Greene County Democrat

Month: February 2020

  • Alabama New South Alliance endorses local Greene County candidates

    Arnelia ‘Shay’ Johnson
    William Morgan
    Mary Edwards Otieno

    On Sunday, February 9, 2020 members of the Greene County Alabama New South Alliance met to screen and endorse local candidates for the March 3rd primary. There are several local contested races on the ballot along with the Democratic Party Presidential choice, Congressional races and some statewide positions.
    The Alabama New South Alliance screens local candidates based on several criteria including: a. qualifications/experience, b. Community Involvement, c. Compatibility with ANSA Platform, d. Responsiveness to Questions and e. Electability. All candidates were invited to attend the screening.
    For Greene County Revenue Commissioner, both candidates, incumbent Barbara McShan and challenger Arnelia ‘Shay’ Johnson appeared and were screened. They answered questions about their experience, qualifications, plans and community involvement. Arnelia ‘Shay’ Johnson received the endorsement in a close vote.
    For Greene County Board of Education – District 3, William Morgan, incumbent came for the screening and answered questions.
    His opponent, Veronica Richardson, did not attend the screening. ANSA endorsed William Morgan.
    For Greene County Board of Education – District 5, incumbent Board member, Carrie Dancy did not attend the screening. Her opponent, Mary Edwards Otieno was screened and received the ANSA endorsement.
    The ANSA will have sample ballots available next week and at the polls on Election Day to help people to make their choices.
    Statewide candidates endorsed by ANSA include: Joe Biden for President, Laura Casey for Chair of the Alabama Public Service Commission, Billie Jean Young – State School Board-District 5 and Congressional candidates where there is opposition.
    ANSA also urged a ‘No’ vote on Statewide Amendment No. 1 which provides for appointment of the State School Board by the Governor in place of the current system of election by districts.
    Absentee ballots, including early walk-in voting, are available from the Circuit Clerk’s office in the Greene County Courthouse.

  • Superintendent gives update on school enrollment and new learning initiatives

    At the Greene County Board of Education’s regular meeting held Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones gave an update on student enrollment, system assessment processes and student and personnel motivation efforts. Dr. Jones reported that, to date, the school system is short 40 students from the 2018-2019 school year. “We currently have 1000 student enrolled, which is three less than earlier this school year. Eutaw Primary has 349 students; Robert Brown Middle has 357 and Greene County High has 294,” he stated.
    According to Superintendent Jones, the school system has several initiatives creating a more student involved learning environment which already is showing positive results. He stated that the system is continuing to rely on the Scantron Benchmark Assessment for the lower grades and the ACT for the high school. Jones noted that the principals are scheduled to present the assessment data from their individual schools in a special meeting this week.
    The board president and attorney announced a change in the agenda process beginning at the board’s March meeting. The Public Comments section will appear on the agenda following the Welcome to Visitors. The process will require visitors to sign in prior to the start of the board meeting, if they wish to make comments before the board. At the start of the meeting, the signed list will be taken up by the board, and only those on the list will be allowed to speak. This adjustment in the agenda is intended to avoid the visitors waiting for the board to conclude its work in executive session.
    The board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Jones.
    Resignation: Jacob Sullivan, Baseball Coach, Greene County High School.
    Non-renewal – Principal Contract for Garry Rice, Effective June 30, 2020; Principal Contract for Toice Goodson, Effective June 30, 2020.
    Employment – Tara Thomas, Kindergarten Teacher, Eutaw Primary School for the remainder of the 2019-2020 School Year, effective February 18, 2020.
    The board acted on the following administrative service items:
    Approved Resolution Opposing School Start Date Legislation.
    Approved MAK Engineering, LLC, Structional Assessment for Greene County High School. * Approved agreement between Greene County Board and Marimac Academy, Janice Filer, to Perform Consulting Services to Greene County Schools.
    Approved of contract between Greene County Board and Amy Quitt, for extended hours from 10 to 12 hours for Speech-Language Services.
    Approved Greene County Boys Basketball Team and Managers traveling to New Orleans March 14-17 2020, to attend the Semi and Final Games of the Sunbelt Conference Tournament.
    *Approved Robert Brown Middle School students traveling to Six Flags in Austell, Georgia for STEM DAY, May 15, 2020.
    Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    The financial snapshot as of December 31, 2019, presented by CSFO Lavonda Blair, included the following: General Fund Balance – $970,617.61; Check Register Accountability Report – $291,190.24; Payroll Register – $868,054.25; Combined Fund Balance – $3,418,637.95. Local Revenue Sources included local taxes of $90,861.40; Bingo collections for December will be reflected in the January financial report, since the board’s central office was closed at time of disbursement.

