Newspapers / The Chowan Herald (Edenton, … / Aug. 5, 2009, edition 1 / Page 1
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BIRD'S EYE VIEW Get a fresh perspective on Edenton via kayak A5 482-4418 By Dee Langston Correspondent Monday night, commissioners continued the fiscal cleanup nec essary after 10 years of imbal anced budgets, mismanagement of funds by former county man ager Cliff Copeland, and poor oversight by previous boards of commissioners. In one housekeeping measure, commissioners approved an amended capital projects ordi nance that will allow the county to cut its losses on the proposed Red Banks Farm Regional Park, r FOR THE GLORY OF THE ACES By Chic Riebel Special to the Chowan Herald When the John A. Holmes football team reported to preseason practice Monday night, the players were in good shape. Make that great shape. '‘We won’t spend more than 20 minutes a night on condi tioning because these kids did such a great job over the sum Superintendent nominated for super of the year By Toby Tate The Daily Advance t ' Allan Smith, superintendent of Edenton-Chowan Schools, has been nominated for North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, according to a press release from school spokeswoman Kerri Albertson. ;'r The Northeast Regional Edu cation Service Alliance (NERE SA), a collaborative organization " : v;:’ . .. ;i .W'v'r ':M School waits for state budget before cutting more After school programs, classroom funding expected to suffer By Rebecca Bunch Staff Writer Supt. Allan Smith told the school board Monday night that the school system contin ues to play a “wait and see” ©2009 The Chowan Herald All Rights Reserved “ at a cost of $88,550. • The park, on land purchased from former county commis sioner George Jones, was to be built using a $500,000 matching grant awarded to the county in 2006by the state’s Parks and Rec reation Trust Fund. Because the county is unable to pay the required 50 percent match for the project, the county has offered to return the grant funds, county finance officer Lisa Jones explained to the board. However, before closing out the project, the county must repay $88,550 that was spent designing --^ mer,” said Bob Turner, who is starting his seventh season as the head coach of the Aces. “We had a program set up where the players had to come in at least nine of 12 sessions and it was amazing how many of them made all 12. They just kept coming.” And that’s a good sign. Turner was hoping that some momentum would carry over from last season, when the i of area school superintendents, submitted the nomination, Alb ertson said. “It’s always an honor when you’re nominated by your peers,” Smith said. “This is my 11th year as superintendent here.” Leon Holleman, director of NERESA, said that Smith was the unanimous choice of the group’s Superintendents’ Coun cil. The willingness to embrace game as state legislators work to pass next year's budget. At presstime, it was expected that a first vote could come as early as Tuesday afternoon. Accordingto published reports, the budget, which is more than a month late being completed, calls for $l-billion in tax increases and cuts that encompass all areas of state spending, including public education. Those reports indicate that the cuts would include eliminating the Support, Our Schools pro gram that had provided funding for after-school programs. Other cuts are expected to in clude $225 million to local schools the park, which would have had seven fields for baseball, soft ball, soccer and football, a rest room and concession building, a playground, a picnic pavilion, walking and biking trails, a disc golf course, a skateboard park and other amenities, including a boardwalk and water access. “We did end up with something for our money, is that right?” Vice Chairman Emmett Winborne asked during the commission ers’ regular meeting. “We do still have the plans?” “We still have the plans,” Rascoe replied. He added that Aces won two of their last three games to get into the North Carolina High School Association 2A playoffs for' the first time in three years. “It was a young team, we only played six seniors, so you don’t know what to expect,” said Turner, whose summer sessions consisted of weight training, running and condi tioning drills. “But this is a group of kids innovation and their clear and determined fo cus to improve the education and enrich the lives of then students was a prime reason that Edenton Chowan Schools has enjoyed success, thanks to Smith, Holle man said. Smith throughout North Carolina. Local officials are expected to make those cuts and report edly will be allowed flexibility in moving funds around in order to preserve classroom instruction standards. The education budget is ex pected to keep K-3 classroom siz es as they are, however, spending would have to be cut for grades 4-12. “I think we’ll just have to wait and see what’s laid on the table," Smith said, commenting on pub lished reports about what the pro posed budget’s adoption would bring in the way of changes. money from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund was used to clean up