Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / July 22, 1999, edition 1 / Page 1
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The only newspaper for and about Perquimans County and its people Postal history exhibit page 3 Felton earns equestrian honors page 6 Morris to lead Arts League page? July 22,1999 Vol. 67, No. 28 Hertford, North Carolina 27944 The 0131 65 10/09/1999 *C20 PERQUIMANS COUNTY LIBRARY 110 W ACADEMY ST Perquimans 'iFPriu)! r^l i •, i; i: “ ' 1 LihllX.U-.i' -w-k 35 cents Low-interest loans help with failing septic systems SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor Financial help is available for many local residents with failing septic systems. A public management entity program established by Albemarle Regional Health Services, formerly PPCC District Health Department, has set up a revolving loan fund to help low and moderate income residents fix or main tain septic systems and subdi vision drainage facilities. According to Ralph Hollowell of Albemarle Environmental Management Services, the program was established because there are many people in Northeastern North Carolina with septic and drainage systems that are not in good repair. Waste sys tems that do not work properly are a threat to water quality The maximum loan avail able is $5,000. Hollowell said that amount is usually more than enough to repair a prob lem septic system. Most people who have taken advantage of the program have fixed or replaced systems for about $l,200-$2,500. He said the loans are available only for people who have existing failing sep tic systems, not for those who wish to install a new system. One of the benefits of enrolling in the public man agement entity program is that the repaired system will be checked each year to make sure it is still working properly Hollowell said checking to make sure everything is in good working order can help ensure that the system contin ues to serve the residents of the property, and that there are no problems that could conta minate their ground water. Usually, septic system oper ation and maintenance are left up to the homeowner. Permitting agencies look at the site, provide design and installation specifications, and inspect the installation at vari ous stages. But these agencies do not check to make sure the systems continue to work properly. All septic systems can fail, especially in areas with difficult soil conditions. The same is true for drainage systems. Albemarle Regional Health Services is the septic system permitting agency in the five counties it serves — Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Camden and Currituck. In addition to per mitting traditional septic sys tems, the department has been permitting alternative sys tems in the region since 1982. The management entity was established in 1991 to super vise the design, installation and continuous operations of all non-conventional on-site wastewater systems for the service area. Anyone who lives within a half mile of a basin or sub basin of the Pasquotank, Chowan or Roanoke rivers qualifies for the program. The rivers, creeks and swamps in Perquimans County are a part of these basins. Hollowell said most people in the nine coun ties served by the public man agement entity — Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Camden, Currituck, Hertford, Gates, Washington and Tyrrell — live within a half mile of a sub-basin. If loans are approved, appli cants with a gross income greater than 150 percent of the county median income can borrow 100 percent of the cost to repair a septic system, including a $250 management fee, at 5 percent interest for five years. Applicants with income between 50 and 80 per cent of the county median can borrow the money for 10 years. AU borrowers must pay a $100 application fee, which is the only out-of-pocket expense. Applications for revolving loan funds are available at county health departments and through Hollowell’s office at 110 Kitty Hawk Lane, Industrial Park, Elizabeth City, just off Halstead Boulevard. For more information. Call Hollowell or Kim White at 338- 4490. PAL to host show 'Work of artist Jennifer Abbate to go on exhibit Perquimans Arts League wiU sponsor a special month long exhibit by artist and pho tographer Jennifer Abbate at Perquimans Arts Center in Hall of Fame Square. The show will open Sunday, Aug. 15 with a reception from 4-6 p.m. at the Arts Center. Abbate, a PAL member who resides and works in Raleigh, is an.award-winning artist who exhibits her paintings and pho tography work in galleries, shops and street festivals, including Perquimans Arts Center. Many patrons have ihhde her unique works part of their own private collections. Check your speed PHOTO BY SUSAN HARRIS Motorists have seen this mobile speed detecting unit in various locations around Hertford over the past week. Hertford Police Chief Dale Vanscoy said through a cooperative effort between the Elizabeth City and Hertford police departments spearheaded by the Governor's Crime Commission, Hertford will now share the unit with Elizabeth