ROBESON COUNTY, N.C.
PUBLISHED each THURSDAY
ACQUISITIONS DEPARTMENT
UNO
WILSON LIBPiAP.Y
CHAriL MILL, . I : ,
h’UDLlorlC'i-' IHUKJjUAY
THE CAROLINA.INDIAN VOICE
Dedicated to the best in all of us
I VOLUME 4 NUMBER 40 PEMBROKE. N.C. THUR:
^VATjIjWL ■ Tnrr,«.. . ......... .......
Retiring Town Clerk Honored
...A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE
EARL HUGHES OXENDINE
NAMED TO NATIONAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL ON
INDIAN EDUCATION
OCTOBER 7, 1976
20(J a copy
Earl Hughes Oxendine, a Lumbee
Indian long active in educational circles,
has received the prestigious appoint
ment to the National Advisory Council
on Indian Education. The appointment
is a presidential one and is one of the
highest ranking advisory councils in
America. The council advises the
president of the United States on all
matters dealing with Indian education
in the United States.
James G. Sappier, of Old Town, Maine,
Tribal Coordinator, Office of Develop
ment, Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe,
Perry, Maine.
For a term of two years:
Ellen A. Allen, of Horton, Kansas,
Cultural Curricula Developer, Powhatan
Unified School, District #510, Powha
tan, Kansas.
Oxendine, a native of Robeson County,
now resides in Raeford, North Carolina
and is principal of Upchurch Junior
High School in Hoke County.
Theodore D. George, of Poulsbo,
Washington, Regional Program Direct
or, Office of Native American Prog
rams, Department of HEW, Seattle,
Washington.
Oxendine is also a member of the
North Carolina Board of Education. He
was appointed to the state board of
education by Governor James E.
Holshouser.
Calvin J. Isaac, of Philadelphia, Mis
sissippi, Tribal Chief-Administrator,
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Said Oxendine, upon being notified of
his appointment, ' T am honored by this
appointment because it'is in regard to
Indian education. I am an educator and I
believe education is the answer to the
ills of Indian America and the United
States at large. Education teaches
understanding, and I promise to exert
myself to be a bridge of understanding
between the Indian world and the rest of
America.”
Paul R. Platero, of Albuquerque, New
Mexico, Associate Director, native
American Materials Development Cen-
David Risling, Jr., of Davis, California,
Professor, University of California at
Davis.
For a term of three years:
The National Advisory Council on
Indian Education recently met in
Raleigh in full session. Karma Torklep,
a Lumbee Indian now living in New
Mexico, who was a member of the out
going council was not re-appointed.
Wesley Bonito, of White River, Ari
zona, Tribal Education Director, W^hite
Mountain Apache Tribe, Education
Department.
Patricia Ann McGee, of Prescott,
Arizona, Tribe President, Yavapai-
Prescott Tribe.
Sue Lallmang, a Seneca from New
York, who has used the forum of the
council to lambast the Lumbee Indian
community, was not re-appointed eith-
Oxendine was appointed for a three
year term. The advisory council is made
up of fifteen persons appointed person
ally by the president of the United
States.
The other appointees are:
For a term of one year;
Joe Abe3da, of Espanola, New Mexico,
Superintendent, Albuquerque Indian
School, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The National Advisory Council on
Indian Education was created by Public
Law 92-318, the Education Amend
ments of 1972. The Council is to consist
of 15 Indians and Alaskan natives,
appointed by the President from lists
nominated from time to time by Indian
tribes and organizations. The Council
will select its own Chairman.
Will D. Antell, of Stillwater, Minnesota,
Assistant Commissioner of Education,
State Department of Education, St.
Paul, Minnesota.
Linda Berlarde, of Zunie, New Mexico,
Teacher, Zunie Alternative Learning
Program.
