Newspapers / The Chowan Herald (Edenton, … / March 30, 1967, edition 1 / Page 1
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Council, Utilities Board Argue Charter Change An attorney in the office of N. C. League of Municipalities and First Dis trict Rep. Philip P. Godwin of Gates ville have aided Edenton’s Board of Pub* lie Works in gaining a temporary block to Town Council’s plan to dissolve the utilities board. Mayor John A. Mitchener, Jr., chief architect of the council plan, is president of the N. C. League. Jesse L. Harrell, chairman of the utili ties board, said Tuesday Ernest Ball of the League staff “stalled in writing the bill” and Rep. Godwin had been called on to “stall it further”. (In a letter to The Chowan Herald, dated March 23, Rep. Godwin said he would introduce the bill as requested. It had not been put in the legislative hopper at press time Wednesday). Speaking at a joint meeting of the two elective boards suggested by Rep. Godwin, Harrell was highly critical of Volume XXXIV.—No. 13. Public Parade Caught Without Reapportionment of the North Caro lina General Assembly raised many ques tions, one among them being the effect the creation of multi-county districts would have on the small county. This question is now being answered, and quite rapidly, as a measure to dissolve Eden ton’s Board of Public. Works is handled like a hot potato. Three weeks ago Edenton Town Coun cil unanimously approved a motion to seek legislation in the General Assembly to dissolve the utilities board. Rep. Phil lip P. Godwin of Gatesville, who along with Rep. William Culpepper of Eliza beth City, represent the First House Dis trict, was asked to introduce the measure. The N. C. League of Municipalities was also notified and asked to draft such a bill. These are normal channels to follow. Members of the Board of Public Works naturally opposing such a drastic change in the local municipal structure, also contacted the League and Rep. God win. This was in an effort to get the matter “stalled”, as was related to the council Tuesday by Jesse L. Harrell, utilities board chairman. Over the years there has been some serious question as to who actually ran the Town of Edenton—the council or utilities board. Until recently, when the attorney general expressed the opinion that the utilities board had no business being concerned with finances of the town, there was little doubt but that the keeper of the funds called a lot of shots. The measure to dissolve the board was a second step by Mayor John A. Mitch ener’s administration to provide the citi zens of Edenton with a smoothly operat ing municipal government. He felt Edenton needed only one policy-making board, and we agree. But as in past years, the utilities board arrived first with the most. Mr. Harrell said a League attorney “stalled” in writ ing the bill and Rep. Godwin “stalled” in introducing it. Although Rep. Godwin wrote The Chowan Herald on March 23 saying ha would introduce the bill, this had not been done by noon Wednesday. “I do not intend to shirk my respon sibility as a representative; however, on an issue as important as this I feel that both sides should be heard,” he said. “I plan to introduce the bill by request but I want to be sure that the people of Edenton are aware of the bill and if they want to be heard, I want to give them an opportunity.” Had Rep. Godwin not “stalled,” his desire to let the people be heard would probably already have been satisfied. When, if as Mr. Harrell said, a League official and a representative of the peo ple deliberately stall on a request of a Town Council, it is a sad state of affairs. Some representation is better than none. Right now it appears as if those who meander along The Public Parade ain’t got none. ‘Ladies And Gentlemen * Judge Elbert S. Peel, Jr., drove over <rom Williamston to hold a session of Superior Court in Chowan County. And it was apparent from the outset that he wasn’t up on local custom. His honor got ready to charge the ( Grand Jury and started out in the usual manner. “Now Ladies and Gentle men . .. he said. Then he noted that there weren’t any women on the jury. Again, when allowing prospective jur ors to be heard on requests to be excused o—H—«d m An 4 council action three weeks ago to dis solve the Board of Public Works and set up a Utilities Committee on the coun cil. He claimed he was not aware of any such action until a week after the council’s “secret meeting at 7:30 in the morning.” He said Ball and Rep. Godwin were contacted in order to get the matter “stalled”. He added that had not these men cooperated the joint meeting would not have been held. After a lengthy discussion, during which the councilmen lined up solidly be hind their earlier action and the five members of the utilities board voiced their opposition, Harrell said: “We’ll see you in Raleigh”. In his presentation to the council he had asked that the proposed legislation be set aside