Volume XXXVI—No. 24. >®?t '* * m^~~ > ***? • 7 § i cn a AhU C®s'i.ff "V“ fix" - *' 4 " YACHTING—A FUN SPORT—A big yacht passing another craft makes a pretty pic ture and more and more of it is being seen on area waters. This particular photograph was taken on Intercoastal Waterway between the Alligator and Pungo Rivers. The top inset shows Mayor and Mrs. George Alma Byrum as they enjoy the sun on a recent outing. Below, Capt. Bruce Jones keeps the "Nancy Lee" on course as Mr. and Mrs. Scott Harrell keep him company. (See Public Parade comment on boating). public parade Make Access Easier After years of crawling, Edenton has begun to walk toward its fair share of the tourist dollar. This smokeless buck has eluded us for far too long. Reports from Historic Edenton, Inc., show the cooperative efforts of associa tions, town, county and state govern ments, and influential individuals are beginning to pay dividends. People are driving in from throughout the country to enjoy the heritage we take for granted. Highway travel is not the only way to go. Yachting is becoming more and more a favorite pastime and we should cash in on it. Edenton is a natural stopping place for boaters looking for a weekend of fun. We are a nice day’s run from the Tidewater Area to the north and New Bern, etc., from the south. However, with all the water we have, our channel has filled up to the extent people with big pleasure craft are afraid to chance a mishap just to take a look see. Belhaven gets a lot of traffic be cause the government constructed a nice break-water 'just outside the docking area. The channel is deep and stays that way. Such a break-water in Edenton Bay would make our area more attractive, not to mention safer, for big boats. The channel of Pembroke Creek near Eden ton Marina could be deepened and we’d have a haven not found close around. A little prodding by Rep. Walter B. Jones might break loose some of the federal aid needed for such a program. Tie this in with Historic Edenton and stand back for the cash registers will begin to sing. Not Popular, But Justified Reality is not also easy to face. The easy way is to hide behind false notions and hope what you know to be the facts never make an appearance. This is what has been happening in the Town of Edenton for nearly two decades. Only once, six years ago when property was revalued, did municipal government get a needed windfall. The $1 tax rate per SIOO assessed valuation became an institution here. It did so when those in a position to know were well aware that some year they must face reality. Although valuation here has increased at about $250,000 per year, the efficient operation of the Electric & Water De partment allowed the council to trans fer more and more electric* revenue to the general fund. The coating has now gotten so thin on this “Sugardaddy” it has endangered continued efficiency and service of the utilities department. So, last Thursday night town council men took a bold step. They approved a proposed budget which requires a 20- cent tax increase. If it didn’t hurt so wtokno W the d facts know' Mpal ' THE CHOWAN HERALD Throng Expected For Air Festival The Jaycee-sponsored Air Festival, scheduled June 21-22 at Edenton Muni cipal Airport, has attracted national as well as local and statewide interest. Visitors to the event are expected from Wisconsin, Florida. Georgia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and many other states. Some enthusiastic flying buffs with their own planes will be flying to Edenton for the races, and many others will be driving in from far and near. Tom Foga, a Philadelphia accountant who numbers Seabrook Blanching Corp., here among his clients, is making spe cial arrangements to drive down with his family to attend the festival. Jaycee-sponsored projects of this type are of considerable benefit to our com munity, because of the many visitors that might not otherwise come to Eden ton, said Wallace Evans and Marvin Shaw, co-chairmen of the event. At any rate, they pointed out, the spotlight turned upon our fair city can do no harm, and who knows, may even stimulate the interest of some new indus try looking for a place to locate, as well as some of the older folks who are near ing retirement age. Continued on Page Four Barbecue Benefit A chapel is planned for the Arrow head Beach Community and the county’s strongest rural organization is helping out. Chowan Ruritan Club will sponsor a benefit barbecue chicken dinner June 21 at Oak Grove Community Building. Proceeds will go to Bandon Chapel at Arrowhead. Plates will be served from 5 P. M., to 8 P. M. Take-out orders will be fill ed during this time also. Tickets can be purchased from any member of the Ruritan Club. Delegates Are