Public Parade Business As Usual The proliferation of' false rumors about activities along the Public Parade continues to aggravate efforts to return the community to peace and harmony. Spiteful efforts to completely disrupt the normal scheme of things, however, appear to have failed. Except for the law enforcement agencies, the atmosphere of “business as usual” prevails in downtown Edenton. Pickets have been bothersome, but orderly. Therefore, there is no sign of hostility in the commercial district. And there are those who would lead you to think everything has ground to a halt in Edenton. It just isn’t a fact. Leaders of the entire community have not passed up a single opportunity to discuss recent problemscaused by outside agitators. Nevertheless, they stand four-square against being pressured into hasty actions and or decisions. There is, however, a genuine expression of concern and an awareness of the seriousness of an otherwise insignificant problem which could be touched off by a single thoughtless act. It is because of this that it is incumbent on everyone to return to good reasoning and get on with the task of making meandering along the Public Parade a completely wholesome experience. Too, the majority of the students in local schools have responded positively to an appeal by Edenton-Chowan Board of Education to curb absenteeism. All of this speaks well of the citizenry hereabouts. There is not a single disagreement, regardless of how big or how small, that we have been unable to resolve in a spirit of fairness. Local people have a responsibility to settle local matters, but to be allowed to do it in an atmosphere of calm, not under threats of violence. People of all stations in life along the Public Parade are to be commended for their demeanor in the past weeks. Meanwhile, people from outside the community who have absolutely nothing to lose, other than saving face, continue to beat their gums. Thankfully sterling characters are most often difficult to compromise. Recreation Potential Good A new era in organized recreation began this week when Roy Winslow became director of the Edenton Parks and Recreation Department. In this position he will also organize and coordinate a program for the entire county. It was quite an expression of mutual cooperation recently when the Town Council and Chowan County commissioners pgreed to fund a joint program. There has been a summer recreation program in Edenton for many years; quite a successful program, as a matter of fact. From Mr. Winslow’s “Recreation Update” column appearing elsewhere in today’s paper, it appears that he has been quick to utilize the nucleus which existed here. Chowan County has excellent facilities and potential for a countywide recreation program which could become a model for the area. But Mr. Winslow, on a limited budget of $21,000, cannot be expected to perform miracles. The director possesses credentials which are highly diserable. Given adequate time, money and citizen support, the new era in organized recreation along the Public Parade can be beneficial and a source of pride for everyone--especially the taxpayers who are picking up the tab- Those who would be -quick to criticize can do the program a great service by being patient while the director establishes a foothold in Edenton before expanding to other areas along the Public Parade. Fatten The Treasury Although it cost North Carolina taxpayers ova: $2.5-million last year to clean trash and litter left by careless travelers along our roadsides, only 26 persons in the Continued on Pago 4 I I 1 c ' } I - v ' "3 .y. TO®.-' - " i m £ m luV) I Ia ° H H CO damage ; were reported i,n the county, so he assumed that it dissipated soon after passing through Eden ton. Tornados occun seasonally and he reported that during the past week approximately 200 occurred throughout, the country Unusual weather patterns seem to be the cause of these distvarbances. For now, the si tuation'’appears to be clear, but some thunderstorm activity may be expected. While clean-up operations are underway in the western portion of the state. Ea stern No rth Carolina has continued to carry the brunt of foul weather present since the Memorial Day wee kend. In Greenville a small tornado was sighted, Tuesday. Damages were light and no injuries were reported. High \ vinds in Columbus and New Hanover counti es were reported. Again, there were no injuries. As of Tuesday, the death count had risen to eight, including a nine-month-old ch ild, her f ather and brother. They were on the missing list. The office of Governor Jim Holshouser has stalled that e*x>p damages presently amount to over $2-million. \ V