Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 August 2003 — Page 6
PAGE A6
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2003
EDITORIAL Williams granted stay of execution BY SHANNON WILLIAMS Governor Frank O’Bannon made Indiana history earlier this week when he delayed the execution of Death Row inmate Darnell Will-
iams.
The 60-day stay of execution will allow Williams the opportunity to receive DNA testing, which many feel is vital to the fairness of his
trial.
O’Bannon’s delay marks the first time any Indiana governor has granted a stay to allow DNA testing to be done. Williams was sentenced to death in 1986 for the murder of Gary, couple, John and Henrietta Rease. He and Gregory Rouster were both convicted of robbing and shooting the Rease’s to death. Rouster, who is said to have instigated the crime as well as been the shooter, is not eligible for the death penalty because it h«s been proven that he is mentally disabled. Currently it has not been determined exactly who will cover the cost for Williams’ DNA testing, which is estimated to be valued at around $10,000.
Governor George Ryan did when he sentenced all Death Row inmates to life in prison because there were so many eases that had loopholes. Doing this will at least give innocent individuals who may be waiting on their execution, a chance to prove themselves once more. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this matter. You can e-mail me at Shan now (</ Indy recorder.com.
Gov. O’Bannon’s decision to grant a
stay of execution was one that many in the community did not
expect of him because he’s had a
history of not stop-
ping executions, in
the past. However, his landmark decision has earned him the respect of a lot of people, both locally
and nationally.
One of the primary
reasons that I feel O’Bannon delayed
Williams’ execution is because with this case there is a lot of
reasonable doubt. Through the DNA testing, the blood
found on Williams’ shorts will determine
the exact level of
guilt that he faces. If
the blood results
don't match John or
Henrietta Rease,
than the new infor-
mation will not coincide with the evidence that was
presented in his trial.
Other than the fact that Williams
has an opportunity
to a fair chance of living, I think this
stay of execution will allow other Indiana officials to examine
all the Death Row
cases and possible do like former Illinois
“Gov. O’Bannon’s decision to grant a stay of execution was one that many in the community did not expect of him. However, his landmark decision has earned him the respect of a lot of people, both locally and nationally.”
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JUST TELUN’ IT
Since others won’t, Amos sets the record straight on property taxes
By AMOS BROWN III Indianapolis has the seventh highest percentage of AfricanAmerican homeownership ofany city. African Americans, along with the entire community, must be engaged in the coming debates over the property assessment/tax crisis and the looming cuts in government services. But citizens are hamstrung because of the continuing superficial and inaccurate news reporting and commentary they’re receiving on this issue from Indianapolis’ majority media. So, it’s again up to this newspaper and its intrepid columnist to provide leadership. So using data provided by Republican Greg Jordan’s campaign (who says this column isn’t bipartisan ) and government Web sites, let’s educate Indianapolis on property tax myths and facts. How Much Property Tax Do African Americans Pay? According to the 2000 Census, Indianapolis homeowners in 1999 paid $234.6 million in property taxes; 29-7 percent of all net property taxes paid that year. That same year, business and commercial property owners paid the remaining 70.3 percent of all property taxes. In 1999, Indianapolis’ Afri-can-American homeowners paid $32.5 million in property taxes. That’s 13.9 percent of all property taxes paid by homeowners; 4.1 percent of all net property taxes paid. Though the property tax burden has shifted to homeowners, the majority of the tax continues to be paid by business and commercial property owners. This year, Afri-can-American homeowners will pay roughly $50 million in property taxes. The State Gets Most Property Tax Money. No! For every dollar paid in property taxes in Indianapolis/Marion County, a mereonetenth of 1 cent goes to state government programs. The State Forestry Fund and the Indiana State Fair receives $1.3 million out of total property tax collections here of $1.23 billion. City/County Government Gets Most Property Tax Money No, again! City government takes 15 cents of every property
tax dollar; county government less than a dime of every dollar. Of the $1.23 billion in property taxes collected, $183.3 million goes to city government and $116.9 million to county government. But that doesn’t pay all the city/county’s bills. The $183.3 million in property taxes the city receives funds just 31.6 percent of the city’s total $546.7 million budget. The remaining 68.4 percent comes from the county option income tax (COIT) and other revenue streams. The county’s budget is more dependent on property taxes with 53.8 percent of the county’s estimated 2003 budget coming from property taxes. (Exact figures aren’t available because the county’s 2003 budget isn’t available on the city/county’s Web site. An oversight County Auditor Marty Womacks must cor-
rect.)
