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Jeffries Captures Decisive Win – Voters Choose Clarke, Velazquez, Rangel and Ming

David Mark Greaves
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By Mary Alice Miller

In a sleepy race that turned contentious in the final weeks, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries beat Councilman Charles Barron in a landslide. With 72% of the vote, Assemblyman Jeffries trounced Councilman Barron’s 28%. The unofficial vote tally was 25,880 to 10,090. When Barron ran against retiring Congressman Ed Towns in a 2006 three way, he received 15,000 votes.

Former NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Bill Thompson fired up the crowd at Sanders Studios when he declared, “NY1 has called the election and said that the next congressman from this district is going to be Hakeem Jeffries!” Thompson added, “We know Hakeem. He’s going to go to Washington and he’s going to work for all of us from one end of the district to the other.”

“It is so exciting to introduce the winner of the Democratic Primary for Congress in the 8

th Congressional District and the next congressman from the 8th Congressional District, Hakeem Jeffries, the champion for the people!” Assemblyman Karim Camara said.

Jeffries’ entrance was met with thunderous applause. Surrounded by elected officials from all across the district, Jeffries addressed the electric crowd.

“You know, the political pundits said this was going to be a close race,” Jeffries said. “That was before the people had spoken. All across this district from Bedford-Stuyvesant to Brighton Beach, from Clinton Hill to Canarsie to Coney Island, from Ozone Park to Ocean Hill Brownsville, the people spoke in one loud voice and that is why we are going to Washington, D.C.”

At times, Jeffries seemed to channel President Obama and spoke of “tremendous progress in America” despite serious challenges. “We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go,” Jeffries said. “We still have to deal with racism, and anti-Semitism, and homophobia. When I look all across the congressional district, there are people who are struggling — children trapped in a failed public school system, parents struggling with the crushing weight of a Yeshiva education and the high cost that is imposed on them, families in desperate need of affordable housing. We’ve got too many guns, and too few jobs. There are seniors who are struggling.” Jeffries said he believes that “public service and a government that is smart and compassionate can make a difference.”

Outlining his mandate, Jeffries concluded his acceptance of the voter’s mandate by saying, “Because of the efforts of so many people, I am going down to Washington to stand up for the education of our children, stand up for senior citizens, stand up for job creation, stand up for our civil rights, and stand up for our president, Barack Obama. Brooklyn, along with Queens, sent him a message today that help is on the way. We are going to help him help the communities of the 8

th congressional district.”

District leader Robert Cornegy assessed the vote in Bedford Stuyvesant. “We could see that Jeffries was doing well based on the numbers coming off individual poll sites. We were very pleasantly surprised at how well he actually did in the 56

th Assembly District, which is Bedford Stuyvesant,” said Cornegy. Referring to Bed-Stuy’s status as a battleground, Cornegy said, “Yes, we were considered the Ohio of this congressional race.” When asked why Jeffries did so well in Bed-Stuy, Cornegy said, “I think part of the difference may have been the very issue-based literature that people got in the mail. The Jeffries campaign was extremely skilled at running primarily an issues-based campaign. When residents got literature in the mail, it spoke to very pertinent issues whether in relation to housing or stop-and-frisk. Much to Bed-Stuy’s credit, residents are educated and they read.”

Hakeem Jeffries’ uncle, Dr. Leonard Jeffries and his wife Rosalind ,expressed love for both candidates.”We were blessed. We have two brothers who made sacrifices for our community. One who was a bellwether in raising issues and pointing out what needs to be done. Another younger one who got the best training possible and he was heading towards a quarter of a million dollars in income, but gave it up to come back to the community to serve. He was trained that way,” said Dr. Jeffries. “We couldn’t lose.”

In a virtual non-election, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke was re-elected with 88% of the vote against Sylvia Kinard. “I am honored and pleased to have received the overwhelming support of the people of the 9

th Congressional District,” said Clarke. I’ve spent a decade serving the community I grew up in, and I am thrilled to continue serving Central Brooklyn as their voice in Washington, DC. I will continue to fight for the issues I have always fought for: job creation, support for small business, fair immigration reform, quality education for our children and services for our seniors and working families.”

