Augusta focus. ([Augusta, Ga.) 198?-current, December 19, 1996, Image 5

Augusta focus., December 19, 1996, Page 5A, Image 5

About Augusta focus. ([Augusta, Ga.) 198?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 1996)

Page of 28

Prev Issue Next Issue

Text PDF JP2 (3.7 MB) Clip/Print Image

Page of 28

Prev Issue Next Issue

Return to Top

Newspaper Page TextUSDA to review discrimination complaints, treatment of farmer By Robert Greene AP Farm Writer ' WASHINGTON Agriculture Department inves tigators will seek a way to re solve more than a decade’s worth of discrimination complaints by black and other minority farm ers in farm loan and other pro grams. The announcement Tuesday by Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman comes as a federal judge prepares to rule on wheth er a discrimination lawsuit by six black and Hispanic farmers should be expanded to include hundreds of possible victims. A hearing is scheduled Friday in U.S. District Court on the suit, which claims the department should award damages and take other actions, such as stemming foreclosures. In some cases, the department has acknowledged discrimination. A newly formed group of black farmers, organized with the help of the lawyer in the case, also planned a demonstration Thurs day in front of the White House. The group claims the adminis tration has done little to address the complaints, most of which originated before the Clinton ad ministration took over. e VAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOURSELF : LATELY? Brenau University, founded in 1878, serving the CSRA since 1982. Spend your evenings with us and earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. In Augusta we offer: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Administration Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Management Master of Business Administration For more information please call us at (706) 793-7646, (706) 796-6950 or 1-800-252-5119 Classes That Work, For People Who Work Brenau University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s and specialist in education degrees. Brenau University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, handicap, or national or ethnic origin and is an equal opportunity/ affirmatiive action employer. Pre-Loved Cats g 1988 Isuzu Pickup, with camper......................... 53,980 1987 Nissan Pickup, with camper........................ 3,980 11990 Toyota Camry, super 5harp..........................7,480 1993 Toyota Corolla, wagon, aut0.....................9,480 1992 Mitsubishi Ga1antG5..................................9,980 1991 RX-7, special of the day.................................. 9,980 1993 Eagle Talon, low miles, aut0.......................10,480 1995 Dodge Dakota, auto, air.............................. 11,480 1991 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4,V-6, 5 speed, nice.......... 11,780 1996 Ford Ranger XLT, 4-Ltr-V-6, 10aded............13,480 1996 Chev. Lumina, 4dr......................................14,980 1993 Ford Explorer XLT Sport, 4x4...................14,980 1995 Ford Wind5tarGL.......................................15,480 1994 Chevy Astro Van CL Ext, w/ everything....ls,9Bo 1993 Honda Prelude, 4 WS, 1 0wner..................15,980 1993 Toyota Previa LE, van................................ 15,980 1995 Nissan King Kab XE, V-6, 4x4....................17,980 1995 Trooper -S, we sold it new........................... 19,995 1995 Mazda Millenia Classic, we sold it new.... 21,980 1995 Mazda Millenia L, we sold it new............... 23,980 e NN GR O]\ SN MAZDA ISUZU S 202-0002 Aiken-Augusta Hwy. * North Augusta . FOCUS on Augusta’s finest weekly newspaper. Call Augusta Focus at (706) 724-7855 to subscribe. The announcement was also prompted by an outside consult ant’s report that found low par ticipation by blacks, Hispanics, Indians, other minorities and women in farm programs and smaller loans to those groups. The report, obtained by The As sociated Press under the Free dom of Information Act, could not document overt discrimina tion, however, and suggested the reasons for differences were com plex and difficult to trace, if not impossible. Still, Glickman said he has asked the Office of Inspector General to investigate immedi ately the status of individual discrimination complaints and recommend a plan for promptly resolving them. The investigation will also look at farm program participation. Glickman said he will open “a national dialogue” that includes national and state forums early next year on improving services to minorities and women. The three farm program agencies will also open an “outreach office” to improve contacts. “I am committed to creating an environment in which every cus tomer who comes to one of our offices is treated fairly, effective ly and efficiently,” Glickman said in a statement. The report, by D.J. Miller & Associates Inc. of Atlanta, noted the steady decline in black farm ersto 18,816 in 1992. There were 21,000 Hispanic-run farms, up from five years earlier, the Cen sus Bureau says, and 145,000 female-run farms, also up. The report said minority- and female run farms tend to be smaller, and these farmers earn less rev enue from farming. Critics say that discrimination has helped speed the decline of black farmers. In advance of Friday’s hearing, the Justice Department opposed turning the lawsuit into a class action. It says there is no way to sort out who would be covered without reviewing hundreds of detailed complaints that would force a probe into personal finan cial management and dealings with thousands of county-level officials. However, attorney