Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 October 2003 — Page 5

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2003

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A5

VOTE

► Continued from Page 1

chairman of the Marion County ‘split vote’ for one person on the

other ticket it has to cancel out all the votes for the party you were giving the majority of your votes

to.

“This rule applies not just to

Republican Committee.

He added that Doris Ann Sadler, the Marion County Clerk took note of the situation early, saying that she felt ‘obligated’ to

post information on the ballot that city and county races, But any race

simplifies the procedure for vot-

ers.

But both Treacy and Keeler acknowledged that state and county election laws, for various reasons, require such a setup. “It doesn’t matter if they can correct the machine or not because statute requires that,”

in which there are several candidates,” Keeler said. “The reason why we’re just now hearing about this is because the county has only recently converted from the manual voting booths with levers to the computers. In previous elections, ifyou pulled a straight party' lever but wanted to scratch, all

Treacy said. “If you’re in a race you had to do was go back and where a party has more than one take off one of the names under nominee running for several dif- the straight party ticket you voted ferent offices (a ticket) and you for, then go ahead and jump to

the person of the opposite party. But the law had to address the current voting process in this way because there are no levers to lift back up." Treacy said his main goal waj» not to lead a crusade to change the law, but educate voters and let them know that if they fill in the straight party oval, then they must support every single person w ithin that party and not split if they want all their votes to count, period. Although he would definitely prefer that voters only support Republicans, Keeler encouraged citizens to vote their conscience as a solution to the problem. “Instead of trying to vote just a

straight ticket, just take time to read about each of the candidates and vote for the best guy or gal’ for the job,’’ he said. If voters would like to vote for candidates on an individual rather than party basis, it is highly recommended that they ignore options to support an entire party ticket and simply fill in the oval next to a candidate’s name. When a voter tills in a straight party oval at the voting machine, they will be supporting the party's candidatefor Indianapolis mayor, its four nominees for council atlarge seats and the single district candidate for Citv-Countv Council.

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HENCE

► Continued from Page 1 businesses in our area, especially those in the northern area of this district” “In addition,” he continued, “I would also like to help the district secure more recreational facilities for ourkids,becauseyouwon’tfindmany ofthesehereforthem.Wehavemany mop? families in Pike Township today than we did even five years ago, and the chUdren don’t have a lot of things to do. We must use resources effectively to provide safe areas for kids so they won’t have to play in the streets.” The soft-spoken and youthful Hence, who works as a manager for a local Marriott Hotel facility, is no newcomer to electoral politics. Recently he launched an unsuccessful bid for state representative after serv-

ing under Congresswoman Julia skills as a resilient fighter. very successful in that role.” Carson. He also served as a campaign i n the May Democratic primary Hence seems to be unfazed and assistant for Mayor Bart Peterson he won convincingly over popular amused by the seemingly endless duringthelatter’sfirstrunforofficein disc jockey Ricky “Solid Gold” Clark barrage ofl Herat u re and signs [Misted 1999. and Louis Campagna, a party activist by the campaign of his Republican “I reallythmk Mayor Peterson has whohasrunastheDemocraticnomi- opponent, Isaac “Ike" Randolph, doneagreatjobforourcity, Hence nee for several local offices. Hence said he hasenjoyed appe;iring stated. “During his first campaign he “The primary was tough b'cause at community “meet the c;mdidates" presented a plan and has accom- W e had a lot of quality people within fomms with Randolph, who is perplished90percentofthatplan.Rarely the party running to represent this hapsbestknovvnasfonnerpresident do you see a politician who will not council seat,” Hence said. “As with of the Ten Point Coalition, only put out a specific plan for voters, any scenario of this type, you haveto Currently,HenceLsoneofthefew, but also actually see it to completion, work hard. I thought I did a really if not the only, candidates i n the 2()(): i For him to get this much of it done good job of making sure I went out to City-County Council campaign win > with a Republican majority on the meet the people. And that’s one of the has the endorsement of both labor City-County Council is amazing.’ mos t important things you can do as (United Auto Workers union) and Despite his links to some of the a council member. You must give the business (The Greater Indianapolis biggest names in Marion County peopletheirvoicebecauseyouarethe Chamber of Commerce).

Democratic politics. Hence faced a community activist, so to speak, for challengingquestfor the Democratic your district It you’re not in touch nomination, which sharpened his with the people you’re not going to be i

The Greater St. Mart Missionary Baptist Church 5502 L 38th Street • Indianapolis, Indiana 44218 PHONE 545-5473 FAX 545-6380 'Poster A. 4TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Sunday, October 26, 2003 Pastor Joy L. Thornton and First Lady Dianne Thornton Theme: (iods Provision Of leadership Tor His People Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 5:12-13 7:30 A.M. Speaker: Rev. 0. D. Walker, Phillip* Temple C. .E. Church 11:00 A.M. Speaker Rev. Oscar Smith, Ahoc. iniiterGS BC 4:00 P.M. Speaker: Rev. CHARLES ELLIS JR., 25th St. Biptiit Church JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE LOVE AND COMMITMENT OF OUR PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY

