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Cafeteria worker moonlights as comedian and puppeteer BY T KEVIN WALKER THE CHRONICLE John Pearson doesn't have any kids of his own, but he feels like every child is his, and he has taken it upon him self to help shape and guide each child that he encounters. Pearson took that mission to another level several years ago when he began building from scratch his own educa tional live variety show aimed at getting little ones to stay on the straight and narrow and avoid pitfalls such as drugs and violence. Using colorful clothing, silly hats, puppets, a guitar and an assortment of other props, Pearson has entertained and enlightened children from here to Albemarle. Last Week and earlier this week he staged his CUct at a place with which he is quite familiar. Pearson works full time in the cafeteria at Hall Woodward Elementary School, so when he arrived at classrooms in one of his bright get-ups to entertain children, the students were already familiar with the tall man with a big smile. "I wanted to show kids at an early age to say no to drugs," Pearson said, explain ing why he got into the busi ness of entertaining kids. "I think since kids have young minds, a puppet will be more effective than an adult. It will Photos by Kevin Walker John Pearson uses a string puppet to get the attention of his young audience. also get their attention." Pearson, a "fifty-some thing" Vietnam Army veteran, relies heavily on puppets in his show. Last week during a performance before English as-a-Second-Language kipdergartners at Hall-Wood ward (a performance that had to be translated by the teacher of the class), Pearson used several puppets to drive home the point that drugs, in all cases, are bad. He had the kids repeat "Say no to drugs" dur ing the 20-minute act. "(Drugs) will make you lose your reputation. They could make you lose your life," Pearson said. A devoted member of First Waughtown Baptist Church, Pearson found his first puppet at a yard sale. He has added to his collection steadily over the yt^rs. Pearson brought one of his puppets to work one day a few weeks ago. "I bought the puppet to the cafeteria one day and held it up and every kid in there start ed pointing, and one of the teachers said 1 should enter tain the students, so here 1 am," he said. Pearson has also taken his act to hospitals and prisons. He performs his Christian comedy routine for his more mature audiences. ? Although Pearson enjoys his work in the cafeteria at Hall-Woodward, he dreams of one day striking out on his own and doing his comedy and children's act full time. "That is my dream," he said. "I love to entertain." Republicans from page AI Democrats, they would have held victory parties on election night. "I spent 95 percent of my time working in the black com munity," Davenport said. "What ?is funny is that I got more votes ? in precincts that I never showed I up in." The numbers clearly show that white Democrats were more Jvilling to embrace a Republican ?- even if that Republican hap- ' pens to be black. District A is overwhelmingly Democratic, with 36,803 registered Democ J rats in a district of 53,935 voters. The district is also mostly African-American. More than 39 000 voters in the district are black. Although bom and raised in the heart of East Winston, Dav enport shone mainly in precincts where white voters outnumber blacks. At East Forsyth High School, for example, Davenport got the best of his Democratic opponents, receiving 740 of the 1,926 votes cast at the precinct. To Davenport, the pattern shows that white Democrats are more willing to look at a candi date rather than at party affilia tion. "Our community is devoid . on debates of the issues." he said, "because we have sold our vote, 11 n_ r., >11?. r, dliu uaiicl IU UIIC ? party." Robinson also did better in precincts that had the least num ber of African-American voters. For example, at the mostly Democratic Parkway United Church precinct, where there are nine times more white voters than black, Robinson got almost twice as many votes as the Democratic victor, Earline Par mon. Robinson believes the fact that he was able to give Parmon a good run in a district that is about 80 percent Democratic is victory in itself. He ran 15 and a half points above Elizabeth Dole in the district, a fact of which he is especially proud. When asked what the result would have been if he were a Democrat and he and Parmon went head to head in a primary, Robinson did not mince words. "There would be no question, she would have been crushed." Robinson said he has long advocated for the Forsyth Coun ty Republican Party to launch a major public relations campaign aimed at the county's black resi dents. He has suggested that local party officials speak to an African-American civic or social group every month. The local Republican Party did little for Robinson's and Dav enport's campaigns. The two say that with the disdain that many blacks have about their party, there was really nothing local party officials could have done to help them. "There is a negative opinion of Republicans held by many African-American voters." Robinson said. 'To the extent that these voters are in the district File Photo Vernon Robinson, clockwise from right, chats with Michael Steele, lieutenant-governor-elect of Maryland, and Ken Ray mond last year at a black Republicans forum in Greensboro. you are running in, you have to carry that baggage." Donald Mac-Thompson assistant professor of political science at Winston-Salem State University and associate researcher for the university's Center for Community Safety disagrees that it was Davenport's and Robinson's party affiliation that kept most blacks from vot 'ng for them. Mac-Thompson says recent statistics show that black voters are willing to look at issues and choose candidates based on their platforms and not their parties. He pointed to Maryland, an sr-ae hln"nugly Democratic State where the ticket of a black republican candidate for lieu Ren,?M gOVern?r and a white Republican candidate for gover nor garnered much black support on their way to victory. Michael tw'm wd . ^'?me the state's first black lieutenant governor . 1 <*on't thlnk 'hat (Robinson and Davenport) pushed strong agendas to capture the attention it African-American voters " Mac-Thompson said. "They did n t come up with any political issues that were convincing It is not because of their political party at all." Mac-Thompson does con cede that blacks still overwhelm ing throw their support behind Democrats, but he sees that changing. Blacks are branching out. he said, not only by switch ing over to the Republican Pany but also by becoming unaffiliated voters. Mac-Thompson said Repub licans have also calmed their rhetoric in recent years, making the party kinder and gentler and less offensive to black voters. Elizabeth Dole, for example showed up at a rally at Salem College three days before the election with three prominent blacks at her side: Rod Paige secretary of the U.S. Department' Education; James Cheek President emeritus of Howard University; and Algeania Free man. president of Livingstone College. Quizzically, the three supporters made up the onlv black presence in a crowd of sev era! hundred. "The Republicans are mov ing to what is the middle so they , "P,ure minority (votes)....They will continue to push to get the black vote," Mac Thompson said. If the black political pendu lum is swinging more to the right, Davenport said he has not noticed. He says that blacks still too often put all of their eggs in one basket by voting straight party. He believes he was further crippled when the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity distributed fliers a Tew days before the election encouraging black voters to vote straight Democratic. Seemingly, Davenport - who was a Democ rat at one time but changed par ties because he says the party started embracing issues like gay marriages - was hurt by the fliers. For instance at the Carver High School precinct, the precinct closest to Davenport's Butterfield Drive home, 272 vot ers out of 575 cast straight Democratic Party ballots. "There is absolutely no way that you can overcome that," Davenport said. The Rev. Carlton Eversley, one of several dozen pastors whose names were attached to the flier, defends the move. The Ministers Conference is usually a nonpartisan group, but ministers were moved by the negative attack ads Robinson ran against Parmon, Eversley said. While Eversley admits that Davenport - who is more of a moderate Republican while Robinson is unabashedly conser vative - may have been hurt by the flier, he is not making apolo gies. He said Davenport had to pay for the actions of his fellow party member. "Black Republicans are held, very logically it seems to me. to a double standard." Eversley said. Davenport, who also lost a bid for alderman last year (he ran unaffiliated in that race), said he will run for office again. But he is not sure for what. He is also uncertain of which district he will be living in and what his party affiliation will tfc. "The bottom line is that if the community is not going to grow. I change zip codes or I change parties," Davenport said. "I am not a black male that is in prison. I own my own business. I am dedicated to the community, and folks still want vote for me." Youngsters watch as John Pearson performs with his props. NOTICE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is seeking minority and women-owned firms (M/WBE) to bid on upcoming highway projects throughout the State. The Locations of the projects are: II I ? ? 6 "5< ~ c ? t> r . c o> 3 3 o 0 0 & O DC 6.111019R Pasquotank 8.1200902 Lenoir 8.1222002 Greene. Pitt, Wilson 8.12311303 Brunswick 8.1421001 Bladen 5.4311240 Columbus, Bladen 5.4621236 Robeson 7.4421184 Cumberland, Harnett 6.501008R Orange 7.4711275 Alamance 7.6721276 Alamance, Caswell, Orange 7.4811273 Caswell. Rockingham 7.5111274 Rockingham 8.1522202 Chatham & Randolph 8.1600704 Davidson 8.2604103 Davidson 6.661006R Cabamis 5.681007R Stanly 7.6811245 Stanly 6.761009R Wfc 7.8011319 Cleveland 7.8211318 Iredell 7.8311321 Lincoln 8.2860903 Madison 7.9121116 Cherokee. Clay. Gra ham 7.9711117 Macon 0) o a ft Shoulder reconstruction, drainage milling & resurfacing Median Guardrail Median Guardrail Grading, drainage, paving & structure Grading, drainage, paving & structure Shoulder reconstruction, milling & resurfacing Shoulder reconstruction, milling & resurfacing Shoulder widening, milling, resurfacing & pvt. markings Fiberscreen concrete repair, resurfacing & guardrail Shoulder reconstruction, milling & resurfacing Shoulder reconstruction, milling & resurfacing Resurfacing Shoulder reconstruction, milling & resurfacing Median cable guiderail & guardrail Widening, grading, drainage & paving Grading, drainage, paving & structure Shoulder reconstruction, milling resurfacing & guardrail Milling, resurfacing & pavement markings Shoulder reconstruction, resurfac ing, ditching, milling & pvt. mark ings Shoulder reconstruction, milling & resurfacing Shoulder reconstruction & resurfacing Shoulder reconstruction & resurfacing Shoulder reconstruction, milling. & resurfacing Grading, drainage, paving & structure Shoulder reconstruction & resurfacing. Shoulder reconstruction & resurfacing rv*ttx ivr ? C J. GOALS BY ?2 ? o ? PERCENT ?3 i- - O O) UJ UJ UJ O S c m m cq -J ? UJ o 2 ? ;, US-17 from south end of Eliza- English 5% 3% beth City Bypass to the Bridge _ over Knobb's Creek US-70 from NC-903 to east of English 1 % NC-93 US-264 from NC-58 in Wilson English 1% _ County to US-13 in Pitt County Bridge over Royal Oak Swamp English 5% _ & approaches on NC-211 Bridge over Colly Creek & English 6% approaches on NC-11 i Various sections of NC-410 & English 8% 4% _ 22 sections of secondary roads c 1 section of NC-130, NC-41 & English 8% 4% NC-71.2 sections of NC-211 & US-301 and 21 sections of _ secondary roads NC-24 from NC-87 to Moore English 8% 4% County, NC-55 from Erwin N. city limit to Coats So. city limit & 94 sections of secondary _ Rds. US-70 from SR-1562 (Palmer English 5% 3% Grove Rd) to Durham county _ Jine : NC-119 from NC-49 to Caswell English 8% 4% Co., NC-62 from US-70 west to SR-1537 & 16 sections of sec _ ondary roads. : NC-49 & 86 in Caswell & English 8% 4% Orange Co. NC-86 from NC-49 to SR-1508 (Hawkins Rd) & 12 sections of secondary roads US-29 SBL from north of SR- English 7% 4% 1341 in Caswell Co. to SR 1767 in Rockingham Co & 7 sections of secondary roads r US-158/NC-14 from SR-1985 English 7% 4% to SR-2823, US-311 from east of Madison City limit to US 220 bus & 8 sections of _ secondary roads : US-421 from SR-2210 in English 10% Chatham County to SR-2434 in _ Randolph County : NC-8 from SR-1115 (Wrenn Metric 9% Rd) to south of SR-1126 (Tran _ tham Drive) Bridge over Hamby's Creek & English 7% _ approaches on SR-2775 ! US-52 from Stanly County to English 5% 3% Rowan County & NC-73 from Coddle Creek bridge to SR 1451 (Odell School Road) : NC-73 from NCL of Albemarle English 5% 3% to Cabarrus County line and US-52 from NC-49 to Cabarrus _ County line Various sections of NC-731, English 7& 4% NC-24/27-73 & NC-200 and 7 sections of secondary roads NC-18/NC-268 from West of English 5% 3% NC-18 to west of SR-1001 2 sections of NC-150,2 7% 4% sections of NC-226,1 section of English NC-10 & 10 sections of _ secondary roads US-21 from north of 1-77 English 7% 4% bridge to NC-150, US-64 from US-21 to 1-40 exit ramp & 12 _ sections of secondary roads , US-321 business from NC-150 English 7% 4% to Gaston County & 10 sections - ?f wcondaiv roads Bridge over Shelton Laurel English 4% Creek and approaches on SR -Jii6 US-129 from SR-1147 to Swain English 5% 3% County and 8 sections of _ secondary roads US-64 from bridge 91 to east of English 5% 3% SR-1448 & 2 sections of secondary roads *** MUfNUAY, November 18, MlDNlbHi *** North Raleigh Hilton ? 3415 Wake Forest Road - Raleigh. N.C. LETTING DATE: November 19, 2002 Prime contractors will be available to receive quotes for trucking, sub-contracting and materials. MAVBE's needing more information and/or technical assistance may come to Room 522 to meet with representatives from the Bennington Corp., NCDOT's Supportive Provider. (919)832-6027 NCDOT Office of Civil Rights & Business Development l,800?522-0453 Certification of highway contracting firms: , Richard Chrisawn Certification of supply/service/engineering firms: Robert Mathes Comments or concerns: Delano Rackard: Director
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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