A Moral Evaluation....Page 4 50 Cents
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Vol. 37, No. 49: Section 01
Tallahassee, Florida
Dec. 8 - Dec. 14, 2011
A champion is eulogized By Paul Douglas
Robert Champion (pictured above) was a Marching “100” drum major who died Nov. 19 due to hazing-related causes. The Rattler was laid to rest Nov. 30 in Decatur, Ga. by family and friends. The 26-year-old Champion was found unresponsive Nov. 19 on a bus parked outside the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, after the school’s football team lost to longtime rival Bethune-Cookman University. Deputies say Champion complained of not being able
to breathe and had been vomiting shortly before he collapsed. He was immediately transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police confirmed hazing-related activities may have contributed to his death, but have not released any details. FAMU’s former band direc-
See FUNERAL, Page 7
A spiritual and community leader is honored Person of the Week
The Rev. Ernest Ferrell, pictured with wife Mary, was honored Dec. 2 at the Leon County Civic Center for more than a century’s worth of community service By Ashley Hogans not to the point that I feel like I Outlook Staff Writer am honored so much, but I am glad that I was able to be of serA legendary native of Tal- vice to this community over these lahassee is recognized for his past years.” outstanding accomplishments in Elder Lee Harris, who has the community for a combined known Ferrell for more than 35 113 years. Elder Dr. Ernest Fer- years, was the chair of the comrell, who is married to the former mittee to make sure the event was Mary E. Richardson, was hon- a success. Harris said the purored at an appreciation reception pose of the appreciation recepon Friday, Dec. 2 at the Tallahas- tion was to recognize Ferrell for see Leon County Civic Center. his hard work and to say “thank “I am humbled and I really you.” appreciate that someone thought “We wanted to come to a enough of me to think that I was point where we can say we appreworthy,” said Ferrell. “But, I am ciate you, and the work you have
Mr. Chairman Outlook Staff Writer
See POW, Page 2
County Commissioner At-Large Akin Akinyemi was elected chair of the Board of County Commissioners and promotes sustainability, government accountability and civic engagement. control, yet we have to make the best fiscal and policy decisions to help improve the employment and quality of life for our residents while still protecting our pristine natural features. I predict that we will continue to do more with less.” In fact, of 67 Florida counties, Leon is the fifth lowest in dollars spent per resident. Akinyemi said among like-sized counties, LCBC has the lowest operating budget and the lowest in dollars spent per resident. See LEADER, Page 7
Seeking Solutions included the Rev. Joseph Wright who pastors Jerusalem Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Emerita Bernyce Clausell and the Rev. Earnest Ferrell. “Theres nothing like the faith community coming together,” Clausell said.
By Terrika Mitchell Outlook Staff Writer
Public conversations surrounding the Nov. 19 death of Marching “100” drum major Robert Champion have a common thread: to gain insight into the culture of hazing in the band. Few, however, are exploring steps to completely extract hazing from the culture of all Historically Black Colleges and Universities. A group of local pastors, though, have set out to address this issue they say many in their congregations have faced. On Dec. 2, more than 11 pastors congregated for a press conference announcing the formation of a another task force to eradicate hazing as well. “We need to encourage our young people to look at how they treat one another. And that’s more moral than anything else,” said New Life United Methodist Church pastor the Rev. Barbara Awoniyi. The Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr., pastor of Bethel Mission-
THERE’S MORE
Rep. Alan Williams
Ava Parker
ary Baptist Church, appointed a National Historically Black College and University task force “to develop a National Anti-Hazing conference.” Initial members include Fort Valley State University President Larry Rivers, South Carolina State University President George Cooper HBCU presidents Nathaniel Glover Jr., of Edward Waters College and Henry Lewis of Florida Memorial University. “It means power for education for our young people as well as our community,” said Pas-
tor Terry Price of Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church. “This is something we owe to the parents who are entrusting their child into our care into our city to get their education. We also owe this to the students to make sure that they’re comfortable in our community while they’re here. And we also owe this to ourselves to make sure that we are not just standing by and allowing things to take place and there not be a voice being heard.” Religious leaders in attendance for the press conference
