Volume XXXVI—No. 20.
public parade
Place For New Rats
Secretary of State Thad Eure declares
with considerable pride that he is the
“oldest rat” in North Carolina’s Demo
cratic barn.
Gov. Bob Scott appears to be taking
no chances with unknowns as he con
tinues to bring former “rats” back into
play in his administration.
First there was Ben Roney, who went
all the way to Washington, then found
himself on the outside looking in. Now
he is at the governor’s right arm.
This was followed by appointment of
former State Highway Commissioner
I.auch Faircloth as chairman of the
'|roup he left four years ago.
Before the ink got dry on a General
Assembly measure to reorganize the
ABC body, Charlie Cahoon found he
hadn’t made a mistake in staying close
to the State House he was named
chairman.
Now this week the governor brought
back probably the most able man yet,
George Randall. Friend George moved
from Raleigh to Oregon in his prison’s
work—as an administrator and not an
inmate—and is now an assistant to Di
rector Lee Bounds.
Gov. Scott has picked some proven
politicians as well as administrators to
assist him in his Program for Progress
in North Carolina. But how do capa
ble folks move from the unknown to
known list if they haven’t been given a
chance?
The faces of some new “rats” around
the dinner table on Blount Street would
aid both the cause of the present as well
as the future.
Look Next Week
Because of several factors, over which
we had no control, it was impossible to
get all the current news and pictures into
The Chowan Herald this week. We ask
those involved to understand.
So, watch next week for Spring-O
.Rama and a real interesting paper.
> Merchants are joining together to make
this a real event in Edenton. We’ll
work equally as hard to make the news
paper just as interesting.
The Mayor Speaks
Mayor George Alma Byrum put to
gether a fine “inaugural” address for
Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.
It gives an insight into what those who
meander along The Public Parade can
expect during the next couple of years.
It is good, solid stuff and we want to
share it with you. Speak, Mr. Mayor:
I am very proud and humble to have
been elected the Mayor of the Town of
Edenton over strong competition in last
week’s election. I am confident that my
opponents and their many supporters will
join with me in leading Edenton to con
tinued growth and progress.
Tonight I assume the office of Mayor
from a man who has served the Town of
Edenton as a councilman for eight years,
and as Mayor for 10 years. Edenton has
very fortunate to have had many out
standing men to serve as Mayor, but the
record will show John Mitchener at the top
in town progress and growth.
He has brought honor to our Town by
serving as the President of the North Ca
rolina League of Municipalities. He has
given freely of his ability, time, talent and
finances. We owe John Mitchener a great
deal for his services rendered the Town
of Edenton. We all wish him well in his
continued efforts to serve his fellow man.
In assuming the office of Mayor, one
Must take inventory of our assets and lia
bilities, and the needed improvements and
service our citizens will demand.
Good government is a habit in Edenton
but we must give credit to those that are
responsible. The Mayors, members of the
Town Council, E&W Board members, and
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THE CHOWAN HERALD
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CHANGE IN COMMAND—NewIy installed Mayor George Alma Byrum. right, is shown
with retiring Mayor John A. Mitchener, Jr., and Councilman James C. (Pete) Dail, left,
following Tuesday's ceremonies at the Municipal Building. Mayor Byrum and Mitchener
hold a silver service the retiring mayor presented to the town. In the background is a
handsome corner cupboard also given by Mitchener.
Byrum Call For Unity In Edenton
George Alma Byrum assumed the du
ties of Mayor of the Town of Edenton
Tuesday night, called for unity and said
beautifjcation and recreation would get
much attention from his administration.
Mayor Byrum beat two challengers in
the town election last week. He re
turns to municipal government after a
four-year absence. He served on the
council for 12 years.
The new mayor, three councilmen, two
members of the board of public works
and the town treasurer were administer
ed their oath by Magistrate Tom Shep
ard, a former council member.
Two incumbent councilmen, Luther C.
Parks and David G. White, began new
four-year terms, while James C. (Pete)
Baxley Is Selected
By Gov.’s School
Steve Baxley, a John A. Holmes High
School junior, will attend the Governor’s
School for the Gifted this summer. The
school is located in Winston-Salem.
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Steve Baxley high standardized
test scores, and exceptional ability in
the area of natural science, according to
Mrs. Lane Kinion, guidance director
here.
Baxley is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
J. R. Baxley, Broad Street, Edenton.
Construction Begins On New Chowan Hospital; Donations Continue
The first spade of earth was turned
Monday afternoon, getting the nearly
$2-million Chowan Hospital construction
underway. At the same time contribu
tions from individuals, industry and civic
groups continued to be received towards
the extra funds drive.
Jesse L. Harrell, hospital board chair
man, spoke briefly to several interested
people who gathered at the site on High
way 32 at 3 P. M., Monday.
“A lot of hard work has been done by
a lot of people to make this event possi
1 'enton, Chowan County, North Carolina, Thursday, May IS, 1969.
Baxley was noti
fied last week of
his selection to rep
resent Edenton and
Chowan County at
the School for the
Gifted. The sum
mer session lasts for
six weeks.
The selection of
Baxley was based on
his academic record,
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Dail joined the group as councilman-at
large.
W. J. P. Earnhardt, Sr., and James P.
Ricks, Jr., incumbent members of the
utilities board took the oath again as did
James M. Bond, town treasurer.
Retiring Mayor John A. Mitchener,
Jr., made a tearful exit from town gov
ernment. He had served for 18 years—
the last 10 as Mayor. He presented the
town a handsome corner cupboard and
silver service. They were accepted for
the town by Administrator W. B. Gard
ner.
