* ''WH: - /, §
!nd!an Summer FestSva)
September 15th and 16th
See pages 9, 10,11 for detaits and sateinformation
THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
Volume 5$, No.37
US PS 428 080
Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C. Thursday, September 14,198?
30 CENTS
LocaR
* Briefs
Duncan joins
Swindei! staff
The management of SwindeU Fu
neral Home in Hertford is proud to
announce the employment of Ste
phen M. Duncan as a licensed Fu
^ neral Director and Embalmer.
Duncan, a former resident of
Mount Olive, has been associated
with funeral work since 1954 and
has been licensed since 1960. In ad
dition to working with several
North Carolina firms, he owned
and operated his own firm from
1976 to 1982.
Among his duties will be assist
ing in and conducting funerals, em
balming and waiting on people who
^ wish to pre-arrange funerals.
Ruritans honor
* first members
The Parksville Ruritan Club met
September 5th with Less Parker,
Deputy Commissioner, N.C. De
partment of Insurance, Raieigh as
their guest speaker. Parker spoke
on the many services the depart
ment has to offer.
The c!ub business was the elec
tion of officers for 190. Those
^ elected were president- Jarvis
Winslow; vice-president - Floyd
Long; secretary - Russ Hollowell;
and treasurer - Paul Smith, Jr.
The highlight of the evening was
the celebration of the club's 40th
anniversary and the recognition of
three charter members: Floyd
Mathews, who was first president
of the club, George Baker and Paul
Smith, Sr. Their wives were pre
_ sent, as was the District Governor,
^ Joe Sawyer. He and Eddie Barber,
president, made the presentation of
the certificates.
a
$
a
Group sponsor
mountain trip
We will depart Hertford on Octo
ber 24 at 6:30 a m. and should ar
rive on the Skyline Drive Parkway
around 11:30 a m. with a fifteen
minute to a half hour stop in be
tween for refreshments and break.
We will begin our sightseeing on
the beautiful Skyline Drive and ar
rive at Big Meadows Lodge around
12:30. We will stay at the lodge til
2:30 p.m. to allow for lunch at the
lodge, (the food is great and very
reasonable) and the visitors center,
viewing the valley and other areas
of interest.
We will begin our return trip
home at 4:30 p.m. and arrive back
in Hertford around 10:00 p.m. We
will stop for dinner (1 hour) at Mor
risop's Cafeteria in Fredericks
burg, Va. (meals are not included).
Cost of the trip is $30 per person.
For more information or to register
call the Recreation Department-Se
nior Center at 426-5404. Reserva
tions must be made by September
26,1969.
WinfaM woman
murdered Friday
A Winfall woman was murdered in her home Friday morning in what
Sheriff Joe Lothian described as "a very violent crime. "
Rosa Lee Overton Newton's bioodied body was found in the kitchen area
of her home after 7:00 a.m. Friday. When Mrs. Newton did not answer her
telephone, a neighbor went to the Newton home to investigate. Upon find
ing the front door broken, the neighbor had a friend go back to the house
with her. The friend found Mrs. Newton, and the authorities were calied
immediately.
Investigating the murder are the Perquimans County Sheriff's Depart
ment and the State Bureau of Investigation.
Because the crime scene reports had not been received by the sheriff's
department, limited information was available at press time.
At this point, authorities believe the attacker entered the dwelling
through the front door. The top section of the door was broken out, includ
ing the lock.
"I believe there was a definite struggle, " said Lothian, commenting on
his observations at the scene of the crime.
Lothian said that information obtained from neighbors and friends indi
cated that Mrs. Newton had moved to Winfal! approximately one year
ago, and was renovating the home for her permanent residence. She had
been travelling back and forth between Winfall and Philadelphia, where
she had lived for many years.
The law enforcement agencies investigating the case say that no mur
der weapon has been determined, nor has a motive for the murder. "At
this point, we re not speculating. We re waiting to get the results of all the
evidence that was gathered at the scene," Lothian stated.
Lothian praised the quick response of SBI officials to the call for assis
tance. He said that the department sent its best crime scene technician to
thoroughly sift through the evidence at the Newton home. He said that his
department and the SBI investigators have and will continue to work
overtime to find the murderer and obtain a conviction.
The investigators are asking anyone with any information regarding
the murder to contact the sheriff's department. Lothian said that all calls
Joe Southern photo
Murder scene
This Wintait dwetting was the scene of a viotent murder sometime
prior to 7:00 a m. Friday morning. Law enforcement officiats have
been working overtime to soive what Sheriff Joe Lothian calted "a
very vioient crime."
received wili be heid in strict confidence. He added that even smaii, seem
ingly trivial pieces of information couid hoid the key to unlocking this
case.
"This is the kind of thing that we do not want happening around here,"
Lothian said, emphasizing his department's determination to break the
case.
Three !oca!s are honored by Governor Martin
Dan Berry, E)va Harrington and Ann White stand with Governor Jim
Martin after receiving their Governor's Awards for Outstanding Voi
unteer Service in Kinston iast week. The group aiso received the
North Caroiina "State of the Hearts " pins.
