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The Hoke County News - Established 1928
VOLUME LXIX NUMBER 52 R AFFORD, HOKE COUNTY. NORTH CAROLIN \
- journal
The Hoke County Journal - Established 1905
SB PER YEAR THURSDAY, APRIL 27. 1978
Around
Town
BY SAM C.MORRIS
Ken McNeill, chairman of the
Hoke County Democratic Execu
tive Committee, has asked me to
pass along the following infor
mation.
The Democratic County Con
vention will be held at the Hoke
County Courthouse Saturday, April
29, starting at 12 o'clock noon.
Delegates to this convention were
elected at the various precinct
|ineetings held early this year.
P At this meeting delegates to the
district and state conventions will
be elected and also to be elected
will be members of various district
and state committees.
Candidates for the many offices
that are on the ticket for Tuesday's
primary will also be recognized at
the convention.
So make your plans now to be at
the courthouse at noon Saturday.
? * ?
Every once and awhile some
fishermen from Hoke County head
down to Santee in South Carolina
to do some rock fishing. This paper
has had many pictures of large
catches of rock in years past .
Recently Clyde Upchurch, Rob
ert Gatlin, Dick Neeley, Jim Wil
liamson and Joe Upchurch took
such a trip. On the return of the
group and when asked about what
they caught, about all they would
say was that Neeley caught the
rock.
It seems after a gallant fight and
thinking that the rock would get
away he was able to land it with the
aid of Gatlin.
Now not to show partiality we
will run the picture of Neeley's rock
in this column so that everyone can
see what some fishermen catch that
didn't get away.
Below is Neeley's rock:
'ypr
* * *
Mrs. Bob Williams called me
Monday night and was trying to
locate a man who was by her place
recently and wanting a small dog.
Mrs. Williams said that she has two
small dogs and that the man and
his wife saw them and was telling
her about losing a small dog and
would like to get it replaced.
She said that the man stated he
lived in Raeford but traveled a
whole lot. He was driving a New
?Yorker according to Mrs. Wil
liams.
Mrs. Williams has located a
small dog and would like to give it
to the couple if they would get back
in touch with her. If anyone
recognizes who this couple is.
would they give Mrs. Williams a
call?
She did say they were an elderly
couple, about 60 years old. but of
course I would not want to mention
anyoin 60 years of age as being
elderly. Maybe 20 years ago. but
not now.
I hope this will aid in your
location of the couple.
? ? ?
On Tuesday night. May 2 The
Sens-Journal will again have its
election board on display and if you
are interested in the results or can't
find anything else to do Tuesday
night, come down and join the
election party.
With the parking lot now open,
you can have a place to park and
stand with the others in Elwood
Avenue and wait for the counting to
begin and end.
There are two separate ballots
this year, so it shouldn't take too
Jong for countings.
?I So join the fun and fellowship
ext Tuesday.
* * *
Don't forget to move the clock up
Saturday night or you will be late
for church or that golf game, or
many other things that people do
on Sunday.
Campaigns Enter Final Week
ffffTfTfTTTTTT? T ? f f f f f f T ? f f" f ? f ? ? T
Final Decision Monday
Board Reconsiders Transfers
by Cauie Wasko
The Hoke County Board of
Education decided Monday night
to delay the transfer of principals
that received unanimous approval
at the last regular board meeting.
The board's decision April 10 to
transfer South Hoke Principal
George Wood to West Hoke School
and West Hoke Principal Woodrow
Westall to South Hoke, brought
much public criticism. Following
an executive session this week that
lasted more than three hours.
Board Chairman Robert L. Gibson
said that, although no action would
be taken in the session, a final
determination would be made at a
special meeting next Monday
night.
The transfer represented a de
motion for Wood, whose brother
in-law, Richard Coker, is running
for a seat on the school board.
Following the meeting Monday.
Gibson said there was some senti
ment among board members to
rescind the action taken at the last
meeting. In an interview Tuesday,
he explained that the initial action
had been taken for what he thought
was a valid reason.
