Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, September 14, 1978 15 CENTS GETTING HIS POINT ACROSS - Governor Jim Hunt is caught in a serious mood during his address Thursday night to members of ARPDC at which time he discussed several issues of interest to nor theastern North Carolina including transportation, industry, and education. (Staff photo by Kathy M. Newbern) COO program is explained In an effort to explain the offerings of a special program designed to allow students to learn while ap plying learning in an on-the-job feituation, Mrs. Joanne W. Stallings, County High School, reeerftly listed some higtilights of the program and its offering -to the business com munity. "The Cooperative Office Oc cupations (COO) Program at Perquimans High School is a valuable asset to the students and to the community," she said. Students who participate in this program during their senior year prepared \ To work with schools Mrs. Gladys Hall, Community Education Coordinator for Per quimans County Schools, and Pat Harrell, Superintendent, have joint ly announced the recently appointed members to the Community Educa tion Advisory Council. Council members are: Us. Kathy M. Newbern, Mrs. Mary White, Mrs. .Paige Underwood, Joe Tunnell, Billy JWoOten, Mrs. Dora Spruill, Mrs. M.B. Taylor, Mrs. Thelma Wilson, Mrs. Gloria Mitchell, and Mrs. Susan Carter. Hie council will meet monthly to offer suggestions for implementing an effective local community educa tion program. for it by taking business courses during the tenth and eleventh grades. During the senior year, the students take English, business courses, and Cooperative Office Occupations. "Students are excused from school at noon to report to work in the office of a local businessman who has been generous enough to give his support to the program," she pointed out. Through the combined efforts of the teacher-coordinator and the employer, each student is assigned various office tasks and learning situations to give him or her actual on-the-job training. "Our students benefit greatly from this," she continued, "because they gain in valuable experience. The com munity also benefits through the useful, future citizens that this program is preparing." Students employed thus far for the year and the cooperating firms are: Jill Twine, Edwards and Edwards, Attorneys-at-Law; Cathie Byrum, Don Juan Manufacturing Co.; Cathy Allen, Albemarle Hospital; Patti Riddick, Perquimans Recreation Dept.; and Donna Phillips, Hertford Motor Company. Mrs. Stallings concluded, "If you are a businessman who would like to gain the satisfaction of contributing to a student's education in this manner, please call the local high school and ask that the local coor dinator contact your office. Give your support to this worthwhile program." Gov. Hunt addresses ARPDC By KATHY M. NEWBERN EDENTON ? The Albemarle Regional Planning and Develop ment Commission, more well known as ARPDC, met here recently with no items for discussion on the agenda. Instead of gathering to discuss the present or fftture of Region R, as is usually the case, ARPDC gathered Thursday night with another purpose in mind, to honor Governor James B. Hunt Jr. The governor had been in the Albemarle area a few days last week on several matters and ARPDC took advantage of his visit as an op portunity to allow its members to gather, honor the governor, and hear some things he had to say . In an introduction by Senator Melvin Daniels, Governor Hunt was described as "one of the greatest governors we've ever had." Daniels also thanked the governor for the "48 or 49" appointments he's made of people from the northeasten area to various state councils and com missions. The group's attentions were then turned over to the governor who addressed such topics as highways, education, water resources, and regionalism. In opening remarks, the governor commented on his tour that day of several sites in Chowan County and immediately addressed the Chowan River algae problem saying, "Secretary Howard Lee made it abundantly clear that we intend to get to the bottom of where the pollution is coming from causing algae growth in the Chowan River." Hunt then discussed the attitude that the northeastern portion of the state is a special section, rich in natural resources, but also sometimes left out of the "main stream", of things. He assured the group that the problem was one government officials were aware of and willing to correct, but warned that "it can't be done overnight. " He said, "Despite this wealth of natural resources and the great wealth of human resources and your proud and rich cultural heritage, this region has not had a fair share of progress that North Caolina has had throughout the years." Applause followed. The governor then tied economic problems in with educational problems and commented, "I know there are not enough jobs, but we have too many people who can't hold the jobs we do have. We've got to change that 'cause that's wrong." Continuing on the topic of education, Hunt said, "If a kid fails that competency test, don't point your finger at that kid or the teacher at that school, point your finger at yourself. If that kid fails, we fail." He added, "We complain about people who grow up and won't work, yet you have to be taught how to work. Labor supply in Region R is the greatest resource you've got in addition to natural resources. What I want to do is make it so all of our people can be used, can be em ployed." Moving into comments about ARPDC and its role in the region, the governor said, "Since its operation began in 1971, this com mission has obtained approximately one and one-fourth million dollars a year in state and federal money for this region." He continued, "This region has literally made progress because this council has been here and has been working. I commend this com mission for the progress that's been made." Then, on highways, the governor commented, "Transportation is a long-range proposition. When I ran for governor, I made this promise on roads and only this promise, I said we would build highways where it would do the most good in building the economy of this