Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 2002 — Page 1
Preparing a tonscious (ommunity today and beyond
BUSINESS
ARTS A ENTERTAINMENT David Monte tawwchtt solo caraor
SPORTS MHtorMtoflra
VOLUME 107 ■ NUMBER SI H FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2002 O PHONE 317/924-5143 ■ www.lndlanapolisracorder.com ■ 754
KEFS
Olivia Fox
‘Queen’ of morning drive time, dismissed by Radio One
Olivia Fox, ths popular award-winning co-host of tha nationally syndicated Russ Parr Morning Show With Olivia Fox, was abruptly terminated from her job on Dec. 6 by Radio One. Known as the queen of “telling it like it Is," Fox issued the following statement: “Due to the decision of management of Radio One Inc., I am no longer employed with Radio One. I have always and will continue to maintain the Integrity of all women. Look for me at a new station coming real soon. Thanks for all the years of support." . lit making her departure, Fox thanked the support she received over the years from loyal fans, young people, community leaders and ministers. Radio One and Fox, a St. Louis native, had been in negotiations for continuing her contract, which was scheduled to expire in December, 2003. Fox had accepted Radio One's offer to increase her compensation for next year, but had asked for increases in the years to come that should be commensurate with her contribution to the popular morning show, which was syndicated in some 30 markets, Including Indianapolis. In the midst of those negotiations, which had been proceeding amicably, Radio One unilaterally decided to halt discussions and abruptly terminated her employment without cause, she said. Fox had worked with Russ Parr since 1996, and she says she helped make the show one of the highest rated radio programs In the country, building it from a base at Washington’s 93.9 WKYS to being syndicated to a growing list of stations across the country. Gifts for Children The Indianapolis Housing Agency has announced that Northside Baptist Church will provide Christmas gifts for children residing at the following public housing communities: Blackburn Terrace, 3091 Baltimore, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20; and Laurelwood Apartments, 3340 Teakwood Drive, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. The festivities are geared towards children ages 2-12. During the Christmas parties, participants will sing songs and
► See BRIEFS, Page A4
«
Martindale-Brightwood community finds that knowledge is power
By JOSHUA COHEN StaH Writer
In life, people speak of change. Some say they cannot make a difference, just being one small person in a sea of millions. Others say one is all you need. Two years ago, the Martindale-Brightwood community decided it was time to make change, and even if it took them one person at atime, they needed the entire community to help. Martindale-Brightwood Public Safety organized an effort to complete a Community Assets Building survey for six neighborhoods in the Martindale-Brightwood area. Community members went door to door with their survey, in the Oak Hill, Brightwood, Oxford Terrace, Rah, Baltimore and Hillside neighborhoods, to every single address on record. What they got was people’s nuyor concerns for the community, their dreams of what they’d like to see happen, who rents and who owns their own homes, and much moraitformatiofTflrom more than 88 percent of the people they contacted. They now have information to bring to Public Safety and the state Legislature for community improvement They held a “Celebration of Knowledge” at Martin University to show the community their findings and explain what can be done with this knowl- ► Sm COMMUNITY, Pag* A2
The Greater Citizens Coalition of Martindale-Brightwood received large support from community members at Martin University for their "Celebration of
Knowledge." (Photo/J. Cohen)
:
Dispersion of Units in Entire Community
■ Oupiiiates □ Refusals
■ Vacant Houses ■ No Such Number ■ No Contact ■ Participants ■Vacant Lots
Total units in area 6,240
. 4. < • I
—
NBCSL tackles important issues
Judge David Shaheed (at podium) swears In the new executive and at-large members during the 26th Annual Legislative Conference. (Photos/C. Guynn)
By JOSHUA COHEN
Staff Writer
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL)
was in town for its 26* Annual Legislative Conference and against die disease.
speak at the conference.
The ambassador of Botswana, Lapologang Caesar Lekoa, came to speak on the AIDS epidemic in his country and gave an outline of the efforts involved in its fight
made sure they kicked it off by addressing hot national topics throughout the week, including Sen. Trent Lott’s, R-Miss., controversial comments and minority education gaps. The legislative conference is
During the Youth Conference three high schools, Indianapolis’ Arlington and North Central and Gary West Side, were introduced to caucus members and formed their own mock caucus. The students voted their peers into cau-
Rep. BUI Crawford (contor) Is the recipient of the prestigious 2002 Eaglo Award. Ho Is johwd by newty-otocted NBCSL President, Rep. Mary Coleman (left), and former NFL star Curtis Grier (right).
an event where Black legisla- ^ positions, then formed corntors from across the country mittee groups to discuss and vote meet to discuss issues that ap- on bills that apply to high school ply to the Black community and students. Indianapolis native make sure there is fair repre- Kenneth “Bahyface” Edmonds sentation in political and policy was a guest speaker and talked to gatherings. ti, e y OU th on achieving their
There were many issues die dreams.
NBCSL discussed during the recent conference with many
notable attendees invited to ► See NBCSL, Pago AS
BSMIBSVEB
McMirade on 38th Stmt
Reginald 0. Jones (right), owner of several loeal < McDonald's restaurants Introduces Ms family; (loft to right) son, Reginald Jr H daughter, Hannah j and wlfaTracay during tha 7th Annual McMIracfa i on 36th Street festivities. Over 120 bicyclesand safety helmets were given away to children 1 from various public schools throughout the city.' Sea paga C6 for more photos. (Photos/Shiri W.)
IS IT A MML DfliMMA? ^ Cleigy and state officudi ^ discuss potential expansion of gambling
.
By BRANDON A. PEMIY Staff Writer .... It’s hard for many people to imagine ufrat they would do if someone held a gun to their head and forced them to choose between a commitment to
morality or devotion to prosperity. This decision would be easy for those who hope to “make it to heaven,” or conversely, become rich beyond their Wl fort thechcrice would be pailful for others who ' want to enjoy the esteem of their Supreme Being and stay economiadly comfortable simulta-
neously.
The state of Indiana has been facing this dilemma since November of 1988, when 62 percent of voters approved a referendum, which called for the establiuunentofastate lottery. In June 1993, the Legislature approved a bill, which legalized casinos in Indiana and cleared the way for making Indiana the sixth state to sanction the use of riverboat casinos.
Today, there are 10 riverboat casinos in nine cities. Indiana also contains two racetracks for hone racing, including Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Downs at Shelbyville. Many churches and organizations continue to use charitable gaming, such as bingo, to raise money for non-profit community initiatives. But in 2001, it was discovered that Indiana’s $2 billion surplus in the state budget had dwindled to a deficit of nearly $760 million. Lawmakers have already stimulated the flow of increased revenue tty raising the state sales tax to 6 percent from 5 percent In June, they also passed a law, which called for a 40 percent increase in cigarette and gambling taxes. Neither has produced as much economic relief as lawmakers had hoped. On Jan. 7, the General Assembly will meet at
:
• ► Sm DILEMMA, Page A7
Hove you Santa OuanMsha Jackson, age S, sits on Santo's lap
Guynn)
Subscribe to The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper Call (317) 924-5143
it
#
f
I