Round-Up Missing
Those who meander along the
Public Parade will immediately
notice that the Raleigh Roundup
column is missing from today’s
edition of The Chowan Herald.
Mildred A. Huskins, our favorite
columnist, has not been on the
Raleigh scene for the past week.
Rep. Jay Huskins of Iredell was
admitted to Davis Hospital in
Statesville on Wednesday of last
week. He is reported to be making
satisfactory progress and is ex
pected to return to the General
Assembly soon.
Mildred assures us that once she
returns to Raleigh her popular
column will resume.
Resignations
There have been a rash of
resignations recently. And those
who meander along the Public
Parade have no reason to be
jubilant.
In the past two weeks, two
strong individuals in the Hunt
Administration have announced
their intent to leave state
government. By coincidence,
probably, Eastern North
Carolina’s most prominent public
figure has decided to cast his lot in
the private sector.
Sec. Thomas Bradshaw of the
Department of Transportation and
Sec. Howard N. Lee of the
Department of Natural Resources
& Community Development have
been kind to Edenton and Chowan
County during their tenure. So did
their predecessors, both
Democrats and Republicans.
The one person most responsible
for the preferential treatment is
W. B. Gardner. As town ad
ministrator for more than 20 years
he has put his community above
himself. Because of his per
sonaltiy and uncanny ability to get
things done, there has not been a
year during his two decades of
public service when he failed to
earn his salary several times over
from sources other than taxes.
Those who were not shocked by
Mr. Gardner’s announcement last
week of his intent to resign ef
fective July 4 number among
.those oblivious to the most ob
vious. And even before the shock
waves began to subside, Mayor
Roy L. Harrell was quoted as
saying he hadn’t given much
thought to the events which
precipitated the ultimate decision.
There is no person known to us
more unselfish than Mr. Gardner.
He demonstrated this time and
time over as he forged ahead for
what he felt best for this area of
Tar Heelia. He knows no
municipal or county boundaries.
While his salary came from the
municipal coffers, he was
foresighted enough to realize that
in promoting the region Edenton
was bound to get some of the
fallout.
The development of industry at
Edenton Municipal Airport is an
example. And he practically
singled handedly got the new
National Guard Armory project
off the drawing board and to
reality.
Three local people played key
rolls in a $l.B-million Economic
Development Administration
grant for the new Chowan County
Courthouse. Mr. Gardner was one
of them. There are many, many
other examples of his untiring
devotion to duty and commitment
of purpose.
The Tom Bradshaws* the
Howard Lees, and the Bill Gard
ners are so vocal they are ready
targets. Now and then the op
position scores a hit and some
damage is done. But they keep on
keeping on for their mission is not
based on petty things. They are in
an elite group; leaders who are
born and not made.
Edenton’s Town Council has an
awesome responsibility in filling
the administrator’s post. No one
planned for Mr. Gardner’s
departure mi Independence Day.
If there is a bright spot in the cloud
hanging over the Public Parade it
is the fact that Mayor Harrell still
cannot vote except in the case of a
tie.
Not Unrecognized
The 1961 Biennial Pilgrimage of
Colonial Edenton is history. By all
standards it was a huge success.
The Chowan Herald is proud of
Continued on page 4
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Voi. XLVI - No. 24
Budget Tentatively OK’ed
Tax Increase Is Proposed
Tentative approval was given
Monday to a budget for Chowan
County in 1981-82 which requires a
six-cent increase in property
taxes. The budget calls for
$2,938,994 in the General Fund, up
some $117,000.
The budget is based on a
valuation of $147.5-million - up
$1.5-million - with a 95 per cent
collection rate. The tax rate would
be sl.lO. The fire district rate
would be $1.14.
County Manager Cliff Copeland
said this will be the last year for
budgeting on the current
valuation. Revaluation is nearing
completion and will be used next
year.
The county manager praised the
Finance Committee, consisting of
J. D. Peele and George Jones, for
coming up with a “conservative
but adequate” budget. “This is a
more realistic budget than last
year,” he commented. Peele noted
that Mrs. Barbara Ward sat in on
the committee’s session in order
to become more familiar with
the county’s financial matters.
The budget, which will go to
public hearing on June 15, includes
a 5 per cent cost of living raise for
county employees and a 10 per
cent increase in appropriations for
Edenton-Chowan Board of
Education.
David L. Jordan
Jordan Awarded
4-H Scholarship
David Lindley Jordan, Route 2,
Edenton, has been named winner
for a SSOO educational scholarship
from the N. C. 4-H Development
Fund.
Jordan, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Lindley Jordan, is one of 12
4-H members from across North
Carolina selected to share in $6,000
of scholarship money being
distributed this year by the Fund.
Harold J. Brubaker, Route 3,
Asheboro, president of the fund,
says the scholarships are awarded
to outstanding 4-H members for
college study during the 1981-82
academic year.
