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Page 2 West Craven HIGHLIGHTS, February 8, 1979 Senator Joseph E. Thomas Legislative Report February 2,1979 Efforts are continuing in Raleigh to improve the status of the Morehead City port and to keep the containerized freight crane from being moved to the port in Wilmington. Last week, the battle to keep the crane was somewhat overshadowed by the news that Morehead would finally get a trade representative representing the Morehead Port Tributary Area. Mr. Bud Mershon, the trade representative, who will reside in Raleigh, is being transferred from Chicago. He presently represents the North Carolina Ports Authority in the midwest, primarily the Chicago area. It will be his responsibility to work with local officials, businesses, committees and commissioners, on improving the business outlook in the Morehead Tributary Area. He will look specifically for customers who can utilize the containerized freight capabilities that we expect to remain in Morehead City. Although neither Governor Hunt nor Mr. Green, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Ports Authority, have agreed to retain the crane in our District, they have both forwarded letters to me in support of the future of our port. Governor Hunt has said that he is committed to keeping Morehead City as a viable port and recognizes that it is a valuable asset to the people of Carteret County and the surrounding area. Director Green has made commitments to Morehead that would guarantee the Port’s ability to handle containerized freight even if we should lose the crane. However, because we were unable to stop the removal of the crane through Administrative means, I introduced Senate Bill 211 which would prohibit, by law, the crane transfer to Wilmington. The bill also provides that the State would “maintain existing and future levels of containerized cargo shipping at both ports and provide and encourage growth in handling of containerized cargoes at both ports.” Another similar bill has been introduced in the House by Representative Malcolm Fulcher. We are working hard to gather the necessary votes to get this bill passed and I am extremely hopeful that this legislative effort will meet with success. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural and Economic Resources. We are fortunate to have Senator W. D. (Billy) Mills of Onslow County as Chairman of this Committee of which I am also a member. We have scheduled a Public Hearing for Wednesday, February 21, 1979 at 12:00 noon in the Legislative Building. sorters named SCOUT SUNDAY-Clay McOmber, son of Mr. and Mrs. John McOmber of Vanceboro, was the guest speaker at the Annual Scout Sunday services held last Sunday at the Vanceboro Christian Church. Clay discussed what Scouting means to him. In his speech, he encouraged his fellow Scouts to set goals. He added that when those goals are reached, new goals should be set. [Photo by Rick Cannon] Annual Planning Session held Supp New Bern-Craven County Chamber of Commerce members turned out Saturday morning, February 3rd, for the 1979 Planning Session Breakfast which was held in the Ramada Inn Ballroom. Rev. Ernest Porter, who serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, gave the pre-breakfast invoca tion. Mr. Ed Walker, Presi dent of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, was the guest speaker and his stimulating remarks set the tone of the meeting. The President, Dan Stallings, noted that over the past several years the Chamber has progressed from a reaction agency to an action agency and that he would like to see this trend continued. He also noted that the Chamber has added a couple of new A bill to approve the Equal Rights Amendment was recently proposed in the North Carolina Legislature. According to opponents, the ammendment give too much power to Congress. In addition, any opponents argue that the E.R.A. is merely an effort to further rights of homosexuals. The opponents explain that the Equal Employ- ii^^rnkles in their division/ the hro/d” employment rights of all. They fear eommittee structure and the broad control the ERA would give Congress. They question who will define “equal rights”, and fear destruc tion of the family. Following is a list of some of the groups supporting the E.R.A.: The National Organization for Women (NOW), Political Women’s Caucus, The Gay Liberation Movement, Zero Population Growth, Inc., Communist Party, USA, League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women (BPW), University Women, Woman’s Liberation Movement, Gay Teachers Alliance, and Coyote (a union of prostitutes). Anyone wishing to write their legislator concerning the E.R.A. should address their correspondence to Sen. Joseph E. Thomas, P.O. Box 7124, Legislative Bldg., Raleigh, NC 27611 or Rep. Joe Bright, Rep. Dan Lilly, and Rep. Chris Barker, Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27611. Since water vapor will condense in your gas tank because of extremes in day and night temperatures, hold it to a minimum by keeping your gas tank filled as much as possible or add a can of dry gas every three tankfuls. also that several new committee designations have been added, such as Law Enforcement Livabil ity, Industrial Relations and Agri-Business. He went on to say that strong commit tee action, which must center around membership involvement, is the key to success. President Dan mentioned several areas that deserved special attention this year, such as a Community