Reginald Alceus

Outlook Staff Writer

More than two dozen minority business owners were invited to take part in the Live Communications, Inc.’s Small Business Summit, held at the Roley Poley Deli last Saturday. The gathering was an earnest attempt by its sponsor to unite and encourage cooperation among small business owners for the betterment of the community.

“The purpose of this event is to come together as a people of faith and decide how we, in the 21st century, begin to strengthen small businesses in general and African-American businesses in particular,” said R.B. Holmes, pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. “I believe now is the best time for us to come together. We come in order to share our successes, strengthen our businesses and support one another.”

Although designed to accomplish many things, the summit was intended to deduce among minority business owners and entrepreneurs how to speak in a unified voice.

“I think Rev. Holmes made a good presentation today,” said Judy Jones Colston, representing the Florida Black Business Investment Board. “Many of the things that he said, of course, need a lot more exploration, and we need to develop greater understanding of the intricacies that are involved in bringing those things to fruition in the community.”

Colston said she strongly believed that small businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses, were the pillar of any community, greatly contributing to its economy and survival. This, she said, was an “obligation” of the black community to support black businesses.

“In the state of Florida, 87 percent of businesses employ 50 or fewer people, and yet 90 percent of the resources the state puts out go to big business; yet we say small businesses are creating the jobs,” said Colston. “So if small businesses are creating the economy and creating the jobs, shouldn’t our resources by and large be going to support small businesses?”

Bob Kenon, owner of Cornucopia Wealth Management, was delighted he and other business owners could refocus their thoughts and visions on what they need to do as black businesses for the black community, particularly, in Frenchtown and the Southside. It was an opportunity to mobilize with the Southside Chamber so that they could be represented more effectively within the community and among different governments, Kenon said.

“The cooperation between small businesses can empower the community by enabling it to become much more knowledgeable about what’s happening at the city level, county level, state level and even at its private sector-business level,” Colston said. “The black business community in Tallahassee has got to become much more knowledgeable and sophisticated in knowing who to hold accountable for what and to be able to step up to the plate and take advantage of opportunities that are out there for them. As Fredrick Douglass said, Power can seize nothing, it never has and it never will.

Colston said the meeting would be integral in fostering a vehicle such as the Capital City Chamber of Commerce to be the “leadership tool in the area.” She believed one of the most positive examples of progress to emerge from the summit was the dialogue and opportunity for business owners to talk with each other and share their ideas on how they could support one another.

“On behalf of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, we’re absolutely excited since one of the things they talked about was how to strengthen and empower the Chamber to be more effective in the community, and so I was thoroughly impressed with the caliber of attendees and with the message,” said Windell Paige, senior executive vice president of ESP Media Corp., and president of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce.

George Clark III, owner of Temple Fitness, said knowing that the Chamber of Commerce was there to involve others in the community and provide support for the businesses and advertising would further help businesses in the black community. The advantage in cooperating with each other, he said, would be collaboration between businesses and the offering of services. However, he also believed that having black-owned businesses was crucial for the youth of the community.

“Young kids need role models in business and a lot of times, they don’t get that with the mainstream (culture),” Clark said. “They don’t see black men owning their own companies or businesses so I think in that sense, with young people coming up, it would help the black community seeing African-Americans owning their own businesses and to know they could do those things also.”

Some of the other ideas discussed were the Christian Entrepreneur’s Breakfast, something Paige said he would like to see hosted once a month by different faith-based organizations. Such an idea, he said would be “conducive to networking and effective communications between organizations.” Other topics addressed were an airport expansion project, jobs that are “coming down the pike,” getting on state term contracts and giving back as Christian business people.

“It’s always good to know that you’re not in this battle alone,” said Paige. “It’s good to know that some of the same challenges that you might have as an entrepreneur, other business people have as entrepreneurs and as business entities.”

