THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
' Volume 39, Wo. 41 USPS 42I-0M Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, October 13, 1983 25 CENTS
Sexual offense charged
, Billy W ooten indicted by Grand J ury
Willie Lee "Billy" Wooten. Jr.. 28
year old resident of Winfall, was
indicted by the Perquimans County
Grand Jury Monday on second
degree sexual offense charges. The
indictment was the result of an in
vestigation held by the Winfall Police
^ Department.
Wooten was arrested Monday
afternoon and released on $5,000
bond.
Wooten is accused of allegedly
forcing a male youth to participate in
sexual relations with him in August
197S, while Wooten served as
Director of the Perquimans County
Parks and Recreation Department.
Wooten, who is currently employed
as District Supervisor for Green
Thumb Incorporated, is schedule to
apoear in court on December 5. 1983.
Wooten could not be reached for
comment,
Other indictments handed down by
the Grand Jury were Wiley Grank
Wood for conspiracy to trafficking in
cocaine and Arlene Faye Chappell
Lane on charges of selling and
delivering counterfiet controlled
substance.
In Superior Court action the
following cases were continued:
Luckie Douglas Cartwright, for
sentencing; Andre Blanchard,
probation violation; Clayton
Llewellyn Godwin, obtaining
property by false pretense, and
Larry Wayne Sanders, conspiracy to
burn a building and burning a
building.
Also, Kenny Petteway, felonious
larceny and possession; Michael
Archie Wilson, felonious larceny and
possession; Ray Whidbee, felonious
larceny and possession; James
David Singletary, conspiracy to
felonious possession of marijuana,
accessory before the fact to felonious
possession of marijuana; and Henry
Lewis Johnson alias Mickey, non
support.
Calvin Louis Fletcher was found
guilty of speeding, 68 mph in a 55 mph
zone, and received a $15 fine plus the
cost of court.
Randol Lee Mitchell, was found
guilty of speeding, 65 mph in a 55 mph
zone, and received a ten day sentence
in Albemarle District Jail to run
concurrently with another sentence.
Charlie Rufus Spellman pled guilty
to misdemeanor possession of stolen
goods and received a 12 month
sentence to be served in the North
Carolina Department of Corrections.
David Neil Barnes pled guilty to
having no operators license and was
given a 60 day suspended sentence
with one year of unsupervised
probation, a $65 fine plus the cost of
court, was told not to operate a motor
vehicle without a North Carolina
License.
Wilbert Lee Jones pled guilty to
assault with a deadly weapon and
aggrivated afffray, consolidated for
judgement, and was given a sentence
of not less than 20 or more than 24
months, which was suspended with
supervised probation for five years, a
(ISO fine plus the cost of court, was
told to possess no firearm, not to be in
the presence or have contact with
Lee White, Jackie White or Ronald
Wilkins, to remain employed, and to
commit no offenses.
Charles White, charged with
Aggravated Affray, was remanded to
District Court.
Melford Darnell Jones pled gulty to
Aggravated affray and was given a 9
to 12 months sentence, suspended for
five years unsupervised probation, ?
$50 fine plus the cost of court, was
told to committ no criminal offense,
to possess no firearm, and not to be in
the presence of or in any way
associate with Vernon Lee White,
Jackie White or Charles White.
Vernon Lee White, pled guilty to
aggravated affray and was given a
$50 fine plus the cost of court, a
sentence of not less than 9 or more
than 12 months, suspended with
unsupervised probation for five
years, was told to not committ any
criminal offenses, be in possession of
no firearm, and not to be in the
presence or associate in any way
with Melford 0. Jones, or Wilbert Lee
Jones.
Jackie White also pled gulty to
aggravated affray and was given a
$50 fine plus the cost of court, a
sentence of not less than 9 or more
than 12 months, suspended with
unsupervised probation for five
years, was told to not committ any
criminal offenses, be in possession of
no firearm, and not to be in the
presence of associate in any way with
Melford 0. Jones, or Wilbert Lee
Jones.
Change of Scenery
On a recent ride over to
Winfall it was noticed that the
tnrttel that generally occupy
this coveted position just
beyond the "S" Bridge had
been replaced by a napping
sea gull. (Photo by Pat
Mansfield)
? Candidates are limited in
November municipal election
By JANE WILLIAMS
Voters in Winfali will be left with
no choices to make in the November 8
a municipal election, unless a write-in
? candidate appears.
Three seats are up for grabs, witt.
only three candidates filing.
Seymour Chappell, meat manager
for SIcR Supermarkets in Elizabeth
City, has filed as the only newcomer
to the Winfali Town Council. In
cumbent Richard Bryant has decided
not to seek re-election. Jesse P.
(Jake) Chesson, a retired grocer who
^ has served for three years on the
council, lias filed for re-elction for
one of the two seats available.
Winfali Mayor Lloyd Ray Morgan
filed for re-election with only ten
minutes to spare before the filing
books closed. This will be Morgans
second term as Mayor.
In Hertford the position of Mayor is
the only contested seat for the up
coming election. Bill Cox will be
,m seeking his fourth term as Mayor.
J Cox states that his experience, his
record, and his continued dedication
for providing effective leadership for
progress of the Town of Hertford will
m
week
The Third Annual
Festival of Skills wiU take
place this Saturday from
9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at
the Perquiman County
High School Gym. See the
speetal section on Pages 4
and 5.
The Perquimans High
Sehool Band of Pirates
ww Band of the Day last
Saturday in competition at
Chowan College in Mur
freeshoro. Per story and
pictttre see Page 9.
be a positive factor in the upcoming
election. "I appreciate the support
that the voters have given me during
the years that I have been Mayor. I
need and want your support in the
November election," Cox said.
Cox faces competition from W.A.
"Billy" White, a rural mail carrier
who also operates Pitt Hardware.
"I think that the mayor and town
manager should be two different
people and that's my main reason for
running, outside of my interst in the
town and county," White said.
Two incumbent councilmen, Jesse
Ray Harris and Billy Winslow, will
run unopposed.
Town Council to
conduct census
By JANE WILLIAMS
At their Monday night meeting, the
Hertford Town Council was
presented a report by Mayor Bill Cox
estimating a decline of the population
in Hertford since the last census.
The 1980 Census recorded the
population of the town as 1,947. Ac
cording to the Census Bureau as of
July 1, 1982 the towns' population had
decreased to 1,891.
This estimation is based on a
formula used by the Bureau to up
date records of population during the
ten year gap between each census.
The formula takes into account the
increases and decreases in
population prior to the last census.
"The lower population record will
cost the Town in revenue monies
unless the record is changed," said
Cox.
Council memebers unanimously
agreed that steps should be taken to
test the accuracy of the method used
to determine population.
After discussion the Council
decided to hold an informal census,
conducted by volunteer workers to
check tl.e figures on the report. Once
an informal census has been held, the
Council will then have the In
formation needed to determine
whether or not this will necessitate a
special census.
The Council asks that anyone that
Is Interested in aiding the town with
the volunteer census contact Mayor
Bill Cox.
During their regular business
session, the Council discussed
proposals made by two Raleigh firms
at a special meeting last week. The
proposals concern the administration
of the monies awarded the town
through the Community Develop
ment Block Grants (CDBG)
The CDBG is money granted from
the State of North Carolina to
upgrade sub-standard housing in the
municipality.
Talbert, Cox and Associates
proposed a ceiling cost of $55,000 and
L.E. Wooten Company proposed
$62,000. Because of details outlined in
the proposals the Council
unanimously favored the Wooten
Company for the job.
Councilman Jesse Harris
suggested that Mayor Cox call the
Wooten Company and counter-offer
$45,000, stating that the Town had
nothing to lose and everything to gain
if they would accept this proposal.
The Council selected the Wooten
Company and asked the Mayor to
negotiate the fee.
In other business the Council:
?Heard a report on the ABC Store.
?Heard a report on the Hertford
Police Department by Chief Mar
shall Merritt.
In addition to the normal report
Merritt told the Council that the first
ever Police Auction was held by the
department on Saturday and had
proven very successful. All items
were sold at a total of 9152.75. After
expenses the proceeds will go to the
Board at Education.
Albemarle EMC elects new
directors at annual meeting
Albemarle Electric Membership
Corporation held its Annual Member
Meeting on Saturday, October 8 in
Hertford. On hand for the meeting
were 254 members who re-elected the
following directors: W. Earl Meiggs,
Camden County; Joseph A. Byrum,
Chowan County; and Floyd
Mathews, Sr., Perquimans County.