state." He then referred to progress on the U.S. 17 project from Elizabeth City to the Virginia line pointing out that bids would be taken Jan. 1 and outlining the other project phases. He also pointed out progress made on N.C. 12 and what that project would mean to the area. He said, "We will be updating our plan every year and we're going to continue to work." And, on the state's plan for balanced growth, the governor defined the term: "It means putting jobs where people need them. Do you suppose there's ever been a policy more designed for nor theastern North Carolina than that one?" Receiving signs of agreement throughout his speech, the governor closed on an even more personal basis with an appeal to the in dividual audience members. He said, "I want you to continue your positive commitment to problems. As governor of this state, I'm going to work with you. If we're smart enough and we work enough, I believe you're going to see this state move ahead, and I believe you're going to see every area of this state and particularly this one make progress you can be proud of." Constitution Week Set Bill Cox, Mayor of Hertford, has signed a proclamation encouraging local citizens to observe and recognize Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week. The proclamatin reads : Whereas, it is the privilege and duty of the Americak people to " commemorate fflst . an niversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States of America with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and Whereas, Public Law No. 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation, by the President of the United States of America, designating Sept. 17 through 23, of each year, as Constitution Week, Now, Therefore, I, W.D. (Bill) Cox as Mayor of the City of Hertford, do hereby proclaim the week of Sept. 17 through 23, 1978 as CONSTITUTION WEEK and urge all citizens to study the Constitution, to express gratitude for the privilege of American citizenship in our Republic func tioning under the superb body of laws ? the Constitution of the United States of America. CONSTITUTION WEEK DECLARED ? Hertford Mayor Bill Cox signs a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week and urging its observance by local citizens while Mrs. Marion Swindell, Constitution Week Chairman, looks on. (Staff photo by Kathy M. Newbern) i ? While a : summer of t? the tradition*! fall fruit still leaves doubts. The pumpkins offer a bright spot In the scenery to motorists traveling on U.S. if, south of Bert ted. They are for sale at the Gill Uttderwood home. (Staff photo by Kathy M. Newbern) Board to draw up diploma policy Pat Harrell, Superintendent for Perquimans County Schools, has received information from the Department of Public Instruction regarding graduation exit documents. Regulations resulting from the Competency Testing Program were adopted by the State Board of Education at its August meeting. According to State Superintendent Craig Phillips, the board adopted policies and other regulations concerning documents issued to students when they leave school. In the newly adopted regulations, graduation is defined as satisfactory completion of all state and local course requirements and achievement of a passing score on the N.C. Competency Test. Students who meet these two requirements will be eligible to receive a diploma. A certificate will be issued to those students who complete all state and local course requirements, but who fail to achieve a passing score in the N.C. Competency Test. A transcript will be issued to all students receiving either the diploma or the certificate. "The transcript may be issued to the student by any procedure as determined by the local school within a reasonable period, of time," said Phillips. "Local boards of education will have responsibility for designing their diplomas and certificates, and are urged to insure that the diploma and certificate are easily recognized as different documents and that the certificate in no way indicates graduation. These students will be entitled to remedial instruction and additional opportunities to take the test until they are 21 (maximum school age as defined in G.S. 115 163), "Phillips concluded. Superintendent Harrell added that the Perquimans County Board of Education has discussed these Coastal council named Thomas B. Gray, Chairman of the Dare County Board of Com missioners, was reelected Chairman of the N.C. Coastal Resources Ad visory Council at the Council's Sept. 6 meeting in Manteo. Cecil W. Sewell, Zoning Administrator and Building Inspector for Morehead City, was reelected Vice-Chairman. Also elected was the Council's Executive Committee which in cludes a Hertford man. Members elected from the southern region of the coastal area were Mrs. Rosetta Short, Long Beach; and Col. Phillip Leesburg, Topsail Beach. Members elected from the central region were Bradford Rice, Arapahoe; and Arthur Watson, Havelock. Members elected from the northern region were William B. Gardner and LlF. Amburn, Eden ton; Joe Morris, Ahodde; and Riley S. Moods, Hertford. regulations and will be developing a local policy outlining specifics for the Perquimans School System in the near future. Progress reported R.L. Stevenson, Finance Chair man for the Perquimans County Restoration Association, has recent ly announced progress in the group's fund- raising efforts for the Newbold-White House. The campaign, which will run through Nov. 1, is attempting to raise $25,000 locally which would mean eligibility to receive two $12,500 matching grants. While the attempt is still in its ear ly phases, Stevenson reports that 27 donors have responded, 14 out of county and 13 in the county. Approx imately $2,000 has been received from these responses. He reacted, "I'm gratified at the response at this time." Donations may be made to P.O. Box 318, Hertford, NC 27M4 and should be addressed to Stevenson's attention. He also suggests that local citisens who know of supporters in other areas of the state might eon tact him so he in turn may get in formation on the project out to them.

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