"As it turned out. the interpreta
tion of the board's action that Mr.
Wood received from Mr. Autry
(school superintendent) was not the
same interpretation that Mr. Autry
gave the board." he said.
Gibson explained that he plans
to vote to rescind the transfer. "I
want to take a position on the right
thing to do. 1 think this is the right
thing to do." Gibson said. "I am
not taking sides against Mr. Autry.
1 support him 100 percent."
Mina Townsend. board member,
said she, too. was ready to rescind
her vote. Mrs. Townsend also
confirmed rumors that she had
advised South Hoke teachers
against signing their names to a
letter in support of George Wood.
She reportedly told the teachers
that this was not a good time to
send signed letters to the board.
"It is very unfair that Gibson saw
fit after the meeting was over to
make such a statement to the press
about rescinding the action." Dr.
Riley Jordan, board member, said.
"I don't think it's fair for the press
to poll the board members individ
ually. The decision should come
collectively at the next session."
When asked if he planned to
change his vote, he said. "The
decision I made at the time was
made in good faith and was what I
thought was best for the overall
school system. I would have no
reason to change my decision
now."
Board members Ruth McNair
and W.L. Howell could not be
reached for comment.
Autry was excused from the
closed session for a short period at
the request of board member Ruth
McNair. Gibson said. Mrs. McNair
claimed she had had no contact
Officials
Review
Applications
The Raeford City Council met in
a special session Monday to consid
er applications for the position of
city manager. City officials say they
have received upwards of 40 appli
cations for the job.
The position was vacated in
March by Robert Drumwright. who
had served as city manager since
February of 1976. At the time.
Drumwright said he was resigning
because he was ready for a change.
The 29-year-old Alamance County
native said he might further his
education. He is a graduate of the
School of Business at the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Bill Sellars, city planning and
zoning officer, has been serving as
city manager until a new one can be
hired.
The council is now reviewing the
applications and will contact five
applicants for interviews. The city's
new manager will be elected from
among the five, city officials said.
with the situation since the meeting
two weeks ago. It was at her request
that the decision was delayed until
next Monday. She told the board
that she needed time to consider
the matter. Gibson said.
Gibson also confirmed rumors
alluding to a private letter received
by board members from Autry last
weekend. He said Autry told in the
letter of his intention to retire when
his current four-year contract ex
pires June 30. 1979.
Autry had no comment to make
on the possibility of the principal
switch being reversed.
In other business. Autry recom
mended to the board that Eleanor
Gentrv be Dlaced in the position of
Hoke High School guidance coun
selor to replace Shirley Gibson,
who has resigned effective the end
of this school year. The motion
carried by a vote of three to one.
with Mrs. Townsend voting no.
Autry then recommended to the
board that Katrina Locklear. a
reading teacher at South Hoke, be
given Mrs. Gentry's position at the
high school.
"This has been a goal of the
board... concentration on reading
in grades one through three. Ka
trina has made substantial contri
butions to the reading program. I
hate to see us transfer her to a
temporary CETA position." Gib
son said.
Autry explained that the position
Mrs. Gentry now holds is funded by
CETA and funding for the position
could run out.
Jordan said it would not be an
advancement for Ms. Locklear.
Autry withdrew his recommenda
tion to transfer her before a vote
was taken.
Action on the budget was delay
ed until next Monday night.
Autrv recommended to the board
that a structural engineer be hired
on an hourly wage to look into the
roofing situtation at South Hoke.
I he board approved the recom
mendation.
The board will meet again
Monday night in a special session
to make a final decision on the
transfer ot principals and to discuss
the budget. The meeting will be at
p.m. in the Board of Education
building.
Rose Asks Pentagon
To Drop MOA Plans
Seventh District Congressman
Charlie Rose is continuing efforts
to keep a Military Operations Area
(MOA) from being chartered in
Hoke County.
It was disclosed this week that
the congressmen has written a
letter to the Pentagon requesting
that the proposal be dropped.
