Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C.
CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
"Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting"
VOLUME 28 NUMBER 39 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27,2001 25c
Madie Rae Locklear seeking re-election
to LREMC Board of Directors at-large
Madie Rac l.ocklcar. Former Secretary
and presently serving as
Treasurer of the Lumbee River Electric
MembershipCorporntion's Board
of Directors is seeking rc-election to
her fourth term as a member at large.
In addition to her duties with the
LREMC Board. Locklear serves as
the Supervisor of the Red Springs
Neighborhood Service Center. She
has been employed with the Four
County Community Services Program
for more than thirty years. In making
her announcement, Locklear released
the following statement:
"To God be the glory for allowing
me to live to once again ask for your
support and vote on the LREMC Board
of Directors at large. He has been
merciful to me. And I state before
anythingelse, the only right decisions
any of us can make are those made for
the cause of Christ. Without Him, I
could do nothing. But through Him, I
am able to reach out and help people
in need. It is my gift and I am humbled
by the opportunity God has provided
for me to serve him through serving
my fellow man.
"My service to the consumers of
LREMC has served as an enhancement
to my natural gift of helping
people. 1 am a people person and feel
an obligation to help others. It is a gift
that God has given me and I must do
the will of the Lord. I am first of all
concerned about the needs of the elderly
and the physically impaired. Any
time there is a natural disaster and we
have to be without electricity, I always
get in my vehicle and am visible,
making sure that electricity is restored
as soon as possible, especially when
there is a person with a life threatening
ailment, such as dialysis, oxygen, and
other machines that are necessary to
the life of a consumer. This has been
one ot my major concerns while serving
on our Board of Directors.
"During the past twelve years of services
I have worked diligently to keep
our electric rates from increasing.
Thanks to wise decisions by my fellow
board members and our
administrative staff, we have been able
to keep rate increases at a bare minimum.
Maintaining reasonable rates
and efficient service was one of my
main goals when I first felt led to seek
a seat on the LREMC Board.
"During my tenure, I have helped
with rate reductions and decreases,
and I have been a part of the decision
which approved returning capital credits
to the consumers. After all. the
business,is owned by the membership.
We have been returning all the
Capital Credits of 1978 to the members.
We also agreed to return 30% of
Capital Credits for 1997. This resulted
in a significant payment to the members
during the first of October 1998.
Since that time, Capital Credits have
continued to be a vital part of the
service that keeps the consumers first
on our priority list.
"I am extremely proud ofthe policy
change that allowed capital credits for
surviving spouses of members. Up
until 1995 both husband and wife
would have to be deceased and then
the estate was entitled to receive all
the Capital Credits earned during the
years they were served by LREMC.
That policy change was reconsidered
and we decided that when all the
capital credits were returned to the
estate, the members did not have an
opportunity to actually personally receive
those capital credits, although
their heirs would automatically receive
them through their estate. We
decided that it was more fair to return
half the Capital Credits to the sun iving
spouse when a member was
deceased, and leave half of them in
escrow for the surviving spouse. That
way the surviving spouse has a base of
Capital Credits as they begin life without
their partner. 1 believe we have,
therefore, given something tangible
to the members while they can enjoy
the ownership of LREMC.
"I encourage all consumers, when
faced with the loss of a spouse to
contact LREMC and request the Capital
Credits that are due them.
"I have been a vocal part of many
discussions and been an advocate for
the consumers during my tenure a9K
your representative at-large. I ami
honored to have been allowed to rep- ,
resent the at-large district for the past V
twelve years. I have been a part of the '
fastest growing cooperative in the state
of Nor^h Carolina. This goal could
only have been reached by making
sound financial decisions and I have
decided to seek re-election because I
believe that I can continue assisting in
making the right decisions for our
cooperative.
"It seems that the longer God allows
me to live, themore responsibility
and gifts he gives me. Serving as your
member at-large is one of the gifts
God has bestowed upon me and I am
touched by the encouragement and
support I have received while serving.
