MINORITYREPORTER

from information to understanding

vol. 6 no. 15

1 www.minorityreporter.net |minorityreporter march 25 -31 | 2013 www. .net march 25 - 31 2013

Obama urges Israelis to compromise for

also inside...

Joel Frater Receives Prestigious Award from American Council on Education

pg 6

2 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

In This Issue:

CALENDAR

MINORITYREPORTER
from information to understanding

vol. 6 no. 15

1 www.minorityreporter.net |minorityreporter march 25 -31 | 2013 www. .net march 25 - 31 2013

april
The concert, entitled The African American Cultural Legacy, features special guests, The Garth Fagan Dance Company and pianist, Mark Markham. All proceeds from the concert benefit ABC, a community action agency that provides programs and services to help lowincome families and individuals achieve greater self-sufficiency. Tickets available at: www.rpo.org and at the Eastman Theatre Box Office on East Avenue. Tickets also can be purchased by phone at (585) 454-2100. 18 High Falls Film Festival Time: 12:00pm Location: Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film- 900 East Ave. Films will be shown at The Little Theatre (240 East Ave., 14607, 585258-0400), the Cinema Theater (957 Clinton Ave. S., 14620, 585-271-1785) and the Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film. The High Falls Film Festival will be presenting 25 of the finest in independent films from around the world. Films will be shown at The Little Theatre, the Cinema Theater and the Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film. Contact: High Falls Film Festival Office - 585-586-6650 April 25 Cliffords 50th Birthday Party Time: 9:00 AM 3:30 PM Location: ABC Head Start - 1772 Clifford Avenue We are having a Birthday Party for Clifford. Come dance, play games and enjoy cake and ice cream with Clifford; the Big Red Dog. You may enter a drawing to win a fun basket for your child. Also, your child can get his or her picture taken with Clifford and purchase books at the Book Fair. May 12,19,24,27 Flower City Days at the Public Market Join us for Flower City Days at the Rochester Public Markets. Also 6/2 and 6/9

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Obama urges Israelis to compromise for

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also inside...

Joel Frater Receives Prestigious Award from American Council on Education

pg 6

{COVER
Obama Urges Israelis to Compromise for Peace

PG 8 - 9

6 Red Wings Opening Weekend Time: 4:00pm Location: Frontier Field - 333 N. Plymouth Ave. Bring the whole family to the Rochester Red Wings Season Opener! Contact: Red Wings 585-423-9464. 7 4th Annual Edible Books Festival And Competition County Time: 2:00pmto4:00pm Location: Kate Gleason Auditorium, Central Library, 115 South Ave Imagine an event where books look good enough to eat and can be! Participants select favorite books and create 3-d sculptures based on the titles or themes of those books. They are made from cakes, sculpted fruits and vegetables, chocolate, macaroni and any other edible items. The results will amaze you! Contact: Linda Rock 428-8350, linda.rock@libraryweb.org 14 Awardwinning Vocalist Jessye Norman to Perform Benefit Concert Time: 5:00pm Location: Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre Concert includes the Garth Fagan Dance Company and pianist, Mark Markham Jessye Norman will perform a benefit concert for Action for a Better Community, Inc. (ABC).

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{LOCAL

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Joel Frater receives prestigious award from American Council on Education Slaughter, Schumer support young audiences arts for learning week With a $28M budget gap looming city announces dates for budget forms NCADD-RA seeking nominations for annual luncheon awards

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4 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

LOCAL

Joel Frater Receives Prestigious Award from American Council on Education

Joel Frater, PhD, was recently named an ACE Fellow for academic year 2013-14 by the American Council on Education (ACE). Frater is Assistant Provost for Diversity, Middle States Accreditation Liaison Officer and Director of the Institute for Engaged Learning at the College at Brockport, State University of New York. The announcement came yesterday by Molly Corbett Board, president of the ACE. The ACE Fellows Program, established in 1965, is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing promising senior faculty and administrators for responsible positions in college and university administration, Corbett said. Fifty Fellows, nominated by the presidents or chancellors of their institutions, were selected this year following a rigorous application process. Most previous Fellows have advanced into major positions in academic administration, noted Margarita Bentez, interim director of ACEs Emerging Leaders Group and the ACE Fellows Program. Nearly 2,000 higher education leaders have participated in the ACE Fellows Program since its inception, with more than 300 Fellows having served as chief executive officers of colleges or universities and more than 1,300 having served as provosts, vice presidents and deans. The 2013-14 class of Fellows is a talented, diverse group, Bentez said. As a member of the Provosts Cabinet and Presidents Advisory Council, Frater works collaboratively with all divisions to develop and implement strategic diversity initiatives. He is a member the Budget and Resource and Institutional Effective and Accountability Committees, CSTEP/ McNair Advisory Board, and Leadership Development Program Taskforce. I have always aspired to be a student of higher education leadership, Frater said. The ACE Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for me to grow in this regard and become a key player in shaping higher education for the 21st century through an in-depth investigation of issues such as resource management, curriculum efficiency and strategies for leveraging external relationships to advance the college completion agenda. Joel is a talented individual who has brought insight and vision to my leadership team, said Anne E. Huot, PhD, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Brockport. The ACE experience will afford him the opportunity to delve deeply into an issue that is of concern to all of higher education including the College at Brockport. What he learns will help us develop a strategic set of initiatives aimed at closing the achievement gap. I have every confidence that he will also contribute at a high level to the ACE program with his cohort. The ACE Fellows Program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities, campus visits and placement at another higher education institution to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single semester or year. Each ACE Fellow will focus on an issue of concern to Brockport while spending the next academic year

Joel Frater, PhD working with a college or university president and other senior officers at a host institution. Frater is also President of the Rochester Jamaican Organization, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides access to resources to help improve the educational and social conditions of individuals in Rochester, NY, and Jamaica, West Indies.

