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Where's Edenton?
Recently the City of
Rockingham joined a very select
list of towns and cities across the
nation and Tar Heelia in gaining
“All-America City” designation.
Rockingham was the only city in
North Carolina and, indeed, the
only one in the South to receive the
hoiior for 1979-80. Nine cities were
chosen nationwide.
North Carolina has the most
“All-American City” designations
than any state in the U.S. The list
reads like Who’s Who in Tar Heel
Cities and Towns, with one
noticeable absence. It is Edenton.
In the past three decades, 17
towns and cities in this state have
been selected for the All-America
honor; three of them on two
separate occasions.
One of the factors which was
singled out in the Rockingham
selection was citizen involvement
in local governmental affairs.
There have been unsuccessful
efforts of this along the Public
Parade. Another try needs to be
made.
None of the Tar Heel recipients
have been as small in population
as Edenton. This should be an
impetus rather than a liability.
Strong points here include
beautification of the waterfront,
recreation, etc.
Those willing to promote
Edenton as an “All-American
City” need to get busy.
Who's Next?
First it was little Camden. Now
it is big Pasquotank. Who’s next in
the current saga of Albemarle
Regional Planning & Development
Commission?
The 10-county Albemarle Area is
where regionalism in North
Carolina began. Will it be the first
to end? Emphatically not!
The organizational structure
mandated by the federal
Economic Development Ad
ministration make it almost
impossible for the multi-county
agency to operate at all, much less
efficiently. To further add to the
problems is the continuing chant
of a new layer of government;
another bureaucracy to try to keep
a handle on.
Both of these constraints need
not render ARPDC inefficient,
ineffective, or useless. There are
16 other multi-county regional
organizations in this state and
each one has probably its own
formula for coping with sticky
problems, any one of which could
spell disaster. They apparently
have found solutions for problems
before they became disasterous.
The problems experiended by
ARPDC now, as well as in the
past, cannot be blamed on a lack
of leadership. A good case may be
made for poor judgment and bad
management in the ad
ministration. However, the same
is not true regarding board
members from throughout the
Albemarle.
Bob Whitley, executive director,
acted like a magician in bringing
the Lead Regional Organization
out of financial chaos. It has
become evident that he doesn’t
have the same touch in personnel
management and public relations
with member governments.
The quality of leadership in the
Albemarle Area is exceptional.
The current ARPDC chairman,
Don Bryan of Nags Head, is an
example. Mayor Bryan is an
experienced leader who is both
innovative and creative. The
board is composed of people of
equal talent. Nevertheless, if they
have mandatory constraints
which prohibit them from exer
cising their ability it’s all for
naught.
A few years ago when em
ployee’s pay was stopped because
of the financial crisis, no one failed
to show up for work. This is not the
current problem. The reverse
could happen-there may be only a
few people to pay.
This newspaper has always
stood solidly behind the
regionalism concept. This is still
the case. The needs of the
Albemarle are much greater than
any person or group of people.
Unfortunately, there are no
winners in a situation like ARPDC
is now.
Continued on Page 4
Public Hearing Is Scheduled
A public hearing has been set for
9 A.M. June 16 on the budget for
1980-81 which is a mere $11,254
more than actual figures for the
current year. The hearing will be
held in the Fourth Floor Con
ference Room of the County Office
Building.
Commissioners Monday mor
ning accepted the budget as
presented by the Finance Com
mittee. It totals $4,200,450 and
requires a 5-cent tax increase per
SIOO valuation to $1.02. The county
experience a $2.3-million increase
in the tax base and the county
experienced a reduction of ap
proximately $60,000 in fund
balances.
The fire district levy will con
tinue to be three cents per SIOO
valuation.
%THE CHOWAN HERALD^
Vol. XLVI-No. 23
Named To Policy Council
John A. Mitchener, 111, 1000
West Queen Street, has been
elected to the State Legislative
Policy Council. He will represent
the 21-county First Congressional
District.
... '
John A. Mitchener, 111
The Collection Department
of the Town of Edenton today
(Thursday) opens in the
space which formerly housed
the Police Department in the
Municipal Building.
W. B. Gardner, town ad
ministrator, said the
collection of utility bills as
well as taxes will be in the
new quarters. The office will
be open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.,
Monday through Friday.
Entrance to the Collection
Department is on Water
Street.
