Serials Departr;ent Univ. .:C-3ha-:eI Mill PUBLISHED EACH THURSDAY ^ ^ ■ 1 :: c; 1 . i 11 ,.. 'J _ / ^ ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE ...A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE Dediiated to the best in all ol us VOLUME 5 NUMBER 31 Publication No. 9763S0 PEMBROKE, NC THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1977 t 154 PER COPY ♦ ♦ Discontent With Low Rent Housing at Pembroke Council Meeting The Pembroke Town Council met in regular session Monday night and heard some citizens express dissatisfaction with public housing in Pembroke. Sim Oxendine, a member of the Robeson County Board of Education, and a local businessman, articulated some ofrthe discontent of the Pembroke Townspeople. Said Oxendine, ‘ ‘We are here to ask you (the council) to terminate ail further planned public housing in Pembroke.” Oxendine presented a petition supposedly signed by a number of Pembroke citizens. The petition said that the town of Pembroke had a sufficient number of public housing units. Oxendine said that the additional cost of public housing outweighed the social and economic benefits. He also said that the town’s water capacity was taxed by providing service to the public housing units and that the surrounding towns should provide some of the public housing needs in Pembroke. A number of citizens appeared with Oxendine and another meeting of citizens concerned ^ut theproliferationof housing units in Pembroke plan to meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Pembroke’s town hall to further develop their plans of opposition. Pembroke now has 141 units of low rent housing with another 100 units (and a day care center) planned for the immediate future. Oxendine articulated many of the grievances of the townspeople, including the one that the liability of low rent housing offsets any revenues generated. A number of townspeople have expressed dissatisfaction with low rent housing. One major complaint is that, according to the dissidents, low rent housing devalues property and has caused discipline problems in the local schools by the influx of people occupying public housing, with the increasing number of students in the educational Clinton Thomas is executive director of the Pembroke Housing Authority and Redevelopment Authority. Thomas says that there is a real need for low rent housing and that the question is how much public housing is enough? Thomas noted following Monday night’s meeting that the planned additional 100 units would probably serve the immediate needs of Pembroke for a number of years. He also noted that plans for development of the additional 100 units have been published in area newspapers for two years. The petitioners against further low rent housing have secured the services of a local attorney, Donald Bullard, and plan to present their petition directly to the town council in hopes that the governing body for Pembroke will declare a moratorium against further low rent housing. Oxendine claimed that, when canvassing was completed, more than 90% of the registered voters within the city limits of Pembroke would have signed the petition against further low rent housing, Other items on the agenda The council discussed two appraisals for a two acre land tract adjoining the Marvin Lowry Recreation Park. The town has been attempting to purchase the properly from the Lowry family that provided the land for the park and had discussed previously going to court in an attempt to condemn the land. The town received two appraisals: one called for $4000 an acre and the other put a price of $7600 on the tract of land. The council, after considerable debate, decided to write Mr. Ronald Lowry, who represents the family, and send him copies of both appraisals and ask him to consider the low bid. The council also tabled action on securing the services of consulting engineers for the town and the contract of the town planner. The council also accepted S. Preston Douglas as the auditor for the town. The auditing firni had already done more than half % year’s auditing in the investigation of the missing funds that have shown up so far in the books of the town. Former town clerk, Maybelle Elk, has been indicted in the matter. North Carolina Cable T.V. Co., Inc. also presented their proposal to provide cable service for Pembroke. The council moved to advertise their rates and proposal and called for a public hearing. The town manager, McDuffie Cummings, noted that the Pine Street improvement was complete, including curbing and guttering. Cummings noted that the town had spent more than $60,000 in the Pine Street improvement and resurfacing a number of other streets. Program Offers Help in Paying Fuel Bills Qualified families may receive assistance in paying overdue fuel and utility bills under a program initiated here this week. The Special Crisis Intervention Program recently authorized by congress will provide payment of up to $250 on behalf of low-income families to retire such