' TF CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
v
ished each Thursday by First American Publications, Pembroke, NC
VOLUM^24 ' _ THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4,1997 TWENTY-FIVE CENTS
Re lon'Sutton announces for re-election
to I Ho use of Representatives-District 85
Rep. Ron Sutton has announced
his candidacy for a fourth term in the
North Carolina House of Representatives.
A Pembroke attorney in private
practice at 2028 Union Chapel Road.
Sutton said, "I am one of only sixteen^
attorneys in the N.C. House. The number
of attorneys in the House has declined
significantly in recent years
due to the amount of time required to
serve in Raleigh." v,
Sutton continued. "As 1 began my
third term inthc North Carolina House
of Representatives, I was fortunate to
receive all the specific commityfc assignments
requested. This is unusual,
especially for me a Democrat and a
member of the minority party as the
House is led now by Republicans by a
slight 61/59 majority .
"I am extremely proud of the many
bills and provisions 1 sponsored this
past session to benefit District 85. One
major accomplishment was my bill to
extend the life of the North Carolina
Indian Cultural Center. Without an
extension of time to raise additional
funds, the Indian Cultural Center
would have gone out of existence in
May 1997. My bill not only gave them
four additional years, it caused the
entire Board to be reorganized aud
placed the Board under the oversight
of the North Carolina Commission of
Indian Affairs. The new Indian Cultural
Center Board is to be sworn in on,
December l^feln Raleigh.
"Another of my statewide bills became
law on December 1st. IT is the
Speeding to Elude Law . This bill significantly
strengthens the penalties
for attempting to speed arid elude a
law enforcement officials in the performance
of their dulv. Now the officcr
cttfbrcak off the cfiasc once he c<1h
identity the vehicle! In addition, there
arecightaggrawating factors that when
violated can cause the charge to be a
felony with a loss of drivers license up
to three years. Similar bills have been
filed for the past several years without
success. My bill makes N.C. one of the
toughest states on eluding drivers. It is
expected to save many lives each year.
"When the Senate Budget had provisions
for 6 million dollars for a
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Dormitory and one million for
the Southeastern Farmers Market and
Agricultural Center. I fought diligently
to cause the House leadership to keep
them in the final budget. This was a
combined effort of the entire delegation
and as the senior member of the
delegation 1 worked exhaustively to
coordinate our efforts.
"One of the most significant bills
passed this past session was the Excel
fcnl Schools Act. This Act. with bipartisan
support, significantly raises the
salary of teachers, raises student performance
standards, raises the standards
for prospective teachers entering
the profession, and places.more
accountability at the school and indi^
vidual levels
"Another important accomplishment
is the stronger DW I law. It
signi ficantly toughens sentencing and
allows the stale to lake and "sell the
"vehicles of repeat offenders, with the
proceeds going to the public schools.
The purpose of- this law is to "gel
tough" w ith repeat drunk driv ers who
continue to drive when their license is
suspended or revoked for a prior DW1
offense. While I supported the final
DWI Bill I'woikcddiligcntly to modify
the vehicle confiscation provision in
committee. Although I could not get
them totally eliminated, 1 was able to
let them softened somewhat with previsions
that allowccrtain owners other
titan the charged driver to keep their
vehicles.
"1 chaired a?Judiciary.lI Sub-Committee
rewriting the dog fighting laws
of this state. It is now a felony and
penalties arc tougher and more easily
enforced. Another bill I handled in
committee and on the House floor was
one making individuals civilly liable
for their rescue costs when they willfully
ignore proper authorities asking
them to leave certain potential disaster
areas and later arc rescued at government
expense. This should reduce
taxpayer expenses rescuing people that
cause their own dilemmas.
"In addition to the above bills. I was
involved in several others that had an
impact on the cili/cns in District 85.
"One bill allowed the,North Caro
lina Indian Cultural Center access to
$1000,000.00 for operating expenses. I
This was unrelated to my prior bill i
extending the lire of the center.
"A second bill eliminated the posi-';
non of the Robeson County Coroner
The spunty commissioners had not
filled this vacant position and asked
that it be eliminated to conform with <
most other counties in the state.
Another of my bills requires all !
statewide district attorneys to give a ,
written notice of dismissals when the '
defendant and/or their attorney arc
not in court. This prevents instances
of individuals remaining in jail at
taxpayers expense after charges
against them have been dismissed.
