Newspapers / The Daily Record (Dunn, … / Oct. 21, 1964, edition 1 / Page 8
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Mayor Says thing to do with his decision, th9*t his feeling would be the same if tvery citizen had been in full accord on the site from the be ginning. “Nobody wants a modern, ad equate hospital for Dunn more than I do and nobody worked harder *o put the bond election across,” said Blalock, “but I don’t intend to become known as the “architect of bankruptcy." “My decision to support the hospital bond issue and to work day and Wight for ttS'"over#helm ing approval — and T was the only member of the city council who even dared to stick his neck Out for the issue — was based on the facts available to me at that time and I thought it was the light thing to do,” said Bla lock. “But now that I have had an opportunity to study the matter more thoroughly and now that all the facts have been made avail able to me, I am honest enough to admit X made a mistake, but ' an honest and unintentional one,’’ be continued. “I believe the people of my town are fair-minded enough t0 forgive rr-e for that. But I know they would never forgive me if I fail now to give them the benefit of the full facts to prevent them from making what could prove to be the most serious, mosfi costly mistake in the town’s history.” FACTS NOT GIVEN He said the citizens would never have voted for ’the bonds had thev i been given all the facts “instead of a purely emotional appeal built around admitted need for more adequate medical facilities.” “Democracy and good govern ment depends upon the integrity ; of those of us who hold office. Mv own conscience, my belief in deal ing fairly and honestly with the people who entrusted me ’to office will not permit me to be a party to this project. I would rather give up the "office of mayor at ‘the end of mv term, and would do ;:o gladly, rather than be forced to go through with It.” Mayor Blalock proposed two al ternatives: First, anq most preferable, to work for a county hospital so that the cost could be spread out over the county’s total valuation of $102 million instead of the town’s $17 million. He said for an added levy of only about 16 cents, which would psy bonds and maintenance, the county could provide an adequate hospital of 200 rooms similar to that erected at Wilson by issuing *1.600,000 In bonds; whereas a 51 cents increase for taxpayers in Dunn would provide only 115 beds, only 30 more than ‘the 85 now pro vided by Betsy Johnson Hospital “That $2,070,000 Is a terribly hi gh price to pay for just 30 more beds, or less, even though the town’s share would be only $550. COO plus the extra $364,500 In In terest. And 'that also does not take into consideration that we would be abandoning a hospital that is Valued close to 4 million dol lars, half of which has been in use ony about ten years ENLARGE BETSY JOHNSON The second alternative sugges ted by the mayor is for the Betsv Johnson board to seek approval from the Medical Care Commis sion to proceed with plans for en larging the present hospital, as or iginally planned. He said he feels the commission can be convinced with proner facts that this would be a wiser move and that Hill Purton funds could be obtained m that manner He commended 1 the hospital board for its original idea. The mayor said he has been told there “are at least 200 hospitals built with Hill-Burton funds which are standing today as white ele phants because demands of the government required to receive this federal money proved so cost ly the hospitals can’t make ends meet.” The mayor said he feels the hospital board Is now honor-bound i to make the County of Hame*t the same proposition it made to the Town of Dunn now that it sees the town cannot wisely par ticipate- Under this plan, the hos- , pitai agreed to turn over its bu- i i’ning and assets and $260,000 casn i or. hand toward the new hospital. ; The mayor said that he had 1 alked with Harnett County of ficials and out of town doctors in other areas of Harnett and that they agree that the hospital sh ould be located in the Dunn-Erwin area, where it can be staffed. He also ‘aid that Betsy Johnson will not be closed down despite bs inadequateness. It will remain open until the hospital needs of this county and city are improv- j ed. OTHER OFFICIALS AGREE Mayor Blalock said that Com missioner Sallye Whitehad, Ctty Just Clip This Coupon And Bring To The Fabric Center Opposite Tyler Park DUNN. N. C. We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities 60" WOOLENS 100% Wools and Wool Blends, Flannels, Plaids, Tweeds, (.'rapes and Double Knits. REG. VALUE $2.95 TO $4.95 WITH COUPON ONLY *1.69 yd Special Frice kfieettve only wnen iou t>r:ng coupon* I