■ Us UPI m Test ■if MM» eehm ~. ■ aMIP I S ■ a "fe. ‘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. Fmm k .KMXe * * 1 MM a S S JLSkif m I I 9HBBB j 1 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 *M I fi *m , '' ,;-s ' Jjjlj 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 ; ' * * ; 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

Page Text

This is the computer-generated OCR text representation of this newspaper page. It may be empty, if no text could be automatically recognized. This data is also available in Plain Text and XML formats.

Return to page view