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez received 57% of the vote against three challengers, including NYC Councilman Erik Martin Dilan.

New York City’s senior representative, Congressman Charlie Rangel was re-elected with 45% of the vote against NYS Sen. Adriano Espaillat who was seeking to become the first Dominican representative in congress.

In a first for NYS, Grace Meng became the first Asian American female to win a democratic congressional primary with 51% of the vote.

PAL and Fort Greene Council child care programs spared

David Mark Greaves
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Young protesters outside of Young Minds Daycare have there voices heard.

By Stephen Witt

Thousands of kids who nearly lost their seats in the city’s day care and after-school programs saw their spots restored as Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council shook hands on a $68.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2013.

But the spending plan still left many longtime and smaller day care providers without a renewed contract thanks to a Bloomberg consolidation of the programs.

“The mayor’s proposed budget exposed the plan for a radical restructuring of the city’s subsidized child care program that undermines and, in many cases, devastates long-standing, community-based child care providers and institutions,” said Bed-Stuy City Councilman Al Vann. “But working parents and advocates fought hard against this assault throughout the budget season and their voices were heard.”

Bloomberg’s original proposed budget called for millions of dollars of cuts to the programs resulting in the loss of 6,500 child-care spots and 30,000 after-school spots. He also asked for all providers of the city’s daycare and after school programs to resubmit bids – a move that critics charge was weighted in favor of larger providers thus taking jobs from local communities.

Vann said he was pleased that his district received an increase in services, which is appropriate given the district’s high level of need, but disappointed with the process that will ultimately close some of these longtime providers.

“I deeply regret that the loss of some providers will disrupt the relationships they have built with families and lead to the loss of jobs,” said Vann. “Nevertheless, the addition of child care and after-school slots will ensure that Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights are included in the city’s vision of a comprehensive educational system that prepares children for academic success and supports them along the way.”

Of local good news, the after school program in the PAL Wynn Center on Gates Avenue will get a restoration and stay open, according to a Vann spokesperson.

The Vann spokesperson said at press time the office does not have a list of which day care programs in Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights would be cut for new providers.

Also expecting to get a last-second reprieve is the day care and after-school programs that the Fort Greene Council Center has run on Fulton Street for 32 years. Both the programs are in City Councilwoman Letitia James’ district and were slated for closure prior to the budget deal.

On The Right Track with Diane Dixon: On the Road to the London Olympics 2012

David Mark Greaves
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From the United States to Jamaica! A candid interview with Carole

Running sensation Ursain Bold with his publicist, Carol Beckford.

Beckford, who is also the publicist to Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record-holder Usain St. Leo Bolt, is a journalist with over 20 years experience in the press and electronic media, a best-selling author, Keeping Jamaica’s Sport on Track, and a college lecturer.

 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Beckford to discuss the relationship between the USA and Jamaica, her role as Usain Bolt’s publicist and the impact she has made on the Jamaican Sport of Business.  She holds many titles, wears many hats and is inundated with requests regarding Bolt.  Yet, she remains focused and committed to challenges regarding a sport that is held in high regards in Jamaica.  Athletics, as she has stated, has opened so many doors and opportunities for her athletes.

DD:  Hello Ms. Beckford, how are you and tell me about your background?

CB:  I am actually a teacher and a journalist at Teachers College in Kingston, and I also worked at the newspaper, The Gleaner, a publication which is over 100 some years.  I’ve been practicing broadcasting.  I studied Physical Education and I am also a PE teacher and coached several athletic teams on the Junior, National and Senior level.  I have done a tremendous amount of time in sports.

DD:  How did you become Bolt’s publicist? As I am pretty sure many were vying for that job?

CB:  I was approached by his manager, Norman Peart, I was attending a track meet in Kingston in 2009 and I think he was looking for someone and he approached me to do a small project for him to be tested as he was doing a project for his foundation and I was asked to do PR for his project and I was so successful that he decided to hire me as his publicist in April 2009.

