The State - News from March 17, 1989
The Lompoc Elks Lodge turned down a black man’s application for membership, but accepted six whites, prompting the local National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People to accuse the group of racism. Realtor Joe Martin, 56, said he was “disappointed” but not too surprised that he was rejected by nine of the 150 Elks who attended the meeting. Another black man, Ernie Hutchinson, was rejected by the club in January, causing several members to resign. Hutchinson is a Lompoc housing official and an ex-police officer. NAACP spokesman Art Hicks said the Elks’ blackball voting system discriminates against blacks.
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