With God's continued help and
blessings, we will continue to provide
more and more services and the elderly
and economically disadvantaged
remains a top priority for me. I look
forward to seeing you all at the Annual
Meeting October 9attheGivens
Performing Arts Center on the Campusofthe
University ofNorthCarolina
at Pembroke."
yiadie Rae Locklear
Timotfiy Strickland
New Finance
Business Opens
On Monday, September 17, 2001,
GOLDEN KEY FINANCE, INC.
opened for Business at 401 East Third
Street, Unit B, in Pembroke, NC.
GOLDEN KEY FINANCE, INC. is
Robeson County's newest financial
lender, specializing in small personal
and auto loans. Tracey Locklear, office
manager, and Debbie Houser,
customer service representative, invite
all to stop by and meet the friendly
staff that will be able to assist with
individual financial needs in our
county.
Jacobs Represents NC at
Women's Conference
Shown abova from kit to right Is: Dtrkn? Jacobs, ths Quaen of Palo, tha First Latfy of Palo, and
(fx First Ltdy's dthgttion.
Dartene Jacobs, Community Services Program Director with the NC Commission
of Indian Affairs, received a sponsorship from Region IV Office on
Women's Health - US Department of Health and Human services to attend the
"Indigenous Women's Wellness Conference in Waikiki, Hawaii. The goal of
this conference is to exchange knowledge of nurturing and healing practices
of indigenous women, and focus on promoting good health and wellness.
Annie Brayboy Fair, Regional women's Health Coordinator, stated that Ms.
Jacobs was selected and recognized for her commitment to the improvement
of the health and quality of life for Native Americans populations throughout
the state of North Carolina. Part of Ms. Jacobs's responsibilities and duties
includes serving as staff to the NC Commission Health Committee, the NC
State HealthChoice Steering Committee, and serves on the Commission's Public
Health Awareness Committee.' Darlene also provided leadership and assistance
with the First American Indian Health Summit held in May. "Attending
this conference is a direct result of her participation on these various healthrelated
cbmmittees and advocacy on behalf of American Indians in the state"'
says Fair.
"This was a life-transforming and humbling experience" said Jacobs. "From
a social and cultural perspective, it was a tremendous and wonderful opportunity
for me to leam about other native people's healthcare practices and beliefs
and to network with indigenous women from all over the world."
Studio One Lab Series Presents, ~
JULIUS CAESAR
A production of "Shakespeare in the Park"
JULIUS CAESAR: ASSASSINATION OF TOP GENERAL ROCKS
THE NATION! - CONSPIRACY REACHES ALL THE WAY TO THE
SENATE!....'., straight out of today's headlines comes one of the most brilliant
political plays ever written. Set in a fictitious country in 2005, this interpretation
of JULIUS CEASAR proves the Shakespeare's understanding of
power and corruption reaches to our modem times! This "Shakespeare in the
Park" production, a joint project of Studio One Lob and the Robeson County
Public Library will run Sept.. 28-30th and Oct. 4-6 in the park area next to the
library. Performances will be at 7:00 pm each evening except on Sept. 30th
which will be at 6:00 pm. Tickets are 57.50 for adults and $3.50 for students.
Lawn seating will be provided. Patrons are welcome to bring their own chairs
or blankets and experience a magnificent moment of theatre beneath the moon
and stars!
For more information please contact Kari Dial at 910-521-9882.
18th Annual Indian PowWow
Metrolina Native American Association
is proud to sponsor its 18th
Annual Indian Trail Pow Wow and
Cultural Festival September 29-30th,
2001, at Indian Trail Elementary
School on Indian Trail Road.
The public is invited to cone out and
enjoy competition dancing and drumming,
sample Native American foods,
enjoy the storytelling, and authentic
Indian made crafts, and Jewelry. Also
come out and see Native American
Princess representing various tribes
from throughout the state of North and
South Carolina, as well as our Native'
American Flutist Randall Bryant.
Grand entry is 12:00 NOON Saturday
and Sunday/ Traders' booth will
be open all day Saturday and Sunday.
For more information Call (704) 9261524
or (704) 724-3343.
Lawmaker Votes for State Budget
Spending Plan Maintains Focus
on Education.
RALEIGH - Rep. Ron Sutton of Pembroke voted for a S 14.5 billion budget
compromise that reduces kindergarten class size and allocates an additional
$128.8 million for public schools.
