Tune'For Profits
The 1973 N. C. Travel Survey
shows that travelers and toursits
spent an estimated total of $955.5-
million in this state. State
residents spent $544.5-million,
while the remaining portion of
travel expenditures, s6ll-million
or 64 per cent ot the total, were
spent by out-of-state visitors.
Travel expenditures in Chowan
County in 1973 has been placed at
$1.7-million.
The report caused Gov. Jim
Holshouser to remark that travel
is essential to the economy of Tar
industry to the state not only
because of the significant amount
of revenue generated each year
but also because it is an attractive
industry,” he noted.
We like to call revenue
generated by tourism as
"smokeless dollars”. It is obvious
that we are not getting our share
of them along the Public Parade.
Realization of this fact has
caused Historic Edenton, Inc., and
the Edenton Historical
Commission to seek new
directions. Some of them are
reported elsewhere in today’s
edition. '
Edenton and Chowan County
have more to offer tourists than any
area south of Williamsburg, Va.,
and east of •the Outer Banks. We
have a living history unequaled on
the East Coast. But if the motoring
public doesn’t get the message
then we aren’t going to get them to
stop off for a day or two when they
are on the road.
We live in a mecca of cultural
and historical resources, yet we
have continued to be so engrossed
in our own thing that we have
neglected to emphasize the
positive.
Some of the things which now
appear to be happening are good
signs for the future. It is not too
late since people are becoming
increasingly more interested in
their heritage. And if we do a
better job of tooting our own horn
then the cash registers will play a
more profitable tune.
Before The Fact
We want to commend the four
dentists along the Public Parade
for their unusual program
Wednesday which provided
fluoride treatments for the sixth
graders in Chowan County.
At the same time we want to
defend our decision which resulted
in photos being used in reporting
the story all being taken at the
office of but one of the
participants.
Wednesday mornings are not
the best organized around this
newspaper office as we go about
getting the paper together. We
have a standing rule of not taking
assignments, unless they are of an
unusual nature, on Wednesdays
because as a general rule we
couldn’tget them in the paper until
the next week.
However, rules are made to be
broken. With Dr. Hines’ office
practically next door we did just
that. We are sure Drs. Horton,
Homthal and Sick understand but
for those who might read
something into the coverage which
isn’t there we wanted to get there
before the fact.
Profit Incentive
Todays farmer is a highly
sophisticated money manager and
businessman whose best incentive
for greater food production is
profit.
In today’s modern agriculture
there is no other way to get
production than through
incentives for profit. And to have
profit the farmer must be
permitted to sell whatever he
produces wherever he can sell it.
Yet, we have well-intentioned
people almost on a daily basis
publicly advocating that
' American agriculture produce
only for Americans.
If formers in America were
limited to producing only for the
needs of foie country we would
ttwjrnow produce tor the Ui. and
School Board Requests Referendum
THE CHOWAN lERALD
Volume XU.—No. 6. Edenton, North Carolina, Thursday, , ary 6, 1975. Single Copies 10 Cents.
IHHHii FOB
FIGHTING TOOTH DECAY —Some 254 sixth graders from schools throughout Chowan County
participated in a fluoride treatment project Wednesday sponsored by four Edenton dentists. At left
an unidentified student is given a cup of orange juice by Mrs. Marie Revel. Later, Dr. Richard Hines
explained the treatment process. Below, Mrs. Joyce Bunch and David Wayne Byrum appear to be
enjoying the entire process.
- pr "
■HP
Physicians Oppose Rezoning
Five of the seven physicians at
Chowan Medical Cepter have
directed a letter to the Planning &
Zoning Board of the Town of
Edenton in opposition to rezoning
property on Highway 32 at the new
US 17 by-pass. A request is before
the town council to rezone the
property to commercial in order
that a shopping center might be
developed.
Following a public hearing on the
request at the council meeting on
January 14, the matter was
tabled for 30 days to allow
councilmen to gain additional
Story To Be Told
Edenton Historical Commission
and Historic Edenton, Inc. are
preparing to take their story out
of-town, through the assistance of
the Regional Development
Institute at East Carolina
University.
Two members of the RDI staff
met Friday with the executive
Committee of the historical
commission and the Planning &
Restoration Committee to receive
reports on various activities in the
area.
Oscar Edwards said RDI would
assist in seeking possible sources
of funding for operating funds of
Historic Edenton. This will be
done after data is obtained and put
into a form for presentation to
foundations and other possible
funding sources.
