Gary Crusader 12-17-2016

GARY CRUSADER 12-17-2016.qxp_Sheriff 9/8/07 2007 12/15/16 4:58 AM Page 1

Blacks Must Control Their Own Community

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VOLUME LV NUMBER 34 —SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

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Disaster request sent to Pence East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland is calling on Gov. Mike Pence to declare a state of emergency in the city’s Calumet neighborhood. He made the decision after recently meeting with the residents of the lead-contaminated area.

East Chicago officials and residents learned from the Environmental Protection Agency about the contamination at the West Calumet Housing Complex this past May. The housing complex is just north of a former U.S. Steel lead smelting plant, on top of a smaller operation, in an area that was designated a Superfund site in 2009.

In July, Copeland wrote to EPA officials criticizing them for not informing city officials regarding efforts to address the problem.

“I feel it is important to provide you with a timeline of events from the City’s per-

Mayor Anthony Copeland

spective. It is crucial for you as a leader to understand the City’s concern over the public health crisis, which exists in the West Calumet Housing Complex, and our alarm that Region 5 is on course to take action in the very near term which will only exacerbate this public crisis. While it appears that Region 5 wants to show that they are doing something to address the obvious danger to public health posed by extraordinarily high levels of lead and arsenic in the soils in Zone 1, their actions, to date, amount to nothing more than Band-Aid solutions,” stated Copeland in his letter EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.

Copland later decided to close the complex and relocate the 1,000 residents living there. Since then, EPA began remediation of the site this fall.

In his letter to Pence, Copeland stated

that the city, his staff and other officials have labored under conditions—which are not of their making—“but cry out for our help.”

After seeing Pence visiting Flint, MI and Baton Rouge, LA during the presidential campaign, residents of the West Calumet Housing Complex questioned why Pence or anyone from his office had not visited the site. When asked why the governor had not taken time to address the issue, a spokesperson from his office said that he had directed his staff and cabinet to provide support from the federal government.

“I am sure that as governor, you do not find it acceptable that Hoosier children be exposed to toxins or suffer the life-long burden(s) which are known to result from such exposure. I am sure that you do not find it acceptable that these children’s fami(Continued on page 3)

The High Price Of Imprisonment A growing list of costs are being passed on to inmates and their families

By Eric Easter Urban News Service As incarceration rates continue to grow around the United States, the enormous costs of some prison services are increasingly being paid by those who can least afford it –- the families of inmates.

In 2001, when the DC Department of Corrections closed its notorious prison facility in Lorton, Virginia, Ulandis Forte, in prison for murder, was relocated to facilities far away from home, and family. His grandmother, Martha Wright, nearly blind and unable to travel, made frequent calls to prisons out of state –-in New Mexico, then Arizona, then Kentucky — only to find herself deeply in hardship and debt due to exorbitant fees charged by the private companies contracted to provide prison phone services.

Forte and Wright are only the most well known among thousands of families struggling to stay in contact with incarcerated relatives.

Their fight lies at the heart of more than a decade of work by lawyers and activists -–in courts and before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – to find relief.

Yet fifteen years later, with only some successes to claim, the fight continues, stalled repeat-

edly by bureaucracy and the power of corporate lobbyists.

But even as that phone battle looks for resolution, the companies providing those phones are finding new and creative ways to make an array of new services “essential” to prison management.

The prison telephone service market is a lucrative one, totaling approximately $1.2 billion dollars annually. And that revenue comes at a high cost to inmates and their families. Two telecom companies dominate the prison services market, Global Tel Link, and Securus Technologies.

Early in December, 2016, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill) was joined by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing a Concurrent Resolution to address exorbitant prison phone rates for phone calls between inmates and their families.

Since the 109th Congress Rush has introduced federal legislation, and has long advocated

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Bea celebrates 85th Birthday Mardi-Gras Style

(See story on page 15)

THE PRISON TELEPHONE business has been a very lucrative business for two major contractors in the industry. A 2015 ruling by the FCC placed a cap on the rates, which gave some relief to African American inmates and their families, who are disproportionately affected.

nationally, for the reduction of exorbitant prison phone rates. In 2005, he first introduced the Family Telephone Connection Protection Act, to require the FCC to regulate high priced, interstate calling rates for prison phone calls.

“For the last decade I have sought to end the “family divide” that exists with regard to unequal access to communication services between incarcerated members of our society and their loved ones” Rush said.

Rush has reintroduced this legislation in every subsequent Congress to put an end to kickbacks known as “site commissions” received by prisons based on incoming and outgoing calls between inmates and their families.

The evidence is clear — inmates who stay in regular contact with families and friends fare much better in prison, adjust to life better upon release and have a dramatically better (Continued on page 2)

GARY CRUSADER 12-17-2016.qxp_Sheriff 9/8/07 2007 12/15/16 4:58 AM Page 2

New policy at airport is more inclusive Local business participation in providing airport services emphasized in new procurement policy The Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA) Authority recently approved a new procurement policy for the airport, reflecting a continued focus on engaging local businesses and residents to serve as contractors and sub-contractors for vending, supplier and worker services.

“Anytime we have work that needs to be done at the airport we want to use local firms, not just to create jobs, but to build a community of stakeholders invested in the success of their airport,” said GCIA Authority Board Chairman Steven Mays.

Under the new procurement policy, GCIA will work to maximize the inclusion of disadvantaged minority, women and veteran-owned business enterprises (D/M/W/VBE) in providing airport services. Under the policy: • It is encouraged at least 20 percent of business enterprises doing business with the airport be D/M/W/VBE and at least 5 percent certified women- or veteran-owned business enterprises.

• It is encouraged at least 30 percent of business enterprises providing for third party sub-contractors have a significant preexisting presence in the city of Gary.

“This new procurement policy puts in place important framework to

maximize the impact the Airport has in the city of Gary and region as an economic engine and job creator,” said GCIA Authority Board Member Denise Dillard, who led the Board’s development of the new policy. “I thank and applaud everyone who worked on developing this policy and am thrilled the Board has approved it.”

The Airport Authority places a strong priority on local participation in airport procurement activities and the new procurement policy reflects ongoing efforts of Gary Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson and her administration to engage local firms and workers when possible to provide city services.

(Continued on page 3)

A NEW MORE inclusive procurement policy for disadvantaged business enterprises was recently approved by the Gary/Chicago International Airport board.

The High Price Of Imprisonment

(Continued from page 1) chance of staying out of prison.

Phone calls are intended to solve a critical problem when visitation becomes both a financial and logistical burden.

According to the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, the families of inmates are among America’s poorest, with nearly two-thirds falling under or near the poverty line and unable to meet basic food and housing needs. More than 53% of American inmates are housed from 100-500 miles from where their families reside with over 16,000 inmates, about 2%, as far away as 1000 miles (source: Prison Policy Initiative).

Steven Matthews, the former chief information officer for the Illinois Department of Corrections explained the dilemma, “In Illinois, you have most prisoners being held downstate. For a family from Chicago, a visit in-person can mean the cost of a rental car, gas, food, maybe loss of work. Then when you get there, a lockdown or any number of things can happen. So add to that the cost of lodging, food and another day lost. By the end of that, it can be upwards of $600 or more for a visit.

And that’s in the same state. Compared to that, a phone call is sometimes the only option.”

Yet, that “cheaper” alternative has become its own costly barrier. For some families, they can mean hundreds, or thousands of dollars in fees in addition to more than $13,000 on average in already existing debt from court costs and other expenses related to incarceration.

