DPembroke NC 28372-1510 tm mm
I'luirsdav in Pembivkc, N.C H V
wkuna Indian Voce
bf "Riiildins Communicative f-rui^cs In A I n-Kucul Setting'
VOLUME 32 M MI3ER 39 ^ ^ Jj& THURSDAY OC TOBER7. 2004 25^
Roger Oxendine seeks
re-election to EMC Board
Roger Oxendine, Chairman
of the Board of Directors of
Lumbee River Electric Membership
Corporation, announces his
bid for re-election to the District
1 scat. A native of the Fairmont
area, Oxendine is well known as
an agri-businessman. In making
his announcement, Oxendine
released the following statement:
"As a businessman, I understand
big business I am
humbled by the opportunity I
have had to be a part of one of
the fastest growing, most progressive
cooperatives in the
United States. I have worked
tirelessly and made sound fiscal
decisions while serving as
the representative of District 1
on our local cooperative board.
We have made giant strides in
industry , employment opportunities
and updating equipment
and lines We have progressed
and grown while at the same time
keeping the electric rates at their
lowest. I am extremely pleased
to announce that we have not
had a rate increase since 1997.
While we liavc maintained rates,
we have expanded our industry,
including Fort Bragg, North
Carolina where we have a contract
to do constniction and pro
vide services This endeavor
alone brings vast amounts of
revenue to our cooperative
"During a two year time trainc.
2002-2004. we have accomplished
great things for our cooperative
During that time we
have returned $6,067,444 in Capital
Credits to our membership
We have added $1,410,000 in
Credits to consumer's electric
bills. In addition we have given
$22,000 00 in scholarship monies
to children of consumers. We
have also awarded $67,000.00 in
Bright Ideas Grants
"In the past two years the cooperative
has seen astronomical
economic growth, including
Scotland Maximum Security
Prison which resulted in 345 new
jobs in the area; Elkay Southern
which provides 100 additional
jobs; Mullcr Stream, 55 jobs;
Nash Finch with 200 new positions;
and two new Super Wal
marts in Lumberton and
Faycttex ille which provides 401
jobs in ihc area. With the economic
situation being as slow as
it is, these additional jojjs have
been a tremendous help Tt\our
overall economy. \
"When we think of the
economy, we know that more
jobsidfwSrekcmc bills, andejmtinncd
growlliatni^pifligfeSs are
notcssary for a sound economy.
My tenure on the local cooperative
board has given me an opportuniiy
to be part of strengthening
the overall economy. I am
proud of this fact It is a known
fact thai when our economy is
prosperous, we all get along better.
This is why economic development
has always been one of
my top priorities. Our cooperative
has had a tremendous impact
on our local economy. Our
cooperative's contribution to
economic development has been
astounding. We have helped create
nearly 1200 jobs in our local
area since 1989; added more than
$30 million to our local tax base.
LREMC's direct contribution to
the economic development in the
area includes employing 120
skilled workers with a $4 million
payroll. In addition we pay $3
million annually in state and local
taxes We also return more
than $1 million in capital credits
annualh to our consumers
"The operation of our cooperative
is a tremendous undertaking.
We have employed some of
the finest people and they do a
tremendous job for us. Growth
and progress does not happen
without leadership that is experienced
and familiar w ith multi
million dollar business I do not
brag when I say that 1 am experienced
and knowledgeable of our
overall operation. That is one
reason 1 have chosen to seek reelection
1 wish to be a part o:
the continuation of the progrcs
sivc trend wc have set.
"I appreciate so much the opportunity
the membership has
extended to me in allowing me to
serve. During my tenure as a
representative of District 1 and
the entire membership. 1 have
made decisions based on keeping
our cooperative on a solid
Financial foundation. I have
based my decisions on what was
best for the membership. 1 am
proud of my record. I humbly ask
for your vote and support October
14th "
Oxendi ne is the son of Zeb and
Margie Oxendine. He is married
to the former Bobbie Hunt of
Fairmont and they own and operate
Oxendine Farms.
The Annual Meeting of Members
of Lumbee River Electric
Mcmbersltip Corporation will be
held on Thursday, October 14,
at the University of Nqjth Carolina
at Pembroke's Performing
Arts Center from 1 p.m. until 8
p.m. This is the first Annual
meeting where the voting procedure
has changed to allow extended
voting hours.
