AS I*
SEEn"!
by
Bruce
Barton
i
COMMISSIONERS, SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENTS
MEETING TONIGHT ABOUT
ERIC PREVATTE'S SCHOOL
PLAN...."
The memo from Paul Grah
am, County Manager, says
"This is to advise that die
Chairman of the Robeson
County Board of Commis
sioners has scheduled a joint
meeting of the Robeson
County Board of Commis
sioners and the Chairman and
Superintendent of each School
Administrative Unit in Robe
son County for Thursday,
October 6th at 7:00 p.m. at
the Ramada Inn, Lumberton,
North Carolina. This will be a
dinner meeting.
The purpose of this meeting
is to comply with the motion
passed by the Board of
Commissioners on September
19, 1983 to meet jointly with
the above mentioned to dis
cuss the school district plan
presented at the September
19th meeting."
It's ludicrous, really! The
educational plan was present
ed by Eric Prevatte, a seller
of 'spark plugs.' Eric and his
family own three auto parts
stores, one of them in Pem
broke.
The plan basically guts the
county school system. For
instance, his plan would give
Saddletree to Lumberton,
1
Rennert to Red Springs,
Parkton to St. Pauls, Orrum to
Fairmont, Littlefield and
Gyburn Pines and God knows
what else to Lumberton. Etc.
Etc. Etc. Etc. The county
would not receive a single
inch or student or tax dollar.
Nothing. Are we all mad.
We'll find out tonight. More
next week.
It's enough to make a man
sick to his stomach. That's
why I called for one unitary
school system. Let's feed all
the children-red, black and
white-out of the same educa
taional spoon.
If we can't have one school
system then we ought to go
back to federal court and
make the politicians disman
tle the district scheme of
electing board members for
the Robeson County Board of
Education. The present
scheme especially dilutes the
Indian's vote.
But I expect the worst
Robeson County politicians,
generally speaking, are pro
vincial and short sighted.
Can we expect a leopard to
change his spot? Or a Robe
son County politician his race
or place of domicile?
Anyway, we'll find out
tonight if there are any "big"
politicians in Robeson Coun
ty- We'll tell you more about
it next week.
On Oct, 1, NC became
the wont place In country
to get caught drunk driving
by uovernor Jan Hint
On October 1, North Cm
the country to get caught
driving drank.
Hat happened became the
people of this state demanded
It. Members ef Mothers
Against Dinah Driving and
other people who had last a
loved one dne to drfakh* and
drivtag channeled their grief
Into tanattactive action. They
broaght the tragic conse
Their voice* were heard hi
the la gla latere, hi my office,
this iMe. The Sale Bead* Act
af 1983 I* aa example of the
way democracy I* supposed to
work. The people apske and
their elected representative*
end to ptea bargaining to
drank dbtvlng caae*. They
demanded that the went
uflandoia be pat to Jail. They
drinking age. We have now
dene all of that.
Bat la my ephden, the amat
effective provision el the new
law la the reqainmcot that
anyone whs blew* a .10 an the
Breathalyser has hla license
tahea away ea the spot. Theee
people wB leave the ceart
hawse ea foot and wfl not
drive Car Id days. And that la
only the hagtealag A con
viction wfl reaah In a Jail
an* convlcted*wfl have*!*.
and be saitfoct to toraeea 24
aerate* warfc. Then wfl ha no
men bargaining Car a lesser
charge of careless and lock
l*Oaf<to? infiirinial si
te* and Jadges an ready Is
strfeffy snlarce the tew. Bat
the real teat d Ma aflattivo
nsaa wfl b* shslhsr or aet
W My ? ?
i
facta and not aooeona'a aocial
standing in tbeb community.
The Safe Roada Act, and
the public attention that haa
been focnaed on It alnce it waa
first Introduced In the legis
lature, began to have a
detenant effect even before It
horamr law. The Mil waa
hstrodnced In January of this
year. Since that time, we have
aeon a ateady decline In the
number of drunk driving
arrests by the North Carolina
Highway Patrol.
That tell* me that people
are being much mere careful
about drinking and driving.
Pdblic attitudes have chang
ed. Drunk driving is no longer
acceptable behavior among
the people of thla state.
The bottom line la this: We
aa a people must do every
thing hi our power to atop that
late-night phone call wUch
telle aameena that a child, a
wife, a husband, or a parent la
never comhig home again.
Yon can help. lt'a old
advice but It's a till the beat
there Is. For the sake ef your
family and friends, don't
drink and drive. And don't let
10 me body else drive drunk.
I
^bttna^
at
IRXdlftl in
f bJPMTo re^l elueVS U n
day, Oct. 2. Funeral services
will be held on Thursday at 2
p.m. at Pteasantview Baptist
Church. The Revs. Melvin
Bell and Ronnie Scott will
officiate.
