To the Editor,

I sincerely hope that our next Superior Court judge will be chosen by the quality of his character, his qualifications and not the color of his skin or his political connections. It is time to lay down the "race card in this county." We truly need someone who will administer fair and equal justice to all.

Sure, this judgeship was created because of the unrest in this county that followed the murder of the late Honorable Julian Pierce. But, our county is no longer one third white, one third black or one third Indian like it was back then. Robeson County has became a melting pot of various races. For instance, there are many members of other Indian tribes in this county other than Lumbees.

With Operation Tarnished Badge still on the minds of many and knowing it is far from over, I hope the governor will be ever mindful of the feelings of those who live in Robeson County.

Many people just want justice; they don't care what color the skin of the judge is. Perhaps this judge will be one where verdicts are not overturned and he doesn't send people to jail with a not-guilty verdict.

I was told "a judge can do whatever they want to do because they are a judge." I hope this will

change.

Vinita "Cookie" Clark

Pembroke