Tempora Mutantur Et Nos Mutamur In Illis VOLUME 95 NUMBER 16 MIAMI, FLORIDA, DECEMBER 6-12, 2017 50 CENTS Mortgage LIBERTY CITY aid winds down BIG Funds that helped DREAMS thousands save their homes will run out City native vying By Nyamekye Daniel for federal bench [email protected] By Andrea Robinson When Margaret Ellis was laid [email protected] off from her job as a compliance Circuit Court Judge Rodney analyst at a pharmaceutical com- Smith referred to himself as “the pany in 2015, she feared that she skinny kid from Liberty City with would lose something she worked big dreams.” After serving on the so hard to accomplish — owning local bench for nearly 10 years, a home. he may be on the verge of reap- Ellis, who is the sole caregiver ing an even bigger dream. for her 91-year-old mother, found Smith is one of 10 fi nalists for herself struggling to live day to federal judgeships in South Flor- day off of the $15,000 in her sav- ida. The state Federal Judicial ings account. For four months Nominating Commission recently she squeezed out her monthly —Photos courtesy of Miami-Dade County Public Schools submitted mortgage payments of $1,300 Families from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and other islands visited with administrators and the names of while she searched for another instructors from Miami-Dade County Public Schools to help them enroll in the district. Smith and job. But as time went by, she was nine other unable to get re-employed. South Flo- Ellis thought she was out of op- ridians for tions until a friend told her about appointment the Florida Hardest-Hit Fund’s to the fed- Unemployment Mortgage Assis- eral bench to tance Program (UMAP). That fund U.S. Sena- paid her mortgage for a year, Class now in session Smith tors Marco allowing her to look for work and for students displaced by hurricanes Rubio and Bill stabilize her fi nances. Nelson. The commission whittled The program, which gave Ellis By Juliana Accioly into a new educational system. their list after interviewing 24 a lifeline, is coming to a close. Special to The Miami Times The event, held at the Miami Jackson Senior High applicants. Floridians only have less than School, offered information on free school supplies, ma- The South Florida district cur- two months left to enroll. The In the eyes of many, this year's punishing hurricane terials, immunization, programs for students with special rently has fi ve federal vacancies. applications for UMAP and two season is over, but the aftermath of the disaster caused needs and parent resources. Educators hosted informa- The other fi nalists vying for the other housing assistance initia- by the rage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria has tion sessions on topics such as parent resources for liter- position of U.S. district judge for tives will no longer be available left others grappling with survival and a new reality to acy, programs for those with special needs and strategies the Southern District of Florida after Jan. 31. face. to support children's social and emotional wellness. are attorney Roy Altman, Circuit The UMAP offers up to 12 This past Saturday, Deverine Christopher placed her "Children that are fearful cannot learn," said Super- Judge Antonio Arzola; Acting months or $24,000 of mortgage hands over her face, lowered them again to look up to intendent Alberto M. Carvalho, who gave a warm "wel- U.S. Attorney Benjamin Green- assistance to unemployed, the sky and thanked God with tears in her eyes. come to Miami" speech and assured the newcomers that berg; Broward Circuit Judge Da- Please turn to AID 6A "I'm so grateful for everything, my daughter's educa- Florida is "ready to be their family." vid Haimes; Miami-Dade Circuit tion is the most important thing,” Christopher said. "We understand your pain, and we are going to help Judge Peter Lopez; Miami-Dade Christopher, a native from St. Thomas, was among you through it," he said. "Everything you need to make Circuit Judge Rodolfo Ruiz; Bro- the hurricane-displaced group of Puerto Ricans, Virgin sure that your children succeed we will provide. We'll ward Circuit Judge Raag Sing- Islanders and citizens of other Caribbean nations who never abandon you.” hal; Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Rep. John came together at a Family Support Day to learn about Jennifer Andreu, administrative director at the district’s John Thornton; and attorney the resources that have been put in place by Miami-Dade federal, state and compliance offi ce, said that there have Melissa Visconti. County Public Schools to assist children in their transition Please turn to STUDENTS 6A Of the 10, Smith is the only Conyers Black person. There also is one resigns 1 Of 10 Detroit Free Press fi