In an informal, moving statement, the
Mayor said he willed his successor a
police department that has high efficien
cy; an exceptional fire department; as
well as a street department about which
the town receives many fine comments.
Turning to the administration, Mayor
Mitchener said: “I don’t think there is
any that exists to top this department.”
Mayor Mitchener has been known to
treat councilmen to ice cream following
lengthy sessions. On the lighter side,
he said one councilman (Parks) has
Continued on Page Four
Chowan’s Unemployment Rate Low
There continues to be a definite need
for workers in Edenton area industry,
according to Neil E. Thagard, manager
of Edenton Employment Security office.
The unemployment rate among in
sured workers in the area dropped to a
low of slightly over 1 per cent for the
month of April, Thagard said. There is
a shortage of workers in construction,
farm equipment operators and plant
laborers.
During April, the local employment
office placed 153 persons in jobs but
only had 89 new applications for em
ployment. Contact was made with 78
employers to seek jobs for older work
ble,” Harrell said. He said this was the
day many had looked forward to and
we’re just as happy as we can be, he
added.
He then presided over the shovel with
moral assistance from Dr. Edward G.
Bond, chief of staff; Thomas Surratt, ad
ministrator; and Atwood Skinner of Wil
son, architect.
Harrell then passed out souvenir shov
els to officials attending.
The 61-bed institution is expected to
be completely in approximately 18
th* first sbor*l of dirt at th* sit*. Shown With H*rr*U uo, toft to right Atwood Skfamar. 1
*? od V* a * Thomas Surratt Edonton Lions Club Monday night b*cam* lb* first dsie club to
a contribution to th* fund drir*. Harrell accepts th* ch*ck to furnish *n* room from W. i. Taylor,
Looking on is Lm Kalkavack. club president.
School Budget Compiled
Without Increase In Tax
Edenton-Chowan Board of Education
has adopted a proposed budget for fis
cal 1969-70 which will not require an
increase in the local levy for schools.
This was revealed Monday night at a
meeting of the board.
While the budget is some $70,000
higher than the 1968-69 figure, the
Merchants Plan
Spring - O - Rama
Spring-O-Rama, four big shopping
days in Edenton, will begin Wednesday
with approximately 30 merchants par
ticipating.
The big sales promotion, with cash
prizes, entertainment, downtown displays
and a gigantic sale, is being sponsored
by the Merchants Committee of Eden
ton Chamber of Commerce. It will be
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sat
urday, May 21-24.
One participant—First National Bank
of Eastern North Carolina—will play a
unique role in the Spring-O-Rama. They
will tie the Edenton-Chowan County in
dustrial family into the downtown
event.
For the first time, citizens will be able
to view products made by 10 local in
dustrial firms in a single showroom. The
lobby of First National will house these
Continued on Page Four
Banquet Monday
Today (Thursday )is the deadline to
acquire tickets to Monday’s Varsity Club
Banquet at which time athletes at John
A. Holmes High School will be honored.
The banquet begins at 7 P. M., at
the Jaycee Community Building on Base
Road.
C. Z. Shackelford, president, will pre
side and John Lotz, assistant cage coach
at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, will be the keynoter.
ers, and youth and disadvantaged.
The local office, in addition to job
placement, offers aptitude testing and
employment counseling.
School youth desiring employment for
the summer months should visit the em
ployment office as soon as possible. Em
ployers who can possibly employ some
of the students during the summer are
encouraged to call the ESC office to
discuss their needs.
Any employers who desire to train
persons through the local Manpower
Development Training Act and on-the
job training should contact the office
for details of the program.
months. The existing 35-bed hospital
will be converted to a long-term care
unit and when the complex is completed
Chowan Hospital will have nearly 125
beds in three units.
“We’ll have some goodies and invite
you all back for a big opening,” Harrell
said of the completion of the facility.
Monday night, Edenton Lions Club
set the pace for other civic organizations
when they presented the hospital a check
covering furnishing one room. They are
the first such group to respond to the
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county’s part is up only $40,000.
N. J. George, a member of the budget
committee, told fellow board members:
“The biggest thing here is no tax in
crease for schools.” The largest portion
of the increase comes in a $25,000 in
crease from the federal government for
the lunchrooms.
The budget contains salary increases
in line with what is expected to be ap
proved by the General Assembly.
Also, it contains items for an athletic
director for the system, a woman’s phy
sical education supervisor, and working
assistant principals for all but one
school.
“We’re fortunate to be in a growth
county,” George pointed out. He said
last year the levy was based on a valu
ation of $29-million while this year it
will be based on s3l-million. “We’re
a growing county and it should con
tinue,” he added.
During the harmonious meeting, over
which Chairman Dr. Edward G. Bond
presided, the board approved summer
programs. Headstart will be held in
conjunction with N. C. State University
with 25 teachers and two counselors. It
will operate for four weeks and allow
teachers to work with minority groups
Continued on Page Four
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BELK SCHOLARS—Three students from
the Edenton area were among 36 in 18
states to receive Belk Foundation scholar
ships. Alton G. Elmore, left, Belk Tyler
manager here, is shown with Martha Jane
Evans of Perquimans; Matthew Garrett of
Chowan; and Rosemary Holmes of Holmes
School in Edenton. It was the first time in
history three grants have come through a
single store and for the students to repre
sent three different schools in the store's
area- Nearly 1,000 competed for the SSOO
grants.
funds campaign. Others are expected to
follow.
Surratt said he is most appreciative
of the interest the club has shown in
the drive. “They are taking up the
tenor of community spirit and the hos
pital board greatly appreciates this,” he
said.
At the same time it was reported that
United Piece Dye Works joined other
industries in supporting the drive. Joe
Gaino, plant manager, presented a SI,OOO
check to the fund.
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