Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Jan. 30, 1997, edition 1 / Page 22
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;8B York/®I)e Cljarlotte ^osit/Rowan REGIONAL THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1997 Livingstone awaits student’s return By Brian Powe FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST SALISBURY - Dread and unrest set over the Livingstone College campus as the search continues for a stu dent who disappeared over a week ago. Keisha Williams, a New York UNC employees knock Speaker THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHAPEL HILL - The UNC Housekeepers Association is urging legislators not to re elect Harold Brubaker as House speaker because of his reaction to his spokesman’s use of a racial slur last year. The association sent letters to incoming House members asking them not to vote for the Asheboro Republican in part because he did not take seri ously enough the comment of then-press secretary Don Follmer. Follmer admitted to refer ring to protesters at the General Assembly last April as “niggers and wormy kids.” The slur referred to more than 100 University of North Carolina housekeepers, many of whom are black. Follmer made the comment to Associated Press reporter Dennis Patterson in the Legislature’s press room, where it was overheard by another reporter. When the comment was made public two weeks later, Follmer said he was only guilty of being politi cally incorrect. Follmer said he made an offer of resignation to Brubaker, who was on his way out of town. But Follmer said the speaker told him to “FIDO” - forget it and drive on. But later, as criticism mounted, Brubaker fired him. The letter from the hous- keepers’ group said Follmer’s comment reflected the speak er’s sentiments. “Surely there is another member who can better repre sent all the people of North Carolina,” the letter read. The letter also asked the House to form a special com mittee to investigate what the association calls racist atti tudes in the speaker’s office and in the legislative press room. The current spokesman for Brubaker called the contents of the letter “old news.” “The speaker in no way toler ates racism,” said Dana Simpson, Brubaker’s special assistant for communica tions.”Mr. Follmer was fired for what happened.” Brubaker, who was not avail able for comment Monday, is not worried that the letter will sway support to House Minority Leader Jim Black, who is challenging Brubaker for the speaker’s position, Simpson said. The Republicans have a slim 61-59 advantage in the House. “The speaker is confident that he will retain control of the speakership,” he said. native, has been missing since Jan. 20, from her Salisbury apartment. Williams, of 231 D. Ave., Apt. 27, attended Livingstone dur ing the fall semester, did not return to school this semester for personal reasons, friends say. She was last seen on Jan. 19 around 10:30 p.m. by her boyfriend, George Johnson, who is also a former Livingstone student. Police reports say that he left home to exercise at a local track while Williams prepared din ner in their apartment. When Johnson returned, he found the door to the apartment ajar and the apartment ransacked. He told police officials that food was on the stove although the stove was turned off. One of Williams closest friends, who requested anonymity, said she did not take any coat or shoes. Another of Williams’ associ ates said, “She is a very sweet Campus connection IHE iLBERT O. SHA • LEARNING C Ill'/ PHOTO/SHAW UNIVERSITY Marlene Shaw, Talbert O. Shaw PhD, Talieth Shaw and Patrick Shaw stand in front of the Talbert O. Shaw Living-Learning Center at Shaw University in Raleigh. Shaw dedicates campus By Herbert L. White THE CHARLOTTE POST Shaw University honored its president with his own section of the Raleigh campus. The university’s Northeast Campus was named the Talbert O. Shaw Living-Learning Center. Shaw is credited with helping the uni versity straighten its fiscal affairs, saving the school from bankruptcy. He has overseen Shaw’s enrollment from 1,400 to 2,500 and the endowment grow from zero to $8 million. The Northeast Campus is an $11 million state-of-the-art building that covers half a city block. The centerpeice of the construction is a three-stoiy education complex. It has a learn ing center, lecture halls, offices, teleconferenc ing capabilities and student lounges. Two dormitories are part of the campus, with room for 350 women and 150 men. The Northeast campus marks the first building ini tiative at Shaw in 10 years and is the largest single construction project in the school’s 131- year history. person. I can’t see how some one could do this. I don’t understand their motives because she has a good rela tionship with everyone. It’s just real strange.” Rev. Daran Mitchell of Hood Theological Seminary