Donna Rhodes, of Tulsa, Oklahoma,
Director, Indian Women Consultant’s
Social Services Board
meets
The Social Services Board, and
Executive Director, Russel Sessions,
met with the local news media Tuesday
aftemoon‘‘to set the record straight”,
according to Chairman, Rev. H.E.
Edwards of Maxton.
Rev. Edwards said one purpose of the
meeting was to ‘‘set the record
straight” concerning the responsibility
of the board in the recently disclosed
shortage of funds in the food stamp
department.
The board of commissioners were
notified Monday that a shortage has
been discovered in the food stamp
division of DDS. A shortage of
$9,817.72 was discovered following an
audit of the books in the food stamp
department.
According to Sessions, a Bill Baxley
was first^suspended following discovery
of the shortage and then later resigned.
Sessions termed the isuspensioni “nor
mal procedure following a case such as
this one.” Sessons and the board were
careful to note that Baxley had never
been charged with the disappearance of
the funds. Baxley headed the food
stamp department before his suspen-
Other members of the board present
were Howard Davis, McDuffie Cum
mings and Herman Dial.
As a matter of fact, the board refused
repeatedly to discuss personnel working
at social services. No one has been
chairged in the unaccounted for funds.
The board is made up of five members,
four of which are minorities. They are
Howard Davis, Black; Cummings, Indi
an; Dial, Indian; Edwards, Black; and
Harry Ivey, White.
It was aired at the meeting Tuesday
that the district attorney’s office had
been notified of the discrepency and
t)iat possibly the bonding company
iuwld also conduct an ^investigation.
The social services board repeatedly
noted in Tuesday’s meeting that they
have “practically nothing” to, do with
the food stamp program noting that is is
administered by the county commis
sioners.
The social services board also, accord
ing to Edwards, met Tuesday to
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people
and places
and things
BEULAH BAPTIST PLANS REVIVAL
Revival will be held at Beulah
Baptist Church during the week of
October 17-23. Services will begin each
night at 7:30 p.m. Speakerswill be Rev.
C. W. Maynor and Rev. Bobby Dean
Locklear. Special music is planned each
night. Rev. Manford Locklear, pastor of
Beulah Baptist, extends a personal
invitation to the public to attend these
services.
REVIVAL PLANNED
AT NEW BETHEL
- Revival will be held at New Bethel
Holiness Methodist Church, Route 3,
Fairmont, October 10- 15.
The Town of Pembroke honored Mrs.
Maybelle Elk last Thursday with a steak
dinner and a shower of gifts as they
reluctantly acknowledged her depart-
The mayor and council also presented
Mrs. Elk with a Plaqne of Appreciation
for her years of service to the Town of
Pembroke.
send, who is replacing Mrs, Elk; and
Councilman lee Neville.
The evangelist will be Rev. Wade
Locklear, pastor of Union Baptist
Church, also Rev. Steve Locklear,
pastor of Union Chapel Holiness
Methodist Church.
Said Councilman Sam Dial, “You
can keep the gifts If you’ll just come
back.”
Shown are [L-R] Coundiman Sam Dial
Assistant Town Clerk, Lavoria Chavis
Mayor Reggie Strickland; Mrs. Elk
Councilman Milton Hoot; Karen Town-
Councilman Monroe Lowry was
unable to be present for the tribute to
Mrs. Elk but sent his greetings and
concurred with the other commissioners
and Mayor Strickland that “the town is
losing a valued employee.’’
There will be special music each
night. The public is invited to attend.
Rev. James H. Woods is pastor.
SINGING PLANNED AT OAK GROVE
Thomas Thompson, of Heart Butte,
Montana, Federal Programs Coordi
nator, School District #9, Browning,
Montana.
Minerva C. White, of Hogansburg, New
York, Director, Native American Special
Services. St. Lawrence University,
Canton, New York.
