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Slim and trim: Panthers want rookie guard to get smaller TThhee CChhaarrllootttteeTHE VOICE P POF THE BLACKo oCOMMUNITYss SINCEtt 1906 WEEK OF JULY 1, 2021 VOLUME 47, 43 WWW.THECHARLOTTEPOST.COM $1.50 DA slams staff cut in NC Senate budget By Herbert L. White [email protected] Mecklenburg County District At- torney Spencer Merriweather is a critic of justice on the cheap. His office – along with judicial districts in Wake and Durham counties – will shrink if the Senate’s budget be- comes law. Mecklen- Merriweather burg, Wake and Durham – three of the state’s most urban areas and Democratic ALLY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION strongholds – were the only juris- dictions to lose prosecutors, public The site of the former Plato Price School in west Charlotte will become the location of The Meadows at Plato Price, a $7.8 million afford- defenders or judges in the Repub- able housing community that will break ground in September. lican-sponsored bill, which passed June 25. Mecklenburg would lose a prose- cutor from its staff of 84, of which Affordable housing planned the state funds 58 positions, while the county and city of Charlotte fund the remainder. Wake would lose two public defenders and Dur- ham a District Court judge. The at former Plato Price School rollback, Merriweather argues, will extend delays, even as COVID-19 40- Meadows at Plato Price development breaks ground in September restrictions decline against a back- By Herbert L. White a critical shortage of affordable housing $5.8 million for the development, the log of pending cases. “I know that I live in a district [email protected] in Mecklenburg County, where 15% of nonprofit’s largest planned community The former Plato Price School will be- homes for sale are within the range of ever. Ally’s foundation and the city will where I’ve seen 100 homicides the come home to affordable housing. households earning less than $50,000 a each invest $1 million. Habitat staff, last two years,” said Merriweather, A 40-home development, The year. volunteers and future homeowners will who has lobbied for more prosecu- Meadows at Plato Price, a partnership “Habitat Charlotte Region is com- build the homes tors since assuming the position in between Habitat for Humanity of the mitted to building the inventory of per- “Ally believes everyone deserves a 2017. “I know that we have homi- Charlotte Region, Ally Charitable Foun- manent affordable housing to serve path to financial stability and home- cide families that have been wait- dation, and the city of Charlotte, was multiple generations over time,” said ownership offers a clear path to finan- ing for a very long time to hold the announced last week. Groundbreaking Laura Belcher, president and CEO of cial security and economic mobility. person accountable who took away for the $7.8 million project on Morris Habitat Charlotte Region. “Our vision is Owning a home fosters health and job their loved one and if we have Field Drive between Wilkinson Boule- to remove barriers to homeownership security, and helps build generational fewer people to do this work, all vard and Billy Graham Parkway is for families, especially families of color, wealth,” Alison Summerville, board that does is stretch out that scheduled for September with a 2024 who have been shut out of homeown- chair of the Ally Charitable Foundation amount of time [before trial]. And completion date. ership opportunities, and instead offer and board chair of Habitat Charlotte Re- that is painful for people.” In addition to a revitalization vehicle access to vibrant, affordable com- gion said in a statement. “The Ally team The Senate’s cuts come amid a for the west Charlotte community, the munities.” is proud to be part of this milestone de- fiscal surplus that is expected to public-private collaboration addresses Habitat Charlotte donors will pitch in Please see 2A exceed $6.3 billion. The budget AFFORDABLE | was passed with a bipartisan su- permajority of 32-18 and referred to the House of Representatives for Please see PROSECUTOR | 2A Graduation day a NC evolves testament of high to managed schools’ resolve Medicaid By Herbert L. White [email protected] model Commonwealth and Stewart Creek high schools By Aaliyah Bowden took extraordinary measures to reach commence- [email protected] ment. The campuses, which last week graduated 100 stu- North Carolina is moving to a dents between them – half the size of a traditional new model for Medicaid. year, according to executive principal Jonathan Kay Starting July 1, the state will – serve students ages 16 to 20 with non-traditional move Medicaid and NC Health classroom settings and flexible scheduling. Choice from a fee-for-service Teachers, students and administrators had to rely model to managed care, also on technology to navigate the pandemic-induced known as the NC Medicaid Man- hurdles of off-campus academic. CITY OF CHARLOTTE aged Care transformation. Unlike “It was difficult,” Kay said. “We already know that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings' vision of improved customer the fee-for-service model, the new the students that we serve have barriers to their suc- service coincides with creation of the CommUNITY Collaboration, a department-wide program aims to be more inclusive cess that we're already trying to overcome. The ma- training program. by providing quality health care jority of our students are at-risk or caregivers that is comprehensive and ad- themselves. They traditionally haven't seen a lot of dresses social needs. success in high school so a big part of what we do, CMPD’s aim: Improve the “This new model will allow a along with educating them, is helping them over- more uniformed strategic ap- come barriers to their success to their life.” proach to addressing the social de- That meant helping students make arrangements terminants of health,” said for childcare, housing, and meals, all of which would customer service experience Tchernavia Montgomery, executive normally be handled in person. Instead, there were By Herbert L. White lotte. director of Charlotte-based Care video chats, phone calls and emails. [email protected] Training at roll calls and daily Ring, a health care access non- “For most of the year, due to the pandemic, of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police is team meetings will reinforce the profit. course, [it] added that additional variable, which going for kinder and gentler public curriculum. The new model will consider fac- made it much, much more challenging to get interactions – up to a point. “My vision is to bring a world-class tors such as a person’s access to through,” Kay said. “And so, what we did was spend The department last week an- hospitality culture to policing here health care, healthy food, transpor- a lot of time on Zoom, being in contact with families nounced the launch of CommUNITY in Charlotte-Mecklenburg,” Chief tation, housing, and economic using our family support specialists to figure out Collaboration, which CMPD officials Johnny Jennings said. “Why can’t we status. what’s the best way to support those kids and then, say is the nation’s first customer ex- look at a