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September 2007

Miami Northwestern Bulls are #1 in the Nation

The community is extremely proud of the victory of the Miami Northwestern High School Bulls over the Southlake Carroll (Texas) whoever they are. The victory was rewarding as the Miami Northwestern family has taken its lumps publicly over a scathing sex scandal and poor standardized test scores of most of its students.

An administrative and staff shake-up coupled with sanctions for its athletes provided the impetus for the Bulls to prove they are champions. Head football coach Billy Rolle, doing his second stint at the school must now live up to the challenge of the students rising to the academic challenges also.

The celebrity professional athletes on the sidelines at the football game --- Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin and others---were reminders of just how important athletics is to economically-disadvantaged students. It's time for those same athletes to reach back, in a significant manner, to teach the young athletes how to survive the game of sports to survive the game of life.

The Bulls are now the #1 football team in the nation and the natural target of every other football Bulls_sign_photobycharlestrainor team. The Bulls played discipline football against another great team and in foreign territory. Prayerfully, adults, especially men used this football game as more than the athletic competition itself. Prayerfully, the athletes, band members, cheerleaders and other students used the trip as a learning experience. The educational opportunities in every academic subject area are astounding.

Now, the Miami Northwestern football team can take that same demonstrated discipline and ability to prove their prowess in the classroom. They can do it with the right guidance and instruction. Congratulations, Miami Northwestern.


Community in terror as police are shot in South Dade; Details unfold

The chaos that consumed most of Thursday's shooting in southwest Miami-Dade County is over. Four police officers were shot --- Jody Wright, Christopher Carlin, Tomas Tundidor and Jose Somohano. Of the four, Somohano was fatally wounded. The suspect, Shawn Sherwin LaBeet, eluded police for almost twelve hours before he was confronted in a Pembroke Pines condo pool area. Gunfire was exchanged and Shawn LaBeet was killed.

Shawn Sherwin LaBeet

The horrendous pain experienced by all of the families involved in this tragedy cannot be described. Undoubtedly, Somohano's family is still paralyzed from the murder of their loved one. LaBeet's mother, must cope not only with the loss of her son, but the fact that he was a murderer.

Detectives on Friday arrested Labeet's brother, Shane R. Labeet, 32. They arrested Shawn Labeet's girlfriend, Renee D'Angelo, 26. And they arrested Alba Caridad Bello Denis, 47, Alain Gonzalez, 24, and Lazaro Guardiola, 35. Police later arrested LaBeet relative, Jaleel Torres, whose face shows signs of a struggle. All were charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact.

 

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez took command of the television and told viewers that the suspect, not person of interest, was Kevin Wehner. Such confident talk turned out to be embarrassing for police as they relied on the word of the D'Angelo, the shooter's girlfriend. Not until the real Kevin Wehner turned himself in to police in Jacksonville, where he lives, did Miami-Dade Police realize they were looking for the wrong man --- that was four hours later. Had the real Wehner been in South Florida, his life may have taken a horrible turn also. Unfortunately, he may be forced to always keep documentation proving he was wrongly accused of murder, attempted murder and a number of other charges.

This is the real Kevin Wehner; he is not the shooter.

In a situation that reeked of "all Black people look alike," before admitting the misidentification, the media posted a photo of Shawn LaBeet but said that it was a more current photo of Kevin Wehner. What? The complexion and facial structure of the person in the second photo was clearly not the same person as in the first photo.

Media reports would later indicate that Shawn LaBeet had help, via back streets, in his escape from deep in Southwest Miami to Pembroke Pines some 30 miles away. It was no surprise that Shawn LaBeet was killed. He had killed a police officer and shot three other officers. LaBeet was wearing body armor and used a high-powered assault weapon. There is much more to this story.

Over the next weeks and months we are likely to learn more about Shawn Sherwin LaBeet and the individuals involved in this case. Prayerfully, Officer Jody Wright will regain use of her leg as expeditiously as possible and the Somohano family will be able to cope with their grief as they continue their daily lives.

This incident is yet another reminder of how dangerous our streets are. Thank you to all law enforcement who protect and serve the community.

Rest in Peace

Officer Jose Somohano


Contenders are lining up to replace Ingram on School Board…what happened to proper manners?

The Miami Herald, Miami Times and other media are reporting names of possible replacements to fill the rest of the late Dr. Robert Ingram's District 1 school board seat. Out of respect for Dr. Ingram and in honor of the rich legacy he left for this community, speculation on his replacement will not be posted on this blog until after the man has been buried.

