Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / Oct. 30, 1975, edition 1 / Page 1
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ft Mem Volume 74, Number 40. Marshall. N. C. 15 CENTS PER COPY October 30. 17 HDiriig Abuse Meeting Meld Mere By JIM STORY Every seat in the courtroom was filled, including the jury boxes, and many standing at the public meeting Sunday afternoon of concerned citizens when solutions to the alleged drug abuse in the Marshall area were discussed. A previous meeting two weeks ago resulted in the second meeting here Sunday. The Rev. Spencer LeGrand, pastor of the Marshall Baptist Church, presided at the meeting which consumed about two hours. Following the invocation by the Rev. Jimmy Buckner, Mr. LeGrand explained the pur pose of the meeting, pointing out that it was apparent that a serious problem confronted parents, teachers, county officials, law enforcement officers and the public in general involving abuse of drugs by some students of Madison High School. Mr. IeGrand stated that anyone in the crowded courtroom could voice his or her opinion as to the solutions and ways of curbing this abuse. This in cluded the opinions of high school students as well as both young and old persons present. Rumors throughout the county were varied as to the extent of these abuses. Some of the general rumors or "grapevine gossip" put the percentage as high as 65 percent of the students were either aware or were involved in some way with drug abuse. Other statistics heard discounted such high per- l'.antj0a with some savins f.articipated. The tirst person cauea on to inform the crowd as to his knowledge of the alleged abuses was Sheriff E. Y. Ponder. Ponder said he welcomed cooperation from the public in informing him of abuses but urged everyone to stick solely to FACTS and not rumors. He explained that drugs were much harder to find than liquor. He cited the legal difficulties for arrests and the dangers of soalled "false accusations." "No doubt we have drugs such as other sections of the state but there are no more here than in neighboring areas," he said He expressed a desire to curb this abuse in the school and elsewhere in the county. "We can lick this problem if everyone will help," he said. James T. Ledford, chair man of the county board of commissioners, speaking in behalf of the Madison County Health Department, told the audience of a planning board which is in the offing by the commissioners to assist the Health Department in setting up adult education courses which would help parents and others recognize the various .-, . ... . m w' - - ' "rr.CEUCTIVITY. LtVELS M over lis percent hve been Icedby 31 employees at the Mars Hill, N.C. r'at cf tLe Kicre Switch division. The Mphest lev;! is jrfsc :.:!y KeU by Marlene Tomberlln, with a v -':' i:2 rercrnt e Is not included in this r' ' f ). f ' rs vi;h prsvfucUvity !- c eceed;ng 113 r frrn I X Joyce Jfrrth, Kathleen ( ' "'-y, V ris57rl"' '"r '' -e I . y " 1 I' -'vr. 1' i Ct ' ". 7ula '. . i I f.iajeCUi, A y I .:rd. drugs involved, including marijuana, etc. Robert L. Edwards, county school superintendent, also spoke about the abuses and stated that school principals and teachers had been in structed to do everything possible within their jurisdiction to help alleviate the handling, sale and use of illegal drugs. Don Anderson, a member of the county board of education, spoke of the various methods of dealing with the drug abuse problems and also appealed to the adults to carefully study which steps could and should be taken to curb the abuses. He asked the public to cooperate with the board of education in future plans which would be beneficial to both parents and students. Following talks by these county officials, Mr. LeGrand then asked for comments, questions, opinions and discussions concerning the problem. There was no hesitency on the part of many persons, both adults and teenagers, to respond. Mothers, fathers, relatives, new-comers to the county, doctors, ministers, students, some 25 persons spoke their minds. Some of the comments were most sensible, thought provoking and impressive while others were somewhat repetitious and sometimes confusing but well-meant. The general consensus, however, was the effort to help the students rather than to "prosecute" them in reaching a solution to stop these evils. Varied opinions as to what direction or what methods should be most effective reached a "stalemate" after over an hour of talks. Some of the more recent residents of the county told of their ex periences in larger cities where they had resided