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)LUME 94 - NUMBER 40 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015 TELEPHONE (919) 682-2913 PRICE: 50 CENTS
Noting Rights, Affirmative Action
On Supreme Court Agenda
By Mark Sherman
WASHINGTON (AP) - The
feme Court is starting a
| term that promises a steady
am of divisive social issues,
1 also brighter prospects for
lervatives who suffered
e losses than usual in recent
Iths.
■ he justices are meeting in
lie Oct. 5 for the first time
|e a number of high-profile
isions in June that displayed
lionate, sometimes barbed
agreements and suggested
ac bruised feelings among the
fudges.
the first case before the court
Ives a California woman
lost her legs in a horrific
lent after she fell while at-
iting to board a train in
bruck, Austria. The issue is
ther she can sue the state-
ed Austrian railway in U.S.
ts. The court also is expect-
> reject hundreds of appeals
[piled up over the summer.
Suture cases will deal with
■tion, religious objections
birth control, race in college
Missions and the power of
Hic-sector unions. Cases on
migration and state restric-
ns on voting also could make
to the court in the next nine
titbit.
■he term will play out against
Backdrop of the presidential
laign, in which some candi-
K are talking pointedly about
justices and the prospect of
Being some of them in the
I few years. Four justices
in their 80s or late 70s, led
2-year-old Ruth Bader Gins-
ommentators on the left and
say the lineup of cases sug-
that conservatives will win
often than they will lose
the next few months, in con-
Ito the liberal side’s success
Berm in gay marriage, health
land housing discrimination,
tg others.
'his term. I’d expect a return
e norm, in which the right
of the court wins the major-
lut by no means all of the
said Georgetown Univer-
aw school’s Irv Gornstein.
ne reason for the confidence
it, as Supreme Court law-
■ohn Elwood said: “This is
of sequels.” Affirmative
and union fees have been
court in recent terms and
justices’ positions are more
ess known.
|ie larger question is wheth-
jere are majorities for ma-
julings that, for example,
| d all but outlaw the use of
lin admissions or declare
jvorkers’ free-speech rights
jade unions from collecting
jnoney from non-members.
I cases also could produce
lower outcomes that would
fess damaging to affirmative
on and unions.
So single case before the jus-
jin the new term holds the
lificance of the court’s 5-4
lion in June that extended
right to marriage to gay and
■n couples nationwide,
jmt the author of that opinion,
fee Anthony Kennedy, prob-
will play a similarly deci-
:ole in the most important
to be heard by the court,
issue after issue, Kennedy
des the deciding vote,” said
rvative commentator Ed
an, no fan of Kennedy,
'ttservative ire over some
edy opinions is almost
1c. But Chief Justice John
ds, who marked his 10th
ersary on the court this
also has faced intense criti-
from conservative quarters,
V for his two votes in favor
6 Obama health care
overhaul. In a Republican presi
dential debate last month, Texas
Sen. Ted Cruz called Roberts’
appointment to the court a mis
take. Even former Florida Gov.
Jeb Bush hesitated when asked
whether he agreed with Cruz.
Bush’s brother, President
George W. Bush, nominated
Roberts in 2005.
RALPH HUNT
Ralph Hunt to Step Down as
Chair of Durham Committee
Former state senator Ralph Hunt has announced he will step down
as chair of The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People
(DCABP) when the group holds its annual meeting next February.
The announcement was made in an e-mail sent to the group’s
membership on September 22.
Hunt and an almost completely new leadership team took the reins
of the DCABP in February. 2014, and he said that since that time
he and others have “worked as a team to bring The Committee to a
different place than we found it 19 months ago.”
Among other things accomplished during his tenure, Hunt said,
were the purchase of a building at 601 Fayetteville Street that serves
as the DCABP headquarters, establishment of a website for DCABP,
holding two successful anniversary banquets at which community
leaders were honored, and improved decorum at DCABP meetings.
