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The Pamlico News
Vol. II No. 17
Serving Pamlico County and Richland Township
Thrustlav, April 27, 1978
Two of the five Cattleya orchids grown by Mrs. Selma
Morris. Mrs. Morris operates a flower shop in Oriental.
Ferry Schedule Concern Of
Chamber Of Commerce
Joe Thomas, Department of
Transportation Commissioner;
Jeanette Carl, Commissioner at
large and Chairperson of the
Ferry Committee; Charlie
Snell, Division Engineer; Gary
Collier of Cherry Point, and
Mary Kirkman, Director of
Housing at Cherry Point, were
guests at the April 18 Chamber
of Commerce meeting.
the shortage of housing at
Cherry Point. She estimated
that they are some 500 units
short for Company Grade and
Field Grade officers and need
both residences for purchase
and for rent. She noted that the
base is just 7 miles across the
Neuse River and that Pamlico
County is a highly desirable
place to live. She said that there
is plenty of room and plenty of
Discussion of ferry schedule needs is held at Chamber of
Commerce meeting.
Chamber President, Jim
Ragan, stated that the Chamber
feels that the ferry schedule
should be extended to operate
the same hours in the winter as
in the summer. He noted the
change in housing policy at
Cherry Point as being one
reason for making the request.
Garvin Hardison gave some
background for the request. He
said that when the ferry was
first operating, there was a
good traffic count. The second
year, the summer ferry
schedule was extended through
December as a trial run and the
Statistics were not too good. He
felt the extended hours had not
been advertised sufficiently and
that the operation needed time
to get built up. The summer
before last, he noted that the
Minnesott ferry carried more
cars than any other ferry except
the Hatteras run, 60,000 vehicles
in August of 1976. He believed
that last summer was even
better.
Mrs. Kirkman said that the
Housing Department at Cherry
Point had met recently with
realtors from the 5 counties
surrounding the base to explain
builders. However, in the
winter, the last ferry leaves
Cherry Branch at 5:45 p.m.
Mr. Hardison said there are
no vacant rental units in the
County but there are people who
will invest if the need is proven.
Mr. Thomas prefaced his
remarks by saying that he
hated to say the words, but he
suggested that the Chamber of
Commerce send another
resolution to DOT. He said that
it is a new Board and that the
new information concerning the
housing situation, ferry in
formation past and present, and
what the County hopes to ac
complish may make a dif
ference.
Gordon Keller, local builder,
said that he saw two problems
with the ferry operation at the
present. One, that the schedule
is seasonal and two, that it does
not operate enough hours. He
noted that there are two hours
in the middle of the day when
the ferry does not operate whjle
the men have lunch. He said
that this wastes, essentially, a
half a day for people having
business on one side or the
other. He would like to see it run
every hour on the hour since the
odd hours are hard to keep up
with.
Mr. Thomas was informed
that the last ferry in the sum
mer is 1:15 a.m.
Mr. Hardison said that the
last shift at Cherry Point needs
to be taken into consideration,
and asked about serving the
seafood people better.
County Coordinator Ross
Boyer said that the Economic
Development Committee has
been looking into this and
believes that a steady depen
dable schedule extended to full
hours of operation would help
the County not only with the
building but the seafood in
dustry.
Mr. Hardison said that there
are seven crab houses in
Pamlico County and none in
Carteret County so that crabs
are brought to Pamlico by
ferry. He added that when there
is a glut of any kind of fish in one
area or another, the ferry is
used to transport them from
place to place.
Mr. Thomas said to add all
this information in a resolution:
restaurant industry, seafood
processing, civilian and
military personnel needs.
Mrs. Kirkman said that there
are personnel living in the
County now.
Mrs. Carl spoke, saying she
was glad to be in Pamlico
County and that she is in
terested in the problem. She
said that no one in State
government is more concerned
than DOT and its Board with the
needs of the County. She
believed that the Chamber is
justified in asking for a change
in schedule. She added that Don
Overman, who is head of the
Ferries Division, will be in
terested in the changes that
have taken place and the dif
ferent situation existing
because of housing and seafood
needs, and all of it should be put
in a resolution.
Joe Gwaltney said he hoped
that DOT has a receptive group
of ears to hear what is needed in
Pamlico County and asked what
the Chamber can do to help
DOT.