  • Rising waters flood Greene County homes

    Rising flood waters, from weeks of rain, on a tributary of the Tombigbee River are shown affecting houses at the Boligee Boat Ramp area in Greene County. Local area residents report as many as fifty houses may be flooded. Additional houses in the Forkland and Tishabee communities are also reporting flooding.

  • Newswire: New hurdle for Nigerians seeking U. S. visas to settle here

    Feb. 3, 2020 (GIN) – She’s your pediatrician. He’s your surgeon. She’s a civil engineer. He has a doctorate. She’s an Emmy Award winner. He was a Chicago Bear.
    They’re Nigerian-Americans who have set down roots in Dallas, Chicago, Baltimore, Atlanta, Phoenix and Houston – the latter of which has the largest Nigerian population outside Brazil and Africa. They’re the largest group among African immigrants in the U.S. – about 327,000. They’re a tiny portion of the U.S. population, but they rank as the most successful ethnic group in the U.S.
    Yet, on the eve of Black History month, the President callously expanded a travel ban that effectively bars Nigerians from obtaining visas to immigrate here permanently. The new restrictions will not apply to tourist, business, or other nonimmigrant travel. But for the large Nigerian diaspora in the US, the policy will be devastating to a community with deep family and cultural ties to their home country.
    Nigerians expressed disbelief and anger after the Trump administration announced the policy, which takes effect Feb. 21. The decision affects Nigeria Eritrea, Sudan, and Tanzania as well as Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar. Additionally, immigrants from Sudan and Tanzania will be excluded from the diversity visa lottery, which grants green cards to as many as 50,000 people every year.

    Many Nigerians wondered why they specifically were targeted, when many other countries might pose similar security threats. Amaha Kassa, head of African Communities Together, which advocates for African immigrants and their families, told reporters that at the group’s latest meeting in New York City, dozens of Nigerians were asking one question: “Why single us out?”
    Immigrant advocates say it’s based on discriminatory motivations.
    For Okorafor Chimedu, a 29-year-old teacher in Warri, Nigeria, with a university degree and relatives already in the United States, his chances now to join them appear slim.
    “I hope the two nations will rectify their differences soon so that the ban can be lifted,” he said to a reporter. “We need each other to progress in this world. No man is an island of his own.”
    Omar Jadwat of the ACLU’s Immigrant Rights Project suggested the ban was imposed because the excluded countries don’t share enough information so that (we) can vet their citizens when they arrive.
    The so-called “Muslim ban,” already affects citizens from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Venezuela and North Korea.
    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, sharply disputed the U.S. move.
    “In our view, (the ban) was not well thought out but based largely on negative narratives spread by naysayers. I know we are working very well with our neighbors, the EU and the U.S. to ensure that terrorism is addressed.”
    “Our advice to the U.S. is that it should have a rethink on the issue because any travel ban is bound to affect investment and growth in the country and those who will be affected are the most vulnerable people in Nigeria.”
    In a separate development, China has halted the issuance of visas to Nigerians citing their effort to control the spread of the coronavirus in the Asian country.