On Sunday, the summit was extended to include a service by the Rev. Holmes, who spoke about how faith plays a role in the success and foundation of small businesses. Many of the business owners in attendance shared the Rev. Holmes sentiments.

“I think this was absolutely awesome,“ said Silvia DuPont, owner of DuPont Insurance Agency. “I admire Rev. Holmes for thinking about the business community and the fact that we do work hard to try and support the community and give back. They support us, and we need to support them back. I think it is also important that he talked to these young people about entrepreneurship. In the bad economy we live in today, I think it’s good that young people know that they have options.”

“I don’t think you can begin your day without faith,” said Sue Dick, president of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. “I think with this community, without the foundations of business and jobs and individuals being able to take care of themselves, you really can’t move your community forward without faith or understanding how God plays a role in that. You really can’t accomplish anything without that faith.”

Reginald Alceus can be reached at realceus@capitaloutlook.com

Ricardo Lewis

Associate Editor

There is one thing that Marilyn Rahming loves more than music and that is children. For the last 14 years she has exhibited her passion for children by leading the staff and faculty of Pineview Elementary School to heights that some disbelievers thought could not be achieved.

“Yes we are a Title I school,” Rahming admitted. We are not supposed to be making grades like this.”

Rahming is referring to the grades issued by the state of Florida. These grades measure a school’s level of performance based on several criteria, including their FCAT scores. Rahming is happy to exclaim that in her 14 years as principal, the grades for the school have included only two Cs, one B and the rest, including the one released this year, have been As.

“When I was told that we can’t, I said oh yes we can, and we have!” Rahming exclaimed. “I just needed a staff that was going to work with me. It has taken a lot of hard work. I have had to drive and drive, and drive and push, and push and push the staff to go places we have never seen before, but if it’s for my children, then I will drive and push.”

For 29 plus years, Rahming has worked in the Leon County school system. She began her career in education as the chorus teacher at Nims Middle School. From there she landed an assistant principal’s position at Chaires Elementary School, before she received her current appointment as the passionate and motivated leader of Pineview Elementary.

Rahming developed a passion for learning and teaching early on in her life. Her mother Rena Jackson, a retired educator herself, recalls Rahming’s action as a child.

“When she was a little girl, she would come to my classroom. When we would get home, she would find whatever little book she could and imitate me teaching. I always told her and my other two girls, that if you are going to do anything, then be the best at what you do.”

Jackson remembered the days when Rahming and her two sisters, Cassandra Poole and Peggy Wright formed the musical group the Jackson Sisters.

“They were extremely talented musicians,” Jackson said.

Music was Rahming’s major as an undergraduate student at Florida A&M University, where she received her bachelor’s degree. She went on to receive a master’s in music and a doctorate in supervision and administration from Florida State University.

“I started in music because I love to sing!” Rahming exclaimed.

Rahming attends church where her sister Cassandra is the minister of music. She admitted that her family was her motivation and her building block.

“Without my family I could not do what it is that I am doing now,” Rahming said. “My husband is very supportive, and of course my mother, father and sisters are always there for me.”

Jackson explained that her daughters have been successful because they have always been obedient.

“You don’t find them any better. I never had any trouble out of any of my girls. They have always done as I have told them to do,” Jackson said. “I am very proud of them, and I love them to death.”

Rahming stated that it is very hard maintaining the level of dedication. She said that there are four things that keep her going: her family, church, pastor and love for the children.

“I don’t know if I could do anything else; I like the intimacy level I have with the children. I like the ability to reach out and touch them, to hear their voices, their laughter,” Rahming said.

Rahming’s husband spoke of his wife’s work as an educator.

“She is great; I rate her work at 100 percent. She puts everything into it,” said Nicholas Rahming, “and that is every day. She gives her all to those kids, the school and the community every day.”

Lanell McCaskill has been the assistant principal at Pineview for the last four years. She commends Rahming for her hard work and loyalty to Pineview Elementary School.

