Mubltc faradr
■
Holding The Fairness Doctrine
Rep. Walter B. Jones of the First
Congressional District rarely “shows” in
our least favored morning daily of gen
eral circulation in Northeastern North
Carolina. j And. when he does make the
print it is usually in a form of criticism
or in a left-handed inanner.
Earlier this week the gliberal writers
in the ivory tower made it appear that
Rep. Jones had forsaken his popular
conservative position by being the only
member of the Tar Heel delegation in
the House to oppose the new political
spending law. However, the congress
riian’s opposition to the law is merely
consistent with his total commitment to
the sense of fair play.
The bill Rep. Jones opposed limits
candidates in federal elections to spend
ing no more than 10 cents per eligible
voter for advertising -on television, radio
and in newspapers. There is a $50,000
maximum placed on purchases from the
r media.
Rep. Jones was most sincere, we are
sure, when he pointed out such a lim
ijqtion would result in unfair competi
tion between incumbent candidates and
those who aspire to federal elected po
sitions. The incumbent for any office
has the definite advantage if it be
through past exposure alone. Ethical
reporting results in the incumbent get
ting free exposure another person more
than likely couldn't purchase at any
price. (In most newspapers, front,
page space isn’t for sale).
But the congressman limited advant
ages of incumbents to such things as
government-paid staffs, chop television
production facilities and free postage for
certain items sent to Constituents.
After redistricting by the 1971 Gen
eral Assembly, Rep. Jones’ total area in
square miles represented amounts to
12,244 —or nearly 20 per cent more than
i the entire State of Maryland, and
greater amounts of eight other states.
Also, there is a heavy concentration of
small daily and weekly newspapers
alone and even at their mod:st ad rate,.
$50,000 wouldn’t go very far.
By his opposition to the federal cam
paign spending law, Rep. Jones has again
demonstrated a trait which the people
of the First Congressional District ad
mire. He is not a politician’s politician;
but lie is about as people-oriented as
any man in the 17. S, Congress
His consistency as a polufcal figure
with a sense of fair play may not make
him many close friends in the gliberal
press, but they ain’t got the first vote
in the First District. Thank goodness
for such little blessings!
Area Needs Gates County
Commissioners in neighboring Gates
County have apparently made a deci
sion which will have momentous effect
on the Albemarle Area of. Northeastern
North Carolina. They have petitioned
to defect from the 10-county Region
“R,’’ and move across the Chowan River
into Region “Q.”
Such a switch at this time would cer
tainly damage the efforts of Albemarle
Regional Plaiyiing & Development Com
mission (ARPDC), the Albemarle Area
Development Association (AADA), the
N. (7. Rural Fund For Development
(NCRFD), Economic Improvement
Council (EIC), and the newly organized
Resource Conservation and Develop
ment Project (RC&D).
Continued on Page 4
1 % I I **&% | 5 ;
Valentine Sweetheart* —February 14 is the day set aside for lov
ers all over fliis nation. Getting in the mood for the occasion are
P* Little Stephanie Hampton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hamp
ton ®nd Brian Nixon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Nixon, both erf
Mexico Bond. Soon children will be sending Valentines to all the
special friends and wives and sweethearts will be receiving cards,
fk>w T ers and candy. (Candy in picture courtesy of Hollowell’s Rexall
Drug Store). . .' .
Action In Political Arena Quickens
With the deadline for filing t gie
May 6 Democratic primary electi /Sts
than two Weeks away, informatior.
who is not running is almost as
esting as announcements from » 3
dates. And in some instances, th -c ~
litical winds in Northeastern North
rolina are blowing up an odor \■■
suspicion. %
At home, activities in Chowan Cou. §
read like this:
John A. Mitchener, Jr., announced
H ■ wt T .. -
John A. Mitchener, Jr.
m THE CHOWAN HERALD SS
Volume XXXVIII—No. 6. Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina, Thursday, February 10, 1972 Single Copy 10 Cents
Board Given Site Report
The Chowan County Courthouse Site
Committee presented county commis
sioners with two proposed sites for a
new structure at the regular monthly
board meeting Monday.
The two sites proposed were: the site
where the existing county office build
ing is; and the Waff property on Water
Street to include the Albemarle Tire
Service Building.
West W. Byrum, chairman of the
committee, gave the following advan
Progress Reported
Edenton Savings & lioati Association
reached $7-million in assets at the end
of 1971, while paying $283,951 in divi
dends and making a total of $1,551,330
in loans to families in the community.
This was brought out by J. Clarence
Leary, president, at a recent stockhold
ers’ meeting.
Leary said the association had anoth
er very successful year and assets in
reased by $764,046 with savings being
up $657,163—t0 a high of $5,942,625.
The dividend paid amounted to an in
crease of nearly $40,000.
“In our efforts to assist the families
of our community to own their homes,
wc made 129 loans,” he reported.
