Library honors Skinner Rage 4 Bethel Baptist turns 200 Pages Wells^ White earn state awards Pages P10/C5 V PSRQUIMAHS COUBTY LIBHARr', 110 » ACiDEMT ST HERTFORD, SC 279'5'4-13a6^^ . April 26, 2006 Vol. 74, No. 17 Hertford, North Carolina 27944 Weekly White indicted on federal drug charges MARGARET FISHER After 14 months of undercover drug work, Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office believes that they’ve nabbed a big fish. During the investiga tion, the sheriff’s office picked up Travis Antonio White, 22, of 823 Sandy Cross Road for allegedly distributing more than 50 grams of crack cocaine. White was indicted by a federal grand jury, and faces a sentence of 10 years confinement to life and up to a $4 million fine if con victed in federal court. White’s first appearance was held in Greenville on April 20 where the charg ing and sentencing guide lines were explained to him in front of a federal magis trate, said Sb ^riff Eric Tilley If the U.S. Attorney’s office decides to use White’s past three drug- related convictions. White could face a mandatory life sentence, Tilley said. The sheriff added that criminal history is usually consid ered in sentencing. White’s hearing was scheduled for April 25 in Greenville, where he was detained in the Pitt County Detention Center without bond. “This is part of an ongo ing investigation that has spanned over the last 14 months with Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office, Chowan County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI (State Bureau of Investigation),” Tilley said. Hertford extends sewer moratorium Business after hours MARGARET FISHER The town of Hertford has extended its waste- water moratorium affect ing new residential subdi visions until October 2007. The moratorium’ was also modified to restrict any res idential building in new developments, including those outside the town’s corporate limits. A conflict discovered last month within the town’s own ordinance created a problem in giving prelimi nary approval for Phase I of Jakob’s Landing, a subdivi sion in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. The town’s attorney, Ike McRee, found that the ordinance requires all subdivision lots, includ ing those in the ETJ, to be hooked up to the town’s sewer and water systems. while other sections in the ordinance state that those in the ETJ may use on-site septic and well systems. In addition, the town ordi nance states that when a conflict appears within the ordinance, the stricter of the two apply. Jakob’s Landing develop er, John Nixon, told council members at this month’s public hearing that certain sections in the ordinance allow him to install on-site sewer at his ETJ site. He said that he had already received approval by the planning board and council members had led him to believe that he would be able to get preliminary approval to build. “We’ve spent a lot of time and money on this project,” Nixon told coun cilors. Continued on page 14 PHOTO BY MARGARET FISHER Church Street bridge work to start in May MARGARET FISHER A pedestrian bridge on Church Street Extended delayed by other construc tion jobs is expected to be resumed on May 1. Work on the 6-foot walk way over Skinners Creek began in January but was not completed. Pilings were driven in below the water to meet the environmental deadline or the bridge would not be completed until fall, said Lee Bundy, transportation supervisor for the N.C. Department of Transportation. DOT is currently work ing in Camden as State Highway 343 is being widened and resurfaced and lines are being installed, Bundy said. When that job is finished, they will start on the pedes trian bridge, he said. Church Street will be closed during the day from the closest driveways either direction from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for approximately two weeks beginning in May. It will reopen during non-working hours. “If we have a lot of rain - the welders can’t weld in the rain - that will hold us up,” Bundy said. Drivers can use Edenton Road Street or the S-Bridge on Church Street as a detour in and out of town. John and Lenore Mohr, owners of Sea Tow of the Albemarle, find refreshment at the Chamber's Business After Hours held at Albemarle Plantation last Thursday. The event followed the 4th annual Edenton-Chowan, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank and Perquimans Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament. Perquimans won for the sec ond year in a row. The event was sponsored by North Carolina's Northeast Partnership, Sprint, Lansing Building Products, Albemarle Plantation, Albemarle Distributors, City Beverage and Pepsi-Cola. Resources, insurance discussed at meeting MARGARET FISHER A business luncheon provided by North Carolina’s Northeast Partnership and attended by aboutl8 officials and Chamber members was held last Thursday at Albemarle Commission. Rocky Lane, existing industry specialist with the Partnership, updated com munity members with industry news at the third annual Perquimans County Existing Business/Industry