i Noted And Passed It was a few years ago that this column consisted of a heading which simply said: “Gone Fishing”. Our family was on the Outer Banks and we cut everything short in order to enjoy a certain amount of “late week” time with them. It was one of our more popup*, columns. " We wish we could try it again. However, our creditors won’t allow it. If, over the years we have been guilty of fishing for anything, it could not be those marine things that swim in the rivers, sounds and oceans. But maybe we should try. The desire to assemble a “fan club” is not our bag. But maybe everyone needs to sit on the bank of the Chowan River and consider what he is missing, rather than l what is being caught. Uninvited Guest Sheriff Troy Toppin had a bir thday Friday. It was sorta a closely guarded secret. Some festivities had been cooked up between his deputies and the courthouse gang and a reporter with a nose for news happened by, uninvited. Office Deputy Pam Byrum brought out a box wrapped in newspaper. Before accepting the “gift”, Sheriff Toppin searched his office for his side arm, so he could “shoot that thing.” After a few embarrassing moments, he agreed to open the package unarmed. To add to his embarrassment was the fact that his revolver, holster and all, had been “con fiscated” earlier in the day by his deputies and carefully wrapped. The genial sheriff had difficulty talking himself out of that one. But he didn’t have as much trouble as Deputy Byrum as she opened a box containing the .There.JbiadJjeeifa, enough difficulty so the reporter didn’t follow him to the courthouse for additional roasting. His age? The only clue in evidence was a heart drawn on the envelope for a card which had “58” written inside. We just know that couldn’t be true because we don’t know how he learned so many jokes and pranks in such a short span of time. Emphasis On Test The trial run of the state’s new Competency Test Program is getting a pretty good play in today’s newspaper as Edenton- Chowan Schools gear up for next week’s activity along the Public Parade. Since this is a trial run, some will ask, why so much emphasis? We could say it was because we needed something to fill up space. That would be wrong. Or, we could say it was because the area has been fortunate to have a strong voice on the 15- member state Competency Test Commission in the person of Mrs. Mary Horton. That would be wrong. Furthermore, we could say anything that takes Mary Rhea Gardner two weeks to get ready for her ‘.‘Chalk Dust” column Continued On Page 4 DPI Official Guest Speaker For PTA Meet Gene Causby, assistant superintendent for personnel relations and public affairs, State Department of Public Instruction, will be the guest speaker at Chowan High School’s PTA meeting at 7:30 P.M. March 2 in the school’s cafeteria. In making this announcement, Jim Hare, PTA president, stated, “Parents should find this meeting particularly interesting, valuable, and informative.” Causby has been invited to address the state-wide testing programs, which are being trial tested in the school system this year. Jake Boyce, Chowan guidance counselor, will also be available to SNOWFALL, ROUND TWO—The area’s second and heavier, snow began to fall in the early hours of Wednesday mixed with rain. By 7:30 A.M., several inches had accumulated locally with reports of up to eight inches in other parts of the state. Meteorologists were predicting more precipitation at press time. Reports of hazardous road conditions may have led at least one driver, shown above, to leave the regular beaten path for more exciting action, made possible by four wheel drive and a measure of bravado. Permit Effective March I North Carolina’s Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Permit will become operational on March 1. On this date, the CAMA permit will be required for most development activities in designated Areas of En vironmental Concern. “ The CAMA permit for major development activities will be let by the Coastal Resources Com mission, while local governments will handle minor development permits. A major development permit will be needed if the development requires another state permit, contains a land or water area in excess of 20 acres, contains a structure in excess of 60,000 square feet, or involves drilling or excavating for natural resources. Minor development permits will be issued by local governments for all other development activities in Areas of