Th« Graduates
For the past several years this
newspaper, with the generous
sponsorship of local industry and
businesses, has printed the
pictures of the graduating classes
along the Public Parade. This
year is no different. They are
found elsewhere in this week’s
edition..
Each year’s crop of graduates is
important. It marks a significant
achievement in the lives of young
people who sometime, somewhere
will carry forward the torch of
leadership.
We have a special interest in this
year’s Senior Gass at John A.
Holmes High School. It centers
around our eldest daughter, Mara,
who is a member of the class.
Because of her we have become
to know a great many of the class
members personally. Within
exception they are among *the
finest young people we have ever
been fortunate enough to know. If
they are an example of the
character of the class, then the
harvest will be bountiful.
We want to be among those who
wish for everyone in the classes
hereabouts the best of luck and
every good fortune in the future.
So long as they strive for solutions
and not be satisfied with being a
part of the problem we are headed
in the right direction, v
Rights And Wrongs
The 10-county Albemarle Area
has been hailed from the
courthouse to the state house as
the area where regionalism has
worked. Unselfish people devoted
their time and talents to see that
the Albemarle was an exception;
an area where people pulled
together for a common cause.
In recent months things have
changed. Today the Albemarle
Regional Planning & Development
Commission is in deep, deep
trouble. Financial problems and a
bookkeeping snarl have caused
the Executive Board to freeze
funds. Some employees have not
been paid ipr five weeks.
V . —Jt’ontinued Da gage i .
Graduation Set
Oratory will prevail Friday
night as the graduating classes at
John A. Holmes and Chowan high
schools complete commencement
exercises.
The graduation exercise at
Holmes’ Hicks Field will begin
promptly at 7 P.M., according to
Principal Bruce McGraw.
A similar exercise at Chowan
High School will begin at 8 P.M.
McGraw said after the
graduating class has entered the
stadium all entrances but the one
on East Freemason Street will be
closed.
“It’s Hard to Say Goodbye to
Yesterday” is the theme at
Holmes. Valedictorians who will
give commencement speeches are
Pam Amick, June Byrum and
Marion Dail.
The Holmes Band and Concert
Choir will present special music.
At Chowan. Winston Dail, social
studies teacher, will deliver the
commencement address. Other
speakers will be Gary Byrum,
valedictorian, and Marta
Rogerson, salutatorian.
White Receiving FFA Honor
v The Honorary State FFA
Degree will be conferred upon
Everette S. White, Chowan High
School Vocational Agriculture
teacher, during the 48th State FFA
Convention, June 14-16, in Raleigh.
- ■ fL a \ ii
Board Looking At 80 Cent Tax Rate
Giowan County is moving
towards an 80 cent tax rate for
fiscal 1976-77, up 10 cents per SIOO
valuation from the current year.
In a special meeting Tuesday the
commissioners, in an often times
stormy exchange, put back into
the budget some $47,000 deleted by
the two-member Finance
Committee.
.. At the same time the board
recommended spending nearly
$14,000 for an adequate tax map of
the Cape Colony area. Dallas
Jethro, Jr., county coordinator,
said this would be the first step
toward obtaining correct maps of
the entire county*
Put back into the budget,
sometimes by 3-2 votes after
heated discussion, was:
Edenton Chamber of
Commerce, SI,OOO ($1,500 already
approved);
THE CHOWAN HERALD
volume XLII.—No. 24.
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L ,
VISITS INJURED POLICEMAN—Atty. Gen. Rufus Edmisten
visited Cpl. William Spruill, Jr., in Chowan Hospital on Saturday
morning. The policeman received bullet wounds in both legs last
week .in a shoot-out with a suspect in a bank robbery. The
attorney general expressed his appreciation to the policeman for
the professional manner in which he worked during the incident.
Police Identify Dead Suspect
A Negro man who took his own
life when law enforcement officers
cornered him following last
week’s armed robbery of a bank
here has been positively identified
as Edward Hamilton, 32, of
Riviera Beach, Fla., by the FBI.
Stanley D. Holden surrendered
at 4:16 P.M. Wednesday after an
extensive manhunt. He was the
second suspect in the robbery of
the branch of Peoples Bank &
Trust Company at Mitchener
Village the day before. A resident
This honor is bestowed on
recipients on the basis of
leadership and inspiration given to
FFA members as well as on
contribution to vocational
agriculture and the FFA on the
state and national level.
White, who has served 30
years as a vocational agriculture
instructor in Edenton-Chowan
Schools will retire at the end of the
1976 school year. During his years
of service he has been a member
<rf the ’ State FFA Board of
Directors and on the Board of the
Directors for the N. C. Agriculture
Teachers Association.
White’s dedication to his work
has been evidenced through the
guidance given to students under
his tutelage,’’ it was stated Sixty
of his students during his tenure
have been awarded the State
Fanner Degree. Three students
went on to win the American
Fanner Degree, which is the top
National Award presented
annually In Kansas City, Mo.
