It’s possible to do something a second time and experience it as never before. Marvin Johnson is a witness.

Johnson was baptized in 1970. Last Sunday (Oct. 4.), he did it again, this time at Safe Harbor of Memphis – “A Church of Refuge.”

Pastor Eldridge “Deon” Williams and Chaplin Joe Pipken baptized Johnson and three other men – Floyd Williams, Gary Fisher and Lamar Reynolds Jr., all of whom made their way through a program designed to aid those battling alcohol and drug addictions.

“When I was young, I didn’t know the reason for being baptized,” said Johnson. “The reason is to be born again just as Jesus did when he died on the cross. He resurrected and I was resurrected by water, cleansed of all unrighteousness so that the Holy Spirit can dwell in me.”

Johnson is 54 now. The effects of his choices have affected his family and he knows that. He reflects that understanding with this observation:

“With the ups and downs of life experiences and my thirst for knowledge to understand more about Jesus Christ, I can honestly say to my mother, my daughter and the rest of my family that I really feel good about being baptized again with the understanding I have to day.”

Safe Harbor of Memphis is anchored at 3620 Jackson Ave. The mission statement speaks to “reaching men.”

“The goal is to help make sure they (the men) are closer to Christ, gainfully housed and employed,” said Pastor Williams, the director. “We are not looking for temporary fixes. The way to keep what you have is through Christ.”

Williams says all involved in the outreach ministry try to live by Matthew 6:33, citing it this way: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Family, friends and supporters of those baptized were in in attendance for Sunday’s baptisms.

Reflecting on Johnson’s journey, Pastor Williams said, “I’m honored Marvin beat the fork in the road. I’ve been overjoyed having him here and happy to see him leave; yet sad. Jokingly, I told him, I was going to football tackle him at the gate (on the way out).”

With millennial voting at five percent the day before elections, millennial leaders are organizing to urge the demographic to vote., millennial leaders are organizing to urge the demographic to vote.

Part of the strategy was the All World Media Group’s release Wednesday of a YouTube documentary dubbed “Why Not Vote..a Group’s release Wednesday of a YouTube documentary dubbed “Why Not Vote.”

TThe documentary was in tandem with a press conference set for the Overton Square plaza early Wednesday afternoon. Representatives from All World Media Group, Memphis Grassroots Organizations’ Coalition, Millennials for Memphis and VOTUS teamed for that push.e documentary was in tandem with a press conference set for the Overton Square plaza early Wednesday afternoon. Representatives from All World Media Group, Memphis Grassroots Organizations’ Coalition, Millennials for Memphis and VOTUS teamed for that push.

A press release spreading the word about the push included this backdrop:d about the push included this backdrop:

“Millenni“Millennial voting has been low this election cycle and this group of millennials hopes to improve that number. On the heels of the WHY NOT VOTE MEMPHIS video released by All World Media Group, the represented party will speak to why millennials are disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.g has been low this election cycle and this group of millennials hopes to improve that number. On the heels of the WHY NOT VOTE MEMPHIS video released by All World Media Group, the represented party will speak to why millennials are disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.disengaged while urging them to toss apathy aside and participate in the political process.

Polls open Thursday at 7 a.m. with voting until 7 p.m.

There have been numerous changes to traditional polling sites. To determine where you should vote, visit this Shelby County Election Commission portal:

http://www.shelbyvote.com/index.aspx?NID=122p://www.shelbyvote.com/index.aspx?NID=122

Ben Cauley was at home on stage. He’d raise his trumpet, close his eyes and with intensity signaled by the tightening of his brows send air flowing through his horn routinely causing goose bumps to dance on the arms of listeners.

An original member of the Memphis-rooted and world renowned Bar-Kays, Mr. Cauley died Monday night at Methodist South Hospital. He was 67.

Mr. Cauley was on stage on June 6 in Clarksdale, Miss. when the Bar-Kays were inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. He moved the audience that day, but it wasn’t with his trumpet or through his vocal talent.

