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Volume 48, Number 33
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W I N S TO N - S A L E M , N . C .
THURSDAY, April 21, 2022
Open forum series brings candidates to the people
BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE
Leading up to the primary election, several local organizations are bringing the candidates to the people. Over the next three weeks, candidates in some of the most impactful local races will participate in open forums designed to give the public an opportunity to get a feel for the candidates before they cast their ballots on May 17. The series of nonpartisan forums was collectively planned by several partners including the Black Political Awareness League, the Winston-Salem Urban League, the Ministers’ Conference of WinstonSalem and Vicinity, the local branch of the NAACP and The Chronicle. The first forum was held last Thursday at the Central Library. And candidates for Forsyth County Photo by Tevin Stinson Clerk of Superior Court, Last week the candidates for Forsyth County Clerk of Court participated in a public forum. Denise Hartsfield who incumbent Debra Hines is running for Forsyth County District Attorney also participated in the forum. (D), Tina Flowers (D), Court Justice of NC, the trate judge, he has gained there are clear expecta- peating the question. and John Snow (D), took Chief District Court Jus- the knowledge to lead the tions and that they feel She said her mandacenter stage. Although the tice of Forsyth County, clerk’s office. “With the secure in their position,” tory training program is race for Clerk of Court the Superior Court Judge experience level that I pos- Flowers said. “People who why the clerk’s office perhasn’t been the most talked of Forsyth County and the sess, I think it transfers work at the clerk’s office formed well on a recent about race, tensions were really well to the clerk’s don’t work for a lot of audit. Hines said when she community,” Hines said. high. Tina Flowers let it be office … I think I am the money. They work for job came into office, only cerTo jump start the conknown early on that she candidate who can most satisfaction and they work tain employees were “tarversation, candidates had is the only attorney on the effectively lead the office.” because they have a heart geted” to be fully trained, three minutes to introduce The first question from for the people. So I think which is why she started ballot. She said the clerk themselves to those in atof court should be well voters in attendance dur- the first thing we need to cross training. tendance and watching versed in the laws, pro- ing the Q&A portion of the do to restore efficiency in “Cross training is esonline. bates of the state and spe- forum, asked the candi- the clerk’s office is to fo- sential in the clerk’s office Hines, who was elected cial proceedings. “As the dates what they would do cus on the clerks and make and since I have been in in 2020, said despite comonly attorney on the ballot to make the clerk’s office sure they’re able to work the clerk’s office, we have ing into office during the … I have gone through the run smoothly and more ef- in one position and they’re cross trained multiple and pandemic, she managed entire system from filing to ficiently. not constantly transitioned multiple individuals,” said to lead the clerk’s office Flowers said, first she and that they leave with Hines while looking at trial to litigation to the enand meet the needs of the try of the final order,” said would make sure the needs job satisfaction and know- Flowers. court. She said her experiof the individuals who ing that they have accomFlowers. “What do we do to beence serving as chief magFlowers also men- work in the clerk’s office plished something.” come efficient? We train istrate is what helped her tioned that she has over 20 are met. She said the key to Hines said she’s already … we train on procedures. meet the challenges the years of experience in ac- getting individuals to work doing the work.”What We train on whatever that clerk’s office faced. counting management. more efficiently is making would I do to make the has happened that week “The clerk’s office Snow, who was born sure they’re happy and feel clerk’s office run more ef- that has caused anyone to managed to meet all the and raised in Winston- secure. ficiently and smoothly? be in that courthouse to expectations of the attorSalem, said that working “I need to make sure Well, I’ve already done feel uncomfortable.” neys, the Chief Supreme for 27 years as a magis- that there is consistency, that,” said Hines after reSnow deferred and did
not answer the first question. Candidates were also asked what qualifications they will bring to the office, how would they describe their own people skills and teamwork ethic and several other questions. To wrap up the forum, candidates were given two minutes to give closing remarks. Although they won’t appear on the ballot until November, the candidates for Forsyth County District Attorney, incumbent Jim O’Neil (R) and retired Judge Denise Hartsfield (D) were also invited to participate in the forum. Only Hartsfield showed up and she took advantage of it. “I’ve been retired since December 1 and I’m back and the reason for that is because I really have an interest, I really have an interest in doing the job,” said Hartsfield during her closing remarks. “Mr. O’Neil is not here tonight but remember Mr. O’Neil ran, not once but twice, for the highest attorney job in the state of North Carolina. and did not win. It’s pretty clear to me that Forsyth County is not his goal, it’s the state of North Carolina. Forsyth County is my goal.” The next candidate’s forum will be held on Thursday, April 21, at the Forsyth County Central Library, 660 W. 5th Street in Winston-Salem, and will feature the candidates running for seats on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. The forum will be aired live on The Chronicle’s Facebook page. Videos from the past forum will be posted on The Chronicle’s YouTube channel.
Scholarship named for local victim of domestic violence Everyone has that one family member, an aunt, uncle or maybe an older cousin, who seems to get along with everyone and has a knack for connecting with the younger generations of the family. For Lachaela Wells-Andrew, that family member was her aunt Deitra. “She was just so much fun. She was that auntie who would get all the kids
together at the cookouts. She was the first adult that I can remember who treated me like a human being and not a kid,” Wells-Andrew continued. “I left for New York in 1999 after I graduated from Reynolds High School and when I first moved, I would call Deitra every morning … I could not leave out to go to school without calling. Just hearing her voice would help me start my day.” On the morning of June 4, 2000, Deitra Lynette King was tragically murdered during a domestic dispute. King was held hostage for hours in her own home before authorities heard two shots coming from King’s apartment. After evacuating the rest of the building, officers with the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) entered the apartment where they found King, dead of a gunshot wound. The investigation into King’s murder indicates she was the victim of a murder-suicide. Rayshawn
Wolfe, who was also found inside the apartment, shot King, then turned the gun on himself. King, 36, was the mother of four. Wells-Andrew remembers that day like it was yesterday. “I remember rushing down there and them having us on standby … and the whole time I’m thinking she’s going to walk out. Then the next phone call was when I heard all the screaming … everybody was screaming,” Wells-Andrew said. In honor of her aunt, earlier this year Wells-Andrew launched the Deitra L. King Memorial Scholarship, with help from Bold.org, an online scholarship platform and philanthropic organization. Wells-Andrew said since moving back to North Carolina, Aunt Deitra has been on her mind a lot. She said the scholarship is a way to keep her legacy alive, while also shining a light on the dangers of domestic violence. “Now that I’m around
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The Deitra L. King Memorial Scholarship is open to high school seniors and undergraduates pursuing a career in human services. Deitra’s age when she was killed, she’s been on my mind a lot lately,” WellsAndrew added. “I look at myself and I have so
much that I want to do and we don’t know where her hopes and dreams were. We don’t know what she thought about. I’ve always
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wanted to do a scholarship, but two months ago See Scholarship on A8 6 89076 32439 7
BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE