1_Layout 1 11/3/11 11:26 AM Page 1 Don’t Forget To On Saturday Night Since 1865, Telling It Like It Is And Defending The Peasant's Right To Know Our 147th Year, Number 9 Friday, November 4, 2011 Madison, Florida www.greenepublishing.com Madison County Officials Arrested For Voter Fraud Montollis Roberson Ora Rivers Laverne Haynes Shalonda Brinson Jada Woods Williams Earnie Johnson School Board Grand Jury Recognizes Indicts Edwards For Parental Involvement First Degree Murder By Jacob Bembry in the City of Madison. The call was Month Greene Publishing, Inc. regarding a “man down” in the park- A Madison County grand jury has ing lot, who had been beaten. Upon By Lynette Norris returned an indictment of first degree arrival of the police units, the Greene Publishing, Inc. murder while armed Health Department Judy Crumitie Abra “Tina” Johnson “It has been a day,” against Cedrick L. Ed- Staff had attempted to Press Release from FDLE said several school board wards, 38, of Madison. render aid to the vic- The Florida Depart- members, other officials On Aug. 25 at ap- tim. Due to the severity ment of Law Enforce- and townspeople as they proximately 10:30 a.m., of his injuries, the man ment (FDLE) gathered for Tuesday Edwards allegedly at- was obviously dead. Tallahassee Regional night’s school board tacked Michael Dennis “Witnesses to the Operations Center and meeting. School Super- Logan at the Madison incident described the the Tallahassee office of intendent Lou Miller County Health Depart- suspect to officers and the Federal Bureau of opened the meeting with ment, beating him to gave the name of Cedric Investigation today ar- a prayer that “the Lord death with a metal rod Edwards. Edwards was rested eight individuals who is our refuge, our or pipe. Cedrick Edwards located outside his resi- in connection with mul- strength and our ever- A press release from Madison Po- dence a short distance from the tiple voter fraud viola- present help in time of lice Chief Gary Calhoun in August scene of the crime. He was taken tions that occurred in need” would show mercy gave the following details on the into custody and transported to the Madison County’s Dis- Raven Williams on Madison County. crime: Madison County Jail without inci- trict One School Board race last year. On that subdued “Madison Police Officers were dis- dent.” The investigation began in November 2010 after note, county attorney patched to the Health Department First degree murder while FDLE was contacted by the Department of State’s Tommy Reeves then an- parking lot located at 218 Third Street armed is a capital felony. Division of Elections regarding possible fraud in nounced that Gov. Rick the 2010 Madison County election. The complaint Scott, via Executive Or- Please see Voter Fraud, Page 3 der 11-215, had suspend- ed Tina Johnson from County Commission Hears her duties as a school Response From board member, pending Plans for Holiday Celebration the outcome of election Division Of Elections fraud charges filed Considers Alternatives to Renaming Road By Lynette Norris Below is the response editor Jacob Bembry re- against her. Reeves then Greene Publishing, Inc. ceived from the Division of Elections in regards to a added that neither the With news that the county would be without a Supervisor of Elections for question about how the Supervisor of Elections of- suspension nor the an undetermined amount of time, the County Commission wondered what fice will be run since Jada Williams has been sus- charges were indicative should be done in the interim, with a Republican Primary coming up soon and pended following her arrest following a voter fraud of guilt or innocence, a busy election season in the months after that. There was a question of investigation.: which would be deter- whether or not a previous supervisor of elections would be allowed to help in mined through the court the interim, and also a question of funding, should the county need or be re- Jacob, system, but that the sus- quired to hire a consultant. The decision to make an interim appointment pension had occurred be- The questions arose after County Attorney Tommy Reeves delivered the of- Please see Response, Page 3 cause Johnson is ficial announcement that Gov. Rick Scott had suspended Jada Woods Williams charged with a felony. from her duties as Madison’s SOE following her Nov.1 arrest on charges of elec- Scott has not appointed a State Attorney Recuses tions fraud, but he added that although Scott had the ability to appoint a re- replacement for John- placement for Woods, he was not required to do so, nor