The phone services are not provided by traditional telecom companies such as AT&T, Sprint or other providers. At the center of the issue are handful of private contractors, led by industry leaders Securus and Global TelLink (GTL), who provide both equipment and calls centers through which the call are routed and monitored for security reasons.

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In court cases, representatives of the industry say those security challenges are among the reasons calls come at such a high cost.

After many long years of effort, in 2015, part of the battle against high rates appeared to be won, when the FCC announced new rate caps that lowered rates to a range of $0.12 to $0.31 per minute, a sliding scale based on the size of a facility. Prior to that ruling, a family could be charged an average $1.21 per minute in some facilities, and as high as $40 per minute in some extreme cases. Inmates themselves make on average, $4.73 per day. At the rate before the proposed caps, a full day’s wages was equivalent to about 3-4 minutes of a phone call.

But any sense of long term relief was short-lived. Attorneys representing the major providers of phone services, went on the attack, arguing in courts that the FCC lacked jurisdiction over calls made intra-state. The argument was sufficient enough for a federal judge to stay the action and effectively put most new reforms on hold. While a new ruling is pending, some fees have been held to an “interim cap,” which may or may not remain.

Still, prices can vary wildly depending on where an inmate is housed,

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

from as low as $0.45 for a 15-minute call in West Virginia to $5.65 for the same call just one state over the border in Maryland.

What was an obvious victory for the private phone companies was also cheered by an unexpected ally of the high price phone call game –- the prisons themselves.

Through a complicated system of “commissions,” a practice the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice openly describes as “kickbacks,” Securus, GTL and their smaller competitors win contracts, in part, based on the level of commissions they pay to prison administrations and sheriffs’ offices on a per call basis.

In some proposals, those commissions can run as high as 60% or more. Often, the difference between the charge for a phone call, absent of commissions, and the charge including commissions can be dramatic.

Lee Petro, the Washington, DC attorney who represented Martha Wright and other inmate families pro bono has been working on the issue for more than 12 years, cites a North Dakota proposal as a prime example. “Securus, in response to an RFP, proposed charging as little as $0.04 per minute without a commission, so they could presumable

make a profit at that low a rate. But the rate they proposed, after commissions, was more than three times that rate at $0.13 a minute.”

For their part, prisons claim the commissions are deposited in “inmate services” funds that, in turn are used to fund such programs as distance learning and rehabilitation programs. But according to Aleks Kajstura, legal director of the Prison Policy Initiative, which studied FOIA requests of expenditures, found that “… the great bulk of money raised by phone commissions have gone to salaries and administration, not to inmate programming.”

“The prison industry also claims that their bottom lines would be hurt irreparably at greatly reduced rates.

Yet in states such as New York, where lower mandatory caps have been implemented, all evidence shows that

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

lowering rates results in a higher volume of calls, and higher revenue than before the rate cuts. Basically, the lower the cost, the more people make phone calls,” said Kajstura.

Meanwhile, the families and inmates at the heart of the issue, wait in limbo as the FCC and advocates figure out their next best move against a powerful foe. Yet, one day after the election of Donald J. Trump, prison industry stocks went up significantly in the speculation that the new Administration would wipe away important gains made on the issue by the FCC. According to Petro, “What’s most alarming about all these costs is not just that they are high, but they represent what is essentially a growing transfer of the cost of prisons from the government to the families of inmates. People need to know this.”

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GARY CRUSADER 12-17-2016.qxp_Sheriff 9/8/07 2007 12/15/16 4:58 AM Page 3

A fighter that never quit or complained

By Carmen M. Woodson-Wray Angelo Wilford was a fighter that not only beat Histiocytic Cancer Sarcoma three times, he also never let his battle stop him from doing things he wanted to do. Some of the things Wilford did the average person would not have the courage or fortitude to do in his situation.

Wilford on the other hand was brave and liked sky diving, jet skiing, riding 4-wheel vehicles, playing golf, and traveling throughout the country. When he wasn’t on an adventure, he was studying nursing at Indiana University Northwest and playing the drums on Sundays at his

father’s church City of Praise Church, New Mount Moriah Baptist Church and Emanuel Baptist Church.

Surprising to those who knew the extent of his condition was that Angelo was under hospice care. You would never know it by the way he remained so active. He was often seen out and about in and around the city. What many also found remarkable was that despite all the surgeries and pain he endured throughout his life, he would not complain.

Angelo traveled to Riley Children’s Hospital on Saturday where he spent 23 hours sleeping with his fa-

Angelo Wilford ther Pastor Richard Wilford and sister Skye by his side during his final hours. His farther said Angelo’s last words to him were that he loved him. He said, “I tried to feed him, but he wanted to maintain his independence as much as possible even though he needed my help. He said I got it.”

ANGELO WILFORD (left) and Pastor Richard Wilford were He was diagnosed with the disease while he was a senior in high school. inseparable, father and son.

It is a rare form of cancer in which the body produces an overabundance of white blood cells, which form tumors. During his lifetime (Continued from page 2) For example, as part of its procure- with airports across the country to dement to identify an airport-planning velop effective plans for the future and firm to update the Airport’s Master its commitment to local inclusion on Plan Update, the Airport hosted a the project team. business expo in March 2016 to allow During consideration of the proits three shortlisted firms to meet with curement policy, Board members inlocal companies capable of providing dicated their desire to regularly review certain subcontracting services as part the policy to ensure the Airport is doof the Master Plan update team. ing all it can to engage local businesses More than 60 area businesses attend- and that the policy remains current ed the expo to explore opportunities with any updates to Indiana state law. on responding teams and register with Local businesses interested in being the airport to be considered for future considered for work with GCIA can work. Jacobsen|Daniels was selected register on the Airport’s website under over two other shortlisted firms based “Jobs” at http://www.garychicagoairon its significant experience working port.com/.

New policy at airport . . .

Angelo had his spleen and gallbladder removed, numerous transfusions, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell transplant surgeries.

The term “I Wouldn’t Complain” came from Angelo during the time he appeared-on radio station WLTH. While he was being interviewed, he told his listening audience that he never talked about his cancer and how it was affecting him because “He Wouldn’t Complain.” That’s how the phrase caught on.

Angelo and his father started a group entitled an “Army of Angelo” as a

foundation, which would raise money to help other people who were fighting similar battles with cancer.

Through this foundation hundreds of dollars have been raised to help young children, especially during the Christmas season, to receive special gifts and trips from family members that were unable to visit with them while in the hospital.

Pastor Wilford said Angelo once told him he wanted his legacy to be that he is remembered as a fighter that didn’t give up. He said, “I asked him what keeps him going and he said that he believed that things were going to get better. He said if you take your time things will get better.”

Issac Andrew Culver, Associate Pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church said, “In the short time that he graced this earth Angelo has made a profound impact. He was a world changer! With his message that God gave him it encourages us to stop complaining, #fight4it, I will carry for the rest of my life!,” Culver said.

According to Rev. Wilford, numerous people are anticipated to fill the Genesis Convention Center on Saturday for his son’s Homegoing Service from as far away as Zimbabwe, Africa; London, England and other parts of the world. There will be a musical homegoing celebration Friday, December 16 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Clark Road Missionary Baptist Church in Gary. Services for Angelo will be held Saturday, December 17 with visitation at 9 a.m. and the Homegoing Service at 11 a.m. at the Genesis Convention Center. Angelo is survived by his father, mother, two sisters, a brother and other relatives, church supporters and countless friends.

