The Public Parade
*Great Scot?
In the( Inaugural Ball program we
found in our se?t in Reynolds Coliseum
Thursday night was an ad which said:
“Great Scott”. And when historians pen
the accomplishments of North Carolina’s
youngest Chief Executive, we predict the
two word ad will be proven correct.
We foresee few surprises in the next
four years. As head of the United
Forces for Education, as master of the
N. C. State Grange, as lieutenant gov
ernor and as a candidate for governor,
Bob Scott didn’t go around pulling rab
bits out of his, or anyone else’s hat. He
discussed openly the issues of the times.
He shared with all who would listen his
hopes and aspirations for the Tar Heel
State.
In his 23-minute inaugural address he
broadly outlined a course of action for
the Scott Administration. This was by
a man more familiar with the needs of
the people of this state than any other
to take the oath as governor.
He made it plain at the outset that he
will not pit section against section, de
uOTment against department. North
is fortunate in that here is a
governor who never developed the art
of talking out of both sides of his
mouth.
Bob Scott resembles the editorial writ
er who must gather his information,
settle in his own heart and mind what is
best and lay it on the line. The fact
that it will not taste good to everyone
does not upset him. He has to move on
to other important things.
The Scott Administration will be a
grassroots administration. The execu
tive branch of government will be
brought closer to the people than at any
time in history. This will be due some
what to necessity —his programs will be
costly and someone must pick up the
check. However, it will be mainly be
cause Bob Scott knows nothing better
than a people-to-people approach.
So, we are not to be fooled by the
enlonguated sideburns. They are worn
by one who has proven his worth in
everything he has undertaken. The
governorship of North Carolina will be
no exception. The state must now brace
itself for the “Great Scott”.
More, Not Less
Now is a time when it is more im
portant than ever to have the best minds
and talent become involved in- public
affairs. These are the people who must
be out front leading, not just going along
for the ride.
In times such as this it is disappoint
ing to see people like Bruce Jones step
down from a position of public trust.
In the past four years we have watched
him as a member of first the Edenton
City Board of Education and later as a
member of the merged city and county
boards. He has made a real contribu
tion to both.
Jones was one of the first members
of the city board to see the advantages
of a single administrative unit in the
county. He viewed it as a means of
drawing the entire county, town, com
munity, hamlet, crossroads, etc., into a
N Continued on Poo* 4
Anonymous Contribution Welcomed
In the past week a substantial con
tribution was made to the Chowan Hos
pital building program.
By some standards a SSO contribu
tion would not be considered substantial.
However, this gift was considered so be
cause the contributor asked to remain
anonymous and she is not one who peo
ple normally would feel could give such
an amount to a cause like the hospital.
This first personal contribution brings
to light a strong feeling by certain peo
ple in the community who wish, in some
way, to be a part of the proposed new
hospital. This person had no idea the
extent of'her contribution to the com
munity. It shows great respect and con
cern for mankind and their health needs,
Privott Pledges Contribution To Curbing Road Deaths
Judge W. S. Privott said Tuesday he
plans to make a contribution toward ef
forts to reduce the highway death rate
in North Carolina. 1
Presiding in Chowan County District
Court, the Edenton jurist said the mini
mum fine for drinking drivers will be
the exception rather than the rule.
His remarks followed by one week a
statement made from the same bench by
Judge Fentress Horner of Elizabeth
City about his concern over the climb
ing fatality rate and the role alcohol is
playing in it.
Judge George Ragsdale of Raleigh,
presiding over a term of Superior Court,
dealt harshly with drunken driving de
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TO SAVE A STREET—Construction of a three-foot high retaining wall along 500 feet of Filbert's
Creek began Monday in an effort to save a portion of North Granville Street. Hooker Construction
Company has the contract to do this work. The picture at left shows some of the erosion which has
eaten the bank up to the curb-line. In the picture at right, workmen begin putting in the first section
of the wall. Town Administrator W. B. Gardner said the bank will be sloped and seeded to hold up
the street. The portion of North Granville from Hicks Street to the emergency entrance to Chowan
Hospital has been closed and will not reopen until the project is completed in about 10 days.
vV THE CHOWAN HERALD fia,
Volume XXXVI —No. 2 Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina, Thursday, January 9, 1969.
Gardner Directing
March Os Dimes
W. B. Gardner, Edenton Town Ad
ministrator and civic leader, has been
named March of Dimes fund-raising
campaign chairman for 1969.
Gardner heads the committee of Eden
ton Jaycees, who annually conduct the
campaign for funds to fight birth defects.
In announcing the selection of Gardner
to head this important committee, a
spokesman said he is among the eminent
leaders in various walks of life in Cho
wan who have joined forces to insure
success of the annual drive.
“We have an exceptionally strong
cross-section of our county’s leadership
in charge of our various activities for
fund raising throughout January,” it was
stated. “In view of the great need to
continue our mission of preventing the
physical and mental abnormalties that
strike 250,000 babies each year in our
country, we had to have the most knowl
edgeable and skillful people we could
find. And we found them.”
