EDITORIAL AND
OPINION PAGE
I
AS I
SEE IT
by Bruce Barton
-
MAC LEGERTON REMEMBERED...
Said a caller1 "What vou said about John Robinson last week
was o k b?it it makes me mad that you didn't mention Mac
Legerton. the guy who got things rolling in developing the
proposal for the vouth center activated by the Fayettevillc
Presbytery "
Hey. I agree with vou Mac Legerton is an o k guy. He did the
lion's share of developing the proposal that culminated in the
Pembroke Presbyterian Vouth Center now operating in Pembroke
Mac and his wife, the beautiful and erudite Donna Chavis. are
now living in New York while Mac finishes up his seminary studies
there
Anyway. John Robinson, the irrepressible nuts and bolts director
of the Pembroke Area Presbyterian Ministry is carrying forth a
good work begun, in part, by Mac Legerton. who preceded him at
his post as an intern
Really! They're both good guys. I certainly did not mean to leave
out Legerton Maybe we'll say more about him in a future column
He's good copy, that's for sure.
FRIDAY DELAYS PSU CHANCELLOR PICK...
I wish he would go ahead and get it over w ith Many of us are
tired of waiting and our ulcers demand that Bill Friday, the
University of North Carolina President, get on with it.
He announced recently that he is cancelling a March lb meeting of
the UNC Board of Governors originally on the PSU campus.
Said Friday, according to area news reports, "The nest time I
have a public statement to make I'll probably be announcing the
chancellor for PSU "
We'll be waiting anxiously.
TY BOYD KICKS OFF STRIKE AT THE WIND!
FUND RAISING SEASON
Ty Boyd, at the podium, delivers comments during "Strike at the
Wind's!" fund raising kick offseason last Saturday night at the Old
Foundry Restaurant in Lumberton.
Shown to his immediate right is new general manager. Bill
Thompson. Also shown is Mrs. Kenneth Maynor.
jxat'M shame orjjy 80 or so people heard Boyd He gave a?
} r remarkable talk laced wp&Jau af good positive saying^
l.tu. . ' ,??<?
Self styled as a positive thinker. Boyd is a TV personality who
exudes enthusiasm ,
?
He extolled the crowd to be excited "Take chances," he said.
"And do one thing at a time. This is the most important moment in
the world right now. at this place, at this time Give yourallto what
you are doing right now."
Boyd tecounted an interview he did with H.L. Hunt, the late oil
billionaire. Said Boyd. "He didn't give me any money for the
cause I was working for but he did tell me some of the secrets of
life. Hunt said. 'Decide what you want, decide what you will give
up to get it, set priorities, and be about your work.'"
Boyd suggested that "Strike at the Wind!" should apply the same
rules. Boyd also said, of his wife and six kids. "You can count on
UK we'll be there this season to sec this exciting show..."
Earlier in the evening talent was presented by Willie Lowery,
MirianOxendineand Brenda Hunt, a former Miss Lumbee and now
the reigning Miss Pembroke State University.
Boyd extolled their talent. They sang songs from "Strike at the
Wind!" and a number of songs featured on an album recently
produced by LRDA't Indian Education Project showcasing their
talents.
But the part of Boyd's talk I liked best was his reference to Roger
Bannister, the first man to break the four minute barrier in the mile
run. Until he did it. no one in the life of the uni verse had ever done
it. It seemed impossible but when Bannister did it it became
accomplishable The gist of the antedote seemed to be-that our
minds limit us more than anything else We can achieve whatever
our minds can concieve. That's a famous saying and one-Worthy of
putting to memory "Strike at the Wind!", or whatever venture, is
as successful as we will it to be t
Yeah. Boyd was something special. I hope his services will be
secured again for a larger audience. His optimistic, uplifting talk is
what we need more of in racially mad Robeson County.
