THE WtOUNA INDIAN VOICE
Pubfr .. I ich Thursday by First American Publications, Pembroke, NC
^VOLUME 23 NUMBER^ ^MA Y 16, 1996 TWENTY-FIVE CENTS
y ' *j A front Page Editorial *iY ** T
Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend
Challenged by Mike Mclntvre
It was hardly a surprise, bul Mike Mclntyrc made il officio! Monday
when he called fora runoff against Rose Marie Lowrv -Townsend in spite
of the fact that she beat him by more than 5.000 votes on May 7 in the
Democratic Primary for the right to replace Rep Charlie Rose in the 7th
District Congressional race. There were other surprises though, and
Lowry -Townsend supporters were quick to point theni out
One surprise is the fact that Mike Mclntyrc has decided the only way
to beat Lowry-Townscnd is to throw a little dirt here and there The
Lumbcrton attorney was quick to criticize Lowry-Townscnd by say ing
"Will the people of this district support a candidate who has been living
in Raleigh or someone who has been dow n here in the district making a
difference?" Lowry-Tow nscnd. a Lumbce Indian from Pembroke, had
to smile gently to herself about that one After all. she is the daughter
of Pembroke's Rev Wcllon Low rv. a retired teacher and Baptist preacher
who paslorcd West End Baptist Church in West Lumbcrton for more than
thirty years L.ocal Indians chidcd Mclntyrc for his approach Alter all
someone mused at Town and Country. a Pembroke Restaurant. "I'll bet
you the Lowry name has been in Robeson County at least as long as the
moniker 'Mclntyrc'" The truth oflhc matter is that Lowry-Townscnd
is still on a leave of absence from the Public Schools of Robeson County
while she leads the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE)
Low ry -Tow nsend w as the principal of Union Elementary when she w on
the post to lead the slate-wide association of educators Lx>wryTownsend
has her roots deep in Robeson County Mclntyrc would be
politically foolish, in our editorial opinion, to belabor the point of her
living in Raleigh the last few years.
Mclntyrc also negativelycried out. "Will they (the voters in the 7lh
Congressional District) support a candidate who raised more than 70%
ofher money from 48 other states, including Alaska and Hawaii'''' Come
on now, Brother Mclntyre, where do you stand on the issues? Voters
here at home applaud Lowry-Townscnd forbcing an effective campaigner,
and for her ability to raise the funds needed to run a w inning campaign.
After all. the question should be. was the money raised legally? Of course
it was. Another question might c\cn be where docs Mclntyre's money
come from-' Both campaigns have to public!) tell who is financiallysupporting
them Will Mclntyrc be damned for accepting money from
Lumbcrton's business community forlnslancc? Of course not! It's hard
for us to believe that the working men and women inside the 7th
Congressional District arc going to damn hard working people outside
thcdistricl for.financially supporting Low ry-Townsend. Mclntyrc. as we
see it. won't get far with the political trick of tarring and feathering those
who work for an honest living, especially NCAE members across the
district and beyond It is encouraging that people outside the district
recognize Lowrv-Townsend as the probably winner on June 4
RO BESOM AN ONCE AGAIN SHOWS ITS
TRUE COLOR...
Not surprising is the fact that Ute Robesoniun the so-called county
daily newspaper, is showing its true color in the way it is covering I he two
candidates. Mclntyrc. on Monday was showcased again on the front
page of the Robesoniun as he called for a runolT against Rose Marie
Low ry-Townsend It is already the second time Mclntyrc has made the
front page of the daily (sic) newspaper hie was inliving color on the front
page the day after the May 7 primary. in spite of the-fitcl that Mchntrnr~
finished second to Low ry-Townsend in the 7th Congressional race
Lowry-Townsend's picture finally appeared on the front page or the
Robesoniun Tucsday a week after leading Mclnly re by more than 5.0(H)
votes in last Tuesday "s Democratic primary We imagine she'll probably
make the front page of the Robesoniun again, after this editorial
chastisement appears it\theCurolinu Indian Voice. It will be interesting
to see if the Robesoniun will have the editorial guts to endorse Mclntyrc
outright rather that do it unofficially as they arc now doing Low ryTow
nsend has mostly ignored the Robesoniun in her campaign. That's
probably a good strategy. although it would be nice if the so-called daily
truly represented all the people in the county and treated both candidates
fairly and above-board
Some of Lowry-Tow nscnds supporters were also amused lo find that
Brant Clifton, the Republican staff writer of the Robesonian. was
assigned to the story of Mclnty re's call for a runolf Watch that one
Clifton is the master of the political dig. the classical, political writer who
seemingly invents when the story IS not forthcoming It is hard for
Clifton to disguise who he is supporting when he co\crs political events
like Mclnlyrc's call for a runoff against Lowry-Townsend Who else
would refer lo a run-off for a scat in the United States House of
Representatives as " A Robeson Rumble" That's what Clifton did when
announcing Mclnlyrc's decision to call for a run-off Even the
Robesonian editors, or some one canic back the next day^and stated in
the "Correction and Amplification" that Mclnty redid not refer Urthc race
as a "Robeson Rumble. "Well, if Mike didn't that only leaves Brant. That
isjusl the kind of reporting (sic) wc'vecomeloexpcct from Brant Clifton. * .
