SOS Reaches Milestone

By Cal Bryant - Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

WINDSOR - The effort continues.

Despite already presenting their documentation to the Raleigh office of U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle, Community Schools SOS is following-up on their promise to collect 4,000 signatures on a petition in opposition to closing three Bertie County elementary schools.

Please don't forget to collect 10 signatures this week. We must keep going for the full 4,000. Bring the petition sheets to the "Celebration Meeting" Thursday March 1st at 6 PM at the Council on Aging Senior Center in Windsor.

Thanks to all the people who have done such a magnificent job on this grass roots effort to SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.

You are the best.

Uncle Tom Revisited, Redeemed

Clarence Page, of the Chicago Tribune, has written a powerful article that is very appropriate for Bertie County today. Times are changing. We need to catch up. I have posted a link to Clarence's article on the Inner Banks Eagle, my political blog. I hope you will take a moment to read what Clarence has to say. He wrote a powerful article about a man we all should admire. By writing the article, Clarence showed he is a man of courage. I suspect he will catch as much grief as Bill Cosby did.

Windsor's Irish Souper Bowl - Coming Soon!

Great night - Great food - Great Art - Great Music!

The Bertie County Arts Council is having its annual Irish Souper Bowl on March 11th at 6:00 PM. This special St. Patrick's Day event is the highlight of Windsor.

The Hunt Family Fiddlers will once again provide entertainment!

Hunt Family Fiddlers

The event features, as always, an authentic Irish Dinner of corned beef and cabbage, potato soup, homemade bread and dessert. This is a great way to get in the mood for Saint Patrick's Day. Each participant will receive a hand painted ceramic bowl created by Bertie County Arts Council members! The bowls are on display at the Bertie County Arts Center, 124 S. King Street, Windsor, NC, and as always are spectacular.

Some Of This Years Bowls, On Display In The "Art Center" Window

These Unique Hand Made and Kiln Fired Bowls Are A Special Memento

The Irish Souper Bowl begins at 6:00 PM, on March 111h, 2006. The location will be the Bertie Senior Center on School Street in Windsor. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for children age 8 and under. Anyone interested may contact BCAC by telephone at (252) 794-9402 , or email to bertiearts@earthlink.net.

BCAC Recognizes Donor

The Bertie County Arts Council has recognized Ed and Netta Lipscomb of the Bertie Ambulance Service for their recent donation of $1,000 to promote the arts in Bertie County. Their donation was used in part to pay for the food and concerts (performed by Shoko Tiominaga) for the residents of the local homes, Three Rivers, Brian Center and Rivers Edge.

Monthly Prayer Breakfast

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." -- John 13, 34-35


With this as the essence of his message, Reverend Ralph White spoke of the ongoing need to make the work of the Lord more color blind in our Inner Banks communities. It has long been noted, and it is sad to say, the most segregated time in our society, is Sunday Morning. A part of this is the process of knowing each other. We are all more comfortable with those we know. Jesus intentionally reached out to the "sinner" and the "Pharisee". So must we reach out to each other if we wish to fulfill the command of Jesus. Bobby Eubanks and Reverend Ralph White are trying.

Bobby Eubanks And Reverend Ralph White

A new monthly Prayer Breakfast has been established with that as a major goal, to assure that the races know each other so well that we can look at each other as friends without caring about race. The inaugural prayer breakfast was held this morning at the Heritage House Restaurant, and for a first effort it was well attended. It was also well received.

Inaugural Prayer Breakfast

Please know that you are welcome to this monthly meeting of harmony and sharing, which was established today as the third Monday of each month. Next month the meeting will be on March 20th at 8:00 AM at the Heritage House Restaurant again. Please put it on your calendar, and we will see you there.

SOS – Save Our Schools Petition Passes 3,000 Signatures

Community Schools SOS - Press Release

Windsor, North Carolina, 2/19/2006 – The SOS project to save the three best performing elementary schools in Bertie County passed another milestone this weekend with the announcement that the SOS group has now collected 3,000 signatures on a petition asking the federal court to not close the schools.

