I Son | I Of A Gun ? by Joe Lanier ^ The county commissioners are once again talking of putt'ng a stop to homebound countv-owned vehicles. In fact. if 1 read the nods, smiles, winks and half-sentences correctly at this past meeting, the only thing that kept them going, except the sheriffs department, was not making the motion. Had one of the commissioners made a motion stating all home-bound vehicles would be stopped except the sheriffs department's, I believe it would have passed unanimously. However, the only motion was to keep all county-owned vehicles from going home with the employees. . .This did not get anything but a lot of discussion. .A half-hearted plan to allow some of the sheriffs department cars to continue to be driven home seemed at one time to have sotne support. . .However, during a coffee break, it wilted. To me, the idea to stop some or all has merit. . .The present so-called vehicle use policy is just so much paper, and if the paper wasn't so slick, I could tell you a good use for it. . .Awhile back, the lowest paying jobs to be had were those with the state and county. . .Also, gasoline was selling for 25 cents a gallon. . .Those days, employees driving state- or countyrowned vehicles home was a kind of equalizer. . .Now, state and county salaries are average for the area, and gasoline is $1.20 a gallon and rising. . .And, this home-bound automobiles are a little much. . . My suggestion would be to make a study of all vehicles ? checking such things as the number of miles driven . . .where.. .why. . .gasoline mileage and so on. . .Then, the commissioners need to make a solid plan concerned with what is good for Duplin County ? not what will get votes. . .1 can't make many suggestions. . .For one sure way to stop something is to say it is a good idea in Son-of-a-Gun. . ***** 1 was talking with a fellow last week about one of my favorite subjects ? Duplin County's past. . .The fellow had just turned 83 this month. . .1 won't name him as this might embarrass him.. .As we were talking he said. ."My wife died five years ago this past December. . .1 sure do miss her. . .You know, she spoiled me. 1 would put something down, and the following day begin looking for it and she would ask me, What are you looking for? . . .1 would tell her and she would say. It is right where you left it. . .such-and-such a place.. .When she said where it was, I would remember, and she was right. . .1 got to where I didn't even try to remember things ? I knew she would. . .1 knew she wanted to. . .She wanted to help me. . .1 wanted to help her. . .Sometimes when I am at the house just sitting there, not thinking of anything much, I hear an old board creek behind me and I catch myself turning around to see what Ma's doing. . .Even after five years. . .You know, she was a part of me. . .My arms or a side of me. . .Just don't feel right without her. . .1 am so lonely without that woman." .. .1 left him sitting there in a rocker staring into the fire of an old pot-bellied stove. . .Alone. . .As I drove home. I thought. . .This fellow's wife sounds a lot like Donna... A few remarks worth mentioning I iieard last week at the Senior Citizens Speak Out. . .Ernest Messer, chairman of the house select committee on aging, said. . .Anyone 65 or older saying he or she is "too old" should have' their mouth washed out with soap... At a PTA meeting in Wallace, Calvin Doss, who is a teacher of school teachers at UNC-W, said the information coming from the community schools program should be facts and not propaganda. . .The community must support the school or it will die... ' At a crime prevention meeting in Kenansville, John Weatherly, Jr. said him employees are told that in the event of a robbery, give the robber what all you have and write a check for the rest... L.D. Hyde of the crime control and public safety office said 30% of the break-ins in North Carolina are invited through unlocked doors or windows.. He also said the auto thieves are now stealing the small gas-saving cars ? not the big fancy ones. . .Son-of-a-Gun. .. KENANSVILLE FIRE CHIEF ? receives pension. Chief Lauren Sharpe was presented a check for $1,923.60 by the community and town board on Feb. 23. The check was then turned over by Chief Sharpe to State Auditor Henry Bridgers (pictured above) for membership into the N.C. Fireman Pension Fund. Sharpe worked to organize the first fire department in Kenansvilte during 1953, and he has served as chiet since its organization. Esquire Club I The Esquire Club held their monthly meeting the | 23rd of February with Presi dent John E. Graham pre- , siding. The secretary's report was read by James Brinson. New business dis cussed was to have a fashion show the 6th of April at the E.E. Smith School Gym. It , I will be open to the public with an admission fee. Dead line for entry will be March IS. For more information, call John E. Graham, 296 1940; Curtis Tuten, 289 3869; or William Brinson, 296-1586. There will be a surprise guest speaker. 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