I recently ran across this vintage photo of a one-room schoolhouse in Florida (St. John’s County) for Black children. My mind immediately flashed to my deceased parents who often told stories of walking barefoot to their one-room schoolhouse in the Piney Woods of Jefferson County near Tallahassee.
Then I thought of Gainesville For All’s ongoing effort to open a high-quality early learning center at Metcalfe Elementary School that would serve mostly poor and Black children who live nearby. I was saddened.
It seems that so much of the progress made by African Americans in past generations has been lost. Since the Jim Crow days of my parents’ youth notable gains were made, including those by my baby boomer generation. We narrowed the achievement gap between black and white students sharply in the 1970s and the first half of the ‘80s.
A version of this article first appeared in the Virginia Mercury.
From new walking paths at First Landing to freshly forged mountain biking trails in Pocahontas State Park, Virginia’s General Assembly isn’t unfamiliar with putting money towards outdoor recreation.
However, the $10 million for regional trails included in the most recent state budget sets a new precedent for trails funding.
Although news of the money was welcomed with open arms by advocates, will it be a one-time budget blessing or the first taste of a new golden age for trails in the commonwealth?
An unexpected allotment
“We have supported trails in the past through various programs, but this is the first time we have put money directly toward recreational opportunities,” said Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta. “Gov. Northam was kind enough to put $5 million into the budget for outdoor trails. At one point we had even squirreled away $50 million dollars for trails, but it wasn’t realistic for us to keep t
Gainesville RTS offers free fares for youths and seniors Ruelle Fludd
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -With unanimous approval from Gainesville and Alachua County commissioners, certain people will be able to ride the bus at no cost.
“We can help improve people’s lives by doing the simple thing of letting them ride the bus without having to scrounge for change,” said Gainesville city commissioner, Harvey Ward. “Slowly but surely, we’ll get to a point where everybody gets to ride the bus for free.”