The Daily Dispatch - Friday, February 5, 2010 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK Vance Relay for Life celebrates

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Local News, Page 10A

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Inside Today FRIDAY, February 5, 2010

Volume XCVI, No. 30

(252) 436-2700

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Police to patrol along ward lines

Be advised: More snow, Districts being reorganized; chief says rate of serious crime declining ice possible By DISPATCH STAFF

As the final remnants of last week’s winter storm melt, the area is bracing for more of the same. The National Weather Service has placed Vance and Granville counties under a winter storm advisory until noon Saturday. Snow accumulations of one to two inches are possible in the area by this morning. A change over to freezing rain is expected by noon today, with ice accumulations of one-tenth of an inch possible. The wintry mix is expected to continue through today before tapering off tonight. The heaviest precipitation will fall from noon today through the evening hours. The area

By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

Henderson’s crime rate is declining and Police Chief Keith Sidwell is stepping up his efforts against lawbreakers, with plans calling for having policing districts along city council ward lines so officers and citizens can work together to make the city safer. From 2008 to last year, there was a 3 percent decline in Part 1 crimes, that is, murder, rape,

robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson, Sidwell said. While there were four murders last year compared to Sidwell three in 2008 and while there were 590 burglaries last year compared to 552 in 2008, there were decreases in five other Part 1 crimes. The number of motor vehicle thefts was 58 last year compared

to 75 in 2008, the number of larcenies was 1,134 last year compared to 1,209 in 2008. And the number of aggravated assaults was 86 last year compared to 94 in 2008. There were no reports of rape last year compared to two reported in 2008. The number of robberies was 86 last year compared to 88 in 2008. Sidwell emphasized these were raw numbers when he briefly presented them to the City Council at the start of a marathon work

session late last month. City Manager Ray Griffin praised Sidwell, saying that, for the first time since at least 2005, “we are now seeing a downward turn” and that “I’m extremely proud of seeing that curve going back in the correct direction.” Sidwell, in a July presentation to the council, said he was “cautiously optimistic” about statistics showing crime decreasing in the city. He was referring to a 9 Please see POLICE, page 4A

Water service preparation closed street

Please see SNOW, page 5A

Sexual assault of girls reported By DISPATCH STAFF

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the sexual assault of two girls, according to an incident report filed Wednesday. The girls, ages 14 and 12, were forced to have intercourse Tuesday at a location in the 400 block of Birch Street, according to the report. Calls to the sheriff’s office for additional information were not returned by press time. Send comments to news@ hendersondispatch.com.

Index Our Hometown . . . . . 2A Business & Farm. . . . 5A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 8A Light Side . . . . . . . . . 9A Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 5B Classifieds. . . . . . . 6-8B

Weather Today Rain/ snow

High: 35 Low: 33

Saturday Snow likely

High: 35 Low: 23

Details, 3A

Deaths Henderson Bonnie T. Currin, 62 James R. Parkins, 60 Melvin W. Williamson, 62 Manson Willie B. Marrow, 85 Mary C. Watkins, 68 Oxon Hill, Md. Frances B. Steck, 88 Warren County Anthony B. Jones, 47 Warrenton Cora Parham, 77

Obituaries, 4A

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

A crew from the City of Henderson public utilities department pulls away asphalt and concrete Thursday morning on Garnett Street in preparation for installing an eight inch water tap for apartments being constructed as a part of the Hope VI Project. According to Frank Frazier, assistant city manager, the work was originally scheduled for last Sunday but had to be postponed because of the weather. Detours were extended out beyond the immediate work area from Montgomery Street to Spring Street to accommodate both truck and car traffic. Garnett Street from Montgomery Street to Spring Street was closed from 6 a.m. to just after 11 a.m.

Public safety study still not ready Golden LEAF Oxford manager hoping $40,000 document can be presented by month’s end announces Vance grants By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — More than a year after a majority of the previous City Commission authorized a $40,000 study of Oxford’s public safety, citizens have yet to see the document. City Manager Mark Donham said he hopes to present the study to the City Commission’s Public Safety Committee for discussion sometime before the end of the month, but when Donham was asked about a specific time he would like the study to be ready, he said, “It may fudge over a couple of weeks” into March.

