THE County TIMES-NEWS
Vol. 82 No. 42
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THE ROANOKE-CHOWAN TIMES -
THURSDAY, Oct. 18, 1973
Northampton County's Only Advertising and News Medium
- Established 1892 ☆ THE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY NEWS -
★ ★
Established 1926
lOc Per Copy
Rich Square, N. C.
16 Pages
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V . Decision Due Next Week On Appeal
Pollution Authorities Struck
Down By Supreme Court
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ROANOKE RAPIDS —
Albemarle Paper Co. here is
continuing consultation with
firm lawyers to determine if
appeal measures will be
sought following a state
Supreme Court ruling that
struck down pollution
abatement authorities in
Northampton and Halifax
counties.
The court ruling handed
down late last week declared
unconstitutional a 1971
General Assembly act
authorizing use of tax-exempt
revenue bonds for financing
pollution abatement facilities
for private industry.
Pollution abatement and
industrial facilities financing
authorities in Halifax and
Northampton were nullified in
the high court ruling.
Establishment of the
authorities in the two counties
was challenged in companion
law suits filed by Dr. John
Stanley, mayor of Woodland,
and by Charlie Edwards,
Roanoke Rapids real estate
developer.
The authorities in forced across the river
Northampton and Halifax through a hugh pipe that has
were created to issue tax- already been constructed
exempt bonds for construction along with a bridge,
of water and air pollution Water treated in the series
control devices at Albemarle of lagoons will be nearly as
Paper. pure as water before it enters
The water treatment the plant, company officials
facilites would primarily be report.
located across the river in
Gaston from the plant in
Roanoke Rapids. Air
abatement projects are all
salted for the Halifax side of
the river.
The $15.9 million combined
projects are designed to
elevate the quality of waste
water effluent from the paper
iiiill and to harness harmful
particulates, now being
discharged into the air.
The company has a mid
summer 1975 deadline to
complete the projects.
Construction has been
underway for over a year on
the Northampton side of the
Roanoke on a series of lagoons
and holding ponds that will
eventually treat Albemarle
waste water. The water will be
Engineering is still
underway on the air pollution
abatement phase of the
project.
In answering the suit in the
test case, Albemarle stated
that it may be forced to close
down the Roanoke Rapids mill
if the new method of financing
is not upheld in the courts.
Under the proposal, the
pollution authorities in both
counties would have issued
bonds for the amount needed
to complete projects in the
respective counties. Money
would be borrowed at a much
lower interest rate than the
company normally would be
(See POLLUTION Page 12)
Report Due Dec. 1
Utilities Board To
Review EAS Report
JACKSON — A report to the
state Utilities Commission on
proposed extended area
telephone service (EAS)
between four Northampton
exchanges will be in the hands
of the commission Dec. 1.
Grady Strickland, Roanoke
Rapids District Manager of upward to accomodate the
Carolina Telephone and expense incurred by
Telegraph Co., informed extending the service to the
county commissioners of the four towns. He noted that
progress of EAS via a there would be a loss in
ALBEMARLE PROJECT — Work is continuing on the Northampton side of
Roanoke River on the Albemarle Paper Co. water pollution abatement
project. The $2.5 million project, which is in Gaston, represents only a
portion of the pollution control program underway at the Roanoke Rapids
paper mill. The body of water at the bottom of the aerial photo is a tributary
of the Roanoke known as Little River.
County Home To Be
Accepted Oct. 29
JACKSON — The renovated
County Home building will be
accepted by county
commissioners Oct. 29,
subject to settlement of minor
details, the commissioners
agreed Monday in the regualr
mid-month meeting.
Raleigh Engineer Paul
Brown and architect Dave
abandoned County Home into
an office building has been
underway for nearly two
years.
In other business, the
commissioners:
—Appropriated $1,500 each
to volunteer fire fighting units
in Conway, Gaston, Jackson,
Rich Square, Seaboard,
'
Linda, who recently decided to change her
eye color to green with a change in contact
lens tint, found that when she placed the green
lens against the brown iris of her eye the
results produced her natural brown.
She has succumbed to nature’s way.
