Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 August 2003 — Page 5

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2003

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE AS

JOURNALIST

>■ Continued from Page 1

William Raspberry

Raspberiy met the late Richard Henderson. It was Henderson that Raspberry cites as a major influence on his journalistic life. “Richard was not trained in journalism, but was an excellent journalist. He taught me to write as much by example and encouragement than anything else,” Raspberry said. “He helped me to develop a style, and develop a voice - which for the kind of work that I’ve done is vital. The things that I have learned in those days have served me well today.” Raspberry explains why he feels his column has maintained such a steady following for more that 20 years. “Columns and readers in a way find each other. If you’re writing in a way that’s interesting and not always predictable, people find a way to stay with you. The hope is that there are people out there that share your point of view and attitudes.” Although in writing his column, Raspberry understands that everyone will not agree with him, he does look at these individuals as an opportunity to possibly change their mindset. “Journalism is at its best when it has the capacity to move people and not simply be a cheering section for people’s whose minds are already made up and who already agree with you. If the only people who pay attention already agree with you, might as well stay at home that day.” With such distinctions as being listed as one of the top 50 most influential journalists in the national press corps, receiving the renowned Pulitzer Prize in 1994, various Lifetime Achievement Awards and honorary doctorates, and most recently Indiana's Living Legend Award, Raspberry speaks modestly about the accolades. “It’s a terrific, thing to have it thought out of love that you’ve helped to make things clearer, you’ve helped to address problems that need addressing and that you, maybe at the end of the day, made a life hotter for someone that it might have been otherwise.” With a life that Raspberry feels turned out fairly well, he says he’s extremely grateful. “I have been enormously blessed to first find a profession that I have come to love and accomplish some good doing that work and to have achieved some measure of success. Being recognized and thought well of, to have people think what you do is important, I am blessed to have done this in a way that people find valuable." Raspberry continues to write addressing the challenges facing America. He also teaches at Duke University, where he holds the Knights Chair in Communications and Journalism.

CASINO ► Continued from Page 1 agrees with Beard’s claims and indicated that progress is actually being made in the case. Gifford added that nearly two weeks ago, Belterra filed an official legal response to Beard’s * complaint. “It is true that the contract said Belterra would purchase 60 percent of its food products from T.J. Foods, but one of the problems we have faced is that the company has not made available all of the products Belterra needs,” he said, adding that Belterra was forced to hire another company to fulfill the service needs not being met by T.J. Foods. “Inorderfor Belterra to purchase certain products from Mrs. Beard’s company, those products must be available. For whatever reason, they have not been able to get ad-

equate product for Belterra.” Beard disputed that claim, adding that her company put on food shows for Belterra and tried to help the casino with purchasing their food products in bulk, which she says could have helped Belterra save money. Gifford, however, said there were no hard feelings on Belterra's part from the very beginning. “When the lawsuit was filed, that was a surprise because it seemed to come out of the blue. Although she had questions about the amount of purchases, she never requested a meeting with Belterra executives. But at this point, we’re concerned about whose fault it is because we understand T.J. Foods could have problems with its supplier, U.S. Foods.” But State Representative Wil-

liam Crawford, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, believes Belterra's won! is not credible. “In regard to this case, Belterra’s attorneys drafted the contract and the law states that if there’s a disagreement, the contract is construed against whoeverdrafts it,"said Crawford, who was once a member of the group oflegiSlatorswlio ail vised Belterra on how to distribute the $750,00 that is required by state law for facilitation of minority business enterprises (M BK’s) and w omenowned business enterprises (WBE’s). Last Spring, Crawford, allegedly fed up with Belterra's broken promises to M BK’s, resigned from the advisory group, along with State Representatives Gregory Porter and Karl Harris. “Belterra's deeds do not match

their creeds, and do not appear to be serious about maintaining significant involvement from MBK/ WBK’s in their enterprises. For example, they had a verbal agreement with Powers & Sons Construction (a Black owned firm from Gary) to build their hotel, but ended up going with a majority firm instead. On the other hand, river boats like Ceasars and Horseshoe have offered $40 and $50 million contracts to Sherman Smoot." But Gifford said Belterra has a deep commitment to minority participation, and has purchased 80 percent of its food products from minority companies, ajump from f>7 percent in 2002. James Beard, who is Rita Beard's husband and the owner of a local construction company, plans to attend the next meeting of the Indiana Gaming Commis-

sion on Sept. 12. They encourage all concerned African American business owners and gambling enthusiasts to follow the river boat casino business very closely. “It'sstill pretty early in the process, and attorneys from both sides are meeting to resolve this issue," Gifford said. “It’s important, however, not to stress who did what to who in the past. The parties involved now have an opportunity to come together and work out a solution that is in the best interest ofboth sides. Belterra would prefer to settle this informally." Although he’s not part of the advisory group, Crawford is still keeping a close eye on Belterra. “I think Belterra explains the old adage ‘keep it in writing’. I encourage minority companies to seek contracts, but I advise them to be careful,” he said.

Many in Indiana left oul of child tax credit checks

Thousands of Indiana families will not benefit from a change in the child tax credit that President Bush pushed as part of his economic stimulus plan, the Associated Press has reported. The House and Senate have passed bills expanding the tax credit for some parents, but those who made too little or too much money last year will not benefit from the change. “I receive a lot of calls from people,” said Pat Brummer, spokeswoman for the Internal Revenue Service in Indianapolis. Brummer said that if parents do not pay taxes, they generally will not get the tax credit. The federal government last [ week began mailing out checks totaling $14 billion to • about 25 million Americans, timed to boost back-to-school sales.