Inside OPINION / 4 EDUCATION / 5 RELIGION / 6 COMMUNITY NEWS / 10
Briefs
By Terrika Mitchell
November 15 marked a new era for the Leon County Board of Commissioners (LCBC) in more ways than one. As Commissioner At-Large Akin Akinyemi formally accepted the appointment as board chairman, which is a year-long term that parallels the final year in Akinyemi’s four-year term, he encouraged fellow board members to “seize the moment and do something great with this opportunity.” “My primary goal as chair is to create an environment that will afford each of you equal opportunity to accomplish your goals,” the commissioner told his colleagues. Akinyemi has experience managing a moderate budget as the board’s immediate past vice president, next to then-Chair Commissioner John Dailey (District 3). According to the elected official, the LCBC has cut its budget by about $70 million in the last five years without reducing levels of service. “Our biggest challenge is delivering quality basic services with decreasing revenue,” he said. “We also face a persistently depressed economy with global variables that are beyond our
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Throngs of family, friends and fellow members of Florida A&M’s Marching “100” gathered at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. Wednesday, Nov. 30 to bid a final farewell to drum major Robert Champion, who died of a suspected hazingrelated incident. Champion was dressed in his Marching “100” uniform, gripping a shining baton. Before the service commenced, drum majors covered his casket with the university’s flag. Pastor John Tatum urged mourners to help eliminate hazing practices. “If there’s anything about this man’s legacy we need to put a stop to, it’s hazing,” Tatum said to the hundreds in attendance.“I call on every mother, every father, every niece, every uncle, do what is necessary now to stop this tragedy so that it will never happen again.”
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tor Julian E. White said Champion’s compelling charisma influenced so many around him. “Whenever Robert heard the sound of the drum, his knees raised, his toes pointed and he was on a mission to make the FAMU community proud,” White said. “I loved that young man. The world is a better place because of Robert Champion.” White, who was fired amid Champion’s death, said that he did everything in his power to exterminate hazing in the 375-member band. Since his dismissal from the university, he has hired an attorney and will seek immediate legal action if not reinstated. Attorney Christopher Chestnut, who is representing Robert Champion’s family, said to reporters during a press conference that the family also plans to sue the university and expose a culture of hazing. During the service university President James H. Ammons pledged that he will eradicate the hazing culture that’s plagued
Last week, FAMU officials announced that four Marching “100” members were suspended in relation to Champion’s death; However, their involvement is still unclear. Additionally, the Tallahassee Police Department has initiated its own investigation regarding hazing in the band after another student, Bria Hunter, spoke out about her pre-Florida Classic encounter with hazing which left her with a fractured thigh bone and damaged knee. In the wake of the Champion’s death after the Florida Football Classic in Orlando three weeks ago, investigations have been launched by the Orange See SOLUTIONS, Page 2
Florida lost 1,134 jobs in November Florida companies cut 1,134 jobs in November, according to a survey by employment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. That makes it second in the south for job losses, behind Alabama, and No. 10 in the nation. Cost-cutting is the primary reason for job cuts in November nationwide, followed by restructuring and closing. After the government, the main industries with job losses are the financial and retail sectors. Payroll tax break for 9 million Floridians at stake The White House, as part of its campaign to pressure Congress, predicted on Nov. 30 that 9.1 million Floridians would save $9.3 billion if the House and Senate approve President Obama’s proposed 3.1 percentage point cut in the payroll tax. The current 2-percentage point cut provided for this year will help 9 million Floridians save $5.6 billion, according to figures put out by the White House. Florida Small Business Toolbox: Forms, Permits & Licenses One of the most popular articles on FloridaSmallBusiness. com is a how-to piece that helps entrepreneurs navigate the state’s complex array of forms and licenses. Registering a business involves filing paperwork with the government to obtain certificates, licenses and permits in order to legally operate. Here’s a guide to the basics visit http://www.floridatrend. com/small_biz_article. asp?aID=54684
This Week’s Word “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4 (KJV)