A hearing w as held here April 13
at which many residents expressed
their opposition to the zone. Mili
tary and Federal Aviation Adminis
tration (FA A) spokesman have
stated repeatedly that the zone is a
safety measure designed to alert
private pilots to unusual activity in
the area.
For years jer fighters flying
ground support missions for troops
at Fort Bragg have circled in
holding patterns over Hoke Coun
ty.
Local residents fear the zone
might mean an increase in activity
and noise, a situation which they
say could hurt the local economy.
The text of Congressman Rose's
letter to the Pentagon is as follows:
The Honorable John C. Stetson,
Secretary, Department of the Air
Force, The Pentagon, Washington,
D.C.
Dear Mr. Secretan:
There is a situation in my 7th
Congressional District of North
Carolina that causes me great
concern, and I would like to enlist
your aid in reaching an equitable
solution.
The XVillth Airborne Corps at
Tort Bragg, North Carolina has
proposed a Military Operations
Area north and south of Restricted
Area R-531 1 . This would legitimize
operations of their fighter aircraft
at speeds up to 500 miles per hour
at altitudes from 500 to 6,000 feet.
This MOA would affect the
airspace over the town of Raeford
and part of Hoke County. Under
standably, the residents do not
relish the thought of Jets screaming
overhead at low altitudes. In
addition to the noise and ever ?
present danger of an accident, any
civilian air traffic in this area would
receive second priority.
Mr. Secretary, I urge you to do
everything possible within the
power of your office to have this
proposal dropped. Hoke County
has never been properly reimbursed
for the property it ceded for the
Fort Bragg Military Reservation,
and I feel that to establish this
MOA would be too much to ask the
people of Raeford and Hoke
County bear. Thank you for your
assistance in this matter.
The FAA has promised local
officials that no action will be taken
on the zone until after the Army
completes an environmental impact
statement about the effects the
MOA will have on Hoke County.
Copies of the report are to be made
available to the public.
Raeford Businessman Accompanies
Hunt On Foreign Trade Mission
by Charles Blackburn
When the governor went abroad
on an industry hunting trip, it was
just an excuse to do some high
living in the glittering capitals of
Europe, right? Dress fit to kill,
hobnob with royalty, eat a lot of
rich food that folks back home
never heard of. That was the real
goal of the trip, wasn't it?
"I worked harder on that trip
than 1 do at home." Alfred K.
Leach said this week, putting such
rumors to rest.
Leach, an executive with Farm
Chemical in Raeford, was one of 15
North Carolina businessmen who
accompanied Governor James
Hunt on a trip to Germany.
Switzerland. Israel and England to
lure industry to the Tar Heel State.
"We covered a lot of miles in two
weeks," he said in his office here.
"It was very tiring, but it was also
verv interesting."
There wasn't much time for
sightseeing.
"Our schedule was from 7 in the
morning to 9 or 10 at night, with
only a couple of free evenings or
afternoons, ' he said.
Leach said he got a special
invitation from the governor to
represent agri - business on the
trip. But the invitation was the
BYOB kind. Leach said the other
businessmen had to pay their own
way. About 15 state government
representatives also went on the
tour, he said.
"The delegation was well re
ceived wherever it went," Leach
said. "The Governor made formal
addresses, and we met with U.S.
Ambassadors. Governor Hunt did
an excellent sales job for North
Carolina. People were highly im
pressed with him. I think the state
will reap benefits from this trip for
years to come."
Leach said foreign industry is
GOES ON TRADE MISSION ?? Raeford businessman A.K. Leach talked
this week about the trade mission he participated in recently with N.C.
Governor James Hunt. The trip included visits to Germany, Switzerland.
Israel and England.
attracted to the United States
because it represents such a large
market. Also, land prices here are
much cheaper than they are
abroad.
"In Switzerland, tor example, we
were told that an acre of farmland
costs between S8.000 and $10,000.
if you can find it." Leach said.
"There is a shortage of good
industrial sites there."
In selling North Carolina to
foreign companies, he said the
delegation emphasized the ideal
climate here, the reasonable tax
rate, and the low percentage of
work stopages due to strikes. When
Hunt told businessmen North
Carolina operates within a bal
anced budget, "there was a cheer."
