THE CASH STUFF FOR MAY 10, 2012

STATE NEWS BRIEFS

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

            It will be Democratic Lt. Gov. Walton Dalton squaring off against Republican former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory to become the next governor of North Carolina next November. Dalton garnered 46 percent of the vote in the six-candidate Democratic primary Tuesday, outpacing former Congressman Bob Etheridge. McCrory also overshadowed a six-man field with 83 percent of the vote.

            In the primary race for lieutenant governor on the Democratic side, former State Personnel Director Linda Coleman defeated a hard-charging Sen. Eric Mansfield, 56 to 44 percent, becoming the first African-American woman in North Carolina history to win on a statewide ballot.
          On the Republican side, it looks like a runoff since top vote getter Dan Forest did not get over 40 percent of the vote against Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley, who garnered 25 percent in a five-man field.

            For state Labor Commissioner, Ty Richardson came in last in a three-man field, leaving John Brooks and Marlowe Foster to run off on the Democratic side.

            For state Auditor, Wake School Board representative Debra Goldman displayed surprising strength leading a five-person field in the GOP primary. Goldman failed, however, to garner over 40 percent of the vote, and will runoff against Greg Dority for the right to face Democratic incumbent Beth Wood in the fall.

            For Superintendent of Public Instruction, another controversial Wake School Board member, John Tedesco, also led a five-man field with 29 percent of the vote in the GOP primary. He will runoff against Richard Alexander, who came in second with 24 percent, for the right to oppose incumbent Democrat June Atkinson in November.
            In the NC Senate 21 Democratic race to replace outgoing state Sen. Eric Mansfield, Billy King, who led with 24 percent, will runoff against second place candidate Robert Clark, who garnered 20 percent.

            For president, Barack Obama won over 80 percent unopposed in the Democratic primary against undecided, while Mitt Romney took the GOP primary, with challenger Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) coming in second.

                                                            -30-

TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS

LOCAL PRIMARY ELECTION WRAPUP

            While incumbents like State Sen. Dan Blue won re-election without any opposition, there were several contests for the NC General Assembly where voters chose who their next leadership should be.

            In races for the NC House, incumbent Rosa Gill won once again over perennial challenger Bernard Allen II in District 33, 79 to 21 percent. Wake School Board member Chris Malone beat out Duane Cutlip for House 35, 57 to 43 percent.

            In the newly drawn House District 38 which takles in parts of Southeast Raleigh, Yvonne Holley outpaced opponents Abeni El-Amin and Lee Sartain, with 61 percent of the vote.
             "I am deeply humbled by our success during the Democratic Primary for the newly created House Seat in District 38," Lewis said in a statement. "Tuesday night at our Election Night celebration, I was joined by former Wake County Commission Chair and community leader Harold Webb, and I was reminded of the legacy of those who have paved the way for me and others in this community with their examples of hard work and dedication. At one point, many of the young people and other volunteers greeted Mr. Webb and I recognized their hopes and aspirations for growth and possibilities in this city, this state and this nation. I want to be a bridge for those who bear witness to the greatness of our past and the promise of our future. I look forward to serving the citizens of this district and this state with integrity, honesty, transparency and a full commitment."
             The House District 39 primary saw Darren Jackson defeat Don Mial and Michael Slawter with 61 percent of the vote.

            For Congress, US Rep. G. K. Butterfield easily took his First District Democratic re-election primary bid by 81 percent. Republican Second District Congresswoman Renee Elmers defeated three challengers with 56 percent of the vote. In the Fourth District, Republican Tim D’Annuzio outpaced two opponents to face Democratic incumbent David Price in the fall. And in the 13^th Congressional District, Charles Malone won the Democratic primary with 67 percent. He will face former US Attorney George Holding, who defeated Wake County Commission Chair Paul Coble and black Tea Party hopeful Bill Randall in the GOP 13^th District primary by 44 percent.

                                                            -30-

NEW HANOVER COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

            In the Democratic primary race for NC House District 18, incumbent Rep. Suzi Hamilton blew away former Northwest Mayor James Knox 79.7 to 20.3 percent.

            For the NHC Board of Education with three seats open, Democrats Elizabeth Redenbaugh, Karen Clay Beatty and Emma Saunders were the top three votegetters.

            On the Republican side, Lisa B. Estep, Tammy Covil and Jeanette S. Nichols will face the Democratic winners.

            In the race for NHC Board of Commissioners, with three seats open, Democrats Jonathan Barfield, Jr., Robert Zapple and Robert C. Murray led the way.

            For the GOP, Woody White, Derrick C. Hickey and Beth Dawson were the top three Republican finalists to face the Democrats come November.

            For Congress, in the GOP primary for House District 7, state Sen. David Rouzer shocked Ilario Gregory Pantano, beating him 48 to 44 percent, winning the chance to unseat Democratic incumbent Congressman Mike McIntyre in November.

                                                -30-

DOES AMENDMENT ONE MEAN

OBAMA LOSES NC?

By Cash Michaels

An analysis

            The final numbers were not pretty.

            The controversial Amendment One ballot referendum that establishes a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage, in addition to outlawing domestic partnerships and civil unions in North Carolina, passed Tuesday night 61 to 39 percent, unofficial election results show.
            North Carolina already has a state law banning same-sex marriages.

            It becomes official once the primary election results are certified by the NC Board of Elections, making North Carolina the 31st state in the nation, and the last state in the South, to do so.
            Opponents promise to rigorously challenge it in court.

            Given that President Obama took the usual step of joining his fellow Democrats here in coming out against the measure, does the significant vote margin for Amendment One signal a problem for the Obama campaign winning North Carolina in his re-election bid this fall?
            Especially after the president finally admitted to ABC News Wednesday that he does, in fact, now support same-sex marriage?

            Maybe.

            Indeed conservative pundits will be quick to muse that North Carolinians, by and large, supported the constitutional amendment that reaffirms marriage in this state is legally between one man and one woman, not only because of the traditional Bible Belt that runs through North Carolina, and the conservative politics that increasingly is controlling public policy, but also because the Democratic president of the United States - who ironically, until this week,  didn't fully embrace same-sex marriage - weighed in.

            There is no doubt that Obama strategists thought if the president could successfully “rally the troops” in the state to defeat Amendment One, that would be a telltale sign of his ability to win North Carolina once again in November, as he did in 2008.

            Tuesday’s dire results, despite a vigorous and expensive campaign to defeat the Republican-sponsored measure, may now be a cause for alarm for Democrats, and the Obama campaign in particular.

            Or is it?

            Given the record-breaking early voting totals, there is no question that Amendment One drove thousands of voters, pro and con, to the polls across the state.

            Interestingly, unlike most other public referendums, Amendment One crossed partisan lines, with over forty percent of Democrats supporting the gay marriage ban.