Environmental Concern. Designated Areas of En vironmental Concern consist primarily of the estuarine system, ocean hazard areas, public water supplies, and fragile coastal natural resource areas. The estuarine system includes estuarine waters, coastal wetlands, public trust areas, and estuarine shorelines. Ocean hazard areas include ocean beaches, frontal dune, inlet lands, and other areas in which geologic, vegetative, and soil conditions indicate a substantial possibility of erosion or flood damage. Public water supplies include small surface supply watersheds and public water supply well On February 28 and March 1 11th grade students in Chowan *• *** I > It. '-■'» -v * M -' Ei- jßf ■ v *’ Gene Causby * -■ fields. Fragile coastal natural resource areas include coastal complex natural areas, unique geologic formulations, and coastal areas that sustain remnant species. Designation of these fragile areas will be done in the future on a case -"by-ease^-basis. After March 1, persons planning development in Areas of En vironmental Concern can obtain a CAMA permit application at Department of Natural Resources and Community Development (DNRCD) offices in Raleigh, Wilmington, or Washington, at the Division of Marine Fisheries in Morehead City, or from most local planning, zoning, or inspections departments in the coastal area. TTained permit officers will be available at these locations to assist persons with identifying projects which require the CAMA permit and-or other permits. Persons who proceed with a development in an area of en vironmental concern without a permit will violate the CAMA if subsequent determination is made that a CAMA permit is required. Penalities may be up to SI,OOO or 60 days or both. Most Convicted Sixty-seven arrests for hunting deer at night were made in North eastern North Carolina during the past season and convictions were realized in all but two cases. Ray Elks, supervisor in 13 counties for the N.C. Wildlife Commission, reported 14 cases Continued On Page 4 County will be trial testing a “High School Graduation and Competency Test,” the passing of which will be required for graduation by the class of 1980. Students in Miss Elsie Miller’s 6th grade will render an en tertainment program. Causby, an affable and popular personality in educational circles, has been a guest in this school system and area on several oc casions. A former National PTA board member and teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, administrative assistant in the Goldsboro City Schools, Causby was associate director, Division of Human Relations, State Depart ment of Public Instruction, from 1988-71. He has held his present position as a state assistant superintendent since that time. A B C D E —i uzzzu , -r xi HrawU Avenue 1 rail ta! j if 1 North CaroUnJ^JT* r ~i I 3 t Test Program ■ _ T —, | - i i i 5, „ Ll —| I I 3 L Approximately 86,000 11th fi —| n~^ — —i 1 r- 2 Grade students 215 of them m _j\ li j j Edenton-Chowan Schools are r\ s \ r~i i q gearing up for a trial run of the I\ >\ l'''' —v* vi p^?,* B *"**. _ state’s Competency Test Program 3 I \s\ I ] 3 to be administered in the next few 1 I | weeks. The local tests will be I I__ SJ y Z_. ! . given Tuesday and Wednesday. / / ! For the first time in the state’s 4 i |\\ / /[ j educational history, high school J n/'' / i | LJ students will have to demonstrate I j ]_ ! “minimum competency” in the n J y / basic skills in order to receive a I # South Water strwt | high school diploma in 1979. This 5 W e ! • | two ]| J 5 trial run will be administered in the state’s 145 school systems. j | | j (Mary Rhea Gardner devotes s i I L«h» street | her entire “Chalk Dust” column A B c o E this week to the Competency Test □ Program. It is found elsewhere in -buildin* . . , today s paper.) An information packet has been . , „ n . , developed by the local unit, a copv a. c 11„ E i r ° m of which is s ent all the B. H3to K 5 two blocks, you would be at the comer of parents. t to <’ s a. state and South Water The testing is a result of 1977 ' B u 5 B Market « nd st Lou'* legislation passed bv the General D. Assemb| y » make sure high school graduates, “possess those Continued on Page 4 Which box of Crackles is the cheapest per ounce? X — Si Crackle* N/ Crackle* X If Caoly alTlves at the Star Theater at 2 0l 7y 502 fy P m • how long must she wait for the 16. 1/ 30. j/ ShOW to sUrt ' > F 45 minutes ~ a. ie . STAR THtATER y y, y G 1 hour 15mtn. r~ <7