Slaughter, Schumer support Young Audiences and National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week.
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has introduced a resolution to the House of Representatives designating the week of March 24-31 as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week. Arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students, states the House resolution, introduced by Slaughter (D-NY 25th District) co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus. The House resolution also emphasizes that arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills which supports academic success nationwide as well as personal growth outside the classroom. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has also issued a Senate proclamation supporting Young Audiences programs: Young Audiences has successfully translated its mission into effective programming for the five million children participating in its invaluable arts-in-education programs. ...With over 4,600 professional teaching artists Young Audiences provides the highest standards in arts-in-education programs across the country. National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week will be observed across the country by Young Audiences affiliates with special events, school activities, long-term residencies and performances to promote awareness for YAs arts-in-education programs. It is estimated that more than 30,000 students will be participating in a Young Audiences Arts for Learning program during this week. In Rochester National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week launches with a performance by Cypher Live! the second in a series of events showcasing spoken word, music, dance and visual arts by Cypher participants. It takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Rochester Youth for Christ, 1 Favor Street, Rochester. General admission is $5, $3 for students with a valid ID and free for children 10 years and younger. Senator Charles Schumer Congresswoman Louise Slaughter

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5 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

LOCAL
With a $28 Million Budget Gap Looming City Announces Dates for Budget Forums
The Citys 2013-14 fiscal year budget currently has a gap of nearly $28 million. City residents who want input on the citys budget process before the budget is presented to City Council for approval in May, are invited to attend any of a series of Voice of the Citizen public forums. We began this process with a gap of $42.7 million and have taken very aggressive steps that include longterm, systemic budget changes to reduce that to the current $28 million, said Richards. That is still a very large number and cutting programs and services at that level will cause pain. We may get some help from the State, but this will depend on the outcome of the State budget negotiations. In any case, there will be a gap we will have to address. The public should understand that as well as the options available to us. I value their opinion on which programs and services are most important. At the forums, Mayor Thomas Richards will lay out the Citys fiscal situation and share some of the proposed cutbacks that may be included in the budget. Primary topics for discussion at the forums will include: * Taxes, fees and new revenues * Police and Fire Services * Pensions: Response to Increasing Expense * Youth and Library Neighborhood Services * Infrastructure, Public Facilities, Neighborhood Real Estate * Federal Funding Reductions and Sequestration * Organizational Efficiencies The forums take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the following dates and locations: March 21 - Freddie Thomas Campus, 625 Scio St. March 27 - School #1, 85 Hillside Ave. April 1 - Edgerton Community Center, 41 Backus St. April 3 - Adams Street Community Center, 85 Adams St.

NCADD-RA Seeking Nominations for Annual Luncheon Awards

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Rochester Area, (NCADD-RA) is seeking nominations for two annual awards, the Charlotte Hegedus Community Excellence Award and the Helen Guthrie Youth advocate Award. These awards are given in memory of Charlotte Hegedus, a former president of NCADD-RA Advisory Board and Helen Guthrie, the former chair of the Social Work Department at Nazareth College, and a NCADD-RA Advisory Board Member. Criteria for the Charlotte Hegedus Award include: At least five years of professional or volunteer quality service to individuals and groups with alcohol and/or other abuse problems; demonstrate a consistently high level of collaborative work with individuals or groups that provide prevention, intervention or treatment; through professional and personal life, serves as role model for other professionals or volunteers. Criteria for the Helen Guthrie Award include: At least five years of professional involvement with youth in the substance abuse prevention, intervention or treatment field; Has shown initiative and innovation in impacting the lives of youth; Exemplifies a healthy personal and professional lifestyle.

Nominations must be received before April 12, 2013. The award will be presented at the NCADD-RA Annual Luncheon on May 17, 2013. To receive a nomination form; call Elaine Alvarado at (585) 719-3481. NCADD-RA is a program of DePaul, a private not-for-profit organization providing senior living residential

services; mental health residential and treatment programs; addiction prevention and support programs, vocational programs and affordable housing. The organization was founded in Rochester, New York in 1958. They provide services in 18 counties across two states and serve nearly 5,000 individuals each year.

STATE
NY would give tax credits to hire recent veterans
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The state Senates Independent Democratic Conference says the state budget will include fivefigure tax credits to employers to hire recent veterans as a way to reduce the high unemployment rate of service members returning from combat. IDC spokesman Eric Soufer (SO-fer) says conference leader Sen. Jeff Klein, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other legislative leaders are so far supporting the measure in the budget, which is still being negotiated. It would provide an employer with a $10,000 tax credit for hiring a veteran who joined the service after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Hiring a disabled veteran would draw a $15,000 tax credit. The measure would be part of about $700 million in tax credits announced by Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos. The IDC and Republicans jointly run the Senate majority.

ADOPT
Birth Date: June, 1998

DeAnna likes to read, shop, and

listen to music. She is described as a wellmannered, pleasant, dependable, and caring young woman. DeAnna is currently living in a group home but is hopeful that she will soon become a member of a stable and caring adoptive family. She is in regular classes and needs a forever family to help motivate her to work to her fullest capacity. DeAnna needs a family who will reinforce her positive qualities, provide her a stable environment and love her unconditionally.
If youre interested in learning more about Joshua or other waiting children, visit: www.ChildrenAwaitingParents.org or call 585-232-5110.

