The Pilot Covers
Brunswick County
THE STATE PORT PILOT
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VOLUME 42 No. 19
10-Pages Today
SOUTHPORT, N. C. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1970
5c A COPY
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY
For Legislature Race
State Board Orders Vote
Recount For One Precinct
V A vote recount that questions
the integrity of South Lees
Precinct officials, according to
Arthur Williamson’s attorney,
has been granted by the state
Board of Elections.
The five-member board voted
unanimously to review the
election results in the precinct,
where an affidavit filed on behalf
of Thomas Harrelson alleged that
Harrelson’s Democratic op
ponent, Arthur Williamson,
received 13 votes, and not 20
votes as reported by the
Columbus County Board of
Elections.
The announcement was made
Saturday, the day after the state
board held a 45-minute hearing of
an appeal by Harrelson, a young
Southport man who battled in
cumbent Williamson for a seat in
the North Carolina House of
Representatives. After the
unofficial tally of votes cast in
Brunswick and Columbus
counties for the two men,
Williamson led by only two votes.
Harrelson charged that there
were violations by election of
ficials in Columbus County and
asked the local board for a
recount. The Democratic
majority denied the request and
Harrelson immediately appealed
to the state Board of Elections.
Both candidates attended the
Friday morning session in
Raleigh, but only the lawyers for
Harrelson and Williamson of
fered testimony to the state
board.
Williamson’s attorney said that
violations of state election law
were “admitted to a certain
degree” but “could in no way
affect the result” of the race
between Harrelson and his client.
The Republicans contended that
violations by precinct officials
and alleged wrongdoings by the
Columbus County Board of
Elections cast a shadow of doubt
over the election process in the
county and would reflect in the
outcome of the close election.
The state board allowed the
recount in South Lees Precinct
because of the affidavit filed by
Republican judge Thomas G.
Sarvis stating that Williamson
received fewer votes than the
county Board of Elections office
reported. Discussion of this issue
was central to arguments by both
“NOT THE POINT”
Hiram Ward of Lexington, a
Republican member of the state
board, commented that it should
not be difficult to recount the
votes cast in South Lees.
“That’s not the point,” replied
Williamson’s attorney.
Ward said that it wouldn’t take
ten minutes “to satisfy
everyone’s mind in Columbus
County whether or not that tally
was correct.’’ The attorney
agreed that it wouldn’t take long
to recount the votes, but he
disagreed with the implications
in Ward’s statement.
“I didn’t mean to imply
anything,” Ward said.
Herbert L. Hyde, the Asheville
attorney who represented
Williamson, said that “no recount
should be called except within the
terms of your own rules—that is,
when sufficient evidence is raised
that something may be wrong.
DR. LELA RUTH HANKINS
Brunswick Woman
Writes Textbook
When Lela Ruth Hankins was a
senior at Brunswick County
Training School in Southport
she was valedictorian of her
class. In 1955 she graduated at
Shaw University in Raleigh and
subsequently she received her
Master’s Degree and Ph.D. at
Oregon State University.
Now she has written a book:
“Biology, A Problem Solving
Approach”. The publisher is
Carlton Press of New York.
In the face of the great
scientific knowledge explosion,
the issue of what should be the
content emphasis in biology for
the purposes of general
education has become debatable.
Dr. Hankins’ painstaking
research in this area helps to
consolidate the prevailing
opinions of the biological
community on this subject.
The course of study
Federal Funds To
Brunswick Schools
A total of $6,446,476 in federal
funds has been received by 80 of
the 152 administrative units of the
state’s public school systems
since the program began in
September.
The Emergency School
Assistance Program—Title IV—
was requested by President
Richard Nixon and approved by
Congress earlier this year. The
funds are to be used to assist
school units in carrying out their
desegregation program.
School units in Brunswick
County have received 43,812.
Robert Strother, Special
Assistant to the State Superin
tendent of Public Instruction,
said that 92 written requests for
projects have been received; and
although none have been
rejected, there are 12 requests
“in holding” which means they
are either still being reviewed or
being delayed—pending more
information.
