Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 December 2000 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8,2000

BALLOT Continued from A1 may have resulted in the wrong selection of board members. Despite missing the deadline recounts, attorneys suggest that the legal constraints are null and void when ballots have been left out. Steve Laudig, Hawkins’ attorney, is determined that new ballot totals will remove Jim Mann (Republican) from office. Mann won the election for District S, beating Hawkins. Mann told The Recorder he was not aware that the ballots were being recounted. “It’s dishonorable for someone to knowingly retain the benefits of an error,’’ said Laudig. who is also a chair for the Marion County Election Board. “We hope to win all recounts.” Although David Baird, a Demo-

crat, won his race for Wayne Township Board (District 3), he supports his fellow party members. This year’s voter turnout was huge, he added, and no one has the right to deny a person’s vote. “This is very serious. Every vote will be counted,” said Baird. As candidates eagerly awaited new outcomes, the Marion County Election Board, located at 68 N. Gale, became the site for recounts. Most ballots will be accounted for by Friday, Dec. 8, but legal proceedings may delay official results for two months. Another Democratic candidate, Andy Whitehurst, was also defeated in his run for Warren Township board. He has been closely monitoring recount results, and feels optimistic about his chances. “It’s real disheartening to lose by two votes,” he added, noting his desire to finally win.

NAACP delivers Florida voting irregularities transcript to Justice Department

BALTIMORE (NNPA) — The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) presented a transcript from its public hearing on Florida Election Day voting irregularities to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and renewed its request for an investigation into possible violations of federal civil rights laws. NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume said, “The NAACP was appalled to hear testimony of conduct that would clearly adversely impact the voting strength of Florida’s minority voters and that could be reasonably considered an intentional effort to deny the franchise to voters of color.” “As this public record is released to the United States government, included in it are the ideals of many minority voters who long fought for the civil rights gains regarding the

franchise, such as the defeat of Jim Crow poll taxes and literacy tests and those who want to ensure that this country lives up to the promises made in the U. S. Constitution.” The NAACP convened the public hearing on Nov. 11 in Miami afier receiving hundreds of complaints from minority voters in Florida as well as nationwide through its Election Day Command Center that operated from the national office in Baltimore. The association decided to make a public record of the Florida complaints due to the sheer number of the serious allegations calling into question the state government’s willingness to protect voters of color. “It is our moral obligation as a non-partisan organization to insist that all voters be allowed to cast an unfettered ballot and be free from intimidation and harassment as promised by

the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We abhor the; countless horror stories from minority voters! across the country and are incensed that no one! seems to care,” Mfume said. On Nov. 6, the Florida State Conference' NAACP called on Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and; the state’s supervisor of elections to offer as-; surances that voting would be clean, open and; fair while cautioning that incoming complain^ to the NAACP foreshadowed expected intiimj dation and scare tactics intended to stop of! discourage African Americans from exercisii^! their basic right to vote. “The NAACP plans to continue to establishpublic records on voting irregularities in Florida; and other states as a fulfillment of our mission; to ensure the political, social and economic: equality of all Americans,” said Mfume.

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City lends support to Commission on African-American Males By BARATO BRITT Recorder Correspondent Since 1992, the Indianapolis Commission on African-Ameri-can Males, (ICAAM), has been an instrumental entity in Black male and community empowerment in Central Indiana. The commission has partnered with several of the city’s organizations to introduce programs and initiatives that aid in that cause; often receiving little or no recognition for its efforts. This week, however, the commission has engaged in a strategic five-yeaT plan to increase its stature as a community organization, and to develop grass roots to plan, devise and advocate an agenda. The commission also got a significant boost from city government this week, as Brenda Burke, the newly-appointed director of administration, lent her support, and that of Mayor Bart Peterson, to ICAAM’s continuing efforts. “We have made it a point to support this commission. I applaud everything that has been done thus far,” Burke said. “The mayor and I truly support this and look forward to being an integral part of this process.” According to commission officials, ICAAM will begin its strategic process with a thorough report and examination of its current status. Said Board Chairman Harry McFarland, ICAAM’s assessment of itself is imperative to tackling the issues that remain problematic in the Black community. “The task in front of us is tremendous,” he said. “There is a need for this commission, the issues we’ve been dealing with are still very important. Now we just need to decide where (ICAAM) is going to go. “ICAAM is at a crossroads right now,” McFarland added. “Now we have to ask ourselves should the commission serve in its current capacity and what services should we provide.” From its assessment stage, ICAAM will seek to clarify the issues and challenges facing African-American males in Central Indiana. Specifically, ICAAM will seek to clearly define issues in five areas: education, health, family, employment and criminal justice. But representatives believe new issues continue to threaten the vitality of the Black family under these core focuses. As the local culture evolves, so too must ICAAM’s objectives to resolve issues germane to the Black male, representatives suggested. This stage will also occur in the issue identification process. “If there are some new issues facing this community, we need to address them also,” added Commission Director Lyman

Rhodes. “But we want to get these issues directly from the - people. We are working on crossreferencing guidelines on what we need to focus on for the next five years. We are also looking to get input on those issues and create community buy in from those guidelines.” Community buy-in will be created as ICAAM clearly defines its changing role as a service entity, officials added. Once that role is clearly defined,, the plan calls for a carving out of ICAAM’s target market. That identification will lead to its ability to coalesce with other groups formed with the goal of strengthening the Black family. As stated in its recent executive committee meeting, too often the community at large is unclear of the roles of organizations historically designed to stimulate Black empowerment. Additionally, it was asserted that various members of the so- , ^ called community leadership have assembled to address particular issues; however, various factors often lead to lack ‘ of tangible results. ICAAM’s strategy is to again connect leadership, but use certain leaders to tackle particular issues, rather than over extend potential^ 1 collaborative efforts. Currently, ICAAM has identified 37 key African-American leaders to further aid in its five-year plan. “We have proven the ability to partner with other organizations,-, we have been serving agencies rather than Black males directly,” Rhodes added. “We’ve been able to build capacity to reach goals, . so long as it matched our mission. In getting support from Black organizations, to some degree, each organization wants to maintain its own identity. We , will continue to look to organizations that are focusing on issues.” As the commission engages in this restructuring of sorts, officials maintain ICAAM will continue to service the community in the capacity it has for nearly a decade. And, with the recent endorsement from local city government, the commission is poised to advance its new strategy in the coming months. Rozzell receives award for ICAAM service Dave Rozzell, executive director of We Will Work Inc. was presented an award for his service to the commission, as well as his efforts to empower the community as a whole. “It’s been a six-year love affair,” said Rozzell, a member of the executive committee since 1994. “This is an organization made up of people that believe in its mission. We’re doing our best to do something positive for our ! people. The job that is before is ! difficult, but I still firmly believe in the commission and what it is doing.” i McFarland and Rhodes presented the award during this !; week’s executive committee meeting. !• S U **