Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Dec. 18, 1997, edition 1 / Page 2
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DORSETT_ from page Al to Dorsett, she told him that she was n't sure what the state's need was in that area. Of course, his response was that it is her job to know such infor mation. "So 1 said to him, 'We are going to be having some seminars,'" said Dorsett, explaining that her depart ment had scheduled meetings in four different locations to give potential contractors the opportunity to come and meet face to face with the agen cies that would be using their services. "I told him there would be meet ings, and lunch, for $10, would be served. And he said 'I'm not paying any $10 to come down there.' Of course I let him know that he didn't have to buy the lunch." The caller, said Dorsett, conclud ed, "'I don't know why we sent you down there ? you ain't doing noth ing.'" This encounter exemplifies the type of expectations people have, Dorsett said. "I can go back to my experience on the city council and county board of commissioners, and I think that we in our community felt that when we put one person or two people down there, that's all we had we had to look to and we were going to make things right.1' That is not the way things work in state and local government, Dorsett said. "But I will tell you, it's all about votes. If you don't have the votes on these boards and bodies to do things differently, then your vote won't go very fhr. I know," she said. "When I served on the City Council, there . were two of us; there were nine mem bers of the city council. And it didn't matter what we thought, unless we got five votes, we could not make a difference. So my experience is that there has got to be coalition .building. You've got to have people who want something of you and they need your support. And then when you want something of them, you join. That is the only way that I think you can truly make a difference." Dorsett was at the center of con troversy a year ago because of those expectations. Shaw Food Service, one of the few black-owned firms to garner a state contract, was replaced as the long standing provider of meals to predomi nantly black stu dents, faculty and staff at A&T and North Carolina Central University, which are two of the state's largest histor ically black institu tions. Shaw lost its contract to Marriott and Marcorp, both of which arc white-owned businesses. Marriott had offered NCCU $25,000 to the chancellor's discretionary fund, $25,000 to student government and another $100,000 to the School of Hospitality and Management. Although some believe Dorsett's presence in Raleigh was supposed to make things better for blacks, that's not necessarily the way it has turned out. According to reports at the time, the lost contract resulted in a trim ming of the Shaw Food staff as well. Some 375 black people lost their jobs because of the incident. Now, a year later, blacks are com plaining about the sparse number of state highway contracts they are awarded through the Department of Transportation State lawmakers called for a study into the matter, but that was before an investigation into misdealing by Transportation Board members was launched. Dorsett has not been vocal about pressing the state to link the improper actions by white board members with the seem ingly coincidental exclusion of black companies from highway construction problems. During her remarks at A&T Monday evening, Dorsett was also asked about another decision that falls to her department ? state recogni tion of the Occoneechee tribe. Deborah Mebane, a stu dent in the class, said she has several friends who are members of the tribe and she wanted to know why it's been difficult for them to get recognized by the State of North Carolina, even though the tribe receives grants from an agency that deals specifically with native Americans. Mebane said she believes that the group has been slighted by the state because its members also have African American ancestry. "What happens," explained Dorsett, "is that we have a recogni "So my experience is that there has got to be coalition building." tion committee and a set of criteria that they have to meet. Here aggin, we're in court at this point trying to mediate this thing. "1 can't tell you what the criteria is, but I do know that there is crite ria," Dorsett told Mebane. She added, "I'm now convinced that they have not been able to document responses to those things that they must do." In addition to dealing with the expectations black people have of her position, Dorsett said she also has to deal with being a woman in a leader ship role. "I can go with one of my division directors, particularly those in prop erty, construction and purchasing, and as we go to talk with people, they invariably look to the man as -the head of the agency. And I am his sec retary," Dorsett said, drawing chuck les from the audience. "I remember that I was in the Cardinal Club ? county government people had invited us to come and have