“Dr. Rahming gives of herself 100 percent when it comes to her staff, faculty and students. She often says and I quote, ‘When I arrive at Pineview Elementary School (usually at 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. daily), I am at the service of the students, teachers and staff.’ She will literally give this school the shirt off of her back if it is for the children. She is a very good role model and an exceptional leader. When you follow her, you are almost assured of success.”

Ricardo Lewis

Associate Editor

On Aug 27, Leon County Commissioner Bob Rackleff held a press conference in front of the Leon County Courthouse to announce that he would not proceed into a November election run-off against his primary opponent Kristin Dozier, for the Leon County Commission District 5 seat.

The announcement by Rackleff came just three days after the results of the primary election. Neither candidate from the race was able to compile the 51 percent of the votes required to win the race outright. Only the top two vote-getters are allowed to participate in a run-off. Dozier ended up taking 46 percent of the votes, Rackleff ended with 35 percent, and David Ward ended with 18 percent.

“Sixty-five percent of voters on Tuesday cast their vote for someone else,” Rackleff said. “They spoke clearly that it was time for me to go.”

During the press conference, Rackleff expressed gratitude for the county workers and his fellow commissioners he has the opportunity to work with. Rackleff has been a member of the Leon County Commission for 12 years. This year, Rackleff’s colleagues on the commission elected him chairman.

At the press conference, Commissioner Cliff Thaell spoke of Rackleff’s service as a member of the commission.

“Bob Rackleff has been a beacon for progressive thought in this community,” said Thaell. “He has never pulled any punches. He always said what he believed and said it forcefully.”

With Rackleff withdrawing from the race, Kristin Dozier will take over as the representative of District 5 on the Leon County Commission.

“I am very appreciative that Commissioner Rackleff made this choice. I am also honored and extremely excited about serving this commission, and I am looking forward to the next four years,” Dozier said during the press conference.

Thaell said that he has known Dozier since she was a child growing up in Tallahassee. He said that he was looking forward to working with Dozier because he knows that she possesses good values and character.

Leon County Commissioner Akin Akinyemi issued a statement praising Rackleff for the 12 years he has served on the county commission, and welcomed Dozier to her new position.

“Although we may be different in style, I respect your integrity and passion for public service,” Akinyemi said in the statement. “If there is any consolation, it is in the fact that you are passing on the torch to a brilliant mind in Ms. Dozier, with the same ideological foundation, plus the added expertise in business, sustainability, and consensus building, and I look forward to working with her.”

Dozier said after the press conference that she feels great about running a successful campaign. She also stated that not having to continue campaigning because of Rackleff’s noble gesture gives her the time to study the issues more so that she will be prepared to tackle them from day one.

“I plan to bring everything that I have been talking about during my campaign to this commission, from sustainability to economic development,” Dozier said. I plan to have improved conversations with the community, and hopefully you will see more folks working together to improve the community.”

Youthful View

It was mid- 2007. I was an eighth grade student at Fairview Middle School. I had long considered the “man behind the baton” to be one of my most treasured heroes of Florida A&M University. I was always an avid reader of local newspapers when I came across the obituary of Mary Ann Foster, the wife of Dr. William P. Foster and a dedicated employee of Florida A&M University, who was long considered the university’s “band mother.”

Dr. Foster, known to many as America’s “Dean of Bands Directors,” and the founder of Florida A&M University’s famed “Marching 100,” passed away on the morning of Aug. 28. Dr. Foster was the director of bands at FAMU from 1946-1998. He was 91-years-old. After Mrs. Foster’s passing, I decided to wait a few months to visit the icon, who’s projected genius has long been a widely used household epitome. He had been a resident of the Centre Point Health Center for quite some time. I phoned Doc to insure it was ok. “You may come to visit me,” he responded in a weakened voice, though still in excellent health.

