THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
Volume 34, No. 31 Hrtford, Prqulmam County, N.C., Thursday, S<p?wwbii 21, 197? 15 CENTS
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I ? 9
'We're all straight now"
; :
y
Bad water incident explained to Commissioners
By KATHY M. NEWBERN
An explanation concerning a re
sent incident of "badwater" was the
nain order of business when the
Perquimans County Board of Com
nissioners met in regular session
Monday night.
Present to explain how the inci
lent occurred and to assure the
x>ard that "we're all straight now"
vere Wayne Floyd, project manager
br Rivers & Associates, consulting
mgineers who designed the system;
ind Russell Chappell Jr., system
upervisor.
They explained that on Sept. 6 a
ralve was inadvertently turned off
>y a construction worker. That ac
ton resulted in more than half of the
>ew system's users getting low
iressure and "reddish" water.
The valve was turned off at the in
fraction of U.S. 17 and SR 1101
nrhere construction crews were plan
ting to continue laying lines. They
ranted to flush out water in the par
ially completed line before going
>n.
The mistake was located a few
lours after the "bad water" was
?eported from many sources.
At the board meeting, Floyd ex
>lained that it was a "human error"
ind "could have happened to
inyone." He added, "It was not the
reatment plant. It was just one of
hose things. It was one of those
hings that one in the county
anything to do with and had no con
trol over." He concluded, "Right
now, we're putting out top quality
water."
Board Chairman Lester Simpson
added that consumers are urged to
report such developments saying,
"We don't know if the water's not
right if we're not told."
Floyd and Chappell also mention
ed that November should mark the
^^ginning of Phase II of the project
aod that additional users wishing
water should contact the Water
Department, located at the Per
quimans County Tax Office, so a
mfcp of fptential users for the next
pKiUe could be drawn up. The sign
ujrtte is $200.
Floyd added that a joint meeting
at'the town and county boards would
be held in the near future to discuss
some possible adjustments in rates
as well as future plans.
ARPDC BUILDING
In other business, Chairman Simp
son told the board that he and Com
missioner Joe Nowell had visited the
new ARPDC-Perquimans County
Office Building Monday to review
progress. He said move in is
scheduled for next week although
some minor work remains to be
done. He also reported that the
building would be insured for
$500,000 with Nationwide Insurance
and that ARPDC would be responsi
ble for insuring their furniture, etc.
since the contents are not insured
Local residents included
in upcoming Craftsman "s Fair
Delight the senses at the
Albemarle Craftsman's Fair.
Hear...the blacksmith's ham
mer, leather worker's mallet,
clicking of treadles on a loom.
Smell... fresh wood shavings,
the aroma of leather. .
Touch... the silky smoothness of
hand rubbed wood, nubby texture
of weaving, and the curve of a pot.
See.. .the beauty of nature ?
wood, pine needles, fibers; tiny
stitches in a quilt, the intricacy of
needlework.
And taste.. .homemade ice
cream and home baked desserts.
This opportunity is waiting for
local residents Sept 27-30 in
Elisabeth City from 10 a.m. to 9
p.m. at the Knobbs Creek Rela
tion Center, the annual
Albemarle's r ~
ten a variety to residents of i
-* ,'V" '
Of particular interest to Per
quimans County residents will be
at least two booths operated by
local citizens. This year's fair will
include the work of Perquimans
County's own blacksmiths, David
and Margaret Brewin as well as
silverwork by a former resident,
Mrs. Cindy Bunch, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Winslow of
Hertford.
The Brewins own and operate
Custom Forging and Ornamental
Iron Works, a business located on
Charles Street in Hertford. The
products made there range from
decorative to useful, all ex
hibiting the intricasies of their
professionalism in the craft.
Mrs. Bunch, who has been
working witc siiversmitwng for
the past five years, will also be
present at the show with her
\
In a recent article in a Cary
newspaper, Mra. Bunch explain
ed that the object of her art is to
create "wearable art'," which is
the end result when her original
sketches are developed into
bracelets, necklaces, rings, pen
dants or hair ornaments.