customer service base to As of June, Mecklenburg County now here we are.” perience training program for law ensure we are serving our cus- had 250,025 people on Medicaid, At Commonwealth and Stewart Creek, students en- enforcement. The goal is to foster tomers in a professional and courte- most in the state. roll in four-hour academic blocs that fit their per- more hospitable interaction through ous manner? You go into Chick-fil-A. North Carolinians currently en- sonal schedule, which allows them to balance the an online training course and four The employees are always polite, rolled in Medicaid may not have hours of in-person training at the friendly and the food is consistent. Please see COMMENCEMENT | 2A Please see NORTH | 2A police academy in southwest Char- Please see CMPD|2A INSIDE Please STAY IN TOUCH Digital edition: Sports 5A Snapchat: thecharpost www.thecharlottepostnewspaper.com Recycle Life 1B Twitter: @thecharpost A&E 5B To subscribe: (704) 376-0496 or online Facebook: Classified 4B http://tcppc.com/Subscribe Instagram: @thecharlottepost #PaperThursday 2A NEWS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, July 1, 2021 CMPD’s aim: Improve the Affordable housing customer service experience Continued from page 1A The school closed in the 1966 as Continued from page 1A embraced re-defining to every position, sworn velopment, which will give new life to CMS initiated a campaign to close its So, when you leave there, CMPD’s mission in areas and civilian.” a community with a rich history and Black campuses at the dawn of deseg- you have a good feeling that can be better served CMPD employees devel- a bright future.” regation. The city took ownership of about your interactions by civilians, such as mental oped the training and cur- The Meadows at Plato Price will in- the 9-acre campus and donated it to with them. health calls. riculum, which include clude walking paths and dedicated na- Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte “Why can’t we look at The customer service modernized communica- ture areas and its location near public Region. that and say we want to curriculum was developed tion techniques between transportation will make access to “This is about providing safe, af- provide that customer last fall by The DiJulius employees and the public, jobs in the city’s urban core. fordable, and easily-accessible homes service to our citizens? Group, a Cleveland-based videos of “a day in the life” Plato Price School, built for Black for Charlotteans who need them,” “When we leave, we give training consultant that ad- interaction, role playing students in 1915, was alma mater of Mayor said. “Habitat for Hu- them a good feeling about vised CMPD through the and engagement scenarios. some of Charlotte’s most prominent manity and Ally Charitable Founda- their interactions with the process, which included John DiJulius, CEO of The citizens, including cardiothoracic sur- tion are wonderful partners in this police as best as we pos- department-wide work- DiJulius Group, led a cus- geon Eddie Hoover M.D., folk artist venture because they believe the sibly can. That does not shops, interviews through- tomer experience work- Nellie Ashford, Phil Berry, Charlotte- dream of home ownership is possible mean if someone is shoot- out the ranks, and focus shop in Charlotte in Mecklenburg Schools’ first Black for everyone and have stepped up to ing a gun at you, you are groups. January where more than board chair and former U.S. Rep. Mel help make it happen.” going to hug them or be “We had over 515,000 150 participants across the Watt. polite with them. It means citizen contacts last year, department’s ranks built we are going to do our part and each encounter could the initiative’s foundation. in ensuring that interaction benefit from this work,” “This is a total game is done in a professional Jennings said. “We are con- changer for policing and and courteous manner.” stantly reviewing and re- the public stereotype,” said Police departments ac- vising policies to improve John R. DiJulius III, the con- Commencement day a relief ross the U.S. are under and evolve. We developed sultancy’s president. “The greater scrutiny for their this training and curricu- ongoing commitment ceremony is closed to the the things that keeps them Continued from page 1A interaction with civilians lum to equip our employ- CMPD is making will not public – is another step to- energized and keeps them classroom with work or during the Black Lives ees with more tools as they only raise the bar for police ward the future for the motivated is having the family obligations. With Matter movement amid interact with each other, departments, but busi- graduates. It also closes a kids on campus, having virtual classroom sessions, calls for greater accounta- residents, victims, and sus- nesses from other indus- chapter of challenges en- that tangible interaction students, teachers and ad- bility, reallocation of re- pects considering we are tries will want to replicate dured by both campuses. with the kids, knowing that ministrators had to find sponsibilities and funding. facing such a historically what is happening in Char- As the pandemic and so- each day I can work … to workarounds to stay on Jennings and his predeces- difficult time in policing, lotte.” cial-distancing mandates overcome this problem. track academically. sor, Kerr Putney, have both and this training is relevant “The speed at which they subside, Kay is looking for- And so, once we get back were able to work and be ward to the relative routine to being on campus seeing successful was greatly hin- of a school year. each other face to face, it dered by the pandemic,” “We’re looking forward will really go a long way in Kay said, “but we had a to getting back to normal, helping us in the process nice graduating class and because not only were the instead of trying to work so we’re very excited.” students affected by the all this out in isolation, so Friday’s commencement pandemic, but the teachers we’re very excited about at the Shiners Oasis – the as well,” he said. “One of getting back to normal.” North Carolina evolves to managed Medicaid model Continued from page 1A Their health plan will still “On that housing ques- access to quality health- cover most of the same tion it might [ask] ‘do you care based on where they services offered by Medi- have housing today or live, limited transporta- caid as well additional shelter today?’” Ameri- tion, or income. However, services such as health Health Caritas NC spokes- with the transformation, education. Enrollees can person Julie Henry said. “If they will now have better choose or be assigned a the answer is no, that’s ex- access to a primary care primary care provider, or pedited and gets routed to provider who can help PCP, that can meet their someone on our team that meet their needs. needs. Under managed can help quickly make that According to a poll by care, insurance companies link to either find shelter or are contracted with NC housing and understand North Carolina for Better Less than half of North Carolinians eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine are fully vaccinated. Medicaid, 73% of Black Medicaid and are paid a what resources are