Special guests were Rep and Mrs. Horace Locklear. Judy
Barringer. director of NC's Theatre Arts, David Airail. the
newly-named director of this season's production, the staff and
board members of the drama and friends
It was a nice evening out but "Strike at the Wind!" has got to get
up and move about and kick apathy in the bun
The outdoor drama is entering its fourth season It deserves our
support. It ain't perfect and like many of us has made a few
mistakes but its a pretty darn good effort by all the people of
Robeson County-Indian. Black and White
Bill Thompson, the new general manager, is working out the
kinks and I believe he is coins to be a cood one
?
Enjovs
r Fund
Raising
Dinner
* Dear Bruce:
Bill and I had the pleasure of
attending the fund raising dinner
for 'Strike at the Wind!' while in
Pembroke this past weekend. I
can honestly say it was one of the
most enioyable evenings I've had
lately. The entertainment by
Willie Lowerv Brenda Hunt and
Miriam Oxendine was
superb--and hearing Brenda and
Willie sing "O Perfect Love"
gave me goose bumps. It was
indeed beautiful and I can hardly
wait to purchase the album I
thought Ty Boyd presented an
outstanding message to the
group?one that is certain to
motivate those who were there to
get out and drum up support for
the Drama. I know I came away
excited. It's unfortunate that
there was such a small turnout for
this important affair. I do hope
more of our people will take more
interest in this wonderful
project-it is worthy of our
support?it must have it to
survive.
Sincerely.
Elafn? Brayboy Haraway
Silver Springs, Md.
A Nice
Note from
A Reader
Dear Editor:
In your Editorial on Thurs
day, December 28, 1978 you
mentioned several Award
Winners of Robeson County in
1978. To me, you left out the
- of all. yoU| ,
< ****.# EH"** ' *
1 will always remember you t
as The Most Outspoken Chris
tian in Robeson County since
you made a public announce
ment of your abiding faith in
Jesus Christ.
1 wait earnestly every week
for my copy of The CIV, just to
read the Editorial Page. I pray
that you will never cease to
speak out for what, and who,
you believe in.
Some people are like
balloons, full of air and ready
to blow up, but you, my friend,
remind me of a good watch
Open-faced, Pure Gold, Quiet
ly busy, and full of good
works.
You do not put yourself on a
Pedestal and that is as it should
be. And underneath all of your
wisdom, I see Jesus of Galli
lee.
D.F. Locklear
Route 1,
Pembroke, NC
SPECIAL
SINGING
PLANNED
Josh Locklear. Hospital
Chairman for Pembroke's DAV
Chapter 47 and VFW Post
2843. wishes to thank the
many singing groups who
participated in the special
singings held during 1978 for
the patients at the VA
Hospital in Fayetteville. He
also announces that the next
special singing will be held
- March 25. at 3 p.m. and will
feature the Choirs of Deep
Branch Baptist Church.
RESPONSE OF THE RGESON
COUNTY BOARD OF EDtATION
TO THE PETITION PRESE^ED BY
MR. TIM HERNDOI
The Robeson Counts Board of
Education upon the recomendation of its adminaiors and with
the advise of counsel, hereby formally adopts thbponse to and
position on the petition presented bv one JTpiemdon at the
Februarv meeting of this body, hereinafter teruvhe "Hemdon
Petition." The business of educating toda)children for
tomorrow's world is a serious matter; therefore^ members of
this Board, individually and collectively. havercn the issues
presented by this petition long, careful and stud consideration
First and foremost- in our minds have beerse duties and
responsibilities owed by the Board toaH(childrettending ivwy
school in the Robeson County School System lust be clearly
understood that this Board was elected at-large ^present all of
the residents of the Robeson Countv School Dist. and that the
effects of this proposed annexation, if consurfcd. would
have profound effects on the whole of this schc^listrict.
At the outset, we wish to define some of the teriology used in
this response in order to prevent further misundemding as some
of these terms have been used rather loosely in tlkewspapers
and by the petitioners The term "merge" mes the joining
together of two co-equal legal entities so that aftefe merger only
one common entity remains: whereas, the tern'annexation"
implies the addition of territory from without a du ct legal entity
to such entity so that the addition becomes an intejl part thereof.
