m
1
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Standing Tall
Chowan and Albemarle
hospitals have switched places in
percentage of occupancy in the
past five years. While the hospital
along the Public Parade has en
joyed good health in recent years,
the Isle of Pasquotank facility has
grown in the number of beds while
declining in occupancy.
The above observation is taken
from one of the most reliably
sources of information on non
profit health care - The Duke
Endowment.
Between October 1, 1980, and
September 30,1981, the acute care
unit at Chowan Hospital had a 99.3
per cent occupancy rate with 14.4
per cent free days. From the same
source of information, Albemarle
Hospital had 74.4 per cent oc
cupancy and 21.9 per cent free
days.
By comparison, during the same
time period five years earlier,
Chowan Hospital’s occupancy was
74 per cent and Albemarle’s rate
was 98 per cent. During the period,
though, Albemarle added 53 beds,
which apparently aren’t being
utilized.
Also, other area hospitals were
losing or just hanging on in the
battle of occupancy, this single
most important item to solvency
in health care. Bertie slipped from
68 per cent to 59 per cent;
Washington County did increase
from 52.5 per cent to 62.9 per cent
(and Tyrrell County’s acute
facility closed); and Roanoke-
Chowan in Ahoskie went up
slightly, from 83 per cent to 86.3
per cent.
The successful recruitment of
additional physicians and the
opening of a 96-bed long term
facility (Elder Lodge) in a great
measure accounts for the better
picture at Chowan Hospital.
Improved management deserves
a considerable pat on the back
because the atmosphere of a
facility has a lot to do with con
fidence and credibility.
Thereihflg been no erosion of
health in the Isle
of PasqtMthk, but a lot of patients
who once were given first aid
along the Public Parade now have
more specialized services
available, so they are being
retained at the initial point of
entry.
The growth of Greenville as a
more sophisticated health care
center has also played a role in the
decline in Albemarle Hospital’s
popularity. Patients once passed
through Albemarle enroute to
Norfolk. Now patients needing
services not available along the
Public Parade have a better
choice - Greenville, Chapel Hill, or
Durham.
All of this merely supports the
claim that it takes more than the
availability of hospital beds to
attract patients. In addition to
professionals at all level-skilled
hands and minds - atmosphere is
important. Sure, the professionals
contribute or take away from a
health climate of health care; the
next most important ingredients
are management and community
lay support.
People meandering along the
Public Parade are fortunate. A
healthy mix exists. The Duke
Endowment figures don’t lie,
neither are they easily explained
away.
Welcome CRC
Members of the Coastal
Resources Commission and the
Coastal Resources Advisory
Council’s Executive Committee
are meandering along the Public
Parade this week. Welcome!
The 15-member CRC and 48-
member CRAC are performing a
valuable public service to North
Carolinians. While the Coastal
Area Management Act of 1974
deals with 20 counties, the fragile
area must be maintained in a
manner which best serves all the
people.
‘Opponents to CAMA in the
General Assembly in 1974 and
practically every year since have
attempted unsuccessfully to tag a
“no development” label on the
measure. M no time have
guidelines mandated by the act
run contrary to sensible
development.
CRC has kept close to the people
ConUnned on page 4
Mayor’s Request Prompts Heated Debate
The rift between Mayor Roy L.
Harrell and the Town Council
continued Tuesday night with
James Martin, director of utilities,
being the focal point. Mayor Pro
Tern Allen Hornthal was critical of
the mayor’s recent direct request
to Martin for a detailed report of
the director’s daily activities.
While admitting the mayor had
a right to such information,
Hornthal questioned the motive of
such a request. Hornthal, chair
man of the Utility Committee, said
the mayor’s request was in con
flict with stated policy and the
chain of command outlined in the
Town Charter.
In reply to a direct question
from Hornthal, the mayor replied:
“I wanted the information from
Mr. Martin. I still want it and
that’s my reason for asking for it.”
“I assume Mr. Martin is next on
your hit list,” the councilman said.