avail- North Carolinians favor the fixed rate for each able.” transformation with the member. Some people can stay focus on “improving pre- Most members will still with NC Medicaid Direct, North Carolina near bottom ventative and wellness have the same health care such as beneficiaries who programs” and the idea of provider, which provides a have the option to choose lowering long-term costs. smoother transition into their health plan and pri- in COVID-19 vaccinations the program. mary care provider accord- One hurdle in switching By Bryan Anderson choir” at the Green Road drives someone to get vac- to the new model for insur- “[We’re] making sure that ing to the NC Medicaid we have the providers that 2021 Provider Playbook. THE Community Center. cinated. ance companies is explain- RALEIGH — Less than “Folks, there is no reason The governor’s goal to ing how the plan works to those members are cur- Co-pays will not change, rently seeing in our net- according to NCDHHS. half of North Carolinians to leave yourself vulner- get two-thirds of North Medicaid members. eligible for a COVID-19 able to the deadly virus for Carolina adults at least par- How it works works, so that there won't There are exemptions for be any disruption,” Chan Native Americans who be- shot are fully vaccinated, one single day more,” tially vaccinated is months Most people won’t notice even though there are Biden told the small crowd. away from happening at major changes. said. long to a federally-rec- Medicaid recipients who ognized tribe. more than 2.1 million Gov. and Dr. the current rate, as only “I think the nuance of doses waiting on shelves Mandy Cohen, the state’s about 50,000 residents got what people see are the ad- switch plans will fill out a Aaliyah Bowden, who care screening, which ask covers health for The Post, for residents to take. top public health official, their first dose in each of ditional things that Medi- In the two weeks since are sounding the alarm the last three weeks. caid managed care brings questions about access to is a Report for America resources such as food, corps member. the state announced four that a more dangerous State health officials on to the table,” said Heidi $1 million prizes would be delta variant is spreading Friday pointed to Bladen Chan, president of Ameri- housing, and transporta- tion. given out to vaccinated and communities with County as a particularly Health Caritas NC. adults, less than 118,000 high unvaccinated pop- problematic area, given residents, about 1% of the ulations are most vulner- that only one in three res- state population, came in able, even as cases, idents are fully vaccinated Atrium Health launches summer for a first dose. hospitalizations and and 36% have gotten at North Carolina ranks deaths continue to drop least one shot. The vacci- 12th-worst in the nation in statewide. nation rates in some nutrition program in five counties vaccines administered per The North Carolina De- nearby counties are even capita, and second-worst partment of Health and worse. State data shows By Aaliyah Bowden program has served nearly 50,000 meals. among states with a Dem- Human Services is working roughly one in five Hoke [email protected] Atrium Health has partnered with food ocratic governor, accord- to expand at-home testing County residents and one Atrium Health is expanding summer suppliers Sodexo and Morrison Health- ing to data from the U.S. resources and offer more in four residents in both nutrition programs across the Charlotte care as a part of the U.S. Department of Centers for Disease Con- residents the ability to get Robeson and Cumberland region. Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Pro- trol and Prevention. paid to go in for their shot. counties are fully vacci- Atrium Health Summer Food Bus and gram. Those lagging numbers Any North Carolina res- nated. Kids Eat Free programs provide free Free breakfast and lunch will be served were the context under ident may receive a Pixel “What’s happening in meals to underserved communities in to children under the age of 18 by Lincoln which President by Labcorp COVID-19 test Bladen County is preventa- Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Lincoln County Schools. visited Raleigh on Thurs- kit that is shipped over- ble,” Cohen said in a state- and Stanly counties where children lack a Meals are distributed through drive- day to urge North Carolin- night to their home at no ment. “More than 99% of dependable source of food during the thru service in the five counties by ians to come in for a cost. Participating sites in new COVID-19 cases in summer. One in five children in North Atrium Health on weekdays, including COVID-19 vaccine. 38 counties are now offer- North Carolina are in Carolina face hunger according to the additional food to last through the week- “Please, please get vacci- ing $25 cash cards to people who are not fully non-profit Feeding America. About 15% of end. nated,” he begged, noting anyone 18 or older who vaccinated. Vaccines are households in Mecklenburg are food in- The drive-thru locations include he was “preaching to the gets their first shot or working.” secure, meaning they have a “reduced Atrium’s University City campus in Char- diet because of the lack of money or re- lotte and meals are served between 11 sources,” according to the county health a.m.-1 p.m. or while supplies last. department. North Carolina Summer Food Service Prosecutor cuts in Senate budget “Atrium Health is proud to continue Programs are managed by the North Car- Continued from page 1A petence. I don’t ask them whether their supporting our families in need during olina Department of Public Instruction consideration. kid who died because of a homicide was the pandemic,” Lois Ingland, vice pres- and School Nutrition Services Section. “I think the larger context here is that a Democrat or Republican. I don’t ask sex- ident of community engagement and cor- Aaliyah Bowden, who covers health for Mecklenburg County is one ual assault victims what their party reg- porate responsibility at Atrium Health The Post, is a Report for America corps of the wealthiest in the en- istration is, and I don’t think the General said in a statement. member. tire state,” Sen. Danny Britt Assembly should either. In the past four years, the Kids Eat Free (R-Robeson) said in an “I think what’s important is that every emailed statement. “By single person in our jurisdiction and in comparison, my district is every other jurisdiction should expect the What does HIPAA law mean for the poorest and also has the [same] standard of care, and then if highest rate of violent they're not supplying us with the re- Britt crime. It comes down to this sources we need to deliver, then that’s a access to your vaccination status? question: Should state fund- problem.” ing help out the rich counties that can With the Senate budget passed, the only By Camila Moreno-Lizarazo bility Act, or HIPAA, is a workers and their families take care of themselves, or the poor hope for Mecklenburg to hang on to its CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS federal law created to when they change or lose counties that can’t? I come down on the current staff level is for the House to step As individuals decide streamline the health care their jobs. side of the poor counties. Also, Mecklen- in with a counter proposal, which would whether to receive the industry’s inefficiencies. 