Newspapers / The Warren Record (Warrenton, … / June 29, 1983, edition 1 / Page 1
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ilamn iSearrd Volume 86 25c Per Copy Warrenton, County Of Warren, North Carolina Wednesday, June 29, 1983 Number 26 Crime Increase Leads To Request For Sheriff's Funds County Sheriff Theo Williams appeared before county commissioners during a public hearing last Wednesday night on the proposed 1983-64 budget to request that funds be allotted for the addition of a deputy to the fiveman force now serving the county. In support of his request, Sheriff Schools Ask More Warren County Schools Superintendent Michael F. Williams appeared before Warren County commissioners last Wednesday night and informed them that the $100,000 in Revenue Sharing funds for capital outlay proposed for the schools «n the 1983-64 budget "won't come close to meeting the needs of building and grounds." He was joined by Assistant Superintendent of School James Jordan and Education Board Chairman Henry Pitchford in requesting additional funds from both Revenue Sharing and the General Fund during the two public hearings on the proposed county budget. "We requested almost half a million dollars in the budget," Williams noted, referring to Revenue Sharing. He urged the commissioners to be aware of the need to protect the investment that the county already has in its buildings. "We have old buildings that are giving us severe problems," he said. Pitchford expressed concern that in the general budget there were not enough additional funds to enable the county to do any expansion of programs or services. Its budget, from the General Fund, was increased from $833,875 to $906,246. Pitchford said the school nurse program had already been eliminated, that teacher supplements had been cut, and that the high school and middle school could lose accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools if additional programs had to be cut. Jordan echoed Pitchford's concern, citing the importance of main(Continued on page 8) Williams cited the high rate of break-ins on Lake Gaston and the fact that deputies are now putting in 60-to 70hour weeks and must spend considerable time in court sessions. He said that at times there is only one deputy on duty in the county when deputies are in court or involved in transporting prisoners out of the county. A total cost of $21,000 in salary and equipment was estimated by Sheriff Williams for a new deputy. Additional office space for the Sheriff's Department was also requested. The commissioners also heard from Monroe Gardner, chairman of the county Industrial Commission, who said that funds budgeted for a full-time industrial developer and for his travel would be well spent. "It's the Industrial Commission that will be bringing revenue to the county," he said. "And new industry means an increase in the tax base.'' Tom McBride, area mental health director, I told the commissioners that the $9,775 proposed for mental health in the budget was "marginal in keeping the clinic here open." An increase of $800 over last year was requested, but none was recommended in the proposed budget. McBride noted that Warren County's per capita appropriation for the mental health clinic Taking part in an installation ceremony Saturday night during a banquet held at the Warrenton Armory officers of the Henderson-Warrenton unit of the Ladies Auxiliary of the National Guard Association. They are, from left, Barbara Perry, secretary; Lillie Mason, co-reporter/historian; Dorothy Kearney, president; Elois Willis, state president; Linda D. Tharrington, coreporter /historian; Jackie Cameron, vice president; Ethel Whitby, chaplain; and Laura Powell, treasurer. (Staff Photo) Auxiliary ts Saluted The state's largest ladies auxiliary of the North Carolina National Guard Association formally began business here Saturday night when the auxiliary's state president installed new officers. The Warrenton/Henderson Ladies Auxiliary, the largest of 22 such units in the state, was saluted by visiting dignitaries as officers began their new duties. The installation ceremony was held at the Warrenton Armory. Mrs. Dorothy Kearney, wife of Capt. Paul Kearney, commanding officer of the Warrenton and Henderson National Guard units, was installed as president by Mrs. Elois Willis of Raleigh, president of the state auxiliary. Other officers installed were Jackie Cameron, vice president; Barbara Peny, secretary; Laura Powell, treasurer; Linda D. Tharrington and Lillie Mason, coreporter/historian; and Ethel Whitby, chaplain. The new auxiliary, with 55 members on the rolls, was congratulated by Steve Blackwood, (Continued on page 8) Bishop Pays Visit To Local Catholic Church The parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Warrenton were honored by the presence of Bishop Joseph Gossman at their Sunday morning mass. Bishop Gossman has served as Bishop of the Raleigh diocese since 1976. He spoke to the congregation about the importance of using their God-given talents to the best of their ability. Father James Laboski, pastor of the church, assisted Bishop Gossman in serving mass. Following the service, the ladies of the church v served _otfee and coffee cake as the congregation visited with the Bishop. Warren County Is Seeking —■«•>*«••> -At* -u- f.* *&.<■»■+., • •*» • . -*•- %. >,*■ * Grant For New Building The possibility that Warren County may receive $750,000 in state funds to underwrite construction of an industrial building designed to attract a manufacturing plant moved a step nearer Monday night. Members of the Warren County Board of Commissioners conducted two required public hearings to gather input for the proposed Community Development Block Grant which would provide construction funds. No one turned up for the hearing, except for three commissioners, County Manager GlenNorlina Woman Robbed Of Funds No arrests had been made as of yesterday afternoon in connection with an alleged scheme in which an elderly Norlina woman was robbed of $1,100 at her home on Main Street on Saturday afternoon, according to Officer Charlie Barker with the Norlina Police Department. However, Officer Barker said a suspect was under investigation. A report filed by Police Chief Romie Williams indicated that a man posing as a doorto-door carpet salesman forced himself into the home of Mrs. R. D. Carroll around 3:15 p. m. even after she told him that she was not interested in purchasing any carpet. While the man was rolling out samples of carpet inside her home, (Continued on page 8) wood Newsome, Industrial Director Jim Whitley and a member of the press. Nonetheless, Mrs. Eva Clayton, chairperson of the board, conducted the hearings, and members discussed the