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Editorially Speaking Pembroke's Councilmen Diaiand Cummings Need to Avoid the Appearance of Impropriety on Annexation Issue Monday night the Pembroke Town Council heard a request from developer Archie Lowry to annex property into the town's limits. Theproperty consisting of approximately 65-70 acres located on Deep Branch Road would be used to build a residential subdivision, a car wash, laundromat and convenience storeOn firstglanceonewouldthinkatown.especially a smalltown like Pembroke, would welcome such a proposal by a legitimate businessman like Mr. Lowry. This would seem to be a wonderful opportunity for economic growth for the town of Pembroke. Nevertheless, the Council voted 3-1 to reject Mr. Lowry s request. The Council voiced concerns that the town does not have enough resources (i.e.. fire protection, police protection, etc.) to handle the proposal. It seems fourteen full-time and one part-time policemen, in addition to a fulltime Fire Marshall, is not sufficient. But we will not address that issue at this time. However, we would like to note the vote of Councilman Gregory Cummings who voted to reject the proposal. Yes. this is the same Gregorv Cummings who is employed by the County as the" Robeson County Economic Development Director" and was recently awarded the Spirit of Unity Award. He is also the owner of a car wash and laundromat located in the town limits of Pembroke. Could this possibly be the reason for the vote to reject the proposal or is he only concerned about economic development in all places of Robeson Count) except the I own of Pembroke ' In addition to this businessman who serves on the Council, there is Councilman \llen (i Dial. owner of a restaurant, convenience store and laundromat also located in the town's limits. Could this possiMv be the reason lot his vcv: to reject the proposal l.ditoriallv speaking. C ouncilmen Dial and Camt'vngs need to avoid the appearance of impropretv \nd '..arrv McNc .1. who alwavs scents to pia> follow-the-leader when it comes voting time, must have changed leaders for this meeting! \\ hile wemav understand the reluctance of voting 111 lav 01 ofthe proposal at first glance, we do not understand the actions ofCouncilmen Dial. Cummings. and McNeill 111 not voting to even sit down and discuss the proposal w ith Mr. Lowrv I'hc Carolina Indian Voice editoriall) requests that these gentlemen revisit the proposal. You were elected to represent the best interests ofthe citizens of Pembroke. In our eves vou did not do that when vou voted not to<;veil sit down and discuss the matter. At this time we would like to address an argument made bv Mr I ovvry's attornev. Representative Ron Sutton. During his presentation to the Pembroke Town Council in regards to the annexation proposal. Mr Sutton argued that the proposed subdiv ision would attract folks who work at I'NC-Pembroke but choose to live somewhere else Well, we certainly do not agree with his argument. The majority of "faculty and staff." as referenced by Mr. Sutton, w ho are employed and future employees with L'NC-P will and would most likely vontinue to choose to live elsew here. But there are folks right here in the area who would definitely welcome a nice residential subdiv ision. With the recent ,:w ard of mil lions of dollars for Indian Housing to the Lumbee tribe, there will be a need for such a subdivision. It would be a great benefit to have such a local ion to offer to tribal members who w ish to construct a home fortheir family. I or those persons w ho w ish to leave mobile homes and mobile home parks this w ould be a welcomed opportunity. Mas be he should have used that argument. \ benefit to Indian people, as opposed to attempting to say if white people had a better place to stay in Pembroke, they might live here. We say white people because that is the majority of persons employ ed as faculty and staff at UNC-P. Further, we do not anticipate that statistic changing. Finally, we commend Councilman Larry Brooks and May or Milton Hunt for their efforts to bring much needed economic growih to the town they serve. 1 hey have not forgotten why they were elected to their positions nor have they forgotten what it means to serve. Editorial And Opinion Page AS I SEE ITJ ? i : ; Bruce Barton Time spent at the Carolina Indian Voice is precious If you've seen me lately, you realize right away that I am not as young as I used to be. I am 58 and feel it most of the time, especially when I am trying to make time for the Carolina Indian Voice. Time spent at the Carolina Indian Voice is precious to me. I wish I could squeeze even more time but time is all we have. My day job is Coordinator of Cultural Activities with the PSRC's Indian Education Program. It is the best job I have ever had. 1 get to read a lot, live in the past from time to time, curate a museum and art gallery, and work with wonderful people. I enjoy working with my Indian people, that's the truth. And to get paid for it is even more wonderful. One of the ways to check yourself to see if you have a good job is to note how many times you look at the clock in a day. I find myself often rueing the fact that it is time to go. I want to leave a good legacy for my people. One of the things I am doing is loaning the Indian Education Resource Center Museum my personal papers. It is fun to catalog and share them with like minded cultural adventurers. Call me or come by. I will share what we have with you. And let Elian go home to his daddy, for God's sake What in the world is wrong with people, especially people in Miami and on the liberal fringe, who are using a little six year old