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THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
uBddhg Ciihi?ih allv Bridges
POST OFFICE BOX 1075 fa A Trl RacUi Setting" PEMBROKE N.C. 28373
VOLUME 8 NVMKR 4?
25c PES COPY
JUDGE McLEAN ASSESSES
LUMBEE RIVER EMC $27.00 COURT COSTS
FOR "FRIVOLOUS PROSECUTION" OF
INDIAN VOICE EDITOR
-Charge of Trespass Thrown Out
by Brace Barton, Editor
THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
A large contingent of supporters
accompanied me to the Red Springs
District Court Tuesday morning. They
expected to hear a spirited debate
between me (I had intended to
represent myself) and representatives
of the Lumbee River Electric Mem
bership Corporation.
The on lookers hoped to hear the
merits or dismerits of my right and the
public's right to attend meetings of the
E.M.C.
But, at the last minute, Deri Hinson,
general manager of Lumbee River
Electric Membership Corporation, de
cided not to contest the matter. No
reason was given for the change of
heart. It had been rumored that Britt
Smith, the attorney for the electric
cooperative, had counseled that they
should vigorously prosecute me so that
a precedent could be established.
But, as noted. Hinson decided not to
press the matter. Judge Charles
McLean charged the Lumbee River
Electric Membership Corporation with
"frivolous prosecution" and demanded
that they pay the court costs in the
matter. I had been charged with
tresspass when I refused to leave a
meeting of the board of directors when
asked to do so by Hihson at the behest
of Smith, the attorney.
I had attempted to attend the board of
directors meeting because 1 had heard
that two employees had filed racial
discrimination claims against the co
operative; reportedly both employees
worked at the Lake Rim District office.
It was reported that the two employees
a Black woman and an Indian woman
had charged the district manager
with discriminating against them at
work.
No action has been taken in the matter
officially although the cooperative ad
mits that Paul Dallas, the Lake Rim
manager, is on leave, effective October
21. It is also admitted that the State
Equal Employment Opportunity Com
mission has the case under advisement
and is investigating the complaints.
On October 21, 1980 I entered the
board room of the LREMC while a board
of directors meeting was in progress. I
asked to stay in the meeting because of
the open meetings laws. I contend that
Lumbee River EMC falls under the
mandate of the North Carolina Open
Meetings Law because they receive
federal funds in the guise of preferential
rates from the Rural Electrification
Administration.
Too, I noted that I am also a member of
the cooperative because my personal
residence is on the LREMC line in the
Deep Branch Community near Pem
broke where I live.
But Britt Smith ruled that I could not
attend the meeting because Lumbee
River EMC, according to his inter
pretation, did not fall under the
' guidelines of the Open Meetings Law
because the loans are subject to
repayment and because the cooperative
is a private business owned by the some
19,000 members. The board, on a 7-3
vote, agreed with Smith and voted to
bar me from the meeting.
Judge McLean ruled that Lumbee
River EMC must pay the S27.00 court
costs in the matter. He ruled they must
pay because of the "frivolous" nature
of their prosecution. 1 objected to the
dismissal. And there the matter rests.
The activities of the electric coop
erative are under public scrutiny also
because of reported differences be
tween Deri Hinson, the general man
ager; and Rev. Elias Rogers, the
president of the board of directors.
A move was reportedly made to
dismiss Hinson a few months ago;
Hinson was given a vote of confidence
on a 7-5 vote.
The board of directors recently passed
a motion stripping Rogers of a number
of state wide offices he holds, including
the prestigious appointment to the
North Carolina Association of Electric
Cooperatives.
Traditionally, until Rogers assumed
the office, the president had named the
people who would serve on the state
wide offices. The vote seems to imply
that that right has been taken away
from Rogers.
Rogers is a controversial figure of
seeming legendary proportions. In the
early 70's he sued the Lumbee River
EMC for discrimination against him in
attempting to keep him from being
seated on the board of directors. The
suit was settled out of court in 1973 in
Rogers' favor; he won a settlement of
more than $10,000 from the cooperative
and a tacit admission that they did in
fact discriminate against him. The
settlement outlawed the use of proxies
at the cooperative and added three
at-large members to the board of
directors.
Rogers was the first Indian or Black to
serve on the board of directors and
given the lion's share of credit for
opening the cooperative up to minorities
as far as serving on the board of
directors and working there is con
cerned.
