Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 October 2004 — Page 1

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INDIANA’S GREATEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Volume 109 ■ Number 42 ■ Since 1895 ■ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2004 ■ www.indianapolisrecorder.com ■ Four Sections ■ 75C

Mary DePraz Major changes

atBMV By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

It has only taken six months for Mary DePrez, commissioner of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to change a negative past into a positive future. Before DePrez took over, the BMV was involved in several scandals including employees accepting bribes to help illegal immigrants obtain false driver licenses and state identification that led to arrests and jail time. Although the punishment for some of the employees still hangs in the air DePrez has pushed forward since her hiring in March and made significant changes to the security, accountability and customer service components of the BMV. “(After my hiring) I immedi- ► See BMV. Page A2 o

IPS curriculum conference The IPS Office for Multicultural Education will sponsor its 17 th Annual IPS Conference on Infusion of History and Culture in the School Curriculum Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 at historic Crispus Attucks Middle School, 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. Featured speakers include Dr. Pedro Noguera, acclaimed urban sociologist, author and professor in the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University, R. Nikki Myers, founder/director of CITYOGA in Indianapolis and James Loewen, historian and author of Lies My Teacher Told Me. Concurrent workshops will feature interactive sessions facilitated by practitioners who are experts in the fields of urban education, child advocacy, parent involvement and cultural competence. A community partnership luncheon will highlight businesses and organizations that embrace diversity and effectively collaborate with public schools to help maximize academic achievement for all students. Registration is $35 for IPS personnel and parents, $95 for non-IPS and $20 for university students. To register, call (317) 226-2430. Daniels to address Black community Republican gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels will answer questions pertaining to the African-American community. The forum will be held on Oct. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (seating promptly at 7 p.m.) at the Madame Walker Theatre Building, 617 Indiana Ave. ► See BRIEFS, Page A6 Got a hot news tip? Want to be heard? If you would like to report any t news or share your comments, call the Recorder News Hotline at (317) 924*5143 ext 300

Black population surges in city and suburbs; outpaces state By AMOS BROWN III ‘ n m * nor 't)' population in IndiaRecorder Correspondent napolis, the city’s grown by just 0.3 percent since 2003 or 2,797 Despite the economic down- t° 863,251. Thats because of the turn of the past four years and large numbers of non-Hispanic the struggling economy in the whites who left Indianapolis; Indianapolis area, the African- in the past four years. American population of India- Black population growth was napolis - the city and the region also extremely strong in the nine - continues to grow. And Afri- suburban counties in the 10 can-American population has county Indianapolis Metro Area. ' literally exploded in the metro’s From 2000 to 2003, according to suburbs, according to new 2003 the census, Black population in population estimates released the Indianapolis suburbs rose67-7 by the Census Bureau. percent from 7,848 to 13,164, led The population growth of the by phenomenal Black population city of Indianapolis-Marion growth in Hamilton, Hendricks County is solely due to the and Hancock counties, growth of African Americans The census estimates show that and Hispanics. Between 2000 Hamilton County’s Black popuand 2003, Black population in lation climbed 2,696 or 82.3 perthe city-county rose 10,060 or cent to 5,973. Black population 4.7 percent to 226,513 - a jumped 125.1 percent in record. Hispanic population Hendricks County, up 1,685 to growth in the city-county was 3,032. And Hancock County’s slightly smaller than Black Black population skyrocketed population growth, up 8,107, 439-8 percent from 128 in 2000 24.4 percent to 41,397- As of to 526 in 2003. 2003, Indianapolis was 26.2 The only county in the 10 percent African American and county metro not to see Black 4.8 percent Hispanic. population growth was Putnam Fully one-third of the city- County, whose Black population county’s population, as of2003, declined by 45. Besides Marion are minorities, reports the cen- County, the only metro county to sus; the highest level of minor- experience white population deity population in Indianapolis cline was Shelby County, history. Despite the large increases ►See CITY, Page A6

IndtanspBlIs rtBtro arta AfricanAmerican Population 2000-2003

250,000

2003

2000

Growth

African American Democratic members of the House of Representatives are first row (left to right) Rep. Gregory Porter, Sen. Billie Breaux, and Sen. Glenn Howard. Second row (left to right) are Reps. Vanessa Summers, Carotene Mays, Mae Dickinson, Charlie Brown and Bill Crawford. (Illustration/J. Hurst)