Filled with emotion, Mr. Cauley talked about all that he had been through, shedding tears as he referenced the Dec. 10, 1967 plane crash near Madison, Wisc., that took the life of soul man Otis Redding and the lives of all of his fellow members of the Bar-Kays, except James Alexander, who was on a different flight.

Mr. Cauley alone survived the crash. Two decades later, he dramatically overcame a health scare – an aneurysm and massive stroke.

“Heavy hearts at the Stax Museum today, mourning the loss last night of our wonderful friend,” read a post on the Stax Museum Facebook page.

“Most fans know that about Ben but what we’d like you all to know is that Ben was one of the sweetest people in the world and a true gentleman and mentor,” the post continued. “Our thoughts today are with his family, friends, and millions of fans. We love you, Ben.”

LaMont Robinson, chairman of the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame, did as many others did on Tuesday – reflected on their paths crossing – directly and indirectly – with Mr. Cauley’s. He noted that the last performance of Redding and Bar-Kays before the crash was in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

“My parents were at that show,” said Robinson. “I got a chance to express to him that the whole induction ceremony was about him. Because any time that you escape death like he did, God had his hands on him. My condolences go out to his family. I am glad that he got a chance to see himself inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. He was too much! My condolences go out to his family. I am glad that he got a chance to see himself inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. He was too much!

Larry Dodson, now the lead singer of the Baon, now the lead singer of the Bawas a teenager when he joined the a teenager when he joined the

“Ben was without a doubt one of the greatest trumpet pl doubt one of the greatest trumpet pls I’ve ever heard,” Dodson told The New Tri-State Defender on Tuesday afternoon. “And probably one of the things that most people don’t really know about him is Ben was a really, really good singer…”

And, said Dodson, Mr. Cauley was a teacher.

“And not just vocally. I mean he was a showman. He had style, he was always a sharp dresser. He was aa star in every sense of the word.”

The homegoing plans for Mr. Cauley, a South Memphis product, have not yet been announced. He leaves five daughters, Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, Miriam Cauley-Crisp, Monica Cauley-Johnson and Kimberly Garrett; and two sons, Phalon Richmond and Ben Wells.

Super District 9 encompasses roughly half the city, being made up of Districts 1, 2 and 5, and a small section of Districts 3 and 4. Three council positions are carved out of that swath and five people are trying to get voters to elect them to Position 2.

On Friday, Early Voting begins and will continue through Oct. 3. Candidates of Super District 9, Position 2 – as are the candidates for other races on the Oct. 8 Municipal Election ballot – are maneuvering to present themselves to as many voters as possible. That’s the context that drew Super District 9, Position 2 candidates to the Rotary Club of Memphis forum at the University Club on Tuesday.

Three of the candidates – Stephanie Gatewood, Paul Shaffer and Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. – were there for the opening bell. Lynn Moss arrived late, delayed, she said, by an emergency. Philip Spinosa did not show up.

Guided moderator Jackson Baker, the fast-moving forum yielded no fiery exchanges. And with the candidates allowed to see the questions in advance, there were no “gotcha” moments.

Fiscal solvency/

public needs

With no incumbent in the race, each candidate was asked what he/she would have advocated as the best means for maintaining a balance between fiscal solvency and public needs.

Shaffer, head of the electricians union, said a big part of the problem was the absence of a “real comprehensive long term plan” for our city government.” Going forward he advocates such a plan that would detail spending priorities and include a focus on transportation and economic development.

Whalum, pastor of The New Olivet Baptist Church and a former member of the Memphis City Schools board, and its successor, the Shelby County Schools board, said he would have followed a two-pronged approach. First, he would have advocated that every decision be made “with the children in mind first,” as a family would make decisions.

Secondly, said Whalum, he would have been guided by the state comptroller’s concerns about the city’s finances, including the aggressive use of PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes) in recruiting businesses.

“If we are going to have to cut, let’s cut based on what the comptroller said he was concerned about. That would have gotten us beyond personalities and pet projects,” said Whalum.

