In Loving Memory of Herbert Locklear
Dear Editor
East week I buried mv father.
Herbert Locklear. a native of Fairmont
and a resident of Baltimore,
Maryland for the last 40 years. A
former official in Baltimore's Department
of Social Services and the
founder and First director of the Baltimore
American Indian Center. On
several occasions he wrote an article
called The Baltimore Experience for
the CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE.
On April 18th, he died a senseless
and violent death in his Lumberton
Ramada Inn Limited motel room at the
hands of two accused local men.
This tragedy not only effected our
family but the impact was felt by
hundreds of people he helped both in
Baltimore and his native land, North
Carolina. Such was the impact, that
the Honorable O'Mallay, Mayor of
the City of Baltimore eulogized his
memory during the funeral last Monday.
Hundreds packed our church,
which my father was a trustee, to pay
their last respects. It was a funeral he
would have been proud of, but his
most moving moment was when his
grandson, Donavin Bentley, spoke
the words below. His profound words
not only rang true for Herbert
Locklear, but they are a reminder for
all of us to embrace our love ones and
hold them dear because life can be
? short.
Dedication To My Grandfather
by: Donavin Bentley
I'm still waiting to wake up from
I this nightmare, but unfortunately,
* this is reality. A great poet named
~ Robert Frost once said, "In three
" words I can sum up everything I've
I learned bout life. It goes on." During
*. this terrible time, we must look for a
way to move on with our lives, and I
know it will not be easy Ladies and
gentlemen, friends and family, we
shouldn't even be here today. Some
of us should be at work, some in
school, and some of us should be
home relaxing just enjoying the day.
However, due to three immature,
savage young men. we're forced to
gather here today to pay our final
respects to my grandfather, Herbert
Locklear. I could stand here and tell
all of you how much anger is in my
heart right now. Or. I could examine
this magnificent crowd and look into
each individual's eyes, and observe
all the anger contained deep within
each of you. but where does that leave
us? We're not here today to focus on
the frustration and anger that has
consumed all of us since the news of
my grandfather's death. Today, I
want to praise my grandfather, a man
whose life was undoubtedly cut short
due to a senseless act of violence.
Whether you knew my grandfather
for forty years or forty minutes,
he had this impeccable gift to make a
strong impression, so, as you could
never forget him. To call him a kind
man wouldn't even scratch the surface.
An endless amount of stories
about his acts of kindness are waiting
to be told by the people in this church.
Stories that will make us smile and
stories that will make us laugh are
needed right now. The most useless
day is the day in which we have not
laughed, so I need everybody even on
this sorrowful day to take at least a
minute to laugh and smile. For a
couple of moments, you'll realize
how good it feels to escape the pain.
A couple of days ago, I found
myself thinking about all the events
my grandfather will miss in the up
coming months and sears. Lvcntually.
I realized I had to stop tormenting
myself about the future I hope anyone
who was experiencing the same
thoughts as I have come to the same
conclusion. Let's not focus on the
high school and college graduations
he'll miss, or the retirement parties and
weddings he can't attend, but rather
let's redirect our focus on reflecting
on the past. W'e all have unique and
shared images of my grandfather that
we can keep in our minds. I know I do.
I can remember spending the night at
my grandparent's house and waking
up at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning to
go fishing with my granddad He
always made me feel as though I was
the best fisherman on the boat even if
I was only catching the smallest fish.
1 remember going to my grandparent's
house as a kid and the very first thing
you did was walk in and give granddad
a hug and a kiss. Well, as I was
hugging him, he would start tickling
me and wouldn't stop. I would be
laughing so hard, 1 would be cry ing
and I know a couple of times. I came
close to peeing in my pants, but that's
a whole different story for another
time. I simply remember how proud
he was of everyone in my family. He
was always telling people how pretty
we are, handsome we are, smart we
are and so on. Sure, it was embarrassing
at times, but my family and I
would give anything to hear him
compliment us one more time.