WEST END RESIDENTS SPEAK
OUT SHARPLY AGAINST
ANNEXATION
Pembroke-Every speaker spoke out
forcefully against the town's proposed
annexation of their area.
The occasion was the public hearing
:oncerning the proposed annexation of
some 69 acres of the West End
adjoining Pembroke.
Mike Avery, Pembroke's town plan
ner. gave a report noting that the town
would gain some S20.000 of anticipated
revenues annually if the area were
annexed.
At Monday night's hearing the
property owners in the West End area
were not laudatory in their comments
concerning Pembroke.
Said Mrs. Mary Bell. "I am as does
to Pembroke as I want to be." She
noted, "Pembroke does not have the
jest of reputations...and I toll people
now...I just live near Pembroke...that's
good enough for me."
$
I
lev. Dandey Mayaor ilhiml the
town hall. "How many of yon de net
want la bo annesedT " It seamed Ike
Mr. Anal landers an ashed paint <
Mm*. "Haw la I gulag la e*m my ,
t
taxes?" Later, he added, i don't want
your help; if you want money we'll take
up a collection..I'll look after my own
property..."
Mr. Marshall Locklear, a retired
school teacher, said, "Do you have any
idea how many people in the west end
are on fixed income?"
Michael Sanderson, another resident,
said. "I resent the fact that you want to
annex me for financial reasons...if you
hadn't built these low rent houses you
Wouldn't be in the situation you are
in..."
Herny Smith said, "We hear a deal
has been made..someone is trying to
infringe on my civil rights..."
Mayor Pete Jacobs noted, "The law
says you must receive services within
12- IS months after annexation" in
responae to a questioner.
He also aaid that the town would have
a report ready by November ISth and
premised "no action w?l be tckeo
before Dsmmbrr I."
An obeerver noted, in respenea le the
aeaation. "It ia not nnreeaonehio...
?
PCMMOKE
ncscoe squad *
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...SPOTLIGHT!
EDITOR'S NOTE* At ? public service
and in recognition of the stellar service
provided by the completely volunteer
Pembroke Rescue Squad, the Carolina
Indian Voice coothn" s this week the
public relations campaign to let you
know what the Pembroke Kescue Squad
is doing to make our community a better
place to live in.
Pembroke Kescue Squad has two (2)
ambulances and one II) crash truck. In
summarizing one-year's ambulance
calls within the CR> Limits of Pem
broke. we find a total of 492 hours spent
by squad members. These hours were
for wrecks, house calls, parades,
Halloween, etc.
All services and time rendered by
Pembroke Kescue Squad members are
volunteer. The onl\ compensation
members receive is the pleasure of
knowing that they helped someone who
needed emergency n edical care and
transportation to a nodical facility.
The Pembroke Kescue Squad,
encourage all citizl is f Pembroke and
surrounding areas gtt to know your
squad and their tutictions.
Spotlight on Pembroke Rescue Squad
members:
Carol Smith Oxendine is married to
Rev. Alonzo Oxendine. They have three
children. Carol is presently unemploy
ed. She joined Pembroke Rescue Squad
October 20, 1977 and is a member of the
Committee for screening new members.
James H. Oxendine is married to
Merdis Graham. They have four
children and one grandchild. James is
self-employed in refrigeration service
work. He joined the Pembroke Rescue
Squad May 6, 1976. He is also a
member of the Committee for screening
new members.
Larry W. Hunt is married to Stephanie
Locklear. They have one child. Larry is
employed by Dupont of Fayetteville as a
plastic operator. Larry joined the squad
March 24, 1980.
Dook Locklear is married to Jolly
Locklear. They have one child. Dook is
employed by the Town of Pembroke.
Dook joined the Pembroke Rescue
Squad on January 15, 1976.
A SUMMARY
OF ELECTION
RETURNS
REAGAN SWEEPS THE
STATE AND NATION
In a mighty show of force, Ronald
Reagan swept North Carolina and the
nation in balloting Tuesday. Reagan
garnered 469 electoral votes to Jimmy
Carter's 49 with two states with a total
of 20 electoral votes undecided at press
time.
Ronald Reagan, the Republican nom
inee, took North Carolina's 13 electoral
votes by winning the popularity vote
count. Reagan out polled Jimmy Carter,
the incumbent President, 906,610 to
867.529.
GOVERNOR HUNT WINS
GOVERNOR'S RACE EASILY
Conversely, Governor Jim Hunt,
the democratic incumbent, easily out
polled his Republican challenger I.