The 4-H Development Fund,
with headquarters at N. C. State
University at Raleigh, was
organized in 1958 by friends and
alumni of 4-H to help support
certain phases of club work.
Brubaker explained that this is
the 20th year that scholarships
have been awarded. Recipients,
he reported, are selected on the
basis of their high school record,
evidence of college aptitude and
4-H work.
Jordan nas compiled an out
standing record of ac
complishments during nine years
in 4-H work. He has completed 45
projects, given 25 demonstrations
and received more than 75 awards
in 4-H competition. He has served
as a junior 4-H leader and held
offices in his local 4-H club and the
county 4-H council. He has also
been elected vice president for the
Northeastern District 4-H Clubs.
David will represent N. C.
4-H’ers at the Georgia 4-H Con
gress June 15-17.
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Copeland reported that the sl.lO
tax rate would generate $1.5-
million in general fund revenues,
or about one-half the budget in this
area. He pointed out that in the
past three years the fund balance
appropriated to balance the
budget has declined from more
than $200,000 to $105,000.
Each one-cent on the tax rate
generates $14,012.
The budget reflects a reduction
in force in the tax office and the
extension office. There is a new
position in Edenton-Chowan
Rescue Squad and money to
purchase materials for a new
rescue squad building in Gliden.
Five positions in the county were
reclassified.
Commissioner Alton G. Elmore
inquired about plans for main
tenance of county property.
Copeland said maintenance
budget was up 10 to 15 per cent and
included is money for a new air
conditioner at Shepard-Pruden
Memorial Library.
Elmore noted that requests
from department appeared to be
pretty well met this year. Jones
added that the committee had
“some real good budgets” from
the county departments.
Chairman C. A. Phillips pointed
out that the county earned some
SIIO,OOO in interest on in
vestments. “That is very com
mendable,” he added.
Another important source of
revenue for the county is the 1 per
cent local option sales tax.
Revenue for budget from this
source amounts to $275,000.
Mrs. Ward said she got a
valuable education by sitting in on
Disaster Status Being Sought
For Commercial Fishermen
Chowan County commissioners
acted positively Monday to a
request for designation of the
region as a disaster area for
commercial fishermen. County
Manager Cliff Copeland was in
structed to inquire at state and
federal levels of proper
procedures to obtain such
classification.
If the disaster status is received
it would mean that commercial
fishermen could obtain low in
terest federal disaster loans.
Copeland said Tuesday evening
that full cooperation has been
promised by Gov. James B. Hunt,
Jr., and Rep. Walter B. Jones of
the First Congressional District.
Commissioner J. D. Peele
Vepco Withdraws
Fuel Factor Hike
ROANOKE RAPIDS Virginia
Electric and Power Company has
sought to eliminate an increase in
its North Carolina fuel factor in
August, September, October and
November.
Vepco asked the N. C. Utilities
Commission to balance the
current need for a $2.55 per 1,000
kilowatt-hour per month fuel
factor increase with a larger
decrease projected for next
December, January, February,
and March.
The net effect would be to
stabilize fuel charges to customers
for the next ten months.
Southern Division vice president
Randy Mclver said Vepco asked to
omit the fuel increase “to avoid a
higher fuel charge in August, at
the time base rates are expected
to be raised.” August is a high
usage month in which summer
electric rates are still in effect.
The projected fuel cost decrease
is due to increased use of nuclear
and coal generation. Vepco now
has three nuclear units operating
at full power, and expects to have
four nuclear generators operating
later this summer, when Surry
Unit 1 returns to service after
replacement of its steam
generators.
Edenton, North Carolina, Thursday, June 4. 1981
the Finance Committee meetings.
“I am now much more
knowledgeable about what a big
business the county is,” he added.
In other matters, the board
recognized John Lee Spruill upon
his retirement at Veterans Service
Officer.
J. W. Davis was reappointed to
the Chowan ABC Board during
abrief joint meeting of the com
missioners with Edenton-Chowan
Board of Education. The ap
pointment is for a three-year
term.
Copeland reminded board
members that the Chowan County
Planning Board is planning a
dinner June 18 for Charlie
Overman who is retiring from the
board.
The board also discussed some
form of recognition for W. B.
Gardner, Edenton town ad
ministrator, who had resigned.
Phillips, who noted that he was on
the committee which recom
mended Gardner for the position,
said he is “one of the top city
managers in this state.” He said
Gardner’s decision to resign is “a
tremendous loss to the town and
county.”
Elmore added that Gardner has
done a “fantastic” job and has
helped the county in any way that
he could.
Sheriff Troy Toppin distributed
community watch portfolios to
board members and reported that
six programs are in place in
Chowan County. He also asked the
board to comment on policies
being developed for the Detention
Facility.
Continued on page 4
presented the county board a
letter Monday morning from
commercial fishermen asking for
assistance in having the area
declared a disaster. ‘‘The catch is
going down, down, down,” Peele
said.
