THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
Volume S8, No. 12 USPS 428-080 Hertford. Perquimans County, N.C.Thursday, March 23, 198* m i
? Church
County churches plan
Easter services
page 5
School
Eley wins HGS art
contest
page 8
Feature
Silas Whedbee is a
living book
page 4
, Local
Briefs
Students score
I well on test
;? Ten Perquimans Middle School
were recognized recently for scor
ing a perfect 4.0 on the state writ
ing competency test. The exam
was taken by all sixth and eighth
graders in North Carolina.
Eighth grade students were
Dena Jo White, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Joe Towe White, and Che
ryl Westbrook, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Ronald Westbrook.
On the sixth grade level, the per
fect scorers were: Elizabeth Boyn
ton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lin
Boynton; Keri Drozdowski, daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence
Drozdowski ; Christina Godfrey,
daughter of Mr. Vance Godfrey
and Ms. Karen Godfrey ; Hope Stal
lings, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.
J. Stallings; Jennifer Wiese,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby
Wiese; Margaret Hauptman,
daughter of Mr. Thomas Haupt
man; Donnie Markham, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Donald Markham; and
Tasha Smith, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Smith.
Winslow is state
award nominee
Governor Jim Martin will pre
| sent the 1989 Distinguished Women
of North Carolina awards at a ban
quet March 29 in Raleigh.
The governor will award medal
lions during the 7:30 p.m. cere
mony which will honor as many as
Ave of the state's outstanding
women leaders. The 45 nominees
will be guests of honor at a recep
tion hosted by Kayser-Roth Ho
siery, Inc. preceding the banquet.
Activities will take place at the Ra
h leigh Marriott at Crabtree Valley.
Senator Htlen Rhyne Marvin of
Gastonia, a seven-term member of
the N. C. Senate, will be the key
note speaker.
"Women have distinguished
themselves in many walks of life,
and this award is intended to cull
the cream of the crop in North Car
olina," Administration Secretary
James S. Lofton said. "In singling
out these few, we honor all North
Carolina women who work to make
W their communities and their state a
better place in which to live."
The Distinguished Women of
North Carolina Awards Banquet is
hosted annually by the N. C. Coun
cil on the Status of Women, an
agency within the N. C. Depart
ment of Administration. Created in
1963, the council advises the gover
nor, the General Assembly and
other state government leaders on
the needs of women in North Caro
} Ima.
Mrs. Lucille Winslow of Hertford
has been nominated for the award.
The awards presentation coin
cides with Women's History Month
in March.
Harrell inducted
into honor group
| North Carolina State Universi
ty's chapter of Gamma Beta Phi
Society, a national honor and serv
ice organization, recently inducted
265 students into membership.
Membership is open to sopho
mores and juniors who rank in the
top IS percent of their class.
. The goal of the society is to foster
.excellence through service to the
university and community.
This year's protects include col
li lecting clothing for the Salvation
Army and participating in the
Adopt-a-Highway program.
1 Accepted into membership in
Gamma Beta Phi Society was
Charles Jason Harrell, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Tommy Harrell of Hert
ford.
Inside this issue
| Beyond the weeds 10
Church news 5
? , ? Jn, .'* ? >. ... - ,
Community happenings 2
OMhnriM .. 9
Weekly calendar 2
tm
Jk
Funding of education vital to Perauimans
The Basic Education Program
(BEP) implemented by the N.C.
General Assembly in 1985 was sup
ported by mahy candidates run
ning for state office during their
1988 campaigns. State Superinten
dent of Public Instruction Bob
Etheridge says that some of those
elected are backing down from
their education promises due to
budget constraints. Etheridge,
however, is not backing down.
Etheridge believes that the BEP
is the most significant achieve
ment made by the state on behalf
of public education in half a cen
tury.
The first goal of the BEP was to
achieve a degree of excellence
never before seen in the state's
schools by dramatically upgrading
public school quality. Another goal
was to promote equality by guar
anteeing access to basic education
for every North Carolina child.
