OPINION
.
The Chronicle
Ernest H. Pitt
Publisher Emeritus
1974-2015
617 N. Liberty Street
336-722-8624 * 41 J
www.wschronicle.com /
Elaine Pitt Business Manager
Donna Rogers Managing Editor
wali D. Pitt Digital Manager
Our Mission
?
The Chronicle is dedicated to serving the
residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
by giving voice to the voiceless, speaking truth
to power, standing for integrity and
encouraging open communication and
lively debate throughout the community.
Rulings make
June 7 primary
real important
It seems as though we have just been through this.
It's time for another primary election. Early voting
starts today at the Forsyth County Government
Center, 201 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem.
This time, the ballot is not as long, but is pretty
important. Voters are asked to choose Democratic
and Republican nominees for the 5th Congressional
District. We also must choose a state Supreme Court
judge in a non-partisan primary. (See pages A8 and
A9 for a guide to the candidates.) Both elections are
a result of rulings in lawsuits.
A federal court ruling earlier this year shot down
two previous congres
?????? sional districts in North
CAMPAIGN Carolina, saying they
were drawn with too
|7T| _ _ many minorities in them,
JL it ? ? ' which violated the con
stitutional rights of
minorities. Districts 1
and 12 were affected.
Much of the east side of Winston-Salem was in
District 12. Now all of Forsyth County is in the 5th
District, which is why we must vote in the new dis
trict on June 7. The congressional maps were
redrawn.
Another federal court ruling on May 6 struck
down a 2015 law that let an incumbent, elected jus
tice seek re-election to another eight-year term with
out a challenger. That means the June 7 primary for a
'The elections are important
because House members in Congress
help decide important issues, such as
whether to restore the 1965 Voting
Rights Act."
seat on the court will go on as planned. There are four
candidates running for one seat. The two candidates
with the highest votes in the primary advance to the
general election.
The elections are important because House mem
bers in Congress help decide important issues, such
as whether to restore the 1965 Voting Rights Act to a
form that will help disenfranchised people. The state
Supreme Court makes rulings on appeals of laws and
issues that could change lives, such as the retention
law ruling. The law was not upheld because of a 3-3
tie in the state Supreme Court. The incumbent judge
up for re-election, Justice Bob Edmunds, didn't par
ticipate in the decision or listen to arguments the
court heard in April, The Associated Press reported..
We point out that Michael Morgan of Raleigh is
an African-American superior court judge who is
running for the Supreme Court seat. That is impor
tant enough to vote in the June 7 primary.
Don't forget your proper ID so that your vote will
count.
The N.C. State Board of Elections says:
One stop early voting for the June 7 primary
begins on May 26 and ends at 1 p.m. on Saturday,
June 4. Some counties may not be open on the first
weekend, or Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day).
Tuesday, May 31 is the regular deadline to request
an absentee ballot by mail for June 7 primary.
Monday, June 6, is the military and overseas
deadline for board of elections receipt of voter regis
tration and absentee ballot requests.
Tuesday, June 7, is Primary Election Day (polls
open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.). Civilian
absentee ballot deadline: voted absentee ballots must
be delivered to the Appropriate county elections
office by 5 p.m. on this day. However, such ballots
postmaikedon or before Election Day will be accept
ed through Friday, June 10. Military and overseas
absentee ballots are accepted until S p.m. on June 13
if cast and sent by Election Day.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Winston-Salem
native seeks
Miss WSSU
Alumni 2016
To the Editor:
My name is Valeria Clark
Edwards, native of Winston-Salem,
and a 1978 graduate of Winston
Salem State University. I am seeking
the title of Miss Alumni 2016. This
scholarship fundraising event, spon
sored by Winston-Salem State
University National Alumni
Association, is an effort to raise
money for students to attend WSSU
and make their dreams come true.
Therefore, I seek your support.
Winston-Salem, State University
was there for me pver 35 years ago
when my dreams were launched. I am
proud to be a Winston-Salem State
University Ram!
The great education and experi
ences provided me at WSSU
launched me into a career path from
primary reading teaching to adminis
tration in Winston-Salem/ Forsyth
County Schools. As a token of my
gratitude, I am eager and ready to
work to give back, and that is why I
have decided to seek the candidacy.