the site, where Jones operated a hog farm. A brick house on the prop erty is being rented to the Eden ton Chief of Police, Jay Forten bery, Rascoe said. Monday night’s financial cleanup also included about 30 budget amendments recom mended by Bryan Starnes, of Martin Starnes and Associates, the firm hired to handle the county’s financial audits. See CLEANING on Page 2A who are showing they want it. They wanted to be stronger and faster, so they put in the time.” The first week of practice will be spent on fundamen tals, . developing confidence and figuring which players will replace departed starters or change positions. “I’ll sit down at the end See ACES on Page 2A Albertson said that Smith is the regional nominee - there are 18 northeastern counties in the NERESA group. Albertson said the process for nominating school superinten dent is unusual. “The national school admin istrators’ organization tells the 50 state organizations who their state level nominees are,” she See SUPER on Pag« 2A In other action • Heard a report from Dr. Smith regarding a recent meeting he had with the county commission ers’ finance committee regard ing available stimulus funds that could be used for needed work at Holmes High School. “The commissioners were clear that they’d like to help but didn’t feel they could take on ad ditional debt right now,” he said. • Heard a presentation from Chowan County Jr. Fair Board President Tiffany Hufton and' others regarding a Womanless Comedy Pageant and a Band Night planned for Thursday, Oct. 2. Q&A with the Council candidates George Grottier Bob Quinn By Rebecca Bunch Staff Writer Incumbent town councilman-at-large Jerry Parks says a desire to serve the people of a com munity he loves has led him to file for re-elec tion. Two political newcomers — Bob Quinn and George Grother — who say they want to bring fresh ideas to the council are opposing his bid. The Chowan Herald recently asked all three men to respond to a series of questions de signed to help voters understand their take on key issues. The questions, and their answers, follow. JERRY PARKS Q: What political offices have you previ ously held, and for how long? A: I have served as councilman-at-large on ; the Edenton Town Council for the past 18 years, •- ■ and as Mayor Pro Tem for eight years. -1 Q: In your opinion, what are three key is- • ’ " sues the town should be focusing on, and why?*. ^ • Continue to maintain a sound fiscal plan Including a balanced budget with sustainable reserves. This will allow the delivery of desired services to the citizens of Edenton. • Increase tax base to enhance revenues, thus allowing the delivery of services without re quiring increased tax rates. We will accomplish this by maintaining our viable downtown while enhancing retail opportunities with quality shopping centers and ongoing development of our industrial parks. As we accomplish this goal we will be boosting our economy and add ing valuable, quality job opportunities for our people. • Maintain and enhance the infrastructure to ensure good roads, water, sewer and electrical service. In order to do this we must maintain our most valuable resource — our human re source. Our employees are well-trained, loyal and are a major contributor to the quality of life in Edenton. GEORGE GROTHER Q: Why are you running? A: My goal is to increase the participation in government policy (so) that it is more reflective of the current demographics of the town of Edenton. Q: In your opinion, what are three key is sues the town should be focusing on, and why? A: Jobs, expansion of tax base, term limits. • Jobs: If we don’t take aggressive action we will lose a great number of skilled workforce. When the economy rebounds we will be short of the people we need to move the city forward. • Tax base: Our tax base must be broadened. A road has been put in to expand the industrial park. I think we need a committee of skilled business people to represent our community and aggressively pursue additional small/me dium manufacturing firms here. • Term limits: We already have in place these limits on various boards. This should apply to our elected officials. BOB QUINN Q: What political offices have you previ ously held, and for how long? A: I have a long record of serving in public policy and community areas when asked or ap . pointed. Currently, I serve as President Ex-Offi cio of the Cupola House Association and served two terms as President; Executive Committee, Edenton Historic Commission (appointed by Speaker of the NC House of Representatives, Sen. Joe Hackney, 4-year term; Edenton Preser- , vation Commission, 4-year term; Heritage Com mission, 4 years, and on various other boards and commissions. I was elected to New Jersey Charter Study Commission, 2-year term. Q: In your opinion, what are three key is sues the town should be focusing on, and why? ' * A: Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Unemployment hurts everyone, not just those without jobs. It causes families to lose their homes, depressing real es See Q&A on Page 2A
The Chowan Herald (Edenton, N.C.)
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