dinner with them. They intro duced all of us. So they introduced the men, secretary of so and so, and then Katie Dorsett, secretary to the governor." Dorsett is Secretary of Administration. That's hardly the governor's secretary. "The things I have experienced are nothing out right but kind of subtle. And that's not just typical of govern ment, but I think that's also typical rif what women experience in the corpo rate world. * "I guess we just have not arrived at that point yet. So I suffer the dou ble frustration of being both African American and female. WELFARE from page AI Assistance to Needy Families) bene fits of Mecklenburg County, we have 80 percent of the administrative over head." According to Winfree, reduc ing what is spent on personnel "would free up a half a million dol lars for child care and transporta tion." Other committee members have said that transportation and child care issues must be addressed if welfare reform is going to have even a chance of working. "If we have no money to do these things because it's eaten up by admin istrative costs, then there won't be any big progress. We have to shift the administrative expense and overhead to efforts that reduce welfare, such as transportation," Winfree told the oth ers. Winfree, who is white, made his comments after committee member Kathy Spicer presented recommenda tions from a subcommittee assigned the responsibility of developing the nuts and bolts of the county's plan for reducing the public assistance rolls by putting adults to work. Spice and other black members of the group, including fellow commis sioner Warren Dorsett, Nettie Coad and Ruth Rideout, argued that there could be a, legitimate reason why administrative costs are higher in Guilford County. "I'd like to know what we're pro viding with those funds before we start talking about cutting them, Coad said. The issue of shifting administra tive money to programs appeared to divide the group on racial lines. "I think that this group would be negligent if we did not at least look into the possibility of saving some of that administrative money and help ing the recipients we're trying to help," commented Commissioner Mary Rakestraw, who is white. Spicer, however, was concerned that staff reduction would make it difficult for social workers to do their job well. "There's not enough interaction now with social workers. We don't need to decrease the social worker staff," Spicer said. The group resolved the difference of opinion at last week's meeting by establishing a subcommittee to look specifically at the money now being spent on administration. The Work First Block Grant Planning Committee has until next month to submit its plan to the state. The recommendation so far is to shrink the welfare caseload by devel oping an intensive marketing cam paign. Under that initiative, recruitment representatives from var ious companies would participate in regular Work First job fairs. The idea is to get numerous employers to share in the effort to provide jobs. The county needs to find employment for 1,564 welfare recipients. Caring for the children of women who go to work is another major con sideration. The planning committee intends to recommend that the coun ty "develop a comprehensive package to present to communities, encourag ing community-based child care sup port (in-home and centers)." As currently written, the draft rec ommendation contends that this "one-stop effort would cut down on transportation needs to child cafe facilities; provide employment; and address the need of 24-hour child care availability, sick-child care and quality monitoring." "I think that this group is not see ing the full picture of welfare reform, and I think that an expert in social issues and welfare is absolutely criti cal," said Linda Jones. She suggested that either the DSS board or the com missioners hire a professional consul tant to review the plan before it is submitted to state officials. That idea did not have widespread support at last week's meeting, but some com mittee members said they would reconsider at a later time. WATT from page AI operations in Bosnia and the Middle East. I voted for nine of the appropri ations bills and against four (three because of onerous substantive provi sions normally prohibited in appro priations bills and one because it appropriated almost $4 billion more than the president and the depart ment requested). Veterans COLAs: Congress approved a bill which authorizes a 2.1 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in veterans benefits, in line with the increase for Social Security recipients. I voted yes. Immigration: Congress passed sev eral bills to correct some of the unfair provisions in the immigration reform law passed last year. These bills restore welfare benefits to some immigrants, allow some illegal immi grants to remain in the country while applying for permanent resident visas and avert deportation for some refugees who came to the United States fleeing persecution. I voted yes. Adoptions: Congress passed a bill