The
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oumal
if it happened, it's news to us
No. 8 Vol. 96
r
n:TY N-C.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Commissioners say buffer plan premature
Others at meeting laud efforts to protect Fort Bragg training, Hoke forms task force
By VicTORiANA Summers
Staff writer
Hoke Commission Chairman Bobby
Wright and Comm issioner Bill Cameron
think the presentation of the Fort Bragg-
Pope Air Force Base regional land use
plan was prematurely celebrated last
Thursday evening by state, military and
local leaders.
The largest stakeholders, Hoke —
joined by the City of Raeford — and
Cumberland counties have still not ap
proved the project, according to them.
Tlie proposed project devised by a land-
use commission, impactssixcountiesand
numerous municipalities. It would create
a onc-mile “grcenbelt” around the bases
as a buffer for military training, reducing
the development rights on at least 8,8f)0
acres of Hoke’s land.
“The proposed plan would negatively
impact many northern and western Hoke
property owners and could potentially
reduce industry retention,” Wright said.
“Because of the controversy, this plan
could be stalled for another year.”
Voting not to endorse it were Hoke
and City of Raeford governments.
Cumberland County has postponed a
decision on the issue until June. The
plan requires approval by the N.C. Gen
eral Assembly.
Senator Tony Rand of Fayetteville
said on Monday it is “unlikely” a legis
lative bill could be presented to the N.C.
General Assembly during this session.
Supporting the bases’ attempts to pre
vent encroachment on military training
exercises, Rand says he understands the
purpose, but sympathizes with Hoke’s
concerns.
“Everybod) has not agreed on this
plan so there probably is not enough
time to present it to the state,” Rand
said. “It may not be heard until another
year goes by.
“We need to form a state committee
to iron out how to provide the revenues
required to fund some of the financial
{See BUFFER PREMA TUBE, page9A)
Military leaders say
1-mile buffer is cmcial
Governor’s official ‘jokes’ Hoke could lose
state funding; not funny, says Cameron
Commission Chairman Bobby Wright and Commissioner Bill Cameron review the Joint Land Use Study that was released
last Thursday during a meeting at Fort Bragg.
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
Scotland County CommissionerClint
Willis, a retired U.S. Army general,
predicted the failure of Hoke or other
counties to ultimately implement a pro
posed regional land-use study could
undermine the “viability” of Fort Bragg,
Pope Air Force Base and Camp Mackall.
It could also lead to the destruction of
the surrounding natural environment,
he said while presiding at a celebration
held last Thursday at the Fort Bragg
Officers’ Club, attended by state, mili
tary and local leaders. The results of the
two-year study by the N.C. Department
of Commerce and a local, joint land-use
commission were released at the event.
“If our results are successful, we will
be the most military friendly state,”
Willis said. “Unsuccessful? It is not an
option. We must succeed.
“We request all stakeholders to in
corporate this into their future land use
plan.”
Hoke, the City of Raeford and
Cumberland County officials have not
endorsed the controversial plan that
(See CRUCIAL, page 8A)
East Hoke steppers
work hard
page 1B
Autry, Rankine
to address FMA grads
page 8A
RELAY
^ 0
Relay For Life
kicks off event Friday
page 3A
Anniversaries 3B
Business/Farm 10A
Calendar 2B
Classifieds 7-8B
Deaths 5A
Editorials 2A
Legals 5-6B
Public Record 5A
Religion 9A
Schools 4B
Socials 3B
Sports 6-7A
Weddings 3B
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Hoke designated ‘21st Century Community’ for state aid
By P \t Allen Wilson
Editor
Hoke is one of five North Carolina
counties to be named a 21 st Century Com
munity.
County Manager Mike Wood said he
thinks the status will allow Hoke to take
the next step toward the planning and
developing of an industrial park. “What it
would do is provide access to the com
merce department and their technicians.”
