mtpKW
PROGRESS SENTINEL
VOL. XXXXVII NO. 27 USPS 162-860 ?????? ?? ?
U3r KENANSVILLE. N.C. 28349 JULY 7. 1983 14 PAGES THIS WEEK 10 CENTS PLUS TAX
Duplin Hospital Board
Trimmed To Nine
The Duplin General Hos
Apital Board of Trustees has
t>een reduced from 28 to nine
voting members, following
revision of the hospital by
laws by the old board Thurs
day night.
The revision was achieved
by a 12-8 vote taken in a
secret ballot. Eight of the
original 28 members were
absent.
Under the new bylaws.
Ajerms of all members expired
^it midnight Thursday. The
retiring board appointed the
new board, subject to ap
proval of the Duplin County
Board of Commissioners.
Reducing the number of
trustees had been under
discussion for several
months. The cut is intended
to improve efficiency of the
board and was recommended
?' i a recent study of the
ospital's financial problems
ordered by the Duplin
County Board of Commis
sioners and conducted by
Price Waterhouse, a certified
public accounting firm of
Raleigh and Atlanta.
The county built the hos
pital and holds title to the
facility. It leases the hospital
to the Board of Trustees. The
current lease will expire at
the end of September.
Ray Sanderson of Rose
Hill, former chairman, said a
committee of trustees had
recommended reduction of
the board to 13 members
prior to the study.
The reconstituted board
consists of one voting
member from each of the five
county commissioners' dis
tricts, two at-large members,
one county commissioner,
and the chief of the hospital's
medical staff. The non-voting
member is the chief of the
hospital medical staff cre
dentials committee.
The hospital board will
appoint district and at-large
members to three-year
terms, subject to confirma
tion by the county com
missioners. The county
board representative serves
a one-year term on the
hospital board.
Appointments were made
Thursday night With two
people named to full thaee
year terms and three to two
year terms. The successors
of the latter three members
will be named to three-year
terms two years from now.
Appointed to three-year
terms were Wade Carlton of
Warsaw, from District 1, and
Elbert Davis of Wolfscrape
Township, District 2. Named
to two-year terms were:
William D. Thigpen of
Lyman. District 3; lrvin
Graham of Wallace, District
4; and Sanderson from Dis
trict 5. Named as at-large
members were Juanita
Kretsch and William P.
Fennell, both of Kenansville.
Commissioner Allen Nether
cutt represents the county
board.
Davis was named acting
chairman to succeed Sander
son.
Dr. E.L. Boyette of Chin
quapin will continue as chief
of the medical staff.
Dr. C.L. Quinn of Mag
nolia, chairman of the cre
dentials committee, is a non
veiling member.
The hospital board will
meet on the second Thursday
of each month with the
regular October meeting
scheduled as the annual
meeting.
During the discussion pre
ceding the secret ballot on
the bylaws change, Boyette
said: "We enlarged this
board to get more members
from towns and the towns
more involved in hospital
affairs. A bunch of strangers
came up here and we paid
them $20,000. . . .These
strangers didn't tell us any
thing we didn't know. We
just threw $20,000 down the
drain."
Nethercutt said he had
opposed hiring the consult
ing firm.
"I think this reduction in
number of trustees is just a
face-saving device by the
commissioners to justify
spending $20,000 on the
renort," Boyette said.
Beulaville Citizens Oppose
Town Employees Raise
By Emily KiHette '
The Beulaville Town Board
approved the 1983-84 budget
during a special meeting
June 27. A 10 percent salary
increase for town employees
was withdrawn from the
proposed budget and trash
collection fees increased.
Citizens H.J. Brown, Larry
Bostic. Sarah Bolin and Anna
Guy appeared before Beula
ville Commissioners during
the public hearing on the
proposed budget at
the town hall. Brown said the
citizens opposed a salary
raise for town employees
because of the increase of
garbage collection fees. Ap
pearing at the hearing, Beu
laville resident Sloan
Thigpen commented town
employees worked hard and
deserved a salary raise if
funds were available in the
upcoming fiscal year. The
town tax rate remained at 60
cents, but the new budget
proposed an increase from $2
to $3 for trash collection fees
of residential sections and
business rose from $2-4 to
$6.
During the special meeting
of the Beulaville Town Board
following the budget hear
ing, Commissioner Elvis
Sumner suggested merit
raises for town employees
instead of a 10 percent salary
increase. Commissioner
Rabon Maready objected to
the 10 percent salary
increase to all town
employees. A motion to
adopt the budget with no
salary increases was made by
Commissioner S.A. Blizzard.
