CVN May 2008, page 2

Senate passes Metts bill eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes

STATE HOUSE – The Senate again, as it did last year, has approved legislation aimed at bringing about more flexibility in sentencing, reducing Rhode Island’s record-high prison population and the skyrocketing cost associated with it.

The Senate today voted 33 to 3 in support of legislation, 2008-S 2232, sponsored by Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence), to eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing for drug possession, in certain instances.

Identical legislation was passed by the General Assembly during the 2007 session but was subsequently vetoed by the governor.

In urging passage of the legislation again this year, Senator Metts emphasized that the bill does not make Rhode Island soft on crime, but rather gives judges the ability to use their discretion when it comes to deciding when someone would benefit from treatment and when it’s time to penalize a person.

“Judges are selected because they have the ability to weigh the facts and make reasonable decisions, and we should give them the freedom to use that discretion in each individual case,” said Senator Metts. “This legislation will inject common sense and a certain level of compassion into sentencing people with drug problems. We need a better balance between punishment and restoration.”

“As it stands now, judges are not allowed to consider any type of mitigating circumstances. In my opinion, judges should be given some sort of discretion in these types of cases,” he said. “By removing the mandatory status of the punishment, we will allow people who are willing to reform their lives the chance to obtain treatment and support so that they can become productive members of society.”

According to a recent study, about 70 percent of those in prison have alcohol or drug abuse problems.

The bill would eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing for drug possession and change the maximum sentences to 20 years for the smaller quantities of drugs, and 30 years for larger quantities. It also eliminates minimum fines, which are currently $10,000 for smaller quantities and $25,000 for the larger ones. Maximum fines will remain the same, at $50,000 and $1 million, respectively.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. An identical House version, 2008-H 8025, sponsored by Rep. Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dist. 12, Providence), was approved last week by the House Committee on Judiciary and is expected to be taken up by the full House within the next week.

GOVERNOR PATRICK ESTABLISHES STATEWIDE YOUTH COUNCIL

BOSTON – Thursday, April 24, 2008 – Surrounded by young people at the Tobin Community Center in Roxbury, Governor Patrick today signed an executive order to establish a Statewide Youth Council as part of his administration’s effort to engage and involve citizens of all ages and create opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth.

“I am very pleased and proud to implement this important piece of our effort to rebuild and revitalize our shared community in Massachusetts,” said Governor Patrick. “Many of the issues we are tackling today, from climate change and college costs to violence prevention and health care, will become even bigger issues tomorrow if we don’t start involving young people in these discussions now.”

In the coming months, the state will appoint 28 young leaders to the council – two representatives from each of the Commonwealth’s 14 counties – who will speak on behalf of their communities. Massachusetts residents age 14 to 20 are encouraged to apply at www.mass.gov/governor/youthcouncil.

Youth Council members will be on the front lines of policy discussions, sharing what they see in their communities and talking about how state government and communities can work together to find a solution. The issues and recommendations that come out of these meetings will receive prompt consideration at the highest levels of this government.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Governor’s Office of Community Affairs, will oversee council meetings and activities. The group will meet at least four times a year, and members will likely form subcommittees to focus on particular challenges facing Massachusetts youth. The Governor may appoint persons with relevant subject matter expertise to consult with the subcommittees.

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Letter to the Editor:

Two sister launch new website www.truedefinition.com, were you can redefine words of your choice

My name is Cheryl Araujo and my sister's name is Tina Delgados; we are the Founders of True Definitions. Tina and I are Cape Verdean women who were born and raised in New Bedford Ma. We relocated to Virginia in 1986, and have been living here ever since. (For more information about us, please see the "About Us" section on True Definitions)

On April 5th, 2008, we launched a website www.truedefinitions.com . This is a place where people can go to redefine the words in the dictionary. You just select a word and write a story about what that word really means to you. For example: What does the word 'addiction' mean to you? What about the words loneliness, marriage, sobriety, cancer, divorce, prayer, wealth or success? How have these words affected you? When you register on True Definitions you can begin to read real life stories, write real life stories, share your stories with family or friends and join live chat rooms. This site can be very therapeutic and it is "A way to be heard."

Tommy, we ask that you please share this website with the readers of the CVN newspaper. Also, I encourage you to read the Foundation page of True Definitions. We have lost a lot of our family and friends in "NEW B." to drugs and this is our way of giving back. We feel like it is "our calling." Again, please share this website with all of your readers and anyone else who you feel may benefit from this site.

