' f , ; .S ■> , t J J , '
Continued from Page 1
What Northeastern North
Carolina needs is some fun
damental redirection in the way
energy policy is set for this part of
the state. There are several dif
ferent approaches that might help.
Probably at this point, efforts
should be directed at exploring
any and all possible changes with
the view that some combination of
them will redirect one of the key
weaknesses to economic
development in this part of the
state.
One of the goals that Gov. James
B. Hunt has set for his ad
ministration is a meaningful
Balanced Growth Policy.
Basically, this means directing
jobs to where people live rather
than moving people to where jobs
are. This will never work in the 22
counties served by Vepco so long as
its power rates are 20 to 40 per cent
higher than elsewhere in the state.
One of the as yet missing links
to the state’s Balanced Growth
Policy is a statewide energy plan.
Work is underway on it at this time
in several state agencies. An
energy plan is vital for North
Carolina since we are one of the
few Sunbelt states that has to
import virtually all its energy. The
discriminatory rate structure that
the 22 Northeastern counties have
to contend with needs to be ad-*
dressed in this plan. If it is to be
more than a paper plan, workable
solutions need to be brought forth. 1
One possible course of action
that should be seriously explored
is detaching the 22 North Carolina
Vepco counties from the Virginia
portion of Vepco. Perhaps they
could be set up as a separate
corporation, still owned by the
parent company but with power
for the North Carolina Vepco unit
being purchased from other North
Carolina electric utilities. This
would allow spreading the
benefits of North Carolina’s
greater industrialization as
compared to Virginia throughout
the state. As things now stand, the
22 Vepco counties are
discrinjinated against becaqp*
both they and the areas of Virgiidrft
that Vepco serves are less in
dustrialized than either the rest of
North Carolina or the portions of
Virginia that Vepco does not
serve. Both the rate makers and
the power companies say having
many large industrial users is one
big factor in keeping power rates
lower for all users.
As matters now stand, Nor
theastern North Carolina is less
developed economically than the
res* of the late. Local efforts to
correct this imbalanceare severely
hampered by having to drag the
albatruss of Vepco’s high rate
structure along to every meeting
with potential new industries.
Another more easily fixed
problem today is that there is no
member of the Utilities Com
mission from the Vepco territory.
We are not represented as we
should be in the decision making
process. One evidence of this is the
failure to exempt the blind, the
disabled, and low income families
from the new Vepco rate increase.
A Duke Power Co. rate increase
granted at the same time as
Vepco’s did include these
exemptions. Does this make
sense? Hardly. There is a greater
percentage of low income
families in the Vepco territory
than in Duke Power’s. This lack of
representation should be
corrected by Gov. Hunt the next
time a vacancy occurs on the
Utilities Commission.
The last time Northeastern
North. Carolina got really up in
arms about the deal it was getting
The Qioweji Herald
P. o. Box 107, Edenton, N.C. 27*32
Published every Thursday at Edenton by The Cttowan Hereto. Inc., L. P. Ambum, Jr.,
president and general manager, 431-425 South tread Street, Edenton, North Caroline, 27*23.
Entered aa eecond-cleee matter August St, 1*34, at the Pest Off Ice of Edenton, North
Carolina, under Act of March 3, in.
i
L. P. Ambum, Jr.
Editor* Publisher
J. Edwin Bufflap E.N. Manning It. Hector Luptoa
Editor Emeritus General Superintendent Advertising Otrecter
Emeritus
R. Plywn Serrott
Advertising Director
One Veer (outside N.C.) SMS
One Year (M N.C) ....* IMS
Six Months (outside N.C.) SMI
Six Months (htN.C-) IS4S
Edenton. North Ceroitae, Thursday. September
Vepco
CsaHwad tnm fags l
outrage in recent days over Vepco
electric rate*.”
Gov. Hunt said the situation is
completely in conflict with “our
economic policy of a balanced
economic growth because it
discourages economic expansion
in this part of our state, which has
a serious need for more and better
paying jobs.”
Vepco President Stanley C.
