The Daily Dispatch - Tuesday, January 5, 2010 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK Winter system chills the South

Resolutions, Fed-style

Victory boys and girls fall

Nation, Page 8A

Opinion, Page 6A

Sports, Page 1B TUESDAY, January 5, 2010

Volume XCVI, No. 4

(252) 436-2700

www.hendersondispatch.com

50 cents

Currin joins two in sheriff race Draft of 48-year-old said drugs will be No. 1 priority By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

Three people, including the incumbent, are now seeking the star worn by Vance County Sheriff Peter White. Billy Currin — an unsuccessful candidate for Vance County sheriff in the May 2 Democratic Primary of 2006

— said Monday that he plans to try again in the same type of party contest on May 4 in 2010. White defeated Sheriff R. Thomas Breedlove by more than 1,000 votes in the May 30 primary run-off more than three years ago. The winner of the new primary will compete in the No-

vember general election against Charles Pulley. The Henderson Police lieutenant announced last week that he Currin will be an unaffiliated candidate because of his ineligibility to file with the Board of Elections this February. “Being a city employee, I

can’t run for any office,” said Pulley, who isn’t scheduled to retire from the department until the end of March. Currin, 48, has worked for the past 16 years in Durham as a driver and salesman for FedEx. Describing himself as the father of a 17-year-old, Currin said his No. 1 priority as sheriff will be reducing the drug Please see SHERIFF, page 3A

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

Boy born Sunday is Vance County’s first baby of the new year

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Ana Laura Morales Bolanes, of Henderson, holds her son Joseph Yahir Martinez Morales at Maria Parham Medical Center Monday afternoon. Martinez Morales is Vance County’s New Year’s baby after being born Sunday, Jan. 3 at 1:07 p.m. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces. Jose Efrain Martinez Cruz is the father of the baby. Joseph is the couple’s first child.

Index Our Hometown . . . . . 2A Business & Farm. . . . 5A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Light Side . . . . . . . . . 7A Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 5B Classifieds. . . . . . . 6-8B

Weather Today Clouds

High: 35 Low: 20

Wednesday Sunny

$2.9M in stimulus to rehab U.S. 15 By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — That jawrattling U.S. 15 from just north of Industry Drive to Sanders Road will be transformed into a smoother ride in the coming months. The N.C. Department of Transportation said Monday that $2.9 million in stimulus funding will be spent to mill and resurface and to do shoulder reconstruction on 8.4

Details, 3A

Deaths Henderson Percella Campbell, 92 Durham Julia Elizabeth Walker, 86

Obituaries, 4A

side and provides a link with Sanders, which is a serpentine route to Granville Central High School. The school is inaccessible to I-85. The stimulus refers to the Obama administration’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which is massive federal spending in an attempt to boost the weak national economy. Contact the writer at bwest@ hendersondispatch.com.

Papa gets the OK from Warren Commissioners By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer

High: 38 Low: 21

miles of the two-lane route. The contract was awarded to S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson. NCDOT officials said the work could start as early as April 12 and is set to be complete by Oct. 15. The section of U.S. 15 to be targeted passes by the Shoppes at Oxford, which is the home of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter, and provides an interchange with Interstate 85. U.S. 15, after going under I-85, winds into the country-

WARRENTON — In their first meeting of 2010, the Warren County Commissioners authorized the employment of Alfred Papa as Economic Development director for the county. Papa’s appointment was recommended by the Economic Development Commission. With an annual salary of $65,000, Papa will assume his duties Jan. 19. Commissioner Ulysses Ross voted against the appointment. He said that the county has been hiring economic develop-

ment directors at high salaries through the years with no results. A proposed amendment to the Warren County Zoning Ordinance received an unusual amount of attention in a public hearing on the issue prior to the commissioner’s regular meeting. The amendment had been requested by Youth Camps for Christ, an organization that operates Camp Willow Run on Lake Gaston. County Planner/Zoning Administrator Ken Krulik said the result was a collaborative effort to update the ordinance to

make it consistent with current needs of the county. The amendment increased the design capacity of a camp from a maximum of 125 campers to 500 campers and spelled out requirements for parking, clustering of utilities, building height and signage, among other concerns. The amendment was passed unanimously by the commissioners. The commissioners also approved two installment financing packets: 1) for $669,000 for building renovations to the former library building, the Please see WARREN, page 4A

city’s plan goes to board By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

A draft of a comprehensive plan for Henderson through 2030 was placed in the hands of the Planning Board members for them to review and decide next month whether to recommend a final document for approval by the full City Council. Planning Director Erris Dunston handed copies of the draft to the Planning Board members present shortly before the scheduled start of Monday’s Planning Board meeting. Dunston said that a City Councilappointed steering committee spent nearly two years preparing the details, which, if approved by the council, would replace a land use plan dating back to 1974. Dunston, when asked whether the draft is Henderson’s blueprint for the future, said, “It’s the start of that.” Dunston noted the draft is based on 2000 Census data and would have to be updated to reflect 2010 data. The Planning Board quickly approved the lone item on the agenda, which was a request by Gary Lee Jones, of Cary, to subdivide two lots totaling nearly five acres at 2563 N.C. 39 S. Jones said that there is a contract pending and that the reason the property was subdivided was because the buyer could not afford the nearly five acres and instead is buying one of the two lots. No one spoke in opposition. Planning Board member Jimmie Ayscue made the motion, which was seconded by Planning Board member Horace Bullock. Voting yes were Planning Board Vice Chairwoman Marchita Vann and Planning Board members Cornell Manning and Phil Walters. Planning Board Chairman Michael Rainey and Planning Board members Linda Allen, Ricky Easter and Michael Inscoe were absent. The Planning Board meets the first Monday of each month in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 134 Rose Ave. Contact the writer at bwest@hendersondispatch.com.

