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> STANDARD PRINTING CO XXX
LOUISVILUS, KENTUCil* 49233
T
WEEKLY
Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 19, 1978
15 CENTS
F ire clean up continues
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By KATHY M. NEWBERN
More than one week following the
Winslow Oil Company fire, officials
continue to estimate damages,
reconstruct the occurrences, and
direct overall clean-up operations.
Julian Winslow, owner of the local
Union 76 distributorship, said com
pany losses have not been totally
determined, but nine of the 11 oil
tanks were lost while some product
is still in the remaining two. Also
lost in the fire were the company's
% offices, a warehouse, three
y transports and three service trucks.
' Cash in the building, which Winslow
estimated to be "several
thousands" was also destroyed
along with the company's records.
The figure reported previously of
about $600,000 outstanding in ac
counts receivable is considered by
Winslow to be approximate.
Winslow pointed out that the com
pany is operating out of temporary
offices in the downtown Peoples
Bank building. The phone number
remains the same. Winslow Oil
Company is continuing to provide
service to its customers, though
somewhat limited, with the help of
its Elizabeth City office, Hollowell
Oil Company of Hertford, and two
Edenton companies, Congo and
Crawood.
Winslow added that the company
is appealing to its customers to
bring into the office any account
statements received through the
last of December as well as any
delivery tickets from the first of
January through the time of the
fire, which occurred Jan. 10.
Winslow said, "We feel sure that the
people will come through."
Winslow also added that the com
pany has reached a definite deci
sion to relocate it's bulk plant out
side of Hertford, but still within
Perquimans County. He added that
company offices will remain in
town.
Concerning relocation of the oil
companies which has been talked
about, Hertford Mayor Bill Cox
made the following statement, "The
Town of Hertford has made some
effort in the past to seek funding to
relocate these companies. We were
not successful. But it's not
something new we're thinking of.
The town feels it's time to renew
their efforts. This would have to be
a cooperative effort with the oil
companies involved and the town,
state and federal governments."
While local officials considered
this move prior to the fire, local fire
fighters also did some pre-planning
in case a fire ever occurred at the
site. Charles Skinner Jr., Chief of
the Hertford Volunteer Fire Depart
ment, said, "We had planned for
this emergency." He explained that
pre-planned training has been used
with an actual on-site maneuver
carried out previously.
In a two-hour interview, Chief
Skinner recently outlined the ac
tions taken by his department and
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those assisting in the Jan. 10
BLEVE. Skinner explained that
BLEVE is an acronym used by the
National Fire Protection Associa
tion. The letters stand for
"boiling liquid expanding vapor
explosions." .4
Response from other area fire*
departments was no accident, Skin
ner explained. The Albemarle
Firemen's Association, a 10-county
organization, has had a mutual aid
program in existence since 1970.
The agreement allows each
member department to assist on the
scene, remain on stand-by, and
move up to additional stations to
provide assistance. No departments
will respond unless an order is
issued by a department officer.
Chief Skinner was that authority
Jan. 10 when he put out a general
alarm for assistance minutes after
arriving on the scene. Skinner said
his first reaction "was to call for
help."
The fire chief and it was his deci
sion to let the fuel bum itself out,
trying to prevent it from spreading
into the river.
Only between 16,000 and 17,000
gallons escaped into the river.
While that figure sounds high, it
only represents the contents of less
than one of the exploding vertical
oil tanks. A total of 230,000 gallons of
different fuels were estimated to be
contained in the 11 tanks at
Winslow's.
While the origin of the fire still
has not been determined, specula
tion exists that fuel somehow
escaped from the two trucks
unloading at Winslow's that morn
ing, covered the ground was then
somehow ignited by a spark,
possibly from static electricity.
Fire, law and business officials in
i volved say the origin may never be
known.
In looking back over the BLEVE
at Winslow Oil Company, injuries
were kept at a minimum. Eight
firemen received minor injuries
with Chief Frank White, Chief of the
Center Hill-Crossroads Department
receiving a separated pelvis and
fractured ribs.
In addition to the damages at
Winslow Oil Company, Farmer's
Feed and Seed, an adjacent
business, was totally lost "except
for partial insurance" according to
Lloyd Lane, part owner. The
business's grain tanks survived in
tact. That business is now operating
at J&N Supply Company in Winfall.
At Reed Oil Company, losses
were kept at a minimum. Damage
was done to the company
warehouse, a dock and pier no
longer in use.
For resident T. Erie Haste Jr.,
whose home is located within 10 feet
of the oil farm, losses only included
the garage and playroom above,
two vehicles and minor damages to
the house which as a whole was
saved.
Clean up operations at the fire
scene are continuing.
Alliance group reviews activities
By KATHY M. NEWBERN
Looking to the past and preparing
? for the future wwvU?e underiying
theme of the Alliance for Progress
Board of Directors meeting held
Jan. 5 in Perquimans County.