The term "consolidation" implies only the joindetf two separate
distinct schools within the same school system in a single new
school.
We are concerned any time thai the patrons ofur schools or
others are genuinely dissatisfied with conditions Inur schools or
by the policies of this Board; however, wearealcocicemed when
these dissatisfactions are not routinely brought to e attention of
school administrators for orderly resolution rathethan. as was
done here, totalis ignoring such administrators anthis Board by
laking such concerns to the streets and to the newspiers in order to
effectuate other longstanding goals of some of the aders of such
movements. It is common knowledge that soirc>f the leaders
associated with the Hemdon Petition Movemea such as Mr.
Hemdon himself, have long advocated the removabf the Parkton
High School Attendance Area from the county schc-1 system; it is
unfortunate that such individuals are attempting to se the present
misunderstanding concerning some of the current plicies of this
Board in order to accomplish their aims. If ne wspapr accounts are
to be believed, the position of this Board has been cosistently and
arosslv misstated bv several of the principals inthe Hemdon
Petition Movement; in fact, such misstatements haveontributed in
large measure to the unrealibilitv of the Petition itse . It is evident
that the signatures were collected by at least twnty different
individuals: therefore, we have no way of knowin whether the
same statements were made to all individuals and gmps in order to
induce signatures. More fundamentally, given the nisstatements
and uncertainty, we do not really know exagty what was
represented to anvone who signed since the petition tself does not
state the reasons therefore; such uncertainty is eviden ed bv the fact
that many signatures appearing on the Hemdon Petition also
appeared on the petition presented in opposition b* Mr. Angus
Thompson. Esqure. hereinafter termed the Courier-Petition.
Given the uncertainty, we are reminded that the nost reliable
evidence of the wishes of the people residing in Lumter Bridge and
Parkton townships was the overwhelming defeat in hose areas of
the school merger proposal in the 1972 referendum:interestingly,
the merger was also soundlv defeated by the voters of St. Pauls
Township. Bv their negative votes on the merger, the voters
announced that thev were satisfied with the status quo.
The situation with regard to clarity was not helped when Mr. Tim
Hemdon. the spokesman for the group, stated that he could not say
what, if anything, the petitioners expected to receive from the St.
Pauls Board of Education; furthermore, our sister board has refused
to stake itself out publicly and formally as to its plans, if any.
should this proposed annexation be consumated. In contrast to the
St. Pau^j Board, this Board has carefully studw^y situation and t_ J
can oiiS ?tentative ptvn. i.? ? ??? ? * reJasviximw mS"
school iome where in the northern pan of the county. Nevertheless,
given the relative financial status of this Board vis-a-vis the St.
Pauls Board, we submit this Board is in a better position to meet the
educational needs of the children of the Parkton- Oak Ridge areas
that the St. Pauls Board can ever be in; in fact, it is for this very
reason that the policy of the chief school administrator of the State
calls for the dismantling of the various small city boards of
education in favor of larger more efficient county boards. For
instance, the county's share of the proposed bond monies will be
$8.260.000.00 in contrast to only $ 1.010.000.00 to be received by
St. Pauls. With more monies available for expenditure, this Board
is in a better position to offer amore comprehensive education to the
children attending county schools. Although the consolidation of
Oak Ridge and Parkton with St Pauls would onlv produce a student
body of roughly the same size as that produced by the consolidation
of these same areas with Magnolia School, the students of the latter
such consolidated school would have access to the burgeoning
county vocational complex at Hilly Branch thereby assuring those
students a more comprehensive curriculum; whereas without Oak
Ridge, whose residents apparently do not want to be annexed to St.
Pauls, the consolidation of Parkton alone with $t Pauls would
produce an even less comprehensive school when contrasted with
the proposed county option. Everything, and more, that the
Hemdon petitioning group and that the St. Pauls Board are
? apparently seeking to accomplish can be effectuated by the merger
of the Robeson County School System with the St Pauls City
System; therefore, we hereby ex'end our collective hands to our
sister board so that we may pool our resources in order to offer the
best possible education to all of our children Let us now put aside
pettv differences and regionalism in order to build a bener county for
us all; the legitimate interests of all groups can be protected in such
a merger, for instance, by a ward system of electing the new
merged board of education.
