fjTTO CAROLINA INDIAN V OICE
, WiiMS
. P'i fished each Thursday by First, American Publications, Pembroke, MG, ??
l _j j ____1 mmmm itiw i?wk .
VOLUME 22 * % THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 199S WlV ~~?'llkrs
Directing Pembroke's public
housing is a position that
coincides with personal beliefs
Lemur k Harris, Executive Director of Pembroke Housing Authority
by Connee Bray boy
Serving as executive director for
Pembroke Housing Authority is
rew arding as well as challenging When
Lemark Harris began that position two
years ago. the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) had
issued a mandate to the Pembroke
Housing Authority . They had twelve
months to get the public housing in
order, or face a take over by HUD Each
y ear HUD does a Management Rev iew
It is rated with 60 being passing In
1992 Pembroke Housing Authority had
a rating of 53%. The areas of weakness
were listed and the mandate was given.
Since becoming Executiv e Director.
those areas of weakness. The operations
of the Authority have been
computerized and all areas of concern
have been dealt with. In 1994 the
Management Review by HUD rated
Pembroke Housing Authority at 95%
That is quite an accomplishment and
Harris is proud of the progress and
growth of the Housing Authority
Hams moved into the position as
executive director from Pembroke State
University w here he serv ed as a budget
analy st He recalls his years there as a
great learning experience 'Twopeople
provided invaluable assistance to me:
Pauletlc Dial. Director of Accounting,
and Ruby Smith. Grants Officer Both
of these ladies helped me tremendously
Working at PSU was a challenge and I
really enjoyed it "
Why would any one leave the security
of a state position to take on the duties
of directing public housing with a
mandate from HUD'''' It wasa challenge
and I wanted to do w hat 1 could to be
beneficial to the public housing in
Pembroke There is a stigmatism
associated with public housing that
should not be there, and I felt that I
?
could help to eliminate the negative
image of our public housing."
There are five housing projects in
the town of Pembroke Strickland
Heights, the largest with 100 units:
OudTerrace with 44 units which caters
to the elderly and disabled: Chavis
Park has 45 units and Locklear Court
has 27. The offices are located at
Locklear Court Because Strickland
Heights was the largest project, there
were many problems when Harris
became director.
Soon after become director. Harris
implemented a contract with the town
of Pembroke to provide increased police
protection at Strickland Heights.* The
prablww mSlrrVlaiUl Haiphti did am
necessarily come from the residents,
but was a combination of outside traffic
and drug dealing The implementation
of increased policing resulted in the
decrease by 50% of calls to the police
department. Several drug busts were
made and things slowly began to change
in Strickland Heights.
Harris continues to pursue grants to
continue a program for a Youth Center
in the projects The 4-H Club meets
once a week at each site and once a
week the participants meet at the park
for fun and fellowship. The idea is to
change the way our young people feel
about themselves Wc are offering
positive programs for the youth in public
housing and we are happy with the
changing attitudesofouryouth.'' Hams
said. The program is geared to the 6
17 age group ' These kids appreciate
the effort we are making and are
responding in a very positive way "
Harris is looking forward to an even
more effective and innovative program
for the youth in October
Hams is proud of the change in the
reputation and sugmalism associated
with public housing and Strickland
Heights, especially. "Public bousing
was designed to provide adequate
housing for knvnnconx families. There
is nothing wrong with that concept
Every family is entitled to decent,
affordable housing Somewhere along
the way. some people took advantage of
a situation and public housing got a bad
name, it never should have been that
way. We have residents in Pembroke
who are honest and foil of integrity.
The majority of the residents are
upstanding citizens and do not deserve
the reputation that has become
associated with public housing." The
243 units of the Pembroke Housing
Authority house between 700-100
people, that is almost 1/3 of the
population of the town of Pembroke.