The spending plan also pumps $181 million into the state's "rainy day fund."
gives teachers and state employees a modest pay raise and creates a $45,7
million trust fund for mentalhealth.
Temporary tax increases and the elimination of several tax loopholes were
included in the package after lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to balanced the
budget with spending cuts. Lawmakers cut $770 million and more than 1,500
jobs from the budget submitted by the governor.
Some families will receive a tax cut because of tax breaks included in the
package. The average low- and middle-income taxpayer will pay about a dollar
a week more.
"Nobody likes to raise taxes, and I voted for the initial House budget bill
that included no tax increases" Rep. Sutton said. "But as the economic forecasts
grew gloomier, it became clear that we could not cut our way out of the
budget crisis and maintained North Carolina's progress in education and other
areas."
The budget includes $12 million for 268 new teachers this year to reduce
the teacher/student ratio to 1:19 in kindergarten. An additional $26.1 million
next year will reduce the ratio to 1:18.
Class size will be reduced to 1:15 in kindergarten through third grade in 37
elementary schools with a large percentage of at-risk students.
Teachers will receive an average pay raise of 2.86 percent under the spending
plan. State employees will get a $625 pay raise.
Education and human resources, which includes Medicaid, were the only
areas of state government that received more money than in the previous budget.
The state's operating budget increased by 4 percent- well below growth
rates in recent years.
"Like every other budget, this one has some excellent provisions and some
that 1 do not like, "Rep. Sutton said. "But on balance, the good outweighs the
bad. This is a modest budget that maintains our emphasis on education."
Now that we have a belated budget for the State, all efforts will turn to
redisricting'.
Proposed redistricting maps will be given to House members upon their return
next week. The goal is to have a final 120 member plan approved with in
three weeks.
As Senior Chair of the House Legislative Redistricting committee, I have
been working hard to develop a proposed plan for the House, "I only hope we
can all agree on a final redistricting map soon so that we can close out this ,
the longest legislative session in State history, in short order," said Rep. Sutton.
Approximately 250 people gathered on the front lawn of UUCP's University Center for
a memorial service In remembrance of those touched by tragedy on Sept 11.
Timothy Strickland seeks
re-election to EMC Board
of Directors October 9th
Timothy Strickland, life long
farmer, has announced his bid for
re-election to the Lumbee River
Electric Membership Corporation's
Board of Directors. Strickland has
served as the District 4 representative
on that board for 24 years. In
addition to his farming interests,,
Strickland is also retired from the
State of North Carolina where he
served ass Head ofthe Motor Pool a
the University of North Carolina at
Pembroke for more than thirty years.
Strickland his wife,. Ruthie Jane
Strickland, reside in the Harper's
Ferry area. In making his announcement
for re-election, Strickland
released the following statement^
"It has been a privilege for me to
serve the rural EMC. As a life long
farmer, 1 understand and appreciate
the significance of the establishment
of the rural electric cooperative. It
was originally begun to provide electrical
services to the rtiral areas. Of
course, since its organization the EMC
has extended its services as the needs
of the consumer have changed. We
now provide electric service to more
than 30,000 consumers and have been
instrumental in the recruitment of industry
into the service area, In my
twenty-one years as a member of the
LREMC Board, 1 have had the opportunity
to be a part of progressive
change and to provide expertise in the
operation of a multi-million dollar
business which is what the cooperative
is about these days.'
"During my years of service I have
served as Secretary to the Board for
nine years. This experience has been
used as a means of expanding my
personal knowledge of the cooperative
program in order that I might
make wiser decisions for the consumers.
After all, efficient and adequate
service to the consumers is the priority
of the cooperative.
" Many programs have been developed
and expanded during my tenure
with the EMC. I am proud of those
programs and feel honored to have
played a part in their establishment. I
am especially proud of the 'Help a'
Needy Friend Program.' This is a
program whereby consumers donate
.50 a month to help other consumers.
The program is optional but I have '
participated in giving since its inception.