Presiding was outgoing chairman
R.S. Monds of Hertford.
The look into the past came as the
board reviewed its activities and
accomplishments to date including
planning next steps in several on
going projects.
Alton Elmore reported on pro
gress made by the AFP computer
committee to obtain a centralized
computer system for the six-county
Alliance. He explained that four of
the six counties have allocated
$2,500 this year and next for a direc
tor of the project. Applicants for the
position are being screened with the
final decision resting with a com
mittee representing all counties. A
feasibility study for the project was
favorable.
In the area of community educa
tion, Pat Harrell, Superintendent of
Perquimans County Schools and
committee chairman, reported that
a six-county project was funded for
an lfl-month period. Those funds
will be used to obtain a director with
some limited funds anticipated
from each county to coordinate the
services. Additional funding for
other phases of the project is
being sought.
Larry Ivey, chairman of the Ac
cess to Mainstream project com
mittee turned the program over to
the program director for an update.
It was noted that the AFP program
in this area has been funded to pro
vide training for projects in
Nebraska and Alabama and to pro
vide 10-12 training sites in North
Carolina. It was noted that direct
services will be provided to Per
quimans and Chowan counties
through the Albemarle Mental
Health Center and four counties re
main in need of these direct ser
vices. Additional funding sources
are being considered for the home
work with handicapped children
qualifying for the program. Another
$40,000 funding was awarded to the
Home Based Early Education
project.
Dr. J.H. Horton reported on the
Elected Boards Institute, an on
going Alliance project which
presents programs of interest to
boards of education and county
commissioners. Horton expressed a.
feeling that the program, while
good in the early stages, has been
"exhausted" and advocated
abolishing it.
Also discussed was the Leader'
ship Development Program funded
by Rockefellar Foundation.
Alliance is now in the process of
developing a second phase of the
program to work in the area of
policy making. The first phase en
couraged development of leader
ship training in administrators and
other educational personnel. A pro
posal for a second phase has been
submitted to the foundation. Pro
gress in the area will continue pro
viding funding is realized.
A large part of the meeting was
devoted to discussion and future
directions of the narrative and in
terpretive history of the Albemarle
Region, another continuing project.
A suggestion that the project report
be published in area newspapers in
serial form was received favorably.
Closely connected to that project
is the 3,810 acre site for an outdoor
DONATION RBC1IVED ? A check representing a
|AM donation to the local chapter of the American
Bod Cross was presented Jan. 11 to help offset ex
penses of provisions provided to firemen in the
Wiaslow Ofl Company fire. Shown above <L to r.) are
John Beers, chairman of the local chapter, Talmage
Bom Jr., disaster chairman for the Town of Hertford,
Geneva Sawyer, blood program and canteen chair
man for . .e local Bed Cross, and William H. Cade,
o I the Pir*t Colonies Division Tidewater
Chapter of American Red Cross, who made the
presentation. The loeal chapter provided cots,
blankets, food and drink for firemen from 8 a.m.
Tuesday until firemen left the scene. Volunteers
manned the relief station at the First United
Methodist Church for as many as 12 to SO hours at the
time. Additional funds from Red Cross are available
to cover expenses of the local chapter in their efforts
to render assistance. (Staff photo by Kathy M.
Newborn)
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environmental education center
which is originated through
Alliance for Progress with the land
dgjPt&d by Union Camp Corpora
tion. L.M. Brinkley of Ahoskie,'
Alliance Board member interested
in the project, explained that
outgrowths of the original proposal
have taken on a "mushrooming" ef
fect. He pointed out enthusiastically
some of the many possibilities of the
center which could serve industry,
tourism, local residents, education,
and related causes.
Following discussion of current
status and future directions of the
AFP projects, the board elected of
ficers for the coming year. Serving
as chairman will be Frank Rice of
Sunbury; vice-chairman will be
L.M. Brinkley of Ahoskie. Richard
Baker is continuing to serve as
Executive Director of the
organization.
Additional
coverage
The first of the year brought
unemployment insurance coverage
to additional workers in the Per
quimans County area.
Manager Mrs. Alice W. Bond of
the Edenton local Employment
Security Commission reported Jan.
12, that all State and municipal
government employees as well as
some domestics and farm workers
now are covered by North
Carolina's umemployment in
surance program.
Across the State about 262,000 ad
ditional workers now have
unemployment insurance effective
Jan. 1.
Complying with federal statutes,
the 1977 General Assembly
amended Noroh Carolina's Employ
ment Security Law to add these
groups which had not previously
been covered by the federal-state
insurance program .
. Mrs. Bond expkms that over 95
percent of the State's labor force
is now covered by unemployment
insurance.
