Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 August 2003 — Page 1

Preparing a conscious community today and beyond

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INDIANA’S GREATEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Volume 108 ■ Number 31 ■ Since 1895 ■ FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2003 ■ www.lndianapolisrecorder.com ■ Four Sections ■ 75C

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INDIANAPOLIS'OWN Gaiiher quintuplets celebrate new milestone

Nickole Collins Pierre spoke dt Mt. Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church this week. Pierre is a member of the family that was featured in the documentary "Legacy." The documentary was about a Chicago family that overcame drugs and poverty struggles. The 90-minute movie produced by Tod Lending has been aired on television nationwide. Governor delays Darnell Williams execution Gov. Frank O’Bannon has delayed the execution of Darnell Williams to allow for a DNA test sought by defense attorneys and backed by a prosecutor and three jurors. The 60-day stay allows for testing of blood stains found on Williams' clothing after the 1986 shooting of a Gary couple. Williams was to be executed Aug. 1. Williams' attorneys say tests could show the blood was from neither of the two shooting victims, which would contradict evidence presented at trial. Two libraries close for renovations Two Indianapolis MarionCounty Public Library branches will close to the public during separate times in August for carpet removal and installation. Nora Branch, located at 8625 Guilford Ave., will be closed for a $36,000 carpeting project throughout the branch. The project will begin Monday, Aug. 11 continuing through Sunday, Aug. 24. Although the Nora Branch will be closed for regular business, Nora staff will be available in the community room Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They will accept library materials that are being returned; and will allow patrons to pick up items being held. Nora is scheduled to reopen Aug. 25. East Washington Branch, located at 2822 E. Washington St., will be closed for a similar carpeting project estimated at $7,250. This branch will be closed from Monday, Aug. 25 through Wednesday, Aug. 27. Cast Washington will reopen on Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. ■ Funding for both projects comes from bond proceeds used for IMCPL's systemwide program of capital improvertients which has included the construction of seven new library facilities and the expansion or renovation of others. Jacer Inn to observe anniversary Jacer Inn Family Retreat will hold its 25 th anniversary celebration on Aug. 8. The celebration will be at the Ashantii Room, 1529 N. Alabama St. Congresswoman Julia Carson will be the keynote speaker for this event, which ► See BRIEFS, Page A2 . Got a hot nowa tip? Want to bo hoard? If you would like to roport my nows or shore your comments, call the Kecorder News Hotline at (317) 924-5143 ext 300

Pictured front row (left to right) are quintuplets Brandon, Renee, Joshua, Ashlee and Rheayln

Gaither. (Back row) Is 23-year-old big brother Ryan. (Photo/S. Gaither) ing preparations for another mile- have solid plans for their future.

By BRANDON A. PERRY

Staff Writer

The Gaither quintuplets, who captured the unwavering interest of an entire nation with their birth on Aug. 3,1983, are mak-

stone. On this coming Sunday, Ashlee, Renee, Rhealyn, Joshua and Brandon Gaither will be celebrating their 20th birthday. All five still live in Indianapolis, and

“As a mother, I’m extremely excited,” said Suzanne Gaither, the quintuplet’s mother. “I’m fortunate in that God chose me to do this for whatever reason. He allowed this special event to hap-

pen to me and Sydney (Gaither).” “I guess it’s a blessing, we're just happy to be turning 20 because many quintuplets don’t reach this age,” said Ashlee Gaither, who spoke to The Recorder during a recent interview along with her sister, Renee. Indeed, the siblings were the first set of African-American quintuplets in the world to survive beyond birth. Despite their well-known stature, both Suzanne Gaither and her children emphasize that they “try to live as normal ;is possible.” “They’re like any other group of brothers and sisters; they have sibling rivalries and things of that nature,"Gaither stated. “Although the children are independent of one another and each hits their own set of friends, they remain very close. They make it a point to get together for dinner or a movie at least twice a week.” “I really don’t consider myself famous,” Ashlee said. “We lead a very normal lifestyle, although what we experienced has been a major blessing." Ashlee added that whenever she can, she loves to go shopping ► See GAITHER, Page A3