Oxendinecontinued," Hopefully,
the extended voting hours
at our Annual Meeting will allow
more members to attend and
participate in the election. I humbly
ask for your vote and support.
Thank you."
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Indian Voice
521-0796
Dr. Harris-Hicks joins staff of
Scotland Health Care System
Scotland Health Care System and the staff of Carolinas Womcns
Center arc pleased to welcome Dr Janet Harris-Hicks, Ob/Gyn physician.
Dr. Harris-Hicks began practice on September 9.
Dr. Harris-Hicks is no stranger to Laurinburg as both her parents
grew up here and she lived here as a toddler With family members
and friends in Scotland and Robeson Counties, she feels she is coming
home to practice medicine.
"My father is a retired officer of US Public Health Service and we
moved quite a bit when 1 was growing up," commented Dr. HarrisHicks.
"1 love this part of North Carolina and, with my parents living
so close in Dunn. 1 am really pleased to be in Laurinburg ."
Dr. Hams-Hicks attended The University of North Carolina at Pembroke,
earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry While a
student at UNC Pembroke, she was ? Chancellor's Scholar as well as
the recipient of the MiSEAM Scholarship (Minorities in Science,
Engineering and Mathematics) from NASA. "The MiSEAM Scholarship
allowed me to do research in the summers and following my
first year I was in Bermuda at the Biological Research Station My
second and third summers I worked on research projects at Duke
University - biochemistry the second summer and pathology the
third."
Dr. Harris-Hicks attended medical school at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Mcrk/AAMC Scholar the
summer following her first year, and a Cancer Research Fellow following
her third year Upon receiving her medical degree, she completed
an internship at the University of Texas in Houston in 2001
and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Greenville Memorial
Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina this June
"I enjoy my specialty of gynecology and obstetrics and the focus
on women's health issues," she continued. "1 love being able to see
patients clinically as well as to provide surgical services, particularly
laparoscopic surgery. I also enjoy working with young girls, educating
them about the particular health issues they face."
Dr Harris-Hicks is married to Tim Hicks. They arc the proud parents
of one-year-old Recce Elizabeth. Mr. Hicks is from Sefma, North
Carolina, and his mother and younger brother currently reside in
Florence, South Carolina.
Dr Harris-Hicks is an enrol led member of the Lumbcc Tribe She is
a descendant of the Prospect Harris family. She is the daughter of
Horace and Inez Harris. Her paternal grandparents are Wardell and
Fronie Dial Harris Her maternal grandparents are Cyrus and Mary
Locklcar Recce.
For an appointment with Dr. Harris-Hicks or any of the providers at
Carolinas Womens Center, call 910-277-3331.
To Subscribe to the
Carolina Indian Voice
call 910-521-0796
Broughton Oxendine seeks
another term on EMC Board
Broughton Oxendinc of
Rcnncrt has announced his reelection
bid to the LREMC Board
of Directors Oxendine represents
District 3. In making his
announcement, Oxendine released
the following statement
"Serving on the LREMC
Board of Directors has been one
of the most rewarding endeavors
I have undertaken I am
pleased to have played a small
part in the expansion and growth
of our cooperative I have had
the opportunity to be in a posi
lion to help make decisions lhat
keeps our cooperative one of
ihc most prosperous in the nation
"When 1 was first elected to
this position, it was one of my
goals to see us recruit new industry
We have successfully
accomplished that goal 1 desire
to see us continue to be a leader
in economic development in our
area. We have seen new industrial
growth, but there is always
room for more growth and expansion.
"The addition of new industry
to our lines has a direct result
on the economic development
in our area Every time a
new industry comes into the
area, it is a fact lhat new jobs are
added. Along with new jobs
comes an improvement in our
overall economy. This is always
encouraging
"The fact that we have not had
a rate increase in our electric
rates since 1997 is an indication
that our cooperative is moving
in the right direction. In business,
you always want to sec
growth and expansion with as
little increase in overhead is possible.