Unfortunately, the wealth in
North Carolina is not equally dis
tributed throughout the state. The
more affluent Piedmont school sys
tems were able to offer programs
not found in the poorer coastal and
I ' - >' ? ' ; ? ?
mountain areas, including Perqui
mans County.
Basic subjects - math, English,
science, history and geography -
received renewed emphasis with
additional teachers, instructional
materials and a satellite program
which brings advanced instruction
to small schools who cannot allo
cate a teacher for such classes.
Also offered are arts education,
second languages, drama and el
ementary physical education.
In addition to offering more tea
chers and expanded curriculum,
the BEP also addressed promotion
standards, remedial education,
support services, a prescribed
minimum instructional day, staff
ing needs, materials, equipment
and facilities standards.
Early efforts to implement
higher standards began prior to the
passage of the BEP with a compe
tency test for high school juniors
and seniors to make sure basic
skills are mastered prior to grad
uation. Curriculum standards were
tightened.
Although the program is not
scheduled for full implementation
until 1992, it has already had a tre
mendous impact, especially on
small, rural school systems.
Former staff member of the De
partment of Public Instruction and
present superintendent of Vance
County Schools, Howard Maniloff
is a staunch supporter of the pro
gram.
"Through the Basic Education
Program, North Carolina has: low
ered class size, implemented pro
motion standards, started a sum
mer school program which is a
model for the rest of the country,
provided in-school suspension pro
grams to keep kids in school, paid
for elementary guidance counsel
ors which previously had been
available only in the richer com
munities, more than doubled the
money provided for textbooks, sig
nificantly increased the amount of
instructional supplies and equip
ment in the schools and increased
the number of secretaries avail
able to assist teachers with paper
work, " Maniloff said.
"North Carolina remains the
only state in this country to put its
money behind its commitment to
serve all children, rich and poor al
ike," Maniloff continued.
The support of public education
carries an enormous price tag -
$800 million spread over an eight
year period. But proponents of the
plan defend the cost because North
Carolina's 1.1 million students
must be prepared to enter institu
tions of higher learning or the job
market after graduation. A good,
comprehensive education program
can be the key to their future suc
cess.
A significant result of the $350
million allocated thus far under the
program is that the state's per pu
pil expenditure has risen 59 per
cent since 1985. North Carolina has
seen the fourth largest increase in
the nation in per pupil expenditure
since 1983.
The Basic Education Program
was not implemented as a cure-all
for the ailments of the North Caro
lina public school system. How
ever, it does help to equalize stu
dents' access to good, sound, basic
education all across the state.
Studies have shown that three
This Harvey Point Road home was completely gutted by fire last
Friday. Firefighters responded to the call in approximately six min
utes, but were unable to control the blaze which had fully engulfed
the home. No one was at home at th time o the fire. A passerby
spotted the smoke and called the dispatch office.
Friday fire completely destroys home
Hertford firefighters responded
to a structure fire alarm Friday
morning on Harvey Point Road.
Upon their arrival, the twelve re
spondent saw heavy smoke pour
ing from the house. The back of the
house and the attic area were en
gulfed in flames.
Four of the volunteers donned air
packs to enter the dwelling. The
brigade entered through both the
front and rear doors of the house.
Hampering efforts to gain entry to
the front was a bed placed in front
of the door. Firefighters had to
force open the door and push the
bed across the burning carpet.
After the department was on the
scene for a few minutes, flames be
gan to surge through the roof. Ef
forts to salvage the structure were
futile.
The Hertford Department called
for back-up from the Bethel unit.
Several firefighters from that de
partment responded with two
trucks.
Also on the scene were Deputy
James Logan of the Perquimans
County Sheriffs Department and
Patrolman Robert Harvey of the
Hertford Police Department who
directed traffic.
According to Hertford Fire Chief
Edgar Roberson, the cause of the
blaze reported by a passing motor
ist is still undetermined.
The McKinley Gilliam family,
who rented the home, lost every
thing to the flames. They are stay
ing with family at 100 Edenton
Road Street, according to friends.
Berry has expanded bank role
ROCKY MOUNT - Peoples Bank
and Trust Company has assigned
five officers expanded responsibili
ties. Peoples has divided its branch
system into four areas, each with a
regional executive to oversee its
administration and operations.
