Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Oct. 23, 2014, edition 1 / Page 11
Part of Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
OP/ED ?\ebr;? 40 iWea? S 1/ Ernest H. Pitt T. Kevin Walker Elaine Pitt Blair Hutchinson Publisher/Co-Founder Managing Editor Business Manager Office Manager Our Picks Ever since President Obama was elected, the Republican Party and many white Americans have had to face their unresolved racism and prejudice. The GOP, in particular, has exhibited a throwback meanness that harkens back to an era before the Civil Rights Movement. All of the party's resistance has racial overtones - from the government shutdowns to targeting ObamaCare. Halting any success the President may have has become the sole mission of Republicans, who invoke the name "Obama" almost like it is a hate-filled racial pejorative. A black president and the ever-browning of America have driven many to the point of out-right hatred. Their attempt to maintain power is behind this movement to disenfran chise, deny and subordinate blacks and other people of color. So why should blacks come out and vote during this Midterm election? Because we are standing up against the idea that you can't win by associating with President Obama. True, some Democrats may deserve to lose, but we are not going to let that happen because we are fighting back at the polls against the way the first African American president has been treated. President Obama's name may not be on the ballot, but he is still running - running against the racism and vitriol that have run rampant since he set foot in the White House. We plan to support President Obama by voting against those who would stand against him. Our choices in the competitive races are: Kay Hagan for U.S. Senate. She has dodged the President at every turn to bolster her re-election chances, but she is the lesser of two evils; Josh Brannon for the U.S. House Fifth District, and Alma Adams for the U.S. House 12th District; John Motsinger in State Senate District 31; Evelyn Terry is NC House District 71; Mary Dickinson in NC House District 74; David Gordon in NC House District 75; and Cristina Vazquez in NC House District 79. In the County Commissioners At-Large race, Ted Kaplan stands head and shoulders above the shortsighted Bill Whiteheart. We favor the Democrats - Katherine Fansler, German Garcia and Elisabeth Motsinger - in the School Board At-Large contest because Republican-rule of the board has not elevated or improved our schools. For the same reason, we like Laura Elliott and Deanna Kaplan in School Board District 2. Susan Frye is by far the most qualified in the Clerk of Court race. We don't like either choice for NC Supreme Court Chief Justice. Both Mark Martin and Ola Lewis are con servative Republicans - and proud of it. We support Sam Ervin IV, Robin Hudson and Cheri Be&siey (the court's only African American) for the Supreme Court Associate Justice seats. We like Abe Jones, a Harvard-educated former Superior Court Judge and current UNC Law professor, in the crowded NC Court of Appeals race to replace Judge John C. Martin. Our other Court of Appeals choices are Lucy Inman and Mark Davis. We like Valene Franco for District Court judge. Her experience and expertise are far superior to those of her opponent, Ted Kazakos. Kazakos is likable and has a devoted fol lowing. Those factors may win "American Idol," but when we are selecting a leader who will wield an extraordinary amount of power, we should dig deeper. Because the Forsyth Soil and Water supervisors are currently all men, we like Elizabeth Tlicker and Vanessa Zboreak. All boards and councils should reflect the cities and communities they serve. While some say passing the state constitution measure to allow defendants to waive a jury trial is a covert way of denying them their rights, we think the option should be avail able - as long as defendants are clearly made aware of what they are giving up. We also like that there is a safeguard - a judge must sign-off before a waiver is granted. We are voting Yes on the city bonds, but we must pressure our leaders to make sure that communities of colors, indeed, get their fair share of the pie. The good the proposed bond projects will do far outweighs the relatively small tax hike. No Excuses To the Editor: A participatory democracy demands active participation from its citizens. Voting is the primary means that we have to make our country "a more per fect union." The right to vote has evolved over many years and struggles. No matter what the Legislative Branch of government passes as laws to discourage or encourage us to go to the polls, as citizens we must be determined to vote - no excuses. No matter who sits on the Judicial Branch of our govern ment, vote - no excuses. No matter who sits in the Executive Branch as presi dent, vote - no excuses. Our concept of a democracy rests entirely on our active participation. Vote - no excuses. Early voting starts Today (Oct. 23). Fleming El-Amin Experience matters To the Editor: Judgeships are not positions to be purchased, and a candidate should not be selected based on the size of his or her campaign account. When selecting the right candidate for the job, careful consideration must be given to the experience of each candidate. Intelligence, legal experience and tem perament are the qualities that should be carefully examined when electing a judge, and after careful consideration, Valene Franco is the best choice to be Forsyth County's next District Court judge. Valene Franco has over a decade of experience practicing law right here in Forsyth County. Valene walked away from a lucrative career in private prac tice and entered the public interest field to provide quality legal representation to North Carolinians who can't afford to hire an attorney. For 15 years, Valene has invested her time, talent and treasure to make Forsyth County a better place for sur vivors of domestic violence, and 1 wholeheartedly endorse her as Forsyth County's next district court judge. She is a selfless, servant leader who will work as diligently on the bench as she has during her