Beverly Lake, with more than 60
percent of the vote.
Robeson County stayed in the Demo
cratic camp by voting for President
? Jimmy Carter and Senator Robert
' Morgan while they lost state and nation
wide. Carter received 17,513 in Robeson
County while Governor Jim Hunt
garnered more than 75 percent of the
vote in Robeson County.
EAST EDGES MORGAN IN
SENATE RACE
For the first time in Hs history
North Carolina will have two Republican
senators with John East edging incum
bent Robert Morgan statewide. East, at
press time, had a slight margin over
Morgan of 883.190 to 875.338.
East seemed to be helped by Ronald
Reagan's strong showing In North
Carolina.
CHARLII ROM RETURN! TO
HOURS KAMLY
Charlie Rose, the young and
COWHNU? PAOR TURKS
?, t
CARNELL LOCKLEAR'S
DINNER A SUCCESS
-More Photos Pages 2 & 3
Part of the large throng wMcn turnea (
oat for the "Let'i Send Cornell Locklear |
to Hollywood Banquet." M.C. Julian
Ransom Is shown at the podium.
PEMBROKE-An estimated 500 Car
nell Locklear admirers turned out last
Thursday evening (Oct. 30) to laud their
favorite "star" and be entertained by
him. Organizers termed the evening "a
rousing success." The popular event
was held at Pembroke Senior High
School.
Speakers included former Governor
Jim Holshouser, Congressman Charlie
Rose. Commissioner Herman Dial and
special presentations by Pembroke
Mayor James A. "Pete" Jacobs; Mr.
Gerald Strickland, president of the
Pembroke Jaycees; and Mr. Bruce
Barton, temporary chairman of First
American Showcase, Inc.
Special entertainment was provided by
Ms. Brigette Brayboy, Miss Lumbee,
who also introduced the star of the
evening-Carnell "Boss Strong" Lock
lear I
Master of ceremonies was Rev. Julian
Ransom.
I
Invocation was offered by Rev. B.B.
Turner; benediction was by Rev. Bias
Refers.
The special benefit In honor of Camell
Loshiear was sponsored by the newly
arfenisad Brat American Showcase,
Inc. The eon profit urganiaatiofl is
interacted In revttaitaing the aria in the
area The ismpsrary chairman of die
$
fledgling organization is Bruce Barton,
who also doubles as editor of the
Carolina Indian Voice newspaper.
The prestigious evening was co
sponsored by the Pembroke Jaycees
and the fans and friends of Carnell
Locklear. the popular "Boss Strong" of
"Strike at the Wind!" fame. Locklear
will assume the duties of general
manager of "Strike at the Wind!"
December 1, 1980
But he is heading for Hollywood first.
Congressman Charlie Rose provided the
biggest surprise of the evening when he
revealed that he had helped arrange two
legitimate auditions for Carnell in
Hollywood. One of the auditions is
scheduled for Novamber 17, and
November 18 with D.W. Griffith, a
prestigious and influential Hollywood
producer In Hollywood, California.
The other interview la with Tony
Adams, producer of the famous movie
"10" which starred the beautiful Bo
Derek.
It was an evening of fun ant
entertainment. Said Cliff Sam peon, one
if those who attended the event.
"Carnell amasee me; I believe he really
lees have what it takes la be a star. I
idmtre him I re men dees ly and wish him
ike heal.;' The ml ef the overflow
itued, based en their enlheetaelb
leepense. agreed ?hiiiebeertedly with
kirn.
PEOPLE I
A ND PL A CES
AND THINGS
cROSPECT LADY AUXILIARY
SPONSOR DANCE
The Prospect Lady Auxiliary art
having a Dance November 22nd al
Prospect School. The Dance is to raist
funds to fix toys and make things foi
Christmas to give to the poor.
INDIAN EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Federal program coordinators, Indian
educators and parents will gather at the
Ramada Inn in Greensboro Nov. 5-7 for
an Indian Education Conference, spon
sored by the North Carolina Department
of Public Instruction.
Noah Woods, a member of the
National Advisory Council on Indian
Education, will address the opening
session Wednesday evening.
Workshops Thursday and Friday mor
ning will include such topics as Title IV
rules and regulations, federal pro
grams. an up-date on Indian test scores,
the role of the Indian Parent Committee
and local education unit, self image
development techniques, support ser
vices for the Indian student, and how to
cope with stress.