  • Newswire : New York District Attorney re-opens investigation into the assassination of Malcolm X

    By Frederick H. Lowe, BlackmansStreet.Today

    Malcolm X

    Cyrus Vance, Jr., the Manhattan District Attorney, has agreed to review the conviction of Muhammad Abdul Aziz, who was arrested, convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Malcolm X although no physical evidence linked Aziz to the assassination.
    The Innocence Project, which is based in New York City, is working with the district attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit and Civil Rights Attorney David B. Shanies to re-investigate Aziz’s 1966 conviction.
    The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office decided to re-investigate the assassination following the broadcast of the seven-part Netflix documentary “Who Killed Malcolm X” by historian Abdur-Rahman Muhammad and others.
    The documentary covers much of what has already been written in “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” by Alex Haley and Malcolm X. The documentary also examines in detail the split between Malcolm X and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, head of the Chicago-based Nation of Islam.
    It is augmented with black and white photographs. In addition, there are black and white and color news clips of Malcolm X, and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad speaking about their growing difficulties with each other that led to Malcolm X leaving the Nation of Islam. The documentary also interviewed current and former members of the Nation of Islam and close associates of Malcolm X.
    The split and Malcolm’s death accomplished what J. Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI, and the New York City police and some members of the Nation of Islam wanted because they feared and were envious of Malcolm X’s oratorical skills and his organizing ability, according to the documentary.
    The documentary opens with Malcolm X’s very public assassination in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom before a large audience of supporters.
    Malcolm X is carried from the Audubon Ballroom where he was fatally shot.
    Moments after Malcolm X took the stage at 3:30 p.m. on February 21, 1965, a team of five gunmen began shooting, terrifying the men and women who scrambled for cover knocking over chairs in the ballroom to escape.
    New York City police quickly arrested Azziz (then known as Norman 3X Butler), Mujahid Abul Halim (then known as Talmadge Hayer and Thomas Hagan) and Khalil Islam(then known as Thomas 15X Johnson) for the murder.
    Halim admitted to participating in the assassination. Malcolm X’s bodyguards shot him in the leg, captured and beat him in the Audubon until police rescued him.
    He has always said Aziz and Islam had nothing to do with the killing. Islam died in 2009. Aziz who is 81 is still trying to clear his name. A former member of the U.S. Navy, he was paroled in 1985.
    “I just want to testify that Butler [Aziz] and Johnson [Islam] had nothing to do with it … I was there, I know what happened and I know the people who were there,” Halim said.
    At the time of Malcolm X’s murder, Aziz was a patient in a nursing home where he was being treated for recent leg injuries. A physician who treated testified in Aziz’s defense.
    “We are grateful that District Attorney Vance quickly agreed to conduct a review of the conviction of Muhammad Aziz. Given the historical importance of this case and the fact that our client is 81 years old, we are especially encouraged that Mr. Vance has assigned two highly respected prosecutors, Peter Casolaro and Charles King to work on this re-investigation,” Innocence Project and David B. Shanies Shanies Law Office, said in a joint statement.
    Halim initially refused to name the other gunmen.
    In 1978, Halim changed his mind and named the other four gunmen to lawyer William Kunstler, who provided the names and addresses of the killers and laid out a detailed timeline of the assassination plot. The gunmen were members of the Newark, New Jersey, Nation of Islam mosque, according to the documentary.
    Kunstler obtained previously undisclosed FBI documents through the Freedom of Information Act that supported Halim’s account. Judge Harold Rothwax rejected Kunstler’s motion to vacate the convictions of Aziz and Islam.
    Aziz said he was laying on the couch with his foot up listening to the radio when he heard Malcolm X had been assassinated.