2. Reduce health care burg County does have local funding that force the two chambers to reconcile the COVID-19 vaccines, some The law was intended to fraud and abuse. provides funding for Assistant DA’s that difference. social media posts claim give patients and providers 3. Mandate industrywide other districts do not have. This is be- “I hope that when the House comes up that HIPAA precludes an easier access to health care standards for health care cause they are not as wealthy.” with its draft, that it certainly at the very employer from asking information. information on electronic Even if the budget didn’t shave Meck- least restores the position that was cut in about an employee’s vacci- Congress first passed billing and other pro- lenburg’s prosecution staff, the office is the Senate budget,” he said, “but I don't nation status. HIPAA under the Clinton cesses. short on personnel, Merriweather said, want to obscure the point. The fact is we We answer frequently administration during the 4. Require the protection citing a national standard that suggests need a lot more than what we have. asked questions about 1990s, with it going into and confidential handling one prosecutor per 100,000 people – “We needed a lot more before we even HIPAA and its relationship full effect in 2003. The four of protected health infor- which equals a staff of 110. talked about messing around with the to vaccine inquiries. stated goals of HIPAA are: mation. “I have constituents of all stripes of all numbers in Mecklenburg County or any- What is HIPAA, and why 1. To provide the ability Is everyone covered by ideological backgrounds, and not a single where else across our state, where we was it created? to transfer and continue HIPAA’s security rule? one of them asked me whether or not I’m only spend 3% of our general fund on the The Health Insurance health insurance coverage No, HIPAA only applies to a Democrat or Republican,” Merriweather third branch of government … the judi- Portability and Accounta- for millions of American Please see WHAT | 3A said. “What they expect from me is com- cial system, and that’s a shame.” 3A NEWS & OPINION | The Charlotte Post Thursday, July 1, 2021 What does HIPAA mean Three great books you for your vaccine status? Continued from page 2A ing to the HIPAA Journal. prevent employers from must read—but not yet covered entities and not Public health activities mandating vaccinations every person who uses or include public health sur- and protect employees The good news is that three wonder- flict, local politics, family challenges, sees health information. veillance to report and pre- who refuse vaccination. ful books about North Carolina will be and petty jealousies among law en- HIPAA-covered entities are vent diseases. Is North Carolina creating published soon. forcement agencies. His story is a defined as health plans, Can my employer ask legislation that prevents The bad news is we must wait a few compelling one, well worth waiting health care providers and about my vaccine status? employers from asking for months to buy them. for its September release. health care clearinghouses. What can happen if I re- vaccination records? In the meantime, here is what I know Bland Simpson’s lovely descriptions Does the HIPAA security fuse? The North Carolina Occu- about each of them. of North Carolina waterways in pre- law protect individuals Though employees are pational Safety and Health Wiley Cash’s new novel “When vious books have made him a revered from releasing their vacci- not forced to provide their Act exempts employees Ghosts Come Home” comes out in figure in the North Carolina literary nation status to employers? vaccination status to their from being vaccinated for September. and environmental circles. His up- Vaccination records fall employer, they are not pro- religious reasons. Cash may be North Carolina’s most coming “North Carolina: Land of under personal health in- tected from the con- Republican lawmakers promising and popular young fiction Water, Land of Sky,” with brilliant formation of HIPAA; ho- sequences for not proposed a state bill to writer. His first three photos by Ann Cary Simpson, Scott wever, security rules only providing the information. protect those who chose novels, “A Land More Taylor, and Tom Earnhardt, may turn apply to HIPAA-covered The consequences of re- not to get vaccinated, but it Kind Than Home,” “This out to be his very best. entities, not individuals. fusing to get vaccinated did not survive crossover Dark Road to Mercy,” He takes his reader across the entire Employers are not cov- are broad and ambiguous, this session. and “The Last Ballad,” state, blending his memoir with his- ered entities, so they are al- but a recent court decision Can HIPAA protect you were highly praised tory and landscape in ways that will lowed to ask their sheds light on possible from having to get a vac- bestsellers. make even the most cynical North employees for proof of consequences. cine passport? In “A Land More Kind acknowledge the special vaccination. It would only In Houston, a federal Vaccine passports are be- D.G. Than Home” we met a greatness of our state. be a HIPAA violation if the judge sided with a hospital coming an increasingly storefront preacher, The only bad thing about this book employer asked the em- that dismissed employees common method for coun- MARTIN Pastor Carson Cham- is that you will have to wait until Oc- ployees’ health care pro- who refused to get vacci- tries to regulate people bliss, a handler of tober 26 to buy a copy. vider to disclose their nated. who are traveling into the snakes and a manipulator of people, William A. Link is a distinguished vaccination records with- Currently, people are country. one of the most complicated and in- historian at the . out the consent of the em- only exempt from em- However, HIPAA laws af- teresting villains I have ever encoun- But we know him best as a historian ployee. ployee-mandated vaccina- fect vaccination passports tered. A more sympathetic important of North Carolina, having written Are you protected from a tion requirements for the same way it affects character was Sherriff Clem Barefield, strong books about U.S. Sen. Jesse business asking you for medical and/or religious other proofs of vaccina- who thinks of himself as an outsider Helms and UNC-Chapel Hill President proof of vaccination reasons. tion. HIPAA only protects in Madison County even though he William Friday. Both Helms and Friday through the HIPAA security However, as the availabil- covered entities who may has lived there for 25 years. were influenced by the life of a man rule? ity of COVID vaccines in- ask for a vaccine passport The lead character of Cash’s new who was both a U.S. senator and a Businesses are allowed to creases, many states are and not businesses that are book will remind readers of Sherriff UNC president, the subject of Link’s ask customers to provide considering legislation to not covered entities. Barefield. forthcoming biography: “Frank Porter proof of