Ex-Commissioner Employed
County Tax Now Temporary
THE CHOWA3NMERALD
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Volume XXXVII.—No. 26.
|Jitbiir parade
Jagcees Again
Edenton Jaycees, never content to do
things by the numbers, have again tak
en the lead in a mammoth project.
They are spearheading efforts along
the Public Parade to rid Edenton Bay
and Chowan River of old fish net stakes.
Robert Dail said Jaycees were joined
Saturday by Edenton Police Department
and Wildlife Commission personnel in
a roping operation. The take? How’s
34 stakes, two trees, a railroad tie and
two stumps for openers? And they had
but five boats.
Another clean-up detail will cast off
from Edenton Marina at 8 A. M., Sat
urday and all willing hands are wel
come.
Remember, the stake you rope may
be the one you would have hit.
Doctor Looks At Abbrtion
Dr. N. M. Camardese of Norwalk,
Ohio, has spoken out recently on abor
tion and what he says merits our at
tention.
Out of the background of his experi
ence, Dr. Camardese asks the following
questions: “What naive body of legis
lators, doctors or philosophers can pre
dict the ultimate outcome and the con
tribution to mankind of any person, re
gardless of how maimed or malform
ed’- he might be? Who is to be re
sponsible for the killing of future
Beethovens or Helen Kellers?
“Do such people think for a moment
that they,like Hitler, can create a mas
ter race? Has man become God, that
he dares to think he has the right to
take the life of an innocent, helpless
human being?”
Concludes Dr. Camardese: “What
sordid laws would grant these powers!
The intellectuals who propose them
have lost those qualities usually found
in human hearts.”
The right to life is the most basic
right we have, the key to all our other
rights.
The Goose And The Straw
Medicaid, hailed as the goose to lay
a golden egg for the aged, may become
the straw which broke through county
governments’ budget armor. For the
General Assembly is proving that it
can taketh away at a more rapid pace
than it giveth.
In short, recent welfare legislation
could cost Chowan Hospital upwards to
$150,000 per year. And it doesn’t take
a sharp pencil to figure this to be more
than 40 cents on the tax rate along
the Public Parade, if the hospital ex
periences such a gigantic deficit.
Robert Hendrix, county director of
Social Services, told commissioners Mon
day he had been notified that effective
August 1, 1971, any person with an in
come of more than slls per month
could not qualify for but 10 days of
Medicaid.
One county commissioner said he
couldn’t see where it is a problem for
the county. To which Hendrix asked:
“Who is going to pay the bill? These
patients are the county’s responsibility
according to law.”
Commissioner C. A. Phillips, a hos
pital board member, pointed out the
local unit has 34 patients in extended
care units on Medicaid: “This poses a
serious problem to the hospital in this
county,” he said frankly.
It must be noted that while Chowan
Hospital may not experience any tre
mendous loss in revenue from Medicaid
patients from this county, the hospital
accepts patients from surrounding coun
ties. The county is now in the hospital
business, and regardless of where the
responsibility rests, if Chowan Hospital
doesn’t operate in the black then it is
going to reflect in the tax rate.
Thomas M. Surratt, hospital admini
strator, said the 10-day limit on patients
in the acute unit for the past fiscal
year would amount to a loss of $28,032.
If the same formula is applied to the
extended care units, then feed in an
additional $109,200. That is a lot of
jpput and unfortunately, the output is
*^ arently ar '
Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina, ---.today, July 15, 1971.
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Scholarship Recipient —Scarlet Bunch Monday night was present
ed the Ryland Ruritan scholarship. She is shown here Math her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Bunch of Ryland, and L. B. Taylor,
club vice president, who M r as pinch hitting for Eugene Jordan at
this dinner meeting. The club annually gives a grant to a senior
at Chowan High School M r ho excels in scholarship and citizenship.
Scarlet graduated third in her class and had a high school average
of 92.53.
By-Pass Hearing Is Slated
State Highway Commission will hold
a public hearing at 2 P. M. on August
17 on the proposed design of the U. S.
17 by-pass of Edenton. The hearing
will be held in the Municipal Building.
This is the second public hearing on
the proposed major highway construc
tion in Chowan County. The hearing
will consist of an explanation of the
proposed design, the right-of-way re
quirements and procedures, and reloca
tion advisory assistance.