In anv case, from what we have been able to determine, a majority
of the residents of the Oak Ridge Attendance Area do not want to be
removed from the Robeson Countv School Svstem. We can not and
will not approve such a transfer over the obiections of (he people of
Oak Ridge so the Hemdon Petition insofar as it pertains to Oak
Ridge could be denied on this ground alone: however, several of
the reasons discussed infra also justify such denial Furthermore,
the loss of Oak Ridge would not be in the best interests of the
Rex-Rennert School Attendance Area in that the student body of
Rex-Rennert school would be decimated by such a merger. Since
the Oak Ridge Area is predominately Black, such a transfer would
cause the removal of a substantial portion of Rex-Rennert's Black
students; so many in fact (hat we are advised that a violation of
current federal judicial desegregation standards would occur.
Rex-Rennert currently has enrolled 127 Black. 42 White and 20.1
Indian students at the school for a total enrollment of 172; if the
proposed annexation is consumated. only 44 Black. 21 White and
111 Indian students would remain for a reduced total of only 224
students From the petition presented by Mr E. Knox Chavis.
Esquire, hereinafter termed the Rex-Rennert Petition, it would
appear that the residents of the Rex-Rennert Area do nor want to see
their school so damaged, and even though these petitioners do not
reside within the areas encompassed by the Hemdon Petition, by
law. we must also consider their interests in acting on the Hemdon
Petition under consideration here
0 I
It would seem to this Board that a poor county such as Robeson
can ill afford to continue to huild schools without some over-all
scheme of development The vacant Oak Ridge School and the
under-utilized Fairgmve School stand as stark reminders to this
Board, and to the taxpayers of this county, of the wastefulness of
building policies based upon petty differences and regionalism
This Board will not contribute to the gross waste of the taxpayer's
monies, we will not condone any move that is not grounded upon
sound fiscal and educational policies
Without Oak Ridge, the annexation of Pattlon alone to the
puralitv White St Pauls School System would violate federal
desegregation standards since a maturity of the students being
transferred would also he While Additionally, we arc advised that
such a transfer would also violate the Voting Rights Act of 1964 in
that the voting power of the Black and Indian people already
residing within the St Pauls School System would he effected
end diluted
It should he noted that we arc further adsised the annexation of
Pari ion and < lei Ridee to St Pauls would also violate the Voting
f
0
Rights Act in that the voting power of the Black people remaining
in the county school uitem after such a transfer would he diluted to
such an extent that It would be difficult, if not impossible, for
Blacks to be elected to this Board Such would also be the case with
the remaining Whites, and though the Voting Rights Act was not
enacted to protect the voting rights of Whites, given the recent
Bhfcha decision of the United States Supreme Court, we are
advised that a strong argument could be made to the effect that
voting rights of Whites should also be protected.
This Board Is also reminded that the annexations to the
Lumberton City School Svstem which occurred in the late sixties
and early seventies were disapproved by the United States
Department of Justice after finally being submitted to that agency
in 197V Given such objection by the United Stales Attnrnev
General, we are concerned with the legal Ittsponsibility of this
Board, if any. to the students residing in these Lumberton annexed
areas We do not propose to further confute the situation by
approving other such annexations when similar ones have been
disapproved in'the past.
A successful effort by the Hemdon petitioners would also lead to
similai tpquests from other identifiable areas within the county
school system. It w as only a very short time ago that a group sought
the removal of the l.ittlefield School Attendance Area from the
county system: we are informed and believe that a successful effort
by the Hemdon petitioners would lead to a renewal of this activity,
together with similar new efforts in the Orrum Area. We are also
informed and believe that such a successful effort would lead to
counter-movements around Oxendine. Rennert. Fairgrove. South
St. Pauls and Shannon. We need only recall the unrest associated
with Prospect School in 1970 and the recent requests for pupil
reassignment presented to this Board to realize and appreciate the
fact that many persons presently residing within the various city
school systems would prefer that the communities be absorbed by
the county school system. We do not believe that the overall school
situation in Robeson County would be improved by granting to the
Hemdon petitioners the relief that they desire: in fact, such a move
could only serve to aggravate and worsen an already bad situation.
