THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
!*; ' ... ** f ? >; t * |
post office box 1*75 PUBLISHED EACH THURSDAY Pembroke, nx. 2*372
VOLUME 10, NUMBER 5 25c PEP COPY THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 4, 1982
DEXTER BROOKS RESPONDS
?-r* .
TO OBBIE LEE'S CHARGES
ON THE LUMBERTON
VOTING RIGHTS LITIGATION
My Dear Mr. Lee:
As the President or Chairman of die
Board of Lumbee River Legal Services,
as a Lumbee Indian, and as an American
citizen, we must take issue with the
caustic remarks attributed to yourself at
the meeting of the Lumberton Middle
School PTA on January 25,1982; it is our
considered opinion that die remarks
were grossly inaccurate, slanderous,
unprofessional, intemperate, inappro
priate and misleading. It ia incredible
that an attorney would seemingly
publically inpugn the motives of a person
or a group of persons or their attorneys
airing a grievance in the courts of this
fair land. Is not the fundamental role of
our system of justice the peaceful
resolution of disputes and grievances
rather than having them settled by the
law of the jungle? In any case, it would
seem to us that the proper inquiry is no$
as to the motives of the persons bringing
a lawsuit, but rather as to whether their
grievances have any merit. Did not a
three-judge panel of &e United States
fcCsjfe * tg*Vfc 3** ?
System in violation of the voting Rights
Act of 196S? Did not the Supreme Court
of these United States, which can hardly
be characterized as a "dissident"
element, likewise so find such a
violation? Did not the United States
Attorney General, in spite of vigorous
and questionable importuning from
various and sundry political figures,
refuse to rescind an earlier objection
lodged against certain annexations to the
Lumberton School District which objec
tion has been outstanding since 197S?
My dear Mr. Lee, are you trying to say
that you have not had your day in court?
It is our understanding that you made
several trips to Washington, with and
without local politicos, in order to plead
your case with the United States
Department of Justice, and to submit
voluminous documentary evidence on
behalf of your clients. Surely, you would
not have us to believe that all of those
judges, justices and federal officials
[before whom you argued were biased"
against the Lumberton City Schools and
in favor of a bunch of Indians represen
ted by a few legal services attorneys?
Come now Obbie, we all know that movie
scripts are written set that the Indians
always lose, surely you would not have
use to believe that the deck was stacked
against you in this litigation? If fault or
blame for Lumberton's woes must be
assessed, then would not a logical
starting point be an examination of the
persuasiveness, quality, accuracy or
completeness of the evidence submitted
on behalf of your cause? We submit that
such an examination would be more
productive than to question the constitu
tionality of the federal statute itself since
surely all attorneys know that the Act
was upheld by the United States
Supreme Court as a legitimate means of
enforcing the guarantees of the Fifteenth
Amendment to the Constitution of these
United States in Seath Carottna v.
IT at unli sih, 383 U.S. 301 (1966); a
decision that easily predates the annexa
tions in question.
!? rmr rjfltv ?II ? V
In resolving the .problem? currently
besetting Lumberton, then it would seem
thet he or she would want to talk to
rather than about, the people responsible
for die litigation. We submit that a
knowledge of the viewpoint of the North
Robeson Concerned Parents is essential
to an understanding of the motives of the
prime movers of the lawsuit. Drive
over to Saddletree and talk to some
Indian parents concerning the breadth of
die curriculum at Magnolia as opposed to
Lumberton, and perhaps that which now
seems unfathomable will be revealed
unto you; but do not, we say again, do
not direct any further such unecessary
comments or remarks towards ourself or
any of the personnel associated with our
legal services program.
During the past ten years we have
been associated with several groups that
very possibly were termed "dissident"
by at least some people. The building
SEE DEXTER BROOKS RESPONDS
PAGE 12
1
THEY GET THEIR EDUCATION AND
IiVLIHOOD HERE BUT A GOOD
MANY OF THEM STILL DONT KNOW
THE CORRECT
PRONUNCIA TION FOR
PEMBROKE
by Lew Barton
Old man Pembroke Jones,
the railway employee for
whom it was named, would
probably turn over in his
grave if he could hear the
mess university students and
even some university profes
sors are making of his and the
town's and the university's
name today.
