Connections and Changes

Hello blog readers!

I'm trying to do more in the way of connecting all of my social networks to make it easier for others and myself. So...

I just wanted to inform everyone that you can access more articles/columns I've written on this website: http://www.mytjnow.com/.

Also, you can find out more about me and the things I've done (my credentials) here: http://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyguilfoyle.

I'll be in the process of making great changes to my blog within the next month or so as well.

Until my next post, Happy Holidays! :)

Student Hero Newspaper Story

By: Brittany Guilfoyle

She takes a paintbrush to her canvas and finishes the last touches on the indifferent face of a young African boy. The powerful and motivational qualities of the painting characterize far more than just the boy, though, they represent the artist. Corinne Owens, daughter of Tim and Ruth Owens, hails from Summerville, S.C., and spends much of her time doing volunteer work in her hometown and in Rock Hill, S.C., where she is a senior at Winthrop University. At the age of 10, Owens volunteered for the first time when she helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Since then, a passion for helping others has only grown for the 21-year-old. Owens, an English literature major, works many hours throughout the week at The Limited in Pineville, N.C., but unlike many college students, she donates her free time to several good causes.

Establishing a legacy

As a student, she founded the Winthrop chapter of the African Awareness Coalition (AAC), part of the Progressive Student Network, and currently serves as the organization’s vice president. The AAC is a student-led organization that works to end social violence and conflict in Africa through political action, raising awareness and canvassing, according to Winthrop’s website. “In the past, we’ve (organization members) volunteered with and organized protests in Charlotte and we’ve lobbied in Washington, D.C.,” Owens said. “It’s really important for people to just know about what’s going on in Africa.” The AAC also uses the non-profit organizations Invisible Children and STAND to help inform others about the crisis in Africa; Owens said working for Invisible Children has been her best volunteer work experience so far. “I’m really passionate about their cause,” she said, “and anytime you really feel strongly about something, you’re going to enjoy it.” Last year, Owens became the 2009 campaign state director for STAND, based out of Georgetown, S.C.

Making a difference

She also works closely alongside Resolve Uganda, the organization More Than Me, which assists children in developing countries by getting them off the streets and into schools, and the Free People Free People organization, which rescues people from slavery and promotes freedom. For Owens, devoting her life to those in need is like a responsibility, she said. “I feel like we’re in this world for a certain amount of time,” she said. “If I’m a citizen of this community or of our world, being a part of it, I have to contribute.” And her achievements don’t stop there. Owens is a member of the Winthrop chapter’s Pre-Law Society and she works with Model United Nations. Her minor in peace, justice and conflict resolution studies also coincides with her membership in Amnesty International.

Enhancing lives near and far

At Winthrop, she serves as the community service chair for the sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma, where she contacts non-profit groups in Rock Hill and establishes partnerships with them. The sisters of the sorority then separate into teams and do volunteer work for these groups for a long-term, unspecified time period. Around the Rock Hill area, Owens volunteers at Safe Passage and has previously worked as a first-grade tutor at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church; she was a school youth adviser at Summerville Presbyterian Church in her hometown. Her love for working with people and for people drives her, she said, calling volunteering “one of the most rewarding experiences.” Owens is now in the process of helping to raise money for the Invisible Children Schools for Schools campaign that ends in December.

Looking ahead

As for her future plans, she said she wants to attend law school and work in public interest with the hope of advocating for children and eventually do legal work for a non-profit organization. “I want to volunteer the rest of my life; it’s what makes me happy, and I enjoy it,” she said. “So, it’s not really work; it’s a fun time.” Despite the fact some people may consider her a hero, Owens thinks otherwise. For her, volunteering comes naturally. “I don’t really think I’m a hero because I feel like I’m just doing what I should do and I feel like everyone else can do that as well,” she said.

Student Hero Slideshow: Corinne Owens

By: Brittany Guilfoyle

Student Corinne Owens devotes her life to helping others in need.

