. r , J I ^ I * * *A*Y LIVERMORE LIBRARY *u>w U OCT I ",n H JD m 3 cS ? \ j 2r C jw _ n ^ ? cd < _ Established January 18, 1973, Published Each Thursday -*i ->i J Ml ! M / ' (3aGr^]0DQ?l QtMia^Xl Pembroke, N.C. "Building Communicative Bridges In A Trt-Racial Setting" Robeson County ?VOLUME 18 NUMBER 40 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4/1990 2s? per copy i*_ ? _ . ; __ pembroke council hears allegations of fraud & Mismanagement by former housing administration U?1Jp?aenta*>n <* ? Petition by EMU Hunt. ??*nt of public housing, asking for Jsnsfl Oxendine's mmiaaal, Ms. Onsndine made the following ^ to the Pembroke Town Council. Ms. Onndine is a member of the IVm broke Redevelopment Commission ?nd is acting director. As this council knowe very well tie reputation of Public Housing management tn Pembroke it hunt* far and wide. Responding to the demand of the citizen* of Pembroke thie council voted to abolish the Pembroke Housing Authority and Redevelopment Commission at a corporation and replace it with a new one heown at Pembroke Redevelopment Commission. As yoe know, each of you appointed one of the Commission members. Prior to the new Commission assuming office an November 1, 1999, the lame duck board chose to hire an executive director and give her a (too year contract The person hired wot former director of Clinton Thomas Day Cars Center which has been miemanged and funds ineiigibly expended. She later became the Occupancy Officer of the housing management and was tn Mat position just prior to being employed ae Executive Director of Pembroke Housing Authority and Redevelop ment Commission. The new Commission assumed office on November 1, 1989 end we have bee* trying to establish a systern of accountability for the Commieeion Board, the administration and housing residents. Our effort! have been blocked by the adminiMtration that wa$ m place when we came on board. Bis my feeling and belief that othere previously ateociated with public housing m Pembroke has also been involved m trying to maintain control of housing aativitie! hers. We have yet to receive any orientation to the operation there. Our requests for information concerning the stability of public housing in Pembroke have bsenlhet with stiff tesiiinnie. We htm been trying to get a regular audit completed for the pant six months We era new in the process of arranging for a special audit to help establish responsibility for the previaue operation and or administrations. We have alrsday bean informed by a HUD officio* that funds ware misappropriated and ineligible expenditures made at the day care center. We have discovered by our own efforts information that I belerve constitutes frond and possibly criminal activity. We have made soma administrative changes already. Some of the members of the Commission have been receiving death threats by phone and it is my feeling that this whole public relations strategy m the papers by tome of the residents is designed to discredit the activities of the current Commission. 7hey have been alleging mismanagement of Public Housing t* Pembroke. I personally agree that than has been gross mismemagrmenL We an then to help make decisions necessary to provide a professional housing administration m our town. Our responsibility was dearly brought to our attention Ify the ilpnagemant Occupancy Review of Pembroke Redevelopment Com mission of February 19-16, 1990. The following wiU illustrate my point: We also would like to bring to your attention that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has as ii?nihr goals the prevention of drug abuse and the prevantiona nd detection of fraude, waste and mismmugament in all its housing ptoytwms. We solicit tie assistance of each board member adn staff person to stringently monitor these arras vith respect to system control* and the protection of agency resource*, particulary the area* relating to budget and fiscal management and equipment and supply inventory. Any instance* of intentional abuse should be reported to the Regional Inspector General for Investigation, Richard B. RusssU, Federal Budding 75 Spring Street & W., Atlanta, GA 30503, or local and state prosecutors. Ws have don* just that We are awaiting the arrival of the Inspector General or his representative to investigate the problem* that we have observed and have documentation concerning. As to the recent news accounts aconceruing alleged unfair evictions, lot me take issue with one written by a Judy Stain on 9-36-90, "Robesonian," entitled: Frankly Speaking. She writes: "f? weary of this chronic 'War on drugs.' because mors often than not, its end results are injustice and more misery than drug* can bring. why can't HUD allow mors money for decent housing, urban renewal and the Uhef With its mmmt, questionable 'War on Drugs'HUD and othe-government agencies aren't doing muck for anyone." Lot me toy that the war on drug* it not canting the misery but drug use and abuse itself is the