^ A
5>? ^ ^ Published each Thursday u\ Pembroke, N.C I B
vap<t una Indian Voice
"Ihiikhnx Communicative Bridges hi A 'iri-R.icinl Setting"
VOLUME 32 NUMBER 40 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2004 25c
A Front Page Editorial
Serving on our Tribal Government appears
to be extremely financially rewarding
Several issues concerning our inbal government concern us. Foremost
among them is the apparent conflict of interest Allegations arc
that Council members serve on the council and provide serv ices to
the council For instance, Henry Clay Chavis. an electrician, is reported
to work as an electrician for a local construction company
which receives a great deal of work from the council Also. A1 Locklcar
is reported to
sell items to the contractors who are providing services. In addition.
Rev. Jimmy Hunt, according to reports, also works in construction
for our government. And there appear to be others. These councilmcn.
according to our sources, derive a great percentage of their
income from working this way. They arc not the only couqciI members
we understand who arc benefitting financially from their service on
the tribal council. These things ought not to be. Even if, HUD has no
problem with it, it wreaks of impropriety. It is a definite conflict of
interest. Do you suppose that Henry Clay Chavis would vote against
a construction company getting a bid on a job when he is personally
going to gain financially from it? If this is so, and we are certain it is,
we are disappointed in our council member, Henry Clay Chavis. We
ask these council members and all others whose personal livelihood
is affected in this way to give us an accounting of how much housing
money has gone into their pockets as they purported to "serve" us.
The tribal membership has a right to know. How much have you made,
Rev. Jimmy Hunt, as you served us? We would be remiss in our
duties if we did not, editorially speaking, ask these councilmcn and all
others who are doing the same thing, to resign immediately. They are
in a position of being self serv ing and cannot adequately and fairly
represent the people. This is so, especially when this is happening
and they keep it a deep dark secret from the tribal membership
We supposedly have a division in our housing program called
"Emergency Services." This division is supposedly directed by Rev.
Doug Locklear. (Later on we will speak to the overw helming number
of preachers who are gaining financially from our housing program.)
Nevertheless, recently the Speaker of the Council, David Carter, ac
cording to Tribal Administrator Leon Jacobs, was hospitalized While
he was hospitalized, his air conditioning unit went out. according to
Jacobs. The staff went immediately and pro\ ided emergency serv ices
to the Speaker of the Council If Mr Carter had a true emergency, why
was his application put ahead of those who have had emergency applications
in for many many months? We submit to you that serv ing on
our tribal council has built in benefits While we arc sorry Mr Carter
has health problems, we cannot condone this kind of action It is our
understanding that he has health insurance and continues in his capacity
as the Director of Emergency Scrv ices for Robeson County We
editorially ask Mr. Carter to step down because he has shown that his
personal interests and wants take precedence ovct the needs of our
elderly and handicapped. Again, we arc disappointed in Mr Carter We
think all council members should avoid this kind of selfishness How
do you explain your house being more important than the men and
women who have applied who have hospital bills, no insurance, and
cannot buy their medication'' Again, we say we are truly sorry that Mr.
Carter has health problems, but we believe financially he is far better
off than those people who continue to live in substandard housing
We just do not believe Mr. Carter's house warranted moving ahead of
people who are being rained on in their homes
One other point, $ 100,000 has been designated in the housing budget
for travel for council members and staff. This is ridiculous Our
Chairman, many members of the council and staff persons as \vc prepare
for press are in Florida at an NCAI meeting We have two delegates
to that event. Why this continued blatant waste of money? We
submit to you that many of our elected officials and staff members arc
connected with our government, not to provide services to the people,
but to "gain" whatever they can gain for themselves. Shame on you all
Traveling is not necessarily a bad thing, but when our elderly and
handicapped are under-served, it should not be done. Someone should
put a stop to this madness! Do we expect any of the men or women
who are personally gaining financially to step down? No, we do
not but you know, hope is an echo. . . it ties itself out yonder, yonder...."(to
quote Carl Sandburg j.
