Editorial And
Opinion Page
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AS I SEE IT
Bruce Barton
Democracy in Prospect ...
1 don't know if my reader* know it or not, but I am eat up w ith Prospect-itis.
My genes run rampant w ith the blood of the late Nocie and
Ada Locklear. my mother's parents, and Harker R. and Catherine
Ann Dial Barton, my daddy's parents. All of my grandparents and
parents were born and bred in Prospect I am the son of Prospect
citizens--the late Lew Barton and Berna Locklear Barton who now
lives near New Prospect with my sister and brother-in-law. Connee
Barton and John R. Brayboy.
I am fond of Prospect because Prospectans are doers, movers and
shakers. I am especially fond of Squire Harbert L. Moore, and claim
second cousinship with the late and beloved brothers Herman and
Adolph Dial, among others in that fair land. Old Prospect's graveyard
is full of my relatives, especially on my daddy's side. My daddy was
buried there in 1999 and Aunts Elsie Barton Blue Locklear and Mary
Jane Barton more recently this year. Many of my mother's people, at
least in Grandpa Nocie's clan, are buried in nearby New Prospect Holiness
Methodist Church's graveyard. My Great Uncle Paul Locklear,
now 96, might be the oldest living Prospect citizen. I'm connected!
So, as you can imagine, I am torn between being buried in either
Old Prospect (Prospect United Methodist Church) or New Prospect
(Prospect Holiness Methodist Church) when I die. or I might ask my
survivors to let me lie in spiritual slumber in the Barton Graveyard,
smackdab in the middle of the Prospect community which is a mere
two or three miles from Pembroke. If my folks do what I want them to
do, 1 will be buried somewhere in Prospect when 1 leave this green life
place.
I'm bragging about my Prospect connection this week because I
felt a great deal of pride Monday night at the Public Schools of Robeson
County's Board of Education meeting when dozens of Prospect citizens
crowded the air-conditionless board room to politically flex their
muscles and claim their democratic inheritance.
More people should "politic" like Prospect. Their spokesmen, including
Harold Jacobs, and especially Eddie Moore, were eloquent and
articulate in pressing their needs. The school board listened and
accomodated them. It was democracy at its best, and a highlight for
many of us who have not been unduly impressed by our stalwart leaders
of late. Monday night was a positive political highlight film for
Indian people, and all people in Robeson County.
What the fuss is all about ...There is a mold problem at Prospect
School, and the Prospect citizens insist that something be done about it.
The school board figured out how to accommodate the parents of
the Prospect students Monday night and agreed to allow a second opinion
on whether or not all the mold is gone, and whether, in fact, it is now
safe for Prospect students to use the school site.
The board unanimously agreed to allow Eugene Cole of DynCorp.
in Morrisville, to conduct the second test on the school. The second
test follows one bv Carolina Environmental, Inc. of Cary who gave the
school a clean bill of health last Friday. Cole was the first choice of the
I ^aco&s ancfMoore addressed the board and requested that the board
i allow Cole to inspect the school and take air and dust samples a second
time. The parents wanted to err on the side of safety for the children.
Jacobs said, "We feel it would be a good faith gesture for the Robeson
County School board to pay the expense." The board agreed.
After eloquent testmony by Moore and Jacobs, the board agreed to
the test with the cost not to exceed $4,900 (Cole's estimate) without
board approval." Jacobs did note, in an aside, as he gestured to the full
house, that "If it cost $15,000, we've got a group of people to raise the
money." A chorus of "ummm hummmmm" followed.
In the meantime, until Cole's report, Prospect United Methodist
Church is graciously allowing the school to use many of its classrooms
to alleviate the problem. And school began a week late at Prospect
because of the mold problem. Students, according to Supt. Barry
Harding and staff, will not be allowed back into the contaminated classrooms
until results of the inspections are received, hopefully, within a
few days. The board voted unanimously to allow Cole to take air and
dust samples during the week of August 20.
Cole's test will replace a second test originally planned by Carolina
Environmental Inc. of Cary.
It was a positive sign, and gives democracy a good name for a
change, in Ol' Robeson. Dr. Harding, the board, and Prospect are to
be commended for allowing common sense and graciousness to cany
the day. Other asides ...
The board also agreed to designate August 31 as the first make up
day. Since school at Prospect was set back a week, the days will have
to be made up. Dr. Harding promised more information soon on how
to make up the rest of the week.
Prospect parents plan another meeting tonight (August 16) at Prospect
United Methodist Church to discuss the board's decision.
The board also heard encouraging news from Dr. Bruce Walters,
Associate Supt. of Curriculum, as he noted that the school System is
expecting nine "Schools of Distinction" to be named very soon, fol- 1
lowing his presentation of positive and encouraging improvement in
test results by the students of Robeson County.