Families in Indiana slated to get checks represent about onefifth of the state’s total number of tax filers. The windfall - part of President Bush’s plan to spur the economy - increased the perchild tax credit from $600 to $1,000. Families are paying the difference now. Higher-income parents will receive less. For married couples filing jointly, the credit is reduced by $50 for every $1,000 in income of more than $110,000. For couples filing separately, it’s $50 for each $1,000 above $55,000. “We hope they will fuel the U.S. economy by spending in retail stores,” said Grant Monahan, president of the Indiana Retail Council. “Back-to-school has become an important shopping season for retailers.” The National Retail Federa-

tion estimates that families will spend an average of $4f>0 on back-to-school supplies this year, making for a national total of $14 billion. “If we go by what happened with the previous rebates, about $9 billion out of $14 billion in child tax rebates will be spent by the end of the year," said Gus Faucher, a senior economist at Economy.com. But a recent Gallup poll found that three-quarters of Americans intend to save the cash they get from the* tax cuts or use it to pay bills For many Indiana homeowners hit hard by increased property taxes, the money will go to pay those bills. “Ill take $400 any day. Every little bit helps,” said Indianapolis resident Dave Raber, who has a 3-year-old son and property with taxes that have risen from $1,200 to $4,200 each year.

plaque honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther KingJr. has been placed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, 40 years after his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Approximately 4 million visitors each year will see the $8,300 project. The plaque, etched on a landing on the steps of the memorial, is 24-inches wide and 10-

inches tall and reads: 1 HAVE A DREAM

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR JOBS AND FREEDOM

AUGUST 28,1963

iams spearheaded the effort for the memorial when he visited the Lincoln Memorial in October 1997. After searching for a marker denoting the spot where King stood, he found none. “It just seemed like an obvious omission,” Williams told report-

ers.

After contacting his congresswoman, Rep. Anne M. Northup (R-Ky.), Williams requested that a marker be placed on the steps. Northup began the legislative process, and eventually Public Law 106-365was passed in October2000.

1sl Black named lo lead UNC-Chapel Hill board

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Richard “Stick” Williams, a Duke Energy Co. vice president, has been elected chairman of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill board of trustees. Williams, who was elected last week, becomes the first Black to lead the university’s governing board. Williams, a 1975 graduate of the university, joined the board

in 1999. He was a longtime resident of Chapel H ill until he moved last year to Charlotte, where he is Duke Energy’s vice president of diversity, ethics and compliance. He said he would focus on the university’s strategic plans for finances and academics. Williams also said he would pay close attention to the “measures of excellence” a set of criteria the board has identified to monitor the university’s progress.

I.U.P.U.I. Auction Saturday, August 2nd, 9:00am 1410 Stadium Drive, Indy

Surplus offering from many of the departments at IUPUI. including lap top computers, many CPU, Monitors, printers, AV equipment, large offering of medical equipment, freezers, Craftsman drill press, lost and found items, bikes, furniture, office equipment, camera stands, electronic equipment, server racks, lots to be added, Talley Thrasher surplus officer in charge. Christy's Auction—rs AH29300005 • 317-787-0000 Soo wsb for photos www*€hriMtyt*€Oin

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Auctioneer - Kevin Powell License #: 19600220 Call for information Toll Free: 866-745-5507 OR 765-677-II98

Directions: GO STRAIGHT DOWN I69 North to the Gas City EXIT TURN LEFT & TAKE ROAD ALL THE WAY THROUGH to Gas City town.

State of Indiana The Attorney General’s Office has millions in unclaimed property. CLICK ON: www.lndianaUnclaimed.com to see if any of it is yours! Or call toll-free 1-866-IN-CLAIM (462-5246) This service is FREE!

Duke welcomes INROADS intern Vanessa Polk

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Duke Realty Corporation is proud to welcome Vanessa Polk as an INROADS intern. Her internship for summer 2003 will be spent in Indianapolis working in the Tax department. This is Vanessa’s first summer as a Duke INROADS intern. Duke has a total of nine INROADS interns within its organization for 2003. Vanessa attends Washington University in St. Louis with majors in Finance and History and a minor in Spanish. She is a member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity and will he participating in the Student Admissions Committee. INROADS Indiana is pan of a national not-for-profit career development organization that recruits outstanding minority smdents for one- to five-year paid internships. More than 35 Indiana corporations, including Duke, will employ over 60 college interns this summer. Nationally, the number exceeds 950 organizations and more than 7,500 interns. “Duke provides a really friendly working environment where I am having the opportunity to grow and learn about so many aspects of business and the corporate world,” said Vanessa. "INROADS has helped me focus my goals and to match me with a place where 1 can begin to meet them.” Duke Realty Corporation is one of the nation’s largest real estate companies. Founded in Indianapolis in 1972, Duke now employs more than 1,000 real estate professionals in 13 U.S. markets. For more information about employment opportunities at Duke, please call Anna Lovell, Corporate Employment Specialist, at 3 l 7 .80S.6000. For more information about INROADS, please call 117.634 0111.

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