THE aCHOWAN HERALD Hi
Volume XXXIV.—No. 27.
Jones Quits
County Job;
Post Is Filled
VV. P. (Spec) Jones, tax supervisor
in Chowan County for the past 14 years,
resigned Monday and county commis
sioners immediately employed. Sherlon
Layton of the Rocky Hock section to
replace him.
Jones, who is Administrator of Cho
wan Hospital and president of Spedic
Vending Service, Inc., said in his letter
of resignation that work in the tax office
has increased to the point where he
cannot carry on in the efficient manner
he desired as well as do other activities.
The resignation apparently caught
many of the five commissioners by sur
prise.
Chairman W. E. Bond said he had
known for at least six months that Jones
was anticipating this move and had talk
ed with Layton about accepting the job.
He added that Layton, a farmer and
ASCS worker, would accept the job for
one year to see how it worked out.
Commissioner Dallas Jethro, Jr., said
he would like to have some time to think
it over but later said if other board
members were ready to name a replace
ment he would not object.
From the discussion, it was apparent
that only Chairman Bond and Commis
sioner J. Clarence Leary were aware of
Jones’ intentions.
Chairman Bond expressed regret that
Jones was leaving the county employ
ment. “I hate to see you leave us,” the
chairman said. “You have done an ex
cellent job.”
Commissioner Leary commended Jones
for the work he has done and said he
has been an asset to the county. “All
the citizens of this county should appre
ciate what you have done in the tax
office,” he said.
Layton’s appointment was effective
Monday.
In his last official appearance as tax
supervisor, Jones recommended that the
board not change the valuation on 2.957
miles of power lines in Chowan which
are owned by Roanoke Electric Mem
bership Corp., of Rich Square.
Jones said the valuation was set by
Southern Appraisers of Greensboro and
was in line with what the Town of Eden-
Continued on Page 4
1111
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Forward, Then Backward
County commissioners on Monday
took a step toward better government
along The Public Parade, then passed
up an excellent opportunity* to go even
further.
By establishing the Coroner-Medical
Examiner system the board moved to
ward taking some of the guess work out
of cause of deaths. A qualified medical
expert has the knowledge necessary to
quickly determine if a death was from
natural cause or otherwise.
The coroner, once a powerful political
figure in our system of government, will
now function primarily when an inquest
is necessary.
In Dr. David O. Wright as medical
examiner, and Marvin Barham as coron
er, the commissioners have a team that
will function efficiently and ethically for
the best interest of the county.
Therefore, the Coroner-Medical Exam
iner resolution was a good one.
A short time later in Monday’s meet
ing, the board, “with regrets”, accepted
the resignation of W. P. (Spec) Jones as
tax supervisor. While the resignation
apparently caught three of the five
commissioners by complete surprise, the
board moved rapidly to name a replace
ment. He is Sherlon Layton.
Although Commissioner Dallas Jethro,
Jr., wanted time to give the appointment
some thought, Chairman W. E. Bond
and Commissioner J. Clarence Leary
pushed for an immediate decision.
By taking time to plan, and Jones said
he would serve until a replacement was
found, commissioners could have best
served the county.
Right now Chowan has too, too many
part-time positions. The county tax su
pervisor, treasurer, board chairman, and
tax collector are a few. The county has
also been asked by the Chowan and
Edenton planning boards to employ a
building inspector. Could not the tax
supervisor’s job be consolidated with this
since both are interested in new con
struction.
Spec Jones has been a dedicated public
servant, and an exceptionally efficient tax
supervisor. He was wise in stepping
aside, however, since the responsibilities
of his hospital administrator’s position
are rapidly increasing.
One cannot be tax supervisor and run
a popularity contest. Spec knew this
and didn’t try. He has said on many
occasions that he intended to treat
everyone equally. This he did, as diffi-
Continued on Page 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY, 1967 As Old Glory waved
throughout the nation Tuesday, many observed the July 4th
holiday in various ways. Typical of those who sought relaxa
tion on the waters in Edenton and Chowan County are those
pictured below. At bottom left, George Alma Byrum records
the sailing jaunt between rains by Graham White. Top right
is Bruce Jones as he looks skyward to determine if there is
sufficient breeze to move boat for himself and W. P. (Spec)
Jones. George White awaits the word. Seeking refuge from
the showers in bottom right are Mrs. Thomas C. Byrum, Jr.,
Mrs. L. F. Amburn, Jr., and Mrs. R. Elton Forehand.
Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina 29732 Thursday, July 6, 1967.
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NEW SUPERINTENDENT Supt. Bill Brilt of Edenlon-Chowan Schools pauses in
front of John A. Holmes High School shortly after reporting to work July 1 to replace
Supt. Hiram J. Mayo, who moved to Craven County. Supt. Britt comes here from
Pasquotank County, where he was assistant superintendent of the Pasquotank-Eliza
beth City Schools.
Britt: Schools Have New Opportunity
Edenton-Chowan Schools now have an
opportunity to expand vocational train
ing, thereby better preparing for society
the drop-outs and students who do not
continue their education beyond high
school.
Supt. Bill Britt says these two groups
of the student population need someone
to go to bat for them. This is exactly
what he intends to do.
The new pausing from
unpacking chores for a brief interview,
praised local school officials as well as
the citizens for the fine reputation local
schools enjoy.
However, he says more emphasis needs
to be placed on giving the student not
going on to college, or who drops out
of school in the ninth or 10th grade a
tool with which to make a contribution
to society.