If there is one thing, one lesson I
want embedded in your minds, it's
please don't take your friends and
family for granted. When they leave
for work, school, or just to go down
the street to get some groceries, there
aren't any guarantees they'll come
back Don't hesitate to tell somebody
"I love you " Don't hesitate to vvrap
your arms around somebody and give
them a kiss. You never know if that
will be the last time you see them Let
people know how proud you are of
them, or how happy it makes you feel
to call them friend or family. The last
thing you should do is assume a
person knows how you feel ...never
assume.
To rnv grandmother and family,
wc have lost one and there's a huge
void in our hearts. There will be
times when you feel weak and depressed.
but I say to you. look all
around this church and realize how
much support is on your side. You'll
never be without a shoulder to cry on.
To finish, I want to leave you with
a Dakota Indian chant of defiance.
"Over the earth I come. Over the
earth I come. A soldier I come. Over
the earth I am a ghost." My grandfather
was a soldier who fought for
what is right in the community and
for his people. He will be trulv
missed / LOVE YOU
CRASDDAD. WE ALL LOVE YOU.
May justice be swift and severe for
those who are found guilty. Also. I
pray for a world free from senseless
acts of crime, so that no other family
has to endure the pain my father's
death has brought to our family and
community.
The Family of Herbert Locklear
expresses words of gratitude and
thanks to all of those for their acts of
kindness and expressions of support
during this most difficult time of
bereavement. May God's blessings
be with you always.
Kirby Locklear
Fort Walton Beach, FL
^Report to the People from Rep.
jRon Sutton, House District 85.
Z. Money will be the major topic
~ when lawmakers return to Raleigh
?this week for the 2000 session of the
? General Assembly.
Z. The state budget is always the
~ biggest single issue for the Legisla?
ture. It looms even larger in even-year,
Z "short" sessions, which were designed
r to fine-tune the two-year budget.
1 The rules make it difficult for law
makers to debate any bills not related
Z to taxes, fees and the budget. With
Z. few exceptions, non-monetary bills
2 can be considered only if they passed
? one chamber during the regular sesZ.
sion or were recommended by a study
* commission. Most study commis^sions
save their major
? recommendations for odd-year ses?
sions.
~ Local bills?those that apply to a
~ city or county-can be introduced only
? if every member of the local delegare
tion supports them.
re Introducing a bill that does not fit
~ within the narrow rules requires a
two-thirds vote?a high hurdle for
~ any measure that is remotely controIS!.
versial.
22 Despite the restrictions, short ses~
sions have not always been short. In
? 1998, lawmakers stayed in town until
Z almost Halloween. Few, if any, leg~
islators want to repeat that experience.
~ As they prepare for the 2000 ses"
sion, leaders of the House and Senate
~ are making it clear that they want a
Z truly short "short" session. Next year,
2 not the 2000 session, will be the time
for the General Assembly to take up
? sweeping initiatives and controverZ
sial legislation.
*
Legislators will have their hands
full this year tweaking the budget to
pay for Hurricane Floyd, court settlements,
tax cuts and big-ticket
initiatives launched over the past several
years.
The General Assembly's Fiscal
Research Division projects a revenue
shortfall of more than S450 million
for the 2000-2001 fiscal year, and
closing that gap will be difficult.
"Due to the limited funds availability
and the vast need for those
funds statewide, the Short Session
will probably not produce many local
dollars for local projects," said Representative
Ron Sutton.
Big-ticket items on the budget
agenda for this year include the final
phase of a four-year plan to raise
teacher pay to the national average
($260 million), expansion of Smart
Start (at least $40 million), a 3 percent
pay raise for state employees
($153 million) and additional funding
for health insurance for state
employees ($147 million).
Lawmakers also must appropriate
$240 million as part of the settlement
of a lawsuit filed by those who paid
intangibles taxes without protesting.
In another money matter, the General
Assembly is expected to approve
a bond issue presently in the three
billion-dQllar range for critical construction
needs at the state's
universities and community colleges.
The House and Senate passed different
bond bills last year, and could
not reach agreement on the size of the
bond issue and a referendum. A
majority of the House wanted to put
the proposed bonds before the voters.