Named To Girls State Two rising seniors from Edenton- Chowan Schools have been chosen to at* tend Girls State. They are: Misses Pat Reaves of Edenton and Wanda Ward of Ryland. Mrs. Roy Leary, chairman of the com mittee for the sponsoring auxiliary of Edward G. Bond Post No. 40. American MISS REAVES MBS WARD Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina, June 12, 1969. Council Approves sl-Million Budget 20-Cent Tax Boost Voted For the first time in more than two decades Edenton Town Council has ap proved a budget which includes a tax rate in excess of $1 per SIOO valuation. The tax rate for fiscal 1969-70 has been set at $1.20. The proposed budget, for the first time in history, exceeds sl-million. It Three Charged By Police Three young Negroes—including a ju venile—have been placed under arrest in connection with recent break-ins and purse snatching incidents here. Police Chief J. D. Parrish identified two of the suspects as Lewis Honer Holley, 19, 107 West Peterson Street, and Roy Campella Woodard, 16, of Winfall. Chief Parrish said when arrested Hol ley had property in his possession be longing to Mrs. Edward Taylor while Woodard had driver’s license of Ruby Tynch. Both women had their pocket- Accessory Bought Few boat owners are content with a standard boat. Most buyers order fac tory-installed optional equipment at the time of purchase or add accessories later. Aristotle Onassis is no exception. Over a period of years he also has added ac cessories to his 325-foot yacht, “Chris tina”. Latest “accessory” is a 27-foot Chris- Craft Commander which the Greek ship ping magnate will use for short, get away-from-it-all jaunts and his own per sonal pleasure. The Commander is nam ed “Christina IV”. The Commander is an all fiberglass four-sleeper cruiser with single 230 HP or twin 200 HP engines, which is the version Onassis chose. Top speed with the latter is 38 MPH. This Commander was built at Chris- Craft’s plant on Albemarle Sound near Edenton "Municipal Airport. Other accessories reportedly aboard the “Christina”, which would be stand ard equipment for almost everyone else, are a small sailboat, two outboard boats, and an older Chris-Craft mahogany run about. In addition, the “Christina” car ries a seaplane and a small automobile. Roper Farmer Killed In Accident Roy Harrell Ambrose, 36, Route 1, Roper, was killed instantly Thursday afternoon when his pickup truck was in volved in a head-on collision with a heavily loaded log truck on U. S. 64 east of Roper. The impact of the wreck ripped the pickup cab from the chassis. Ambrose was pinned in the wreckage for more than two hours before rescuers could free him. State Trooper Jim Whitehurst, investi gating officer, identified the driver of the log truck as Samuel Booth, Route 1, Pantego. A passenger in the truck was Alton Joseph Waters of Pinetown. Booth was uninjured and Waters was treated at Plymouth Clinic and released. Booth told the officer the Ambrose truck swerved into the left lane and struck his truck head-on. The truck’s load of 35,000 board feet of logs was dumped into the center of the highway, busy with summer week- Legion, said the students will attend Girls State June 22-28 at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Miss Reaves, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. Reaves, is a student at John A. Holmes High School. Miss Ward’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Ralph B. Ward and she is a student | at Chowan High School. * i Girls State is a practical application ! of Americanism and good citizenship. The entire program is a non-partisan, non political attempt to teach and inocu , late in the youth of America a love of God and country, Mrs. Leary stated. , Chowan County has been represented at every session of the program over the last 30 years. The purpose of Girls State is to pro vide citizenship training for girls of high school age. totals $1,087,314.71. As in the past years, revenue from the Electric & Water Department is a major item. Mayor George Alma Byrum said for the first time in many years the council is not increasing the amount transferred from E&W revenue to the general fund. books taken at A&P during May. Holley is charged specifically with breaking and entering Elliott Cleaners, George Chevrolet, Colonial Motor Com pany, and Albemarle Motor Company. He is also charged with larceny of a car and adding machine from George Chev rolet, clothes from Elliott’s Cleaners, and cash from Colonial Motor Company. Woodard is charged with possession of stolen property. Chief Parrish said Holley and the juvenile were arrested at George Chev rolet Company early Saturday morning by Sgt. H. J. Lupton while they were in the process of stealing a 1969 model