"Educated fools!" he'd
probably snort esch time odfc
of 'em said PemBROKE in
1 stead of PemBROOK.
And he'd be justified, part
ly at least. Because even
though some radio and TV
announcers fall into the same
trap at ignorance, Pembroke
is property pronounced Pern ?
a
DfOOK.
My son. Brace Barton, and
I do stew over such matters
occasionally. As wrti we
ought. After all, Ssmihidj
his to guard the tree qualities
of the town and the widely
name. Aad you students and
professors aad prafeaaional
?' . ! ? ? ?
? '
announcers should break out
a good English dictionary,
encyclopedia or some other
reliable authority on the sub
ject and set the matter
straight.
But even if there were no
standard reference books,
such as the above, the true
rule to follow is to accept the
NATIVE pronunciation of a
geographical location.
An die old Indians at my
boyhood said Pern BROOK.
But, some educated fool will
doubtless object, all thaaa
people were Bllaaafta*
Are the English who crea
ted the name in the first place
illiterate?
If old man Pembroke Jones
could speak today, he'd pro
bably tell you that from the
sound of things. "It's the
other way around."
You learned professors...
you enlightened radio and TV
announcers...you brilliant
?? ?i i
I ? i ?. *f. $ - wt iv ;?4 - - pppq *
\ V'.'
McDuffie
Cummings
challenges
for
Sheriff
fj
y
- "k
McDuffie Cummings, Pembroke's
Town Manager, surprised the political
pundits Monday when he filed to run for
sheriff. Earlier Cummings had indicated
he might file for Clerk of Court.
Cummings' entry into the crowded
Sheriff's race promises that, like always,
it will be an interesting race to watch.
Cummings, an Indian, was the on^r
minority to file in the crowded field
Hubert Stone, the incumbent, is
running again. Other candidates in the
Sheriff's race are Luther Sanderson.
Jesse Britt and C.A. Brown, Jr.
Monday, at noon, was the deadline for
filing for local offices, except for state
house, Senate and congressional offices.
Also, Lib Morton, the County Super
visor of Elections, confirmed that tKs
May 4 primary date has been called off
due to the problem the general ass embiy
is having in getting a re districting plan
approved by the Justice Department. No
new primary date has been se4?
s
fat the Commlsaiooer noes...
Three incumbent commissioners UR
for reelection have all filed: Sammy Cm
to District On, Herman Dial m Dwtr *
Three and BUI Harndon in District Four.
Challenging Cox in the Lumberton
area are democrats Ray Cox (no relation)
and Sammie Love and republicans Norm
Morton and Brigette Rundus.
Challenging Dial in Pembroke are
Larry Trent Brooks and Wyvis Oxendine.
The winner will face Republican Robert
"Bob" Brewington.
Herndon is facing Thomas Jones, Jr.
and Gurney S. Kinlaw in St. Pauls. All
are democrats.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
SEE MORE FILINGS
a l I
LOCKiear
for
Chief
District
Court
Judge
GaylflraiLMUMr
?
Gary Lynn Locklear has
filed for election aa Judge of
the District Court of the 16th
Jodidal District, seeking the
seat currently held by John
S. Gardner. The 16th Judicial
District is made op of both
Robeson and Scotland Coun
ties.
Locklear is presently em
ployed as an Assistant District
Attorney of the 16th Judicial
District and has been so
emoloved foe two and one*hdf
a? ? Baw a ?* ? s ? ?* a? abuses
year*. Prior to his present
employment he taught lg
North Carolinas^rohntcal
\ V'-" ^>v
PV'
Lumbee Medical Center
Officially Open for Business
Pembroke-A new medical facility has
officially opened for business in the
Pembroke community-Lumbee Medical
Center.