Keynote speaker at the Thursday
evening banquet will be Purnell Swett,
superintendent of Robeson County
Schools, who will emphasize the in
fluence of the group on the self
image of Indian children.
The conference will convene before
noon on Friday. The closing session will
hear Nancy Morgan Sampson, assistant
professor of education at Fayetteville
State University.
RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL
APPOINTMENT
Pumell Swett, who is superintendent
of the Robeson Cgpnty Schools, has
received a Presidential
appointment, for a three-year term, to
the National Council on Adult Edu
cation. This announcement was made
October 30. 1980 by Senator Robert
Morgan.
22S PARENTS ATTEND
P.T.A. OPEN HOUSE
Southside-Ashpole School had some
225 parents to attend their P.T.A. Open
House. Tuesday. October 21. 1980. The
parents were entertained briefly by the
kindergarten and seventh grade stu
dents. The staff members were intro
duced by the principal. Mrs. Mable
Revels.
After the drawing of a SIS Gift
Certificate, won by Mrs. James Hunt,
the principal invited the parents to visit
the classrooms. The parents visited the
classrooms to view the work of their
children.
The two classes with the moat parents
will enjoy an ice-cream party. The lucky
winners were Mrs. Twkty's fourth
grade and Mrs. Lewis' seventh grade.
Mrs. Revels would like to thank all the
parents for attending Southside-Aah
pole's first P.T.A. Open House.
m
Thank you very much for your support.
OXENDfffl SCHOOL TO HOLD
PLATE SALE
Oieudiae School will hold Ms
BMual fafl fcod raising plats sale so
Friday. Nsvamhar 14. iMhtu^l
hours of 12:00 uatM 7>00 p.m.
iiih iiui and ehtshaa ptafaa ?Hi ha
said at 12-SO par plain. Tha pmaaads
wOl ha uaad la puiahaaa addMlaaal
'Jfa
KEEN AGEXS TO HOST PLATE SALE
The Keen Agera of Prospect United
: Methodist Church are having a plate
t sale November 13,1980 from 11:00 a.m.
; until 9:00 p.m. at the church. Barbecue,
r chicken and chicken and pastry will be
on sale, as well at crafts.
ALCOHOLISM IS A FAMILY AFFAIR
A special 9- week seminar is now in
progress at the Robeson County Mental
Health Center, Lumberton. The semi
nar, entitled Alcoholism Is ? Famly
Affair is being presented to the public
free of charge as a service of the A.R.C.
Family Group of the Robeson County
Mental Health Center. The seminar will
include some of the latest films and
videotapes available in the field of
alcohol education and treatment. Lec
ture presentations are being mixed with
panel discussions, and opportunities for
audience participation Is also provided.
The Alcohol Recovery Center's
Family Group was organized in August
of 1979. Family Group meets each week
on Tuesday night at 8 and is open
anyone with an interest in alcohol and
drug dependency and the recovery
process.
If you are interested in further
information about the seminar or any of
the other services provided by Alcohol
Treatment Services, call 738-1431 and
ask to speak with an alcohol counselor.
KUBESON COUNTY BASKETBALL
MEETINGS
Fairmont Men's Basketball Or
ganizational Meeting is scheduled for
Thursday. November 6, 1980 at 7:00
p.m. at Fairmont Middle School in the
Agricultural Building.
Rowland Men's . Basketball
Organizational Meeting is scheduled for
Monday, November 10, 1980 at the
Rowland Southside School at 7:00 p.m.
Oak Ridge Men's Basketball Organi
zational Meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, November 12. 1980 at Oak
Ridge Community Center at 7:00 p.m.
For further information, contact Rudy
Paul at Robeson County Recreation
Department at 738-9061 or 738-9595.
LUMBEES
NOW IN
NCAI
The Lumoee 1 ribe was admitted to
membership in the National Congress of
American Indians (NCAI) at their
national meeting in Spokane, Wash
ington last week. They are now one of
the largest members of that organ
ization.
This is a significant event for Lumbees
in that they are now admitted to one of *
the foremost national Indian organ
izations. h is an important step far
pan-Indian relations that the tambeaa
iff accepted as oba at ike
.
Attending the meeting In Spokane In
advocate far the Lumbeee warn Julian
T. PWroe, Executive Dfceatoeof Lumhae
SSSSrS
lod Loakfaar of LKAMAHHi.
?apart, that ha and Mr. Bo; ?