The smallest grant received
was for $8,000 for Albemarle City
and the largest was Charlotte
Mecklenburg with $708,100.
All requests were included in
one or more categories. Strother
said the categories and total
amounts include: special com
munity programs, $922,687;
special pupil personnel services,
$1,890,885; special curriculum
revision, $728,250; teacher
preparation programs,
$1,410,914; special student to
student programs, $208,751;
special comprehensive planning,
$871,404; and others, such as
(Continued On Page Two)
recommended in this book
utilizes the research findings of
the author—analyzed and
determined from the random
sample of 150 competent
research biologists, college and
university teaching biologists,
science educators and science
historians.
The opinions of these 150
specialists in science were
obtained through a series of
comprehensive questionnaires
compiled by Dr. Hankins from
twenty of the most widely used
biology textbooks.
The course of study which
resulted from this competent
exploration, Dr. Hankins
maintains, “makes biology
relevant to human affairs-which
should be the primary objective
of a course for the non-science
major. Since the studies have
shown that students are largely
interested in themselves, the
course of study that is
recommended is student
centered around a
problem-solving approach.”
A scholar whose dedication
and ability have been recognized
by many awards and fellowships,
among them National Science
Foundation and Public Health
Service Fellowships and the IBM
Doctoral Fellowship, Dr.
Hankins is at present Professor
and Chairman of the Bennett
College Biology Department in
Greensboro. She is a native of
Bolivia in Brunswick County.
e And Tide
A report in our issue for November 20,1935, told of the final link in
the Intracoastal Waterway being cut near Myrtle Beach, S.C., giving
continuous inland passage from Trenton, N.J., to Florida for coast
wise small craft. Good progress was reported on the beautification
project for Franklin Square here in Southport.
There was a front page feature, complete with picture, of Randolph
Scott, star of action movies, who had been stationed at Fort Caswell
during World War I. That week had brought the biggest production of
shrimp for the season, with headers being imported from out in the
county to help with the packing; and G.W. McGlamery was listed as
one of the outstanding candidates for the local CCC basketball
An explanation of why some yachts tied up here to spend a few days
jach fall was given in our issue for November 20,1940. The story said
that the insurance contract on these vessels made a penalty charge if
they were Soutn of Cape Fear prior to November 15 each year.
Presumably that—in those days—was the deadline for hurricane
ianger. The late W.B. Keziah had been made a Life Member of Out
ioor Writers Association of America, being one of only six men to be
hus honored.
Carl Goerch, former editor of The State Magazine, had found
limself stranded over at Bald Head Island, but managed to come up
vith material for one of his funny experiences; a sunrise
thanksgiving service was being planned at Southport Baptist Church;
(OonttMMd Ob Pag* Itour)
Otherwise, to set such a
precedent would be bad for this
board, you’d have them come in
from all over the state, and it
would impute the integrity of
people whose integrity should not
be imputed.”
OTHER CHARGES
Hyde spoke first to the state
board, replying to the charge by
Harrelson that an unauthorized
person assisted at a voting booth.
“This was explained, and ad
mitted to a certain degree, that
an emergency arose and the
precinct registrar appointed a
person, but without approval of
the full county board,” Hyde
stated.
“The county, board admonished
that registrar for so doing,” Hyde
said. “However, it found that in
no way could this affect the result
of that election.
‘‘There were other
irregularities which were
alleged, many of them candidly
admitted in the affidavits which
the board attorney obtained.
These related in some incidents
to a failure to seal the ballot
boxes after the votes were
counted and certified.”
Hyde contended that such
irregularities “are irrelevant to
the central issue here.” He said
the issue was “whether there is
any evidence sufficient to cause
this board to exercise its
discretion and to cause a recount
to be made in that one race.”
The attorney claimed that
Harrelson had not presented
enough evidence in support of
these charges for the board to
order a recount. • J* >
Hyde focused attention on the
affidavit by Sarvis. According to
Hyde, Sarvis signed the report
that Williamson received 20 votes
in the precinct, but later, when he
realized how close the election
was, he signed the affidavit
stating that ‘‘he believed”
Williamson received 13 votes.
