Demotions from page A1 taking actions similar to Davis' with IfVM coliseum director Bucky Dame. ? "If anyone is to be held liable for the events at the Nasty Luke Show, ?pcky Dame, not the officers, 4iould," Griggs read. ?! Stuart's report was also critical of the coliseum staff, stating that Dame and his staff could've taken $iditional preemptive measures to afcure that the concert would go ipoothly. These ofTicers did not book that act. They did not sign any con tacts," Womble said. Fault should fall first with Dame, Womble said, for failing to take appropriate precautions and for turning back a police tactical Squad, which was standing by out $de in case the situation in the coli seum got out hand. ? Dame has said that he is open to Stuart and aldermen reviewing his actions The officers have hired attor neys and are in the midst of appeal ing their demotions to Stuart. Davis was on vacation last week and could not be reached for com ment. Assistant Chief Mike McCoy said the criminal investigation into the alleged on-stage sex act at the concert is ongoing. He said it's going slowly because all the parties involved live outside of the state; Dade County (Florida) law enforce ment officials are helping with investigation. McCoy calls the situation "unfortunate," especially because each of the officers had more than a decade of stellar police work under their belts at the time they were demoted. Hairston, for example, has received the prestigious Jefferson Award for his community involve ment and has been honored by the state, McCoy said. Closure in this situation will be beneficial to all parties involved, he adcjed. "My desire is that some decision be made soon," he said, "because (not knowing) is a great amount of stress on these officers." BLR members say they have not met with the demoted officers as a group, but individual members have spoken with them since the demotions were made last month. BLR members met with Stuart a few hours after the news confer ence to discuss the situation. A call to Stuart was not returned by press time Womble said the meeting went "well," but Stuart made no commit ments, one way or the other, about BLR's request. "We were very emphatic about what our concerns were, (and) Mr. Smart received us well," Womble said. Womble added that Stuart was cold about the independent griev ance officer idea; Stuart told BLR members that the city's charter charges him with hearing city employees' grievances and tnat the court system was always an option for those not satisfied with his rul ings. BLR has "problems" with Stu art's stance on the idea, Womble said, and it is encouraging citizens who support the officers to call Stu art and express themselves. Winston-Salem will send a bad message to other cities by letting the demotions stand, Womble said. ' One reason that the group came up with the independent liaison idea, is that several BLR members have said that the relationship between Stuart and Davis is "too cozy." Earlier this year Stuart appoint ed Davis chief even though she had not applied for the job, overlooking four others who did go through the application process. "It sends a message of a buddy system," Womble said. "I'm not saying that there is one, but it sends that message" Stuart told the group that he is now waiting for the officers and Photo by Kevin Walker Alderman Nelson Malloy discusses the demotions of three black police officers following a melee at a rap concert. < , their attorneys to act so that the grievance process can go forward. Stuart's decision is expected soon. "I'm hoping that (Stuart's) heart is in the right place and he does the right thing," Womble said. Womble said BLR is keeping "all options open" in case Stuart does not overturn the demotions. Malloy said the Board of Aldermen will wait until Stuart makes his deci sion before it decides whether or not to take any sort of action. A majority of the board, five aldermen, could fire Stuart, but Malloy would not say if that was an option he'd like the board to explore. 75th birthday tribute for Rev. Joseph R. Samuels SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Rev Joseph R. Samuels, pas tor of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, was honored royally on his 75th birthday. A banquet was held on Sat urday, Nov. 27, at the Yeates Convention Center in Kern ersvllle. This was a joyous occa sion for both Rev. and Mrs. J.R. Samuels. The J.R. Samuels Ensemble II rendered music. He received tokens of love and appreciation from his friends and church family. The Pastor's Special Committee presented him with a beautiful pastoral robe. Several ministers, associ ates, deacons and special friends gave personal tribute to Rev. Samuels. On Sunday, Nov. 28, his cele