Three Perquimans residents
were honored by Governor Jim
Martin along with 120 other
outstanding volunteers rep
resenting 33 eastern North Car
olina counties during a
ceremony last Wednesday in
Kinston. The ceremony was
part of the statewide Gover
nor's Volunteer Awards Pro
gram.
Recognized for their contri
bution to the community were
Dan Berry and Elva B. Har
rington in the community serv
ice category and The Open
Door in the organizational cat
egory. Ann R. White, director
of the Open Door, accepted the
award on behalf of the agency.
The ceremony, which in
cluded a reception and awards
presentation, was held at Le
nior Community College. The
Governor presented each re
cipient with the the Governor's
Award for Outstanding Volun
teer Service and the North Car
olina "State of the Hearts " pin.
"Proper recognition of North
Carolina's volunteers and the
service they provide is impor
tant to the individual winners
and to volunteerism as a
whole, " Governor Martin said.
"Just as we are putting these
individuals and organizations
on a pedestal for their efforts,
the act of volunteerism must
also share the spotlight so it
will continue to have a positive
effect on the quality of life in
North Carolina."
Counties are invited to
choose as many as four award
recipients who deserve recog
nition for service to their com
munities. In most cases, local
committees of community and
volunteer leaders were formed
to seek nominations and select
winners. The Governor's Of
fice of Citizens Affairs coordi
nated the nomination process
and accepted each county 's se
lections.
Similar ceremonies were
planned to recognize western
and central North Carolina's
outstanding volunteers.
- .
Caynii^a^es faiA; a&ouf
issues in JFferf/erf/
Candidates from Hertford Town
Councii were recently sent ques
tionnaires on issues facing the citi
zens of Hertford and its governing
body over the next few years. All of
the candidates' answers except
those of John London appear in this
week's issue. Rev. London was out
of town and has been iii since his
return, and was unabie to finish his
responses in time. His answers wiH
appear next week.
John Beers
Continuity and a good back
ground in town affairs are two of
John Beers' assets as a candidate
for Hertford town council. Beers
has served on the governing board
for 26 years.
"I fee! that as a member of coun
cil I will continue to give a sincere
and honest effort to serve the peo
ple of Hertford," Beersstated.
Beers feels that the major prob
lem facing the council at present is
being able to provide the necessary
services for Hertford's future
" The council has dealt with
3lem by upgrading the wa
sewer systems and annex
the city limits, which
will assure proper growth
[development.
of how to bring
Beers said
presently in progress on some
Building in town, Beers com
mented, "...there is a great need
for the condemnation proceedings
on those structures that create a
health and safety hazard and down
grade the neighborhoods. " He aiso
said that the town is working on its
third HUD redevelopment grant to
upgrade neighborhoods.
Junk cars are eyesores, say
many Hertford residents. Beers
said that the council passed a junk
car ordinance and was informed
shortly thereafter that the state
had passed legislation addressing
that issue. The council will now
work under the conditions of the
state law, in conjunction with the
town ordinance, "so it will be more
forceful."
The condition of the town's facili
ties at the former location of the ice
plant and fire department has also
been of concern to residents and the
council recently. Beers feels that
the cost of renovation should be
weighed against the cost of demoli
tion and construction to determine
the better solution to the problem.
Also to be considered should be the
use of the building, such as equip
ment storage. The present struc
ture cannot shelter large
equipment due to deterioration and
the ice plant design and equipment.
"The condition of this structure
was the reason for building a new
fire station," Beers said.
There has been of late criticism
of the mayor 's and town manager 's
positions being held by the same
person. Beers stated that Hertford
Is by its charter a mayor-council
t. A resolution was
past, mayors have served as town
manager,' pohce chief, fire chief,
and head of aii departments," he
added.
In response to a question con
cerning the town going to a ward
system for electing counciipersons,
Beers said he feels that is is unnec
essary due to the size of Hertford
and the non-partisan election. "All
people who file for office stand an
equal chance of being elected if the
voters so wish, " Beers said.
Should the town develop its wa
terfront? "Yes, we should," Beers
commented. "We should try to
maintain and preserve our natural
resources. At the present time, we
are having a waterfront study con
ducted, and it will be presented to
council, " he stated.
"In theory, it's good - in reality,
as tried before, it didn't work be
cause interest was not shown by the
youth, " Beers answered in re
sponse to a question regarding the
town funding a youth center. He
said the town, county, churches and
schools should work together to
help provide a healthy and respon
sibleatmosphere for youth.
Beers does not feel that the police
department and sheriff's depart
ment should be combined into one
force. "I feel that we should main
tain and provide our own police de^
partment for the protection and
welfare of the citizens of the town of
Hertford," Beers said. He added
that the town has a well-staffed,
qualified department with good
leadership that works well with the
sheriff's department.
