Imagine the scene: You and a couple of friends are out on the town on a Saturday night. 

Your group decides that a few drinks, some music and a little dancing is the perfect answer to unwinding after a killer week at work. 

As the evening grows long, the club begins to get a bit too crowded for your comfort. 

Stepping outside for a smoke with your friends and, suddenly, a few yards away in the shadow of the back door, voices are raised, threatening tones carry on the wind, and then the sharp sound of gunfire changes everything. 

Within seconds, your evening of ‘fun’ turns frightening. You and your friends find your bodies bumped and pushed and in a wave of humans, all moving in different directions — propelled by fear and frantic flight. 

Soon you break free from the masses and begin running in terror — away from the voices, away from the gun shots, away from the club. 

What’s wrong with this picture? Plenty. 

Now imagine you’re a police officer and your job is to immerse yourself into this chaotic mess and figure out what’s going on and how you can protect the innocents, who are all around you. 

Sadly, shamefully, scenes very much like that played out at nightclubs in Rockingham, last year on East Broad Avenue, and more recently on East Washington Street, right next door to Food King and a block from the heart of downtown. 

It is a good thing that the police intervened, from every agency we have available to us: The Rockingham Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Hamlet Police and the State Highway Patrol. Officers from each agency were called on to deal with the escalating violence at P3 Bar & Night Club last year, and recently at Suede. 

And while those officers were busy dealing with the law breakers out to spoil it for everyone, other areas of our county went unprotected. 

It is also a good thing that the state’s alcohol law enforcement officers got involved, and that the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, at the urging of local police, took away the alcohol permits from these nightclubs. 

The ABC Commission, through its license suspensions, basically cut off the supply of accelerant to these community fires — alcohol. 

Thank you, officers. 

Thank you, ABC. 

The community — our community — is better for it. 

We remain hopeful that one day soon, someone will find a way to mix people, spirits and music in an atmosphere that proves welcoming and hospitable, not homicidal and terrifying. 

Cheers.

Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, NC) - Saturday, May 25, 2013

Being there for your kids ought to extend to the classroom. Surveys support that, and so does common sense. Hopefully, your child’s teacher believes that as well, and welcomes involvement and interest. 

To borrow a phase — it does take a village. 

Research shows that parent involvement can make more of a difference in educational success than the quality of schools. 

Henderson Collegiate Charter School is one example of a school that involves many people in its educational process. Teacher Caitlin Dietrich said the approach is helpful to students, especially for those with fewer resources at home. 

“With low-income students, the problems for education is really just so much more complex, so you have to reach into each aspect of life to really make the impact that they need,” said Dietrich. 

The Henderson Collegiate school recently held a Parent Pride Night where students were invited to share special skills or talents they’ve learned in the first half of the school year. 

Research from the University of New Hampshire found that school systems would need to increase their per-student spending by more than $1,000 to achieve the same results gained in parental involvement. Dietrich, who came into education through the Teach for American program, said it’s a fact she sees played out daily at her school. 

“As important as it is everywhere, we find that it’s even more essential with our students because they come to us with a deficit of resources,” she said. 

At Henderson Collegiate and schools around North Carolina, parents are participating in after-school programs and community gardens and as classroom volunteers. 

There is a lot of value in that awkward crayon drawing you proudly taped to the front of the fringe so long ago, but being involved in your child’s life ought to include more than a pat on the back and a pizza party for all A’s and B’s on a report card. 

It’s a chore, sometimes, to make time for this, what with our crazy busy lives. But the dividends realized from your investment of time and interest will be priceless. 

Take the time to be involved in your child’s schooling — read a book with them. Get your own copy of a book they’ve been assigned to read and follow along; ask questions, discuss the plot, the characters, the moral of the story. 

If your kids are young and the reading material is a bit below your advanced level, pretend to be interested. It’s so much easier than you think. Chances are you’ll get into the book no matter what and surprise yourself. 