Williamson’s attorney ex
plained to the state board that
because Sarvis did not “swear”
that Williamson received “only”
13 votes there could be some
doubt what Sarvis meant. Hyde
did remind the board that it could
not charge Sarvis with perjury on
such evidence.
(Continued On Page Two)
Open House In Shallotte
This is the new office building in Shallotte for
Security Savings & Loan Association, a Brunswick
county financial institution which was organized in
1911. Open house will be held Friday and not
only will this occasion mark the sixth anniversary of
opening of the Shallotte office, but it will celebrate
the 59th anniversary of the parent organization.
(Photo by Spencer)
Twin Anniversaries
Open House At Shallotte S&L
Open house will be held Friday
at the new building of Security
Savings & Loan Association at
Shallotte and this occasion will
not only mark the sixth an
niversary of the opending of that
office, but will observe the 59th
anniversary of the founding of
this financial institution.
That was on October 11, 1911,
and the name of the financial
firm was Southport Savings &
Loan Association. The first
president was M.C. Guthrie, S.B.
Northrop was vice-president, D.I.
Watson secretary-treasurer, and
directors including A.J. Robbins,
Richard Dosher, W.J. Weeks, J.
N. Daniels, J.A.iDosher and J.J.
Garrett. The firm of Oanmer
and Davis were appointed to
serve as attorneys for the
association.
The installment of weekly
shares in the amount of 25-cents
per share was begun. The first
monthly business meeting was
held on the evening of November
10,1911, when the first loan was
approved for $500 to Mrs. R.W.
Davis.
The salary for the secretary
Brunswick 4-H
Members Do Well
Brunswick County 4-H club
members made themselves
known this past weekend at the
Star-News 4-H Honor Program at
Hoggard High School Friday and
Saturday. The event covers 10
counties in Southeastern North
Carolina, and the annual
Mrs. Rourk Is
Dimes Chairman
Mrs. M. Henderson Rourk of
Shallotte has been appointed
Director for the Brunswick
County 1971 March of Dimes
Campaign. Announcement of the
appointment was made this week
by E. Rhone Sasser, Chairman of
the Brunswick County Chapter,
The National Foundation-March
of Dimes. Golf champion Arnold
Palmer is this year’s honorary
national chairman of the cam
paign.
Mrs. Rourk will direct the
annual fund-raising appeal held
in Brunswick County during the
month of January. To stress the
importance of the task facing
Mrs. Rourk and her co-workers,
Mr. Sasser emphasized some of
the grim statistics of birth
defects: “Each year in the
United States an estimated
250.000 babies are bom with these
conditions. Birth defects is the
nation’s second greatest
destroyer of life, claiming ap
proximately half a million un
born babies each year and killing
60.000 of our children and adults.
Many of these conditions could be
(Continued On Page Two)
program was viewed by 900 4-H
members, parents, leaders and
friends. A record of 1149 exhibits
were on display.
Major awards were won by Van
Hewett, Supply, Most
Representative Junior Boy; Lisa
Hewett, Supply, Most
Representative Junior Girl; and
Sue Clemmons, Bolivia, talent.
Sue was also the county’s girl
representative in the Auto Skill
Driving Contest and placed
second in the event.
Kenneth Hewett and Lillie
Smith participated in the Public
Speaking Contest. Kenneth also
entered the Auto Skill Driving.
Sue Clemmons, Lisa Hewett and
Debbie McKeithan represented
the county in the senior-teen,
early-teen and pre-teen dress
revue.
County 4-H’ers entered 43
exhibits and placed on 23. Win
ning awards were as follows:
Richard McKeithan, 5 green
papers-blue; collection of 5
squash-blue; Teresa Gilbert, leaf
collection-blue; Van Hewett, soil
map-blue; Reggie Hewett, cake
blue; Teresa McKeithan, pillows
blue; Debbie McKeithan, pillow
cases-blue; wastebasket-blue;
Kenneth Hewett, basket-blue;
Richard McKeithan, S red pep
pers-red, 12 pods lima beans-red;
Debbie McKeithan, apron-red;
Lori Hewett, cake-red; Kenneth
Hewett, fruit pie-red; Teresa
McKeithan, Laundry bag-red; i
Teresa Gilbert, record book
white; Sarah Murrell, 3 native
shrubs-white; Richard :
McKeithan, Christmas trees- ,
white; Teresa McKeithan, apple
preserves-white; Kenneth ,
(Oootfcmed on Pin VXrar)
treasurer was $5.00 per month.
