www.mississippilink.com VOL. 26, NO. 2 OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2019 50¢ SEE PLEASE ELECTION VOTE SECTION B NOV.5 Former Archie’s District 2 place Congressman of residence in question John Conyers has died at 90 Conyers By Frederick H. Lowe TriceEdneyWire.com John Conyers, Jr. the longest serving African- American member of Congress and co-founder in 1969 of the Congressional Black Caucus, died Sun- day, October 27, 2019, at his home in Detroit. He was 90 years old. The cause of death has not been revealed. Archie McQuirter Conyers served 53 years in Congress and was once fondly known as the dean of the Congressional Black By Othor Cain ceived 3,619 votes or 48.93 percent. tive offi ce from the Shady Oaks during the campaign, but he didn’t. Caucus. He was the sixth longest serving member of Editor Though McQuriter used cam- address at least fi ve times and had It wasn’t until he lost the race.” Congress before he resigned in 2017 amid sexual For the second time in this elec- paign literature to address Archie’s been challenged once by another Archie has challenged McQuirter harassment allegations. During his tenure, he repre- tion cycle David Archie defeated residency, more specifi cally his candidate and McQuirter was in at least two previous times unsuc- sented the 1st, 14th and 13th Congressional Districts Darrel McQuirter in the Hinds homestead exemption, noting that that race. “He knows how the rul- cessfully. in Detroit and the suburbs. County Supervisor District 2 race. he [Archie] fi led homestead ex- ing went then…it was determined For two days this week in a A graduate of Wayne State University and Wayne Archie who was the top vote getter emption in District 1 on a Clubview that my client lived at that address,” packed courtroom, special appoint- State University School of Law, voters elected Cony- in a three-person primary race, Au- Drive property and not in District 2 Sweet said. “What’s even more dis- ed Judge Lamar Pickard listened to ers to Congress in 1964. He took the oath of offi ce in gust 6, continued his winning streak at the Shady Oaks property where turbing to me is that Mr. McQuirt- testimony from dozens of witnesses 1965 during the Civil Rights struggle. He befriended during the primary runoff election he’s a registered voter and qualifi ed er had some information that he about water/sewer bills, electricity, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and he hired Rosa Parks August 27. to run. thought was going to be detrimen- over-grown landscape, air and heat- to work in his Detroit congressional offi ce when no Archie received 3,764 votes or Archie’s attorney Dennis Sweet tal to my client and could have fi led Archie Conyers 50.89 percent and McQuirter re- argued that he had sought elec- a petition or sought an injunction Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Your Vote Matters By Oleta Fitzgerald COMMENTARY But it is deeply upsetting that a few door meetings to push your tax dollars state leaders know that you’re watch- Executive Director, Children’s Defense lawmakers used their power to secretly to groups and communities that don’t ing. That opportunity comes on Tues- Fund- Southern Regional Offi ce You have an opportunity to vote for funnel public dollars away from our need the help. The lack of transpar- day. Make your voice heard at the bal- Mississippi heroes like Mississippi’s next leaders and decide schools and to private groups and pet ency has left our schools underfunded, lot box. Fannie Lou Hamer and our state’s path. projects. Last year we saw legislative our teachers underpaid and our com- Make a vote plan for Tuesday. Medgar Evers fought, Tuesday’s election is not about a leadership push $2 million to fund pri- munities under-resourced. Whether you’re going to vote before bled and died, because single candidate or party. It is about vate school vouchers while failing to Political and policy disputes are work at 7 a.m., during your lunch hour, they knew your vote the issues that affect you, your family provide needed funding for Pre-K. normal. But what we are seeing is far or after 5 p.m., set a reminder in your matters. Between what is and your community. And nothing dic- Over the last few years, lawmakers deeper than routine partisan confl ict. phone or calendar. Then call or text 5 going on in our state and nation’s capi- tate’s our state’s future like public edu- have worked with lobbyists to send The issue is whether our state govern- people and challenge them to vote on tols, it’s clear that your vote matters cation. Simply put, our public schools $1.5 million in tax dollars, intended ment is truly aspiring to good gover- Tuesday. more than ever. are on Tuesday’s ballot. for public