And Prospect board member Mitchell "Bosco" Locklear apologized
for his boorish behavior at a recent board meeting when he threatened
bodii
y harm to just elected board chairman Patrick Bullard. Bullard reciprocated
and said that he and Locklear would continue to work together
for the good of the children. My God! I can't stand anymore good
news. Enough already! Let's just hope that Mr. Cole's test results will
be positive so that the children of Prospect can return to their school
and the parents can return to their way of life before mold became the
dominant topic at the dinner table.
Editorially Speaking1
The Calvary, The Scout, the Board of Education
and the Continuation of Klan Mentality
Well if we had any doubt about whether there was a conspiracy between the
daily editor and the Terry Smith cohorts to "take back" the political power in
the county, the editor removed it in his Sunday editorial. As he was discussing
re-districting the board of education districts, he stated that the re-districting
was definitely being done to accommodate Patrick Bullard. chairman of the
school board. The editor said that if we didn't like it, we should wait until
election time and vote Bullard out. Or something to that effect. Those who
understand his subtleties and nuances know what he was saying. Don't question
the legality of districting a seated board member into the district he is elected
to represent. At least, don't question the legality of re-districting definitely done
to keep Bullard on the board because he is working with Terry Smith and others
of klan-mentality who want to control the board of education. They also want
to take over other boards and positions. Nevertheless, we question the legality
of it. We are beginning to wonder if the klan-mentality group seemingly led
by Terry Smith with the racist Donnie Douglas, adding supposedly private
strategy , think that they are the Calvary of long ago and that Patrick Bullard
is an Indian scout, hired by them to lead them to the Indian tribe!! You know
how that worked. They would always have an Indian out front, working for
them, and when they reached the tribe of Indians, they would massacre as many
as possible and usually they included the scout. We are assured that if Robert
Deese or Gloria Lowry were illegally seated or suspected of being so, the daily
newspaper would be calling for their immediate resignation. What causes a
different out cry when it is Patrick Bullard? We all know the answer to
that They believe Bullard will lead them to the place of slaughter, symbolically
speaking of course.
If you doubt that, you definitely did not get their coverage of Monday
night's board meeting. They gave Terry Smith credit for calming the people of
*
Prospect who were concerned over mold in the school. Actually the motions
were made by Robert Deese and Mitchell Bosco Locklear, both residents ofthat
community. Youcouldn't tell that by reading your daily newspaper. If we didn't
* know better, we would believe that T erry Smith was the "Savior" of the children
at Prospect.... What ajoke!! We remember Terry Smith from his activity in the
Save Our Schools Movement! Come on, Donnie, that was a little blatant, even
for one believed to be a racist such as yourself. What was the SOS Movement?
It was in reality agroup of Terry Smith minded whites who wanted to seemingly
"Save" the white Schools from Indian and Black encroachment. Do we believe
Smith's attitude has changed? Not for one minute. At no time during his service
on the board of education has he demonstrated any other mind set except "if it
ain't white, it ain't right." We hope Patrick Bullard is not so hell bent on paying
a personal vendetta with Dr. Barry Harding that he cannot see the forest for the
trees. They don't have a Calvary anymore so there is no more need for a scout.
We call on Mr. Bullard once again to do the right thing....Break that allegiance
with those folks who demonstrate Klan mentality....They are not your friends!!!
Bullard, of course, wants his new house in the district he represents. If it isn't
illegal why not leave District 5 as it is? We question the legality of it because
of Bullard's own actions. Recently, Pearlene Revels, we understand, called and
asked to be allowed to address the board of education. Bullard said "no
problem." A couple of hours later he called her and stated that he had spoken
with some of the board members and she would not be allowed to address the
board. Come on, Patrick, you are in the middle of re-districting the county and
you cannot let the Supervisor of the Robeson County Board of Elections
address the issue???? We publicly questions Bullard's motives on that one.
Which boardmembersdid hecall? Terry Smith perhaps??? MillicentNealy????
Don't let them use you like that, Patrick. Do the right thing....Ifyou are illegally
seated, resign by Connee Brayboy, Editor
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A Comparative Look at
Credentials: Smith & Clark
To the Editor:
As a political observer and participant
in Robeson County, 1 wish to
address the recent promotion of my
brother-in-law, Stanley Gene Clark,
to the position of Judiciary District
Manager..
Donald (Don) Smith, presently servingas
Chief .Probation/ParoleOfflcer
has filed a EEOC complaint stating
he was overlooked for the promotion
and that he is the most qualified.