"One-third of the population of the
town of Pembroke reside in public I
housing." Harris said.What is wrong1
with that? People ate entitled to decent
affordable housing, and I will continue /
to work diligently to assure they have
that without the stigmatism that has
become associated with it."
While changes have been made in 1
the public housing in Pembroke. There 1
is still much wont to do. i
The Pembroke Housing Authority
is an independent entity in the town of t
Pembroke It is governed by a Board of <
Commissioners who are appointed by J
Mayor Milton Hunt The board of
commissioners set forth policy and <
Harns and his staff cam out the policy, i
"In order for it to work properly, it has t
to be a joint effort between the board of.
commissioners and staff. We have a
working combination and the
commissioners are dedicated to the
integrity of the housing authority,"
cssuss? -J2?v if
Locklear Chairman: Wesley Revels.
Vice-Chairman: Olivia Revels: Dr.
Gerald May nor and Garth Locklear.
The Commissioners serve five year
terms
Harris is a 1984 graduate of West
RobesonHigh School in 1988 he earned
aB.S degreein businessadministration
from Pembroke State University. For a
short penod of lime he was employed
by Edwards and Lewis Accounting in
Lumberton He earned his Master's in
Business Administration from
Campbell University in 1994. Harris is
mamed to the former Billie Jo Hunt
daughter of Ray and Anita Hunt. They
have one daughter. Kelsey who is six
years old
With the vacancy rate averaging 3%
over the past two years, one would
think Harm had accomplished his goals
at Pembroke Housing. Not so. "1 really
enjoy working in the area of public
housing 1 think maybe this is my
calling " And anytime a man's
profession coincides with his beliefs,
there is no way to fail.
Indian
Heritage
Gala plaI
The Triangle Native American
Society will sponaor the Eleventh
Annual Indian Heritage Gala on Auguat
19. 1995 The public ia invited to
attend This event will be held on
Saturday evening at the North Raleigh
Hilton. The Hilton is located oV*'
Interstate 40. Raleigh440Beltline (Exit
Number 10 of the 440 beltline-3415
Wake Forest Road).
The Gala is an opportunity for
American Indians and non-Indians to
come together to support and raise
funds for the Mark Ulmcr Native <
American Scholarship Fund. Each t
year two scholarships are awarded to
American Indian students enrolled in
an undergraduate degree program
leading to a bachelor' s degree from one
ofthe state's colleges and universities.
Individuals. groups. and
organisations wishing to panictpate in
this most important program coo do so
by being a Gala sponsor. Sponsor
levels receive Gala tickets and special
recognition in the Heritage Gala
program. General admission to the
Gala is S25 per person *
The pnmarv goal of the Triangle
Native American Society is |o increase
public awareness of the cultural and
economic contributions made by North
Carolina's Native American citizens
The Society seeks to sensitize the
general public to existing needs of
Native Americans with rmphasit on
education and employment
For more information, contact Owen
Lockkar (919) 779-5936. Darlene
Jacobs or Kerry Bird (919) 733-5991.
or Laos Dial (919) 467-2434
Pboto. print, aad television
opportunities will be available
(Six file for
three seats in
town elections
Six people have file for electon to
the Mayor's position and two seats on
the Pembroke Town Council
Incumbent Mayor Milton Hunt has filed
for re-election Harry Ovendine.
presently serving on the tow n Council,
has filed for the position of Mayor
Incumbent Town Counalmen Larry
McNeill and Greg Cummings have
filed for re-election Also filing for a
seat on the Pembroke Town Council
are Mildred Jacobs and Allen G Dial
Filing for j
I Tribal Council
seats ended
Seven seats on the Lumbcc Tribal
Council will be decided on September
30 Filing for that election ended on
W<. ncsdnv. August 8. with cighl
persons Ming Walter Lowety filed foi
re-election in District I Rhonda
Locklear is seeking re-election ir
District 7. Gary Wayne Locklear hai
filed for rc-cicction in District 10 Emrnt
Lee Locklear is seeking re-election 11
District 13. Terry Smith filed for re
ektion in District 19 Rev Jimmy Hun
has also filed for that seat Rev Eltoi
Hunt chose not to seek re-election ii
District 16. Carvicious Barfield filed u
that District Rev Sam Wynn filed fb
re-election in District 4
?