Aftcrall.hcwasparticularlvvindictivcand mean-spirited intheSherifT s
race when Glenn Maynor beat Republican James Sanderson in V... * ?.
November of l*)94. Indians recall that campaign well It is our opinion
that at that time, the Robesonian and its staff reiterated and emphasized
their true feelings about Indians. Obviously, they do not like us. And their - _
rcasons.inouropinion.fordisliking us. is because of the color of our skin
That scents so silly and petty to us. Of course, we believe they would like
it better if we were not so proud of being Indian. But our Shcriffhas said
it well. "1 am Indian by the Grace of God." Yes. we arc proud!! And. yes.
we will suppporl the Indian candidate. Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend
We challenge the Robesonian to be honest and announce who their
candidate is History has proven that they have never endorsed an Indian
or a Black candidate. It will be interesting to see if Brant Clifton takes any
pot shots against Lowry-Townsend as the runoff nears. It will be
interesting, but it certainly will not surprise the Indians who .just for the
record, make up the majority population in Robeson. Keep reading and
telt all your friends and neighbors. June 4 is the day we elect the first I !
female Native American Democratic nominee for the Seventh |
Congressional District!. Remember! Only in Robeson!!
Sutton re-elected for
House of Reprsentatives
Incumbent Ronnie Sutton.
Representative for District 85. easily
o\ crcame a challenge by Harold G
Dial or Pembroke to retain his seal
in the North Carolina House of
Reprcscnatives on Tuesday Rep
Sutton isa member of the Pembroke
Law Firm. Locklcar. Jacobs. Sutton
and Hunt. There is no Republican
opposition is this Rice
Sutton stated that he was thankful
for the trust that the voters of the
X5ih district ban placed in him by
re-electing h<m and pledged to
continue to provide effective
leadership to the district and the
state of North Carolina
e? - "
Bells observe 40th
wedding anniversary
James F. (Buddy) Hell and Sarah Hell of Pembroke, NC celebrated
their 40th wedding anniversary with a dinner at the Barn in Southern
Pines, NCon May 5, 1996. Attending the dinner were their three sons
and their spouses: Attorney dreg Bell and wife Bonita; Dr. Joey Bell
and wife, V'icki; Dr. Ronny Bell and wife Natalie.
v ;_T~
Observes 95th birthday
Eunice Sampson of Pembroke, NC celebrated her birthday on April
29, 1996 at l.inda's Restaurant mth family and friends. Ms. Sampson
is the wife of the late Stanley Sampson and mother of Sarah S. Hell
and James W. Sampson, all of Pembroke, NC. Ms Sampson is the
grandmother of Attorney dreg Hell, Dr. Joey Hell, Dr. Ronny Hell and
Miss Kristy Sampson and the great grandmother of seven, Jamie,
Ashleigh, Tori, Issue, Stephen, Henjamin and Johnaton Hell. Shown
in the photo is Ms. Sampson with her birthday cake. (Photo by dreg
Hell)
Rep. Cummings' legislative voice
and hands gets swift, head start
Ar*
With the May 13! 1996
convening of the NC House "Short
Session" and the expected June 21..
19% adjournment (six weeks), the
Honorable Frances MoArthur
Cummings has wasted no time
moving forward with a strong
advocacy for Robeson. Hoke and
Scotland Counties-District H7
' State Representatives Cummings
sponsored and
introduced the first two House Bills
*V in the 1996 Short Session which
began at noon May 1.1th in
addition, she has gained approval
of fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars
for a Robeson County initiative
Rep Cummings: first House Bill
(1071) appropriates the sum of six
million dollars ($6,000,000) for the
1996-97 fiscal year for the
completion n of the Southeastern
Farmers' Market and F.qucstrian/
Agricultural Center facility in
Robeson County Rep Cummings
said "I believe in Economic
Development and diversity in the
market place, therefore. I had to
follow-through with the project for
which I wrote the proposal in 1991"
Agriculture Vice Chairperson
Frank Mitchell and Speaker Harold
tBrubakcr have given their support
to see that the funding is allocated
in the 1996 budget, making the
funds available July I 19*16
Cummings said.