Surviving him are his par
ents, Virginia Gail Ham
monds and David Lee Oxen
dine; one sister, Stephanie
Oxendine; two brothers, Da
I vid Oxendine, Jr., and Frank
lin Oxendine, all of Baltimore,
Md.; maternal grandparents,
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ham
monds of Charlotte, NC; ma
ternal great-grandparents,
Ms. Ader Hunt of Baltimore,
Md., and Mr. and Mrs.
Hartman Hammonds of Lum
berton, N.C.
Reading
Assoc.
Meets
The first meeting of the
Robeson Council of the Inter
national Reading Association
met Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10
a.m. in the auditorium of the
Robeson County Library in
Lumberton.
Mrs. Linda Hall, an ele
mentary teacher of the Lum
berton City Schools, gave a
presentation on writing relat
ed to reading. She gave sug
gestions of activities that will
help aid children in writing.
Refreshments were served
and a business meeting was
held after the presentation.
The Robeson Council would
like to encourage all those
interested in joining to call
Nelia Crain at 521-4422 or
Kathy D. Locklear at 521
2520.
UHtrsTo
TW E^Htr
Disagrees with "Yes"
vote on $7 Million
RTC Bond Referendum
In my Opinion, we' the
people of Robeson County,
N.C., sat on our brand beams
apd searched our narrow
minds to come up with, and
corner the market on stupid
ity. We gave to Robeson
Technical College $7 million
to spend in the vaguest of
excuses as per Fred Williams,
President of RTC.
RTI, now RTC's incep
tion was an act of deception
and this deception is still
being carried on. RTI, now
RTC solicited and encouraged
high school students all over
Robeson and adjoining coun
ties to enroll and earn as you
learn. These RTI, now RTC
graduates found out they
could havd been employed if
they had never heard of RTI,
now RTC. RTC propaganda
claims to influence industry to
locate in Robeson County,
N.C. What they do not tell us
in my opinion is that the
politicians, state level and
local level, and prospective
and established industry con
spire against the taxpayers.
Industry receives massive tax
breaks in return for claiming
to meet the services of such
outfits as RTC. Fred Wil
liams, President of RTC
claims he needs more build
ings. Fred, if you are turning
out 9,500 graduates per year
what you need is more access
routes to and from your
production plant. RTC does
not tell us that many many
members of the school system
in Robeson County voted
"yet" on die 57 million bond
referendum because they
could not afford to pay the
price fov rating "no." ijhis is
not only deceptive, it is
morally wrong. Speaking'of
morals, we of Robeson County ?
set on our broad beams and
search our narrow minds and
say it ia alright to let the
Robeson County manager and
the Robeson County attorney
remain in office although they
are under indictment for
irregular performances in
their respective jobs. In my
opinion we are more con
cerned with irresponsible po
liticians and special interest
groups than with better edu
cation and better government
for Robeson County.
Note the results of the
voting in Red Springs, St.
Pauls, Lumberton and Fair
mont. Four of the five school
systems in Robeson County.
These are special interest
groups. This too is the biggest
joke in the history of edu
cation in Robeson County. In
my opinion, these are selfish,
biased, immature, discrimi
nating persons. Until "all,"
and I do not mean some, a
few, many, a lot, or most,
students have the "same"
exposure to better education
from kindergarten through
high school and an accredited
college, unlike RTC, will we
see better education in Robe
son County.
John L. Godwin
Pembroke, N.C.
Pembroke Lions [and Lionesses] plan
- annnal 'Candy Day' fund raising
Lion Robert McGirt, left,
and Lion BUly Lowiy are ell
decked oat in tbelr "Cmdy
Day" gear ready to receive
your tax deductible contribu
tions. Look for them and other
Lions on the streets of Pem
broke on Friday and Saturday,
October 14 and 15. [Elmer
Hunt photo]
The Pembroke Lions Cub
held their regular business
meeting Monday night at the
Town and Country Restau
rant.
Richard Sea vie Lowry, Jr.,
White Cane Chairman, ex
plained and made assign
ments for "Candy Day"
which will be held Friday and
Saturday, October 14 and IS.
Pembroke Lions and Lion
esses will be manning street
corners and parking lots both
days in their annual "Candy
Day" Campaign to raise
funds for the blind and the
visually handicapped. jj
The Lions will be giving
away candy rolls and bal
loons. In exchange for the
candy, the public is urged to
support the cause with a
generous contnouaon.
The proceeds from the
caddy days will be used to
support programs and ser
vices of the North Carolina
? Xidtr Association for the blind
" and the visually handicapped.
Some of the services included
glaucoma-diabetes screening
clinics. North Carolina eye
and human tissue bank, Camp
Dogwood for the blind, schol
arships for children of blind
parents, gift radios and canes
for the blind, research and
service programs at N.C.
medical schools, purchase of
county eye clinic equipment,
and numerous other preven
tion of blindness programs
and individual services to the
blind.