Pembroke State
University Tuition
and Fees lowest
in UNC system
Pembroke State University has
always had the reputation of having the
lowest tuition of any university in the
University of North Carolina system.
Although the North Carolina
General Assembly raised the tuition at
Pembroke State by approximately 2.2
percent for this upcoming academic
year, it still remains one of the least
expensive of all sixteen universities in
the sy stem
Trie cost of in-state tuition will be
$386 per semester fix Aill-time students.
The cost of out-of-state tuition will be
$3,606 per semester
Student fees at Pembroke State will
increase from $222 per semester to
$276.30. This is an increase of
approximately 2.03 percent
The total cost for a hill-time student
in Fall 1993 will be $662 50 in-state
and S3.M2 50 out-of-state
Parkins fees will be Commuter
Student (day) $20 and (night) $10.
resident $24. faculty/staff 111. (acuity/
staff reserve $43
Pembroke State Unsvcrstfycoonnuet
to offer a high quality education to
students at a low cost
L onnieG. Revels honored ]
on 90th Birthday
A birthday celebration honoring Lonnie Gaston Revels ofPembroke on his t
HRh birthday was held August 5,1995 at 6 p.m. at Pembroke Middle School i
1* was the ton of the late William (BiUy) Revels and Datla Hank* Revets oj ,
iaddletree, Lumberton area. The honoree was bom August 5, 190S.
Family and friends joined in the joyous celebration. The welcome was |
riven by Mrs. GwenLocUear with the invocation byRev. Ramie Revel Dinner i
ems enjoyed during a musical tribute by the tint Baptist Church Trio, <
Pembroke Men's Clonu and the Plainsmen.
A tribute to ninety yean was given by Mr. William Lonnie Revels of \
Greensboro. Reflections and tributes wen also given by Mr. LeviChads, Mrs.
Mable Oxen dine and Mrs. Mary Martin Dene. The children presented a
medal tribute entitled "Daddy's Hands" and Spotted Turtle presented an
Eagle Feather to the honoree.
Other tributes were by the Revets Clan, Mrs.. Mono Bowen and Vickie
Ransom. Musical tributes were presented by Rev. and Mrs. Mike Cmmmings,
Blood Brought and Ms. Teresa Oxendine.
Mr. Bob Winfree offered the benediction.
PiASFR' i for itddititmul ntkotus unti
7S * ry r .
frltUWlfy TTajinSWl; r. r ^
Workshop on services ror
elderly held in Pembroke
The Burnt Swamp Baptist
Asaociauon. along with the N.C
Commission of Indian Af&urs and the 1
Division of Aging sponsored a
workshop on Friday. August 12. at the
Baptist Building in Pembroke The
purpose of the workshop was to inform
interested persons about the \arious
programs and sen-ices available to the i
elderly.
Thirty-nine percent of the American
Indians ages 66-74 live below the
poverty level There are 7,3 98 American
Indians age 60 and over These statistics
make it important for people to know <
what senices are available for the
elderly
Invocation for the workshop was b> '
Rev Stev e Locklear The welcome was
given by Greg Richardson, executive
director of the NC Commission of
Indian Affairs
Participants included: Darlcne
Jacobs. Director of the Community
Serv ices Program for the Commission;
Shirley Locklear. with the Low Income
Energy Assistance Program of LRDA.
Andy Hunt of Section 8 Housing in
Robeson County. Marilyn Harris: Food
Sump Division of Robeson County:
Madic Rae Locklear. Center Superv isor
for Four County Community Services,
and Diantha Parncll. Income
Maintenance Supervisor. Medical
Assistance Section of the Department
of Social Serv ices and others
>rtg Rickardton, Executive
ctor, NC Commission of I-dixit
in.