The move to open the facility has been
led by Carolyn Emanuel, formally the
executive director of Pembroke Medical
Services, Inc.
Staffing the center are Dr. Emma
.Balaquer, physician; Earl Cummings,
physician's assistant; and Rose Clark,
receptionist. All fchree were formerly on
the stgff at Pembroke Medical Services,
Inc. until they were summarily ousted on
December 29 with one day's notice.
Ms. Emanuel, Dr. Balaquer, Cum
mings and Ms. Clark are presently
"donating their services" until funding
can be acquired for the center.
The non-profit agency, already de
signated a rural health clinic, is located
on North Jones St. in the former
fellowship hall of Pembroke Presyterian
Church. The Pembroke Area Presbyteri
an Ministry is allowing them to use the ?
quarters "for a very nominal fee,"
according to Ms. Emanuel. The
Rev. Robinsqp (John A., the executive
director of the ministry) and the ministry
have been very helpful in helping us find
a place to provide medical care to the
greater Pembroke community."
The medical clinic has named a new
board of directors consisting of Jim
Hunt, chairman; Michellene Lowry. vice
chairman; Ken Maynor, secretary; Jim
rr.y Goins, treasurer; Norman Layne; and
^abop Lowry. There is one vacancy still
* luftibed. An Advisory- Ccuucil is also
to be named.
Hunt is President of Lumbee Bank;
Maynor is Executive Director of Lumbee
Regional Development Association, Inc.
(LRDA). Goins is President of the
Pembroke Jaycees; Lowrv heads Pem
broke Machine Company; and Layne is a
sociology professor at Pembroke State
University. Ms. Lowry, the Vice-chair
man of the Board of Directors, had begun
as a trainee at Pembroke Medical
Services, Inc. the day the staff was
ousted.
Also working at the Center is Ms.
Mary Alice Beasley, who is funded by
the Senior Citizens Program admin
istered through the Lumber River
Council of Government.
Ms. Emanuel expressed appreciation
to a number of people in the medical
professions, especially Bill Yarborough
and Martha Wright associated with
Maxton Medical Services and the
Robeson County Civil Defense. Both
agencies have contributed medical ac
coutrements to help the new medical
facility get its doors open.
Pembroke Medical Services is pre
sently staffed by Dr. Frank Woriax,
physician; and Dr. Jeff Collins, a dentist.
Seemingly the Pembroke Medical Ser
vices Board of Directors made up of
Hubert Oxendine, Chairman; Leslie
Chavis; Jimmy Hedgpeth; Clayton May
nor; and Dr. Bobby Brayboy are
continuing to operate as a non profit
cotporation although little information
has been disiminated to the public.
Oxendine has stated an emphatic "no
comment" when queried by the press.
The action follows a suit which was .
filed against the Pembroke Medical
Services existing board; of directors by
Carolyn Emanuel, formerly the clinic's
executive director, until forced to vacate
premises Dec. 29. The lawsuit asks the
board to rescind the sale of the facility to
Dr. Frank Woriax, a private physician,
rehire its seven employees and re-open
the facility. The lawsuit was filed by
Raeford Attorney Phil DiehL
The original Pembroke Medical Ser
vices Clinic is located off Union Chapel
Road and is now occupied by Dr. Frank
Woriax and Dr. Jeff Collins, as noted
earlier.
The private, non profit clinic was built
with a loan from Farmers Home
Administration^ and much of its equip
ment was seep red with federal funds,
according to Diehl. The clinic has been in
operation two and one half years and was
formed to provide reasonably priced
medical care.
Ms. Emanuel also contends that the
facility was not in dire financial trouble
and had recently received a $36,000
grant from the Kate B Reynolds
Foundation. ' ' ?< ?* fj ' i
Ms. Emanuel's suit was ffied In |
Robeson County Si | rior Court on
January 11. According to Diehl, the clink
ean be Mid If federal gaideHne. me
followed. He said the procedures were
not followed in the sale, which was
performed under a lease-purchase
agreement.
