THE County TIMES-NEWS Northampton County's Only Advertising and News Medium Vol. 81 No. 46 THE ROANOKE-CHOWAN TIMES — Established 1892 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1972 ☆ THE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY NEWS — EstabUshed 1926 lOc Per Copy Rich Square, N. C. 14 Pages EAS Study ‘Only The First Step’ JACKSON — “The response to approving an Extended Area Service (EAS) study in Northampton has been very favorable but, at the same time, I am beginning to feel that many more of our citizens are not fully informed on just what the first step is and what the costs,are,” This statement was made by county Accountant Tim Ellen Wednesday. Although stated at the public meeting in September and in this newspaper in several stories since, many people still feel that endorsement of the EAS study will mean an automatic increase in rates along with Use Hogs To Salvage Peanut, Corn Crops COTTON LOSSES ARE evident in fields throughout the county as a result of a freeze October 20-21. Many of the cotton bolls have Rep. Roberts Jernigan; cracked but were hit by the light freeze and the extremely heavy front and did not continue to open. 'No Tax Reduction Until We Catch Up With Our Needs' AHOSKIE — “I’m not going to vote for a reduction of taxes until we are caught up with our needs in the eastern part of the state, particularly, and the entire state as a whole.” State Representative Roberts Jernigan of Ahoskie commented on Gov. Robert Scott’s Tuesday speech in which the governor suggested that he was leaving the state government in such good financial standing that the incoming governor will “ have the opportunity. to recommend to the Legislature a program of tax relief for our people.'” Tuesday Scott addressed a luncheon meeting of the legislative task force of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and stated that , “It appears the credit balance at the close of this biennium on June 30,1:973, will be in excess of $20(rrnillion.” He also stated that/“This money will not be required to support my recommended budget...” Jernigan said Wednesday afternoon in an interview with Vour Home Newspaper that it Land Bank Holds Annual Meeting AHOSKIE — Cecil J. Maddrey of Severn was reelected at a three-year term on the board of directors of the Federal Land Bank Association of Ahoskie at its annual stockholders meeting here Wednesday night at the National Guard Armory. Also elected to a three-year term on the board was J. G. Pollock of Gatesville. H. 0. Edwards of Route 2, Ahoskie, chairman of the board of directors, presided over the brief business session which preceded the evening meal served to all stockholders and guests. Ahoskie Land Bank President Jimmy Rowe introduced Tom Morgan, regional supervisor for the Federal Land Bank of Columbia who addressed the group and told them of the many services the land bank has to offer and of their concern for those they serve. Other directors who terms expire later are T. B. H. Wood, Edenton; H. O. Edwards, Ahoskie; and Frank Hollowell, Elizabeth City. is high time for us (in the eastern part of the state) to take a stand and insist we get some of the additional services to which we are entitled. Among the things which Jernigan feels are needed “at home” are road improvements, more modern and complete mental health care, additional appropriations for the East Carolina Medical school and prison facilities. High on Jernigan’s list of priorities is a node-n*fou’ lane highway to serve this area of the state. “We have been hoping that U.S. 64 would be four-laned from Raleigh to Rocky Mount. . . so far it has gotten to Zebulon. It should have at least been completed as far as Rocky Mount by now and before long, it should go into Williamston. Other roads in need of repair or upgrading are U.S. 158, 17, 264 , 70 and 74. There should be at least one major four-lane highway with 30 or 40 miles of every resident of the state. “Our need for mental health facilities is not as great now as it has been in the past. The most needed improvements are in the area of staffing,” according to Jernigan. “During the past several years, we have upgraded the physical plants but that facilities are still under staffed. “The same is true to a certain extent,” Jernigan 2jdt?d. “in th>'prison facil'H.vs iff the piedmont and east. Around 1967 the general assembly appropriated $5 million to build a modern 13 story, single unit correctional facility at Morganton which was to be used exclusively for first offenders and non- hardened criminals. It is among this group that rehabilitation is best accomplished and it would have been enhanced even (See Tax, Page 3) JACKSON — Northampton County Agricultural Extension Agent D. W. Eason advises farmers to salvage those lost peanuts and corn crops by “hogging down” those fields. Eason said, “Again this y6ar ther© will b© a surplus of field crop residues left in our fields after harvest. “With very little effort these crops can be successfully salvaged. With our present prices these ‘lost peanuts’ are worth about 10 cents a pound when fed to hogs.” The extension agent went on to offer suggestions in using this “free feed.” Thanksgiving Is Holiday JACKSON — Thursday, November 23, is Thanksgiving Day, and a holiday for most Northampton residents. Northampton schools will be closed Thursday and Friday, re-opening Monday morning, November 27, providing students and teachers with four days away from classes. All courthouse and county employees will also have a ir./i'- V fS3itnd .holiday. Offi,'„ will be closed on 'Thursday, (Thanksgiving Day) and Friday. All banks in the county will be closed Thanksgiving Day and holiday hours will be observed by the Post Offices, with no window service on Thursday. There will be no rural mail deliveries on Thanksgiving Day. Many of the county’s stores and business establishments will also observe the holiday. N. C State Now Conducting N’ampton Wetlands Study RICH SQUARE — A study of North Carolina Wetland Areas is currently being made by Dr. Arthur J. Hawley, an assistant professor of geography at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This study is a part of his research on the water resources of the state and is supported by a grant from the Water Resources Research Institute of the University. The final results will be published by the Institute as one of its Research Reports early in 1973. Why This study is being done at this time in order to identify important wetland areas in North Carolina before they are threatened with alteration or drainage. Dr. Hawley feels that more intelligent decisions can be made in a non-crisis atmosphere devoid of political influences and that local citizens in this county are thoroughly familiar with their wetland areas. “You are in a better position to identify the important wetlands and outline their values than anyone else in the state. Therefore, I am requesting your help in identifying and helping to protect those wetlands which deserve this special attention,” Dr. Hawley said. Objectives “I am seeking answers to three basic questions: (1) Are there any wetlands in this county worth preserving either in their present state or in some form of multi-purpose use? (2) If so, where are they (See STUDY, Page 2) ■ ,1? r.'