The Robesonian from Lumberton, North Carolina • Page 9

THE ROBESONIAN Page 9--The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Wednesday, January 12,1977 Funds For TwoRobeson Projects May Be Lost An unusually large crowd of spectators turned out last night for the Lumberton Planning Board session, which was scheduled to include discussion of a proposed rezoning at Linwood and Seventh, to prohibit construction of an apartment complex by local businessmen. (C.E. McLaurin Photo) On Proposed Apt. Complex Rezoning Put To Court The decision to rezone property at Seventh Ave. and Linwood or leave "as is" and allow a proposed apartment complex has been taken from the hands of the Lumberton city council and planning board into the courts.

Members of the Lumberton Planning Board at City Hall last night for their regular monthly session, which included as an agenda item a ezoning request from the city council, but were instead served with summons from Robeson County deputies. The summons invites the planning board members, plus all city council members to court to discuss the controversial apartment complex proposed by Lumberton developers Earl Antone and Charles Edens. District Court Judge Henry A. McKinnon Jr. signed a temporary restraining order Monday prohibiting the planning board and city council from considering any rezoning action on East Lumberton property.

The defendants, which includes the planning board, city council, city manager and city building inspector, are ordered to be in court Monday morning, to "show cause why the injunction and restraining order should not be continued to the hearing." Listed as plaintiffs in the court action are William R. Pleasant, who owns the property, W.G. Pleasant, father of William R. and principal stockholder in the firm of W.G. Pleasant and Sons, who owned the described property at one time, W.L.

Smith and Jack J. Barnes, Cumberland County businessmen who are associates of W.G. Pleasant and, finally, Earl Antone, Lumberton businessman who now holds option to buy the property. According to a complaint document prepared by attorney W. Earl Britt, who represents the plaintiffs, Pleasant, who had the property rezoned in 1971, was planning on building an apartment complex which would also have been funded with an Farmers Home Administration loan, as is the planned apartments to be built by Antone.

The complaint states that Pleasant has spent approximately $70,900 in purchase and development of the property at Linwood Avenue. The document also points out that Earl Antone has incurred financial obligations approximating $42,000 in purchase option, architectural fees and other expenses. The complaint requests the court to issue a writ of mandamus, which would order the city building inspector to issue a building permit to plaintiff Earl Antone are arbitrary and capricious" and that "the action in seeking to rezone the property is not reasonably necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals or welfare The document also states that "the instruction of the city council to its agents and employees not to issue a building permit pending action on the rezoning request and the attempt by the to rezone the property is without valid reason and for the sole purpose of frustrating the proposed apartment complex of plaintiff, Earl Antone." --LOLITA HUCKABY ByKARENVELA Robesonian Staff Writer Four Robesonians are in Washington, D.C., today to check out rumors that two of the Local Public Works projects tentatively approved for Robeson County will be withdrawn. The rumors, which began spreading earlier this week, were given some support yesterday by an Economic Liaison Officer in the North Carolina Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Jerome Dickens said in a telephone interview that it is his understanding that the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) has made an error in the election of Public Works projects to be funded.

In order to correct this error, he said, it appears possible that two projects previously okayed for Robeson County--an armory in Parkton and additional prison facilities at the local Department of Corrections unit may be scrapped. i a emphasized the fact that all such matters are still under negotiation and technically fall into the category of rumors. It had been announced late last month that three EDA Public Works projects would be funded in Robeson: a new mental health facility at $963,000, a new armory in at $445,000, and prison Additions at $722,000. In Washington today to meet with Nat Maryn, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce for EDA, are Sam R.

Noble, chairman of the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, Chap Noble, of the county's engineering Half-Way House Partisans Praise Center, But No Financing Sought By DAVID SHELLEY Robesonian Staff Writer MAXTON-- The town board here Tuesday night heard from representatives of the Impulse and Commitment half-way house, and voted to seek relief for residents plagued by Suburban Mobile Home Park -a condemned property called by one neighbor the "dirtiest part of town." The delegation did not ask for re-instatement of funding for the half-way house. The town of Maxton withdrew its backing when charges of mismanagement arose. A retired Fairmont minister, W. F. Elliot, spoke for the center, with which he has been associated, and said that the half-way house had been maligned in the press and that the center has not been investigated.

The center's director, Marshall Wade, and an employe, Perry Jones, went on trial in Maxton District Court last Thursday for allegedly passing worthless checks. Elliot said the center had been working to help' 'the lower class people of all races" with alcohol and drug problems. He noted that Wade and Jones, both of whom have families, have worked since April without a paycheck. Elliot observed that the center had gone intodebt $3,600, because funds had not reached the half-way house. The Impulse and Commitment delegation totaled about one dozen persons.