nalists. Smith is Facing a rising chorus of voices demanding he step down the only Black because of sexual harassment contender. female and one Asian-American. Those names will go to Florida’s two U.S. Senators, Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, for further vetting. Christopher Norwood, a local education consultant and com- munity activist, said Smith’s story is inspirational. Smith grew up in a single-parent home and was raised in Liberty City. He be- came a Boy Scout and achieved Rep. John Conyers Jr. the highest designation, Eagle claims, U.S. Rep. John Conyers Scout. Jr., on Tuesday retired from the Smith began his legal career seat he has held for more than as an assistant city attorney in fi ve decades, a swift and crush- Miami Beach, and later was a ing fall from grace for a civil prosecutor in the Miami-Dade rights icon and the longest-serv- State Attorney’s Offi ce. Gov. ing active member of Congress. Charlie Crist appointed him as Saying he was fi nalizing his county court judge in 2008, and plans for retirement, Conyers, D- he subsequently won re-election. Mich., added he would endorse In 2012, later, Gov. Rick Scott his son, John Conyers III, to elevated him to the circuit court replace him in Congress. He did bench; Smith won re-election in not describe it as a resignation 2014. —Photo courtesy of SEOPW CRA but said his decision was imme- The most recent appointment diate, suggesting the difference of a Black judge to the federal may be little. level came in 2014 when Darrin "My legacy can’t be compro- LIGHTING UP THE CITY P. Gayles was elevated. Federal mised or diminished in any way judgeships come with lifetime by what we’re going through appointments. District 5 City Commissioner Keon Hardemon and the Coalition of Hadley Park hosted “Light Up Liberty Local attorneys and judiciary now. This too shall pass. … My City Holiday Tree Lighting” where children received gifts and participated in lighting a Christmas tree. Please turn to CONYERS 5A Please turn to SMITH 6A 8 90158 00100 0 2A THE MIAMI TIMES, DECEMBER 6-12, 2017 Opinion Blacks Must Control Their Own Destiny Member of National Newspaper Publisher Association Editorial Member of the Newspaper Association of America E Subscription Rates: One Year $45.00 – Six Months $30.00 — Foreign $60.00 (ISSN 0739-0319) 7 percent sales tax for Florida residents Published Weekly at 900 NW 54th Street, Periodicals Postage Paid at Miami, Florida Bye hurricane season; Miami, Florida 33127-1818 Post Offi ce Box 270200 Postmaster: Send address changes to The Miami Times, P.O. Box 270200 Buena Vista Station, Miami, Florida 33127 Buena Vista Station, Miami, FL 33127-0200 • 305-694-6210 Phone 305-694-6210 time to prepare for 2018 CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS H.E. SIGISMUND REEVES, Founder, 1923-1968 The Black Press believes that America can best lead the urray! The 2017 hurricane season has offi cially GARTH C. REEVES, JR., Editor, 1972-1982 world from racial and national antagonism when it accords to come to an end, and just in time. As we put away every person, regardless of race, creed or color, his or her GARTH C. REEVES, SR., Publisher Emeritus human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, our shutters, plywood and other supplies that Newspaper RACHEL J. REEVES, Publisher and Chairman the Black Press strives to help every person in the fi rm belief Association H of America protect us individually, we must give thought to the needs that all persons are hurt as long as anyone is held back. of our communities collectively. Hurricane Irma taught many of us that we weren’t quite Newspaper BY MATTHEW A. PIGOTT, Opa-locka City Commissioner Association as prepared as we should be. It also taught us that we of America can not rely on local or county government to step in. Yes, we bear responsibility for our safety. But in communities where there are so many unmet needs, we must step up Will Opa-locka be left out of Amazon jobs? and be a true neighbor. One of the poignant incidents in the aftermath of Hur- Upon hearing about the plans warehouse. As an elected offi cial Exactly how and when these needs being placed under agree- ricane Irma occurred when a convoy led by School Board to bring an Amazon mega-ware- of Opa-locka, I was concerned by positions would be advertised, ments? Where is the proof of the house to Opa-locka, I became the optics of the event and the in- whether any priority would be desire and intent of the Meek member Steve Gallon III, Commissioners Joseph Kelley excited.When it was announced formation I gathered directly from given to Opa-locka residents, and Foundation and the county to and Matthew Pigatt and Police Chief James Dobson ar- that the facility would bring more participants.