Unfortunately, unlike Dr. Ingram, I don't have a rhyme or a parable to inject right now to basically say, "Show some respect, please. "


FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR REVEREND DR. ROBERT B. INGRAM

305ingram7_standalone_prod_affiliat Here is the itinerary of the home-going celebrations of the life of Rev. Dr. Robert B. Ingram. May each of us be his legacy of love, faith, hope and kindness towards others.

   

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007, 12:00 P.M.—9:00 P.M.

The viewing for Reverend Dr. Robert B. Ingram will be at:

Range Funeral Home

5727 NW 17 Avenue

Miami, Florida 33142

            (305) 691-4343

   

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, 10:00 A.M.—4:00 P.M.

The body of Reverend Dr. Robert B. Ingram will lie in repose at:

Opa-Locka City Hall

Opa-Locka, Florida 33054

   

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, 6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.

A Memorial Service for Reverend Dr. Robert B. Ingram will be held at:

Mount Zion A.M.E. Church

15250 NW 22 Avenue

Miami Gardens, Florida 33054

Phone: (305) 681-3300

*NOTE: ALL PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS WILL BE DONE AT THE MEMORIAL

   

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007, 1:00 P.M.

            The Funeral for Reverend Dr. Robert B. Ingram will be held at:

            Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church

            17800 NW 25 Avenue

            Miami Gardens, Florida 33055

            Phone: (305) 621-5061

   

            Immediately following the funeral, the internment will be at:

            Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens

            2401 SW 64 Avenue

            Davie, Florida 33317

            Phone: (954) 792-9360

   

            Immediately following the internment the repast will be at:

            Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church

            17800 NW 25 Avenue

            Miami Gardens, Florida 33055

            Phone: (305) 621-5061


Eddie Griffin’s Routine Halted for Use of N-Word

During a recent performance at the 14th Annual Black Enterprise Magazine Golf & Tennis Challenge in Miami, stand-up comedian and actor Eddie Griffin was summarily dismissed because his routine was heavily peppered with the word "nigger."

More than 1,000 registered for the event and BE publisher Earl Graves received an ovation when he had Griffin's mic shut down and apologized to the audience.

"We at Black Enterprise will not allow our culture to go backward," Graves said. "Black Enterprise stands for decency, black culture and dignity."

The NAACP "buried" the N-word at its annual convention this past July. Whatever made Eddie Griffin think he could get away with such a performance before the high-brow is crowd is a surprise.

While Graves is to be commended for axing Griffin's performance, It's also time for Graves and his associates to seriously move toward building a hotel owned by blacks. Donahue Peebles' attempt to do so on South Beach was doomed for so many reasons but that is another post for another time. Miami's black community could also benefit from outreach activities by the BE participants.


Blacks to Fight Charter Revision but What is the Charter?

The latest proposed revisions to the Miami-Dade County Charter will likely continue the ethnic polarization in the county that too many people choose to ignore. By far, the most ethnically divisive charter revision proposal is the Mayor's recommendation to increase the commission to 13 by adding four members elected at-large. Blacks have lined up to fight the proposal citing the weakening of the Black vote.

There will likely be more talk of the charter review process as the task force has been given an Oct. 31 deadline. Take a look at the information below which comes directly from the Miami-Dade County website. Knowledge is power.

The Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter

What is the Charter?
In 1956, the Florida State Constitution was amended to make Miami-Dade County a home rule County. In other words, the citizens of Miami-Dade County were granted the power, within certain areas, to adopt their own rules for governing, with the Board of County Commissioners acting as our governing body. In 1957, the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter was adopted - essentially becoming the "constitution" for Miami-Dade County.

What does it do?
The Home Rule Charter establishes the name of the County and the rules by which our county operates. It begins with a Citizens' Bill of Rights. There are sections that establish the power of the Board of County Commissioners, the Mayor and the County Manager. One article deals with the method for election of County Commissioners. Other parts detail the Administrative Organization and Procedure for the County, outline the powers of municipalities, initiative, referendum and recall, and other general provisions.

How can the Charter be amended?
Changes may be made to the Charter only by the affirmative vote of the electorate. Amendments may be proposed and placed on the ballot either by the Board of County Commissioners or by petition of the citizens. The most recent Charter change occurred in January 2007 when an amendment was approved to give more powers to the Mayor.

To review the latest version of the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Amendment and Charter, click on the link below.

Miami-Dade County Home Rule Amendment and Charter (107 KB PDF)


School Board Member Robert Ingram Passes

Today's school board meeting was interrupted to announce the passing of member Rev. Dr. Robert Ingram. He was a pioneering law enforcement officer, a minister and an educator. Details of his transition were not disclosed. He will be missed.

Stay tuned to this space for details.