She sees shows, such as the
Craftsman's Fair, as a way to
make personal contact,
something she views aa impor
tant She encourages lookers to
feel the silver and try on the
pieces.
Perquimans residents may see
the Brewins and Mrs. Bunch at
work or view their samples dur
ing the 30th Albemarle Craft
sman's Pair Sept. 27-30 Id
Elisabeth City.
TO PARTICIPATE IN FAIR -
Perquimans County's blacksmith,
David B re win, shown here at work
in his Hertford shop, will be among
the craftsmen featured in the up
coming Albemarle Craftsman's
Fair. Assisting him at the show will
be his wife, Margaret, also skilled
in blacksmithing. A former county
resident, Mrs. Cindy Bunch, will
also participate displaying her
original silversmithing art. Both
will have displays, demonstra
tions, and items for sale. The fair
will run Sept 27-30 at the Knobbs
Creek Recreation Center in
Elizabeth City. A variety of crafts
will be on hand to viewers. (Staff
photo)
I
under the plan. The county will pay
the insurance coats on the building.
RENTING TOWER SPACE
Simpson also told the board that
General Electric of Ahoskie had
made a request to rent space on the
new communications tower. A
similar request made previously by
Motorola was granted at a cost of $75
per month. He sakl he felt a similar
cost would be charged to GE.
ACCOUNTANTS REPORT
County Accountant Durwood Reed
J*, brought two matters before the
board's attention before adjourning.
He explained that the county's
share of intangibles taxes was
reported at just over $26,500.
Concerning public service employ
ment contracts for Titles II and VI of
the Comprehensive Employment
Training Act, Reed said applications
have been made for both by the
county. The Title II program could
run two weeks or two months and
that application was based on two
slots. On Title VI, application has
been made for six slots. He explain
ed that both are pending a decision
by Congress and he feels continua
tion of Title VI might be a possibility
while Title II doesn't look as hopeful.
Apparent suicide reported
A young man residing in the Snug
Harbor section of Perquimans Coun
ty was pronounced dead on arrival
at Chowan Hospital early Tuesday
morning, apparently as the result of
suicide.
James R. Hendricks, 22, of Rt. 1,
Box 107D, Black Foot Trail, Snug
Harbor, was taken to Chowan
Hospital around 4 a.m. Tuesday
following a call to the Perquimans
County Sheriff's Department and
the Perquimans County Rescue
Squad.
According to a report by in
vestigating Deputy Sheriff W.E.
Harrison, he found the victim in the
Snug Harbor Clubhouse parking lot
at 3:21 a.m. after receiving a call at
3:11. There he found the victim, >is
wife, Loretta E. Hendricks, and a
neighbor. They explained that the
victim was moved there to await ar
rival of an ambulance. The neighbor
administered mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation.
Officials at Chowan Hospital
authorized moving the body to
Elizabeth City where an autopsy
would be done to determine the
cause of death. The Sheriff's Depart
ment report included information
that the victim's car was rigged with
a hose from the muffler or exhaust
to the inside of the car.
At the hospital, a suicide note and
other personal possessions were
found in the pockets of the victim's
clothing. They are in the Sheriff's
Department's possession.
Annual Northeaster planned
By KATHY M. NEWBERN
The North Carolina Democratic
Party, in conjunction with nor
theastern counties, will once again
sponsor the Northeaster, to be held
Sept. 29-30 at Nags Head.
The Northeaster has annually
provided Democratic leaders on the
state and local level the opportunity
to gather for a weekend of politikin',
friend meetin', party promotin', and
fun.
Archie T. Lane Sr., Chairman of
the Perquimans County Democratic
Party, explained that this year,
county Democrats have a special
reason to attend and participate.
Perquimans will be hosting the
opening event of the weekend, a pig
pickin' scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on ,
Friday night. The "feed," like all
other events, is being held at The ;
Carolinian. Lane explained that the ,
county's part of the weekend ac- ;
tivities will provide an initial event 1
of fun and good eating. Lane said ,
Perquimans County's chief cook for
the event will be Paul Smith Sr.,
"great chef from Bagley Swamp."
