THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
Volume 54, No.29 USPS 428-080 Hertford. Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, July 24, 1986 25 CENTS
Accident claims one
By GINA JEPSON
One man is dead and two people
were injured as the result of a colli
sion Sunday afternoon which oc
curred 7 miles North of Hertford on
U.S. Highway 17.
According to Trooper Y.Z. New
berry of the North Carolina Highway
Patrol, the accident occurred when
the driver of a 1986 BMW, James H.
Edwards, 42, of Myrtle Beach, SC
who was heading South on U. S. High
way 17, crossed the center line for no
apparent reason. Edwards struck an
oncoming tractor trailor head-on.
The BMW was knocked backwards
47 feet into a ditch, and immediately
burst into flames which consumed
both the car and the driver stated
Newberry.
A 1984 Thunderbird which was fol
lowing Edwards was hit by the BMW
and sustained $2500.00 worth of dam
ages. The driver of the Thunderbird,
Tony Webb of Charlotte stated he had
been following behind Edwards since
they crossed the Virginia line, and
that Edwards driving, seemed okay
said trooper Newberry. Webb was
accompanied by his fiancee, Angela
Brown also of Charlotte, and two chil
dren. Ms. Brown received only minor
injuries. Trooper Newberry stated
that all passengers and the driver of
the Thunderbird were wearing seat
belts.
The tractor trailer, a 1977 Ford
owned by the Pepsi-Cola Bottling
Company of Raleigh, Inc. sustained $
25,000.00 worth of damages. Mark Al
len Pa irish, 53 of Raleigh, the driver
of the tractor trailer also received
minor injuries.
Both Parrish and Brown were
treated at Albemarle Hospital and
released stated Newberry.
Mr. Edwards is survived by a son,
Craig Edwards of Johnson City Ten
nesse, and his mother who resides in
Arizona.
Perquimans County
Board passes sales tax
By GIN A K. JEPSON
At a regularly scheduled meeting
held Monday night, the Perquimans
County Board of County Commission
ers adopted the additional V4 percent
local government sales and use tax.
The tax rate will go into effect Sept.
1, 1986.
The meeting began with a public
hearing on the proposed tax and after
very little discussion, the commis
sioners passed it unanimously.
The one-half percent local govern
ment sales and use tax funds are des
ignated for public school capital out
lay.
The state has designated the fol
lowing schedule for distribution of
these funds: 60 percent for the first
two years, including the first partial
year, SO percent for the next two
years, 40 percent over the next four
years, 30 percent for the next two
years and 20 percent for the 11th
year. The monies can also be used for
the retirement of bond debt stated
W W. White, Chairman of the board
of commissioners.
The projected revenue from the tax
rate is estimated at $213,000; how
ever, this figure is contingent on 99
counties adopting the proposal. At
the present time, 50 to 60 counties
have adopted the tax.
"Counties have until the end of
July to pass the proposal for it to take
effect in September, "said Keaton.
Keaton said he felt that the propo
sal would pass in the remaining coun
ties. Although the tax has been ear
marked for public school capital
outlay, the county can petition the lo
cal government commission in Ra
leigh to use these funds for other pur
poses. However, Perquimans County
is not planning to do so. The county is
planning to use these funds to cover
the bonds which will be issued in De
cember for renovations being made
to the Perquimans County High
School.
The alternative to passing the Vfe
percent local goverment sales and
use tax was to raise the tax base to
cover these bonds stated Keaton.
The new proposal also requires
that counties must report how the Vi
percent sales tax is spent. This is to
ensure that the money will be spent
in addition to monies already appro
priated for public school capital out
lay.
Both White and Keaton stated that
they felt that the proposal was benefi
cial to the county.
The board also held a public hear
ing on the proposed county noise ordi
nance. County residents listened as
county attorney, John Matthews ex
plained that the ordinance was
drawn up in an effort to stop disturb
ing and unreasonable noise. Mat
thews stated that he did not feel it
was the intention of the board to in
terfere with normal business prac
tices.
"Reasonable is the cruisal word"
said Matthews, the ordinance was de
signed to deal with disturbing and un
reasonable noise.
After much heated discussion, the
ordinance was defeated.
Mangled remains of colli
sion on U.S. Highway 17
on Sunday.
At right intercounty lire de
partment members re
spond to accident which
held up traffic on U.S. high
way 17 north of Hertford
Boyce appointed
by county
By GINA K. JEPSON
The Perquimans County School
Board has announced the appoint
ment of Jake Boyce to the position of
Assistant Superintendant of the
county schools. Mr. Boyce began his
duties on July 1, 1986.
Boyce, a native of Chowan County,
received his B. A. degree in English
from the University of North Caro
lina at Chapel Hill, and obtained a
masters degree in Counselor Educa
tion, and a masters degree in Admin
istration from East Carolina Univer
sity in Greenville, N.C.