Mr. Thomas said that the
Department is experiencing
some problems with secondary
roads. The main problem right
now is with the Kershaw Road
and there will be a public
hearing in the Courthouse
during the first part of May to
discuss the situation. He ex
pects and hopes that more in
terested people will attend. He
said that one meeting had
already been held with the
(Continued on page' two)
4-D Program And Executive
Sessions Questionned
The mid-monthly meeting of
the Pamlico County Com
missioners was held on April 17
at7:30p.m. The Commissioners
voted to go into Executive
Session as soon as the minutes
were approved to discuss the 4
D program with Grady Simp
son. Mr. Simpson works three
days a week with 4-D under the
Social Services Department and
as Assistant Tax Collector and
Supervisor for the County two
days a week.
Although the Director of the
Social Services Department,
Willie Sutton, and the 4-D
program Supervisor, Jim
Baluss were scheduled to speak
at 8 p.m., the Executive Session
with Mr. Baluss lasted until 9:45.
Mr. Baluss said that the
figures he had hoped to gel from
the Stale comparing Slate
operated as opposed to County
operated programs, were npt
available. The position will cost
$12,816.50 during the fiscal year
1977-78. The Federal Govern
ment pays 75%, the County pays
25% or $3,204 of the total cost.
15% of total monies collected
are returned to the County as
incentive money and will
amount to $3,724, which gives
the County a balance of $520 for
the year.
The reasons for keeping the
program under the County are
as follows, according to Mr.
Baluss and concurred in by
Miss Sutton: 1. The incentive
money is paid to the County only
if the County operates the
program. 2. The Slate doesn’t
really want it. Mr. Baluss
showed a memorandum with an
opinion from the Attorney
General staling that the con
tract entered into by the County
with the Slate in November,
1975, is binding. 3. The County
administers, supervises,
manages, and plans the
program. 4. Hiring local per
•sonnel, with insight into
Pamlico County is more
durable than having an
agency outside the County
administering the program. 5.
The Department of Social
Services handling the paper
work and files gives easier
access to records. 6. The Clerk
of Court and the 4-D worker can
work together conveniently. 7.
The Department does not view
the program as a headache, but
as a service - that it is pleasing
to ha ve a good program with the
support of the public, paying its
own way.
Commissioner John Bond
asked if the 75% Federal funds
match maintenance payments,
which are the continuing
payments for child support
after the initial payment. He
noted that initially the program
had the problem of chasing
down parents, but that it is
mainly maintenance now.
Miss Sutton answered that
incentive payments are 25% the
first year, 15% the second year
and each year thereafter.
Mr. Baluss said it is
necessary to keep after some
parents so the payments do not
get too far in arrears, even to
the point of contacting em
ployers
Mr. Bond noted that the
comments he has heard on 4:D
Jiave been favorable in that it
makes an effort to get aid from
people who weren’t giving it
before and forcing them to
assume responsibility.
Chairman Robert Paul said
that there was some indication
that the Clerk of Court wishes to
discontinue collecting the funds
and would like Social Services
to lake over.
Miss Sutton answered that
Social Services shouldn't be a
collection agency and she
wouldn't like to see it happen.
She added that the Clerks of
Court had tried to get this
through the last Legislative
session and were unsuccessful.
Mr. Paul said he understood
some 4-D programs have more
than one employee. If this were
necessary, he asked if the 75%
Federal funds would be paid for
the additional employee. The
answer was that the funds
would be paid.
Mr. Bond asked if more legal
aid becomes necessary, would
the Federal government help
with that.
Miss Sutton said that this too
would be reimbursed 75%,
adding that she hopes a
replacement for Grady Simpson
will be hired when he leaves the
Program July 1.
Commissioner Charles
Alexander said he would like to
see the State take the program
over. He noted the $500 surplus
incentive money this year is not
enough to operate an office. He
said it would be a way to get rid
of a program since adding
employees and space to County
Government seems to be a
constant discussion.
Mr. Alexander moved that a
letter be written to the State
asking if it would be willing to
assign the 4-D program to the
District office in New Bern.
Commissioner Jimmy Spencer
seconded the motion.
Mr. Bond and Commissioner
Patsy Sadler opposed the
motion. Mrs. Sadler said she
didn't want to see the program
go in the hole financially, but
that as long as it pays its way,
she didn't see the point in
getting rid of ah employee. She
added that she supports the
program completely.
Mr. Alexander and Mr.
Spencer said that they sup
ported the program too, but
wish the State would lake it
over
Chairman Robert Paul voted
to break the tie and ask the
State io take over the 4-D
program.