Your financial support of
these programs and services
will be greatly appreciated.
Uylsses S. Grant s horse was
named Cincinnatus.
Akron, Ohio it the location
of the annual All-American
Soap Box Derby.
?
THECAKOUNA
INDIAN VONK
P.O. Bw 1975
Fm*N|?,NC 28372
U.S. PS. #978388
Published each Thursday
Established 1973
SECOND CLASS POSTAGE
< PAID AT PEMBROKE,NC
28372
'* Erar! . ? * '
*
When: Saturday,
October 29,1983
I Where: Pembroke Town Park
Time: 11 A.M. Until
"DAY"
?Entertainment, including Lumbee Pride
?Food ?Drinks
?Auction with Rev. Dan DeVane, Auctioneer
?Free Candy or Goldfish for Kids under 12
I
^Jeditorial,
^AND OPINIO!*
W PAGE <1
J Wa Cannot Know Whom Wa An Going ^
' If Wo Dont Know Whom WO'va Baan...
So fittingly we honor our Pioneer Fathers
MEANDERING
WITH GARRY*L!*BABTON
DUNKING A
'DRUNK DIVING
"Lumbee Pride," the country mask band
I manage, played at the Silver Dollar Lounge
(in Fayetteville) Friday, Sept. 30. All night
long, the mtin topic of conversation
throughout the private club was the new
"drunk driving law" that went into effect
Oct. 1 (or after midnight Friday night).
I had a little cold Saturday so 1 had took a
swig or two (or three or four) of cough syrup
whkh some dear friend brought to my
attention was high in alcohol content.
Needless to say, by the time we finished
playing early Saturday morning (about 1:30
a.m.) I was a nervous wreck. You know how
it is when you concentrate on one thought
long enough. The more you think, the bigger
the thought becomes. The silly notion
crossed my mind: wonder if a breathalyzer
machine can distinguish between a Phillips
666 cough syrup-induced high or a Miller
Lite beer-induced one. I kind of grinned to
myself when the silly notion crossed my
strange mind. But the more people talked
about the new "drunk driving law", the
bigger the dread grew in my mind that the
machine could not tell the difference.
I know it sounds silly. But you know how it
is when people start wagging their tongues
about something. Before you know what has
happened, the topic is mushroomed way out
of proportion.
Anyway, by the time I pulled out and onto
the highway to drive home Saturday
morning, heavy duty paranoia had set in. I
would have gladly bet my Uncle Nabob's left
arm that every pair of headlights coming up
behind me was a highway patrolman. Ready
to beat me into submission with the new
"drunk driving law." I mean it was almost
enough to drive a man to drinking. I even
went as far as to consider whether or not a
plea of temporary insanity would help if the
highway patrol did stop me.
Well, anyway. Someone (I believe it was
my brother Bruce) once said that "ignorance
is bliss." I don't know about that. But I
sometimes wonder if "ignorance is conta
gious." If so, there must be an epidemic
sweeping political circles in good ol' Robeson
County. Sometimes I think the only way to
clear up the epidemic is to put all politicians
under quarantine by padlocking not their
doors, but their mouths. But that's neither
here nor there, or elsewhere. (I don't know
how I got off on that tantrum.)
I don't want you folk to be ignorant when it
comes to the new "drunk driving law," so I
thought I'd share some information with you
concerning the new law that evidently has
scared the bejabbers out of every drunk (or
potential drunk) in the state.
Well folk, since the stage is set, here's
information about the new law that,
incidently ain't called the "drunk driving
law." It's called the "Safe Roads Act of
1983."
The Safe Roads Act
This act, effective Oct. 1,1983, repeals the
present laws on drunk driving in N.C. and
replaces them with the single offense of
"driving while impaired-or DW1."
DWI can be proven in one of two ways: 1.
Proving the driver's physical or mental
faculties are imparled by alcohol, drugs, or a
combination of both; or 2. By proving the
driver's alcohol concentration is 0.10 or more
at any relevant time after driving.
If a person is charged with DWI, the
charge cannot be reduced in court to a lesser
offense. No more plea bargaining, folk!
And a driver charged with DWI who
refuses to submit to a breathalyzer test or
who has an alcohol concentration of 0.10 or
more faces an automatic and 'immediate
10-day revocation of his driving license. He
cannot obtain a limited driving privilege
during this period. Gracious!
After a DWI conviction, the trial judge
must hold a sentencing hearing to determine
the punishment. There are five levels of
punishment..
After a DWI conviction, the trial judge will
hold a sentencing^ hearing to determine the
severity of your punishment. The new law
establishes five (5) levels of punishment
determined by evidence of grossly aggra
vating, aggravating, and mitagating factors.