cause and curse. Ask parents, school officials, court officials, department of social service workers, and officials, prison officials, and law enforcement officials and I submit to you that you woudl get the view that the drug pushers and users are responsible for most of the misery they see. We have had at least two mothers who Uve in public housing complain to us about used drug needles being found behind their houses. They have shown grave concern when children have brought these things to them and ashed 'What ate these.' They were concerned about their ehUn* innocemttyreantractmg itlfW 1*1, WTBITa debate about what our problems ar, but do not blame cihsans' demands for eradication of drugs from their neighborhoods and communities for the problems off people in general I submit to the Tbwn Council that we must send a message to those who are dealing drugs or using drugs m public housing that such activity is unacceptable. Also that "shocking up," not reporting total family income, being a hazard to the health and safety of neighbors, and generally creating a climate of fear and intimidation will not be tolerated and it totally unacceptable behavior for anyone m our communities, be it public housing or otherwise I now ask this Tbwn Conned to endorse this last statement by wayof a vote of support and confidence m the Ihmbrohe Redevelopment Commission members which you have appointed to bring accountability to Ibmhroks Public Housing. May .or Milton Hunt thanked Ma. Oxendine tor her "report" Much discussion followed about the need tor a vote on her last statement Councilman Harry Oxendine. moved to support the last statement After n second. May or Hunt allowed discussion from the audience....At one point Mayor Hunt stated "I might let him (Harry Onendine) make the motion. Following audience input into the discussion time at a motion and second by the council members, councilman Henry W. Onendine stated that he welcomed an investigation into activities in the Hocking Authority and suggested that the investigation bytte proper authorities should settle the questions. The board finally voted unanimously to endorse Ms. Onsodine's last statement Pro Wrestling Returns to Lumberton South Atlantic 1 Vu U resiling return* to the BUI Sapp Recreation Center in Lumberton, NC on Saturday, October 20th. The bell time ia set for 8 p.m. Already signed for this card ia an "Over the top rape battle royal." Ten wrestlers will be in the ring at the ?im time. To be eliminated, a contestant must be thrown ore teh top rope of the ring and to the flooL 11m last man left in the ring will be declared the winner and receive an additions $2000.00 prise. Plus, Robeson County's own War EorgU Chris Ckavu goes after teh South Atlantic Heavyweight Championahig currently held by the Teunsssss Stud Robert AtHer. fa addition, signed as a special referee for this on* match is former U.S. Heaveyweight champion and three times world tag team champion. Am/ Jons*. In a tag team event, the new champions, the Pit Bulldog* make their first Lumberton appearance aien* winning the belts from the Nasty Boys. Their opponents wfll be newcomer Tommy Soabolt and teh veteran Amps Rost The U.S. Malt CurHs Thompson pita his considerable ?kills against the ring wis* Osns ligon and the curtain raiser finds two newcomers to the area in action as Tsx Sslongtr locks up with Rick Wilson. Ticket prices are: general admission $8.00, and kids IS and under are admitted in the general admission for Just $4< Advance tickets are available from Kim brail's Furniture, Lumberton and Southern Interiors, Pembroke. Box office opens at 6 p.m. the day of the matches. To Speak on Drug Abuse South Atlantic Pro Wrattling Star, War Eaglt Chris Ckavit' will ba returning to hit birth place, Robeaon Cunty. on October 20th. Aa a part of the Big Wreading Card acbeduled for the Bill 8app Recreation Center in IjUttbtftOD* Before Chriat dona hi* tight*, however, he will be battling another for the foe in the torn at illiteracy and r dbng abttM. On Friday after, the War Eagle wfll apeak to atudenta at Pureed 8wall High School at 1 p.m. and fonfaroha Middle School at 1:46 p.m. In hi* talk Chria wQl atraea teh importance of atajring aebool (Chavia received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy after high ? aebool), ataying away from druga and not revising to peer praeeure (believing hi yoaraelf). The appearance ia aponaored by the Robeaon County Board at Education and South At] ic IVo Wreading Cummlngs art shov i ART SHOW TO Hi. HELDATPSUPAC r The IVfawlai Arts Canter of Pembroke State University will hoot an art exhibition featuring the woifcof Pembroke artist Daiora Cumin in ga. Delom, wife of Pembroke Town Manager McDnffie Cummingi, ia an art teacher with the PuMic Schools of Robeaon County. Recently aha waa guest artiat for the outdoor drama Strike at the Wind's annual art auction. Her painting entitled "A Never Ending Story" waa auctioned for 110,800. The exhibit wfll