Later he said: “The officers and di
rectors of your association perform
their duties under constant obligations,
first to our savers by providing a safe
place for their savings, then to the com
munity at large by making home loans
to qualified applicants. These thrift
and home financing services are vital
to the welfare of all communities and
it is a source of considerable pride that
this institution makes an important con
tribution in this area.
that he will be a candidate for nomina
tion to the General Assembly from the
new First House District.
C. A. Phillips, chairman of Chowan
County commissioners, says he will seek
another term. > (He filed at noon on
Wednesday).
J. Clarence Leary, Sr., the dean of
local politicians, has decided to call it
quits.
And, Dr. J. H. Horton, veteran mem
ber of Edenton-Chowan Board of Edu-
J. Clarence Leary
tages and disadvantages of both sites.
They were:
“We recommend the existing county
.office building be demolished and new
court facility be erected on this site.
Advantages are:
The county owns the hotel site and
no capital outlay would be needed to
purchase the site; the hotel site has
ample footage both width and depth to
build a courthouse, jail, and office space
for all necessary administrative ser
vices; the maintenance and upkeep, to
gether with the monthly utility costs,
would be less for one building than for
the same services in two separate build-
irigs and the present jailer’s home would
not have to be replaced; currently the
available parking space on the north
side of the building is adequate, but
later if additional space is needed, ade
quate space is available when needed;
and if the new building should be
valued at $300,000, including the site
valued at $50,000, grants of 80 per cent
would provide $240,000 plus $50,000
for the site making a total of $290,000
which would leave a small sum for the
county to provide.
Disadvantages of the site would in
clude possible lack of space if ample
parking is to be provided; possibility of
no funding if facility is to include county
offices; congestion of parking lot; deter
grant monies because of time involved
for demolition; problems in supplying
quarters for existing office facilities;
and increased cost if owned property
Continued on Page 4
Lowe Is Alternate
CHAPEL HILL Garry Freeman
Lowe, Route has been chos
en first alternate finalist in the bid for
1972 Morehead Awards to study at the
University of North Carolina here.
Lowe, a student at John A. Holmes
High School, is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
D. W. Lowe. ,
Included in District I finalists is John
Herbert Small of Elizabeth City, son of
Mr. and Mrs. John H. W. Small.
Finalists and alternates were selected
from 18 nominees representing 15 coun
ties in the district following interviews
February 3 in Williamston. Lorimer
Midgett of Elizabeth City, is chairman
of the district committee.
Local Sales Tax Collections Good
Chowan County placed second in
net collections of the local option 1
Kir cent sales tax during December,
et collections amounted to 114,253.08.
Pasquotank County led the seven
counties in the Albemarle Area who
levy the local option tax with net col
lections of $43,652.90.
Collections in other counties in
cluded:
Camden, $2,076.82; Currituck, $5,-
453.06; Perquimans, $6,650.56; Tyrrell,
$2,722.92; and Washington, $13,722.37.
G. A. Jones, Jr., new commissioner
of the N. C. Department of Revenue,
reported that net collections amounted
to $5,078,213.54 in the 64 counties
where the tax is levied. Mecklenburg
County led all the rest with collections
of $744,902.47, followed by Guilford
with $555,329.59; and Wake with
$506,854.51.
Chowan County and the Town of
By L. F. Amburn, Jr.
Gaorga Wood
cation, is running for re-election.
In the district, things are a little
more confusing. Such as:
Sen. George M. Wood .of Camden
announced Wednesday that he will not
be a candidate for re-election to the
State Senate.
The Chowan Herald learned from a
reliable source shortly after noon Wed
nesday .that House Speaker Phil Godwin
of Gates is giving serious consideration
to running for the Senate. Redistrict-
W. T. Culpepper, Jr.
Lowe Paid Honor:
Pierce Promoted
Economic Improvement Council. Inc.,
Tuesday night sponsored a testimonial
dinner for Roy L. Lowe, executive di
rector who has resigned to take an ad
ministrative position outside the region.
One of Lowe’s final duties was to an
nounce that the EIC board had earlier
in the evening promoted Wilbur G.
Pierce from deputy director to the po
sition of executive director. Also, Lowe
said the board had chosen Mrs. Mary
Reich as director of family planning.
Some 150 leaders from throughout
the 10-county Albemarle Area, EIC
board members and staffers gathered
in Edenton Jaycee Community Building
on Base Road for the dinner.
In his remarks, Lowe expressed ap
preciation for the remembrances and
cited program development as one of
the key accomplishments of EIC. “Co
operation is the real theme to com
munity and regional planning.” he
noted.
Lowe paid special tribute to Pierce,
who he described as the man who has
made things happen within the anti
poverty agency.
Mrs. Elizabeth Byrd of Edenton, EIC
Continued on Page 4
Area Meeting Set
At its February dinner meeting the
Albemarle Area Development Associa
tion will hear Rev. Edwin Williams of
Hertford discuss restoration of histoical
homes.