Watch Program and a closer liaison with city and county government. He referred to the new shop ping mall as a big plus but added that we now have to address our actions to the requirements of our cetral city. He also pointed out that the Chamber should get heavily involved in our airport activities in both the commercial area and the fixed base operation area. He added that the command section at Cherry Point is very much con cerned about the retention of the improved commercial air schedules and services at Simmons-Nott. He said it was also necessary to have more involvement with the people out in the county and that he hoped the Agri- Business Committee will include this goal in their program of work. Each of the 14 standing committees developed their individual program of work for the coming year during a two-hour break-out session that followed. The designation of the 14 stand ing committees are; Law Enforcement - Kelly Zaytoun, Chm.; Livability - Ernest Porter, Chm; Transportation - Cloyce Anders, Chm.; Business Education - Bill Smith, Chm.; Industrial Develop ment - Lonnie Pridgen, Chm.; Industrial Relations - Pat O’Brien, Chm.; Tourism & Conventions - Sam Seyler, Chm.; Agri- Business - Gary Bleau.Chm.; Chamber Facilities - Tom Norville, Chm.; Member ship - Sue Forrest, Chm.; Membership Services - John McCotter, Chm.; Public Issues - Zack Taylor, Chm.; State & Local - Charles Taylor, Chm.; Military Abbott Weatherly, Chm. The ^ Washington Report * bv Rep. Walter B. Jones Week beginning February 5,1979 As most of you know, the 96th Congress convened on January 15, 1979. Last week concluded the third week of the present session, and most of this time has been spent in nominating and electing the various Committees as well as amending some of the House Rules under which we legislate. The 96th Congress has 77 new Members, 42 new Democrats and 35 Republicans. Most of this change occured as a result of retirement as well as running for other offices, such as Governor and Senator. So, with that many new members, through necessity, it almost requii^^ a period of getting acquianted. At this point in time, o^B 50% of the Membership of the House have served fi^ years or less. Among other action last week was the election of the subcommittees of the House Committee on Agriculture. I hope of interest to to the District is the fact that I was re-elected as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Tobacco. Also, Congressman Charlie Ro^e of North Carolina’s Seventh District was elected Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Grain. This gives North Carolina two Subcommittee Chairmanships of important subcommittees as it relates to our agricultural economy. No other State has more than one Chairman on the Agriculture Committee. In recent days this office has received a great amount of concern about the USDA announcement of the proposed five-day selling week for flue-cured tobacco. As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Tobacco, I am scheduling a subcommittee hearing on this subject on Thursday, February 15. This will be held in room 1301 Longworth Hou.se Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. Anyone wishing to testify should notify Mr. Fowler West at that office as soon as possible. Of major interest in the Capitol City was the visit of China’s Vice Premier, Teng Hsiao-ping. There are many who feel that perhaps we are deserting or selling out the nation of Taiwan who have been strong American supporters both politically and economically. It certainly is hoped and expected that whatever treaty is finally promulgated will contain provisions for the protection of Taiwan against invasions by mainland China. Other than this concern, there seems to be general consensus over the resumption of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Friday, February 2, 1979 was a memborable day for the City of Kinston for on that occasion was dedicated a low-cost housing project known a Kinston Towers. It is one of the most modern buildings of its kind and will provide housing for approximately 150 families. On the same date, a new and modern Kinston City High School was dedicated. Then finally in the afternoon was the dedication of the beautiful and functional million dollar air terminal at Stallings Airport. I mention this to emphasize that eastern North Carolina is making progress in such vital areas of our economy. Heart Association blood pressure checks The Craven County Chap ter of the American Heart Association will sponsor a blood pressure screening program on February 9, 1979 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the entrance to Roses Store in Berne Square. There will be a Registered Nurse on hand to check blood pressures and give free information on high pressure. High blood pressure af fects 33 million Americans. It IS the leading cause of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure, but most people do not know they have it because it has no symptoms The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. The West Craven HIGHLIGHTS Published every Thursday at P.O. Box 404 A Main Street I Vanceboro, N.C. 28586 Phone: 244-0780 Second Class Postage paid at Vanceboro, North Carolina Subscription Rates $6.24 per year $4.16 per 1/2 year Editor and Publisher Ricky Cannon Business Mgr. Office News R.L. Cannon, Jr. Hilda Barrow Connie Bryan Circulation Sherry Toler Mike Hodges
West Craven Highlights (Vanceboro, N.C.)
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