That short little book about a bear named BoBo who learns how to ride a bicycle might turn out to be pretty entertaining after all, and it could give you the chance to laugh with your child. 

And that is valuable beyond measure.

Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, NC) - Friday, January 25, 2013

Imagine devoting years of your life to public service, to a job where you’ve sworn to protect and serve the people, and with your 20 year anniversary so close it’s just a few hash marks on the calendar away, you are fired. 

Your long-term employment with the city you love is terminated. In the time it takes to sign your name, it’s over. 

Why? Because of paperwork. Because i’s weren’t dotted and t’s weren’t crossed, the man who ran the Hamlet Police Department, former chief John Haywood, is out of a job. 

Haywood was fired on Sept. 7 by Hamlet City Manager Marchell David. 

In an email to the Daily Journal, David said Haywood was terminated for “failure in performance of duties” and “misuse and gross negligence in the handling of city funds and property.” 

She went on to explain the circumstances: “These are the events that lead up to the dismissal. The chief’s approval of the disposition of city property (seized vehicles). The failure to keep accurate records of financial transactions in the police department. The failure to run all financial matters through the proper channels.” 

Haywood broke days of silence last week and spoke with the Daily Journal about the matter. 

He said the situation began in January when the police department was cleaning up its firing range and needed to get rid of seized vehicles, some of which were over 20 years old. The cars were taken to be salvaged per court order, and Officer Michael Veach collected the funds, he said. 

“We got paid for the vehicles and Veach put the money in his office,” said Haywood. “I never knew how much money it was.” They turned around and used the money for departmental odds and ends; paint, screws, brushes. While Haywood said the money was only spent on departmental improvements, he admitted he didn’t go through the appropriate channels. 

“We failed to deem the stuff surplus through city council,” Haywood said. ” … But there was no money missing. We have all the receipts.” 

Veach also reportedly bought back one of the old vehicles for $405 — the same price the scrap yard paid, but perhaps not the best course of action for the officer. 

“(Veach) was let go for three different things; a combination of administrative mistakes. I failed to supervise the officers. I failed to make sure they had done the right thing. It’s all administrative though — it’s not criminal,” Haywood said. 

David, assigning herself the role as judge and jury, unceremoniously terminated his job — using a sledgehammer to swat a fly. 

Why request a State Bureau of Investigation probe of the matter only to fire Haywood before the SBI had a chance to begin or complete an investigation? 

It hints at an official who’s let authority go to her head, and an elected city council that by design or neglect has let this woman wield too much power. 

Did Haywood deserve to be fired for administrative blunders? We say no. Haywood deserved better. 

Hamlet officials now have the task of shoring up a shaken police department, and answering cries from the people they’re supposed to serve who want to know why this happened. 

When all is said and done, Haywood got a raw deal, and it must hurt that it comes from the very city he served for two decades.

Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, NC) - Saturday, September 22, 2012

Amid all of the bad news in the world — and there is certainly plenty — good news sprouts like fresh chutes of newborn grass after a spring rain. 

Sometimes we have to look hard to find those chutes of goodness, but they are there. 

When tragedy strikes, as it did in Oklahoma recently with another killer twister wiping out entire neighborhoods, the simple joy of witnessing a woman who had lost everything discover her dog alive among the rubble lifted spirits when the weight of despair seemed unbearable. 

In this often cold and cruel world, when it seems like all is lost, a breath of fresh air reminds us to hope. And sometimes it is the smallest of voices which speak the loudest. 

Tatum Rhyne is one of those pint-sized powerhouses and we’re pleased and proud to call her our neighbor. 

Tatum, who lives in Ellerbe, will be turning 8 years old on August 31, and her wish is to collect enough money for a Habitat for Humanity house for someone without a home. 

Tatum lives the adage that it is better to give than to receive. 

“On Tatum’s sixth birthday I asked her what she wanted for a present,” said mother Jennifer Rhyne. “Tatum thought for a minute and said, ‘Nothing, I have all I want and need, maybe I will get something for someone else.”’ 