Commissioners to lease land to new charter school By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

Vance Commissioners agreed Monday night to lease about two acres of the former Vance Manor property to Henderson Collegiate Charter School for a temporary learning site. In return for the land that will allow classes for 100 freshmen to begin next August, the school will pay the county $1 a year for three years. Appearing in front of the commissioners just prior to their unanimous vote were: Nancy Jo Smih, chairwoman of the board of directors; Dr. Cornelius Cathcart, a board member; and Eric Sanchez, co-founder and school planner. Cathcart told the commissioners that the Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a hearing today on the school’s request for a special use permit. If granted, it would allow the Charter School to operate at the southwest corner of County Home and Health Center roads. Please see COMMISSIONERS, page 4A

The Daily Dispatch

Our Hometown

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Mark It Down Today Elections board â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Vance County Board of Elections will meet at 11 a.m. in the Board of Elections office in the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St., Henderson. Zoning board â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The City of Hendersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Zoning Board of Adjustment will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 134 Rose Ave.

Wednesday Joint replacement class â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rehabilitation Services at Maria Parham Medical Center will offer a class from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the classroom at the hospital for those who are planning to have joint replacement surgery. The class will be taught by licensed physical and occupational therapists and will cover exercise recommendations, rehabilitation therapy needs, equipment needs, pain management strategies and what to expect after you have your surgery. The free class is offered to anyone who has elected to have shoulder, knee or hip replacement surgery, regardless of the hospital where the surgery will be performed. Call Ben Soyden at (252) 436-1235 for more information. Lake Gaston Association â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Lake Gaston Association will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center at the Lake Gaston Baptist Church on Route 903, one mile north of Eaton Ferry Bridge, near Littleton. Guest speaker will be Brady Martin, newly elected president of the Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce. The meeting is open to members and non-members. For further information call (252) 586-6577, or, toll free 1-888-586-6577. Economic Development Commission â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Oxford Downtown Economic Development Commission will meet at 8 a.m. in the mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conference room of City Hall, 300 Williamsboro St. Clean-up Henderson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Clean Up Henderson Committee will meet at 8 a.m. in the conference room of the municipal operations center, 900 S. Beckford Drive.

Thursday Concert â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Catawba College Concert Choir will present a concert for the community at the First United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. The choir, under the direction of Paul E. Oakley, will be beginning a choir tour in Henderson with a variety of musical styles. The concert is free. Chess Club â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Henderson/Vance Chess Club, affiliated with the U. S. Chess Federation, meets at the First United Methodist Church from 6-9:30 p.m. All are welcome, adults and youths, novice or experienced. For more information, call Rudy Abate at 438-4459 (days) or 738-0375 (evenings). Childbirth classes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Prepared childbirth education classes are held at Granville Medical Center, 1010 College St., in Oxford, every Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room. Women who are scheduled to deliver their babies at any hospital are welcome to attend. To register for the classes, call the Childbirth Education Department at (919) 6903208. There is a $50 fee for classroom materials. Genealogical society â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Granville County Genealogical Society #1746 Inc. will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Granville County Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meeting Room on Williamsboro Street in Oxford. Guest speaker will be Allen Dew, owner of the Cemetery Census web site and a member and webmaster for the society. Dew started working on cemetery surveys in 1995 and has documented more than 30 counties including Granville, Chatham, Caswell, Alamance, Wake and Surry counties. He will discuss some of the best methods for photographing cemeteries and grave markers. Non-members are welcome. Public Works Committee â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Oxford City Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Public Works Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in the engineering conference room of City Hall, 300 Williamsboro St. The committee will discuss the findings of a 30-year master plan for sewer and water services. American Legion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; American Legion Post #176 will meet at 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge on Rock Spring Street. For more information, call (252) 432-8982. Drafting show â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The third annual Dream On Drafting Show will open at the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library from 5-7:30 p.m. Student work from the Northern Vance High School drafting program will once again be on display. The schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jazz Band will perform and refreshments will be provided.

Guidelines The Daily Dispatch staff asks that items intended for inclusion in the calendar be submitted in writing at least five days in advance of the event. Please include a contact personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and phone number in case there are questions. Items for this listing can be e-mailed to communitynews@hendersondispatch.com.

Omega Psi Phi helps needy student The Zeta Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity donated a check and a bicycle to help a needy student at Christmas who participates in the Henderson-Vance Recreation Youth Services Program. The fraternity has taken a major role in the development of young people in the Tri-County area through the promotion of positive value systems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Omega Psi Phi Fraternity continues to be a major contributor to underprivileged youth in our community by accepting requests either for financial assistance or by presenting free sponsored workshops on mentoring and educational opportunities for area students,â&#x20AC;? said Youth Services Director Leon Robinson, Ph.D. Pictured (left to right) are Omega Psi Phi members Bob Gorham, Dana Small, Robinson, Michael Putney and Kenneth Evins.

VGCC computer classes scheduled at main campus For those who found computers or other high-tech gadgets under the Christmas tree, or for those who want to hone their computer skills, Vance-Granville Community College will offer several of its popular computer-related classes in January on the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main campus in Vance County. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide to Computers & Internetâ&#x20AC;? is the perfect first class for students who have limited knowledge of computers. Classes are scheduled for Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., Jan. 7 through Feb. 11. Microsoft Windows XP will be used to introduce novice students to the common

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From Page One

The Daily Dispatch

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR HENDERSON TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

Partly Cloudy

Sunny

35º

20º

38º 21º

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Mostly Sunny

Snow Possible

Mostly Sunny

37º 24º

35º 19º

33º 16º

Almanac

Sun and Moon

Temperature

Sunrise today . . . . . .7:25 a.m. Sunset tonight . . . . .5:13 p.m. Moonrise today . . . .11:15 p.m. Moonset today . . . .10:33 a.m. Sunrise tomorrow . .7:25 a.m. Sunset tomorrow . . .5:14 p.m. Moonrise tomorrow . .No Rise Moonset tomorrow .11:03 a.m.

Raleigh -Durham through 6 p.m. yest. High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Normal High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Normal Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Record High . . . . . . . . .76 in 2005 Record Low . . . . . . . . . .9 in 1979

Moon Phases

Precipitation Yesterday . . . . . . . . . Month to date . . . . . . Normal month to date Year to date . . . . . . . . Normal year to date .