We arc accomplishing this
at LREMC 1 am happy to be a
part of this progressive movement
"I have made decisions while
serv ing as your representative
in District 3, that 1 felt were in
the best interest of the membership
After all, I also am a member
and am familiar with the necessity
of paving electric bills 1
promised to remember that our
cooperative was owned by us
when L.was first elected. If I am
re-elected 1 will continue to remember
that any increase in
rates, will affect the membership
and the membership will always
be by top priority.
"Thank you for allowing me
to serve as your representative
in District 3. 1 humbly ask that
you allow me the opportunity to
continue in that position."
The Annual meeting will be
held Thursday. October 14, at
the UNCP Performing Arts Center
front 1 p.ni until 8 p.m
Oxendinc encourages the members
to attend and participate in
the election
Joan Carol Locklear seeks District 1 seat
on LREMC Board of Directors
Joan Carol Locklcar. a teacher
with 2^-years experience, announces
her bid for a scat on
the Lumbcc River Electric Membership
Corporation's Board of
Directors She is seeking election
to the District 1 seat. Locklcar
is presently teaching at Pentbroke
Middle School and has
taught with the public school
system during her career. She
and her husband, Denzel Ray
Locklcar, arc active members of
Prospect Holiness Methodist
Church. They arc the parents of
four children. Locklcar is the
daughter of the late James and
Annie Strickland and the late
Walter Locklcar and Vivian
Locklcar of Pembroke
In making her announcement,
Locklcar released the following
statement
"As an educator I am extremely
interested in the scholarship
program at LREMC
Maybe there is a way to offer
more scholarships to tlie children
of our member consumers. This
is an idea I willcxplorc, if elected
to the EMC board.
"I am also interested in services
to the elderly. Because our senior
citizens arc on fixed incomes, it is
very important that we maintain
low electric raies. There should
also be a way to help our elderly
when their electric bill is higher
than normal. I would like to see a
program instituted that would
grant a senior citizens discount
on electric bills
"I am also very interested in securing
more jobs in our service
area. This could be done through
more recruitment of industry into
our service area. The more industry
we attract, the more jobs provided
for our community. The
more jobs provided, the better the
economy becomes. If elected, I
w ould work diligently to recruit
more and more industry into our
area
"I realize that operating a multi
million dollar corporation like our
cooperative, is a tremendous undertaking
It is very important
that we have business minded
people in positions to make decisions
which will result in more
industry, more jobs, keeping electric
rates at their lowest possible
rate while at the same time, being
compassionate and concerned
about those on fixed incomes. I
believe I can bring a new ap- p
proach, a combination of education,
good old fashioned common
sense and a determination to
make decisions in the best interest
of the entire membership.
Comlcch is one of the best business
decisions made recently in
our community. I support
Comtech and w ould work hard
to see this industry reach its full
potential.
"Capital Credits are issued to
members at the death of a
spouse. I would love to explore
the idea of returning Capital
Credits on a quarterly or a biannual
basis I do see why the membership
should have to wait until
the loss of a loved one to receive
a financial return on their
investment in their electric cooperative
If elected to the EMC
Board, I will explore the idea of a
new and better system for rcturning
Capital Credits to the membership.
These are only a few of the
thoughts and ideas I have for
making our cooperative stronger
and more responsive to the membership
My desire is to see our
cooperative continue on a strong
financial foundation while at the
same time not loosing sight of
the fact that the cooperative is
owned by every consumer who
pays an electric bill there every
month. These owner/consumers
should always be foremost in our
minds as decisions are made to
rovidc.progressivc growth to our
oopcrative. If elected, I will make
11 decisions with you the contimcr
al heart. I have been a conumcr
myself for many years and
ndcrstand the frustration when
ccisions arc made that arc not in
ic best interest of tl?c membership,
r elected to represent you on ilic
.REMC Board of Directors, Disrict
1, I promise to stay in touch
?ith the membership and make dcisions
based on what is best for
ou. My decisions will be fair and
/ell thought out 1 will not make
ash decisions, nor will I support
omcthing I do not believe is right
jst because the majority is voting
hat way
I humbly ask for your vote and
upport on October 14, 2004 '
Tiank you." .
The LREMC Annual Mcctingvill
beheld on Thursday, October
4,2004 at the UNCP Performing
^rts Center. Voting for four dirccorswillbc
held from 1 p.m. until 8
>.m.
Dr. Janet Harris-Hicks
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