North Carolina Newspapers

Volume 62, No. 19 - ■ - ' - ■_ Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, June 17, 1993 WEEKLY 35 Cents " \ fl Perquimans High students recogn ized for ‘achievement: page 4 Wm. M ■ i Perquimans Youth ^ League nears end of Isecond round: Pages •• , community: Town, community dedicate new waterfront park: page 5 Hertford amends curfew ordinance By SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor If you’re under 16. it would be wise to wear a watch if you’re going to be out late at night in 3ie town of Hertford. The town council amended the town’s curfew for minors at its June 7 meeting. Effective on that day, it is unlawful for mi nors under 16 to be on the streets between midnight Friday and 5 a.m. Saturday, midnight Saturday and 5 a.m Sunday, or 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. of the follow ing morning Sunday through Thursday. The ordinance was first dis cussed by the council several months ago in response to resi dents’ complaints about late night loitering by youth. "The council passed the ordi nance because we felt that any child under a certain age without parent guidance should not be hanging out at all hours of the night," Mayor John Beers said. The restrictions do not apply to minors accompanied by a guardian, parent or other person charged with the care and cus tody of the minor, or other re sponsible persons over 18 years of age. There are also exemptions for traveling to and from, home and work, home and church, home and the municipal building if the municipal ouilding Is open’ for legitimate business during the curfew hours, or home and school if a school function is be ing held during the curfew hours. Business establishments open during curfew hours can not allow minors to remain on the premises during the curfew. Parents, guardians and others charged with the care and cus tody of minors are responsible for the minors in their care. First offenders will be taken to the Hertford Police Depart ment where parents/guardians will receive a call. The juvenile will them be taken to the resi dence of the parents/guardians. The adults will be given a written warning that the juvenile vio lated the ordinance and the warning will be filed at the police department The parents/guardians of re peat offenders will be subject to a criminal citation. If the Juve nile is under 12, a report will be ■ filed with the Perquimans ■County Department of Social .Services. ; ", If any parent/guardian re- ■ fuses to take custody of a minor found in violation of the code, the minor will be turned over to social services, and an investiga tion by the police department %. and social services will be or dered. The parent/guardian will be subject to a criminal citation. Parents/guardians of offend ' era can be fined up to $500 an d/or receive an active 30-day prison sentence. v < < . fCx^weVe going to enforce It |n«ase see Curfew, Page 2 ‘t ~ ’ - This is it Honor graduates (left to right) William Pon ton, Jason Riddick*'Karen Stone, Arms' Winslow, Dena White and Ryan Willis pre pare to enter the ballpark for commence ment exercises Friday night Approximately 105 students received diplomas at the school’s 68th commencement (Photo by Susan Harris) PCHS graduates 105 By SUSAN R. HARMS Edttor . “Don't forget the times we have shared,” valedictorian Ryan Willis told his class mates at Perquimans County HLgh School's 68th com mencement ceremonies Friday night. Willis said each class member contributed a spark to the flame that symbolized the class, providing warmth and light that has led the class through good times and bad. He said that as each graduate left the commence ment, a spark should go with them to help them to remem ber their special place' in the • class of’93. Over 100 graduates, in cluding Willis and salutatorian Dena White, received diplomas from school board chairman L. Wayne Howell during the ceremonies. William Culpepper, a newly appointed member of die North Carolina House of Representatives, brought the commencement address. N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnlght was scheduled to speak, but Culpepper said budget negotiations kept Bas nlght in Raleigh Friday eve ning. “Our society has pro gressed only because men and women have sacrificed, \ worked hard and even died” to improve the world. Culpepper said. "You will learn to adapt to the changing world around you.” Culpepper challenged the graduates to mold their lives around the three "Co” -com mitment to leave the world a little better, compassion for all and competence in everything they sought do to from the simplest task to the most diffi Scholarships Class of ’93 