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The Hoke County News - Established 1928
VOLUME LXVlll NUMBER 51 RAEFORD, HOKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
- journal
The Hoke County Journal - Established 1905
S8 PER YEAR THURSDAY. APRIL 21, 1977
Around
Town
BY SAM C.MORRIS
The weather for the past week
has been perfect as far as this writer
is concerned. The forecast is for
showers over the next few days and
.'.this should settle the dust.
The. sunburned faces and light
clothe&has everyone in the summer
look. With the clocks moving up on
Sunday it will make the days seem
longer and give us more time to
play and relax.
After a cold winter everyone is
ready for the warm weather time.
? ? *
* President Jimmy Carter, in his
speech Monday night, left no doubt
in my mind that this country could
be in serious trouble in a few years
as far as energy is concerned. I
don't believe the cartoonist can
picture his smile and teeth in this
instance. He was dead serious or he
is a very capable actor.
He is trying to sell to the
American people one of the hardest
things to sell. That is to take away
or conserve that which we all have
been used to for so long and can't
conceive a shortage in.
The gas lines of a few years ago
disappeared when the price of
gasoline went up and this has
planted the seed of doubt in our
minds and it is hard to believe they
can come back again. The shortage
this past winter of natural gas and
fuel oil is blamed entirely on the
severe winter weather. Now. not all
of this is true. A shortage is coming
and we had better get prepared for
it.
Maybe you have heard of the
I good old days from people older
than you are. I know that even in
my younger days the same thing
was said. Now this writer doesn't
want to go back, even to my good
* old days.
The very thought of no central
heat, no air conditioning or no
frozen food locker is just the start
of the good old days. So many of
the readers of this column can't
remember even these everyday
things we have now not being
available. How do 1 know? Because
I came up before the day of electric
refrigerators or radios. Fires had to
be built every morning and it was as
cold, almost, inside the house as
outside. The sign was put out for
the iceman and a bag of coal was a
luxury.
The automobile was for the rich
and very few people even knew how
to drive. Jethro Amnions' tent show
was looked forward to every year
and a taped ball and broken bat
started a baseball game.
Why go back to this way of life
when a little sacrifice by each of us
will make all of us live better than
we should? 1 for one will go along
with what is best for this country
and for the good of all my
fellowmen.
Before you start finding fault
with an energy program, think of
* what it will do to your life and the
future generations.
The sermon is over.
The name of Earl Yarborough
appeared in this column several
weeks ago after he had spoken to
the Raeford Kiwanis Club. While
here he also subscribed to The
News-Journal and since receiving
his first copy he wrote me the
following letter:
Dear Mr. Morris:
It had been such a long time
since I had enjoyed reading The
News-Journal and you may be sure
that this is the way I spent most of
Saturday evening. I really don't
think I missed a single word from
front to the back page.
I also wanted you to know once
again how much I enjoyed seeing
you and so many other friends of
mine at the Raeford Kiwanis Club
on the evening of March 31st. It
was a great evening for me and one
that I will remember for a long
time. I felt your comments in The
t News-Journal about my visit back
home were very flattering and were
written with such warm feeling.
Many thanks for thinking of me in
such a kind way.
, With kindest personal regards.
Yours sincerely.
Earl
Thanks Earl and so glad you
enjoyed your first copy of The
News- Journal. To the rest of your
..readers, if you want to make a
loved one happy, just come down
' and subscribe to the paper for
them.
Superintending 'Conflict *
Principal T o Fight Ouster
Edwards Replies
CITIZENS OF HOKE COUNTY:
On Tuesday, April 5, 1977, I was informed by the
Superintendent that he had not recommended that I receive
career status and thereby not be allowed to continue as
Principal of Hoke County High School. I was informed that
the members of the Board of Education had generally
accepted his recommendation. The superintendent then
gave me the option to resign immediately or make a
decision within ten days. He assured me that no public
disclosure would be made of his recommendation during
this time. In all honesty I was shocked and dismayed at his
recommendation .
After learning from various members of the community
that they knew of my situation, I realized that the above
mentioned actions had indeed been made public. At this
point I requested a hearing before the Board of Education
so that I could fully comprehend the charges in regard to
my performance as Principal of Hoke County High School.
I also wish to have the opportunity to speak to those
charges.
Upon my request a meeting was held on Thursday, April
14. The charges of the Superintendent were discussed and
the decision not to grant me tenure was rendered. I was
given until 8:30 the following morning to resign or their
decision would be made public.
I refused to resign because I cannot compromise my
personal convictions concerning my performance as
Principal of the high school. I feel my performance reflects
neither incompetence nor anything so serious as to warrant
my resignation or my dismissal. I do feel that I can continue
to be effective at the high school as I have the credibility
with the faculty, students and community. Let me hasten to
add that I have most certainly made mistakes as Principal
of the high school, which is a complex institution being the
29th largest school in the state. I will continue to make
mistakes in the future even as I do my best, which indicates
1 am only human.