Ragone said in an interview with
UPI in Richmond, Va., Monday:
“It’s just a fact of life. The more
remote you are, the harder it is to
get electricity to you.
“We welcome the investigation,
and we will cooperate. We think
they will find that service is good
in that area.”
Vepco has attributed its higher
rates to the fact that it must burn
oil at some of its plants to meet
environmental standards in the
Washington, D.C., area.
Hugh A. Wells, a former com
mission member and executive
director of the Public Staff,
declared: ‘‘Enough is enough.”
In another matter, Wells said he
would testify at Vepco’s fuel
charge hearing before the com
mission this week. It will be the
first time Wells has taken the
stand since the Public Staff was
formed on July 1, 1977.
Saying the investigation will be
much more in-depth than previous
fate increase investigations,
Roger said the commission will
look at the future and seven area
jof the Vepco operation. They are:
The allocation formula used
for separating Vepco operating
costs for North Carolina, Virginia
and West Virginia, the three states
served by Vepco.
The high cost of meeting air
pollution standards in the
Washington, D.C. area, which
Vepco serves, and its possible
effect on North Carolina con
sumers.
The reasonableness of
Vepco’s heavy dependence on oil
fired generation of electricity.
Vepco relies more heavily on oil
fired generators than does Duke or
Carolina, which basically use coal
and nuclear generators, Roger
stated. . '
Low, possibly usage of
equipment during non-peak
operating periods.
The efficiency of serving
North Crolina customers from
electric generators located in
Virginia.
Construction costs of new
Vepco generating plants.
All other factors which may
cause discrepancies between
Vepco, Carolina and Duke.
“The last area is a catch-all
phrase that will allow the public
staff, which will do most of the
investigative work, a lot of
flexibility in the investigation,”
Roger explained.
«
on electricity —about 15 years ago
Vepco decided to include a
North Carolinian on its Board of
directors. This slot was initially
filled by the late Edwin P. Brown
of Murfreesboro. We are represent
ed today by Shirley S. Pierce of
Ahoskie on the Vepco board. Some
benefits have accrued over the
years from having one of us inside
the board room. But not enough.
This time around, we need more
than a board member. The future
of Balanced Growth or any kind
of growth for that matter —for
this part of North Carolina ought
to be decided either here or in
Raleigh, not in Richmond. This
time, nothing short of fun
damental structural changes will
do.
The News-Herald
Ahoskie
I j Ef
, Vi . life P
PROJECT UNDERWAY Groundbreaking ceremonies were held recently at Chowan College
for a $2,150,000 gymnasium-physical education Center on the campus in Murfreesboro. Playing a
key role in the fund raising effort which are continuing is E.L. HoUowell of Edenton, second from
left, chairman of “Accomplishing Our Mission.” Others taking part in the historic event are, from
left,: Edgar Parker of Franklin, Va., president of the Chowan Alumni Association; H.D. White of
Rocky Mount, chairman, Board of Trustees; Mayor W.W. Hill of Murfreesboro; Mrs. Dorothy
Heath Brown, member, Board of Advisors; Chowan President Bruce E. Whitaker; and Mrs. Texie
Camp Marks of Boykins, Va., honorary nation chairman, “Accomplishing Our Mission.”
Churches, State Square-Off Over Schools
Churches that operate Christian
schools may see their pastors,
principals and board members go
to jail over non-compliance with
requirements of the State Board of
Education regarding approval or
disapproval of their institutions.
Rev. Ashby Browder of Immanuel
Christian School here is willing to
“pay the consequence if it keeps
our churches free.”
Stressing an amiable
relationship with Dr. John Dunn
‘No’Votes
Continued from Page 1
choice and the board must now
move to implement the “second
choice” of means of consolidation.
J. -Clarence, Leary-, Jr.; &
prominent local-businessman who- ’
headed the Concerned Citizens for
Better Education group, urged
workers not to give up. He said “in
the name of the children”
they must maintain their interest
in education, supporting the school
board as it moves to implement
the consolidation plan.
George Alma Byrum one of
those who led the campaign which
brought about the defeat, said:
“It’s a good win. Our committee is
not against education or better
facilities, but there was a fun
demental difference in how it
could be brought about. We are
ready and willing to work in the
best interest of the community.
