THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
v . ■; ... • ' • •. 1 . ‘ ■ ■ - f
Volume 60, No. 48 _ Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Wednesday, November 28, 1991___30 Cents
Feature:
4-H teaches youth
- life skills through variety
of programs: Page e
Perspectives:
Columns tell why
everyone should be
thankful: Page 4
Briefs Cox honored Sunday at open house
AADA banquet set
The Albemarle Area Devel
opment Association will hold Its
30th annual banquet on
Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6:15 p.m.
The meal begins at 7. The ban
3uet will be neld at the Vernon
ames Research Center located
on U.S. 64 East of Plymouth.
The guest speaker will be Jim
Kincaid. Economic development
awards will be presented to local
businesses from each of the 10
counties in the AADA which
have stimulated economic devel
opment within their county.
Awards will also be presented to
ciylc groups and organizations
which have promoted commu
nity development and Involve
ment throughout the region. The
cost Is $10 per person. Tickets
cgn be obtained through the co
operative extension service. Res
ervations are encouraged.
Play to be presented
• The Perquimans County
High School drama and music
departments will present "A
Christmas Carol” on Monday,
Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. In the
school auditorium. The play,
'based on the Charles Dickens
classic tale of Christmas spirit,
\Vas adapted for the stage by the
P C-H-S. drama class, taught by
Lymvood Winslow. Admission is
$3 for adults and $1 for chil
dren under 12. Tickets may be
purchased In advance or at the
door:
Hotary Public training
• College of the Albemarle will
offer a one-night Notary Public
Training class on Dec. 5 In Eliz
abeth City.
The class will be held from
7-10 p.m. In room 229 of the A
Building. Jeanne C. White, with
the Perquimans County Register
of Deeds office, will teach the
course.
The cost of the course is
$30 plus $6.36 for a required
manual. A social security num
ber is needed to register. For
more information, call COA's
Continuing Education office at
335-0821, ext. 250.
Cloggars to meet
The Cornfield Cloggers of
Gates Company will be having
an Open House on Tuesday,
Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the
Gates County Community Cen
ter on Highway 158 in Gates
vllle. The public is invited for
free fun, entertainment and re
freshments. For more informa
tion. call 357-1336 or 465
4166. ' -
Calendar
Thursday
• Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 29. £0. Dec. 1, 4, 5*
“Christmas on the Radio;” An
gler’s Cove Resturant
Monday
County Commissioners 9 a.m.;
Board of Education 7 p.m.
Wednesday
• f*CHS Basketball-Aurora.
THE
PERQUIMANS
WEEKLY
An estimated 200 people
paid tribute to the years of hard
work and dedication of Hertford
Mayor W. D. “Bill” Cox Sunday
at an open house organized by
his friends. Residents of the
town of Hertford and Perqui
mans County as well as state of
Perquimans County Manager
Paul Gregory. "He’s worked hard
for the town. He’ll be a good
support to John Beers."
Gregory also credited Cox
with his concern for Perquimans
County. “He’s always supported
more for the county than all the
county commissioners put to
gether. He’s just there when
people need him...If you want
something done...Bill will find a
way to get it done. It's not Just
the town to him, it’s the whole
county. He’s been very helpful to
tlclals joined
in honoring
Cox, who has
served as
mayor for 20
years. Cox did
not seek an
additional
term In office
“I don’t know of anyone who’s had more impact on
moving forward than Bill Cox has. He’s been a real
force and I’m proud of him.”
Rep. R.M. "Pete” Thompson
me in an my
years here."
“I don’t
know of any
body who’s had
any more im
pact on the re
gion a 1
development,
tms montn, ana nis present
term will end on Dec. 9 when
mayor-elect John Beers will be
sworn In.
State Senator Marc Bas
nlght. Representatives R.M.
“Pete” Thompson and Vemon
James, and District Court Judge
Janice Cole were on hand to
thank Cox for his contributions
not only to Hertford, but to till
of northeastern North Carolina.
“I think It was a very lovely
day for a very deserving person,"
said town councilman Billy
Winslow. “Bill Cox has certainly
been a very dedicated public
servant for the people of the
town of Hertford, also Perqui
mans County and the 10-county
area.
"Bill has meant a lot to this
town. With the turn-out today
(at the open house), I think it
showed that the people appre
ciate his service.”
Winslow added that Cox was
not the only one honored. “I
think behind every dedicated
man Is certainly a dedicated
woman, and we certainly owe
Jessie Cox a debt of gratitude,"
Winslow said.
“There won’t ever be but one
Bill Cox, that’s for sure,” said
me county, im tooKing iorwara
to continuing to work with him.”