vaccination; ho- Cash built his second novel, “This Graham, “Southern Liberal, Citizen of wever, it is difficult for Dark Road to Mercy,” on the personal the World.” businesses to refuse serv- disasters that followed the unsuccess- Even in a North Carolina that was ice because of vaccination ful career of a Gastonia minor league much more conservative than today, status due to the Ameri- Saving a Life from a potential catastrophe player in deep trouble with Graham was a strong New Deal liberal. cans with Disabilities Act. the law and a criminal gang. Link explains how Graham’s talents as Instead, businesses may EVERY 10 MINUTES “The Last Ballad,” his third novel, a negotiator and his genuine belief require customers who re- was based on Ella May Wiggins, a real that there was good to be found in al- fuse to disclose vaccina- person, who was killed while partici- most everybody opened doors for tion information to wear pating in a major strike at Loray Mills him to influence a wide variety of masks or accept outside in Gastonia. people. deliveries. If customers re- “Ghosts” builds on the strengths of Graham was the inspiration of a fuse to compromise with his earlier novels, blending family and generation of North Carolina liberal businesses, businesses can personal challenges with the larger political leaders including Kerr Scott, deny services on health ones the major characters and their , and Jim Hunt. and safety grounds. but I’m never alone. communities face. Set in Brunswick Even today, it is hard to understand Do HIPAA security rules I have Life Alert.® County in 1984, Sheriff Winston North Carolina’s political divides protect you from disclosing Barnes awakes in the middle of the without knowing the history of Frank vaccine status to health night to hear noises at the nearby air- Graham. Link’s book comes out in Oc- care providers? port. There he finds a large airplane tober. Health care providers are has landed. Its cargo section is empty D.G. Martin hosts “North Carolina allowed to ask for the pa- and there are no signs of pilot or crew. Bookwatch,” Sunday 3:30 p.m. and tient’s vaccination status But Barnes finds the dead body of the Tuesday at 5 p.m. on PBS North Caro- as well as disclose it to AS SEEN ON son of a local Black leader on the site. lina. The program also airs on the other covered entities for ® From this beginning scene, Cash North Carolina Channel Tuesday at 8 treatment, payment or TV weaves a story of drugs, racial con- p.m. health care operations. Pa- tient authorization is not needed to share vaccine For a FREE brochure call: status information for pub- lic health activities, accord- 1-844-902-2362

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For additional tips, please visit duke-energy.com/StormSafety. 4A OPINION | The Charlotte Post Thursday, July 1, 2021 TheThe CharlotteCharlotte PostPost The hard fall of Rudy Giuliani The Voice of the Black Community Be careful about the com- ticing law in New York Donald Trump, spent his had no intention in throw- Gerald O. Johnson | CEO/PUBLISHER pany you keep. I have state. life breaking the law. ing him a lifeline. He left heard that expression mul- The court wrote: “Giu- Mr. T convinced Giuliani him in the dark and in the [email protected] tiple times as I was coming liani’s conduct immedi- to be his personal lawyer. cold. Giuliana got caught in Robert L. Johnson | PUBLISHER/ of age. What my parents ately threatens the public Giuliani, once a reasoned the Trump vortex and told me stuck with me. interest and warrants in- man with principles, be- could not get out. [email protected] This advice has been a terim suspension from the came unreasoned with no Well known attorney, staple of my practice of law.” principles. This is what Ronald Minkoff said, “This Herbert L. White | EDITOR IN CHIEF life. Arguably, Giuliani went happens when you get is about the integrity of the [email protected] I have lived from the hall of fame to the hooked up with a crook. bar, and that’s really the long enough hall of shame. His conduct Trump’s behavior rubbed issue here. It’s unfortunate Published weekly by The Charlotte Post Publishing Company to have been in recent years has been off on Rudy. that somebody of Rudy Inc., 5118 Princess Street, Charlotte, NC 28269 (USPS #965500). around many deplorable and desperate. Giuliani became Trump’s Giuliani’s stature should Subscription is $65 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Char- different He was a man unhinged mouthpiece. He spewed have this happen to them. lotte, NC. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Charlotte people. Some and unethical. Giuliani was lies and innuendos about But his actions and the ev- Post, PO Box 30144, Charlotte, NC 28230 JAMES have been sin- once the Manhattan U.S. at- the election. He bought idence show that his ac- ister and sly. torney. Now, he is a sus- lock, stock and barrel tions warranted this.” EWERS My inter- pended lawyer. Trump’s big lie. Yet, some have come to actions with Of course, America re- Months before and after his defense. them were minimal. I saw members him as the mayor the election, Giuliani be- Former New York Police quickly they were up to no of New York city during the came a pied piper for evil. Department Commissioner When Jesse good. 9/11 tragedy. He was He even looked the part as Bernard Kerik is leading a The scenario that hap- hailed for his strength and he sweated his way into Go Fund Me account for pened to me probably hap- wisdom during this time. trying to convince us that him. He said, “We have pened to you, too. We Some people called him Trump was king of the created the Rudy Giuliani Helms finally learned our lesson for our America’s mayor. Now, he world. Freedom Fund. This is the momentary insanity and is simply a fractured fig- He continued his assault official defense fund for bad judgement. ure, a mere shadow of his on democracy in the role this American Patriot.” Rudy Giuliani was former self. he played in the Jan. 6 The question at the in- got religion on around a slick dude, Don- What happened to him? nightmare. He never quiry bench is whether the ald Trump, and believed in It is my opinion that one thought there would be former president will be the hemlock he was serv- man happened to him and consequences to his ac- contributing to the fund. helping Israel ing. Now, he has paid a that was Donald Trump. tions. He must have Does Trump have any real dear price. Last week, Giu- One man, Rudy Giuliani, thought Mr. T would save money to contribute and Conservative evangelical Christians in America liani was suspended by an spent most of his life up- him. whether Giuliani’s legal haven’t always been all-out supporters of Israel. appellate court from prac- holding the law. The other, The former president team would accept it. They once were downright hostile. That changed in 1984 when North Carolina Senator ran for reelection against Governor Jim Hunt. Helms’s flip-flop on Israel had noth- ing to do with religion. It was about campaign contributions. During his first two terms in the Senate, 1972-84, Helms was a staunch GARY foe of Israel. He proposed a resolution PEARCE demanding that Israel return the West Bank to Jordan. He said Palestinian Arabs