Melvin Hearn, recently appointed
state coordinator for the Coastal Plains
Regional Commission, is expected to at
tend as a guest of honor and to speak
briefly.
Committee chairmen will report on
plans and projects and Wesley Culli
pher, director of the Albemarle Region
al Development Planning Commission,
will discuss pending grants affecting
the area, according to L. F. Amburn,
Jr., president of the ADA.
The dinner will be held at the Holi
day Inn tonight (Thursday) starting at
7 o’clock. Reservations should be made
through Loyal Phillips, arrangement
chairman. The Elizabeth City phone
number is 335-0841.
Edenton received a total of $3,933.43
in the final distribution of $302,787
retained by the revenue department
for distribution at this time.
Chowan County’s share was $2,893.19
while the Town of Edenton received
$1,040.24. The report showed refunds
from the tax amounted to $4,134.06.
Other Albemarle Area counties who
shared in the distribution included:
Camden, $813.67; Currituck, sl,-
281.28; Pasquotank, $7,034.20 and Eliz
abeth City, $3,265.85; Perquimans,
$2,307.53, Hertford, $389.98, and Win
fall, $72.39; Tyrrell, $820.96 and Co- I
lumbia, $153.14.
Jones reports 72 counties (not includ
ing Mecklenburg) have imposed the 1
per cent local option sales tax. Sixty
nine of these counties already have
placed the tax into effect with two oth
ers making it effective March 1 and '
another making it effective on April 1,
C. A. Phillips
brfl#
luisjLt
Rep. PhU Godwin
i
ing in the* 1,971 General Assembly placed
Gates County in the Fifth House Dis
trict with Hertford, Bertie and Norths
ampton counties.
Rep. W. T. Culpepper, Jr., of Eliza
beth City, told The Daily Advance late
last week he would run for another two
year term. Meanwhile, he has under
gone surgery and was confined at press
time to the Intensive Care Unit at a
Norfolk, Va„ hospital.
Stanford White of Manns Harbor was
the choice of Dare County Democratic
Executive Committee to fill the unexpir
ed term of the late Rep. Archie Burrus
of Dare. White has suffered a heart
attack and is a patient in a Richmond,
Va., hospital awaiting surgery.
Sen. Ashley Futrell of Beaufort is
expected to announce as a candidate
from the First Senatorial District.
Sen. Wood’s carefully-worded state
ment added further speculation to the
rumor that he would side-step a three
way race with Sens. Futrell and J. J.
(Monk) Harrington of Lewiston and run
for the House of Representatives. How
ever, well-guarded sources said this ac
tion would hinge on Rep. Culpepper’s
recovery to the extent of becoming a
formidable contender.
In other words, Sen. Wood, who
might aspire to be Speaker of the
House, doesn’t want to enter a race
involving his close political ally, Rep.
Culpepper. This could well be the case
if Rep. Culpepper’s announcement was
a smoke-screen to give Sen. Wood some
breathing room.
Speaker Godwin was a potential can
didate for lieutenant governor and de
clared he would not seek a seat in the
new Fifth House District. However, he
bowed out of the state-wide race be
cause of what he considered the high
cost of such a campaign. He said at
the time he was still extremelv interest
ed in state government but did not in
dicate any future plans.
With 10 of the 14 counties in the
First Senatorial District making up the
Albemarle Area where Speaker Godwin
is quite popular, and with Sen. Wood’s
decision not to run, the source said
Godwin appeared on the verge of a
favorable decision.
Mitchener Announces
The First House District is composed
of Chowan, Perouimans. Pasquotank,
Camden, Currituck, Dare, Tyrrell and
Washington counties. The district is
allotted two representatives.
Mitchener, a local pharmacist, has
extensive business interests in Edenton
and Plymouth.
“I welcome the opportunity to serve
the people of this district—a district
composed of counties with a great deal
in common.” he stated. “It has been
my happy privilege over the years to
get to know many people from through
out the Albemarle Area, and I feel that
the knowledge I have gained about their
desires for a progressive future equips
me to be of service in the General As
sembly.”
Mitchener declined to seek re-election
as Mayor of Edenton in May. 1969. after
serving in that capacity for 10 years—a
period in which the town experienced
unprecedented growth. He served eight
years prior to that as a Town Council
man.
During, his tenure as mayor, he be
came active in the N. C. League of Mu
nicipalities, serving on the board, as
vice president and later as president.
Mitchener was chairman of the Albe
marle Area Planning Commission which
produced and published “A Region In
Transition—The General Development
Plan For The Albemarle Area.” This
regional plan is considered by authori
ties to be the most exhaustive and com
plete study of its type ever made.
“During the many months while data
was being compiled for this study com
mission report, I became even more
aware of the need for the 10 counties
in the Albemarle Area to project as a
unit, programs which will benefit the
entire region in which we live,” he
noted. “As a representative in the
General Assembly I would confer with,
and seek the wise counsel of, people
throughout the area and work for pro-
Continuad on Pago 4