. /.J '>: NORTHAMPTON COUNTY I -J i LEGEND SEASONALLY FLOOCCD H BOTTOMLANDS INLAND OPEN FRESH WATER WOODED SWAMPS □ BOGS IS SHALLOW FRESH MARSHf COASTAL OPEN FRESH WATER IRREGULARLY FLOODED SALT MARSH regularly flooded SALT MARSH SOUNDS a BAYS He suggested: “For hogging down use heavy, thrifty pigs weighing preferabley from 70 to 100 pounds. Pigs this size make more efficient use of the drop residues. “Provide an adequate supply of clean, fresh water. Hand feed approximately one- half pound of medicated protein supplement per head, per day. This may be self fed if an appetite regulator is included in the supplement. “Use field gleanings as soon as possible. The longer these crops remain in the field, the less value they have as feed. “Preferably fence a small acreage and let the hogs clean it up, then enlarge the area. “Provide some protection from the weather. A small area of woodland should be sufficient. “Check hogs often and watch for any that may be sick,” Eason reminds area farmers. the service. “This is not the case,” Ellen said. “Actually, this first step is just a study to see if the service is wanted or needed. Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company is in the service business. Giving service to their subscribers is their job as well as improving the service. EAS will be an improvement if it is passed and installed. However, they are not going to conduct the study, which will cost several thousand dollars, unless they feel there is some very real interest in it.” EAS, when installed will afford telephone subscribers the privilege of making toll- free calls between Jackson, Rich Square, Seaboard, Conway and Woodland. At present this valuable service is available between Rich Square and Woodland. “At the public meeting there were voices for and against this service,” Ellen stated. “Most were for. Since then not too many voices have been heard.” FHA Announces Two New Loan Programs JACKSON — “Two authorities have been given the Farmers Home Administration to give financial assistance to county farmers,” Northampton FHA Supervisor Marvin Coleman reported this week. The first, the Emergency Loan Program allows for refinancing of debts for landowners suffering from losses by Hurricane Ginger last year. Terms for these loans will be 40 years at three per cent. To obtain a loan under this program a farmer must be unable to obtain adequate credit from any other source. “Emergency loans cannot exceed $300,000, Coleman 72 Harvest Much fir Like Last Year's JACKSON — “From the looks of things at this time we are not going to have one of the best peanut harvests on record but things could have been worse,” said North ampton ASCS Manager Ben Mann. “A late planting, wet summer and freeze October 20-21 has taken its toll. At best we will be no better nor no worse than we were last year if things continue in the direction they seem to be going. “With about 98 per cent of the crop harvested it looks like peanuts are going to run the same as last year, 2,300 pounds per acre. In 1970 this average was 2,900. “Because of immaturity of this crop due to the freeze quality is much lower. “Just across the Meherrin River in Virginia things are much worse but this does not alter the fact of how its going here,” Mann said. Cotton “The cotton picture is worse yet. The bolls were very immature when the freeze hit and now will not open. Some fields have from 10 to 100 per cent damage. We estimate that at least 30 per cent of the county crop was damaged. Very little had been picked) before the freeze. Another two weeks would have made all the difference in the world,” Mann stated. “The corn yields may be the best ever but unfortunately its not one of the money makers for the county. We are just beginning to get into the soybeans,” Mann said, “And we have no reports as yet to make.” said. Loans under this program can be made to refinance an existing debt. Small Farm Ownership Program “The other program is the Small Farm Ownership Program. It can be made only to a farmer who’s operation is no larger than a family size. Maximum for this is $5,000 and the rates are five per cent at‘ 40 years,” Coleman reported. Tht i—oncy canno! be iscu to purchase more land but can be used for almost any other purpose. “One of the high points of this program is that there are no fees involved and the money can be forthcoming within a few weeks. On a regular loan of $6,000 the fee can be as much as $70 and take up to six weeks to process. “This new program is a lot faster and cheaper. At most it would cost $5 to record a deed of trust if one is involved. Actually it would be a second (See FHA, Page 3) 9382,133 for Christmas AHOSKIE — Going into the Roanoke-Chowan’s economy just when it’s needed most is a total of $382,133 in Christmas savings checks being welcomed in the mail this month. Leading the iist in individual county amounts is Hertford with $192,804 from its six banking facilities. Next in line is Bertie with $109,417 from its five facilities. Gates is getting $49,093 from its four institutions, and Northampton savers will be getting $30,891 from four. This figure for Northampton may not be accurate for many citizens who live in that county work in Roanoke Rapids and bank there also. Therefore their Christmas Savings checks would be mailed from that city and not appear on the list researched by Your Home Newspaper. m Present Northampton Wetlands Map SIX MONTHS OLd Michael Scott, was posing for a free color portrait, and being entertained by the photographer and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie G. Smith of Woodland, when the Times-News photographer filmed the scene. Subscribers, who received the portrait offer bonus, are reminded to come to the Times-News office in Rich Square Monday, November 20, or Tuesday, November 21, to select their portrait. Hours are from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.