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LUMBERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
ANNEXATIONS NOT ALLOWED TO
PARTICIPATE IN LAST
TUESDAY'S VOTING
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On Friday, October 30, 1981, the
United States Supreme Court stopped
residents of the Lumberton School
District annexation areas outside of the
city limits from participating in this past
Tuesday's election for the Lumberton
City Board of Education. The top court
decision over-ruled the decision of a
lower court panel consisting of Circuit
Judge Dickson Phillips and district
judges Franklin Dupree and W. Earl
Bcitt (Britt is a Robeson native just
recently appointed to the federal bench).
Robeson County is one of 39 counties
in North Carolina subject to the
precisions of the Federal Voting Rights
Act of 1965. Under the Act, local units of
government, such as the Lumberton City
Board of Education, must obtain federal
approval for all changes in the law
affecting voting, such as annexations to
the local unit, before the changes can be
enforced. Tba United States Attorney
General is charged with the responsibil
ity of enforcing the Act and must
determine that such changes will not
adversely affect the voting power of
minorities before they may be approved.
The Act was virtually ignored in Robeson
until 1974 when Dexter Brooks, while a
summer la win with the Trl Bightr
Division or tne united Mates Department
of Justice, catalogued for federal officials
the wholesale local violations of the
federal law. At the time Brooks was
attending the University of North
Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill; he
is now in the general practice of law in
Pembroke and^omeidantally represents
the Robeson County Board of Education.
FEDERAL OFFICIALS OBJECT
* TO ANNEXATIONS
After bringing the matter to the
attention of Lumberton school officials
and giving them ample opportunity to
defend themselves, the annexations
were formally objected to on June 2,1975
upon the school board's failure to
adequately demonstrate that the annex
ations did not have a racial purpose or
effect. As most of our readers recall, the
annexations known as Barker Ten Mile,
Lakewood Estates, Clybum Pines and
County Club, were annexed to the
Lumberton City Schools in the late
sixities and very early seventies at a time
when federal civil rights officials were
pressing for the desegregation of local
public schools. Of concern to the over
whelmingly white residents of the areas
was the federal mandate which would
have required their children to attend the
majority Indian schools of the county,
including Magnolia -and Piney Grove.
After extensive contact with local
residents and after personally viewing
the meandering, convoluted lines, fede
ral officials concluded that the intent and
purpose of the annexations was to insure
the inclusion of the predominately white
subdivisions and areas adjacent to the
City of Lumberton while excluding
predominately Indian or Black areas.
UNEQUAL STANDARD
FOB RELIEF
At the same time that these
annexations were occurring many In
dians, especially in the western part of
the county, were being forced to attend
non-Indian schools located in the various
city units instead of their traditional
schools in the county school district. This
requirement lead to near violence at
Prospect School in 1970, nevertheless,
local legislators were not disposed to
grant to the Indians the same relief that
was granted to whites. While the whites
were seeking to get into the city school
units, the Indians were seeking to get
out! It should also be noted, however,
that the Indian residents in the Piney
Grove area were seeking to be annexed
to the Lumberton City School Unit in
contrast to the Indians in western
Robeson. The result was the same in
each case, however, as the wishes of the
whites were granted while the wishes of
the Indians were denied.
A TALE OF TWO LAWYERS
Interesting enough, about this time, a
similar annexation occurred to the
Fairmont School District in Sterlings
Township, however, this annexation was
submitted to and approved by federal
officials. The Fairmont Board of Educa
tion was represented then by W. Earl
Britt (who as a federal judge is now
sitting in judgment of the Lumberton
case) and the annexation was approved
at a time when local folics were less
knowledgeable concerning the provisions
of the Voting Rights Act. The residents
of the Lumberton annexed area were
represented by W. Osborne Lee, Jr., a
Lumberton attorney who is well- known
to our readers because of his unsuccess
ful, hotly-contested legal efforts on
behalf of Alfred W. Cook against the
Town of Pembroke. Mr. Lee did not see
that the annexations were properly
submitted to the justice department at
the time of their occurrence and, as a
consequence, seemingly, must bear
much of the blame for the subsequent
federal disapproval. Many persons were
surprised, some pleasantly, when the
Lumberton Board of Education retained
Mr. Lee to assist their own experienced
counsel John Whisart Campbell to
defend against the voting rights suit
brought by Lumbee River Legal Services
headquartered in Pembroke. As some
saw it, Lumberton had hired the very
man to get them out of the mess who had
gotten them into it in the first place;
perhaps this is why Mr. Britt now sits cm
the bench rather than Mr. Lee.
