Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 2004 — Page 1

' Preparing a conscious community today and beyond » Cost for AIDS drug increases. Page Cl

INDIANA’S GREATEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Volume 109 ■ Number 1 ■ Since 1895 ■ FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2004 ■ www.indianapolisrecorder.com ■ Four Sections ■ 75C

Retrospec

Turn to page A2 to see The Recorder's picks for the Best Pictures of 2003. Christmas tree recycling program Indy Parks and Recreation's Christmas tree recycling program in under way now through Saturday, Jan. 31, and includes collection sites at seven Indy Parks. Last year, Indy Parks recycled approximately 50,000 Christmas trees, which turned the debris into much needed mulch for the city's parks. The following parks are Collection sites for the Christmas trees: • Krannert Park, 605 S. High School Rd., north parking lot. • Riverside Park, 2420 N. Riverside Dr., tennis court parking lot. • Garfield Park, 2450 S. Shelby St., MacAllister Center parking lot. • Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair St., west of pool in main parking lot. • Perry Park, 451 E. Stop 11 Rd., soccer field parking lot. • Broad Ripple Park, 1610 Broad Ripple Ave., south lot, behind family center. • Sahm Park, 6801 E. 91st St., soccer field parking lot. GEO’s ‘free tutoring’ billboard campaign The Indianapolis-based Greater Educational Opportunities (GEO) Foundation has unveiled 23 billboards advertising "free tutoring." The billboards will be found in neighborhoods across Marion County where the state has identified public schools "in need of improvement," a designation by the state indicating that student performance on test scores are not meeting state standards. The billboard campaign is the first wave of a public awareness campaign sponsored by the GEO Foundation with funding provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. GEO intends to raise public awareness around the new "No Child Left Behind" Act, a law that provides students in lowperforming public schools the opportunity to choose to attend a different public school or to receive supplemental educational services such as tutoring. In Marion County, 16 schools have been designated by the state as "in need of improvement." The GEO Foundation is a not for profit educational organization based in Indianapolis supporting improved educational opportunities for all children through its 21 5 ' Century Charter School, its charter school services center, and through parent education and empowerment. County GOP chairman quits Nearly two months after Republicans lost control of the ► See BRIEFS, Page A5 Got a hot news tip? Want to be heard? If you would like to report any news or share your comments, call the Recorder News Hotline at (317) 924-5143 ext 300

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor

The last year has indeed impacted the AfricanAmerican community in a tremendous way. During 2003, we have fought many battles on a local and international level, we have endured a lot of heartache and pain, as well ,as experienced many triumphs and joys. In this first issue of The Recorder in 2004, we take a look over the past 12 months at all the unforgettable things that have transpired. In each section, you will receive a recap on various topics, issues, and instances pertinent to that particular section. In paving homage to those who have passed away, The Recorder's People and Trends page briefly details the significant impact that each individual made during their lifetime. It is our hope that you enjoy reminiscing on the last year’s headliners as much as we did. Many 2003 events had impact on African-American community By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor And ERICKA WHEELER Staff Writer Over the last year, there have been many thmgs that have undoubtedly impacted the AfricanAmerican community - not only in a negative, but also a positive and influential way. Locally, one of the major accomplishments that Blacks faced was Democratic control of theCity-CountyCouncil. Last November’s election marked the first time that Democrats took control of the Indianapolis City-County Council. Incumbent Democrat Mayor Bart Peterson also won during the last election; heating his opponent, Greg Jordan in a landslide. Speaking of politics, some major changes occurred in 2003 with Indiana’s voting process. After 50 years ofvoting with the pull down lever machines, a new voting machine was implemented to provide faster, more accurate service. The MlOO Optical Scan Readers were selected by state officials because in addition to counting the ballots electronically, there would also be a paper trail available for back-up. In addition to the new machines, Indiana residents also had to adapt to a different voting ballot. The new ballot is similar to the scantrOn form, that many students test on. But with the new ballot came problems. Many Democrats believed the format change of the new ballot was too confusing and misleading compared to that of the previous ballot. Democrats felt that having the Republicans’ campaign logo, “the A team” on each ballot was also unfair. The two parties eventually went to court to settle the dispute. It was ordered that the slogan be removed and all ballots reprinted. In other political news, the state of Indiana lost a powerful man when Gov. Frank O’Bannon died of a stroke while on a business trip in Chicago. O’Bannon was what many considered to be a “very humble and caring" man. His successor, then Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan, immediately and respectfully filled O’Bannon’s shoes. The public was so impressed by Kernan that many state officials rallied for him to run for governor in the 2004 election race. Kernan made the announcement for his candidacy only months before the end of the year. In April 2003, the Broad Ripple nightclub, J.Y.’s, was accused by other area club owners as catering to hip-hop crowds. The primary prob- ► See IMPACT, Page A3