Cox did not resign from his
position as town manager.
Beers said he was very
pleased that Cox was recog
nized. “I think it certainly
proved today that people have a
lot of respect for Bill. The turn
out was great. It was beautiful.
It goes to show that he did have
the support of the people and
respect of the people all these
years."
Hertford businessman and
former political candidate W-A.
“Billy" White said, “I think Bill
has done a fine job with what
he’s had to work with." White
added that many of the needed
improvements in the town must
begin with the people. “People
have got to learn to shop at
home. We need people to take
part in community activities that
are going on and the biggest
thing is to put the pride back in
themselves," White continued.
Henry Carney, owner-opera
tor of Angler's Cove Restaurant,
was full of praise for Cox. who
has become a good friend of
Carney’s since Carney moved
here in the early 1970s. “As far
as I’m concerned, he’s done
along wun nignway 11, man Dili
Cox, said Thompson. “He has
stuck with it (four-laning High
way 17) the whole time and he
was a real asset in the Region R
development. I don’t know of
anybody who’s had any more
impact on moving forward than
Bill Cox has. He’s been a real
force and I’m proud of him. If
there’s somewhere in the region
he’s supposed to be, he’s there,
and if he says he’ll do some
thing. he does. In fact, I could
write a book about him.”
“I’m sorry to see him step
down as mayor, certainly no re
flection on his replacement, but
just the fact that he’s been like
a right hand to me as a com
missioner," said Hertford town
councilman Erie Haste. "When
Eroblems arise, he’s usually the
rst person I turn to and he’s
got the right answer.
‘‘He’s still going to be
around, hopefully, as town man
ager, and will continue to help
us with the problems we have,”
Haste added.
“Bill has done a super job
for Hertford,” said councilman
Sid Eley, who was sworn in ear
lier this month. “He's the first
mayor/town manager ever, and I
State candidates campaign
Candidates for state office
have blazed a trail across north
eastern North Carolina recently,
outlining their platforms and
seeking grassroots support.
Three have stopped in Perqui
mans County to gamer support
here.
The latest of candidates to
visit was House Majority Leader
Dennis A. Wicker, 39, who is vy
ing for the Democratic nomi
nation for Lieutenant Governor.
Wicker met locals at a gathering
at the Winfall home of Willard
and Christine Copeland last
Wednesday evening.
Wicker told the group at the
Copeland's home that he would
officially announce his can<Ji
dacy on Nov. 25.
Wicker is a native of Lee
County, one of six children. He
is a graduate of the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and the Wake Forest School of
Law. He is married and has twin
sons, 5, who attend Lee County
schools.
Politics has long been a part
of Wicker’s life. His father was a
seven-term member of the
House.
“I am running because I be
lieve the people in this state are
hungry and ready for new lead
ership,” he said.
Wicker said he wants to see
better education in the public
schools and he has strongly
supported community colleges.
A return to the basics, smaller
class size and good teachers sal
aries are advocated by Wicker.
He added that the community
college system helps to conquer
illiteracy and prepare the state's
workforce.
Wicker also spoke to a dele
gation of officials from Pasquo
tank. Camden and Currituck at
BJ.’s Restaurant on Thursday.
Former Gov. James B. Hunt
was in town on Nov. 13 seeking
Support for a third bid for gover
nor. Hunt said he hadn’t
planned on running for governor
again, but was compelled to file
because he said the state 18 in
“such bad condition."
“1 think it's a great day in.
North Carolina and Northeastern
North Carolina when Jim is in
Hartford,” said Mayor W.D. “Bill"
Cox as he welcomed Hunt to the
courthouse green. "Were proud
you’re seeking office...we’re
proud you stopped in Hertford.”
Photo by Nancy RoydervClark
Dennis Wicker (right), a Democrat campaigning for his party’s
nomination for Lieutenant Governor, discusses his platform
with Tommy Riddick at a reception held in Wicker’s honor
last Wednesday at the home of Willard and Christine Cope
land.
“This county is going to do
well in 1992 if I'm elected.”
Hunt said after Cox’s introduc
tion.
Hunt, 54. is a corporate law
yer from Wilson. He held the
governor’s post from 1977-1984.
The Democrat said he wants
to see the state’s economy revi
talized, with more jobs and more
opportunities. He also wants to
see child care on the top of the
state's priorities, list, along with
education.
Hunt also advocates putting
prisoners to work to reduce the
burden of the prison system.
“Let’s make them work for a liv
ing.” he said to applause from
those gathered.
He also said that the gover
nor’s salary should be reduced.