Areas have been identified that are best
suited for a park. Wood said, but added
that there’s “a lot of work to be done with
which the commerce department can help.”
Steve Yost of the dept, of commerce’s
southeastern regional office agreed with
Wood, “What this means for Hoke is the
N.C. Dept, of Commerce will provide a
concentrated effort to work with the lead
ership in Hoke County to pinpoint prob
ably three or four economic development
initiatives that need to be implemented.”
Hoke would also receive preferential
treatment on some grant requests. Yost
added, “And it also means that a large
amount of dept, of commerce staff time
will be devoted to work hand-in-hand
with the county.”
The 21 St Century Community program
(SeeDESIGNATION, page 9A)
Commissioner Daniels: 911 department fuUy staffed, no risk to citizens
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
Hoke’s 911 Communications Center is operating
smoothly, said Commission Vice Chairman Charles
V. Daniels. He says the department, under the interim
supervision of Chris Jacobsen, is in good shape, citi
zens have no reason for concern, and emergency calls
will be handled without delay.
Daniels, Hoke’s Emergency Commissioner who
was appointed by the board of commissioners, said he
thought it was necessary to reassure citizens after 911
emergency supervisor Al Schwarcbher and Ron
Fairbanks, 911 data base technician, were demoted
recently. Fairbanks has resigned. After receiving count
less phone calls from residents “panicking” that the
temporary supervisor might be too inexperienced.
Daniels said he also wanted to tell fire departments,
law agencies and the ambulance service they can
count on 911 service and the caliber of Jacobsen’s
work.
“1 want to assure the citizens of this county that the
communications department is being staffed 24 hours
a day with qualified personnel,” Daniels said. “It is
being overseen by County Manager Mike Wood, who
is making two trips a day to the department.
“I am personally in constant contact with the emer
gency dispatchers.”
Daniels said a special meeting will likely be called
next week to implement changes in the operation of
911 afteracommittee was established two weeksago.
Unlike Fairbanks and Schwarcbher who were also
handling budgetary and technology needs for 911,
(See 911 DEPARTMENT, page 3A)
From left: 911 telecommunicator Candace Corcoran, interim
911 supervisor Chrisjacobsen, Commissioner Charles Daniels.
By Ken MacDonald
General Manager
If it weren’t so sad, our situation here
would be funny. “Okay Hoke,” the federal
government is saying in the No Child Left
Behind legislation,“You’ve got until 2013
to achieve 100 percent proficiency in your
public schools, and until 2005 to get your
teachers ‘highly qualified’, and certify
your assistant teachers. We were going to
give you some money for this, but we had
to cut that back, besides, you can do it
without money... and did we mention we
may need to cut back the military impact
money you’re getting? And by the way,
we need some more of your land for Fort
Bragg.’
At what point are we going to respond,
(See COLUMN, page 9A)
Former Hoke High assistant coach accused of sexual misconduct
By Victoriyn x Summers
Staff writer
A Raeford man who was employed as
an assistant basketball coach at Hoke
County High School was arrested Thurs
day on felony sexual allegations report
edly involving from four to seven female
students, according to authorities.
Raeford Police Department conducted
a joint criminal investigation with the
SBl after a “concerned citizen’" reported
suspicions of the alleged incidents. The
sexual misconduct allegedly occurred
while he was coaching at Hoke High,
according to the SBI.
Tony Demond Crawford, 23, of the
(See CHARGED, page 4A)
X
Sheltered
From left, Dorothy McKoy; Lillian McAllister; Angelo Bratcher,
pastor of Mt. Sinai Church of the Living Word; behind him,
Martha Beatty; City Manager Mike McNeill; Emma Evans, jean
Brunson; behind her, Hoke Sheriff Hubert Peterkin; Bishop J,L.
Glenn; L.C. Chapel and Daphne Burt were among those who
joined hands to sing at the dedication of the shelter at Raeford
City Park. See related article, page 4A.