Rep Cummings' second HB
1072 Changes the name of Pembroke
State.University to the University
of North Carolina at Pembroke
Rep Cummings said. "I was proud
tobri ng this issue to the floor during
the Short Session and I expect
ratification of the House [till within
the next few days." This action is a
direct result of Rep Cumriiings
being a member of the Joint
Legislative Education Oversight
Committee which passed her
motion to approve her House Bill
recommending the name change ;
according to Cummings Rep
Cununingssoid. "It isagood feeling
lobe able losuppori an initiative for
such an outstanding University as
Pembroke Stale and to do what I
can to bci. sure the University is
readily rccogm/cd as part of the
Unixcrsitx System." I hn\cnl\\a\s
been a tnie advocate for Pembroke
State University Rep Cummings
said
Rep Cummings has also gained
.approval of fifty thousand dollars
(S50.000) for the N( Cancer
institute. Iik' located in I umbcrlon.
Robeson County of which five
thousand ($3,000) xx ill be presented
ncM week These funds w ill be used
by the Cancer Institute to enhance
the skilled nursing care and planned
new facilities Rep Cummingssaid.
"I am humbled b\ the opportunity
to help the elderly, the
disads ant aged, and those who need
the best in nursing and medical
care.1*
Slttle Reprcscntalw c Cummings
is working on a Regional Concept
with the Children's Developmental
Center of Racford-Hokc County in
nnclTorl to acquire funding for new
facilities
Rep Cuniflnings said "The
people and I can do more. w"",i""
together, for Our counties than'any
one indiv idual. I believethe majority
of people accept and admire inc as
a Stale Representative who keeps
aw thoughts in active motion for
progressive prospcril) for Al L
people "
Rep Cummings also said.
"Robeson Hoke and Scotland
counties deserve a progressive
future and I hn\c always been a
successful legislator since I'I'D
having gained millions of dollars
for our District I have the 'kc\ to
Progress' which opens doors of
opportunities for Al I people My
desire is that our counties get their
fair share of the revenue pic We arc
no longer (lie 'forgotten' 'takenfor-granted'
'abandoned counties"
Stale Representative Cunimings
is expected to file three additional
local House Bills next week?one
at the request of Mayor Robert B
Midgctleof Maxlon. and two at the
request of Mayor Raymond B
Pennington of Lumbcrton.
Prospect United Methodist Church will be the site for a Cospel Sing
on Sunday, May 19, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. Prospect UMC is located on
Route 3, Maxton- across the road from Prospect School.
The sing will feature the Skyhte Boys Quartet of McColl, South
Carolina. The Sky lite Boys, known across the Carolines, nill minister
to us as they present the Cospel message in a bubbling, evangelistic
style. I.ocal church groups and visitors will participate in this evening
of good gospel music.
You are invited and you do not wunt to miss this gospel music
concert.
m
Gregory Cummmgs namea
new Industrial Development j
Director for the County
Robeson County Manager. Mr
Willie A Best, announced today
thill Mr Gregory C Cunnnings
has been selected as Robeson
County's ticiv Industrial
Development Director
The recruitment Tor the Robeson
County Industrial Director began
approximately three to four months
ago The County received
approximately twenty-six (26)
applications Tor the position The
group was narrowed to five (5)
candidates and finally to two
candidates Aficr evaluating both
or the final candidates. Mr Best
has selected Mr Gregory C
Cumnhngs as Robeson County's
new Industrial Development
Director
Mr V UmiltlllgS orings mvnn
(20) years of experience working
with industry in the four county
area and thirteen years experience
in Industrial and Private Business
Developments Mr Cunimiligshns
a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Pembroke Slate University in
addition to course work in Basic
Economic Development from the
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill He brings his
knowledge and experience in
addition to his people skills which
will collectively prove to be a great
asset to the County
Cuntmings. a member of the
Pembroke Town Council and
prominent businessman, is
scheduled tpbcginhiscmploymcnt
with the county on June 10.1*)%