f'uMislicii Pembroke. N.C. H K
Cap <i una Indian Voice
"HuHtling Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting"
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Volume 27 Xumber 20 Thursday, May /#, 2000 ^ Lvefr?ote 25c
Higher Eduction Bonds Deserve
VoterSupport, Sen. Weinstein Savs
RALEIGH-The higher education
bonds approved Wednesday by the
General Assembly will help all North
Carolinians and should be approved
by voters. Sen. David Weinstein said
"Our community colleges and universities
are the cornerstone of our
economy." said Weinstein. D-Robeson.
"But too many of our campuses
are handicapped by outdated laboratories.
crowded classrooms and crumbling
buildings. The bond package
approved by the General Assemblywill
fix these problems-without raising
taxes."
Wednesday, the General Assembly
overwhelmingly approved a S3.5 billion
higher education bond referendum
to be placed on November's bal
lot for consideration by North Carolina
voters. Final legislative approval
of the bond proposal is expected today.
The bonds have been endorsed by a
host of education, government and
business leaders, including North
Carolina Citizens for Business and
Industry-the state's largest business
group. State Treasurer Harlan Boyles
also supports the plan and recently
told legislators the state could afford
to pay off the bonds without a tax increase.
The bond proposal provides S2.5 billion
for new buildings and repair and
renovation projects at each of North
Carolina's 16 state universities. An
additional S600 million is provided for
critical building needs at each of North
Carolina's 58 community colleges.
"The bond proposal is good for our
state-and our communities. It takes
care of our campuses' most pressing
needs and does it with an affordable
and fiscally sound plan." Weinstein
said. "It deserves every voter's support."
North Carolina's community colleges
face both increased enrollment
growth-up to 15.000 new students
over the next five years?and more
than SI.4 billion in building needs.
The 16 LTNC-system campuses estimate
48,000 new students to enroll in
the next 10 years. At the same time,
close to 800 buildings-especially science
laboratories and classrooms?at
all 16 LTNC campuses are in need of
renovation or repair.
The $600 million in community college
bonds would include more than SI 3.8
J
million for Robeson Counts College.
The S2.5 billion in university bonds
would provide mor than 56.6 million
for facility projects at UNC-Pembroke,
including:
Science Building: S9.408.000
Oxendine Science Building-Comprehensive
Modernization: S8.032.600
Locklear Hall Classroom BuildingComprehensive
Modernization:
S2.000.000
D.F. Lowers Classroom BuildingModernization
and Addition:
SI.950.500
Business Administration BuildingComprehensive
Modernization:
SI.059.800
Moore Classroom Hall-Comprehensive
Modernization: SS2.639.700
Residence/Dining Hall-Replacement
of Jacobs and Wellons Halls:
S7.700.300
West Residence Hall-Comprehensive
Modernization: $977,300
Jones Physical Education ComplexComprehensive
Modernization:
S8.243.700
Replace Physical Plant Complex:
S5.656.000
Modernization of Former Physical
Plant Facility to provide Relocation
of Auxiliary Services Complex and
Student Bookstore: $2,696,000
Campus-wide Infrastructure Improvements:
SI,996,600
Campus Water Distribution Upgrades:
S945.000
Primary Electrical Distribution Upgrades:
5945,000
Technology Infrastructure Expansion:
52,798,500.
Child Care
Directions
Robeson County's Child Care
Resource and Referral Agency can
provide you with:
? Referral listings of 130 child
care centers and family child care
homes
-- Parenting information
-- Parenting workshops/Presentations
to local groups
- Resource Lending Library
(Available for All RC residents
with children 0 -5 years of age)
Please call 671-8335 or email us
at ccd@carolina.net
There are no fees for our information
or referral services
Leroy Freeman, center, and .Rodney Hunt , left, is shown being sworn in to begin serving on the LRDA
Board of Directors by Judge Jeff Moore. The swearing in occurred at a recent community meeting in
Fairmont. Chairman Adolph blue is seated to the right.
rAII Gave Some ^
Some Gave All
The Pembroke VF W Post #2843 will
hold a brief ceremony Monday morning,
May 29th, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. at
the Pembroke Town Park, west of
First United Methodist Church, to
pay tribute to all veterans, especially
those who fought for ourcountry
on foreign soil. Your attendance
would be greatly appreciated for
this solemn occasion.
Erwin Jacobs
l^^^PostJudgeAdvocate^^^^
Tribal Officials Seated On
LRDA Board of Directors
Lumbee Regional Development Association announces two new members
recently elected to serve on the LRDA board of directors. Mr. Leroy Freeman
and Mr. Rodney Hunt were sworn in on April 21, 2000 at a dinner hosted by
Mr. Freeman in Fairmont.
Mr. Leroy Freeman was elected to fill a seat for district one (1) which is
Fairmont. Orrum, Marietta, Sterlings, and Thompson. Mr. Freeman is
President of the Ostemeck Manufacturing Plant in Lumberton NC, and has
been active in politics in the county, and at the state level.