bration continued with an appreciation service at St. I Stephen Missionary Baptist | Church. Rev. Dwight Hash of Rising Star Baptist Church in Walnut Cove was the 11 a.m. speaker and Rev. Paul A.Lowe Jr. of Shiloh Baptist Church was the speaker for the 4 p.m. ser vice. More tokens of apprecia tion were presented to Rev. Samuels from his church family. A fellowship dinner was held after the service. The J. R. Samuels Day com mittee members were: Rev. Lelia Edgefield and Rev. Phyllis Faye (Founders), Deacon and Mrs. Leroy Miller, Deacon and Mrs. Nathaniel Barber, Deacon and Mrs. Phamon Jones, Deacon and Mrs. Hector. Cox, Rev. Ervin Baker, Ms. Betty Harris, Ms. Charlene Oliver and the Hospitality Committee. Salvation Army from page A2 Marilyn Williams, another bell ringer, said, "I love doing this. I like helping people - the elderly, the children, the unfortunate." The kettle drive, which started Nov. 16, is conducted six days a week (except Sunday) and will "continue through Dec. 24. In addition to its kettle drive, the Salvation Army offers several other services this time of year for the working poor and temporary assistance to needy families, said Twyla Nelson, director of Christ mas services for Salvation Army. The Salvation Army collects and distributes new toys for children through its angel tree and toy shop programs; clothing through its give a kid a coat program; nonper ishable food items; and it has a stocking program. Nelson said the Salvation Army will help about 1,500 needy families this year, including 3,500 to 3,800 children, up from over 3,300 children last year. "Even though unemployment is relatively low, there are a lot of minimum wage jobs," Nelson said. "They (working poor and the needy) don't have a lot of extra money to supply Christmas for' their children." The Salvation Army will accept donations of new toys, non perishable food items and new clothes (ages birth through 14 years) through Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, at 2610 Trade Mart Blvd. >' ' 1 ? ^ T ^ The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education is aoeeptiag applications apd nominations for people to serve on its Equity Committee. This advisory board provides valuable feedback on issues regarding instruction, staffing, and resources among our 50 zone ; | schools. ill * f If you are interested in being considered for the ; ^committee, or if youjaiow someone who bould make - " ^positive contributions to our schools, contact Amanda Bell, Assistant Superintendent, at 727-2787, for an application and more information. Application deadline Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools ^ ? ?? L- ? ?I?? - Some doctors are concerned that these prescription drugs may damage heart valves or cause primary pulmonary hypertension. Many injured people have no symptoms, while others have shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, or other symptoms. If you would like to know your legal rights relating to these diet drugs, call us for a free, confidential consultation. ? Donaldson Blaclc Lawyers Protectino People's Rights 1-600-531-9191 Z E RO% financing for one year on all camcorders over $399 and all projection TVs when you use your Sears card* .. .. ' . -V ? _ . ? ' . . N Save $200 on all Hitachi Ultravision projection TVs ' . ' , ,1? 499" Panasonic* camcorder, Sears tow price VHS-C. 3-in. LCD screen and digital image stabilization. #58659 (Mfr. #PV-L579) Free starter kit with any camcorder purchase over $329 and mail-in rebate' /? PICTURE-' IN-PICTURE SEARS THE GOOD LIFE AT A GREAT PRICE GUARANTEED" *0% flrwndf* untM Dicwntar 2000 on purchoM of aR camcordm ow $399 and a? projection TVs when you um a Soars card. No finance charges. no MNnt and no payments are due duong 0% period. Regular credit terms apply after 0% period APR on Soars CanT/Sears Premier Card"? 14.99V25.99% APR on Sears Home Improvement Account5" is 15S%-18.9%. Other APRs may be offered for promotional periods APR on SearsCharge Plus" is 21% (APR in AR may be lower) Minimum monthly finance charge of $.50 is payable if any finance charge ts due Finance charges will continue on any existing balance from previous purchases Sears Card". Sears Premier Card". SearsCharge Plus", and Sears Home Improvement Account" issued by Sears National Bank ??Offer good thru 12/24/99 'Mail in rebate good thru 12/24/99 (A value of 4999-6999) Kits vary by format This advertising supplement is printed on recycled paper Sears is a registered trademark of Sears, Roebuck and Co. _ ? . .

Page Text

This is the computer-generated OCR text representation of this newspaper page. It may be empty, if no text could be automatically recognized. This data is also available in Plain Text and XML formats.

Return to page view