COUPON GOOD ONLY ' THURSDAY, OCT. 22 & FRIDAY OCT. 23 I Manager Archie Uzzle and City Attorney Max McLeod are In full agreement with him that the town can't go through wfth the proposi I lion j Mr. McLeod said his reasons for opposing the project are the same as those outlined by Mayor Bla-| lock today. City Manager Uzzle has expres sed the same view that operation of a hospital is not a proper mu nicipal function, that the best brains in municipal government advise agr-'nst it. They also take the position that even if it was proper town fun ction, the Town of Dunn is not, large or r.Uong enough financially to undertake such a proposal. j Mayor Blalock said he had rea ched his final conclusions and ul timate decision “with great per sona] emotions which I cannot Term it ti ii terfere or even in-' fiuence the cold, hard facts of the matter.’’ Noting that at least 60 per cent of ail his time has been devoted to the duties of mayor since tak ing office, Blalock said “at least half of that time has been spent on the hospital project. “I have given it much thought, payed about it and it has put grey hairs n my head and perhaps even shortened my life,” said Mayor Blalock today, “and nobody can truthfully say that I have no’ given the .nattier my most sincere dedicated and intense attention, ic say nothing of the time invol ved.” “But neither personal popular ity nor toe office of mayor mean enough to me to cause me to lead the people of the town in which I was born and love so deeply into such a grave mistake as this. He said he is now prepared to devote thj same time and energy to explaining to the people why they should not go through with the project now that its objec tionable features have been detec ted and revealed as he did in sell ing them on the original idea. ’ The mayo- said he would be available tor civic club speeches ana to any Other group to discuss the facts with them. “I have great confidence in the oeople,” he said- *‘I know that when it in explained to them and when they are told exactly what it’s going to cost that they 11 feel the same way as I do.” Mayor Bialock said he had spent many hours at the league of muni cpalities meeting talking with city managers, other city officials, ex perts on municipal financing and administration and Others about the Dunn problem. “Every single one of them ad vised against it,” he declared. “Only a fool," he said, “would fail to take the advice of those who have experience and know the best Policy to pursue." “Can the Town of Dunn do any less?” he asked. At the last meeting of the coun ty board of commissioners, a maj ority of Harnett doctors appeared in favor of a county hospital. The board agreed to call a meeting of ‘lie Dunn and Erwin hospital boards, the city council and oth ers to discuss the matter You're really sold on First-Citizens, aren't you? i Sure am. And have been ever since I moved my checking , account here. These people give the best service in town. And they really appreciate my business. JMMMUIWWk ' - MOVE YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT TO FIRST-CITIZENS BANK ! MFMBF.R federal deposit insurance corporation J Here's Problem i could cost from $50,000 to $100,000 Bonds would have to be float ed and tho town would start pay ing on the $364,500 interest soon after construction Is started Not a dime of Federal money would become available until con struction is one-fourth completed and than only 55% of that cost would be advanced. Costly Test Period The government requires a “test ,-un” operation of the hospital for a period of at least a month, I possibly longer, before the first | patient! could be admitted to,, as sure the .operation is running i smoothly. The Town of Dunn could have i to pay all salaries and diher ex- j penses of the new hospital during 1 this “test run’’ period. It could run i into a staggering sum of money even more 'than the town could possibly hope 'to obtain from the extra 51 cents In taxes. If the hospital is constructed more than two stories high, the town would fce placed In a new rating bracket by the Insurance Commission and the town would be forced to purchase a hook - and - ladder truck at a cost esti mated at from $40,000 - $60,000 The 25 cents maintenance levy and the 26 cents levy to pay oft bonds was based on an expected 5?2 million total tax valuation. The total valuation turned out to be rr,ly $17 million. Therefore, the 51 cents increase in taxes could be insufficient for either maintenance and 'to pay off the bonds The mayor doesn’t know where the lewn could possibly get the extra money for these two items, to say nothing of the money required j to buy the land, utilities, for pav- ! mg, landscaping, the test-run pe- j er.od, the new