BY BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Most observers agree that the 2004 election season has become one the most crucial in recent history. As a testimony to this fact, the campaigns for U.S. president and Indiana governor are not the only races that are excruciatingly close. On Nov. 2 voters will also be presented with a tremendous opportunity to decide which political party and legislative agenda should control the Indiana House of Representatives for the next two years. Analysts from all over the country are watching the state’s political developments closely because Indiana has the most closely contested legislative body in the nation. Democrats currently hold a narrow 51-49 majority. But on Election Day

that scenario could change overnight if most of the state’s voters choose Republican candidates in their House districts. Representatives on both sides of the aisle are in agreement that it’s critical for voters all over the state to pay attention to the House race in their particular district. “I would encourage voters to be involved in state house races because that chamber really does have a profound influence on their lives,” said Rep. Gregory' Porter, D-Indianapolis, Chairman of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus. “And they should have the ability as constituents to choose their leaders within the Indiana General Assembly. There’s a lot of work done at the state level that unfortunately falls below the radar screen of constituents. We do a lot with 17 committees that directly affect their lives.” “When it comes to state offices,

representatives are the closest to the citizens and we provide the most direct form of representation for the people,” added Rep. Mae Dickinson, D-Indianapolis, We’re also in/a critical time beuifcse the balatwce in the House of Representatives is so precarious.” Many important issues are on the line during the next session of the General Assembly. The party that controls the House will play a key role in chartering the course Indianatakes in dealing with such issues as employment, education, the state budget, health care, property taxes and to a certain extent, same-sex marriage. Both Democratic and Republican leaders in the house have been on their toes all year, keeping in mind that only one seat will make the difference in the chamber’s direction. ► Sec HOUSE, Pag* A3

IDENTITY CRISIS? Not for Indy's cultural districts

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer Indianapolis Downtown Inc. (IDI) with the Corsaro Group and Ball State University College of Architecture released the new “identity' tool kits” for five of Indianapolis’ six cultural districts on behalf of the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission. The districts are Broad Ripple Village, Downtown Wholesale District, Fountain Square, Mass Ave Arts & Theater District, The Canal & White River State Park and Indiana Avenue. Although Indiana Avenue was originally a part of the White River district, it was decided earlier this year it would be its own district with its own identity. “In 2003 IDI was asked to prepare development plans for the districts," said Julia Watson, vice president of marketing and communications for IDI. “We ran across the need for a consistent, cohesive identity for each district." Each tool kit includes a logo, tagline, standard marketing message and more that each district will use for marketing and promotion. The tool kits’ main goal will be to help businesses and community organizations in the districts to advertise their business and events. “We describe the identities as an enabler," said Watson. “It helps businesses and communities

with an idea for advertising. Before, when they had to advertise it was hard to come up with an idea. Now it is a very easy process.” The identities will also increase tourism and even visitation from Indianapolis residents. “This will strengthen districts as cultural destinations,” said Watson. “It will create awareness of the districts for residents. We found from research that when visitors come they want to know where the locals go. The identities will make the neighborhoods easy to identify.” Although Indiana Avenue was not included in this recent announcement, Watson assures plans for the district will be in place by the end of the month. During the original planning process it became apparent that the density of attractions and activity along Indiana Avenue and the rich heritage associated with it justified a district all its own. The project has invigorated businesses in the districts and the IDI received much cooperation and help. “One of the remarkable things about the project is the level of participation from business owners,” said Watson. “They are to be commended.” The Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission supports and encourages an environment where arts and culture flourish, and lets the world know about Indy’s vibrant cultural scene.

Haughville club closes again

By ERICKA C. WHEELER Staff Writer Financial support for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis (BGCI) has continued todecline since the organization closed its Atkins facility in July and programs that were transferred to Schools 90 and 94 have faltered, but officials still hope to keep providing services to the community’s youth. “We opened it (School 90) for about a month and then we got more bad financial news,” Mark Branch, BGCI executive director said. “Our board of directors in a meeting said, that we have got to do something to stem the tide - the income was not matching the expenses.” Only 10 of the 550 members who attended the Atkins club became members at School 90.

A three-year program at School 94 was also closed last week because of BGCI’s lack of funding, leaving Haughville youth ages 6 to 18, without before and after school care. “We opened School 90 particularly as a place for younger kids at Atkins to go to,” Branch said. “Both clubs are our fairly newer clubs and the enrollment for both was down.” At the end ofM ay, BGCIs board of directors announced the potential closing of the 38-year-old Atkins club, which served innercity youths, most of them Blacks. “Up to that point we really had been struggling financially. Contributions from individuals and corporations were down more this year than they ever have been down before,” said Branch. “We ► So CLUB, Pag* A3

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