Notice of the hearing was posted by
D. V. Patrick of Ahoskie, division engi
neer, and will be conducted by R. W.
McGowan of Raleigh, assistant chief en
gineer.
State Highway Commissioner Joe
Nowell of Winfall has announced earlier
that the Edenton by-pass has been ap-
Budget Is Settled
After slashing $16,000 from antici
pated revenue, Edenton-Chowan Board
of Education Monday night adopted a
$417,270.42 budget in funds from local
sources for school operations for fiscal
1971-72.
Cutting the budget by line item by
$16,000 was deferred until the August
meeting, however, pending allocation
of teachers by the state.
Explained Supt. F. L. Britt, “we
still do not know what the state allot
ment teachers will be for the new
year, nor in what areas. While u r e
have something we could pin point to
cut, I’d like to wait until the allotment
was known.”
Vote on the new budget slash and
adoption of the final budget was not
unanimous. Dr. Ed Bond, vice chair
man, opposed the final figures and ex
pressed the view it was “cutting short
services we need.” He said he thought
the county commissioners were “under
estimating our needs—l can’t estimate
Continued on Pago 4
Guides Will Stay
Rep. Walter B. Jones has announced
that waterfowl hunting on Mattamu
skeet Lake Refuge in Hyde County,
would continue to be administered by
the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commis
sion, and that the guide system which
had been utilized over the years would
continue to prevail during the 1971-72
hunting season.
Much concern has been expressed in
recent weeks by sportsmen throughout
North Carolina and the Eastern Sea
board over a possible take-over by the
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife,
U. S. Department of Interior which
would eliminate the guide system, he
noted.
Confirmation of the hunting policy
for the 1971-72 season wps received
by Rep. Jones on July 8 in a communi
cation from C. Edward Carlson, region
al director, Bureau of Sport Fisheries
and Wildlife, Atlanta, Ga. '
proved by State Highway Commission,
with funds earmarked for construction.
The most recent delay in calling the
right-of-way hearing was a new federal
requirement for an Environmental Im
pact Study which has successfully been
completed. Such a study was necessary
because federal as well as state funds
will be required.
The proposed project begins at the
Chowan River bridge; thence on new
location bypassing Edenton on the north
and tieing into existing U. S. 17 near
the Chowan-Perquimans county line.
The location is the same as presented
at the corridor public hearing on Feb
ruary 23, 1970, in Edenton.
The proposed design consists of a
two-lane highway on a right-of-way for
a future four lane divided highway.
Plans call for the only interchange on
the by-pass to be at Highway 32, north
of Edenton. The right-of-way required
Mill be . variable and the access fully
controlled.
Town Law Passed
The Town of Edenton’s streets and
sidewalks measure has passed the Gen
eral Assembly and is now law. In ef
fect, the town no longer is required to
obtain a petition to construct a street or
sidewalks and the property owners are
liable for the cost.
The local bill, introduced in the
House of Representatives by W. T. Cul
pepper, Jr., of Elizabeth City at the re
quest of Town Council, was ratified
July 7.
This i$ the third local measure to be
approved in the General Assembly spe
cifically for Edenton and Chowan
County. One law enables the county
commissioners and ABC Board to joint
ly employ a law enforcement officer.
The other calls for a referendum on a
charter charge which would abolish the
Board of Public Works in Edenton.
Yeopim Baptist Church’s Anniversary is Sunday
Lit p
Single Copy 10 Cents
Dallas Jethro, Jr., Route 2, Edenton,
Monday was named to a “temporary po
sition of tax supervisor for Chowan
County. Jethro, an ex-county com
missioner, was appointed to fill the
post vacated recently by Sherlon C.
Layton.
Jethro’s salary for the part-time po
sition will be the same as Layton
drew 52,284 annually.
Commissioner N. J. George insisted
that it be made clear that it was a tem
porary pusition until such time as com
missioners could complete a study Os
county government which could lead
to “consolidation of offices or a mana
ger.” The other commissioners agreed.
Commissioner C. A. Phillips said In
talking with Jethro about the position,
he (Jethro) expressed the willingness to
work with the county until such time
as a definite plan could be achieved.