The group announces their March 2 meeting as a “celebration meeting” with a theme called 100 with 10. The group’s goal is for 100 supporters to each bring 10 signatures and with that the group will pass the 4,000 goal in only eight weeks of signature collection. Obtaining this number will complete all the operational goals set by the organization. This will put in place all the strategic initiatives to keep the three best performing community elementary schools open in the county.

The court accepted over 2,600 signatures from the group into the case record on 2/10/2006. These signatures were accompanied by documentation to show the court that the county is not guilty of facility discrimination. Providing the court these remaining signatures will show a majority of the county’s active voters are against closing these schools.

Community Schools SOS also announces that surprise guests will be in attendance on March 2nd and they will be presenting the main program for the evening. SOS invites you to come and join our celebration program.

The next SOS meeting is Thursday March 2nd at 6PM at the Council on Aging Building in Windsor.

Oak Down Stable Provides Bride First Trail Ride

Jeffrey Stone, one of America's high tech sailors stationed on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in Norfolk has been a long time horse riding enthusiast, but Keri, his bride of 10 months, had never been riding before. While staying at the Trestle House Inn bed and breakfast in Edenton, Jeffrey asked Peter Bogus of Trestle House about trail riding opportunities in the area.

Peter referred Jeffrey to the ad web site for Oak Down Stables, a well know trail riding and riding instruction stable in Colerain. The web site for Oak Down Stables can be found at the link here.

Ellen Rice, Lead Instructor, Riding Dove

Jeffrey loves to ride but Keri, his bride, needed the support of a beginner. Since the outing was going to be a surprise for Keri, nothing could be shared ahead of time. Oak Down Stables is a great place for this type of outing, as they can handle beginners with their excellent instructor, Ellen Rice, and also provide a challenge for the experienced rider as well. Ellen is a former professional jockey and a superb teacher.

Phone Call To Charles And Leah Sets Up The Trail Ride

After reading the information on the web site, Jeffrey called Charles and Leah Newsome, owners of Oak Down Stables, to arrange the outing. On the appointed day, they made their way from Virginia Beach, to Colerain.

Arriving At Oak Down Stables

Welcome To The Front Barn Of Oak Down Stables

Jeffrey And Keri Watch The Saddling Process

Samson Is Ready To Go

After watching the saddling process, Jeffrey and Keri went through orientation in the Oak Down riding ring.

Ladies First, Keri Gets Basic Instruction After Mounting Pepper

Jeffrey, Here On Samson, Is An Experienced Rider, But It Has Been A While

Keri Waiting To Enter The Ring For Orientation

Keri Getting Used To Her First Horse!

Jeffrey Is Having Fun Watching Keri Learn To Ride

After orientation, everyone went for an extended trail ride.

Orientation Over, Let's Head For The Trails

Mounting Up

Come On Cody - Head This Way

Charles Newsome uses Cody to lead the trail ride.

Charles And Cody Lead The Way

Passing The Pond At Oak Down Stables

Leaving The Stable Area

Trail Riding Provides An Incredible Sense Of Freedom

Jeffrey and Keri had a great first trail ride together. Thank you Jeffrey for serving our nation during this time of war. We all appreciate it. God bless you both.

.

Bertie County Luncheon Business And Industry Association

Yesterday the Bertie County Business And Industry Association was treated to a luncheon at the Heritage House in Windsor, courtesy of North Carolina's Northeast Partnership.

Business And Industry Association Luncheon Had An Informal Style

The opening speaker was the Honorable Bob Spivey, Mayor, Town of Windsor; who welcomed everyone, spoke of some of the exciting things happening in Windsor, and led us in an invocation for the meal.

Mayor Bob Spivey (Windsor)

Steve Biggs, Executive Director of the Bertie County Economic Development Commission and Rocky Lane, Existing Industry Specialist for North Carolina's Northeast Partnership, spoke about the purpose and goals of the Business and Industry Association.

