Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / March 22, 1975, edition 1 / Page 7
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fgrch 22, 1975 The Winston*$alein Chronicle P«ge7 Student Complains Of Rules jpear Liz: 1 am a high school junior at Reynolds. There are many Lack students like me, in both ligh and senior high school, Ihat would like to participate In extra-curricular activities Lch as the cheerleader Lquad, majarettes, dancing loots, etc. However few of us [re given the opportunity because some of the qualifica- lions are very rigid, but mostly Ihe same ageless problem Uist, racial prejudice. When schools integrated. Lot only did we loose our high kchool of which we were very jproud, but we also lost the Iprivileges and opportunities ■to engage in these type lactivities. There are so many really lalented kids that are being ■overlooked under our present Istructed system. I am aware of 'organizations such as ESR, the Recreation Department, and Community Groups that are trying to do things within aur own communities to bridge this void. We enjoyed taking part ^vhen it was within our own school structure. Maybe .returning to neighborhood schools is the answer. CONCERNED Dear Liz: I was caught by my wife with my lover in an unexplainable situation. Even though I loved my wife at the time, I asked her for a divorce immediately because I knew I was wrong. She refused and said she would forgive and forget what had happened because she still loved me. Well, that has been over a year now and she has neither forgiven nor forgotten. She constantly reminds me of the situation. She has told me many times since that she will never trust me again. I have been faithful to her since that time she caught me. She also told me if 1 should try to get a divorce she would get all ol pur belongings which include pvery nice home, furnishings, two cars, savings and a dog. She said when I leave her 1 would not even carry any clothes on my back. I am living in pure hell and would like to get out. What should I do? Trapped Dear Trapped, You should have thought of the consequences before you were caught but since you didn’t, legal advice is what you need and in a hurry. Ombudsman, Fred Gallagher, answering the many calls that come through on the toll free line. Chronicle Profile Governor’s Ombudsman Listens To The People An Ombudsman is a government official who investigates citizens’ complaints against the government or its functionaries. North Carolina has an Ombudsman. His name is Fred Gallagher and he is in Raleigh to help people. The office of Ombudsman has been operating in the state for almost two years. The position was established by (Governor r James E. Holshouser, Jr. to create a direct line from the people to the governor. The office deals solely with people’s problems that come under the jurisdiction of the state. Fred Gallagher, the Ombudsman, was elected to office in |1973. Since that time he has handled approximately 9,000 calls and complaints. The type of complaints he has dealt with include utility companies charging late fees, arranging for an inmate to attend a funeral, investigating a person falsely commmitted to a mental institution and a request for the governor to pardon a narcotics conviction. Many of the inquiries last winter concerned the gas problems and as public concerns shifted with the economic and energy status, so did complaints received in the Ombudsman’s office. In a telephone interview, Gallagher said his offices is a ■‘mirror reflecting the general concerns of the population.” This year his'complaints have been over unemployment checks, food stamps, mix-up in drivers licenses, loss of license plates and problems with utility bills. So far this year, more than 1,000 cases have come before the office of Ombudsman. “In December our office was flooded with phone calls concerning high utility rates,” Gallagher informed. “Our office talked with the utility company and suggested that something be done.” As a result people were given an extended time to pay their utility bills. However, not all the calls received by the Ombudsman are”^ handled by his office. For example, complaints that do not come under the state’s jurisdiction. The Ombudsman tries to contact the correct sources to alleviate the problems. Complaints are said to be handled with expediency, properly and indiscriminately, regardless of race, creed or color. The governor also tries to reach citizens through his People s Day Tour. Out of 100 counties the governor has visited 40. In June 1973 he visited the Forsyth County area and hopes he will be 'able to return, Gallagher said, but “that depends on the governor visiting the other 60 counties in the state. If you have a complaint the governor’s ombudsman will listen. Write a letter, or call the toll-free number (1-800-662-7952) or wait for the governor’s People’s Day Tour in your county. ,mmeasme^
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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March 22, 1975, edition 1
7
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