Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / Oct. 2, 1986, edition 1 / Page 1
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MADISON COUNTY LIBRARY GENERAL DELIVERY MARSHALL NC Vol. 86 No. 41 +*r i. im?P*ge ^' Fv?> VS RECORD 'eople Of Madison County Since 1901 || Thursday, October 2, 1986 25c 150 Attend Candidates' Forum ' " ' " ? B ' X Commission Candidates Agree On County Manager Proposal I By ROBERT KOEN1G More than 150 voters attended an historic candidates meeting Monday night in Beech Glen. The meeting, sponsored by the Madison County League of Women Voters, allowed voters to question local candidates for county offices. Candidates for the county commission, District I school board, sheriff, tax collector and clerk of court were invited to address the meeting. All the candidates except Clarence Cut shall, a Republican candidate for the county commission, at tended Monday's meeting. Cutshall was reportedly ill and unable to attend. Voters attending the forum were asked to submit written questions to the candidates on 3x5 index cards. Moderator Bruce Phillips posed the questions to the candidates. Most questions were addressed to the county commission and school board candidates. Before answering the questions, the candidates were given one minute to introduce themselves and outline their posi tions. Although the county commission candidates offered differ ing views on many issues, all six were in agreement that coun ty commission meetings should be held during evening hours. Republican Bob Phillips of Mars Hill said, "Without some par ticipation from the citizens, I don't see how it will be possible for three men to run county government." Phillips also called for conducting a series of county meetings in communities out side of Marshall to get residents' input. The Republican and Democrat county commission can didates also agree on the need to hire a full-time county manager to oversee operation of local government. Democrat Bobby Capps of Mars Hill told the audience, "I don't think three county commissioners can do the job and the other jobs we have to do." Of the six candidates, only one, Bob Phillips, is retired. Republican Clarence Faulkner also endorsed the county manager system, saying the manager should also serve as an industrial recruiter. Attracting industry to Madison County was a theme both Republicans and Democrats sounded frequently during the Monday night meeting. Clarence Faulkner said, ''Industry is the number one priority. I'm not for sure what the county can do, but whatever is allowed by state law, we should do it." Bobby Capps linked industry with new school construction, saying, "Whatever it takes, we're going to have to do it. We need to work in every direction to get industry in here and the -Continued on Page 10) Community Calendar Monday Is Registration Deadline Monday, October 6 is the final day for Madison County residents to register to vote in the November 4 general elec tion. The Madison County Board of Elections office on Main Street in Marshall will be open on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Mon day, Oct. 6 to register county residents. Teenagers who will be 18 years old by November 4 are eligible to register for the elec tion. For more information, contact the Madison County Board of Elections at 649-3731. Candidates Forum Monday Night The Madison County League of Women Voters will sponsor a second Candidates' Forum on Monday, October 6 at 7 p.m. in the Little Theatre of Madison H.S. A Community Calendar an nouncement in last week's edition incorrectly reported that the meeting would be held on Oct. 5 The News Record regrets f hie orrAf uug vi i vi . Clarke Campaigns Hot Springs James McClure Clarke will be at the Lippard House on Walnut St. in Hot Springs on Oct. 6 from 9:30 until 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Hendon, Broyhill Attend Barbeque Rep. Bill Hendon and Sen. Jim Broyhill will be honored dur ing a family barbeque hosted by Gov. Jim Martin on Oct. 4 in the Asheville Civic Center from 6 until 8:30 p.m. Admission to THE CANDIDATES MET at Beech Glen Community Center on Monday night. Ques tions were asked of all candidates present running for school board, county commission, sheriff's office, tax collector and clerk of court. Over 150 citizens attended the two hour meeting, sponsored by the Madison County League of Women Voters. School Enrollment Declines By WILLIAM LEE Once again school enrollment in Madison County has declined, accor ding to the ten-day enrollment figures released by the State Department of Education. According to the new figures, Madison County has a total enroll ment of 2,754 students, down from the end of last year when enrollment was 2,849. The ten-day figures are of im portance because an increase enroll ment could have gained teachers for Madison County. Teacher allotments are based on state estimates from last year, and adjusted by actual at tendance at the beginning of the year. Bobby Jean Rice, general super visor for Madison County schools, says her own reports for the first full month show that attendance has since gone up to 2,778, but as yet have not been reflected in the state's com*^ 'r&rityrtk/ ; *" "Usually after Labor Day our at tendance goes up," said Dr. Rice. 'That trend, plus the new basic education program, probably means we will hold to the same level of teacher allotment." According to Dr. Rice, the best three of the first four state atten dance reports are used to adjust teacher allotments. t "It's part of a trend that has plagued our schools for a number of years," said Superintendent Robert L. Edwards. "We educate them, but they are forced to go elsewhere to find the jobs." "We're going to keep losing students until we have jobs in this county to keep the people here," add ed school board chairman Bobby Ponder. "We are losing our youth." "I certainly don't claim to have all the answers," Ponder continued. "All I know is that unless we can draw in dustry to this county, our attendance .figures are going to continue this downward spiral." A.''.? Ponder said the closing of Melville Shoe factory in Hot Spring* two years ago drastically cut into enrollment at Hot Springs Elementary School. The school has been further decimated by layoffs at Banner House , Hot Spr ings' other large employer. At the other end of the county, Mars Hill's two industries. Micro-Switch and Shadowline. have both had large layoffs over the past few years. "We're willing to do anything to help," said Ponder. "We've given room to A-B Tech for vocational training programs that would give our people the skills industry is look ing for when considering location. We haven't seen the results of their or our efforts as yet." "It is our duty as educators to give our students the knowledge and skills that they need in the world today," said Edwards "The shame of it is that they have to go elsewhere to find the jobs that pay for that education they got here." Current enrollment figure*, by scbpoia. are as follows: Madison High. K2I ; Mars IIHI 770: Marshall School. 