THE CHOWAN HERALD Published In The Most Beautiful Little City On The North Carolina Coast Volume III - No. 46 Edenton, North Carolina, Thursday, December 4, 1986 Single Copies 25 Cents .-. E: —--. - -.. » ? JE On Showing Initiative Once when the Denver News was losing a circulation battle with the Denver Post, the owner sent a message from California to “show some initiative.” That moved the local publisher to an unusual course of action. He called in a mining engineer to set ’ off a huge explosion on top of the building; but the expert made a slight miscalculation and the downward force of the dynamite wrecked the upper portion of the building. On learning of the debacle, the owner sent his publisher a tele gram saying, “Show no more in 1, itiative.” That’s something like the message somebody ought to be sending President Ronald Reagan. “Initiatives” are at the root of all his troubles. To begin with, there was his economic initiative, also known as Reaganomics, which he set in operation soon after taking office. | He led Congress to accept his proposition that he could cut taxes and increase expenditures without throwing the budget further out of balance. He believed that the tax cut would so stimulate business that it would result in no loss of revenue. It had worked that way in California, he said. Well, it hasn’t worked that way ) in Washington; but the President has remained so adamant against increasing taxes that the country is now more than two trillion dollars in debt, half of which has been accrued since he came into office. . .__ Then came the defense initia tive, also known as star wars. The SDI has become the crown jewel B in the President’s dream to leave office with the United States— and, indeed, the whole free Continued On Page 4 m OFFICERS SWORN—Chowan County’s new Sheriff, Fred Spruill looks on at far right as deputy sheriffs of his department take their oaths of office from Clerk of Superior Court Marjorie Hollowell on Monday morning. They are, from left, Special Deputies, Carroll Smith and Glen Perry, Regular Deputies David Jethro, Wayne Rice, Pamela Byrum, Linda Terry (Chief Deputy), James White and Joe Byrum. Sheriff Spruill was sworn in at a ceremony in Elizabeth City by Superior Court Judge Herbert Small. County Officials Take Oath Of Office The fall elections are over and Monday the winners took office in a series of ceremonies when they were sworn in. New Sheriff, Fred Spruill and re-elected Gerk of Superior Court, Marjorie Hollowell traveled to Elizabeth City to receive their oaths of office from Superior Court Judge Herbert Small. Upon her return to Edenton, Mrs. Hollowell was kept busy swearing in her staff, the Sheriff’s Department, County Commis sioners and Board of Education members. Court Gerk’s office staff sworn in at 9:30 a.m. were Assistant Court Clerk Sheila Sawyer and Deputy Clerks, Alice Twiddy, Janet O’Donnell, Sarah Copeland, Sam Evans and Marjorie Allen. At 10 a.m., Sheriff Fred Spruill witnessed the oath taking of his deputies. In the evening, re-elected Coun ty Commissioners, Joe Hollowell, DOWNTOWN VANDALISM—A shredded awning is graphic evidence of a spree of vandalism that took place on Thanksgiving day. Police ask that anyone that might have information pertaining to this destruc tion to call the police department (482-4444). Vandals Strike Downtown Again # For the third time in three months, downtown businesses have been victimized by vandals who have slashed their awnings. The most recent vandalism oc curred on Thanksgiving day when awnings were cut at six locations. Last Tuesday evening, Country Corner’s awning Was cut and again on Thursday. Others damaged Thursday included Davis Jewelers, Quality Shoes, Cuthrell’s, Fame Men’s Shop and Century 21. Damage estimates totaled almost 12,500. Russell Davis, owner of Davis Jewelers, discovered the damage at5:30p.m. on Thursday. He said that the vandalism took place dur ing daylight hours since he had visited his store that morning and there was no damage then. Several of the merchants said that police advised them to roll their awnings up during non-busi ness hours. Janet Chappell, manager of Quality Shoes said that the awning was necessary during morning hours to protect merchandise in the windows from damaging rays of the sun. “If we roll the awning up, it will do us no good. The sun hits the window first thing in the morning,” she said. John Cuthrell and Davis were victims of awning vandalism in late September. Cuthrell had to in stall a replacement costing about $350. “The new one’s been up about two weeks.” It was cut in seven places. “I believe it’s going to have to be replaced again,” he said. Police Chief John Parrish said, “Anyone who may have seen any thing suspicious in reference to this vandalism is urgently re quested to contact the police department. We need the public’s help and cooperation in cases of vandalism.” The Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce is offering a $200 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the vandals. Chamber Executive Director Kathleen Miller, in an nouncing the reward said, “Because there were so many businesses hit in these repeated acts of vandalism, the chamber feels the need to support the police effort in putting a stop to this.” Clara Boswell and C.A. (Al) Phil lips were sworn. Also Monday evening new Board of Education members Alice Jones, Frank Cox, J.M. Parrish, Jr. and Paul Chap pell were sworn into office. Sale Resolution Passes At an organizational meeting of the Chowan County Board of Com missioners, required by state law to be the first meeting in Decem ber, Commissioners re-elected Alton Elmore as Chairman and Clara Boswell as Vice-Chairman. The board also voted to continue alternating day and night meetings. The Commissioners passed a resolution giving preliminary ap proval for the sale of Albemarle Cable TV to the C-4 Media Corp. Company representative Michael Adamchek told the board that C-4 Media is presently acquiring most of the cable TV systems in this area and plans to upgrade service to customers. The company’s plans include investigating the possibility of extending service to the Arrowhead Beach/Rocky Hock area. The board appointed Julia Small and Nancy Wood as prin cipals and Marshall Jordan as an alternate to the Town of Edenton Planning Board. They will serve as extraterritorial area members. The town, in a reorganization move, combined its Zoning Board and Board of Adjustments. In other action the board: • Approved a proclamation establishing a bicentennial com mittee of Chowan County for the purpose of planning and imple menting a meaningful commem oration of the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution; • Approved the bonding of the new sheriff in the amount of $5,000 against civil actions; • Scheduled an assessment hearing for comment on the final assessment for work completed to Juniper Drive and Waterlily Loop Continued On Page 4 More Break-Ins Reported The George C. Moore Co., located on U.S. 17 North in Eden ton, was broken into Thursday night. Police Chief John Parrish said that the break-in was reported at 8:25 a.m. Friday by Moore employee Gil Akins. Entry to the building was gained by breaking the glass from a rear door. A safe in a canteen area was broken into and an undetermined amount of cash was taken. The canteen is operated by the O.G. Den Food Service Corp. The thieves attempted to bum the safe open with a torch from the company’s maintenance sec tion and then used a drill owned by the company to open the safe, authorities said. Edenton Police Officers Leonard Bonner and Capt. C.H. Williams and State Bureau of In- ( vestigation Agent Dwight Ransom were the investigating officers. The SBI Crime Lab from Green ville was also called to the scene. The Police chief said that the in vestigating officers don’t have reason to believe that professional thieves were involved in the break-in and larceny. He said that physical evidence had been col lected and is currently being analyzed. In another case, Edenton Police arrested a suspect at the scene of a break-in at Spotless Cleaners, 415 North Granville Street. Owner, Clarence Lee Walker, reportedly heard someone trying to break into the business which is near his home. Going outside, he saw someone enter the store through a door on the South side. Officers Bland Terry and Chuck Alexander responded to a call from Welker at 12:S2 a.m. Satur day. They searched the building and found the suspect, Jesse James Twine, hiding in a box of clothes. He was charged with breaking and entering and larceny. A first appearance hear ing for Twine in the case was con ducted Tuesday and he is being held at the Chowan County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond. Twine also faces charges in con nection with the break-ins at Boswell’s Restaurant and Eden ton Auto Parts. Police said that he is a suspect in several other break-ins in Edenton. Lawmakers Meeting At Municipal Bldg. By JACK GROVE A unique meeting of state lawmakers from Virginia and North Carolina that begins today at Edenton’s Municipal Building should see some interesting discussion between the two states, according to Sen. Marc Basnight of Manteo. In a telephone inter view this week he said, “I can’t predict what its outcome could be, I don’t think anyone could hazard a guess. It can only enhance the dialogue between the two states.” The meeting is the first of an In terstate Study Commission on the future of the Chowan River. Each state’s legislature is represented by seven members on the com mission. The stated purpose of the joint body is to review the river’s water quality and to explore ways to enhance that quality. Basnight termed it ‘‘a preliminary meeting. I’m excited about what can transpire at this joint meeting and the cast of characters involved.” He said that he was particularly pleased to open commission business “in such an historic site as Edenton”. The meeting may address mutual concerns of the states other than the Chowan River, however. Basnight said that the issue of withdrawal of water from Lake Gaston for use in Virginia cities will definitely surface. He said that a member of the North Carolina delegation would bring it up publicly. He hastened to add, “Not me. I’m interested in the Chowan.” The idea of the commis sion originated with Basnight. The Manteo senator stated his opposition to water withdrawal from Gaston. Recently a proposal was presented to Gov. James Martin that the states cooperate in piping water from the lake, with Virginia Beach, Va. and the Outer Banks of this state being the end users. Basnight feels, "That’s too risky a proposal. I’m opposed to taking water out of the Roanoke River Basin.” Today’s session will begin at 3:00 p.m. with the respective state delegations meeting separately. The N.C. delegation will adopt a budget and hear presentations on present water quality, past pro grams to improve quality, effects of pollution on marine and wildlife, and suggested actions and costs involved to improve the water quality. Delegates of both states will hold a joint meeting tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss future cooperative action for river improvement. They will also hear a presentation from the En vironmental Protection Agency. LOCAL GAME—The “Game of Chowan County” is now available for pick up by those who have given advance orders to the Optimist Club. Dalton Furlough (left) and Chuck Smith hold one of the games. Furlough said that they may be picked up from Royalty Finance from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Additional games are available for Christmas purchases, he said. Holiday Activities Planned Enjoy the beauty and elegance of an 18th century Christmas on Sunday, December 7 in Historic Edenton. The Cupola House and the James Iredell House will be festively decorated and open to the public from 2:00-5:00 P.M. Both homes will feature eight eenth century-style Christmas decorations, music, and refresh ments. There is no admission charge. The historic Cupola House dates from 1725 and is an outstanding example of Jacobean architec ture. The Cupola House Wassail Bowl features the traditional holi day beverage “Wassail” as well as other refreshments. The Iredell House Groaning Board features beautiful foods made from eighteenth century and early nineteenth century recipes. This year’s menu in cludes figgy pudding, steeple cream, everlasting syllabub, Continued On Page 4 * ~~~ - ---—— ASSISTING UNDERPRIVILEGED—Edenton Jaycees Morris Small (left), Kel Elmore (center) and Gary Smith (right) are among members of the organization selling holiday wreaths and pine garlands to raise money for their annual Underprivileged Children's Christmas Party. Toiplace an order for either of these items, call Morris Small at 482-7466 or 482-3700, Kel Elmore at 482-8411 nr 482-7314, or any member of the Edenton Jaycees. (Staff photo by Gail Basnight)

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