Mayor Harrell denied the
The Chowan Herald
n n
HHHHHBHi M Uii/j
Vol. XLVI - No. 25
f 111 '
HI ; H j|jp I yA 1
AWARDS DAY AT HOLMES HIGH Principal Greg Todd
addressed students, faculty and visitors during the annual
Awards Day program at John A. Holmes High School last week.
Scholarships and awards totaling more than SIO,OOO were
presented to outstanding students.
Joint Venture Announced
Gardner To Assume Post
L. F. Amburn, Jr., 104 West Gale
Street, and W. B. Gardner, 1001
West Queen Street, today an
nounced the formation of
AGEnterprises. Offices will be
located at 913 North Broad Street.
Amburn is editor and publisher
of The Chowan Herald. Gardner
recently resigned as ad
ministrator of the Town of
Edenton. He will leave the post
July 4 after more than 20 years
with the municipality.
The joint venture will include
health care, development of senior
citizen villages, manufacturing of
custom vinyl products, paper and
screen printing, specialty ad
vertising, corporate identity
marketing and real estate
development.
Amburn is president of AGE.
Gardner is senior vice president
and chief operating officer.
Probable Cause
Is Determined
Probable cause was found in
Chowan County District Court in
the felony case against Edward
Louis Coffield. The 18-year-old
Negro of Route 3, Edenton, is
charged with breaking and en
tering.
Asst. Dist. Atty. Michael
Johnson dismissed a larceny
count. Coffield was also charged
with injury to real property. Judge
Grafton G. Beaman sentenced him
to 180 days in the the count,
suspended upon payment of S2OO
fine and costs. Coffield was placed
on probation for two years. Notice
of appeal was entered.
The following other action was
taken during the weekly court
session:
Richard Elliott, compliance,
order of arrest.
William Russell Smith, no
operator’s license, S4O fine and
costs.
Ada Leary, worthless check, 10
Continued on page 4
charge. He said the councilman
was reading something into the
request which was not intended.
When the mayor invited Martin to
participate in the discussion, the
utilities director said: “No
comment at this time.”
Mayor Harrell admitted that
Martin’s job description is
available. However, he said it says
what Martin is supposed to do. “I
want to know what he is doing.”
Councilman Gil Burroughs
entered the discussion at this
point. “I think we have been down
this road before,” he said. He
charged that the council refused to
deal with the issue some time ago
when the mayor requested
detailed activity reports from
Gardner. He said he hopes the
council will come to grips with the
issue soon because there is need to
follow a chain in command for
smooth operations.
In other business, Town Council
Edenton, North Carolina, Thursdoy, June 11, 1981
Ownership and management of
The Chowan Herald is not affected
by formation of the new company.
“I have developed several in
terests outside the newspaper
during the past few years,”
Amburn said. “In recent weeks it
has become apparent to me that I
cannot continue to devote suf
ficient time to these business to
insure their successful operation.
“In the more than 16 years that I
have known Bill Gardner I have
been impressed with his
management skills and creativity
as well as his ability to move
Continued on page 4
July Fourth Festival Is Slated
The Chowan - Edenton Op
timist Club is sponsoring its
second Fabulous Fourth of July
Festival in downtown Edenton.
The festival is for the entire family
but major emphasis is placed on
children’s activities.
In conjunction with the event
will be a big Arts and Crafts
Festival. It will be located in the
Mitchener Building (formerly
Rose’s) in downtown Edenton.
The Saturday activities-Fourth
of July-will begin with a 30-unit
parade at 11 A. M. and will end
with a bang, according to M. J.
McArthur, a club official.
The “bang” will cost $2,500 and
will be provided by the largest
aerial fireworks display over the
water in North Carolina.
McArthur said the parade will
include a military marching band,
old cars, new cars, fire engines,
clowns. National Guard
weaponry, dressed up bicycles,
decorated wagons, law en
forcement vehicles, the Op
timist Club train, commercial
business entries, and other
historical reminders, of our
nation’s quest for freedom. Any
one interested in participating in
the parade whould contact Joe
Hollowell at 482-4578.