We won't go into these factors, since if
you're already convicted, you might as well
pack your toothbrush and duffle bag.
Here are the five levels of punishment:
Laval It If two or more impaired driving
offenses within 7 years, or any other two
grossly aggravating factors are present,
punishment is a mandatory minimum of 14
days and up to 2 years in jail. And a fine of
up to S2.000 can be imposed. Goodness!
Laval 2t If one grossly aggravating factor
(other than two or more impaired driving
offenses within 7 years) is present, punish
ment is a mandatory minimum of 7 days and
up to 1 year to jail. You can also be slapped
with a SI,000 fine. These first two levels art
1 '
JVD THE NEW ' "
LAW' DON'T MIX!
applicable where grossly aggravating factors
are present.
Levels 3-5 apply where no grossly
aggravating factors are present.
Level 3s If aggravating factors outweigh
mitigating factors, punishment is a mini
mum of 72 hours in jail, or 72 hours of
community service, or a 90-day revocation of
driving privileges, or any combination of the
three. But don't forget: you can also be fined
$500. Gordy! Gordy! (as my little niece says
since she can't pronounce "Lordyl Lordyl").
Level 4s If neither set of factors outweighs
the other punishment is 48 hours in jail, or 48
hours of community service, or a 60-day
revocation of driving privileges, or any
combination of the three. And, oh yea! Don't
forget the possible $250 fine.
Level 5s If mitigating factors outweigh
aggravating factors, punishment is 24 hours
in jail, or 24 hours of community service, or a
30-day loss of driving privileges, or any
combination of the three. And you can be
clipped for a $100 fine.
Drinking Age
The new law raises the age to buy and
possess beer and wine to 19 years of age.
The legsil age to buy fortified (whatever that
is) wine or liquor remains 21.
Youthful Offender
If a provisional licensee (I guess that
means one who is 16 or 17) is convicted of
DWI, or refuses to submit to the breath
alyzer test, or is caught driving with any
amount of alcohol or drugs (not counting
prescriptions taken in a lawful amount), his
license will be revoked until he turns 18, or
for 45 days, whichever is longer, fjg.
The law tightens down on teenagetrf/folk.
They can lose their license for one year if
they attempt to purchase or are successful at
purchasing alcoholic beverages; they aid or
abet another to attempt to purchase or
succeeds in purchasing alcoholic beverages;
of if they attempt to buy alcoholic beverages
by using or attempting to use fraudulent
driver's license or other types of I.D., or by
lending his driver's license to any other I.D.
to someone else for that purpose.
Oh yea, folk! Law enforcement agencies
may set up roadblocks to check for impaired
drivers.
A person charged with DWI can be held
until the person is no longer drunk or until a
responsible, sober adult will take respon
sibility for him. But he can't be held for
longer than 24 hours. If they're still drunk
after two days law enforcement personnel
need to check him anyway. He might be dead
(dead) instead of dead (drunk).
If you are charged with DWI you may still
be asked to submit to a breathalyzer test. If
you refuse you can still lose your license for a
year. People, that don't seem like asking to
me. It seems to me like you're being told to
take the test.
A driver can not consume any alcoholic
beverage while driving. I guess this is what
my friend was talking about when he said
you couldn't be caught with an open
container of alcoholic beverages in your car.
Any person convicted of an impaired
driving offense while his license is revoked
for an earlier impaired driving offense could
lose his vehicle. In other words, if you lose
your license, you better get you a G are Hi
motorized bicycle or a manually-controlled
one. I
If you don't complete the Alcohol Drug
Education Traffic School when told to do so,
you can lose your license for a year. |
Negligent sale of beer, wine or liquor to an|
underage person may subject the seller toi
civil liability if the minor then consumes the)
beverage and as a sesult of consuming that!
beverage has an accident while impaired.
There is a $500,000 limit on the amount that
can be collected. The ABC Board must also
suspend the seller's ABC permit until the
judgment is paid. Also, the seller doesn't
have to sell to or serve a customer if he can't
produce a valid I.D. And the seller may hold
on to the prospective buyer's I.D. for a
reasonable time to check its validity if he
tells the persons why he is holding on to it.
Well foft, that's about it. I have a bit of
advice. If you feel a strong urge to drink
coming on you might consider following this
simple procedure. Buy whatever it is you are
going to drink. Get your car keys and your
house keys. Then lock yourself in your house
and walk to the window and throw the keys
as far as you possibly can. If you can't find
your keys when you wake up, Ted's Lock and
Gun Shop will probably fix you up for about
$25. On the other hand, if you're bull-beaded
and drive anyway while drinking. Judge
Richardson may fix you up for about $2,000.
Plus# you might have to trade that pretty,
shiny Chevrolet or Ford in for a Schwinn
10-speed Mke.
Happy motoring.