State of African-American men will be yearlong national dialogue

Special to The Recorder

Why are 32 percent of 4iri : can-American males unemployed? Why are 40 percent of Afri-can-American males in the criminal justice system, either by being on probation, on parole or in prison? . Why are so many AfricanAmerican boys on the low end pf the literacy scale and dropping out of school? Why do so many Black men die earlier of diseases that are treatable? These are only a few of the issues impacting AfricanAmerican men and their families, and one of many issues that will be discussed at a historic and groundbreaking bipartisan national conference in Washington, D.C. The conference will j take place Nov. 14 -15 and will • kickoff a national yearlong dialogue on strategies and programs to combat these issues. U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis, of Illinois, has called this meeting of national leaders, major organizations, policymakers, grassroots representatives and scholars - to underscore the challenges confronting a large number of Afri-can-American males, and that retard their struggle in becoming useful citizens in American society. “We are concerned with the continuing plight of AfricanAmerican men who are seeking work and cannot find it, who are ill served by the American health services sector and who are over represented in the criminal justice system,” Congressman Davis said in announcing the conference. “We expect to have over 500 participants.” Joining Congressman Davis as co-conveners of the conference to be held in the Library of Congress and the Rayburn Building, will he Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League; Kweisi Mfume, president of the National Association for the Advancement Colored People (NAACP); U.S. Congressman and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Elijah K. Cummings; U. S. Congressman William J. Jefferson, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) and Weldon .). Rougeau, president of the

CBCF; Dr. Frederick Humphries, president pffhq^a^ippfi^ Association for $qufd Ppportumty (NAFEO); prqgg Reeves, presi- i dent of Blacks in Government (BIG); Thomas Dortch,president of the 100 Black Men of America Inc.; Father George Clements, founder ofOne Church One Family; Dr. James E. Savage, presi-dent-elect of the Association of Black Psychologists; George Garrow, executive director of the National Organization of Concerned Black Men; and the president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Harry C. Alford. The conference will feature some of the most knowledgeable and credible spokespersons, from a wide spectrum of experiences and training, who will lay out and examine the forces contributing to the dismal plight of too many of the nation’s AfricanAmerican males. “We seek to better understand some of the historical, psychological, economic, and social challenges that retard the upward mobility of far too many AfricanAmerican males,” said Dr. Bobby W. Austin, program chair of the conference. “In ouryearlong dialogue we plan to assess the impact of the larger society, and the role they should play in helping Black males overcome some of the barriers. “During this period we will also develop an action agenda, that encompass philosophical, organizational, and programmatic best practices that have proven track records in helping boys become successful men.” Reeves, president of Blacks In Government (BIG), also weighed in with his support. He added, “The status of African Americans in all levels of government service represents the cornerstone of our work. We therefore stand in solidarity with this coalition in attempting to get at the root of the issues that so adversely affect Black men and their families.” Father Clements recalled that the ancient Latins were just as interested in their male population.‘‘Evidence of that concern is found in an ancient encryption which says: ‘mens sana in incorporate sano’ - a healthy mind inside a healthy body. All males must see this reality in the forefront of their existence.'’ Dr. Savage of the Association of Black Psychologists echoed his

organization’s support. He said, “Tj’ht Association of Black Psychologists is organised in part to protect and promote the well-be-ing of theAfrican-American male psyche. We emphasize primary prevention within our implementation of research, theory and practice. We therefore support the conference and yearlong dialogue as both timely and of critical importance at this moment in our nation’s history.” Former New Orleans Mayor Morial, who is now the new president of the National Urban League, closed out by saying. “As I stated in my keynote address at the Urban League’s 2003 annual conference, we must declare ‘Empowerment Time’ for the Black male. While many are high achieving, too many Black men are drifting into the underclass of joblessness and hopelessness. They are both perpetrators and victims of gun-related violence, and are living their lives believing that manhood is defined by the ability to injure or damage another man - rather than helping another man. It is time - Empowerment Time - to develop ideas and craft solutions to reverse this alarming trend ... and provide Black males with tools for renewal, revival and resurrection.” On Nov. 14, the opening session will introduce prominent scholars, researchers, theologians, and others in the Montpelier Room of the Library of Congress. These opening discussions will introduce and outline some of the problems affecting AfricanAmerican males from a religious, psychological, sociological, and political perspective. The speakers will set the tone for the Saturday sessions. Following the opening conference in Washington, the conference conveners plan a minimum of four regional meetings - beginning in January 2004. Congressional Black Caucus members and their co-conveners will host these regional meetings. The efforts will be designed toyield strategies and resources for new and on-going efforts in support of AfricanAmerican male development. , Di>. B.W. Austin, former founder and president of the Village foundation and former director of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Taskforce on Af-rican-American Men and Boys, chairs the conference program and planning committee.

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