We cannot solve the pressing problems of this county by treating
similarly situated groups of people differently. In the area of pupil
assignment, this Board has honestly attempted to apply the same
standards to all individuals and groups: therefore, we cannot in this
instance prefer the wishes of some individuals at the expense of
others. The problems associated with six school systems and their
attendant district lines cannot be solved on a piecemeal basis; the
time is long overdue for all six school systems within this county to
begin to collectively work towards the resolution of common
longstanding problems. The success of the Hemdon effort would
only serve to prevent and frustrate such a beneficial common effort.
This is the only tri-racial political body in Robeson with
countywide jurisdiction; its members, individually and
collectively, have earnestly sought to demonstrate that such a body
can in fact treat all individuals fairly and equally. The removal of
the areas encompassed in the Hemdon petition from the
jurisdiction of this Board would doom this effort to failure with
resulting detrimental consequences for the whole county.
In conclusion, giving due consideration to the concerns expressed
above, in our opinion it would not be in the educational best
interests of the students of the Robeson County School System,
including those residing in the Oak Ridge and Parkton areas, for
this Board to approve the Hemdon Petition; therefore, the same is .
herby denied. With this denial, we renew our invitation to
interested individuals and groups to peition this Board with their
concerns in order to facilitate their orderly resolution. We further
renew our invitation to our sister boards of education and other
interested individuals for a common effort to resolve the
longstanding problems which beset all of us.
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
? m - ii i urn jrlr ? i ' I
New Mormon
Elder Arrives
Dear Sir;
My name is Elder Peterson
and I am presently serving in
the Pembroke area, i arrived
in Pembroke on March 1st and
represent the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints
(The Mormons).
I am serving with Elder
Dudley and I am anxious to
share a special message con- a
oerning the Restoration of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am from Wendell, Idaho
and have been called by a
prophet of God to serve a two
year mission to the people in
North Carolina. I am one of
about 200 missionaries now
serving in North Carolina on
our own time and expense.
Please call 521-9862 and
Elder Dudley and myself will
be glad to stop by your home
t your convenience to share a
short message with your fam
ily
Elder Peterson
V'" t
According, to \cripture j
Rev. Ted BrooA ! ?
If ***************1
MESSAGE
And always night and day
he was in the mountain and in
the tombs, crying and cutting
himself with stones. Mark 5:5.
This week the Baptist chur
ches of this area have pro
claimed this week as Beid
Eying all si, meaning going
out and witnessing for our
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. I
want to now witness to all who
are sinners and especially the
young people. I want to share
with you the power of God's
deliverance. I want you to
know him (Christ) as I know
him. I want to share His
wonderful grace as 1 found in
Jesus: One song writer. John
Newton, wrote a song and
called it Amazing Grace that
saved a wretch Uke met I once
was leat bet new I'm feud,
was blind bet new I see.
Here in the Book of Mark in
the Sixth Chapter we read of a
man whose dwelling was
among the tombs and no man
could blind him, no not with
chains. Day and night his
strange, weird cry could be
heard as he roamed about on
the mountain, curring himself
with stones and shrieking in
his fearful agony. This is a
pitful sight. A man crying and
roaming about with no one to
seem to care.
Our young people today are
about like this man, on a dead
street, a dead high way, a
dead corner, and they are
crying out for help and ye t
there seems to be no help
coming. What about it, Chris
nan friends? Have you wit
nessed to these young people
and told them the love of
Christ?
Young people, I wish I could
take every one of you in my
arms and tell you of the sweet
and tender mercies of our
Lord and Savior. And tell you
of a Savior who died for you. It
is not the will of God for you to
perish, but Jesus said I come
that you might have life. Jn.