"According to national and
international surveys. North Caro
lina is second in the United Slates
only to California as an ideal place
for locating industry," Leach said.
"As Governor Hunt told them, who
wants to go to California?
"But the big thing 1 learned from
the trip was, where industries
locate depends on the attitude of
the community moreso than the
natural habitat," he said. "In
dustries want to go where they're
wanted."
During his travels. Leach said he
noticed a number of differences
between the countries he visited
and the United States. For one
thing, he said Europeans don't
litter.
"The communities are excep
tionally clean," he said. "They
don't waste anything. They don't
have the number of paper products
we have. Instead, they use linen
and other items they can use more
than once."
Describing the Middle Eastern
leg of the journey. Leach said the
citizens of Israel go heavily armed.
Two machine guns were stationed
outside the hotel in Jerusalem
where the delegates stayed, he said.
(See MISSION. Page 12)
Politicans have geared up for the
final week of campaigning before
the primary next Tuesday.
Local offices up for election in
the May 2 primary include three
seats on the Hoke Board of County
Commissioners, the office of sheriff
and clerk of court, and Hoke voters
will also elect a county coroner.
No Republicans are running in
the primary, said Rose Sturgeon,
supervisor of elections.
This is unusual. Mrs. Sturgeon
said, as usually the local Republi
cans are represented in at least one
race. The lack of Republican
opposition virtually assures the
winners of the primary racc the
position they seek.
Commission
In the race for county commis
sioner. with only three positions
available and seven candidates, a
run-off could occur if the three top
vote-getters do not attain a majority
vote. Mrs. Sturgeon said. In order
to determine the majority vote, the
total number of votes will be added
and then divided by two. Candi
dates who get more votes than this
amount will have a majority.
Candidates for the Sl.SOO-per
year seats include incumbent Com
missioner J. A. Hunt. 3b. ow ner of a
trucking company and grocery
store. Hunt will be seeking his
second 4-year term on the board.
John Balfour. 45. a Hoke County
farmer and current board chair
man. is running for his fourth term
in office. The third incumbent
whose seat is up for election this
year. Ralph Barnhart. will not seek
re-election.
Wesley Miller. 42. a Carolina
Galvanizing employee, will be
making his first bid for office.
Miller has lived in Hoke County for
eight years. Also new to the
political scene is Clinton McLaugh
lin. 38. semi-retired.
Female auto mechanic Mabel
Riley, bl. a familiar face on the
political scene, will make a bid for
a seat on the board. Robert L.
Doby. 43. owner and operator of
Doby's Funeral Home, will be on
the ballot for his first try for public
office.
Younger Snead. manager of
Hoke Auto, will also be vying for a
seat on the board.
Sheriff
Three candidates will be on (he
ballot tor the office of sheriff.
Incumbent Sheriff David M. Barr
ington. 44, will be seeking his fifth
four-year term as sheriff. Barring
ton has worked in law enforcement
for 22 years. This year's race
represents the first opposition he
has had in some time.
Also seeking the $15.b()0-per
year position is Harvey Young. 53.
a Raeford police detective. Young
resigned as Barrington's deputy
two years ago when he was faced
with a demotion. He has lived in
Hoke County since 1951. Young
has worked in law enforcement for
I 7 years and says he and Barring
ton are on good terms.
The third candidate. J. Robert
Saunders. 35. a Hoke County
native, was employed bv Summer
field until its closing last February .
(See C WIPAKiNS. Page 12)
( >>
Time Change
This Sunday
Daylight Savings Time goes
into effect for most of the
nation this coming Sunday.
April 30. at 2 a.m.
If you want to be in step with
the rest of the community, turn
your clocks ahead one hour at 2
a.m. Sunday. Just turn the
hands forward an hour when
you go to bed Saturday night if
you don't plan to stay up for
the blessed event.
We won't go back to honest
time until the last Sunday in
October, so unless you turn
your clocks ahead this week
end. you're going to be an hour
late for everything for six
months.