Gaston’s new Town Hall, more than a
decade in the making, will have at least one
frill, thanks to community spirited Harold
Wray of Wray’s Roofing & Sheet Metal and
owner of Wray’s Sporting Goods.
Harold donated enough cedar shingles to
rim the upper exterior of the $25,0to building.
The town has appropriated $300 (io have the
ornamental shingles installed and work has
already begun on the project.
The shingles will add a bit of class to the
building being constructed by Rufus Hux &
Son of Roanoke Rapids.
Randy Burnette of the Gaston-Gumberry
4-H club tried his best to enter flowers he
had grown in competition in the 106th annual
North Carolina State Fair but he was unable to
get the plants to Raleigh in time for the
judging.
At least, he tried.
Traffic deaths in Northampton are
running a bit behind last year’s mark.
On this date in 1972 there had been 18
persons killed on county roadways, compared
to only 16 so far this year.
The little town of Severn could end up
without a mayor.
Mayor R. D. Johnson, an employe of
Severn Peanut Co., failed to file for reelection
by the filing deadline last Friday.
With no candidate on the ticket, balloting
now is open to write-in candidates only.
Rich Square politicians are engaging In a
little game of musical chairs in the upcoming
municipal election in thecounty’s largest town.
It seems that former Mayor Grace
Lambertson, successful insurance agent and
mayor for the past four years prior to her
recent resignation, feels she can be more
effective as a board member than as mayor
over the board. Ms. Lambertson is one of 10
candidates seeking seats on the town’s
commission in next month’s election.
Switching from board seat to mayor’s seat
is Commissioner Jimmy Outland, who has
served as commissioner through Ms.
Lambertson’s tenure and prior. Outland is
unopposed and is a sure shot for the post
unless someone wages a might powerful
write-in campaign against him.
To add to the politics and polka Rich
Square-style, former Mayor Charles Myers
Sr., who was removed from office in a
Lambertson victory over four years ago, has
entered the race with the female former
mayor for a post on the town board.
Acting Mayor Joe Gordon will serve but a
short time as the town’s chief executive. He is
back in the commissioner’s race.
Mrs. Charles Myers Jr., daughter-in-law
of former Mayor Myers who is candidate for
commissioner, entered the race for
commissioner. She apparently didn’t like the
music, however. She withdrew her name
from the race hours after she filed.
In Rich Square, everyone’s eyes are on the
Nov. 6 election.
the Sexern And-’KiiodJand.
majority of items criticized by authorized payment of $1,250
commissioners earlier this
month have been corrected
and the remaining complaints
are being handled now.
Both men urged the board to
occupy the building as soon as
possible. The Department of
Social Services will be housed
in the structure that was
rejuvinated to the tune of
$250,000-plus.
County Manager Tim Ellen
stated that telephone crews
in contributions each to the
Woodland and Rich Square
rescue squads.
—Approved a contract
totaling $4,300 with Brewer
Paint & Wallpaper Co. of
Rocky Mount for painting the
exterior of the courthouse.
The job is to be completed in
30 days after work
commences.
—Okayed a bid of $14,734.72
for 40 additional eight cubic
will have to be in the building yard containers to be used in
a week to 10 days to complete the solid waste disposal
property.
Commissioner Jack Faison
said he would investigate the
matter and report back to the
full board.
—Failed to act on a request
by state Rep. Roberts
Jernigan that a Social
Security sub-office be located
in Ahoskie to serve part of
NiuilCy IS t Th'^
the Roanoke Rapids office and
forewarded letter from W. T.
Jones, CTT general
commercial manager.
The report was originally
scheduled to be reviewed by
the commission Aug. 1;
however, according to Jones’
letter, “due to unusal costs,
such as building additions and
outside plant circuit
construction, associated with
the provision of EAS” between
Jackson, Seaboard, Woodland
and Conway, the report is
being delayed 60 days.
Strickland said in an
interview that a tremendous
amount of cable construction
that wasn’t anticipated is
involved in the study report
that will propose higher
telephone service rates should
EAS be approved by the
commission and subsequently
’'ofed in \ju.(>v«sQrihers. *
needed to handle the expanded
an agent is in Jackson one day service and additions at some
weekly to handle Social central offices is expected.