When I arrived in his room, Dr. Foster sat comfortably in his wheelchair, sporting a designer FAMU jacket. I explained to him that I was his biggest fan. He quickly responded: “Are you making good grades?” “Yes sir,” I said. He signed a photograph for me that I still have in my room. Suddenly, during our long and spirited talk, he began to cough uncontrollably. “You may have to come back when I am done with my coughing spasm,” he said. And that I did.

Dr. Foster’s passing, though at a very fulfilling age, is personal for me. He stormed onto the scene and for 52 years, he transformed the “Marching 100” into the number one collegiate marching band in America. A deep loss is being felt not only in the Tallahassee community but throughout the nation, as we are saddened by the answer of his heavenly father’s call, though satisfied that the 91 cherished years that he spent here on earth were filled with commitment and joy.

As a successful high school student, Dr. Foster became interested in musical education. His desire to become a director of bands, stemmed in part from the determination of the man himself, who wouldn’t take no for an answer. After being told that he couldn’t join his college marching band because of his color and to forget about his dream of directing because there were no such jobs for African- Americans, Dr. Foster quickly proved his teacher wrong.

He became director of bands for Fort Valley State College after earning recognition as a choir director in Missouri. Later, he became director of bands and orchestra at Tuskegee Institute, before matriculating to Florida A&M University. Highly recognized on the national level with Dr. Foster at the helm, FAMU’s marching band has appeared on several nationally syndicated television programs, been mentioned in magazines and newspapers, performed in France for the French Bicentennial and at three presidential inaugurations, including that of President Obama, under the tutelage of current director Dr. Julian White.

Perhaps his fame originated when Dr. Foster coined the 90-degree knee-lift marching style, which is imitated throughout the country. Dr. Foster is the author of a college textbook for band etiquette and “The Man Behind the Baton,” the story of his life. He has been given numerous awards and honors, including induction into the National Association for Distinguished Band Conductors, the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, the Afro-American Hall of Fame and the Florida Music Educators Association. Other honors include the naming of the Foster- Tanner Fine Arts Complex and Foster-Tanner Drive.

He is survived by sons Anthony and William P. Foster, Jr.

Ricardo Lewis

Associate Editor

In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. The act’s passage, sparked Sarita Carter to jump into action by helping out the people in her community.

Carter founded Step One, a temporary placement agency that was designed to help disadvantage workers find employment in 1998. The agency took upon the task of helping people to develop the skills necessary for today’s demanding employment market.

“My desire was to help welfare to workforce recipients get back to work,” said Carter. “We had our first graduating class in 2001 and from that class, 93 percent of them are currently employed.”

Carter attended Florida State University before relocating to Atlanta, Ga. While in Atlanta, she worked for CNN Headline News, where she did video and copy-editing. She returned to Tallahassee in 1989, where she worked for the state of Florida, until she resigned in order to focus on starting her own business.

Since opening its doors, Carter said that Step One has helped nearly 800 people from the community become employed. Step One maintains a working relationship with several local businesses in order to help find quick and continuous placement for the people who seek placement services from the agency, including FAMU and Florida State University.

Part of the mission of Step One services is to help strengthen the African-American community in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. In order to achieve that goal Step One partners with several different community organizations in an effort to help those who otherwise are unable to find employment.

“We currently work with the Tallahassee Homeless Coalition in an effort to try and help the homeless gain employment,” Carter said.

Carter sponsors a free clothes closet on the outside of her building located at 1102 S. Adams Street. She said that she believes that it is imperative for the people in the community, especially the African-American community to help each other.

“I once heard that you should be afraid to die until you have done something for your community,” Carter said.

The idea of strengthening community is something that Carter said can be done by allowing people the opportunity to gain employment. She explains that she plans to lobby for ex-felons to be allowed to return to the work force upon their release for prison.

“I think that a system that frowns upon convicted felons returning to the workforce is keeping a lot of people out of work, especially a lot of young black men,” Carter said.

Step One has adapted to the needs of society and is providing a new focus on helping people to find work in the construction market.