Gatewood, a family and community engagement specialist for Shelby County Schools, also pitched the need for a comprehensive plan. She said budget conversations should not be limited to budget season and committed to eliminating what she said appears to be duplication of services by various offices.

Crime & safety

Gatewood pushed continued use of current resources, such as the crimestoppers and neighborhood watch programs, and advocated community policing, particularly citing models in Chicago and Denver. She then appealed to the business community to get involved in youth develop, particulary for those in the 15-24 age group

Whalum said the City Council really can’t legislate anything to reduce crime.

“One of the reasons crime is so prevalent is because of a poor educational structure. …Blight breeds crime. …Guess what the school board did? Close 19 inner city schools in the last two or three years, creating blight in the neighborhood thereby promoting an atmosphere for the increase in crime.the school board did? Close 19 inner city schools in the last two or three years, creating blight in the neighborhood thereby promoting an atmosphere for the increase in crime.

Saying it’s already too late for a generation of young people, Whalum said the community “must develop a sense of urgency. …Somebody has got to say stop closing schools in our community. Let’s improve the education in our community so we can stop (young people) from (seeing) crime as the only viable alternative to pay their cell phone bill. …”

Shaffer put the priority on making sure the police department is properly funded. He envisions “neighborhood police officers on the beat like we used to” and substations in the areas of town that need more attention.

More activities are needed for young people, particularly after school, said Shaffer, also calling for opening community centers and meaningful jobs for 16 to 24 year olds.

City’s role in

public education

If elected, Whalum said he would take a public stand to have the question of Memphis creating it’s own municipal school district put on the ballot as the area’s suburbs have done. “Memphians should get a do-over. Let that first vote be a mulligan. It was a bad, bad, bad mistake to give away our schools. …”

Citing the City Council’s subpoena power, Whalum said he would use it to initiate an officiofficficobe of the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program, zeroing in on why there have been countless PILOT recipients who have not kept their end of the bargain and why they have not been punished.

Shaffer put the emphasis on the City Council addressing early childhood development, saying “we really need to push as a council to reawaken the push for Pre-K for all children” as a ballot initiative, or find funding elsewhere.

Gatewood talked about the City Council embracing the role of a public advocate for bringing in agencies that help businesses and various groups come together to provide wrap around services for youth.

PILOTS, EDGE and

economic development

Gatewood said the Economic Development Growth Engine is giving way too much power and that the reins must be pulled back. That means more reporting and accountability.

Saying the City Council has the right and authority to “leverage companies that come to town,” Gatewood said she would request the companies provide mentoring/internships.

Shaffer said an economic development priority must be making sure area residents citizens are prepared for the jobs brought into the city. PILOTs are a fact of life that must be done in a responsible manner, he said, calling for an audit of existing PILOTs and an emphasis on making sure obligations are met.

Shaffer backed ensuring that youth can move into available jobs, if they choose not to attend college, and expanding programs that teach young people the basics such as preparing resumes.

Whalum reiterated his call for use of the City Council’s subpoena powers for an official inquiry into PILOTs. That includes, he said, what politicians consistently receive donations from PILOT recipients.

No right-minded person is against PILOTs as a tool for recruiting businesses, said Whalum. “But why on earth would we keep letting them come in, not hiring the people they say they are going to hire, not doing the community improvements they promise…?”

Arriving as the question was posed, Moss, a former small business owner who has been in the medical office management field since 1999, said that PILOTs – on the whole –are a good idea.

“Unfortunately, all of our PILOTs have not been managed well and …some cases were not projects that would benefit Memphians as a whole…I am for pilots when managed properly (and) sensible projects,” said Moss, adding a pitch for the need to lower the tax rate

Firmly anchored in the present, Tennessee State University President – and Memphis product – Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover takes a look back to her January 2013 start and peeks forward in a sit-down exclusive with the TSD.