Steve Biggs (Bertie County Economic Development Commission)

Rocky Lane (North Carolina's Northeast Partnership)

They were followed by updates from some of our Industry member representatives. There are many actions taking place to better the lives of Bertie County citizens. Innsbrook has triggered a strong interest in additional golfing and boating communities here in the county and there are a couple that look quite promising. We can easily become the "Hamptons" of North Carolina, contributing greatly to the desirability of our neighborhood. The three college representatives spoke of new training initiatives to bring other industries to our area. The U.S. 17 bypass is finally being built and that improvement in traffic flow will contribute to the attractiveness of our area for business. Research into the practicality of using the current burn-off from the waste facility to create energy is being conducted. Perdue has just announced an expansion which will add jobs, and Anthony Hathaway was present to remind everyone that he is still looking for a great number of new employees for the new prison. Employment opportunities in our community are currently outstanding.

Rex Raiford (NC State Industrial Extension)

Tom Hemphill (Roanoke Chowan Community College)

Dick Oates (Martin Community College)

A significant new committee was formed to create alliances with other groups in our area, to expand the effectiveness of the association and to expand our business community. We will keep you informed as these alliances bear fruit. With all the things that are happening in our county, these are exciting times.

Tutor Program Offered By Law Is Going Unused

By Susan Saulny - February 12, 2006 - New York Times

Four years after President Bush signed the landmark No Child Left Behind education law, vast numbers of students are not getting the tutoring that the law offers as one of its hallmarks.

Whenever the grades for rich people's children drop even a little, they get a tutor and help get the grades back up. No Child Left Behind offers this same opportunity for the poor students in any system where the schools are failing. However for some reason our education establishment does not feel this is worthy of mentioning to parents. With amazing arrogance the first explanation of the education establishment to the reason that they are only using about 10% of the money allocated is "that the program is allotted too little federal money"!

Knee jerk answer. Always this knee jerk answer. Too little money. Though we spend more than twice as much money on our failed and failing schools here in America as in the most successfull countries, the only answer you ever hear from the education "professionals" in America is too little money. Now they give that as their answer for not spending money that was allocated to them? That they could not bother since it wasn't enough?

Bertie County Schools clearly are failing. Could you use this money to arrange tutors for your kids?

SOS Documents Filed In Desegregaton Case!

RALEIGH - The Judge's request that Community Schools SOS file our 2800 Petitions, 110 Parent's Letters, Heery Study, DOJ Study, Dollars and Sense Study, a DVD with pictures of the 3 schools and the cover letter to Judge Terrence Boyle in the Clerk's office here in Raleigh, was successfully accomplished this afternoon. We filed and received a conformed copy of the filing in the Clerk's Office for Eastern District cases at 1:15 PM.

Below is a copy of the cover letter to Judge Terrence Boyle, conformed by the Court Clerk in Raleigh (conformed means stamped and indicating the date at which the paperwork was entered into the court record for the case). This makes yesterday's trip to Elizabeth City a resounding success. Thanks again to all of the people who dropped everything in order to join the convoy to Elizabeth City.

Letter to Judge Terrence Boyle - Page 1

Letter to Judge Terrence Boyle - Page 2

My personal thanks to Lindalyn Kakdelis and Jon Ham of the John Locke Foundation in Raleigh. Jon provided me with a computer and help so that we could get this article posted an hour after the paperwork was filed. Lindalyn Kakadelis is Director of the North Carolina Education Alliance and has worked very hard to help Bertie County stop the closure of these schools. You can check out her web site at http://www.nceducationalliance.org/ to learn more about her great efforts for education.

We are not done. We have to keep up the pressure to finish the petition drive. We are at 2800 signatures now, but we will need to gather over 4600 to make sure that 4000 are validated. That 4000 validated number is the final goal. Thank you to everyone who has been helping. This is a positive accomplishment but, as noted, the war is not over yet. See you Thursday night, February 16th, 6:00 PM at our next meeting on the "Save Our Schools" petition drive.