Disaster request sent to Pence (Continued from page 1) lies suffer the long-term econom- quest and it is being reviewed. ic devastation of blight caused by Meanwhile, Copland announcenvironmental problems which ed that the EPA informed the city these hard-working Hoosier fam- that thec oncentration of lead in ilies did not cause,” Copeland the water in the Calumet neighsaid in his letter. borhood exceeds acceptable levels.

He said residents would be receivThe governor’s office indicated ing the results of the EPA water that they have received the re- testing by the end of the week. www.garycrusader.com

LAKE COUNTY EMPLOYEES celebrated the Christmas season with caroling and refreshments for guests visiting the Robert D. Rucker Courthouse on Monday, December 12, 2016 in Gary.

In a change from previous years, the carolers were all Lake County employees.

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

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GARY CRUSADER 12-17-2016.qxp_Sheriff 9/8/07 2007 12/15/16 4:58 AM Page 4

RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF BELIEF The American Circus is in full swing. Things happening now since the November 8 election of Donald Trump as president-elect defy belief! First of all, the President-elect’s cabinet choices include the crème of plutocracy. It is as though he and his transition team tried to snag every right wing bigot, millionaire and billionaire who was available.

Race aside, it becomes obvious that there are two major types of people in the world.

There are those who believe that they have the right to treat others whom they consider less than themselves, with a profound lack of respect and consideration. On the other hand, you have people who think about others, who feel that workers should make a livable wage, and that everyone has the right to live and be themselves. This is the eternal clash between opposites, between so-called good and evil.

The unbelievable conundrum, however, is that both sides think they are right!

During a recent television program, people were interviewed regarding certain societal problems. There were actually people who believed that all people have equal opportunity and, therefore, that they are on the right side of history in a dog-eat-dog world. They, therefore, felt that people should not qualify for free college tuition.

The challenge that America faces is that it seems that there is a disproportionate number of people allied with president-elect Trump who have beliefs such as this one that can be interpreted as being selfish.

Belief is a funny animal; people believe what they do for various and sundry reasons, most connected with their experiences during their formative years. People learn about good and evil, about how to behave in society, from their parents and others with whom they were in contact when they were growing up.

Now, lest we begin to feel self-righteous about the obvious racism and hatred supported by Trump’s sycophants and others of that ilk, consider this: the gangsta’ rappers who saturate our radio and television airwaves with music that is considered deleterious to young Black minds, seem to have a distinct mindset that what they are doing is all right. In other words, a lack of humanity and caring has no color boundaries.

Some of these rappers, including a number of African American males who have decided that it is their job and duty to snuff out the lives of other African American males, are cut from the same cloth as Trump supporters. For whatever reasons, they don’t feel any allegiance between themselves and the Black community as a whole. It would be very difficult to dissuade them from their beliefs, and when all is said and done, they are operating from a mindset that they feel is justified.

Belief systems therefore, are going to have to be addressed if there is to be positive change in America. Someone will have to figure out how to reach people whose developmental mindset is stuck on racism, xenophobia, and hatred, among other malignant social elements that they, in the long run, do not believe are evil.

Question - is there an absolute definition of what is good and what is evil? In other words, are we just looking at an example of sociological relativity and that it depends upon where we reside psychologically as to the goodness or evilness of a situation?

Basically, we can say yes, that there is a yardstick by which we can measure social behavior to determine the efficacy of a particular stance, and that rule is this: does it hurt or help others? This idea alone can determine the rightness or wrongness of a particular belief system.

Unfortunately, at this juncture, a large number of Americans are on a path of social destruction, and many of them appear to be Trumpites. Hopefully, positive changes will occur before it is too late, but judging from the cabinet that Trump is assembling, hope seems distant. Black people at this time need to become proactive and address whatever happens in order to ensure that the community survives intact. A luta continua.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We must do a better job for our young people Dear Editor: “Shocking” is the only way I can describe the news that our students in Lake County are leaving millions of dollars in college scholarship money on the table every year.

A recent report by an education advocacy organization noted that close to 70 percent of students who might be eligible for four years of financial assistance for college might lose out because they haven’t even applied. The money comes from the Evan Bayh 21st Century Scholars Program.

I know students today are much savvier, smart and tech capable than when I came through high school. However, despite that, they are still kids and don’t necessarily recognize the importance of some things they need to do. That is why we need to step in as parents and adults who care about young people, to help them negotiate uncharted waters.

The vast majority of youngsters simply have their minds elsewhere, and college may not be a priority. That is why we must step in.

We need to know what students should know in order to ensure

they do not lose out on opportunities to attend college, and have all or some of it paid for. That is why it is so important to familiarize ourselves with the criteria for getting those scholarships.

Sadly, a report on the matter maintained that an average of three-quarters of the eligible students are not doing their jobs in meeting state-mandated eligibility requirements.

Students don’t have to be brainiacs to get the money. They simply need to complete steps such as community involvement, visiting a college campus, creating a graduation plan and a few other items.

There are no requirements demanding anything extraordinary of students and their families.

That is why it is mind-boggling we have a high number of students on track to miss out on the scholarship money.

Fortunately, leaders at Ivy Tech have put together the seeds of a plan that should engage students long before they get to their senior year to help make sure they are on track for scholarship money, as well as provide the necessary guidance.

It is super useful the college is taking its program throughout the county. That way no one can say they didn’t have information or access to the necessary information.

Parents are going to be invited to participate at many levels. This is an opportunity that hopefully

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

thousands, if not tens of thousands of parents will take advantage of.

Parents and students need to understand these requirements are only intended to get the young people prepared for the world beyond high school, whether it involves more education, or moving into the workplace. Students are (Continued on page 5)

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GARY CRUSADER 12-17-2016.qxp_Sheriff 9/8/07 2007 12/15/16 4:58 AM Page 5

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following column is a gossip column. We ask that items contained herein be judged by individuals that read it as such and not as documented facts gathered by the news-gathering personnel of this publication.

will be interesting to see if the Allen name still carries weight this time around.

WHAT’S THERE TO BE MAD ABOUT? As folks move into the Christmas season Nosey notices that yuletide season is being replaced by rank all out consumerism. Actually “Black Friday” has reduced the holiday season to let’s hurry up and eat so we’ll be able to get a good place in line when the stores open Thursday night. Forget glad tidings of joy, got to make sure I’m there to capitalize on the latest sale. And the sad part about it is the memory chil-

Since becoming Donald Trump’s running mate and now the Vice President-elect Mike “Q-Tip” Pence hasn’t had much time to deal with affairs of the state. Now that he is running the Presidential Transition team, Pence really doesn’t have his mind on Indiana and the problems of the state. Although he has a lot on his plate these days, the one thing dealing with the state he doesn’t seem to have time for is getting paid from the state. Since the election there have been no news stories regarding “Q-Tip” relinquishing his salary as gover-

-NoseyWHO’S MINDING THE STORE?

Kyle Allen dren are left with, their mothers engaged in brawls over some meaningless item that will be even cheaper after the holiday is over.

Clearly the season of good tidings has given over to a desire to consume. Then there is our need to criticize any and everything our political leaders do or don’t do. Re-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (Continued from page 4) being put in a position to succeed, and it is difficult to understand why families would not take full advantage of that.

Pearline Bester

Robbery is beyond less than acceptable Dear Editor: Just like the next person I realize we live in some trying times, and often we will witness or be part of something that is not good. There are things today that people accept that in the past would have been huge no-nos.

Historically and traditionally the Black community has had treasures.

Even those who were the least mentally capable recognized those treasures, and along with the rest of the community lifted up, respected and protected those treasures. It was our collective obligation as Black people to make sure those treasures were preserved in every way possible.