The crowning of Mr. and Miss
Alumni 2016 will take place during
the Homecoming festivities in
October
On behalf of the Miss WSSIJ
Alumni Campaign, I am seeking cor
porate, business and individual sup
port to win this crown, but most of
all, to support future Rams. The spon
sors, ads and patrons will be printed
in the 2016 Homecoming Souvenir
Journal.
As an ambassador for WSSU,
with your financial support, we will
be "Linked together in unity. Serving
together with purpose."
Tax deductible donations may be
checks or money orders, made
payable to:
Winston-Salem State University
National" Alumni Association or
WSSUNAA
(Memo line: Valeria Edwards)
Mail to: Valeria Edwards, P O.'
Box 222, Spencer, VA 24165
Deadline: Must be received by
Aug. 1.
I humbly appreciate your help.
For additional information, contact
me at 336-418-0366, or you may send
an email to:
ved wards 1978W SSU@ gmail .com.
"I need your green, to help others
see Ram Red!" I would love to hear
from you!
Valeria Clark Edwards
WSSU - Class of 1978
Spencer, Virginia
John Larson
should get
your support
for City Council
To the Editor:
I am a South Ward resident writ
ing in support of John Larson's cam
paign for City Council. His name
will appear on the ballot in the pri
mary election on June 7, with early
voting starting*pn May 26.
John has lived in Winston-Salem
for 40 years and bought his current
home in the late 1970s, just in time
to restore the building before the city
tore it down. This captures a lot of
John's spirit. He believes in the
future of Winston and looks for prac
tical ways to make our city a better
place to live.
John has served on the board of
Keep Winston Beautiful for over 15
years and has done a lot of work to
clean the streams and waterways
connected to our drinking water.
Dragging litter and tires out of
creeks is not glamorous work, but it
is important work. John's humility
and commitment to service will be
an asset to the City Council.
When I met John, a friend told
me he had been involved in the
restoration of the famous Shell
shaped Service Station on Sprague
Street. What I didn't find out until
later is that he also volunteered time
to help with the restoration of Lloyd
Presbyterian [at 748 Chestnut St.],
the oldest historically black church
still worshipping in its original
building and location in the county.
My own work includes teaching
Christian history and theology; that
John helped preserve a building so
central to Winston's religious and
cultural heritage really impressed
me.
With 40 years of roots and hard
work in a community, John Larson is
more than an activist. He's a fixture,
a pillar. Elect him to the City
Council and we will gain an experi
enced advocate with a real vision for
how to build a stronger South Ward,
a better Winston.
Joshua Canzona
Winston-Salem
On June 7,
in South Ward,
vote for passionate
Carolyn Highsmith
To the Editor:
Voters in the South Ward arc
lucky to have the opportunity to vote
for Carolyn Highsmith for City
Council on June 7.
Carolyn is a truly worthy candi
date. Her record shows her to be a
long-time passionate and effective
advocate for the community.
For years, Carolyn has organized
neighborhood watch groups and has
been a grassroots leader in improv
ing public safety and crime preven
tion. She has been instrumental in
the re-landscaping of West
Clemmonsville Road, has helped
deal with the proliferation of
unwanted sweepstakes businesses in
our neighborhood, and spoken out
for her ward on tax reappraisal and
our area plan.
Carolyn is not merely involved in
these and other important issues but
has taken the lead.
In addition, Carolyn is an advo
cate for more public and green space
in the South Ward. These areas pro
vide a place to enjoy nature, gather
with other residents, play sports, and
provide habitat for wildlife. The i?
South Ward needs more of both of - ,
these types of spaces.
Unfortunately, the 2014 Forsyth ,
County Bond will not improve this
situation. Of the $30,850,000 alio- ,
cated to recreation in this bond, the
South Ward received only $500,000,
1.6 percent of the total. Currently,
the only greenway that runs through ;
the South Ward, Salem Creek
Greenway, is not close to the majori-,
ty of South Ward residents.
Voters in the South Ward deserve
better representation! Please vote
for Carolyn Highsmith on June 7.
Lois Schneider
Winston Salem
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