            Much of that Democratic vote in favor was from African-Americans, who traditionally hold a religious bias against homosexuality and the gay lifestyle. Even though leaders, such as NCNAACP Pres. Rev. William Barber, traveled the state warning blacks that the same-sex marriage amendment ban was really a right-wing ploy to divide the Democratic base, and codify discrimination, religious convictions won out.

            "The troubling nature of this vote-- is that it’s led by an ultra conservative tea party extreme, right-wing ideology, backed by known hate groups like the Family Research Council, and the intentionally divisive strategy of the National Organization for Marriage,” Rev. Barber said in a statement.

“The voters of North Carolina were led to vote on a trick amendment that now places hate discrimination and division in our constitution,” he continued. “An amendment that violates the fundamental protections of equal protection under the law, and sets up the precedent of majorities voting on the rights of minorities.”

“Furthermore, and even more troubling, is that this was done in a way that will hurt children and even heterosexual domestic unions,” Barber added.

            So what the Republican backers of Amendment One wanted to have happen, worked. The Democratic base - of which blacks and progressive whites constitute a large part - split, just as the GOP had planned.

            Their challenge now is to exploit that split going into the Democratic National Convention in September, and certainly the November presidential election.

            There is no question that the white progressive vote is extremely supportive of the gay community, especially since much of the gay community makes up a significant percent of that white progressive Democratic vote.

            And there’s no question that much of the black Democratic vote is extremely supportive of Pres. Obama, and will vote for his re-election.

            But if the final numbers hold true that a significant portion of the Democratic African-American vote Tuesday went for Amendment One, that could fracture that coalition with white progressives, and weaken Obama’s support.

            That plan follows the script found in papers uncovered in a Maine federal District Court several weeks ago, belonging to the National Organization for Marriage, a conservative group that had been found plotting since 2009 how to cripple Obama’s black-gay community voting coalition.
             The same group poured in $425,000 to North Carolina's Vote for Marriage campaign, almost half its $1 million warchest, published reports note. The campaign effectively used churches, including black churches, along with a full-page ad in major newspapers featuring Evangelist Billy Graham urging support for the amendment.
             In the end, white Christian conservatives and black Christian moderates and liberals joined forces to pass the controversial amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
             For many in the black community, it was a difficult choice between their faith or their politics.
             Even ABC News pointed out this week that Pres. Obama  straddled the fence on his position on same-sex marriage until Wednesday because it is such a divisive issue for his base.
             "President Obama's coalition --  minority voters and young voters -- have very different views about gay marriage, evidenced in 2008 in California, when young voters came out to oppose an amendment that would ban gay marriage, while African Americans supported it," ABC reported Wednesday. "And then there's the money, according to the Washington Post, one in six bundlers -- the people who raise the big bucks for the Obama campaign -- is gay. They are still raising money for a man who continues to twist himself into a pretzel over gay marriage, and whose White House still can't figure out how to message it. Why? Because they believe wholeheartedly that he actually supports gay marriage, and if re-elected he will come out in full support of it and flip his position."
           That was Wednesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, the president sat down with ABC News, and straddled no more.
           "I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama told ABC News' Robin Roberts.
           If the Republicans exploit during the general election the fact that Obama supports gay marriage, could that turn off a number of religious African -American voters, who would support the president for re-election otherwise.
            Possibly.

            Coupled with the plethora of voter ID laws passed by Republican-led state legislatures across the nation that are designed to minimize the black, Hispanic and youth vote, the ultimate goal is to deny Pres. Obama the numbers he needs to win again.

            When the GOP-led NC General Assembly reconvenes next week, it is fully expected that it will try again to override Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto of the voter ID law it passed several months ago.

            If it does override the governor’s veto, coupled with lessening the early voting period, eliminating “Souls to the Polls” Sunday early voting, and combined with the Amendment One victory this week, whether Pres. Obama can win North Carolina again in the fall will remain an open question. It’s already predicted to be a razor tight election.

            In 2008, out of 4.2 million votes cast, Obama won North Carolina by just 14,000 ballots.

            If the Republicans are successful this time in shaving off thousands of votes before the fall elections even get started, who knows?

                                                            -30-

CASH IN THE APPLE

By Cash Michaels

            ONE WEEK FROM TODAY - In seven days, on May 17^th, after 40 years, the countdown towards justice begins. Make sure you get next Thursday’s edition of The Carolinian for more.

“THE AVENGERS” - Wow! I can honestly say that I haven’t enjoyed a slam-bang, lots-a-fun movie like this in a long, long time. For an action craver like myself, “The Avengers” had plenty, and then some. But the flick also had lots of laughs, too, and that helped to carry an otherwise pedestrian story.

I mean, come on, how many times are Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and the Hulk going to save the Earth?

All were entertaining, each getting their special moments to shine and make mayhem. Each brought a different attitude and personality to the table, which helped to keep the story moving.

And each brought their special style of action, which, again, kept the film flowing.

Big time credit goes to writer/director Joss Whedon to pushing this jammed packed film to the limit. Bow-wow kudos also goes to Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner.

As for the villain, Tom Hiddleston as the evil god “Loki” more than held his own. We look forward to seeing him again.

I’m more than ready for “The Avengers 2” which might be three or four years down the road. I’m sure Marvel Studios doesn’t want to wait that long for another $200 million weekend. Meanwhile “Iron Man 3,” which is being made here in North Carolina, is up next for 2013. Also upcoming, “Thor 2” and “Ant-Man.”

And given how popular Mark Ruffalo’s “Hulk” was, I don’t think there’s any question we’ll be seeing him in his own movie again (don’t forget, there were two previous “Hulk” movies, one with Eric Bana, the other with Ed Norton).

So the Marvel Universe, thus far, looks like it’s here to stay.

As long as it makes continues to make money.

BUT WHAT ABOUT SAMUEL L.? - If you notice, I didn’t say one word about Samuel L. Jackson, alias “Nick Fury, head of S.H.I.E.L.D.” That’s because I’m so very proud of this historic actor.

Sam is historic because he’s made more movies than any other living Hollywood actor. But more importantly, Jackson is historic because, as part of the Marvel Comics superhero movie franchise, he is a major black character who is in charge, not an afterthought.

And keep in mind that in Marvel Comics, the original Nick Fury from the 1960s is actually white, not black. And while  “The Avengers” is the first film where he clearly has a co-starring role (much more screen time that all four previous appearances in “Iron Man” and “Thor” movies combined), every time he’s appeared as Fury, Jackson was in command.

For me, watching this 63-year-old actor hold his own, and have his own territory in perhaps the biggest film of the year, was tremendous. If I had seen something like this as a kid growing up in Brooklyn, I would have gone wild. All of my superheroes were cool, but white. Bill Cosby was a super spy in TV’s “I Spy,” but they allowed him to do but so much, and he rarely so much as held a girl’s hand.

So Samuel L being as dangerous as he wants to be, and still hold onto his identity, means a lot, not only for this generation of youth, but for previous generations as well.