for two years to allow am ple time for publi rssion of the merits of this bill. ° Harrell pro THE CHOWAN HERALD sa Ward Candidate In May Election A race developed for one of three seats on Edenton Town Council this week with an announcement by Ray Ward, 210 South Oakum Street, that he will oppose incumbent Councilman Leo Katkaveck of the Second-Ward. In an announcement statement, Ward said he has attended Town Council meet ings and talked with a number of people and is of the opinion that he can do a lot more for the Second Ward than is now being done. “For a great number of years the Sec ond Ward has been far behind the other wards in the town,” he stated. “I now feel it is time for a change. I know that the people are tired of promises and now they want action. This I will strive to give them if I am elected to office.” He went on to say many areas that need improvement are too numerous to nanje,. “I will work hard to try and improve our ward and will support the other wards of the town and help them in any way that I can.” The candidate, who is 25, is a native of Edenton, a son of Mrs. Gladys M. Ward, 104 East Church Street. He is married to the former Judy Carol Ed wards of Austin, Tex. He was educated in local schools and served four years in the U. S. Air Force. He is a graduate of Elkins Radio Insti tute of Electronics, Atlanta, Ga. The Wards are members of First Christian Church. HB Ray Ward Edenton Lions To Roar April 10 Edenton Liras Club will observe its 30th anniversary April 10 with a Ladies’ Night banquet at Chowan Golf & Coun try Club. The program will begin at 7 P. M. Approximately 250 Lions and wives are expected to be on hand. Local Lions are expected to be joined by club mem bers from across District 31-J, which this year is headed by a local club mem ber, W. H. HolloweU, Jr. Rev. LeFon C. Vereen of Raleigh, executive secretary of the Methodist Board of Missions and a popular after dinner speaker, will deliver the main ad dress. He has spoken in Edenton on several occasions. Dr. Richard Hardin, past president, posed a referendum at the 1969 munici pal election. More than an hour later he said if this was not done his board would ask for a public hearing when the bill is sent to a committee in the legislature. “We anticipated as much,” said Mayor Mitchener. In his remarks to the council, Harrell said: “I think it is a big mistake to take it upon yourselves to abandon an elected body of the town at a secre\ meeting. This is a reflection on you as councilmen. We are elected just like you and should be respected just as much.” He said the public should be concern ed over this action and should be given a full explanation as to why it was taken. Harrell went on to defend the utilities board, citing reasons given in council meetings for taking action to dissolve the board. He was especially critical of Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina 27932 March 30, 1967 J. U. Conger, Jr. Conger Is Given Advisory Position J. H. Conger, Jr., 105 Pembroke Cir cle, has been named to a two-year term on the North Carolina Small Business Advisory Council. His appointment was announced today in Washington by Ber nard L. Boutin, SBA administrator. Boutin said, “Since becoming admini strator of SBA, I have become increasing ly aware of the importance of the Ad visory Council, not only as a vehicle for advising and counselling me, but also in helping to get across to the small busi ness community of America the story of the Small Business Administration.” “We at SBA have a challenge and an important job to do,” Boutin said in a letter to Conger, “and with the help and guidance of you and your fellow council members, SBA can make an ever increas ing impact on the social and economic well being of this nation.” Conger’s Certificate of Appointment Continued on Page 4 Society To Meet Cancer Society volunteers from throughout Northeastern North Carolina will meet in Elizabeth City Friday night. The dinner meeting will begin at 6:30 o’clock at Holiday Inn. Mrs. Robert W. Scott of Haw River, 1967 N. C. Division Crusade chairman, will be the speaker. W. B. Gardner, president of the Cho wan Chapter, said area folks are en couraged to attend this meeting. is serving as Charter Night chairman. The Edenton club was organized Jan uary 21, 1937, and was granted its char ter on March 1, 1937. The local club was sponsored by Washington Lions Club. There are seven charter members who are still active in the club. They are: W. J. Taylor, Guy C. Hobbs, Graham Byrum, J. Clarence Leary, R. West Leary, Jr., Hector Lupton and W. S. Privott. Taylor has serveo as the club’s only secretary-treasurer. Daniel Reaves is president of the club this year with George Lewis, Leo Katka veck and E. L. Hollowell serving as vice Continued on Pace 4 wording which tended to show the board had been inefficient. “I think you have done the town a great injustice in trying to do this in the manner in which you