Community Schools - SOS

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS!

No Facility Discrimination!

The Board of Education (BOE) is moving forward with their stubborn attempts to close our 3 best performing schools. The Consent Order that has been submitted to the Judge is based on a false allegation of facility discrimination. The BOE's own Heery Study made a mockery of this claim when it ranked J.P. Law as in better shape than the supposedly "so much better" Askewville. Though still written to support the BOE's desire to close our community schools and build a big new school building, the Heery organization is sufficiently ethical that they could not support the claim that Askewville was in better shape than J.P. Law.

It was this false allegation in an earlier study that has been proposed as justification to close BOTH J.P. Law (for being in such bad shape) and Askewville (as punishment for being in "so much better" shape).

NO FACILITY DISCRIMINATION - That Is The Truth - There Is None - Bertie County Citizens Protest The False Claim In Front Of Elizabeth City Federal Court

The Heery exposure that the facility discrimination charge was false has not altered the determination of the BOE to try and persuade a Federal Judge to order them to do what they so fervently want to do, close the schools and build them a new building. That is the sole goal of this whole process. Get a NEW building. Though we are in the bottom 10% of school systems in North Carolina, it is not because our elementary schools are in bad shape. It is because some in the education administration of Bertie County would much rather play around with new buildings, than spend time fixing the serious education problems. If built, it would leave Bertie County with FIVE perfectly fine buildings, sitting EMPTY as monunments to the lack of fiscal concern of the 3 BOE members who support this Consent Order. We are a poor county. How can we waste these facilities and spend millions on an un-needed new building?




Mike Williams, Mary Jane Tayloe And John Davis, Taking A Break After A Furious 24 Hours Of Organizing The Convoy. Kelvin Outlaw Was There In Spirit After Helping Organize Too - GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

When we found out late Tuesday that the BOE had sent the Consent Order forward overnight, in an attempt to get the Judges signature before he had seen the over 2600 petitions that we have already obtained, we felt we had no choice but to organize a convoy to Elizabeth City to make sure the Judge heard our pleas to SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.

Though the Judge would not accept the paperwork personally in his offices there in Elizabeth City, he did send a U.S. Marshall out to talk with us, and explain his decision. The U.S. Marshall, said the Judge would like us to file the petitons, letters from African-American parents and Heery Study in the clerk's office in Raleigh, so that they would be a permanent part of the case file.

Everyone Has Loaded Up At Waterfront Park - Ready To Come Home

Mike Williams, Kelvin Outlaw, Mary Jane Tayloe and John Davis worked tirelessly all day Wednesday to put together this convoy. They had so little time, really just 24 hours. It was a super effort. 35 people made the trip. At least ten times that many wanted to go, but could not make arrangements on such short notice. They were with us in spirit and we thank them all. We also wish to express a personal thanks to Melinda Eure and Ricky Freeman for their continued support of our Community Schools.

Consent Order - Strike Two?

A desegregation case is only supposed to be used to overcome discrimination against African-American students. When the issue of the desegregation case heated up earlier this year, I made one statement that I will not take back. I said then, and I say now, that to claim that Bertie County is still discriminating is ridiculous and an insult to anyone's intelligence. And yet yesterday morning, 3 of the Board of Education (BOE) members, voted to support a "Consent Order" that claims they are still discriminating against African-Americans. The essence of this order seems to be "we are discriminating, we can't help it, please Judge, stop us before we discriminate again."

The BOE not only does not dispute this, they are so eager to get the Judges signature on the order condemning them for their acts of discrimination and ordering them to rectify it (conveniently the things they are being ordered to do are the things they have wanted to do all along), that we have heard they are rushing the order to the Department of Justice (DOJ) overnight, so that it can get to the Judge as soon as possible.