"I was the chief sponsor of a Resolution
honoring the life of the late
former Representative. Dr. Adolph L
Dial. His family and friends were in
vitcd lo be present in the House Chamber
during the presentation honoring
his lifcand service to society. All other
local delegation members joined in
co-sponsoring and speaking on the
Resolution.
"Another important responsibility
I had was serving on the Congressional
Redisricting Committee. We
re-drew the 12 Congressional Districts
and I was able to keep Robeson.
Hoke and Scotland Counties basically
in the same posture as before redisricting.
"I am working with various Hoke
County individuals and groups on efforts
to consider the merits of developing
Hoke County Commissioner Districts.
This is a matter that the entire
delegation will be considering in the
near future.
"I directed vigorous attention to the
amount ofhighway construction. highway
maintenance and ground highway
safely improvements ongoing in
the District. I have led the fight for
stoplights, improved road shoulder
and road construction.
"The much needed turn lanes and
stop light improvements *ftt, the NC
710/SR 1339 West of PcmbYoltC ifr"
Workshops Planned
to Trainer Tutors
The Robeson County Church and
Community Center offers (at no
charge) a two session workshop to
ram volunteer tutors. These certified
prc?,rcd 10 lulor school
children in reading at the Countv elementary
schools. The workshops arc
P?i . ?"cor,,lc resource rooms in (he
Planetarium or the Public Schools of
Robeson -County . For more information
and to register for the workshop
crs) it 521P?yifrunn,n?h<,m Orainrv?
? L2 or ,h<? Robeson
S?m riK-5204and C?mmunil> Ccn"
Pembroke Fire
Dept. to host fund
raising event
n,Jthc Pembroke City Fire DepartS
Ik ,S v,ng a special fund drive
for t he next several weeks in cooperation
with Community Support Services
Families will be contacted b\
FnrhV i8St0 makc a P'edge
SitdifuNOvn ^),cdgcs rcccivcs a
beautiful 10x13 Canvas Mount Portra.tcomplimcntsofthcFirc
Department
ProcccdsarcbcinguscdtocquiD
a first response vehicle ForanvSddf
v? T!! 0n ca" 1-800-25326IX
They appreciate your past supMs
year forward to your help
Gospel film available
for local churches
The film "The Shroud" is available
(o be shown at your church by
request Also available on the 16mm
film is Daniel in the Lion's Den."
For further information call 5218928
soon forth coming Construction has
begun on the intersection after the
contract was awarded a month ago A
much needed new tight was installed
in Lumber Bridge, another near Prospect
School and at other locations
hrough the District
"The fiv e laning of Prospect Road
front NC 711 to Eureka Road near St.
Annah Church is a product of my
iniativc This will be a tremendous
safety factorjiear the university as sell
as enhances the looks of the university
and surrounding area
"My membership on the Appropriations
Committee.. Cub-Committee
on Transportation allows me to
keep constant contact with Department
of Transportation officials. In
addition my personal and professional
relationship w ith the tw o DOT Board
Members serving this region is also a
factor in getting things done for this
District.
"Presently, ion between sessions. I
am a member of the Juvenile Code
Sub-Committee of the Governor's Juvenile
Task Force as we rewrite the
juvenile laws of this state. In addition
I am working with Wilton Wilkcrson
and the other members of our Litter
Task Force in Robeson County to
improve our litter situation. This is a
group I formed to address the far
reaching problems of litter in Robeson
County.
"There arc several things that still
need to be addressed. Locally w e need
more funding for the Farmers Market
and Agricultural Center. The University
of North Carolina at Pembroke
needs funds for the Economic Development
Center Building on campus.
The new North Carolina Indian Cultural
Center Board will need assistance
as they move forward towards
construction at the cultural center.
We need to get additional industry
paying decent wages to replace and
add to those that arc leaving or reducing
employees We need to continue
funding our public schools, improve
teaching salaries, and explore more
alternative learning opportunities for
our students
"Although certain crimes are on
the decline, we need more state troopers
as the number of drivers and vehicles
on the roads are increasing significantly
each year. We need to explore
more effective andefficicnt ways
for the state to assist local law enforcement
with the drug problem in our
state.
"Another key area that must be
addressed is that of the hog farmers
and our environment. We are working
diligently to resolve this issue in a
manner acceptable to the farmers and
the local citizens. Water pollution and
especially the waters of our rivers
must be addressed immediately. Safe
drinking water is critical and we cannot
allow ourselves to get behind on
this issue.
"1 have enjoyed serv ing District 85
for the past two terms and I'm looking
forward to continuing to represent you
in the future. 1 thank you, the voters,
for your past faith in me and reiterate
my vow to always represent all mu
district to the best of my ability.