6 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

STATE

Governor Cuomo and Legislative Leaders Outline Agreement on 2013-14 Budget

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leaders Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today outlined the agreement on the 2013-14 Budget. The Budget continues the states focus on economic growth through a series of initiatives to create jobs and grow the economy including new tax cuts for small businesses, a new $350 tax credit for every middle class family, major education investments and reforms, and an increase in the minimum wage to $9 per hour. With this agreement, the Budget is on track to pass days before the April 1 deadline, with the potential to be the earliest state budget since 1976 and the first time New York has had three consecutive, on-time budgets since 1984. This budget agreement puts New York on track to have the third consecutive on-time, balanced, budget that holds increases in spending under 2 percent, while investing in our economy to create jobs and cutting taxes for middle class families and small businesses. This budget symbolizes the tremendous progress that has been made in Albany and demonstrates that the new New York government is once again working for the people of this state, Governor Cuomo said. Two years ago our state was facing significant challenges, with constant spending and tax increases chasing businesses and people from our state and scandals making our government a joke of late night television. Today New York State is creating hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs, opening the doors to new small businesses, cutting taxes for middle class families to their lowest rates in sixty years, and making education investments and reforms like never before. While there is still more work to do, todays agreement shows that New York is on the move and is rising once again. Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader Dean Skelos said, I am pleased that we have reached agreement on a responsible budget that includes the longtime Senate Republican priorities to create new jobs and cut taxes for hardworking, middle-class families. As part of this budget, we will provide a $350 Family Tax Relief check to families with children, offer incentives to help small businesses create new jobs, and eliminate the energy tax surcharge over the next three years, all initiatives highlighted by the Senate Republican conference throughout the budget process. In the coming days, we will complete passage of the earliest state budget in more than 30 years, our third consecutive early budget. I thank the Governor for his leadership, and commend our Senate Finance Committee Chair Senator John DeFrancisco, my Coalition Co-Leader Senator Jeff Klein, the Assembly leadership and all of my colleagues for their hard work. Senate Majority Coalition CoLeader and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Senator Jeffrey D. Klein said, This is the most middle class friendly budget in a generation. When we formed the bipartisan coalition last December, we promised low-wage workers that we would pass a major increase to the minimum wage. Today, were delivering on that promise and raising the minimum wage even higher than anyone thought possible just three short months ago. Todays budget agreement is a huge step-forward for families across New York. Were not only giving minimum wage workers the raise they deserve were putting real dollars back into the pockets of families who really need it. For the past five years, we have been asking middle class families to do more with less. Today, were finally giving them some relief by delivering a $350 check to every single one of those families. Two years ago, we cut middle class taxes to their lowest level in sixty years. Today, Im proud to announce that these same low tax rates on the middle class are here to stay. Im also pleased to announce that with todays agreement, the IDC is following through on its commitment to help returning veterans find rewarding work when they come home. By providing a tax credit for businesses that hire one of our states heroes, I know we will bring down the unacceptably high unemployment rate among New York veterans. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, I am pleased that the Governor and the Legislature have reached agreement on a budget that addresses the Assembly Majoritys top priority of raising the minimum wage, ensures the care and wellbeing of our vulnerable populations, stimulates job creation, and safeguards a sound education for our children. I commend the Governor and my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate for their hard work and commitment to an early budget agreement. Creating Jobs and Cutting Taxes - Key Economic Development Initiatives: A Balanced, On-time Budget that Invests in Creating Jobs and Cuts Taxes: The Budget closes a $1.3 billion gap with no new taxes or fees. New York State has not had three consecutive on-time or early budgets since 1984 and has not had a budget on track to pass this far before the April 1 deadline since 1976. Cutting Taxes for Middle Class Families: Recognizing that New Yorks taxpayers have been overtaxed for too long, the Budget includes $1.125 billion in new tax cuts to middle class families over three years. Families with incomes between $40,000 and $300,000 will be eligible to receive a new child tax credit of $350 per year for three years, beginning in 2014. Tax Cuts for Small Businesses: To provide tax relief to New Yorks job creators, the Budget includes nearly $800 million in tax relief for New York businesses over three years. With this tax relief, the Budget recognizes that cutting taxes sends a positive sign to the private sector that New York is probusiness and helps reverse New Yorks

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7 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

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COVER STORY

Obama urges Israelis to compromise for

JERUSALEM (AP) President Barack Obama delivered an impassioned appeal Thursday for Israel to recognize that compromise will be necessary to achieve lasting security and to take steps to reverse an undertow of international isolation that is worsened by its failure to make peace with the Palestinians. Militants again underscored Israels vulnerability by firing rockets into a southern border town. Obama declared anew that Israeli expansion of housing settlements in disputed territory only hinders chances for fruitful negotiations with the Palestinians, but he did not say as he has in the past that they must be halted. Reminding an audience of Israeli university students that the United States is their countrys best friend and most important ally, Obama said the U.S. will never back down on its commitment to Israels defense, particularly against threats such as the one posed by Iran and its

nuclear program. As long as there is a United States of America, you are not alone, he told a packed audience of university students who erupted frequently with applause and standing ovations at Jerusalems convention center The applause continued even as Obama stressed that Israel must make peace with the Palestinians if it is to ensure its survival and longterm viability as a homeland for the Jewish people. Israeli occupation of areas that the Palestinians claim for their own state must end, and progress toward creating that Palestinian state will help Israels relations with the rest of the world, notably in its Arab-dominated neighborhood, he said. Given the frustration in the international community, Israel must reverse an undertow of isolation, he said. Whereas once Israel could feel at ease by keeping good relations with Arab autocrats, the revolutions sweeping the Middle East and North