And that’s what made “The Avengers,” for me at least, a truly American film.

It’s the way it always should have been.

Better late than never, I guess.

THE BIG THROWDOWN - This is being written before the polls close on Tuesday, primary night, but no matter what the results, I hope folks are paying attention.

All elections are half-lies, with neither side telling all of the truth to the voters. But with the re-election campaign of President Barack Obama this year, we’re about to see some flat out whoppers aimed towards him from the right-wing in an effort to defeat him at all costs.

It has long started. If you were to listen to the conservative Republican mantra, Barack Obama hasn’t done one thing good for America since he got into office in 2009.

Not one blessed good thing.

Even the capture and elimination of master terrorist Osama bin Laden is being denied the president, with some yahoo from the Midwest the other day saying that Obama had about as much to do with the mission to get bin Laden, as “Ronald McDonald has in the making of a Big Mac.”

Mind you, according to that logic, Obama isn’t even Commander-in-chief.

And, of course, we see Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney declaring for all the world to hear that bailing out Detroit’s auto industry was actually “his” idea.

The poor man and apparent liar seems to forget that when Pres. Obama first proposed the government bailout, Romney took to the op-ed pages to blast it as a terrible idea, insisting that the government has no business helping private enterprise get back on its feet.

Well look what happened.

Obama’s policy worked. Not only did General Motors, Chevrolet and Ford rebound fantastically to where the auto industry can’t even keep up with the demand, but at least a million jobs were saved in associated industries in the process.

Like Vice Pres. Joe Biden has said, the auto industry is alive, and Osama bin Laden is dead, all because the nation’s first black president made bold moves, and took gallant risks with his presidency, with outstanding results.

Romney, as a former governor of Massachusetts, is doing his best to make voters believe that all Obama did was the same that any president in office would have done, especially him.

Problem with that, Mitt.

George W. Bush, you know, the guy who occupied the White House before Barack got there…he actually promised to get bin Laden “dead or alive.”

Didn’t do it.

And if I properly recall, yours wasn’t the only Republican/Tea Party voice screaming for the auto industry to go belly-up, and castigated Pres. Obama for getting in the way.

But you are the only one, now, with tremendous egg on his face, especially since the auto industry has paid back the federal government loans early.

There’s going to be more of this foolishness from the Republicans, no doubt. What is sad is that the GOP and right-wing can’t win honestly. They have to lie, and race-bait, and distort every chance they get.

And it is a damn shame. A damn shame indeed.

Make sure you tune in every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. for my talk radio show, ''Make It Happen'' on Power 750 WAUG-AM, or online at www.myWAUG.com. And read more about my thoughts and opinions exclusively at my new blog, ‘The Cash Roc” (http://thecashroc.blogspot.com/2011/01/cash-roc-begins.html). I promise it will be interesting.

Cash in the Apple - honored as the Best Column Writing of 2006 by the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Columnist Cash Michaels was also honored by the NNPA for Best Feature Story Journalist of 2009, and was the recipient of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP’s President’s Award for Media Excellence in Sept. 2011.

Until next week, keep a smile on your face, GOD in your heart, and The Carolinian in your life. Bye, bye.

                                                       -30-

                                     PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

President Obama Officially Begins Campaign

by Jennifer Bihm
Special to the NNPA from the Los Angeles Sentinel

President Obama is hitting the campaign trail, now that his presumed GOP opponent has virtually been named – all that is left is the convention in Florida, making Mitt Romney the official nominee.

Last Saturday, the President and First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off his campaign for a second term by holding two public rallies in Columbus, Ohio, and Richmond, Virginia.  Obama spoke about his accomplishments thus far and speled out in detail the very real stakes in this election.

According to the President, the choices are plain:  Are we going to continue to rebuild an economy that will last, with a growing middle class and more Americans getting a fair shot? Or are we going back to the failed policies of the past that caused a recession, and left too many folks still struggling to make ends meet?

These kinds of rallies have become vintage Obama from his last campaign when millions of people first came to know and support candidate Barack Obama in 2007 and 2008, where they met him at rallies, town hall meetings, church and school gatherings in their communities.  The campaign is nearing the end of the primary phase and is looking forward to begin the general election phase of the campaign for the President’s second term – and he is in campaign mode.

The economy and healthcare are two of the primary focuses that the President will deliver to the American people as he hit the campaign.

On the Economy

President Obama has said that he would continue his efforts to “put America back to work,” according to his campaign website.  He also said, he has “added more than 4.1 million private sector jobs,” and his plan to add more includes creating clean energy projects; investing in technologies that would create manufacturing jobs; and creating easier access to patents for inventors.
In addition, to maintain and secure the gains that the President has made, his Obama administration’s consumer-finance watchdog agency says that it is cracking down on lenders that discriminate against minorities and women.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said in a letter to lenders recently that it will strictly enforce laws against discriminatory lending practices and it will go after subtle forms of discrimination that result from lenders’ policies. It said some policies appear to be fair but have discriminatory effects.

The CFPB is also offering consumers information about their rights and possible warning signs of discrimination by lenders and furthermore, it will scrutinize mortgages, student loans, credit cards and auto loans. This agency was set up after the financial crisis to protect consumers from loans and other services that include high fees and other traps, and to create and maintain transparency and integrity in the financial markets.

On Healthcare

According to his website, “President Obama passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to restore health care as a basic cornerstone of middle-class security in America. The ACA will make health care more affordable for families and small businesses, and bring much-needed transparency to the insurance industry. When fully implemented, the ACA will keep insurance companies from taking advantage of consumers-including denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and canceling coverage when someone gets sick.

“Because of the new law, 34 million more Americans will gain coverage-many who will be able to afford insurance for the first time. Once the law is fully implemented, about 95 percent of Americans under age 65 will have insurance…”

The ACA gives financial incentives to small business employers who pay at least half of their employees’ health insurance, making more people eligible for Medicaid/ Medi-Cal, and an increase in Medicare tax for wage earners making more than $200,000 ($250,000 for couples).

His expected opponent in the November election (Romney) and other conservatives continue to criticize the reforms, mostly calling them too expensive.  However, most recent polls show President Obama ahead of Romney though in some cases, the race is a dead-heat.

These are some of what the President will continue to highlight as the campaign heads into the final stretch towards November.

                                                -30-

FIGHTING FOR BLACK FARMERS - Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) speaks out for black farmers, flanked but Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) left, and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) right, and several black farmers. The deadline for black farmer claims is May 11 [photo courtesy Sen. Hagan's Office)

SEN. HAGAN SAYS MAY 11 DEADLINE FOR BLACK FARMERS SETTLEMENT FILING

Special to The Carolinian Newspaper

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) encouraged eligible North Carolina farmers to file claims in the Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation Settlement with the US Department of Agriculture.  The deadline to file is May 11, 2012.