North Carolina’s governor’s sal
ary is the highest in the nation.
Hunt also spoke about tax
increases. “When Jim Hunt was
governor, there were no tax in
creases in eight years." he said.
"My friends, the bottom line
is that our problem is not the
people. The "problem is in our
leadership. Tne problem is in
Raleigh. We are going to change
if we nave to turn (the state) up
side down,” Hunt commented.
On Nov. 12, Republican Li.
Governor hopeful Art Pope made
a campaign stop in Perqimanss.
The 35-year-old two-term legis
lator from Wake County Is fi
nance officer for a family-run
500-store retail chain when not
In Raleigh. e
Pope said he is running for
Lt. Qovemor to stop what he
calls the “shenanigans in state
government.”
Pope voted against both the
1990 and 1991 budgets that
came out of the state General
Assembly because he said both
either shifted funds to pay for
government or raised taxes to
make up for shortfalls.
He pointed the finger at
Democrats, blaming them for
the tax increases.
“Instead of cutting spending,
and making broad changes, the
Democrats wanted short-time
fixes...and taxes. They actually
cut your budget through higher
taxes,” Pope said.
Pope said bond financing,
rather than tax Increases,
should be used to fund state
building projects.
V The Republican also said he
sees needs in the public schools.
He favors local flexibility, and
said the schools should be more
accountable to parents.
l
' : :
Photo by Gary Cosby Jr.
Minnie Wilma Hurdle and Mayor W.D. “Bill” Cox welcome
guests to the appreciation open house honoring Cox Sunday.
About 200 friends stopped by during the afternoon.
hope he will continue on as
town manager. It’s nice to have
someone like Bill Cox around. I
think he's a friend to the people
in the town and that makes him
a friend of the town."
“It was great, very hum
bling.” Cox said after the open
house. “It meant an awful lot to
me. I’ll always be indebted to my
friends, and today they made
me feel that very deeply. If I
have done anything for the ben
efit of this town and this county,
it has been because of the peo
ple that worked with me. Miss
Jessie and myself are just as
grateful as we can be."
The idea of honoring Cox
was the brain child of the late
Paul Smith Sr. and Carney.
According to Mary Ruth Smith,
the two men and their wives dis
cussed holding some type of ap
preciation get-together for Cox
over dinner at Carney’s restau
rant one evening. After planning
a reception to be held at Bare's
Beach, the two couples enlisted
the support of their families and
friends.
Photo by Susan Harris
Horizons check
John Christensen (left) presents a check to Joyce Rid
dick and Henry Stokes, owners of the building occupied
by Eagles, Inc., for their recent building renovations. The
check is a part of the Hertford Horizons fund. On hand
also were Hertford Mayor W.D. “Bill” Gox, Chamber Ex
ecutive Director Mary Harrell and Carl Terranova.
Winter production slated
When Theatre in the Park’s
production of A Christmas Carol
returns to COA on Dec. 7, the
generosity of Albemarle Hospital
and BB Bank will have played a
large part in making this family
favorite possible for the second
consecutive year.
Both businesses are spon
soring one performance each.
Albemarle Hospital, as it did last
year, is sponsoring the matinee
performance as their Christmas
gift to the children of the Albe
marle. BB Bank, which is mov
ing to this area by month’s end.
has contributed to the cost of
the evening performance as a
; Christmas gift to their new Albe
marle neighbors.
"We are grateful that both
Albemarle Hospital and BB
Bank have chosen to support
this second production of our
199-92 COA Center Stage sea
son. We couldn’t have brought
this wonderful show to our area
without their help,” said Jan Ri
ley, chairperson of the Commu
nity Center Advisory Committee
at COA.
The ’show, which has played
in Raleigh’s Memorial Audito
rium for almost 20 years, was
adapted from the Dickens’ clas
sic by Ira David Wood III,
founder of Theatre in the Park.
Wood, who plays Scrooge, also
wrote the music for the show.
Not your typical rendition of this
old Christmas favorite. Wood’s
version of Christmas Carol is
full of jokes and zaniness which
varies each year along with
changes in the music. ^
COA Center Stage will tjfcfc
sent A Christmas Carol on Sat
urday. Dec. 7 ay 3 and 8 pjn.
in the Community Center Audi
torium as the second offering of
the 1991-92 season. vi>.
Tickets are now on sale at
all COA locations. Ticket costs
for the matinee performance are
$7.50 for children 12 and under
and $15.50 for adults. Evening
performances are $15.50 in ad
vance for all ages and $17.50 at
the door. For more information,
call COA at 335-0821. ext 287.