pg/C8**'-**CAH-RT LOT * * C 002 A0U1 SHEPHERD PRUDEN LIBRARY 106 W WATER ST EDENTON NC 27932-1854 482-4418 Wednesday, September 2, 2015 Summer TeMivat Inside today! Indian Summer Festival preview 50« Panel backs revised wind energy amendment BY REGGIE PONDER Editor The Chowan County Plan ning Board last week recom mended a text amendment to the county’s wind energy ordinance that adds stricter regulations but does not in clude the one-mile setback and other specifics from the board’s April proposal. For instance, the recom mended text amendment does not use the 35 dBa (decibels) noise limit that was included in recommen dations from the planning board in April. The limit in the current version of the recommended amendment is 55 dBa In addition to the limit itself, however, the recom mended amendment also includes a requirement that a baseline dBa value be es tablished for the noise cur rently existing at the site. The revised recommen dation also calls for the noise measurement to be taken at the property line of a non-participating land owner. A previous version put forward by County Planner Elizabeth Bryant had the measurement being taken at any occupied build ing or residence on the non participating landowner’s property. Members of the planning board said they thought the property line measurement would provide a higher level of protection from noise. The text amendment as proposed by Bryant and modified during discussion by planning board mem bers at the board’s Aug. 26 meeting passed with Chair man Marvin Hare and board members Bobby Winbome and Linda Peterson voting for it, and board member Jim Leggett abstaining. Leggett’s abstention counts as a ‘yes’ vote. Board member William Monds, who had been ex cused from voting on the text amendment because of discussions with Apex about a potential land lease involving some of his prop erty, did not attend the mo tion. Board member Jim Robison left the meeting, See AMENDMENT, 4A Musicians muster to support Parker schools BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writer Saturday night indown town Edenton was till about Martin Parker. Friends, family find well wishers crowded a ben efit at the Edenton Coffee House to hear some of Park er’s bandmates from Out 'n the (’(rid join other musician friends of his to pay tribute to the popular drummer who remains hospitalized at Vidant Medical Center in (Ireenville after suffering a severe stroke just over a month ago. Among them was Justin Holland, who first suggested th(‘ lienefit to Anita Ander sen as a way to help raise fluids for Parker. Andersen books the talent and acts as emcee for the live Friday night shows at the coffee house. Anderson grabbl'd the idea and ran with it. “Marl in hits never met a stranger." she said as she greeted the crowd on Satur day night, ' lilt glad we can do this to help hint" Andersen said Monday that the results of the fund raising efforts were “ex tremely successful in both financial and moral support for Martin. Quinton and the family." "It absolutely exceeded all our expectations." (llenn Andersen added Among the special guests [terforming in the show Sat urday night was Parker's son. Quinton, a musician in his own right. He expressed gratitude for all the l< >ve mid support that have come his dad's way since his stroke. Wes Qissiter of B;u\jo Island introduced a spe cial song he had written in Martin's honor, “< lotta Have the tlroove,” based on one of Parkers most often-re Itealed pieces of advice to See PARKER, 4A STAFF PHOTOS BY REBECCA BUNCH Musician friends of Martin Parker sing the Beatles tune “With a Little Help from My Friends” near the end of Saturday evening's benefit at the Eaenton Coffee House. See more photos from benefit at DailyADVANCE.COM. Justin Holland (left photo) performs his original composition, “Slow Jammin' Love Song,” in tribute to Martin Parker, recalling how Parker has always encouraged his fellow musicians to record their own songs rather than cover those of others. Chuck Hodges performs at Saturday's benefit for Parker. Town plans to lower electric rates BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writt-r Town of Kdenton utility custom ers can expect to see a decrease in their electric hills starling in ()cto lx;r, according to town officials. Consultants for Raleigh-based Booth ercent," Andersen said. Utility customers who are charged special rates — such as those with solar panels on their rooftops — and Coincident Peak customers — those who generate their own power during “peak’' sys tem conditions will also see a dif ference. “The details of the changes to these rates art* more complex, and affect less titan 10 customers iit the town of Edenton,” Andersen said. “If the customers affected by these rates have r force since tin1 reees sion hit in 3)08. Chowan reported 107 fewer unemployixl in May 2015 in com parison with prmnxession num Ix-rs, but the county also saw 1,492 workers leave the local workforce since tlie start of the recession, 'll cit s a 20.9 percent decrease in workforce, nearly mirroring the 20.8 percent drop in the nuiniter of unemployed. Only tlirve counties in the stale have seen a greater |>ercent loss in labor force during this pe riod. Neighlxtring Washington County lost 1,4.50 workers - 22.1 percent of its workforce. Nearlty Tyrrell Coiuity lost 546 workers - 25.2 percent of its workforce. The biggest percent loss in workforce was in Graham Coun ty, which lost 1,49(3 workers -31.8 percent of its workforce. Meanwhile, Meckler ibt lrg Comity lias seen a 22.6 percent increase in its workforce, Wake County a 20.9 percent increase, SIGNIFICANT DROP ■ Only three counties in the state have seen a greater percent loss in labor force. Union County a 20.8 percent increase, and rural Johnston County - located just east of tire Triangle area - has seen a 16.5 jjercent increase. Ami unemployment rates for May: Chowan - 7.2 [>ercent, 1.3 percent over the state rate; em ployment down 1.3 percent dur ing the past year Bertie - 7.6 percent. 1.7 per cent over the state rate; employ ment down 0.2 percent during the past year Gates - 5.6 percent - 0.3 per cent below the state rate; env ployment up 1.2 percent during the past year Perquimans - 7.5 percent, 1.6 percent over the state rate; employment down 0.9 percent during the past year Washington - 8.7 percent 2.8 percent over the state rate; em ployment unchanged during the past year. * ,