Some rose in support of the center. One woman burst into tears as she said what the half-way house had done for her. Elliot said he thought it was "all a misunderstanding." TRAILER PARK Town residents neighboring on Suburban Mobile Home Park, which has been condemned, had negative words to say about the Robeson County Health Dept. for its handling of complaints concerning and inspection of that property. The health department extended its final inspection date until Friday for the trailer park to comply with health standards.

Miles Kirkpatrick, a Maxton resident, said he and his neighbors had complained to authorities for more than one year about loud profanity, fighting, large quantities of trash being thrown into neighboring yards, verbal harassment of neighborhood women and men "relieving themselves" outside. A major problem has been with sewage which has accumulated above ground and with wet weather -spreading a terrible odor throughout the neighborhood. The county health department, residents charged, has been too lax in extending inspection deadlines and cleanliness standards. The trailer park had been purchased just recently, as the previous owner had declared bankruptcy. The water supply to the park was shut off during part of the last month.

It has since been restored. The town may seek civil action for the approximately $500 water bill still owed by the previous owner. Town officials will seek guidelines from the N.C. League of Municipalities before acting further on such things as possibly requiring a fence around the property. The board okayed the purchase of two tracts of land under option at and instructed town manager Morrison McKenzie to choose between the two lowest bids for a new pick-up truck for Maxton.

The two bids, made by two Laurinburg dealers, were slightly different. Plans Are Being Made On Construction On New Warehouse Outside Lumberton A new tobacco warehouse, to be situated near Lumberton, is in the picture. First American Cooperative Warehouse has purchased land, made plans for construction of a warehouse and has named temporary leaders, headed by Bradie Locklear, Rowland. A full organization of the warehouse is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday in the gymnasium of the Pembroke Elementary School.

Locklear, a farmer and cabinet, maker of the Rowland area, is the temporary chairman. There are incorporators and the charter and stock issuance papers are in order with the secretary of state. The non-profit organization has been approved. In making plans the co-op has been assisted by Charles Campbell of the N.C. Dept.

of Agriculture and by Gene Sutton with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. The warehouse has been in the planning stage for two years. At first there was hope of situating the warehouse in Pembroke, but that was not considered feasible under existing market decisions.

Land on Highway 711 about one and one-half-miles from Lumberton has been acquired and inquiries about the contract for the building and financial support of the project are now in motion. At the meeting Monday information on the many facets of the First American Cooperative Warehouse will be made available to the public. Interested farmers who plan to sell with the warehouse and any others are invited to attend and to come prepared to ask questions. The program includes the sale of preferred and common stock. Horace Locklear, whose firm has been involved in the legal details of the warehouse, will be present to answer questions and to tell of legal requirements.

A representative of Myrick Construction Co. of Star will outline construction ideas along with an engineer, Claud Whitfield of Goldsboro. The temporary board of directors, which has spearheaded the drive for the establishment warehouse includes, in addition to Bradie Locklear, Lacy Collins, Pembroke; Jeffrey Maynor, Prospect; Timothy Strickland, Pembroke; Lonnie Locklear, Hoke County; Alphie Home, Maxton; Bob Davis, Rowland, who is the temporary treasurer; Weldon Locklear, Fairmont; J. W. Hunt, Fairmont; Horace Locklear, Saddletree; Ernest Almond, Aberdeen; Herman Dial, Pembroke.

consultant firm Koonce, Noble and Associates, W. (Bill) Herndon, county commissioner from the Parkton area, and Larry Barnett, director of a i Development Corp. GUIDELINES ANDSCORES The Local Public Works program was, according to federal description, intended to provide funding for locally needed projects which would, in turn, provide immediate jobs for workers in areas of high unemployment. Through the summer and fall of 1976 constant changes were in the guidelines for the program, but that element appeared to remain constant. Based on employment figures, it appeared that Robeson County would be in for the lion's share of the state's available funding.

With that in mind, Robeson County applied for $2.5 million for water line extensions throughout the county, for the mental health facility, and for an addition to the county health center. Additional applications were submitted by various municipalities in the county. Fairmont applied for two projects, Rowland applied, so did Maxton two applications Pembroke and Red Springs. The City of Lumberton submitted two applications, totalling slightly more than $600,000, for street improvements and a public works garage. Out of that variety of applications stemming from a county with high unemployment, only one project was funded.

Applications for the Parkton armory and the prison additions were submitted by State agencies and not locally. A print-out from EDA dated December 29,1976 under the authority of Nat Maryn whose name appears on the print-out --shows the scores awarded the applications from across the state. Robeson County towns hold five of the top ten positions. Rankings for local towns are: 3,4,7,9,10,13,14,15,16,25,36, 37 and soon out of more than 200 applications. Nearby Bladen County, which shows up in the print-out in positions 32 and 68 received tentative approval for two projects which total $1,233,230.