deserved a "just settlement of their grievances.” He called for breaking diplo- matic relations with Israel during the 1982 Leba- non War. Challenged on his views, he said: “Let me remind you that Menachem Begin (then prime minister of Israel) does not believe in Jesus Christ.” Then politics intervened. I saw it first-hand working in Hunt’s campaign against Helms. Arthur Cassell, a Jewish businessman and phi- lanthropist from Greensboro, offered to help Hunt. Cassell said the Jewish community across the country viewed Helms as Israel’s number one enemy in the Senate. There was a rich vein of fi- nancial support waiting to be tapped for Helms’s opponent. Tap it we did. Cassell lined up fundraising events across the country. We sent a blizzard of fundraising letters. family meals One reporter wrote later, “Pro-Israel political ac- tion committees poured an astonishing $222,342” into Hunt’s campaign, big money then. That was only a fraction of the total raised. Hunt, sadly, didn’t win. But Helms got the mes- ready when you are sage. When he returned to the Senate in 1985, he suddenly proclaimed himself Israel’s best friend. One account reported: “The senator gathered together as many of his North Carolina Jewish constituents as he could, and together they set out on a pilgrimage to Israel. There he had himself photographed wearing a yar- mulke and kissing the Western Wall. Upon his re- turn, the reborn Jesse Helms bombarded the Visit foodlion.com/catering Place your order by Pick up your order media with a series of pro-Israel statements.” or stop by the deli at your filling out the order form from the deli at a time The website of the Jesse Helms Center at Win- gate University features photographs from that local store. online or in-store. that works for you. trip. Until he retired from the Senate in 2002, includ- ing as chairman of the Foreign Relations Commit- tee (1995-2001), Helms couldn’t do enough for Israel. He even exempted the nation from his fer- vent opposition to foreign aid. Helms’ switch coincided with evangelicals’ new- found devotion to Israel – and the Republican Party’s conversion. An analysis in Vox said: “Two fundamental forces combined to trans- form the GOP into the hardcore pro-Israel party we know today. First, the rise of the religious right, which sees hardline support for Israel as a reli- gious obligation. Second, the neoconservative movement successfully convinced most Repub- lican leaders that being pro-Israel should be a core conservative value.” Richard Land, president of the Southern Evan- gelical Seminary in Charlotte, put it this way: “God gave the land of Israel to the Jews, forever. And that God blesses those who bless the Jews, and God curses those who curse the Jews. And if we want God to bless us and God wants us to bless America, we’ve got to bless the Jews.” Today, evangelicals are closely allied with Ben- jamin Netanyahu, Israel’s right-wing, long-time and recently unseated prime minister. Netanyahu was a key supporter of and close to former Pres- ident Trump and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kush- ner. Trump obliged by moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in 2018. Netanyahu was ousted by a shaky, slender and unlikely coalition of right-wing, left-wing, centrist and even Arab parties. They are united only by their opposition to Netanyahu, who faces criminal corruption charges. Friends of Israel worry that close association with right-wing evangelicals will weaken support for Israel among Democrats. That would put at risk a long history of bipartisan support for Israel. Gary Pearce was a reporter and editor at The News & Observer, a political consultant, and an ad- viser to Governor Jim Hunt (1976-1984 and 1992- 2000). He blogs about politics and public policy at www.NewDayforNC.com.

We’re online! Read the latest news and information at thecharlottepost.com The Charlotte Post SportPAGEs 5A THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

ASHLEY MAHONEY | THE CHARLOTTE POST American Legion Memorial Stadium, which has $40.5 million in renovations, including a reconfigured seating bowl and state of the art playing surface, makes its debut July 7 when the host II. With upgrades complete, historic stadium to debut New era opens for Memorial Stadium after $40.5 million in refurbishments and Independence as tenant By Ashley Mahoney – is conducive to hosting professional … A soccer field is much bigger than a hand and cool it down and it will stick.” [email protected] and amateur sports. The previous field football field.” The refurbished stadium seats Charlotte’s first major sports venue was 58 yards wide, which was too nar- Independence managing partner Jim 10,500 for sporting events, features is ready for a new era. row to accommodate professional soc- McPhilliamy and Jones said the sta- 104 VIP overlook seats, 60 VIP field American Legion Memorial Stadium, cer. dium’s synthetic turf is one of the top level sideline seats and 1,600 midfield which underwent $40.5 million in ren- “The original field was not even big 20 artificial surfaces in the country. It club members seats. Barton Malow, the ovations over two years, will be home enough to safely play football in,” Vic- includes BrockFILL, a pine residue. project’s contractor, also oversaw con- to USL Championship side Charlotte In- tor Jones of Jenkins Peer Architects “It doesn’t give off heat or toxins, and struction of in Uptown. dependence, who play their inaugural said. “They had to erode the corners of it bounces truer than the rubberized Jenkins Peer and HOK are the archi- match on July 7 against New York Red the stadium [in the original configura- pellets that you see in a lot of places,” tects. Bulls II. Memorial’s new synthetic turf tion] twice just so players wouldn’t get McPhilliamy said. “Everything is great “You are witnessing the rebirth of an field – 75 yards wide by 120 yards long severely injured running corner routes. about it. We’ll water the field before- Please see HISTORIC | 6A Charlotte FC wants in on lower-level franchise in By Ashley Mahoney cer unveiled plans to launch a third di- where we take our academy kids, and The third division season, scheduled [email protected] vision professional league in 2022 to they are not quite ready for the first to run from March to December, will More professional soccer is coming complete the player pathway from team. They will be able to come work consist of MLS franchises and inde- to the Carolinas. academy and MLS NEXT to the first in our MLS II team and compete against pendently owned clubs. Charlotte FC is searching for a market team. great talent, but they are not quite there “We will get our first team off the to launch a lower-level affiliate in 2023, Kelly said Charlotte FC is looking at yet. We are looking at great partners to ground next year and by 2023,” Kelly club president Nick Kelly said Wednes- markets across the Carolinas to host a build. We are probably 2023 … when said, “we’ll have [the third-tier side] in day, adding they want the second team team. that is going to start. We don’t want to place.” after 2022 when the first team kicks off “It’s really kind of a developmental launch a first team and a second team Charlotte FC currently has under-14 its inaugural season. Major League Soc- team,” he said. “It’s really going to be at the same time.” Please see CHARLOTTE FC | 6A