... ... .. ... ...

. . . . .

.0.00" .0.00" .0.48" .0.00" .0.48"

Last 1/7

First 1/23

New 1/15

Full 1/30

Lake Levels Elevation in feet above sea level. Data as of 7 a.m. yesterday. Lake Gaston Kerr

24-Hr. Lake Capacity Yest. Change Jordan 240 216.2 -0.4 Neuse Falls 264 252.4 -0.5

24-Hr. Capacity Yest. Change 203 199.9 0.0 320 307.9 0.0

Regional Weather Henderson 35/20

Winston-Salem Durham 36/20 34/19 Asheville 27/13

Rocky Mt. 37/20

Greensboro 34/20 Raleigh 36/21 Charlotte 37/19

Fayetteville 38/21

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Cape Hatteras 37/27

Wilmington 40/24

Regional Cities Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx City

Asheville Boone Burlington Chapel Hill Chattanooga Danville Durham Elizabeth City Elizabethton Fayetteville Goldsboro Greensboro Greenville Havelock Hendersonville

27/13 19/13 35/20 36/20 31/16 38/19 36/20 39/24 24/16 38/21 37/22 34/20 39/23 39/23 29/14

sn sn pc pc s s pc s sn s s pc s s mc

31/15 24/14 38/21 39/21 38/20 40/20 39/21 42/27 31/17 41/23 40/24 37/21 39/24 41/23 33/16

s pc s s s s s s s s s s s s s

Wed.

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

High Point Jacksonville Kinston Lumberton Myrtle Beach Morehead City Nags Head New Bern Raleigh Richmond Roanoke Rapids Rocky Mount Sanford Wilmington Winston-Salem

34/19 40/23 38/23 39/23 39/22 40/26 36/28 39/25 36/21 37/23 36/21 37/20 37/21 40/24 34/19

pc s s s s s s s pc s pc pc pc s pc

37/21 42/23 40/23 41/24 43/27 43/27 38/31 41/23 39/22 40/23 39/22 40/21 40/22 42/24 37/20

s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s

Weather (Wx): cl/cloudy; pc/partly cloudy; ra/rain; rs/rain & snow; s/sunny; sh/showers; sn/snow; t/thunderstorms; w/windy

activity in Vance County. The challenger said it can be accomplished through unifying the community in crime prevention and working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Every death of a young person from drug-related activities is one death too many, according to Currin. He said statistics show that drug-related arrests are down in the county since 2006, and that the crime rate has increased. “We have heard a lot of promises in the past, now it is time for action,” Currin said. “As your sheriff, I will attend the Community Watch meetings, as I feel this is an obligation of the job,” he said. Currin came out against White’s recent proposal to seek financial help from the Board of Commissions to build a jail addition that could cost $1.5 million. Besides bearing the construction costs, Currin said, taxpayers would have to come up with the money to house, feed and clothe the growing number of inmates living in the new quarters. “Instead of providing funding for a new building that taxpayers cannot afford,” Currin said, “we should concert our efforts toward assisting the court system to process the back-logged cases to move inmates out of the jail in a more timely fashion.” When Breedlove was the sheriff, Currin said, he

“was a shining example of what it meant to be out in the community and available to the people.” Like Breedlove, “I will have an open door policy,” Currin said. “I will be available to the press and all citizens in the community.” During his campaign for sheriff in 2006, Currin said on March 9 that “it is a matter of public record that I was indicted on charges in 1990 when I was 29 years old and was in charge of the Vance County Drug Unit.”

Currin resigned from the Vance Sheriff’s Department in March of 1990 in the wake of an SBI drug probe that started in Warren County the previous month. The indictment in Vance County accused Currin of corruptly using and misapplying $1,195 that he was in charge of on Oct. 11, 1989 while he was an officer in the Sheriff’s Department. The embezzlement charge was voluntarily

“The findings of that investigation were turned over to Gov. Jim Hunt, and he granted me a full, unconditional pardon.”

Billy Currin

He had joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1981. Although Currin wouldn’t be specific, the former Vance County Sheriff’s deputy accused “one of my opponents and some of his supporters” of mud-slinging by bringing up his past. At the time, Currin was running against Breedlove, who had been in office since Aug. 30 1990, and White, who retired Jan. 1 of 2005 as a major with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. A Vance County grand jury indicted Currin July 11, 1990 on a charge of embezzlement.

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dismissed by the state on Aug. 30, 1990. On May 21, 1990, a Warren County grand jury indicted Currin on two embezzlement charges. One accused him of wrongfully converting to his own use a .22-caliber revolver that was the property of Warren County, and had been entrusted to his as a Vance County Sheriff’s deputy. The date of the alleged offense was June 18, 1989. The other accused Currin of wrongfully converting to his use — under the same circumstances — a

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9-millimeter pistol and a pair of binoculars that were the property of Warren County. As part of a plea bargain with the state, Currin pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, 1990 to two counts of “willful failure to discharge duties of office,” which was a misdemeanor. He received five years of supervised probation and a suspended sentence of four years in prison. “Rather than put my family through an unnecessary burden, and to save the Vance County Sheriff’s Department and my fellow officer any embarrassment, I pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges.” After an inquiry by the State Attorney General’s Office, it was determined that he had acted in good faith and he was cleared of any wrong-doing, Currin said. “The findings of that investigation were turned over to Gov. Jim Hunt, and he granted me a full, unconditional pardon (on June 30 of 2000),” Currin said. “The N.C. Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission then granted me eligibility to enter North Carolina law enforcement in any capacity,” he added. Currin said Monday that he didn’t feel that his legal problems hurt him in the 2006 primary. “I wasn’t trying to cover it up,” he said. “I’d rather be truthful to the people.”

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Dr. Alex Drake, DDS This map shows high temperatures, type of precipitation expected and location of frontal systems at noon.