Water Rates Again
Topic of Discussion at
Pembroke Council Meet
A singing will be held Saturday
night, Oct. 9, at Oak Grove Holiness
Church beginning at 7:00 p.m. Special
participants will be Connie and The
Harper Brothers, The Joys Singers, and
The Shannoneers. No admission will be
charged. Rev. Grover Oxendine, pastor
extends a cordVal invitation to the public
a'.tcnd.
Earl Hughes Oxendine
Warrior
The report prepared by Attorney Phil
Diehl, representing “Concerned Water
Consumers of Pembroke” bqgan omi
nously enough: “Water, Sewage and
Sanitation bills to the Pembroke Hous
ing Authority reflect numerous errors
and constitute a substantial loss of
revenue to the Town of Pembroke...”
of $3.50 for 2,000 gallons of water, $3.50
for sewage and $2.00 for sanitation
collection: a total of $9.00.
BENEHT DINNER PLANNED
of the Week
The purposes of the Council are: To
advise the Commissioner of Education
on the administration of education
programs from which Indian adults or
children benefit, and to review and
make recommendations concerning
grant applications to provide technical
assistance to local education agencies
and Indian education agencies, insti
tutions, and organizations to assist
them in improving the education of
Indian children.
Pembroke Senior High
Warrior of the Week is Steve
Pipkin. Running from the
fullback position, Steve rushed
16 times Friday night against
Prospect for 146 yards and
three touchdowns. The touch
downs came on runs of 55
yards, 11 yards, and 2 yards.
Steve has been a workhorse for
the last few weeks and is ably
filling the spot let by the injury
to Marvin Butler.
Summarized Diehl, ‘‘A total of ten
billings were checked over a four month
period. Errors appeared in six of the ten
billings.
He then cited the August bill for one of
the housing developments (Dial Ter
race) for the month of August and found
that the housing unit paid a single
billing for all 43 units in the develop
ment. Averaging the 43 accounts out,
Diehl said they only paid $7.45 per unit.
“These errors reflect undercharges to
the housing authority of $66.10 and an
overcharge of $2.96. The total loss of
revenue to the Town of Pembroke is
$63.14...”
Diehl charged by the above axample
that “the water users (of Pembroke) are
paying a substantial supplement to the
housing authority.”
choirs
respond to questions raised conceming
an executive session held by the. board
last week.
Diehl, appearing before the Pembroke
council at Monday night’s meeting,
recommended that “An independent
audit be conducted of all water and
sewage accounts for the housing
authority and all other water users with
a consumption of more than 50,000
gallons per month. Results of such an
audit should be submitted to the town
commissioners at a regularly scheduled
meeting within 60 days from the
presentation of this report.
He cited other inconsistancies, “Three
small businesses housed in one building
are served by one meter. Each business
was billed as though it was a separate
unit on a seperate meter and the
minimum charge of $3.50 for water and
$3.50 for sewage was collected.
SHERIFF MCLEOD WINS BIG
ENGINE VS LITTLE ENGINE DEBATE
Diehl charged that the three business
es were, based on the billing policy for
the housing authority, over charged
because all three businesses combined
only used 2,100 gallons of water.
Edwards noted that the board was in
error in going into executive session
without a motion and for reportedly
taking action without returning to open
session as required by law.
Members of the board noted that they
did not discuss the missing funds or the
food stamp department in last weeks
meeting as reported in local news
media. The meeting reportedly was to
discuss educational leave requested by
an employee of the agency. According
to one source, the board was in session
to discuss an employee who previously
had requested educational leave, been
denied, and then began school anyway
in the face of the boards denial of her
original request. It was not reported as
to what the board decided at the
meeting.
Statewide
EOP Program
“The audit should cover billings for
the last three years and the Town of
Pembroke should take whatever steps
are required to collect amounts due the
toWn because of under charges, or give
proper credit for excessive charges.”
Diehl recommended that the town
establish a policy to treat all users in the
same manner and suggested that the
town charge each of the 141 units of
public housing separately.
After months of discussion center
ing around the economics of small
engines vs the law and order needs of
big engines, the big engine proponents
won at Monday's meeting of the
Robeson County Board of Commission
ers in their spacious courthouse digs.
