Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / Feb. 15, 1979, edition 1 / Page 1
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WEEKLY Volume 35, No.7 USPS 428-060 Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, February 15, 1979 15 CENTS YOUNGEST FIREFIGHTER - Young Clint Eley dons his specially made fire hat to assist his father, Sid Eley, in welcoming visitors to the Hertford's Fire Departments open house. (Staff photo Jean WinslOw) During Open House Cold Weather Doesn 't Hamper Enthusiasm Despite icy roads Saturday, over 250 people were welcomed through the doors of the new Hertford Fire Station. According to Fire Chief Charlie Skinner, the open house at tracted firemen from 16 area fire departments. Of these many were other county departments while some traveled from as far away as Swan Quarter to view the new facility. In- addition to 3,000 square feet of apparatus area, (includes housing 4 fire trucks), the structure contains ' 1,800 square feet of living space. By the front entrance, the fire house has its record-keeping department. The meeting room is located in the center of the structure. Most of the training courses will be taught there. Also in the living area is the watch room, crew quarters, male and female bathrooms, a kitchen, serv ing hall and the utility room. Skinner pointed out that the facility is equip ped to sleep firemen if and when ^id fire fighters are hired. w"It's a very functional building that suits our purposes. It's not an architectural dream," Skinner added. The department moved out of the old building, located just behind the new one, Feb. 7. They answered their first call in the morning of Feb. 8. Jokingly the Chief said, "I thought the men might go crashing into the doors or something. But everything went fine." Among those present was the oldest living firemen to the force, former Chief V.N. Darden. The 86 year old was awarded a certificate by Skinner and given a cap with the Hertford Fire Department ensignia. Darden was chief for 29 years. Sid Eley presented a visual look at the Winslow Oil Company Fire of last year through the means of slides. The presentation lasted almost 30 minutes. Eley said the slides are being used to educate other fire departments of oil fires of this nature. To show his apprecia tion for the department, Julian Winslow, owner of the Winslow Oil Company, sponsored soup and crackers for the guests at the open house. Chief Skinner reported that the volunteer force was operating at full strength and that membership was full. )EST FIREFIGHTERS - V.N. and Bin Fowler, renew daring open house at the fire department. Both are former volunteer firefighters. (Staff Photo by Tony Jordan) Area F armers V oice Economic Opinions While farmers were protesting in Washington D.C, some Perquimans County farmers expressed their views in a quieter way to the Per quimans Weekly. What Billy Williams, director of the North Carolina Soybean Association; Donald Madre, president of the Per quimans County Farm Bureau; and Albert Eure, member of the local board of directors for the bureau, had to say was similar, but not iden tical to the protesting farmers. The three men agreed that farmers are not being paid ade quately for their work and remarks made by Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland were not in best in terest of farmers. But, they also felt that some of the farmers had not acted in the best interest and maybe "didn't have a legitimate gripe". Madre pointed out that some of the farmers in ' Washington were in serious trouble while others were "having a good time." Madre, Williams and Eure would like to re mind readers that this is their opi nion and not the opinion of the Per quimans County Farm Bureau and the NC Soybean Association. Bergland, who later apologized for the remark, stated that many farmers had made bad business judgments, paid too much for land, and were "driven by old-fashioned greed," reported by the Associated Press. The statement upset agriculture people throughout the country Williams, a Perquimans grain, cat tle and pig farmer, said, "He (Bergland) could have- said it in a different way. I don't think he is very well informed and doesn't know the problems of the farmers." While all farmers wish to see more money in agriculture, the dif ferences in farmers throughout the nation can be easily seen. Eure reminded people that local farmers MADRE: " I don't think we (Perquimans County farmers) want a hand-out. We're just asking the government to help equalize supply and demand. " are more diversified. Unlike big one crop grain farmers in the midwest, the Perquimans County farmer does not take the big loss in any certain crop. He is able to survive "hard times" better, according to Eure. Subsidies are not what the local men want. Williams felt the govern ment should generate more trade in other countries to increase the de mand for the United States' agricultural products. In the words of Madre, "I don't think we (Perquimans County farmers) want a hand-out. We're just asking the government to help equ*li2ethe supply and demand." The use of gasahol, a gasoline alcohol combination used in place of gasoline, was mentioned as a possi ble future replacement by Williams. The change would increase the de mand for grain, which goes into the making of alcohol, and decrease the country's dependency on foreign EURE: "I could see us marching there (Wash ington, D.C.) if we had two years of drought like they've had out west. " petroleum. It presently cost more to combine the two ingredients, but with the rising cost of petroleum, the idea may become feasible. Madre pointed out the discrepancy