“This is the last week to file claims in the Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation Settlement, and I encourage all eligible North Carolina farmers to take action,” said Hagan.  "Since coming to the Senate I have worked with my colleagues to shed light on the discrimination carried out by the federal government against African American farmers and bring about justice.  For years, the federal government failed to give equal consideration to loan and crop assistance applications from African American farmers, including more than 4,000 North Carolinians.  That is why I am urging all eligible North Carolina farmers to take action before May 11th.”

Since coming to the Senate, Hagan has been fighting for justice for black farmers in North Carolina and across the country.  She has worked closely with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to ensure 4,000 African-American farmers in North Carolina and 75,000 nationwide can receive settlements following decades of discrimination by the Department of Agriculture.  Hagan also introduced legislation to fund the settlement with then Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

In May 2008, as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress passed legislation appropriating $100 million for compensation for Pigford II claimants.  On December 8, 2010, Senator Hagan looked on as the President signed into law new legislation that authorized an additional $1.15 billion for these claims, bringing the total available compensation to $1.25 billion.  On October 27, 2011, the United District Court for the District of Columbia gave final approval to the Settlement.  The Court Order provided that the Claim Submission Period would begin on November 14, 2011 and end on May 11, 2012.

                                               -30-

THE CASH STUFF FOR MAY 3, 2012

                                     W-ed - MAY 8 PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS

           

            Next Tuesday, May 8^th, is Primary Day for both Democratic and Republican candidates. Voters will choose who will represent their parties in the crucial November 6^th General Election.

            Here’s a recap of our previous political endorsements:

                                    AMENDMENT ONE - VOTE NO, VOTE AGAINST
            There seems to be some confusion about this in our community, so let's clear it up now. Same-sex marriage is already against the law in North Carolina. No so-called "activist" judge can overturn that law by himself. It would take the state Appeals Court, and ultimately the state Supreme Court. To  be truthful, the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage will definitely be challenged in court if passed because of how it may change domestic violence laws and who is, and is not protected. But more importantly, the evidence is clear that the people pushing this unneeded amendment are doing solely to split the black and progressive white support that would re-elect President Obama in North Carolina. It is a political ploy. Most black ministers who support Amendment One either don't realize it, or don't want to. But know this, if we allow it to pass, we will have allowed discrimination to become part of our state Constitution.
             Those we don't like today; we who others don't like tomorrow.
             Tell your friends and family - VOTE AGAINST AMENDMENT ONE


             Other May 8th primary endorsements include:

                                    PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

                                    JONATHAN BARFIELD FOR NHC COMMISSIONER

                                    KAREN CLAY BEATTY FOR NHC SCHOOL BOARD

                                    ELIZABETH REDENBAUGH FOR NHC SCHOOL BOARD

                                    EMMA SAUNDERS FOR NHC SCHOOL BOARD

JAMES A. KNOX FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 18

To say that we have no black representation from our area in the NC General Assembly is not only an understatement, but the absolute truth. Gone are the days of state Sen. Luther Jordan, or Rep. Thomas Wright - leaders who would be a voice at the table, representing our interests, fighting for our interests.

For the past two years, we had Rep. Suzi Hamilton.

Need we say more?

Now that the Republicans have redraw what is now House District 18, we think it’s imperative that the African-American community puts a voice that represents the interest of the entire district back at the table.

So Suzi Hamilton, thank you for keeping the seat warm, but for the May 8^th Democratic primary, we recommend putting a proven leader in the District 18 seat.

James A. Knox, who served as mayor of Northwest in Brunswick County for 17 years.

Mayor Knox has a long experience with dealing comprehensively with growth and development. He knows the value of attracting jobs to an area so that all of its citizens have a equal shot at a better quality of life.

A devoted husband and father of five children, James Knox has a sensible, experienced approach to solving the most daunting issues of the day.

James A. Knox can win in November, but he has to first win next Tuesday, and he will if you vote for him in Tuesday’s primary.

Vote Knox for House District 38.

WALTER DALTON FOR GOVERNOR

With Gov. Beverly Perdue announcing that she will not be a candidate for re-election this fall, the Democratic Party found itself looking for who could fill her shoes.

Three candidates emerged - LT. Gov. Walton Dalton; former US Rep. Bob Etheridge, and Orange County Rep. Bill Faison.

In the weeks since, Dalton has risen to dominate the field, in the most recent polls, by as many as 10 points. He has strong support in the African-American community across the state, harkening back to his days as a state senator. He is measured, moderate, and seems to have the stuff to go toe-to-toe with the Republican flamethrower also vying for governor, former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

Don’t get us wrong…Bob Etheridge is also a good man, and was a fine congressman in the Second District. He, too, has strong ties with the black community, having assisted Shaw University a few years ago restructure its $30 million debt. Etheridge, also a political moderate, voted for Pres. Obama’s Affordable Care Act, providing healthcare for millions who didn’t have it before.

If Etheridge has a problem, it’s that he’s not as well known in these parts as Walton Dalton.

So on Tuesday, we recommend you vote for Walter Dalton for governor. He can bring the fight to GOP’er Pat McCrory in the fall.

                               LINDA COLEMAN FOR LT. GOVERNOR 

There are two excellent Democratic candidates running for lieutenant governor, and both are African-American - State Personnel Director Linda Coleman, and state Senator Eric Mansfield.

But Coleman is our choice.
She has worked in, and served state government for many years, having been elected to the state House, and previously serving on the Wake Board of Commissioners. She brings a lot of experience to the table, and if Coleman wins the primary on Tuesday, we think she’ll do well.
Though he’s a relative newcomer to politics, Mansfield has impressed many with his energy and forthrightness. And his history is impressive. But we need experienced leadership now, more than ever.

Linda Coleman for lieutenant governor on May 8th.

                             JANET COWELL FOR STATE TREASURER
Talking about steering a steady ship through troubled waters, state Treasurer Janet Cowell has done a superb job of managing North Carolina's investment portfolio so that our sound investments drawn maximum dividends, and the state's credit rating remains AAA. There was talk early on of Cowell possibly running for governor, but we're glad she decided to run for re-election instead. Vote Janet Cowell for state Treasurer in the May 8th primary.

                      TY RICHARDSON FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER
It's time for our state labor commissioner to be a more active, and effective leader in attracting, and maintaining good jobs for the people of North Carolina. That's what Ty Richardson says he will do if elected. Richardson says he'll work to establish a stronger workers' bill of rights. He'll push for jobless workers to be retrained to take advantage of new opportunities coming to the state. Richardson says he'll be tougher on business safety and accountability standards, and do everything he can to make North Carolina an even better global market partner to get new jobs here.
Strong talk from a tough man. Let's give him a chance.
Vote for Ty Richardson for state labor commissioner on May 8th.

                                                            VOTING

            Remember, One Stop/Early Voting continues at satellite locations in and around New Hanover County, and c at the County Board of Elections Office (BOE) until Saturday, May 5^th.