Jazz Fest will return in September

By ERICKA C. WHEELER Staff Writer The show must go on, according to the American Pianists Association (APA) who announced this week plans for the fifth Indy Jazz Festival scheduled for Sept. 27. Despite the lack of mainstream artist line up, the oneday event will still be held at Military Park. Due to lack of funds, “Taste of Indy Jazz Fest” will be one day instead of three days, as it has been in previous years. Because of the debt that the

Jazz Fest organizers' had generated the APA took over the festival’s management and planning. “The American Pianist Association views this event as truly a communitywide event. This is something that obviously the community supports,”said Helen Small of the APA. “1 think that people were so upset to think that it might not happen last April.” With tedious planningthe Jazz Fest will return next year to Father’s Day weekend and will

► See JAZZ FEST, Page A3

Popular Indiana casino comes under fire from African-American company

(Photo/J.^Swinger) By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer T.J. Foods, Inc., an Indianapolis based food distribution company, has recently filed suit in federal court against Belterra Casino Resort, Indiana, LLC. The case, which has quietly picked up momentum in recent days, has raised serious questions about the level of involvement minority and^womenowned contractors have on Indiana’s ten casino boats. In May, T.J. Foods, a certified Minority Business Fmterprise owned by Rita Beard, issued a legal complaint against Belterra, which is owned by the Las Vegas, Nevada based Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. “Belterra has failed to meet the agreements outlined in a contract I singed with them last year," Beard stated. “They agreed to procure b’O percent of food and food related products from us. Since April, they have breached that contract by procuring substantially less than (i()

percent of their products from us.” Beard added that T.J. Foods is seeking damages in the form of 7 percent of its sales lost due to Belterra’s alleged breach of contract. “We’ve had a hard time getting them to level with us. Despite all of our efforts, they refuse to give us exact figures that will indicate how much of the business they are actually giving to us. We don’t know where we are in regard to our contract with Belterra. This lawsuit could have been avoided altogether if someone had been honest with us about how much of TJ.’s business had been given away to other companies.” But Ron Gifford. Belterra’s legal counsel, said his client dis- ► See CASINO, Page A5

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Recorder had life changing influence on journalis!

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and former Recorder columnist William Raspberry was recently in town to receive a Living Legend Award. Raspberry, who is currently with the Washington Post talked one-on-one with The Recorder about his early influences, his well known column, and being the recipient of various notable awards.

Like many college students, Raspberry wasn’t quite sure what he would major in a Her his experience at The Recorder. “1 took the job because 1 needed a job. I was working my way through college at the (University of Indianapolis), but it was after 1 was working there that I discovered a real love for journalism." It was while working at The Recorder from 1‘)f><)-l‘*t>0 that ► See JOURNALIST, Page AS

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and former Recorder columnist William Raspberry with wife Sondra.

“I’m quite astounded

in the way The Recorder has

developed over the years, not just the color ami thcoo-air version of the paper, hut the quality of work, the technical 1 quality of the pa|KT. Tin really proud to have Imvii a part of the development of that newspaper.”

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Patricia Maryland St Vincent welcomes new president

By SHANNON WILLIAMS

Recorder Editor

Patricia Mary land comes from Detroit hospital When it comes to diversity, the city of Indianapolis is at the

top of its

game. With “St. Vincent African Hospital’s

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Vincen t Health has jumped on the diversity bandwagon. It was announced earlier this week that the 122-year-old facility has hired a new president, who just happens to be female and African American. Dr. Patricia A. Maryland will begin her tenure at St. Vincent

on Oct. b.

With over 24 years of health care experience, Mary land is currently president of Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit. She also serves as senior v ice president of The Detroit Medical Center. Maryland expressed her thoughts on being St. Vincent's first Black president. “I am honored to be the first African-American president foist. Vincent Hospital and 1 am impressed with Ascensions Health (largest Catholic health system in the United States) commitment to equality and inclusiveness," she said. "Ascension Health is sensitive to the issue of diversity anil is committed to developing a culture within all of its hospitals that respect the value of difference. Vincent C.Caponi.CF.OofSt. Vincent 1 lealth explains w by after an IS-numtb search, the organi/ation knew Mary land was the best candidate for the job. "Pat's credentials arc an exact match for the needs of the St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital. t,Her) health care career has exposed her to highly credent ialed ► See ST. VINCENT, Page A2

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