The motion was approved
four to one with Maready
casting the no vote. The
commissioners unanimously
approved a motion by Bliz
zard to continue the discus
sion of salary increases at the
regular monthly meeting of
the Board in July. The
1983-84 Beulaville town
budget was approved at
$420.T()0.
The Board approved con
tracts to town attorney Rusty
Lanier and town auditor
Doug Clark for the 1983-84
budget year. A wirtten re
quest for a 50 percent salary
increase for Stanley Miller.
Beulaville town wastewater
treatment plant operator was
presented to the commis
sioners. The current salary
per quarter is $250; re
quested was an annual salary
of $2,000. Following a dis
cussion by the Board, the
members agreed to draw up
a set of job specifications and
recieve bids on the position.
Town auditor Doug Clark
updated the Board on the
progress of preparing speci
fications for bids on a com
puter system to be purchased
by the town of Beulaville.
Funds to purchase the com
puter equipment will come
from revenue sharing
money. Listed in the speci
fications for the computer
system are capabilities for
billing water, sewer and
trash collection fees and
accounting incoming collec
tions. tax billing, tax col
lections. fixed assets, budget
preparation, special report
generation, budgetary ac
counting. payroll and ac
counts payable. A vendor's
conference is planned tor
computer sales personnel
and the Beulaville Commis
sioners at the town hall July
22 beginning at 7:30. Bids
will be opened August 1 and
awarded September 5. Clark
recommended the Beulaville
Commissioners approve $340
in fees to the Department of
Urban Affairs for the evalu
ation of the top four bids
received by the town on a
computer system. Commis
sioner Blizzard made the
motion to proceed with the
bid process and authorize the
funds for payment of the
Department of Urban
Affairs for the bid evalua
tions.
Transportation Available
To N.C. Memorial Hospital
The Duplin County De
partment of Social Services
receives numerous requests
for assistance with medical
transportation to North
Carolina Memorial Hospital
in Chapel Hill.
In order to help resolve the
transportation problem, the
department is planning to"
^>end the agency-operated
W-an to N.C. Memorial Hos
pital once a month. The van
will be used to transport
Duplin County residents
only.
Each trip will be made on a
Monday, Wednesday or
Friday in order to accommo
date individual needs and
give access to as many clinic
dales as possible. Trips will
be limited to these days as
the van is already committed
to kidney dialysis patients on
Tuesdays. Wednesdays and
Saturdays. ???,
The proposed van sche
dule for the fiscal year
1983-84 is as follows: Mon
day. July 18; Wednesday ?
August 17; Friday. Sept. 16;
Monday. Oct. 17; Wednes
day, Nov. 16; Friday. Dec.
16; Monday. Jan. 16, 1984;
Wednesday, Feb. 15; Friday,
March 16; Monday, April 16;
Wednesday, May 16; and
Friday, June 15.
The Department of Social
Services realizes that the
above dates may not coincide
with each individual's ap
pointment or clinic date. It
?wit( therefore be up to thos'e
requesting transportation to
keep the above schedule and
try to make arrangements
with his or her doctor, hos
pital social worker of clinic
staff to be seen on these
dates. Appointments should
not be scheduled prior to 11
responsible for making these
arrangements.
Those individuals in
terested in this transporta
tion should contact the De
partment of Social Services
afleast two weeks in advance
if possible so that necessary
arrangements cail be made.'
Lack of sufficient interest on
any given date could result in
cancellation of that trip.
Since the van will be
operating on a tight sche
dule, persons riding will be
expected to be at their desig
nated pick-up point at the
given time and to. have
Former Duplin Wildlife Protector
Faces Charge In Duplin County
A police chief from Wilson
County was free on $4,000
bond last week after spend
ing Wednesday night in the
Duplin County Jail following
his arrest on worthless check
charges and a charge of
disposing of mortgaged
^property.
Jerry Windom, police chief
of Lucama, is a former
wildlife protector in Duplin
County. He is a Lumberton
native and a former Lumber
ton police officer.
Windom. 32, paid restitu
tion and court costs of $463
, on 10 misdemeanor worth
less check charges Thursday
morning before Duplin
Magistrate Perry Williams.
He still faces charges on the
mortgaged property count.
A defendant cannot plead
guilty and pay off the debt
and court costs on a charge of
disposing of mortgaged
property without appearing
in District Court, court offi
cials said. The mortgaged
property case is scheduled
Aug. 3 in Duplin County.