and how they (the cities) handled the situation. Many voiced the opinion that 90 percent of the responsibility rested in the training of children by parents and the examples set before the children in the home. Some stated that their children would not divulge intimate secrets concerning their behavior regarding drugs. One young person commented that students involved in the abuses would Mars Hill Fire Dept. Bids To Be Opened Friday The Mars Hill town officials will accept bids on the new fire department building until 3 p.m., Friday, October 31, 1975 and at that time will open all bids received. The total cost of this much needed project is expected to be about $90,000 and con struction will start as soon as v . come nearer telling fellow students than telling older persons. She suggested a student-to-student, friend-to-friend method of finding out who the "pushers" were and are, especially for the students who wanted to "break the habit." Several persons present vowed that "no actual names" of participants would be used and several suggested that "all names will remain confidential" if received by Sheriff Ponder. At least three persons commended Sheriff Ponder on his word and desire to keep such names con fidential. Principals and teachers were also com mended on their role in handling such intricate matters and information. Although every effort will be made to deal with offenders with utmost care, it was pointed out that such of fenders will be arrested for f 1 LI L- PICTURED ABOVE are the present members of phe Madison County Board of Social Services. Left to right are Mrs. Beulah Gentry of Marshall, Mrs. Harriet Bucy of Mars Hill, Mrs. Verna Brigman of Walnut, Mrs. Virginia Anderson of Hot Springs, Chairman; and Ed Niles of Marshall. French Broad EMC To Be Closed On Saturdays Effective November 1, 1975, the Marshall Office of French Broad Electric Membership Corporation in Marshall, N.C., will be closed on Saturdays Members will be able to pay their electric bills from 8 a m to 4 30 p m Monday through Friday at any office of French the bids are formally accepted and approved by the town board and other agencies involved. This project was passed by the citizens by a vote of 195 for and only 7 against. The town council and fire department were very pleased with this vote of confidence. -T-vripf ; , f . : 4 wv- - It mr fcnirrTT -imiifi TTT'iimil r - - 'fi- K, , fcsi 1 tK. . ."WtaaMi Kalherine Ramsey and Kathleem Phillip. Als performing at more than lit percent are Joanita Thomas, Dorotha Thorpe, Debra Rke. Debra West, Jacqueline Webb. Sally Buckner. lvadell HatU Hoie Capps, Virginia Teek, Paris Hill. Nannette Ha l. Faje Ray. Bottle Hark. Marie BIU Ireae Hn'Kon and Rita Arri-rton. The Mar 1 1 ill plant handling illegal drugs either on or off the school premises. One lady suggested the help of the SBI in aiding other law enforcement officers. Still others were apprehensive about this step, pointing out that many students might be exposed, arraigned and questioned whether guilty or innocent. "It's a shame that the vast majority of upright, clean students must be subjected to the embarrassment caused by a small minority of students," one citizen said. Michael Faires, director of safety and security at Mars Hill College, told of his ex periences with this problem in many locations and cautioned the audience about making a wrong approach in attempting to curb these abuses. He promised to aid Sheriff Ponder, school officials and parents in attempting to solve this problem. ft vu umm 1.JX..J Braod EMC either at Mar shall, Burnsville, or Baker sville, N.C. Wachovia Bank & Trust Co. at Mars Hill, N.C. is an authorized collection agent for French Broad EMC Payment can also be made by mail French Broad EMC urges anyone paying by mail to do so by check or money order; it is inadvisable to send cash through the mail Routine connects and disconnects and other service work will not be performed on Saturdays. Only emergency work will be performed. A serviceman will be on stand by to tak care of emergency work Your cooperation in this change in operation is sin cerely requested. Sunday After more than two hours of questions, opinions and ideas, Dean Don Gehring, of Mars Hill College, offered a Resolution which was unamimously adopted, much to the delight of the overflow crowd in a hot courtroom. The Resolution adopted follows: RESOLUTION The County Commissioners be directed to form a com mittee to investigate the nature and extent of drug abuse in Madison County and to make recommendations for attacking the problem of drug