THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
Volume 62, No. 30
Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C.,
Thursday, September 9,1993
35 Cents
Sports: : JmP'M
Pirates blast
Jamesville, 41-6,
in home opener: page e
Community:
Chamber gears up for
annual Indian Summer Festival
Sept. 24, 25: Page 2
Economic
development
office to
open here
Hertford will be the site of a
regional economic development
commission charged with at
tracting Industry and business to
the Northeast, Gov. James B.
Hunt Jr. announced last Thurs
day.
The governor also announced
the appointment of Bunny Wil
kins Sanders as director of a re
gional tourism office during his
one-day trip to Elizabeth City
and Hertford.
Hunt toured Industrial facili
ties in Elizabeth City, College of
The Albemarle, the site of a new
prison facility, and attended an
economic development confer
ence and Elizabeth City Area
Chamber of Commerce “state of
the state” dinner at the K.E.
White Center, and the 50th anni
versary of the Albemarle distrist
of the U.S. Soil and Conservation
Service at Albemarle Plantation
during his whirlwind visit.
Hunt did not announce his
appointments to the Northeast
ern Regional Economic Devel
opment Commission, which will
include a developer from the
Northeast, a banker from the re
gion. and at least two county
commissioners from either Pas
quotank, Camden. Perquimans.
Currituck. Chowan, Beaufort.
Bertie or Martin counties. Hunt
has five appointments.
The governor did, however,
try to drum up support for a
constitutional amendment that
would allow economic devel
opment financing for local gov
ernments. The amendment,
along with a $740 million bond
package, goes before voters in a
Nov. 2 referendum.
The amendment would give
local governments the option to
finance new sewer lines and
other infrastructure im
provements as an economic de
velopment tool to attract
industry. Hunt said the financing
would not put an additional bur
den on taxpayers because indus
try would pay for the
improvements through their
property taxes.
The governor said 40 states
already allow economic devel
opment financing. “They have
been getting our Jobs with that
tool.” he said.
Hunt said Proctor and Gam
ble in need , of $9 million in plant
improvements, relocated to War
ren County, Ohio because eco
nomic development financing is
not available here. About 1,700
{obs for North Carolinians were
ost in the move. Hunt said.
Accident
claims life
A freak accident with a
chainsaw Saturday morning
claimed the life of ft Perquimans
County man.
James G. Baccus, 47, was
working in woods behind homes
on Nixonton Road when the acci
dent occured around 9:30 a.m.,
said Tony Stewart of the Pasquo
tank-Camden Emergency Medi
cal Services. Because the
accident was several hundred,
yards into the woods, an ambu
lance was unable to reach the
scene. A volunteer's pickup
truck was used to transport Bac
cus out of the woods and to Al
bemarle Hospital, where he
reportedly passed away from in
juries to the left side of his neck.
Please see page 3 for obituary
information. *-.•
DEADLINE
NEWS: 12 noon Mon*
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Monday
tion.
prior
Aladdin comes to Perquimans .
The Perquimans High School Matching Pirates band
opened its season Friday evening during halftime of
the-football game. This year’s show theme is Alad
din, and features four costumed characters, an Ara
bian backdrop and music from the Disney movie
Aladdin. (Photo by Susan Harris)
Emily by-passes Perquimans
By SUSAN R. HARRIS
Editor
Perquimans prepared for the
visitor, but Emily by-passed the
county, bringing only dark skies
and strong breezes last Tuesday.
County Emergency Manage
ment Coordinator Todd Tilley
called a meeting early Monday
morning to plan for the hurri
cane. which weather forecasters
predicted could move into the Al
bemarle Tuesday. Attending the
strategy session were Tilley, in
terim Winfall mayor Bert Hayes,
county manager Paul Gregory,
social services director Crystal
Towe, county commissioners
chairman Leo Higgins and
schools superintendent Randall
Henion.
Henion decided during the
meeting to close the schools on
Tuesday.
“We wanted a wide margin of
safety." Henion said last Monday
afternoon. "We didn't want to get
into a close call in the morning
(Tuesday)."
Henion said his decision was
based on student safety, the
About 80 Perquimans residents sought shelter at Hertford Grammar School
Tuesday when hurricane Emily threatened to visit Perquimans with her high
winds and rain. Fortunately, the storm skirted the county, and those in the
shelter returned home around 9:30 Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy Joe Lothian)
schools being used as shelters and the possibility of the
hurricane spawning tornadoes.
“We called It very cautiously for the safety of our chil
dren.” Henion said. He added that he hoped the school sys
tem's early preparation would encourage parents and the
community to also take precautions.
Some business owners took steps to secure their prop
erty against Impending wind damage. At Smith’s Jewelry
and Fine Gifts, owner Anna Smith took down her stained
glass, removed her window displays and set a lighted hurri
cane lamp in the front window. John Christensen and Mrs.
Willie Ainsley took down their awnings. The Perquimans
Weekly went to press at midnight Monday. All across the
county, windows were taped and lawn furniture was
brought inside. V
On Tuesday, Tillw said he decided to (men a shelter at
Hertford Grammar School. The site opened at 2 p.m. and
checked in about 80 people. Tilley said he stayed in contact
with the area emergency management office throughout
Monday and Tuesday. Officials there told him around 9
p.m. Tuesday evening that the worst of the storm had
passed, and residents could safely return to their homes.
All those who had sought refuge from the possible hurri
cane strike decided to leave, so the shelter closed around
9:30 Tuesday evening.
“I wasn't sorry I made the decisions that were made,"
Tilley said Friday. "You have to be prepared for the worst
and hope for the best.”
Tilley said no storm damage was reported to his office.
While Emily decided not to visit Perquimans, thunder
and lightning boomed from Wednesday evening until early
.Thursday morning, causing power outages and curtailing
sleep for many county residents.