Windom was arrested by
Wilson County deputies in
the Lucama police chief's
office while interviewing an
applicant for a police offi
cer's position. Lucama has a
population of 1,070. accord
ing to the 1980 U.S. census.
He was turned over to
Duplin deputies, who
brought him lo Kenansville.
Windotr became a Lucama
police officer last March. He
was selected by the Town
Board as police chief over 12
other candidates two weeks
ago, filling a vacancy that
had existed for a year.
A town official Thursday
said the Town Board will
probably hold a special
meeting to discuss whether
. w.y action, .should be taken
fcjneernhig Wiridom's post
i
tion.
Duplin Sheriff T. Elwood
Revelle said Duplin officers
did not know where Windom
had gone after the charges
were filed in late 1982 until
Windom's picture appeared
new .-paper following his
appointment as police chief.
Revelle contacted Wilson
County Sheriff Wayne Gay
with his information and Gay
dispatched deputies to make
the arrest.
Revelle said the checks
were written between July
1482 and November 1982
' while Windom was a wildlife
protector in Duplin County.
I
?
AMY MICHELLE WHALEY of Beulaville ,
served as a page in the General Assembly <
under the sponsorship of Rep. Wendell H. |
Murphy of Duplin/Jones Counties. She is
he daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carris Bruce
Whalcv and a rising senior at East Duplin
High School.
Cards Will Relay Tax
? Bills In Duplin
Duplin County residents
will receive their tax bills on
pos* fards for the first time, j
act- .fling to Norman Sandlin <
Jr.. county tax collector.
Sandlin said he believes \
use of post cards will save (
the county money on labor
^ind supplies. The tax office >
V<as 22,000 parcels of land j
listed on its tax roles.
People paying taxes in
July and August will receive
i 2 percent discount. Sandlin
said. The county's tax rate of
75 cents per $100 assessed
valuation is an increase of 5
rents over last year's rate.
Receipts will be sent only
vhen requested by the tax
tayers. Sandlin said.
a.m. Ine agency cannot be someone awaiting their
return at the same point.
Duplin County
Receives Award
William J. Costin, chair
man of the Duplin County
Board of Commissioners,
announced liiat the Neuse
River Council of Government
has selected Duplin County
as their recipent of the first
annual Cooperative Service
Delivery award at their
annual banquet held last
month at New Bern.
The CSDA recognizes the
local governments and indi
viduals who successfully ini
tiate outstanding innovative
projects where two or three
governaments work together
to deliver local government
services in a more cost
effective and efficient
manner.
Duplin commissioners took
the initiative to work with the
Sampson County com
missioners in integrating
the mental health services in
the two counties. As a result,
the Duplin-Sampson Area
Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Substance
Abuse board was appointed
as a local mental health
authority.
The three-fold purposes of
the board are: To provide a
continuum of community
based alternatives of the
adequate diagnosis, appro
priate treatment and effec
tive rehabilitation of the
mentally ill. mentally re
tarded and the alcoholic in
Duplin and Sampson
counties which would enable
them to be emotionally
stable, intellectually efficient
and socially effective: To
acquire sufficient local, state
and federal funds to foster
the growth and achieve other
objectives: and To provide
job security based on the
performance of the employ
ees and recognize their indi
vidual achievents as well as
to ensure the personal satis
faction that comes from a
sense of accomplishment in
their work.
Neither Duplin nor
Sampson have mental health
associations. However, the
county commissioners have
been the best adovcates the
mentally ill or retarted and
the alcoholics have ever had.
Costin and Dr. E.J. Raman
in receiving the award ex
pressed their appreciation to
the NRCG. Raman also ex
pressed his appreciation
saying. "Cooperation is no
longer a sentiment: it is an
economic necessity."
Henderson Receives
First EOP
Scholarship At JSTC
The educational office
personnel, better known at
the EOPs at James Sprunt
Technical College, have es
tablished a new scholarship
to be awarded annually to a
^fraduatins senior from a
^Duplin County high school
who is planning to pursue a
business-related degree at
"5TC
Karen Elaine Henderson,
a 1983 graduate of Wallace
RosevHill High School, is this
year's recipient of the EOP
Scholarship. ( Karen is
planning to enroll this fall in
the general office technology
^jrogram. She is the (lighter
Kf Mr. and Mrs. Clifton
Henderson of Rose Hill.