Africa have made broader outreach, especially on the Palestinian issue, an imperative, he added. Just as Israelis built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people in their own land, Obama said. The Palestinian peoples right to self-determination and their justice must also be recognized. Put yourself in their shoes, look at the world through their eyes. It is not fair that a Palestinian child cannot grow up in a state of her own, living their entire lives with the presence of a foreign army that controls the movements ... every single day. Unlike in the past when Obama and his top aides have demanded that Israel halt the expansion of settlements in disputed territory, he took a softer approach. Still, on his first trip to Israel as president, he said its people should understand that specific actions, notably ongoing construction of Jewish housing on disputed

territory, hurt the chances for restarting stalled peace talks with the Palestinians, who have made a halt to such building a demand for returning to negotiations. Israelis must recognize that continued settlement activity is counterproductive to the cause of peace, and that an independent Palestine must be viable with real borders that have to be drawn, he said. No single step is going to erase years of history and propaganda, but progress with the Palestinians is a powerful way to begin, while sidelining extremists who thrive on conflict and thrive on division. It would make a difference. Earlier Thursday in the West Bank, standing alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Obama made similar comments and condemned the firing of two rockets on the southern Israeli town of Sderot by militants in Gaza. But, he essentially abandoned previous support for the Palestinian demand that settlement activity end before talks resume. Obama said the United States continues to oppose settlement construction but said issues of disagreement between the two sides should not be used as an excuse to do nothing. If the expectation is that we can only have direct negotiations when everything is settled ahead of time, then there is no point for negotiations, so I think it is important to work through this process even if there are irritants on both sides, Obama said at a joint news conference with Abbas in Ramallah. Abbas and other Palestinian officials said they would not drop the demand, noting that much of the world considers the settlements to be illegal and not merely an impediment to peace talks. We require the Israeli government to stop settlements in order to discuss all our issues and their

9 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

COVER STORY
concerns, Abbas told the news conference, a marquee event during Obamas brief visit to the West Bank on the second day of his Mideast visit. Its the duty of the Israeli government to stop the settlement activities to enable us to talk about the issues in the negotiations. During his first four years in office, Obama had sided with the Palestinians on the issue. He and his surrogates repeatedly have demanded that all settlement activity cease. However, when Israel reluctantly declared a 10-month moratorium on construction, the Palestinians balked at returning to negotiations until shortly before it expired and talks foundered shortly thereafter. The Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem territories Israel captured in the 1967 war but are ready for minor adjustments to accommodate some settlements closest to Israel. Since 1967, Israel has built dozens of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem that are now home to 560,000 Israelis an increase of 60,000 since Obama became president four years ago. Obamas comments in Ramallah echoed those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly called for the Palestinians to drop preconditions for re-launching the stalled peace talks. Obamas remarks were sure to reinforce deep skepticism among Palestinians about whether he is willing or able to use U.S. influence to push Israel on key issues. In what appeared to be an attempt to blunt such criticism, Obama used his speech to the Israeli students to appeal to their love of freedom, respect for human rights and common values with Americans to do the right thing. He offered profuse praise for Israels history as a haven for refugees fleeing social and religious persecution. He hailed the technological innovations made by Israeli scientists and engineers Though he made no demands of Israel, he made clear he was seeking their cooperation and understanding as a friend, noting that it would be easier for him to avoid anything approaching criticism of Israel because of its very strong backing in Congress and among the American people. Politically, given the strong bipartisan support for Israel in America, the easiest thing for me to do would be to put this issue aside, just express unconditional support for whatever Israel decides to do that would be the easiest political path. But I want you to know that I speak to you as a friend who is deeply concerned and committed to your future. ___ Associated Press writers Karin Laub in Ramallah and Ian Deitch and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

10 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

11 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

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Lots & Acreage LENDER SAYS SELL NOW!! 8 acres- $19,900.30 acres$49,900. Woods, fields, views, stream! Just off New York Thruway! Terms available. Call (888)905-8847. newyorklandandlakes.com Miscellaneous SAWMILLS from only $3997.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice, *Hospitality, Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV Authorized. Call 888201-8657 www.CenturaOnline.com Musical Merchandise PIANOS WANTED!! INSTANT CASH PAID! Looking for Steinway, Yamaha, Knabe, Mason Hamlin, Bosendorfer or fancy legs. PLEASE NO UPRIGHTS. GRANDS ONLY. CALL: 631-319-1495 or sonnyspianotv.com Out of State Real Estate Sebastian, Florida Affordable custom factory constructed homes $45,900+, Friendly community, No Real Estate or State Income Taxes ,minutes to Atlantic Ocean. 772-581-0080, www.beachcove.com. Limited seasonal rentals Vacation Rentals OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc. com