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OPTIMISTS PISS FOR FWJRTH TSi M,p« Hi ij'i
display on the coast of North Carolina has been planned by the
newly formed Optimist Club for this Fourth of July. A full day of
games and activities will be included in the celebration. Richard
Dixon, left, president-elect and chairman of the Fourth of July
project, is shown with Optimist directors Ted Wright, Jim
Aylesworth and Bruce Creekmore as they make plans for the
event. Both WCDJ and WBXB have scheduled radiothons this
Saturday to help the club raise funds for the project.
(See Story On Page 4.)
With a total valuation of
$145,081,000, the plan is to levy on
$13,783,000, meaning that every
penny added to the tax rate will
produce $13,783 in revenue.
While the county started out
with a budget totaling $3,295,555 on
July 1, 1979, amendments have
amounted to $893,641, as of May 15,
for a total of $4,189,196. This in
cludes capital projects such as the
Water Department.
The county, according to
Manager Cliff Copeland, said the
budget is projected on a 4.3 in
crease in revenue. “The Finance
Committee came down pretty
hard on everyone because it felt
that the economy will not stand a
higher tax rate,” he added.
Commissioner George Jones, a
member of the Finance Com
Edenton, North Carolina Thursday June 5 1980
N. J. George, chairman,
Chowan County Democratic
Executive Committee, promoted
Mitchener for the position during a
cucus of party chairmen at the
District Convention held Saturday
in Washington.
George said the Chowan
Delegation was solid behind Rep.
Charles D. Evans of Dare County
for a slot as a Carter delegate to
the National Democratic Con
vention. Other district delegates
included: Joseph M. Parker of
Ahoskie, who was also elected
convention chairman; and Betty
S. Meggs of Elizabeth City. Carter
alternates are: O. Darryl Smith of
Washington County. Doris L
Thompson of Emerald Isle and
Everline Mitchell of Dover.
The Kennedy delegate is J.
Edward Leathers of Williamston.
Rep. Walter B Jones appointed
Parker, a Hertford County
newspaper publisher, as tem
porary chairman and he was later
elected to the permanent post. He
succeeds the late Larmer Midgett
of Elizabeth City who held the post
since appointed by the late Rep.
Herbert Bonner.
In addition to George and
Mitchener, local delegates to the
district gathering included: Dr. J.
H. Horton, Rev. J. L Fenner, Mrs.
Helen Hollowell, Mrs. Ruth
Frinks, Mrs. Novella P. Wilson,
Mrs. Lueta Sellers, Wilbur Pierce,
A. C. Hudson, Mrs. Elizabeth Byrd
and Felix Chambers.
mittee along with J. D. Peele,
commented: “We have cut budget
requests but not to the point that
no one can’t live with it.”
Edenton-Chowan Board of
Education had requested $907,681
for current expenses and $110,447
for capital outlay. The committee
approved $776,342, or 10.7 per cent
increase in current expenses. For
capital outlay the request was
decreased by $20,000, and the
committee agreed to fund $64,585,
a 44.6 per cent increase. Copeland
said the school board has $30,000 to
put into capital items, including
four new buses needed for
reorganization in September.
Peele said the lack of growth in
the county in the past year has
hurt. “It made it necessary to put
Continued on Page 4
jBMBBKara&jL * *Yr
Chris Hannon, Valedictorian
Holmes High School
Valerie Winslow, Valedictorian
Chow an High School
Commencements Set
Diplomas arid Certificates
signifying completion of high
school Careers will be presented in
separate ceremonies to two
hundred and seven Chowan
County students at John A.
Holmes High School and Chowan
High School on June 8 and 9.
Combined Baccalaureate and
Graduation exercises for the
Holmes Class of 1980 will begin at 4
P M. Sunday June Son Hicks Field
in Edenton Dr. John B. Dunn,
schools superintendent, will
award the exit documents to
Holmes' one-hundred and fifty two
students. He will share the plat
form with Greg Todd, principal of
Holmes High. James Pressley,
director of instruction for
Edenton-Chowan Schools, will be
guest speaker.
Chris Harmon, Valedictorian
and Amy Lane, Salutatorian will
have the honors of addressing
their fellow- classmates during the
graduation ceremony.
Special music will be provided
by the Concert Choir and the John
A. Holmes High School Band
under the direction of Mr. and
Mrs. Otis Strother.
