Notes
The 2001 Trumpet Awards
Photo Credit: Jerry Siegel courtesy of Automotive News
Carroll
Roundtree
The hosts for the 2001 Trumpet Awards, which airs Feb. 24
on cable's TBS Superstation, are Diahann Carroll, the first
black actress in television history to star in her own TV situa­
tion comedy, Julia, and Richard Roundtree, star of Shaft, Shaft
in Africa, Shaft's Big Score and many other films. This year's
honorees include: baseball legend Willie Mays, singer/actress
Leslie Uggams, performers Geoffrey Holder and Carmen
deLavallade, music producer Clive Davis and rocket scientist
Jacqueline L. Mims. Automotive sponsors include AC-Delco,
GM Goodwrench Service Plus and Pontiac.
Free At Last!
In one of his last official acts,
President Bill Clinton commuted
the sentence of Antoinette Frink,
49, former president of McFrink
Chevrolet-Cadillac
Inc.
in
Delaware,
Ohio,
reported
Automotive News, a Detroit-based
automotive trade publication.
After serving 11 years, Frink
walked out of a federal prison in
Lexington, Ky., a free woman.
Former car dealer Antoinette Frink.
landed prink ¡n prison
was a deal where she sold and/or retitled about 12 vehicles for
drug dealers. She denies all charges of wrongdoing, and says
she did not know the buyers were drug dealers. The federal
government contends she knew the vehicles would be used to
transport cocaine.
In 1989 she was convicted on three drug charges and given
a mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison, under guidelines
that prohibit parole but deduct time for good behavior. She
was to be released in 2003.
Others got involved in her fight, including the National
Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, the Georgia
Automobile Dealers Association, Families Against Mandatory
Minimums and several government officials. Because of those
efforts, Frink, a former teacher, is free again today.
G
African Americans On Wheels
Celebrating 25 Years and Counting
(From left) Charlene M. Mitchell, advertising and public relations
director; Mel Farr, Sr., and mother Doretha Farr.
The nation's number one African-American owned com­
pany, Mel Farr Automotive Group, recently celebrated 25 years
of business as a retail auto dealer. The black-tie affair was
attended by 600 employees, spouses and other guests.
"Without the help and understanding of my family, and the
loyalty of so many talented employees, we wouldn't be cele­
brating," said founder Mel Farr, Sr. Included in the celebration
was Rosetta Moggel, the very first person he hired 25 years
ago, who remains with him today.
Outlaw Cell Phones In Cars!
But Could You Enforce It?
A recent insurance industry survey revealed that
Americans believe using cellular phones while driving can be
distracting and lead to accidents - but laws against the prac­
tice would likely be ignored.
The survey, conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide for the
Insurance Research Council, found that of the 1,000 adults
surveyed, 91 percent believed driving and talking on a cell
phone distracts drivers and increases the chance of accidents.
Sixty-nine percent said they favored bans on driving and talk­
ing on a cell phone.
But only 35 percent said they thought it unlikely that such
laws would be obeyed. Driver distraction has become a grow­
ing concent in the auto industry as companies offer more cel­
lular and computer services in vehicles. Several states have
considered banning cell phone use while driving.
The survey found fewer people saying they used their
phone while driving, with 42 percent saying they do, down
from 61 percent in a similar survey three years ago.
Take The Tires, But Don't Pay Us Ju s t Yet.
Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. began in
January a "No Payment for Six Months" program for people
who may have overspent in December, but need new tires
now. Through March 31, participating Bridgestone/Firestone
dealers and company-owned stores will allow customers to
www.onwheeLsinc.com