0'^ ,0/ s-^ LlS December 5, \i- The Perquimans Weekly 350 Vol. 64, No. 45 The only newspaper for and about Perquimans County people Hertford, North Carolina 27944 Commissioners silent on Winfall detention center site By SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor Winfall residents packed the commissioners’ room Monday asking that the pro posed state juvenile detention center in their town be moved elsewhere in the county. The overflow crowd caused commissioners to move the meeting to the courtroom upstairs in the county annex. But the only response the group got from the board was silence. Commissioners chair man Mack Nixon said that because no commissioner put a motion on the table for dis cussion, no action would be taken by the board. Group spokesman J.G. Ward said that he had called Senator Marc Basnight to find out what those opposed to the site of the detention center could do to stop its construc tion. Basnight told him to approach the county commis sioners and ask them to pass a resolution not to put the center near Cedar Grove United Methodist Church and the recreation fields. Ward said Basnight told him if the resolution were passed and forwarded to the state, the detention cOnter would not be located in Winfall. Although Ward was the only resident who had asked to be placed on the meeting agen da, Nixon did agree to let three other people speak. Frank Owens, who lives near the site, said he feared for the safety of his wife and teenaged daughter if the deten- tion center were placed in Winfall. He cited escapees and people who might wait around to pick up escapees as his main concern. “Fm certainly against it...I sincerely believe that the majority of people in that area are against it,” Owens said. Joan Mansfield and com missioner-elect Bert Hayes also spoke against it. “We feel like were were bulldozed over top of,” Mansfield said. She said the group didn’t take immediate action after the public hearing on the mat ter because they expected offi cials to ask them what they thought about the issue. She said the honest people of Winfall sat back and waited while others took the reins. Mansfield warned that the commissioners might not be re-elected if they did not recon sider their position. She said Second grade Thanksgiving PHOTO BY SUSAN HARRIS Perquimans County’s second graders enjoy a Thanksgiving feast fit for pilgrims and Indians last Tuesday. The menu includ ed seafood, venison and even bear prepared by parents and Hertford Grammar School staff. Parade is Ward elected board chairman Saturday The sights and sounds of the holidays will fill the streets of Hertford Saturday when the annual Christmas parade marches through. This year’s parade, themed “Christmas: The Birthday of a King,” will feature bands from Perquimans,Chowan, Pasquotank and Camden. The parade will leave Perquimans County High School at 2 p.m. Participants will move north on Edenton Road Street, turn east on Grubb Street, turn south on Church Street, turn west on Dobbs Street, turn south on Edenton Road Street and end up back at the school. The Cedarwood Cemetery gates will be closed Saturday. All parade entries should enter the line-up area on Jimmy Hunter Drive and leave by turning right onto Ainsley Drive. Santa will leave his sleigh downtown to make his list for county children. Pony rides will be available during the parade in the park ing lot on the corner of Market and Church streets. Skinner leaves; Hayes, Yates, Miller sworn in By SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor Monday was the day for changing of the guard at the Perquimans County Commissioners meeting. Charlie Skinner, a commis sioner who served one term and chose not to seek a second, was presented with a plaque for his service to the county after the old business portion of the agenda was discussed. Elbert C. Hayes, who ran as an unaffiliated candidate in November with the backing of the Republican Party, was sworn in by Clerk of Court Gail Godwin. Incumbents Shirley Yates and Archie Miller also took the oath of office for their second terms. Before turning the floor over to county attorney John Matthews for the election of a chairman and vice chairman for the new board. Chairman Mack Nixon said he would step down as chairman. “I feel it’s time for a change,” Nixon said. When the floor was opened PHOTO BY SUSAN HARRIS for nominations for chairman, Yates nominated Charles Ward, which was followed immediately by a motion that the nominations be closed. Ward was elected. Miller nominated Nixon for vice chairman, again followed by a motion that the nomina tions be closed. Nixon was elected. Next, Ward