If the City/County Cuts Spending, Taxpayers Will Get A Big
Break.
Because city/county government comprises 25 cents of every property tax dollar paid, any cuts in city/county services will produce a ridiculously small reduction in property taxes. The tax reduction plans proposed last week by the GOP-majority on the City-County Council and Mayor Bart Peterson might be meaningful to senior citizens on fixed incomes, but will be miniscule for most homeowners. Property tax cuts could be achieved, without spending cuts, if Indianapolis increased revenue obtained from COIT to the maximum (1.75 percent) allowed by law. But city/county lawmakers don’t have the guts to do that, yet. Poor Relief Soaks Up Property
Taxes.
Accordingto County Treasurer Jordan’s data, $2.7 million goes for township poor relief. That’s barely more than a penny for every tax dollar paid. Another $65.4
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million, or a nickel per tax dollar paid, funds township governments, with the biggest expense being for township fire services, which are paid only by those living outside the old city limits. However, the $7 million jump in Center Township government taxes to renovate a vacant building on Massachusetts Avenue may be worthwhile, but not now. Trustee Carl Drummer should rebate those dollars back to township taxpayers. Welfare Eats Up Our Taxes. The state mandates that local counties pay some “welfare” costs, which include funds for children and family services; and health care for the very poor. The overall property tax bite: $56.6 million; or 12 cents of every tax dollar
spent.
Local School’s Role in Property Taxes. The daily newspaper and the TV stations should be ashamed for ignoring the fact that the 11 school districts in Indianapolis/ Marion County receive 47.1 percent of all property taxes collected. In every Indiana county, the largest bite of property taxes goes to local school districts. Politicians can’t deliver substantial property tax relief unless there are massive school budget reductions. The kind of cuts which would involve firing hundreds of teachers, closing schools and increasing class size to 40+ kids a
class.
U nless schools are a part of the solution to the property assessment/tax crisis, any property tax relief will be chump change promised by chump politicians. What I’m hearing in the streets WTHR/Channel 13 and their newsgathering partner should be ashamed. Seventeen percent of Marion County homeowners are African American. Yet a poll released Sunday by WTHR and their “partner” on homeowner
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attitudes in the assessment/tax crisis, flatly refused to survey African Americans and other racial/ ethnic minorities. That failure makes their poll statistically invalid and its conclusions racially biased and suspect. In a city that’s 25 percent Black, a third minority; WTHR, their newsgathering partner and other media organizations must end broadcasting and publishing racially exclusionary polls. ***** Our African-American community must be a vital part of th^ debate that accompanies city/ county budget season, which starts Monday. Blacks must engage Republican politicians with our concerns. This past Monday, I led by example by sitting down on our WDNI/Channel 65 morning program with GOP Councilman Scott Schneider. Schneider makes no secret that he’s one of the council’s most conservative members. But we engaged in a civil, surprisingly friendly conversation about the tax crisis, the budget and what services should be maintained or
cut.
If Councilman Schneider and I can have a civil, polite discussion, on and off camera on these contentious issues, so can the rest of Indianapolis. ***** The sidewalks on Maryland Street downtown are too narrow for the large crowds on Black Expo Saturday. Serious consideration must be given to making Maiyland Street a pedestrian mall from West to Meridian streets, with one lane staying open for emergency vehicles and parking lot access. See ‘ya next week. Amos Brown’s opinions are not necessarily those of The Indianapolis Recorder. You can contact him at (317) 221-0915 or e-mail him at [email protected].