designed to Speed up adoptions of children in foster care and provide them more health and safety during the process. I voted yes. Amtrak: Congress passed a bill to restructure Amtrak's management and labor practices and to provide funding for operating subsidies, capi tal improvements and retirement funds through 2002, the year in which federal support for Amtrak is project ed to end. I voted yes. China MFN: Congress voted to extend most-favored-nation trade sta tus to China for another year. I voted no. Chemical Weapons: The Senate approved a chemical weapons that bans development, production, sale and use of chemical weapons. No vote in the House is required on treaties. Things that failed School Vouchers: The House defeated a proposal to allow states to use some federal education funds to provide vouchers for children to attend private schools. I voted against the proposal. A provision to allow vouchers was also removed from the District of Columbia appropriations bill under threat of a presidential veto. Constitutional Amendments: Congress defeated four proposed amendments to the Constitution: to establish term limits for members of Congress, to require a balanced bud get, to allow Congress to ban physical desecration of the flag and to require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress to pass bills to increase taxes. I voted against all four propos als. Things that were left undone For a variety of reasons many bills were not acted on. Among them were bills concerning public housing, IRS reform, job training and literacy, child support enforcement, juvenile crime, affirmative action, campaign finance reform and a tobacco settle ment. My constituents may obtain infor mation about legislation and actions not discussed in this summary, as well as more information about the bills discussed and the reasons for any votes I have cast, by contacting my office. We'll always try to help. SICKLE CELL from page AI The grant had paid for a nhrse, who cared for roughly 200 patients; a clinic held at the Greensboro office where men, women and children receive exams from specialists from Duke; and transportation for services such as blood transfusions. The regional Sickle Cell Association created the first satellite community clinic for the disease in 1978. Within a couple of years, according to agency information, the local center became a liaison between area physicians and hematologists at Duke. At the time, there were few ^Jjlood specialists in the local commu nity who treated people with sickle L cell disease. North Carolina screens all babies for the disease. Consequently, the number of infants known to have sickle cell or the trait for it is growing, said Robinson. "Therefore, it is important to have funding which pro vides genetic counseling for parents, as a preventative and education effort." A study completed in 1988, and paid for with the NIH grant, proved that teaching people with sickle cell preventive maintenance decreased hospital stays, visits to the emergency room and time away from school or work. That study led to the creation of a Home Health Care program. But the Sickle Cell Association lost fund ing for that program in 1993. LAKESIDE from page A! J Weatherford stressed the impor tance of reading to children by urging all parents present to make sure that their children read on a daily basis. "It is very important that parents read to their children because it moti vates them to want to learn to read," Weatherford said. Reading, she said, is a way to unlock the secrets to the world for children as well as adults. In addition, Weatherford demon strated the rhythm and meter in poet ry using band instruments. She also conducted a session on how to write poetry in various ways. Weatherford has traveled across the country con ducting workshops and presenting lectures that develop the communica tion skills of young people in creative' ways. Weatherford holds a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her most recent books are Grandpa and Me, Mighty Menfolk, My Favorite Toy, and Me and the Family Tree. She also wrote the prize-winning poetry vol ume The Tan Chanteus. She wrote the first children's text on the emancipa tion holiday, called Juneteenth Jamboree. Weatherford displayed her books for children during the session. "Mrs. Weatherford is an outstand ing motivator for children," said Chairperson Louise Smith, a former educator, "and it is very important to encourage our youth to read and write correctly. Music is a great medi um to use to get children excited about learning. Technology is fine, but we cannot forget the arts, the basics," she said. Parents and children alike were enthralled with Weatherford's presen tation. "Mrs. Weatherford has the technique, the skills, and the person ality to deal with children. I can see why she loves to write childien's books," Smith said. Following the program, the chil dren munched on mini-subs, chips. Moravian cookies, punch and candy. Each child received a large "goodie bag" filled with books and