be on display from September 27 until October SB. A reception will beheld on Sunday, October 7 from 3 until 6 in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Sat You Read It In THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE Oxendlne announces 6th EMC Term Bradford Oxendine of the Raft Swamp area announces his bid for re-election to the Lumbee River Electric. Membership Corporation Board of Directors. Mr. Oxendine has represented Area 3 for the past 15 yean. The election will be held on Tuesday, October 16, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the PSU Performing Arts Center. Mr. Oxendine, a life long farmer, stated that if re-elected he would continue to be fair and honest. He stated that his fanning interests, in addition to his snqpSfKhcc OL ttagr SHIC board for the past 15 years enables him to continue to provide experienced leadership to the EMC. First Indian To Become Supervisor of Parole Comp1etes Course of Study Tony Hunt was employed by the Department of Corrections- Division of Adult Probation and Parole as the first Indian Supervisor in Robeson County in November, 1989, and he successfully completed his supervieoty training in July, 1990. He is one of three supervisors who supervises probation and parole officer* in Robeson County. Hunt has prepared himself with distinction for hk new job. He is a 1968 graduate of Magnolia High School, s 1980 graduate of F^mbroke State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree, a 1977 graduate of Robeson Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree, and he has completed numerous other eouroea at Robeson Technical College in firearms use and proficiency. Hunt was honorably discharged bom the United Sales Air Force as a staff sergeant on November 3, 1972, after serving a tour of duty in Vietnam. He also has worked as a deputy sheriff with the Robeson County Sheriff a Department and as a Magistrate in Robeson County before being employed in 1984 as an adult probation and parole officer. Hunt is married to Wanda F. Hunt and they are the parents of three children: Brian, age seventeen; Adrian, age thirteen; and Avery, age six. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Hunt Hunt is a "team worker" and believes in "sohdng problems by worfang,.logEilietJialh..nthar pargrla " Ha attributes his promotion to supervisor to nnedia community support for his promotion and his qualiflea tions. ? i The grand opining and ribbon cutting ceremonial for Linda'i Rtetaurant wort kald recently. Lmda't it owned bp Richard and Linda Skeppard and hat now moved into their now location at Colony Plata Shopping Center, Pembroke. Shown left to right during the ribbon cutting are: Imda Sheppard, Richard Sheppard, Rev. dteve Jonet, pastor of Harper'? Firry Baptist who gave the dedication proper, and Mapor of Pembroke, Milton HuseL The Sheppard* promised to continue the tame friendtp service and good food at thep entered their spacious nam restaurant. |Catenae Bragbop photoJ Locals Entertain Protess1ona1 Wrest 1er The residence of William L (Buddy) Jacobs and his wife. Ella Mas Jacobs of the Harper's Ferry area was the scene of a flurry of activity on Friday night, Sept. 14 The main activity centered around a midnight dinner prepared for War Eagle Chavis. the professional wrestler. War Eagie had appeared in Lnmberton as the Main Attraction on tab BUI Sapp Recreation Center Wrestling Car earlier in that evening. Chris is the nephew of Buddy Jacobs, aad is the son of Buddy's sister. Pa tries and her . husband, Stony Chavis. Former world wrestling champion Paul Jones and Other members of the North American Wrestling Association La^us also enjoyed the midnight festivities. Many friends of wrestling in the Robeson County area were there. Also present were the Jacobs' daughters. Roc he He. Anita and Laheshia. Other guests were Chris' sunt, Peggy J. Loddear and his parents, Stony and Patricia Chavis. Enjoying the meal were Dave and Dedra Loddear, Kim Hunt and Corny Lowry, Linda J. Loddear and Danielle Revels. Several of the War Eagle's relatives on the Chavis aide were in attendance at the wrestling match and for the dinner. In all. more than forty friends and supporters of Chris and professional wrestling attended the function. War Eagle la scheduled to return to the Robeson County area as part of a spectacular wrestling card in the near future. Watch the Carolina Indian Voice for details. Get out and support one of our own that is making his mark In the world of professional wrestling as part of South Atlantic Pro Wrestling. Locklear Cited for Construction Firm or trie Year Ltmnie I oeUeer, Jr. of Lonmie EnMHi. M mi ftm (owjrfnwtioti Co.. fcf. of /Vmtirofco, wu gi'ww w OMnl for Construction Firm of tko Year" at ? luncheon kokl nt Don bury FeUrwthip Center in FbyWoiJU n TIm<4^ September tSth. Tkr hmckeon waa tpontored by Ike Rtyettoe&o Minority But men Development Center. Ike event mm part of Minority Enterprise Deimlopment Week