“In the 1969 March of Dimes cam
paign,” Gardner said in announcing ac
tivities during the month, “It is up to
each of us —thinking of our own chil
dren as well as tomorrow’s babies —to
give as much as we can.”
Continued on Page 4
a hospital spokesman pointed out.
What can SSO buy with today’s high
costs? It can buy a chair for the lobby,
stethoscopes, blood pressure apparatus,
toys for the pediatric patients, an over
bed table, a secretary’s chair, emergen
cy resuscitator, electric maintenance
grinder, cardiac cart, anesthesia stool, a
lamp for a microscope, a stainless steel
kick bucket for the Emergency Room,
a linen hamper, two pair of lead gloves
(X-ray), file cabinet ,and many other
items. No gift is too small to be rec
ognized and appreciated.
We hope that many other people in
the community will feel as strongly and
respond as graciously as our first anony
mous contributor, says Tom Surratt,
hospital administrator.
“Over 1,800 persons were killed in
North Carolina list year (on the high
ways), a large majority of whom were
caused by drinking drivers or persons
driving under the influence.
“The court is going to make an effort
to try to make a contribution to the re
duction of the death rate caused by
drinking drivers and persons driving un
der the influence; that the automatic im
position of the minimum sentence will be
exception to the rule, rather than the
rule, upon conviction of such cases re
lating to drinking drivers and persons
driving under the influence.”
In cases called by Solicitor Wilton
Walker, Judge Privott took the follow
ing action:
Ernest Robert Angell ami George
Mitchener Being Pushed
Chowan County commissioners are ac
tively soliciting support for Mayor John
A. Mitchener, Jr., in his bid to become
highway commissioner from this district.
Copies of a resolution endorsing
Mitchener, passed at the board’s Decem
ber meeting, this week were mailed to
boards of county commissioners through-
Rep. Jones Says
Grant Approved
WASHINGTON, D. C.—Rep. Walter
B. Jones Monday announced formal ap
proval of a federal grant of $600,000
for the Chowan Hospital at Edenton.
Rep. Jones said the grant was pro
vided under the Hill-Burton Act and
will be used toward construction of a
new 61-bed facility. Hospital officials
plan to modernize the existing 35-bed
hospital, making it into a convalescent
unit.
Earlier it was announced from Ra
leigh that the Chowan Hospital will be
granted SIOB,OOO in state funds. Cho
wan County citizens have approved the
sale of sl-million in bonds. The $1,708,-
000 is believed to be sufficient to con
struct and equip the facility.
Rep. Jones said he was pleased that
the much needed federal funds had been
approved and they would upgrade the
medical facilities for the people served
by Chowan Hospital.
Plans for the new hospital are now
being reviewed by federal authorities
and are expected to be released to con
tractors for bids in the very near future.
Road Project Set
The State Highway Commission has
issued a call for bids for the January 28
highway letting.
Included in the call is one project
in Chowan County. It calls for 0.227
miles«, of grading, bituminous concrete
base and surface on improvements on
U. S. 17, in Edenton, from about 900
feet east of Pembroke Creek Bridge,
southeast.
Keller Dukes, speeding, prayer for judg
ment continued upon payment of costs.
Lawrence Minton Smith, traffic vio
lation, 30 days, suspended upon payment
of sls fine and costs.
Bennett Gray Cowper, drunk driving,
second offense, not guilty.
Ida Twine Hall and William Preston
Jones, traffic violations, prayer for judg
ment continued upon payment of costs.
Ramon Alphonso Harmon, speeding,
10 days, suspended upon payment of
sls fine and costs.
William Earl Spruill, non support, six
months, suspended upon payment of
costs, $25 fine for failure to appear, and
$6 per week for support of child.
Lewis Carl Smith, traffic violation, 10
days, suspended upon payment of $S
fine and costs.
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Single Copy 10 Cents
out the 10-county Albemarle Area.
Commissioner A1 Phillips suggested
that copies of the resolution and a let
ter asking that consideration of support
for Mitchener be sent to neighboring
counties. Others on the board agreed it
would be helpful.
Chairman W. E. Bond read a letter
from Gov. Bob Scott acknowledging re
ceipt of the resolution. It was stated
that appointments to the commission
probably won’t come until spring and
that Mitchener would be considered at
that time.
Tyrrell-County commissioners have al
ready endorsed Mitchener for the post
and it is believed that other boards in
Northeast North Carolina are prepared
to do so in the near future.
Commissioners formally adopted a 20-
year plan for repayment of the Sl-million
hospital bonds, once they are sold.
Considerable discussion was held at
the meeting Monday concerning the
bonds. Commissioner Phillips question
ed the Local Government Commission’s
recommendation that no bonds be sold
until after bids are received and opened.