Donham said he was hoping for data about response times to be fine-tuned by today, a reference to Granville County Emergency Donham 911 dispatches of Oxford firefighters. “It’s coming to a conclusion as far as the work,” Donham said. He was asked by The Daily Dispatch for an update after a Tuesday evening commission agenda meeting. The previous commission on Jan. 13, 2009, voted 5-1 to give Donham, who was hired as man-

ager in May 2008, the go-ahead for the study by the International City/County Management Association. Holdover Commissioner Walter Cantley cast the lone no vote, citing concern about the impact on municipal finances. Then-Commissioner Bob Shope was absent for personal reasons. Donham on July 23 said that he and Police Chief and Acting Fire Chief John Wolford had obtained a preliminary copy of the study and would discuss any errors or inaccuracies they found and ask the association to make

Please see STUDY, page 5A

Census panel meets to ‘talk it up’ By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

The Complete Count Committee will meet again Tuesday to find ways to convince Vance and Henderson residents to send back their 2010 Census questionnaires, which will be mailed out April 1. The 2 p.m. session, which is expected to involve at least 15 local leaders and other citizens in the county and the city, will be held at the Perry Library. The first meeting took place Jan. 8 at the old courthouse on Young Street. Training to plan

and implement a strategy to get the public to embrace the survey was conducted by Christine Mackey, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. The purpose of the meetings is to organize and carry out a “talk it up” campaign through businesses, churches and individuals, according to Tom Anderson, who is co-chair of the committee. He said the main “target” population groups are AfricanAmericans, Hispanics and people who are uninformed about the census process.

Anderson, from the county’s Planning and Development Department, and Marchita Vann, from the Social Services Department, are in charge of the committee. Terri Hedrick of Vance County Schools is the recording secretary. The committee, which consists of volunteers, is trying to help raise the overall response rate in Vance from 57 percent during the 2000 Census to 68 percent for this one. Anderson, who knew of no plans to develop a census office in Please see CENSUS, page 10A

By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

A Vance County application totaling $1,025,600 for fire hydrants and Viper equipment lost out Thursday, but other Golden LEAF Foundation grant applicants who didn’t were: • Vance County Schools, which sought $1,348,173 and got about $1.2 million for the Innovate Project which consists of providing teacher and student laptops and classroom technology in 2010-2011. The grant covers the ninth and 10th grades at Northern Vance, Southern Vance and Western Vance high schools, as well as Vance County Early College. • Henderson/Vance Downtown Development Commission and Gateway Community Development Corporation which sought and got about $700,000 for the Recreation, Economic Development, Education and Family (REEF) Project. The project consists of rehabilitating a tobacco warehouse near downtown. • The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central North Carolina, which sought and got $72,166 for the Please see LEAF, page 3A

Local News

The Daily Dispatch

POLICE, from page one percent reduction in the number of Part 1 crimes throughout Henderson for the first six months of last year. Sidwell has continued to cite the effort of the community revitalization initiative, which includes himself, Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson, Code Compliance Director Corey Williams and the city’s water service, as well as Progress Energy, Time Warner Cable and several internal and external customers. During the recent annual municipal governmental retreat, Sidwell said he is working with Vance County Emergency Operations Director Brian Short to do away with five segments and go to four districts in order to represent the council’s four wards. “You will have a shift commander and officers responsible for your ward,” Sidwell told the council. “Geographically, that is their piece of this city. They will represent you. They are your officers and they will have distinct ownership of that ward.” The zone commander will have total autonomy to solve problems, but with the police department’s resources to do so, Sidwell said. “It’s a very proactive approach to police work. It’s a very proactive approach to reducing crime, but the key is, it takes community involvement,” Sidwell said. “So, the officers will be working harder. They’re looking forward to the challenge, but also the citizens will be collaborating more with the officers because our ideology behind this is to take it street by street, residence by residence, business by business,” Sidwell said. Councilman Michael Rainey asked about whether there will be the same numbers of officers in each district or whether Sidwell will have more officers in areas where there is more crime. Sidwell said “we’ll be targeting those areas specifically that need more attention.” “It’ll also hopefully assist us when we have the manpower issues that we faced in the past and will continue to face,” Sidwell, referring to past discussions about pay and retention of officers. “But, we look very much forward to getting this in line and starting this,” Sidwell said. Councilwoman Sara Coffey asked whether the police department has anything in place to notify citizens in an area about a murder, an armed robbery, a kidnapping, a rape or an injury to a child. Sidwell said while the department issues news releases about major crimes, the department is looking to get more in line with 21st Century communications, with an example being posting on the Internet blogging network twitter.com. “We’re going to have 10 bicycles out and about” compared to five prior bike patrols, Sidwell added. “I know the importance of getting out in the neighborhood and actually pressing flesh, getting to know the citizens and letting them see faces and actually get to know officers,” Sidwell said. Contact the writer at bwest@ hendersondispatch.com.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Deaths Bonnie T. Currin HENDERSON — Bonnie Twisdale Currin, 62, of 636 S. Cooper Drive, died Feb. 1, 2010, at her home. Born in Vance County on Dec. 21, 1947, she was the daughter of the late William Lexington Twisdale and Dora Johnson Twisdale and was the widow of the late Talton Grey Currin. She was a former employee of K-mart and she was a member of Freedom Life Church of God. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Freedom Life Church of God. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens. She is survived by four daughters, Pamela C. Paschall, Donna C. Purvis, Loretta C. Hayes and Michelle C. Hunt, all of Henderson; a son, William Grey Currin of Henderson; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m. at Freedom Life Church of God. At other times they will be at the home of Donna Purvis, 35 Bearpond Road. Serving as active pallbearers will be Ralph Newton, Joe Johnson, Chris Johnson, Ronnie Currin, Melvin Paschall and Steve Brooks. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to the Bonnie T. Currin funeral fund c/o J.M. White Funeral Home, 60 Zeb Robinson Road, Henderson, N.C. 27536. Arrangements are by J.M. White Funeral Home.