POLITICAL EFFORTS BY
LUMBERTON
According to knowledgeable obser
vers, this is the first time that any case
arising out of Robeson County has been
carried to the United States Supreme
Court. What they have been unable to
obtain through the legal process, how
ever, the Lumbertonians are now
seeking to obtain through political
persuasion. According to informed sour
ces, "Obbie" Lee was recently a visitor
to the Department of Justice in Wash
ington, DC in the company of Ed
Johnson and Tom Gibson, two local
conservative political pols. Johnson is
the Republican County Chairman and a
life insurance salesman while Gibson v
was an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff
in 1978. Each is also a member of the
local right-wing political action commit
tee- the Conservative Response. Given
the Republican administration in Wash
ington, seemingly political bands of all
featherings will be flocking together in
an effort to do politically what they have
been unable to do legally. John Merritt,
Congressman Charlie Rose's Chief Ad
ministrative Assistant, who also atten
ded the meeting, termed the meeting
"highly irregular" and, upon finding
Johnson and Gibson there, "against my
better judgment."
Again, according to informed sources.
Lee tried to persuade the Justice
Department that Lumberton was even
handed because of the annexation of a
Black area in South Lumberton also, in
this regard, it should be noted that the
Black area was however an annexation to
and by the city proper and not just to the
school district, thus, the Black area is
now within the city limits unlike the
contested annexations. It would seem
that Mr. Lee is comparing apples with
oranges in his desperate efforts to
persuade justice to rescind its objection.
WHERE THE SITUATION
STANDS NOW
The United States Supreme Court
has addressed itself to only one issue in
the case: that the residents of the
annexed areas may no longer vote in
Lumberton School Board elections. As a
necessary consequence, however, such
residents are no longer qualified to serve
on that school board, thus. Ms. Dorothy
Powers was ruled an ineligible candidate
irt Tuesday's voting. The sarqe would
also be true of another member presently
sitting on the board. The issue yet
undecided is whether the students who
resided in the annexed areas may
continue to attend Lumberton Schools or
whether they must attend the county
schools. Knowledgeable sources are not
too optomistic about the plaintiffs pre
vailing on the issue before the same local
federal court, however, they are quick to
point out that an appeal from such an
adverse decision would again go directly
to the U.S. Supreme Court where the
odds are rated at better than even. It
should be noted for local politician! that
Justice Sandra O'Day Conner, a Repub
lican and President Reagan's only
appointee to the court, voted wMh the
majority to enjoin the annexed areas
from further voting. They do point out.
however, that such an appeal wMI not be
heard as quickly as the lest time since the
annexed areas will no loafer be voting in
farther elections.
Continued
Page 2
The Carolina Indian
Voice sponsors a
$250 Christmas
Shopping Spree
..aw part of subscription drive
PEMBROKE-The Carolina Indian Voice is kicking off a massive subscription
drive this week which is sure to have considerable interest with our readership. It is
our Christmas gift to everyone.
Beginning November 5, the CareRna Indian Voice will begin "keeping a list" like
01' Santa. We will keep "a Rat" of those who take out a new subscription, or renew
their subscription to The Carolina Indian Voice until December 17. On December 18
we will hold a drawing at the offices of the CaroHna Indian Voice to determine our
"UN Christmas Shopping Spree" winner. Yon do not have to bo present to win!
