Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Aug. 29, 1996, edition 1 / Page 2
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NEWS/The Charlotte Post August 29,1996 Consolidation comes up short again Continued from page 1A Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board. But county commissioner Darrel WilUams and city council member Greene Uve in the same precinct and would have to com pete against each other. Under the current plan, the number of “guaranteed” black seats on the smaller governing body would be reduced from five to three. Consolidation supporters, including some African Americans, say a merged gov ernment wiU be more efficient, removing layers of bureaucracy and permitting the county to speak with one voice on issues which now often divide city and county. Outside the westside and northwest corridor where admittedly most African Americans in Charlotte live today, there are a growing num ber of African Americans not eis tied to the decades old competi tion upon which much of toda/s black-white politics in Charlotte is based. These African Americans - upwardly mobile, middle and upper middle class professionals - favor the efficiencies allegedly the product of merging two gov ernments into one. “I think it is senseless to have two governments,” said Leroy Hill, an African American who owns a computer sales firm and was a member of the joint City- County Planning Commission. “One government can save a lot of taxpayers dollars. It makes more sense to have one set of people and one management group that would be responsible for all the city and county employees.” However, opponents, among them Bob Davis, chairman of the N.C. and local Black Politicad Caucus, said consolida tion would dilute black voting strength. Three of eight districts in the plan approved by county com missioners would have African American majorities. Davis and other African American opponents, most from among the traditional westside communities represented by the Black Pohtical Caucus and the quasi-official Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club, say consolida tion, even with three majority black districts, would not be fair to Afiican Americans. “I plan to campaign against it,” said Davis. “If caucus goes with me, fine; if not, I plan to do it individually. I will stand up and say this is wrong...” Scarborough, who would face Scarborough a lower black ratio in a county wide at large race, said she opposed consolidation because the current system pro vides checks and balances. “I do not believe in con- solidation,” Scarborough said. “I think we have a check-and-bal- ance system with the coun ty and the city (governments). The board of county commis sioners is controlled by Republicans, who hold five of nine seats, while the council is controlled by Democrats, who hold six of 11 seats. In addition to African Americans, opposition to consol idation has also come from small towns, such as Matthews and Huntersville. Voters in those areas are worried about a loss of sovereignty and the bur den of big-city hassles. The latest effort has tried to deal with much of the previous opposition and a 25-member charter commission considered several proposals, but recom mended a 13-member council, with nine districts, three of them majority-black. NAACP audit on hold for now Continued from page 1A NAACP accounts and the Kelly M. Alexander Sr. Leadership Institute account at Farmers & Mechanics Bank. Those transactions involved monies donated by businesses, including the R.J. Reynolds Foundation and Sprint/Carolina Telephone, for scholarships in the name of Kelly Alexander’s father and mother. Other concerns include purchases made by Alexander since his suspension, which Alexander blamed on the mistaken use of an NAACP credit card still in his possession. During the National NAACP convention held in Charlotte in July, Alexander and his brother Alfred, president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP chapter, tried unsuccessful to convince the nationEd board to reinstate Kelly Alexander, but the board refused to do so. * Alston has taken over the running of the state chapter, including making some changes in com mittee appointments and closing the state’s office space in the Alexander Funeral Home, also home to the local chapter’s offices. Two state chapter employees working out of that office were also fired. Further changes are on hold, at the request of NAACP chief exec utive officer and president Kweisi Mfiime, but Alston is pro ceeding with plans for the state conference’s annual convention. The convention will be held at the Benton Convention Center and Adam’s Mark Hotel in Winston-Salem Oct. 30-Nov. 2, Alston said. He said there wiU be an executive board meeting of the state conference in Goldsboro on Sept. 7. Alexander Farrakhan request puts U.S. on spot Continued from page 1A against terrorism. He could rekindle controversy by appear ing to help Farrakhan, a divi sive figure who has been criti cized in the past for anti-Semitic remarks. Clearing the way for the dona tion also could help Gadhafi, who has been laboring for years to improve his standing. But the rules against doing business with Libya are aimed at preventing economic benefits from flowing to an outlaw state, and it may be poUticaUy difficult to