Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Oct. 30, 1997, edition 1 / Page 10
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OPINION ; The Chronicle Ernf.ST H. Pitt PublislierlCo-Founder NO! B ISI EOEMONYE Co-Founder elaine Pitt Business Manager Fannie Henderson Advertising Manager carol Trad e r Production Manger T. J. WILLS Copy Editor * ^ -"?"'.c?fc* o>CKoam Unl ,\>0 F ??? *,,on**nn M ? Endorsements The election next Tuesday, Nov. 4, to determine who will run the city of Winston-Salem for the next four years is critical. This election will take us into the next millennium. It will also hold a mirror before us to reflect whether we have seriously met important challenges during this period. Hopefully, the mirror's reflection will inspire us to define goals for the future. This will be demonstrated when we cast our votes. Our system of government puts faith in laws and not in politicians. I herefore. we look at elections not as contests of goodness or popular ity. but as occasions for us to make up our minds which course of action we want for our community. Accordingly. The Chronicle has carefully examined each of the can didates and has chosen to endorse candidates as listed below. Some decisions were harder than others. Final decisions were determined and viewed from a cross-cultural perspective after close examination of all the attributes of each candidate. For incumbents, a three-prong analysis was used, including factors affecting 1) political behavior, (responsiveness to constituent concerns), 2) major initiatives (proactive leadership), and 3) significant accom plishments (improved quality of life for constituents). For non-incum bents. their attendant skills, leadership abilities, and demonstration and dedication to public service prevailed in our decisions. For the mayoral race we give a qualified nod to incumbent mayor Martha Wood. This decision was the toughest to make. Although Wood has been mayor for eight years, we feel that her challenger. Jack Cavenagh. possesses equal qualifications for leadership. Both chal lengers met the standards of fairness and concern for all citizens regard less of racial background. Wood, as the incumbent, has publicly displayed her concern for fair ness in her recommendations of minorities to boards and commissions. Her personal involvement in the lives of citizens to uplift them in times of great difficulty is also unquestioned. However. Cavenagh's actions as a private citizen equal those of Wood in his concern for minorities. And although we share his concern regarding fiscal constraint and greater accountability for governmental officials, he is an unknown quantity. Our concern for Wood is that she must reverse the perception in the African-American community that she is beholden to a few black gate keepers to voice the concerns of the entire community. This is an affront to the dignity of African-American citizens who deem themselves capable of articulating their own views. We also strongly urge the mayor to move beyond the status quo and take positive action to addresses racism in Winston-Salem. For alderman in the South Ward, we favor Fred Terry overwhelm ingly over incumbent Robert Norlander. Although Terry is making his first bid for office, he is no novice with issues concerning economic and administrative affairs. In the Southeast Ward, Vernon Robinson's stern and noble morali ty. as well as his dedication to education reform, make him our choice. We hope his concern for fiscal management and accountability will help in the development of programs that will assist minority business and trade in the city. In the North Ward, incumbent Nelson Malloy receives a slight nod over challenger Diana Cotton. Although Cotton has expertise as a manager of a city, we choose Malloy for his hands-on approach addressing citizens' concerns. Vivian Burke is our choice in the Northeast Ward. Wanda Merchel and Inez Davis are our respective choices in the Northwest and Southwest wards. 0 The Chronicle welcome* hWei as woff as goat* columns from its rood art. Lottors should bo os concism as possiblo and should bo typod or logMy printed. Ib enaure the authenticity of the letter, you must include the name? address and telephone number of the' writer. Columns must follow the some guidelines and will be published if they are of interest to our general readership. The Chronicle will not publish any letters or columns that arrive without this information. We reserve the right to edit letters and columns for brevity and clarity. Submit letters and columns to: Chronicle MaHbog, P.O. Bex 1636, Winston-Salem, NC 77107. f-mait address: wschronOnotunlimiled.net / IDOVNTMEPJUSr \ I SWUWPtWEHWHS 1 of icytot house com? -4 MP (VMWai flMWf / v HEARNGS... / L Phillips letter one-sided To the Editor: Donyell Sakishka Phitftps offers a number of interesting viewpoints concerning the ongoing investiga tions into campaign finance abuse* (Chronicle Mailbag Oct. 23). Ms. Phillips seems to imply our country should simply ignore the entire mat ter. Never mind that as the situation now appears, crimes have been committed. Let's everyone just con tinue along, sort of to use an old