schools, to Weight Watch- nance. Good governance welcomes Remember this race isn’t about a Tuesday, there will be an unusual Unfortunately, we have come to ex- ers. Yes, the legislature is fi ne with open debate and invites varying view- politician. It’s about the future of our number of open offi ces on the ballot. pect the underfunding of public edu- our children going to school buildings points. Good governance produces state. It’s about your schools, your With no incumbents running, you will cation. This year alone, state leaders with leaking roofs but work hard to correct and transparent accounting of roads and your health care. But one have the opportunity to elect a new came up $225 million short of provid- give your tax dollars away to private taxpayer dollars. thing is clear if we turn out to vote, we governor, lieutenant governor, attor- ing our public schools with what they interests. But, the good news is that it doesn’t can change Mississippi. ney general, secretary of state and for need to fund even an “adequate” edu- It’s clear that the Mississippi leg- have to stay this way. Every four years On Tuesday, November 5th, your many, choose a new legislator. cation. islature has used secrecy and closed- you have an opportunity to let your vote matters. Tougaloo students Her Own Share this issue with a friend host candidates Two Feet by mailing it to: Hood and Hughes Inside Page B4 Page A9 LOCAL A2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2019 www.mississippilink.com Branch wins Miss HOPE announces Mississippi USA 2020 promotion of Ralph Brown The Mississippi Link Newswire to vice president Once again, the most beautiful women in Mississippi competed for the titles of Miss Mississippi USA and Miss Missis- sippi Teen USA at the Horseshoe Casino of Small Business Lending and Resort in Tunica, Mississippi Octo- ber 26, 2019. Asya Branch, an Ole Miss The Mississippi Link Newswire student from Booneville, was crowned Ralph Brown has been promoted to vice presi- as the fi rst African-American Miss Mis- dent of Small Business Lending for Hope Enter- sissippi USA. Zoe Bigham, from Maben, prise Corporation/Hope Credit Union (HOPE), was named Miss Mississippi Teen USA. after serving as a commercial credit analyst for The Crowning was a culmination of the Commercial Lending division. three days of competition held at the In his new role, Brown will oversee small busi- Horseshoe Casino. The Runners-Up to ness loan production and portfolio performance Miss Mississippi USA were Kerrie Blak- that includes underwriting, approval, closing and eney of Greenwood, Bailey Anderson of servicing as HOPE expands fi nancial access to Moss Point, April Mayfi eld of Vicksburg entrepreneurs across its Deep South footprint that and Regan Ringler of Clinton. includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missis- The Runners-Up to Miss Mississippi sippi and Tennessee. Teen USA were Annie Grace Gibson of One of Brown’s primary responsibilities will be Mantee, Helen McDougald of Tupelo, expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs of Claire Love of Hernando and Mackenzie color. HOPE is a partner in the Wells Fargo Works Taylor of Hernando. for Small Business®: Diverse Community Capi- Branch will advance to the nationally tal (DCC) program, a collaboration to empower televised 2020 Miss USA pageant held diverse small business owners with greater access in the spring. Bigham will advance to the to capital and training and to spark small business 2020 Miss Teen USA pageant. growth across the country. Winners received an abundance of Brown has 15 years of combined experience prizes including wardrobe, jewelry, mod- in banking, credit analysis, fi nance and business eling opportunities, scholarships and of development, after previously serving as an as- course- the opportunity to compete for the sistant vice president at Regions Bank in Ridge- title of Miss Teen USA and Miss USA. land, Miss.; senior branch manager for Magnolia Pageant offi cials have announced that Federal Credit Union in Jackson, Miss.; and credit Brown applications are being accepted from manager at Well Fargo Financial in Columbus, young women throughout the state who Miss. public and philanthropic resources; and engages would like to compete in next year’s pag- Brown earned a Master of Business Adminis- in policy analysis to fulfi ll its mission of strength- eant. Miss USA pageants accept each tration degree from Belhaven University and a ening communities, building assets and improving contestant on an at-large basis through an Bachelor of Business Administration degree from lives in economically distressed parts of Alabama, application process and interview prior to Mississippi State University.