Cold Front

Stationary Front

Warm Front

Low Pressure

High Pressure

Yesterday’s National Extremes High: 81° in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Low: -36° in International Falls, Minn.

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Local & Nation

The Daily Dispatch

Deaths

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Two hospitalized after wreck

COMMISSIONERS, from page 1A

The property is zoned Office & Institutonal. The Charter School’s HENDERSON — Perboard of directors hopes it cella Campbell, 92, died will eventually become a Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at tenant in the proposed Zene Britthaven of Henderson. Street/REEF tobacco wareFuneral arrangements house conversion project. are incomplete and will be The school plans to add announced later. Funeral a grade a year through the arrangements will be by eighth grade. Garnes & Toney Funeral The first year, an Home, Henderson. 8,000-square-foot module containing four classrooms, Julia Elizabeth a multi-purpose room and administrative offices will be Walker placed on the site. A second module, which DURHAM — Julia will have eight classrooms, Elizabeth Walker, 86, died is scheduled to be added the Friday, Jan. 1, 2010. She next year. was born on a 350-acre Charter School officials farm in Butner on July have agreed to keep up the 4, 1923, to the late Ally property. Walker and Cora Chappell In other business Monday Walker. She was a member night: of Gorman Baptist Church. • A local resident spoke Preceding her in death against the proposed U.S. were sisters Myrtie Goss, 1 sewer line shortly before Katie Perkins, Violet BrinVance Commissioners kley, Estelle Harris, and were told that the County Susan Kerr, and brothers is getting a $40,000 planMaurice, C.E. (Bill), Bobby, ning grant for the project in Frank and Herbert. Kittrell. Graveside services will A $4,000 match in County be held Wednesday at 2 funds is required by the p.m. in the Sherron Family North Carolina Rural EcoCemetery on Will Suitt nomic Development Center. Road in Creedmoor. The Lewis H. Edwards based Rev. Johnny Richards and his opposition on the belief the Rev. Joe Winston will that Vance County “does not officiate. have, nor control, the operaThe family will receive tion of an approved waste friends at Gentry-Newell water treatment facility.” & Vaughan Funeral Home He contended that “the in Oxford from noon to pumping of contaminated 1:15 p.m. prior to the graveside service. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Durham Rescue Mission, mental health building and P.O. Box 11858, Durham, the National Guard Armory N.C., 27703, or to Granville building; 2) for $610,000 County Habitat for Hufor construction of the New manity, 604 W. Industry Tech High School. Dr., Oxford, N.C. 27565. The commissioners adopted a resolution soliciting the support from the state and One of oldest SD federal legislative delegaresidents dies tions to: • Support expansion of MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) high-speed rail in Warren — A woman believed to County to enhance possibe South Dakota’s second- bilities of Warren County’s oldest resident has died. Triangle North industrial Dorothy Montgomery site. died last Thursday at a • Oppose legislation Mitchell care facility, at authorizing local governthe age of 110. ments to enter into collective Montgomery was born bargaining agreements with July 25, 1899, at Jasper, public employees. Minn. • Oppose legislation shiftLuAnn Severson with ing the state’s responsibility the South Dakota Health for funding transportation to Care Association’s Cencounties. tury Club says she thinks • Provide federal and Montgomery was one of state funding for widening only two state residents U.S. Hwy. 158 in Warren to have been born in the County. 1800s. At the request of Senior One-hundred-10-yearCenter Director Arnetta old Beryl Kapaun of Salem Yancey, the commissioners was born June 4, 1899, approved by-laws for a Seand still lives in Salem. nior Center Advisory Coun-

Percella Campbell

water from the Tar River Basin to be treated by a facility that discharges into the Roanoke River Basin may be a violation of federal statutes.” As a customer of the Henderson Waste Water Treatment Facility, Edwards said, “I am not interested in subsidizing the treatment of waste water that has been pumped many miles from the Kittrell area that will surely increase the overhead operation expense that will translate into higher monthly waste water treatment bills for me.” Edwards told the board that his opinion is shared by many other customers. He expressed disbelief “that a proven need for the expenditure of this amount of tax dollars has been established.” At this juncture, Edwards added, it appears “that this project is but another example of the ‘build it, they will come’ syndrome.” • Planning Services Manager Jordan McMillen told the commissioners that the county will receive $40,000 from the North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance to help with the clean up of abandoned manufactured homes. The grant is made available through the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund.

“We intend to use $1,000 per unit for deconstruction,” McMillen said. “We would like the program to be voluntary.” He said the county should be able to clean up 30 to 35 units with the grant. “It’s something we can go after year after year,” McMillen added. • The county got some praise from an official with the certified accounting firm hired to audit its finances for 2008-2009. Mike Brafford of Phillips, Dorsey, Thomas, Waters & Brafford said: “Your financial statement really looks good, especially with the situation Vance County is in now with unemployment.” At the end of the 20082009 fiscal year, Brafford said, the unreserved fund balance for the General Fund was $12,713,321 or 29.2 percent of total general fund expenditures for that time period. “That’s really good,” he told the commissioners. Vance County’s total debt increased by $13,298,529 (nearly 100 percent) during the same fiscal year, according to Brafford. He said the key factors were new borrowing for the elementary school construction and jail renovations “less the payment of debt principal for the courthouse, school bond, Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, and

WARREN, from page 1A cil and made the following appointments to the council: Three-year term — Rachel Harris, Charles Walton, Dickie Williams and Hilda Baskerville; two-year term — Dianne Tant and Charles Jefferson; one-year term — Mary Justice, Florine Davis and Vonciel Perry. In other business, the commissioners: • Awarded a contract of $41,199.50 for meter replacement to Southern Corrosion of Roanoke Rapids, which had submitted the low bid for the project. • Amended the administrative contract with KerrTar Council of Governments in the amount of $13,368.78 to cover additional costs of the Community Block Grant water hook-up project. • Dissolved the EMS Advisory Council and established an EMS Peer Review and Education Committee. • Adopted a resolution in support of Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce’s proposed building plan. Prior to the meeting,

2010

Cutest Children Calendar For Sale

United Way Coordinator Debbie Scott recognized participants in the campaign. The goal was to raise $5,000 in donations from county offices. The actual amount raised was $6,100. Contact the writer at dirvine@hendersondispatch. com.

