Triangle Tribune
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
WWW.TRIANGLE TRIBUNE.COM 1998 15 YEARS The Triangle 2013 High court takes on RIBUNE a new affirmative TTHE TRIANGLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BLACK VOICE By Mark Sherman case asks whether a voter-approved ban action caseon affirmative action in college admissions THE ASSOCIATED PRESS VOLUME 15 NO. 10 WEEK OF MARCH 31, 2013 $1.00 can itself violate the Constitution. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court’s But the broadest possible outcome in decision to hear a new case from Michigan the current Texas case overruling the on the politically charged issue of affirma- court’s 2003 decision that allows race as Legend Jim tive action offers an intriguing hint that a factor in college admissions would mean the justices will not use a separate chal- an end to affirmative action in higher ed- Burch broke lenge already pending from Texas for a ucation and render the new Michigan law- broad ruling bringing an end to the con- suit irrelevant. barriers in sideration of race in college admissions. If the justices are planning to overrule college To be sure, the two cases involve differ- that earlier decision, “then I would think ent legal issues. The University of Texas they would hold this case,” the new one, hoops dispute, with arguments already complet- and order lower courts to review it based ed and a ruling possible soon, centers on on the Texas decision, said Erwin the use of race to fill some slots in the Chemerinsky, dean of the law school at school’s freshman classes. The Michigan See HIGH/2A Wake Local veterans could lose their support system God. I fought it at first because how am begins I going to pay for all this?” Newborn said. “But God won. I did it for the right reasons because there is no money in this.” supt. All of Next Level’s services are free. Newborn does not receive a salary. He said PNC Bank gives him a small search amount of money to run the center, but By Taylor Shaw it will cost hundreds of thousands more [email protected] to keep it open. The center needs about $800,000 to run like he wants, but he RALEIGH – Vacant since the end said could cut the budget to half if need- of September, Wake County ed. seeks a school superintendent to “A professional staff requires profes- fill its seat. McPherson & sional salaries,” he said. “We believe in Jacobson, an executive recruit- what we’re doing, and now the commu- ment and development service, nity needs to step up and support this leads the search in finding the center.” right candidate for the position. Prior to running Next Level, Newborn Three days of public forums ran a mental health clinic. He said he were held this month, where res- made a good living and it was hard to idents were invited to help de- leave his lifestyle behind, but statistics termine leadership characteris- regarding the veteran population moved tics. him to start Next Level. Forums were divided into in- About 18 veterans take their lives each terest group: elected officials, day, according to a study by the business community, parents, Department of Veterans Affairs. “Every employee leadership, student day someone’s shooting at you,” leaders, multicultural communi- Newborn said. “Every day people are ty and the black community. A being blown up. It does something to separate session was held for the the brain. It battle-scars the brain.” general public. Next Level reflects Newborn’s com- “We try to match a district with mitment to mental health with post- the skills, abilities and personal- traumatic stress disorder treatment and ities that best (match) the situa- mental health counseling. The center tion in that district,” Consultant BRIAN FANNEY/DURHAM VOICE also houses computers, a health care John Smith said. “Through the clinic and unique therapies, like deep- community sessions, we hope to Captain Newborn, executive director of Next Level Veterans Outreach Campus, holds an exploded shell. ‘A gen- sea fishing, for the veterans. He said the get from you some information tleman walked in from the Korean War; he sat there in that chair and he took his leg off,’ Newborn said. ‘He said fishing trips help to replace bad mem- that will help us to build a mod- this is what took his leg off. It also killed quite a few people in his company.’ ories with something more pleasant — el for the kind of individual that veterans like Jones unless he receives a form of therapy that’s proven effec- will be best suited for this school By Brian Fanney members and receive help from a ded- icated staff. enough money in the next month or tive. system.” THE DURHAM VOICE two. With more money, Newborn said he Four questions were asked dur- He’s not the only one. Over 1,000 vet- erans have come to the Durham center would add emergency housing, a ing the sessions: What are the as- DURHAM – One wrong move and Boyd A place of their own women’s center and a museum to the sets of the area? What are the as- Jones Jr. might not have made it. since it opened last August. Next Level is run out of a converted “They get unconditional acceptance school gymnasium at 1107 Holloway center. sets of the school system? What He’s still here, but the effects of dig- “They don’t need to be going to home- are the challenges or issues of ging up land mines at Fort Bragg remain here. We want them here,” Executive St. With high ceilings, dozens of uni- Director Captain Newborn said. “As a forms hanging on each wall and plen- less shelters and rescue missions,” the district? Given the assets of with him. Newborn said. “They need a place of the school district, challenges “They were constantly telling me, community, we have to uphold the mil- ty of computers for use, the center helps itary covenant. The military covenant veterans in need. their own, and that’s why we’ve done and community, what are the ‘Jones, don’t hit your shovel with any this.” skills needed to be successful in metal,’” he said. “I never did and I guess is the nation’s promise — the nation’s The center took about $350,000 to this role? that’s why I’m here.” promise — to serve and look after those start to bring the building up to code Fighting for benefits At the center, the veterans joke about Addressing strengths and Jones suffers from post-traumatic who risked their lives to protect our and hire a professional staff. All of their kids, discuss their wives and qui- weaknesses of the school system, stress disorder. He goes to Next Level freedom.” the money came from Newborn and his etly talk about memories that civilians educators, former elected offi- Veterans Outreach Campus regularly to But Newborn said he will be forced to sister. cials and community groups commiserate with his fellow service close Next Level and end services for “I do believe in following the voice of See LOCAL/3A voiced their concerns during the session designated for the African-American community. “Wake County is a great place to be; it’s a great place to live. This is a good school system. It does do well, (but) it doesn’t do well for all students,” said Marvin By Taylor Shaw The 323-page document raises concerns from nated. Proposed budgetDemocratic leaders, however. raises Lotteryconcern funds would be used to buy reading tablets Pittman, former director of [email protected] school improvement for the “If you look at its totality, there is reason to feel and additional technology for classrooms to address Department of Public Instruction. RALEIGH – Governor Pat McCrory released a $20.6 some very deep concern on moving forward,” Sen. third-grade reading achievement and other priorities “When it comes to poor and mi- billion annual budget March 20 that he says will con- Floyd McKissick (D-Durham) said. “At this point in under the Excellent Public Schools Act. nority children, we do less well.” tinue his administration’s focus on finding long-term time there is, in terms of a spring board to work from, McCrory already has implemented the Center for Many agreed and pointed out solutions to fix the state’s economy, transform edu- there are some very substantial cuts and major pro- Safer Schools, ensuring that high school students are other issues that the next super- cation and make government more efficient. grammatic areas where African-Americans could be career or college ready after graduation. intendent will face and must In a press release from the Governor’s office, the substantially and adversely impacted.” A reduction of $139 million to the University of overcome: The achievement gap, budget proposes no state tax increase, authorizes no The education portion of the budget shows an in- North Carolina System budget has drawn criticism. making sure each student has ac- new debt, stops budget gimmicks to find recurring crease in funding of 1,800 additional teaching posi- The cuts disproportionately impact the five histori- cess to a high-quality education state programs and provides $139 million surplus tions, along with a 1 percent raise. Funding for sec- cally black colleges in the state. ond- and third-grade teacher assistants were elimi- and creating a parent-friendly by the end of the 2013-14 fiscal year. See PROPOSED/2A system that encourages all par- See WAKE/3A Black press continuesus,” Butlerto said.serve “The disconnect special role in U.S.