  • Newswire: Aircraft Carrier named after Doris Dorie Miller

    By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

    Doris Dorie Miller


    The U.S. Navy is set to name a new aircraft carrier after World War II hero Doris Miller. Miller was a Mess Attendant 2nd Class from Waco, Texas. The aircraft carrier naming would be the first to be named after an African American.
    In June of 2016, the USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205), a U.S. Navy replenishment oiler was named after civil rights legend and Congressman John Lewis. But the USNS John Lewis is not a warship.
    On January 19, the Navy announced that CVN-81 would be named after Miller. The CVN-81 is a Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier scheduled to be built in 2023 and launched in 2028.
    Miller fought during the attack on Pearl Harbor after the Japanese surprise attack on the islands on December 7, 1941. Miller was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for valor, the third highest honor in the Navy. Miller shot an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor though he had no training on the gun. He also took care of wounded members of the ship he was on, the U.S.S. West Virginia.
    The U.S.S. West Virginia He served breakfast that morning and was collecting laundry when his ship was hit by the first of seven torpedoes plus two bombs.
    “The sacrifice and patriotism of heroes like Doris Miller inspired me to pursue public service,” said Rep. Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “Though he is deserving of even higher official recognition, including the Medal of Honor, the announcement of the naming of this vessel on Martin Luther King Day could not be more fitting,” she added.
    Until Franklin Roosevelt’s administration, African Americans could not serve in the military at all but attendant, steward and cook positions were open to Blacks. Miller enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1939 at 19.
    Two years after Pearl Harbor, Miller was killed in action when his ship Liscome Bay was attacked by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Makin. Miller was presumed dead and was declared “missing in action” on December 7, 1943, two years after his heroic actions at Pearl Harbor.
    Miller’s heroic actions were publicized numerous times in the black press and he became an icon of African Americans

    .
    Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBur

  • Newswire: Senator Doug Jones denounces Trump Administration move to raid South Alabama funding to build border wall

    $261 Million for South Alabama ship-building project diverted for wall construction

    Sen. Doug Jones


    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) today received notification from the Senate Armed Services Committee that $261 million in funding directed to South Alabama ship-builders would soon be re-routed to support construction of the southern border wall. The funding was previously approved by Congress for the procurement of one Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship, which was to be built in Mobile, Alabama.
    This funding is a part of a reported $3.83 billion re-programming of appropriated funds away from equipment for our warfighters, like ships, vehicles and aircraft.
    Senator Jones released the following statement on today’s news:
    “I am very concerned about the impact a decision like this could have on communities like Mobile, whose ship-building workforce is second to none. I understand and agree we need to protect our borders, but I can’t understand for the life of me why folks in Mobile would be paying for this wall.
    “The EPF is responsible for hundreds of good-paying jobs in South Alabama, but I am even more concerned about the impact this decision has on our men and women in uniform and our national security. This decision puts Alabama jobs on the line and it is going to make us less safe by denying our troops the resources they need to stay safe and fulfill their mission.

  • Newswire : Trump Administration cuts Food Stamps for at least 700,000 Americans

    By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

    Food Stamp sign in store window


    The Trump Administration has finalized implementation of new work requirement rules that would cut food stamp benefits for 700,000 Americans. The average food stamp payout is $36 per month. Though the Trump Administration estimates that under 700,000 people will be impacted by their policy changes, the Urban Institute estimates that the new Trump Administration rule changes will cause 3.7 million poor people to lose food stamps.
    Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Brandon Lipps, the deputy undersecretary for the USDA’s Food Nutrition and Consumer Services, spoke with reporters for under 20 minutes regarding the changes. The rule changes will take effect on April 1, 2020.
    The work requirement rule change will cause hundreds of thousands of people to lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
    There are over 40 million people in the U.S. living in poverty — 1 of every 7 Americans and 12 percent of the total population. In the U.S., 27 percent of African Americans live in poverty and 46 percent of African American children (under age 6) live in poverty, compared to 14.5 percent of white children.
    “We’re taking action to reform our SNAP program in order to restore the dignity of work to a sizable segment of our population and be respectful of the taxpayers who fund the program. Americans are generous people who believe it is their responsibility to help their fellow citizens when they encounter a difficult stretch. That’s the commitment behind SNAP, but, like other welfare programs, it was never intended to be a way of life,” Secretary Perdue told reporters.
    “Trump has called people liars and maniacs, caged children, and cut food stamps, and tried to take away health insurance and let people die. But Republicans are outraged that a law professor used his son’s name in an analogy?,” wrote Rev. Dr. William Barber referring to an exchange at a Dec. 4th impeachment hearing and food stamp cuts. Barber has been focused on a new age “poor people’s campaign” mirrored on the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s.
    “This is cruel and disgraceful. Donald Trump will happily give millions of dollars in tax breaks to his billionaire buddies—but he’s making it harder for struggling families to be able to eat. I’ll reverse this shameful policy,” wrote 2020 presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
    The rule change would limit states and force them to restrict food stamp use to areas that have a 6 percent unemployment rate or higher. The national unemployment rate in October was 3.6 percent.
    Income inequality and cuts to poverty programs are likely to be an issue in the 2020 campaign.

