Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas Permit No. 01949 This paper can be recycled Vol. 39 No. 26 Website: theaustinvillager.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-476-0082 Blog: EastAustinCommunityInfoCenter.blogspot.com November 11, 2011 Ronald Crutcher to Speak at Veteran Elected Official Honored Division of Diversity for decades of service and Community Engagement Event on Campus Dr. Ronald Crutcher, presi- dent of Wheaton College, a re- nowned cellist and former direc- tor of the School of Music at The RAPPIN’ University of Texas at Austin, will speak at the Division of Diver- Tommy Wyatt sity and Community Engagement Fall Lecture Series on Nov. 18. The Vote Dr. Crutcher’s lecture, “Higher Education for Democracy: De- Centers used veloping Capacities for Civic for the Learning and Democratic En- gagement on Campus,” will be first time! held at 2:00 in Main 212. A Phi Beta Kappa gradu- Many voters in Travis County Dr. Ronald Crutcher PRESENTATION--(l to r) Gerard Washington (BAD President), Wilhelmina Delco, Nelda Wells Spears, took the opportunity to use the ate of Miami University, Ronald and Lloyd Doggett stands behind painting of Spears done by Carla Nickerson. Photo by Thomas Wyatt. newly created Vote Centers for A. Crutcher pursued graduate 1994-1999, he served as director Austin — On Tuesday, a new name for vehicles registra- Travis County Commissioners last Tuesday’s election. And studies at Yale University as a of the School of Music at the November 8th, 2011 at 9:00 am, tion and property tax payments. with ample time to consider the according to Travis County Woodrow Wilson and Ford University of Texas at Austin. Nelda Wells Spears, Travis Spears (65) is an Austin appointment they must make to Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, many Foundation Fellow. In 1979, he Previously, he was vice presi- County Tax Assessor-Collector native who graduated from L. C. complete the last year of Spears’ took the opportunity to use was the first cellist to receive the dent of academic affairs at the and Voter Registrar, was honored Anderson High school. She re- four-year term. them. Doctor of Musical Arts degree Cleveland Institute of Music by the Travis County Commis- ceived a Bachelor’s degree in En- The Travis County Tax For those who do not know from Yale. The recipient of a (1990-94), and associate vice sioners in Commissioners’ Court. glish from Fisk University and a Office collects property taxes for what the Vote Centers are, it is Fulbright Award, he studied mu- chancellor for academic affairs at Spears, a twenty-one year vet- Master’s degree in Communica- 107 jurisdictions including the just another way to make it easier sic in Germany and is fluent in the University of North Carolina eran elected official, announced tions from Memphis State. She City of Austin, Austin ISD, Aus- for citizens to cast their ballots. German. at Greensboro (1987-90). her retirement earlier this year. worked in Washington D. C. for tin Community College, Travis The idea is simple, and way Crutcher came to Parking for the event is On Wednesday, Novem- U. S. Senator Ralph Yargrough County and Travis Central overdue. They work like the Wheaton from Miami University available in the San Antonio Ga- ber 9, The Balck Austin Demo- and in Austin for State Rep. Health. In addition, the tax of- early voting centers. On Elec- in Oxford, Ohio, where he served rage at 2420 San Antonio Street, crats honored Spears at a public Wilhelmina Delco. fice registers and collects fees tion day, if you did not take the as provost and executive vice one block west of Guadalupe. reception at the 11th Street Sta- In 1991 She was appointed for 836,000 vehicles and trans- opportunity to vote early, you president for academic affairs For more information please con- tion Restaurant. as the first African American to fers 204,000 vehicle titles annu- can still experience the early and professor of music. From tact Jennifer Wang, 475-6064. Travis County residents be Tax Assessor Collector in ally. Nelda Wells Spears also voting convenience on election Supreme Court Could Decide to are familiar with the name “Nelda Texas. She has been elected to 5 serves as the Travis County day. Voters can cast their bal- Wells Spears”. Those who own consecutive 4-year terms. Voter Registrar and maintains lots at any poling place location. Review Health Care Reform Nov. 10 property or vehicles have made On July 21st of this year records for 569,000 voters. Just look for the “Vote Here” Special to NNPA from ness, Liberty University and the checks out to that name for over Spears announced her retirement Spears says she plans to sign that is displayed at each