Anthony B. Jones WARREN COUNTY — Anthony Burton “Rock” Jones, 47, was born Nov. 28, 1962, in Warren County and was the son of Adlean Howard and the late Burton Jones. He died at Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Early in life, he was baptized and joined the Jordan Hill Baptist Church in the Oakville community. He was educated in the Warren County public school system. He was employed by Cochrane Furniture Company of Warrenton and D.W. Lyles Construction Company of McKinney, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Roanoke Chapel Christian Church in Palmer Springs, Va. The Rev. John Rooks, pastor of Jordan Hill Baptist Church in Macon, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Jordan Hill Baptist Church cemetery in Macon. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Adlean and Thomas Davis of the home; three children, Lakesha Jiggetts of Warrenton, Danielle Jiggetts of Soul City and

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James R. Parkins HENDERSON — James Robert Parkins, 60, of 323 Zollicoffer Ave., Henderson, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at his home. Born in McKeesport, Pa., he was the son of the late Norman Raymond and Ellen Lee Snyder Parkins. Mr. Parkins was a certified nurse’s assistant. He was a United States Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and was a four-time Purple Heart receipient. Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 2 p.m., at Flowers Funeral Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Frank Sossamon. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Sunset Gardens. Surviving are his wife, Barbara Stroud Parkins; a daughter, April P. Gerald Hargrove of Warrenton; four grandchildren; a brother, Tyrone Polsey of Maryland; and two stepsisters, Mariah Jones and Shirley Faulcon of Palmer Springs, Va. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Shawn Jones. The body may be viewed today at R.H. Greene Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., and at the church one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are by R.H. Greene Funeral Home of Warrenton.

Willie B. Marrow MANSON — Willie Ann Bullock Marrow, 85, of 983 Bullocksville Park Road, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at her home. She was the daughter of the late George Bullock and Luna Henderson Bullock. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. Richard Henderson and the Rev. Peter White. Burial will be in the church cemetery. She is survived by two daughters, Sylvia Smith of Lansdale, Pa., and Collette Teagle of the home; three sons, Kenneth Douglas Marrow of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., Glenn Marrow of Lansdale, Pa., and Roy Marrow of Lansdowne, Pa.; a sister, Elnora Hanks of Henderson; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors at the home. The viewing will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home in Oxford.