Bill Norvell, another leader
among the opposition, com
mented: “As a ‘no’ voter, I pledge
myself to see that the children of
Chowan County have the best the
taxpayers can provide.” He said
he would work to provide those
facilities for education use.
A third leader of the opposition
who was questioned Tuesday
night, W.P. (Spec) Jones, said: “If
we had lost we would have sup
ported the board of education and
now that we have won we will do
likewise.”
Senator’s Wife
Continued from Page 1
asked what she felt was important
for the people of North Carolina to
know about Sen. Helms. She
responded: “Jessecares about the
people of North Carolina and he
has lived up to his beliefs. He ran
on them in 1972 and is running on
them again in 1978... and he has
lived them all the years in bet
ween. He has not deviated and has
never cast a vote that he did not
fed was right for the majority of
people in North Carolina.”
A native of Raleigh, Mrs. Helms
attended Meredith College there
and received a degree in jour
nalism from the University of
North Carolina at Chapd Hill.
She is no stranger to Nor
theastern North Carolina havfcig
edited two newspapers in Ahoskie
at one time. She was working for
the Raleigh News and Observer
when die met Sen. Helms, who st
the time was in the Sports
Department at the paper.
and Edenton-Chowan Schools, Mr.
Browder said the “root problem is
in the area of the state having life
or death power of church
ministry.” He said the Christian
schools “cannotsubmitto giving the
state the right to approve or
disapprove (the schools) because
it violates the mandate of the
scripture.”
Judge Donald Smith ruled in
Raleigh on September 1 in favor of
the State of North Carolina in a
class action suit brought against
the schools who faded to file a fad
report last year. There are 63 such
schools in the state.
Mr. Browder said one must
realize there is “Only one Lord,
Christ, and not the state.” He
predicted other skirmishes in the
future, over Day Care lteeqsing as
* well an pie federal i
government over non-profit
status.
“Hie church is the only thing
left the bureaurarcy doesn’t
control by regulation and licensing
and we are determined to keep it
that way,” he said.
Immanuel Christian School has
93 students in nursery through 12th
Grade and last year graduated its
second class. On two different
occasions since its founding in 1972
the school has operated although
disapproved by the state.
“To fde a report is not the
problem,” he said during a recent
interview. “We have nothing to
hide.” Later he said what the
schools object to is some of the
information sought which, in his
opinion, is “of no concern to the
state.”
Why now? “We have come to the
realization that some things are
wrong,” he answered. “We as
churches that operate Christian
schools have sinned and now we
are doing something about it.”
Churches “pretty well” finance
the schools and the curriculum
includes certain religious in
struction. He defended the
academic curriculum in the
schools which he said is com
patable with the religious prin-
H| r‘ * w~ "
*** 4' r^^H^BJ^jflßjl
i iKI s^x*Zi %* WhkhHßl
1 % *% : v'
FUNDS CONTRIBUTED Historic Edenton, Inc. was
recently presented a S6OO contribution from Balk Tyler to aid in
die local program of preservation and restoration. A3. Harless,
Jsr., chairman of Historic Edenton is shown at left above
receiving the check from George Moore, manager of Befit Tyler
' In Edenton. W&n
ciples applied.
Mr. Browder said if the State
Court of Appeals does not agree to
hear the case it is possible that
some people related to the schools
could face jail sentences. It is a
real possibility that someone
might go to jail this year because
of the conflict, according to the
pastor-principal.
“I have settled my conviction
and the church has voted to pursue
the course of action we are now in,
even if it means the whatever,” he
added. Since the state filed the
lawsuit in the name of the church
he doesn’t know how far the “arm
of the state can reach.”
He claims that state school
officials are not willing at
■poinUo listen to the grievances of« M
the Christian schooT ’ -,k act-**"
ministrators.
Mr. Browder alleges that the
state has two sets of standards for
running public and non-public
schools. “The bureauracy is
getting to the point where they
don’t think a parent is competent
to be a parent. This is an insult to
parenthood.”