DD:  Jamaican vs. USA – Friendly rivalry or not? 

CB:  Can rivalry really be friendly? I know that many of the athletes may have gone to college together and they still do.  Even speaking of Usain and Wallace Spearmon maintain a really great friendship, I know, for example, Simone Faison and Sanya Richards-Ross and Carmelita Jeter and some of those girls have great relationships.  But I know once they get on the track it is business.  I know that Jamaica and the USA have maintained relationships because the American athletes come to Jamaica to train while some of our athletes used to attend college in the USA.  That type of rivalry creates media opportunities so there is a growing interest in Track & Field.  It’s good for the media and the rivalry.

DD:  The USA Olympic Trials, according to Allyson Felix, is one of the hardest teams to make because of the depth.  What do you think about the Jamaica Olympic Trials?

CB:  The Jamaican Olympic Trials is just as hard to make as it is scheduled for June 28th – July 1st , and it’s going to be considerable, especially in the Sprint events – both men and women in the 100/200 and 400 are going to be exciting.  The last time we checked we found eight men that could run under 10 seconds.  Of the top ten women in the world, Jamaica has at least five of the fastest women.  Also, the 100-Meter Hurdles for women is going to also be exciting.  Our depth doesn’t go beyond the 400 Meters but we are seeing signs of the field events – the Shot Put and Discus in the men’s section. 

DD:  Social Media – What do you think about this and do you think your athletes should utilize this vehicle?

CB:  The technology has changed and it has impacted how we communicate with people and, like everything else, there should be some amount of control.  It does appeal to a certain kind of market but the traditional way some people are on it a lot but the Olympics have instituted rules for Facebook and Twitter so that they are able to utilize this within guidelines and rules.  More and more, the athletes are working with publicists and management teams so there is a level of responsibility.  The athletes are realizing that the traditional method of speaking at an interview versus what they put on Facebook and Twitter is also news.  I feel you are appealing to a different level of marketing which makes your sport more interesting.

DD:  Any predictions in at the Games?

CB:  My advantage is I don’t make any predictions; I’m an analyst. I’ve never done commentary so I’m going to go there at all.  I will say that the relays are if you don’t pass the stick you don’t finish.  Jamaica has the World Record with the same players involved.  Trinidad & Tobago will be competitive and let’s not forget the USA.  Wallace Spearmon is running very quickly.  Interesting because now I see Sanya Richards-Ross is running the 200/400 and I see some athletes making decisions that could impact on how they fare not just at the Olympics but at the trials and the USA and Jamaica must be the most watched teams  in the world.

DD:  Overall, how do you feel about the Jamaican team going into the Games?

 

CB:  If I should look at what the media is saying.  There is a high expectation for our team.  From the Jamaican standpoint, they are not hunting anymore, they are being hunted.  Jamaica was the main attraction at the last Games so the other countries are watching and saying here we are coming after you.  I anticipate the British team, Trinidad & Tobago, the USA will be coming all out to dethrone us but I believe we are up to task.  I am interested to see the predictions.  Track and Field came out with predictions.

 

DD:  One last question – YAMS, is that what makes Jamaicans run fast?

 

CB:  The verdict is still out on that and that is for you to find out.

 

 

Good luck to Team USA as the Olympic Trials will be held at Hayward Stadium in Eugene, Oregon from June 21 – July 1.  For more information, please visit:  http://tracktown12.gotracktownusa.com

 

 

For more information or questions, please contact OlympianDianeD@yahoo.com

Check out my blog website at http://blog.dianedixonfoundation.org

Follow me on https://twitter.com/DianeDixon

 

Harlem’s Divine Divas & Divos

Editor, Our Time Press
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LaZette McCant

By Sylvia Lewis, Examiner.com

After migrating from Alabama to Harlem, LaZette McCants’ late father, Warren “Birdland” Suttles, co-founded the Ravens. As Harlem’s first bird-named vocal group, some readers may remember the others had names like the Orioles and the Larks. The Ravens opened for Dinah Washington and were big stars back in the day of radio, according to a Daily News feature.