A tree fell on power lines on Great Hope Church Road,
leaving many residents In the area without electricity for
about 4 1/2 hours. Power was restored soon after 11 p.m.
; Tilley said no damage from the storm was reported to
his office.- .
County schools get off to good start
By SUSAN R. HARMS
The new school year has had its'
share of stops and starts already, but
Perquimans County Schools superin
tendent Randall L. Henion said he is
pleased with the overall smooth sailing
so for.
“It has gone well,” Henion said last,
week of operations In all departments.
Perquimans Middle School’s open
ing was delayed two days by renova
tion hold-ups. but Henion said things
went well last Monday for opening day.
He credited the faculty, custodial staff
and parent volunteers for helping to
get organized and ready for the first
* -it1 * -sST •
day in the new facilities. Although con
struction is not yet complete in the
gymnasium and teaching theater, most
indoor areas are ship-shape. The entire
facility should be complete by October,
and school officials plan an open
house to allow the public,to tour the
, expanded facility as soon as die fln
i ishing touches are applied. „
The threat of hurricane Emily shut
down the schools last Tuesday tad
Wednesday, but things were back on
schedule last Thursday. Henion said
last week that he made the decision to
call off classes to ensure the safely of
students and staff, tad because' the
schools are used as shelters in emer
js
gendes.
"We called It very cautiously for the
safety of our children,” Henion said
about cancelling classes.
The buses ran well, the air condi
tioning was fixed at Perquimans High
School, the new wastewaster treatment
plant at Perquimans Central School Is
operational and the new computerized
cash registers In the cafeterias are in
stalled.
Henion said he has observed a lot
Of enthusiasm and optimism on the
part of staff members in the schools.
"We are looking forward to 0 very
successful year." Henion said.
Conservation
district turns 50
Albemarle Plantation welcomed about 300
guests to its sound-front club house and golf
course last Thursday to celebrate the 50th anni
versaiy of the Albemarle Soil and Water Conserva
tion District.
The threat of hurricane Emily and Wednesday
night’s thunder storms blew past Perquimans, of
fering a perfect late-summer day to recognize the
accomplishments of the conservation district.
The celebration swung into action with a 32
team Superball golf tournament, and included
tours of some of the conservation projects in the
area, boat rides on the Perquimans and Yeopim
rivers, awards and appearances by N.C. Senator
Marc Basnight, Governor James B. Hunt Jr., U.S.
Rep. Eva B. Clayton, state Rep. Vernon James
and state Rep. William T. Culpepper HI.
Gov. Hunt recognized Chowan Soil and Water
Supervisor Lloyd Bunch and inducted him into
the Order of the Longleaf Pine. At age 91. Bunch
is the oldest soil and water supervisor in the
United States. He has served for 48 years.
Also recognized by the governor were G.E.
Small and Sons, Jones Lumber Company and Al
bemarle EMC, district soil and water newsletter
sponsors and supporters of other district pro
grams.
The Albemarle Soil and Water Conservation
District was established on June 9, 1943 in Per
quimans County by state statute. Under the pro
visions of the act, the district was charged with
promoting a voluntary effort by landowners and
farmers to implement conservation practices to
protect soil and water resources.
Originally established to serve Perquimans
and Chowan counties, the district expanded in
1945 to include Currituck, Camden and Pasquo
tank counties. The district is one of only two
multi-county districts in the state and was one of
the first district in North Carolina.
An important component of the district's work
is the cost-share program which provides funds to
landowners who wish to voluntarily implement
approved conservation practices on their land.
Through the conservation office, landowners
can receive valuable information and assistance
implementing such conservation practices as
waste management, watersheds and best manage
ment practices.
In addition to on-site work, the office uses ed
ucational programs to teach children and adults
about the important benefits of protecting the en
vironment. Poster contests with conservation
themes, environmental field days, teacher
workshops, resource conservation workshops, en
vlrothon and conservation teacher of the year are
tools used to promote conservation.
The Perquimans Soil and Water Conservation
office is staffed by district conservationist Jeffery
Raifsnider and administrative conservationist
Ginger O’Neal. Board of supervisors include chair
man Floyd Mathews, vice chairman Elmer Las
siter. secretary Carroll Williams and member
George Winslow.
Governor receives
local wish lists
By SUSAN R. HARRIS
Editor
It appeared that Governor James Hunt was
Santa Claus last Thursday, as more than a dozen
economic developers, chamber of commerce direc
tors and county officials from across northeastern
North Carolina presented wish lists to the gover
nor during the economic development conference
at Elizabeui City State University.
John Whitley, director of Perquimans 2020 Vi
sion Coalition Inc., spoke on behalf of Perquimans
County. Whitley applauded the governor’s efforts
to expand U.S. Highway 17.
“The most important benefit of the U.S. 17 ex
pansion is economic development - the increase in
jobs and the Improvement in the quality of life for
the citizens of Perquimans County and our area,”
Whitley said. “From new and enhanced agricultu
ral programs; to focused industrial development
supported by training and development centers; to
a broad-based tourism plan highlighted by the Vil
lage of Perquimans, farm parks and markets, sce
nic byways, historic site preservation and
recognition, parks and recreational destinations,
and other endeavors supported by eco-tourism,
the citizens of Perquimans County have the oppor
tunity to seize the accessibility offered by U.S.
Highway 17 and other transportion ventures and
to prosper."
Whitley said the county will have an opportu
nity to benefit from the Northeastern North Caro
lina Regional Economic Development Commission i
through increased employment opportunities and
an improved quality of life.
Requests from across the region included
roads, jobs, natural gas, water-sewer im
provements. technical expertise, access to day care
and funding for water-based tourism.