Tommy D. Swett, director of special
services at PSU. presided as president
of the N. C. Council of Educational
Opportunity Programs at a three- day
meeting of that council held at the
Carolina Inn. in Chapel Hill Monday
through Wednesday (Oct. 4-6).
Diehl’s study also found that the Town
of Pembroke had followed a policy of
providing free water and sewer to
religious organizations, including Odum
Home and all churches in Pembroke.
Diehl further charged that the present
rate structure of the town penalized the
private consumer while benefitting the
targe consumer. Diehl recommended a
equitable rate structure that would treat
all users fairly and proportionate to the
amount of water used-
A committee recommended that the
board authorize the Sheriff’s dept, to
purchase the big engine police type
automobiles recommended by Sheriff
Malcolm McLeod. It was not a
unanimous decision .
Representatives of programs in Up
ward Bound, Special Services and
Talent Search for both public and
private schools were present.
Basing his recommendation, seeming
ly, on the constitutional question of
separation of church and state, Diehl
asked that meters be installed im
mediately and billing commence on
those parties now receiving free water
and sewer.
The council took the recommendations
under advisement noting that “there is
always, room for improvement.”
Comm. Herman Dial, a member of
the study committee, voted against the
measure as did Red Springs Comm.
Bobby Dean Locklear. The vote was 3-2
to purchase the big engine automobiles.
MINIMUM BILLING POLICY
One of the councilmen also noted, as
did Diehl in his report, that the town has
recently revised the rate structure by
cutting the sewage bill in half to its
original minimum cost of $1.75.
Said a wag who was there, “I guess
they’ll be able to serve warrants and
eviction notices quicker now.”
COMMISSIONERS VOTE THEM
SELVES A SALARY
Accompanying Swett was the staff of
the PSU Department of Special Servi
ces. They include: Larry Brooks and
Alphonzo McRae, counselors; Mrs.
Neila Mangum, reading instructor for
special programs; and Stanford Lowry,
coordinator of special programs.
Diehl also found inconsistancies in
the minimum billing policy of the town.
He noted that the housing authority and
some apartment buildings are served by
one meter and pay only one billing per
meter.
A public hearing was also called for on
the Home Rule question whereby
councilmen would be elected on a
staggered basis rather than all at one
time. The hearing is scheduled for 7
p.m. on October 15.
The commissioners, at Monday’s
meeting, voted to give themselves a
salary of $4,800 per year and the
chairman a salary of $6,000 annually.
The measure eliminates all special
meeting and travel benefits in lieu of an
annual salary.
The main speaker for the meeting
was Dr. William Burke of Chapel Hill,
director of student teaching and other
field experiences at UNC- Chapel Hill.
Citing the' rate structure prior to
September I. Diehl found that an
individual residence had a minimum bill
Karen Townsend was appointed to
replace Mrs. Maybell Elk who has
retired as acting town clerk and finance
officer.
Special Parents Night
The county manager, Paul Graham,
also received an increase in salary from
$19,986 to $21,000 annually. The
coroner’s salary increased by 100
percent from $100 a month to $200 a
month.
The board also noted that they took
appropriate action when they reported
the matter of missing funds to the
county commissioners.
Keynote speaker on Tuesday night
was Mrs. Thelma CC. Lennin, director
of pupil personnel services of the State
Department of Public Instruction.
Pembroke Senior High School will hold
a special night for the parents of
Sophomores Monday night, October 11
at Pembroke Senior High School.
the parents with faculty and staff
personnel at Pembroke Senior High
School.
Mrs. Merlyn Burton, representative
of the regional HEW Office in Atlanta,
was also present.
The purpose of the meeting, according
to Principal Dr. V.R. Thompson, is to
better familiarize the parents with the
school’s total program's and to acquaint
The school has previously held special
nights for the parents of juniors and
seniors at Pembroke Senior High
School.
