Ex-Commissioner Employed County Tax Now Temporary THE CHOWA3NMERALD I* . >* I 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 \fflr 1 f ' -ff ■** ~ r ' mw 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- ♦if-*-* ■*- ViMMt 1 Hk Isl ... 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 * s.