Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 16 February 1995 — Page 7

The Muncie Times, Thursday, 16 February 1995, Page 7

► COMMUNITY focusi -

Muncie Central engages community in education

By Judy Mays About 25 community leaders in education, city administration, legislation, journalism, law enforcement, public housing, community service, and the clergy recently met with the Muncie Central High School guidance counselors. They discussed educational incentives as a means for promoting a more interactive parentcommunity involvement. Dr. Vashti Roberts, superintendent of University Schools and Director of the Indiana Academy at Ball State, said that one of the biggest problems seems to be a fragmented community. “Fragments don’t service,” she said. “There needs to be a consolidation of services.” Issues such as minority scholarships, financial aid, and outreach in the minority community were discussed by counselors and during a brainstorming session on some proactive measures to consolidate the resources available in the Muncie community. These include neighborhood associations, newsletters, tutoring programs, churches, mentorship programs and skilled trades-business incentives. It was decided that similar meetings should take place more often. Another session is tentatively scheduled for March. For information concerning the school calendar, upcoming events, or financial aid resources, call Muncie Central’s 24-hour hotline at 747-5466. ❖ ❖ ❖

Judy Mays

The Muncie Public Library is celebrating Black History Month with programs for children. The locations are the Vivian Conley Branch, 1828 E. Centennial Ave., phone 7478216; Children’s Room, Main Library, 301 E. Jackson, phone 747-8208; Grace Maring Branch, 1808 S. Madison St., phone 7478217; Webb Hunt Branch Library, 1110 W. Memorial Drive, phone 747-8218. At 2:15 p.m. on Feb. 22 the Conley Branch will have a craft day, making African ornaments and Batik. For more information call the numbers listed above. ❖ ❖ ❖ According to the Gallup Poll, today’s young Americans are performing 2.1 billion hours of volunteer service each year. Recently, the Youth Volunteer Corps of America and a toothpaste company sponsored a connection contest to showcase the increase in youth volunteerism. Among those recognized as some of American’s outstanding volunteers is Brad Evans of Anderson. Brad attends Vincennes University, where he is majoring in agribusiness.

As recognition for his dedication to the Merry Manor Nursing Home, Brad was awarded a $500 grant. ❖ ❖ ❖ Ten free white pine trees will be given to each person who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation this month. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between March 1 and May

are followed, it can be scary, said David West, 27, of Muncie. West said on Jan. 19, he entered a liquor store on Burlington and Memorial Drive. “I had noticed a man in front of me staring at me. After I made my purchase, I left the store and noticed this man still sitting in his car in front of the store,” said West. “At the time I noticed that when I pulled off he followed me in his car. Once I got home, I thought perhaps I had dropped something and he wanted to give it to me. It was at this time he showed he his badge and asked to see my driver’s license and asked about residence ID. “He asked me was I from out of town because

watching.” At the time, West was dressed in black, including baggy pants. “After I knew that I was being stopped as a suspect to the carjackings and the police checked out my license and found everything to be fine, I realized that the officers had a job to do. Although they were apologetic, I still do not understand why I was stopped in the first place,” he said. He said this is the second time an incident like this has occurred. “The first time I was applying for a deputy’s job. Later that day two deputies cane to arrest me. But the guy they wanted, who was also named David West, was white and an older guy,” he said.

31. The trees are guaranteed to grow or will be replaced free of charge. To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to Ten Free Pines, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, Neb. 68410, by Feb. 28. ❖ ❖ ❖ Hairstylist Jeannie Mills wants Muncie Times readers to know that Hair Explosion III of Elegance is coming soon. Watch for details in a future issue of The Muncie Times. ❖ ❖ ❖ Recently, the Muncie community was buzzing with concern about carjacking. According to the civilian rumor mill and police officers alike, we were to be on the lookout for the suspect. However, when you are thought to be a suspect and

he hadn’t seen me around (here) before. By this time two squad cars were in front of my home and a total of five officers approached me. “I was told by one of the officers that they needed to take a picture of me and could we go inside (my house) to get a better picture. “Once inside, the officers began checking baseboards and plants, while my children, age 4 and 7, were

West said ne believes this is one reason why there is a bad feeling from black men in general about law enforcement officers. “In this last incident I gave the officers information which could have easily been checked out. But that was not done. “I just want to say don’t judge a book by its cover—because a person looks a certain way doesn’t mean he’s a criminal,” he said. ❖