boy as a political football. I believe people, especially Cubans, are more concerned about Fidel Castro than they are little Elian, who was found clinging to a raft after his mother and others lost their lives attempting to come to America. America is a wonderful place to be if you have come here of your own free will. There are egocentric types who think Elian necessarily would choose to stay in America if given a chance to live in the political spotlight or hang out with his daddy. I just lost my daddy, more than a year ago, and I wish I could have spent . mote time with him. 1 believe Elian will say the same thing one day. Bemad with Castro if you want to; just don't take your anger out on this little boy. He has already lost his mother while at the same time others are attempting to drive a wedge between himself and his daddy. Aren't family values more , important than political posturing? I think so. America doesn't know what is best all the time. If they did, they would have treated the Indians better than they did. So, for God's sake, let little Elian go home to his daddy. Life with a daddy in communist Cuba is better than life without a daddy in democratic America. Kudos to Maine in eliminating "squaw"from names I read recently somewhere that all Maine communities and natural landmarks containing the word "squaw"?a term considered offensive to women and Indians?will be renamed under a bill signed Monday by Gov. Angus King. I checked first of all to make sure this was not April Fool's day. It's not, it's April 3rd. The article quoted Tony Sprague, a spokesman for the governor, as saying, "It's not an issue of being politically correct, this is a term that is offensive." The word "squaw" roughly means "whore" in its most generic form. Good for you Maine. Kudos! Anyway, this is "As I See It." What about you? You can write me c/o/ the Carolina Indian Voice. I would love to hear from you. , The Carolina Indian Voice Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C. by First American Publications Connee Brayboy .Editor Bruce Barton Publisher Ricky Barton Business Manager Garry Lewis Barton Production Manager Letters to the Editor Reader says LRDA employee still did not explain the mission of the agency To the Editor: This is written in response to Ben Jacobs' letter in last week's paper. M r. Jacobs let me tell you what non-profit means "not established for the purpose of making money." Now that we all know what non-profit means the question as I remember was what is LRDA's mission? At no time did I question the services of Four County. Robeson County Church and Community Center and any othernon-profit community based organization. Mr. Jacobs if you forgot, the question was "what is LRDA's Mission? Obviously. even you Mr. Jacobs a long time employee of LRDA don't have any idea what LRDA's mission is either. So let's not try to compare Four County, Robeson County Church and Community Center, LRDA and all the other non-profit community based organizations together. We all know that each one has their own mission. One would not compare oranges with apples as you have done here. LRDA is the only non-profit that receives funds for the Lumbee people and that is what is in question here. At no time do 1 state that LRDA has never helped anyone. I would be wrong, because we all knowthat LRDA has helped people over the years. I'm i also sure lhat they are very thankful for the assistance they received. There are also people that have not been helped and have been talked down to as well. Teach the staff of Indian housing interpersonal skills and how to assist people with limited ability and education. So when these clients leave Indian Housing they don't leave with tears in their eyes or dropped heads. Let all the Lumbee people walk with their heads held high and knowing that they are someone to be proud of. I also want to inform every one that I don't have a grudge against LRDA nor do I have any ties with the Tribal Council. 1 am a proud enrol led member of the Lumbee T ribe and only want the bestforthe Lumbee people. So LRDA stop, listen and hear the people that you represent. We are all in this together and we should all work together for the good of the tribe. Chief Seattle once said "Continue to contaminate your own bed and you will one night suffocate in your own waste." These are words to live by. Once again I ask what is LRDA's Mission? Mary Ann Oxendine Pembroke Let's Keep Mitchell "Bosco" Locklear Working For You! Board of Education (At Large) May 2, 2000 Experience This Is A County Wide Election Current Member - School Board At Large - 4 Years Businessman: Owns/Operates Sunshine Learning Center in Pembroke Prospect School Advisory Council - Past Chairman Member/ Sunday School Teacher - Galilee Baptist Church Robeson County Board of Elections - Past Member Parent: Daughter Jessica Attends Purnell Swett High School FOR CONTINUED PROGRESS Students Are Making Significant Increases In Reading, Writing, Math and SAT Test Scores Positive Leadership Changes Have Occurred In Principalships And Other Administrative Positions Millions Of Dollars Approved For New Construction Of New Classrooms And Other Needed Facilities. He Speaks Up For Your Interests Continued Open, Responsive Leadership for All Re-Eleclt Mitchell "Bosco" Locklear - "A Man You Can Trust" e-mail us at Indianvoice@Hotmail.com Phone:910-521-2826 ' IMi DISTRICT I American Red Cross Robeson County Chapter April 8th. First Aid & Safety Classes will be held at the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association Building in Pembroke. NC. Time is 9a.m. til 5:30 p.m. Please call the office ofthe American Red Cross at 521 