Schools’ Administration Building.” Commissioner Danny Wright asked: “Will that impact our bond rating?” Brafford replied that he didn’t think it would. The CPA seemed pleased that the assets of the county exceeded its liabilities by $24,504,595 at the end of 2008-2009. He said the county government’s total net assets increased by $2,551,381 primarily due to a rise in property tax collected and miscellaneous revenues. • At the request of County Manager Jerry Ayscue, the commissioners voted to increase the “open” time at the animal shelter from 11 hours to 12 hours each week. The reason, according to Ayscue, was to comply with new state legislation designed to help people attempting to find their lost pets at facilities like the one operated in Vance. The change approved by the commissioners created this operating schedule at the animal shelter: • Mondays — 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Thursdays — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Saturdays — 8 a.m. to noon. Contact the writer at awheless@hendersondispatch.com.

CREEDMOOR — A 25-year-old woman and her 5-year-old daughter were taken to Duke University Hospital on Monday evening after the car the woman was driving collided on N.C. 56 with a truck driven by a man attempting to exit his driveway. Ashly Sealy was driving a 2003 Toyota Camry east on the two-lane route when the car struck a 2001 Ford F-150 driven by Jesus Mungua, 35, of 3130 N.C. 56 E., Creedmoor, State Trooper Mitchell Gordy said. Sealy, of 2613 Ferrand Drive, Durham, has a fractured femur, while the daughter, Briana Pridgen, has minor abrasions, Gordy said. Pridgen was in a child seat in the rear of the car at the time of the wreck, Gordy said. The car caught on fire as a result of the wreck, which happened at approximately 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of N.C. 56 and Tar River Road. Mungua was charged with an unsafe movement violation, Gordy said. Both the car and the truck were totaled, Gordy said.

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Business & Farm

The Daily Dispatch

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A DAY ON WALL STREET

Bank of America’s Moynihan starts job as new CEO RALEIGH (AP) — Bank of America Corp.’s new CEO Brian Moynihan said Monday his company is continuing to recover from the financial crisis but will remain cautious even as it expects to grow in 2010. “Recovering from an (economic downturn) cycle, you have to be mindful of what got you here,” said Moynihan during an interview with The Associated Press on his first official working day in his new job. “That’s where you have to be careful that you don’t grow too fast and take on excessive risk, which is a lesson that we and everyone else learned.” Speaking later in a

speech at an annual economic forecast forum in Raleigh, Moynihan added: “We as an industry cannot avoid the simple fact that we caused a lot of damage, and we have to help make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Moynihan also said in the speech that he expects unemployment to stay “stubbornly high.” The forum he was speaking at was sponsored by the North Carolina Bankers Association and the state’s Chamber of Commerce. Investors will get the latest reading on unemployment on Friday when the Labor Department releases its monthly jobs report. Wall Street economists expect that the unemployment rate ticked up to 10.1 percent in December from 10 percent in November.

Area

Currencies & Metals NEW YORK (AP) — Key currency exchange rates Monday: Dollar vs: ExchgRate Yen 92.60 Euro $1.4412 Pound $1.6094 Swiss franc 1.0294 Canadian dollar 1.0422 Mexican peso 12.9130 Metal Price NY Merc Gold $1117.70 NY HSBC Bank US $1118.00 NY Merc Silver $17.440

PvsDay 92.34 $1.4326 $1.6149 1.0355 1.0531 13.0730 Pvs Day $1095.20 $1095.00 $16.822

Stocks

4 p.m. Monday from the National Association of Securities Dealers. Prices do not include retail mark-up, mark-down or commission.

52.49

BankAmerica

15.69

BB&T

25.81

+17.89

Coca-Cola

57.04

1,132.99

Copper -$3.3315 Cathode full plate, LME.

CVS

32.98

Copper $3.3880 N.Y. Merc spot Mon

Duke Energy

16.97

Lead - $2390.00 metric ton, London Metal Exch.

Exxon

69.15

Zinc - $1.1652 per lb., London Metal Exch.

Ford

10.28

Krispy Kreme

General Elec.

15.45

Lowes

Home Depot

28.67

IBM

Platinum -$1510.00 troy oz., N.Y. (contract).

Johnson & Johnson

Platinum -$1517.30 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot Mon.

Kennametal

7,000

Low 10,430.69 2,400 2,200 2,000 1,800 1,600

2,308.42

Silver - $17.440 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot Mon.

High 10,604.97

+39.27

Ball Corp.

Silver - $17.470 Handy & Harman (only daily quote).

Nasdaq composite

26.82

Gold - $1117.70 troy oz., NY Merc spot Mon.

Jan. 4, 2010

60.66

Gold - $1121.50 Handy & Harman (only daily quote).

8,000

Pct. change from previous: +1.5%

ATT

Aluminum - $1.0005 per lb., London Metal Exch.

9,000

10,583.96

ACS

Nonferrous NEW YORK (AP) — Spot nonferrous metal prices Monday.

10,000

+155.91

Listed below are representative interdealer quotations at approximately

11,000

Jan. 4, 2010

Dow Jones industrials

High 2,311.15

Pct. change from previous: +1.73%

Low 2,294.41

Jan. 4, 2010

Standard & Poor’s 500 S

High 1,133.87

Pct. change from previous: +1.6%

1,400

1,200 1,100 1,000 900 800 700 600

Low 1,116.56

SOURCE: SunGard

MARKET ROUNDUP 010410: Market charts Revlon show Dow, S&P 500, and 2.99 17.91 Nasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; 96 mmSprint x 114 mm; staff 23.16 3.90

All figures as2.55 of: 5:56:28 PM EST Lucent Editors: Tech. Sun Trust

20.44

Pepsico

61.24

Verizon Comm.