abuse. This committee to be composed as follows: county officials, law enforcement officials, parents who are not county officials, students, young people who are not students and educators; and that the committee report its initial findings to the people through The News-Record by December 1, 1975. Attention Madison County Youths Following the meeting on drug abuse last Sunday af ternoon a group of young people met with the Rev. Spencer LeGrand and some others to discuss what they and other young people can do to help themselves and their friends. It was decided to have a second meeting primarily for the youth this coming Sunday at 2 fm. at 84 Marshall Baptist Church. All the youths in the County are invited. "Young people, as you know, there is to be a com mittee appointed to study the drug situation. Mr. Ledford has agreed to wait for your suggestions before naming that committee," Mr. IeGrand stated. Mr. Jack Ramsey, Mrs. Brenda Joyner and Mrs. Kathy Wheeler will be in charge of the meeting. Criminal Court To Start Mere Monday A special term of superior court for the trial of criminal cases will start here Monday morning with Judge James M. Baley, Jr., presiding. Clyde M. Roberts, District Attorney, James T. Rusher, Assistant District Attorney; and R. Harold Bailey, Administrative Assistant, will represent the State. Listed among the trials scheduled are two murder cases, State vs. Mason King; and State vs. Pritchard Dockery. A list of jurors for the one week term follows: David Cutshall, Mae Rath bone Messer, Vernon J. Ponder, Joy P. Gayer, Flint J. Morgan, Sallie Thomas, Jacob Griffey, Mrs. Paul Frisby, Joe Fowler, Ore Frisbee, Don Anderson, Jimmy Arnold Goforth, Loretta English, Geneva W. James, Eula Mac Case, Alfred Chandler, Carson Hemley. Mack C. Faulkner, Larry Thomas Flynn, John Hariey Church, Boyee Chester GoaneO, Hoyt Co tea, Beulah Markr Holder, Lester Homer Boom, Lather Chandler, Doris Phillips BenUy, deota Davis Hutchiiu, Roy T. Bradley, Villa Loretta Georfc Jeaate Davis Ball, F Anna Wheeler Fox, LaaeDa Shook GoaneO, Amie Bel Fleming. Edna .Michaels -Brows. Wade Freeman, Gratia . Baton, Late Jam jBfttce, William Leoaar Coffey, - Bucaa Pangla Frisbee, Nancy Gentry ASca, Debra P. Coe, Mary Cecfl ' Jarvti, Kathryn Faye Boom, Janice Let Ca'.diren. Shirley Geralding It-meycun, Root F. -Franklin. CI e I!fevcvtt, James I '."i I c-Tf ".t, Ctrt Boyd, I I CflTt, ' 1 Ff ' p-.f ", I ' 1 7ni rtZF" a. a . --Jii V i lv .i-AN lVf 1 "is I IwiL., PICTURED ABOVE ARE EOUR SPEAKERS AT THE Keep North Carolina Beautiful meeting held at drove Park Inn, Asheville, Monday. At left is Mrs. Juanita Adcock, president of Big Laurel Community Club in Madison County; Morris McGough, executive vice-president WNC Development Association and director of KNCB, Inc.; Robert S. Madison County Prominent At K.N.C.B. Meeting The directors of Keep North Carolina Beautiful Inc. met at the Grove Park Inn Monday and heard reports on many of the beautification projects now under way in Western North Carolina. Ap proximately 50 persons at tended. Monday morning's session featured a panel discussion titled "How We Are Cleaning Up Madison County." Taking part in the discussion were Mrs. Ruth Gregory, beautification coordinator, moderator; Wiley Duval, agricultural extension agent; Harmon Capps, Tom I. Brigman, Nola Treadway Flynn, Albert Hylemon, Ethel Brooks, John Ernest Clark, Bonada Bullman, Alice Capps, Glenn Davis, Larry Charles Huntsinger, Pauline Elezene Briggs, Oma Rice Buckner, Owen Wallace Fish, Emma Lou Bullman, Sally Kate Franklin, Kathy Ray Johnson, John Reeves Fisher, Bulow Smith Carver, Cynthia Diana Halloween Carnival On Island Thursday The annual Halloween Carnival will be held at the Marshall Elementary school on the Island tonight (Thur sday) beginning at 7:30 o'clock. Mountain music, food, cake walks, bingo, fish pond, costume parade and other School Food Service Meeting The Madison County Chapter of School food Ser vice met Toesday evening at 4 s'dock ha ths Medisoa High School Cafeteria. Mr. .. - Harry v Smith, . Rsprtieatttivt fresa , Aiatville : Showcase. , presented aa interesting session oa equipment and its Mrs. Versa Lunsf ord. ' IT TD On Dr. Evelyn Underwood, chairman of Model Madison; Mrs. Juanita Adcock, president o,' the Big Laurel Community Club; Dr. Grover Angel, president of the Greater Ivy Community Association; and Edward A. Morton, acting health director. The panel told the story of Madison County's massive cleanup and beautification project, undertaken in con nection with the nation's Bicentennial. William Ives, chairman