            There are four One Stop Voting sites:

            Government Center Suite 39 (on College Rd. side of the complex) - Mon. thru Friday…9 a.m. to 5 p.m./Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

            New Hanover County Senior Resource Center  - 2222 S. College Road - Mon thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

            Main Library (downtown) 201 Chestnut Street - Mon. thru Sat….9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

            Northeast Regional Library -1241 Military Cutoff Road…Mon. thru Sat. 9 a.m. to

3 p.m.

            May 5^th early voting ends.

            May 7^th all voted absentee ballots by mail must be in the BOE Office by 5 p.m. for counting on Primary Day.

On May 8^th, all polls open at 6:30 a.m., and close at 7:30 p.m. that evening.

                                    ______________

Polling place changes include CF06 is moving from Trask Middle School to Northside Baptist Church, 2501 North College Road, Wilmington, 28405.

            FP07 is moving from Ashley High School to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 6650 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington 28412.

            H09 is moving from Porters Neck Fire Station to Lutheran Church of the Reconciliation, 7500 Market Street, Wilmington, 28411.

And W18 is moving frm Muni Golf Course Fire Station to First Assembly of God Church, 4927 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, 28403.

                             

                                                                         -30- 

                              

TO BE POOR WITHOUT SHELTER - The Rev. William Barber (center with a cane) is brought to tears after visiting an encampment in the Catawba County woods near Hickory where many of the homeless live. The visit was part of Truth and Hope Poverty Tour through western NC Monday and Tuesday. A summit to address North Carolina's failure to help its poor is being planned for June.[photo courtesy of the Hickory Daily News]

SOLUTIONS WON’T BE EASY IN SOLVING NC POVERTY

By Cash Michaels

Editor

            In January through northeastern counties like Halifax, Beaufort and Pasquotank, there were heartrending stories of no jobs; high utility bills; government cuts to vital social programs; and the steady decline of crumbling neighborhoods.

            In March, traveling through southeastern counties like Brunswick, New Hanover and Robeson, impoverished citizens spoke of living amidst contaminated soil; a lack of decent housing; and an increasingly aging rural population in need of vital services. As

            So on Monday and Tuesday of this week, it was no surprise to hear much of the same as the third leg of the NCNAACP’s Truth and Hope Poverty Tour continued on through the Western North Carolina counties of Guilford, Rockingham, Surry and Rowan on Monday. Then Catawba, Henderson and Mecklenburg on Tuesday.

            And yet, while there was the continuing narrative of lack of jobs due to industries shutting down and moving out, there were also new challenges revealed by the struggling poor, this time in urban inner cities, not only by African-Americans, but significantly by more Latinos, and whites as well.

            Stories by former members of the US military, now homeless, being denied services and housing. One young man sleeping in a sewer line. Once gainfully employed professionals, suddenly terminated and finding that the marketplace not only doesn’t need them anymore, but puts roadblocks up to prevent their return to the workforce.

            People losing their homes and their health insurance, finding themselves without permanent shelter and adequate healthcare.

            People living out in the woods of Catawba County, bringing Truth and Hope Poverty Tour leader Rev. William Barber, president of the NCNAACP, to tears when he saw the blankets on the ground, clothing hanging from branches, and rationed food being stowed away from the elements.

            There were visits to homeless shelters in Guilford County, and town hall meetings in churches in Rowan, Henderson and Mecklenburg counties where attendees were encouraged by the audience to “Tell the story” of struggle, and hope.

            In all of these counties, just as on the northeastern and southeastern legs, the poverty rate is at lest 20 percent, if not significantly more, among the African-American and Hispanic populations. Many are desperately dependent on social services, but are running into persistent roadblocks when it comes to qualifying, let alone accessing those services.

            At Union Grove Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Green Meadows residents shared the frightening March 8^th story of how police, chasing a suspected unarmed robber, fired more than fifty shots through that black neighborhood where the church is, sending bullets through people’s homes. Much of that artillery ended up peppering one side of the church for a number of yards. The suspect was wounded and charged. Residents, angry that the police felt free to shoot up their neighborhood because it is poor, are now starting an NAACP chapter.

            In Mecklenburg County at Little Rock AME Zion Church, there were those who identified themselves as the “working poor,” families who are overcome by ever-rising costs, with no end in sight, to maintain a decent standard of living.

            In the predominately black town of East Spencer in Rowan County, the water bills are very high, abandoned property litters the area, and the closest supermarket is five miles away in the predominately white town of Spencer.

            Considering that the corporate headquarters of the Food Lion grocery chain is in nearby Salisbury, East Spencer Mayor Barbara Mallett says the town’s 1500 residents are being deprived of both basic services and opportunities.

            And there were those in Mecklenburg County who were subject to being sued by major hospitals there, which placed liens on their homes, just because they’re not able to pay their hospital bills.

            Joined by the tour’s co-sponsors - the UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity; the NC Justice Center; AARP of North Carolina and the NCCU Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change, NCNAACP President Rev. William Barber says the next step is a statewide summit that allows representatives of government, business, and the church, as well as those who are in poverty, to sit down and strategize how the state can tackle what is proving to be a multi-faceted problem, that may require a likewise solution.

            “No region of our state is free from the dehumanizing realities of poverty," Rev. Barber said in a statement. “"North Carolina must turn her eyes towards the plight of the least of these, to the living conditions of its marginalized people, black, white and brown, young and old, and realize that we cannot continue to ignore them if we intend to fulfill our constitutional and moral obligations.”

                                                            -30-

CANDIDATE’S WIFE ALLEGEDLY REMARKS

ABOUT PROTECTING “CAUCASIAN MAJORITY”

By Cash Michaels

editor

            The former acting campaign manager for 12^th District congressional candidate Matt Newton alleges that the wife of State Sen. Peter Brunstetter (R- Forsyth) was overheard by poll workers for other candidates at a Winston-Salem early voting site telling voters, “…that her husband sponsored legislation to put the marriage amendment [against same-sex marriage] on the primary ballot ‘to protect the Caucasian race,’” reports The Yes! Weekly Blog, a Triad area alternative online weekly.

            Chad Nance, that campaign manager and area freelance journalist, says he later caught up with Jodie Brunstetter, Sen. Brunsletter’s wife, and got her to confirm on video that, “ …she used the term ‘Caucasian’ in a discussion about the [Amendment One] marriage amendment, but insisted that otherwise her comments had been taken out of context by other poll workers,” Yes! Weekly added.

            “During the conversation, Ms. Brunstetter said her husband was the architect of Amendment One, and one of the reasons he wrote it was to protect the Caucasian race. She said Caucasians or whites created this country. We wrote the Constitution. This is about protecting the Constitution. There already is a law on the books against same-sex marriage, but this protects the Constitution from activist judges,” the report continued.