When you read the "Consent Order", the claims of discrimination are as follows:

1. African-American students in Askewville are being discriminated against by "creating classrooms that exceeded the maximum number of students permitted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction". Of course since Askewville is being closed because it is so much better than J.P. Law, this claim seems bizarre to say the least.

2. Class assignments in West Bertie Elementary and Aulander Elementary are intentionally "taking race into account" and "resulting in racially identifiable classrooms". This is alleged but no evidence is provided and no acts are traced to any specific individual. It is merely conceded by the BOE that they condoned it for the purpose of discriminating, and somehow this contributes to the need to close J.P. Law and Askewville.

3. African-American students in Merry Hill (J.P. Law) are being discriminated against by some vague thing called "facilities concerns", and thus their school is being closed even though the basis for this was a claim in an earlier report that Askewville students were getting a much better education because of the superior school facility. So much better that the J.P. Law students were being discriminated against. However the Heery report claims that J.P. Law is better than Askewville. That the BOE has never brought this obvious conflict in reality to the attention of the DOJ, or challenged the "facilities concerns" hypocrisy, proves that they have much more duplicitous reasons for closing J.P. Law. No surprise there. It also ignores that BOTH schools are now black majority schools.

The things for which the BOE must be condemned are:

The schools being closed are the highest performing schools in the district.

Much of the "Consent Order" talks about creating a new school, but provides no evidence that it is justified by any act of discrimination. It is merely the desire of the BOE and is supported by the DOJ, probably to entice the BOE to admit to discrimination that has not really occurred. These claims of discrimination are a constantly shifting justification to always do what has already been decided. How seriously can you take people who constantly change their story?

The key to the real goal of the "Consent Order" is contained in one sentence, "the board is committed to closing these three schools (J.P. Law, Askewville and Aulander) and building a new elementary school when funding for that facility can be secured."

I could argue their commitment to closing schools is the only truth in the "consent order". It seems clear to me that the BOE is still trying to arrange a situation where the Judge orders a new school to be built. Southwestern will be empty, C.G. White will be empty, Askewville will be empty, J.P. Law will be empty, and (it is clear that if the BOE has anything to say about it) Aulander will be empty. Only NEW CONSTRUCTION will satisfy the BOE and Bertie County Public School Central Administration though. With FIVE empty schools I think it ridiculous that the BOE actually has the temerity to argue that we need to build a new school. It will be a total waste of money.

This order is ridiculous, an insult to Bertie County . . . . and its people. Community Schools SOS is dedicated to taking a convoy of cars to Elizabeth City on Thursday to deliver the currently signed petitions and currently signed letters of opposition from African-American parents to Judge Terrence Boyle. Contact your SOS representative if you would like to go on the convoy.

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS

The departure times for the convoy will be 12:00 Noon from Harrisons Grocery in Askewville, and 1:00 PM from Oxley Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Merry Hill.

Bill Hazelgrove Interim Director - Chamber Of Commerce

With the departure of Patrick Demofonte from the Windsor-Bertie Chamber of Commerce, Bill Hazelgrove has agreed to return temporarily to keep the Chamber moving forward. Bill asked me to announce that they are actively seeking candidates for a permanent position as Chamber Director. Those who would like to apply should send their resume to:

Windsor-Bertie Chamber of Commerce
Search Committee
P.O. Box 727
Windsor, NC 27983

J.P. Law, Aulander and Askewville - Strike One?

Though the majority of the county is working hard to stop the closure of these three schools, the chance to keep our community schools open took a serious hit today. With the Bertie County Board of Education (BOE) poised to ratify their secret negotiations with the Department of Justice (DOJ) sometime soon, one chance to let the Judge know where the county stands slipped by.

At the County Commissioners meeting today, Jonathan Huddleston was present on behalf of County Attorney Lloyd Smith. He informed the County Commissioners that the County Attorney had not yet completed his research on Amicus Curiae and was not ready to make a recommendation. The County Commissioners were thus left with no opportunity to do anything to slow down the BOE rush to close the schools. That looks like strike one. We have not lost yet, but the chances to save our schools are slipping away.