He noted that although the building purchase came during his service
as chair, funds for that purpose had been raised over a period of years
through the group’s annual banquet and other activities.
Another area of accomplishment during his tenure was in the
group’s political action committee (PAC), which he said also
achieved outstanding results in the election of most of the candidates
they endorsed in 2014 under the leadership of PAC chair Walter
Jackson.
Hunt said he was announcing his departure at this time to allow
adequate time for the committee to select his successor. The
organization will hold an election to fill his position, Hunt said.
Other current officers have terms ending in 2017, he added.
“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as chair of The
Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People during this crucial
period,” he stated.
Hunt has been involved in service to the city and county of Durham
and the state of North Carolina for more than 30 years. From 1973
to 1977 he served as a member of the board of the Durham County
Department of Social Services. He served 10 years as a member of
the Durham City Council from 1975 to 1985, including four years
as vice-mayor of the city. He served in the North Carolina senate
from 1985 to 1993, and held positions as majority whip and finance
committee chairman.
From 1993 to 2001, he served on the North Carolina Utilities
Commission, including a stint as chairman of the commission. He
returned to the state senate in 2004 and served another year as a
member of that body. He has received the state’s highest civilian
Justices reject appeal from inmate over juror’s
racial slur
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has rebuffed an ap
peal from an African-American man on Georgia’s death row over a
white juror’s use of a racial slur.
The justices did not comment Oct. 5 in rejecting Kenneth Fults’
appeal. He was sentenced to death for the 1996 killing of Cathy
Bounds, who was shot five times in the back of her head.
Fults has been trying for 10 years to get a court to consider evi
dence that racial bias deprived him of a fair trial.
Fults’ lawyers obtained a signed statement from juror Thomas
Buffington in which Buffington twice used the racial slur when refer
ring to Fults. Buffington died last year.
The case is Fults v. Chatman, 14-9740.
Former Attorney General Ed
win Meese and 68 prominent
conservatives issued a memo
Oct. 2 that mentions Samuel Ali
to, Antonin Scalia and Clarence
Thomas as the kind of justices
the next Republican president
should fight for. There was no
mention of Roberts.
Alito alluded to tension
among the justices in a speech at
the University of Kentucky last
month. By late June, “We tend
to be kind of angry with each
other,” Alito said.
Sewell asks DOJ
to investigate
drivers 9 license
closures
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)
- Alabama Congresswoman
Terri Sewell said Friday that
she plans to ask the Depart
ment of Justice to investigate
Alabama’s closure of 31 rural
drivers’ license offices.
Sewell said the closings
disproportionately affect the
state’s poor, rural and African-
American residents, and that
she’s particularly appalled it
is happening in a state that re
quires photo IDs to vote.
“The voices of our most vul
nerable citizens have been fur
ther silenced by the decision to
close 31 driver’s license offices
across Alabama,” Sewell said.
Sewell said she is asking
U.S. Attorney General Loretta
Lynch to investigate the clo
sures as possible civil-rights or
voting-rights violations.
The Alabama Law Enforce
ment Agency this week pulled
examiners from the part-time
satellite offices to save travel
costs in the face ofbudget cuts.
The change means that resi
dents in 28 counties will have
to travel outside the county to
obtain a license or learner’s
permit for the first time. Sewell
said transportation is already
a significant problem for peo
ple in the state’s high-poverty
Black Belt region that she rep
resents.
She said what the state is
doing is adding an additional
“barrier for certain segments”
to get a license.
ALEA said the satellite of
fices, which were staffed with
an examiner part-time, were
picked because of low utiliza
tion.
Statistics from ALEA
showed the offices issued any
where from a few dozen to sev
eral hundred licenses and per
mits in 2014.
The Greenville location is
sued 261 permits and 187 li
censes and gave 620 exams in
2014. The Camden location
issued 145 permits and 42 li
censes and gave 403 exams.
The Chatom location issued
220 permits and 99 licenses
and gave 496 exams.