He said this might tend to weaken the
participation of good contractors if the
money is not available at the time of
bidding.
Continued on Page 4
Stamps Popular
The greatest participation yet in the
Food Stamp program was experienced
during December, according to Robert
Hendrix, director, Chowan County Wel
fare Department.
Hendrix reported to county commis
sioners Monday that $10,244 in food
stamps were purchased by needy fami
lies. He said 163 families were certified
during the month. Os this number, 154
paid $5,130.50 and received stamps val
ued at $10,244.
The welfare director said it is expect
ed that participation in the program
will continue high throughout the winter
months.
Other activity in his department in
cluded:
Old Age Assistance, 109 cases, $5,957
grant, $54.65 average.
Aid to Dependent Children, 73 cases,
$6,138 grant, $17.79 average.
Aid to Permanently and Totally Dis
abled, 43 cases, $2,387 grant, $55.51
average.
Aid to Blind, Nine cases, $613 grant,
$68.11 average.
Eight persons were hospitalized in the
county at a cost of $799.54; $96.30
county funds, $703.24 joint funds.
Five persons were hospitalized out
side the county at a cost of $786.02;
$36.40 county funds, $749.62 joint
funds.
There were four out-patient services,
$31.80 joint funds.
One hundred eight pharmacy bills
were paid, totaling $1,100.70; $7.90
county funds; $1,092.80, joint funds.
Three physicians services 190 coun
ty funds.
The department reported 487 cases
where financial assistance and/or service
was rendered.
Board Vote
Delays Plan
For Schools
Will Edenton-Chowan Schools have
adequate facilities to take the final step
toward total integration in 1969-70? This
is the 64 dollar question and it could be
answered this (Thursday) afternoon.
Bids for additions to John A. Holmes
and D. F. Walker high schools are to be
opened at 2:30 P. M., today in the of
fice of Supt. Bill Britt. If the bids are
in line and the successful bidder and
architect can convince members of Eden
ton-Chowan Board of Education the new
facilities will be ready for occupancy by
September, it appears likely a plan for
integrating grades seven through 12 will
be forthcoming.
Because of the uncertainties at hand,
board members Monday night voted to
delay selection of a plan for 1969-70
to submit to Federal Judge John Lark
ins. The board is under court order to
submit such a plan during January.
Eugene Jordan, board member, said
education in Chowan County has suffer
ed this year because of the lateness of
Judge Larkins’ order, as well as the or
der itself which totally integrated grades
one through six in the system. He made
a plea for action which would not result
in the same type situation in the other
five grades.
Jordan also called for the board to be
united. He said only through a united
front can the best possible education
available be given the students.
Supt. Britt expressed doubt that the
new facilities —a cafeteria at Walker
and classrooms at Holmes —would be
ready by September. However, he said
the project’s architect said it could be
expected to be completed in plenty of
time.
N. J. George contended more study
and planning is needed before the board
approves any plan for the high schools,
if the students are to be properly edu
cated. George said it is not a matter of
housing, but of educating. “We could
put all the children at Swain school if
we wanted to,” he said.
O. C. Long, Jr., vie: chairman who
Continued on Page 4
Bruce Jones Quits
School Board Post
Bruce F. Jones, 201 Blount Street, has
resigned his position on the Edenton-
Chowan Board of Education. He has
served for nearly four years.
The letter of resignation, dated De
cember 10, 1968, was read Monday night
during the regular monthly meeting of
the board. He stated that he had en
joyed working with the board and “will
share your problems in the future”.
Jones was first appointed to the Eden
ton City board. The city and county
administrative units were later merged,
with the board being composed of the
six members from the city board and
five from the county. All have con
tinued to serve up until this time.
Board members at first discussed re
fusing to accept the resignation. Later
it was decided that they should comply
with the wishes of the fellow member.
Mrs. J. Clarence Leary called Jones
“a very valuable man” to the board.
And N. J. George, who has often been
in disagreement with Jones on board ac
tion, said: “He is a thinker. We’ll miss
him.”
According to the act setting up the
single administrative unit, all existing
board members were to serve until 1970
when seven will be elected by popular
vote. Unless the number falls below
seven prior to the election no vacancy
will be filled.
DSA Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted
for the annual Distinguished Service
Award, presented by Edenton Jaycees.
Bill Bunch, DSA chairman, said the
winner of this coveted award will be
announced at a special banquet at the
Jaycee Community Center on Base Road
on January 23. Time of the banquet
has not been finalized.
Bunch said anyone between the ages
of 21 and 35 can be nominated for this
award. Anyone who desires to place a
name in nomination can do so by com
pleting a form which is available from
Bunch at Peoples Bank & Trust Com
pany or Wallace Evans, Jaycee president.
Deadline for making nominations is
January 20.
Presentation of the DSA will climax
observance of Jaycee Week by mem
bers of the local club. of
statewide prominence s§fii|^t 0 key
note the banquet progra^^^Mk