D. Ben Berry, senior vice presi
dent and Hertford city executive, is
in charge of Peoples' offices in
Edenton, Harrellsville, Elizabeth
City and Hertford.
Other regional executives are
James E. Brown of Raleigh, S.
Bruce Gillikin of Wilson and H. Kel
Landis, III of Rocky Mount. Ron
ald E. Johnson as assumed overall
responsibility for retail credit ad
ministration.
William H. Wilkerson, executive
vice president of the banking
group, in making these personnel
announcements, stated, "Each of
these officers has made significant
contributions to the success of Peo
ples Bank. We feel these areas of
the bank will continue to prosper
under their leadership."
Peoples Bank and Trust Com
pany is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Peoples Bancorporation. As of
December 31, 1988, the corporation
had total assets of $1.3 billion and
total deposits of $1.1 billion.
Ben Berry
Tri-county landfill commission approved
By SCOTT YATES
Staff Writer
HERTFORD ? Perquimans
County commissioners approved
the formation of a tri-county land
fill commission and agreed to pur
chase additional land for the land
fill site on Monday night.
The formation of the commission
and the purchase of the land is con
tingent on the approval from Cho
wan and Gates counties.
The agreement states that each
county will split the cost of equip
ment. Chowan County will pay 50
percent of the C06t for operation of
the landfill, Perquimans County
will pay 28 percent, and Gates
County will pay 22 percent. Perqui
mans and Chowan counties will
split the costs of collection and
Gates County will not contribute to
this cost as long aa it continues to
%
collect its own solid waste.
The additional land to be pur
chased is adjacent to the existing
landfill site in Belvidere in Perqui
mans County. County Manager
Paul Gregory said the state has
granted approval of the landfill site
for five more years and he hopes
the counties will be able to operate
the site for an additional 15 years.
The 96-acres of additional land
will be purchased from Thomas
and Mae Belle Chappell at a price
of $115,000.
Perquimans and Chowan coun
ties formed a commission to over
see joint operation of the existing
landfill 10 years ago.
In the new tri -county commis
sion, two commissioners and the
county manager from each county
will serve on the commission board
and having voting rights. The Dis
trict Health director will serve as
the secretary and the landfill su
4
pervisor will also sit on the board,
but neither will have voting rights.
Pay raises
Commissioners agreed to con
sider a 5 percent to 7.5 percent pay
increase for county employees aur
ing budget deliberations this
Spring. County Manager Paul Gre
gory said salaries in Perquimans
County are lower than in other
counties in the area.
Commissioner Durward Reed
said the county should also give
more merit raise increases.
"I don't think the residents of
Perquimans County want to see the
employees in our county be paid
less than in other counties around
us," said Chairman Lester Simp
son. He added that commissioners
should compare salaries in other
counties to the salaries in Perqui
mans.
See Landfill, page 2
Mr. Gilliam wears a size 32
pants, 15Vfe shirts, 40 regular suits
and 11 shoes. Mrs. Gilliam needs
size 9-10 skirts, 6 or 8 blouses, 9-10
dresses and 7 shoes.
A teenage son can wear 31 waist
pants, 15 shirts, 9'^D shoes and
medium coats. Size 7-8 or 9-10
pants, medium blouses, 7-8 or 9-10
dresses, 7Vi shoes and 9-10 coats
can be worn by the 16-year-old
daughter. Anyone having any
items to donate can taken them to
100 Edenton Road Street.
Highway patrol
revs up for
holiday traffic
Raleigh-Traffic is expected to be
heavy this Easter holiday. With the
first long weekend following win
ter, many will try to do as much as
they can in a limited amount of
time. The North Carolina Highway
Patrol urges vacationers to plan
their trips, take frequent rest-stops
and make sure they and their cars
are "trip-safe."
Secretary of Crime Control and
Public Safety Joseph W. Dean said,
"After the cold weather of recent
weeks, I'm sure a lot of people are.
going to take advantage of our
state's numerous vacation and rec
reational areas. I urge all motor
ists to drive defensively, enjoy
their trips and consider the safety
of other travelers."
