Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Feb. 9, 2000, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ews Journal See us at www.dicksonpress.com ■ ■ !. ij No. 45 Vol. 92 50 cents Wednesday, February 9, 2000 «rt} E»r«(? ??V) ^ s T" ‘ ^ y- / mi : 14 ,IZr A. Elections chair tries to oust employee Also puts squeeze on director Illegal meeting held By Victoriana Summers Staff writer Hoke County Board of Elec tions met behind closed doors Tuesday afternoon in an illegal executive session called by BOE Chairman Willie McCaskill. BOE member Delbert Minshew said McCaskill urgedtheremoval Lewis because Lewis is the aunt of District Attorney candidate Kristy McMillan. According to Minshew, McCaskill also tried to sway the board to conduct a performance evaluation on BOE Director Caroline Shook every six months, insuring she’s doing her job properly. “I told Mr. McCaskill I was adamantly opposed to what he was trying to do and I wouldn’t Wednesday morning collision The only human injury reported was to the driver of the pickup who complained of back and leg pain after this two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Old Maxton and Walter Gibson roads in South Hoke this morning at about 7:30. Inside the tractor-trailer are 500 frightened, injured and squealing pigs who didn’t go to market. (Photo by Pat Allen Wilson) Sheriff Davis demands investigation of part-time employee Pam (See ELECTIONS, page lOA) First republican primary on tap Ten vie for commissioner seats By Victoriana Summers Staff writer Sheriff Jim Davis announced last week the Federal Bureau of This week Dr. Randy Bridges honored as UNCP alumnus page 8A NAACP apparently plans march page 10 A Index Births 3B Calendar 2B Classifieds 8-9B Deaths 5A Editorials 2-4A Legals 6-7B Religion 6B Schools 10B Socials 3B Sports 6A TV Listings 4-5B Around Town Contributing Editor The temperatures have risen, but many places on the north side of buildings and the large piles that were formed by clearing driveways still have a reminder of the snow. Of course, if we could get a warm rain this would do away with it. My feelings are that we have had enough snow and cold weather for the year. If my memory iscorrect, most of the snows over the years have come in March. Let’s hope this is not true this year. The forecast for the remain der of the week. Wednesday ,11 I ,ii,ii.).iiuidav,calls for the highs to be in the 50 or low 60s and the lows to be in the 30s or 40s. There is a chance of rain (See AROUND, page 5A) Investigation and the State Bu reau of Investigation are scruti nizing allegations of public cor- mption, at his requests. The probe regards “high-ranking” elected officials, county administrators, certain deputies and former depu ties, Davis added. The SBI confirmed it’s con ducting a criminal investigation. However, the FBI denied in volvement in any investigation. Davis said he contacted the FBI on January 14, which was prior to four of his deputy-supervisors resigning on January 19. “The FBI is not investigating any political corruption in Hoke County,” said Larry Bonney, a regional supervisor with the FBI in Wilmington. “We have received a lot of communications from Sheriff Davis before, and after, he was elected,” Bonney said. “But, we arc not investigutinganylhingfor Sheriff Davis.” Davis declined mentioning names of any people being in vestigated by theSBI.Daviscon- fided in The News-Journal on January 18, saying he was exam ining facts to see if a criminal conspiracy had been committed amongsome deputies and county officials. According to Davis’ request to investigate, he referred to a detective and chief deputy under scrutiny concerning their integ rity. SBI Assistant Director Larry Smith of the Special Investiga tions’ division in Raleigh began interviewing deputies last Wednesday in Raeford, accom panied by a team of SB! agents. Smith said the SBI is "required by taw” lo investigate any crimi nal allegations they receive from a law enforcement officer. “The Sheriff has asked us to look at some things and wc met with the Sheriff,” Smith said. “I can’t confirm anything else. Our procedure is: Wc turn over our findings to the District Attorney, who determines if a crime has been committed,” he said. “The majority of our requests for all assistance across the state come from sheriffs, police chiefs and district attorneys.” (See INVESTIGATION, fxige 9A) By Pat Allen Wilson Editor For the first time in Hoke County’s history. Republicans will have a primary in the race for a local office. Filing for elec tion ended at noon Monday with three Republicans and seven Democrats vying for two avail able commissioner seats. Filing as Republicans are (in the order in which they filed) Jim Knott, Kevin E. Epps and Buddy Blue. Democrat candidates are (in the order in which they filed) James A. Leach (incumbent), Perika K. Hardaway, Cleo Bratcher (incumbent), Julius Manner, Gene Paul Thacker, Robert A. “Bobby” Wright and Eric D. Pender. The number of Republican