It is going to be equally interesting to see if the "consent decree" that has been negotiated with the DOJ is released by the BOE today, or whether they continue their previous practice of keeping these things hidden from the public as long as possible. If the vote to close the schools has been approved by the DOJ and is voted on by the BOE, it will be on the Judges desk very soon. Our original goal of March 1st is thus no longer valid. Things will have to happen much sooner.

We will have a report of whatever we can find out tomorrow morning, but the BOE vote was discussed today.

Steelers Win Fifth Super Bowl Title

by Barry Wilner - February 6th, 2006 - Associated Press

DETROIT - Nearly all the Pittsburgh Steelers split the driving on this super Bus ride. From Willie Parker's record-setting run to the Antwaan Randle El-to-Hines Ward trickery, from coach Bill Cowher's validation to Ike Taylor's key interception, everyone contributed. His teammates did so well in Sunday's 21-10 Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks that Jerome Bettis barely was needed during his homecoming and farewell.

{snip}

"This is why I started 13 years ago, on this quest," Bettis said. "Along the way, I amassed a lot of yards and a lot of Pro Bowls, but none of that was significant because it wasn't the team goals. The team goal has always been to win a championship, and now I have a championship."

It was a good game. Seattle fans got to see their team dominate, but also watched a team that seemed to be looking for a way to lose. Pittsburgh fans got to see their team win again. I suspect the food that everyone ate at their Super Bowl parties was good, but I doubt if it was as good as the T-Bone I had! It was a great game and a great party. Hope you enjoyed it too.

Bertie County Adds GIS and Emergency Communications

What is GIS? A Global Information System, a system of maps and aerial and satellite photos of property in Bertie County combined with an information database. The combination allows you to use the Internet to look up your property, and get survey and tax information about it. This is one of the two new systems that Jodie Rhea, Property Tax Auditor from the Bertie County Tax Office, showed the Windsor Rotary Club this last Thursday.

Jodie Rhea Explains County's New Global Information System

Since we are on the Internet, all you need to do to go to the system to find out more about it is click on the link below:
www.co.bertie.nc.us/website/bertiegis/viewer.htm

This will take you to the new Bertie County GIS website, and allow you to find out information about your property, or any other property that you need to do research on. For instance, if you are in the market to buy a property, you can now find out as much about the new property from your home PC as you used to be able to find out by going to the courthouse, maybe even more because of the aerial pictures.

The other system Jodie explained is the Emergency Communications system based on the Zetron Series 4000 Operator Console. This is a powerful upgrade to our 911 Public Safety Answering Point. For information about the system, click here:
zetron.com

Thanks to Jodie for updating us on these powerful new capabilities for our county. And don't forget to bookmark the new GIS web site on your computer for future site reference!

Play Draws Rave Reviews

By Cal Bryant - Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

GATESVILLE - Laughter can be the best medicine to break the wintertime blues. Those searching for local entertainment and have their funny bones tickled at the same time are urged to attend the final weekend performance of “Life Goes On.”

Cal, thanks for the coverage of the play. I especially appreciate the closing line, where you give the link to my Patriot Blogs for further information. For those who would like to read Cal's article, please click on the title above.

Peggy Temple and Rene' Winslow (Two Of The Stars Of "Life Goes On")

For those who would like to see other pictures and stories about the play, please click here for the Roanoke-Chowan Patriot coverage!

Community Schools SOS Meeting Thursday!

Community Schools SOS will have their bi-weekly organizing meeting tomorrow night, Thursday, February 2nd, at the Council on Aging Senior Center in Windsor. Please don't miss it.

The petition drive continues. Next goal is 3,000 signatures on the way to the overall goal of 4,000 voters signing their opposition to closing our schools.

Hope to see you there.

Community Schools SOS

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS!