' ? :/ T1 liilm Ct>mmtr Library 9/-??*<* 1 1 I I Precinct Judge Selection Starts i ' ' ? Heated Argument By JIM STORY A heated argument between Zeno Ponder, chairman Madison County Democratic Executive Committee, and Perry Willis, chairman Madison County Board of Elections, in the board of elections office Monday morning probably will lead to litigations to be heard in court. The disagreement centered around the appointment of a Democratic precinct judge in ii i_i nt -.1 -a me Ejuds cnapei precinct (Township7). Ponder was enraged over the appointment by Willis of Kelse Hamlin as Democratic judge, claiming that Hamlin is a "sweetheart of the Republican party although registered as a Democrat." Ponder also questioned the authority of Willis to appoint a person who was not on the list of Democratic recom mendations. Ponder claimed that the list given to the board of elections included Aaron Ponder, Bardin Cody, Betty Wtaitt, Porter Wallin and MartinFox. j i Witjis stated {that as , chairman of the board he t&d the right to name a successor in case of a vacancy and he had appointed Hamlin. He cited G. S. 163-41 as his authority in making the appointment. Willis also stated that Frank Fox was first named as Democratic judge of the Ebb6 Chapel precinct on Aug. 5, 1975, and said his name was on the original list of recom mendations submitted to the board. Fox resigned March 8, and Hamlin was appointed March 9, Willis stated. Ponder, on the other hand, claimed that Frank Fox was not on the original list but the name of Martin Fox was on the list. The two men argued at length and Willis produced a copy of the "original" typewritten list which had the name of Frank Fox on it. He said this was the list dated July 30,1975 Ponder claimed that "something hanky-panky" must be going on and said he was certain he had never recommended Frank Fox. After several verbal blasts. Ponder stated that he was going to the clerk of court's office to file proceedings against Willis over the ap pointment of Hamlin and commented that "a con spiracy exists in No. 7 Township." Hamlin, the appointed Democratic precinct judge, came into the "hearing" and when Ponder accused him of "working for" the Republicans, Hamlin flatly denied he had ever worked for the Republicans but had J, ' II always supported the ) Democrats. Before the ; meeting adjourned. Ponder stated "many persons in the Ebbs Chapel precinct had told him Hamlin was working for > the Republicans." Hamlin asked Ponder to name any of 1 those persons and he would "bring them in front of Pon- 1 der " to prove his party loyalty {j (Continuedon Page6) ? DEMOCRATS from Madison and surrounding counties attended the dinner horning Jim Hunt, can didate for governor, at the Madison High School Friday night. Othr Democratic can didates were present and following a brief session at which Hunt spoke, those present enjoyed a supper in the school cafeteria. Zeno Ponder, chairman of the county Democratic Executive Committee, presided. The oc casion was sponsored by the Democratic parties of Madison, Mitchell, Yancey and Buncombe counties. Shown above, left to right, Zeno Ponder and candidates I. C. Crawford, Jim Hunt, Listen B. Ramsey, Lamar Gudger and Ernest Messer. - ? A Festival For Mountain Folk ? " 3L A *j. ?' ."?$ ' ?* , >"?* 15 '? *?' ;V<>- ? ,v . ; '% It" - Sw ' *' I By JOHN P. FERRE (Special Writer) The Bascom Lamar Lun sford Festival drew hundreds of people from several Appalachian states to Madison County last weekend. The visitors had one common purpose: they wanted to enjoy themselves by celebrating mountain music, dance, and craft. And they did. The festival participants were Jubilant, happy that they had a common heritage and proud of the festival's success. Thursday night began the celebration at Madison County High School. Drizzle should have made the night seem urea I J, UUl irie cti nnnnii in the gym overcame the weather. Festive mountain musk and dancing by Western North Carolina groups were applauded by the audience. Hie evening began with two aonga by Aabevilk Bluagraas who then accompanied the Mara Hill Mountaineer*, the Bald Mountain Cloggera, and (he Bailey Mountain (logger* The Appalachian FoHu 2jrt^uySS?^a^Se mSTm HfittiffT* Cousty 1 ( md *th? clogging and smooth dancing. Friday night resumed with many of the same performers. The evening's activities began shortly after 7:30 in Mars Hill College's Moore Auditorium with mountain music per formances, ballad singing, soft shoe, clogging, and lum ber jacking At the end a band played as many from the audience went on stage to clog and square dance. The artists, who came from Mars Hill, Weaverville, Asheville, Chapel Hill, Athens, Ga., Enka, and Canton, included Maria Cassida, Edith and Elizabeth Cheek, Robin Holcombe, James Carson and the Countrymen, the Pat chwork Quilt Quartet, the Gott Family, Harold Garrison, Fred Holtkamp, the Lewis Family, Mealnie Saline, Nancy Sultan, Joan Moaer, the Horning Creek Bootleggers, the Apple Chill doggers, and j Ginger Johnson. Saturday afternoon em phasized participation more than performance. Old-time fiddlers taught their art, women made lye soap and (Continued on Paget) v-Jft i.l In The Black ^ |31 Mars Hill Housing Authority Making Money j . A financial report of the Mars Hill Housing Authority for the period ending June 30, reveals that the operation is "in the black." according to Mrs. Ella Vee Willis, executive director. At a dinner meeting held last Thursday evening at Bald Mountain, Mrs Willis ? to Mayor William P. i' veil a check for $2.0M.?7 in nlieuof v, fort!. ? 6 year for the Mars Hill other guesta, including Henry day Edwards. retiring chairmen of the liars Hill Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. _ ; The financial report revealed that for the fiscal yea r ending June 30. operating... exoenaee totaled Sa 303 39 whichmt luded administrative 1 ?nd audit fees ""ffitt water, mm* $32,3SC.(0 ^