Ms. Emanuel said negotiations to sell
the clinic had been underway for some
time but that the employees were
assured in December that they would
have their jobs until at' least Juae.
The lawsuit also claims the ctinkr was
improperly closed and that patient
records were delivered to a person not
authorized to receive them.
i
inc new nan of Lomoee medical recepuomeij ua virMyi tmannei.
Center, Inc. They are [l*r) Earl AD were en the staff at Pembroke
Cummings, physician's assistant; Dr. Medical Services, Inc. ad they men
Emma Balaquer, physician; Rose Clark, "let go" on December 29, 1981.
Waltar OxendineMies foe
Board of Education
Walter G. Oxeodbie
Because of his concern and dedication
for young people?especially students
and future students in the Robeson
County Educational System and for his
concerns and interests in the future and
improving the educational society in
which we live, Walter G. Oxendine has
announced his plans to seek one of the
two seats on the Robeson County Board ,
of Education for District IV.
He attended schools in the county
system for 12 years, having graduated
from Pembroke High School in 1960. He
has taught and coached in the county
system for 6 years. . Both his sons
presently attend school in the system,
and his mother has. tay^trt In the county
for 42 years.
With his many experiences with the
county system, he fully realizes the
progress the Robeson County Schools
have made and he feels there are always
things that can be done for improvement
because of various programs and me
thods that are changing in the education
Oxendine hat a concern to always keep
the fctudents first in die decision making
progress and believes he can contribute
I;? ? ji* ? ?? .1 w' - . ? 1
greatly to oecuiuiis made mat will street
our future: the students in bur school
system.
He has the following interests that the
Board of Education should be concerned
wkh:(l) the limited number of outs tan fl
ing students entering the teacher
education program. We have a large ?
number oi well-trained teachers at the
present than who are doing a good
Job-but what about the future? Dev.
vetopment of plans in this ana of
=51
recreational programs at all schools in
the system because not only should the
minds be stimulated but the bodies as
well. This could be accomplished with a
part-time or voluntary program or with a
cooperative program with recreational
departments; (3)Thcre is a need for at
least one full-time social worker for every
three schools in the county system to
relieve school administrators of many of
the student-school problems and allow
them more time to concentrate on
teachers needs and concerns; (4)Schoois
should not hgye to conduct fund-raising
projects (unless they want to) for special
learning materials and activities.
Methods should be implemented to
obtain additional funding to assist in
meeting the needs of the schools;
and(5)Bo*rd members should visit the
schools in their district on a regular
basis to gain knowledge to help them in
making educational decisions pertaining
to such items as student test scores,
teacher supplements, etc.
Oxendine fully realizes that a board
member has only one vote. But because
of his Christian beliefs and serving aa a
deacon at Berea Baptist Church; the
support of his wife, Connie, and their two
sons, Kendall and Kelvin, and his entire
family; he believes his other background
of having received his B.S. degree from
Pembroke State University and his M.A.
degree from Appalachian State Univer- '
sity and his present employment as
director of Resource Development and
Alumni Affairs at Pembroke State
University will enable him to represent
the students, parents teachers and
administrators with honor and dignity on
the Robeson County Board of Education
in making decisions that will be in the
best interests for ail concerned tor
our educational future.
Other experiences which will enable
him to serve with distinction as a board
member are his involvements in local,
state, and national organizations ?
activities such as NCAE and NEA; tbe
Jaycees (serving in numerous pna titans
and recognized as one of the five
outstanding young men of N.C.); the'
N.C. Recreational Society and Placement
Association: Boy Scouts of America
(earning the Eagle Scout Award); and
having served on th? Town o? CeaH|eM
d?__j **.t tinit? ? m11ft? i
tsoaro a uireoon ov jobuiwi nnow
bank (Lumberton Office) and the Met
son County Housing Authority aa
Oxendinr states thai he is iglf fcl