Mr. Boyce comes to Perquimans
County after 20 years with the Cho
wan County school system where he
most recently was principal of Cho
wan Junior High School.
He also served as a classroom tea
cher, staff development coordinator,
and director of special projects while
employed by the Chowan County
school system.
When asked why he left the Cho
wan County school system Boyce
stated that this was a new profes
sional opportunity for him.
Boyce's areas of responsibility as
Assistant Superintendant will include
staff development, curriculum devel
opment and structure.
The Assistant Superintendant
stated that he has had a long profes
sional relationship with the employ
ees of the Perquimans County school
system, both in the central office and
with the schools. "Perquimans
County has an excellent school sys
tem and I am looking forward to be
ing a part of it all" said Boyce.
Boyce feels confident that he will
be able to step in and take over his
new responsibilities with few prob
lems.
Boyce is married to the former
Anne Taylor. They have two chil
dren, a daughter Hope who is 25, and
a son Tay who is 20. They currently
make their home in Chowan County.
Cooling off
Festival plans
are being made
Plans are now being made for the
Indian Summer Festival which is
sponsored annually by the Perqui
mans County Chamber of Com
merce. The dates this year are Fri
day and Saturday, September 12th
and 13th. The festival will kick off on
Friday, and two fun filled days are
planned according to Mary Harrell,
chamber executive.
'Colonial Day' to the theme for Fri
day. Merchants will donn colonial ap
parrel to carry out the theme, and old
fashioned sidewalk sales with bar
^
{9a>ijpf$m yi^\
\A-.,
gains for everyone will be one of the
highlights. A sidewalk cafe spon
sored by the chamber will be set up
on the courthouse lawn to serve ham
burgers, hot dogs, french fries, and
homemade ice cream. In the af
ternoon a fashion show is being spon
sored by the merchants complete
with local models wearing the latest
fall fashions. A D.J., and the High
School band are scheduled at this
time to provide entertainment on Fri
day.
Missing Mill Park will be the scene
of activity on Saturday. Saturday's
theme will be Paw Wow' day with
the merrymaking getting underway
at 11:00 a.m.. Events are planned for
the whole family. Mom and dad will
be able to enjoy the arts and crafts
booths and displays, while the chil
dren enjoy games, visit the airwaft,
and ride the always popular train
sponsored by the Optimist Club.
Animated animals will be mingling
throughout the crowd and live enter
talnmoHt Including the Flat Land
doggers and the Navy Band from
the Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk will be
on hand for everyone s enjoy meni
A pig piddn is also on the agenda
for 'Pow Wow' day, and a good time
will be had by all.
Make plans now to attend the fifth
Indian Summer Arts Festival
Phelps recognized by NASA
By GINA K. JKFSON
and CAROL A. O'NEAL
On January 28, 1986, America
watched as the Challenger blew up
before our eyes on our television sets.
Katie Belle Phelps of Rt. 4, Hert
ford, a Perquimans County native
was no different.
"As I watched the terrible tragedy
on my television, I felt as if they were
actually a part of my family" stated
Phelps.
As she watched Mrs. Phelps began
writing, she wanted to be a witness
for Cod, and to write some inspiratio
nal words for the loved ones of the
astronauts left behind. She never
meant for the words to be a poem.
"I took my pen and paper and
started writing. When I had finished I
realized that it rhymed" said Phelps.
Mrs. Phelps entitled the poem "Hie
Seven Chosen Few'.
How did this poem get to NASA? A
friend of Mr*. Phelps read the poem
Astronaut Office
NASA Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas
and became so inspired that she sent
the poem to NASA, and much to
Katie Belle's suprise she received
a response.
Phelps received a card from the
family of Astronaut Ronald McNair.
The card was signed by McNair's
wife Cheryl.
"When I saw the letter with the
NASA letterhead I was puzzled be
cause I did not know what it could be.
When I opened the letter and found a
card of appreciation from the family
of Astronaut McNair, I was excited. I
felt humble and greatful that they
cared enough to acknowledge my ex
pression of sympathy" stated Katie
Belle
"I know that through God all things
are possible with those who truly be
lieve" said Phelps.
THE SEVEN CHOSEN FEW'
As I reviewed such a spectacular
sight,
launch off in the sky so clear and so
bright,
I know Dear Lord you were ever so
near,
even though we watched our love
ones disappear.
To the precious little ones who were
left behind, my heart saddens as if
they were mine.
America Our Great Country will al
ways
remember the greatness they
shared,
and rejoice and cry with those who
cared.
We all share your grief and your sor
row, but never fear, for God is here,
there will be a tomorrow.
He must have placed Seven Chosen
Stars up upon his crown, as the Space
Shuttle Challenger came lowly rush
ing down.
For God must have wanted them to
brighten up his view, for they surely
were the Seven Chosen Few.
By KATIE BELLE PHELPS
(Jan. 28. 1986)
The families of R on and Cheryl McNair
gratefully acknowledge, your expression
of sympathy. Thank You For Caring
tJwf,