did it,” he added. Mayor Mitchener denied action was taken in a secret meeting. He said the council, because of convenience to mem bers, often met in the early morning hours to discuss special matters. * J. H. Conger, Jr., Thomas C. Byrum, W. J. P. Earnhardt, Sr., and J. P. Ricks, Jr., utilities board members, supported Harrell’s statements. Councilman Luther C. Parks said he did not question the efficiency of the board but felt the entire town could be tun more efficiently with a single policy making board. Councilman Thomas Shepard, who made the motion to dissolve the board, explained his action. He praised the work of the board but said the electric Court Calendar Slashed A mixed term of Chowan County Su. perior Court convened here Tuesday morning with Judge Elbert S. Peel, Jr., of Williamston, presiding. Although the opening session was de layed by some 20 minutes due to the late arrival of the judge, once the wheels of justice began to turn the docket was moved through quite rapidly. Eleven cases on the civil calendar were either continued or dismissed when they were called by Judge Peel. One divorce was granted that being Mary Johnson Bond against William Turner Bond. Four other civil cases were set tor trial. Twenty-seven cases appeared on the criminal calendar. Action was taken on 15 of them before the court recessed for the day. In a jury trial, Joseph Wallace Goodi win, Jr., was found not guilty of speed ing 60 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone. Solicitor Herbert Small accepted pleas in three other speeding cases. Emma Copeland Bunch was charged with speed ing 77 miles per hour in a 55 mile zone. The state accepted a plea of guilty to traveling in excess of 55 and the de fendant was ordered to pay court costs. Malachi Parsons entered a plea of guil ty to speeding 75 in a 60 zone and was fined sls and court costs. He had been charged with speeding 85 miles per hour, Bruce White Taylor, also charged with speeding 85 but in a 55 mile zone, enter ed a plea of guilty to speeding 75 miles per hour. He was given 60 days, sus pended upon payment of S2O fine and costs. In another traffic case, William Ras i Chamb *«‘ Commence is oy.Weot W. Byrgm. Jr. The chairman is pictured above in front of a new homeln Morgan Park which bonder construction. Byrum's committee is deslmed .y.y ll ” **s£”» ”***”* adequate housing in this rapidly growing Sort behLf to tt?year. ** ehnirmen who are actively working in thl qham- and water department is a department of the Town of Edenton and the town is not large enough to have two policy making boards. “One board would make for a smoother operation.” Too, he said three vacancies are oc curring on the board this year and if action was going to be taken prior to filling these vacancies it had to be done now. Councilman Leo Katkaveck compared town government to business. “No one will operate his business with two policy making boards,” he said. Councilman J. Edwin Bufflap, who has served on the council for 30 years, noted that things are working “smoothly now but over the past 30 years there have been many unpleasant dealings” be tween the two boards. A question was raised about the legali ty of the action, and Councilman Henry Continued on Page 4 Single Copy 10 Cents coe, Sr., was charged with failing to have a valid operator’s license. He was given six months, suspended for three years upon payment of costs. He was ordered not to drive until he obtained a license. Thomas Hall, charged with passing a worthless check, was given 12 months, suspended for three years upon payment of $25 fine and costs. Other cases called included: Continued on Page 4 Judge Picks Dale M. Rudolph Dale, 901 Cabarrus Street, Tuesday was sworn in as foreman of Chowan County Grand Jury. He will serve for the next six months. Dale was chosen for the position by Judge Elbert S. Peel, Jr., of William ston, as the March Term of Chowan County Superior Court opened. Dale has served on the continuing jury for the past six months. Judge Peel aiarged the 18-member jury that it is their duty to protect citi zens from unfounded accusations. He touched on the controversial death penalty when explaining that criminal laws of any state have been worked out over a long period of time. Judge Peel said at one time in our history the death penalty was automatic when a person was charged with first degree murder. He said peoples atti tudes change and therefore, the legisla ture changed the law to allow a jury to recommend mercy in such cases. “Your duty is to impose the laws as they are, not as we want them to be,” he continued. “It is our responsibility as citizens to contact our elected repre sentatives to suggest changes which we think necessary.” Local citizens drawn to serve on the Continued on Page 4
The Chowan Herald (Edenton, N.C.)
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March 30, 1967, edition 1
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