Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Dec. 27, 1984, edition 1 / Page 2
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Start on zoning better Members of the Hoke County Commission are apparently getting off to a better than anticipated false start in their recent efforts to establish countywide zoning. In past years, the Commissioners have discussed zoning in theory, but have failed to take action to establish an ordinance. However, recently the county officials have moved to blow the dust off a law that would re-activate a planning commission, which has been sit ting idle for 17 years. Once that group is re-established, the members can begin work on developing countywide zoning and subdivision regulations. If the new planning body moves with haste, this time next year the new laws could be in force. Spurred on by dropping interest rates and the rapid growth of Cumberland County, developers are being attracted in greater numbers to Hoke County because of unrestricted and relatively low cost rural property. Zoning regulations will come too late for some of the rural sec tions of this county which are already being developed in a haphazard manner, but if action is taken soon the ordinances could be on the books in time to save the remaining acreage from uncon trolled residential projects and uses which are not compatible with surrounding property. Hoke County needs to grow and must have new residents in order to meet financial demands. Zoning could prevent improper and unregulated growth which would create more problems and might jeopardize future living quality. Members of the Hoke County Commission apparently recognize the need for zoning and are moving in a direction to establish it. We commend them for their efforts and encourage them to move with deliberate speed. Share Your Christmas did much for many Over 1,000 needy Hoke County residents had a brighter Christmas this year because of the efforts of a small group of " USd/6 right here. Hoose, go ChecA and See if Santa le.fi a set of ir-d/n'mQ ujhec/s. \ \ i I / / volunteers and the kindness of hundreds of others in this communi ty. Food, clothing, toys and household goods were distributed last Thursday through the Share Your Christmas program, which was spearheaded by the Raeford Woman's Club. A handful of club members, along with Department of Social Service workers and a few other volunteers, worked long hours to insure that the massive giving program was successful. Items were donated or bought with funds contributed by local residents and service clubs from this and other counties. Once the donations were received, they had to be organized to fill the needs of the recipients. Clothes were separated by sizes, dolls were given new dresses and requested items were purchased. Because of the generosity of those who gave to the program and the workers who made it a reality, this year's Share Your Christmas was one of the largest in recent memory. The Woman's Club and all others who took part in Share Your Christmas did a great deal to improve the quality of life in this coun ty by bringing joy to many of those who need a hand. It is a program like Share Your Christmas that distinguishes Hoke County from other counties and makes this a good place to live. US citizens could be migrant farm workers By John Sledge N.C. Farm Bureau Federation The names of Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming and Con gressman Romano Mazzoli of Kentucky have become well known during the last two or three years as sponsors of a bill to reform the Immigration Act and to do something to slow down or stop the inflow of illegal aliens into this country. The bill came very close to final enactment during 1984, after pass ing both houses. However, a con ference committee was not able to work out the differences between the two bills. But the issue hasn't gone away, and from all indication, both Senator Simpson and Con gressman Mazzoli will introduce bills early in the next Congress, probably close to the agreement that was nearly achieved by the conference this year. 1985 could well be the year for the Simp son/Mazzoli bill. It has been and will be one of the most controversial pieces of legislation to be considered by the Congress. Many influential in terest groups have opposed it for wide divergence of reasons, with precious few groups lobbying for it. Letters To The Editor Hoke board ignoring IE A recommendation To the Editor: The Indian community of Hoke County has watched the developments of the Indian Educa tion Act (IEA) program with much interest since the retirement of Earl Hughes Oxendine as director. We have wondered when we'll get a new director. Many months have passed since his retirement; and still no replacement has been made. On November 16, the Native American Council of Hoke Coun ty sent a certified letter to Dr. Robert Nelson, the superintendent of the Hoke County Schools, re questing a meeting to discuss this serious situation. The letter was received as designated by Anna Kelly's signature. Dr. Nelson wrote Junior Dial, chairman of the Native American Council, stating that a meeting would be scheduled. Approximately 35 parents and students met at the board of educa tion at their last meeting. They were forced to stay throughout the meeting ... only to be told they were not on the agenda. They were allowed a mere 15 minutes to discuss what is to us a very serious matter. We were informed that the board had not made a recommen dation and that no director would be hired until after the first of the year. I believe it was unfair to have our people sit through the entire meeting and then have the board go into executive session for an hour and fifteen minutes before they were heard. This is especially unfair after a letter from the superintendent said they would be heard. We feel strongly that this action was only to discourage public attendance at board of education meetings. We have recommended that Jerry Oxendine be hired as director of I.E. A. We have known him for many years as a teacher, a friend, a former I.E. A. director, and a fellow Indian. We believe with cer tainty that he will be the best direc tor and that he will look out for the best educational interest of Indian students. Dr. Nelson requested a meeting at the last board meeting with the I.E. A. Parent and Student Com mittee as well as some parents and grandparents who were also pre sent. The meeting was supposedly held to hear what the real wishes of the Indian community of Hoke County were. We told him again that our preference was Jerry Ox endine. He informed us that the board of education had a variable policy requiring employees to live in the county. He stated that Oxen dine would not move into the county. He further stated that the I.E. A. Committee had no power to hire a