Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 15 April 1999 — Page 5

The Muncie Times, April 15,1999, Page 5

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1992, to establish which plaintiffs were sick enough to have their cases tried. In writing the guidelines, Kaplan stipulated lung test values could be corrected for race and ethnic origin. Mar Foods recalls hot dogs, other meats WASHINGTON, D.C.— Bil Mar Foods, a division of Sara Lee Corp., recently announced a voluntary recall of specific production lots of hot dogs and other packaged meat products that could contain Listeria bacteria. These affected products are produced only at the company’s plant in Zealand, Mich., and sold through retail grocery stores and selected food service channels in the United States. The affected products are those labeled with Establishment Numbers P261 (for poultry) or 6911 (for nonpoultry) for the Ball Park, Bil Mar, Bryan B unsize and Bryan 3-lb. Club Pack hot dogs, Grillmaster, Hygrade, Mr. Turkey, Sara Lee Deli Meat and Sara Lee Home Roast brands. The Establishment Number is found on the outer edge of all packages and is identified' as EST P261 orEST 6911. Packages for the above brand names that carry any other establishment numbers are not affected by this recall. According to the official release from Bil Mar, this action follows the company’s discussions with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC has indicated that it is studying whether some of these products might contain the Listeria bacteria. The Listeria bacteria is found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables. When ingested, some strains of Listeria can cause listeriosis, which affects primarily the elderly, pregnant women, new-

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boms and adults with weakened immune systems. “The safety of everyone who eats our products is our number-one priority and therefore we are voluntarily taking this precautionary measure,” said George A. Chivari, president and chief executive officer of Bil Mar Foods. The company advises consumers to return affected products to the point of purchase for a full refund. Consumers returning already opened or partially consumed product will receive a refund for the total purchase price. For more information call Bil Mar Foods toll-free 1 -800-247-8339. 4 Chicago men get $36m in wrongful arrest case CHICAGO—Four African American men who were freed from prison in 1996 after being proven innocent of the murder of almost 20 years ago won a $36 million settlement for being wrongly incarcerated. The men were freed after a group of Northwestern University Journalism students proved a state witness had lied. Three other men have been arrested for the crime. The men sought $77 million. The settlement will be paid over 2 years. Charges of racism investigated at apartment complex DALY CITY, CA—Thomas Jenkins, an African American resident of the majority white, Chateau El Camino Apartments has taken his complaints to the NAACP and Project Sentinel, which investigates housing bias cases. Jenkins says he has been complaining for three years of the intolerable behavior of his neighbors. Jenkins adds that the few blacks who live in the complex do not get served like their white counterparts. According to Jenkins if anything breaks down in their apartments maintenance does

not respond as quickly as it does to whites. Complex administrator Victoria Steinberger says Mr. Jenkins is the problem. He complains about anyone who lives above him and has caused two tenants to break their lease. The case is under investigation. Graves to announce First Union Corp. Fund CHARLOTTE, NC—Earl Graves was in Charlotte, to announce a $5 million contribution by First Union Corporation to a venture capital fund for black entrepreneurs. Earl Graves, Sr., and founder of Black Enterprise Magazine founded the fund. The donation is being made through Black Enterprise/ Greenwich Street Corporate Growth Partners, LP a fund that aims to invest in the expansion, financing and growth of minority-owned businesses. Fitness survey on African American women presented ATLANTA—The Sporting Good’s Manufacturer’s held their annual trade show in Atlanta and presented the results of the survey they conducted to analyze the exercise practices and attitudes of African American women. The study was conducted in conjunction with the YWCA and Essence Magazine. The survey is believed to be the first attempt to gain and understand black women and their health and fitness goals. According to the survey black women exercise to loose weight and improve their health. The survey also found that black women work out at home or outdoors rather than in a health club. African American leaders stunned over selection of poiice chief WINSTON-SALEM, NC—

A retired police officer who had been tapped by City manager to serve as interim police chief while those who had applied for the position was named the first white female police chief of Win-ston-Salem. The move by City manager Bryce Stuart naming Linda Davis as the city’s police chief stunned many African American leaders. Davis who retired in December 1988 had not even applied for the post. Two African Americans including a veteran female officer were on the list to be considered for the post. State Representative Womble says he questions Stuart’s hiring practices and notes this is the second time he has used this method of hiring a police chief. Womble noted that Stuart hired the last police chief as an interim appointment and then gave him the police chief position. This was an opportune time to appoint a qualified African American to the post of police chief. Womble said he wanted to make it clear that he supports the new police chief but questions Stuart’s hiring practices. Davis who took the position says the City manager made her an offer she could not refuse. Florida Connerly’s next move TALLAHASSEE, FL.— Ward Connerly the leader of Proposition 209 and California businessman is targeting Florida for the next state to abolish Affirmative Action policies ending race and gender preferences. Connerly who made three appearances last week in Florida says the people of the state are feeling reverse discrimination. While Connerly had the support of Governor Pete Wilson in California, Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Miami Mayor Joe Carollo say they will not support him and call his movement divisive. Mayor seek second term MOUNT VERNON, NY—

Mayor Ernest Davis says he will seek a second term. Mayor Davis says that he wants to continue his vision for the city that has contributed to the revitalization of the tax base and the stabilization of neighborhoods. The African American mayor says whomever the community seeks to lead the city they will impact the future of the city for the next fifty years. Muslims celebrate holiday BALTIMORE, MD.—Baltimore looked much like little Mecca on March 27, as more than 5,000 Muslims rotated through the Palladium to celebrate one of the holiest days on their calendar, EidulAdha, the feast of the sacrifice. It commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at Allah’s (God) command. Eid-ul-Adha also marks the end of the Hajji, Muslims’ annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Reportedly, more than two million Muslims gathered in Saudi Arabia for the Hajji, which is one of five pillars in Islam. The Hajji allows Muslims to experience the worldwide brotherhood of Islam, as worshipers of all colors and races circle the Kabba, a tube-shaped building in the center of Mecca’s Grand Mosque. Malcolm X, the African American radical, wrote after his Hajji: “In the past I permitted myself to be used to make sweeping indictments which I was blessed to receive as a result of my recent pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca, I no longer subscribe to the sweeping indictments of any one race.” The faithful began gathering at 9 a.m. at the Palladium, spreading prayer rugs and other floor coverings in preparation for a massive Morning Prayer ceremony. Men and boys in one area and women and girls on the other, praying and listening to the kutbah (speech) delivered by Imam Daryl Wainwright. The celebration concluded

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