  • GCHS Boys Varsity are 3A Area 8 Champs, heading to Montgomery for the Sweet 16

    Greene County High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team achieved 3A Area 8 Tournament Champions 2019-2020 in their win over Hale County High last week. The Tigers were victorious over Prattville Christian Academy, 58-50, Tuesday, Feb. 11 at GCHS which has advanced them to the Regional Sweet 16 beginning Monday, Feb. 17 in Montgomery. Team members shown above, following the Hale County win, include: Akeem Edmonds, NorDarrius Harris, Quanta Ball, Allen Pelt, FyShawn Burton, Joshua Merritt, Kentaye Levingston, Alex Williams, Lamon Pelt, Brandon Pack, Willie Davis, Tremaine Sanford, Tyler Naylon, Jonathan Merritt, and Desmond Wilson. Boys Varsity Coach, Rodney Wesley, is shown standing far right.

  • Greene County Commission and Sheriff Benison reach temporary solution on support for 11 additional employees

    The Greene County Commission and Sheriff Jonathan Benison have reached a temporary solution regarding the suspended pay for the 11 additional employees in the sheriff’s department.
    Immediately following the Greene County Commission’s work session on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, Commission Chairperson Allen Turner, Jr. and Commissioner Roshanda Summerville met with Sheriff Benison to discuss the funds needed for the 11 employees from the Sheriff’s department and other requirements. Attorney Hank Sanders advised Chairperson Turner, mainly by telephone.
    As the commissioners and the sheriff deliberated, the session did get heated. Emotions were high. They could be heard by those waiting outside the conference room.
    According to an earlier signed agreement between the commission and the sheriff, additional bingo funds from the sheriff would be provided to the county to support the additional 11 employees the sheriff wanted for his department and other requirements. To that date, no additional funds from the sheriff for this purpose had been provided to the commission during this fiscal year which began Oct. 1, 2020.
    For the first three months of the fiscal year, the commission transferred funds from other line items of the Sheriff’s department budget to support his additional employees. According to commission records, the sheriff’s county budget does not have funds for any additional transfers. Approximately $153,000 was necessary to meet the payroll of the 11 employees plus overtime and other requirements due for January.
    According to the county commission’s records, at the Feb. 5 meeting, the sheriff offered the county a partial payment of $26,666. The commissioners responded that this was unacceptable and following more discussions, the Sheriff added another payment of $18,342 and assured the commission that the balance to make up the $153,000 would be given to the county by Friday, Feb. 7.
    The commission, seemingly trusting the Sheriff, released the payroll to the 11 employees, many of whom had gathered awaiting the solution from this session. At the close of business day on Friday, Feb. 7, the county had not received any more bingo funds from the sheriff.
    On Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, the county commission received two separate payments from the sheriff’s bingo funds, one for $43,042.56 and one for $32,832,18. Minutes before the commission’s monthly meeting was to begin that evening, the sheriff delivered the final payment of $32,333.26, satisfying the $153,215.44 needed for the suspended January payroll and other requirements. However, this will not cover payroll for the sheriff’s additional 11 employees for the month of February and beyond.
    There remain concerns that this same situation is going to repeat itself.