"My District 85 local otfi.ee is located
inmy lawofficeonUnion Chapel
Road in Pembroke. 1 stand ready to
assist you in any in any way 1 can. 1
invite you to either call my district
office at ( 910) 521- 4797 or visit my
district office between the hours of
8:30 a m -4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
at 208 Union Chapel Road in Pembroke
should you need or desire my
assistance
" Bctw ecu sessions I w ill be traveling
extensively throughout District 85
in Robeson and Hoke Counties. I
solicit your support as I begin my
campaign for a fourth term. Ifl can be
of assistance do not hesitate to call on
me".
Lumbee River EMC returns $1.5 Million
to membetrs on December electric bills
Amounts to Individual savings of$25.00per 1000 Kilowatt Hours (kWh)
, Red SprUtgs-Lumbee River EMC's
board of directors has approved returning
approximately $1.5 million in
credits to members on their December
electric bills. The credits will be reflected
on individual electric bills, and
will amount to $25.00 per 1000 k Wh
(kilowatt-hour) usage. The amount of
savings will vary depending on how
much electricity the member uses during
the billing cycle.
"The good news is partly the result
of a relatively mild winter so far, but
some of the savings can be credited to
the efficiency of the employees and the
cost-cutting efforts of the board of
directors and staff," said Ronnie E.
Hunt, the co-op's steady growth was
also cited as one of the positive factors
resulting in the return of the SI.5 million
in savings to the members.
The general manager said in closing,
"Returning these savings to the
members in the form of credits, rather
than paying dividends to stockholders,
is just one more way co-ops distinguish
themselves from large, for profit
utilities. I am happy that your co-op
was able to return these savings to the
members during this holiday season."
Lubee River EMC is a member
owned, not-for-profit electric
coopearative, overseen by a board of
directors elected by the members,
serving approximately 39,000 customers
In Robeson, Cumberland,
Hoke and Scotland counties.
Tribal Council wants LRDA
investigated because of Audit Report
The Tribal Council for the Lumbee
Tribe of Cheraw Indians has released
the following news release relative to
the June 30, 1996 Audit Report for
Lumbee Regional Development Association
(LRDA).
"We, at the Lumbee T ribal Government
are deeply concerned that federal
funds to provide jobs and job training
opportunities for Lumbee people have
been diverted to other purposes. According
to the recent LRDA audit report,
approximately $70,000 of Job
TrainingPartnership Act (JTPA) f .nds
for one year were diverted to LRDA
Administration, rather than into jobs
and job training for Lumbee people as
intended by the federal grant.
The LRDA audit states that the actual
amount of federal JTPA dollars
that may have been spent in nonauthorized
JTPA activity for 1995-96
as "indeterminable," Moreoever,
LRDA auditors report that their findings
are a "repeat finding" from the
previous year, indicating to us, at the
Tribal Government, that the spending
offederal funds in non:authorized federal
activity is a reoccuring problem
at LRDA.;
"Overtheyears LRDA has received
approximately $100 million in federal
Sants to provide needed services to
e Lumbee people. At the point, we
have no certain knowledge of just how
much of this money may have been
diverted to "unallowable" LRDA activity.
"We do know, however, that in he
past few years LRDA has experienced
serious financial problems. It is evident
from the audit report that LRDA,
a non profit corporation, is managing a
high long term debt, secured by land,
equipment and at least one vehicle. In
addition, LRDA is involved in bankruptcy
proceedings with Lumbee Industries,
a for-profit corporation owned
by LRDA. with the period of time
covered by the audit report, the audit
report notes that LRDA paid out to
Lumbee Industries approximately
$69,000 and, four months later, wrote
the $69,000 off as a *bad debt' on the
LRDA financial statement.
"The Lumbee people are fortunate
that the news of this audit got out.
Otherwise the Lumbee people would
never know what LRDA does or doesn't
do in the name of the Lumbee people,'
said Dr. Dalton P,. Brooks, Chairman
of the Lumbee Tribe. "This whole incident
just proves the need for the
Lumbee Tribal government to be administering
these funds,' said Brooks.
"When I served on the Constitution
Assembly, we responded to the people's
demand for a government tnat was
accountable to them. LRDA, on the
other hand, is accountable to no one
except its board of directors said
Council member Linda Hammonds.
'Because these funds were granted and
administered in the name of the Lumbee
people, LRDA owes the Lumbee
people a fulhexplanation.
