Madison County Library
Marshall, *. ^
f?' *V
The News - Record "' (s)
r ?? SERVING THE PEOPLE OF MADISON COUNTY
1
75th Ysar No. 16 PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN THE COUNTY SEAT AT MARSHALL, N.C. THURSDAY, May 13, 1*7* IS' Par Copy
Briggs Will Run
For House Seat
*' ' " . V": . 7 -V" ? '
BRUCE BRIGGS
Bruce Briggs of Mars Hill
has resigned his post as
Madison County resident
superior court judge to run for
Congress. He will seek the
Republican Party nomination
to run for the Eleventh
Congressional District seat in
the U.S. House of Represen
tatives.
Briggs, 38, is one of the
GOP's brightest young
politicians in Western North
Carolina and is believed to be
its strongest candidate to enter
the race so far for the post now
held by Congressman Roy
Taylor, who is retiring.
Briggs is resigning from the
superior court judgeship,
effective Wednesday, May 12.
"One of the main reasons
I'm seeking this office is my
firm belief that we need to put
the government in Washington
back in the hands of the
people," Briggs said in an
nouncing his candidacy. "For
too long the laws and
regulations coming out of the
federal government in
Washington have grown and
grown until they interfere too
much in the lives and affairs of
average citizens and small
business people. Some laws
and regulations intended to
protect people have become so
complex and involved in red
tape that they defeat the
original purpose they were
designed to do.
"Also, I feel that we need a
man in Congress who is willing
to listen to the people of our
district. I have always felt that
one of the strong points of
Congressman Roy Taylor was
the fact that he tried to com
municate with the people in the
District and to listen to what
they had to say. I would hope
that I can do even more in this
respect because of the greater
need now to restore trust in our
government and its officials."
"For almost six years I have
been totally removed from the
political arena as an active
participant. Prior to my tenure
as judge, I was assistant
United States attorney for the
Western District of North
Carolina. From this ex
perience I became aware that
government is far too complex
and bureaucratic.
"I do not have all the an
swers to all of the problems,
but I do have a great desire to
see fiscal soundness in
government, less regulatory
interference in private en
terprise and local affairs and a
government that is responsive
to the individual citizen."
"My experience for two
terms in the N.C. State Senate
has provided me with some
knowledge of legislative .
workings and has made me
aware of the extreme im
portance of the legislative
branch of government to the
lives of every citizen I believe
that my legislative experience
will enable me to be the kind of
effective congressman the
people of this district need."
Briggs is the son of the late
Clarence W. Briggs and Mrs.
Eula Briggs of Mars Hill. He is
married to the former Jean
Miller of Waynesville; they
have one daughter, Ashley,
(Continued on Page 3)
Mars Hill College
Gets $525,000 Gift
The largest gift in Mars Hill
College's history ? $535,000 ?
has been received from the
Fannie Drye Palmer Foun
t datkm . Thehal^millioodoll*^
^,' " gOt will be used to complete
and endow a housing complex
which will accommodate 168
students.
The foundation was
established in 1871 by the will
of the late Mrs. Palmer, a
resident of Albemarle. Mrs.
Palmer was i four-time
trustee of the college and the
gift is the culmination of the
deep interest of Mrs. Palmer
and her late husband, who was
also a trustee of the college,
had in Mars Hill College and in
other Baptist institutions for
nearly 40 years.
The gift also reflects the
business genius and'generosity
of Clyde C. Dickson Sr., of
Charlotte, a trustee of the
college who is also the senior
trustee of the Palmer Foun
1-41
aauon.
A lifelong resident of Stanly
County, Mrs. Palmer was a
school teacher who lived
frugally and invested wisely.
Although she inherited no
money from her husband who
<fied In 1939, or her parents, she
left an estate valued at more
than $1.5 million.
Her wealth was ac
cumulated through wise in
vestments suggested to her by
Dickson, who was an in
vestment broker in 1932 when
she purchased her first stock.
Demonstrating her complete
faith in Dickson's integrity,
Mrs. Palmer established, by
her will, the philanthropic
foundation and gave authority
over it to a board of trustees
headed by Dickson, and in
cluding Ms two sons.
Between mi and 1009 Mrs
Palmer gave the college ap
proximately $14,060, mostly in
annual gifts. In her will Mrs.
Palmer bequeathed $25,000 to
Mars Hill for a scholarship
fund. Since her death, Dickson
has continued to make gifts to
the college from the foundation
including a $10,000 gift in 1975.
Last year the trustees of the
foundation decided that Mrs.
Palmer's intentions could be
best served by dividing the
assets of the foundation bet
ween Mars Hill and Wingate
College, in which Mrs. Palmer
was also interested.
Mars Hill's share will allow
(Continued on Page 3)
Attention Candidates
? , f ; ,? ? ? r
It is the intention of this newspaper to publish
in some issue prior to the primaries, a summary
and background of each candidate regardless of
political affiliation or function. It will take the
cooperation of each candidate to make this in
formation to readers possible. A picture,
preferably black and white, will be appreciated.
This applies to county offices primarily. The first
of the series began last week with Mrs. Jena Lee
Buckner who is a candidate for register of deeds.
This series is primarily published to "in
troduce" the candidates to the public. Family
background, public offices held, education,
training, church affiliation, qualifications, etc.,
desired.
This "introduction" series is published free
and is not considered as political advertising.
However, candidates wishing to have political
advertising are urged to have their "copy", size,
etc., in News-Record office by Tuesday mornings
which is the weekly deadline.
?THE EDITOR
REP. LISTON RAMSEY of Marshall, right,
helps break ground Saturday for the new
WNC Farmers Market to be built on 1-40 south
of Asheville. Ricky Capps, left, of Greater
Laurel provided the plow and four-legged help
to turn the first ground for the market. N.C.
Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Graham
(stetson) and state Rep. Claude DeBruhlman
the plow handles. Market facilities will costfl
million and will be built on a 20-acre tract
bought from the Biltmore Estate. (News
Record Photo)
Flaherty Scores Social Services
David Flaherty, Republican
gubernatorial candMate and
former Secretary of Human
Resources in North Carolina,
visited Mars Hill and Marshall
Monday.
While in Mars Hill he was
guest of Mayor and Mrs.
William P. Powell and other
prominent Republicans. He
was a luncheon guest at Mars
Hill College. Following lun
cheon he and Mayor and Mrs.
Powell and others visited
Marshall where they met other
Republican leaders. While <
here the group visited The
News-Record office where
Flaherty issued the following 1
release: -
. "As I said in my an
nouncement statement, ethics
and morality in government
will be an issue in this
gubernatorial campaign.
I said in my announcement
statement, and I have
repeated it many times since
then, "One of my first acts as
governor will be to establish a
tough code of ethics for state
government."
Another issue in this cam
paign is building a strong,
effective two-party system in
North Carolina.
These two issues go hand in
hand.
One party domination of i
government ia always a
potential breeding ground for t
corruption. We need two t
strong and healthy political
parties to balance one another I
and keep one another honest. i
I sincerely believe that the a
best way to have clean, hooest 1
government is to avoid the r
concentration of power in one
party, in one party faction, or
none man.
Lot me explain wfcal i moan
?y giving you a specific
ixampie.
When I was Secretary *
luman Resources I became
'try concerned about ?
filiation in Madison County,
["here had been reports of
nisuse of taxpayer money in
(Continuedon Page 8
Ramsey, Leiby
To Be Honored
At MHC Saturday
Rep. Liston TJ. Ramsey of
Marshall and Mrs. George M.
Lei by of Albermarle will be
honored as alumnus and
alumna of 1976 during Alumni
Day activities at Mars Hill
College Saturday.
Over 300 seniors will receive
their degrees Sunday af
ternoon, the culmination of the
two-day graduation weekend.
The Honorable Jo Graham
Foster of Charlotte, a member
of the North Carolina General
Assembly, will deliver the
baccalaureate address Sunday
morning in Moore Auditorium.
Ramsey, a native of Mar
shall, la a member of Mars
Hill's Class of im. He Is a
Democrat and represents the
44th House District, which
consists of Haywood, Jackson,
Madison, and Swain count**
He is married to the form*
Florence McDevitt; and flMQr
have a daughter, Martha
Louise, who resides in Mobile,
Ala.
He served in the Army Air
Force as a sergeant during
World War II and is a rnemb*.
of the Veterans of Fereiga
Wars and the American
Legion. He is a Mason, a
member of the Efts dub. a
trustee of the Cherokee
Historical Association and a
(Continued on PageS)
Joe Justice Announces For Register Of Deeds
Joseph G. Justice, a Spring
Creek native of Madison
County, has announced his
candidacy for the office of
register of deeds for Madison
County, subject to the eriO of
the Democrat Primary Aug.
17
Justice is a graduate of
Spring Creek High School and
served three yeers in the
United States Armed Services.
SjjjfcMctlon of the county and
iTrried mTTpE^o
years of service. Teague, a
Democrat, is retiring at the
end of this term. Justice stated
that he pledged to continue to
operate that office in the
"same efficient, economical
and courteous manner as our
retiring register of deeds has
done for ao many years. "
Justice said ha feels that no
other county office serves the
people In ao many different
ways; "whan people are horn,
the first put.he record of their
existence is recorded in the
office of the
01 tritv
realize just how many ways
the register of deeds serves the
average citizen of the county.
"If the Democrats elect me
(Continued on Page 5)
Electric
Power
Costs Rise
The rate French Broad EMC
pays to Carolina Power ft
Light Co. for wholesale power
was increased on May 1.
The Federal Power Com
mission reversed their
previous order asking CPftL to
refile at a lower level and gave
them their original request of
34.5 percent. This means that
members of French Broad
EMC will see an increase on
their bills for May 20. This
increase will be prorated to
apply on 20 days usage, from
May 1 to May 20.
The base rate schedules will
not be changed at this time.
The increase will be paseed on
as a purchase power and fuel
adjustment charge. It takes
quite a bit of time and expense
to make a rate study and since
there is uncertainty as to when
the FPC will give a definite
ruling on both wholesale rate
increases that are now before
them, it was felt it would be
best to pass the increase on as I
a purchase power and fuel
agistment charge.
The amount of your usage
each month wiD determine the
^tiqrone cent per KWH as
an examnle only, bi-monthly
members on farm and
si
Welcome ...
TO THE
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TO
THE NEWS RECORD
During The Past Week
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correspondent in every com
munity. Just call the editor-Phone
649-2741
Board Of Education Active
?? ?? ' ? if1 A. -AKjy-: 'I' ^, ?;* : * ? '< ' ? 'frtijKt** ' :.-V ?'?f* ? ' ?*' ^ 'It*". Jw ?
On School Budget, Programs
The Madison County Board
of Education spent moat of
May 3 on the school bucket for
mwu cr sws smv a em
the 197*77 school year
The board studied the
ruquest of r applicants
requesting to be assigned to
the Buncombe County School
Systen the 1VM-77 school
yaar^The board^nrisaasd ?
Education would accept
Madia on County students and
3j^tion "JSMTg
responsible for their tran
sportation. tuition or aay
It was a < unanimous vote of
y board .^to^ support ^ thr
II >i.
Dr Bobby Jean Rice *l?o
peetei to be
i I