“It’s an honor to have grown up in Memphis and then to attend TSU and then to come back as president. It’s such an awesome blessing and I don’t take that lightly. I don’t for any reason think that that is a given,” said Glover during an interview at The Peabody Hotel as the Southern Heritage Classic Weekend of activities unfolded.

“I know there are expectations. You asked if there was something the alumni expected. They demand accountability and rightly so. … I am enjoying it, embracing it,” she said, tipping her hat to a quality team of administrators.

Together, and with the support of alumni, the team has managed to increase enrollment, even as enrollment at the other five Tennessee Board of Regents universities stayed the same or declined. And it has done so against the challenge presented by the Tennessee Promise initiative, which offers two years of tuition-free community or technical college to Tennessee high school graduates beginning with the Class of high school graduates beginning with the Class of

Karanja A. Ajanaku: On a macro level, what do you see as the purpose of a university?

Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover: A university exists for more than one reason. It exists first to educate students, to impart the knowledge they will need to function in their daily lives in a professional arena. Then secondly, it is to improve the well being, the overall well-roundedness of our students. So education academically, as well as the mind academic functions. That’s what a university is for.

KAA: So coming down to the micro level and looking at Tennessee State, how well do you say you are doing?

Dr. Glover: We are doing an outstanding job of educating students. Over the years I can give you the names of TSU alums who have done well and made their marks on life. We continue to carry out our mission of serving a population that really needs us. We serve largely Tennessee students but we are open to all students who apply and meet the standards and criteria we have set for TSU and approved by our governing boards.

KAA: Coming in, you had something in your mind, like a baseball manager with a three to five year plan. A few years in, where do you see that you are relative to the plan that you came in with?

Dr. Glover: We are on track, maybe a little bit ahead of schedule. When I came, I had a five-point vision. I knew it would take three to five years. First and foremost was student progress, make sure students are progressing as speedily as necessary through the academic system. (And) to improve the customer service as it related to students. Students who go to TSU deserve the right and opportunity and support they need to graduate. And that is our mission. To get the students the proper amount of knowledge and understanding so that when they are deposited back into the larger community, the larger world, they will be able to function and excel.

KAA: So you had plan and you come in. Did you find anything that you didn’t expect and you said, “Wow, I’ve got to adjust my plan?ot to adjust my plan?

Dr. Glover: There were some things that caught me off guard. The quietness of the faculty and staff, initially there was not much communication. I’m not sure if there was some reason perhaps that they thought they might be penalized for speaking with the president, for being open and candid. So I wanted to make sure that they understood that I am here because the students are here. Whatever it takes to advance the students, I want to hear that. I want to know if there is an issue that has come up obstructing the path. We want to be open, honest and transparent. There are no hidden agendas when it comes to this administration. We are totally focused on students and making sure that students get a better life when they graduate. And the professional world they are looking for, we make sure they are ready for that.

The second amazement to me …one of the rules that we have in Tennessee is that as you grow and need new buildings, somehow TSU is responsible for 25 percent of that. That was a shocker. I’ve never been in a system where the actual administration was responsible for a fourth of the funding of a facility. That was quite new, but again, once I learned the rules, I have to function within those rules and we function very well within those rules.

KAA: You get a lot of Memphis students historically. They have been trying to raise the standards here. I am curious as to what (caliber) you are receiving and what, if anything, special you have to do to help students that are sort of academically challenged.

Dr. Glover: Actually, Memphis students are no different from students across the country that we admit. We have excellent students from Memphis and we have some others who have some challenges. We want to make sure that we serve the students and service the students and meet their needs where they are. Everybody is not cut out to be an engineer major or a CPA. On the other hand, they might be cut out to be a music major. We help students find their proper pursuit and then move in that direction.

KAA: Are there any new programs or initiatives that you are bringing on board this year, or soon?

Dr. Glover: Yes. We know that STEM and health care, those two areas, are probably hottest in the academic arena, in the professional arena…. So we combined the life and physical sciences – biology, chemistry, math, physics – so we could have a better focus on the STEM areas and keep those students who are really STEM oriented and make sure that we provide an education for them that is conducive to what they need…We have engineering by itself and put the others together.