Edwards explained that the
RDl’s primary interest is in
improving the economy of Eastern
North Carolina and this can be
done in this area through
promotion of tourism.
Mark Simpson, the other staff
member assigned to the project by
Thomas Willis, director, provided
some statistics on travel revenues
and some possible methods of
getting more people to travel to
Edenton and the region.
Mrs. J. Emmett Winslow of
Hertford, chairman of the
Planning & Restoration
Committee, said efforts would be
made to reveiw the past 25 years
and chart a course for future
efforts.
W. B. Gardner, the first
chairman of Historic Edenton,
explained how R was established
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information.
Copies of the doctor’s letter to
Charlie W. Swanner, Planning &
Zoning Board chairman, were sent
to Mayor Roy L. Harrell and the
eight councilmen.
Drs. Richard Hardin and W.
Landis Voigt did not sign the
letter. Those who did sign the
letter were: Drs. Edward G Bond,
David O. Wright, Bernie B. Baker,
Robert E. Lane and C. Clement
Lucas.
Following is the next of the
letter:
“We the undersigned members
of the Chowan Medical Center are
requesting your strong
consideration in keeping this area
zoned as is. We feel that rezoning
to commercial the area between
theExtendedCareFacility-Medical
Center-Hospital Complex and the
bypass would, in the long run, not
be advantageous for our
community. This is of particular
concern, at this time, since there
is consideration about building
new medical facilities for the
physicians in this area and
possibly re-locating the ‘Health
Department’ in this location as
well.
“Our additional concern is that
a ‘commerciaP approach to
Edenton from the bypass would
greatly detract from Edenton’s
reputation as a historical and
tourist attraction area. We believe
that the present commercial
facilities - such as super markets,
etc. are more than ample for
Edenton at this time.
“Although realizing that most
all communities have problems
with zoning of streets to bypasses,
certainly allowing a ‘Fort Bragg’
approach to Edenton would be
sad.
“Thank you for your
consideration.”
Bloodmobile Visit
A quota of 125 pints has been set
for the Red Cross Bloodmobile
visit scheduled here February 10.
The bloodmobile will be at
Edenton Baptist Church. The new
hours are 12-noon until 5:30 P.M.
' Gary Anderson, Jaycee
volunteer chairman, said it is
important that the bloodmobile
receive a good response since
recent quotas have not been met.
Students Get
Treatment
Four dentists in Edenton
observed National Child Dental
Health Week Wednesday by
treating sixth graders in all county
schools to a treat and a
treatment.
Drs. Richard Hines, J. H.
Horton . Allen Hornthal and Lonnie
Sick gave fluoride treatments to
some 254 students from Edenton-
Chowan Schools and Chowan
Academy.
But there was more. It gave the
dentist an opportunity to give a
brief lecture to the students on
proper dental care.
When students arrived for this
unique program they were treated
to orange juice while the
respective dentist lectured about
dental* care. And while this was
going on they were advised that
the fluoride came in five flavors of
their choosing orange, grape,
raspberry, lime and bubblegum.
They could take their pick.
After the four or five minute
treatment the students were given
an apple as evidence of their good
behavior
For many it was their first trip
to the dentist. Therefore, there
was some general persuasion and
Continued on Page 4
Funds Allocated For Medical Program
PLYMOUTH-Region “R”
Emergency Medical Services
Council allocated some $24,000 to
rescue squads and hospitals to
purchase equipment. These funds
will be matched on the local level.
The decision was made by the
council to have a 50-50 match in
order to make the available fund
go further in the 10-county region,
according to Bill Griswold,
coordinator.
Council members and
DISCUSS EMS—Three of the four legislators from the First
District attending a meeting Friday night of Region “R”
Emergency Medical Services Council. Seated are, from left, Rep.
Stanford White, Rep. Vernon James and Sen. Melvin Daniels.
Standing are Council Chairman Murray Ashley, left, and Harold
McKinney of the Albemarle Hunan Resources Development
System.
Commissioners Show Doubt
Os County’s Financial Ability
Chowan County commissioners
Monday were presented a petition
from Edenton-Chowan Board of
Education calling for a $4-million
school bond referendum on May 6.
The petition, bearing the names of
all seven school board members,
was presented by Dr. Eddie West,
superintendent, and Eugene
Jordan, chairman.
Questioned by the
commissioners, Dr. West said the
school board was unanimous in its
decision. Later in the meeting at
least two commissioners indicated
they had talked with one or more
school board members who were
not in favor of the referendum at
this time.