h Dr. Frank Johnson, who delivered Gailher quinls, has died By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Frank Johnson Jr., M.D. an Indianapolis based physician who served as Marion County’s first African-American health director and received national acclaim after the successful delivery of the Gaither quintuplets has died at the age of 72. Johnson collapsed suddenly Christmas Eve morning and never regained consciousness. A memorial service was held for Johnson earlier this week at Light of the World Christian Church. He was laid to rest at Crown-Hill Cemetary. On Aug. 3,1983 Johnson led a team of medical professionals who delivered the Gaither quintuplets. borif to Sidney and Suzanne Gaither, also of Indianapolis. The Gaither children (Rhealyn. Ashlee, Renee, Joshua , and Brandon) were the first Af-rican-American quintuplets born without the benefit of fertility drugs. “Our team had to be creative and well-organized with this delivery, which was completed in 32 minutes,” Johnson said during an interview with The Recorder earlier this War. He also likened the experience to making a tie-breaking shot in the last two seconds of a basketball game. Johnson and the Gaither family remained close, and the children attended his wedding party in 1995. Johnson served as director of the Marion County Health Department from 1976 to 1992. He is credited with spearheading many of the agency’s recent achievements, including the first county-wide response to the IIIV/ AIDS virus, the Mother and Baby Healthline to inform pregnant women of community resources, the county’s first mosquito control program, and the Environmental Court, among others. Johnson also oversaw the expansion of the department’s public health laboratory service and the ACTION Center (Adolescent Care Team in our Neighborhood). An obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN), Johnson graduated from A&M College in Arkansas with a bachelor of science ► See JOHNSON, Page A3

Della Sigma Bela hosls forum on slrenglhening marriage, family

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In attendance at the faith based community event were (left to right), Tina Gridiron Smith, Dr. Ruth Lambert, Joyce Thomas, Claude Allen, Annie Mayes, Dr. Frances Williams, Rev. Elaine Walters, Stephen DeMougln, and Rev. Robert Harvey.

By ANNETTE L. ANDERSON

Recorder Correspondent

The Indianapolis Chapter of Delta Sigma Beta recently hoste^ a community forum focused on strengthening family ties through networking. "I think it is so important to do as much as we can to strengthen marriages and family, which in turn will ultimately help our children,” said Annie Mayes,

president of the chapter.

“This is our goal, and there will be several other forums in the future, as we are committed to public service and improving our

community,’’ she said.

The faith-based event included

such local dignitaries as Olgen Williams, Christamore House; Emerson Allen, the faith-based coordinator for the city of Indianapolis; Bishop James Tyson, pastor of Christ Apostolic Church; and Senior Pastor Robert Harvey, Robinson Community A.M.K. Church. Harvey also gave the invocation at the beginning of the

program.

From the nation’s capital was Patricia Funderburk Ware, special assistant to the assistant secretary forhealth, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Joyce Thomas, regional administrator, Region V, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

Administration for Children and Families* out ol Chicago, was also in attendance. I lowever, the highlight of the forum was the special guest speaker, Claude Allen, deputy secretary for the Wash-

ington-based department. Ware spoke about her personal

interest in the event. "I was a divorced, single mot her for 20 years, remarrying only 10 years ago," she noted. “My daughter and I lived in the inner city from when she was 10 years old to the age of 16. So, jis a single mother, I knew firsthand what it meant not to have a father in the home. And 1

► See DELTA, Page A3

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