During the day, the public is
invited to enjoy horseshoe pitch
accepted for study the proposed
Land Use Plan from the Planning
Board. John Ferren of Greenville,
planner for the project, gave an
overview of the plan. The plan will
now be distributed to state and
federal agencies for comment.
Ferren complimented members
of the Planning Board for their
cooperations and detailed study
and discussion of the plan, which
is required by the Coastal Area
Management Act of 1974.
Gardner echoed the remarks.
He suggested that Mayor Harrell
write members of the planning
board, thanking them for their
superior work and service to the
town.
Hornthal earlier noted that
“pigs and parking” constitute a
problem at the new softball fields
off North Broad Steet. Mike
Johnson, recreation director, said
he and Gardner are looking into
the problems.
Awards Day Program Nets
Seniors Over SIO,OOO
The prevalence of scholarships
presented and recognition of
academic scholarships won during
The Awards Day Program at John
A. Holmes High School last week
signified strong community
support for the high academic
capabilities of the school’s class of
’Bl. Scholarships and awards in
excess of ten thousand dollars
were presented by presidents and
representatives of numerous local
organizations and the school in
recognition for outstanding
scholarship, leadership,
citizenship and community ser
vice. Cups, certificates and
medals honoring students in many
other areas were also presented.
The traditional Robing
Ceremony, at which time mem
bers of the Class of ’Bl are for
mally recognized as graduates,
was a highlight of the Awards Day
Program.
Competitive academic
scholarships in the amount of
$400.00, renewable for each of four
years, were received by Graham
Cox, to pursue his music, and by
Martha Gibson, who will attend
Meredith College. Sherrod Banks,
as the result of oratorical abilities
in local, district and State Elks
Club competition, has been
awarded ‘ $1,650. to attend the
college of his choice. He has the
possibility of earning $7000.00 in
additional scholarship funds by
winning at the upcoming Regional
and National competition. Sherrod
also received a SIOO.OO scholarship
in Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA)
ing, train rides, carnival games,
boat rides, watermelon eating
contests, hot wheel races, dunking
fun machine and others. Some
sponsor will receive SIOO.
Small children, six and under,
will have a golden opportunity to
be measured in copper. Also, they
will be allowed to seek and keep
their find of SSO in pennies which
the Optimist Club will throw into
the grass at Colonial Park.
The Chowan - Edenton Optimist
Club, while being the chief
sponsor, is seeking outside support
in these efforts. Financial con
tributions may be mailed to the
club at P.O. Box 1096, Edenton, or
given to any Optimist Club
member.
Craftsmen, artists and wood
workers from throughout the area
are invited to participate in the
Arts and Crafts Festival.
The festival will be Friday
through Sunday - July 3-5 - Space
cost for all three days is sls.
People with arts and crafts who
would like to display in the festival
should contact John Mitchener,
111, 482-3711, or Lane Kinion, 482-
4510 or 482-8788. Those wishing to
contact the officials by mail
should write Mitchener at 1000
West Queen Street, Edenton,
27932.
Continued on pagf 4
The transcript of the April 7
meeting of Town Council will not
be published as a part of the
minutes. Because of the length of
the transcript the cost of such
publication was considered ex
cessive. A copy will be available at
the Municipal Building for the
public and copies of the 41 - page
transcript can be obtained at cost.
At the suggestion of Mayor
Harrell, the Recreation Com
mittee will review an earlier
decision, which was approved by
the council, to move youth
playground equipment from the
park on North Oakum Street at
Freemason.
Insurance bids were awarded to
Twiddy Insurance & Real Estate,
the low bidder.
Gardner was instructed to move
ahead with extending the sidewalk
on North Granville Street to a
point at Unit B of Chowan
Hospital. The cost is estimated at
Single Copies 20 Cents
Sorority competition.