said he’s saddened by the event. “I’m hurt. The whole situa tion is very mysterious and I’m praying that there is a peace ful resolution,” he said. “There’s just a lot of loose ends that need to be tightened up.” Salisbury police have sus pended their Yadkin River search for Williams. For two days this week, officials See STUDENT on page 9B 1996 crime figures mixed in Rowan- SaUsbury schools By Brian Powe FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST SALISBURY - Rowan-Salisbury schools received a “bitter sweet” annual crime report from 1996, according to Superintendant Joe McCann. After hearing some encouraging information about violent crime rates falling in local schools, officials were hit with statistics detailing the rise of illegal substances on area campuses. Although spirits are high because of the drop in violent crimes, drug use gives officials cause for concern. ‘You’re always pleased when it appears you’re making progress in an area that provides a safe environment for our staff and stu dents,” McCann said. The Rowan-Salisbury school system received reports that 118 incidents of crime were reported last year compared to 140 in 1994-1995. The school system enrolled 19,000 students last year, which averages out to be about 6 cases per 1,000 students. The reports are based on 13 different categories of criminal offenses. There were fewer cases in five categories, including rob bery, assault causing injury, assault on school employees and sex ual assault. There was an increase in possession of weapons, possession of controlled substances and sexual offenses. Since the state reports do not include all types of criminal activ ity, vandalism and student fights without serious injury are not included. The school system’s Code of Conduct requires that all incidents of disruptive and criminal activity be reported to the state by the resident principal. The report listed a 25 percent increase in illegal substances on the campuses of local schools with incidents climbing from 40 cases in 1994-1995 to 61 in 1995-1996. See CRIMES on page 9B Bob Davis to speak to NAACP jubilee in Salisbury By Brian Powe FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST SALISBURY - The Sahsbury-Rowan branch of the NAACP is holding its annual jubilee fellowship Sunday at First Calvary Baptist Church in Salisbury. 'The program which begins at 4 p.m. will feature Robert L. Davis of Charlotte, president of the Black Pohtical Caucus. Davis, who has been involved in the political, civic, and educational fields, has served as a princi pal, vice principal, guidance counselor, and teacher. Davis acts as the chair of the education committee of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg branch of the NAACP, the Black Caucus, and a subcommittee for the Community Relations Department of the Charlotte Police Department. During the Jubilee Day program, Davis vrill deliver the message, the gospel choir of the First Calvary Baptist Church will sing, and there win be some special selections by the Washingtons, a South Carolina choir renown for singing old negro sprituals. This year’s celebration promises to be a day of release, freedom, and emancipation. Jubilee Day has been observed by African Americans since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. 'There will be an installment of new NAACP officers for the local See NAACP on page 9B Davis Supporters rally for year-round schools By Brian Powe FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST SALISBURY - Most kids don’t want to hear any conver sation about year-round school. However, hundreds of stu dents, parents and several school board officials are fight ing to keep some North Rowan year-round programs open during the summer. Because of a proposed calen dar that seeks to combine block schedules with tradition al, year-round programs. North Rowan elementauy and middle schools are facing a possible shutdown if the pro posals are passed. Stan Welch, chairperson of the school board, said that the passing of this proposal jeop ardizes a lot for the year-round program. “If we went to the combined schedule, it would definitely put a dent in what now is the year-round calendar.” Welch claimed that the over whelming opinion is that more people support the combined schedules. The Board of Education will cast their ballots Monday on the options for the proposed calendar. The considerations are maintaining three differ ent schedules, adopting to the combination schedule, or find ing another plan. The basis of the argument rests on the possibility that if the programs are taken away, many students who need extra academic assistance during the summer months will not receive it. See SCHOOLS on page 9B
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 30, 1997, edition 1
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