^ MmrUym HmrrU. Stamp
Madia Rot LockUar, Ctmltr
Supervisor, Four County t ommuuity
Strvu.es, Inc.
Am4y Hunt. SucHun 9 Homing,
!U9*?u Caunty
*ubllc Hearing
Manned on
status of Office of
ndian Education
Re Suius of the Office of Indian
'ihintrii
An Indian Education Issues
onim uill be held on Monday
lugust 14. 1995 from 10 a.ni to S
i.m A panel of presenters from
croa the stale will discuss the current
talus of Indian education in North
Carolina A public hearing will be
leld on Tuesday. August 13. 1993
rom9a.ni. to6p.m.. to gather public
nformation and testimony for
submission to Congress The location
s at the North Carolina Department
if Public Instruction. Auditorium #
130. 401 N. Wilmington Street,
laleigh. N.C. 27601 NACIE is
equesung testimony, either whiten
k oral, concerning the current effort
o eliminate the Office of Indian
Education in Washington. DC
Purpoee: NACIE in collaboration
*ith the North Carolina Commission
>f Indian Affairs and the Slate
Advisory Council on Indian
Education, is holding a regional
tearing to gather testimony and oral
XMtuneni from the people interested
in the education of Indian children
ind adults Specifically, programs
iuthoneed by the Indian Education
Act are targeted for elimination in
FY 1996 by the U S Congress. The
Indian Education Act has been in
existence since 1972. and in 1994
misted 410.000 Indian children
mending public schools throughout
the U.S. An additional 20.000
students and adults were served
through adult education. Indian
fellowship and teacher training,
educational service grants, and gifted
and tale rued education programs The
Indian Education Act was enacted to
enhance parental guidance for the
education of Indian children
attending public schools p"* to help
revotbe venra af?neflei t and
termination efforts by the Federal
Government. Meet treaties signed
between Indian people and the U S
Government contained provisions for
education in one form or another
NACIE has. and will always, consider
the sov ereign nation status of Indian
people as the basis for continued
educational support This status
results from past treaty obligations.
Executive Orders, statutes, course of
dealings, and in honor of the Federal
Government's legal and moral
obligations to American Indiana and
Alaska Natives
NACIE requests the following
information be included when
submitting written testimony. I)
Name. Tribal Affiliation (if any).
Address. Phone Number, and fob
Title. 2) Statement of no more than
three pagei in length. Written
testimony should be mailed to: The
North Carolina Commission of Indian
Affairs. 217 W fortes Street Raleigh.
N.C. 2760.4 Oral presenters should
sign in and keep remarks to Ave
minutes For more information
contact NAClE's North Carolina
contact person is Agnes Chaus.
Member NACIE (910) 749-4226.
The North Carolina Commission of
Indian Affairs. Greg Richardson
Executive Director. (9|9) 744-599*
North Carolina Department ofPubltc
Instruction. Olivia Ovcndinc
education Consultant (919) 71A
1745 RSVP North Carolina
Commission of Indian Affairs (9|9)
744-599*
? Ll
Dial family
reunion set
Dial Family Reunion
Saturdav August 12. IW5 at 4 p m
at Hopcucll Church Descendant* of
George and Mary Dial, parcntsof Sarah
Dial, mother of John Dial Bring a
covered dish For * additional
information call (VIO) 73V-1466
Locklear
family
reunion
planned
1.0*a Swamp/Proiput-1 he
(kwciiiLimiofZackanaJiandMaiilda
Locklear. alio (he descendants of
Preston and Emmaitne Locklear will
uiihfr fof their iinmtil reunion on
Saturday. August 12th at Preston
Gospel Chapel Pteaae bring covered
dtah to be served at noon
For Airhtcr in formation call vitv
75(M?3I
1 ? II
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