After the meeting was ad
journed other items considered
are reported on elsewhere in
this issue). Meg Gunkle of
Reelsboro, reporter for the Sun
Journal, pointed out to the
Commissioners that the 4-D
program and the previous
meeting's discussion of a
classification and pay plan, do
not qualify as Executive
Sessions under the Open
I
Mrs. Ida Brantly Now
98 Years Young
On April 16, Mrs. Ida Brantley
celebrated her 98 birthday.
Many friends and relatives
helped her celebrate this event.
Mrs. Brantley’s daughter held a
luncheon for all. Some of the
out-of-town visitors were: Leon
Sherin of Rocky Mount; Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Brantly of
Williamston; Ms. Eva Edwards
of Washington; and Mr. and
Mrs. Freddie Lewis of
Hobucken.
The birthday cake was in the
shape of a Bible and the in
scription was John 3:16 in black
icing.
Mrs. Brantly had about 25-30
people to visit her on her bir
thday and she appreciates all
gifts received.
Meetings Act. The Act allows
closed sessions when discussion
negotiations between public
employers and their employees
or representatives thereof as to
employment.” Employment,
discipline, dismissal and
complaints against employees
can also be talked about in
closed sessions as long as final
action is taken in public session.
County Finance Officer Bill
Rice responded, “I don't really
think the Commissioners need
any education.”
Mr. Hollowell added that the
Commissioners had been
talking about specific em
ployees and that someone who
isn’t in the meetings couldn't
know what the discussion in
eluded and couldn’t judge
(In these two cases and on
several other occasions, the
reporters covering the meetings
have asked individuals who
have been present in the
Executive Sessions what was
discussed and have been in
formed on the items that have
been brought up that do not
qualify under the Act. In the
case of the 4-D closed session,
even the Director of Social
Services and the Supervisor of
the program were not allowed
to hear the discussion on the
program lor which they are
responsible A participant in the
closed session said no em
ployees were specifically
discussed nor the employment
of specific personel. i
Correction On
CETA Funds
A headline in an area
newspaper on April 14, stated
“Pamlico CETA nay
unheeded”. The story went on
th say that "A Neuse River
Council of Governments (COG)
aging coordinator will reamin
on the job even though Pamlico
County commissioners, who
were funding the position, voted
to terminate the salary." The
story continues that “COG
voted to use $3,882 from an
aging planning and ad
ministration grant to fund the
job through the end of the fiscal
year ...Using the aging grant.
COG can continue the position
through June 30, the end of the
fiscal year. The Federal aging
grant will provide $3,384
towards the position and $498 in
COG contingency funds."
In checking with COG, it was
learned that the funds above
mentioned are for the ad
ministrative costs of the
position, designated Senior
Citizen's Employement
Program Administrator for
Region P. The Federal money
was matched by the $498 local
cash grant.
Bill Rice, Pamlico County
Finance and Budget Officer,
had informed the County
Commissioners at their April
meeting that although com
mitments had been agreed to
between Pamlico County and
the CTRA program ad
ministrators for one employee
under Title II and two em
ployees under Title VI in 1977.
the funds had never been added
to the amount received by
CETA in the County, creating a
deficit in the program of $15,419
There are 40 CTEA employees
in the County. The Com
missioners at that time did not
feel that they could continue to
fund the positions, which in -
cluded the Senior Citizens
Administrator employed by
COG, with County funds.
Mr. Rice contacted CETA
officials, was told not to ter
minate any participants at this
time and duly received the
necessary monies to keep them
employed. COG was so advised
immediately. The employees
were not terminated and
Pamlico County is still
providing the entire salary for
the position at COG from its
CETA funds and will continue to
do so through this fiscal year
CETA officials have com
mended Pamlico County for
their operation of the program
on several occasions.
Late Events
Mesic & Florence
Chosen
The towns of Mesic and Florence were chosen in
application for Community Block Grant Funding by
the Pamlico Housing Committee on April 24 after
visiting 11 towns in the county. Look for complete
details in the next issue of The Pamlico News.
Tucker To Head
County Water System
The Pamlico County Commissioners hired Lonnie
G. Tucker of New Bern, as superintendent of the
County Water System. Mr. Tucker is 45, married and
has four children. He is currently the supervisor of
credit and accounts receivable at Craven County
Hospital. He has 68 hours credit towards his
associated degree in the business department at PTI.
He is also the pastor at the Free WillBaptist Church in
Trent.
Mr. Tucker will begin his duties on June 1,1978, with
an annual salary of $10,000.