deny a gift with the stated purpose of helping American minorities. Gadhafi pledged the gift when Farrakhan visited Libya as part of his foreign tour last January, which also included stops in Iran, Nigeria and Sudan. Farrakhan also needs separate approval for an upcoming trip to Libya to receive a $250,000 humanitarian award Gadhafi donates each year. Farrakhan, organizer of last year’s Million Man March, has said he would use the money to mobilize black voters and pro mote economic opportunity for blacks by building schools and factories, and for charitable pur poses. The Nation of Islam leader for mally apphed for the necessEuy exemptions last week, according to a federal official who spoke on condition of anonjrmity. An Associated Press reporter who went to the Nation of Islam’s Chicago headquarters seeking comment was turned away by staff members, who said spokesman James Muhammed was too busy to talk. Telephone ceJIs to the reli gious organization were not returned. During Farrakhan’s meeting with GadhEifi, the two men also discussed how to increase the influence of U.S. minorities in this election yesir and agreed to work together to mobilize “oppressed minorities to play a significant role in American political life,” Libya’s official news agency reported. Gadhafi said then that after years of confronting the U.S. from outside, the plan would provide “a loophole to enter the fortress and to confront it from within.” Farrakhan drew criticism for the trip, which included meet ings with Gadhafi, Iraqi President SaddEun Hussein and Nigerian ruler Gen. Sani Abacha. White House spokesman Mike McCurry referred to it as “a thugfest tour.” McCurry characterized Farrakhan’s meeting with the Libyan leader as part of an effort by Gadhafi “to worm his way back into the good graces of the world” without turning over two Libyan suspects in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. After Farrakhan returned to the United States last winter, the Justice Department warned him that he would have to regis ter Eis a foreign agent if he was carrying out directions from Libya or any other foreign gov ernment. Farrakhan denied in a letter that he was doing so. Two Can Take The Train. (for the price of one) Climb on board for a relaxing trip on the Piedrwnt OT Carolinian Enjoy comfortable seats, panoramic views and a Mendly staff. Visit the dining car for your fevorite food and beverages. Taxis, bus services or rmtal cars are available at the stations. The buy one ticket, get one free offer is good Monday through Thursday, August 1 to September 30,1996. For tickets, schedules and more information call ycnir travel agent, local Amtiak station or 1-800-USA-RAIL (800872-7245). *Buy one adult ticket, ^t one of equal or lesser value free for a companion. Children and Seniors distiounts still apply. Avaibble for in-state travel only. Fates are based on availability and ate subject to change without notice. Additional charge for first Cbss and other accommcxiations. Some restrictions ap^. PlEDM^MT Carolinian Daily round-trip service to: Charlotte. Kannapolis. Salisbury • High Point. Greensboro Burlington. Durham. Cary. Raleigh • Selma. Wilson. Rocky Mount Minority members of the char ter commission, including Malcolm Graham, Louise Shackelford, Willie Stratford Jr., Mary Maxwell, Jim Ross and Arthur Moore, opposed that plan, favoring one with as many as 15 members to insure ade quate black representation. WEBUY tiOMES, APARTMENTS, CONDOS, LAND! ,.Any Condition! Call: Alex McMnrraxj (704)532-1407 GETTING MARRIED We Have Everything You Need ! Invitations • Napkins Plates • Decorations Toppers • Accessories Cake / Baking Supplies PAPERTOWN 4420 Monroe Rd. 342-5815 KINGSmRK APA*TMCt(Tt Otan, safe, quiet community conveniently located on bus ine. Affordable i bedroom garden and townhouscs. Refrigerator, ratge, AC and water included in rent. Helpful resident manager and mainteisance staff. Call 333-2966 M-F 9:30-6:00 Greg Lee & Associates Realty Sells ]NTE"W^ HOJVIES Call Today For Free Pre-Qualification 5736 N. Tryon, Ste 234 • Charlotte, NC 28213 599-3900 (Old Lowes Building) HEAUY BERBER $1 099 I St,. Ytl. 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The Reverend Martin Luther King, Harriett Tubman, Malcolm X and other great leaders of the past have helped make a difference in the African-American community. As we continue to accomplish this goal, the local McDonald's owner/operators will recognize local citizens making an impact on the African-American community.You can help McDonald's honor these citizens by nominating a local “McHero". In September 10 people will be chosen for their outstanding achievements. McDonald's invites you to help us show our heroes that we appreciate their achievements. NAVEYOU NAD YOUR BREAKTODAY? To enter: Fill out this form and describe in 200 words or less on a separate sheet of paper why your nominee deserves to be a "McHero," j dTbe Cliarlofte I Name Nomination Form City, State, Zip Telephone Number Person Nominating Community Hero Name I Telephone m *Mail mmnIptpH completed nomination fom and summary to; Karen Tyson, ^ McDonald's, 3200 Beechleaf Court. Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27604. ®
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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