ECSU Incentive Scholarships ($3,000): Michael J. Agar. Darrick J. Banks, Tammy L. Breeding, Jason D. Cartw right, Melissa E. Drozdowskl, Marita C. Elliott, Jennifer F. Felton, Linda L. Felton, Tamml L. Ford. Renee L. Godf rey, Angel D. Halsey, Angela M. Jennings. April J. Maupin, Rosie T. Overton, Trade R. Owens, Jason M. Riddick, Benjamin G. Roberts, Jenny L. Roffo. Tamika K. Tlllett,. Mary L. Trueblood and Dana L, Wood. Daughtry N. Allen: Scott EQlss Scholarship, Campbell University ($1,600) Tamela K. Baccus: Perqui mans County EOP Schol arship ($300) and Parksvllle Ruritan Club Scholarship ($1,000) Cynthia M. Christian: Scott-Ellis Scholarship. Campbell Unlveraity ($1,600) and Parksvllle Ruritan Sdid arship ($1,000) Jennifer F. Felton: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, EC Chapter ($250) Linda L. Felton: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Debu tante Scholarship ($1,760) .Tamm! L. Ford: BPW Scholarship ($200) Joseph R. Haskett: Chip Chappell Memorial Schol arship ($250) Michael J. Lavezzo: Scott Williams Memorial Scholl arship ($200) Nathan A. Leonard: Leigh Winslow Jr. Scholarship, CQA. ($750) H Marvin R. Moore: Merit Scholarship'to Montserrat Coir lege of Art ($1,000) 4 f i Tawnia T. Moore: Perqui | mans County NCAB Schol arship ($200) Lagan R. Perry: Parksvllle Ruritan Scholarship ($1,000) William M. Ponton: Bobby Carter Memorial,fBaseball Scholarship ($500) Kelli L. Rogers: Hertford Lions Club/Jimmy Hunter Scholarship ($500) Stephanie L. Stallings: Christine Peele Scholarship (Chowan Medical Assts.) ($300), Aileen Thompson Scholarship (Albemarle Area Medical Assts.) ($300), Brian Center Scholarship ($250) and Dwants Neck Ruritan Schol arship ($200) Karen D. Stone: High Hon ors Scholarship, Barton Col lege ($1,766) Charline V. Walton: Lois Stokes Scholarship, COA ($500) Erika E. Ward: Leadership Activities Scholarship, Barton College ($2,000) Dena J. White: Meredith College Honors Scholarship ($750), Tf-aching Fellows Scholarship ($5,000) and N.C. Assn, of Rescue and Emer gency Medical Service Schol arship ($3,000) Nicole M. Whitehurst: Knowles Scholarship ($475), UMW Scholarship ($100) and Thelma Elliott Scholarship ($125) Susanne R. Winslow: Peace College Leadership Scholarship ($500) and S. Da vid Frazier Academic Schol arship ($6,000) ? Ryan S. Willis: Teaching Fellows (UNC-CH) ($5,000) and Perquimans County More head Nominee Scholarship ($500) ? Dana L. Wood: M. Aubrey Gallop Scholarship ($500) . cull. - • Perquimans High School principal William Byrum pre sented awards and schol arships totalling about" $100,000 to the graduates. , In addition to Willis and White, honor graduates in cluded Susanne Winslow, Ka-| ren Stone, Jason Riddick, ' William Ponton, Logan Peny, Kelli Rogers, Nicole Whitehurst, $ Angela Jennings, Linda Felton,’ ' Vj f Maiy Trueblood, Joseph Has kett. Jennifer Felton. Yolanda Overton. Jason Cartwright. Benjamin Roberts, Michele jChrtstton and Michael Laverzo. , ‘V • .V*. ,->> ■ - ■ - • - -f':'V Parent committee meets with Henion By SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor Schools superintendent Ran dall L. Henion listened for almost three hours last Wednesday to parents’ concerns about the Per quimans County School system. Parents Interviewed by The Perquimans Weekly who at tended the meeting said they be lieve Henion understood their concerns and will work to make positive changes In the system. "1 do feel that something is going to be changed In a positive direction.” said Johnetta Long, whose husband, Milton, also at tended the meeting. “He did seem to be receptive and listen to everything that was said. I think he is definitely going to try (to solve our problems). I hope I am right.” The parents said they shared a variety of concerns including personnel, discipline, curriculum and facilities during the meeting. The parents declined comment on the specifics of the dis cussion, but said they were very honest about their concerns. “The parents were very open about their concerns with Dr. Henion,” said Chris Lane, who organized the committee at He nion’s suggestion. “Sopie of the parents were very blunt with their opinions. I’m sure it was difficult for him to sit and listen to all the negative comments made, but he allowed us to speak frankly and I think he truly heard our concerns.' ’ Suzy Swindell, a former tea cher to the system and the par ent of two students, said she believes Henion was open minded and honest during the meeting. “He appeared to be up front (with us),” Swindell said. “He seemed to answer honestly what we brought up. He really seemed receptive to a lot of things that were said.” Swindell said