Obviously, times have changed dramatically. We witnessed that a couple of weeks ago when Dr. Vernon Smith was robbed at the Glen Theater. Personally it was devastating news because over the decades he has become a Gary treasure.

If we look at his professional resume we will find that he has excelled at every academic post he has held. I don’t know of anyone else who has been sought after to run Gary schools as often as Dr. Smith.

He once told me he never pursued that post because board members unofficially explained that the way www.garycrusader.com

he wanted to run the district, might work, even improve it, but was too radical for them.

In the Indiana general assembly, Dr. Smith often was the leading voice advocating for Gary. Even when odds seemed insurmountable, he would battle to make sure our city was treated fairly. That is just his professional resume.

When we look at his community resume, I would say it is without equal. Dr. Smith has worked tirelessly to shore up so many areas of Gary. It was through his efforts that the theater was restored and has been put back in circulation as an entertainment venue.

Dr. Smith has helped countless young men here improve their lives through the non-profit, AfricanAmerican Achievers Youth Corps.

That is his most visible community involvement, yet I know personally when an organization requests that he keynote their gala or fundraising event he makes time, despite a hectic schedule.

So, for someone to rob him, someone obviously from our community, is in no way acceptable.

This should be a no-brainer for those who know who the robber is.

They need to turn that scum in right away.

I think all lives are important, and so many people can make contributions. The reality though, is that when someone repeatedly makes the kinds of contributions Dr. Smith has, he cements himself as a local treasure. We all need to treat him accordingly, from the lowest of us to the highest of us.

It simply is not right to subject Dr. Smith to the kind of treatment he endured. As a community, we need to come together and offer a collective apology for the action of a deranged individual.

Herman Moore

cently some folks were all up in arms because the city administration hired some whites to decorate outside City Hall. Heard they was all on the radio lambasting the mayor for not hiring a Black company to do the decorating, of course those doing the complaining never offered the name of a Black company they felt could have done the work. That’s probably cause their ain’t none, so instead of complaining go out and start a company that does that kind of work, and maybe next year you’ll get some business from the city. Ya never know until ya try.

when they ran last time, however, the word on the street is that things may be different this time around. While there hasn’t been any talk of anyone taking on Katona, clearly there is a bull’s-eye on Petalas. Nosey has also heard that Gary City Clerk Suzette Raggs may be looking at taking on Lake County Commissioner Kyle Allen instead of running for may-

-NoseyOUT AND ABOUT YOU HEAR THINGS Next year may not be an active year as far as elections are concerned and even though nobody is running next year that don’t mean there ain’t no campaigning going on. Rumor has it there is a move being made to find an African American candidate to take on Auditor John Petalas.

Petalas and Lake County Treasurer Peggy Katona got a free ride

Mike Pence

Suzette Raggs or. Allen is finishing out the term of his cousin the late Roosevelt Allen and folks in the Raggs camp may feel that he is vulnerable. It

nor, so he is in essence being paid to do nothing cause he surely ain’t taking care of business here at home. Seems the legislature ought to come back in session and pass a bill to stop payment on his check.

They do it every day on poor folks, why not on Pence.

Tis the Season for giving to Veterans and their families Military Veterans and their families are invited to the Northwest Indiana Veterans Assistance Center for the Annual Christmas/Holiday Party on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 12 Noon until 3:00 p.m. The center

is located at 5921 W. 25th Avenue in Gary and hosted by the NAACP Gary Chapter and Steve Mays State Farm Insurance Agency in Munster.

Santa’s helpers are retired U.S. Marine Carlos May, who is also a former

Chicago White Sox, Cheerleaders from the Indianapolis Colts, and a former Chicago Bears players. The Center will also recognize A Medal of Honor inductee. For more information contact the center at (219) 844-2441.

BOTH THE FORMER White Sox player Carlos May (left) and the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders (right) are expected to attend the annual Christmas holiday party at the NWI Veterans Assistance Center on Saturday, December 17.

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

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St. John Malt Brothers Craft Brewers hits the floor at Stracks The region’s largest local retail grocery chain is currently offering premier craft beers in Northwest Indiana. Strack & Van Til has recently united with St. John Malt Brothers Craft Brewers and is now providing several premium microbrews at their St. John and Schererville locations.

“Above all, we are here to serve the community. It’s a role the people working at each store take very seriously,” said Matt Dominguez, Store Director at Strack & Van Til’s St. John location, “and a big part of that is making sure our community thrives, and in doing so, we believe that putting locally sourced items on our shelves is extremely important to the community’s growth and success. By partnering with local producers like the Malt Brothers, it allows us to better connect with our neighborhood.”

St. John Malt Brothers Craft Brewers opened their facility in February of 2015 and has grown into one of the region’s most popular new breweries and typically have more than 15 craft beers available on tap in their tasting room located at 9607 Wicker Avenue in St. John.

St. John Malt Brothers president James Estry is excited to become part of the Strack & Van Til family.

“Getting our products into these stores is a big step for us,” he said, “we have always been tremendously confident in the high quality of the beers that we produce, and having a

ST. JOHN STRACK’S STORE Director, Matt Dominguez, stocks the shelves with Malt Brothers coconut porter, Mr. Coconut Head. STRACK & VAN TIL in St. John recently started offering severThe store recently began offering the locally brewed craft beer. al selections of premium microbrews, St. John Malt Brothers (Photo by Renee Rodimel) Craft Brewers, in 16-ounce and 22-ounce bottles. major local retailer like Strack & brewing process and have had con- bottles which hit Strack & Van Til under the banner names Strack and Van Til recognize us is a great feel- sistent success with beers like our shelves last Friday, December 2. & Van Til, Ultra Foods and Town & ing.”

Citra IPA, Hesperidium, and our Strack and Van Til was founded in Country Market. Strack and & Van Estry believes the microbrewery’s American Honey Pale Ale, Bel- 1960 as a grocery retailer focused on Til is an equal opportunity employer. success depends on two key factors: mageddon, as well as other cus- providing high-quality products in a For more information about Strack consistency and diversity. tomer favorites like Mr. Coconut unique and inviting atmosphere and & Van Til, please contact Chris “Even though we’ve only been in Head coconut porter,” Estry added. with a high level of customer ser- Bengtson, Vice President of Public business for less than two years, we Malt Brothers’ beers are available vice. The company currently oper- Relations at 219-237-5027 or by have spent a lot of time refining our in 16-ounce cans and 22-ounce ates 37 stores in Illinois and Indiana email at BengtsonC@s-vt.com.

FHA lending violations lead to $93 million fine and convictions

By Charlene Crowell A 2011 case that was filed in Manhattan’s U.S. District Court led to a five-week trial in Houston and a unanimous jury decision against one of the largest FHA home loan originators, Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corporation, (also known as Allied Capital, and Allied Home Mortgage Corporation) and Jim C. Hodge, its president and chief executive officer.

The corporations and Hodge were charged and convicted of violations of both the federal False Claims Act (FCA) and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA).

As a result of the convictions, the federal government will receive nearly $93 million from Allied Home Mortgage Capital and an additional $7.3 million from Hodge. Under the FIRREA, additional penalties will be assessed at a later time for each fraudulent violation ranging from a low of $5,500 to $11,000.

The additional penalties could be substantial. Over nearly a decade, Allied Capital originated FHA-insured home loans. Of these loans, 6

Charlene Crowell at least 1,192 were actually ineligible for FHA insurance under HUD guidelines. When the loans defaulted, HUD incurred losses of $85,612,643.

According to an investigative article by ProPublica, Allied had the highest serious delinquency rate among the top 20 FHA loan origi-

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

nators from June 2008-May 2010.