"We believe the LRDA, we responded
to the people's demand for as
government that was accountable to
them. LRDA on the other hand, is
accountable to no one except it's board
of directors, "said Council member
Linda Hammonds. " Because these
funds were granted and administered
in the name of the Lumbee people,
LRDA owes the Lumbee people a full
explanation.
"We believe the LRDA audit report
mandates public scrunity.
"We believe the Lumbee people are
entitled to a full disclosure of the facts
and that the best way for this to happen
is through a federal investigative audit.
For these reasons, The Lumbee Tribal
government will call upon the appropriate
authorities for a full investigation
into LRDA's management of federal
funds."
Mr. Delton Oxendine, Speaker
Lumbee Tribal Council
Dr. Joesph Bell addresses AISAES Conference
Dr. Joseph T. Bell, Lumbee from
Pembroke, North Carolina spoke at
the Annual Indian Sciepce and Engineering
Society Conference at Houston,
Texas, on November 22, 1997.
Dr. Bell was on a panel with other
Indian physicians which included Kelly
Mdore, M.D. ( Creek); Ben Muneta,
M.D. (Cfeek), Ben Muneta' M.D. (
Navajo); and Walt Hollow, M.D. (
Assinoboine/ Sioux). The panel talked
about opportunities in .health careers
for Native Americans and also about
diabetes in Indian country. The Conference/Workshop
was attended by
approximately 70 students ranging
from high school to college and medical
students.
Also attending the Annual Confer
ence were high school students trom
AISES chapters in Robeson County,
the University of North Carolina at
Pembroke AISES chapter the North
Carolina Chapel Hill AISE Chapter.
Native American medical students attending
the Conference from North
Carolina included Christina Hardin,
Janet Harris, Tina Griffin ( Lumbee),
and Andrew Haputo (Cherokee).
For Native American students inI
terestcd in science, engineering, or
health professions, AlSES is a wonderful
program to get involves with on
a high school, college, or professional
level. If there are any questions concerning
AlSES, please contact your
high school or college counselor.
Next year's Annual Conference for
AlSES will be in Denver, Colorado,
the first week in December.
Harvey Godwin, center, contributes to UNC Pembroke scholarship programs.
Pictured are Chancellor Joseph B. Oxendlne and Mrs. Denlce Page
Chair of the UNCP Foundation Inc. board of Directors.
Godwin contributes to UNCP
scholarship programs
PEMBROKE? Harvey Godwin knows how to give thanks during the
holiday season.
The president of West Eagle Job-Net. whose son is a third generation student .
at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, recently contributed to three
projects at the University. Beneficiaries of Mr. Godwin's second S1,000 in two
years to the UNCP Foundation, Inc. are the UNCP Music Society, the Native
American Resource Center and the Julian T. Pierce Endowed Memorial
Scholarship.
" My family and I owe a lot to this institution" said Mr. Godwin, a 1990
UNCP graduate and a Chancellor's Club member. " My mother is a retired
school teacher, and without this school, she would have never had the
opportunity."
UNCP Chancellor Joseph B. Oxendine thanked Mr. Godwin for the gift.
" The Godwin family's long association with the University is something for
all of us to celebrate," Chancellor Oxendine said." And we thank Mr. Godwin
for remembering us with contributions to three important programs."
"Rock 'n roll is not one of the Music Department's courses, but they have
encouraged Cody by giving him a lot of positive feedback," Mr. Godwin said.
" I believe that gifts to the Music Society are a good investment".
Mr. Godwin said the Julian T. Pierce Scholarship, which he has been
associated with from it's inception, is a growing endowment at UNCP. Two
scholarships to UNCP students were granted this year from the endowment."
We're very proud of the community effort behind the Pierce Scholarship," he
said. This is a proud day for mc to give back something to the University that
means so mucn to me."
Mr. Godwin's selection of the Native American Resource Center is also
rooted in the family history. The center has recently made available recordings
of the Lumbec tribal elders including an interview with John Godwin. Mr.
Godwin's grandfather.
" The family was very excited when we heard about this project," he said.
" We have made an appointment to hear the recordings over the holidays."
Harvey Godwin has found a lot to give thanks for. and UNC Pembroke is
a better place because of his generosity.
Well, known for his role of Henry Berry Lowcrie in the outdoor drama "
Strike at the Wind!" Mr. Godwin is the president of the thriving employment
agency. West Eagle Job-Net, which has six offices in North Carolina. His son
Cody, is a music major and a member of the popular rock band Stone Feather.