Owens, daughter of Tim and Ruth Owens, hails from Summerville, S.C., and spends much of her time doing volunteer work in her hometown and in Rock Hill, S.C., where she is a senior at Winthrop University.

This slideshow features pictures detailing the 21-year-old English literature major's work in a variety of the organizations and events she is involved with. These include:

• African Awareness Coalition (with the Progressive Student Network)
• Sigma Sigma Sigma
• Model UN
• Summerville Presbyterian Church middle school youth adviser

Additional organizations she volunteers for (not featured in the slideshow) include:

• Amnesty International
• Pre-Law Society
• STAND
• Resolve Uganda
• Invisible Children
• Safe Passage in Rock Hill
• Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church first grade tutor
• Habitat for Humanity
• More Than Me
• Free People Free People

The slideshow mostly presents pictures from "I Am Abducted: Come to the Rescue," which Owens participated in on April 25, 2009. This activity, held in Charlotte, N.C., brought to light the issue of Joseph Kony's child soldiers in Africa.

Corinne Owens: Student Hero at Winthrop University

Corinne Owens

Winthrop Student Fights for Multiple Causes

By: Brittany Guilfoyle

Some people stop at nothing to help others, 21-year-old Corinne Owens is one of them.

Owens, a senior English literature major from Summerville, S.C., has spent the last 11 years of her life devoted to volunteering.

As a student at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., she founded the Winthrop chapter of the African Awareness Coalition (AAC) and now serves as the vice president.

Other clubs and organizations she is involved with include: Amnesty International, the Pre-Law Society, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Model UN, STAND, Resolve Uganda,

Invisible Children, More Than Me and Free People Free People.

Listen at: http://wugirl11.podbean.com/mf/web/w8q4cw/HeroPodcast.mp3 to learn more about Owens' life, what she does and what she plans to do in the future.

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South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was established to allow ordinary citizens to have access to information concerning government actions at many levels. The law guarantees every person the right to attain official documents and records and to attend government meetings. The General Assembly updated the law in 1987, 1998, 2000 and, most recently, 2003.

“The General Assembly finds that it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and public policy,” said Henry McMaster, South Carolina attorney general.

South Carolina’s FOIA is divided into sections that cover many different aspects of the law. First, it determines which government bodies are subject to the FOIA. If public funds support a body, or if a body expends public funds, then it is subject to scrutiny. However, health care affairs, medical disciplinary matters, case evaluations and peer reviews are “exempt” from the FOIA, according to www.scstatehouse.gov. Social Security numbers and student academic records follow under this category, too.

The FOIA applies to public records, which constitute books, papers, photographs, recordings, tapes and computer data that a public body has possessed, prepared or retained. But domestic security information and trade secrets are an exception. Any person may review a public item as long as it is not prohibited by other parts of the law. During business hours, certain basic records, such as meeting minutes, must be offered to the public on-the-spot wit

hout a written demand.

Citizens have the right to attend public meetings also. A public meeting is determined by if a quorum exists, which means there is enough people present to cast an official vote. This includes in-person meetings, social gatherings and conference telephone calls. If a quorum is present at a public business meeting, it should be op

en and announced to citizens and the media prior to its start, according to the official South Carolina FOIA code of laws.

Freedom of Information Laws exist that some people do not even realize:

• If a contract or property sale is being negotiated, these records may be protected from the public until after the deal is finished.
  
• The public may know the compensations of public bodies.
  
• If faculty members at state institutions of higher education file research records or collect data, they may be hidden from the public.
  
• Certain meetings regarding the investment of public employee retirement funds may be closed to the public.

“The best governments – state, county and community – offer the greatest access to their activities and records,” said John Shurr, chairman on the S.C. Press Association Freedom of Information Committee.

Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide campaign designed to encourage open government and freedom of information, recently ran from March 14-20. Numerous South Carolina media outlets and citizens participate in the event each year, which originally began in 2005. FOI laws are frequently called “Sunshine Laws” because they “let the light shine in on government meetings and records,” according to Shurr.