33.28

64.68

Procter & Gamble

61.12

Vulcan

52.73

27.19

Progress Energy

40.93

Wal-Mart

54.23

4.97

Wendy’s

4.65

132.45

NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after close; may not match other AP content

RF Micro Dev

OFFICIAL BALLOT FOR THE 2009 “BEST OF VANCE COUNTY” 65. Best Golf Course Business _______________________ 66. Best Church Supplier Business _______________________ 67. Best Medical Wear Business _______________________

People 1. Best Contractor Name _________________________ 2. Best Electrician Name _________________________ 3. Best Pharmacist Name _________________________ 4. Best Doctor Name _________________________ 5. Best Nurse (RN, LPN) Name _________________________ Location________________________ 6. Best Medical Assistant (CNA, office assistant) Name _________________________ 7. Best Dentist Name _________________________ 8. Best Optometrist Name _________________________ 9. Best Insurance Agent Name _________________________ Business _______________________ 10. Best Waiter/Waitress Name _________________________ Restaurant ______________________ 11. Best Car Salesperson Name _________________________ 12. Best Hair Stylist Name _________________________ Salon __________________________ 13. Best Sales Team Business _______________________ 14. Best Auto Mechanic Name _________________________ Business _______________________ 15. Best Attorney Name _________________________ 16. Best Elected Official Name _________________________ 17. Best Real Estate Team Business _______________________ 18. Best Real Estate Agent Name _________________________ 19. Best Dental Hygienist Name _________________________ Office _________________________ 20. Best CPA Name _________________________ Firm __________________________ 21. Best Chiropractor Name _________________________ 22. Best Barber Name _________________________ 23. Best Veterinarian Name _________________________

Food & Drink

Your ballot automatically enters you in the 2009 “BEST OF VANCE COUNTY” SWEEPSTAKES!

2009

Goods & Services 24. Best Restaurant Business _______________________ 25. Best Caterer Business _______________________ 26. Best Roofing Co. Business _______________________ 27. Best Sign Company Business _______________________ 28. Best Nursing Home Business _______________________ 29. Best Bank Bank __________________________ 30. Best Tires Business _______________________ 31. Best Clothes Business _______________________ 32. Best Body Shop Business _______________________ 33. Best Jewelry Store Business _______________________ 34. Best Pet Services Business _______________________ 35. Best Used Cars Business _______________________ 36. Best Dry Cleaner Business _______________________ 37. Best Hair Salon Business _______________________ 38. Best Furniture Store Business _______________________ 39. Best Pest Control Business _______________________ 40. Best Gas/Service Station Business _______________________ 41. Best New Cars Business _______________________ 42. Best Cosmetics Business _______________________ 43. Best Muffler Shop Business _______________________

44. Best Florist Business _______________________ 45. Best Home Improvement Company Business _______________________ 46. Best Nursery/Garden Center Business _______________________ 47. Best Car Wash/Detail Business _______________________ 48. Best Shippers Business _______________________ 49. Best Gift Shop Business _______________________ 50. Best Funeral Services Business _______________________ 51. Best Nail Salon Business _______________________ 52. Best Barber Shop Business _______________________ 53. Best Carpet Dealer Business _______________________ 54. Best Drug Store Business _______________________ 55. Best Manufactured Homes Business _______________________ 56. Best Plumbing Company Business _______________________ 57. Best Appliance Store Business _______________________ 58. Best Electronics Store Business _______________________ 59. Best Mattress Dealer Business _______________________ 60. Best Heating & Cooling Co. Business _______________________ 61. Best Preschool or Day Care Center Business _______________________ 62. Best Print Shop Business _______________________ 63. Best Internet Provider Business _______________________ 64. Best Wireless Store Business _______________________

68. Best Mexican Food Business _______________________ 69. Best Italian Food Business _______________________ 70. Best Chinese Food Business _______________________ 71. Best Cup of Coffee Restaurant or Store ________________ 72. Best Pancake and Waffles Restaurant ______________________ 73. Best Stew Restaurant or Deli _________________ 74. Best Hot Dogs Restaurant or Grill _________________ 75. Best Hamburgers Restaurant or Grill _________________ 76. Best Barbeque Restaurant ______________________ 77. Best Fried Chicken Restaurant ______________________ 78. Best Chicken Sandwich Restaurant ______________________ 79. Best Hushpuppies Restaurant ______________________ 80. Best Fast Food Restaurant or Grill _________________ 81. Best Salad Bar/Soup Restaurant or Grill _________________ 82. Best Buffet Restaurant or Deli _________________ 83. Best Pizza Restaurant or Delivery Service ________ 84. Best Steaks Restaurant ______________________ 85. Best Seafood Restaurant ______________________ 86. Best Iced Tea Restaurant or Grill _________________ 87. Best Ice Cream Location________________________ 88. Best Milkshakes Location________________________ 89. Best Desserts Restaurant, Deli or Bakery ___________ 90. Best “Southern Style” Meal Restaurant ______________________ 91. Best Home-Cooked Breakfast Business _______________________ 92. Best Chicken Tenders Business _______________________ 93. Best Fish Sandwich Business _______________________

RULES FOR ENTRY 1. At least 50% of the questions must be answered on your ballot. 2. When voting on names, please put the first and last names and put “jr.”, “III”, etc. when applicable. 3. When voting the name of a chain (for example: Hardee’s Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonalds, etc.) be sure to specify which location.