POLITICS INVOLVED? Dickens, who was obviously uncomfortabletalking about the rumors currently afloat, said that those rumors now indicate a total of six projects originally okayed may now be denied and replaced by five others. He also indicated that it appears that roughly $1 million is the amount allocated to any one area in the state. "Remember, officially EDA hasn't taken anything off the list," he stated. Other rumors indicate that federal guidelines ha ve not been followed and that the funding was not disbursed as outlined for political reasons. Some local leaders have asked not to be identified have said that Public Works projects were funded in a sort of political payoff scheme and that Robeson County as a solidly Democratic county suffered because of its voting record.

No official from the state or EDA would comment on this. Most were unavailable for any comment. It will apparently, according to Dickens and others, be some tune before the final tally of Public Works projects is made official. In the meantime Robesonians are in Washington to see what funds can be brought home. Robeson's Legislators Returning To Raleigh The 21st N.C.

House of Representatives District includes Hoke, Robeson and Scotland Counties but Robeson has the honor of being the home for all three district representatives. Representatives Joy J. Johnson of Fairmont and David Parnell of Parkton are returning to Raleigh today, with the convening of the 132nd session of the North Carolina General Assembly, after securing re-election with no opposition. It is Johnson's fourth term and ParnelTs second. They are joined in representing the 21st District by Lumberton's Horace Locklear, who replaces Henry Ward Oxendine.

Both veteran representatives look for a lengthy 1977 session, lasting at least six months. And many of the key issues to be discussed have appeared for debate before but observers expect the discussions to be no less emotional or intense. The death penalty, liquor-by- the-drink, education and the Equal Rights Amendment are just some of the familiar issues slated for legislative attention. On the topic of the state's death penalty, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court this summer, Robeson's two veteran legislators differ in personal viewpoints.

Rep. Parnell, expressing his own feelings about capital punishment during a recent interview, favors the death penalty, "where capital crimes are committed." "Where a human life is taken, I feel the death penalty is justified," Parnell stated. "In some instances, such as first degree rape, death seems too severe, possibly a life-sentence would be more in ILne with the crime." Rep. Johnson is opposed to the death penalty and feels the state's law "has made blacks, poor and uneducated citizens the recipient of the penalty," "I do not believe that the death penalty is a deterrent to crime and therefore, oppose the penalty." A new bill to revamp the state's capital punishment law is anticipated to appear before the Assembly during this session, possibly the first day of work. Supporters of the death penalty have reportedly been at work to prepare a bill that will adhere to the Supreme Court's ruling.

The Equal Rights Amendment, which has suffered close defeats in the 1973 and 1975 legislative sessions, will be back up for debate and again, observers are predicting that the vote will be a tight one. Parnell and Johnson divided on the vote last session, with Johnson supporting passage and Parnell opposing, after conducting a survey within his district. Johnson has stated that he will again support the ERA passage this session while Parnell says he is returning to Raleigh "with an open-mind, ready to accept any new information that may be presented on the bill." "It's not a good policy to go up there with your mind made up on the issues, so I'm just saying rny views could change after the bill's presentation," Parnell has reported. "Personally, I'm not convinced that I would be voting for passage but I'll just wait and see the bill." Neither legislator have any specific local bills they are planning to introduce at the opening of the session. Laurinburg, in Scotland county, has requested support in a bill to allow absentee voting in local school board elections but Rep.

Parnell feels the proposal may be substituted by a statewide bill. "This proposal should probably be enacted state-wide instead of just locally," Parnell has reported. "I don't foresee any reason why it would be opposed." IEA Hearing Scheduled Fairmont The Indian Education Act and How it applies to the Fairmont city schools will be the topic of an open hearing to be held Thursday at 8 p.m. in the auditorium of the Fairmont Middle School (old Fairmont High School) on lona Street. Various subjects will be discussed including the adequacy of the current school programs to meet the special education needs of Indian children and the manner in which the project for which application for aid is made will be coordinated to meet the special educational needs of Indian children.

Columbus County May Leave Mental Health Association WHITE VJLLE Waldo Marlow, chairman of the Columbus County Board of Commissioners, confirmed Monday that discussions have been held regarding the possible Columbus County pullout from the area mental health association. Although Marlow said that no specific plans have been made at present, that the matter is being investigated to determine the alternatives available to the county. The chairman confirmed that County Commissuoner L. A. Hinson is spearheading the action.

Dr. Eugene Douglas, director of Southeastern Regional Mental Health Association which is based in Lumberton, said that he has received no official word from any Columbus commissioners. Douglas said that at the most recent area board meeting, attended by Hinson, no mention was made of any dissatisfactions. It is reported that the Columbus Board of Commissioners contributes about $42,599 each year to the mental health program. This combines with the $24,080 received from the tax on alcohol to pull down about $504,330 in program funds.

Hinson was not available for comment Monday..