Check out this brief video for more information about Sunshine Week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t2XNb6Zvrw

Obama Weighs in on Recession, Future

Many Americans today are familiar with the phrase "change we can believe in."

But what "changes" have President Barack Obama made since being sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2009?

He has tried to tackle numerous important issues, such as health care, education and the war in Iraq, but one of the main problems he continues to face has drawn much criticism from others - the recession.

When Obama began his first presidential term, the unemployment rate in this nation was 7.7 percent, compared to a now all-time high of 10 percent one year later.

What happened to the $787 billion economic stimulus bill that was passed into law back in February of 2009?

According to MSNBC.com, more than half of the seven million-plus jobs in our country have been eliminated since the recession began in December of 2007.

On the evening of Jan. 27, 2010, Obama will be giving his State of the Union speech, and some citizens are eager to hear what his next move will be concerning job losses in the U.S.

Republican Fears More Harm Than Good

In mid-November of 2009, Obama said, “The economic growth that we’ve seen has not yet led to the job growth that we desperately need.”

Some would consider this an understatement.

Senior Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Dave Camp of Michigan, rejects Obama's new ideas.

“What will help middle-class families most is creating jobs and reducing the unemployment rate, but these proposals won’t do either,” Mr. Camp announced. “Moreover, if these proposals are coupled with higher taxes or more mandates on small businesses, the President’s plan could end up making it tougher for middle-class families to find a job.”

Recession Impacts Americans

About 50 percent of Americans who are unemployed said the recession has been a "hardship" on them and caused major life changes, according to a recent nationwide poll of unemployed Americans conducted by the New York Times and CBS News.

In addition, only five percent of people said the recession has not had much of an effect on them. Twenty-two percent think the job market in their area will just get worse.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, said, "Americans are asking ‘Where are the jobs?’ But none of the proposals outlined by the White House today would, in fact, create jobs...It’s past time for the White House to scrap its job-killing agenda and work in a bipartisan way to create jobs for the American people.”

When will Americans see this "change" that we used to believe?

Obama to Reveal New Five-point Plan

Tomorrow night, Obama will explain a new agenda that could create more jobs for Americans and finally allow the economy to begin to heal.

The five key themes of this plan, according to politico.com, include:

• Nearly doubling the child and dependent care tax credit for middle class families making less than $85,000 a year
• Limiting a student’s federal loan payments to 10 percent of his or her income above a basic living allowance
• Creating a system of automatic workplace IRAs, requiring all employers to give the option for employees to enroll in a direct-deposit IRA
• Expanding tax credits to match retirement savings and enacting new safeguards to protect retirement savings, making it easier for families to plan for retirement
• Expanding support for families balancing work with caring for elderly relatives, helping them manage their multiple responsibilities and allowing seniors to live in the community for as long as possible

Maybe this time promises will turn into actions.

Crimestoppers Wants Deadbeat Parents

The York County Detention Center (YCDC) and the sheriff's department don't take unpaid child support fees lightly. They are always in search of York County's "deadbeat" parents, and, even citizens are encouraged to help in this fight for justice.

The YCDC Web site features a special section for the area's most wanted deadbeat parents, and it also provides information on how anyone can submit tips in hopes of bringing in these offenders.

If you know a deadbeat parent and would like to report him or her, Crime Stoppers is asking you to submit as much information you know as possible. Call 877-409-4321 to help, while remaining anonymous. You may be eligible for a cash reward.

To submit an online anonymous tip, click here to enter all information pertaining to a crime or wanted person.

Remember to keep the following questions in mind when entering information:

• How do you know about this crime?
• Did the person who committed the crime tell you about it?
• Do you know the name of the person who committed the crime?
• What does the person look like?
• Where is this person living or where does he or she hang out?
• When and where did you last see this person?