she. thought Henion was aware of some school system problems prior to the meeting and had considered possible action. “My impression is that he has been looking at some things, too, and he has some ideas. He knows things are going to have to shift some way, somewhere.” Henion said he told Lane in late May that he wanted to hear horn parents about their con cerns. The same day Lane began to make calls to let people know the committee was forming. He nlon has named" it the Superin tendent’s Parent Advisory Committee. Henion said the number one item discussed in the meeting was the environment In which the students and faculty study and work each day. “They (the parents) agreed that the bottom line concern is providing a healthy environment for children to learn,” Henion said. Henion said after hearing some of the rumors about the schools over the past few weeks, then talking with the parents, he said it was clear that commu nication between administrators, school faculty, parents, students and the community must im prove. "We need to open up the channels of communication,” Henion said. Henion said he would con sider holding community* meet ings to explain education issues such as testing, curriculum, the middle school concept and other areas of concern. “All ideas and concerns should be considered,” Henion said. Henion asked the committee to meet with him again. Mem bers said they would like to meet at the end of July. They said that should give Henion suffi cient time to study their con cerns, perhaps implement a few needed changes and come up with a plan of action to discuss with the parents. The parents said if thty can work with Henion to make im provements, their time has been well spent. At least half the par ents told The Perquimans Weekly that they do expect ac tion, not promises, although they said they realize that change takes time. The parents also said they feel that it’s up to them to take a stand. “I feel like the parents’ com mittee is a good thing,” said Dale Harris. “1 feel like it can be a force for good.” Committee members who at tended the first meeting included Chris Lane, Milton and Johnetta Long, Dale Harris, Maijorie Ray bum, Helen Hunter, Suzy Swin dell and JoAnne Caddy. Anyone interested in knowing more about the committee should con tact Lane. Smith awaits date with board By SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor Over- three months after her suspension, Sharon M. “Sherry" Smith said she is glad she will fi nally have a chance to tell her story to die board of education Monday night* "I am (pad to have the oppor tunity to meet with the board to tell mem my side of the story," Smith said. Smith was suspended by schools superintendent Randall L. Henlon on March 15 pending an investigation into misconduct charges. On May 17 the school board, after meeting in dosed session with public school law specialist Ken Soo, voted not to renew Smith’s contract Smith said the next morning that nei ther she nor her attorney. Luke Largess,' were aware that her contract would be discussed dur ing that meeting. Smith went public with her version of the story, based on her personal notes and copies of let tors and performance evalua tions, on May 19. The same day, Henion asked to meet with Smith and told her she could return to the classroom. Smith went back on May 24, 70 days into her 90 day suspension. The board has taken no further action on her contract nonrenewal. Largess, the Charlotte attor ney retained by Smith through the North Carolina Association of Educators, wrote Smith on May 27 and told her that the board would like to hear her story on June 7. Because Largess could not accompany her to that meet ing, Smith requested through NCAE representative Lueta Sell ers that the meeting be post poned until June 21. School board chairman L. Wayne Howell agreed to the change. Smith is preparing for the meeting with Largess and Sell ers, who will attend with her. Al though the appointment is scheduled during a regular board meeting. Smith said her case will be discussed in closed session in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes dealing with closed sessions and personnel issues. If the board decides to take any action, the general statutes require that the action be taken in open session. Smith has repeatedly denied misconduct allegations. Henion and Howell have declined com ment on the specifics of the case due to personnel policy. Howell did say. however, on May 25, that he and other board mem bers felt that they had taken ap propriate action based on the information provided to them by Henion and Soo. Henion con firmed that he handled the mat ter as advised by Soo.