Carter stated that part of her vision is to have Step One programs up and running throughout the states of Florida and Georgia within the next five years. Her ultimate goal is to open up branches of the business throughout the United States.

According to Carter, Step One has 32 full-time employees. These employees provide services, ranging from clerical to janitorial, throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding areas.

The Capital City Democratic Women’s Club held its 1st Annual Tea for Women of Service at the Tallahassee Center in Kleman Plaza. The tea honored women whose husbands are elected officials as well as women who are elected officials themselves.

Shirley Thompson presided over the Sunday afternoon program of which only women in hats attended. After introducing the executive officers of the club, Thompson introduced the special women of service, which included Jane Marks, wife of Mayor John Marks; Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, state representative of District 9; Georgia “Joy” Bowen, school board member; Delores Lawson, wife of State Senator Al Lawson; Georjean Machules, wife of County Commissioner Cliff Thaell and Esther Moring, wife of County Commissioner Bob Rackleff.

Each of the honorees received a special gift. Among the gifts given were a string of pearls that belonged to First Lady Michelle Obama to Marks, a purse to Lawson, a crystal slipper to Moring and a tea light to Bowen.

Entertainment for the afternoon was provided by The Mary Roberts Orchestra of The Javacya Arts Conservatory, one of the club’s scholarship recipients. Many of the attendees won door prizes, and everyone enjoyed the tea service.

Pinkie M. Whitfield

Executive Editor

Dr. Easias Lee, M.D., has been on a mission to educate African-Americans and the public about the causes of depression and the effects of the disease on individuals’ health and relationships, ever since he learned that five young men from his own circle had chosen to commit suicide rather than seek help for their depression.

“There are not enough black psychiatrists in private practice in Tallahassee,” said Lee, a Capital Health Plan physician. “There is no one in the community who is willing to talk about these issues [suicide and depression],” he laments.

“As black folk, we know about headaches, sugar, gout and colds, but we don’t know about the mood,” said Lee, who has been practicing medicine in Tallahassee for 27 years. “We don’t know what depression looks like; we don’t know what it sounds like; and we don’t know what it feels or acts like.”

To illustrate his point, Lee takes two cups—one filled with water and the other empty, and places them on a desk. The water in the cup represents the serotonin and the neurotransmitters that are needed for the brain to function properly, said Lee. The two can be thought of as being fuel for the brain,” he states.

Lee pours half of the water out of the filled cup into the empty cup to demonstrate what happens when an individual feels stressed. When a person feels stressed, it is the brain that tells the body how to react to it, Lee said. “An individual under stress may begin to lose some of his serotonin. As the individual becomes more stressed, the brain begins to lose its neurotransmitters, so the individual does not recognize the symptoms he is feeling as indicators of depression,” Dr. Lee states.

People have described depression as being a feeling of hopelessness and despair. An individual may get a headache or his heart may start racing, or he may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures. All of these symptoms are signs that an individual may be depressed. Though depression is often overlooked and may go undiagnosed, everyone experiences its symptoms at one time or another, Lee said, and it is curable.

Depression, alcohol and drug abuse, incidences of physical abuse and genetics can increase one’s risk of attempting suicide, states a National Institute of Mental Health guide. The Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition maintains that over 2,700 people in the state killed themselves in 2008. Within the last seven months, 27 people in Gadsden County have attempted suicide, and 12 of them died, according to Alice DuPont of the Gadsden County Times.

African-Americans have one of the lowest rates for death by suicide among all nationalities, according to a Center for Disease Control and Prevention report. In 2006, roughly five percent of blacks in the United States had chosen to end their own lives by suicide. In a national survey of 5,181 blacks age 18 and older published in the Journal of the American Medical Association four years ago, University of Michigan researcher Dr. Sean Joe and his associates disclosed that 1.4 million African-Americans had tried to end their lives at least once.