4. No mechanical reproductions of “answered ballots: will be accepted. 5. All answers must be applicable to Vance County for eligibility. 6. Send your completed entries to “The Best of Vance County” Retail Dept. P.O. Box 908, Henderson, N. C. 27536

7. Ballots must be received by January 25, 2010. 8. One entry per person. 9. Must be 18 years or older to participate. 10. Complete list of rules are available at The Dispacth

Name (Please Print) ________________________________________ Address____________________________ Telephone (Home) ______________________ (Day) _____________ Signature____________________________

CMYK 6A

Opinion

The Daily Dispatch

XII I

II III

VIII VII VI

IV V

X IX

XII

New Year’s resolutions, Fed-style II III

VIII

VII

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Editorial Board: James Edwards, Publisher • jedwards@hendersondispatch.com Luke Horton, Editor • lhorton@hendersondispatch.com Don Dulin, News Editor • ddulin@hendersondispatch.com 304 S. Chestnut St./P.O. Box 908 Henderson, N.C. 27536 PHONE: 436-2700/FAX: 430-0125

Daily Meditation A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

Our Opinion

Don’t forget others as temps drop

Forecasters say we’re in for one of the coldest stretches of weather in years. Monday’s low hovered in the high teens, and more of the same is expected through next week. Factor in the wind chill, and we’re facing single-digit temps. There’s even a chance of snow later in the week. Here’s what the National Weather Service has to say: An arctic air mass is expected to remain in place across the Carolinas through the week and into next weekend. Daytime highs will be in the 30s and lows in the teens to lower 20s. Residents are urged to make preparations for the unusually cold weather, including: protecting exposed water pipes, checking heating units, closing crawl space vents and making sure pets have a warm place to stay. It’s great advice, but the NWS is overlooking one very important cold-weather tip: Check on the people in your community. Not only do pets need a warm place to stay, people do too. The elderly are vulnerable during extremely cold weather. The homeless are especially at risk when the mercury drops. As you snuggle into your bed tonight, imagine what it would be like to face this weather with no home, no heat and no food. There are people in this community who have none of those basic necessities. Thankfully, there are places for the homeless to go. Lifeline Outreach in Henderson is one of those places. According to Lifeline staff, the facility sees more homeless when the cold weather hits. Harbour House in Oxford also reported an increase at its shelter over the weekend. Several other organizations (The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, as well as churches) in the area provide assistance to the homeless, but they need resources to do it. Have an old coat or blanket in the closet? Any of these groups would gladly take it and find someone who needs it. Toiletries and food are also a big need at most homeless shelters. Have an elderly family member or neighbor? Stop by to make sure they’re staying warm. Yes, wrapping the pipes and bringing in the pets is important, but nothing is more valuable than the people in your community.

Quotable “There is no smoking gun. There was no single piece of intelligence that said, ’this guy is going to get on a plane.”’ White House aide John Brennan in telling about “lapses” and errors in the sharing of intelligence and clues about the Nigerian man accused in an alleged attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day. “It doesn’t even need to be said that the core of the Japan-U.S. alliance is military security. But it is important to show that at various levels, Japan and America are in a crucial relationship.” Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in speaking Monday on national Japanese television on the year of the 50th anniversary of a joint security treaty that grants many special privileges to U.S. troops stationed in the country.

Get this: The federal government is offering tips on New Year’s resolutions. I stumbled upon its “Popular New Year’s Resolutions” page on usa.gov, the official Web portal of the United States government. “Lose Weight” is one. When I clicked the link there, it took me to the page for the Weightcontrol Information Network (WIN), a government agency tasked with keeping the public informed about obesity, weight control, physical activity and nutrition. WIN’s advice: “To lose weight you need to take in fewer calories than you use” and “create a healthy eating plan.” Excited by such groundbreaking information, I moved along to “Manage Debt” — something the government surely knows plenty about. Its link took me to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Protection page. There I was advised that if I’m knee-deep in debt, I’ll want to develop a budget and contact my creditors. I was also warned to be leery of debtrestructuring agencies. So useful was that advice, I couldn’t wait to move on to

“Save Money.” Its link took me to a page that offered 66 ways to save. I clicked on “Credit Cards” and was informed that, to avoid a late fee, I ought to send in my payment five to 10 days before the bill is due. I also learned that I can avoid interest charges if I pay off my balance each month! Tom Since I Purcell own some Distributed by rental Cagle Cartoons properties, I was curious to see what money-saving tips the government is giving to prospective renters. To wit: Renters are encouraged to shop around for the best deal — or find a building they want to live in and contact the building manager to see if there is availability. And before signing a lease, renters should be cautious: “Remember that signing a lease probably obligates you to make all monthly payments for the term of the agree-

ment.” Probably? I’ve written a few leases in my day. I’ve been careful to keep “probably” out of the final drafts. Nonetheless, the government offers two other useful suggestions: “Drink Less Alcohol” and “Quit Smoking Now.” The first link brought me to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism page. The existence of this government agency struck me as ironic. Our government is doing so much to cause us to drink — spending, deficits, debt — that it has to establish another government entity to help us stop? The smoking link took me to another government Web site, smokefree.gov, where I learned that smoking isn’t good for you. I was able to get live online help from a federal employee at the National Cancer Institute. Though I don’t smoke, I was so delighted by the “free” government support, I’m looking into starting. “Reduce Stress Overall” was another resolution suggestion. The link took me to MedlinePlus, an online encyclopedia of health information. It is

a service of another government entity, the U.S. National Library of Medicine. There I learned that longterm stress isn’t good — that to address it, one must get to its underlying causes. Well, here are some underlying causes. Our government has gotten so bloated, it is offering tips on New Year’s resolutions — and directing us to government agencies to help us keep them? If any entity should be making resolutions, shouldn’t it be the federal government — and shouldn’t its resolutions be based on the will and direction of the people? Of course the birds in charge are ramming through legislation regardless of our will. It’s enough to drive a man to drink. When I break that resolution, the last place I’ll go for support is the federal government. Tom Purcell, a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