James W. Myart Jr. of San Antonio said in newly filed court papers that the Miller study found a common thread tothe discrimination com plaints. So did a 36-page report done in April 1993 by the Virgin ia Farmers Home Administra tion, he said. Complaints inciude smaller SEARS ROV ' Dec. 19 JUST IN THE (St.)NICK for her 50% Off ALL social occasion holiday motif dresses and collections in sizes for misses, women, petites and juniors 25-33% Off ALL warm robes 25-33* Off ALL flannel sleepwear, robes and loungewear 25% Off dressmaker pantsets Misses 39.99, women's 49.99 ® shoes & accessories 40-50" Off ALL fine jewelry 20 '40% Off ALL men’s casual shoes 25% Off select Reebok® styles Intermediate markdowns may have been taken 25% off ALL Keds shoes 25% Off ALL pre-wrapped women’s accessory gifts for the home sale avt air cleaners, starting at 59.99 sale ALL gas grills, starting at 109.99 white sale! ALL bedspreads and comforter sets, last 7 days to save Come see the merry side of SEARS ome Se€ in€ merry Side€ o All offers good through Dec. 24 unless otherwise incicated. *O% finance charge through Dec. 24 on single tem purchases. See defalls below. **Free delivery with mailin coupon through Dec. 24 Avaliable in most areas of the U.S. See store for details. 0% Finance Charge Detalls (when offered) Available for qualified purchases with Sears Delayed Billing Option on Sears Card or Sears Charge PLUS. Be sure 1o ask our sales associate for this option and defalls. S4OO minimum purchase of qualified merchandise required 1o open a Sears Charge PLUS account. Regular cred't terms apply affer 0% flinance charge period Important Sears Credit Terms: Annual percentage rate Is 21% (20.4% in PR), NOTE: Minimurn monthly finance charge of $.50 applies In ol states except DC, MD, PR Important Sears Charge PLUS Terms: Annual percentage rate is 21% unless you reside In the following states: AR. 10.26%, but rate may vary. 20.4% in PR. NOTE: Minimum monthly finance charge of §.50 applies in all siates except AR, DC, MD and PR. All the above terms and condifions are accurate as of 4/96 but may change after that date. To find out what might have changed, write to: Sears Telemarketing Center, 111 Lomas Bivd. N.W., Aibuquerque, NM 87102% 1996 Sears, ©1996 Sears, Roebuck and Co. Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back loans, delayed loans, denial of technical help with applications, shelving the applications, and putting in false data. “He’s saying he’s asking the inspector general to do something three or four months down the line,” Myart said in response to Glickman’s announcement. “This issue has been with the adminis tration for four years. The ad ministration is just now propos ing to conduct a study to deter mine how to do it.” Still, he praised the administra tion for taking a “first good step.” Myart also spoke as represen tative of the National Black Farmers Association, a group formed with about 50 of his cli ents, mostly in southern Virgin ia. The group plans Thursday’s demonstration in front of the White House. A settlement could prove ex pensive. And the department is already under pressure from Congress to curb the billions of dollarsin losses from loans made to all farmers. Myart said in court papers that former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy tried to settle one case for $570,000 in December 1994, just before his resignation, but the settlement was rejected by Glickman. All major Sears stores open early 8 a.m. and close late Wed., Dec. 18 & Thurs., Dec.l9 . 5 o R e BLAVIEE 0 A el A i for him 25-40” off ALL men's : dress shirts. sale ends 12/21 30-40" Off ALL men's flannel shirts 25-30% off ALL men's activewear 30% Off ALL heavyweight outerwear 25% Off ALL men'’s sweaters sale 14.99 Roebuck® stonewash jeans. sale ends 12/21 @ Christmas shop 35 -~ 50% Off our entire Christmas shop 50* Off ALL outdoor decorations and light sets 50% Off ALL Trim-A-Tree, Christmas wrap, home decorations, nativity scenes and villages 35% Off ALL artificial Christmas trees, animation and electronics hardware sale 12.88 ciaftsman 8-pc. std/mm combo wrench seft, 44125/26. Reg. 19.99 sale SBB craftsman 9.6 V industrial cordless drill with case, 27184. Reg. 99.99 sale SSB craftsman rotary tool kit with 100 accessories and case, 61056. Reg. 69.99 sale 29.88 craftsman detail sander with case, 11639. Reg. 39.99 sale 88.88 craftsman 16-gal. wet/ dry vac with accessories, 17700/05. Reg. 99.99 AUGUSTA FOCUS December 19, 1996 MEAL DEALS! IHO ‘.‘—l I 69 @ HOUSE OF - 9 SELECTIONS! Served samtoßam & 4 pmto 1 am (AVAILABLE 8 AM TO 4 PM MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS, AT $1.99) TN (706) 738-0554 2525 Washington Road, Augusta, Georgia Subscribe to Augusta Focus for only $24.95 per year. Call 724-7855 to arrange your purchase. @ for kids 40" Off heavyweight coats and jackets 40* Off ALL kids' size 4-20 sweaters and fleece sets. excludes characters. sale ALL kids' denim jeans, size 4-20 Sale ends 12/21 ® home electronics sale ALL TVs, VCRs, camcorders, stereos, boom boxes and car audio @ home office sole ALL phones, faxes, computers and software % home appliances 0% finance charge* uni July ‘97 on all home appliances over $399 free dellvery“ on all home appliances over $399 sale ALL Kenmore and Whirlpool over the counter microwaves, starting at $322 sale ALL countertop microwaves, starting at 89.99 199.99 Kenmore upright vac, 36212, with FREE canister vac fun & fitness -25’ game tables an 10-25% off aLL tables and electronic dart boards, starting at 79.99 sale ALL CardioFit exercycles, starting at 149.99 sole ALL ab machines, starting ot 39.99 5A