phrase, fat, dumb and happy, hop ing we never find ourselves in this situation again. That attitude. Ms. Phillips, is the equal of writing a blank check to those same politi cians whom you describe yourself as having so little faith in. As something of a sidebar to her defenses of president Clinton and the entire Democratic party, the writer also took a swipe at what many today consider another unpopular group ? mature white males. Those she considers outdat ed in their outlook and possessing more resources than most of us were simply deemed "arrogant and wealthy." Personally speaking as a middle age male ? white, no less (albeit far from wealthy) ? I am the first to concede our shortcomings. Topping the list is few appearances on the so called "trash talk" TV circuit. For whatever reasons, hosts such as Ricki Lake have no interest in even tempered, back-and-forth dialogue. In-your-face shouting matches, laced with frequent name-calling are attributes no self-respecting talk show should be without. Our group unfortunately fails to deliver. Aimlessly cruising metro area shopping malls in groups all out of proportion to our percentage of the population, especially during week day work hours, isn't one of our strong points either. Job commit ments and family constraints; I hope you understand Ms. Phillips. And finally, our ongoing sup port for NASCAR sanctioned rac ing events has drawn fire in recent weeks toward our numbers also. Even the "Charlotte Observer" self described as the largest daily news paper serving North Carolina, has taken it upon themselves to chastise the white population, and in partic ular in this, the fastest growing sport in America. However, despite our admitted drawbacks, we white men continue to function quiet well in what has always been our major role in soci ety ? paying the bills. Both for our selves and our family members, plus those among the population unable or unwilling to do likewise; we can be counted on when the check is presented. Yes, Ms. Phillips, even you would probably concede when the time comes for paying the freight in this country, we white guys are. to use a military term, "front and center." Ms. Phillips was, I note, quick to point out her credentials before assuming her various positions. A fine education, including studies at Wake Forest University, was part of her background Wake Forest, a true testament to those dreaded arrogant wealthy white men who have gone on before us. Quoting the long-departed Adam Clayton Powell, the infa mous Harlem-based black leader of years past, simply "keep the faith baby" or. in this case. Ms. Donyell Phillips. And remember, we will be there when you need us. Keith H. Siles Vote green To the Editor: Rapid development in the Triad challenges us to find creative ways to manage growth, while conserv ing our natural resources, our clean water and air quality, and our parks and green spaces. We need far sighted elected leaders who will plan proactively to preserve our environment and quality of life for future generations. Toward that goal. Piedmont Conservation Voters was formed by local citizens to support candidates with positive stands on environmental issues. Following our research into can didates' stated positions and past community service, for the Board of Aldermen we urge voters to select Fred Terry in the Southeast Ward. Inez Davis in the Southwest Ward, and Wanda Merschel in the Northwest Ward. Fred Terry (Southeast) has been active as a member of the Legacy planning committee, working toward building better neighbor hoods. Me supports strong protec tion for our watersheds and water supplies, as well as creative solu tions to improve mass transit, eas ing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution. Inez Davis (Southwest) has been an effective neighborhood advocate for Ardmore and supports improved public transit, more bike ways, and better planning for the location of shopping areas, to alle viate traffic congestion and thus improve air quality. Wanda Merschel (Northwest) emphasizes the need to redevelop existing structures within the city, before developing outlying areas, to better conserve natural resources and green spaces. She also supports strong watershed protection and improved mass transit. The Piedmont Conservation Voters strongly recommend Fred Terry, Inez Davis, and Wanda Merschel as individuals who will serve Winston-Salem well. John Calhoun President Piedmont Conservation Voters We should have a lottery To the Editor: Even though I always have bad luck and lose anytime I try to pre dict the winner of a game. I support a state lottery for North Carolina. Most other states use lottery pro ceeds to keep taxes lower and to pay for needed public services such as schools, police, health care, and other important needs. Taxes are coercive. complicated. and unfair.while a lottery is totally vol untary. You decide if you want to buy a ticket, and no government bureau crat threatens you with a tax levy or fine or jail if you choose not to play the lottery! Our founders used lotteries to equip and arm volunteers in the Revolutionary Army, which suc cessfully challenged Britain's "taxa tion without