Suicide deaths rank third as a primary reason for incidences of death among young people, an NIMH report states, and it is on the rise among young blacks. In a 2009 study of  1170 black teenagers, Dr. Joe and his associates found that seven percent of the 810 African-American teenage girls participating in the study had admitted to attempting suicide at least once, while four percent of black teens overall reported that they had tried to kill themselves. Joe stated that black teens from families with incomes of $32,000-$54,999 were more likely to admit that they had attempted suicide than those from families with incomes below $32,000.

“In the black community, you have this dispersion of sadness and anxiety that no one talks about,” Dr. Lee said. “Young people in this day and age may not be mature enough to deal with the kind of environment in which we are living. If they make a mistake, it is up to the parents to reel them back in,” he added.

Recognizing the need to curb the spread of suicide deaths among young people, in 2004 the U.S. Congress enacted legislation to enable states to create suicide prevention and intervention programs for young people. In Tallahassee such resources are available through the Florida chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Big Bend Hospice’s Caring Tree, and the Black Mental Health Alliance for Education and Consultation, Inc.

“Not enough research is being done,” said Dr. Lee. “The Holy Spirit has given us an organism, and we have breached that,” he stated as he picked up his laptop and books, and headed out the door.

Ricardo Lewis

Associate Editor

The Marching 100 will carry heavy hearts onto the field tonight as the FAMU community mourns the passing of legendary band director Dr. William P. Foster at the age of 91.

Foster is credited with revolutionizing marching bands in America with the innovative marching styles, and mouth dropping dance performances. The manifestations of Foster’s genius have been exemplified through Florida A&M University’s Marching band since he became the director of bands at the university in 1946. Other marching bands often duplicate the 90 degree marching style Foster created as a part of the Marching 100’s performances. According to a press release issued by the Florida A&M University, Foster created more than 30 techniques that have now become standard procedure for high school and college bands nationwide.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Foster,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “As a visionary leader, he built America’s greatest band by departing from the standard routines and maneuvers to showcase band pageantry. I can attest to the fact that what he created was magical,” in the press release issued by the university.

Dr. Foster retired as in 1998 after serving 52 years in the FAMU music department. He received numerous awards during his tenure including winning the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy in 1985 becoming the first and currently the only Historically Black College and University band to win the coveted award.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, September 3, at 6 p.m. The FAMU music department will perform a concert of musical tribute to Dr. Foster on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. The funeral for Dr. Foster is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. all three events will take place in Lee Hall on the Campus of Florida A&M University. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the “William P. and Mary Ann Foster Endowed Scholarship Fund” at FAMU in support of FAMU band scholarships.

Band members often use the term “Hubba” to recognize outstanding performance and in describing their beloved Dr. Foster. On behalf of the staff of the Capital Outlook, for all of your hard work and efforts in helping to mold the standard for marching bands, helping to shape Florida A&M University and leaving a lasting impression on the city of Tallahassee and the world, HUBBA DOC!!!

Reginald Alceus

Outlook Staff Writer

The Florida A&M University Rattlers are putting themselves through the paces and improving in all the right places before engaging their season opener against the University of Miami’s Hurricanes, Sept. 2.

Last year, FAMU was defeated by Miami, 48 to 16. Before the anticipated rematch at Miami Gardens, Fla., FAMU’s head football coach Joe Taylor has drilled his team in preparation for the challenge ahead. The first indication of their progress was shown during the team’s scrimmage match last Thursday.

“We’ve got some good things done aside from that fact that we were able to get it done and have a simulated game in which part of the team simulated the plays of Miami, so that the travel team could get a look at it,” Taylor said. “I really thought some good came out of it. Certainly, we have to improve on the penalties, the dropped balls, and our pass protection has to improve, but because you get it in, that means you will get better. Each year is different, and you just have to be prepared and make sure each guy understands his responsibilities, that he carries out his responsibilities, and that we have to play for 60 minutes,”

Taylor noted that the team’s defense is currently its strongest asset. The formula for the team’s preparation has not deviated from what it has been. However, Taylor asserted that the team is working hard to get better at what it is doing, and that he has seen improvement among the players.

