THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
I .
Volume 57, No.2, USPS 428-080 Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, January 8, 1987 25 CENTS
Pictured above are members of the Hertford Fire Department as they fight a fire last Tuesday near Meads
Trailor Park. The fire was under control in approximately 10 minutes after firemen arrived at the scene.
According to Edgar Roberson, Chief of Hertford Fire Department the fire was started by some children
playing with matches in the field.
Butler selected to head historic Albemarle tour
Gerald Butler of Bath has been
elected to head the Historic Albe
marle Tour, Inc., for 1987. Butler,
manager of the Bath State Historic
Site, was elected president of the 16
member promotional organization at
the November Board of Directors
Meeting.
r Serving with Butler will be Jean
Sharp of Ahoskie, a member of The
Board of the Elizabethan Gardens on
Roanoke Island, as vice-president;
Linda Eure, manager of Historic
Edenton as secretary; and Bill Ed
wards, manager of Somerset Place
HiMoric Site near Creswell as trea
surer.
Barbara Taylor, Director of the
Museum of the Albemarle in Eliza
beth City, will serve on the organiza
tion's Executive Committee as a rep
resentative of the Board of Directors.
Butler follows Rhett B. White as
president of the regional organiza
tion. White is Director of the North
Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Is
land.
The Historic Albemarle Tour, Inc.,
is the only organization in northeast
em North Carolina devoted full-time
to travel and tourism promotion
throughout the entire Albemarle Re
gion.
Sixteen museums, historic sites
and visitor-oriented attractions
make up the Historic Albemarle
Tour. They are the Aurora Fossil Mu
seum, Belhaven Memorial Museum,
Historic Edenton, the Elizabeth II,
The Elizabethan Gardens, Historic
Bath, Historic Halifax and Historic
Hope Plantation.
Also: Historic Tarboro, Historic
Washington, The Lost Colony, His
toric Murfreesboro, Museum of the
Albemarle, North Carolina Aquar
ium on Roanoke Island, The New
bold-White House and Somerset
Place.
For more information on any of the
sites, contact Susan Hemingway,
Historic Albemarle Tour, Inc., P.O.
Box 759, Edenton, NC 27932.
Educational benefits remain unused by veterans
The Veterans Administration re
ports that more than 269,000 po6t
^ Vietnam veterans who are eligible
for Veterans Educational Assistance
Act (VEAP (schooling are failing to
take advantage of the multimillion
dollar program.
While on active duty these veterans
paid up to $2,700 each into the VEAP
fund, but have since failed to sign up
for education benefits worth more
than $8,100.
To qualify for VEAP benefits, vet
erans who contributed must sign up
L within 10 years after being dis
charged from active military serv
ice. Veterans who contributed to the
fund also can apply for reimburse
ment of their contribution, even after
the 10-year-limit period for education
benefits expires.
As of Sept. 30, 1986, some 294,967
servicepersons were contributing to
the program to qualify for schooling
after discharge. By the same date,
109,513 veterans had received train
ing through the program, 29,833 were
receiving training, 542,561 had been
refunded their contributions, and the
accounts of 269,259 veterans were in
active.
VEAP benefits are for serviceper
sons who entered the Armed Forces
after Dec. 31, 1976, and participated
in the contributory program. Serv
icepersons have until March 31, 1967,
to begin contributing to the program,
which is being phased out.
Under the voluntary program,
each dollar contributed by a service
person is matched with two dollars
from the U.S. Government for col
lege and other educational benefits.
The maximum benefit is $8,100 for up
to 36 months. Some military occupa
tional specialities qualify for extra
bonuses.
The VA account containing the con
tributions of service persons totaled
$570 million as of Sept. 30, 1986. Addi
tional funds are transferred as
needed from the Defense Depart
ment to pay for matching obliga
tions.
The amount available for refund to
an individual veteran, depending
upon contributions while in service,
could be as much as $2,700.
VEAP is one of three major educa
tion programs currently provided by
the Administration. A second pro
gram, the New G.I. Bill, is open to
active duty personnel serving from
July 1, 1985 through July 1, 1988. By
agreeing to have their pay reduced
by $100 a month for 12 months, veter
ans can receive $300 a month for 36
months when they start post-second
ary education.
