![]() ACLU attorneys say Federalsburg has, in negotiations to date, mostly sought to slow down the proceedings, volunteering to eventually amend the town charter, a proposal that would first have to be approved by a majority of voters. Further, they are asking the judge to end the practice of staggered elections, which would allow white people to control the Town Council beyond the scheduled September election. ![]() Representatives of the ACLU and fellow plaintiffs are asking Judge Gallagher to force the town to abandon its past practices and create at least one of two districts (or two of four overall districts) where Black voters would constitute a majority. Twenty years ago, Black individuals represented only about one-third of the town’s population today, nearly half. But this lack of representation has become all the more glaring as its Black population has grown. And it is poor, with average individual income at $19,000 compared with the statewide average of $41,516. The town is relatively isolated it’s not on highways serving the beach-bound, like U.S. Why Federalsburg hasn’t adopted at least one majority Black voting district before now may be at least partially the result of how easily it can be overlooked by outsiders. census, Federalsburg’s population is 47% Black. The town, which is governed by a mayor and four-member Town Council, all of whom are elected at-large and under staggered terms, has never elected a Black person to office. Gallagher is set to hear oral arguments in a case that would require these very same voting standards be placed on the town of Federalsburg, a community of roughly 2,800 residents in southern Caroline County. Cane grew up hearing cautionary stories of lynchings, but went on to be elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1998 representing Dorchester and Wicomico counties and later serving as chair of the General Assembly’s Legislative Black Caucus. Cane of the tiny Somerset County town of Marion Station. One of the more notable pioneers was Rudolph C. That effort, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union and others, was eventually rewarded as town halls and county courthouses became integrated. The eventual remedy? One by one, the offenders were required to create at least one representative district where Black voters would hold a majority, thus creating an opportunity for minority candidates to have a place at the governance table. They had clearly violated the Voting Rights Act, the landmark 1965 federal legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. All of the towns had deep segregationist roots, and all had failed to elect Black candidates to public office, despite having significant number of African American residents. Department of Justice and civil rights advocates against Eastern Shore towns and counties with a history of voter discrimination. Robinson was named the Class 2A Coach-of-the-Year after the Tarpons won the school’s first state team title since 1997.īalmeceda’s Bucs squad finished the year with an eighth straight team title in the IBT, and a state-leading fourth state duals title to help him earn the Class 3A Coach-of-the-Year.Nearly 40 years ago, a series of lawsuits were filed by the U.S. “We are trying to cultivate well rounded student athletes who represent Somerset wrestling family on and off the mat,” Blasucci said.Ĭharlotte’s Evan Robinson and South Dade’s Victor Balmeceda were also named for top coaching honors. “It’s a tribute to the kids, the program, parents and coaching staff that have worked for 10 years to achieve this goal.”Ĭhristian Fretwell, Chase Gillis, Bas Diaz, and Darian Estevez all won state titles for the Panthers. “It’s a great honor to receive this award,” Blasucci said. The first came in January when Somerset topped Palm Bay in the Class 1A state duals championship and the second was added in March when the Panthers took home the Class 1A team title behind the strength of four individual state champions. Somerset’s Joe Blasucci was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach-of-the-Year after leading the Panthers to the program’s first two state titles in wrestling. Schyck was also a state champion at 182 pounds and was named the Class 1A Wrestler-of-the-Year after a 39-0 season. The senior finished the season 54-1, avenging his only loss on the season in the state final. Lukens was named the Class 3A Wrestler-of-the-Year after winning the 182-pound title. Other wrestling honors went to Manatee’s Tylynn Lukens and Lemon Bay’s Lance Schyck. “The plan is to keep working hard and then go to Fargo and win a couple of national titles.” The two brothers have moved onto the freestyle season and will start taking college visits this summer once the NCAA dead period ends before competing at Fargo.
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