Luncheon. Lane took the place of Jack Runion, chairman of the Partnership and Northeast North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission boards, who was originally on the agen da to speak. “We make sure business es know all the resources they need to grow and expand,” Lane said. The Partnership helps busi nesses within 16 counties find resources and helps spot warning signs that could lead to business fail ure, he said. One of those resources is the Northeast NC Buyer/Supblier Network, a free listing of goods and services suppliers that will also host Web sites for busi nesses. It can be found at www.buynortheastnc.com. Because people aren’t taking advantage of it, Elizabeth City State University is going to be using it as an outreach by having interns promote it Continued on page 14 Five candidates seek three available spots on school board \Miislow dies in Iraq SUSAN HARRIS A soldier with roots in Perquimans County is one of the latest casualties of the war in Iraq. Ryan George Winslow, 19, of Hoover, Ala. was killed while conducting combat operations with the 2nd Tank Battalion, Scout Platoon, in A1 Anbar Province. Winslow was awarded the Purple Heart. The Alabama native joined the Marine Corps in January 2005. Winslow was the son of George A. and Marynell B. Winslow of Hoover, and the grandson of the late Raymond and Sara Winslow of Hertford. His uncle, Raymond Winslow Jr., lives in Hertford. {Please see obituary on page 3.) Hertford abandons streets MARGARET FISHER Town councilors approved the closure of two roads in the town of Hertford. Jimmy Hunter Drive is being abandoned to allow the road to he moved so that a new gym can be con structed on a portion of the former road at Perquimans County High School. Permit delays have prohib ited the moving of the road and utility lines until now. A second road, an unpaved portion of Front Street behind Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, is also being abandoned by the town. Continued on page 14 {Editor’s note: Each candi date for a contested local office was sent a question naire asking him or her to discuss their qualifications for and knowledge about the office which they seek. This week, we publish answers submitted by can didates for school board.) Why are you running for school board? Leigh: I have a great pas sion and love for the chil dren and the community. Mason: I want to make a difference by continuing to bring fresh ideas to the Board and working with others members in a collec tive effort to impact the lives of our children, which is our future. We want to “Build Bridges for Future Crossing.” Nelson: The students of Perquimans County deserve the absolute best educational opportunity available. The administra tion and teachers of our system need a progressive Board of Education that stands ready to support them in every way to facili tate the delivery of that quality educational experi ence. The Board of Education must be willing to stand firm and support our staff and students. I believe the history of my involvement with public boards reveal such a commitment, one which is ready to plan for the future and make the tough decisions required to lead Perquimans County Schools. Saul: To help complete the projects already in motion. Winslow: I am running for the school board because I believe that a quality public education is very important for all our children. I am retired from an excellent school system in Virginia and want to ensure that the children in my community receive the best education possible in Perquimans County. My experiences have given me an inside look at what it takes to create an educa tion setting that is safe and enriching for young citi zens. What skills or abilities would you bring to the position that would make you an effective board member? Leigh: I am a graduate of Perquimans County Schools and I have 16 years of board responsibilities, including chairman and vice-chairman. Mason: I am a parent with a genuine passion, love and drive within me to invest my life into the lives of all children. I would appreciate the opportunity to serve another term and to tighten up in the areas I may have fallen short in the first term. I’ve served sys tems that were wealthy, middle class and poor. I taught elementary educa tion in private schools for 12 years. Received 1999 Elementary Teacher of the Year in our school in Virginia Beach; 25 years in Business Management positions, 10 years working with Inner City Youth as block Chaplain (Missionary work and Counseling); 15 years vol unteer work in Detention Centers and various other penal institutions. Ordained Minister and Associated Pastor of Ellis Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Winfall NC. Rev. Elwood Davis, pastor. Nelson: Thirty years of membership on governing Boards, eight of which as a member of the Perquimans County Board of Education provide a background of Continued on page 10 Weekend Weather Thursday High: 72, Low: 52 AM Showers Friday High: 71, Low: 51 Few Showers Saturday High: 69, Low: 54 Partly Cloudy ^89076 47143