Polite hopes vast experience will pay off in race The Chronicle reported last week in a headline and in a story that Jim Bob Campbell was the only African American seeking the sheriff's office in the upcoming election. That was not correct. Sheriff's Department vet eran John Polite is also running and he is an African American. Here is a profile on Polite. - The editor BY COURTNEY GAILLARD THE CHRONICLE .** Sgt. John Polite came to wofk for tMhe Forsyth County Sheriff's Depart - * ment in 1975 in police communica 'tions. and he never thought he would be running for sheriff 26 years later. But Polite is running and is one of two black Democratic candidates on the sheriff's ballot. Over two decades. Polite, a grad uate of Winston-Salem State Univer sity, has worked in numerous divi sions of law enforcement, ranging from the civil division. Highway Patrol, school resource officer, jail officer and court security and has earned to advance law enforcement certificates. Now a deputy sheriff in charge of 13 officers. Polite didn't think he would make an extensive careef at the Forsyth County Sher iff's Department when he began as one of the first black officers there. A family friend of Polite was instru menial in his being hired in his first job at the department. Polite knew that once he got his foot in the door time would show that he could do the job well. One would think after all of that time and exposure to various levels of law enforcement, a bid for sheriff would be a natural progression for Polite. He considers it to be simply making the best out of change, which he has gladly welcomed and appreci ated. "I've always had the ambition to run for sheriff. It's something that has been in the back of my mind for sometime, and it's something that you have to concern yourself with and do in a timely manner," said Polite. C.C. McGee, whom Polite is up against in the Democratic primary, also works for the Sheriff's Depart ment. Deciding whether to run for sher iff. Polite said, "was something I had to pray about, and 1 gave it great thought and asked God to order my steps in this endeavor. With all that being done, I feel I was given a sign that it was my time to run," Polite said. Even though Polite is eligible to retire in June of next year, he remains confident that his long-standing rep utation in the community as a deputy sheriff and citizen will catapult him to be a strong contender for sheriff. Unafraid of change and aware of what the officers and citizens both need throughout the county. Polite wants to bring about changes that he thinks are long overdue. "I have the ability, the training, the know ledge and the integrity to do this job, and that's what I am putting forth to the citizens of Forsyth Coun ty," said Polite, wfio was born and raised in Winston-Salem. If elected sheriff. Polite wouldC like to reorganize the sheriff's staff to fully maximize employees' efforts by assigning more personnel to patrol throughout the county and taking more proactive methods to monitor potential criminal activity in the county. Polite is interested in devel oping a citizens review board made up of residents^round the county to provide feedback on ways to handle criminals. He also would like to pro vide services and activities for the elderly, who oftentimes go over looked and under-cared for by the community. Aware that Forsyth County histor ically has been a difficuh place for blacks to win countywidt elections. Polite, who sqys he's unapologetical ly black, sees the uphill battle before him. However, Polite feels residents are far more concerned with his abil ity to deliver justice than the color of his skin. Polite regrets that both his mother and aunt are no longer living to see him run for office, because both were 1 so supportive of him Phrly in his career. They encouraged him to take advantage of opportunities whenever they came his way. and he believes he is doing just that. Sgt. John Polito Head of UNGG's multicultural affairs dies SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE GREENSBORO - Stu dents, faculty and staff at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro honored a beloved member of the UNCG family during a "Candlelight Remem brance Service" foe Pamela Wilson, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, who died at Moses Cone Hospital Tuesday. The service was held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the fountain in front of the Univer sity Dining Center. "Her loss will be deeply felt by all whose lives she touched in many wonder f u I ways," said Chan cellor Patricia Sullivan. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Pamela's immediate family and for the UNCG community as we share their grief." Wilson, who was a member of the UNCG family for almost 11 years, was a friend, mentor and role model for countless students. The Office of Multi cultural' Affairs coordinates several annual events that address and promote diversity, awareness and multiculturalism at UNCG, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award, a Black History Month series and the annual Shades of Color Conference, held recently. Wilson was responsible for bringing prominent African American speakers to campus, including Myrlie Evers Williams, Shirley Chisholm, Joycelyn Elders. Ossie Davis, coach Herman Boone and for mer boxing champion Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. I Before being named direc tor of multicultural affairs. Wil son worked as an assistant director in the UNCG Office of Academic Advising and Sup port Services. A graduate of High Point University, Wilson held a master's degree from N.C. A&T State University. She was an adjunct instructor at Guilford Technical Community College and was employed by A&T from 1980-89. She was a native of High Point. Wilson MBA program approved for WSSU SPECIAL TO THE CHRONIC ! I The proposed master's in business administration pro gram of Winston-Salem State , University's School of Busi ness and Economics was approved March 6 by the Uni versity of North Carolina Board of Governors during a scheduled meeting of the board. "This program will play a .