"The university and community
college systems are in dire need of
funds to move them forward and
maintain their outstanding stature in
the nation and we are ready to provide
the opportunity for the voters to express
their opinion on the issue. I
strongly believe a referendum on a
bonds funding package will be before
the people soon. I wholeheartedly
support the referendum concept as I
did last year when we were unable to
get it passed," said Representative
Sutton.
The governor will present his budget
recommendations to the General
Assembly after the session begins.
One money issue that was prominently
discussed in the governor's
race?a lottery?does not appear likely
to come up during the short session.
House and Senate leaders have said
they would be surprised if lawmakers
consider the controversial issue this
year. The lottery issue will probably
surface early in 2001.
"I am a member of the House
Special Lottery Committee that can
meet during and after the Short Session
to work out a proposal for next
year. We will continue our work and
everyone will have a chance to get
their views before our committee,"
Sutton said.
Lawmakers could begin implementing
some of the changes to the
state's mental health programs recommended
by the state auditor, who
proposed a major overhaul of the
state's $1.2 billion system. A recommendation
to close Dorothea Dix
Hospital in Raleigh drew much of the
attention, but the auditor also called
for sweeping changes that would shift
management responsibility and mental
health services tot he local level.
Bills recommended by study commissions
include several proposals to
provide more protections for those
enrolled in managed-care health
plans. The measures would allow
members to sue their HMO, require
the state Department of Insurance to
oversee independent committees of
doctors set up by HMOs to review
consumer appeals, and make HMOs
pay claims quickly.
Legislators also could dust off some
of the measures that passed one chamber
last year.. But the difficulty in
crafting a balanced budget, and
memories of the last "short" session
dragging on until Halloween, will
likely keep the session focused on the
budget. There is also a need for many
members to get back to their home
districts to campaign for fall elections.
Purnell Swett High School had its
annual blood drive April 5th. directed
by Mrs. Patty Ledwcll
Ihe Student Council of Purnell
Swett High School, sponsored its
annual elderly dinner lebruary 29.
The Purnell Swett Ram Battalion
held its 28th Annual Military Ball.
Saturday March 18th at the Pembroke
Jaycee Hut. Tiffany Loeklear
was crowned Ram Ballalion queen,
and Shane Tyner was crowned king.
This has been a great year for
Purnell Swett HOSA. The sear
started with an increase in membership
of 750/o to 40 members. In
October the officers attended a leadership
conference. The officers
learned how to lead effectively. Students
participated in prepared
speaking. Hosa Bowl, extemporaneous
speaking, and job seeking skills
at Clinton High School. In March.
Hosa members attended the State
Hosa Con\ ention in Greensboro N.C.
Deidra Kelly Chavis, Marcus
Loeklear, Kim Oxendine, and Nicole
Ivey have all served as a governor's
pages at the statehouse in Raleigh.
They ran errands, answered phones,
delivered mail, and faxed information.
They visited the house floor and
watched sessions, and bills being
voted on. They also visited the
governor's mansion and met the governor.
The program was sponsored
by Indian Education and Mr. Robert
Brayboy.
Amy Le'Ana Dial, a sopomore at
Purnell Swett High School, has been
named Kodak Young Leader under
the National Program sponsored by
Eastman Kodak Company.
The JROTC Raider Challenge
competition was held at Purnell Swett
High School on Saturday. March 25.
It is a physically and mentally demanding
competition that consists of
a PT challenge, first aid skills compe
tition. 2 kilometer liter carry I rope
bridge building crossing competition.
and a 5 - kilometer speed road
march I his sear's top team went to
Pumell Swett. Second and third place
ssent to South Robeson and Saint
Pauls High School respectively. Top
female PT honors went to Cadet Paula
K Lowers Pumell Ssvett High School,
who scored 292 out of 300 possible
points. Cadet Shane Alton Tyner,
Pumell Ssvett High School and Cadet
Dwight Moran Saint Pauls had perfect
scores of 300.