fire truck and any other unexpected expanses. Would Bar Industry With ouch an increase in tax •ate, the town couldn’t possibly hope to attract new industries Furthermore, even if new indust ries wanted to locate here, the town would have no money to provide *hem with extended water, sewerage and other utilities. With every available Cent of tov/n money going to maintain the hospital, tire town could not hope o maintain a surplus or to provide funds for emergencies that come I to every town. Only one municipality in the State, Nor*:n Wilkesboro, operates a hospital. It Is subsidized by industry and private donations «hich would not be available to Dunn. Even cities like Charlotte, i Greensboro and Winston * Salem, won’t undertake hospital operat ions. Many cities have tried and failed. There is no reason to bel ieve that Dunn could succeed when towns and cities wfth far greater resources have failed. Practically all hospitals are a | losing proposition financially. | Taxpayers In a small town the s,ze of Dunn cannot reasonably he ; expected to finance medical faci i litres for such a large four-county area as that served by the Dunn ■ hospital The County of Harnett, with $102 million in property valuation to draw from, could, with available , Federal and State aid, operate a hospital without burdening any individual taxpayer. The Town of Dunn could not i possibly do so without Inviting fi ; seal insolvency and eventual bank rupey or perhaps being forced to close the hospital as a last resort. _— Rites Held For Rev. J. D. Ray An enormous crowd attended last : rites for the Rev. John David Ray ' moderator of the Cape Pear "A” i Annual Conference of the United ! Free Will Baptist Church held | recently at the Harrington Chapel i Church. Southern Pines. Mbderatotr Ray was bom in j Carthage, Nov. 9, 1913. The family moved to Dunn in the lafte twenties where he married thp former Atlene Lee He was called to the ministry in 1934 and served as pastor in Wil fon, Linden, Pinehurst, Spring Lake, Southern Pines and Raleigh. He was moderator of the Cape Pear Conference and Chairman of the General Executive Board. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Dorcfthy Jean Hockaday and Mrs. Francis La cklar of Southern Pines; three sons, Thomas and Albert of Sou thern Pines and John D Ray of New York; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Barrington of Dunn and Mrs. Jes sie Mae Stack of Niagara Falls, N. Y.; Seven brothers, Curtis, rf Norfolk. Va., Sgt. Hermit Ray of Va. Fredrick, Walter and Floyd Ray of Baitiomre, Md„ Wilbert of phildelpnia and James Ray of Niagara Fall6, N Y. Interment was made in the Woodland Cemetery, Southern Pines. CHRISTMAS WARNING LONDON (UPI) — Scotland Yard has issued a warning that hijackers are expected to begin Stocking their Christmas larder* rnmrMr UMs f*m ■ a-p- —— Historian Groups Reg. Commanded by Captain Joseph Atkinson and Co. B of the 8th Battalion, commanded by Captain Henry Barnes. It Is the feeling of the committee that the County of Harnett should also erect a memorial to these and other sold iers of this county and that the dedicatory address be given by the governor of N C. Planned highlights of the re enactment to be discussed will be a parade in Dunn of the partici pating troops — about 600 or more of them, a costume ball of the period, a museum featuring me moribilia of the era and many other events. Barry Replies no conflict today with his sche duled campaign tour of West Ches ter, Uppei Darby and Philadelphia Pa Goldwater planned to return to Washington tonight. He will gc to New York Thursday for the funeral of former President Her bert Hoover, then head west foi more campaigning. •We will be in disagreement with President Johnson on what has happened in Russia, said Goldwtv ter. “We will say we do not believe the new leaders will continue the Khrushchev line. We expect it to be a tougher line. “We believe it means closer co operation with the Chinese liiie It means they are getting togeth er.” Harnett Native Succumbs Today Jesse Harper Jones, 76, died at his home on Route 4, Dunn, early this morning. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 4 p. m. at Hatcher, Skinner & Drew chapel Rev Wesley Noble assisted by Rev C W Kirby will officiate and burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Mr. Jones was a native of Har nett County, son of the Imte Jesse Martin and Sara BeaSley Jones He was a member of Black's Chapel Methodist Church near Godwin and was a grocery mer chant until his retirement. Surviving are his wife, Nona Ed gerton Jones ; -? Things To Consider Before Retirement There are many things to con s'der if you are about ready to re tire, said C V Shelton, Harnett County Field Representative. Re tirement is something we all look forward to. but when it comes, many of us aren’t prepared for it. Some retired workers who have had a hobby for years, turn this hobby into a profit making small business when they retire. Remember you can earn $100 and still receive all your Social Security benefits. After age 72 there is no limit on the earnings you may have. Some retired people gain self satisfaction by doing volunteer work for churches, lodges or clubs. No organization ever seems to have enough help. Another question that comes up for the retired person is: Where will I live? Many retired people have their own homes and are well settled in their horrip towns. Oth ers may consider Roving to one of the many retirenBent commun ities. A point to remember, stated Shelton, is that you inform Social Security of your new address if you are receiving a benefit check. Whether Social Security benefits are the only cash money coming in or not, most people after re tirement have to plan very care fully to make the money they have cover regular expenses. Retirement vears are your golden years, so do enjoy yourself. If you have any questions con cerning Social Security please con tact your local office at 150 ro wan Street, Fayetteville, N. C. Good years for North Carolina SCOTT for governor / Good years to come V DAN MOORE will continue — and expand — the Demo cratic leadership that has brought economic advance ment and an improved standard of living to every North Carolinian. Thousands of Tar Heels have ex pressed great enthusiasm for Dan Moore’s program and for his positive approach to the challenges con fronting North Carolina. Dan Moore’s program for good, sound, progressive government is in the finest tradition of the Democratic principles which have put North Carolina in the forefront of national affairs. His program is a realistic blueprint for achieving goals that are important to the Tar Heel State now and in die future. ■ PARTY PRINCIPLES: As a life-long, loyal Democrat, Dan Moore believes that the first consideration in any program is the welfare of the people. For more than 60 years, the Democratic Party has been the party of •die people in North Carolina. And through conscientious, dynamic Democratic leadership, good government has become a habit in North Carolina. JOBS: Dan Moore has pledged himself to work for more jobs, better jobs, and better job opportunities. By encouraging industrial development in North Carolina, Dan Moore intends to broaden the eco nomic base of our state and achieve a balance be tween agriculture and industry that will enable thousands M earnings and earning potential during the coming years.*.• TEAMWORK: On our Democratic team, North Caro lina has a wealth of experience that combines youthful idealism with seasoned, practical know how. Each member has demonstrated positive leadership and administrative abilities. During the next four years, they will play an important role in carrying out the goals of the Democratic Party. EDUCATION: In Dan Moore’s progressive program, education holds a place of top importance. His program for education is designed to provide North Carolina children with a school system sec ond to none. On the secondary and college levels^ Dan Moore intends to work for the kind of edu cational system that will enable every young person in the state to take full advantage of his maximum potential. This emphasis on developing our most valuable human resource will extend far beyond the classroom and enrich North Carolina with an unlimited source of intelligent, educated men and women for the future. ECONOMY: Dan Moore believes that waste in gov ernment should be eliminated. He will work to make sure that North Carolina gets full value for every tax dollar. >■ FARM PROGRAM: North CarolinaSfU^tters can de pend on Dan Moore to work-for a sensible and fair solution to their problems. He reeogniws the importance of' preserving the family farm and eliminating the cost-price squeeze that confronts every farmer in the state. Tobacco, the state’s num ber one money crop, will receive special attention during the next four years. ROADS: More roads and better roads are an im portant part of Dan Moore’s progressive program for North Carolina. His goal is to improve the secondary road system and to build major high ways that will serve as permanent arteries for the development of commerce and the convenience of the publia Vote Democratic, vote Dan Moore ^ « i. . JTaS'S frr by EvcutJr* Committer T MrWie Brc'Mghton, Jr. State Chairman, 400 Fayetteville Street
The Daily Record (Dunn, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 21, 1964, edition 1
8
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