of the Transylvania County Davis, Sandra Allen Gahagan. Joseph Garfield Justice, Kenneth Elmer Erickson, Lawson Douglas Fisher, Emery William Davis, Clyde Lyndall English, Neta Buckner, Paula Metcalf Ammons, Claude Bowens, Fred Franklin Henderson, Billy Ellison, Phil Arrington, Maynard Cody, Robert Allen, Jr. entertainment will be enjoyed. Highlight of the event will be the crowning of the Kings and Queens in Primary, Elementary and Junior High grades. The crowning events will start at S p.m. The public is invited. Treasurer, announced that 1665.51 was cleared from the bam dinner. She said a check , in this amount would . be presented to Mr. J.C. Wallln, Jr, Princlpol of Madison High ' School, for the band. , ' Mrs, Maymee Drake, ' President, and , all the ; members -wish to express their thanks to all who donated - food and helped toward : making the dinner a Success. To Ilopson, director public works, Charlotte; and Mr. Dan K. Moore, executive director KNCB. Inc., and wife of former Governor Moore. Other speakers from Madison County included Mrs. Ruth Gregory. Wiley DuVall, Dr. Evelyn Underwood, Dr. Graver Angel and Edward A. Morton. (Picture courtesy Asheville Citizen-Times) Board of Commissioners reported on the progress of a four-county effort at cleaning tp the French tiroad Kiver. He said seven miles of the river in Transylvania County have been cleaned up so far, with 117 miles as the goal. The program is being carried on in cooperation with Forks of Ivy Working Together To Promote Neighborhoods Neighborhoods in the Forks of Ivy Area are meeting and working together in preparing to celebrate the Bicentennial of the American Revolution. Six of the ten neighborhoods in the Fork Area are involved: Ivy River, Ing Ridge, Fork of Uttle Ivy, Ivy Hill, Big Ivy and Forks of Ivy. A Study Committee is ac tively working on plans for involving all ten neigh borhoods of the Forks of Ivy Area. This Area includes neighborhoods in both Madison and Bucnombe Counties; thus, the Forks of Ivy Area is a Bi-County effort in celebrating the Bicen tennial. Also, this Area is proud that it is a biracial ef fort in celebration, as colored residents of the Long Ridge Neighborhood are en thusiastically involved in all phases of the organization and its work. Further, the Area includes residents of four church fields: Mount Give Baptist, Ivy Hill Baptist, Smith Freewill Baptist, and Forks of Ivy Baptist The Youth in the Area are students at Mars Hill and Flat Creek Elementary schools, ' or at ;V North Buncombe and Madison High Schools in Madison sad Bsacembe Coaatlts. Therefore, the Forks of Ivy Area Is aniquley American as It becomes a Community of Neighborhoods working ? together m celebration of the American Bicentennial! ,- Monthly cemmonlty meetings are being held in ths - Shot Town building at the . Forks of Ivy. At its nwr'Hy meeting in October, rr ' -'s of this Arrs rr f r fe'lfwO 'p, f t f -1 i r ' ? the Tennessee Valley -Authority, which Is supplying the heavy-dutf , equipment v used in the. removal f cat, and other Junk from the river. The counties involved in the cleanup are Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe and Madison. spontaneous singing that' involved old and young sStet Dr. Grover Angel, President of the Greater , Ivy Association, shared1 in formation with the growjF about Greater Ivy's efforts' i winning first place W the western North CarMtaW1 Beautification Contest developing a recreation? program, road side deaabuW and establishing a Community Cernter. Dr. Angel s couraged those present1 te realize that "Nothing t8beV ceeds like Success!',' The' program was followed by a business session and rafreaV" ments. The Forks of Ivy Area tohether for accwnpUSbint tn.mmAwm owitajaat aiai Mlf side clean-ap .'. includlnje , removal of hmked carsT W Community' - Ftllowshrp? Dinner la the Ivy HJli Fellowshin Hall: Organtni aa active Youth Council, a first la Madison Coun!-;" published a commun. newsletter, "Echoes of Ivy-; .. held Quoting Bees and r , Sales; and has begun k beautification and Cotnmui. ; T vSgisn. -v-r ' " ; The present comm u r. ' ? - .'leader ship btcludcs: J . Jarvis, president; F 1 vice presiaent; 1 . 1 Norton, secretary; t"- f Honeycutt, trea j-cr; ! - Robert KorvCe, r represT--1 ve Greater ! ". Mrs. 1 eornmnr ; 1 r mr'''c ts res ticr f r 2', r; 'ch's I t basic line ha tvren of snap part of 8( n nrt rs.
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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Oct. 30, 1975, edition 1
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