The third program, the Noncontri
butory G.I. Bill, is for post-Korean
Conflict and Vietnam-era veterans
who served after Jan. 31, 1955, and
before Jan. 1, 1977. The benefits vary
with the number of dependents, the
type of schooling and the length of ac
tive duty.
Programs assist domestic violence victims
Families are important, especially
at Christmas. But some families
^have problems which even
" Christmas can't make merry. Some
are victims of domestic violence.
Thanks to the N.C. Domestic Vio
lence Project with the assistance of
the Governor's Task Force on Do
mestic Violence, many families who
have problems are getting the help
they need. Part of the N.C. Council on
the Status of Women, the Domestic
Violence Project works to develop lo
cal domestic violence programs, en
sures the enforcement of the do
mestic violence laws, provides
preventive education for local pro
grams and administers the funding
of grants to local groups.
Experts estimate that more than
half of all married in America will
experience at least one violent inci
dent during their married lives, and
that at least 2 million women each
year will be severely injured or killed
as result of domestic violence.
"Domestic violence in families is a
problem passed from generation to
generation," said Julia Reeves di
rector of the state project. "This vio
lence cuts across all cultural, politi
cal, economic, ethnic and religious
lines."
In each of the first three months of
this fiscal year, 48 domestic violence
programs in the state reported see
ing a total of almost 1,000 first-time
clients. But the number of victims is
estimated to be much higher.
According to the FBI, only one in 10
victims will seek help.
State grants to local groups, which
help victims who often have no where
else to turn, are made available
through the N.C. Council on the Sta
tus of Women in the N.C. Department
of Administration.
For more information about do
mestic violence programs, contact
the Domestic Violence Project at 526
N. Wilmington St., Raleigh 27604, or
call (919) 733-2455.
?County commissioners prepose land transfer tax
The Perquimans County Board of
Commissioners met Monday morn
ing and voted to draft a bill proposing
to the NC legislature, passage of a one
percent land transfer tax for Perqui
mans County.
The Board instructed County Attor
ney, John Matthews, to draft a bill
which the board will consider and
, probably approve at their next meet
l^ing. After approval the bill will be
fofwarded to the State legislature in
Raleigh for passage.
T?e preporsed bill will call for the
ladd transfer tax to be administered
bj^ the county, and will cover all
county land transfers. The tax en
- ,>*0*
compasses one percent of the total
value of the property, and revenue
received will be designated for capi
tal outlay projects.
The proposal also states that a por
tion of the monies received from the
tax will be given to the towns (Hert
ford an Winfall) for capital outlay
projects after a period of Ave years.
The board stated the purpose of the
proposed tax is to keep from raising
county taxes in the future to extreme
levels, and added that the revenue
generated by such a tax will aid the
county with general operating ex
penses.
In other action the board also voted
to advertise and accept bids for a
new heating system for the ARPDC
building. Randy Keaton, County
Manager, sited numerous problems
with the present system, and stated
he felt now was the time to replace
the unit.
The Commissioners hope to re
place the present system with a de
centralized unit which will be both
smaller and more efficient.
The board also discussed planning
activities for county government
week which will be celebrated Feb
ruary 22 through 27th. Preposed ac
tivities include an essay contest for
area school children, and tours of
county government buildings. More
information on the observance of
county government week will be
forthcoming from the board.
Also discussed at Monday's meet
ing is the growing problem of trash
disposal in the county. The commis
sioners recognize the seriousness of
the problem, and feel that some ac
tion must be taken before the prob
lem gets any worse. After much dis
cussion the board decided to look into
the matter. The board plans to dis
cuss the matter at a later date.
There being no further business the
meeting was adjourned.
School board votes to form middle school in county
Students at Perquimans County
pUnion School will have to get used to
calling their school by a new name in
thfe coming months.
This comes as a result of action
taken by the County Board of Educa
tkSn at their meeting on Monday eve
ning.
The Board voted Monday to change
the name of Perquimans Union
School to Perquimans County Middle
School effective In the 1M7/1M8
? school year. The middle school is be
pity established due to overcrowding
at both county elementry schools.