I will make every effort to resolve this unfortunate
situation in the near future through highly professional,
ethical and legal means. It is my sincere hope that the steps
I now take will result in a better Hoke County school system
regardless of whomever the Principal of the high school is.
My family and I have come to regard Raeford and Hoke
County as a very special place and truly consider it our
home. We wish to remain here even as I wish to remain
Principal of the high school. If given the opportunity, I will
continue to serve the students, parents and community with
all I have to give and to the best of my abilities.
Petition On House
Officials 'Disgusting'
Local Man Charges
Calling the conduct of city
officials "disgusting", a Raeford
man and four other persons have
petitioned the city council to take
action to demolish a dilapidated
house at the corner of Central Ave.
and Stewart St.
Warren Pate, an attorney who
lives on Central Ave. opposite the
house he objects to, Filed the
petition April 12 and wrote to
Mayor John K. McNeill Jr. and the
five council members. The others
signing the petition were John
Leandro, Julian W. King, Mrs.
C.J. McNeill Jr. and Isabel
McFadven.
The aged frame dwelling is used
by McDonald's Tire Recapping
Service, which is adjacent to the
house the lot is on. In recent years
the house has been used for the
storage of tires.
Pate wrote the officials that the
city government has refused to take
action despite repeated complaints
for a period of three years. He said
that the city's failure to enforce the
condemnation ordinances has
created a fire peril and other
hazards, and that the house is
dangerous to persons and property.
All of the petition signers except
Leandro reside in the vicinity of the
house, known as the old Maultsby
home. The house was built in 1911.
Neil A. McDonald III, the
owner, said he really couldn't
comment on the petition since he
had only heard about it second ?
hand.
"The letter wasn't addressed to
me, I'm not supposed to know
anything about it. So 1 really have
no comment," McDonald quipped.
The house was condemned
several years ago by former city
building inspector and zoning
administrator Monroe Williams,
inspector Bill Sellars said. Sellars
said there were no records kept but
that the action would have been
sometime before 1973.
"It's ready to be torn down
voluntarily. I have had conver
sations about it and Neil is just
looking to find somebody to do it."
Sellars said.
The house has come under
criticism numerous times from
women's club members and
beautification groups. Last year, it
was singled out as a blight to be
removed in time for the Bi
centennial celebration by some
women in the community.
Next Saturday Is 'Fix-up ' Day
Individuals and groups are invit
ed to pitch in Saturday, April 23 for
the 'Pix-up Festival' to help make
Raeford more attractive. Students
from the N.C. State University
School of Design will help super
vise.
The Fix- up Festival is being
coordinated through the Chamber
of Commerce. A survey of shopping
habits and attitudes toward down
town Raeford was recently conduc
ted and the Chamber reported a
large number of people polled felt
the physical appearance of the city
needed improvement, Ann Wright,
one of the festival organizers, said.
Volunteers are needed to help
paint murals on the walls of
Heilig- Meyers store on Harris Ave.,
to clean up in alleys and behind
stores and to prepare walls for
painting at the taxi stand.
Strolling musicians, homemade
food and arts and crafts exhibits
are planned to help add to a festival
atmosphere.
Anyone who would liketb volun
teer or give suggestions may call the
Chamber office at 875-2179.
Doctor
Named
Dr. Riley M. Jordan has been
charged by the North Carolina
Board of Medical Examiners with
excessive use of alcohol, it was
reported in the Sunday editions of
The Charlotte Observer. He is
among 16 Tar Heel physicians
investigated and subsequently
formerly charged by the panel
which has the power to suspend or
revoke licenses to practice.
Jordan was charged June 24,
1976. The case is still pending and
no action has been taken officially.
Most of the cases which have
come before the Board since an
investigation was begun in late
1974 center on suspected illegal
prescribing of drugs. Only two
other doctors among the 16 were
cited for alcohol-related charges.
Jordan said Tuesday he had no
comment.
Lundys
Depart
Monday
Next Monday is the big day for
Allen and Wimzy Lundy who will
depart here for Charlotte and then
fly west for their two week vacation
in Hawaii and California.
The Lundys are being sent on
their first vacation in 50 years of
married life by a grateful com
munity which raised over $2,500.
"We would like to thank every
one who has any part in making
this such a wonderful time for us
with the gifts, money and good
wishes." Mrs. Lundy said. "May
God's richest blessings abide with
each one always."
The Lundys won't feel too far
away from home when they arrive
in Hawaii, though. Odell Ashburn
Jr. is stationed at Hickam AFB
there and has already offered to
help show them around.
Last week, the Lundys received a
flag from Rep. Charlie Rose in
Washington which had flown over
the Capitol. The flag is now flying
over Lundy's Shoe Shop.
UNC Stars
To Play
In City
Hoke County basketball fans
are in for a treat Thursday,
April 28 when the UNC all-stars
come to town to play the 'Hoke
County Superstars' in the Hoke
High gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.
John Kuester, Walter Davis,
Woody Coley and Bruce
Buckley will take to the court in
the charity benefit game, along
with a couple of former UNC
stars.
Proceeds from the ticket sales
will go the the Hoke County unit
of the American Cancer Society.