This fund is set aside to help
consumers who have financial emergencies
and hardships. The coop has
established this program to meet the
needs of Consumers. It is not unusual
or anything to be ashamed of to find
yourself in need of assistance. The
Help A Needy Friend Program is just
one way we have of meeting the financial
needs of the less fortunate
and/or economically disadvantaged.
This is only one of the reasons that 1
have considered running again for the
EMC Board.
"At the August meeting the board
voted to send Capital Credits to the
consumers. Capital Credits are the
monies that are left over at the pnd of
the operational years. These monies
are returned to the consumers. In
August we decided to pay over $1
million to the consumers for the year
1978 and 1997. I am delighted to be
a part of the successful and progressive
LREMC Board. The more efficient
the cooperative operates, the
more Capital Credits earned for the
consumers. After all, it is the consumers
who own the not-for profit corporation.
"There are many other decisions
that I have been part of that are
beneficial to the consumers. I wish to
remain on the EMC board because I
feel that I have the experience and the
expertise to continue to make wise
decisions for the consumers._
"The election for four members of
the EMC Board will be held on Tuesday,
October 9 at the UNCP
Performing Arts Center. Registration
begins at 6 p.m. I humbly ask that you
come out and support Timothy Strickland."
Lumberton Business Leader
Optimistic on Local Economy
PEMBROKE, N.C.- UNCP student
Nick Arena took the campus to
school during speaking engagement
Wednesday.
No ordinary student, Mr. Arena is
vice president and general manager of
Acme Electric's manufacturing plant
in Lumberton and an Master's of
Business Administration candidate at
UNCP School of Business.
Although he said the views expressed
in UNCP's Business Executive
series lectures were his own, Mr.
Arena drew extensively from his business
experiences with the power dis^_
tribution systems company. Acme
came to Lumberton in 1968 and employs
about 300 workers. "Acme is"
an unusual business in that it started
small, stayed small and remained independent
for so long," he said of the
company, which was recently purchased
by Key Components Company
of Tarrytown, N.Y. "We have a highx
skilled labor force in Lumberton with
a great work ethic and high productivity."
Like many manufacturers since the
"North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), Acme has a manufacturing
plant in Mexico.
"We had to do something to compete
with low cost producers, so we
moved our high-volume, low-skilled
product manufacturing to Mexico,"
Mr. Arena said. "We have good competitive
reasons for staying in Lumberton."
Products made in Mexico are
shipped to the Lumberton distribution
facility, and Lumberton's highly
skilled workers produce high-end
products. Besides cheaper labor,
Monterrey, Mexico presents many
business advantages, including convenient
suppliers of raw materials and
strong engineering programs at
nearby universities.
On the negative side, overhead costs
are high in Mexico. However, Mr.
Arena said NAFTA has been a good
thing for Acme because it has opened
new markets as well as helped the
company compete with much larger
compaities.
"This migration to Mexico is the
same migration that took place 30
years ago when Acme move produc
tion from New York to Lumberton."
he said. ~"
Local workers here are very productive
and dedicated, Mr. Arena said.
"I'd put our Lumberton plant up
against any of our competitors for productivity
and quality," he said. "Our
productivity here is twice that in
Mexico."
Mr. Arena is optimistic about the
economic transformation of the local
economy.
"1 see some good, proactive steps
taking place here," he said. "Change
isn't easy, and we have some work to
do, especially in education. On the
other hand, we have some really good
assets."
The region must tum to the high
technology sector in the future. He
praised the COMtech project, which '
combines the educational assets of
UNCP, Robeson Community College
and the Public Schools of Robeson
County with a high-technology industry
park.
"Tony Normand (COMtech CEO)
is a can-do guy, and it sounds like a
good idea," he said. "Overall, we are
an attractive investment opportunity
for business." Mr. Arena's lectures
coner issues of business communications,
employee motivation, marketing
research and "Managing a LowTech
company in the High Tech Boom
and Bust."
The Business Lecture Series at
UNCP is sponsored by Students in
Free Enterprise and the School of
Business.
The Carolina Indian Voice is published every Thursdayby
First American Publications.-207 Union Chapel
Road-Pembroke, NC 28372. Publisher-Bruce Barton.
Editor-Connee Brayboy. See Editorials-on-Page 2t
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.