For Panthers Ala. A&M rookie guard standout Deonte Brown, Glass earns less is best top player Goal: Get 6th-round pick By Bonitta Best THE TRIANGLE TRIBUNE into the 330-pound range Alabama A&M By Ashley Mahoney Aqeel Glass was presented with [email protected] the Deacon Jones Trophy last Deonte Brown isn’t the typical NFL guard. weekend as part of the festivities In a league where players usually weigh at the Black College around 310 pounds, it’s a mat- Football Hall of ter of losing weight for Brown, Fame. The trophy is whom the ALABAMA SPORTS INFORMATION given to the Black drafted in the sixth round ear- The Carolina Panthers want Deonte Brown, an all-SEC guard at Alabama who helped the Crimson college football lier this year. Brown, who Tide win last year's FBS national title, to shed weight. Brown reported to rookie minicamp at 347 player of the year. stands just over 6-foot-3, pounds, 17 pounds lighter than he was at the when he was coached by Carolina's Glass is the first weighed 347 pounds at the staff. SWAC player and start of rookie minicamp, 17 first Bulldog to win including offensive line coach . he really cares about his guys, but also he the award. “Aqeel Glass Brown pounds lighter than at the Senior Bowl in January where “His coaching style is great,” Brown said coaches really hard. He is a really good had an amazing sea- he was coached by the Panthers staff that of Meyer during minicamp. “I can tell that Please see FOR PANTHERS |6A son,” said former NFL quarter- back James “Shack” Harris, who starred at Grambling State. “He showed his character as a leader navigating his team through an Sports media can do better in press conferences unprecedented season and finish- By Nicole Kraft up, put on sunglasses, grabbed his brief- fundamental struggle between athletes and ing undefeated.” THE CONVERSATION case and walked out through the gathered those who cover them: interviews contested AAMU defeated Arkansas-Pine During the press conference after Game press corps. in a press room forum that feel more like a Bluff 40-33 in the SWAC spring 1 of the 2018 NBA finals, James was ques- He uttered a single sentence: “Be better mixed-martial arts octagon than Oprah’s championship game to finish un- tioned repeatedly by ESPN’s Mark Schwartz tomorrow.” couch. defeated (5-0) on the season and about the mental state of teammate J.R. It was not the first verbal tangle between On one side are reporters who need earn the Black College National Smith, whose final seconds rebounding reporter and sports star, and it will not be quotes to flesh out stories they hope will Championship title. blunder contributed to a Cleveland Cava- the last. Recently, tennis star Naomi Osaka stand out from their competitors. On the Glass threw for 1,355 yards and liers overtime loss. left the French Open for mental health is- other are athletes, who often want to be 16 touchdowns against just four Over 70 seconds and four questions, sues exacerbated, she said, by facing ques- anywhere but in that press room. . His biggest shining Schwartz probed for the inner workings of tions at the tournament required press Sports writing has included post-game in- moment was a 440-yard six-TD conferences. These examples represent a Smith’s mind, before James finally stood Please see SPORTS MEDIA | 6A Please see ALABAMA A&M | 6A 6A SPORTS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, July 1, 2021 Historic Memorial Stadium debuts new era Continued from page 5A Creek Greenway. Carolina State, Queen City Battle of the the Premier Lacrosse League, which has a 85-year-old asset,” Mecklenburg County Jones said the project was a 15-year jour- Bands, lacrosse and con- touring model for games. McPhilliamy Park & Recreation Department Director W. ney from conception to completion. A certs. does not intend to bring the Hounds out Lee Jones said. water line that ran through the stadium “We have been able to rebuild the sta- of hiatus in 2021. Memorial Stadium was dedicated by for- failed, causing several seats to collapse, dium to its original elegance, but modern- With Charlotte FC making its MLS debut mer president Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, causing the closure of the two upper tiers. ize it to the point that it can be used for in 2022, the Independence are considering who traveled by train to Charlotte for the Mecklenburg County determined the facil- multiple sports,” Jones said. their future here as well. ceremony. The facility maintains its his- ity was structurally compromised but The Independence have a 10-year lease “None of the options being evaluated are toric landmark designation by replicating could still hold certain events. with the county to use the stadium, which being in another city, it’s being here as the and recycling the original stone field wall. Memorial Stadium previously hosted the McPhilliamy said was contingent on the Charlotte Independence,” McPhilliamy Other replications include ticket booths Queen City Classic (1947-68) when Second soccer club and his professional lacrosse said. “The Charlotte FC guys have been and concrete walls at the top of the seating Ward and West Charlottehigh schools met team, the Charlotte Hounds as the main good people to work with thus far. Obvi- bowl. Public artwork designed by Simon in the highlight of social and sports calen- tenants. The latter called the facility home ously, we have Brandt Bronico [a Charlotte Donovan and Ben Olmstead honors World dars for Black Charlotteans during segre- prior to the renovations and went on a two- FC midfielder] on loan right now. We’ve War I veterans and can be seen from out- gation, Shrine Bowl (a high school football year hiatus in 2019 to avoid playing at talked about some other players, and we’re side the stadium on Charlottetowne Av- all-star game), the CIAA football champi- multiple locations during construction. certainly looking at developmental players enue, as well as inside the stadium, which onship, Battle of the Border football game However, , the that could be with our team first before links to Independence Park and Little Sugar between North Carolina A&T and South league the Hounds played in, merged with they do something with them.” Sports media has a long way to For Panthers rookie guard go in their treatment of athletes Continued from page 5A response: “I’m not answer- traordinary access that can Deonte Brown, less is best terviews since publishers ing that. That’s a clown inform fans’ understanding realized covering sports question, bro.” A reporter of the athletes and their Continued from page 5A in competing against professionals. would sell newspapers in asked Serena Williams why performances, but they teacher.” “He is a big, powerful man,” Rhule the early 20th century. In she was not smiling after must do better if they are to Weight has been a perennial concern said. those days, the conversa- her quarterfinal win in the remain relevant. for Brown, who lost 40 pounds during After getting drafted, Brown said all tions were up close, face-to- 2015 U.S. Open, a question If sports reporters better