Report to the Tribal
Membership
Last week we discussed the responsibilities of the Executive Branch
of the Lumbee tribal government as defined by the tribe's governing
document, the Constitution of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
We reviewed the record of Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins, who is the
Chief Executive Officcrof the tribe Chairman Goins is responsible for
making sure the Tribal Administrator, who is responsible for the day
to day operation of the tribal office, is doing what he was appointed
to do. Therefore, it is ultimately Chairman Goins' responsibility to
ensure that the tribal staff, including the Tribal Administrator, is held
accountable and pet forming tasks satisfactorily.
This week we will briefly discuss the constitutional responsibilities
of the Lumbee Tribal Council, as well as review their actions in accordance
to the Constitution. The Tribal Council is the Legislative Branch
of the Lumbee tribal government.
Article VII Section 1 of the Constitution states: "The legislative
power to enact ordinances of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
shall reside in the Tribal Council." This provision gives the Council
the authority to adopt laws to govern the tribe Their function is like
. that of the United States Congress. According to the tribe's web
page, the Council has passed ordinances on tribal enrollment, the
content and form of ordinances and resolutions, and an ordinance
requiring tribal officials to take an oath of office. In accordance to the
Constitution ordinances passed by the Council will not be effective
until the ordinance has been posted for thirty calendar days following
its enactment. This provision under Article VII Section 6 provides
the tribal membership with the opportunity to review laws which have
been passed by the Council. The section also requires the Tribal
Council periodically publish a calendar of proceedings showing all
action taken by the Council and the address and telephone number
where copies of ordinances are available in a newspaper within the
tribal territory. I am not aware if any list of Council proceedings being
published in any local newspaper. However, copies of ordinances are
posted at the Tribal Office located in Pembroke, and one can obtain
copies there upon request.
Article VII Section 1 further states: "Such legislative power shall
include: (a) the enactment of annual budgets, provided that budgets
shall be enacted into tribal law following the conduct of tribal hcaring(s)
on budgets proposed by the Tribal Chairperson..." We know that a
budget was proposed in September and a hearing was held on that
budget. However, the budget was not enacted into law. The Council
instead passed a resolution, which is defined by tribal ordinance as a
matter of temporary interest, adopting the budget. Therefore, their
actions regarding the budget process may be questionable. There is a
great need for the Council to adopt an ordinance on the acceptance of
the budget, and the conduct of the public hearing on the budget.
Also, there &re several other important matters which should be addressed
by ordinances
Section 1 subsection (b) provides the Council with the authority to
adopt "rules and regulations governing the Tribal Council's procedure
and decorum, consistent with the provisions of this Constitution..."
To comply with this constitutional provision, the Tribal Council
did adopt an ordinance outlining how they will conduct meetings
For example, their meetings are to be conducted in accordance to
Robert 's Rules of Order
However, it should be noted that on more than one occasion it is
evident that members of the Council arc not knowledgeable of those
Rules to the extent that action they have taken cold not be challenged.
In addition, there arc countless issues which the Council should address
through-die adoption of rules and regulations. Rules and regulations
are important because they provide a clear understanding and
purpose of the ordinances they have adopted This too is part of their
legislative responsibility. It is essential for the Council to have rules
and regulations to explain each ordinance.
Article VII Section 1 subsection (c) requires the Tribal Council to
confirm either the employment or dismissal of a Tribal Administrator.
The Tribal Council did comply with this requirement in the dismissal
of former Tribal Administrator Darlcnc Jacobs and tlie employment of
current Administrator Leon Jacobs
The current members of the Tribal Council were elected to office in
the midst of much controversy surrounding the tribe's housing program
There were countless allegations of wrongdoing. One of the
problems that seemingly contributed to these problems was the creation
of committees. While the Constitution docs not provide a provision
for the creation of committees, the first members to serve on the
Tribal Council felt the need to establish numerous committees on
almost every conceivable subject with each committee having a coun
cil member to serve as chairman. This created an atmosphere for micro-management.