He believes the most neglected area
is the student who stays in school for 12
years and isn’t going on to college. This
student, Supt. Britt says, walks across
the stage, gets his high school diploma
and asks: “Now, what am I going to
do?” This is a hard question to answer,
he admits.
Supt. Britt says most school systems
are not answering this question.
He believes industry should expect the
school system to work hand and glove in
training not only young people but
adults. In this respect, the educator says
high school today goes further than basic
education.
Supt. Britt feels school systems, in
Eastern North Carolina particularly, are
doing a better than average job in pre
paring students for college or advanced
training after high school. “We should
continue to strive to produce this type
student,” he adds.
Turning to the local scene, the super
intendent said Edenton has always had
a good name in school circles. Being a
native of Bertie County and gaining all
of his school experience in this area, he
has been aware of the type schools in
Continued on Page 4
Report Is Given
Edenton-Chowan Board of Education
Thursday night was advised not to push
for a speedy trial of a Federal Court
suit brought last year by several Negroes
against the old Chowan County board.
W. J. P. Earnhardt, Jr., attorney, said
he did not see where the board would
gain by requesting early trial of the
matter. He said since the board had
filed a desegregation plan with Federal
Judge John Larkins the next step should
be by the jurist.
Supt: Bill Britt said this week the
schools would operate on the plan as
submitted to the judge.
The board abandoned plans to pur
chase or rent space for the superintend
ent’s office. They voted to formally
request Chowan County commissioners
to provide adequate office space.
James M. Bond, town treasurer, was
also designated as treasurer for school
funds. He is to be paid sls per month.
Supt. Britt was asked to contact the
architectural firm of Frebee & Walters
Continued on Page 4
Bids Asked On Edenton Road Jobs
The State Highway Commission has
called for bids on July 25 on 25 pro
jects including two in the Town of
Edenton.
Included in the request for bids are
the Virginia Road and East Church
Street projects.
The request calls for 0.594 mile of
grading, bituminous concrete base, surf
ace and curb and gutter in widening and
resurfacing U. S. 17 and Highway 32
the Virginia Road and East Church
Church Street projects.
Discussion of the Virginia Road pro
ject, from Filberts Creek to the Triangle
Restaurant, has been underway for some
New System
For Coroner
Is Approved
Chowan County is now operating un
der the Coroner-Medical Examiner sys
tem with Marvin Barham being named
to fill the unexpired term of Carroll A.
Boyce as Coroner and Dr. David O.
Wright being named the county’s first
Medical Examiner.
Mrs. Lena M. Leary, clerk of court,
recommended the appointment of Barh
am and Dr. Wright after several weeks
of studying the new system. She said
the system is a forward step for the
county since a qualified medical expert
will determine the cause of death in
most cases.
Under the system, the Medical Exam
iner will rule on deaths and the only
time the Coroner will be required is when
an inquest is necessary.
Also, the Medical Examiner can as
sign duties to other doctors when he is
not available.
Dr. Wright is appointed for one year
and will receive S2O per case.
W. E. Bond, chairman, said more and
more counties are adopting this system.
Commissioners expressed pleasure with
the acceptance of Barham and Dr.
Wright to the county positions.
Also, commissioners named W. E.
Smith to the Jury Commission.
Mrs. Leary will name one member and
the third member will be chosen by
Judge Walter Cahoon.
The Jury Commission was established
state-wide by the 1967 General Assem
bly and will begin functioning January
1, 1968.
Judge Chester Morris of Coinjock has
been recommended by Gov. Dan K.
Moore for appointment to the Intermed
iate Court. Judge Morris is retired First
District Resident Judge who is now a
special Superior Court jurist. Commis
sioners authorized a letter of recommen
dation to Gov. Moore in behalf of the
judge.
The Chowan and Edenton planning
boards recommended the appointment
of a building inspector. Commissioners
tabled action pending action by Edenton
Continued on Page 4
Space Available
Edenton-Chowan Board of Education
was told Monday they should consult
Chowan County commissioners before
spending a large sum of money on a
superintendent’s office.
Chairman W. E. Bond told board
members at a joint meeting of the two
groups he is confident commissioners can
find adequate space for the office.
“Before you spend a lot of money for
a new office, let’s get together and work
on that.” the chairman told Dr. Edward
G. Bond, chairman of the education
board.
Supt. Bill Britt told the chairman the
school board Thursday night voted to
formally request the commissioners to
provide adequate office space.
Earlier. Commissioner J. Clarence
Leary said the board can find suitable
office space for the superintendent.
Pointing to Hotel Joseph Hewes, the
board member said: “With all that
building we can certainly provide then
the space.”
The board of education had discussed
purchase of an old home on North Broad
Street for $16,000 or renting offices in
First National Bank Building for $4,000
per year.
The purpose of the joint meeting was
to appoint a member to Chowan ABC
Board.
R. F. Elliott, chairman, was the only
applicant and was re-appointed.
time. The state has purchased the res
taurant property in order to correct what
is considered a major traffic bottleneck
in the area.
Town Council recently requested Town
Administrator \V. B. Gardner to ask for
a meeting with district highway officials
before action is taken on the East
Church Street project. If such a meet
ing has been arranged no date has been
announced.
The East Church Street project car
ries a top priority and at an earlier meet
ing with highway officials, Town Coun
cil favored this over the widening 0 f
West Queen Street.
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