Staff Ruling Reversed
The N.C. Marine Fisheries
Commission has reversed a staff
ruling denying a permit to
Richard F. Elliott, Jr., to
bulkhead and fill an area around
the old fish house at the foot of
South Granville Street.
By its ruling, the commission
found the project would not ad
versely affect fish species that
utilize Edenton Bay.
Elliott appealed a decision by
Dr. David A. Adams, assistant
secretary, of the Department of
Natural Resources & Community
Development. The hearing before
the commission was held TTiurs
day morning in Elizabeth City
County Fair Ever
Opens Monday * ■
The Chowan County Fair- 1978, ,
has made tremendous strides. ;in k
its efforts to truly become i
representative of all of the \
Albemarle - Roanoke - Chowan ]
area. This feat, beginning Mbh- ’
day, has and is being 'ac
complished because of the cop- "
tinuing and widing of cooperation 7
and involvement of more in-;
dividuals, organizations, in- ••
stitutions, and schools in an effort 5
to portray the talents, ambitiphk
and cultural base of Northeastern *
North Carolina. u ' ~
The Edward G. Bond Post AO, j
American Legion, sponsor of the ;
Chowan County Fair for the past -
30 years, has seen it grow from a }
simple carnival to a gala affair J
involving hundreds of people and "
many organizations.
Each year a challenge is put ;
forth to be bigger and better the -
next year. Thus far the challenge •
has been met and the 1978 Chowan £
County Fair promises to excel V
previous years.
Free entertainment presented
on stage has been revamped with
more variety to provide en
tertainment for all ages.
Highlighting the stage this year 1
are Joni Lee and Charlie Tango, '
the son and daughter of Conway
Twiddy. They will be here two
night only, September 28 and £s, .
and will perform two shows each [
night. Featured September 30, 5
following the Regional 4-H Talent ;
Show Contest Finals, will be the :
Followers, singing everyone’s :
favorite gospels.
New attractions for 1978 include j
a Bam Yard Exhibit with over 200 \
birds and animals and various j
farm equipment of yesterday; ■;
also a Greased Pole for fun, en- j
joyment and prizes for whoever i
can get to the top.
No Fair is complete without a {
midway, and the Chowan County '
Fair is happy to announce that
Fun Fair Amusements of MyrUe
Beach, S.C., will again provide
rides and amusements for
' "everyone’s enjoyment. ■
- -45redit?fti*~stJccess-“of-the fair
belongs to the people of (Tie
Albemarle - Roanoke - Chowan
area who participate. Without
exhibits, craft displays, static
displays, farm equipment,
animals and fair goers there
would be no county fairs. People
love county fairs: “Love Your
Fair” - The Chowan County Fair
next week.
and was chaired by Chairman J.J. •
Smith of Hampstead.
Represented by Phil Godwin of j
Gatesville, Elliott traced the :
history of die waterfront and the {
fish bouse, explaining how it j
became a non-conforming use in ;
the Town of Edenton. He said he j
would not have made application :
for a permit if he had thought the •
project would have any adveflie !
effect on fish.
Elliott further said state <? j
ficials were not objecting to t£e j
bulkhead, but to future back fill jog j
to make the site suitable for his ■
“retirement” home. ~ !
Amos Dawson, at'.orney j
representing the state, challenged
lay witnesses presented lay
Godwin. Chairman Smfith
overruled his objection and
allowed Elliott, W.B. Gardner and
William Shepard to testify asfto j
their opinion regarding any ad- i
verse effect to the juvenile ftSh. j
The project will convert to high
ground by filling approximately
3,700 square feet of area below
normal high water. “This fillingof j
open water will offer no knojjfn .j
public benefit,” the July 13 denial <
claimed. “It will, however, ?d-j
versely affect fish species thati
utilize Edenton Bay in that •
juvenile fish require these shallow
areas for protection from \
predators.”
Dr. Adams also pointed out that 1
die Department of Administration
also objects to the proposed filling w
and “cannot t recommend j
favorably an Easement to Fill.” j
Godwin said Elliott will have \
several other agencies to gp!
through before work on the project!