Newspapers / The Chowan Herald (Edenton, … / May 21, 1997, edition 1 / Page 1
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Herald Wednesday, May 21,1997 Published in the most beautiful little city on the North Carolina Coast Vol.LXIV, No.21 50« Property owners can expect average 25 % increase BY CLIFF CLARK News Editor Chowan County’s revaluation of taxable property is nearly complete and early estimates are there will be an average 25 percent increase in values of homes and property. “Some homes and property will increase only a few per centage points and others will see an increase of up to 35 per cent,” said Robert Ezzell, a re valuation expert for Pearson Appraisals, the firm hired by Chowan County for the prop erty revaluation which takes Undercover operation nets, three BY REBECCA BUNCH Associate Editor A joint investigation by the Chowan County Sheriff’s Department and the State Bureau of Investigation has resulted in three recent arrests on drug-related charges. On May 6 authorities stopped a 1989 Nissan being driven by Faye Elizabeth Dotson, 42, of Rt. 2, Hertford. Dotson was arrested on North Broad Street Extended, Edenton, and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver approximately one ounce of powdered cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for the me. of controlled substances, m<( the sale and delivery of cocain. “After an undercover operation by our of fice and the SBI, we were able to make this arrest,” said Sheriff Fred Spruill. “This is just one more example of how having the good working relationship we have See ARRESTS On Page S-A Aviation Day planned here BY REBECCA BUNCH Associate Editor The Northeastern Regional Airport in Edenton will soon be showing off the results of its extensive renovations. The airport is extending an invitation to the entire com munity to attend “Memorial Day at the Airport” on May 26 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Airport Manager Tom Sprouse said the purposeof the event is twofold. “We want to honor aviators who have gone before us,” he said. “And, we want to invite everyone to come out and see iur new facilities.” Sprouse said the facelift to :he facility has included such :hings as runway expansion, a lew weather forecasting system, andapplying crack and seal on the runway. The airport also has planes for saleor rent and is organizing a flight training school and an air charter service. He said attending “Memorial Day at the Airport” will not inly give visitors a chance to see the improvements that have been made, but also to enjoy looking at some experimental and antique aircraft that will be on hand especially for this event. There will be tours of the terminal building as well as tours of Edenton aboard the new trolley car, Sprouse said. He added that there will also See AVIATION On Page 5-A Free Prizes Great Food! place every eight years. He said the 25 percent figure represented the average in crease of homes and property. “Increases in value does not necessarily mean taxes will increase. Likewise, decreases in values does not mean there will be a decrease in taxes,” said Linda Hendrix, Chowan County’s tax administrator. While most home and prop erty owners understand, and prepare for each revaluation, a new tax on agricultural com modities will be considered by the Chowan County Board of Commissioners during its meeting in June to adopt the new tax schedules. Peanut and tobacco allot ments, if adopted by the county commissioners, will be taxed. The proposed tax on the two commodities allotments will be $.38 per pound for peanuts and $2.03 per pound for tobacco. During a meeting to examine the schedule held recently, Commissioner Pete Dail ex pressed concern about the tax and its effects on farmers. He was concerned, on tobacco for example, that the tax was higher than what the producer was getting for the commodity at the market. However, said Hendrix, the tax levied is established by the state. “We didn’t just pull this out of our hats. The (tax price per pound) was based on the 1998 land-use value schedule for the Tidewater region,” she said. In fact, said Ezzell, during the rate schedule hearings, Chowan County was one of the last counties in the state that didn’t levy a tax on peanut and tobacco allotments. If, however, allotments were eventually phased out, said Hendrix, the taxes could be GERMAN ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM HERE The Ulmer Knabenmusik, an all-male German orchestra, will perform at Swain Auditorium on Thursday evening. May 22, at 8 p.m. A reception will follow. On Wednesday evening, the public is invited to attend a soccer game and hot dog picnic at the Edenton Methodist Church grounds in which the musicians will participate. Tickets for the concert can be obtained by calling the Chowan Arts Council at 482-8005. (Submitted photo) eliminated from producers’ tax files “in minutes.” Revaluation is the review of all real property to assure its value reflects current market prices. It assures that taxation of real property is fair and eq uitable, said Hendrix. L “Values of different types change at different rates; some appreciate faster than others while some can decrease. Over a period this could cause some to carry a disproportionate share of taxes. Revaluations