            “Nance said he recruited a friend, who works for the Coalition to Protect All North Carolina Families, to witness his interview with Jodie Brunstetter,” Yes! Weekly added. “He said Brunstetter reluctantly acknowledged that she had used the term “Caucasian” and then repeated the statement previously attributed to her, but substituted the pronoun “we” for “Caucasian. Nance said Brunstetter insisted there was nothing racial about her remarks, but could not explain why she used the term ‘Caucasian.’”

            A transcript of the video interview quotes Mrs. Brunstetter saying, when pressed, that it would be “ a little hard” to explain why she used the term, though she insisted it wasn’t racial.

            Rev. William Barber, president of the NCNAACP, was disturbed by the story.

            “If true, this is just another example of the cynical rationale behind this amendment, Rev. Barber said in a statement. [Amendment One]  is backed by groups, like the  Family Research Council, identified as hate groups. The National Organizatiion for Marriage’s secret plans have been revealed that their entire intent is to split black and progressive community in order to defeat the Democratic Party.”

“The amendment undermines the fundamentals of equal protection under the law and sets a dangerous precedent of putting constitutional rights up for a vote,” Rev. Barber continued. “Its sponsors have fought the civil rights community on voting rights, educational rights, and economic justice at every turn. And now this-- the allegation of a blatant reference to a twisted race-based rational for it being written in the first place.”

 “North Carolinians must reject the ultra-conservative, mean-spirited regressive agenda. We must be better than this as a state and as a people who make glowing claims to our belief in justice and fairness,” Rev. Barber concluded.

            Blogger Pam Spaulding of “Pam’s House Blend” wrote, “I hope all the black folks here in the state who haven’t yet gone to the polls take note of the Brunstetter’s worldview.”

            But the story doesn’t end there. On his Facebook page, Nance writes that he resigned from the Matt Newton campaign after the candidate objected to his revealing to the news media what Jodie Brunstetter allegedly said.

            “With much regret I must announce that I, Chad Nance, will no longer be acting campaign manager for the Matt Newton for Congress campaign,” Nance wrote.

“Today, May 1st, it came to my attention that a member of the North Carolina Senate’s spouse has been at the polls telling voters that her husband pushed Amendment 1 in order to ensure what she described as a “Caucasian majority.” When I told Mr. Newton that I had given my information to local press he became irate and screamed that it would ruin his campaign if the African-American vote were to be galvanized and increased because of this incident. This was personally disappointing to me.”

Newton, a “Charlotte attorney with connections to the Occupy Charlotte movement, [who] left the movement in January to establish the People’s Coalition of the Carolinas,” according to The Charlotte Observer, is a white Democrat challenging incumbent 12^th District Congressman Mel Watt, an African-American, in the May 8^th primary.            
              Thus, Newton's alleged concern about the black vote being "galvanized."
              “While I have been a paid employee of the Newton campaign,” Nance continued,  “I am not a mercenary who would even consider suppressing this information in an attempt to ensure a low African-American turnout at the polls. If this means I am not fit to play in the political game then so be it. I will not work for just another politician...which sadly, Mr. Newton is."
             The Carolinian emailed the Newton campaign for comment. Timothy Smith, of the campaign, replied with the following statement:
              Mr. Nance was a volunteer for the campaign.  The title of campaign manager was an affectation given to Mr. Nance for the purpose of scheduling appointments for, and making occasional appearances on behalf of, Mr. Newton.  In essence...an unpaid staff position.  We don't know why he chose to "resign" a position that was more or less and honorary one, nor was Mr. Newton present for anything Mrs. Jodie Brunstetter allegedly said.  
             An extensive vetting on Mr. Nance was never done (as he was a volunteer for a campaign of limited means) but his rather colorful past--and sudden demands for money he claimed he was owed by the campaign--made it impossible for us to continue with him in any role, volunteer or otherwise.  Despite his repeated assurances he had "been around" several campaigns, we have yet to find any campaigns he has actually been employed by.
             As to whether or not his resignation had to do with Mr. Newton's supposed reaction to comments Mrs. Jodie Brunstetter allegedly made,  Mr. Nance seemed to indicate in his resignation letter that his publicly-stated reason (on his Facebook page) for resigning would be dependent upon the campaign reimbursing him for expenses he claims to have incurred, but has been unable to verify or produce proof of. 
                 As Mr. Nance put it, the afternoon we received his letter, "I expect my full expenses of  $775.43 by 5:00pm. That is when I will be sending out a press release and announcing that I have left.  I will explain this situation in detail or I will just make a lame 'family' excuse".
                 The Matt Newton for Congress campaign would like it to be made perfectly clear that at no time was Mr. Newton concerned about any "political  implications" of Mrs. Jodie Brunstetter alleged comments.  Mr. Newton was upset that Mr. Nance, who is apparently now a self-described "freelance journalist', was demanding payment for being present at a polling location when he was, in fact, preoccupied with what he called,  "a conspiracy between white supremacists, pro Amendment One advocates, and state lawmakers which went all the way to the top".
                  This campaign's focus continues to be about bringing generational change to the NC 12th.  We would like to apologize for any unnecessary confusion which has been caused by our former volunteer.  Matt Newton will continue to urge all citizens in the NC 12th to vote...and to vote their conscience on May 8th. 

At presstime, Chad Nance said he was working with a local television station to air the video.

                                                            -30-

                                         GOV. BEVERLY PERDUE

$10.3 Million for Eugenics Compensation
Perdue to ask N.C. lawmakers to OK funds

by Herbert L. White
Special to the NNPA from the Charlotte Post

Gov. Bev Perdue’s proposed budget will include $10.3 million for people involuntarily sterilized by the state.

Perdue, a Democrat who is not seeking re-election, said the money would be used for $50,000 payments to verified victims of the former N.C. Eugenics Board program, which sterilized more than 7,000 residents for nearly 50 years. Some of the money would fund operations of the N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation, an outreach and clearinghouse agency.

“We cannot change the terrible things that happened to so many of our most vulnerable citizens, but we can take responsibility for our state’s mistakes and show that we do not tolerate violations of basic human rights,” Perdue said in a statement. “We must provide meaningful assistance to victims, so I am including this funding in my budget.”

The request is based upon the recommendations of the Eugenics Compensation Task Force, which called for a tax-free, lump sum payment to living eugenics patients and those who were alive when their cases were verified. Future appropriations may be required if additional victims are identified and verified.

“I highly commend the governor for taking the experiences of victims to heart while developing a package that can produce bipartisan support,” said Rep. Larry Womble (D-Winston-Salem), an early advocate of eugenics reparations. “This has dragged on too long. It is essential that the General Assembly heed the governor’s call for compensation this session.”

The N.C. Eugenics Board recommended and carried out involuntary sterilizations in all 100 counties from 1929-74. The number of victims matched to state program records stands at 132 people in 51 counties.