During these years, nine states issued sanctions against Allied for its use of unlicensed brokers and practices of misleading borrowers.

“For years, Jim Hodge and Allied lied to HUD in order to fraudulently reap profits from the FHA mortgage insurance program”, said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “After a month-long public trial where all their misconduct was exposed, a jury has held Mr. Hodge and Allied responsible for their lives and has made them pay for losses the United States suffered on loans that would never have been insured by HUD absent their lies.”

FHA guidelines ensure that its loans can only be made to consumers who can afford to repay them. To protect the ongoing availability of FHA mortgage insurance funds, HUD is responsible for accurately assessing the risk of default on loans it insures. HUD relies on assurances from lenders that they and the loans they submit fully comply with program requirements.

Allied operated as many as 600 branch offices, but only a few locations had quality control employees to review loans. Allied Capital –

with Hodge’s knowledge and approval – originated loans at more than 100 “shadow” branch offices that did not have the required authorization. The scheme included submitting loans from those branches to HUD using ID numbers of authorized sites.

When HUD auditors asked for quality control reports, Allied provided falsified information and Hodge directed employees to falsify quality control reports. Each year, both the firm and Hodge falsely certified to HUD that the business was in compliance with required quality control standards.

For Kenneth Magidson, Houston U.S. Attorney, the case represents an example of how fraudulent acts are aggressively pursued even when multiple U.S. Justice Offices are involved.

“Working together, we ensured a successful outcome following a lengthy trial and investigation against Allied and its CEO. We will continue to apply our resources whenever and wherever we can to ensure those that perpetuate such egregious fraud against the United States are held accountable for their actions,” said Magidson.

While the federal government and HUD can and should prose-

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

cute unlawful activities, the consumers who were snookered into these fraudulent loans deserve to be made whole.

For many consumers, a home represents the single largest investment of a lifetime. Its loss leads to several financial harms that affected consumers will suffer. Foreclosures dramatically depress credit scores and, as credit scores drop, the likelihood of new credit costing more is a near certainty. Some affected consumers will wind up paying a cumulative cost for receiving one predatory loan.

The Allied convictions also are a reminder of how the Justice Department can use its authority to take action when mortgage lending rules and laws are violated.

The future of this vital federal office should be a focal point of the upcoming confirmation hearings. Senate Judiciary committee members must acknowledge that the journey towards fair housing has yet to reach its destination.

Charlene Crowell is communications deputy director with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org. www.garycrusader.com

GARY CRUSADER 12-17-2016.qxp_Sheriff 9/8/07 2007 12/15/16 4:58 AM Page 7

In this holiest of seasons, assess your service and sacrifice CIRCLE CITY CONNECTION

By Vernon A. Williams How much of a difference did you make in 2016? Seriously.

Looking back, where and whom did your physical, spiritual or intellectual gift enhance.

I don’t mean how well you did financially because whether your personal coffers hit rock bottom and you had to scrounge to make ends meet, or you realized a meteoric rise in income to unimagined prosperity, neither provides a yardstick to measure impact.

I don’t mean how much of a difference people SAY you made.

Most of us know that we are never quite as worthy as our most ardent supporters, and never nearly as despicable as assessed by our worst adversaries. We usually fall somewhere in between. So recognition provides no gauge.

I don’t even mean how much of your talent, time or treasure you

Vernon A. Williams gave – but now you’re getting warmer.

The amount that you gave is only relevant in terms of what you sacrificed. If you stayed firmly within your comfort zone in sharing resources, expertise, abilities, or participation, then there was

ArtHouse incubator: How to grow your food business Contributed By:The 411 News Small business owners want to do more heavy lifting Annabelle Sanders baked 200 pies for customers over the Thanksgiving Holiday. That kind of heavy lifting was easy for this chef who wants to get out of the house and expand into store sales.

“I have a sweet potato pie that has gone viral,” Sanders said.

Sanders and other food entrepreneurs like her were drawn to the workshop “Developing Retail Partnerships and Purpose-Driven Businesses” held Tuesday night at ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen, Gary’s incubator for food-related businesses and a center for culture and art.

Geared towards helping the small business owner take the next step, the workshop was led

by Maya Broussard, owner of Justice Of The Pies in Chicago.

“Broussard’s the right person for our workshop,” said Arleen Peterson, community engagement consultant for ArtHouse. “She understands the restaurant business and knows product development.” Broussard’s pies are in Whole Foods, small cafes, and she runs a catering business.

“How to be successful without a store front,” “branding,” “imaging,” and “purpose” were Broussard’s focus. “If you don’t have a purpose, you won’t know your market or how to do marketing,” she said. For Sanders who wants (Continued on page 12)

little or no genuine sacrifice.

A sacrifice may be freely given, but it’s not a genuine sacrifice if it doesn’t mean anything to us.

When we feel the pain of our sacrifice—we know that we are really giving up something important.

As we grow in our faith, we give our sacrifices to God more freely because we understand His greater sacrifice that allows us to know His grace.

When a year draws to an end, folks typically reflect on the past 12 months. Some are generous in their assessment and conclude that they did the best that they could. Many are hypercritical in self-condemnation of not having done nearly enough. That evaluation is linked to expectations for the coming year.

Recently speaking to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) students about “giving back,” it was gratifying to hear how many of them are already involved in substantive community service – and how those who aren’t at this point are anxious to get started in what they vow to be a lifetime commitment.

These students understand that you don’t have to be a world leader, a national icon, a state official, county luminary or even a citywide celebrity to make a difference. All have the capacity to become agents of change without

anyone knowing.

The greatest reward of true sacrifice for others is a meaningful outcome; knowing that someone, somewhere or something is measurably improved as a result of your contribution – that you stepped outside of self-ingratiation to offer thankless service for the greater good at a discernible level of personal sacrifice. That’s what it’s all about.

Many believers sacrifice their time, money, and energy doing good works for God. However, we must be careful not to let the sacrifice supplant obedience. No matter how generous or well meaning, a sacrificial gift to the Lord is honored only as long as we are obeying His commandments and teaching others to do the same.

You have gangsters, pimps and drug dealers who give out turkeys on Thanksgiving and pay for toys distributed at Christmas. Their good deeds are unworthy. Don’t let the seeming triumphs of those without a soul confuse you. Obedience counts.

All the charity and volunteerism in the world won’t negate day-today rejection or defiance of the word of God. No level of generosity will pardon those who plot and scheme suffering; whose thoughts and words injure or destroy, whose deeds ignore or facilitate evil.

Remember that time, talent and

treasure are merely what we offer the world in manifestation of the Holy Spirit. God wants our praise, worship, faith and obedience to substantiate our commitment and adherence to His will.

Isaiah 64:5-6 (NIV) says: 5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.

But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry.

How then can we be saved?

6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; Forget resolutions. Instead, strive to walk in greater obedience, to always do better, to forgive in the same manner we want to be forgiven, and to be Kingdom-minded - knowing that anything of substance that you will ever get in life is directly in proportion to how much you are willing to sacrifice.

CIRCLE CITY CONNECTION

by Vernon A. Williams is a series of essays on myriad topics that include social issues, human interest, entertainment and profiles of differencemakers who are forging change in a constantly evolving society. Williams is a 40-year veteran journalist based in Indianapolis, IN – commonly referred to as The Circle City. Send comments or questions to: vernonawilliams@yahoo.com.