that has existed for years in parity prices. At present, prices are at 70 percent of parity. This means that for the same amount of produce, the farmer can buy 70 percent of what he could when parity was set up decades ago by the federal government. The farmers are not alone in their belief they get less income than they deserve. In a recent nation-wide public opinion surve conducted by Leo Shapiro and Associates of Chicage, 60 percent of the people feel farmers are underpaid. Thirty-two percent feel farmers receive the right amount. In comparison, the national sam ple was asked whether their own in WILLIAMS: "He ( Ber gland) could ha ve said it in a different way. I don 't think he is very well in formed and doesn't know the problems of the farmers. " come is more or less than they deserve in terms of how hard they and their families work and how much they contribute to society. One-half of the public feels they get less than they deserve, but only four percent feel they get more than they deserve. Forty-six percent of the correspondents feel that there salary is about right. Lawyer and doctors top the list of those getting more income than those polled felt they deserve. Auto mechanics rank under doctors in these same terms, but by a con siderable gap. At the bottom of the list in terms of getting less income than they deserve are farmers. Asked whether the Perquimans County farmers would ever march on Washington, Eure said, "I could see us marching there if we had two years of drought like they had out west." Topics Are Varied At Town Meet The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Hertford was held at 7:30 p.m., Mon day, Feb. 5, 1979 with presiding Mayor W.D. Cox and Commis sioners John Beers, Mattie R. Broughton, Billy Winlsow and Erie T. Haste, Jr. present. Attorney William J. Bentley was absent due to illness. Cecil E. Winslow, Chairman, gave the ABC Store report for January. Sales decreased $233 under sales for January 1978. A monthly report was given by Chief Marshall Merritt on Meeting Slated Commissioner of Insurance John Ingram said last week that a public hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 28 on insurance "dread diease" policies. The hearing will look examine the benefits and sales practices associated with various life, accident and health insurance policies sold in North Carolina. The Hearing Office will consider evidence to determine : ?If the benefits provided by "dread disease" policies are unreasonable in relation to their premium. ?If the policies contain proviriou that are unjust, unfair, inequitable, misleading, deceptive or encourage misrepresentation of the policy. Based on evidence presented, the Hearing Officer, W. Kenneth Brown, will determine whether withdrawal of approval of "dread disease" policies or otherwise limits on their use should be made. Brown en couraged the public to attend, offer comments and present evidence. Police Department activities for January 1979. Officer Robert Harvey reported to the Board that nine dogs were pick ed up and four citations written for violation of Dog Ordinance. Officer noted that violators were warned before citations written. Chief Mer ritt was instructed by the Board to give all future warnings in writing to owners of dogs in violation of Ordinance. The Board was informed that all major work has open house and a dedication service. In the meantime, been completed on the new fire station. ANNOUNCES STUDY - Drucilla Halley talks to an interested group o< Perquimans County residents about the upcoming survey that will take place this year. Ray Winslow, President of the Perquimans County Historical Society, looks on. (Staff photo by Tony Jordan) Keith Painter, Zoning Planner, will resume work within three or four weeks. Mr. Painter suffered severe injuries in an automobile ac cident three months ago. Future public hearings will be announced. The Board was advised that pro gress has slowed in the Redevelop ment of King Street area due to lack of housing for relocation of some residents. The Board agreed to take action to try to prevent the closing of the Nor folk Carolina Telephone business of fice in Hertford. There being no fur ther business to come before the Board, the meeting was ordered adjourned. Historical Study To Begin A major step was made to educate Perquimans County residents to the work started to conduct a com * w prehensive historical inventory of the county. t_ u 1 a to ill mdicn ui ijmo, rei quiuidiia County and the Town of Hertford re quested and received (8000 to con duct the survey and $2500 to publish it. The grant came from the Division of Archives and History. Drucilla Halley will be in charge of the 10-month survey of the county. She pointed out Monday at the Per quimans County Office that it was important for the people to inform her of possible historical sites. "Help from individuals is one of the best ways", according to Halley. Her office is located at 206 Grubb St. and the number to call if you feel that a place in the county has historical tr architectural significance is 426-8403. David Hood, Director of the Ar chitectural Inventory Division of Ar chives and History, said, "The coun ty is lucky to have Dru (Halley) and Dru is lucky to be in this county." Halley has recently completed a comprehensive historical survey for Cumberland County and Fayet teville. Hood pointed out that her fine ability matches the superior historical findings that are far Per quimans County.
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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Feb. 15, 1979, edition 1
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