Council members serving in the capacity of chairman
of a committee began to act as if they had more authority than
other Council members who had been elected in their districts. For
example, there was a Housing Committee established. While it was
intended for the committees to report to the full Tribal Council, countless
rumors surfaced that the chairman of that committee, Council
member Jimmy Hunt was involved in the daily decision making process
of the tribe's housing program, and was not keeping the Council
abreast of necessary information. It was further rumored that decisions
with housing monies were not being properly addressed with
the Tribal Council. It is highly possible that this type of action lead to
the many problems we the tribal membership has had to endure for the
last longest.
We would like to remind each member of the Tribal Council that no
one person has any more authority than the other. Districts were not
created to allow Council members to build chicfdoms within their districts.
Each member has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that
all tribal members are treated fairly, equally, and provided due process
We would ask the Council to review the numerous committees and
dissolve all of those that are unnecessary and keep only those needed
to provide adequate services. For example, there is a need for a committee
on ordinances. This committee would be responsible for ensuring
that any ordinance proposed by any Tribal Council member could
be addressed properly and in accordance to the tribe's governing
document. Further, we would ask the Council to disband the Housing i
Committee where each member serves, and give the staff who has *
been hired to administer the housing monies the opportunity to do 1
their jobs. If there is a problem with staff, then it should be addressed
by the appropriate branch: the Executive Branch.
Lastly, we would encourage the Executive Branch to provide a stall
person for the Tribal Council. Currently they have no staff. There is a i
need for someone to be available to assist them to ensure that ordi- 1
nances are properly worded, posted, and available to the tribal mem- )
bership This would provide an environment for both the Executive i
Branch and the Legislative Branch to operate separately as required i
by the Tribal Constitution, and would eliminate the need for Council I
members to be in the tribal offices seemingly micro-managing each
day In addition, this would provide the Council the opportunity to
address important issues facing the tribe.
In conclusion, as we asked Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins to pass an
executive order dissolving the tribe's numerous non-profit corporations,
we would also ask the Tribal Council to also dissolve all nonprofits.
This can be done by formal action of the Council. We make
this request of the Council for the same reasons we asked the Chairman.
The tribe wanted to be governed by a Constitution which provides
the tribal membership with a voice in their government, and not
by a private non-profit corporation with no members as we had in the
past with LRD A. However, currently the mandate of the tribal membership
was seemingly ignored by the forming of these non-profits, and
the membership is right back where it was prior to the lawsuit which
created the Lumbee Self-Determination Commission This Commission
was court ordered to determine what type of government, if any,
the tribal membership wished to be governed by. It was clear the mandate
from the Lumbee tribal membership was to form a tribal government
based on a constitution.
I would also like to add in this week's report that one member of the
tribal staff is concerned that these articles arc unnecessary and will
do nothing but create confusion. The purpose of these articles is to
inform the tribal membership of their rights under the Constitution, as
well as the seeming failure of the elected leadership to follow the
mandate of Lumbee Tribal members. Next week we will take an indepth
look at the role of the Tribal Administrator
by Cynthia L. Hunt, Enrolled Member
Tribal News Correspondent
New phone numbers for
Carolina Indian Voice
Please make a note of the new phones numbers
for the Carolina Indian Voice.
910-521-0796
910-521-0992
910-521-9154
And the new fax number:
910-521-7670
FirstHealth to sponsor
Pregnancy Fair Oct. 21
PINEHURST - Expectant parents always hav e lots of questions
about prenatal care and cltildbirth. New parents probably have even
more questions about the care of their newborn. Area residents can
attend the upcoming FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital Pregnancy
Fair and get those questions answered.
"We feel it's important for mothers and the entire family to gel a
good head start." says Wanda Post, the hospital's assistant director
of Women and Children's Services. "The Pregnancy Fair is an
excellent way for people to learn the basics about childbirth and
parenting. They also get the opportunity to ask experts about more
detailed questions or concerns they may have."