Saturday events include a free fish
fry, sponsored by Dare County, from
noon 'til 2 p.m. Dare will also host a
social hour starting at 5 p.m. and the
day's activities will round out with a
banquet at 7 p.m. followed by a
dance. Guest speaker for the
banquet will be Senator James
Sasser, D-Tn.
State senators, representatives,
cabinet members, and top-ranking
Democratcs across the state are
expected to be in attendance as well
as county officials from throughout
the northeastern section.
Tickets for the Northeaster, at $25
each, may be obtained from Lane,
Bill Cox, or Joe Nowell.
Grant deadline nears
The N.C. Arts Council has set Oct.
2 as this fall's application deadline
for organizations seeking financial
support for certain arts programs,
according to Mary Reagan, ex
ecutive director of the Council.
The October deadline applies to
the categories of community fund
drive challenge grants and general
grants. Grants awarded this fall will
be for programs between Jan. 1 and
June 30, 1979.
The money for Arts Council grants
comes from state legislative ap
propriations and the National En
dowment for the Arts, a federal
agency.
Grant applications and further in
formation about any grant program
may be obtained from the Grants Of
fice of the N.C. Arts Council, Depart
ment of Cultural Resources,
Raleigh, NC 27611.
Town Council hears
reports on several matters
The Hertford Town Board of Com
missioners met recently with Mayor
Bill Cox presiding and all members
present. Mrs. Jo Ann Morris also at
tended as a visitor.
Police Chief Marshall Merritt
gave a report on police department
activities for the month of August.
Billy Wooten, Recreation Direc
tor, reported on progress of the
department for the summer and
gave a projects program outline for
the fall season. He then requested
the board to appoint an advisory
committee for the department. On
that recommendation, the board ap
pointed a 14-member committee
with 7 members to serve a term of
two years and 7 members to serve a
one-year term. Commissioner Billy
L. Winslow agreed to serve as the
board's representative on this ad
visory committee.
The board then heard an audit
report for fiscal year 1977-78 from
Olin Sykes who said all departments
operating within the Town's struc
ture are sound with the exception of
the water and sewer departments.
Sykes recommended that the board
review the water and sewer rates
and increase such rates for addi
tional revenue necessary to operate
these departments without a lots.
Howard Capps, Planner for Com
munity Development, presented a
list of recommendations of just ap
praisals on property in the King
Street redevelopment area. These
appraisals were approved by the
board.
Due to many complaints from
citizen* concerning Whichard's
Garage located on Dobbs Street, the
board authorized Attorney Bill
Bentley to advise owner Davis by
letter of the Town's ordinance
governing operation of business in
the Town of Hertford and the inten
tion of the Town to enforce these or
(finances, giving Davis time to
comply.
Mayor Cox was authorized by the
board to investigate cost of a dump
truck from the Department of
Transportation to replace the old
trash truck.
The board also authorized a
special meeting for Sept. 18 at which
time discussion was held on
VEPCO's rate increases as well as
evaluation of the water and sewer
rates.
Another special meeting was
authorized for Sept. 25 to review the
work done by Keith Painter to date
in updating the Town's ordinances.
MR. & MRS. LEWIS ST ALLEN GS
Dinner is held to
honor retiring Ranger
Lewis Stallings of Rt. 1, Belvidere,
retired from the N.C. Forest Ser
vice, was resently honored at a
retirement dinner given by the
District VII Forest Personnel at
Angler's Cove Restaurant in Bethel.
Approximately 50 people were in at
tendance including Forest Service
personnel and County Commissioner
JoeNowelL
In appreciation for his 22 years of
service, Stallings w as presented
with an engraved plaque and a
digital watch.
John Elton Hurdle, who succeeded
Stallings as Perquimans County
Forest Ranger, presented him with
a Smokey Bear Desk Set.
Stallings remarked that it had
been a pleasure working with the
residents of Perquimans County and
thanked the Forest Service person
nel for their many years of
cooperation.