school supplies that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority donated. The members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Adopt-a-Community Committee want the children of the Lakeside Community to be exposed to many role models in the communi ty who will motivate youth to achieve. They have also taken the children to see The Nutcracker Ballet, the sym phony at Wake Forest University, and to the Festival of Lights at Tanglewood. During a two-week seminar on manners and etiquette, the sorors took the children to dine at Cafe Piaf, where they met Chef Don McMillan. Most of the children are African-American; however, many Hispanic children are now participat ing. A teenager from the community acts as interpreter. Since the sorority adopted the community as one of its service pro jects, the parents have-organized a 4 Parent Council to lend support to the project. They are very pleased that this group has shown such genuine interest in their children. Since the parents joined, sorors have held workshops with them to explain how to interpret their children's report cards and standardized test scores. They encourage the parents to check their children's homework *a^h day, to visit the schools and to seH-e as a volunteers at their children's schools. What is more, the sorors conduct an after-school tutorial program attaint Paul United Methodist Church on New Walkertown Road. The chairperson of the Adopt-a Community Committee is Louise Smith. Members of the committee who were present included Simona Allen, Elsie Blackman, Geraldine Davis, Lam Dillard, LaVerne Gaither, LeVeme Hanes, Sherlane Hill, Elva Jones, Robyn Martin Roseborough, Gwendolyn Rocker, Mary Young Smith and Gwendolyn Wynn. * . i . ?? |AP PHOTO/Rick Bowmet| Farrakhan concerned for safety Surrounded by bodyguards. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan talks to the press Monday December ]5, 1997 shortly before boarding a bus from Ramallah, West Bank, to take him to the Allenby bridge crossing into Jordan. Farrakhan, who arrived unexpectedly in the West Bank on Sunday, left for Jordan saying he did not feel wel come in Israel and was concerned for his safety. NAACP upholds slsction GREENSBORO (AP) ? The NAACP has upheld the election of Melvin "Skip" Alston as president of the North Carolina chapter, dismissing a complaint filed by three chal lengers. Terry Belk, Jesse Smith and Curtis Gatewood contested the results of the Nov. 1 election, saying it violated the state organization's constitution In a letter released Tuesday, a week after it was dated, the NAACP dismissed the complaints. In a statement, Alston called the complaint a waste of time and urged the three to direct their energy toward fight ing racism and discrimination. Alston received 63 percent of the votes. Smith won 22 percent, while Gatewood and Belk had 13 percent and 2 percent respectively. Belk withdrew from the race during the convention to support Smith. |AP PHOTO/Rick Bowmef) Loudon make way for future South African deputy president Thabo Mbeki is shown at a news conference in Johannesburg Dec. 11. While South African President Nelson Mandela (in background poster portrait) will remain president of South Africa until the next national election in 1999. he and other longtime Africa National Congress leaders will start making way for the next generation, led by president in waiting Mbeki. at a five day national conference in Mafikeng. Duke increases minority scholarships DURHAM (AP) ? Duke University plans to nearly triple the annual amount of its main minority scholarship program in 1998 despite recent legal and federal challenges to race-based scholarships. "We think this is the right thing to do," said Judith Ruderman, vice provost for acad^nic services. "The chips will fall where they may. We're committed to doing this at Duke." However, the number of the the four-year Reginaldo Howard Scholars awards will drop to five from seven. The award, named for the first bfack person elected student body president at Duke, has offered $6,000 annual scholar ships to about seven incoming black freshmen each year. Beginning next fall, the annual award will jump to 75 percent of tuition for both freshmen and upperclassmen who receive Howard scholarships. With tuition now top ping $21,000, the scholarship's value would be almost $16,000 a year." (AP Photo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Matt Freed) Mistrial callad in Qammaga CAM ?Pww Walter Moorefield, of the Hill District section of Pittsburgh, Pa., talks Dec. 14, of his role on the jury of the trial of retired Brentwood Lt. Milton E. Mulholland and Baldwin officer Michael Albert in Pittsburgh. The officers were on trial in connection with the death of Jonny E. Gammage. The trial ended in a mistrial after the jury dead locked. On Moorefield's shirt is a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., with "Violence is Immoral" across the top.
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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