The drawing will be open to all those who renew or take out a new subscription
between November Sand December 17. If you already have a subscription you may
renew your existing subscription and extend It for a year. Our lucky winner will win
a check for S250 made out to either of our three major food store advertisers. Bos.
Pfggly Wiggly, or Harris Teeter of Red Springs. Sign up now and take a chance on
winning our S2S0 shopping spree at Ptggly Wiggly, or Bos in Pembroke, or Harris
Teeter in Red Springs.
This is our way of saying "Thank yea!" to our readership and to our advertisers.
The eealeet la epea la Rabssan Caaaty leeMaate eafy.
The rules are simple. Take out a new subscription or renew your existing
subscription. Too, die chock to our winner can only be redeemable at either Piggly
wiggly in Pembroke. Bo's la Pembroke, or Harris Teeter In Red Springs for the
purchase of food. This way we oaa aay "Thoak yea" to you the public and our
wonderful food score advertisers, Bo's, Piggly Wiggly, or Harris Teeter.
This la our way of saying "Many Chilian sat" to all of you. Wo are thankfhl to
you for your rupport in the past and wo are looking ffo^vard to mare readers to the
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VETERANS DAY SET FOR NOV. 11
WEAR IT
PROUDLY
MADE BY g
\ f* Vtv*** * **?<?? Wan ?* Bit u s I
[... It Shows You CARE!J
Give generously!
Wear it proudly!
VFW Post 2843 sponsors an observa
tion of Veterans Day each year. There
have been many activities slated for Nov.
11. 1981.
The observance will begin at 10 a.m.
Wednesday morning when the largest
parade in Post history will travel through
down town Pembroke. According to Post
-Commander Bobby D. Locklear, more
than 70 units are expected to participate.
Immediately following the parade, the
flag raising ceremony will be held in the
Town Park.
Special guest speaker for this occasion
will be Harvey D. Bien. Major. Infantry,
Assistant Professor of Military Science.
Major Bien is a native of Independence,
Mississippi and is a 1970 graduate of the
University of Mississippi. As an under
graduate at the university. Major Bien
received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with
a concentration of Biology. He was also
designated as a Distinguished Military ?
Graduate from the Army ROTC Program
and he was commissioned into the U.S.
Army as a Regular Army Second
Lieutenant on May 31, 1970.
Major Bien has served on Active Duty
since his graduation from college, and
his assignments include being stationed
with the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft.
Bragg. NC; the 2d Infantry Division,
Camp Casey, Korea; the 4th Infantry
Division (Mechanized). Ft. Carson. CO;
and the 3rd Infantry Division (Mecha
nized). Harvey Barracks. West Germa
nu; and the 1st Region ROTC Instructor
Group. Campbell University.
Major Bien is presently assigned as
the Assistant Professor of Military
Science at Pembroke State University,
and he has held this position since
October 1, 1980.
The Honorable James A. Jacobs,
Mayor of the Town of Pembroke, has
proclaimed the Week of Nov. 9-14 as
Buddy Poppy Week in Pembroke. He has
commended the purchase of poppies to
CONTINUED PAGE 11
P.S.H.S. WARRIOR OF THE WEEK
by Steve Tyner
Mas; observers expected the War
'rior's game with East Bladen to be a
tough one. Pembroke was 5-1-2 and E.
Bladen was 5-3. Both teams were tied at
2-1 in conference play. The Warriors
were ranked 10th in the state 3-A polls
and no doubt East Bladen would have
loved to knock them off.
The game proved to be as tough as
expected. As one spectator termed it, the
contest was a game of missed opportuni
ties. Fortunately for the Warriors, they
were able to capitalize on some of East
Bladen's missed opportunities and come
away with a 20-10 victory.