License renewals can still
be done in all counties offices,
according to ALEA. They can
also be done online.
Sonny Brasfield, executive
director, Association of County
Commissions ofAlabama, said
county offices perform license
renewals, while state workers
give the exams and issue new
licenses and permits.
Some state officials have
disputed assertions that the clo
sures will be a voting barrier.
Secretary of State John Merrill
said people can obtain a voter
ID card at county registrars.
James H. Speed, Jr.
James H. Speed, Jr. to Retire as N.
C. Mutual Life Insurance Company
President, Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer Michael L.
Lawrence Named as Successor
James H. Speed, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer o
North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company (NCMLIC), ha:
announced his intention to retire effective December 31, 2015. Hi
will be succeeded by Michael L. Lawrence, Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Lawrence joined NC
MLIC in January of 2012 as part of the Board of Directors’ corpo
rate succession planning process.
Speed, whose role with NCMLIC has spanned nearly 14 years
made the public announcement in a town hall meeting with em
ployees on Monday. He will continue to serve as an advisor ant
Board member after his retirement.
“Under his leadership North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance
Company has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most im
portant economic icons, particularly in the insurance industry,’
NCMLIC Chairman Elliott Hall said in a statement. “The in
creased diversity of our product offerings coincided with shifts it
the insurance and financial services sectors and kept us relevant
This is due in large part to James’ willingness to bring innova
tive ideas and talent to the company while significantly reducing
our cost structure. As a result, North Carolina Mutual was able t(
survive the most turbulent economic and financial time this coun
try and our company had seen since the Great Depression. Jame:
fostered a customer service culture that has allowed the compan;
not only to survive but to move forward successfully. His effort:
have kept the African American insurance industry at the forefron
of initiatives that emphasize literacy and responsible banking.” Hi
added, “James’ outstanding contributions to the company are ad
mirable. Our capital position is strong and our financial strengtl
was upgraded by A.M Best in May of this year.”
As CEO, Speed ushered in significant changes, altering th
company’s business model with the Vision 2015 strategy. Thi:
plan has allowed NCMLIC to enhance distribution, leverage ser
vicing platforms with technology, and increase financial service:
capabilities. Under the Vision 2015 plan, the company launchet
North Carolina Mutual Insurance Agency, an independent broker
age with life and health, annuity, pre-need, and property and ca
sualty product offerings. NCMLIC also acquired North Carolin;
Mutual Financial, a funeral funding subsidiary of the compan;
located in Gadsden, Alabama. In addition, he shepherded the 2001
transfer of the North Carolina Mutual historical archives to Nortl
Carolina Central University and Duke University.
Speed joined North Carolina Mutual as a Senior Vice Presiden
and Chief Financial Officer in 2002, while the company’s strategii
plan was being developed. He helped guide that process, and it
April 2003 was named acting President and Chief Executive Of
ficer.
■ Lawrence is a business executive with more than 20 years o
experience in the financial services industry. He has been Chie
Financial Officer and Treasurer of North Carolina Mutual Life In
surance Company since January 2012. His prior experience witl
NCMLIC as a business advisor spans more than a decade. Prior t(
joining North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Mr. Law
rence served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating
Officer of NCM Capital Management Group Inc., an institutiona
investment management firm. Mr. Lawrence launched his caree
and developed his business acumen while advancing through thi
ranks at the international assurance and advisory firm of Deloitti
and Touche. His experience crosses multiple industries while spe
cializing in the financial services sector, including life insurance
investment advisory and banking. He serves as a Director of M&I
Bancorp, Inc. and for its subsidiary Mechanics & Farmers Bank
He also serves on various committees including Vice-Chairman o
the Audit and Risk committee and Chairman of the Informatioi
Systems committee. Mr.' Lawrence serves on the North Carolin;
State University Investment Fund Board and has served on variou:
nonprofit boards throughout the Raleigh/Durham area. He earne
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from North Carolina Stati
University and is a certified public accountant. He is married witl
four children.