Security claims. After the report is filed with
—Did not act on a request by the commission, a review of
Surry County Commissioner the proposal is anticipated
W. B. Brinkley that the tax within 30 days of the filing,
discount period be extended The new rate will be
beyond the present period negotiated at that point,
which was just made uniform Strickland noted that the
statewide this year. company must adjust its rates
Revelle Applauds U.S. 158
revenue due to the elimination
of long distance calls. He also
stated the company would
gain revenue in areas such as
billing for calls that ordinarily
would be toll calls.
Strickland noted that Rich
Square is not included in the
proposal due to a petitioning
effort in the town against the
expanded telephone service.
Should the commission
approve the EAS proposal of
CTT setting a new, higher
base telephone rate,
subscribers -would then be
polled in by-mail balloting.
Fifty per cent plus one of the
telephone users voting must
carry the proposal in each of
the four exchanges. A
negative vote in one exchange
would kill the issue.
In 1967 when Conway,
the measure carried only in
the county seat where it passed
with a 59.6 per cent
affirmative vote.
Conway carried only 42.4
per cent; Rich Square, 32.3
per cent; Seaboard, 38.5 per
cent; and Woodland, 33.2 per
(See REPORT, Page 12)
the switch-over of phone
service from the present
Social Services Building on
Jefferson Street.
The spacious new facility
will house all facets of the
welfare department including
the food stamp program.
Social Services Director Jim
Clark stated that instructional
space is available in the
building and his department
plans to expand services in
that area now that room is
available.
Social Services plans to be
in the building Nov. 1
program. Sanco of Winston-
Salem was low bidder.
—Accepted a low bid of -
$32,081 submitted by Simpson
CONWAY — State Rep. J.
Guy Revelle of Rt. 1, Conway
^ Tuesday stated he was
Equipment Co. of WUson for a pleased with Gov. Jim
new 35 cubic yard compacter Holshouser’s inclusion of his
truck. U.S. 158 improvement .
—Failed to act on a request project in the seven-year road pointed out that the section
submitted by J. D. Drewitt of plan announced for the state from Conway westward to
Seaboard that the new Social Friday. dc «nn,.
Services building be dedicated The governor stated that $10
to the late Mildred Joyner, million has been appropriated
Miss for improvement of 158 from
Department must survey the
road and determine which
sections warrant
improvement and
upgrading,’’ the
representative said. He
The board did honor
Joyner in a resolution. Interstate 85 near Norlina to
—Heard a report by Board U.S. 13 at Winton.
Chairman Jasper Eley that Rep. Revelle, who said he
Northampton is one of only was “pleased, but not
The building the welfare eight of the state’s 100 counties overjoyed” with the
department will leave behind not presently levying the Department of Transportation
will be converted to a multi- optional sales tax. plans for road work in the
Interstate 95 near Roanoke
Rapids needs widening and
general upgrading.
Revelle stated that the
improvements requested are
for two feet of additional
roadway on each side of the
highway and three feet of hard
surfaced shoulder on each
side.
Revelle noted that the
Linda Newsome, congenial secretary at
the Halifax-Northampton Highway Patrol
Office, has come to the conclusion that her
fourth grade science teacher was right about
the colors in the spectrum.
purpose office building
housing the Sheriff’s
Department and numerous
other offices.
Work on converting the
in and around Roanoke Rapids
and Weldon would probably
not be altered.
Revelle in the last General
Assembly pushed for
improvements of U.S. 158
from the Winton By-pass to I-
85 arguing that the state is
missing out on a major truck
route from Norfolk to the
industrious Peidmont region.
Revelle stated he was
unable to determine how
much of the road would be
improved in Northampton
County. A general completion
date for the $10 million project
is set in 1980.
“I hope the survey will show
urgent need and
-Heard a request for the northeast, noted that all of the Conway-to-Murfreesboro » more ^
purchase of a tract of land at roadway between 1-85 and segment doesn t ne^ hopefully the project can ^
Pleasant Hill for $500 by a U.S. 13 does not need improvement and will not ^ finished long before 1980, ne
private citizen. The county improvement. included m the project. He
has a $1,153 lien on the “The Transportation also stated that sections of 158
(See REVELLE, Page 12)
Seaboard Man Displays Art At Soul City
Seaboard Artist Javon Brothers
SOUL CITY — A Northampton County
man has inaugurated the cultural arts
program at this pioneering city with a one-
man art showing that opened Monday.