The new UI law extends coverage
to:
(1) Agricultural workers of
employers with ten or more
workers in 20 weeks or who paid
$20100 or more in wages in any
calendar quarter during 1977,
(2) all state and local govern
ment workers,
($; workers in non-profit elemen
tary and secondary schools, and
(4) domestic workers of
employers who paid $1,000 or more
to workers in any calendar quarter
during 1977.
JULIAN H. BROUGHTON
TOM WHITE
GEORGE HALL
WELLY WHITE
Candidates file
for local offices
Julian H. Broughton
Candidate for Sheriff
Perquimans County Sheriff
Julian H. Broughton filed Thursday
for reelection to his office.
The democratic candidate is
seeking his fourth term and has
served as sheriff of the county for 12
years. Broughton was first elected
in 1966 and has run successfully in
every election since then.
Broughton and his wife, Irene,
reside at Grubb Street, Hertford
and have two children, Jeff, age 21;
and Betty Carol, age 17.
In addition to his position as
Sheriff, Broughton also holds
membership in the local American
Legion.
Concerning the election, he com
mented, "1 have tried to serve the
public to the best of my ability for
the last 12 years and I would like to
continue in this office. When the
public calls, I try to go. I am hopeful
that my experience in the past will
be considered."
Broughton was the second can
didate to file for the office prior to
the upcoming May 2 primary.
George Hall
Candidate for Commissioner
GEORGE HALL
George Hall, 45, of Rt. 3, Hertford
filed Friday for a seat on the
Perquimans County Board of
Commissioners.
Hall is owner of Hall Enterprises,
Inc. which includes the 79< store
and the former Hertford Bus Sta
tion. Hall also owns and operates
Holiday Island Marina.
A native of Leaksville, N.C., Hall
has been a permanent resident of
Perquimans County the last two
years, but has had local business
concerns for the last eight years.
Hall and his wife, Nadine, have
three children: Pam, age 17; Bill,
age 14; and Sue, age 13.
This is Hall's first attempt in
seeking elective office.
The democratic candidate sub
mitted the following statement, "I
just feel that it's time I contributed
some professional services to the
community. I see a need for a good
educational program and additional
businesses which would pay above
the minimum wage so that our
citizens could live a better than
average life."
Tom White
Candidate for Sheriff
Tom White, 29, filed Thursday
morning for the office of Per
quimans County Sheriff. Known
locally as "Big" Tom, White was
the first candidate to file.
A democrat, he is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. D.J. White of Rt. 3,
Hertford.
He and his wife, Janet, reside at
Rt. 4, Hertford. They have four
children: Donna, age 15; Timmy,
age 11; Dawn, age 8; and Shannon,
age 4.
Whife is currently employed as a
salesman with Hollowell Chevrolet
Company where he has worked
three years. He is also a former in
surance salesman. White is also
known locally for his recording of
the single, "Ballad of the Catfish
Kid."
Concerning his decision to seek
the office of sheriff, White said,
"It's time people our age got in
volved in politics and local govern
ment in this town and county. And
honestly, I think it's time for a
change. I'm serious in this effort
and would pledge my energy and
time to this demanding office."
Also concerning the election,
White said he is encouraging voter
registration prior to the May,
primary, especially citizens be
tween ages 18 and 25.
Welly White
Candidate for Commissioner
WELLY WHITE
Walter W. (Welly) White Jr. has
announced his candidacy for a seat
on the Perquimans County Board of
Commissioners. White filed for
election on Jan. 12 from the Hert
ford Township.
A native of Hertford, White, 36, is
married to the former Diane Divers
of Hertford and is the father of two
children: Kelli, age 10, and Wally,
age 14. They attend the United
Methodist Church in Hertford.
White, a Perquimans County
farmer, has been active in the Per
quimans County Jaycees, serving
as president in 1975-76 when he won
state honors.
White, a democrat, issued the
following statement, "Being a
native of Perquimans County and
planning to remain here the rest of
my life, I look forward to working
for all the people of Perquimans
County in making it a better place
to live and to rear our children."
Walk-A-Thon to aid
Cerebral Palsey
The Health Careers Club of Per
quimans County High School will be
sponsoring a Walk-A-Thon for
United Cerebral Palsey on Satur
day, Jan. 21.
Starting at the high school, the
walkers will cover a six-mile route
with sponsors pledging the amount
they wish for each mile completed.
The CPO Club of the Elisabeth
City Coast Guard base is sponsoring
the first place prise of a |50 savings
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bond for the walker collecting the
most money for the cause. Second
place is a $25 savings bond being
given by the Enlisted Wives Club of
the Coast Guard Base.
Additional sponsors for those
walking are needed and may pledge
donations by contacting Ms. Elaine
Pritchard at the high school, faculty
advisor for the Health Careers
Club, by phoning 436-5539 or by con
tacting Barbara Symons, Youth
Chairman for the club.
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