Lenoir County has the most verifications with 19, followed by Mecklenburg with 12 and Wake with 11. Mecklenburg had the highest number of sterilizations in the state with 495, followed by Guilford with 167 and Gaston at 161. Two counties ranked in the Top 10 for number of procedures – Scotland and Buncombe – have no matches to date.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly must approve eugenics funding, but lawmakers from both parties have voiced support for compensation.

“Gov. Perdue’s budget includes a thoughtful and fiscally smart approach to righting the legacy of this shameful stain on North Carolina’s history,” said Rep. Earline Parmon, a Winston-Salem Democrat. “A recurring appropriation spread over several years will allow citizens time to come forward while the state sets up processes to adequately search for victims.”

Said Sen. Floyd McKissick (D-Durham): “Compensation is long overdue. We will work with the leadership of both houses to get this passed before the end of this fiscal year.”

If you believe you have been affected by the N.C. eugenics program or know someone who has, call 877-550-6013 or (919) 807-4270 for information.

                                                            -30-

TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS

WAKE SUPT. TATA APOLOGIZES FOR ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM

            Wake Supt. Anthony Tata apologized to angry parents for the latest in a series of errors involving his new school choice student assignment plan, which has shown clear signs of not working as promised. A computer glitch last week prevented many parents from going online to determine their child’s school assignment for the fall. Tata says despite some recent fumbles, most of the school system’s families are satisfied with their choices. Meanwhile, the Wake School Board Tuesday passed a new fiscal budget that depends on the Wake Commission Board giving the school an extra $8.8 million.

DURHAM POLICE BUST 21 IN PROSTITUTION STING

            Bull City police made it clear last week that the “world’s oldest profession” would not be tolerated in the Bulls’ Eye neighborhood of Northeast Central Durham. That’s where 21 suspects were arrested during a police prostitution sting. During the course of the arrests on the neighborhood’s street corners, drugs and a handgun were also confiscated.

           

NCCU SAYS GODDBYE TO CHANCELLOR EMERITUS LEROY WALKER

            The North Carolina Central University family said goodbye to former NCCU Chancellor and Coach Dr. LeRoy Walker this week. Dr. Walker, 93, was funeralized on Tuesday at Duke University Chapel. He died last week after a long illness. Walker was the first African-American to head the US Olympic Committee, and coached at NCCU for over forty years. Walker was remembered as being a kind, humble but effective leader.

                                                -30-

EEOC Issues Job Guidelines that Limit Background Checks

By George E. Curry

NNPA Editor-in-Chief

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued updated recommendations that urge employers not to misuse criminal background checks in filling job openings.

By a vote of 4-1 last week, the commissioners noted that African-Americans and Latinos may find it more difficult to find employment because of the widespread use of background checks.

“Arrest and incarceration rates are particularly high for African American and Hispanic men,” the EEOC report stated. “African Americans and Hispanics are arrested at a rate that is 2 to 3 times their proportion of the general population. Assuming that current incarnation rates remain unchanged, about 1 in 17 White men are expected to serve time in prison during their lifetime; by contrast, this rate climbs to 1 in 6 for Hispanic men; and 1 in 3 for African American men.”

Those numbers have increased as the proportion of Americans who have had contact with the criminal justice system has risen over the past two decades.

According to the EEOC report, only 1.8 percent of the adult U.S. population in 1991 had served time in prison. By 2001, that figure had risen to 2.7 percent and to 3.2 percent (1 in every 31) by the end of 2007. If that trend continues, 6.6 percent of all persons in the United States born in 2001 will serve time in a state or federal prison during their lifetimes.

Using background checks to screen job applicants – especially for jobs that are not in such sensitive areas such as banking or law enforcement – could have an intended effect of discriminating against people of color.

“An employer’s use of an individual’s criminal history in making employment decisions may, in some instances, violate the prohibition against employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, as amended,” the EEOC report states.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

“A covered employer is liable for violating Title VII when the plaintiff demonstrates that the employer’s neutral policy or practice has the effect of disproportionately screening out a Title VII-protected group and the employer fails to demonstrate that the policy or practice is job related for the position in question and consistent with business necessity,” the report observed.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which has ongoing projects aimed at eliminating the overuse of criminal background and credit checks in employment, praised the EEOC’s new guidances.

“The use of arrest records, including arrests that occurred decades earlier or had not resulted in convictions, to screen people applying for jobs contributes significantly to the unemployment of African American, Latinos and Native Americans,” said Executive Director Barbara R. Arwine.

NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous said, “The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission’s decision will help balance the playing field for job applicants with a criminal history. Our criminal justice system is deeply biased against people of color, and that disparity can carry over to the job search. These guidelines will discourage employers from discriminating against applicants who have paid their debt to society.”

Arwine said the EEOC needs to take additional action to level the jobs playing field.

She said, “We will also continue to urge the EEOC to issue long awaited guidance on the misuse of credit history to deny employment, a practice which falls most heavily on minorities and the unemployed.”

The EEOC noted that 92 percent of companies run criminal background checks on some or all job applicants. Such information is easily attainable either from third-party suppliers or a check of the Internet.

“Information about federal crimes such as interstate drug trafficking, financial fraud, bank robbery, and crimes against the government may be found online in federal court records by searching the federal courts’ Public Access to Court Electronic Records or Case Management/Electronic Case Files,” the report said.

The FBI’s extensive record system can be accessed for employment purposes by those seeking jobs in banking, nursing homes, securities, nuclear energy, security guards, transportation,  federal agencies and other sensitive areas.

A major problem with these records, according to EEOC, is that half of the entries do not contain final disposition of cases. Therefore, a person could have been charged with a crime and acquitted, yet that wouldn’t be reflected in the data bases. A similar problem exists with state records.

Even if a person has committed a crime in the past, the EEOC noted, employers should look at the nature of the crime, the time elapsed and the nature of the job held or being sought.

“We salute the EEOC’s bipartisan effort to update its guidelines to ensure that employers are not unfairly excluding otherwise qualified applicants from the job market,” said Debo Adegbile, Acting President and Director-Counsel NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “No one should be penalized for the rest of their life for mistakes that they made in the past.  Our whole nation benefits when we open up opportunities for people who are willing and able to become contributing members of our society.”

                                                            -30-

STATE NEWS BRIEFS

FIRST WEEK OF NC EARLY PRIMARY VOTING SETS RECORD

            [GREENSBORO] Fueled by the controversy surrounding the Amendment One same sex marriage ballot referendum, the early voting for the May 8^th primary has soared, particularly during the first week, state Board of Elections officials say. As of noon, April 27^th, over 114,000 ballots had been cast statewide. Durham County has led the way, with 9,000 votes, followed by Buncombe County with 6600, and Orange County with 4400. Wake County was sixth with 3,000 as of last Friday.