years as a practicing attorney. Valene is my colleague and my friend, and I'm asking you to make her Forsyth County's next District Court Judge. Takeisha R. Redd Attorney at Law Correction In this week's voter education special section, the NC District 21A Superior Court Race is not listed. Two names will appear on the ballot in the nonpartisan contest - attorneys Stacey Rubain and Richard Gottlieb. Ruhain. however, has bowed out of the race, choosing instead to concentrate on being named the county's next chief public defender. "Unexpectedly, about three weeks ago. Judge William Z. Wood announced he would be appointing a new chief public defender. When I decided to run back in February, I didn't think the position would become available," Rubain said earlier this month. "When he made his decision. I reallv had to stoD and think because had the position been available, it would have weighed very heavily on my decision to run forjudge." Gottlieb said he is still campaigning actively, despite his opponent's exit. "It really doesn't change the fact that I need to run an aggressive campaign to educate voters on why they should be confidant in my background and to earn their vote," Gottlieb said. r NC Superior Court Judge District 21A (You may vote for ONE) Stacey Rubaln Richard Gottlieb WFU from pu/ie A4 local alumni to serve as mentors for students inter ested in criminal justice careers." . The program's inaugu ral event was a Oct. 21 errppninn fnr JVIVV.lHIg AV/I law students of the "Central Park 5" docu mentary fol lowed by a dis cussion. Coan teach es commercial law courses and directs the Academic Engagement Program (AEP). The AEP enhances law students' academic performance through skills workshops, study groups, specialized cours es and individual mentor ing. "Over the years, Tracey has optimally led our academic achievement efforts and garnered huge dividends for our students and the law school," says former Dean Blake D. Morant, who appointed Coan. "During these chal lenging times in legal edu cation, Wake Forest Law has, and will continue to benefit, from Tracey's adroit guidance and efforts." In her new posi tion, Coan hopes to be a resource for both students and faculty in developing ways to enhance teaching and learning at Wake Forest Law. "Wake Forest Law is committed to creating the best learn ing experience for all stu dents," Coan stressed. "Though excellent class room teaching and AEP's supportive programs, we are working to make sure that students' investment of time and money at Morant Wake Forest will prepare them for successful careers." Throughout the fall semester, Coan will offer a series of workshops for first-year students to help them understand the importance of fully engag ing with the law, both inside and outside of the classroom. This series will provide specific guid ance in developing the precision, discipline and professionalism required for law school success. In addition, the workshops will reinforce the transfer ability of these skills to the practice of law. Before joining Wake Forest, she was associate counsel for Jefferson Pilot Financial (now Lincoln Financial Group), a national financial services organization, and an asso ciate with Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP, a leading business law firm in Greensboro. City from page A4 employees, customers and elected officials. The design team held more than 100 employee awareness sessions to present the 10 keys and help employees identify individual ways to improve their customer service. More than 2,700 employees attended these sessions. Each city department then created its own on going customer service excellence program, tai lored to the specific nature of its work. The design team, which continues to meet monthly, also created a new citywide customer service recognition pro gram. the City Stars of Excellence Program, to honor employees who pro vide excellent customer service. Citizens can par ticipate in the program by nominating city employ ees who provide excellent customer service. The nomination form is avail able at CityofWS.org. ^ As part of its service excellence program, the city actively observes Customer Service Week, observed annually throughout the United States during the first full week of October. The city's observance this year includes such morale building activities as a cornhole tournament, a free-throw contest and a food drive to support the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. Lecture from pane A4 The Atkins Memorial Lecture in Constitutional Law is named in honor of J. Alston (Jack) Atkins, the son of WSSU founder Simon Green Atkins and a 1922 honor graduate of Yale Law School. A prominent civil rights attor ney and advocate, Atkins filed a series of lawsuit to eliminate the racially segre gated school system in Forsyth County. While he did not win the cases. they became the cata lyst for a law suit which ultimately did lead to the desegregation of the local schools. In 1970, he filed a suit that was settled 15 years later and paved the way for more substantial support of the historically Black member institutions of the University of North Carolina sys tem. Atkins was deceased by the time of the settlement, but he was remembered in the agree mpnl with thp establishment of a constitu tional law lecture series in his name at WSSU. Atkins EVERY SUNDAY IN OCTOBER 1-5 P.M. ARTS DISTRICT TRADE STREET WINSTON-SALEM NORTH CAROLINA OCT 8 ?LUIS-A-PALOOZA TWIN CITY BUSKERS HARMONICA SHOWDOWN WITH JOHN OLSON, EDOIE MARTIN, ABE REIO AND BUBBA SPEAR FEATURING MIKE BENNETT & THE B-STftING ALLSTARS AND BIG RON HUNTER OCT 12 HOMICOOK1N* THE BltLIE FEATHER ALL STARS KHIANA NOEL MEYER OCT 19 CAROLINA ON MY MIND GARY SIBLEY AKA DANIEL RASSUM SHILOH MIU ABEBI STAFFORD & HIS MAGIC KEYS OCT 26 MA6QUIRADI ON TRADI RJ REYNOLDS ARTS BASED HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GROUPS MASQUERADE CONTEST (CHILDREN. ADULTS AND PETS TOO) KIDS CORNS* IVIRY WIIK ? ?'.'R w n wvrm5 ?****?. howcw
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 23, 2014, edition 1
11
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75