The Negro Leagues elected her uncle, George “Mules” Suttles, to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Georgette Suttles, her mother, 87, still reigns as the queen diva on the Senior Usher Board at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church. So, it’s no wonder that the divine Ms. McCants started the Volunteer Divas & Divos Plus, the premiere volunteer group for Uptown arts and culture. Talent and community service are in her genes!
Operating for only two years with no budget except for donations from its own members, the Divas & Divos Plus provide a lifeline for countless theaters, performing artists and community organizations. With over 100 members, they provide “front of the house” management, ushers, gallery sitters, hospitality, volunteer training, audience development and media coordination.

“Most of us are seasoned show-biz folks, activists and professionals in many areas. We do what is necessary to get the job done. We don’t cook or clean but we can find resources who can do those tasks for a small fee if they need them,” said McCants.

An award-winning volunteer, McCants was honored by President Bush in 2004 with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for clocking in over 4000 hours in a two-year period.

“Our divas and divos know Harlem’s arts and culture for what it was and what it is.” LaZette added that she was also thrilled by the explosion of Harlem tourism that has given new life to this iconic neighborhood historically known for entertainment and culture.

The group receives daily requests for their services. Past activities include: Harlem Week, Harlem Fine Arts Festival, Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival, Riverside Theater, National Black Theater, Schomburg Library, A Streetcar Named Desire, King Lear, Anthony & Cleopatra, An Evening with Ruby Dee and many other events.

“The Volunteer Divas are gracious, effective and definitely needed here in Harlem. I breathe a little easier whenever they are involved with my events and productions,” said Voza Rivers, Harlem’s busiest theater producer/director and executive director of Heritage Theater Group.

“I support volunteerism in my community and welcome visitors to celebrate our vibrant culture. Some folks would rather spend $75 on a Broadway ticket than $25 on a Black theater production. I want our artists to know that they are loved and have not been abandoned.” Contact: volunteerdivas@gmail.com.

Barclays Center protestors kick out press

Editor, Our Time Press
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14

By Amelia Rawlins
The two organizations most responsible for stalling the Atlantic Yards project for six years kicked the press out of a meeting concerning a planned protest of the Barclays Center September opening with a Jay Z concert.

The organizations BrooklynSpeaks and Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn called for the meeting at Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Fort Greene, and sent notices out to several press outlets inviting the public to come, but the press was quickly shown the door.

Brown Memorial Pastor Reverend Clinton Miller said he was unaware that the press wasn’t invited, but he remains sympathetic to the protesters because he wants Atlantic Yards Developer Forest City Ratner held up to the promises made to the community for allowing the arena to be built.

“They made promises to the community and based on those promises, they were able to find leverage. So when these big projects are built the public really pays for it,” said Rev. Miller. “If you pay taxes, your money went into building that arena.”

Rev. Miller said the tradeoff was if the people are going to pay for this, the developer was going to offer jobs, housing and hoops, so they are going to deliver on the basketball part, because the Nets will start playing here next October, but now they have 2,000 part time jobs. You can’t afford to live in this part of Brooklyn on a part time job, he said.

Rev. Miller led a protest two weeks ago in which many of the aforementioned organizations participated. At that time FCR issued a statement saying, “…there’s a certain irony that people who were opposed to the project, and worked hard to stall the project, now criticize it for not delivering fast enough the benefits.”

Among the promises FCR made include the construction of 4,500 rental units with half being affordable that would generate 15,000 construction jobs.

Thus far FCR has delayed the start of their first proposed building of housing several times and now say the groundbreaking should happen before the end of the year.

In this economy, the promises that you make as far as jobs and housing are very, very important. What we are trying to say is just deliver on the promises that you made. If you’re not going to support the community, we don’t need to go to the games,” said Rev. Miller.

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