Feel free to contact me at 804-426-5515 or Tina at 541-244-1401, should you need additional information.

Thank you in advance for your help

Cheryl Araujo

Corrections...

Dr. Portia S. Bonner when she assumes her duties as the Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools will not become the first female Superintendent, that honor belongs to the late Ruth McFadden. However, Dr. Bonner with have the distinction of being the first African - American to hold such a high position within the New Bedford Public School System. This corrected information was brought to our attention by the former Mayor, City Councilor, State Representative and Senator George Rogers. Always a good friend of the Cape Verdean - American community. Thank you, George.

Another Correction: In the “Black Men Can Fly” photo layout we incorrectly identified Mr. Joseph “Tuie” Monteiro as Mr. Braz, sorry.

Trying to boost their numbers, organizers just a few weeks ago mailed more than 100 letters to individuals and businesses asking for help.

The response has been mute.

"Our donations to the parade this year have dropped drastically, by at least two-thirds," Mr. Rogers said. "People don't have the money, the disposable income they had."

News that the traditional event could be canceled this year is reverberating in the Cape Verdean community.

"I will do everything as an elected official here in the city to see if we can do anything to save this event," City Councilor Brian Gomes said. "I will work diligently with everyone involved to see if we can raise that money."

Mr. Gomes described the parade as an integral part of the community.

We will be sending this out to thousands via the web. We will be joining forces with other groups fighting this problem of police abuse. It is rare that the news media covers the un-watered down side of issues of those who are at street level. It is my hope you read what I have written and follow the links I have placed in this and watch the short videos. Hearing all sides of an issue offend leads to all sides growing in understanding of what it will take to solve a problem. But like I said people like myself willing to tell it like it is are attacked , labeled and shut out of the process. What you offend hear is the voices of those looking for some sort of pay off for their words which are often misleading and weak. All I am asking for is a chance to tell the side of those never heard. Please read what I wrote below and go to the videos.

PS :Please excuse the lack of proper punctuation at the end of the sentences below. This was done to prevent certain web sites from automatically placing codes at end of sentences to prevent the re- posting on the web blogs
Can we prevent all out war with the police
Written by : David L Andrade OneVoiceNews 5/7/2008
291 Emerson St New Bedford Ma 02740
cell 508 863 3029
We all want a police department we can respect* But what we in the non-white community and low income white community get are gang bangers with badges*
Look at this video and I ask you is this the actions of a professional police department or is this the actions of a gang who feels that their colors have just been disrespected*
Please don't tell me that it's not all the police who are bad* The so called good police don't do nothing to stop the bad ones* That police code of silence to protect fellow officers is the same code of the streets no snitching* And then the police have the nerve to condemn others who don't snitch*
Please don't tell me the police had good reasons to act like a bunch of thugs* Because if you think they got reason to act like thugs then black folk got much more reason also to act like thugs* So whats good for one is good for the other*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhyC7SdVE2E

Beating after beating by the police* Killing after killing by the police* It never ends* The police actions are forcing certain elements within the non-white and low income white communities to begin talking about an eye for an eye life for a life retaliation against police and their die hard supporters* This would be a huge disaster for all involved and we are running out of time to prevent this*
In my city of New Bedford Mass I have offered my services to sit at the table with the powers that be to work things out to build a police department that serves and protects all the people not just those with influence* But they look down on any who come to them willing to speak truth to power* I guess they feel why should they talk with those whom they have been given the right to kill in cold blood*

Gangs who once warred with each other are talking truce so

Continued from page 1 Parade in financial trouble, needs your help

that they can come together and defend their communities from police attack* Leaders who always spoke of marching and praying are now speaking of arming and defending*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9e2vvGQMrg

Even some non-white police officers who do not agree with what they see in their departments are giving valuable information to community leaders against their rouge officers*
We want a police department who holds our the lives and that of our children in the same high re-guard as they do their own lives and that of their children* And we as a community reserve the right to defend our lives from any one and that includes the police who feels they can come into our community and shoot first ask questions later * We want peace and justice the questions is do they* And again I offer my service to meet with the powers that be as one who is not afraid to speak truth to power* And before you make the claim that we just hate police I'll say we don't hate police we hate police abuse* And we will do what we must to end it*

Letter to Editor

Police abuse