Day Care Center, s7,t s‘l te
county’s share of a
budget); \ ’-sit
Recreation, $15,968 (one-t
the town’s budget to include,
program);
Historic Edenton, Inc., $1 3 8
Soil Map, $7,000 (the first
of a five-year program);
Charity cases at Chowan
Hospital, SIO,OOO.
Chairman C. A. Phillips
sugggested that the budget be
figured ors the 80-cent rate. “We
cannot count on much fund
balance,” he pointed out. The fund
balance came in for considerable
discussion during the two-hour
meeting.
“Last year, under revaluation
we tightened up the budget,” the
chairman explained “This year
we must pick up some of the
slack.”
of New York he was visiting his
grandfather here.
Hamilton was involved in a gun
battle which left Cpl. William
Spruill, Jr., injured and more than
SI,OOO damage to the patrol cruiser
he was driving. The suspect later
fired at Capt. C. H. Williams as he
arrived on the scene on West
Freemasoi^Street.
Hamilton fled behind a house
into an area covered with high
weeds. He had a wound in his leg.
When officers threw tear gas into
the area where he was believed to
be hiding three shots were heard.
The suspect was found dead a
short time later.
An autopsy was performed at N.
C. Memorial Hospital in Chapel
Hill. A medical examiner said
death was attributed to suicide
with the suspect having two
wounds in his chest and one in his
temple. According to the autopsy
all three wounds were made with a
9mm weapon. Hamilton had such
a weapon in his hand when found,
as well as a .38 caliber pistol.
Continued On Page 4
King Arrested
Ray King, 16, of the Cape Colony
community, has been arrested and
charged with growing marijuana.
He has been released on bond.
Sheriff Troy Toppin, Deputy Joe
Byrum and SBI Agent Bill Godley
conducted the investigation which
led to the arrest about 6:30 P.M.
Tuesday. King was picked up at
.'the scene along a canal bank
where approximately 75
marijuana plants were growing.
BULLETIN
The Chowan Herald was notified at 3:30 P.M. Wednesday that a called
meeting of Chowan County commissioners would be held at 8 P.M. in the
Fourth Floor Conference Room of the County Office Building.
While there was no mention of the agenda the budget is expected to be
the primary topic of discussion.
Commissioner Alton G. Elmore
noted that the tax map work and
beginning of a detailed soil survey
in the county were the only two
new items being placed in the
budget.
Commissioner N. J. George said
the Finance Committee had
recommended removing some
items and cutting others in order
to maintain a- 70-cent tax rate.
When the chamber of commerce
and recreation programs were
approved, he repeatedly made
suggestions that all other requests
be granted.
Edenton, North Carolina, Thursday, June 10, 1976.
Town Rate Policy Changed
Edenton Town Council voted
unanimously Tuesday night in
favor of a “slight increase” in
electric rates and in the future to
match VEPCO rate-for-rate for
retail service.
W. B. Gardner, town
administrator, said the rate policy
was actually approved by the
council several years ago but
because to frequent adjustments
by VEPCO it had not been
followed. He said the increase
would amount to approximately
3.6 per cent in the summer rate
Two File For County Board
Last minute filing resulted in a
race for Third Township
representatives on Chowan
County Board of Commissioners
and three-way race of the Second
Town-ship seat on Edenton-
Chowan Board of Education.
Three men are also seeking two
school board seats from First
Township.
Lester T. Copeland of Tyner,
and H. Ivey Ward, Jr., Route 1,
Tyner, both filed for the seat on
the county board being vacated by
David T. Bateman. Bateman
announced earlier that he would
not be a candidate for re-election.
Bateman, who has served on the
board for eight years, is vice
chairman.
James K. Copeland, Jr., Route
1, Edenton, filed with the Chowan
County Board of Elections as a
candidate for the school board
from Second Township. Carlton W.
Goodwin of Tyner, the incumbent,
and Wilbur Ray Bunch, Route 1,
Edenton, are also candidates for
the post.
W. J. Underkofler, 300 South
Oakum Street, filed for a First
Township seat on the school board.
Dr. Edward G. Bond, 7 Queen
Anne Drive, and Thomas P.
Griffin, Route 2, Edenton,
incumbents, are seeking re
election.
Commissioner Alton G. Elmore,
107 South Granville Street, and
Coroner Marvin S. Barham, 110
West Albemarle Street, are
running unopposed.
There are four candidates for
Banquet Slated
The Edward G. Bond Post 40,
American Legion, and the
Auxiliary will hold a joint
installation of officers and awards
banquet Saturday night at 7:15
o’clock at the American Legion
Post home.
A steak dinner will be served at
7:30 P.M. All who {dan to eat
should call 482-2249 by 9 A.M.
Saturday morning.
Department Internal Affairs
Commission Chairman Ralph
Adcock of Hickory Post 48 will
install the new officers for 1976-77.
State Auxiliary President Willie
Adcock will, install the incoming
officers for the Auxiliary.