WORKSHOP ATTENDEES Gretchen Sipp (l-r) and Jessie Renslow with Maya Broussard. www.garycrusader.com

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

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The Spirit of Christmas Dinner needs you Cooks, Decorators, Food Servers, and Clean-Up Crew Are All Needed Christmas Day State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (DGary) said because The Spirit of Christmas Dinner has been so popular, feeding more than 600 people and providing a gift for each person, there is an ever greater need for volunteers and donations to help make the event successful.

The annual event is held on Christmas Day, from 1-4 p.m. This year, the free dinner will again be at the Genesis Convention Center, 1 Gene-

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith

sis Center Plaza, in Gary.

“The undertaking of The Spirit of Christmas Dinner is a daunting challenge,” said Dr. Smith. “Its success creates a greater need for contributions and volunteers, but trust in God and our neighbors, here in Gary and the surrounding area, enables us to meet the needs to make the dinner an even better and larger event to help more people who need a good meal and fellowship.

“On Thursday, Dec. 22, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., we have cooks who come to volunteer their time and help begin the preparation,” detailed Dr. Smith. “We serve a lot of people, so we have to start early in the preparation of the various dishes. On Friday, Dec. 23, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the volunteer decorators arrive at the Genesis Convention Center to transform the room into a magical Christmas wonderland that will uplift the most saddened and loneliest of hearts. Volunteers are welcome to help for as long as they have time on those two days.

“The food servers will arrive on Christmas Day at noon, so that the hot food can begin being served right at 1 p.m.,” continued Dr. Smith. “As it always is, one of the most important tasks is at the end of the day. It is the clean-up. It is actually not as bad as it sounds. When you have enough

VOLUNTEERS DRESSED IN red and white “Spirit Of Christmas” aprons served hundreds of guests at this 2014 event. Over 600 guests are expected to be served between 1-4 p.m. at the 2016 Spirit of Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day in the Gary Genesis Convention Center.

people helping, the job gets done quickly and can be fun.

“Christmas Day volunteers are scheduled to work from noon-6 p.m.,” mentioned Dr. Smith. “We are also in great need of financial donations to cover the rising costs of acres of biodiverse beaches, woods, The Spirit of Christmas Dinner. All prairies, and marshes. Up to 2 mil- donations are gratefully appreciated lion visitors come to the Indiana and used directly for The Spirit of Dunes each year. Check our Face- Christmas Dinner. book page at www.facebook.com/ “During the Advent season, we IndianaDunesNL. Christians prepare for the coming of

Christmas Bird Count at Indiana Dunes Lakeshore Join tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas on Thursday, December 29 for the annual Christmas Bird Count. You can take part in the count at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Families, students, amateurs, birders, and scientists alike, arm themselves with binoculars, bird guides, and checklists and go out on an annual mission to count the local bird population.

This is your chance to become a citizen scientist and make an enormous contribution to conservation. The Audubon Society and other organizations use the data collected in this longest running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to guide conservation actions.

This event is free, but requires advance registration by December 26th. To register or learn more about the annual bird count at the national lakeshore, contact ranger Christine Gerlach at 219-3951885 or by e-mail at christine_gerlach@nps.gov.

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is one of 414 units of the National Park System ranging from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty. Located in Northwest Indiana, the park includes 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 15,000 8

the baby Jesus, the savior of humanity,” reflected Dr. Smith. “We are reminded each year that there was no room at the inn for the Holy Family, so our Savior was born in a humble manger. A week after Christmas, we celebrate Epiphany as the three wise men made their way across the vast desert following the bright star of Bethlehem to the site of the greatest event in the history of the world.

“Our role at the Spirit of Christmas Dinner is likewise to be a bright

star of Bethlehem as we invite our sisters and brothers to join us for a warm meal and genuine fellowship as we all rediscover the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to be worthy of being called followers of Jesus Christ,” said Dr. Smith.

“The Spirit of Christmas Dinner makes for a remarkable day, so please join us as a volunteer, donate if you are unable to be there, or be our guest if you are in need of a good meal, are a (Continued on page 12)

Toy drive seeks partner to help kids all year Over the past 8 years, the South Shore Toy Drive has grown large enough that it now has the capability to give toys to children, families, and organizations all year long. The drive just needs to find the right partner to help make this a reality.

"We are looking for a partner that can either donate a small space to us or will work out a rent that is affordable. We are particularly looking in Hammond, East Chicago, and Gary, but this is negotiable. We are open to partnerships with other non-profits, businesses, churches, etc. We want to find the right partner to expand our toy collecting and giving," Jordan Hestermann, organizer of the South Shore Toy Drive said.

The drive is planning to give toys away for birthdays, for nominated families, and to organizations that help children.

"Some of the organizations we give toys to during the holiday sea-

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

son could use more during the year when charitable giving is low. We believe we can meet these needs, when we find the right location," Hestermann said.

The South Shore Toy Drive is currently collecting toys throughout Lake and Porter Counties. The drive is unique because it accepts both used and new toys. The South Shore Toy Drive collects toys in Lake and Porter counties and distributes the toys throughout the counties. It is all local to local giving. The drive is volunteer organized and run by Becoming We the People and Kempo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy.

If interested in partnering with the South Shore Toy Drive, e-mail southshoretoydrive@gmail.com or call 219-838-9875.

Toys can be dropped off at any of the following locations until December 24: Drop-off locations:

Highland Kempo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy Edward Jones Highland/Griffith Chamber of Commerce Office Primerica Family Eye Care Culver's in Highland East Chicago Family Eye Care Whiting BP WBU Crown Point MJ Electric Inter-State Studios Cafe Fresco Sam Allie State Farm Insurance Cedar Lake Sportsman's Den St. John Century 21 McCarthy Realty Aspen Cafe Dyer Funflatables Hammond

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

Healthy Horizons White Ripple Gallery Cavalier Inn Brightwood College Merrillville Spill the Beans Robert Plantz & Associates Schererville McInnis Auto Griffith Grindhouse Cafe Balanced Nutrition Dr. Gall, D.D.S. Portage Century 21 Affiliated MA's Li'l Champs Learning Academy Valparaiso Barre & Beyond The Wholesome Cupboard Montessori Academy Yoga Sanctuary Chesterton Chesterton Toys Team O'Connor Martial Arts & Fitness www.garycrusader.com

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King calls for supporters of public education to unite On December 14, 2016, U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. called on supporters of public education to set aside political and policy differences and work together to ensure all students – and especially the most vulnerable students – get the opportunity they need to be successful.

During a speech at the Center for American Progress, King laid out a bold vision for how the country can unite and move forward in ensuring equity and excellence in public education – from preschool through college.

“For all who believe that strong, equitable public education is central to a healthy democracy and a thriving economy, now is the moment for us to set aside the policy differences that we have let divide us, and move forward together courageously to de-

fend and extend this fundamental American institution,” King said.

During his speech, King highlighted passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law by President Obama a year ago, as an opportunity to move the nation forward together. And he called on those who have been on either side of debates over issues including testing, accountability, charter schools, and effective teaching to come together around shared values.

“Today we have a choice to make.

We can continue to argue amongst ourselves about our disagreements.

Or we can work together in pursuit of larger goals,” King said. “Now, I am not saying that we have to agree on every tactic or strategy. We won’t.

But I am saying that we can reject false dichotomies and disparaging rhetoric. We can stop questioning

John B. King

our natural allies’ intentions and fight side by side for the belief that every student in America has the right to a great public education.”

The nation has seen encouraging progress over the last eight years.

The high school graduation rate is at an all-time high of 83 percent; Dropout rates are down, particularly for Black and Latino students; Hundreds of thousands more children are attending high quality preschool programs; Achievement gaps by race and gender are closing; More Black and Latino students are attending college; and the most recent national data saw the largest, most diverse class completing higher education in our history.