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A Pioneer Community Health Center The Board of Directors of the Anthony L. Jordan Health Center is seeking a President/CEO to lead the center in meeting the health care needs of its patients and the communities in which we serve. The person selected will work with the Board and Clinical/Administrative Staff and be responsible for the overall operation of the Center in carrying out a comprehensive health services program. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Planning, developing, and implementing board approved policies Managing human, financial, and information system resources effectively and efficiently Providing collegial leadership to providers, staff, board and the community Building support from funders, elected and government officials Advocating for public policy as it relates to healthcare for the underserved population Qualified candidates must have demonstrated leadership with a commitment to an underserved population and experience in administration of a health care facility. Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a wide variety of professions and organizations. Qualified candidates are required to have a Masters degree in Health Care Administration, Public Health or an advanced degree in a Health Care Discipline; a candidate with a degree in Business Administration (BS/MBA) is preferred. Ten years of administrative experience including a minimum of five years progressive responsibility in health care administration, planning and delivery system oversight is preferred. A resident of the Rochester area with commitment to the mission of Anthony L. Jordan Health Center is preferred. Interested candidates should forward their Letter of Interest, Resume and Compensation Requirements by April 15, 2013 to: Anthony L. Jordan Health Center Attn: Human Resources/CEO Search 82 Holland Street Rochester, NY 14605

Resolution 13-68 Month of April WHEREAS, in accordance with the Title VIII Fair Housing Policy of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and, WHEREAS, the month of April 2013 has been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as Fair Housing Month. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board Members of Catlin hereby declares and proclaims April as Fair Housing Month in the Town. Catherine Edwards Supervisor The Town Supervisor is the designated Fair Housing Officer of the Town of Catlin. If any individual or family feels that they have been discriminated against in obtaining suitable housing or housing accommodations of their choice, they can call 739-5598, Monday between the hours of 10AM-4PM.

75 College Avenue, Rochester NY 14607 Employee Type: Full Time Industry: Non-Profit Job Title: Senior Accountant Salary Range: $45,000 to $48,000 Description The United Way of Greater Rochester seeks a Senior Accountant within its Finance department. The position entails documenting organizational financial policies and procedures and evaluating the compliance with these policies and other regulatory requirements. Also includes other accounting functions for the organization including the donor advised fund program.

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12 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

NATIONAL
Voter Laws Threaten Political Clout for People of Color
By Cathy Cohen and Jon C. Rogowski (TriceEdneyWire.com) - In a democracy, few rights are as cherished as the right to vote. Yet, in the United States people of color, mainly Latinos, African Americans, Asians and Native Americans, are finding that the more they demonstrate their civic responsibility by voting, the more obstacles that surface designed to weaken the power of their votes. Since 2008, when the nation elected its first African American president, there have been numerous efforts in various states to impact ballot access. Legislatures in 19 states have tightened identification requirements for citizens who wish to vote. Many of these new laws require citizens to show a stateissued form of photo ID. The New York University School of Law Brennan Center for Justice warned in 2006 that because identification documents are not distributed equally across the population, voter ID laws would significantly affect voter access for people of color especially Latinos and African Americans who possessed photo identification at considerably lower rates than whites. That prediction became reality last November. A study conducted immediately after the 2012 election surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,500 young people between the ages of 18 and 29 with large oversamples of Blacks and Latinos. Consistent with other national reports, the study sponsored by the Black Youth Project confirmed that a high voter turnout among youth. It also determined that young people of colorespecially Black youthwere asked to show identification when voting at considerably higher rates than white youth. Even in states with no identification laws, 66 percent of Black youth and 55 percent of Latino youth were asked to show ID, compared with 43 percent of white youth. When nonvoters were asked to indicate the reasons why they did not vote, Black youth were three times as likely as white youth (17 percent compared with 5 percent) to say that they did not vote because they lacked the proper identification documents. The study provides compelling evidence that identification laws are applied inconsistently across racial groups, and appear to reduce turnout disproportionately among people of color. In the aftermath of the 2012 election, also under attack is the principle of one person, one vote established in 1964 when the Supreme Court ruled in Reynolds v. Sims that legislative districts must contain equal numbers of citizens. Several states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia, recently considered or are considering measures to apportion their electoral votes by congressional districts in place of the winner-take-all system currently in place. Discussions of these proposals have focused, not incorrectly, on the implications for the outcomes of presidential elections. But these proposals are designed explicitly to reduce the electoral influence of citizens living in densely populated areasprecisely those areas more likely to contain larger proportions of people of colorand increase the electoral importance of people living in more sparsely populated areas that take up larger swaths of geography. As Sen. Charles Carrico, who introduced the measure in the Virginia State Senate, explained, residents in rural areas were concerned that it didnt matter what they did, that more densely populated areas were going to outvote them. Under these plans, the gerrymandering of congressional districts ensures that Black voters in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania would have considerably less influence on the apportionment of the states electoral votes. For instance, the 538 blog recently reported that President Obama would have lost twelve of Ohios 18 electoral votes had they been apportioned by congressional district. Not only would this have distorted the voices of Ohios voters writ large (Obama received more than 100,000 votes more than Romney), but it also would have significantly weakened the influence of Ohios Black voters. Nearly percent of 65 percent of Black residents of Ohio are concentrated in the four congressional districts (mostly in the Cleveland area) in which Obama won. Along with weakening the political potency of urban voters generally, proposals to apportion Electoral College votes by congressional district seriously devalue the votes from people of color. This tension between individuals and geography is also found in the debate surrounding the current Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder. At issue is Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires states with a history of racially discriminatory voting practices to receive federal clearance before changing electoral laws. In oral arguments on February 27, attorney Bert Rein argued on behalf of Shelby County, Alabama that this provision is an inappropriate vehicle to sort out the sovereignty of individual states. But the sovereignty of states should not be privileged over the equal protections constitutionally granted to individual citizens. Just as states like Ohio and Pennsylvania should not be allowed to weigh the votes of rural residents over votes from urban areas, neither should Alabama be excluded from provisions designed to protect Alabama citizens voting rights because Alabamas sovereignty is judged to be more important than their citizens electoral voices. Rein is right, though, on at least one point. As he and some of the conservative justices on the Court pointed out, the South is not uniquely racially discriminatory. Schemes to apportion Electoral College votes by congressional district, for instance, have been discussed mostly by states that are not required to receive federal preclearance. But this is not an argument for striking down Section 5. Indeed, any measure that limits ballot access or dilutes some groups electoral influence in any state ought to be opposed. However, if states like South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and others currently subject to Section 5 have their way, significant numbers of people of color are especially likely to feel the negative consequences of new electoral laws. Keeping Section 5 in place will continue to help guard against attempts to limit the influence of people of color on Election Day.

