THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY Volume SI, Me. 13 USPS 42H* Hertford. Perquimans County, M.C., Thursday, March 28, 1W5 IS CENT! [Perquimans River Town of Hertford , A Commission discusses canal closing BY SUSAN HARRIS . There were 21 of the 24 'member governments represented at. the Albemarle Commission Meeting on Monday, March 18, at the auditorium of the commission office building. Harris restaurant of Fairfield catered the dinner. Ray McClees aprised the board of the possibility that 'the U. S. | Army Corps of Engineers may close the Dismal Swamp Canal to large vessels. Such a closure would cut off the vital intercoastal waterway for commercial vessels. According to McCless the canal is 22 miles long, running from the north of the Pasquotank River to Deep Creek, VA. Presently the canal has eroded I to a depth of six and one-half to " seven feet, too shallow for some marine vessels. McClees added that the locks now open so infreqnently during the day that, coupled with the eroded depth, some vessels now use a different route. The Commission adopted a resolution asking that the canal; , 1) be kept open, 2) have its I depth restored, and 3) have its locks improved. Emergency Services Project Director Anne Marie Newton asked for the board's support of a competitive grant being sought by the Lower Currituck and Crawford Rescue Squads. The grant would enable the ?quads to purchase UHF radio |equipoment. The money would I be used for the radio equipment, and also for two repeater sites with towers and bate stations. The system would allow the ElfT's to communicate directly with the hospital from the patients side. It also would enable the personnel to transmit EKOs to the doctors at Albemarle Hospital on a screen | at the hospital's station. The grant would be for $140, 000.00, and is also being sought by Nash County and a squad near Charlotte. The Nash County personnel are paramedics, the highest level of training, while the Charlotte area has basic training. The cardiac technician would be able to administer certain cardiac drugs on the scene, which could mean the difference in life and death to some patients. Only those squads whose personnel has completed the EMTI training can qualify fora UHF system. Newton said that when and if other squads in the area receive this training, they could tie into the UHF system. The board approved the proposal for the grant. Council opts for annexation cutback to appease owners Hertford Town Council members have voted for growth in a smaller measure than they had originally planned, after a proposal to annex approximately 2, 000 acres of land into the city limits met with hefty opposition from landowners on the outskirts of town. Annexation talks got underway about six months ago, when council members voiced their concerns over potential future growth for the town. (Bill) Cox said, "Leaving Hertford on the west city limits on Grubb Street, following N.C. Road 1110 (Beech Springs Road) to the intersection of State Road 1108, annexing 250-feet east of the Waste Treatment Plant Road, including the treatment plant property, the Meads and Miller Mobile Home Park, and a section of land owned by Ed Nixon. Then joining the Don Juan Mfg. Co. east property line, (excluding the property) across State Road 1110 to the west corner of the FCX property, continuing 250-feet along State Road 1110 back to the present city limits." "On the south side of Hertford the line will follow the west railroad boundary, across State Road 1107, following the road to the Tom Madre house, and joining the present city limits." "On the east side of Hertford, extending the boundary 200-feet from the present city limits to the U.S. 17 By-pass bridge." Cox stated tnat tne annexation map would now be redrawn by Elmer Williams, and upon its completion the council would go to Raleigh and meet with area legislators to draw up a bill for presentation to the General Assembly. Shown, left, is a map depicting the Town of Hertford and the areas that were originally proposed for annexation, along with the area that is currently under consideration. The proposed area, agreed on Monday night by the Hertford Town Council is indicated by a dot pattern*. The original proposal includes that area and the areas depicted with slanted, lines. The present limits of the Town of Hertford are shown in white, and the Perquimans River is shown in black. (Map by Jane B. Williams.) Some council members contend that until the towns' land mass grows, industrial development will only be a dream. Councilman Jesse Harris, who himself is an industrial developer, has argued that businesses and industries not only need, but want the services that can .only be provided by a municipality. The council voted unanimously Monday night on a motion made by Councilman John Beers to petition the North Carolina General Assembly to allow annexation of approximately 400 acres of land that is currently outside of the city limits. Describing the land that is now being sought for annexation, Hertford Mayor/Manager W.D. I feel that our original proposal would have benefited the town and the property owners involved much more than the final proposed annexation, " Cox said. "I am pleased though, that we have worked out our differences with the property owners who opposed the annexation, in order that we may eliminate any hard feelings, and to enable us to work together for the betterment of Perquimans County." ? Ed Nixon, the only property owner present at the meeting stated that he was "satisfied with deal that we worked out." Nixon added that he felt the other property owners were in agreement with those feelings. When asked if he would be willing to work with the town for future development of the area, Nixon stated "We've got to." Special Olympics are scheduled for Friday Pictured in Olympians from ISM in competition on the local level. (Perquimans Weekly photo.) The Perquimans County Special Olympics, Spring Games, will be held Friday, March 29th at Perquimans Central Grammar School. The opening ceremony will begin at 9: 30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Mr. Morris Kornegay, principal of Perquimans Central School. The Special Olympians will be participating in some familiar and new track and field events. The events include the 50 meter dash, 100-meter dash, fast walking 100 meter, frisbee throw, Softball throw, shotput, standing broad jump and running broad jump. This year our local Olympians will get a special treat. The music will be provided by the 7th and 8th grade band from Union School. The huggers will come from the FFA and Beta Club at Perquimans High. In the event of inclement weather, the Spring Games will be held on April 5, 1 985 at Perquimans Central School. The Regaional Special Olympics will be held on April 27th in Elizabeth City at Roebuck Stadium at Elizabeth City State University.

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