Coloi 3 j . F. Cardwell, Com
mander of the Highway Patrol, an
nounced that all available troopers
will be on duty during the long Eas
ter weekend. "They will be visible,
and watchful for dangerous situa
tions, particularly drunk drivers,"
the Colonel said.
"Each year far too many people
are injured and killed during this
holiday period. Every effort will be
made to provide assistance to
those who need it," Cardwell con
tinued. "With everyone's help, we
can make this a safe holiday
Last year there were 1,275 acci
dents, resulting in 955 injuries and
15 deaths during the Easter week
end. i
Hie 1969 Easter holiday weekend
begins on Friday, March 24, at 6
p.m. and ends at midnight on Sun
day, March 26.
?
fourths of our prison population
consists of high school dropouts.
This statistic adds credence to the
need for school improvement in
North Carolina.
"When you take into consider
ation that we spend four times
more ($12,000 per year per inmate)
to incarcerate a person in Central
Prison than we do to educate him
($3,500) in our public schools," said
Superintendent Etheridge, "then
you can comprehend the urgency
of this problem."
Perquimans County has bene
fitted greatly from the additional
funds and positions created under
the BEP.
To date, says Superintendent
Mary Jo Martin, 12 additional staff
positions have been created thanks
to BEP. The county will add a total
of 22 if BEP continues to be funded
Total monies expected from BEP
are $1.4 million over the eight-year
implementation span.
Martin said that the average tea
cher salary in the county is $24,000,
while secretaries and teacher as
sistants earn around $11,000.
School board
discusses N.C.
BEP funding
The Perquimans County Board
of Education Monday night viewed
a panel discussion of the Basic Ed
ucation Program via the North
Carolina Distance Learning Satel
lite Network. State Superintendent
Bob Etheridge was joined by legis
lators and educators supporting
continued funding for the program.
Dr. Mary Jo Martin, who has
travelled to Raleigh on several re
cent occasions to discuss the pro
gram with Etheridge, legislators
and educators, told the board that
should the BEP not be funded for
the next year, the local board
would be forced to re-align goals,
and that some positions would be
jeopardized.
She also told board members
that the county stands to receive
approximately $1.4 million over
the eight-year implementation pe
riod.
If the BEP is cut, Martin said,
Perquimans might not be able to
add staff positions because of the
great capital outlay needs in the
school buildings.
Middle School must have a new
septic system, which could cost
$200,000 to install. Other needs at
that school could also carry a big
price tag.
The county would have to decide
whether to spend local funds on fa
cilities improvements or teaching
positions.
Facilities must meet state ac
creditation standards. Those stan
dards address classroom size, as
well as minimum building require
ments.
Martin said that one of the most
critical reasons for funding the
BEP is due to remediation on the
college level. She said that a high
percentage of students from less
affluent counties must take reme
dial courses upon entering college
in order to "catch up."
During the panel discussion,
Etheridge said that the BEP is in
"jeopardy." "Those who would. .
tamper with this program want to
go back on a promise made in
1985," he said.
Perquimans County desparately
needs the funding from the state
through BEP. Jeanie Umphlett,
community schools coordinator,
has recently received information
indicating that the county ranks
96th in per capita income in the
state. The average income is under
$8,000 per year. Without BEP mon
ies, students here stand to lose
many proposed programs.
Programs at risk would be cultu
ral arts, physical education and vo
cational education. Clerical staff
would also be lost.
The board asked Martin to write
legislators, especially education
committee members, endorsing
the BEP
The board voted to reschedule
the next regular session until April
10. Chairman Clifford Winslow and
Vice-Chairman Clifford Towe will
be attending the upcoming national
school board convention on April 3.
Correction
In last week's edition, we identi
fied Dean Lane, Rountree S tailings
and Charles Mathews as soybean
production winners. They actually
were peanut production winners.
Gene Perry, Eure Seed Farms
and Pendleton Brothers were the
soybean, not peanut, production
winners.
The paper regrets the error.
A.