I wish to share some information I
have gathered. I simply offer a credentials
comparison between the two
gentlemen and will let the facts speak
for themselves.
Donald (Don) Smith attended Pem.
broke State University and earned a
B A in Political Science. He also has a
Master's Degree in Educational Administration
from Fayetteville State
University. He began employment at
Robeson Community College in 1981
and was employed there until 1989.
While there he was Director of Placement,
Recruitment, and Student
Activities.
In November 1989 he. became Assistant
Training Coordinator with Adult
Parole. When Probation and Parole
Services mvged with Adult Parole,
he moved into the position of Intensive
Probation/Parole Officer where
he served for four years before moving
into his present position.
Stanley Gene Clark attended Pembroke
State University where he
earned a BS Degree in Business Administration.
He later returned to
Pembroke State University where he
earned a degree in Spanish. This
additional study is very important in
the county at this time because he is
bi-lingual which is almost a necessity
with the amount of Spanish speaking
people in the area.
Furthering his education, he also attended
the North Carolina Justice
Academy in Salemburg, NC. In addition,
he has an Advanced Law
Enforcement Certificate from the
North Carolina Sheriffs Education
and Training Standard. Also Mr.
Clark has earned an Advanced Corrections
Certificate through the North
Carolina Department of J ustice in the
Criminal Just ice Education and Training
Standards Commission.
His employment careerhas been varied
and includes Lumbee Guaranty
Bank from 1975 until 1977; the Maxton
City Schools from 1978-79 where
he served as a counselor. He began his
employment with the Robeson County
Sheriffs Department in 1979 and
served as a Deputy Sheriff until 1982.
He was a Line Sergeant from 1982
until 1984 with the Robeson County
Sheriffs Department. In 1984 he
earned much experience in his position
as an Investigator with the
Robeson County Sheriffs Department,
serving in that capacity until
1989 when he began his employment
with the North Carolina Department
of Probation and Parole. (Now the
Division of Community Corrections)
He began his employment there as a
probation officer and since that time
he has risen through the ranks of that
department also. His next position
there was as an Intensive Probation
Parole Officer, then Chief Probation/
Parole Officer. And most recently his
promotion to Judiciary District Manager.
Madie Rae Locklear
Prospect
The prefix Mach is used to
describe supersonic speed.
When a plane moves at the
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Mexican dollars, minted In
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eight pieces called bits, or into
quarters, called two bits.
Detroit 300 Great Lakes
Champion Pow Wow
The Detroit 300 Great Lakes Champion Pow Wow will celebrate Detroit's Native American heritage. The cultural
celebration will include drum and dance competitions, a large "traders's market" of traditional arts and crafts, and
special events for the family in honor of Detroit's 300th birthday.
This is an alcohol and substance free event.
The event will start on Saturday, September 22, at 11:00 a.m. and go until 9:00 p.m., then again on Sunday, September
23, at II :00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Admission prices are; adults $7.00, children 12 & under $4.00, and seniors age 50 and over $4.00.
It will be at the Fairgrounds Park at Michigan State Fairgrounds. (8 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Detroit,
Michigan.)
For general information call 1-800-DETR01T or visit www.detroit300.org.
Can Editorials Be Factual?
I want to give a standing ovation to Mr. Bruce Barton's editorial in the
Thursday, August 2,2001, issue of the Carolina Indian Voice, specifically as
it addresses we Indians. His statement that "many Indians are especially good
at ripping each other to shreds" is clearly evident in occurrences today. I have
been a victim of what Mr. Barton is conveying about Indians by being Board
Chairman of the North Carolina Indian Cultural Center (NCICC). It seems
that we have net the enemy and the enemy is we.
What Mr. Barton failed to articulate is that some Indians have hatred and
bigotry in their hearts. These ills will not win over integrity and equality that
is practiced today at the NCICC. If the energy spent on bashing and attempting
to destroy the good works of the Cultural Center was used proactively
towards the Center, Indians could have a superb facility to showcase American
Indian arts and crafts, including recreation. Instead, rather than negotiate <
and compromise, Indian forces hold meetings for bashing and developing
negative strategy without defining substance and justification for their mission.
They have called the media, county health department, and other regulatory
agencies in attempts to close down operations of the Center. If the NCICC
had a Damage Control System, it would take years to repair the damaged
caused by these forces in terms of marketing the Center. Media statewide has
covered the events. I would hope that Indians and others who care and respect
the Cultural Center would reject such for the sake of their Center.
It is no secret to any of us that our NCICC is beset by challenges. They
include and emerging cultural/diversity boom, new competitors in the horizon,
constrained public and private funding, growing resistance to enhancement,
eroding infrastructure, and dealing with negative image strategies.