As of now, the number of York County deadbeat parents at large is 27 - two females and 25 males. These individuals owe anywhere from $3,619.22 to $105,699.64.

Please contact Crime Stoppers if you know any information regarding the following top three or any other wanted deadbeat parents of York County:

Tyrone Glover, 35, from Catawba, S.C., owes over $100,000 in back-child support. He was last seen on June 28, 2007, and also has a family court bench warrant for his arrest.

James Lee Johnson, 57, from Charlotte, N.C., owes $60,830.14. He was last seen on Jan. 1, 2001, and also has two family court bench warrants for his arrest.

Dennis Erby, 45, from Rock Hill, S.C., owes $51,303.24. He was last seen on March 22, 2007, and also has a family court bench warrant for his arrest.

York County Detention Center Protects Community

The York County Detention Center (YCDC) in South Carolina prides itself on keeping criminal offenders off the streets. Each year, hundreds of inmates pass through the YCDC and become confined to the inside of a cell. Listed below are mugshots and information regarding the 10 most recently arrested York County individuals (compiled from the sheriff department's Web site).

1. Terrice Milton Cherry, 23, was booked on Jan. 24, 2010. He is charged with driving under suspension and operating an uninsured motor vehicle (first offense). Cherry has also been booked three previous times from 2007 to 2009 for charges including: unlawful carrying of a weapon, probation violation, pointing and presenting firearms at a person and public disorderly conduct. He is from Rock Hill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
2. John Frank Howell, 36, was booked on Jan. 24, 2010. He is charged with breach of peace. Howell was also booked once in July of 2008 on public disorderly conduct charges. He is from Hickory Grove, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
3. Damon Christopher Sumter, 36, was booked on Jan. 23, 2010. He is charged with driving under the influence (first offense). Sumter has no prior arrests. He is from Fort Mill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
4. Adam Kasey Martin, 20, was booked on Jan. 23, 2010. He is charged with malicious intent to personal property exceeding $1,000 (but less than $5,000), pointing and presenting firearms at a person and public and disorderly conduct. Martin was also booked once in May of 2007 for possession of marijuana (first offense), reckless driving and operating an unsafe vehicle. He is from Clover, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
5. LaKrystle Chinyere Caldwell, 26, was booked on Jan. 23, 2010. He is charged with speeding (over 10 mph but under 15 mph), transportation of alcohol with a broken seal in a motor vehicle, incorrectly displayed tag, giving false information and failure to maintain proof of insurance in the vehicle. Caldwell has also been booked five previous times since Oct. of 2001, on charges including: failure to appear, speeding, shoplifting, fradulent checks and commitment. She is from Rock Hill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
6. Tarrance Antoin Barber, 38, was booked on Jan. 23, 2010. He is charged with shoplifting (third offense). Barber has also been booked four previous times from 2002 to 2009 for charges including: criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, assault and battery, failure to appear, kidnapping and burglary (first degree). He is from Rock Hill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
7. Travis Quanta Foster, 28, was booked on Jan. 23, 2010. He is charged with burglary (first degree), armed robbery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, assault and battery with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Foster has been booked three times prior in 2002 on charges of possession of crack, resisting arrest, possession of a handgun by a minor, failure to stop for blue lights and larceny exceeding $5,000. He is from Rock Hill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
8. Ronnie Lamar Meeks, 28, was booked on Jan. 23, 2010. He is charged with possession of marijuana, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession of cocaine near a school. Meeks was also booked once in January of 2008 on possession of crack cocaine charges. He is from Rock Hill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
9. Elder Exequiel Flores-Gomez, 19, was booked on Jan. 22, 2010. He is charged with holding for another agency. Flores-Gomez has no prior arrests. He is from Rock Hill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.
10. Jaime Hernandez-Guerrero, 33, was booked on Jan. 22, 2010. He is charged with holding for another agency. Hernandez-Guerrero has no prior arrests. He is from Rock Hill, S.C. For his mugshot picture, click here.