David Jordan received the
prestigious Rotary Cup, presented
annually to the graduate
demonstrating the “highest
degree of excellence in all facets
of student life” and was awarded a
$500.00 scholarship. David also
received a $500.00 4-H Scholarship,
one of twelve offered in the State
and one of two out of seventeen
counties in the 4-H northeastern
district.
Craig Halsey had the unique
distinction of receiving a twelve
year Perfect Attendance Cer
tificate. Jackie Boyce and Carolyn
Stepney received four year
Perfect Attendance Certificates.
Roses and Hollowell & Blount
provided gifts in recognition of
these honors.
Other local scholarships and
awards ranging in value from
$50.00 to $500.00 were presented
from the following organizations
to the following students:
AKA Susan Leigh, LaVerne
McClease, Darlene Overton,
Ronald Stallings and Gwen White,
The American Legion Oratorical
Award - Sharon Hollowell; BPW
scholarships - Karen Evans,
Laurie Everson, Stacy Waller and
Benita Ward; Chowan Hospital
Auxiliary - Eliot Atstupenas and
Susan Miller; Chowan-
Perquimans EOP scholarship -
Continued on page 4
Meals Available
Edenton-Chowan Schools will
serve breakfast and lunch to
children attending both the
migrant and regular summer
school program at Ernest A.
Swain Eelmentary School.
Meals will be served without
cost to the children under 18 years
of age. All children attending the
program will be treated the same.
In operating the program, no
discrimination will be made
against any child because of race,
color, sex or national origin.
T Jfi 1 n 1 ~ nl I Uni '**
PREPARING FOR CELEBRATION The Chowan - Edenton
Optimist Club is busy finalizing preparations for Edenton ’s
second annual July 4th celebration. Three of the principal
organizers for the event are Mike McArthur, Richard Dixon and
Ted Wright, shown above from the left. The celebration will in
clude numerous games, contest and exhibits as wall as a parade
and a big fireworks display over Edenton Bay.
between $4,000 and $5,000.
Final plats for Tom Francis
property on Mexico Road were
approved.
John C. Brooks
Safety Awards
To Be Presented
N. C. Labor Commissioner John
C. Brooks will present the labor
department’s annual award for
outstanding safety achievement to
35 businesses, governmental
agencies and service establish
ments at a dinner in Elizabeth City
on June 17.
At the program, cosponsored
with the Elizabeth City Area
Chamber of Commerce, Com
missioner Brooks will honor firms
from throughout a six-county
area.
Brooks will note particularly the
achievement of Ricks Laundry &
Cleaners Inc., Edenton. which
qualified for the department’s
safety ward for the 16th con
secutive year.
Other recipients will include
Carter’s Ink of Edenton. fourth
consecutive year; Atlantic Forest
Products, Inc., of Edenton. fourth
consecutive year; Chowan Veneer
Company, Inc., and P H. Rose
Store, both of Edenton. second
consecutive year: and The
Chowan Herald, Inc , and Tee-Lok
Corp., of Edenton. first year.
Qualifiers for the department's
1980 award either maintained a
perfect safety record during the
calendar year or recorded an
occupational injury incidence rate
at least 50 per cent below the
statewide rate for their particular
industry.
The awards dinner is schdeuled
to begin at 7 P.M. at the Holiday
Inn in Elizabeth City.
Presiding will be Larry D.
Tucker, first vice chairman of the
chamber of commerce and vice
president of First Union National
Bank of North Carolina. Elizabeth
City.
Mary W. Livengood. president
of the chamber, will welcome
guests.
Rev. Robert B. Poole, minister
of Corinth Baptist Church,
Elizabeth City, will give the in
vocation.
The Elizabeth City dinner is the
27th in a series of 30 labor
department safety awards
presentations scheduled across
the state this spring. The safety
incentive program began in 1946
as a cooperative effort with the
U. S. Department of Labor under
the World War II Manpower Act.
Continued on page 4
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