did anything compel him son, nor is he required to do so within a required time frame. Himself From to, Reeves told the board. “There isn’t really a playbook on what the next step is,” said Reeves, who ad- It was not known at that vised waiting to see what the Division of Elections had to say about the situa- Voter Fraud Trial time whether or not the tion. “This doesn’t happen that much in Madison County.” Jacob, Please see School The Commissioners also heard from Willy Gamalero of the Kiwanis Club When I was first approached by counsel for the Board, Page 3 about the organization’s plans for “Light Up Madison,” planned for Saturday, candidate asking for an investigation into the elec- Dec. 3. tion process, I referred them to the Florida Division Prayer Light Up Madison this year is planned not so much as a “festival,” but more of Elections which would be the appropriate agency as a fun event for the whole family, Gamalero told the Commissioners. The list to look into the matter. It was the Division of Elec- of activities sponsored by local businesses and organizations included a short tions that contacted FDLE. Walk The parade on Range Street with entries from local churches throughout the coun- Later I was given a briefing by FDLE of their ty, a live nativity scene (also on Range Street) between the Genealogy building initial findings and at that time it appeared to me City Of and the antique store, a huge drive-in-movie-sized screen set up on the court- that they needed an advisory prosecutor available to house lawn to show short, child-friendly Christmas movies, photos with Santa them while conducting their investigation. I also be- Madison and hayrides. lieved that with the investigation involving elected Everyone is invited The Kiwanis Club also plans have a booth collecting toys and non-perish- officials with whom I have a working relationship, it to go out on Nov. 5 to the Please see Commission, Page 3 Please see State Attorney, Page 3 Four Freedoms Gazebo at 9 a.m. to prayer walk MCHS Basketball Team Holding Brown the City of Madison. Everyone is welcome and people can team up. Bag Fundraiser On Courthouse Lawn “Hope you come join us as we love Jesus, Submitted by Eddie Richie, will go towards regular costs during the [email protected] or Melinda at while we love Madison,” Madison County High School season (Refs, travel, food, equipment....). [email protected]. In your e- Pine Grove Missionary Basketball Coach The cost of the lunch is $6.00. It will in- mail, please list the amount of lunches you Baptist Church Pastor I’d like to invite everyone to the court- clude a pulled pork sandwich, chips, cook- will like at your work with the times and Timmy Dyke said. house lawn Friday, Nov. 4, from 10:30 a.m.-1 ies, and a drink. We will deliver to work locations. The only way to p.m. for a brown bag lunch. All proceeds places around Madison (i.e. banks, church- You can also have some one come pick make a difference is to will help towards replacing uniforms. Due es, schools), but we cannot deliver to hous- up lunches for your work and we will have attempt to make a differ- to an unfortunate event, we had several es. your lunches prepared and ready. ence! Need info, call Tim- shorts stolen last year and some jerseys If you would like to place orders for de- MCHS basketball thanks you in ad- my Dyke(850) 464-8107. stolen this year. Any extra funds raised liveries or pick up, please contact me at ed- vance for your support!!!! Index Local Weather 1 Section, 12 Pages Church 8 History 9 Classifieds 10 Legals 11 Around Madison 4-6 School/Sports 7 Viewpoints & Opinions 2 From Page One 3 2_Layout 1 11/3/11 9:13 AM Page 1 www.greenepublishing.com 2 Madison Enterprise-Recorder Viewpoints & Opinions Friday, November 4, 2011 Each season brings a different variety of fresh fruits and vegeta- Madison County Jacob’s bles to our tables. Fall Extension Service is no exception; the rich Ladder colors of autumn foods Diann Douglas add texture and appeal Guest Columnist Jacob Bembry Columnist to meals as well as nu- trients needed for health. If you are in the habit of eating the Serve Seasonal same foods, take a look around and add season- Foods For A A Fragile Stone al fruits and vegetables to your fall menu. Here Change Of Taste “He was a fragile stone, complete- lives, our spiritual experiences, our are a few suggestions. ly dependent upon his Master and health? Pumpkin – It side down in a large serve in less than 15 Friend, even as Jesus had insisted on How many times have we pas- wouldn’t be fall without baking side, add water minutes.