurants and chefs Sanders, Cheryl Thornton, Cydonii Miles, Regina and Ronald Jackson, Brandon in the city. The week will feature signature prix-fixe dining menus and special meals for Carson, Stacey Swift, Erica Littlejohn Burnette, Melanie Lawson, John Guess and brunch, lunch and dinner at various dining establishments, with a portion of the proceeds Merele Yarborough……..PORT CITY LINKS HEALTH FAIR……..The Port benefitting local non-profit organization Change Happens! #HOUBRW kicked off with a City Links in conjunction with South Central Sportz hosted their 11th annual Health, chef special panel discussion at the Mosaic Bar & Lounge. Those in Education, Science Fair and Carnival at Sunnyside Park. The event attendance included Warren Luckett, Rev. Leslie Smith, Courtney also celebrated South Central Sportz’ opening day of baseball. The Defender TOP EVENTS Rose Johnson, Ray Shackleford, Carol Guess, Robert Collier, fair expanded as guests had the opportunity to participate in carnival More photos on defendernetwork.com Ashley Wyatt, Jarrod Guerra, Jesse Nguy, Reggie Tolbert, Vince features such as free pony rides, a petting zoo, rock climbing, face See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Milson, Drew Harris, Percy Creuzot III, Percy Creuzot IV, painting, carnival games, puppet shows, science fair projects as well with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m. Andrea Jackson, Dee Milton and Rosharon Cotton……..FOR as health screening booths. Guests included Mayor Sylvester Turner, THE SAKE OF ART KICK OFF……..The 2016 For the Sake of Vanetia Wetherspoon-Johnson, Ursula Hall, Elneita HutchinsArt kick-off, chaired by Erica Littlejohn Burnette, was hosted by Neiman Marcus Public Taylor, Shemin Proctor, Andrea Daniel, Sandra Ashmore, Michelle Jordan, Vanessa Relations Manager Stacey Swift at Texas Southern University’s Museum. The kick-off was Wyche, Woodson, Donna Blackshear-Reynolds, State Rep. Borris Miles, Councilmembers successful in raising funds through a raffle that included prizes of fine art donated by TSU Dwight Boykins and David Robinson, Cravon Rogers, James Douglas, Paula Harris and alumnae Kingsley Onyeiwu and Latonya Allen. The TSU Jazz Ensemble provided live HISD Trustee Wanda Adams.
Ashley Wyatt, Warren Luckett, Courtney Rose Johnson
Percy Creuzot IV, Percy Creuzot III
Winell Herron, Joy Sewing, Gayla Gardner
Links Vanetia Wetherspoon-Johnson, Ursula Hall, Elneita HutchinsTaylor, Shemin Proctor
Melanie Lawson, John Guess, Merele Yarborough
Paula Harris, Wanda Adams
Jarrod Guerra, Jesse Nguy, Reggie Tolbert, Vince Milson, Drew Harris
Michelle Barnes, Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, Dr. Sarah Trotty
Cravon Rogers, Mayor Sylvester Turnere
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