Chairman C. A. Phillips said
there is no question about com
mercial fishing being a disaster.
“Yes, I would think it would
qualify (for disaster status),” he
added.
“This may be the only chance
Continued On Page 4
Commencement Exercises Will Be ‘Firsts’
Commencement activities for
201 Chowan County public school
graduates will occur this weekend
and next. Two major firsts will be
reflected through the exercises.
The John A. Holmes Class of
1981 will be the first to graduate
from the county’s consolidated
high school and the Edenton-
Chowan Alternative School will
conduct its first formal graduation
exercises.
The Baccalaureate Service for
the 175 Holmes graduates will be
held at 7:30 P.M., June 7 at the
Edenton Baptist Church. Dr. John
Allen, minister, and Ralph Cole,
D. F. Walker School principal
will address the students. In
troductions of the guest speakers
will be made by Eliot Atstupenas
and Patricia Bunch.
■■ ■ %
Charlene Evans
SPRUILL RETIRES John Lee Spruill, left, Veterans Service
Officer for Chowan County has retired. He was recognized
Monday by Chowan County commissioners. Making the
presentation is Chairman C. A. Phillips.
Board Agrees To Cut Budget
Edenton-Chowan County Board of Education agreed Monday night to
trim $38,022 from its budget for fiscal 1981-82 to come in line with what
Chowan County commissioners approved in a tentative budget for
$883,715, which is a 10 per cent increase.
Dr. John Dunn, superintendent, told the board the commissioners’
action is encouraging, especially when big cuts are expected from the
federal government. Furthermore, while the General Assembly has
made no commitment, there are indications any increase will be at a
minimum.
The board of education sent a $986,854 budget to the commissioners. It
included $972,113 for current expense and $14,741 for capital outlay. The
county was asked to fund $921,737 with the additional $65,117 coming
from fines and forfeitures and indirect costs.
Anticipated revenue from fines and forfeitures, which in the past two
years have been greatly overstated, was placed at $43,210 for the next
fiscal year. “They anticipate a lot of crime in Chowan County in the
coming year,” was the comment heard later.
The school budget includes $25,000 for funding a Naval ROTC program
at John A. Holmes High School. This program has resulted in much
criticism from faculty and school patrons who argue there is a need to
beef up existing areas rather than bring on something new.
A three-man committee of the board -- Chairman Eugene Jordan, Dr.
J. H. Horton, vice chairman, and Thomas Paul Griffin -- was named to
trim the budget down to funding offered by the commissioners. The
school board will meet again prior to June 15 to formally adopt the
budget. (The commissioners will hold a puhlic hearing on the entire
county on that date.)
Asst. Supt. James A. Kinion presented the first draft on a Fixed Asset
Inventory Policy, which was called for in the audit by Timberlake &
Sykes, P. A. Action on adopting the policy will come at a later meeting.
Butch Ricks, principal at White Oak Elementary School, presented the
final report from the Math Committee of a general Curriculum Study
now underway in the system.
The board approved a schedule of meetings for 1981-82. All of the
meetings will be held on the first Monday of the month except July 2
(Thursday); September 8 (Tuesday); and January 5 (Tuesday).
Dr. Dunn presented a directive from the State Board of Education
concerning positions included in the federal reduction list. He said there
are no such programs in the local system, but the directive is something
unusual coming from the state board to local boards.
The board expressed opposition to a bill in the General Assembly
which would authorize payroll deductions in order to enhance mem
bership in employee associations. Dr. Dunn said this would require extra
work on the part of staff at a time when efforts are being made to limit
staff.
Rev. George Cooke of Ballard’s
Bridge Baptist Church, delivered
the Baccalaureate to the Alter
native School’s 26 graduates on
May 10.
Formal graduation for the
Alternative School’s Class of 1981
will begin at 8 P.M., June 11 in the
Ernest A. Swain School
Auditorium. Dr. Jimmie Jenkins,
vice chancellor of Elizabeth City
State . University, will be the
principal speaker. School
superintendent, Dr. John Dunn
and Mrs. Clara Boswell, principal,
will present diplomas.
Sharon Walton and William
Riddick, ECAS students will also
take part in the platform ac
tivities.
The traditional strains of
“Pomp and Circumstance” will
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Martha Gibson
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Single Copies 20 Cents.
herald the Holmes Class of 1981 at
7 P.M., June 12. The outdoor
ceremonies will be held on Hicks
Field.
Dr. Elizabeth Koontz, assistant
superintendent from the State
Department of Public Instruction,
will be the guest speaker.
Charlene Evans, valedictorian,
and co-salutatorians, Martha
Gibson and Benita Ward, will also
address their fellow classmates.
Dr. Dunn and Eugene Jordan,
school board chairman, will
present diplomas and certificates.
Under the direction of Mrs.
Shelby Strother, special music for
Holmes’ baccalaureate and
graduation ceremonies will be
presented by the John A. Holmes
High School Concert Choir.
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