PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
President-Elect Barack Obama nominated New York Senator and former presidential rival Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. There are those who believe Obama tapped Clinton as a gesture toward her millions of supporters. Perhaps that is so, but I think Obama likely made the move to keep Clinton in his sights and under his direction. That way, he can get someone appointed to fill her U.S. Senate seat who will not oppose, or try to undermine, his initiatives there. Still, he should sleep with at least one eye open to watch Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
SUSPECT HELD
Felix Galisia, 45, is being held on $50,000 bond after he was charged in the brutal rape of a woman in Lake Worth last week. The victim told police that Galisia asked her for directions as she walked along Lake Worth Road. He then dragged her into the woods, where he beat, choked and raped her, according to authorities. She gouged his face and eyes before she was knocked unconscious. When the woman came to, she called police, who found Galisia at a strip club not far from the crime scene.
GRANT FOR KIDS
A ceremony took place recently to honor the Rev. Dennis Grant, pastor of Restoration Ministries in Margate. The ceremony also brought attention to Grant’s continuing effort to assist youth. A number of community and elected officials were on hand to raise awareness of the initiatives Grant is undertaking.
TEEN CHARGED
Tara Fradley, 18, has been arrested on manslaughter charges in the death of a 70-year-old woman whose car she slammed into as it was stopped at a traffic light on the exit ramp at Interstate 95 and Boynton Beach Boulevard on June 10. An investigation has determined that Fradley was driving under the influence of alcohol and had prescription painkillers in her system at the time of the accident. She was booked and released on $8,000 bail.
PEDDLER’S WORKSHOP
Kionne L. McGhee is an assistant state attorney in charge of the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office’s Community Prosecution Unit. McGhee, along with leaders of a host of other organizations, holds monthly citizens seminars. This week, the group will host its Peddler’s Workshops, in the predominantly black Liberty City area. The event will provide information and instruction on starting a business, and how to obtain an occupational license. The seminar focuses on street vendors who line Miami streets, and stand in medians at countless intersections, selling their wares. Peddler’s licenses will be issued to those who complete the seminar. In some municipalities, street vendors are scorned, but many times they are simply people who are trying to make a lawful living, instead of turning to crime. McGhee says their aim is to assist these people, and transition them into entrepreneurship. This is an excellent idea! Both McGhee and Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle should be applauded and recognized for this innovative and compassionate initiative. The Peddler’s Workshop will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to p.m., at 6100 NW 7th Ave, in Miami. For more information call: 305-636-2240.
AID FOR HAITI
Cross International, a South Florida-based relief organization, has been awarded a $4.8 million federal grant from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The money is slated for a new program intended to prevent the spread of AIDS and HIV in Haiti.
PARTY ELECTIONS
The Broward Democratic Party will hold its internal election of officers this Sunday, Dec. 7, and it should be a bang. Chairman Mitch Ceasar faces a challenge from former Congressman Peter Deutsch. First Vice-Chairperson Frankie Thomas will face off against civic advocate and political activist Sallie Tillman-Watson. Interesting.
FRIENDLY SLICE
Pierre-Louis Ronald, 32, was arguing with his homeboy, Aquilien Genscar, 48, on Sunday, Dec. 1, outside the Universal Supermarket located at 1210 S. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth, according to authorities. He pulled a box cutter and slashed Genscar across his stomach, police said. Genscar was stitched up at a local hospital and released. As for his friend, Ronald, he was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, police said.
OUR PLIGHT
There was a home invasion in the 4100 block of Southwest 53rd Street on Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Dania Beach. On that same day, an armored car guard was killed inside of the Dadeland Mall, located in 7200 block of SW 88th Street in Miami during a heist, and countless other robberies flashed over the news this week. These brazen, violent crimes are becoming more frequent, and something has to be done. More often than not, when suspects are caught, they tend to be young black males who are in need of haircuts, and lack grooming. I’m tired of it. The time has come to address what is happening to our youth. In many instances, they have no respect for themselves, and little concern for human life. Yes, this is a societal issue, but it is particularly a black problem. Placing our kids in time out, and withholding milk and cookies, has failed. Unless we wake up, blacks could become the permanent underclass of the impoverished subculture in this country, and that would be a shame.
FORECLOSURE MORATORIUM
Gov. Charlie Crist has asked [begged] Florida banks to stop foreclosures and evictions through the holidays. Crist also has unveiled a proposal on a 45-day moratorium. This is a start, but groveling for time will not cut it. Any relief is good, and more must be done. Cities are now increasing fees for just about everything, and using code enforcement fines to drum up revenue. Crist should convene a meeting with municipal leaders to address this issue because all over the state, families are being strained and pushed to the limit over skyrocketing local fees and outrageous fines.
KNIFING ARRESTS
Two suspects, Eduardo Sosa, 19, and Daniel Ruiz, 27, have been charged in the stabbings that took place on Nov. 24 at the Starlight Lounge located at 2016 on Hammondville Road in Pompano Beach, according to authorities. Four people were knifed during a fight that started inside and then spilled outside into the street. The victims survived, and both suspects are being held in the Broward Main Jail on a slew of charges related to the melee, as well as immigration violations.
COURTHOUSE FLOODING
The Broward County main courthouse facility in Fort Lauderdale was shut down again this week. This time, it was due to a brief deluge of rain that took place over the weekend. The facility houses the Clerk of the Courts, courtrooms, judicial offices, the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and dozens of other operations. The judicial system was crippled for days. For years, this building has been plagued with mold, and numerous employees have fallen ill as a result. Eradication efforts have not worked, and the time has come to get serious about a new facility. The new building will be costly, but continuously throwing hundreds of thousands of dollars into periodic cleanups has run its course.
WEDDING PROTESTS
Similar to the biblical accounts of Lot’s house being surrounded in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, gay rights groups are planning to hold protest demonstrations outside Gov. Charlie Crist’s wedding ceremony this month in St. Petersburg. The organizations are targeting Crist over his support of the ballot initiative, which voters approved on Nov. 4, that defines marriage in the state as being between a man and a woman.
EJones@SFLTimes.com
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