Afro-American Newspaper Thomas More Law Center, and twenty years. Starting on Janu- effective December 31st, 2011. enjoy retirement by spending voting precinct. The nation’s highest court petitions from the Obama admin- ary 1st, 2012, residents will write The advanced notice provided more time with her family. The November 8 election was could decide whether to review istration will be under consider- a trial run for the 2012 elections. President Barack Obama’s health ation. And for first-time voters, who care reform law as soon as Nov. In a private conference on have recently moved, or those 10, Politico reports. Nov. 10, the court could decide who haven’t voted in the past Five opponents of the law if they want to hear the issue, year or two, Vote Centers will and the Obama administration and would announce their deci- Howard make it easier to find a polling have asked the U.S. Supreme sion on Nov. 14. Justices could place an have a positive voting Court to review whether the also defer a decision until a later University experience. Candidates should law’s requirement for all Ameri- conference. use this information in their ad cans to buy insurance is consti- Politico said the Supreme campaigns to encourage more tutional. Five of the six requests Court is expected to hear the is- Adds voters to vote. have been sent to the court al- sue because the administration Travis County election turn- ready, according to Politico. has asked and circuit courts Its outs have been dismal for the Opponents of the law, in- have issued conflicting deci- last few years, especially in non- cluding 26 states, the National sions on whether the mandate is Voice presidential election years. Federation of Independent Busi- constitutional. While many voters turn out for East Austin forum focused on the presidential elections, other to elections are just as important. news coverage for the community Currently, the Austin City Cean and Chavis at Occupy Austin Occupy march organizer Talib Karim, a law- Council is considering moving the U.S. and around the world even in yer and community organizer, the the face of questions about what the our city election to November, Movement group of about 25 chanted, handed group really wants, how it hopes to rather than in May. Many feel out fliers and encouraged passersby achieve that and the derisive, smug and that this will insure a greater turn to join them on their March for Jobs condescending remarks and comments out for the council elections. At and Justice. from politicians and media alike. Oc- the present time, only about 10 They stopped briefly at cupy Wall Street’s increasing popular- or 15% of the registered voters By Barrington M. McPherson Square and Freedom ity can be traced to the fact that its turn out for the council elections. Salmon Staff Writer Plaza, the sites of two public spaces message resonates so deeply with the taken over by Occupy D.C. and by As a result, many charge that Special disaffected. to the NNPA from the the time marchers stood on the steps the elected representatives do “I’m here because I believe in Washington Informer of the Chamber of Commerce, the humanity and human rights,” said not truly represent the majority Panelist (l to r)--Glen Frankel, Richard Smith (KAZI), Alberta Phillips, Michael Fabac (KXAN), Carlos Sandaval (Community Access TV), and Howard University alumnus crowd had swelled to about 60 Danny Montes, 25, who comes to of the citizens in the city. Laura K. Smith (HTU). Staff photo. Maria Ellis is one face of the Oc- people. McPherson Square daily to offer his Many believe that Single- The School of Journalism tools have helped topple govern- cupy D.C. movement. She has a Along the route, protestors time and support. “Occupy D.C. is Member districts would go a at The University of Texas at Aus- ments in the Arab world and are graduate degree in International Re- talked to those who paused to watch, about justice, equality, and equity, not long ways to solving that prob- tin, Huston-Tillotson University providing Americans with power- lations and wanted to go to law school engaged others who offered vocal just for D.C. and New York residents lem, by getting more people in- and KAZI-FM co-sponsored a ful new ways to consume, share but couldn’t afford it. support or other comments, and but also for people all around the world. volved in the process. That re- community forum to discuss and and even report the news. And as a homeowner, she, seemed to draw strength from the There’s a lot of things that built up to like other Americans, feels squeezed energy of passersby. mains to be seen. make recommendations on the The Digital Revolution, this. I am very concerned about immi- by the recession.