3640 for more information. Blood Drives April 14th. Robeson Community Col lege L.umberton. time is9 a.m. til 1:30 p.m. * ' April 17th. First Presbyterian Church on Chestnut St. l.umberton. time is 1:30 til 7 p.m. April 25th. BB&T on Kahn Drive, l.umberton. time is 10a.m. til 3 p.m. April 30th. Flrod Baptist Church. Rowland.time is 12:30 til 5 p.m. Wanted!!! Volunteers to teach Fngl ish to nonnative speakers. We especially need tutors who can work in the mornings or on Saturdays. No knowledge of Spanish necessary. Training is free and job satisfaction is guaranteed! Formore information.call Heather Jeeves at Robeson County Church & Community Ccntcr(910) 738-5204 *?? ^ The worst curse in business is to fail and not know why. The ^jcorid worse curse is to be sue-" cessful and not know why. ?William Bennet FREE DIABETIC SUPPLIES! EVEN IF YOU QQUQIINJECT INSULIN! FOR SIGN UP CALL: 1-888-808-8774 GREAT LAKES DIABETIC SUPPLY, INC.nohmo-.,pimm The sheik shall inherit the earth ca The sheik shall inherit the earth. Heck, thev already have! Don't get all bent out of shape, folk. I know the Bible says the meek, not thg, sheik, shall inherit the earth. But God's got a sense of humor, even if you don't. After all, He created man, didn't He? And it is human nature for man to exploit the weak. Not right, mind you. But human nature. That character flaw is partly responsible for my going through the drive-thru at Hardee's the other day on my way to work and having to pay $1.47 for a large cup of tea. Then, having to pay $1.47 a gallon when I stopped for gas. That wasn't just a coincident, folk. It was a dadblame shame and a scandal! iJCI me cApiaiii, The United States has long been one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. As such, we are exceedingly dependent on oil. Indeed, oil makes the world go 'round, which makes oil probably the most prized commodity in the world. Folk here in the U.S. soon developed the technology necessary to cultivate the precious oil from the ground over here. At one time, the U.S. had sole possession of this technology. The oil reserves over here were soon unable to keep up with the high demand for oil, though. Some American entrepreneurs discovered that the majority of the oil deposits in the world were located in the Middle East. A lot of folk over there are ruled by sheiks.- They, literally speaking, were sitting on gold mines, or deposits of something much more precious than gold. That proves God has a sense of humor, folk. Most of the most precious commodity in the world is located in what was once the poorest part of the world. Why ain't y'all laughing? I know they are ? all the way to the bank. Anyhow, the oil wasn't doing anyone any good in the ground. The American entrepreneurs encountered little difficulty convincing these poor, camel riding, uncouth sheiks to let them use American technology to drill for their oil. Of course, in th'e beginning, the Americans exploited the weak, uncouth, uncivilized sheiks. No doubt, the majority of the immense profits from the drilled oil ended up in American pockets. Slowly but surely, these ol' sheiks got smart. Af^er their people learned how to drill for the oil, the Americans became expendible. So the sheiks booted the Americans out of their countries and took over control of the oil production. Soon they were able to trade in their flea-bitten camels for Mercedes and Cadillacs and Lincolns. And their raggedy tents in for luxurious mansions. Now, the sheiks of these little, rinky-dinky countries are some of the wealthiest people in the world. Now, they are in the driving seat, controlling how much it's gonna cost us to be in the driving seat. Eventually, the sheiks banded together and formed OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries). And now, since all business is a matter of supply and demand, these sheiks can sit in their luxurious mansions instead of raggedy tents and bring the world to its knees at a whim. Simply by agreeing to decrease the supply (or production) of oil, they can gouge ds over here at will at the gas pumps. What goes around comes around. Now they are exploiting us. Ironic, huh? The monumental world influence OPEC wields because of the world's dependency on oil is sort of like the weather. Everybody talks about it. But nobody seems to be doing anything about it. It would really be ironic if OPEC gouged us so bad at the gas pumps a lot of us eventually had to trade our automobiles in for flea-bitten camels. But that wouldn't make it right. Or any easier to swallow. So I'm gonna do my small part to make a difference before it comes to me having to cruise through Pembroke on a Sunday on a flea-bitten, stinking camel. I'm gonna make a conscious effort to cut back on my personal consumption of gas each week. It'll be my small way of boycotting these filthy rich sheiks in these little rinky-dinky countries. Truthfully speaking, I'd like to show them that oil ain't the only thing that can be crude. I'd like to tell them to shove their over-rated barrels of oil up one of their orifices not specifically designed to accommodate such an object, or any object for that matter But since I'm supposed to love my neighbor, even if he lives on the other side of the world, and turn the other cheek even when it galls and pains me, I'll boycot the ol' sheiks instead. But they better be careful 'bout turning other cheeks toward me. They may have already inherited the earth. But if they ain't careful, they'll inherit a stretegically placed barrel of oil too. We'll talk again, folk. Garry Lewis Barton
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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