his transition from high school to Ala- he needed was a shot to succeed, and face, building relationships. rarely – if ever – asked of researched games and sub- bama. Panthers head coach the Alabama alumnus certainly has one Writers got to know the men. jects, they could ask ques- said they run players through a series with the Panthers looking to reassem- rhythm of athlete and coach Taurean Prince was asked tions that focused on more of tests to determine body fat, func- ble their offensive line. Brown started moods and balance them after an upset in the first than just a single moment tional movement and force plate test- all 13 games for Alabama’s national with coverage deadlines. round of the 2016 NCAA in time. That could turn ing to assemble a profile on each championship team last fall and earned The arrival of broadcast Tournament to explain how “How did that team outre- athlete. Those results will help estab- All-SEC recognition. news brought greater de- Yale could have possibly bound you?” into “You guys lish an ideal weight for Brown. “I am very blessed to have this op- mand for access, and the outrebounded his Baylor seemed to struggle to get “I would love it if he was in the 330s, portunity,” he said. “Not many people press conference was born. team. His response: “You go position under the basket but he might be a 340-pound guy,” who played at my level even get this But the exclusive coverage up and grab the ball off the compared with your last Rhule said. opportunity.” club that once required a rim when it comes off. And game. What did this team Kate Callaway, Carolina’s director of As the transition continues, Brown’s printing press and main- then you grab it with two do differently that proved performance nutrition, was in contact focus has been on learning as much as stream publication for team hands, and you come down challenging to you?” That with Alabama’s director of perform- he can to prepare for his first NFL sea- access has more recently with it. And that’s consid- would give fans a much bet- ance nutrition Amy Bragg to establish son. expanded in the digital ered a rebound. So they got ter insight into the game. the best course of action for Brown. “Everything is learned in the class- world to self-proclaimed more of those than we did.” Sports writers often make Rhule does not expect Brown to ever room,” he said. “If you can’t get it in publishers with a mobile To quote sports publica- sources do all the work by slim down to the 310-pound range, but there, you really can’t apply it to the device and an internet con- tion Bleacher Report, asking them to “talk about” trimming weight will help his mobility field.” nection. “Sometimes, a question is a moment in time – the The requirements are es- just so poorly researched, third inning, the fourth tablished between the poorly timed or just plain quarter, the play of the league and the media. The poor that it makes you won- quarterback. Being more NHL agreement, for exam- der what on Earth the re- specific with a question will ple, provides that 10 min- porter was thinking. Better get a more detailed answer. « BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL utes after each game, each yet, how does this reporter Sports writers could con- club will make key players still have a job?” The press sider how it would feel to be and the head coach avail- conference goal for media is asked the question they able. The NFL agreement to get insights to feed the plan to pose. How should a Alabama A&M standout QB states, “Reasonable cooper- fans’ insatiable appetite to player feel when they win or ation with the news media be in the know about their lose a big game? Reporters is essential to the continu- favorite competitor or team. who have compassion for Aqeel Glass earns top player ing popularity of our game Some athletes, like tennis the person at the micro- and its players and star Rafael Nadal, acknowl- phone and the experience Continued from page 5A athletes from each team. Should make for coaches.” edge the role the media can they endured get better an- performance against Jackson State. an exciting but L-O-N-G day. Press conference interac- play in building brand and swers. “It is a blessing beyond belief to be rec- Audi Field to host classic tion is more transactional reputation. After Osaka re- Interviewing is hard, and ognized tonight by the Black College Foot- For the first time ever, a football game than conversational. Team fused to speak at the press press conferences make it ball Hall of Fame, and I would like to thank will be played at Audi Field, the home of reps call on reporters. Re- conference, Nadal told re- no easier. Everyone hears them for this honor,” said Glass. “It’s par- D.C. United, the Washington, D.C., Major porters ask questions. Ath- porters, “Without the press your question and each re- ticularly special when you consider the League Soccer club. letes do their best to answer … we (aren’t) going to have porter gets the same infor- great players that I was privileged to meet The venue, which holds 20,000 fans, will questions – whether they the recognition that we have mation, so standing out can and interact with as part of an incredible showcase the Truth and Service Classic be- won a midseason game or around the world, and we be a challenge. Training and evening.” tween rivals Howard and Hampton on lost Game 7 of the Stanley will not be that popular, professional development SWAC media day moves Sept. 18. Visitwww.truthandserviceclas- Cup playoffs. But those no?” in the art of the question is The SWAC Football Media Day, which sic.com. questions. In truth, athletes no longer imperative to see question- was to be broadcast on its digital network, The place to be A Toronto TV reporter need the press to communi- asking as the chesslike will now be streamed on ESPN3 July 20 at Was there anybody in football who asked Bryce Harper, a non- cate with their fans. They game that it is. Let us all be 11 a.m. EST. Commentators Tiffany Greene wasn’t at Deion Sanders camp at Jackson drinking Mormon, whether can do that directly through better tomorrow. and Jay Walker will host the event featur- State? HBCU coaches, former and current he planned to celebrate a social media channels. ing the 12 head coaches and two student- NFL players, it was the place to be. homer with a beer. Harper’s Sports journalists have ex-

Charlotte FC wants to add a Follow The Post on social media lower-league development side Continued from page 5A FC. Some clubs operate in USL Champi- and U-17 academy teams competing MLS onship, such as Atlanta United II, or USL NEXT, with the latter participating in the League One sides, like Inter Miami II. playoffs in Dallas, Texas this month. They Charlotte FC’s soccer side will continue @thecharpost The Charlotte also have discovery programs catering to to be overseen by sporting director Zoran thecharpost U-12/13 age groups and will add a U-15 Krneta, but technical director Marc Nicholls Post team in the fall. and academy manager Dan Lock will also Having a reserve team of sorts has al- play a role in shaping the lower-level side. The Charlotte Post ways been part of the plan for Charlotte

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