representation". As history proves, we the people must keep a vigilant eye on those in government, because the power to tax is the power to destroy! Isn't a voluntary way of raising public funds better than a Big Brother approach? Our neighbor to the North, the Commonwealth of Virginia, will net well over $300 million dollars from their lottery this year. Many of the good citizens of our state "make a run for the border" to buy Virginia Lotto tickets, thereby donating millions to the schools of Virginia, which pay teachers at a far higher rate than we do here in North Carolina. ? ? The argument that a lottery would bring in organized crime is just stupid How many of your fel low church members raise money by playing bingo? How many of your co-workers participate in the office pool? How many of your friends bet on sports? And are you aware that there is plenty of illegal gambling ? the numbers rackets in every major city in this state? I'd rather see the money current ly going to other states' coffers stay here, and I would like to see a legal, publicly audited and scrutinized alternative such as a lottery instead of the numbers-runners, bookies,and loan-sharks who usu ally do have direct ties to organized crime. Let's put our money toward our schools, police, and hospitals instead of the Godfather! We the people of North Carolina deserve the right to vote on a referendum for the lottery! Gary James Minter Black alumni should make special effort to spend with black-owned businesses Last week's homecoming at North Carolina A&T was very revealing. A close look at the things people did and where they did them shows that blacks with money are failing to use their collective economic clout to sustain black-owned businesses. What a shame. How much insight can you find in a football game and the accompanying plethora of social activities, you ask? Well, that's the point. Too many graduates, faculty and friends see the event as an extended family reunion. It is that, and much more. In addition to football and step shows, homecoming is also a time when alumni of this prestigious institution return. Every year an estimat ed 40.000 people come to Greensboro for the festivities on this famed weekend in October. And they don't leave their wallets at home. Of course, some folks have already realized that black college graduates have money. According to the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, home coming generates an estimated $9.3 million for the local economy. That's not chump change. Unfortunately, it's jingling in registers and pockets not owned by black peo ple. Mable Scott, A&Ts director of public information, v t 1 ?? - x " ' " 1 . " *F discounts the need to track exactly where the money is spent. Scott maintains that an economic boon for the city benefits everyone, including A&T. She's right about that. And we commend her for looking at the big picture. According to Scott, the university can use the economics of homecoming as leverage. She suggests that once the broader community realizes how much money is associ ated with the A&T event, businesses and elected officials will be more willing to include the school in long-range planning and projects. The university will garner more respect. Respect is a good thing; so is inclusion. But A&T alumni are also in a position to decide where that $9.3 million is spent. Much more of it should be jin gling in registers on the east side of town. The problem, though, is that there are few black-owned businesses in Greensboro, least of all on the predominantly black east side. Some may scream racism at the mere suggestion that black people consciously patronize black establishments. Self preservation is another way of looking at it. Recent A&T grads probably don't know the East Market Street of yesteryear. There was a time when black entrepreneurs owned property and made profits in busi I nesses supported by A&T faculty and students. There was the Palace Theatre, the Paramount Grill and Boss Webster's right across the street. Vines Cleaners made a pretty penny doing laundry for soldiers working at a depot near the A&T campus. Those days are long gone. With them went the pride and profit of owning a busi ness in a black neighborhood. Of course, any business that relies exclusively on the A&T homecoming income won't operate in the black for long. Still, consider the millions of dollars that were spent last weekend. Some of the money that went to west Greensboro businesses could easily have benefited black establishments, if the people making the spending deci sions had so desired. After all, was it really necessary to hold the annual worship service at the Koury Convention Center? Some A&T students want the university or elected officials to track the dollars and let the public know how much of the homecoming revenue stays in the black community. We agree. Perhaps if the numbers were star ing them in the face, black people would give a second thought to where they are spending their money and who benefits from the sale. % 1
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Oct. 30, 1997, edition 1
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