Ticket are $3 per person and
may be bought at Howell Drug,
Hoke Drug, Upchurch Junior
High or at the high school.
By Marty Vega
? Following a closed door session which reportedly lasted until
nearly 1 a.m.- the Board of Education agreed with the
recommendation of School Supt. G. Raz Autry and voted not to
employ Allen Edwards as high school principal beyond the end of the
school year.
The action came at the end of a special meeting last Thursday
night which attracted about a dozen spectators, including
schoolteachers and students supporting the principal. Edwards
requested the hearing.
The board re-opened the meeting and a motion from Riley M.
Jordan, seconded by Bill Howell, not to approve tenure status for
Edwards carried unanimously, according to the minutes shown the
next day.
Under North Carolina law, a teacher or supervisor automatically
receives tenure at the end of his third year unless the local school
board decides not to rehire him. Edwards, 30, is finishing his third
year as principal.
Board chairman Bobby Gibson announced at 7:30 p.m. when the
meeting opened that a petition bearing 202 students' names
supporting Edwards had been received and then invited the audience
to speak, but no one present asked to be heard.
Autry read a prepared statement aloud before the public was
excluded, saying that he wanted everybody to "know his part in it".
Autry cited four reasons for his recommendation to dismiss
Edwards ? "his lack of credibility with his faculty, his inconsistency
in dealing with the students and public, his being unavailable to his
students and to his faculty, and his disregard for keeping
appointments."
The superintendent said that he never questioned Edwards'
morals or capabilities, only his judgment "many times".
The board went into executive session at 7:45 on a motion from
Ruth McNair, seconded by Jordan, after Edwards said he would not
make a request to close the meeting.
Earlier, Mrs. McNair voiced an objection to the presence of a tape
recorder a radio station reporter carried, saying she did not want
what she had to say recorded. Under law, recording devices cannot
be prohibited by a public official at an open meeting.
Edwards said he left the meeting about 11:30 and was called at his
home about 1 a.m. and told the board's decision. He said he was told
by the superintendent he still would be given the opportunity to
resign before a public announcement was made.
Edwards declined to comment on the discussion during the closed
door meeting but said it concerned only the four charges Autry
made. He issued a written statement regarding the firing Monday
morning to The News-Journal for publication.
Discrepancy
Based on the principal's statement, the school board members
may have violated the N.C. Open Meetings Law. G.S. 143-318,
during its April 4 meeting by taking action secretly. The official
minutes of that meeting show no final action was taken, yet Edwards
said he was informed of a decision by the board the next morning.
Edwards said Monday he has retained an attorney and intends to
contest the dismissal but that he will not allow anything to disrupt
the school between now and the end of classes.
"My intention is to have things run smoothly as they always have.
The kids come first," he said.
"1 am not ashamed of my personal or professional life and I feel 1
still have a lot to offer Hoke County as Hoke County has a
tremendous amount to offer me," he said.
Autry said Monday that he has been instructed by the board to
solicit outside applications for the $23,788 a year principal's post,
but that the board would also accept applications from within the
local schools.
The superintendent said he felt a replacement would be named
sometime in the latter part of May.
Autry'a Statement
The complete text of Autry's statement Thursday night follows.
"When Allen Edwards was hired to replace me as principal of
Hoke County High School, I made the statement that he was a fine
capable young man. I have not changed my mind."
"It is my duty as superintendent to recommend to the Board of
Education and they either accept or reject my recommendations."
"I have tried to fulfill my duty in making a recommendation to
them and that doesn't infer that I have always been right. Mr.
Edwards has completed three years as principal of Hoke County
High School and he was due to go on tenure as principal which
simply states that a Board of Education and superintendent puts
their stamp of approval on the job that the individual is doing."
After spending many agonizing hours on reaching a decision, I felt
Mr. Edwards could not effectively function as principal of Hoke
County High School because of the following reasons:
1 . His lack of credibility with his faculty.
2. His inconsistency in dealing with the students and public.
3. His being unavailable to his students and to his faculty.
4. His disregard for keeping appointments."
"Based on these reasons, I did not recommend to the Board that
he be placed on tenure. Not once have I questioned his morals or his
capabilities. I have questioned his judgment many times."
Mr. Edwards and I are fully committed to the ultimate results
both being professional educators that the issue has boiled down to a
conflict between him and me. For this I am extremely sorry because
there is no power struggle. I am not interested in telling the principal
hod' to run the high school. It is my job to see if I can offer advice."
"My first and only job is to do what is right for our children and
for that I make no apologies."
"I have been in Hoke County for ten years and 1 have made my
share of enemies because of my aggressive nature in wanting the best
for our children and I have stepped on some toes. I am sorry there is
one individual that I can't call friend but in my opinion, it is better to
end a friendship than sacrifice what I believe is right for our
children."
Rose's Office Here Today
The mobile office of Congress- the post office.
man Charlie Rose will be in
Raefbrd today (Thursday) from lO Administrative assistant Rip
a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking kit of Collins will be with the van. ?