As has been the case in recent games,
the Warriors scored quickly. Stopping
East Bladen's opening drive on three
plays. Pembroke started on the 46 yard
line of East Bladen. After three plays,
they had fourth and nine and Eric
Locklear prepared to punt. In a preview
of things to come. Locklear mishandled
the snap and it looked as if he might be
tackled for a loss giving the Cougars
excellent field position. However, Eric
wisely ran with the ball and was able to
pick up a first down to keep the drive
alive. Three plays later quarterback
Anthony Locklear hit Ryan Tuck for a 20
yard touchdown. Dwayne Locklear's kick
made the score 7-0.
It was at this point that the Warriors
began having problems. Stopping the
Courgar's second drive once again when
East Bladen's Hermone Roberts picked
off a Devy Bell pass. Once more
Pembroke's defense came to the rescue
forcing a fumble which was recovered by
Eric Locklear. A quarterback sack of 12
yards and a IS yard penalty stopped the
Warrior's drive. Locklear's punt was
blocked, and the ball was recovered by
Ken Hill on the Pembroke 2 yard line.
Needless to say. East Bladen was not to
be denied as quarterback James Reaves
scored in the next play with Winfred
Johnson tying the score with his extra
point .kick at 8:51 of the second quarter.
Neither team could move the ball
consisxentlji for hte rest of the guarter^
until before the half. East Bladen began
driving toward a score with about two
minutes to go. Several long runs put the
Cougars on the eighteen with plenty of
time for at least a field goal. On a
second and two, quarterback Reaves
broke through the Warrior line, eluding
defenders. Luck once more smiled on the
Warriors, as Reaves fumbled just outside
the goal line. The ball rolled into the end
zone where Bobby Sampson fell on it for
the Warriors, killing the Cougar
scoring threat.
In the second half, the Warriors
demonstrated why they deserve their
ranking in the state 3-A polls. Taking the
opening kickoff, they used a balanced
attack of runs and passes to move
90 Yards for a score with Anthony
Locklear passing to Kenny Chavis. A try
for a two-point conversion off of a faked
kicked, normally successful, was not so
this time as a Cougar defender picked of
the pass. The Warriors took a 13-7 lead
while running off over nine minutes on
the clock.
CONTINUED PAGE 2
? ?
Incumbents
return
to office
in Pembroke
Pembroke-Mayor James A. "Pete"
Jacons had the fight of his life on his
hands but he managed to eak out a
narrow victory over his challengers,
former Mayor Reggie Strickland and
Sam Dial who presently serves on the
council.
Jacobs won by the narrowest of
margins with 263 votes; Dial garnered
253 and Strickland finished close with
240. It was the closest mayor's ra^c in
Pembroke's history.
Incumbents Larry T. Brooks and
Milton Hunt easily retained their council
seats with 440 and 426 votes respective
ly. Harry Oxendine gained 325 votes in
his first try for public office. And Henry
Smith finished last with 262 votes. The
campaign, always spirited and some
times bitter, brought out 795 voters.
IN OTHER RACES IN THE COUNTY...
in Lumberton. two incumbents bit
the dust as newcomers Coble Wilson Jr.
and Robert Hardin won council seats
besting Bruce W. Davis (Precinct 8) and
O'Neill Bennett (Precinct 3) respectively.
Mitchell Taylor in Precinct 2 did not
receive any competition and Hubert Gore
won easily in Precinct 5 over Atlas
Hickman 206-107.
Wilson beat Davis in Precinct 8 389 to
249 and Hardin won easily over Bennett
379-196.
With Ms. Dorothy Powers ruled
ineligible to vote or run as a contestant
Herbie Oxendine (incumbent). John P.
Parker. William Brian and Sidney Locks
won uncontested seats on the Lumberton
Board of Education. 1
Fairmont returned incumbent Mayor
W.B. Webster and incumbent council
men Calvin Haggins. Rudolph Currie
and Charles Kemp to office. Webster
soundly whipped challenger D.W. Will
iamson fell to AS. Haggins led the
balloting for the three council seats with
Ml. Currie tallied 4Sb and Kemp MJ.
Finishing out of the money were 0.
Howell and Bryon Tedder with 111 and
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