10:10. Young people, if you
would right now stop reading
this and go and get you a Bible
and turn to the Book of Mark. ?
i the sixth Chapter "Mere -site
see a man bound by sins. No
man could help him. All night
it is said you could hear him
crying, wanting to be free. I
tell you, no man should live
like that, and praise God, you
don't have to. Jesus has made
a way to escape. When this
man say Jesus at a great
distance he came running
towards him and fell upon his
face and cried, "What have I
to do with thee, Jesus, thou
son of the most high God?" Do
as this man, young boys and
young girls, come to Jesus;.
Come and confess that he is
Jesus. Confess that He is the
Son of the living God. Confess
that God has raised Him from
the dead and thou shalt be
saved. Romans 10:9-10.
You say you want to be free.
This man dldVxj and he was
because he mAthe master of
all masters, JeL*. Once so
wild and fieru^ he now
became gentle snd quite,
covering his f?rn?rly naked
body with clothing.\e took his
place in adoring Krvc and
gratitude at the feet Jesus
no loger man-but now he was
made whole.
What did he do to earn .this
grace? Nothing. Mr. JAhn
Newton wrote that song
Amazing Grace. In it it sayn
"Amazing Grace that taught
my heart to fear, and grace my
fears relieces."Nothing you
can do. I know it is hard to
believe. For years I myself
wandered among the dead on
a dead road-the dead corner
and this Grace which is beyond
me I could not see, but
something within me cried,
"Trust me." Praise God,
March the 31st, 1974 around
the hour of 11:4S a.m., Jesus
saved me. He clothed me
when I was freezing with sin
on my way to a demon's hell.
Yet, Jesus with his outstretch
ed arm bid me to come and 1
did and 1 have never regretted
the first time because he saved
me. Bless his Holy name. He
saved me from a Demon's
Hell. I know if he had not
reached down for me, I would
have perished. Young man,
young lady, do you want to be
delivered from sin? Srugs?
Liquor? Whatever, he is suffi
cient to do so. There is nothing
to bring. For once you can
trust this. Salvation is free.
On the Cross beside Jesus
were two thieves. One cried
adn said, "Lord, remember
me when thou comest into thy
kingdom." This thieFs hands
were nailed. He could offer
nothing. His feet were nailed.
He could not walk. What can
you do? The Bible said for us
all to look upon Him and be
saved at the end of the earth.
"For I am God and there is
none else." Isaiah 45:22. The
only part you or I had in the
cross was that our sins were
there. Jesus alone bore the full
weight of judgement. One
writer said: "The burden of its
message to the host of sinners
Ts'cOtne for all things are now
ready." The question of sin is
not raised. Grace reigns thru
righteousness unto eternal life
by Jesus Christ our Lord. The
table is spread. The house is
filling fast. Yet there is room
for more. Won't you now with
your mouth say Lord Jesus,
come into my heart. I want to
be saved. I want peace. 1 want
freedom. I want joy, happi
ness. Now, if you believe this
message, claim it now in the
name of Jesus.
Parent, it is time for you to
stand up and claim this land
and its fulness in the name of
Jesus. Tell the Devil that he
will not steal or rob you of your
children. Tell Satan that your
children are God's and to God
they are going to return.
Amen.
NOW OFF THE PRESS I
A NEW BOOK BY GAMY LEWIS BARTON. I
The Life and Times ofl
HENRY BERRY LOWRYI
Only $6.19 ($5.95 + 240 Tax) I
I HmtT Bwfy Uwrj mw
I ' - ?
I bteMMrflWUh^
? n?Si7i ?II Uwy.M
Please send me a copy ofTh# Ufe and llmtt o# Henry fttny
Lowry,"
Enclosed you will find a check or money order for $6.19 which
includes handling arxJrpaillng costs G foxes (244 in Robeson).
Mr ABOMM I
Name ?
City/Sum
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Owdc or Monty Order To~
THE CAAOUNA MDMM VCMCI
P.O. Box 107ft
NfWbtofct. NX. 2*372 ?