The Oct. 21 program will be held from 5:3ll to 7:30 p.m. at The Fair
Barn 395 Magnolia DriverPinchurst. Experts on prenatal care pediatrics,
childbirth, mother-baby care, neonatal services, breastfeeding
and other topics will be available to answer questions.
More than 30 vendors from throughout the Sandhills will also be
present with a variety of giveaways to share.
There is no cost to attend the Pregnancy Fair, and registration is
not necessary.
For more information, please call Wanda Post at (910) 215-5209 or
Connie Jackson at (910) 215-2275.
Religious Poetry Contest
for Pembroke area
,A S1.000.00 grand prize is being offered in a special religious poetry
contest sponsored by the New Jersey Rainbow Poets, free to
anyone who has ever written a poem. There' arc 50 prizes in all
totaling almost $5,000.00. The deadline for entering is October 30,
2004. ,
To enter, send one poem only of 21 lines or less: Free Poetry
Contest. 103 N. Wood Ave., PMB 70, Linden, NJ 07036. Or enter online
wwAv.rainbowpocts.com. '
*'We think great religious poems can inspire achievement," says
Frederick Young, the organization's Contest Director. "Our desire is
to inspire amateur poets and we think this competition will accomplish
that North Carolina has produced many wonderful poets over
the year's and we'd like to discover new ones from among the Pembroke-area
grassroots poets."
SRMC Support
Groups meet monthly
Man-to-Man, a support group and lecture scries for men who have
been diagnosed with prostate cancer, meets the third Tuesday of
each month at 7 p.m. in the Obbic Lee Community Education Room of
the Gibson Cancer Center, 1200 Pine Run Dr, Lumbcrton. Call the
Gibson Cancer Center at 671 -5730 or the American Cancer Society at
1-877-227-9416 for more information
A program to help individuals slop smoking will be offered beginning
October 26 at 5:30 p.m in the Fitness Services area of the Southeastern
Lifestyle Center The eight-week scries is based in the American
Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking program.
The cost for the entire series is $75; however, a portion of the fee
will be refunded after successful completion of the program. Advance
registration is required. Space is limited To register or for more
information, call 738-5403.
Expectant parents are invited to attend new parent orientation on
Tuesday, October 26 at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Room at Southeastern
Regional Medical Center. A video presentation on labor and
childbirth and a tour of the New Life Birthing Suites are included.
Free admission and refreshments For more information, call 6715341
Free health screenings will be held Friday, October 29 from 10 a.m.
jntil4pm at Red Hill Housing Authority, 144-V Red Hill Road, in
Maxton Checks for total cholesterol/HDL, blood pressure and blood
glucose will be offered to all adults 18 years and older. A finger stick
s required. Results are available in Five minutes. These free screens
ire sponsored by Robeson County Partnership for Community
lealth Call 671-5595 for more information
Pembroke Elementary
observes Fire Safety Week
During Fire Safety Week, members of the Pembroke Fire Department
squad v'sited Pembroke Elementary School students. The purpose
was to inform students of what procedures they need to follow
during a fire Volunteers told students how to prepare an escape plan
in case of a fire. The plan should be practiced with an adult. Students
learned to arrange a meeting place outside the home if a fire starts,
and to call 911 at a neighbor's house after they exit the home.
Mr. Chris Lowry, Mr. Harvey Dccsc, Mr. Earl Dimcry, and Charles
Maynor shared many other important tips with all grades. In addition,
Mr Lowry displayed the clothing and other necessary equipment
used during a fire. Students were able to ask questions ana a
selected few were able to view the inside area of the fire truck. Pembroke
Elementary staff and students thank the Pembroke Fire Department
for a job well done.
"Terrific Kids" Program at
Pembroke Elementary
Pembroke Elementary School students were recognized at the "Terrific
Kids" Program on October 12, 2004. Each teacher presented six
accomplishment awards to students in their class Awards presented
for the first nine weeks include:
Most Improved Behavior
Exemplary Behavior
Most Improved Academics
Exemplary Academics
? Extra Effort
Terrific Kids.
Special thanks to the community and school for helping children
"Bee All They Can Bee"
Indian Voice
521-0796