obligations, providing the bills were incurred between October 1, 1976 and April 30, 1977. Eligible are those households which have suffered a cutoff of their fuel or energy supply, or which are threatened with cutoff of fuel or energy supply due to inability to meet their obligations. One requirement is that the energy must have been used for heating purposes. An additional category of eligible households are those headed by persons 60 or over who can provide proof of dire financial need resulting from the large fuel bills of last winter. Such persons will receive a credit not in excess of $100 towards the purchase of fuel or other forms of energy to be used for heating during the coming winter. Direct payments wilt be made to fueld dealers and utility companies for those who are eligible. the program is being administered by Four-County Community Services, Inc., with $72,077 allocated for Robeson County, Residents who think they are eligible should contact one of the following offices: Maxton Neighborhood Center, Fourth 'Street, Maxton, N.C. (844-3489); Red Springs Neighborhood Center, Brown Avenue, Red Springs, N.C. (843-5092); Rex-Rennert Neighborhood Center, State Rural Road 1752, Shannon, N.C. (843-5715); Lumberton Neighborhood Center, Parkview Activity Center, Inman Street. Lumberton. N.C. (738-2747); Fairmont Neighborhood Center, ■ 816 Cole Street. Fairmont, N.C. (628-7464). The program is of short duration, with applications being accepted only through August 31. 1977. Applicants will need proof of income and unpaid heating bills for the month of October 1976 through April 1977. Those 60 and over should have proof of heating bills paid between October and April and evidence of financial hardships. Strike at the Wind! Season Ends August 13 Ruth Woods Receives National Committee Appointment people ces and things Ms. Ruth Dial Woods of Pembroke has recently been appointed to serve as a member of the Special Committee on Minority Presence of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. The responsibilities of the Special Committee on Minority Presence are to establish goals and develop work plans to meet those goals; recommend national objectives and goals to the Board through the Evaluation and Long-Range Planning Committee; plan and evaluate the over-all work and work methods of the committee, and develop a system of planning and evaluating progress toward the realization of committee objectives. The Committee works collaboratively on issues or problems and creates channels of information for better communications. Other members of the Special Committee on Minority Presence are: Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, Chaiq>erson; Barbara A. Clifford. Bedford, Massachusetts; Ada Deer Oregon, Wisconsin; Henry Lopez, Cambridge, Massachusettes; Olga M. Madar, Detroit, Michigan; Ruby G. Martin, Columbia, Maryland; Carolyn Moore, Waco, Texas; Helen L. Peterson, Denver, Colorado. Ms. Woods is currently serving as Southern Area Vice President of the North Carolina Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. and is a member of the Planning Committee for the 1978 Women’s Assembly of the Board of Global Ministries of the Unied Methodist Church. She was a member of the N.C. State Coordinating Committee for International Women’s Year and was recently elected Vice-Chairperson of the N.C. delegation to the National IWY Conference in Houston, Texas in November. FHA Emergency Loans Available to Farmers The Farmers Home Administration is now taking emergency loan applications in Robeson County, FmHA County Supervisor, William J. Long, said today. The county has been designated as an emergency loan area by the Inter-agency Drought Emergency Coordinating Committee. Mr. Long said the recent drought has caused extensive damage to crop and livestock operations. Applications for assistant in the disaster stricken counties will be accepted by Farmers Home until September 30. 1977, for physical and production losses. Farm, ranch, or aquaculture operators in the designated counties which have suffered losses may be eligible for Farmers Home Administration emergency loans to cover actual physical or production losses. Other loans under the emergency program can be made for annual operating expenses or to make major adjustments in the operation. FmHA county offices are making loans to restore farm, ranch, or aquaculture operations, or to replace farm equipment facilities, and buildings (including homes) lost through the disaster. Funds may be used to buy feed, seed, fertilizer, livestock, or to meet interest and depreciation payments on current real estate and chattle debts. ‘‘A farmer can use the money for most essential operations and living costs,” Long said. To be eligible for a loan, an applicant must have suffered losses from the disaster and be unable to get credit from other sources. Loans covering actual losses are repayable in their entirety at an interest rate of five percent. The interest rate for short-term loans for farm operating puiposes is 8 percent. Persons desiring further information may visit the Farmers Home Administration office located at 400 East Second Street, Lumberton, N.C. or by calling 739-4331. Benefits of the program are made available without regard to race, creed, color, marital status or national origin. LOCAL MINISTER ATTENDS PASTOR’S SCHOOL Rev, C.M. Cummings of Pembroke, NC attended the first annual Pastor’s School at Campbell College.’ This one week school that places an emphasis on the proclamation of the Christian faith, is an opportunity for ministers to continue their professional education. The school met July 25-29. CROP CONTESTS TO BE HELD Officers of the Robeson County Crop Promotion Association have again announced the annual awards contests for high yields and quality. Recognition will be given to high yields in soybeans, com and cotton, and tor quality in tobacco as indicated by entries in the county fair. Winners in each category will receive a trophy and yields above a certain level will be given plaques and/or certificares. Some special awards will be The Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, The C.E. McLaurin Tobacco Award, and The Outstanding Service to Horticulture Award. Other awards will be distributed as deemed appropriate by the Crop Promotion Association directors. Although yields will be low, farmers are encouraged to enter the various contests as other farmers will likely pot have any better yields. Trophies and plaques will go to the highest yields entered Now is the time to pick up one pound samples of various grades of tobacco to enter in the county fair. Once your tobacco is sold and gone, it is impossible to enter it. Tobacco should be placed in a clean, dry, dark place in order to preserve its quality. Farmers interested in entering or needing more information about the contests should contact the county agents office or members and directors of the Crop Promotion Association. JOB HELP AVAILABLE TO N.C. INDUSTRIES “S’Tttnri? AT TMF WIND’” is an outdoor drama about the Lumbee Indians and their outlaw leader, Henry Berrv I^wrie. after the CivU War. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the Lakeside Pembroke on H«y. 74. “S.rike a, .he Wmd!” .h™„gb Augua, .3 and .Icketa are S3.50 for adults and $1.75 for children for general seating. Call (919)521-2401. RALEIGH-A new $1 million program to help industries in North Carolina create new jobs was announced this week by D.M. (Lauch) Faircloth, Secretary of Commerce. The money will help pay costs for workers on new jobs in new or expanding industries. Faircloth said the money will be administered by the Labor Force Development Section which was established by the General Assembly as part of the Hunt Administration’s new direction for state and federal manpower programs. William W. Calhoun, chief of the Labor Force Development Section, said that this was the first time so much money had been specifically set aside for incentives to industries for creating new jobs for North Carolinians. “We have been working on the program since the first of the year, but the money was not actually available until (his month,” saidCalhoun. “Several industries have already shown interest. We want to get the word out to other companies that are thinking about expanding or starting new operations.” On-the-job training has long been considered a very effective way of training workers in most jobs. The State assistance in helping train workers for new jobs in the private sector is part of an effort to increase non-public jobs for untrained persons. The Labor Force Development Council, to be appointed by Governor James B. Hunt, will serve to assist in the direction of these efforts toward the most productive industrial areas. Faircloth explained that the program is.a simple one that involves very littlepaper work or administrative costs. He also noted that the Labor Force Section provides information about other incentives available to companies creating new jobs in North Carolina. He directed interested companies or community development agencies to contact Calhoun for information or assistance. The address for the labor Force Development Section is 430 North Salisbury Street, Post Office Box 25249, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611. The telephone number is (919) 733-4414. LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS BILL NOW AVAILABLE The $4 billion Local Public Works Bill (LPW) recently passed is now available lo qualified local communities. At least ten percent participation in this program is assured through contracts and subcontracts to minority vendors and contractors by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The LPW program will be discussed at a public meeting sponsored by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the U.S. Department of Commerce (OMBE), the Durham Business and Professional Chain, Inc., and the North Carolina State Office of Minority Business Enterprise. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Boyer Building Auditorium on St. Augustine’s College Campus on Thursday, August 11, 1977. Construction and professional firms, and other service related businesses will have the opportunity to have their questions answered regarding work availability and qualification requirements by representatives from EDA and OMBE. Additional information is available by calling the North Carolina Office of Minority Business Enteiprise at 919/733-2712. LA DEAN GRIFnN TO APPEAR IN AREA For the first time ever on the East Coast, La Dean Griffin, famed lecturer and authoress of many best-selling books will appear at the Old Foundry Restaurant in Lumberton Wednesday, August 10. 1977 from 7:00 until 11:00 p.m. Ms. Griffin has authored such books as: “Is Any Sick Among You?”, ‘‘No Side Affects: The Return to Herbal Medicine,” “Eyes: Windows of the Body and Soul,” “Herbs to the Rescue,” “Cancer and the Parasites,■ ’ “Hyper and Hypo-Glycemia,’’ and “Insulin vs. Herbs and the Diabetic." Tickets are $5.00 each. For more information call 521-4678. SECOND PSU TESTING DAY’ ‘FRESHMAN SCHEDULED PEMBROKE-Pembroke Staid University’s second “Freshman Testing Day” during which students take CLEP (College Level Examination Program) tests will be held Saturday. Aug. 6, beginning at 8 a.m. Tests will be administered in the Jones Health and Physical Education Center. The PSU Testing Center reports that it has received 114 applications for this second battery of tests. On the first testing day June 25, 85 persons took the tests with 31 passing off credits. The most successful student was Cynthia Kay Holloman of Bladenboro, who passed off 24 semester hours to almost complete all of her freshman requirements in one day. Thirty semester hours are required to qualify as a sophomore. Costs for the tests are $3 for the English portion and $4 for each of the four other division, which are Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Humanities. The final “Freshman Testing Days” at PSU will be during freshman orientation Aug. 22-23. PSU SUMMER SCHOOL ATTRACTS 2,116 PEMBROKE-Pembroke State University’s summer school, which attracted a total of 2,116 counting both sessions, concludes Friday with students having a two-week break before returning Aug. 21-26 for the start of the fall semester. During summer school 1,181 students attended in the first five-week session, and 935 attended during the second session. The fall semester begins Sunday, Aug. 21, when dormitories will be open for freshmen. On Aug. 22-23 freshman orientation will be held. On Aug. 24-25, registration for all students is scheduled, beginning each day at 8 a.m. in the Jones Health and Physical Education Center. Regular classes begin Friday, Aug. 26. Warren Baker, admissions director of PSU, says Pembroke State “should hold its own” as far as numbers are concerned for the fall. Last fall a record 2,187 attended PSU, “I see no significant increase nor decrease,” said Baker. The PSU Admissions Ofice has processed and accepted 400 applications, reported Baker, which is about the same number as last year. As for housing, Baker sees no problem for living quarters for students wishing to attend PSU this fall. TESSIE HUNT APPOINTED TO LUMBERTON CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY Ms. Tessie Hunt was appointed to the Lumberton City Housing Authority by the Lumberton City Council. She was sworn in at a ceremony at the Municipal Building on Tuesday. August 2nd, at 9:30 a.m. Mayor Cliff Bullard praised Ms. Hunt as an outstanding citizen and one with high interest and enthusiasm in her community, adding that he felt that her presence on the Authority as a woman would add impetus to their growth and the duties and responsibilities of the Housing Authority. In addition to members of the City Council and members of the Housing Authority, the swearing in was witnessed by Ms. Ruth Dial Woods and Ms. Dorothy Blue of the Pembroke Business and Professional Women’s Club, of which Ms. Hunt is a member. Ms. Hunt is the first woman to be elected to the Lumberton City Housing Authority. Directors Named for 1st American Coop., Inc. The stockholders of First American Cooperative, Inc. met Monday and elected a permanent board of directors. The cooperative warehouse, now busily engaged in its first tobacco selling season, had been run by a temporary board since its inception earlier in the year. Named to three year terms were: Bradie Locklear, Lacy Collins and Timothy Strickland. Named to two year terms were: H. Dobbs Oxendine, Jr., Rufus Bums, Jr., and Bobby Moody. Named to a one year term were: James F. Locklear, A.F. Home and James Edward Thomas. The board of directors is tri-racial. Named as president for the coming year was H. Dobbs Oxendine. Jr. Bradie Locklear was named vice-president; James Edward Thomas, secretary; and A.F. Home, treasurer. The new warehouse is located on Highway 711 between Lumberton and Pembroke.

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