A request for an additional employee
and a promotion in the register of deeds
office was not accepted by the commis
sioners. The proposal for a new position
was ‘tabled, and the request for a
promotion for one employee was denied
because of the recent adoption of a
county plan and an expected review of
county jobs relative to merit and
longevity raises.
LUMBERTON HAS NEW
CITY COUNCILMAN
The sparks flew and debate was
acrid and sharp but Osborne Lee, Jr. is
the new Lumberton City Councilman,
replacing the retired Doug Mclntire.
Lee was chosen on a sharply devided
4-3 vote with James Bracey, Glenn
Maynor, E. B. Turner and Frank Benton
voting in favor ofLee. Voting against
Lee were Hubert Gore, Harry Ivey and
Hugh Hines.
Frank Benton was chosen mayor pro-
tern bn the same 4-3 vote.
Mayor Clifford Bullard was contained
by the vote of 4-3 and was not called
upon to vote on either measure. His
contribution to the meeting was in the
form of acrid commentsthroughout the
meeting in reference to a supposed 7
a.m. meeting that supposedly took
place.
He finally evoked the ire of E. B.
Turner, the Black commissioner from
Lumberton, who reportedly told Bullard
“I resent your continued comments
about a meeting this morning. It is a
personal insult to me that you make
these continued references to a 7 o’clock
meeting. If we want to meet, that’s our
business. You sit up here and meet all
day.”
Bullard reportedly replied, limply, “if
the shoe fits, wear ’it.”
The Annual Benefit Celebration
Dinner of the Robeson County Church
and Community Center, • Inc. will be
held Saturday, Oct. 16, 1976 at the
Jaycees Fairground in Lurhberton at
7:00 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Calvin Morris of
Howard University, Washington, DC
will be the featured speaker. The
Pembroke State University Choir, the
Mt. Airy Brotherhood Choir, and the
Sandy Grove Baptist Choir will provide
special music. Pictured right is the
extended hands logo of the Benefit
Celebration. Over 700 Robesonians are
expected to enjoy a barbeque chicken
pork feast. To get receipt- passes to the
dinner, please call 738-5204.
PSU’S GARY HENRY WINS
CROSS COUNTRY
For the third straight week in an
unprecendented dominance of cross
country in NAIA District 29, Australian
Garry Henry of PSU has again swept
District “Runner of the Week” honors
after capturing the six team meet
Saturday at Davidson College.
Running on a muddy six- mile course,
Henry beat everyone by more than 200
yards in achieving a time of 30:53. He
took the lead after 1 Vj miles and easily
ran away from everyone.
Pembroke State’s mighty cross coun
try team won the meet by capturing four
of the first five places and 11 of the first
17 spots. The Braves, in five- way team
scoring, defeated Campbell 15- 50; St.
Andrews 15:50; Johnson C. Smith
17:46; Davidson 16-45 and Lynchburg
16-45.
CHIP CARTER VISITS LUMBERTON..
FLEETINGLY
Chip Carter, 26 year old son of
Democratic presidential candidate,
Jimmy Carter, appeared in Lumberton
Tuesday for about ten minutes before
an enthusiastic throng estimated at
anywhere from 400 to 2700...depending
on who you were talking to.
Carter was welcomed by Dr. E. B.
Turner. Chairman of Robeson’s Demo
cratic Party and other local democratic
party leaders.
Carter promised that “dad’s admini
stration” would put a family farmer in
the agricultural spot vacated under
pressure earlier in the week by Earl
Butz.
PSU BEATS FRANCIS MARION
Eric Ricioppo scored- four goals to
lead Pembroke State to a 5-3 soccor
victory over Francis Marion Tuesday on
Francis Marion’s home turf in Florence,
SC.
John Schmidt scored the other goal
for Pembroke. Pembroke, now 2-5,
plays Liberty Baptist at Pembroka today
(Thursday.)