vehicle. Earlier in the night they al legedly entered Colonial Motor Com pany. Chief Parrish said investigation is continuing into other incidents which might involve the suspects. Local Bonds Sold News of the sale of sl-million in Cho wan County hospital bonds was received here Wednesday with mixed feelings. While there were those who were con cerned over the high interest rate, others were delighted that the bonds were sold so the project could continue. North Carolina National Bank was the sole bidder on the Chowan bonds, according to the Local Government Com mission. Other issues during the day brought as many as six bids. NCNB, in a managed account with Interstate Securities Corp., as a mem ber, purchased the hospital bonds at a net interest cost of 5.984 per cent. Yields on these bonds range from 5 per cent in 1970 to 5.95 per cent in 1990. The low bid was just a fraction of a per cent below the 6 per cent ceiling. Construction of the nearly $2-million medical facility is already underway. end traffic. The rig was owned by F. C. Howell & Son of Pinetown. Booth was going from Columbia to Pinetown. Mr. Ambrose was the son of Herbert and Nat Norman Ambrose and the hus band of Mary Bagley Ambrose. He was a lifelong resident of' Washington Coun ty, a farmer, and a commercial fisher man. He was a member of Scuppernong Church of Christ. In addition to his parents and widow, surviving are three daughters: Mrs Fay Phelps of Aurora, and Debra Nell and Brenda Lynn Ambrose of the home; three sons: Roy, Jr., Bill, and Gary Am brose of the home; two sisters: Mrs. Judy A. Goodman and Mrs. Charlie Phelps of Roper; and a brother, Wil liam H. Ambrose of Roper. Funeral services were held at Scup pernong church at 4 P. M., Friday with Mark Woolard in charge. Burial was in the church cemetery. i tu. WSM WHKNE OWE DIED—A pickup track and a loaded log truck coUded Thursday after noon near Roper leering Roy Harrell Ambrose, 38, Route 1. Roper, dead and causing STS' ft S i* >w P J*®*? Plctura ot the wreckage. The cab of the pickup was torn from the chassis and is shown at left Single Copy 10 Cents He said a reserve is needed in that de partment for projected improvements to the systems. The mayor said the new budget re flects increased town expenses—including a 10 per cent cost of living salary in crease for employees. He pointed out that Edenton is fortunate to have dedi cated, qualified employees and there is not much turnover. “The salary in crease is very well deserved,” he stated. Also, Mayor Byrum said everything purchased by the town has increased right along with everything else. In the past, he noted, more and more had been taken from the E&W profits to meet the needs. He added that the cost-price squeeze, experienced by individuals and business es, had caught up with the municipality. Os the total budget, the $1.20 property tax will bring in $129,546.36, little more than 10 per cent of the total amount. This is based on an assessed valuation of sll-million. The town will transfer $116,723.35 from E&W revenue to the general fund in order to balance the budget. The complete proposed budget appears elsewhere in today’s newspaper. Town of Edenton Budget Comparison Department 1968 69 1969-70 Administrative $ 30.696.00 $ 36.626.00 Fire - 33.715.60 37,106.27 Police 77,995.00 86,393.18 Street 127.937.75 149,313.26 Electric & Water 618,616.35 702.000.00 Miscellaneous 69.801.00 75,876.00 TOTAL $959,034.70 $1,087,314.71 Spruill At State For Conference Fred Spruill, Route 1, Edenton is representing Chowan County at the Re source Conservation Workshop in Ra leigh this week, according to Lloyd Bunch, chairman of the Chowan County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors who are sponsoring the youth at the event. JP mb* Fred Spruill State F.F.A. Forestry Camp. According to Bunch, those students attending will receive instructions in many phases of conservation and natural resources development including soil and water conservation, wildlife conserva tion, forestry and many others. In ad dition, a well-rounded recreational pro gram has been planned including com petitive sports activities and swimming. At the conclusion of the workshop, tests will be given and prizes awarded to those making the highest relative score. The workshop is being sponsored jointly by the N. C. Chapter of the Soil Conservation Society of America, the N. C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee with cooperation of many state and federal natural resource development agencies. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Spruill and will be a junior at Chowan High School next fall. He is active in the Future Farm ers of America, now serving as reporter for the chapter and has attended the