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Bryant dumps thug athlete issue back on nation’s table
By EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON
Kobe Bryant is the biggest name professional athle te to land on a police blotter in the past few weeks. But he’s hardly the only one. Ten other pro football and basketball players also are squirming on the legal hot seat. They are some of the biggest names in their sport. They are paid a king’s ransom in salary, and make millions more in endorsements, along with promotional and business deals. And they are young,” Black males. Bryant and several of the wayward athletes haven’t as yet been convicted of any criminal misconduct, and there is no evidence that athletes are more prone to violence, and sexual thuggishness than men in general. Still, the troubling questions are why do young men with so much to lose commit dumb, reckless acts, and does their had behavior or criminal misconduct reinforce the ancient stereotypes of young Black males as drug, sex-crazed, violence-prone predators. The first question is easy to answer. From the day they put on shorts or cleats, super talented athletes such as Bryant become the instant repository of the dreams, delusions and fantasies of a public desperately in need of vicarious escape. They are swooned, and fawned over by a star-struck media and public. When they commit or are accused of criminal acts, the public reacts with shock, and disbelief, yet it is still willing to cut them slack. In an ESFN survey taken immediately after charges were filed against
Bryant, more than half the respondents said circle the wagon, and shout loudly “racist even after hearing allegations against a su- double-standard.”Thismeansthattbeythink perstar athlete they still believe that he is that even though the athletes are rich, fainnocent. In Bryant’s case barely one third of mous, and shamelessly pampered, they are those polled said that the charges “some- still Black and are more harshly treated for what” tarnished their image of him. their misdeeds than white athletes and celebBiyant posted a paltry bail of $25,000, and rities. If their alleged victims are white, as did no jail time. Bryant, and the other ac- Bryant’s and Simpson, they will incur the cused ball players, will have the best legal wrath ofthe nation, and become instant poster defense money can buy. They will be cheered boys for deviant behavior, when they hit the field or the court even as Certainly, in decades past legions of Black their case winds through the courts. If con- men were lynched and brutalized often on the victed, which is far less likely than if they were unsubstantiated word ofa white woman. Even regular Joes charged with the same offense, today, prison studies repeatedly show that they will likely get probation. Blacks receive much harsher sentences when They’ll be dogged by the taint ofthe scan- their victims are white. Much was made of dal, and they’ll lose their endorsement deals, race during the Simpson trial, and there are but not their careers. Bryant’s trial, for in- already grumbles from some Blacks that stance, almost certainly will be delayed until Bryant is in hot water not because he may after basketball season. have sexually victimized a young woman but Mike Tyson is a living testament to the kid because the young woman is white, and he is glove over-hype and idolatry of bad boy ath- the target of a vindictive, politically motiletes. He told one interviewer after yet an- vated white DA in a small conservative town, other run-in with the law, “They pay $500 to But what if the charges against Bryant, and see me. There’s so much hypocrisy in the the other Black athletes turn out to be true? world.” But Tyson, pumped up by sports fans, Then once again it can, will, and should be admirers, the media, and boxing’s money said that Blacks are quick on the draw to play crowd as boxing’s primal force gladiator took the race card to excuse or justify bad, even full advantage of that hypocrisy. He believed criminal behavior. he was “Iron Mike," a man above the law who Bryant may not he anyone’s model for the could do anything and get away with it. thug athlete. But his ease dumps the ugly Despite a mile long rap sheet, three years issues of wealth, celebrity hype, fan idolatry, in prison, a certified monster image, and the sexual violence, and yes race squarely back on fact that he was a badly burned out shell of a the nation’s table. They played terribly in the boxer, his stock soared even higher when he O.J. case; let’s see if they fare any better in was released from the pen. Many of those Bryant’s, who shouted the loudest for his head were the ones clamoring the loudest for tickets to see Karl Ofari Hutchinson is a noted author of him hammer someone in the ring. nine hooks about the African-American exThen there \s the question of race. When a perienee in America. He is a radio host and Tyson, O.J. Simpson, and now Bryant is TV commentator. His Web site is charged with crimes, many Blacks swiftly thehutchinsonreport.com.
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