director. The hiring, he stated, was up to the board of education and his authority. I asked him the following ques tion: ?"If this is true, what is the purpose of the I.E. A. Committee?" He answered that the committee could on ly recommend. ?If this is true, what prevents the board of educa tion from honoring their recommendation? After all, who knows the needs of In dians better than another In dian? It is my opinion that Dr. Nelson has done more to politically divide our county than any other person. Indians must stay, in Hoke County ? It is home! Chances are when Dr. Nelson retires he'll return to his "home" in Alamance County. May I suggest that Dr. Nelson analyze the situation and begin to unify the people instead of divide them. Sincerely, Rev. Elias Rogers, A Hoke County Indian Editorial appalling To the Editor: As both a concerned parent and also a resident of Hoke County, I was shocked and appalled by the inaccuracies of the December 13 Viewpoints editorial. I realize this editorial was a viewpoint of one person, therefore, let's state the other side. Hoke County was indeed represented at the Red Springs parade. The Upchurch Band of 110 children cannot be ignored nor disregarded. Those children were proud to be part of that function and their ef forts apparentaly were unnoticed. Where is it written that only the Senior High Band commends our attention. Also, as in the case of faulty journalism, the facts are often misunderstood. The band did not plan on charg ing, they simply did not have the necessary funds to allow them to make the trip. I believe that nothing less than an apology to Hoke High Senior band, Upchurch Junior High band and their bandleaders is acceptable and would be an admirable beginn ing towards mending fences. A proud Hoke resident, Carole Ann Williams Band has long proud history To the Editor: In defense of Jimmy James, I could easily fill your page, but I will try to hold myself to a few well-spent words. Many of us remember the Hoke High Band of the early 1960's, how embarassingly small, poorly uniformed it was, not to mention how it sounded. We remember how a young Jimmy James came to town and wept from classroom to classroom, all through the grades, with a Flute-a-Phone, en couraging lind teaching youngsters to play an instrument. Under his guidance and ever faithful smile, the number of players grew in direct proportion to the pride felt by each band (See LETTERS, page 3) The News-Journal JH& PubMwd k ? f r> Thundi) b) Dicktoa Pmi, lac.. Paul Dickson. I'm. 119 W. Uwood Avenw. P.O. Box 550 Racford. N.C. U316 Subscription Rain la Advaact In Conaty Per Year? $10.00 6 Monlhs ? VS. 00 Oul of County Per Yrar-SI2.00 6 Monlhs? y> 00 LOLIS H. FOCLF.M AN. JR PuMHhtr WARRF.N N. JOHNSTON EdMor HKNRY L. BLUE ... Prod u< I ion Supervisor MRS. PAUL DICKSON Society Ediloc SAM C. MORRIS Coalribatiaf Editor ANN WEBB Advertising Representative 2nd Clais Postage al Raeford. N.C. (USPS 3U-2M) Help brightens Christmas for coun ty resident Five days before Christmas, one of the largest banks in the southeast came and got Robert McFadgion's truck. McFadgion, who is 71 years old and has an income of about $350 per month from Social Security, was two months behind on his $167 monthly payments. The bank, which does not have a local branch, had warned McFadgion. They had left him a handwritten note on a white piece of paper. There was no logo or symbol on the warning to identify the institution. The week before, it was stuck on the windshield of his truck. "You are two payments behind on the truck. Put a payment in the mail Friday, or we will have to svore the truck until you catch up the payments," the note said. McFadgion doesn't read "too well" and has no family to help him. "I left school early to help my father on the farm," he said. Because he does a little yard work around Raeford to pick up "extra money," McFadgion considers the truck essential to his livelihood. It is one of the few things he almost owns. Since purchasing the 1980 red and white Ford truck two years ago, he has paid over $5,100. "I only owe them eight more payments," he says proudly. A week earlier, the electricity was turned off in McFadgion's Pate Bank and Trust Company apartment. He had given a "friend" the cash payment for Carolina Power & Light. The friend . Warren Johnston The Puppy Papers had agreed to drop it off at the CP&L office. "I didn't get up with him for two days. He had spent the money. They turned off my lights," McFadgion said. They also turned off the 71 -year-old Hoke County native's stove and hot water. He did not blame the power company, but "I won't call the man my friend no more," McFadgion said. Robert McFadgion was born on a farm out on the Turnpike Road in 1913, where he lived and worked until he was 34. During World War II, he was classified by the draft board as a "Good Farmer" and did not serve in the Army. In 1947, McFadgion left Hoke County because things had slowed down on the farm; and he could not find work elsewhere. He settled in the Greensboro area with his wife and family. During the next 30 years, McFadgion held various jobs, including 15 years with the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. He was a custodial supervisor. "I've worked hard all my life," he said. When his health got bad, he was forced to retire. He returned to Hoke County in 1977. His wife had died. Hi? children had "run off" to Dayton, Ohio. With some financial help from friends and a little pressure on the bank, Christmas came for Robert McFadgion. His truck was returned with a pledge to be more understanding in the future. He would no longer be just a number on the computer, the bank said. Department of Social Services Director Ken Witherspoon secured Crisis Intervention funds and was able to restore the electrical power to McFadgion's apartment. Southern Pines CP&L manager Ed Hitchings bent the rules to have the switch flipped before the check arrived. When McFadgion returned with his truck from the out-of-town bank, the lights were on in his home. "It'll be nice to have a hot meal. You know, I used to be a short order cook," he beamed. He had been eating sandwiches for 10 days. "They're hard on my digestion." All things considered, Robert McFadgion had a pretty good Christmas. He had a small bundle from Share Your Christmas, and his life had returned to normal. "I got my truck and my lights. I'm happy," he said. For Robert McFadgion, compassion made the system work, as I ; am sure it does for many. But it is hard not to wonder how many other elderly persons, who . have worked all of their lives, spent Christinas in the dark this year. t Perhaps 198S will be better for them, but all indications are that it will not-,
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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