I believe the Indians of this state should commit themselves now th new
ways of delivering Indian culture and recreational services to a demanding
population seeking new knowledge. According to various cultural and arts
publications, we are witnessing a revolution in the possibilities for learning
more and more in the cultural arts. The NCICC is an excellent vehicle form
which to start.
Gene Brayboy
Board Chairman
"
The Carolina Indian Voice is published every Thursday
by First American Publications.-207 Union Chapel
Road-Pembroke, NC 28372. Publisher-Bruce Barton.
Editor-Connee Brayboy. See Editorials-ofv-Page 2\~
Obituaries on Page 5; Classifieds on Page 9.
The Carolina Indian Voice is a weekly publication owned
and operated by Indians and has been publishing continuously
since 1973.
11,000 People Cannot Be
Wrong, But the Daillv Editor Is
To the Editor:
The other week, when you published
my editorial about the facts as I
know them to be true in regard to the
2000 Strike at the Wind Art Dinner
and Auction, I noticed that the editor
of the Robesonian, who thinks he is
running The New York Post, looked
for him "another fish to fry." In his last
editorial, he used the results from the
website and said that 78% of the voters
said the money should have been
used somewhere else. Instead of using
the beginning word in his website
question of "should," he should have
used another word because 78% of
the voters said "yes" which means
they agree with the spending of the
money on the painting. But, he said
that they "agreed with him." Does he
think that these people who agreed
with him are going to be the ones who
replace Dr. Barry Harding with Mr.
Patrick Bullard? We all know this is
what some people want to happen and
it doesn't take a rocket scientist to
figure that one out. Douglas also persecuted
one of the people opinions
that was posted on the Message Board
without having the nerve to print the
person's name so that they would not
have been deemed by the community
as a hero.
It is time for a history lesson, Mr.
Robesonian! when there are well over
3,500 people in this county who cannot
read your newspaper. Also, the
fact that perhaps the writer was one of
those who wanted to go to school and
could not because back in the 60's
when I came down here, it was not
mandatory for a person who works on
the farm or wherever to get an education.
If he wanted to challenge
someone, then he should have chal
lenged me! Civil Rights did not come
to Robeson County until the Civil
Rights Act of 64. So, Mr. Douglas,
wake up! This is Robeson County and
you are not the editor of The New
York Post.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions
and an opinion is like a mouth,
everybody has one. It is how you use
it that counts. Have you published
anything other than negative stories
about our drama this year? If you
have, none of us have read them. Now
what does that say about a newspaper
that is suppose to cover the community?
If we went with them to a movie,
they would probably want us to sit in
the balcony because we are not the
same color as Douglas. You would
think that he is a member of the Klan
or something.
While there were less than 200
voters on the website of the Robesonian,
there have been over 11,000
documented visitors to the Public
Schools of Robeson County Indian
Education Resource Center since this
painting was hung on its walls. People
come from far and wide to visit this
center, and I do not know of any place
in the county that has had this kind of
attendance in one year. This is not
only a place for students but also for
those who want to learn about Indian
culture. I have never heard of any
attendance record for the Native
American Resource Center at UNCPembroke.
If there was $ I for everyone
who has seen that painting, and
for those who did not register, it would
have paid for itself and another one.
So, when it comes down to the opinion
of less than 200 compared to the documented
visitation of over 11,000, just
who do you think is wrong?
Most people think the Robesonian
editor is a racist. I think that if he
realized that it is the Robesonian and
not the New York Post that he is try ing
to operate, there might be hope for
him yet. 1 have seen several of the
editors of the Robesonian leave because
of the environment in this
county,. When there was an opportunity
to go on to bigger and better
things, they jumped at the opportunity.
When staff of the Robesonian decide
to write anything about the PSRC
Indian Education Resource Center,
they need to go and pay a visit. Before
they take another phone tip and tell the
person who the article is written about
that he will let them listen to a tape,
then they go back and tell their friend
who in turn called the Robesonian
asked that this person not be allowed
to listen to the message because they
will know their voice, it makes me
wonder if they know the meaning of
the word "setup." Do they not understand?
While Pcnnie Arokisamy lied to
the cast and others about the painting
and has cost the drama thousands of
dollars, she did not to the best of my
knowledge show her face at the drama
this season. She tried to make her
own. The only other thing that I can
say is we all know who we can trust
and it is not her.
I really thing that the Robesonian
could use aNEW EDITOR who knows
what living in the county is all about
because this one is looking at the
world through "rose colored glasses"
and not seeing the reality of life in the
county as we know it.
Vinlta Maynor Clark
Pembroke, NC
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