possibility that a Warren County industrial development group may be able to acquire a site, erect a 150,000 - square - foot building and outfit it with the needed utilities. If the grant is approved by the Depart ment of Natural Resources and Commuity Development, Mrs. Clayton said, the funds would go to a development group. The group would then look to the private sector for the remainder of funds needed. There would be no local tax dollars involved. The idea of the grant, Mrs. Clayton said, is to yield jobs. "There is a strong possibility that approval of the grant would result in our getting industry," she said. Holiday Hours Monday, July 4, will find banks, savings institutions, and county, state and federal offices in Warrenton closed in observance of Independence Day. Although most merchants will also be observing the holiday, David Gardner, chairman of the merchants committee for the Waren | County Chamber of Commerce, said this week that some convenience stores and chain stores $ will be open for business. In addition, the U. S. Postal Service will be closed Monday, and there will be no city or rural delivery. These lew officer* of the Warrenton Rotary Club officially began their kw duties Tuesday night during u Installation ceremony held at the Mddleborg Steak Boose. Shown above, front row, from left, nre Sum Padgett, vice president; Steve Modltn, president; and Gordon Greene, immediate past president Director* ibown at rear, from left, are Bradley Carroll, Wayne Clower, BUI Davit aad Dr. 8am Massey. Nat present at the ladles night fraction were Jim Davis, secretary and treasurer; and the Rev. Ray Salby, director. (Staff Photo) is only 60 cents, while the average for other counties in the 16-county region is $5.01. Russell King, county agricultural Extension chairman, expressed appreciation for the budgetary considerations for his department, and for the funds recommended for repair of the Agricultural Building roof. Ernest Harris, a farmer, requested the commissioners to consider the plight of the farmer if the increase of four cents in the rate of tax is approved. An increase from 96 cents to $1 per $100 valuation is proposed. "If another tax increase comet,, the farmer will be farther in the hole," he said. "If you tax the farmer, you tax the man who feeds you." If a brief comment, Warrenton businessman J. T. Fleming requested the commissioners to consider the recreational needs of Warren Couftty youth in budget deliberations. "We need to do more to get them off the streets and out of the pool halls," he said. Firemen Seek Financial Increase In New Budaet Warren County commissioners heard three Warren County firemen express concern in a public hearing last Wednesday over what they considered inadequate funding of the volunteer fire departments in the 1983-84 proposed county budget. About 50 firemen were on hand at the courthouse for the two budget hearings. During the first hearing, on Revenue Sharing, Walter Gardner, secretary of the County Fire Commission, expressed thanks to the commissioners for the proposed increase in funds but also voiced dissatisfaction that this year 77 percent of the funds of the volunteer departments have been raised by the firemen and only 23 percent contributed by the county. The various departments and the rescue squad requested $459,000 in their initial request, which was pared down to $295,937 before being submitted to the county manager. In the budget, $104,053 was recommended. James E. Ward, a member of the Five Forks-Churchill Volunteer Fire Department and Butch Meek, a Norlina volunteer fireman, both spoke at the later general budget hearing. Ward said that some of the volunteer departments were trying to get equipment needed to be certified, but that they "had a way to go." Meek noted that $86,902 had been raised in the county by departments during the current year, and that the county had only funded $79,040 for the departments, calling attention to the fact that the men were raising more than the county was contributing. Meek also expressed concern that the fire departments were being funded by Revenue Sharing, which has only been approved by Congress for two quarters. However, County Manager Glenwood Newsome said the change was simply to put all capital outlay under Revenue Sharing, and that he anticipated no problem with Revenue Sharing being reauthorized by Congress. According to Meek, over 17 of the 46 firetrucks in the county are over 20 years old. Seven of the 17 are in need of replacement, and 10 could be upgraded. Meek estimated the cost of a new truck at between $40,000 and $60,000. Has No Comment Warrenton Doctor Ending Practice By KAY HORNER Staff Writer Dr. Mark Pomerans, who this week announced the closing of his practice of general medicine in Warrenton effective July 15, said through a spokesperson in his office Monday that he had no comment on the closing. Roy Pat Robertson, chairman of the Warren General Hospital Board of Trustees, said yesterday that he had received no official notification of Dr. Pomerans' intentions. He said that Dr. Pomerans had told the board on three or four occasions in the past that he was closing his practice. However, the closing had not materialized. In May, according to Robertson, Dr. Pomerans was put on probation with the hospital for failing to be available on two occasions in April for backup in the emergency room. Robertson said that physicians who practice at the hospital agree to be available by telephone should they be needed by the emergency room. Dr. Pomerans automatically went back on staff effective June 1, Robertson said, and the board was not involved in Dr. Pomerans' recent decision. An outspoken member of the county's medical community, Dr. Pomerans was involved with two other physicians in a recent dispute over emergency room duty at Warren General Hospital, and has indicated in previous interviews that he felt the tendency of county residents to go to larger regional hospitals for care and treatment had adversely affected his practice. Dr. Pomerans came to Warren County in September 1981, and first practiced in Norlina before moving his office to the Warren General Hospital campus on on Ridgeway Street in Warrenton last November. Before coming to Warren County, Dr. Pomerans was an emergency room physician in Ahoskie. Town Tax Rate Not Increased At a called meeting Monday night the Warrenton Town Commissioners adopted the 1963-84 budget calling for total expenditures of 1516,332, some $3,000 larger than the l'J&CS budget, and providing a 5% salary increase for the town employees, with no increase in the tax rate, wfafcfc remake at 82 cents on the $100 (Continued on page I)
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