Mr. Rodney Hunt was elected to fill a vacant seat in district three (3) for
Lumberton, Wisharts, and East Howellsville. Mr. Hunt is employed with the
United Parcel Service in Fayetteville, and is new to the political scene. Mr.
Hunt filled a seat on the board previously held by Mr. Herbert Oxendine.
Both Mr. Freeman and Mr. Hunt expressed concern for expanding services
to Lumbee citizens. One of their goals while serving on the board of directors
is to seek federal recognition for the tribe. Mr. Freeman is co-chairman of the
Lumbee Federal Recognition Committee along with fellow board member
Leon Jacobs. Mr. Rodney Hunt was also added to the Federal Recognition
Committee by the Chaimian of the LRDA board.
LRDA/Lumbee Housing Department (LHD)
m % a B ma" * * m - - -
hcenaDinianon urogram
The LRDA/Lumbee Housing Department (LHD) operates a home rehabilitation
program component. A major goal of the program is to increase family
wealth through significant improvements in existing stick-built homes. Such
improvements increase the real property tax and market value of each home.
Policy requires that the appraised value of each rehabilitated home exceed the
actual dollar amount spent on rehabilitation. This requirement, when coupled
with policy governing how manufactured housing must be attached to the land,
precludes the rehabilitation of manufactured housing including single and
doublewides.
In order to qualify for the program applicants must (a) meet low-income
guidelines, (b) agree to use the rehabilitated home as their principal residence for
a minimum ot three years, (c) own the property as evidenced by an executed legal
instrument, (d) agree to encumber the property (lien or grant agreement) for the
aforementioned three year period, and (e) agree to repay the grant amount in full
should they sale or otherwise transfer the property before expiration of the three
year grant term. The grant is fully forgiven at the end of the three-year term.
The grant agreement (Rehabilitation Agreement) is the document which
creates the contract between the homeowner(s) and LRDA/LHD. It is a
contractual agreement meant to protect the integrity of the program by
discouraging fraud and abuse. The agreement constitutes no threat to honest
people...they cannot lose their land or home to LRDA/LHD. Should a
homeowner violate terms of the agreement, the grant amount would be subject
to recapture which, if not done, would result in the creation of a judgment in
the amount of the grant. LRDA/LHD has tremendous faith in our Lumbee
people's honesty and integrity. Our Lumbee people do not violate even their
spoken word...They always honor their written promises!
LRDA/LHD has received over 400 applications for rehabilitation from
eligible tribal members. Many of those are our Elders who are living on fixed
incomes. The need is overwhelming, and the project is funded fort he
rehabilitation of approximately 200 homes per year. The Lumbee Housing
Department requests tribal members continued patience and understanding.
We realize that many tribal members applied two years ago. We assure all
approved applicants that with the award of the fiscal year 2000 grant in
September that services will be delivered before the coming of another '
September.
Cultural Fest 2000 will be held
during Lumbee Homecoming
Cultural Fest 2000, a major
event, will be held at the North
Carolina Indian Cultural Center
during Lumbee Homecoming. It
will include activities, entertainment,
crafts for sale and demonstration,
and fun for the entire family.
The Cultural Fest, presented by
the N.C. Indian Cultural Center
and Harold "Iron Bear" Collins,
will begin on Friday, June 30, with
a Traditional Opening Ceremony
and Pow Wow with dancers and
drums from across the state.
Several Indian traders, with a
wide variety of Native arts and
crafts for sale and to demonstrate,
will be a part of the Pow Wow and
the entire weekend of exciting
activities.
On Saturday, July 1, the many
activities will include fishing and
golf tournaments, a pig cookin'
contest, pie and cake bake-off,
jam, jellies and preserves competitions,
and other food and beverages
which will be on sale. There will
also be boat rides, pool events,
quilts competitions, and many
other items for sale.
Fort Bragg will provide parachuting,
Hying jets, a military
marching band, a helicopter and
artillery activites on the site.
Also, on Saturday, a main feature
of the Cultural Center presentation
will be entertainment by the
"Power Team Live Guinness Book
of World Record Breaking Event."
There will also be strong man competition
and bench press events.
Harold "Iron Bear" Collins will be
the main feature of these events.
Saturday evening, two main
attractions will take place. The
ever popular outdoor drama,
"Strike at the Wind!", the story of
Henry Berry Lowry and the
Lumbee people, will open for a full
season at 8 p.m. at the
Amphitheater at the Indian Cultural
Center,
Also, at 8 p.m. on Saturday,
July 1, at the Performing Arts
Center, on the campus of the
University of North Carolina at
Pembroke, another must-see program,
"JANA" IN CONCERT,
featuring Jana Sampson, Lumbee
Indian of Charlotte, and nationally
known country singer, will take
place. Tickets for these two outstanding
events will be on sale at
the "Strike at the Wind!" box
office and other places throughout
the Pembroke area, and at the
Indian Cultural Center.