307 ; Marshall Primary 221; l.aurel School, 193; Walnut School. 173; Hot Springs. IRS; and Spring Creek School 100. Evening Meeting Endorsed ? ot'SIS* ' By WILLIAM LEE At the Beech Glen "Meet The Can didates" meeting Monday night the four school board candidates seeking election from District I were in agree ment on many of the issues raised by the audience The four were in agreement when it came to hiring the best tenders available, getting more parents in volved in the schools, keeping well informed of education trends and the needs of Madison County schools, and the possibility of holding school board meetings at night. All four, for example, said they would be in favor of a bond referen dum to raise money for new schools if the people of Madison County wanted it Democratic incumbent Gerald Young said the extra half-cent sales tax to be set aside for capital outlay funds should go far in assisting the school board in renovating the <u:hnols "Of the first half-cent county op tion, we were given the minimum 40 percent, which comes to abaut $150,000 per year," said Young. "The extra half-cent given to the counties in June, the county commission has graceously allocated H all to the schools That amounts to another $377,000 per year." Next to renovations to the schools themselves, the candidates were somewhat divided as to the next greatest needs for the county. While incumbents Gerald Young and Franklin Anderson felt gaining acreditatkm for the schools was atop priority. Republican challengers Ed Krause and Joseph Godwin were ada mant in their demand that the school system be free of political in terference. "We need to hire teachers on the basis of their abilities and not because of who they are, or how they vote," said Godwin. -Continued Page 10 Krause Calls For Edwards To Resign By ROBERT KOENIG Republican school board candidate < Ed Krause of Mars Hill announced this week that he would seek removal j of Madison County School Superinten dent Robert L. Edwards and school ! board attorney Larry Leake if he is elected in the Nov. 4 election. Krause is seeking one of two District I seats in the local election Rumors of Krause's plans to depose the school officials had been cir culating for several weeks. The Mars Hill attorney addressed the rumors in a press release made public last Fri Iday. In his statement, Krause denies that he would break or contest Ed wards' contract with the school board. The school superintendent's present contract expires in June, 1989. It was approved in Dec.. 1964 by board members Gerald Young. Dedrick Cody, Ed Gentry. R.Z Ponder and Floyd Wallin Cody has since left the board and been replaced by Franklin Anderson Although he would not break the contract, Krause goes on to state, "I will request Mr. Edwards' resigna tion and I would like to consider other people for the job." The release did not name prospective candidates for the post. Krause pledged that he wouM try to work with Edwards "for the good of our schools," but also warned that he would seek to have Edwards removed from his position if the school superintendent "does not follow the board's rules and regulations, or his duties." Krause also called for the replace meat of Larry Leake as the school board attorney, while praising Leake's ability as a lawyer. Pointing out that Leake also served as th? Ed Kraus? County schools have many fine teachers, but there are people who should not be there because of bad hiring practises in the past." The release did not reveal specific ex amples of teachers hired because of political considerations. Krause also said he supports in creased parental participation in the schools and called on the school board to reduce the number of executive sessions conducted during public meetings Krause also called for holding school board meetings during evening hours. The present board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Krause contends that voters should remove Democrat Gerald Young and 'the other school board members for extending Edwards' contract beyond their present term of elective office. "It may have been legal for them to do this." Krause contends, adding, "but it was not fair." The Republican challenger said, "I do not want a superintendent that will always agree with me, but that per son must be in total agreement with my general policies and be faithful and have confidence in me." ?r?r Krause said he believes that many county school teachers are afraid to voice their opinions to the ad ministration of the school system. "I also believe that they lack the freedom to participate in our two party political system as allowed by law because of the administration," Krause said. "Moat of the teachers and staff are registered Democrats and are expected to participate in party functions. In fact, many serve as Democratic election precinct af ficials." Candidates Divided Over Edwards By Wll.l.r.VM I KK As might be expected, not all the candidates (or the Madison County Board of Education are in agreement with Ed Kinase's recent statements toward removing Superintendent Bobby Edwards. Neither franklin Anderson or* Gerald Young, the Democrat in cumbents from District I, were in, favor of such measures And. while Dr. Joseph Godwin and James Baker expressed a desire to have Edwards retire after the election, neither wanted to replace him if they are forced to honor his contract through 1N9. Edwards' contract was renewed in 1985 for another four years. Accor ding to Young, Edwards contract has always been renegotiated the year before elections. "I've lived with it and 1 think anyone else can live it for these last three years of Edwards' term," said Young. Edwards has expressed a desire to retire at the conclusion of this term, but has indicated he would not resign "Unless we break his contract, Ed wards is our superintendent for the next three years, saM Anderson, an appointee ) the board last year. "I do not think that's a good idea It * be a " v./,. - . ?3 "But Mr. Leake's services have pro ven invaluable as a go-between for as and the county commissioners." Both Baker and Godwin, however, felt such dual service wm in Itself* conflict of interest on Leake's paM and he should remove himself from serving one or the other. v. "There's no doubt in my mind that' some negotiations have not gone m well as they mightbecause Leake Ns tried to serve the best interest of both.
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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Oct. 2, 1986, edition 1
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