The installation ceremony will
be at 8:15 P.M. and for all who
wish can enjoy a dance
afterwards.
Chairman Phillips said the
chamber work is “more of a
county function than a town
function” in answer to the
committee’s recommendation
that the county figure be reduced
to the amount contributed by the
town. “The main thrust is
industrial development,” he said,
“and the county’s interest in good,
orderly industrial development
and community activity is being
met by the chamber’s work.”
He pointed out that many
counties levy a tax for industrial
and community development,
and less than 1 per cent in the
winter rate.
The administrator, presenting
the recommendation of the Utility
Committee, said it would increase
the town’s electric revenue by
approximately $30,000 over the
next year.
Gardner said it would be some
60 days before the increase would
appear on local bills.
At the same time the council
adopted a new service schedule
and changed policy to move the 10
per cent penalty from the 10th of
Chowan County Register of Deeds.
They are: Murray D. Ashley, 19
Westover Heights; Jean A. Bunch,
Route 2, Edenton; Laura S.
Evans, of Tyner; and Anne K.
Spruill, 1025 North Broad Street.
The election to the board of
education is non-partisan. All
other candidates seeking posts are
Democrats. Therefore, there will
v
be no Republican primary.
Mayor Roy L. Harrell, 200 South
Oakum Street, has filed as a
candidate for tjie N. C. House of
Representatives subject to the
Democratic Primary on August
Continued On Page 4
James Copeland
ARPDC Funds Are Frozen
Many of the funds of Albemarle
Regional Planning & Development
Commission remained frozen Wed
nesday morning, with personnel
going into their fifth week
without pay.
The funds were frozen May 26
when the Executive Board learned
from the ARPDC attorney they
would' be individually liable for
any money paid out after learning
of bookkeeping problems and a
possible deficit.
Manpower funds were released
this week after a plea had been
made directly to Bruce Lentz,
State Secretary of Adminsitration.
However, some 40 ARPDC staff
members remain without pay.
John Bell, vice-chairman of the
ARPDC board, said personnel is
being asked to be patient while the
bookkeeping snarl can be
untangled. The offices in Edenton
and Elizabeth City remained open
We&iesday. {
adding that in his opinion dollar
for-dollar some of the best money
the county spends is in the
contribution to the chamber.
Commissioner George charged
that the chamber does work that is
90’ per cent beneficial to the
downtown merchants “and they
are represented by the Town
Council.”
Commissioner Elmore
questioned the percentage and
said while some may think “the
town budgets too little the county
doesn’t budget too much for the
chamber.”
Commissioner David T.
Bateman said while he was not
tied in on a 70-cent rate he felt that
any increase should go to more
adequately fund the best
programs and go where it is
needed most.
Continued On Page 4
Single Copies 15 Cents.
the month to the 20th.
Bill Matthews, building
inspector, said a hearing has been
held regarding six dilapidated
houses and six other notices have
been sent out. He said he had seen
an indication of the upgrading of
some property due to the recent
action.
The council approved a Depart
ment of Transportation
recommendation that a left-turn
lane be established at the
intersection of North Broad and
North Oakum streets.
Bryant Utilities was apparently
low in installation of sewers on
Oakdale Drive with a bid of $19,400
and council called for a public
hearing on the project for June 24.
West W. Byrum Agency was low
in insurance coverage for the town
while Rose Construction and C & L
Concrete were low for paving and
sidewalk consrtuction.
Alton Clark, Jaycee president,
appeared to offer the services of
the organization and Robert
Harrell discussed the proposed
Peanut Festival being planned by
the Band Parents,
Fuel bids were received from J
H. Conger & Son, Inc., and Leary
Oil Company. They were turned
over to the Finance Committee for
study and recommendation.
Dr. A. F. Downum was re
appointed to the Airport
Commission by Mayor Roy L.
Harrell. The mayor re-appointed
Mrs. Evelyn Collins and Oscar
White to the Board of
Adjustments.
It was decided to reduce the
speed in Queen Anne's and on
Albania Street to 25-mile-per-hour
Councilman Harry Spruill, Jr.,
pointed out the “outstanding job’’
done by the Edenton Police
Department and other agencies
during last week’s bank robbery
Gardner commended the
officers for “through professional
handling’’ of the problem.
The adminstrator reported on
several on-going projects.
At a special meeting of the
board Thursday night in Edenton.
Speight Burrus, CPA of Elizabeth
City, was asked to complete his
audit within 15 days.
Burrus has not been able to
complete the audit for 1974-75, but
from trial balances he has run he
indicates that by June 30 the
commission could have a deficit of
as much as $144,000.
Some $87,000 in federal taxes
have not been paid. This is due the
Manpower program, according to
a representative from the state
office. It is believed that this
money went into other programs.
“We want to know how much
money sent down (to the
commission) went into other
programs before releasing any
more money,” a spokesman said.
Walter Harlow of Hobbeville
urged that away be found to pay
employee*. "We owe these people
Ceedeeed On Page *