Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 5 November 1998 — Page 4

The Muncie Times, November 5,1998, Page 4

Compiled By Andre Scott Teen sentenced to 13 years for hate crime CHICAGO—The Illinois State’s Attorney Dick Devine recommended a 13-year sentence for Frank Caruso, the white teen convicted of severely beating an African American boy last year. Caruso was found guilty of two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of a hate crime against Lenard Clark, then 13. Devine said the 13year sentence is the maximum and was suggested because of the serious nature of the crime. Speaking on a local radio show, Devine said that both he and the community are'happy that the mixed race jury sent a strong message with the verdict that hate-based attacks on individuals would not be tolerated. Many in the community are outraged, that Caruso was not found guilty of attempted murder. But Devine, said that though Clark’s beating was very serious, the jury couldn’t agree on the prosecution’s assertion that Caruso meant to murder Clark. Clark was riding his bike in the Bridgeport area of Chicago when he was attacked by Caruso and two others. Victor Jasas, 19, and Michael Kwidzinski, 21, Caruso’s alleged accomplices, will be tried separately at a later date.

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realized this year. The goal is $100,000. We’ve been able to raise about $83,000.” “We depend on matching funds for the goal amount, as well as banks, institutions and philanthropic groups to operate,” Broadnax said. Broadnax said the death of the Urban Enterprise Association affected the Muncie LISC. “UEA was a big supporter, almost 20 percent of our funding came from that source,” he said. Broadnax said he will continue to work for LISC in Indianapolis. “Hopefully, we will still have a

NEWS BRIEFS

St. Louis honors Underground Railroad St. LOUIS—The Underground Railroad will be celebrated in St. Louis. The Mid-America Multicultural Travel and Tourism Network, will commemorate the historic bill signed by President Clinton preserving the Underground Railroad story throughout the United States and Canada. The awards ceremony and celebration are an effort to raise money to preserve American treasurers. NAACP rejects 3 phone Arms BALTIMORE—The NAACP sent out surveys to all telephone companies and has rated them based on their responses. According to the NAACP’s report card on the phone companies, African Americans should not support three firms. Frontier Corp. a telecommunications firm based in Rochester, N.Y.; Alltell Corp. Of Little Rock, Ark. And AirTouch Communications Inc., based in San Francisco. The NAACP surveyed 17 firms and questions them on their minority hiring practices, vendor relationships, advertising and marketing services and contributions. Kweisi Mfume, of the NAACP

says many of the companies did well on their contributions but poorly in terms of doing business with the African American Community. The NAACP chief says the organization is not looking for handouts but “economic reciprocity.” Urban League Youth Hold Rally OMAHA, Neb.—Urban League Youth recently hosted a march and rally to encourage young people of Omaha to focus on excellence and achievement. The State Farm Insurance Co.sponsors the group. The group chose Vincent Gibson, a 15-year-old senior college student at North Carolina Central University, as its guest speaker. Gibson told the crowd to put their education first and develop future goals. New Orleans man sues cops NEW ORLEANS, La.—After being stopped by police and carried off in a police car, Anthony Thomas, a black man, reported he was beaten. Thomas says the police stopped him and accused him of running a red light plus a number of other traffic violations.

presence here in Muncie through the Indy office,” he said. However, Evelyn Brown, vicepresident of programs, said a statewide program is dependent upon a grant proposal with Lilly Endowment. Meanwhile groups such as Bridges, which provide housing, education, training and other services to make low-income residents more selfsufficient, have lost a very important resource. Members of the Muncie Community Housing Coalition are: Bridges Community Services, Greater Muncie Habitat, Muncie Home ownership and Development Center, Old

Westend Neighborhood Economic Redevelopment Corporation, East Central Reinvestment Corporation, Industry Neighborhood Council, Muncie Urban Enterprise Association, Open Door Community Services, Future Choices, Local Initiatives Support corporation, Community Development, Indiana Department of Commerce, Delaware County Volunteer Home Maintenance Program and Muncie Housing Authority. LISC supported the development of nearly 50 housing units for Muncie CDC. LISC awarded Muncie CDC $130,000 in grants and recoverable grants in 1994 and $146,458 in

Thomas has filed charges against the police department. The police department confirmed the charges had been filed against the police officer and is being investigated by the Public Integrity Division. Bellamy becomes first Phenix, Ala. Judge PHENIX, Ala.—Michael J. Bellamy was sworn in as the first black district Court Judge in Phenix Ala. In accepting the oath of office, Bellamy said he accepted the responsibility humbly. The Tuskegee Alumni Association sponsored a reception for the judge. L.A. School Board surprised LOS ANGELES, Calif.- Barbara Boudreaux, a member of the Los Angeles School Board for the last 7 years says she was surprised by Mayor Richard Riordan’s recent announcement that he will support Genethia Hayes, executive director of SCLC, for School Board chair in the spring. Boudreaux and several community leaders say they will protest the mayor’s choice. Danny Blackwell, a community leader, says the mayor cannot tell the community who should lead them.

grants, recoverable grants and loans in 1995. In 1996, LISC awarded Muncie CDC $198,235 in loans, $37,000 in recoverable grants and $54,008 in grants. The investment of this $289,243 gave Muncie CDC the opportunity to leverage nearly $1.1 million in administrative and project financing. The Muncie LISC started its first fund raising campaign in 1996. The Ford Foundation created the LISC program in 1979. On a national level the program provides dose to $500 million annually in grants and loans primarily for housing initiatives.