The town offers wholesome serv
ices and that suggestions for ex
panded services and facilities are
always encouraged was Beers' re
Large, heavy trucks shouid not
be allowed on the causeway, Beers
feels. He said the town requested
that NCDOT decrease the load
limit on the causeway and bridge
and that they agreed, but that DOT
has not enforced the limit. "1 will
continue to work to see that it's (the
load limit) enforced, " Beers said.
Beers foresees growth in Hert
ford's future, "...we will grow and
provide the opportunity for a stable
community, but we all have to rec
ognize that in order for Hertford to
stay alive, we must support our
businesses and our community.''
He thinks the best local resources
are the people working together in
harmony.
Although he is not a native. Beers
married a Hertford native and
moved here 37 years ago. This is
home now.
He is a member of the Masonic
Lodge, American Legion, V.F.W.,
D.A.V., charter member and trea
surer of Perquimans Co. Volunteer
Rescue Squad and a retired volun
teer fireman. He is a member of
Hertford United Methodist Church
where he sings in the choir. He
serves on the Hertford Town Coun
cil and is the Perquimans County
Veterans Service Officer.
Vance Hoover
Vance Hoover thinks that young
people should be involved in Hert
fora's government, so he's acting
on his beliefs by running for town
council. He feels that he could ful
fill the needs and wants of the peo
ple of Hertford in that position.
When asked what he feels is the
biggest problem facing Hertford,
Hoover answered, "The town has to
be cleaned up all the way around,
from the houses and buildings to
Ptease see CAMMOATES Page 14
1
Hertford man
fa!!s to his
death recentiy
By: Joe Southern
Daily Advance staff writer
A 20-year oid Hertford man feii to
his death from the roof of the han
gar at Airship Industries sometime
late Friday night or early Saturday
morning.
Pasquotank County Sheriff Davis
Sawyer said Robbie Gien Priddy of
383 Pender Road, Hertford, died as
the resutt of a fail off the roof of the
hangar at the Elizabeth City blimp
factory.
Sawyer said Deputy Sam Keith
responded to the call at approxi
mately 5 a m. Saturday and found
Priddy s body on the ground out
side the hangar. Two other men
were with Priddy at the time, Keith
reported. Sawyer said Glen Correia
of 402 N. Road St., Elizabeth City,
and Kevin Staples of South Mills
were with Priddy when the three
men went to the hangar.
"For some unknown reason Sta
ples and Priddy forced entry and
went up the long steps to the roof,"
Sawyer said.
It is still uncertain what hap
pened next, but Sawyer said it is be
lieved Priddy lost balance and fell
off the roof.
"Nobody can give any reason for
the forced entry," Sawyer said,
adding that the case is still under
investigation. "There appears to be
alcohol involved," he said.
Priddy was declared dead on ar
rival at Albemarle Hospital Satur
day morning. His body was taken to
the medical examiner at Pitt Me
morial Hospital in Greenville for an
autopsy.
County EMS to
observe state's
EMS week
Governor Jim Martin has desig
nated the week of September 17-23
as Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) Week in North Carolina.
The observance was established by
the National American College of
Emergency Physicians.
The Perquimans County EMS
will observe the week with open
house at the Rescue Squad building
from 8:00 a m. until 6:00 p.m. Sep
tember 18-22. At that time, the pub
lic is invited to visit the facility to
look over the equipment used by the
EMS and Perquimans County Vol
unteer Rescue Squad, as well as get
a complimentary blood pressure
check.
Milton Dail is the director of the
county's EMS program. He and
Darleane Perkins are the two full
time employees. Part-time employ
ees are Tim Corprew, Melody Over
ton, Jerry Fitzgerald, Ann
Schallock, Mary White, John Simp
son, Leona Parks, Laveme Wood
ard, Mary Beth Layton and Ida
Harris.
In addition to handling emer
gency needs in the county from 6:00
a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, the
EMS does all of the billing for their
squad and for the volunteer organi
zation, transports patients to or
home from tne hospital, keeps up
the equipment and buildings and
purchases supplies.
State law mandates that the
county provide emergency serv
ices, and Perquimans has crews on
duty 24-hours a day, 365 days per
year. The volunteer squad pulls
duty from 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a m. Mon
day-Friday, and on weekends and
holidays. Todd Tilley is the captain
of the volunteer squad.
In order to become an Emer
gency Medical Technician (EMT)
and be certified to administer
emergency first aid, people must
take a tough 120-hour course, which
includes working 10 hours in a hos
pital emergency room. Then they
must take a written exam and a
practical exam. If they pass both
tests, applicants become EMTs. If
they pass certain portions of the
test, they can become Ambulance
Attendants (AAs). The state re
quires that at least one AA and one
EMT respond to all calls.
EMTs and AAs must pass recerti
fication tests every two years. Aii
trainees ride as third persons dur
ing their training period.
Daii and Perkins feei that the
EMT training is a great course for
anyone to take, saying that you
never know when you wili be in a
situation where you couid save
someone's life by administering
immediate first aid or life-saving
measures such as CPR of the Heim
iich maneuver for choking victims.
The squads are backed up by aii
fire departments. The units snare
training opportunities to heip in
crease the knowledge of aii emer
gency responders.
4