April 20th dance students participated
in the dance showcase concert
at the Gisens Performing Arts Auditorium.
The Rams participated in Prom
Promise April 5 as students signed a
promise not to drink and drive. Students
also participated in a drama
depicting students drinking and driving
which resulted in a car accident
where a friend was killed.
The Home and Garden show was
held April 20 as various groups and
clubs sold crafts and items. Students
participated in games.
Teachers and students have integrated
themes and projects
throughout the school which included:
art. vocation, and exceptional
children designing quarter dollars
for each state, math, vocation Exceptional
Children, and English classes
learning about the life of Thomas
Jefferson and building a green house
similar to Jefferson's greenhouse and
math, guidance and business classes
learned how to write checks, balance
checks, and take care of business
matters.
Tyson Meadors was selected as
Sophomore Student of Excellence,
by the Chamber of Commerce.
Gertie Mariani's students participated
in the Biotechnology Institute
sponsored by UNC-Pembroke.
Ronda "Ronnie" McNeill still
in critical condition but...
Brother Ronnie McNeill and I grew up spiritually together at Deep
Branch Baptist Church. He was already there when 1 joined the church
and was saved under the preaching of his father, Rev. Chesley McNeill,
in 1978.
I am also a spiritual groupie of the Singing McNeill Family, which
includes his sisters, Virginia and Carolyn, and brothers Johnny and
Jimmy. But Ronnie was the front man, the one who did most of the
talking and introduced the group at singings and church services.
Another brother. Rev. Jerry McNeill, is pastor of Riverside Independent
Baptist Church where the McNeills worship. The McNeill Family
also operate a day care center and Riverside Christian Academy on
Highway 74 near Lumberton.
In spite of all that has happened, Ronnie McNeill, as 1 see it, is a man
of God and called to do a mighty work in the name of Jesus.
He was shot in the stomach Friday morning (April 28) inside his
home in Jamestown Mobile Home Park by an unknown assailant and
remains in critical condition at Southeastern Regional Medical Center.
But prayer can change things dramatically. The only thing left to do is
to pray fervently that God's will be done. No arrests have been made in
the case.
Prayer indeed makes the difference. Pray for Brother Ronnie. Like
all of us, he really needs prayer, by Bruce Barton
The Carolina Indian Voice
Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C. by
First American Publications
Connee Brayboy Editor
Bruce Barton Publisher
Ricky Barton President and Business Manager
Garry Lewis Barton Production Manager
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The Trouble With Lumbee Houses
0
~ A bill was passed in '98
1 that provided Lumbee houses from HUD__?^
But it, as all good things
became another stick in the mud
To many it seemed a dream come true
To others somewhat ironic and funny
Could it be possible we would finally see
some of that infamous "Indian money"
Then came the fussin' and bickerin'
As they say we Indians do
Finally when all the hollerin' stopped
We had not just one housing plan, but two
Lo and behold the cry came down
from ol' Capitol Hill
If you Injuns don't come to some compromise
you're gonna blow a cool 50 MIL
So off to the courthouse we go
Lord, to the point we're willing to beg
Help Tribal Council?Help LRDA
We want big bucks, not a big GOOSE EGG
So with the help of Rep. Ronnie
there peeks a ray of sun
To our surprise they at least agree
For two committees of 4+1
So now we wait on pins and needles
just a hopin' and a prayin'
That when all is said and done
in therrt Lumbee houses we'll be a stayin'
Be not deceived Tribal Council and LRDA
Lums don't play that game of silent mouses ^
Woe to you who throw your big stones
While nestled in your tidy glass houses
Wendy Moore-Cummlngs
copyright 1998
Injured At No Fault
Of Your Own?
Don't Risk Being Victimized Twice!
i ?i
Arnold Locklcar, Arlie Jacobs, Grady Hunt,
Brian K. Brooks, Mark Locklcar
Your Winning Team ?
Locklear, Jacobs & Hunt
Is Only A Phone Call Away Attorneys
Committed To Your Interests
203 South Vance Street - Pembroke, NC
521-3413