Letters to the Editor State oversteps with new smoking ban To the editor: I am a long-time exsmoker. I quit in 1975. I am also an ex-restaurant owner in N.C. (1999-2003) who made decisions about smoking, price, cuisine, service, etc. I have “no dog in this hunt,” as they say, other than a concern about growing government intrusion on our lives. As the restaurant owner, it was my financial investment that would be at risk based on the decisions I made. Customers have choices about cuisine, atmosphere, price and service. Customers are not required to patronize any business; they can decide to go down the street. Employees don’t have to work in an environment they find unpleasant, or require services they do not wish to provide, or serve food that goes against religious beliefs, or work in an establishment that permits smoking. They can go down the street and work for a competitor. While I personally prefer to eat or drink in an establishment that prohibits smoking, I do not me” should be erased from our believe the state should political vocabulary once the have the authority to force primary process is complete. the owner of a legal private At that stage, we must join together to help our candidates business to make “consumer choice decisions” for win elections and begin the that business. If cigarette critical job of stopping the flow smoking is so harmful that of liberal policies coming out the government must force of Washington and numerous businesses to ban their use state capitals across the land. The challenges ahead are too by the business’ customers and employees, then ban great for us not to make this cigarettes. Make them an resolution together. For if we fail, I fear our nation will pay a illegal product. I believe second-hand hefty price — hopefully not an smoke can be potentially irreversible one. harmful. Personally, I So as we start this new year and reflect upon 2009 and think find cigarette smoke in a restaurant or bar to be of ways to improve our situations in 2010, I ask that my fel- annoying, but I will make low Republicans join together to the decision whether or have a respectful debate during not to patronize a business that permits smoking. I our upcoming primary process and then give their full support also believe that as long to our selected nominees even if as cigarettes are legal, and smoking is a legal there remain some philosophiactivity, the state should cal differences. I know this is the approach my father person- not be making competitive business decisions for ally took and I cannot think of private business owners a better beacon of light than his legacy to help us once again relative to smoking. Let the businesses compete on find our way. their own terms. Let the Have a safe and prosperous customers decide whether 2010! or not to patronize. We Mike Reagan, the elder son of don’t need more “nannystate” government intruthe late President Ronald Reagan, is chairman and president sion in our lives. of The Reagan Legacy FoundaMike Wilburt tion (www.reaganlegacyfoundaLittleton tion.org).

A New Year’s resolution for my fellow Republicans Well, it is that time of year when most of us have unwrapped all of our gifts, eaten too much ham and pumpkin pie, and started to think about making a New Year’s Resolution. We’ve been spending time reflecting and pondering on what aspects of our lives, personal or professional, we would most like to improve. But today I have a recommended New Year’s Resolution for all of my fellow Conservatives across the country — one that has nothing to do with losing weight, quitting smoking or reading more. Instead, it has everything to do with saving our country. I am resolving to work with party activists, candidates, elected officials, organizations, donors, and conservative voters across the country to find those issues and ties that bind us as Republicans rather than revert to the internal attacks that will set back our party, and our nation, for decades to come. I am resolving to move forward, and I hope I can count on each of you to join me! Next year is critical to our political efforts. The 2010 midterm election will give Republicans an opportunity to reconnect with voters across the nation and set the stage for an even stronger 2012 cycle. But before we get distracted by

our future hopes for the White House, we have much work to do. With 36 governorships up for election and the everimportant state legislative battles that will help shape the future political landscape through redistricting, our efforts are only just Michael getting underReagan way. That is Distributed by why I am Cagle Cartoons resolute in my conviction that we can no longer afford to wage the type of attacking and bitter intra-party battles that have weakened our ability to coalesce as a party in opposition to the wasteful and damaging policies coming out of Washington. That is not to say that we should not engage in spirited primaries in an attempt to put forth the best candidates for the general election. What it does mean is that once a Republican candidate is victorious in the primary, all Republicans should give them their full support. Moreover, this support must not stop after the ballot has been cast. The days of “not conservative enough” or “too conservative for

Today In History By The Associated Press

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 5, the fifth day of 2010. There are 360 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight: On Jan. 5, 1925, Nellie T. Ross became governor of Wyoming; she was the first female governor in U.S. history. (She succeeded Frank E. Lucas, who had served as acting governor following the death of Ross’ husband, William B. Ross.) On this date: In 1781, a British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burned Richmond, Va. In 1896, an Austrian newspaper (Wiener Presse) reported the discovery by German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen of a type of radiation that came to be known as “X-rays.” In 1949, in his State of the Union address, President Harry S. Truman labeled his administration the Fair Deal. In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed assistance to countries to help them resist Communist aggression; this became known as the Eisenhower Doctrine. The soap opera “All My Children” premiered on ABCTV. In 1998, Sonny Bono, the 1960’s pop star-turnedpolitician, was killed when he struck a tree while skiing at the Heavenly Ski Resort on the Nevada-California state line; he was 62. Ten years ago: Touching off angry protests by Cuban-Americans in Miami, the U.S. government decided to send 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez back to Cuba. (After a legal battle, and the seizure of Elian from the home of his U.S. relatives, the

boy was returned to Cuba.) Five years ago: President George W. Bush opened a new drive for caps on medical malpractice awards, contending the limits would lower health care costs. Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, a Marine charged with desertion in Iraq after mysteriously disappearing from his post was again declared a deserter — this time for failing to report to his U.S. base. (He remains missing.) One year ago: Retired Lt. Gen. Harry W.O. Kinnard, a paratroop officer who suggested the famously defiant answer “Nuts!” to a German demand for surrender during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, died in Arlington, Va. at age 93. Today’s Birthdays: Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale is 82. Actor Robert Duvall is 79. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll is 78. King Juan Carlos of Spain is 72. Talk show host Charlie Rose is 68. Actress-director Diane Keaton is 64. Actor Ted Lange is 62. Rhythm-and-blues musician George “Funky” Brown (Kool and the Gang) is 61. Rock musician Chris Stein (Blondie) is 60. Former CIA Director George Tenet is 57. Actress Pamela Sue Martin is 57. Singer Iris Dement is 49. Actor Ricky Paull Goldin is 45. Actor Vinnie Jones is 45. Dancer-choreographer Carrie Ann Inaba is 42. Rock singer Marilyn Manson is 41. Actor Bradley Cooper is 35. Actress January Jones is 32. Thought for Today: “Wisdom is divided into two parts: (a) having a great deal to say, and (b) not saying it.” — Anonymous.

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For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send a businesswill fill sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby — Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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