^.significant role in the univer '?^sity's goal of providing well strained and highly motivated I'Ifuture business leaders for the '?^region," said Dr. Arthur King, dean of the WSSU School of Business and Economics. "This program will be the high-quality, low-cost option for working professionals to obtain an MBA in the region." WSSU's School of Busi ness and Economics recently achieved accreditation from the prestigious accrediting agency AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Busi ness. King feels the new MBA program will enhance the school's ability to leverage that accreditation. The curriculum will stress the universal traits of manage ment and their use in various organizations. The curriculum is designed to create an under standing of an organization's business activities and to develop business skills and high levels of competence in major concentration areas. Candidates for the MBA degree can concentrate in any one of these areas: MBA with a concentration in financial services, MBA with a concen tration in health-care manage-_ "Tft'ent. MBA witff i ?8ftcentra tion in management informa tion systems Candidates also may com plete a general MBA by taking electives from several areas. A strong undergraduate education in any academic field is good preparation for graduate study in business. Prior academic work in busi ness is not necessary. Students with undergraduate degrees in the sciences and liberal arts are strongly encouraged to apply. Each candidate must have a bachelor's degree and submit a GMAT score. Sessions will be scheduled to give information to people II ?? ? . interested in enrolling in the program. For more informa tion. call (336) 750-2342 or send e-mail to oluokunmCsiwssu.edu. You can e-mail the news department at news@wschronicle.com ? _r? (Ocvrw-ffs*^H- ot- ^nv-^nv fJall o+x t&e< ccwvjXAfr ojf ^alcr*, Cr>Ck*pc> ^0?&r\ provides: ? Flexible scheduling ? Affordable education ? Course credit for work experience ? S.A.T. not required ? Financial aid available ? For men and women 23 and older ? First undergraduate course for FREE when registering for two NOTICE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is seeking minority and women-owned firms (M/WBE) to bid on upcoming highway projects throughout the State. The Locations of the projects are: i> ? GOALS BY C 2 4) ? o ? PERCENT s 3 3 a >- ?=, ??? o 00 > " ^3 UJ UJ UJ kl t \ rr o ^CcDcqCD q- o g h _j 5 UJ o 5 ? 6.051044 Dare/Hyde Construction of passenger/vehicle NC-12 from Hatteras Village to English 0% ferry Qcracoke island 8.1242002 Duplin Grading, drainage, paving and Bridge over Northeast Cape English 10% structure Fear River and approaches ton NC-41/50 near Chinquapin * 8.2250108 New Widening, grading, drainage. Smith Creek Parkway from Metric 9% Hanover paving and structures proposed US-117 Connector to east of 23rd Street 8.2312001 Johnston Grading, drainage, paving and Bridge over a branch and Metric 10% structure approaches on SR-1553 8.2321501 Nash Grading, drainage, paving, and Bridge over Stoney Creek and English 9% structure approaches on SR-1435 at Nashville 8.2430501 Columbus Grading, drainage, paving and Bridge over Frair Swamp and English 7% structfire approaches on SR-1740 (Old Lake Road 8.2462101 Robeson Grading/drainage, paving and Bridge over CSX Transpoita- English 5% structure tion System and approaches on SR-1001 5.4641028 Robeson Cleaning and painting of Ext 3 Existing bridges at various English 0% structures and pollution control locations along 1-95 in Robe son County 5.4641029 Robeson Cleaning and painting of Ext 3 Existing bridges at various English 0% structurs and pollution control locations along 1-95 in Robe . son County 5.4641030 Robeson Cleaning and painting of Ext 3 Existing bridges at various English 0% structures and pollution control locations along 1-95 in Robe son County r. 8.1511501 Rockingham Grading drainage, paving and Bridge over Mayo River and English 9% structure approaches on US-220 Busi ness 9.8079843 Guilford Widening, drainage, paving and NC-68 from South of SR-1556 G$g1ish 10% 5% signing (Gallimore Dairy Road) to North of Triad Center Drive 8.1602201 Davidson Median guiderail 1-85 from US-29/52/70/I-85 English 12% business to south of NC-109 8.2751001 Watauga Grading, drainage, paving and Culvert on Clarks Creek and English 5% culvert approahces on SR-1136 8.1792305 Catawba Widening, grading, drainage, SR-1692 (Tate Boulevard Ext) Metric 10% paving and culvert ext. from east of SR-1468 (Sweet water Road) to SR-1476 (Fair erove Church Road) 8.2812102 Gaston Grading drainage, paving and RC Box Culvert at Forest English 9% culvert Brook Branch and approaches on SR 2444 (Gaston Day School Road) 8.2941001 Haywood Grading, drainage, paving and Bridge of Fines Creek and English 10% - structure approaches on SR-1334 8.2580801 Richmond Grading, drainage, paving and Bridge over CSX Transporta- Metric 5% structure tion System and approaches on SR-171-XRict street) fyfe-. 8.1402210 Wake (8 Grading, drainage, paving and US-64 from 1-440 (Raleigh Metric 11% weeks adver- structures Beltline) to New Hope Road tisement) *** MONDAY, March 18,2002 6 PM ? MIDNIGHT*** North Raleigh Hilton ? 3415 Wake Forest Road ? Raleigh. N.C. LETTING DATE: March 19, 2002 Prime contractors will be available to receive quotes for trucking, sub-contracting and materials. MAV'BE's needing more information and/or technical assistance may come to Room 522 to meet with representatives from the Bennington Corp.. NCDOT's Supportive Provider. (919)832-6027 NUIUI unice ot un Rights & Business Development 1 ?JMHH522-0453 CertificatitiB of highway contracting firms: Richard Chrisawn Certification of supply/service/engineering firms: Robert Mathes Comments or concerns: Delano Rackard: Director