In response to a question from
Commissioner N. J. George, it was
Membership
Drive Begins
The Cupola House Association
opened its 1975 membership drive
this week with the goal of raising
$15,000 for completion of a formal
garden. Although business and
corporate contributions are
sought, Mrs. Marcia Crandall,
association president, expects
most tax deductible contributions
to come from local citizens
wishing to support the association
in its work toward construction of
the garden.
A contact for grading and fence
construction has recently been let
to Edenton Construction Company
and work on that phase of the
garden project will begin in the
near future.
Proceeds from the membership
drive now in progress will be used
for walkways and landscaping.
The Cupola House Association
has over the years purchased
much of the property shown in the
original plat. This will allow for a
garden of roughly the same
dimensions and configuration as
shown in the 1769 Sauthier map.
“’’’Since no documentary or
archaeological evidence has been
found to determine the types of
plantings used in the original
garden, landscaping will be done
in accordance with customs of the
18th century, Donald Parker,
Colonial Williamsburg landscape
architect, has drawn the garden
plans.
Contributions can be made to
the Cupola Association, 121 West
King St. Edenton N. C. 27932
representatives of rescue squads
crowded into the cafeteria at
Washington County Hospital to
discuss the 81-hour training course
and discuss proposed legislation
with Sen. Melvin Daniels, and
Reps. Vernon James and Stanford
White.
Rep. James has introduced a bill
to push back by two years the date
of mandatory certification and to
provide a “grandfather clause”
for certified ambulance
revealed that the board had an
option on a site off Highway 32 in
the vicinity of Valhalla. It was
explained that more definite
information concerning the
proposed building program would
be provided the commissioners at
a joint board meeting set for
February 19.
Chairman C. A. Phillips said it is
a lot of money for Chowan County
and would require about $400,000
per year in tax revenue to repay
the bonds and interest over a 22 to
23 year period. “Such a debt is
over-bearing for Chowan County,”
the chairman said.
He went on to point out that it
would bring the county’s debt ratio
to valuation to more than 5 per
cent, which is nearly double that
of the heaviest indebted county in
the state.
“The commissioners must
consider the financial stability and
financial future of the county,” he
added.
The commissioners said any
discussion of the issue must be
related to the county’s tax base of
SIOO-million valuation.
Dr. West said the new
consolidated school would have
approximately 800 students, would
allow for Swain and White Oak to
be phased out and provide for
better education for all the
children.
George pointed out that while
the tax levy per SIOO valuation is
now 70 cents it would require an
additional 40 cents just to pay off
the $4-million debt.
Jordan told the board he had
figured what the program would
cost him. “And is a sizeable
figure,” he said, “but I still
believe it is a good investment. We
must give our children the best
possible education and make them
better citizens.”
The school board chairman
asked that the commissioners let
the people decide on the issue.
The commissioners commended
the school board for doing the->
Continued on Page 4
Boating Course
Edenton Flotilla 16-3 of the U. S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary is
sponsoring a safe boating course
which begins Tuesday night. The
course consists of 12 lessons.
The sessions will be held at John
A. Holmes High School. The
course is open to the public.
attendants who have been active
in a squad for five of the past six
years.
The council agreed to study the
bill and make recommendations
to Rep. James at a later date.
Rep. James was critical of the
1973 bill which made the course
mandatory. “The fewer laws we
have restricting people the
better,” he said
Most of those-who spoke of the
training program agreed that it
was a good course, but almost to
the man were critical of it "being
rammed down our throats ’.
Capt. Marion Bunch of Edenton-
Chowan Rescue Squad said it was
“a wonderful course and I enjoyed
it. If I didn’t pass it I’ll keep trying
until I do or I’ll worry someone to
death.”
Griswold said there are now 130
people in the region with state
EMT certification and 50 awaiting
results of their test.
Murray Ashley, council
chairman, said the group is
looking ahead to see great things
happening in the region.
James Lewis, executive director
of Albemarle Human Resources
Development System, said EMS
has brought him
satisfaction. ‘‘The graerj /
satisfaction is seeing the counvL /
function and operate and achieve
their goal. I am proud of what has
been accomplished and you have
done it yourself.’’
Harold McKinney, assistant
AHRBS director, said the function
of the executive agent is to assist in
any way possible. He encouraged
the various rescue units to lean on
die systems when assistance is
»—i
necaea.