DEMOCRAT DALTON BUILDS DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD IN GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY RACE

            [RALEIGH] Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton has reportedly opened up a 10-point lead in the most recent polling as the Democratic primary race for governor heats up. According top Public Policy Polling, Dalton leads closest rival former Congressman Bob Etheridge 36 to 26 percent, a 10-point surge that saw Etheridge actually lose support. Dalton is doing well with black voters statewide, the polling suggests. State Rep. Bill Faison (D- Orange) is holding the rear with just five percent of the vote. If Dalton gets at least 51 percent of the May 8^th primary vote, he goes on to face presumptive GOP gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory in November.

***[UPDATE]***HOUSE SPEAKER’S CHIEF OF STAFF, STAFFER, RESIGN IN LOBBYIST SEX SCANDAL

            [CHARLOTTE] Charles Thomas, the chief of staff to NC House Speaker Thom Tillis (R- Mecklenburg), resigned last week when confronted by a newspaper with evidence of an alleged sexual affair with a lobbyist of the NC Homebuilders Association. A day later, that lobbyist, Jessica B. Hayes, also tendered her resignation. The two reportedly had been “romantic” since January, even though they both were married. Tillis said Thomas lied to him about the affair. This week, Speaker Tillis accepted the resignation of yet another staffer in his office who also allegedly had a tryst with a lobbyist. State records are being reviewed to see if there any considerations given to the involved lobbyists' clients.

                                                -30-

            

CASH IN THE APPLE

By Cash Michaels

            ON THE ROAD - This week’s column will be a little shorter than normal because we’re on the third leg of the NCNAACP’s Truth and Hope Poverty Tour, this time through Western NC. Once again, we’re visiting counties and communities that have historically been hard hit, regardless of the economic times.

            We’re hearing stories of struggle and survival and faith. Some of the testimony we’re hearing (from black AND white AND Latino) is heart rendering, especially when children are involved.

            In June, there will be a large summit that will bring together all of the information gathered from all three legs of this tour, and solutions will be discussed. This is something our elected officials, business community and church families should be joining forces to solve. In some cases, there is precious little of that. But overall, the poor in our state are being ignored.

            And the most tragic thing is that more are joining the ranks of the poor every week, as businesses and government continue to downsize, and lay people off.

            Look for our reports in future editions.

THE AVENGERS - In the midst of all I have to do (and I do have projects coming out the ying-yang here), I’m going to take time off to grab my youngest, KaLa, and go to the movies to see “The Avengers.”

            “Why or why are you going to take a 9-year-old little girl to see a bunch of comic book super-heroes just tear up the place? Isn’t that kind of father-child movie outing reserved for Dad and his son?

            Well, first of all, I took KaLa last year to see “Captain America,” which she thought was so-so. I can understand that given how the movie was mostly about World War II and the Nazis.

            But based on the early reviews I’m hearing, “The Avengers” is super low on time period stuff (if any), and super high with action and humor.

            Make my daughter laugh, and you have her for life. So I’m counting on “The Avengers” to do just that.

            Now last week, the film opened in Europe to the tune of over 178 million dollars at the box office. There’s no question that this opening weekend here, “The Avengers” will body slam “Think Like A Man” out of first place, and probably have the best opening weekend box office in history.

            We’ll see, and KaLa and I will also be there.

            I VOTED - I have this thing about me that I don’t like telling other people to do something I haven’t done yet (except in special circumstances).

            That’s why I dragged my tire tail to the polls on Sunday (first time I ever voted on the Sabbath… what say ye pastor?). I was number 934 at this particular satellite polling location, and it felt good.

            So now I can ay the following with authority - there is an important constitutional question on the ballot, in addition several worthy candidates running in the primaries.

            Don’t fool yourself into believing that the only important election is the presidential one on November.

            Having a say on which local candidates who should represent you in the state Legislature, in statewide office, and in Congress, is even more important than who sits in the White House. So make sure you take advantage of One Stop Early Voting from now until May 5.

            Voting should not be a popularity contest. It should be about protecting the quality of life you seek for yourself and your family.

            So make sure you vote, because GOD knows, there are people out there trying to take THAT away from you!

            BOBBY SAYS “NOT ME” - You knew this would happen sooner or later, especially when he got in trouble with the law again. Talking about Bobby Brown, the former husband of singer Whitney Houston who I personally believe bares some responsibility for her untimely death, based on how he allegedly treated her when they were together.

            But Bobby told “The Today Show’s” Matt Lauer a different version this week, being adamant that what Whitney did to herself by way of cocaine is not his fault, despite their many tumultuous years as a couple, and as parents to only daughter Bobbi Kristina.

            Bobby told Lauer that he’s been off drugs for the past seven years. He was “hurt,” he says, to discover that Whitney was still on them.

            Brown insisted that Whitney was on hard drugs long before they met in 1991.

            “I’m not the reason why she’s gone,” he maintains.

            Like I said, I tend to disagree. Brown was recently, once again, arrested and charged in Los Angeles with drunk driving and driving with a suspended license. He says he’s not guilty.

            Want to try that line about stuff not being Bobby Brown’s fault again?

            MOST BEAUTIFUL - Ordinarily, I’d find fault with anything People Magazine said, but on this occasion, I’ll make an exception. People has crowned singer Beyonce’ Knowles “the Most Beautiful Woman in the World,” and I can’t argue with that. The new mom and wife to rap superstar Jay Z is just stunning to look at, no matter what she’s wearing, and Beyonce’ has clearly risen to a place in the music business where what she thinks and does matters.

            IS BLACK RADIO UNDER ATTACK? - All of black New York is still in shock after getting the announcement that one of their favorite radio stations, 98.7 Kiss FM (WRKS-FM), was effectively going out of business, and merging with longtime rival 107.5 WBLS-FM.

            Now if you’re not in New York, that doesn’t seem like big news, but it at least seems weird. We’re all used to radio stations, because of poor ratings, changing formats and coming back as something else. But I’ve never heard of two competing stations deciding to merge their on-air talent. In effect, announcers from Kiss FM are now working alongside announcers at WBLS-FM.

            That has to be tripping a lot of listeners out.

            And as for the 98.7 FM dial position, now that Kiss FM won’t be needing that anymore? That now belongs to ESPN Radio, which should do well.

            So it just goes to show that the weirdest stuff of all can, and does happen. But the long and short of this is we’ve just lost another voice, another source of news, information and entertainment in our community.

            Now, when we need it the most.

            That can’t be good news!

             Make sure you tune in every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. for my talk radio show, ''Make It Happen'' on Power 750 WAUG-AM, or online at www.myWAUG.com. And read more about my thoughts and opinions exclusively at my new blog, ‘The Cash Roc” (http://thecashroc.blogspot.com/2011/01/cash-roc-begins.html). I promise it will be interesting.

Cash in the Apple - honored as the Best Column Writing of 2006 by the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Columnist Cash Michaels was also honored by the NNPA for Best Feature Story Journalist of 2009, and was the recipient of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP’s President’s Award for Media Excellence in Sept. 2011.

Until next week, keep a smile on your face, GOD in your heart, and The Carolinian in your life. Bye, bye.

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