City. Vanscoy told the town's council last Monday night that he expects to have the unit in town about every two weeks. It will be set up in problem areas to remind drivers to watch the posted speed limits. During its first day of operation, when the unit was set up on North Church Street, Vanscoy said he had several motorists tell him they did not realize how fast they were traveling until their speed flashed on the unit. Festival plans get underway Annual event set for Saturday, September 11 SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor The 1999 edition of the Perquimans County Indian Summer Festival is in the works. The Historic Hertford Business Association has this year joined forces with the Perquimans County Restoration Association for the annuai gala. The festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 11. For the past several years. the Indian Summer Festival has competed with an event in Elizabeth City that was sched uled for the third Saturday in September — Indian Summer Saturday. Also, the Restoration Association a couple of years ago began offering a Harvest Festival at the Newbold-White Historic complex. This year, HHBA and PCRA will combine their events to offer a day-long celebration of life present and past in Perquimans County. The Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the festival until 1997, has will once again be a part of the festival, as the group will organize the chil dren’s games. HHBA is presently getting food, arts and crafts, and dis play and information booth applications ready for distribu tion. In an effort to draw a greater variety and more local participation, the group has revised the booth fee schedule for this year’s festival. Applications may be picked up from Mary White at The Wishing Well, 144 N. Church Street. A committee is also looking for entertainment to perform throughout the day. HHBA would like to get a variety of performing artists to appear. At Newboid-White, PCRA is organizing a living history day to allow a hands-on look at life in Perquimans past for chil dren and adults. She received a fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she began experiment ing with design, color and fab rics. Every piece is an experi ment of how the artist is relat ing. She uses a unique blend of paint, color, and fluid form mixed with a subtle hint of mystery and spirituality that evokes an experience for each viewer. Much of her photography work is of the local scene and features many landmarks in Perquimans and Chowan coun ties. She aiso designs silver jewelry, garment designs, gift baskets, children’s books and restaurant logos. Abbate’s work is about being true to oneself and embracing that which is simple and pure. Her work will be on display through Sept. 15. Eley to run for Hertford mayor SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor Sid Eley wants to move to the middle of the Hertford Town Council table. The second-year council man fUed to become Hertford’s next mayor Monday. According to information Eley obtained from the N.C. Institute of Government through Town Manager John Christensen, he will not have to give up his council seat to run for the higher office. Eley retired from Perquimans County Schools in June after 30 years in the classroom. He will teach one more year on a contract basis. After that one year, he will no longer be eligible to teach and collect his retirement. Because he will not have the responsibilities he had during his tenure as a councilman as a teacher, coach and athletic director, Eley said he will have time to devote to the office of mayor. He said he would like to be a part of positive growth and renovation in the town. Eley has stood solidly behind the development of the coun ty’s commerce centre and the town’s designation as a Heritage Tourism Development Pilot. He sup ports the effort of the Chamber of Commerce and serves as fire chief Eley was first elected six years ago in his first bid for public office. He retained his seat in 1997 when he was elect ed to a second four-year term. Should he be elected mayor in November, council will appoint a replacement to fih his unexpired term. If not elected, he will continue to sit on council. Mayor John Beers announced at the beginning of the filing period that he would not run again. He is serving his second term as mayor, and has been on the town’s govern ing board for 34 years. WinfaU Mayor Fred Yates announced about two weeks ago that he will run for his sec ond fuU term as mayor. Elections Supervisor Eula Mae Forbes said Eley is the only candidate to file so far. SUBMITTED PHOTO The Perquimans Arts League will sponsor a month-long exhibit by artist and photographer Jennifer Abbate. The show will open with a reception at the league's gallery in Hall of Fame Square on Aug. 15, 4-6 p.m. Weekend Weather Thursday High: 80s Low: 70s Parly Cloudy Friday High: 90s Low: 70s Partly Cloudy Saturday High: 90s Low: 70s Partly Cloudy
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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