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13 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

NATIONAL
House passes GOP budget plan promising deep cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) The Republicancontrolled House passed a tea partyflavored budget plan Thursday that promises sharp cuts in safetynet programs for the poor and a clampdown on domestic agencies, in sharp contrast to less austere plans favored by President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies. The measure, similar to previous plans offered by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., demonstrates that its possible, at least mathematically, to balance the budget within a decade without raising taxes. But its deep cuts to programs for the poor like Medicaid and food stamps and its promise to abolish so-called Obamacare are nonstarters with the president, who won re-election while campaigning against Ryans prior budgets. It passed on a mostly partyline 221-207 vote. The House measure advanced as the Democratic Senate debated its first budget since the 2009 plan that helped Obama pass his health care law. The dueling House and Senate budget plans are anchored on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum in Washington, appealing to core partisans in the warring parties that are gridlocked over persistent budget deficits. Obama is exploring the chances of forging a middle path that blends new taxes and modest curbs to government benefit programs. The president has an opportunity during this critical debate to come forward and to help make this part of his legacy, like it has become part of the Clinton legacy: working together on behalf of the American people to solve what we know is a crisis in our country, said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. He was referring to President Bill Clintons success in working with a GOP Congress to generate budget surpluses over 19982001. We cant continue to spend money that we dont have, Boehner said. The sharp contrast over the 2014 budget and beyond came as the House cleared away last years unfinished budget business a sweeping, government-wide funding bill to keep Cabinet agencies running through the 2013 budget year, which ends Sept. 30. The House passed the bipartisan 2013 measure by a sweeping 318-109 vote. The Senate had approved the measure on Wednesday after easing cuts that threatened intermittent closures of meat packing plants starting this summer and reviving college tuition grants for active-duty members of the military. The cuts were mandated by automatic spending cuts that took effect at the beginning of the month. Looking to the future, Democrats and Republicans staked out divergent positions over what to do about spiraling federal health care costs and whether to raise taxes to rein in stillsteep government deficits. The long-term GOP budget plan authored by Ryan, the partys failed vice presidential nominee, offers slashing cuts to domestic agencies, the Medicaid health care plan for the poor and Obamacare subsidies while exempting the Pentagon and Social Security beneficiaries. The measure proposes shifting programs like Medicaid to the states but is sometimes scant on details about the very cuts it promises. The Ryan measure revives a controversial plan to turn the Medicare programs for the elderly into a voucher-like system for future beneficiaries born in 1959 or later a program in which the government would subsidize the purchase of health insurance instead of directly paying hospital and doctor bills. Critics say the idea would mean ever-spiraling out-ofpocket costs for care, but Ryan insists the plan would inject competition into a broken system. This is an uncompromising, ideological approach to our budget issues, said top Budget Committee Democrat Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. The American people voted, and they resoundingly rejected the approach that is now taken, once again, for the third year in a row, in this Republican budget. The cuts to domestic agencies like the FBI, Border Patrol and National Institutes of Health could approach 20 percent when compared with levels agreed to as part of a hard-fought budget deal from the summer of 2011. That could run the already troubled appropriations process it features 12 spending bills that are supposed to be passed by Congress each year into the ground. Fresh from passing the 2013 wrapup measure, the Senate was turning to a plan by new Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash., that would add nearly $1 trillion in new taxes over the coming decade in an attempt to stabilize the $16 trillionplus national debt. But Murrays plan would actually increase government spending after the $1.2 trillion cost of repealing the automatic cuts, called a sequester in Washington-speak. That means the net cuts to the deficit would amount to just a few hundred billion dollars in a federal budget estimated at $46 trillion or so over the coming decade. We need to tackle our deficit and debt fairly and responsibly, Murray said. We need to keep the promises weve made as a nation to our seniors, our families and our communities. At issue is the arcane process by which Congress approves a budget. It involves special legislation, called a budget resolution, that sets nonbinding targets for taxes and spending but relies on follow-up legislation to go into effect.

780 JOSEPH AVENUE

ROCHESTER, NY

14 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

OPINION/EDITORIAL
process, my son did something and was able to get the car into gear. The brake lights, however, were still out, and it was now dark, so we decided the logical thing to do was call a tow truck to avoid the chance of getting a ticket. My son found a towing company number accordingly, and I called. I dont recall the dispatchers name, but I told him where my car was located on Seward St. and explained to him that, initially, the gears had locked and would not shift. And that, even though it was drivable, I was reluctant to drive to the Henrietta dealership that normally services my car because I had no brake lights. I inquired about potential fees before committing to using their services. He told me the flat fee for towing was $65, in addition to miles that would be determined by the tow-truck driver. Not long after hanging up with the dispatcher, the tow-truck driver called to tell me he was leaving Spencerport, dropping a car on Blossom Road and would be at my location within 30 minutes. In the course of the two hours my son and I waited, I called the tow-truck driver and listened to him lie about how close he was to us instead. He did inform me, though, that to tow my car to the dealer would cost a total of $102. When the tow-truck driver finally arrived, I reminded him that I had roadside assistance with my insurance. He said it did not matter, that I had to pay him up front. He said he would provide a receipt and I could then get reimbursed by my insurance company. As a result, I asked him to whom I should make out the check, and he informed me they could not accept a check. I then asked if my credit card would be acceptable because I had no cash on me. He told me he would have to check with the boss. He went back to his truck, giving me the impression he checked with his boss, because he then proceeded to attach my car to his truck. After he got my car ready to move, he then informed me

The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.