V
During the past two years
this group has sponsored
several fund-raising events
such as bake sales, selling
tumblers and providing the
meal at an all-day training
program for foremen in the
area. The EOPs have raised
over $.1,300 which has been
used to endow a scholarship
with one to be awarded each
year.
Dr. Carl Price, president of
JSTC, stated that this group
of dedicated employees have
worked far beyond the re
quirements of their jobs to
provide additional support to
the College. Dr. Price stated.
"1 am very proud of each and
every one of them and
appreciate so much their
contributions to the school."
The EOPs at JSTC consist
of all employees who wo?k in
clerical and secretarial posi
tions at the College. The
1982-83 officers are Mary
Brinson of Warsaw, chair
person; Peggy Thomas of
Beulaville, vice-cl.airperson
and chairperson of the
scholarship committee;
Shirley Flowers of Warsaw,
secretary/treasurer; and
Brenda Dixon of
Kenansville, publicity offi
cer.
Man Killed
By Train
Andre Bimmette Wallace,
32, of Route 1, Bo* 288,
Warsaw, was killed Tuesday
night when hit by a Seaboard
Systems train three miles
south of Warsaw.
State Highway Patrol
trooper Stephen McCorquo
dale said the man was lying
on the tracks at a rural dirt
*
road crossing when a north
bound work train struck him.
The officer said the train
crew applied the train's
brakes as soon as they saw
the man.
The train traveled 300 to
350 feet after the brakes
were applied, McCorquo
dale said.
*
Godspell Opens Second
Season With The Liberty Cart
The rock musical GOD
SPELL brought more than
2.500 people to the William
R. Kenan Memorial Amphi
theatre in Kenansville last
year. GODSPELL opens its
second season July 20, two
weeks after the opening of
THE LIBERTY CART at the
amphitheatre.
The historical drama, THE
LIBERTY CART, opens its
eighth season July 8 and
plays through August 21. 1
This season two additional !
productions will be by the
cast of THE LIBERTY CART.
The religious musical. GOD
SPELL, is based on the
Gospel according to St. Mat
thew, and is scheduled tor
ten performances beginning
July 20 and playing each ]
Wednesday and Friday night ,
through August 19.
A second season of chil- 1
dren's entertainment will 1
begin July 31, playing Sun
day afternoons through
August 14 at the courthouse
spring in Kenansville. This
vear's production will be
LIV1N' DE LIFE! bv Ed
Graczyk. LIVIN' DE LIFE is a
play adapted from the tales
and characters recorded in
"The Uncle Remus Tales."
A cast of familiar characters
will appear in the children's
show. The professional cast,
as well as local actors from
the crew of THE LIBERTY
CART, will appear as Brer
Tarry pen. Brer Corn, Brer
Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear,
Miss Meadows, Ajnt Mam
my-Bammy, Sis Buzzard and
Miss Goose. Karen Griffin,
rechnical direc.or for THE
LIBERTY CART, will be di
recting this season's cnu
iren's production.
The cast of about 20 pro
fessional actors will also per
form GODSPELL. John
Michael-Tabelak's religious
%
musical ran five nights dur
ing its opening season with
THE LIBERTY CART and
drew more than 2,500
people, Jimmy Johnson,
general manager of THE
LIBERTY CART, said. Clos
ing night for the GODSPELL
production drew an audience
of 725. The play will remain
under the direction of Duplin
native David Thomas, who is
working in his second season
as director of GODSPELL
and the hisotrical outdoor
drama, THE LIBERTY
CART. GODSPELL. the play,
has drawn praise by the
clergy, critics, educators and
audiences throughout the
m
world for its jovful message
and simple sincerity. Re
turning to the role of Jesus is
Joey Chavesii a New Mexico
resident.
GODSPELL will be per
formed in the William R.
Kenan Memorial Amfrtii
theatre in Kenansville each
Wednesday and Friday
night. July 20 through
August 19, Performances
begin nightly at 8:15 p.m.
Group rates and tour book
ings are availa >.iw for GOD
SPELL. Additional informa
tion is available at THE
LIBERTY CART, P.O. Box
^170, Kenansville. NC 28349
or by phone - 296-0721.
Summer Srory Teller At Library
Kenansville's talented
Darlenc Cooper is entertain
ing youngsters, ages 4 to 8,
with stories and muppet skits
on every Wednesday morn
ing from 10-11 a.m. during
the month of July. Ms.
Cooper is a teacher's aide at
the local elementary school.
'ft