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‘FEUD’ CONTINUES People traveling along West Church
Street were greeted Christmas morning by this unwelcomed lawn
decoration. It was another in a series of holiday pranks between
Bill Gardner and L. P. Homthal, Sr., of Tarboro. (See Public
Parade.)
Another Chapter
Yet another chapter was written
Christmas in the continuing
“feud” between W. B. Gardner of
West Church Street and L. P.
Homthal, Sr., of Tarboro.
\ Last year the genial retiree
''from Edgecombe involved The
Chowan Herald in hfe plot. He
placed a classified ad soliciting
used Christmas trees for Bill. The
tables were turned some two
weeks later when Bill, with the aid
of two friends, caught the Hom
thals away from home and
planted about 50 of the trees in
their front yard.
After that episode it was
rumored the end had come to the
saga. However, last week L. P.
dropped by to report that he had
been unsuccessful in obtaining a
truce.
The following note was found
later in our unattended
typewriter:
“Friend United to Conserve
Kudzu, the Tarboro based en
vironmental agency, have been
selecting plots to plant kudzu vine
in an attempt to save this beautiful
and useful plant from being placed
on the endangered species list.
Edenton has been chosen by many
concerned citizens to do it’s share.
\ “Mr. Bill Gardner, long a friend
-of worthwhile ecological efforts,
has given time and space for this
valuable work to go forward. This
shows the true Edenton heritage of
cooperation and hospitality and
the organization hereby takes this
method to offer its thanks.”
Hope you are around next year
to learn whether there is any
progress on a truce.
Energy Crunch
The media today is filled with
words about the energy crunch.
And it ain’t good!
U. S. Sen. Jesse Helms predicts
that recent action by Congress will
result in $2-per-gallon gasoline.
But more alarming, is what people
will be doing with the gas they
purchase, at whatever price.
During the 1973-74 gas crisis,
there were accidents in which
drivers were killed or seriously
injured when gas cans carried in
JUs exploded.
** A survey of selected stores m
dcate that sales of gas cans have
increased in recent months. We
Furman Fund
Is Launched
The Harry Furman Fund has
been launched here with the goal
being to complete the Cape Colony
home of the former Salvation
Army captain.
Ernest Swanner of Chowan
Beach said he would seek
donations of materials, time or
money to assist in completion of
the shell house before more severe
weather arrives.
Capt. Furman recently was
discharged from Chowan Hospital
where he was treated following a
heart attack two weeks earlier. In
August he suffered a stroke.
Capt. Furman and his wife
formerly resided in Ithaca, N.Y.
They now reside in a small trailer
on their lot at Cape Colony. Their
only income is Social Security.
“I’m overwhelmed,” he said
upon learning of the efforts of
Swanner. “I’ve never had anyone
treat me this kindly before. I
always like to pay my way if I
can.”
Swanner is being aided in his
campaign by Mrs. Fran Hylton
one of the Furman’s neighbors.
People wishing to assist should
contact Swanner at 221-46099 or
Mrs. Hylton at 482-4731. Checks
should be made out to the Harry
Furman Fund and mailed to Mrs.
Hylton at Box 667, Edenton.
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A GIANT SIZED GREETING Mrs. Hazel Keeter was sur
prised recently when she found the postman had delivered her a
giant sized greeting card. Her daughter and son in Winston-Salem
had the card prepared for her ana the U. S. PostaTService was
careful to see that it was delivered in excellent condition. George
Biggs of Winston-Salem is a veteran artist who claims he makes
the world's largest post cards. (Staff Photo by Luke Amburn.)
THE CHOWAN HERALD
Vol. XIV • No. 52
Two Are Injured
Elderly Woman Dies In Fire
An elderly Negro woman died in
a Are which destroyed a two-story
rural home here about mid
morning Wednesday. Two other
people are injured, one seriously.
The victim was identified as
Annie Skinner Bonner, 83. Her
i
Bidding Begins Next Year
For National Guard Armory
Bids are expected to be received
early next year for the new
National Guard Armory to be
located on Base Road adjacent to
Edenton Municipal Airport. The
project is expected to cost in the
neighborhood of $400,000.