A few days later, after hearing about a food drive at church, Tatum announced to her parents that she wanted to collect food for the local Carolina Farm Credit that was having a food drive near their home. 

“For her birthday party she had a pretty pink decorated box that was filled to the rim with food for her collection, she also got monetary donations from friends and family near and far,” said Jennifer. “Tatum was beaming with pride when she entered the Farm Credit to give them her donations.” 

Nearing Tatum’s 7th birthday, she decided she wanted to do something like that again — this time it would be gently used clothes for the needy. “She collected a truckload, and again was very happy. We contacted the local homeless shelter, and donated the items there,”Jennifer said. 

Recently we learned of Tatum’s big birthday plans for this year. 

“She told us … she and Jesus had been talking,” Jennifer said. “She wants to collect lots of money to build houses for people who don’t have homes. I asked Tatum just how much she and Jesus had decided she needed to collect, and she calmly replied, ‘$10,000.’ I took a deep breath, and told her that I was not sure that our circle of friends could come up with that much. She just smiled and said, ‘OK, Mom. Whatever you think will be fine, but you know, I don’t just come up with these things on my own!’” 

That prompted Jennifer to create a Facebook page (search Tatum Rhyne) which has information about the growing donations and how to contribute. As of Friday, May 31, Tatum had raised $1,670. 

Sometimes children are the best teachers — those who are wise beyond their years, and charitable beyond measure. Children like Tatum. 

The world needs more people like her.

Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, NC) - Saturday, June 1, 2013

In the oppressive shadow of doom and gloom in recent weeks, amid horrific news of mass murder at an elementary school and the gunfire ambush of firefighters, we need to remember and focus on the angels among us — the silent heroes responsible for the good that remains in this often troubled world. 

Let us celebrate these humble and wonderful people, and set them up as the examples they should be, to teach the lesson that: you do good things because you should, not because you want the recognition. 

Consider the story of Luther Upton, a shy and sensitive man who was moved to help a stranger. His taking an interest in the stranger meant a woman on a fixed income, who struggles to make ends meet, was able to have a Christmas dinner this year — with plenty left over. 

Mavis Hamilton, 60, of Rockingham, has medical complications that prevent her from getting around. Rowena Arthurs is her full-time CNA, who looks in on Hamilton from time to time. 

The weekend before Christmas, Arthurs came to visit Hamilton and discovered she had a nearly empty refrigerator. 

Later, Arthurs went out to dinner with her friend Luther Upton, and told him of Hamilton’s plight. 

“We had supper together this weekend and she told me about this lady who had nothing,” said Upton. 

Upton tried to ignore the feelings he had about Hamilton, but felt compelled to donate money to her. He went to her house, and met her. 

“It’s unreal,” said Upton. “I spend money like crazy and here’s a lady who doesn’t have anything to eat on Christmas. I questioned God why he blessed me when there’s people like this … .” 

Upton went to church that Sunday and felt called to speak to the congregation about Hamilton. Upton said the people of Freedom Baptist Church in Rockingham came together and took up a collection for her that came to $295. 

He brought Hamilton the money, and let her know that several church members had promised to bring her food. 

“You don’t know what went through my heart,” said Hamilton, the day after Christmas. “It’s the angels. I cried a little. I praised God for it … I didn’t call (Freedom Baptist) church, they just came. What makes me feel good is that a little boy at the church gave 75 cents.” 

And here’s something else: Mr. Upton came to the newspaper office to share the story of how the church folks came to this woman’s aid, but he didn’t want credit or recognition for his role in the story. And he didn’t want his photograph taken, either — in his mind, the story wasn’t about him. It was about people coming together to help someone they never met, who was in need. 

God bless you, Mr. Upton. We need more people like you, and that little boy who gave up 75 cents for a lady he didn’t know.

Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, NC) - Friday, December 28, 2012