Central School in Winfall is de
signed to house 300 students in grades
K thru 4th grade and is currently
housing 400, while Hertford Gram
mar houses 500 students in grades K
thru 6th.
The Perquimans County Middle
School will house all county students
in grades S thru 8, and the board feels
that this will solve the overcrowding
problem. i
The Board also discussed devel
opment of a curriculum for the mid
die school which will be unique to
that school in the county. The TMH
program which is presently being
held at Central School along with
other specialized programs will be
moved to Hertford Grammar School
Superintendant Pat Han-ell re
ported to the board on Monday that
the Union School cafeteria project is
complete, and that the final inspec
tion of the project will be within a
week to ten days. He reported that
the students ate lunch in the cafeteria
for the tint time this year on Mon
day. Prior to Monday lunches were
brought to Union School from the caf
eteria at Central School.
The Board learned at the meeting
that1 Simmons Company had been
employed as the bonding company to
the complete the High School con
struction project.
Harrell also reported to the board
that the asbestos survey done in the
county schools showed no sign of as
bestos in areas where students or tea
chers are currently housed.
Governor appoints
board of transportation
RALEIGH? Governor James G.
Martin recently announced the ap
pointment of 21 citizens to the state
Board of Transportation. The in-com
ing board members will take their
oaths of office on January 23rd in the
board room of the Highway Building
in Raleigh.
"The Board of Transportation will
continue to have a tremendous effect
on the growth and developemnt of
North Carolina and its actions will
touch every citizen," the governor
said. "I am confident that the men
and women I have chosen for it will
serve well. They are the kind of peo
ple who will spend our limited re
sources wisely, and will use them to
develop a fair and equitable trans
portation program that works in the
best interests of all of us."
The governor's divisional appoint
ment to the board for this area is
Philip P. Godwin of Gatesville, Divi
sion 1, serving Bertie, Hertford,
Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Gates,
Washington, Camden, Chowan, Cur
rituck, Dare, Tyrrell, Pasquotank
and Perquimans counties.
The 21 gubernatorial appointments
1 join James B. Garrison of Albemarle
and Joe H. Palmer of Clyde on the
board. Garrison and Palmer are
General Assembly appointees serv
ing two-year terms which expire on
June 30, 1987.
Secretary of Transportation James
E. Harrington serves as the board's
chariman and 24th member.
In announcing his appointments,
Governor Martin praised the service
rendered by members of the recent
Board of Transportation, whose
terms expired on December 31. "The
people who have served North Caro
lina as members of the board since
January 1985 deserve the state's
gratitude and are due the highest
praise," he said. "They worked with
dedication and developed a progres
sive transportation program, despite
extremely limited funds. They la
bored very effectively in our success
ful effort to increase highway reve
nue. North Carolina has been
improved through their service."
Free W-4 help for
confused taxpayers
According to McBreuer, H&R
Block's manager in the Hertford
area, the procedure for filing a
Form-W-4 has become more compli
cated as a result of the new tax bill
passed by Congress. Every employee
will need to ensure that the proper
amount of federal income tax is with
held from his or her paycheck in 1987.
A new Form W-4 will need to be
completed by every employee to de
termine and claim the proper num
ber of withholding allowances so that
the correct amount of tax is withheld.
H&R Block offices in the Hertford
area, according to McBreuer, will be
offering free preparation of Form W
4 to the general public until January
20, 1987. McBreuer stated, "H&R
Block's offices have already received
many questions and requests for help
regarding the preparation of Form
W-4. This is our way of answering the
need we see in our community. To ob
tain information on this free service,
call 42&-7370 or stop by our Hertford
H&R Block locations? no appoint
ment is necessary. "However, "Mc
Breuer said, "bring a copy of your
1985 return with you when you stop
by. It contains information that will
be helpful in filling out your form."