registered voters has grown steadily in Hoke County over the years. \n \970 there were 272 Republicans and 5,230 Demo crats registered. By 1990, that number had almost tripled for Republicans, while Democrats increased by about one third. In 1996, this country’s last Presidential election, there were 1,986 Republicans and 9,315 Democrats. The Hoke County votercount, as of January 12, 2(X)0, showed (See PRIMARY, page 9A) Sheriff wants $25,000 for lawyer By Victoriana Summers Staff writer Hoke County Board of Com missioners found a belated let ter, dated January 19, from Hoke’s Sheriff Jim Davis, in cluded in their February 7 meet ing packets. Davis requested $25,000— above and beyond his budget— for personal, legal aid to protect himself from some County officials who allegedly discussed removing him from office. Davis wants to hire inde pendent legal counsel with the money he is requesting. Davis also said he’s conduct ing an internal investigation by the Sheriff’s Department, focus ing on “eventssurrounding meet ings of January 13” among these same County officials. Davis also placed a gag order request on county officials, asking them not to meet with any member of the Sheriff’s Department staff with out hisownpresenceor approval. Davis sent his letter to County Manager Bernice MePhatter with copies reportedly mailed to the SBI, District Attorney Jean tration. Commissioner L.E. McLaughlin Jr. wondered why Commission Chairman James A. Leach, who compiles agenda in formation, didn’t advise them about Davis’ letter sooner. In his request, Davis asked extra money be approved as a "It's plain garbage as far as I'm concerned. If this is ever put on the Board of Commissioners' agenda to discuss as a budget amendment like Sheriff Davis requested, it's going to raise a lot of eyebrows. He's already way over his bud get." — Commissioner L.E. McLaughlin jr. Powell and County Commission ers. However, Commissioners didn’t immediately receive cop ies from Davis, obtaining the in formation, instead, on February 4 through the County adminis- Shcriff’s Department budget amendment, which would be withdrawn from Hoke’s general fund balance. Davis appeared at the Mon- (See $25,000, page 9A) Austin named Kiwanis Citizen of the Year By Pat Allen Wilson Editor Retired businessman James H. “Jake” Austin Jr. received the Raeford Kiwanis Club Citizenship of the Year Award at the club’s 76th anniversary cel ebration this past Thurs- , , ^ day. He is the 49th recipi- ja e ustin annual award. A retired businessman, Austin opened J.H. Aus tin Insurance Agency in 1950. The business is now in the hands of his son Tony Austin. The cider Austin’s community service is exten sive, according to Harold Gillis, who rnade the award. Austin has served on boards of the Hoke County Library, Hoke Planning Commission and Bank of Raeford. He has chaired the United Fund and served as president of the Raeford-Hoke Cham ber of Commerce twice. He also served on school committees and was a Little League Baseball coach. He joined Raeford Kiwanis in 1949, served as a director in 1951 and was president in 1959. He has been recognized for perfect attendance in Kiwanis. Austin also served on the committee that was instrumental in the construction of the Robbins Heights section of Raeford. Austin is a life-long member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher. He also served on the church’s Centennial committee last year. A Raeford resident his entire life, Austin was (See CITIZEN, page 6A) From left, Wilson Graham, joe Moore and Jessie Dobbins unload sweet-smelling alfalfa hay at Home Foods feed and fertilizer store. Economic Developer Don Porter sees benefits to Hoke in the need for more goods, such as hay, created by the Five Points Horse Park. Economic Developer seeks grant for Five Points Horse Park for more goods and services. “Food, fuel, truck repair, hay, overnight accommodations, eat- ingestablishments, veterinarians, farriers... the list goes on,” he says. Porter is working on a grant to help the Five Points Horse Park with its financing. The grant re quires matchingfunds. Although he does not want to release de tails just yet, a confident Porter says, “We should get the grant.” The park falls under a non profit organization called Sandhills Equestrian Conser vancy (SEC), which was formed in the spring of 1998 for the (See ECONOMIC, page lOA) By Pat Allen Wilson Editor Like ripples that flow outward when a pebble is dropped into a pool— that’s how Raeford-Hoke Economic Developer Don Por ter thinks the Five Points Horse Park will benefit Hoke County. The world class equestrian facility planned for 230 acres in western Hoke is a dream of Moore County horse enthusiasts who chose nearby Hoke for their facility because land for sale was cheaper and more available than in their own home county. Porter sees spin-off benefits for Raeford and Hoke in the need
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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