BLACK INK
The essence of freedom is understanding
m.
VOLUME 14, NUMBER 4
BLACK STUDENT MOVTMENT OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER I inivprsity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
SEPTEMBER 29, iy»1
Drakeford and Thorpe announce re-election bids
Politicians stress student vote
Thorpe
Photos by
Sonja Payton
Drakeford
Mayor runs for last time
LAWRENCE TURNER
Managing Editor
"This will be my last time running for
mayor," Robert Drakeford, Carrboro mayor,
said Sept. 9 in an interview in his office at the
Carrboro Town Hall.
The first black mayor in the town's history,
Drakeford is running for his third term. The
town election w'ill be Nov. 3.
"I feel eight years is long enough to serve
(in city government if re-elected). It's time
somebody new came in," he said.
Drakeford began his political career as a
Carrboro alderman in 1975. Two years later,
he was elected as mayor and was re-elected
the following term.
FHe said his political objectives include
bringing "more commercial and industrial
development to the town — to make sure we
(Carrboro) are efficiently run as possible,
(and) to reduce taxes, if possible.".
When asked about political aspirations
beyond that of mayor, Drakeford only
closed his eyes and shook his head. "It
(working in city government) burns you
out," he said.
As president of Small Cities Communica
tions of Hillsborough, Drakeford said the
rest of his time is spent working there. He
said the corporation offers cable television to
small towns throughout the Southeast.
The soft-spoken. New York City native
served as a city planner, working in North
Carolina state government in Raleigh before
coming to Carrboro.
He said he came to Carrboro, in part,
because the Board of Aldermen refused to
initiate a bus transit system there.
After joining the board, Drakeford said his
work was "instrumental" in starting a bus
system. It was in operation his second year
as alderman, he said.
"Transportation has been the dominant
issue in this town for the last six years, getting
it and keeping it," he said.
Drakeford, a heavy man about 5'9", said,
"It was a battle trying to get the bus system
in."
The battle was won, however. There is
now bus service between the UNC-CH cam
pus and Carrboro.
Drakeford also has rallied for additional
federal and state funds for the town, he said.
More than $2 million has been raised in the
past four years, he said.
He was also instrumental in replacing a
fire station which wasn't adequate,
Drakeford said, and the building of a 55-acre
park which is near completion.
The park is "the largest park in central
North Carolina," he said. It will include ten
nis courts, basketball courts, jogging and
hiking trials, a man-made lake, paddle boats
and recreation areas. "A little something for
everyone, in other words," Drakeford said.
During his spare time, the 36-year old
Drakeford also plays tennis and basketball.
"That's about all I have time to do if I'm
lucky," he said.
The father of two says that young blacks
interested in politics should work in a poli
tical campaign and run for an office.
"The only way to affectingly change the
(political) process is to stop screaming from
the outside and get involved."
RAMONA BROWN
Features Editor
Carrboro mayor Robert Drakeford and
Chapel Hill town councilman Bill Thorpe
recently announced that they would seek
re-election in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro
elections on Nov. 3. If elected, Drakeford
would serve his third term.
Drakeford and Thorpe spoke Sept. 13 be
fore approximately 50 members of the Black
Student Movement at a general body meet
ing where they stressed the importance of
the black student vote in the upcoming elec
tions.
"The issue that is going to affect students is
the possible increase in the bus pass,"
Drakeford said.
He also said there have been some state
ments that the $65 bus pass could possibly
be raised to $300 in January.
"There are opposing forces that if elected
would raise the price of the pass and there
will be a possible non-existent bus system,"
Drakeford said.
Most people who utilize the transit system
regularly are students, senior citizens, parti
cularly blacks.
"There are people who want to destroy
the bus system and if they get elected you
will be walking the UNC campus and the
town of Chapel Hill", Bill Thorpe.
The black vote will also be important to
the apartment dwellers, they said.
"Carrboro is 80 percent students and
faculty and 80 percent of the property is
rental property," Drakeford said.
He also said that the apartment dweller,
particularly students, has the right to par
ticipate in the decision-making processes for
the town because they are paying a lot of the
bills.
Both politicians said that the bus pass in
crease would be the major concern for stu
dents and by voting that students can address
this issue in the election.
Drakeford said the South Orange Black
Caucus and the BSM should join in unity to
work towards one common goal — the in
terest of blacks.
"It should not be the South Orange Black
Caucus and the Black Student Movement
working on different parts of town on diffe
rent areas," he said.
The black vote could be very important in
retaining black representatives.
"It's going to be tough, there are people
who don't want me in the community poli
tics because I'm outspoken," Thorpe said.
Presently, there aren't any blacks on any
of the city commissions, Thorpe said.
"Only since I've served as mayor have
blacks held more positions in the town gov
ernment, town management and the police
enforcement," Drakeford said.
There is need for black unification in order
to keep black representation and to maintain
the present accomplishments.
"There are elements of the white com
munity encouraging community blacks to
vote against me, " Thorpe said.
The black vote will become important in
the election and blacks are strongly encour
aged to register; the student vote will be
important In many of the Issues, Thorpe said.
"There is a coalition to bring Carrboro
back to the old status—underdeveloped,
Drakeford said. Drakeford said he did no tor
sure who made up this coalition, but whoev
er comprises the group are determined to
defeat him in the upcoming election.
Steve Streater (in the wheelchair) and Tyress Bratton await for tailback Kelvin Bryant to
bring them another football after scoring during the season opener football game with East
Carolina University. Staff Photo