At a recent meeting of Edenton
Change Is Noted
Changes have been made in
time for filing for elderly tax
exemption, according to Dallas
Jethro, tax supervisor. The final
date is April 15. Previously the
deadline was December 31.
The Chowan County Tax
Department cannot accept an
application after April 15 for 1980.
Also, the applicant must be able
to furnish the total amount of the
spouse’s income as well as the
applicant’s income. Each income
will have to be reported separately
and then both combined.
Jethro said filing can best be
accomplished when taxpayers list
his or her taxes in January.
Qualifications will remain the
same as in 1979. To qualify for the
exemption up to $7,500, one must
be 65 years old or older, or have
proof of total disability, and total
income of both husband and wife
cannot exceed $9,000.
The exemption applies to the
house and lot, furnishings and
some personal items. House
trailers are also subject to the
exemption if it is a permanent
residence and the person resides
there.
Charge Higher
Electric customers of the Town
of Edenton face a big increase in
the energy charge on utility bills
next month. Vepco has notified the
municipality that the charge will
be .01400 per killowatt hour, up
from .01239 this month.
The town has the policy of a
clean pass through of the charge
from Vepco.
W. B. Gardner, town ad
ministrator, called the high rate
“ridiculous” but said there were
no options.
Edenton, North Carolina, Thursday, December 27, 1979
daughter, Fannie White was
hospitalized with severe burns. A
grandson, Warner Bonner, was
treated at Chowan Hospital for
slight burns and shock.
Fire Chief Luther C. Parks said
his department received the call to
Town Council there was con
siderable discussion about plans
for the existing armory on North
Broad Street. The Recreation
Commission has had a detailed
study made of the facility and has
approved long-range plans for
converting the building into a
recreation center.
However, there is now concern
being expressed regarding not
only the cost of renovation but of
continuing maintenance.
, The town and Chowan County
have contributed the local share
for the new armory with the
present building to revert once the
construction is completed.
The manner in which the
recreation program is finance also
entered into the discussion when
Council Gil Burroughs said the
town is bearing too much of the
financial burden. He argued that
the town now pays two thirds of
the cost.
Mayor Roy Harrell asked the
Recreation Commission to study
the program and report back to the
council.
In other action, Councilman
Steve Hampton and Harry Spruill
were asked to work with Town
Administrator W. B. Gardner on
renovations to the Conger building
on Water Street. Also, the Public
Works Committee will assist
Garner and J. C. Parks in
developing a garbage transfer
station.
The Soil Conservation Service
will be asked to assist the town in
improving drainage on Jackson
Street. Wayland Byrum, a
resident of the area, told coun
cilmen while curb and gutter
would solve the problem some felt
they could not afford the cost.
The town will obtain cost
estimates of installing new street
Continued on Page 4
Tax Is Same
The Social Security tax rate will
stay at 6.13 per cent for 1980, but
there will be an increase in the
earnings base.
The earnings base is the
maximum amount of annual
earnings subject to the Social
Security tax. The base will be
$25,900 in 1980, compared to $22,900
for 1979.
Workers who earn less than
$22,900 will pay no more tax in 1980
than they did in 1979.
Those who have earnings of
$25,900 or more in 1980 will pay an
additional $183.90 in Social
Security taxes.
The maximum 1980 Social
Security tax will be $1,587.67 for
workers with annual earnings of
$25,900 or more. The maximum for
1979 is $1,403.77.
The tax rate for self-employed
people will stay at 8.10 per cent for
1980, but the higher earnings base
will mean a bigger tax bill for
those with earnings of more than
$22,900.
Workers should check their 1979
W-2 forms carefully when they
receive than. A copy of this form
is used to enter workers’ covered
earnings on their Social Security
records.
Any difference between the
worker’B own records and the
information on the W-2 fain
should be reconciled.
Workers should check their
Social Security records every
three years or so. This is expe
cially important for those who
change jobs often.
Si
the Frank White residence in the
Yeopim Community at 10:55 A.M.
The Bethel Volunteer Fire
Department had been called first
and was at the scene, some seven
miles east of Edenton, when local
firefighters arrived.