Each director will serve a three-year
term.
The EMC is in the process of
refunding some $54,600 to members
who recieved service during the
years 1968-1969. Members who at
tended Saturday's meeting picked up
their capital credit checks.
According to Manager Dorris B.
White, members who were not
present can expect to receive their
checks by mail within the next few
days.
White made the following com
ments during the meeting on cost of
power, operation and maintenance
and plant investment. She made 1972
1982 comparisons on key points in
operating an electric cooperative.
Her first comparison was that of cost
of power.
White said, "In 1972 our total cost
for purchased power was less than
$298,000. In 1982 we paid over 2.7
million dollars for the power we
purchased." The manager gave an
example, "In July of this year (1983)
our power bill was over $345,000 for
the month."
White pointed out that in the
operation and maintenance, in 1972 it
cost a little more than $479,000 ? in
1982 it cost just under $587,000 to
operate and maintain your system.
She stated that this was a 22 percent
increase.
"Taking into account wnat in
flation has been during this period, I
think your Directors and
management have and are doing a
good job controlling these expenses"
said Mrs. White.
Another comparison was made on
the total cost of plant. The Manager
pointed out that in ten years the total
plant investment has almost doubled.
The 1972 plant investment was 3.2
million, and now it stands at six
million, or an investment per con
sumer of fWS.00.
White wtut on to state that the
EMC Is continuously upgrading the
system so that members will have
adequate and reliable electric ser
vice.
The report further explained to
thooe present some at the things
taking place locally and statewide. ,
White stated that members will see
two things affecting their bills. One is
a 7.7 percent increase in wholesale
power costs from VEPCO, which will
become effective October 31.
Another thing is the fact that
FERC passed a ruling that allows
investor owned utilities to charge
their wholesale customers for part of
their constuction work in progress
costs or(CWIP).
The CWIP will increase wholesale
rates around 3.8 percent. The bottom
line she noted was that Albemarle
EMC will be paying an additional
$342,000 for wholesale power.
White went on to inform the
members that the Cooperatives in
Virginia and North Carolina are
fighting these increases; however, at
this time, we have not been able to
reach a settlement; so the rates as
filed will go into effect under bond.
So if the rates under bond are
denied, the EMC would receive a
refund.
"Yes, our rates are going to have to
go up. Today I do not know what
percent increase you will be paying"
said White. She pointed out that
members will be kept informed as to
when any new rates will go into ef
fect.
For now our rate consultants are
preparing a new Cost of Service and
Rate Study based on our new
wholesale power costs.
The Manager concluded her report
by encouraging members to support
the EMC's new Load Management
Program.
Members present were introduced
to the new Load Management by
means of slide program. Then a
question and answer session was
conducted by Larry Johnson,
Manager of Fnergy Planning and
Member Services.
Johnson pointed out that the EMC
needs members who have 40 gallon
or larger water heaters, central air
conditioners or heat pumps to sign up
for the load management.
Members can sign up at the EMC
office any day Monday-Friday, 8
4:30, or complete the coupons found
in the newsletters or at collection
stations.
Larry went on to say that the EMC
will be installing some 2,000 switches
in the Albemarle Service Area.
Johnson stated that this program
has some immediate rewards as well
as long range savings. Members who
sign up will receive a credit of $1.25
per switch installed per month. This
adds up to. a $30.00 savings per year
for a member with two switches.
The long range part of load
management is that the EMC will not
have to increase the size of any of its
equipment due to the new program.
This alone will be worth its savings.
Load management will help
protect the EMC's equipment from
becoming over-loaded. The major
advantage is to reduce the large
demand charge the EMC pays for
wholesale power.
Johnson stated that in 1982 the
EMC paid $1.6 million dollars in
demand charges, or 58 percent of
their total wholesale power bill.
Load management will pay for
itself in roughly three years.
Johnson concluded by encouraging
all members who qualify to sign up
for load management.
The meeting was concluded by
awarding a number of attendance
prizes.
Pictured left to riftort ? Floyd
Mathews Sr., W. Earl
Meiggs, and Joseph A.
Byrum.* (Photo by Larry
Johnson)