STRAIGHTno chaser

All Cops Are Not Bad

The thing that bothers me most about criticizing any group of people based on their profession, race or culture is that nave folks, the ones who fail to think for themselves, GLORIA WINSTON AL-SARAG assume the criticism is directed at all who fall within the group. Case in point: I think cops take the worst whippings in the media. In support of this theory, I had a recent experience that helped solidify the fact that all cops are not bad. God is not finished with any of us, and those who think they are perfect dont breathe the same air as the rest of us. No one is perfect. Having said all of that, allow me to share with you the recent experience that brought forth the diplomatic problem-solving skills I personally witnessed in three of Rochesters finest. Unfortunately, I did not get badge numbers, but I was told that two of the officers names were Ortiz and A.C. Both were apparently assigned to the west side of town where the incident occurred. The other officer, whose name and badge number I also failed to secure, appeared to be a Hispanic female. At any rate, because, like many others, I am quick to call attention to the flaws of the so-called professionals who are paid to protect and serve, or deliver quality services and fail to do so; I am also quick to give credit where credit is due. The drama began within minutes of arriving safely in the ROC after a 16-hour drive from the 75 degree weather we left behind in Alabama. I was blessed enough to have two drivers with me. But just as my son and I dropped off the first driver on Seward St., my car failed to shift into gear after we stopped. Consequently, we began testing the fuses, suspecting the problem was connected to my anti-theft system. Luckily, during the that the credit-card machine was not working, and he would follow me to an ATM machine. Subsequently, I then got irritated and asked him why he put my car on the truck without informing me the creditcard machine was not working. He failed to give me a suitable answer, and I politely informed him that I did not like his attitude or the assumptions he was making, and I asked him to unhook my car. He refused. My mind and experiences were telling me that I called for a tow truck from the wrong address on Seward St. His attitude more than suggested to me that if I had broken down in Pittsford, not only would my check have been acceptable, the credit-card machine would have been working also. He then informed me he would not put my car down unless I paid him a minimum of $65 cash. He also threatened to take my car and impound it. Clearly, it was time for me to engage the Rochester Police Department. The two officers arrived in separate vehicles, and both listened intently to what had unfolded. The driver informed them that he had also called for assistance. After this, in what appeared to be a leaning toward the policy of the tow-truck company, I then invoked Chief Jim Shepards name, since I know crap rolls downhill. It did not matter to me whether he was snuggled in his bed or not. At that point, both officers politely walked away and, seemingly giving way to the policy, allowed the driver to leave the scene with my car, headed to the pound. My son and I followed to see where the car was being towed. The fact that we were following him apparently made the driver very nervous and, unbeknownst to my son and me at the time, he was calling the police department stating that he was being threatened. Next, in an effort to lose us, no doubt, when he reached Lyell and Lake Ave. the tow driver literally ran the red light. My son waited for the light to change, but he himself jumped ahead of traffic, causing us to be pulled over by the female cop. She was very polite, and evidently had been given some information about what had transpired earlier. But due to the fact that the tow driver had run the red light and lied about my son pointing something at him, one of the officers became infuriated and went after him, informing me and my son, Now we will have words. Hopefully the driver managed to secure himself a fat ticket for running the red light and endangering us by attempting to create a Trayvon Martin scenario. All the trappings were there for a possibly tragic outcome, but I credit the RPD for keeping their heads cool, because I certainly hadnt even been trying. Ultimately, I went to the ATM and got the $102 to keep my car from being impounded by a rip-off artist, who obviously only wanted cash in his pocket. The RPD then escorted us to where the other cop was waiting with the tow truck. Bottom line, we went with the RPD to the dealership as initially intended but my sense of highway robbery prevailed. My car arrived safely, but I still felt violated and robbed. Thus, it is my intent to caution the public and my readers as to what I perceive to be unscrupulous business practices by TowBusters. I do not have the tow drivers name but I do have his DOT number, if interested. You already know I will be submitting a formal complaint regarding the incident, and I hope he loses his license. In the end, right dont wrong nobody, and one should always know their audience before violating them. But, thankfully, restored to me was the faith I usually have in law enforcement, faith that reminded me that all cops arent bad. Minister Franklin Florence Ibishopdavis---------------------------------Gloria Winston Al-Sarag is a Community Activist, Writer, Communicator, Political Activist. She is a native Rochesterian and has been involved with numerous community orgainzations in Rochester. Contact Gloria at: JazzyG4202@aol.com

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OPINION/EDITORIAL
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

15 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.