was chosen to be the county’s voting delegate the show of force Monday showed that Winfall residents don’t want the center and that “all the county is watching.” Hayes, who spoke before being sworn in, said no Winfall resident spoke in favor of the detention center at the public hearing. “Look guys, give the people what they want,” he said. He promised to look for a suitable location for the detention cen ter if the board would revisit the issue. Hayes referred to the bill of rights, constitution and Abe Lincoln’s words to press his point about representative government. With no comments from the board after listening to the four speak. Ward asked to be heard again. “...this country is supposed to be a democracy where the people rule and not a dictator,” Ward said. He added that if the commissioners did not act they could be guilty of being dictators because they went against the will of the people. He added that if the governor allowed the project to go as planned, he would be guilty also. Ward also threatened court action. Safe food handling can make holidays happier, healthier Moiidouf UfXA Part 2 in a series (Submitted for publication by Juanita T. Bailey, County Extension Agent) Food safety is important all year long, but during the holi days it becomes increasingly important. During the holidays we usually pre pare larger meals, leave food out of the refrigera tor for longer periods of time, and over-load our refrigera tors. The fol lowing topics cover a number of potential hazards in preparing and enjoying holiday meals. Follow the suggestions for a healthier holiday season. Planning for your holiday meals When planning a holiday meal or party, choose foods that can be served safely under the conditions of your planned activity. For example, hot foods need to be kept above 140 degrees and cold foods need to be kept below 40 degrees. Temperature abuse is a common cause of foodborne illness. On the buffet table, keep hot foods with chafing dishes, crock pots and warm ing trays. Keep foods cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice. You can also use small serving dishes and replace them often. Never leave the food on the table for more than two hours. Don’t plan to serve cold or hot foods if you can’t keep them hot or cold. Good sanitation is critical. Because we are serving larger numbers of people and storing and preparing more food than usual, we have an increased risk for foodborne illness. Refrigerators are often over loaded. Therefore, poor sanita tion in the kitchen can cause more problems than usual. Cross-contamination is another major cause of food borne illness. Any surface that food comes in contact with is a source of contamination. Cooking uten sils, dishes and cutting boards exposed to raw meat and/or poultry prod ucts should be thoroughly washed prior to use for any cooked foods to prevent cross-contami nation. Shopping for holiday foods Plan your holiday menu and then do your shopping. When you are out, grocery shop last. Never leave food in the car - the car can become very hot. Take food straight home to the refrigerator to keep it safe. When buying large pieces of frozen meat, such as turkey, remember that it takes several days to safely thaw it. So you will need to buy frozen meat at least 4-5 days before your planned activity. Don’t buy food in poor con dition. Make sure refrigerated food is cold to the touch. Frozen food should be rock- solid. Canned goods should be free of dents, cracks, or bulging lids. Packaged foods should have no rips or tears. Also, check use by dates that are on packages. Don’t buy anything that is past dated. When buying raw meat or poultry, wrap in a plastic bag so meat juices won’t drip on other foods in your cart. Storing holiday foods Storing foods for holiday meals can be a real challenge. During holidays, we buy more food than usual and quite often Please see Tips, page 8 Elbert C. “Bert” Hayes was sworn in as a Perquimans County Commissioner Monday by Clerk of Court Gail Godwin. Hayes earned a seat on the board in November. Incumbents Shirley Yates and Archie Miller also took the oath of office. Outside to the Legislative Goals Conference. In his first act as chairman. Ward appointed Wayne Howell to the RC&D board and Miller to the District Jail Commission. The two will replace Thomas Nixon, a for mer commissioner who served on behalf of the county on both boards. Nixon resigned effec tive Dec. 31. Howell and Miller begin on Jan. 1. FRIDAY SATURDAY t m # & High: Low: High: Low: 50s 30s 50s 30s DRY DRY High: Low: 50s 30s CHANCE OF RAIN

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