Harrell wins drawing
The Perquimans-Chowan Partners
With Youth fund-raising raffle for
two flag afghans came to a fine con
clusion with the drawing of the two
winners in the Partners With Youth
office at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Decem
ber 22nd. Winner of the Queen Size
Afghan was Mary C. Harrell, Exec
utive Director of the Hertford Cham
ber of Commerce. Sister Helen Scan
Ion, Director of the Albemarle
Regional Office of the Catholic Social
Ministries (Hertford), won the
smaller Afghan.
Dr. Louis V. Nadeau, Executive Di
rector of the Program, thanks all
who worked so hard to make the
drive a successful one, as also all who
supported through their donations.
People support, particularly through
becoming an active volunteer, is a
continuing necessity. If interested in
this work, please contact Dr. Nadeau
by mail, (Perquimans-Chowan Part
ners With Youth, Box 943, Edenton,
NC 27932) , or drop in at the office, 2nd
floor of Old Court House, Edenton.
Annual meeting set for Jan.
The annual meeting of the Perqui
mans County Restoration Associa
tion will be held at Angler's Cove on
Monday, January 12. A social hour
will begin at 6:30 p.m., and will be
followed by a buffet dinner. A feature
of the meeting will be a short talk on
the importance of archaeology by
Margaret Purser, a doctoral degree
candidate at the University of Cali
fornia at Berkeley. Purser has
worked in the field of historical ar
chaeology in Virginia, California, Ne
vada, and Guatemala. A business
meeting for the presentation of
awards and the election of new offi
cers and board members is also on
the program.
The Association was organized in
1971 to save North Carolina's oldest
house. Restoration of Newbold-White
was completed in 1981, when it was
opened to the public. Built ca. 1685,
probably by the Quaker, Joseph
Scott, the house carries much of the
early history of North Carolina inits
ancient walls. During the Proprie
tary Period it served as the meeting
place for the General Assembly and
for the courts. Since its opening,
thousands of people have visited it,
but its 20 by 40 foot sixe restricts the
complete interpretation of North
Carolina's only 17th century site.
There is a great need for an interpre
tive center and more space at New
bold- White if it is to take its proper
place in the story of the development
of North Carolina following the fail
ure at Roanoke Island. This will be
discussed at the meeting.
The public is cordially invited. Res
ervations may be made by calling
David McCall at Newbold-White, 426
7567.
tnergysnare payments up
Contributions to Virginia Power's
and Virginia Natural Gas' En
ergyShare program, that provides
heating assistance to those in need,
are now running well ahead of last
year's record setting contributions.
As of December 19, $310,647 had been
collected, compared with $269,771 at
this time last year.
"EnergyShare is a worthwhile pro
gram that has grown in popularity
over the past three years," said Paul
G. Edwards, vice president-public af
fairs for Virginia Power. "Also, the
fact that various media have utilized
public service announcements that
we've made available to them has re
sulted in more people donating to the
program."
Each year since the program's in
ception in 1983, EnergyShare has at
tracted a growing amount of contri
butions.
Perquimans native killed
in hunting accident
A Perquimans County native was
shot and killed Monday, Dec. 29, at
approximately 8:30 a.m. in the morn
ing in the Whiteston area of the
county.
James A. 'Jimmy' Stallings, 52,
was shot in the chest with buckshot
by his nephew, Ricky Stallings, 19, of
Belvidere during a hunting expedi
tion according to Jack C. Staley, Jr.,
NC Wildlife Enforcement Officer.
Staley who investigated the acci
dent stated that the younger Stallings
was shooting at a deer who had ap
peared between the two men. The
younger Stallings aimed his gun for
the deer not seeing his uncle who was
hidden from his view in a wooded
area.
Stallings was hit by a pellet of
buckshot fired from a 12 gauge shot
gun, and Staley stated that it was a
freak accident.
Several other men in the group also
fired at the deer which was killed.
Staley stated that another member of
the hunting party discovered Stal
ling's death shortly after he was shot.
Mr. Stallings was pronounced dead
at the scene of the accident by Per
quimans County Medical Examiner
Dr. Robert Lane.
Stallings was a native of Belvidere,
but resided in Norfolk, Va.. Funeral
services were held Wednesday, De
cember 31st, at the Bethany United
Methodist Church in Belvidere.
Mr Stallings was the retired owner
of American Self Storage in Norfolk.