“All of the schools and football championship subdivisions start off mainly with a BCS team so this is our opportunity to get a barometer on where we are, go down, put in 60 minutes, get it done, come back evaluated and get better as each week comes,” Taylor said.

Taylor said that compared to last year, 24 players had exhausted their eligibility, and 20 had graduated, a fact he is proud of. The team was very explosive offensively last year, but its defense was inconsistent, he said. This year appears to be the way “it ought to be,” with the defense playing the role of the “tone setter.” Some of the playes’ opinions of the scrimmage were in line with their coach’s opinion.

“We did all right,” said Martin Ukpai, 21, a fine arts and animation student and quarterback for FAMU. “It seemed a little sluggish, but the main thing is that we made some pretty good plays. We have to tighten up a little bit, and hurry up and run the plays a lot quicker. I think we did an all right job, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.”

Ukpai said along with its offensive line, FAMU’s running game is likely its most notable strength, getting in some “nice runs.” Johnson agreed with Taylor that the team’s defense is its most obvious advantage, citing its seasoned secondary and its linebackers and defensive line, all of which did well in the scrimmage match, he said.

“Everything needs to improve,” said Jay Culpepper, 21, long snapper and criminal justice student for FAMU. “We can always work toward improvement. Our offense and handling of the ball needs a little work, but it’s the little things, really. Nothing that can’t be fixed before next week.”

Culpepper was confident that the team would use the remaining week until the Sept. 2 game to prepare every way they could. He said he believed Miami was just as prepared to face-off against them, but no amount of predicting would determine the winner of the season opener. Instead, he and his teammates would take the challenge as it comes and “deal with it.”

Nova2010 Bus Stop Locations Open for Public Input

On Thursday, September 2, StarMetro will hold two Listening Sessions to garner feedback from bus patrons about the proposed bus stop locations for its route decentralization project known as Nova2010. The first session will take place from 7 to 9 a.m., and the second session will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Both sessions will take place in C.K. Steele Plaza. Bus patrons who cannot attend these Listening Sessions may view the bus stop location maps online and email feedback to nova2010project@talgov.com or starmetro@talgov.com and/or call StarMetro’s main office at 850-891-5200.

The proposed Nova2010 bus stop locations come from a thorough bus stop analysis, which took place over the summer, with input from a consultant and citizen/bus operator group. Additionally, the Transit Advisory Group, a Mayor-appointed citizen group, consulted StarMetro Planners on the proposed bus stop locations.

Currently, StarMetro utilizes 1,052 bus stops spread out across the City of Tallahassee. Most of these bus stops are fairly close to one another, less than a quarter of a mile. According to the preliminary bus stop analysis, the Nova2010 decentralized system would utilize 738 bus stops. Of these 738 bus stops, 473 currently exist in today’s system, and 265 are brand-new bus stops. These new bus stops would be placed along corridors that are not served today and that would be served in the Nova2010 system – corridors, such as North Monroe Street, Magnolia Drive, Capital Circle NE/SE and portions of Orange Avenue and Blair Stone Road. Most of the Nova2010 bus stops would be placed within three-tenths of a mile from one another and at major intersections and trip generators.

StarMetro’s Nova2010 route decentralization project aims to take the current downtown oriented route structure and break apart each route to create a more grid-like route structure with routes running from north to south and east to west, many bypassing downtown’s C.K. Steele Plaza. The City Commission approved the project last spring.

For more information, please call StarMetro’s main office at 850-891-5200 or visit Talgov.com/starmetro. For additional project updates, please call the Nova2010 hotline at 850-891-5283 or email nova2010project@talgov.com. Citizens may also follow updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/starmetrotransit.