“He fully understands our position, hav
ing been on this board, and I am con
fident he will do an excellent job for
the county,” Phillips stated.
Commissioners, continuing their get
tough policy with Fdenton-Chowan
Board of Education, directed Chairman
J. Clarence Leary to write a letter to
Chairman Eugene Jordan of the school
board asking for a line item budget by
schools as well as a monthly report on
the financial condition of the schools,
including accounts paid.
The board approved the revenue
budget of the schools, subject to money
coming in from various anticipated
sources.
At the same time Commissioner
George said Mrs. Pansy Elliott, county
accountant, should work closely with
Supt. Bill Britt to see that the schools
have sufficient monies to keep their
bills paid on time.
(Last fall it was determined that the
schools were behind in payment of their
bills because they were given money
as taxes were paid. Commissioners
have instructed the county accountant
to get a monthly estimate from the
superintendent of how much will be
needed and the money will be advanced
accordingly).
Commissioner Phillips reported that
it is estimated to cost between $20,000
and $25,000 to air condition historic
Chowan County Courthouse. He was
instructed to. continue working toward
Continued on Page r 4
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Dallas Jethro, Jr.
Yeopim’s 200th Anniversary Sunday
Yeopim Baptist Church will celebrate
its 200th anniversary Sunday. Lunch
on the grounds will follow the regular
11 o’clock worship service.
Yeopim Church, now with a mem
bership of 131, was established in 1771
and was one of the six churches that
originated from the parent church,
Shiloh, located in Camden County.
Yeopim was also one of the first 10
churches of the old Kehukee Associa-
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... All In a Row— The photo
grapher beat the law’nmower to
this scene in the Fred Keeter
yard, South Granville Street.
The toadstools appear to be all
lined up for inspection. To Mrs.
Judy Earnhardt goes first prize
for her tip about this usually ar
tistic yard scene. It reminded
her of the Land of Oz. Oh, well!
2 Major Projects
Will Get Study
Two major projects in the Town of
Edenton have surfaced and been hand
ed to the Finance Committee for “in
depth” study before council action.
One is downtown beautification, the
other is development of a plan for the
waterfront.
Mayor George Alma Byrum said rea
lization of both projects could be great
ly speeded by federal funds. He said
it is now possible to spread the town’s
share over a period of two and maybe
three budget years, thus lessening the
burden on the tax rate.-
Town Administrator W. B. Gardner
said sidewalk construction from Queen
to Water streets could cost the town
as little as $23,434, according to pres
ent estimates. This would be brick-on
sand sidewalks, curb and guttering,
underground wiring and other beauti
fication. The total cost is estimated
at $69,500, with a 50 per cent federal
grant and participation by property
owners cutting greatly into the cost.
At the same time, Gardner said it is
estimated that it would cost the town
some $18,700 just to replace the exist
ing sidewalks with concrete.
It was pointed out that there is no
federal program for sidewalk construc
tion alone. But with a beautification
plan, it is possible to get 50-50 matching
funds.
The waterfront development discuss
ion started when representatives of
Waff Brothers, Inc., appeared to ob
ject to condemnation proceedings
Continued on Page 4
tion, which in later years divided and
all Baptist churches east of the Chowan
River became the Chowan Baptist Asso
ciation, of which Yeopim is the second
oldest member.
The association met with the church
in the years 1808 and 1844.
It is believed that the original log
church was built at the head waters
of the Yeopim River (and was known
as Yoppim Chapel) somewhere in the
vicinity of the present Bethel Baptist
Church.
In 1806 the church divided and a
log church of about 20 by 25 feet was
built 75 to 100 yards from the present
structure. The old log church was de
stroyed by fire, but a new church was
built on the same site soon afterwards.
The members of Yeopim Church
worshipped in this building for a few
years until the present church was con
structed in or around the year 1843,
with a membership of approximately
75. The old existing church was con
verted into a school house.
In 1954 the church suffered slight
damage from a chimney fire and in
the s?"*e year the old wood burning
stove was removed and gas heat was.
installed. In 1959 five new Sunday
School rooms were added. r
Invitations have been sent to former
pastors and prior members to join in
the commemoration. Dick Brewer,
current lay pastor, said the church is
planning for an attendance of abbot
150. v *
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