oew precinct. This is a local matter. It should
be handled locally "
Gunter also opposed the division because of
the costs involved and reminded the commis
sioners that none of the Laurel Democratic
precinct officals were notified of the planned
division.
Before closing his remarks, Gunter told the
commissioners, "You are creating a headache
that an aspirin the size of this courthouse wont
cure." Gunter also presented the commis
sioners with a list of Walnut residents he claim
ed signed the petition presented by the pro
division voters.
Claude Wall in of Guntertown also spoke in
favor of returning the Laurel precinct to its
original boundaries. Wallin said that Revere
residents have received representation in party
affairs, citing Ervin Adams' selection as a
delegate to the county convention as an exam
ple. Wallin said he believed the commissioners
were misled into believing that Laurel voters
wanted to divide the precinct.
Donald Norton told the hearing, "I've seen
these ups and downs all my life. Most of these
people are good Democrats, but we're letting
the Democratic Party down." Norton also op
posed the newly created precincts.
Raymond Cutshall of Spillcorn also opposed
the division, saying, "We've got one of the best
precincts in the county. I don't understand why
anyone would want to break it up except for
selfish reasons. If you cut the precinct, you'll
weaken the precinct and you'll weaken the par
ty."
Phillip Franklin also opposed the split, saying
the county should spend money for schools in
stead of voting machines. Franklin pointed to
dangerous conditions on SR 1316 as one place
the money might be better spent.
Laurel registrar Fronia Gunter, Sheila Led
ford and Billy Cantrell of Spillcorn and Garland
Adams also addressed the hearing and each op
posed the division of the Laurel precinct.
Madison County Democratic Party chairman
Zeno Ponder then addressed the hearing and
called for a vote. After asking if anyone was
undecided on the matter and receiving no
response, Ponder said, "There's not an
undecided soul in the place."
Larry Leake then proceeded to poll the au
dience which had earlier been divided into
voters in the old Laurel precinct and those liv
ing in the new Revere-Spilicom precinct.
Each area's residents were asked if they
wished to remain in the old Laurel precinct or
in the new Revere-Spillcora township. Spillcom
voters elected to remain in the former precinct
while Revere voters favored the new precinct.
Board member Virginia Anderson then re
quested an executive session with the board
members and Leake.
When the commissioners emerged from the
closed door session, chairman Ervin Adams
asked Leake to read a resolution he had
prepared during the closed session. Leake then
read the resolution calling for the return of both
Spill corn and Big Laurel to the old Laurel
precinct and the creation of a Revere- Rice's
Cove precinct. The commissioners then voted
to pass the resolution and adjourned the
meeting.
The compromise agreement seemed to
please those who opposed the precinct division.
Terry Gunter told The News Record, "You
don't get everything you want, but this is a good
decision. I think they did the only thing they
could. I think it went well."
As the 200 Democrats left the court house, one
observer was heard to say, "If they could get
them into church to pray like they get 'em into
the court house to argue, they'd really be doing
something."
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"MORE FOOD THAN IS GOOD FOR
ANYONE" was available as members of the
Beech community celebrated their 100th In
dependence Day together.
CHILDREN DECORATED
WAGONS. ANIMALS and themslves
for Beech celebration. Some rode
bicycles, while others rode on floats.
DECORATED MULES, FLOATS, MARCHING
BANDS AND DINNER ON THE GROUND
WERE only part of the 100th July 4 celebration
held by the Beech community.
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