“But, for all our progress, more is required to meet the challenges our nation will face in the years to

come…,” King said. “It is not enough for those already prosperous to prosper. Unless we are ensuring that all Americans can meaningfully participate in our nation’s growth, our nation will not succeed.”

King also called for equitable funding for the students, schools and districts that need the most help, reiterated the benefits of school diversity for all students, and called on education leaders to remain focused on preschool quality and college completion.

“We must continue to press on, firm in the knowledge that when we pull others up, they do not pull us down. When the light of opportunity shines on those who lack it, it does not dim for those already in its glow.”

Project leads to Reading is Fun Day for students Thea Bowman High School scholars visited the elementary school to share the gift of reading. One of Thea Bowman’s teachers, Ms. Pamela Sanders, created this inclu-

sion project to give students the opportunity to work together in promoting the importance of literacy.

“It was amazing to watch our students create excitement about read-

Thea Bowman Annual Middle School Spelling Bee Thea Bowman Middle School hosted its Annual Fall Spelling Bee. Students were given vocabulary lists to study in preparation for the event.

English/Language Arts teachers also engaged students in Etymology based lesson plans. Because it is never too early to study the origin of words, and their Latin and Greek prefixes and suffixes, middle school students are being given critical thinking tools to increase their vocabulary skills.

The Overall 2016-2017 Spelling Champion is Zaria Smith followed

by Overall 2nd Place: Niya Frazier; Overall 3rd Place: Lanique Edmond; and Overall 4th Place: Jeremiah Roberson.

Grade level winners from the 7th and 8th grades are as follows: First Place 8th Grade: Zaria Smith; Second Place 8th Grade: Lanique Edmond; First Place 7th Grade: Niya Frazier; and Second Place 7th Grade:

Jeremiah Roberson.

The following students won their classroom spelling competitions and moved on to the finals.

Finalists in the 7th Grade: Lorenzo Ambrose, Caleb Burrell-Hurt, Tionne Clark, Daerion Dixon, Rian Dupree, Niya Frazier, Faith Henderson, Jannee Jones, Mya Owens, Jeremiah Roberson, Timothy Sandifer, and Kennon Tucker.

Finalists in the 8th Grade: De’Ja Bailey, Kevin Birdsong, Daylan Coggain, Riquell Dixon, Lanique Edmond, Ayrion Houston, Dwain Johnson, Spirit Johnson, Perris Smith, Zaria Smith, Kameesha Vazquez and Adriana Garcia.

ate an environment where students were Pamela Sanders, Monte were supporting, encouraging and Patrick, Clara Burnett and Sheila assisting each other.

Mason. Also two school leaders, Michael Collins and Marisa SimMembers of the teaching staff mons were recognized for collabocommended by the principal, Sarita rating with the high school to create Stevens, for chaperoning the trip, this reading adventure.

THESE THEA BOWMAN Leadership Academy high school students spent a day reading to the elementary students. The idea was the brainchild of Special Education Teacher Pamela Sanders.

It turned out to make reading fun for the readers and the listeners.

The teachers responsible for preparing the students and leading the way for academic excellence are Ms. Rowena Banks, Ms. LaReina Valdez and Mr. Robert Kuprenas.

STUDENTS WHO WON first, second or third place in the Thea Bowman Annul Middle School Spelling Bee are photographed with their teachers. www.garycrusader.com

ing for the younger students,” explained Sanders, who is a Special Education Teacher. “Their talents and creativity came out. It brought tears to my eyes.”

All academic achievement levels were included in this project to cre-

LOOKING VERY ATTENTIVELY, Thea Bowman elementary school students listen as high school students from the academy read books to them. The Thea Bowman Leadership Academy High School students were assigned two to a classroom and they all wore Santa Claus hats that day.

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

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Church signs off the radio after 19 years

By Carmen M. Woodson-Wray Clark Road Baptist Church is made up of over 400 members in its congregation. Forty of the members make up its choir, who along with four musicians have toured throughout the United States and

AWARD OF RECOGNITION given to Pastor Pharis D. Evans, Sr. for his broadcast and being an inspiration to the NW Indiana community.

decision was made that it was time to curtail some of their activities. It was a split decision, but the majority thought it was best along with the pastor to cancel the broadcast.

On November 27, 2016, Clark Road Baptist Church performed its last broadcast on radio station WGVE. Marvin Lyles, Weekend Broadcaster at radio station WGVE said the services recorded for Clark Road Church were prerecorded, but now New Mt. Moriah Church has taken over their 6 p.m. hour. Lyles said, “Now we are encouraging other churches to take up the radio air time that was once held by New Mt. Moriah.”

Cotton said the church has not decided as a whole what they will do in the evening hours since their time is free now. They are considering using that time to host a variety of events they previously did not have the time to hold. One of the events under consideration is an anniversary program for Pastor Evans and a church anniversary program.

He said, “We use to do things like those during program time, now we can do them in the evening if we want to.

RADIO WEEKEND BROADCAST Announcer Marvin Lyles (standing center) presented Rev. Paris Evans Sr. (left, seaed) pastor of Clark Road Baptist Church and Carolyn Jordan (right seated), church radio announcer with a plaque in honor of their 19 years of service.

Jamaica singing and performing behind their pastor Rev. Pharis Evans, Sr. Now, after broadcasting on the radio for 19 years in their hometown of Gary, Indiana Clark Road Baptist Church performed their final broadcast on the last Sunday in November.

Velton Cotton, chairman of the deacon board at Clark Road, said the church first started radio broadcasting using other radio stations.

They used WWCA, WJOB, WGVE and then WLTH. During the broadcast, the church choirs would sing first and then Pastor Evans would preach. Cotton said the church would always open the service with the Lord’s Prayer, which lasted so long it took up most of the radio time from the sermon. It was only 30 minutes long in those days.

During a time when many of the local radio stations were going out of business, numerous churches lost their on air programming.

However, Cotton said Clark Road managed to secure a spot by possibly being the first church at WGVE. Clark Road Baptist Church was a very outstanding church when it came to its singing and performing.

Over the years they made countless LPs, cassettes, CDs and most recently a new CD entitled “Classic Church” that included all the church choirs combined.

Due to the dwindling congregation and Pastor Evans’ health, the 10

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016

Blacks Must control their own coMMunity

www.garycrusader.com

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Women in medicine chronicled in “Against All Odds” This holiday season people can give the gift that keeps on giving with “Against All Odds: Celebrating Black Women in Medicine.”

The inspirational coffee-table book, by Crystal R. Emery, highlights the trailblazing careers of Black female doctors who triumphed over many obstacles to succeed in a male-dominated field. Complete with glossy photos and essays on its more than 100 subjects, the book will serve to entertain and inspire readers of all ages through the stories of these intrepid women.

From narratives on 19th century pioneers including Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Emma Reynolds and Matilda Evans — who were among the first Black women in the U.S. to receive medical de-

Crystal R. Emery grees — to stories of modern-day heroines working to provide fair and adequate medical access to people of all backgrounds, “Against All Odds” gives readers new insight on the history of the medical field in America and its current-day challenges and triumphs. Emery wrote the book as the companion piece to her documentary film “Black Women in Medicine,” which was released theatrically in 2016 and is currently airing on public television stations across the country. The aim of both the film and the book is to educate and motivate young

people to fulfill their potential and follow their dreams. An inspiration herself, Emery is a quadriplegic who has used her career as an author, actress, artist, filmmaker and playwright to encourage people to challenge barriers they face.

Using the book in 2016, Emery launched a national campaign, “Changing the Face of Medicine,” together with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders. The goal is to help increase the number of Black doctors in the United States from 4.5 percent in 2016 to 7 percent by 2030. Purchase of the book assists Emery in reaching young people around the country and urges them to reach for the stars.

Brimming with uplifting life and career stories, quotes and beautiful photos, “Against All Odds” will make an ideal gift for those shopping for children and young adults interested in careers in science or medicine as well as for the history buffs in the family.

The book is available for purchase for $75 at http://www.changingthefaceofmedicine.org/orderbook/against-all-odds.

“Changing the Face of Medicine” is a groundbreaking multimedia documentary project and educational initiative that celebrates the history, status and future of women of color in medicine. Cultivated through the lens of artist, producer and director Crystal Emery, “Changing the Face of Medicine” follows the journey of Black women doctors from inequality to excellence. By introducing their stories to the greater medical community and our society at large, the project is an agent of social change to inspire a new generation of doctors of all races and genders. Built from the achievements, intelligence and grace of more than 100 Black women doctors, the project has been described by filmmaker Bill Duke as an “educational and artistic tour de force.”

Crystal R. Emery is an artist, author, filmmaker, actress, and play-

AUTHOR OF “AGAINST ALL ODDS,” Crystal R. Emery, is photographed with the children whose images are captured on some of the pages in her book. www.garycrusader.com

wright known for producing socially-conscious works and stories that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit. Emery is also the CEO & Founder of a nonprofit

organization dedicated to education through the arts, URU, The Right to Be, Inc. In 1981, she was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth dis-

ease, a rare neuromuscular disease. By 1999, Emery’s hands and legs became paralyzed, but her resolve was not weakened. Between 2000 and 2016, she wrote and produced a play, performed offBroadway In the Upper Room.

She conceived and coordinated a cultural festival, authored two children’s books and a book of biographical photo-essays, spearheaded education events, directed health literacy programs, produced two feature-length documentary films (The Deadliest Disease in America and Black Women in Medicine), launched an educational campaign, and obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Engagement/Media Studies from The New School in New York City.

Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program at Methodist Hospitals Methodist Hospitals’ employees from both campuses joined together once again in the spirit of the holidays to provide gifts to children in need. Employees teamed up with the Salvation Army to donate 250 Angels for their Angel Tree Program, 100 more Angels than were donated last year. This was especially significant this year as the Salvation Army lost a major sponsor and was in need of additional Angels. Each angel represents one child.

This program collects and donates gifts to families with children who would be unable to re-

ceive presents on Christmas mor ning. Hospital staff members received an “Angel Child,” and donated gifts for him or her. The gifts were distributed to the families by the Salvation Army located in Gary, Indiana.

About Methodist Hospitals: Methodist Hospitals is a community-based, not-for-profit health system with two full-service acute care facilities in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana, that has been leading the way to better

health for residents of Northwest Indiana for almost 100 years.

Methodist Hospitals offers a number of award – winning programs, including its Neuroscience, Oncology, Heart and Vascular Institutes and Breast Care Center.

Its range of services also includes Women & Children’s Services, Bariatric Surgery services, Emergency & Trauma services, Immediate Care Centers, Orthopedics & Spine services, comprehensive Rehabilitation services, Behavioral Health and Home Health Services.

EMPLOYEES TEAMED UP with the Salvation Army to donate 250 Angels for their Angel Tree Program, 100 more Angels than were donated last year. This was especially significant this year as the Salvation Army lost a major sponsor and was in need of additional Angels. Pictured left to right: Jeannette Maldonado-Methodist Hospitals, LaKisha Jordan, Methodist Hospitals; Holly Santaquida, Methodist Hospitals; Steven Woods, Salvation Army Site Supervisor; Diane Lewis, Methodist Hospitals; Nathan Welch, Salvation Army; Captain Jennifer Clanton, Salvation Army and Daniel Voss, Salvation Army.

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HELP WANTED/DRIVERS

ArtHouse incubator: How to grow your food business (Continued from page 7) to expand her customer base, Broussard said community events like fairs and farmers markets are ideal locations to get the word out and retailers visit them in their search for new products. “Start first with mini pies. Ask restaurants to carry them. Most restaurants don’t employ staff for their dessert selections.”

Trademarks, standards for ingredients and packaging, and UPC codes were also discussed.

Decadent Flavor’s owner Sonia Payton wants to grow the success of her catering business featuring carnivalthemed desserts. She’s ready to expand beyond the county fairs and individual catering sales. “I’m looking for some direction, but I don’t want to open a bakery,” Payton said.

Broussard suggested Payton add corporate gifting to her line of prospective customers and host or co-host events where her desserts are featured. And she asked Payton to consider a name

change, because the name helps to tell the story and purpose of the business.

“Your name should be connected to carnival-themed desserts.”

Jermaine Miller operates Cool Runnings, a carryout in Michigan City and a food truck. He wants to expand the carryout into a Jamaican dine-in restaurant.

Because of the expenses of opening a new restaurant, the kind of service should be among the major concerns, Broussard told him.

“I suggest making it quick service instead of hiring a wait staff. And have a cleanup person for the tables.” She also gave him several restaurants where he could see the advantages of quick service.

Hearing it from someone who’s been there is the incubator’s way of helping those who don’t have the money to pay for that kind of advice. “We are offering free business tips that some pay thousands of dollars to gain,” Peterson said.

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The Spirit of Christmas Dinner needs you (Continued from page 8) senior citizen or will be by yourself on Christmas,” added Dr. Smith. “You will be glad you did. I know you will receive a special blessing, more fulfilling than any Christmas gift you can imagine.”

Dr. Smith said volunteers and those making financial donations may call him at 219-887-2046. Reservations are not required for the dinner, but are appreciated in order to facilitate preparations for the event. Reservations may be made by calling that same number, 219-887-2046.

The Spirit of Christmas Dinner is held for residents of Gary, Merrillville, Griffith, New Chicago, Lake Station, and Hobart. However, Dr.

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Smith said all Lake County residents are welcome as are people who live elsewhere.

The dinner is intended as an event for the poor and hungry, senior citizens, and those who will be away from family and friends.

Dr. Smith hosts the dinner with Joyce WashingtonPrice, Dwight Williams and Robin Bernal. The event is held in memory and honor of Dr. Smith’s mother, the Rev. Julia E. Smith, who served as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and Patricia Tillotson, a former educator in the Gary School Corporation. This is the 25rd anniversary of Rev. Smith’s passing. Ms. Tillotson died in 1997.

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Bea celebrates 85th Birthday Mardi-Gras Style Friends and family helped Arbelia “Bea” Caruthers celebrate her 8 decades and a half birthday on Saturday, December 10 in the banquet hall at the St. Timothy Community Church in Gary. Although the theme “Mardi-Gras” implies wear a costume, it was not a costume party.

“Bea” as most people in Gary affectionately know her did have decorations, food and Zydeco music that were all reminiscent of New Orleans at her birthday celebration.

Bea is a lifelong Gary resident, the Queen Mother of the Red Hatters and owner of Bea’s Unisex Beauty Salon. She graduated from Roosevelt High School; attended Indiana University Northwest; and took cosmetology courses.

Caruthers is well known for her elegant and unique style of fashion, which almost always includes a hat. Her birthday attire included a jeweled Mardi Gras style hat with short purple plumes to compliment a rich purple colored

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floor length dress.

At several points in the program guests surrounded Bea as she sat in a chair in the middle of the floor and sang songs to honor the 85-year-old.

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