TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M University (FAMU) played a significant role in welcoming Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll to their newly elected seats this week.

At the inaugural prayer breakfast on Jan. 4 in the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium, Gov. Rick Scott ushered in his administration with prayer, affirming his faith in God.

“My faith has been important to me all my life,” said Scott. “Jesus Christ has been with me all my life.”

Guests from across party lines attended the annual the prayer breakfast. Charles Colson served as the keynote speaker. Colson is the founder and chairman of the Wilberforce Forum, participates in Prison Fellowship, has a daily radio broadcast show and has written several books. Among the participants were Rabbi Moshe Scheiner, who read Psalm 23; Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin of the Potter’s House in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Fla. Scott’s pastor, Kurt Anderson of Naples Community Church, presided over the breakfast.

“What a way to start 2011,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “FAMU stands ready to assist the Scott-Carroll Administration in its efforts to make Florida a much better place to live and work.”

In addition to the breakfast, on Jan. 2, FAMU and Lawson & Associates honored Carroll during a black tie reception.

“Lt. Gov. Carroll, we at Florida A&M University look forward to establishing a genuine friendship and partnership with you and Gov. Scott to create the kinds of new jobs that Florida needs in this new decade,” said President Ammons, who also attended a private breakfast with Gov. Scott. “Over the next few days, the eyes of Florida will be focused firmly on the events in Tallahassee watching as our great democracy engages in the peaceful transition of power.”

Lt. Gov. Carroll received special presentations from Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, the Black Caucus of the Florida Legislature, the Delta Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and FAMU.

“I have the distinct pleasure to introduce one of my dearest friends who I’ve always considered like my little sister,” Lawson said of Carroll. “She is someone you can count on. She is one who was always willing to stay into the wee hours of the night to make sure her constituents were well taken care of. I can guarantee that she has already hit the ground running.”

Carroll said on Nov. 2, 2010, she received a phone call from former Florida Senator Alfred Lawson, D-Tallahassee, showing his support for her in the election.

“I could feel the excitement in him that he felt what I felt and that this was going to be a reality,” said Carroll, Florida’s first woman and first African-American lieutenant governor about Lawson. He told me, ‘We have to do something. This is historic. We have to throw you a party.’”

Carroll is a legislator, small business owner and United States veteran who served the Florida House of Representatives’ District 13 prior to her election as lieutenant governor.

“I want to thank Rick Scott for saying this is the person I want by my side to help lead Florida out of this economic condition that it is in,” said Carroll, a native of Trinidad at the reception. “You are about to see great things.”

FAMU’s Director for Governmental Relations Tola Thompson said it was an honor for FAMU to open its doors to the community for these memorable events.

“It was a historic moment in our state and as the state’s largest historically black university, we would be remised if we did not recognize this historic opportunity and commemorate it,” Thompson said.

Photo caption: FAMU President James H. Ammons (left) and Thomas L. Mitchell Sr., president of FAMU's National Alumni Association, presented Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll with flowers during the black tie reception.


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It seems that a once amicable relationship between Mayor Tomas Regalado and Chief Miguel Exposito has soured. Their beef has gone public and it's not good for Miami. Among other things, the two are at odds about allegations of interference of the Mayor by the Chief and performance complaints of the Chief because of the number of police involved shootings without disclosure of investigations findings.

Chief Exposito put his concerns of interference by Mayor Regalado in writing and that touched off the involvement of other law enforcement agencies. Not good. In the end, everyone involved has assumed their anticipated positions with the black community angry about the shootings; Chief Exposito and the police Union supporting the police officers and Mayor Regalado distancing himself from Chief Exposito whom he supported just a year ago.

Enter newly appointed city manager and former Regalado Chief of Staff, Tony Crapp, who will likely be the person held responsible for firing the Chief or developing the Chief's exit strategy. Even if that happens, The Miami Herald's published details from Exposito on Regalado's interference in illegal gambling investigations will taint the Mayor's image and that of the City also. Can't we all just get along?


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Location:Miami, FL

 
Congresswoman-elect Frederica Wilson with family during Prayer and Consecration Service at St. Agnes Episcopal Church in Overtown.

 

Photo by Donnalyn Anthony

 

On Thursday, December 23, 2010, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced the appointment of Judge Darrin P. Gayles of Miami Shores to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.

“Judge Gayles is widely known for his professionalism, fairness and effective administration of justice,” said Governor Crist. “His respect for the law, as well as for all who appear in his courtroom, will contribute to the Eleventh Circuit in a meaningful way.”

Judge Gayles, 43, has served on the Miami-Dade County Court since 2004. Previously, he served as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 1999 to 2004 and as assistant district counsel for the United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, from 1997 to 1999. He was an assistant state attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 1993 to 1997. He received his bachelor’s degree from Howard University and his law degree from George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.

Judge Gayles will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Ronald M. Friedman.