The first audit report was made
December 31, 1913, and showed
loans made to that date
amounting to $13,612.40, with a
total of 448 shares outstanding.
The balance of cash on hand was
$75.02.
A further look at annual audit
reports show that on December
31, 1950, the assets of the
association had reached
$322,00; by 1960 the total assets
had spurted ahead to $2,576,000.00
and present assets are
$7,344,000.00. Presently mortgage
loans total $6,285,000.00 with
savings totaling $6,320,000.00. The
cash reserve is $436,000.00.
(Continued On Page Two)
\
Weather Experiment
Checking a sophisticated version of a weather vane is
Aaron Padgett, Carolina Power & Light Company en
vironmental engineer. The vane transmits wind speed
and direction to recording devices 40 feet below Padgett
at a weather station near the construction site of CP&L’s
Brunswick Nuclear Electric Generating Plant in South
port.
Weather Station
At CP&L Plant
As part of a total en
vironmental study, Carolina
Power & Light Company is
inducting a weather survey
lear the construction site of its
Brunswick nuclear electric
generating plant near Southport.
Aaron Padgett, CP&L en
vironmental engineer, is
lirecting the survey. Padgett
gathers data for the survey at a
veather station near the con
struction site. The weather
station measures wind velocity,
vind direction and temperature
inferences at various levels on a
!5ft-f''nt »nwer Electronic
equipment records the
measurements 24 hours a day.
According to Padgett,
operation of the weather station
to obtain weather data is a part of
an overall environmental
program designed by Carolina
Power & Light Company and
approved by the Atomic Energy
Commission. The program will
provide information for the
design and operation of the
nuclear plant.
The first of the two nuclear
units at the Brunswick plant is
scheduled for operation in 1974.
The plant is the first nuclear
generating unit inNorth Carolina.
Mrs. Hewett Is
Heart Chairman
Mrs. Freeman E. Hewett has
been named president of the
Brunswick Heart Association,
North Carolina Heart Association
President Dr. J. Dewey Dorsett
of Charlotte announced today.
Mrs. Hewett has served in this
position for the past two years,
having been chairman for a
number of years before this. She
also acts as the publicity
chairman, helps with her local
community drive and has her 4-H
boys and girls helping all during *•"
Heart Month as a special project.
She is the musician at Shallotte
First Baptist, teaches the Juniors
in Church Training, is Busy Bees
4-H leader and has been named
Most Representative Leader and
Most Outstanding Leader of the
Southeastern District, serves on
the Southeastern Advisory
Board, is secretary of the
Brunswick County Democratic
Party, secretary of the
Democratic Ladies, secretary of
the Lockwood Folly Seafood
Plant, a member of the Shallotte
Volunteer Rescue Squad, a
member of the Civil Air Patrol, is
society editor of the Brunswick
Beacon, and a correspondent for
other papers, has a full time job
as secretary of the Brunswick
County Farm Bureai', is the
mother of six children and now
has 2 -month old grandchild.
“With all the jobs I undertake,
being a mother is first, and then
(Continued On Page Two)
Leland Man
New Trustee
Governor Bob Scott has an
nounced the appointment of V.A.
Creech, Jr., of Leland to the Cape
Fear Technical Institute Board of
Trustees. He replaces Kirby
Sullivan of Southport who
resigned.
Creech owns a real estate
business in Leland. He is
currently serving as County
Commissioner, and is a Policy
Board Representative of the
Cape Fear Law and Order
Committee. He is also a member
af the Southeastern Economic
Development Commission.
Creech will serve the
remainder of the term expiring
June 30, 1975.
V. A. CREECH, JR.