The Grand Finale of the opening
of "Strike at the Wind!" will be a
spectacular fire works display.
To conclude Cultural Fest 2000,
there will be a special church service
on Sunday in the Cultural
Center Amphitheater, beginning at
11 a.m. Gospel singing will be
included. This event is free and
open to the public.
Everyone is invited to come out
and support these activities at the
North Carolina Indian Cultural
Center during Lumbee
Homecoming.
The Cultural Center belongs to
all Indian people, including those
who will come "home" to visit.
Help make this event a success,
and you will be helping make the
Cultural Center a success.
The gate fee to all events at the
Indian Cultural Center, with the
exception of the drama, "Strike at
the Wind!", is $5.00 per person
with children under six admitted
free.
Volunteers are helping to make
this event possible. Many more are
needed. If you would like to volunteer
or be involved as a vendor,
dancer, or in other ways, please
call (910) 521-2433, or (910) 5218339
or for additional information.
All events and activities will
take place in a drug-free atmosphere.
Julian Pierce, Jr. graduates
Julian Pierce, Jr. (inset), shown above with his twin sister, Julia from
Claremont, Virginian, graduated from the Medical College of Virginia,
Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginiu,
Saturday morning, May 13, 2000. He earned the degree of Doctor of
medicine.
He will serve his residencyfor three years in Memphis, Tennessee and will
specialize in internal medicine.
Julia is an attorney and they are the children of the late Julian Pierce and
Pat Jackson of Claremont, Virginia.
UNCP stands to gain $56.6
million from bond issue
PEMBROKE, N.C -Roger Oxendine,
chair of UNC Pembroke's
Board of Trustees, strongly encouraged
fellow board members to support
a bond referendum in November that
could net the university S56.6 million
in new construction funds.
The board learned in its quarterly
meeting Thursday that a key legislative
caucus approved UNCP's
construction list that includes a new
science building and a new residence
hall.
Also on the list are major renovations
to-the Jones Athletic Complex,
West Residence Hall, D.F. Lowery
Building, Oxendine Science Building,
Business Administration
Building, Moore Hall and Locklear
Hall.
t
Both sides of the General Assembly
are considering a November vote
on $3.1 billion in revenue bonds.
$2.4 billion is slated for UNC and
$700 million for the state's community
colleges.
"This is not going to be a walk in
the park." Mr. Oxendine said. "I
encourage you to do everything you
can to assist the passage of this referendum
in November."
UNCP's list includes over $6 million
in infrastructure needs, including
technology, water and sewer and electrical
systems.
In other action, the trustee board
authorized Chancellor Allen Meadors
to negotiate a cooperative agreement
with a Georgia real estate develop
ment company that wants to build
student apartments.
Located on 13 acres of land across
University Drive from UNCP, the
apartments would house 336 students
and wouldbe givento the
university after 30 years.
Chancel lor Meadors told the board
that a combination of public and
private housing will make the growth
of the university possible. He said the
university actively recruited the developer
after viewing its projects at
other universities.
The board also accepted a letter of
resignation from fellow member Fred
George of Laurinburg. He was appointee
of Gov. Jim Hunt with three
years remaining on his term.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs Charles Jenkins
said UNCP will graduate its largest
class in history this year with the 223
that graduated in winter ceremonies
and the estimated 350 that will graduate
Saturday.
Dr. Jenkins, who will retire June
30 after 14 years of leading the Office
of Academic Affairs, was praised by
the Board of Trustees.
New Student Government Association
President Veronica Hatton,
who will take a seat on the board in
September, was introduced. Outgoing
President Phi II ip Bowman attended
his final meeting and was praised by
the board as an "advocate" for his
fellow students. Ms. Hatton is from
Cary, N.C. and Mr. Bowman, Fayetteville.
P.S.R.C. announces auditions for the
musical production "Stuart Little"
"Stuart Little", the musical, auditions: Studio One, the summer Performing
Arts Workshop of P.S.R.C. will hold auditions for a brand new production
of "Stuart Little", a musical about the lovable little mouse who adopted a
human family for his own. Based on the novel and the new movie version,
this delightful show offers speaking roles for over 20 characters. "Stuart
Little" will be the final production of the Studio One workshop which runs
from June 12th through July 2nd. The auditionsare open to any young person
ages 9 to 13, and will be held on May 23rd and May 25th at 7:00pm at the
Robeson County Public Library, located in downtown Lumbcrton. No prior
stage experience is necessary. To arrange an audition or for further
information, please contact the studio's director. Ms. Joy Martin, at 910-6714703.
The Gospelettes' Anniversary Sing
The Gospelettes gospel singing group from Pembroke invite the public
to attend their Anniversary Sing Saturday, May 20,2000, at 7p.m., at Faith
Baptist Church, located On Highway 710 between Pembroke and Rowland.
Featured groups along with the Gospelettes will be The Singing Scotts
from l.umberton, the Johnsons from Stedman, and Willing Vessels from ML
Airy.
I