Twenty paintings, representing styles that
range from realism to impressionism to the
abstract, >vill be on display through
November in the building known as The Red
Barn at Soul City.
The artist, Javon Brothers of Seaboard, is
a native of Elizabeth City and a graduate of
Elizabeth City State University with a degree
in education. He is employed at the Roanoke
Rapids regional office of Social Security
where he is a claims representative and an
interviewer.
Brothers’ painting were discovered by Soul
City’s Cultural Director Evangeline Redding
of Tillery at a one-man art show in the spring
sponsored by the Halifax County Arts Council
in Roanoke Rapids.
The Roanoke Rapids showing was
Brothers’ first one-man effort. He has
exhibited in,his hometown and in Nyack,
N.Y., and has participated in art competition
in Roanoke Rapids, in Greenwich Village and
in Harlem.
Mrs. Redding stated that response to
Brothers’ show has been good and added that
as a result of the showing at Soul City the
artist will enter black international
competition in the fine arts.
“The purpose of the cultural arts program
at Soul City is to promote the works of young,
struggling artists who otherwise might not
have an opportunity to be exposed to the
public,” Mrs. Redding stated.
Brothers said he considered the exhibit at
Soul City an unusual honor since it is the first
exhibit ever held in the new city, the
brainstorm of developer Floyd McKissick.
The art exhibit will be a feature of
groundbreaking ceremonies set for Nov. 9
when the first permanent structure of the city
will begin to take form. Gov. Jim Holshouser
will be a key speaker.
Brothers, who came from a poor section of
Elizabeth City, known as ‘Cross the
Railroad, graduated from P. W. Moore High
there. He couldn’t afford to enter college so he
joined the Army and served in the signal
corps on a two-year European tour.
He returned to his hometown and entered
ECSU and worked his way through school as
the yearbook and newspaper photographer.
■While at college he fostered his interest in art,
a talent relatives recognized he possessed at
an early age.
He earned a fellowship to Catholic
University in Washington, D.C., but was
forced to turn it down for family
responsibilty. He is married to the former
Edith Spence of Elizabeth City and they have
two children, Tavana and Javon Jr.
Prior to entering government employment
in Brownsville, N.Y., he taught art classes in
Elizabeth City.
Brothers is now 28 and plans in the future
to continue his education in art.
The artist’s subject matter offers
something for every gallery patron. Brothers’
paintings depict everything from a tranquil
snow scene in Northampton County to a
simple line drawing of a nude to a
construction of pipes on woo^.
Though Brothers dabbles in realism, he
does not prefer it. He said it lacks a Creative,
imaginative quality. “Abstraction is based on
creativity,” the artist points out.
Several of his paintings deal with black
subject matter, even in the most abstract
forms. His work is a reflection of his
experiences, he admits, and he draws his
subject matter from inner feelings he senses
in others.
Brothers said he started painting black
subjects at a very early age on brown paper
bags. ^
“I feel that if I ever get the break, I could
contribute a great deal to the art world, as
least as far as a revolutjon in black art is
concerned,” the artist said.
His favorite artists are Picasso and
Michelangelo — the former for his mastering
of abstraction and the latter for his mastering
of all phases of art.
Brothers said he was influenced most by
an Italian art professor he had at college. Dr.
Vincent de Gregorio with his self-discipline in
art.
He also credits his artistic ability to a
teacher qt Bank Street Elementary School in
Elizabeth City who used to take up time with
him and buy him art supplies. He feels
compelled to do the same for kids now, he
says.
Brothers was also influenced by his father
who was a preacher and “a self-made man,”
Brothers says. His first church met under a
tree in Manteo.
“I try to appeal to the common man in my
work. I am more concerned with the poor
since I know what it is to come from a poor
environment.
“The most exciting thing in art,” he states,
“is the pure creative element. It becomes
more exciting when I can create and a person
can relate to that symbolism. Then I am
satisfied.
-Lee Hansley