4 The Hampton Roads Messenger Editorial


Will Your Vote Count, or Not? Te


incident is being investigated


as a hate crime. Te attacks seem to stem directly from the hateful rhetoric coming from a political group desperately trying to hold on to power. African Americans are not the


BY ANGELA JONES I oſten hear people, who are fed up


with politics, complain that they do not believe that their vote will count. My response is that there is only one way to know for sure if one’s vote will not count and that is if one does not vote. Te number of HBCU students who voted in 2012 declined by 10 percent in 2016 according to a Tuſts University study.


Tere are some people who believe


that things cannot get any worse. Te current President of the United States asked African Americans, “What do you have


to lose?” Unfortunately,


an African American man, age 69, shopping at a Kroger grocery store in Kentucky, and an African American woman, age 67, who was in the parking lot of the store, lost their lives at the hand of a European American assailant, recently. A witness saw the alleged perpetrator trying to enter a locked predominantly African American church minutes before he shot the two innocent victims at the grocery store.


only people who have been caught in the cross-hairs during the current administration. Recently, 11 victims were murdered while worshipping at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. If any group believes they are safe from the types of attacks that have happened or those that will happen if we continue down this dark road of divisiveness, they are sadly mistaken. Te increase in violent attacks on certain groups in America is a direct result of the hate-speech that is being spewed by individuals who are currently occupying a seat at the table of the highest levels of our government. Te only way we can counter


these hate-driven attacks is with our vote. Tat is why some people want us to believe that our votes will not count and that we “have nothing to lose.” We have everything to lose. We especially do not want to lose our country that our forefathers worked tirelessly to prepare for us. So many people suffered unspeakable hardships and pain to ensure that all Americans have the right to vote. Tey sacrificed so that we could live in “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” We should continue to cast our


vote for the best candidates who can make


the dream of


nation a reality. We owe that to the next generation. We must make our vote count for them.


an indivisible Health Coverage FROM PAGE 1


family members qualify for access to quality health coverage.” Eligible adults will begin receiving


services starting January 1, 2019. The new coverage is available to men and women ages 19 through 64 who are not eligible for Medicare and who meet income requirements, which vary by family size. For example, a single adult with an annual income at or below $16,754 may be eligible for coverage. An adult in a three-person family with a total household annual income at or below $28,677 may be eligible. “Thousands of Virginia adults will


soon benefit from a comprehensive package of health services, including coverage specialty


for visits to primary and care doctors, hospital stays


and prescription medications,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel


“Individuals with chronic


will have access to the sustained care that is essential to maintain


Carey, M.D. diseases


their


health. Virginians requiring behavioral health and addiction treatment will be connected to a robust array of services. It is exciting and fulfilling to share in the joy that so many of our citizens express as they look forward to realizing their hope for better health.” “This


new coverage will help


individuals across the Commonwealth like our friends, our neighbors, our caregivers, and the people we meet daily in coffee shops and restaurants,” said Dr. Jennifer Lee, Director of the Virginia Department


of Medical Trump's Tariffs FROM PAGE 1


that I came out to support her. We need people who are going to fight to give every family a fair shake, and I believe that Elaine is the person to do it.”


“Car sales make up 18% of all


retail sales in North America,” Banister said. “With the threat of tariffs, I’m looking for ways to reduce my expenses and my inventory levels. It’s a pretty big


concern for most dealerships including Banister Nissan.”


At the time of printing, no one


from Rep. Scott Taylor's campaign contacted


Messenger in response to the phone and e-mail


requesting comment.


Established 2006 A. J. Jones, Publisher Chris Parks, Editor


Sarah Parks, Graphic Designer Ida Davis, Contributing Writer Sales and Information: info@hamptonroadsmessenger.com Copyright pertaining to contents of this edition. All rights reserved.


You are cordially invited to attend... City Council meetings...


Norfolk - regular meetings are held on the first and fourth Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. and the second and third Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.


Chesapeake - regular meetings are held on the second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.


Newport News - regular business meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.


Suffolk - regular meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Hampton - typically take place on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.


Virginia Beach - meets on the first four Tuesdays of each month. In July the meetings are scheduled on the first two Tuesdays only. Formal session begins at 6 p.m. Portsmouth - meeting dates are the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.


the Hampton Roads messages


that we sent Assistance


Services. “It’s critically important that hard-working Virginians will have


access to the health care they need to be productive in their jobs and to enjoy a high quality of life. I want to personally thank officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for being responsive and collaborative as we worked together on these important policy reforms.”


“This is not only historic for


the Commonwealth, but also greatly significant for the thousands of human services professionals statewide who are dedicated daily to helping Virginians


achieve well-being,”


said Duke Storen, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services. “Those of us who share a mission of providing vital services to Virginians understand firsthand how access to health coverage reaches far beyond the individual in need of care. Families and communities that both support and surround our most vulnerable citizens will reap the rewards of a more healthy adult population.”


health coverage and eligibility rules is


at www.coverva.org.


More information about the new available


The website includes an eligibility screening tool to help individuals assess whether they may qualify for coverage. Visitors to the website can sign up to receive regular information through email and text about the new coverage


and enrollment Information is also available


process. by


calling 1-855-242-8282. Individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired can call 1-888-221-1590.


Volume 13 Number 2


November 2018


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