Chief Parks said Mrs. White and
Bonner jumped out of a second
floor window.
Dr. James Slade, medical
examiner, went to the scene and
was assisted in his investigation
by Deputy Gleen Perry of the
Chowan County Sheriff’s
Departme ,t.
White told authorities that his
wife had just filled up the oil
heater and gone back upstairs
when the stove “exploded”. He
said he fled from the house and
called to the people upstairs to
jump. Bonner knocked out a
window and jumped. He was
followed a short time later by Mrs.
White.
A passing motorist saw the blaze
and called for assistance.
The family had just recently
built a new brick residence and
had not yet moved in. The house
they occupied was in a poor state
of repair and was back on the new
structure.
Funds Allotted
James T. Johnson, Farmers
Home Administration (FmHa)
state director, announced today
the allocaation of FmHA Section 8
subsidy funds for fiscal year 1980.
The allocation for 13 counties in
Northeastern North Carolina is for
64 units with contract authority of
$248,272. The counties include:
Bertie, Beaufort, Hertford,
Martin, Camden, Chowan, Dare,
Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank,
Perquimans, Tyrrell and
Washington.
Parties interested in utilizing
the Section 8 subsidy in connection
with FmHA rental housing loans
should contact the local FmHA
County Supervisor
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PEWS BEING REFINISHED The Church of Christ on
Mexico Road is expanding and more pews are needed. Recently a
congregation in Alabama donated some old pews to the local
congregation. Evangelist Bill Mead, left, was joined by a group of
volunteers Monday afternoon as they went about the task of
refinishing the pews at the personage. (Staff Photo by Luke
Amburn.)
Tax Listing Begins January
Property owners inChowanCounty will begin listing their holdings for
tax purposes Wednesday. All real estate, personal property, etc., which
one has on January 1 must be listed.
Dallas Jethro, tax supervisor, said property owners have through
January 31 to list without penalty. After that time a 10 per cent penalty
will be added for failure to list.
All property must be listed by the owner unless he is mentally or
physically incapable of doing so. Also, all property must be listed in the
township in which it is located.
First and Fourth townships, Arrowhead Beach, Chowan Beach and
Cape Colony is listed at the tax office in the County Office Building. The
hours are 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday, and 9 A.M. to 12-
noon on Saturday. Listers are: Pattie S. Byrum, Mrtyle W. Hare, Jean B.
Perry and Susan S. Rountree.
Wayne Bunch is lister for Second Township. He will be at the Rocky
Hock Rescue Squad Building on Monday nights from 6 to 9 o’clock; and
from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. on Thursday nights except January 31 when he will
be at the site from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. On January 8,9,22 and 23 he will be at
Center Hill-Crossroads Fire Department from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
In Third Township the lister is T. D. Berryman. He will be at Family
Grocery (Formerly L. C. Briggs Store) from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. on January
5,12,19 and 26. He will be at Rylapd Store during the same hours on
January 10 and 24. On January 17 and 31 he will be at Byrum's Service
Center.
Single Copies 15 Cents
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F. N. McNair, Jr.
McNair Accepts
FLBA Position
There is a difference in farming
in Georgia compared to Eastern
North Carolina’s F. N. (Nick)
McNair, Jr., has discovered.
McNair is the new president of
the Federal Land Bank of Ahoskie
which serves Hertford, Bertie,
Camden, Chowan, Currituck,
Gates, Northampton, Pasquotank
and Perquimans counties.
McNair is replacing Gene
McCleary who has transferred to
the Federal Land Bank Office in
Washington. A graduate of
Georgia Southern, McNair has
been with the Federal Land Bank
Association since 1967, working
primarily around Dawson, Ga.
Having been raised on a farm,
crops are nothing new to McNair.
They raise some of the same crops
in Georgia as around here --
peanuts, corn, soybeans and
tobacco - although the quantity
may vary, as peanuts are the main
crop around Dawson.
McNair has had to get used to
some new crops and some changes
in the farming techniques in this
area. Northeastern North
Carolina also produces potatoes,
and grapes for Deerfield wines.
“There is little differences in the
farming, as this is a very good
agricultural area. On the average.
Continued on Page 4