Commencement exercises for
Chowan High School’s Class of
1980 will begin with the Bac
calaureate Service on June 8 at 8
P.M in the school’s auditorium.
Addressing Chowan’s final
graduating class will be Rev.
George Cooke, pastor of Ballard’s
Bridge Baptist Church. Mrs.
Shirley Perry and Winston Dail,
teachers, along with. Principal
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W -y.v-at- - j?
FACE LIFT Local painters are giving the historic Cupola
House fresh coats of paint for a new appearance. Work began this
week to paint the landmark its original color, beige. The project
is the result of work by restoration specialists with the Division of
Archives and History.
Single Copies 20 Cents
**' % -H
Amy Lane. Salutatorian
Holmes High School
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Darlene Saunders, Salutatoriam
Chowan High School
John Guard will also appear in the
program.
Chowan High School’s formal
graduation exercise will be held
Monday. June 9 at 8 P.M. in the
school’s auditorium. Assisted by
Mrs. Marvis Hendrix, retired
Chowan teacher, Dr. John Dunn,
school superintendent will present
diplomas and certificates to the
fifty-five students crossing this
stage for the last time.
Speaking honors during the
ceremony will be shared by
Valerie Winslow, Valedictorian;
Darlene Saunders, Salutorian;
Gail Felton, Outstanding
Graduate; Arnold Sanford, Senior
Continued on Page 4
Improvements Suggested
County Manager Cliff Copeland had a solemn five-point message for
the board of commissioners Monday when he presented the Finance
Committee’s budget recommendation.
Copeland, who has been in the administrative post here for the past
year, exercised his “perogative” in mentioning areas in which the
county needs improvement and made comments on the general direction
of the county. The list was as follows:
1. The County is now operating on dangerously low reserves. Available
General Fund - fund balance as of June 30, 1979, was placed at $10,392.
General Fund - fund balance available for appropriation as of June 30,
1980, will probably total similar amounts. Such limited fund balances
restrain cash flow, inhibit investments and provide little cushion if the
County were to experience a major funding need. Efforts must be taken
within the next two or three years to increase our General Fund - fund
balance to aproximately $300,000 to $400,000.
2. The County must continue to improve on its internal management
controls. While the financial accounting system recently implemented
by the County has undoubtedly enhanced our financial accounting ef
forts, we must also work to improve our contract compliance
procedures, budget amendment process and records storage.
. C ontinued on Page 4
Cupola House
Gets Face Lift
Edentonians can look forward to
a change in scenery as the Cupola
House, the town’s oldest landmark
and certainly among its most
distinguished, is painted a new
and different color. As a result of
several weeks of meticulous paint
research performed this spring by
restoration specialists from the
Division of Archives and History,
the Cupola House exterior will
soon be beige.
According to restorationist A1
Honeycutt, the color, which was
quite popular in England during
the 18th century, was developed to
resemble the color of Portland
stone. By removing pieces of
clapboard from the west side of
the house, and by examining the
original gable finial (which was
stored for years in the Barker
House attic), it was determined
that the tan color indeed
represented the earliest coat of
paint that was ever put on the
house. Both exterior walls and
trim work will be painted beige
The shutters will remain a shade
of green. Honeycutt reported that
there were not. in fact, many coats
of paint on the Cupola House.
The new painting will be
financed by a grant to the Cupola
House Association, made possible
in 1978, through the Division of
Archives and History.
Board Requests
Joint Meeting
The Edenton-Chowan Board of
Education will hold a joint
meeting, next week, with the
Chowan County commissioners
concerning the $840,727 total
county appropriation to the school
system for the 1980-81 fiscal year.
During the school board's
regular meeting Monday night,
Dr. John Dunn, superintendent,
said they face budget cuts of
$147,401 as a result of approval of
that figure.
The appropriation represents an
increase of $87,007 above the 1979-
80 allocation of $753,720. Less
$65,000 for four new school buses,
the school system will be
operating on a total of $22,007 in
new funds for both current ex
pense and capital outlay, he said.
Dr. Dunn pointed out that sum will
be more than depleted by salary
adjustments alone.
Board members expressed
concern over the appropriation,
saying it was their understanding
the $65,000 for buses was to have
been in addition to the regular
budget request.