correct this as all property is at current market prices,” said Hendrix. In essence, said tax revalua tion expert Ezzell, “All we’re trying to do is assure that the tax value of the real property would reflect the market price.” Hendrix said the commission ers would be presented the new schedules during their June board meeting. If the sched ules were adopted, the new valuations of county property would be available for inspec tion during the month of June. During the July meeting of the county commission, a public hearing will be held, Hendrix said. Council reverses vote against truck traffic BY REBECCA BUNCH Associate Editor Members of the Edenton Town Council have reversed an earlier decision to divert truck traffic away from downtown and are now leaning toward designating a preferred truck route and reinstating US 17 Business. Their original action to divert the trucks was taken after complaints of excessive noise and property damage were received from residents, of West Queen Street, which is part of US 17 Business. “I’ve heard from several business people and people who live on Broad Street,” said Councilman Steve Biggs. “They are cohcerned that we’ve taken the truck traffic off of West Queen and put it on Broad Street. “I think when we took away the US 17 Business route, I think we have probably made a mistake. I’ve seen a lot of towns recently that have a preferred truck route, like Suffolk. I think most truckers will follow it and that’s what they look for in truck route signs,” he said. “I believe we should rescind our previous action and start over. ” Ruel Schappel, who owns a bed and breakfast on West Queen Street, said he thought council’s original decision was correct and that they should stand by it. He said that he could see no reason to cater to what he termed “the arrogance of truckers.” “Let’s not go back to square one,” he said. “You’ve got an excellent proposal already. Let’s use it. These trucks are not stopping in Edenton; they have no business here.” Several West Queen Street residents at the council meeting mentioned excessive speed by See COUNCIL On Page S-A Memorial service set at Vets' Memorial Chowan County’s fifth annual Memorial Day Service will be held at the Veterans Memorial in Edenton on Monday, May 26, at 8 a.m. The American flag will be lowered to half mast and there will be a wreath laying by private citizens and organi zations to honor loved ones. American Legion Unit 40 Chaplain Jean Halsey will give the invocation and the benediction will be offered by Jean Halsey. Keynote speaker will be Tim Dannelly of Edenton. Anyone having questions about the ceremony can contact George Stokes at 482-8572. 4 • County adds surveillance cameras m its building BY REBECCA BUNCH Associate Editor Chowan County has a mes sage for would-be trouble makers: we’ll be watching you. Followine a series of communitywide meetings to address the crime problem We’ve got a lot of other things in mind.” The security system inside the county office building also includes a “panic button” set up in each office that is connected to the 911 emergency headquarters. “We hope this is something other way. Evans said that everyone coming in or going out of the county office building will be recorded on the building’s video surveillance system and I that the taDes will be saved in case they are needed in court. He added that everyone who here, county omciais decided to upgrade security in the county office building , by installing surveillance cameras and monitors in the front and back hallways as well as the offices of social services and the tax department. Plans call for expanding the service to other areas of the building as well. “Obviously, this is something that we think ic nooHpH ” cnirl Pniiritv 'We're urging other busines ses...to install some kind of sur veillance or alarm system. We hope we will never have to use it, but you can't be too careful these days.' Don Evans County Maintenance Supervisor WUl A.O 1U Lilt UUUUU10 also being cautioned to pay particular attention to anyone who is acting in a suspicious manner I and to make a note of the exact time they see the person in the building. Evans said this information may be helpful in identifying the person on the surveillance tapes if the need should arise. Evans said the county is paying for the Maintenance Supervi-sor Don Evans. “We also want to encourage local businesses to follow suit and upgrade their security systems or at least install burglar alarms.” Evans said the installation of the cameras and monitors in the building is “just the start. that won’t ever have to be used, but at least in case of an emergency situation, it will be in place if it is needed,” Evans said. The “panic button” will alert local police in case a situation arises where employees in the building are unable to summon help any surveillance system. One unit with a color monitor costs $1,400. Addi-tional cameras cost about $250 each and he ? said the county system can Is accommodate as many as 10 cameras. “There is a lot of flexibility See CAMERAS On Page 5-A Don Evans inspects a new county surveillance camera
The Chowan Herald (Edenton, N.C.)
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May 21, 1997, edition 1
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