KAA: We ran a story in our newspaper this week where a couple of HBCU graduates were really making a plea for alumni to not forgot the schools and to step up, particularly from a financial standpoint. What are you experiencing with your alumni?

Dr. Marcia Bowden and her husband, Ira Marche, are to be in court on Sept. 16 to answer charges related to a Southaven, Miss. traffic stop that degenerated into an experience – including jail – that the Memphis doctor says has left her “completely undone.”

Bowden told The New Tri-State Defender (TSD) on Friday that she had not been at work for the last couple of days since the Labor Day incident. “I just had to cancel my patients for the rest of the week. I just couldn’t concentrate.”

The encounter began about 4 p.m. on Sept. 7 on Church Rd. in Southaven. The TSD has been in pursuit of the Southaven Police Department’s account of the incident since learning of it on Wednesday evening.

On Friday (Sept. 11), The TSD received an email from the Southaven Police Department regarding the arrest of Bowden and Marche. The email explained the process for requesting and receiving arrest records, along with a request form, which the TSD faxed back to Southaven Police Friday afternoon. When asked how fast such requests are turned around, a reporter was informed that all such requests must be approved by Southaven Police Chief Tom Long.

The TSD reached out to Chief Long and Deputy Chief Steve Pirtle several times on Friday. A spokesperson said Long and several senior police administrators were out of the office attending the funeral of a fellow police officer who recently died of cancer.

Later Friday afternoon, contact was made with Deputy Chief Pirtle, who declined to comment specifically on the case. Pirtle said a request for the police report must be reviewed and approved by the city attorney before it could be released to the TSD. That review is expected next week.

In an account the TSD published Thursday, Dr. Bowden, a 2008 TSD Women of Excellence honoree, said she and her husband were traveling along Church Rd. in his Jaguar when a motorcycle officer pulled them over. Marche was driving and he was speeding, Bowden said in her written account to the TSD.

What happened next will likely be contested. From Bowden’s account, neither she nor her husband had their licenses readily available. Dr. Bowden said the couple had been out to an event the night before and her husband’s license was in his tuxedo jacket. Dr. Bowden said she thought her license was in the purse she was carrying but she still has not found it.

According to Bowden, the exchanges that ensued after they were pulled over, particularly with a second officer called to the scene, had her fearful.

“I looked out of the door (and) Officer Delany had his hand on the trigger of his revolver and had it lifted in the holster on his right hip,” her account to the TSD read. “I was terrified that he would shoot my husband in the back. ‘I said officers don’t shoot us, we are law abiding citizens….PLEASE, you do not have to take your gun out, I am afraid.’”

Bowden, who has Asthma, was treated at a hospital while in police custody after complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. Later she was jailed and released.

The charges?

“I was charged with failure to obey (an officer) and disturbing the peace,” said Bowden on Friday. The charges against her husband involve the use of profane language, she said.

Marche on Saturday afternoon said he was charged with disorderly conduct and speeding. He was not charged with driving without a license.

On Monday, Bowden and Marche are scheduled meet with an attorney in preparation for the court appearance.

“I know this is what happens to our people every single day. To hear about it is so very different from experiencing it,” she said during Friday’s conversation with the TSD.

“It puts me in a place that I can hardly tolerate. I remember my father telling me a story about his father – and this would be in the 1940s – who was accused of something and the sheriff just burst into their house without any warrant, without any kind of information and searched their home when he was a 4-year-old kid.

Bowden said her father was in his 70s when he was telling her the story.

“His heartbreak was palpable. They put his father on the chain gang. …I would look at the look on his face and I was sympathetic, but empathy is a different thing.

“It was such a different day in that time,” said Bowden, “but the situation is exactly the same. We haven’t made any progress in our nation. I love America; I love being an American. But what is happening in our country, we’ve got to address!”

Marche on Saturday said he and his wife are appreciative and humbled by an outpouring of community support.