The Tortoise Was Right

However, in todays fast-paced society we tend to want everything right now. We do not want to expend the time or the energy to get the success; instead we will degrade others that have done In this story the what it takes to succeed. hare, a rabbit, was very fast The protests that began a few years C. MICHAEL VAUGHN and was a ago against the so-called oneshoe-in to win the race against the percenters were horrible displays much slower tortoise, a turtle. of people who have no clue of what it takes to be successful! However, that did not bother the tortoise. A very troubling trend in our society is this notion of class warfare which He kept a slow and steady pace. continues to be perpetrated by the The hare got cocky and ended up Democratic Party. losing the race to a much slower opponent. It is shocking that people actually believe there should be a limit on The great lesson of this story is; how much someone can make slow and steady wins the race. or how wealthy they can be, in America! This theme has been resonating in my heart over the last few weeks, The people who tend to have the and I know that, in the congregation loudest voices in this arena are that I pastor, I will be sharing from those who have not done what it this topic for some weeks to come. takes to succeed. Those that are reading this article now will get a glimpse of what I will When one does what it takes to be sharing in the near future with succeed, they realize that their the church. success has come with tremendous sacrifice. Over-and-over again in life we see that things that are worth doing They have had to sacrifice sleep, takes time and energy. There is no money, family time, play time, etc. If youre old school like me you might remember the story of the tortoise and the hare. shortcut to success. in order to succeed. They took the slow and steady pace in order to become what they have become. We, as a nation, must resist at all costs, the notion to become socialistic. When those who have worked very hard and sacrificed very much have the fruits of their success taken away by the government and given to people who have not or do not want to work hard or sacrifice much it lowers the bar and steals motivation for everyone. It weakens the entire system. and potential. Unfortunately, many people do not want to develop their gift. They want the quick fix, like a junkie that wants the quick high. They want success fast or the money that comes from success without the effort. It just does not work like that. Our society has started to feel pity for folks with this mentality.

What I recommend is that we put a book in their hands and teach them how to fend for themselves. We must take the way of the tortoise; it builds strength, stamina, In America, folks have the appreciation, wisdom, and other opportunity go to college, earn a virtues. degree, get a well-paying job and continue to excel in their chosen Quick fixes only bring limited fields. enjoyment, but never any Why hate on someone that has sustainment. done that? I have seen that my life has been If we are to remain the worlds truly blessed, but it has come only super power, we have to stop through prayer and hard work. encouraging folks to be lazy. God has orchestrated my steps, but never once did God come Instead, we need to reward, and down and take a test for me, do talk up hard work and sacrifice. my homework, go to class for me, We need to put those folks on or be my stand-in for an interview. a pedestal and let them be the I had to work hard to get what God example that folks can look up to. has given to me and placed on the inside of me. It is my belief that every person has a God-given gift inside of them and that they are full of purpose

One Hundred and Fifty Years Later Were Still Not Free
One hundred and fifty years ago in the Emancipation Proclamation, President A b r a h a m Lincoln wrote: All persons held as slaves within said designated ayesha kreutz states, and parts of states, are, and henceforward shall be free. At the same time, we must conclude that not all of black America has truly received the message. I highlight the word person for a reason. Acceptance that we, as black people, are persons is the key to realizing our emancipation. Ive heard much talk about the threefifths clause in the Constitution. It doesnt matter much when considering all that happened to those who werent considered to be whole persons, simply because of their race. By defining black people as less than a person, those in charge of the definition enslaved, raped, whipped, segregated, lynched and burned those considered to be less than a person. It was Charles Darwins cousin Francis Galton who was considered the Father of Eugenics. He used Darwins theory that man evolved from monkeys to argue that the black man was closer in evolution to a monkey than to a person. This Eugenicist argument, that some arent persons, was used by the Nazis in the extermination of thirteen million people in the death camps. We normally hear about the six million Jews, but that is because the Jews know enough to claim their dead. There were also seven million non-Jews exterminated as well. They were Christians, blacks, handicapped, gypsies, homosexuals and others who werent considered persons. Since no one claimed them, few remember or even know about their deaths. In America, during the last forty years, over fifty million unborn babies have been killed in abortion because they are not considered persons. Blacks represent only 14 percent of the population, but we represent over 30 percent of those aborted. In 86 years, the KKK lynched almost 3,500 blacks, about the same number of black babies whose lives are taken every three days by abortion. Abortion is the leading cause of death in black people. Abortion kills more blacks than violence, heart disease, cancer, accidents and AIDS, combined. This is why we see the Frederick Douglass Foundation, as the place of hope, and so far 30 city pastors are supporting things like the Rochester Black Personhood Initiative. (http:// www.aminotachild.com/). We seek to institutionalize the definition of a person as Gods unique DNA signature created in the womb and infused with a soul that will be given everlasting life. We talk all the time about black-onblack violence. We hear about it so much that too many dont even care. Blacks are gunning down blacks all over the country, but no one cares. Much of this has to do with the fact that weve been programmed to think of blacks as less than a person by those who didnt want to take on the financial burden of freeing the slaves. Once freed, blacks were no longer property. They were considered liabilities. Abortion is just another tool in the Eugenicists belt to get us to kill each other off. But, if we define ourselves as persons, equal in the eyes of God to those of every other race, then we can once and for all free ourselves from the bondage of bad ideologies. The government pays Planned Parenthood a million dollars a day to kill black babies in the womb and then says, Youre welcome black folks, as if all the black folks actually have a reason to say thank you. Well change the culture as soon as we change the way we define ourselves. Its time to claim our dead, lest they be forgotten. In celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, perhaps we could celebrate by again speaking up for those whose personhood has been denied. Only by acknowledging that the least of us are actually persons will we truly be emancipated.

16 www.minorityreporter.net | march 25 -31 | 2013

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Cancer Services Program

Your partner for cancer screening, support and information

Free health screeNINgs For meN aNd womeN.