Towner, and husband, Dan, of McKeesport, Pa.; a son, Shon Parkins, and wife, Jackie, of MeKeesport, Pa.; a stepson, Roger Faucette, and wife, Ricci, of Spring Hope, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Kayla Towner, Cody Towner, Gavin Parkins, Avery Parkins, and Laila Faucette. He was preceded in death by a son, Noel Parkins. The family will receive friends Saturday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Flowers Funeral Home. All other times, they will be at the home, 323 Zollicoffer Ave., Henderson. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Vance County Animal Shelter, 165 Vance Academy Road Henderson, N.C. 27537. Arrangements are by Flowers Funeral Home. Paid Obituary

Cora Parham WARRENTON — Cora Parham, 77, of Warrenton, died Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, at Warren Hills Nursing Center in Warrenton. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cooks Chapel Baptist Church in Warrenton by the Rev. Dr. Tony Cozart. Burial will follow in the the church cemetery. She is survived by two daughters, Annie Edwards of Pine Buff, Ark., and Gwendolyn Burchette of Warrenton; a son, Tony Parham of Newark, N.J.; a stepson, Richard Parham of Tampa, Fla.; three grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Alston of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The body will be on view today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Boyd’s Funeral Service Chapel in Warrenton. Arrangements are by Boyd’s Funeral Service of Warrenton.

Mary C. Watkins MANSON — Mary Lizzie Clark Watkins, 68, of 114 Alvin Lane, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at the University of North Carolina Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Gomer Clark and Thelma Moss Clark. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Manson Baptist Church by the Rev. Elton Buffalo. Burial will be in the church cemetery. She is survived by her husband, George “Whitt” Watkins Sr.; a son, George

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Watkins Jr. of New Orleans, La.; three daughters, Cynthia Russell of Wake Forest, and Lorrie Watkins and Doris Fields, both of Manson; five sisters, Thelma Valentine of Oxford, Catherine Quinchette of Charlotte, Queen Richardson of Rocky Mount, Brenda Branch of Henderson and Phyllis Cheek of Warrenton; two brothers, Henry Clark of Henderson and Nathaniel Clark of New Orleans, La.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the services at the church, and at other times at the home of Lorri Watkins, 58 Ruby Lane, Manson. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home of Oxford.

Frances B. Steck OXON HILL, Md. — Frances Brewer Steck, 88, died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. She was born in Vance County, N.C., on Aug. 26, 1921, and was

Paid Obituary

the daughter of the late Fannie R. and William T. Brewer. She was the widow of Major Donald V. Steck and had a son, Donald W. Steck, and a granddaughter. She was preceded in death by a sister, Lora B. Short; and two brothers, Thornton R. Brewer and John William Brewer. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a “Life Celebration” at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill, Md., on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Services will also be held at Kalas Funeral Home on Thursday at 10:30 a.m., with interment following at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Disabled American Veterans: http:// www.dav.org/donate/ Default.aspx; or to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund: http:// american.redcross.org/site/

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HENDERSON — Melvin Wayne Williamson, age 62, a resident of 124 Beverly Lane, died Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at Maria Parham Medical Center. Born on August 22, 1947, in Warren County, he was the son of the late Melville Grier Williamson and Bessie Conn Williamson. He was a retired foreman with Asplundh Tree Company where he worked for more than 20 years. He was a Veteran of the United States Army serving during the Vietnam War, and was a member of Freedom Life Church of God. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Freedom Life Church of God by the Rev. Jeff Prewer. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Sunset Gardens. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Marie Hunt Williamson of the home; one son, Scottie Williamson and wife, Tracy Foster Williamson, of Henderson; one niece, Kelley Morales of the

home; two sisters, Patsy Branch of Marshall, Texas, and Marie Horner of Henderson; and three grandchildren, Foster Williamson, Ann Lynne Williamson, and Paighton Williams. He was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Williamson Harris; and a brother, James Williamson. The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at J.M. White Funeral Home. At other times they will be at the home at 124 Beverly Lane. Serving as active pallbearers will be Ray Clayborne, Charlie Greenway, George Lassiter, Donald Ray Matthews, Tad Edwards, and Michael Peoples. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 60, c/o Edward Blue, 203 Weldon’s Mill Road, Henderson, N.C. 27537. Arrangements are by J.M. White Funeral Home.

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Marine mental health care probed Retaliation against whistleblower at N.C. base reported By KEVIN MAURER Associated Press Writer

WILMINGTON — The Defense Department will investigate complaints of substandard mental health care for Marines at Camp Lejeune, according to a North Carolina congressman Thursday who had asked for the probe amid reports of retaliation against a whistleblower. Public questions about the quality of mental health care provided by a private contractor at the base were raised last year by the September firing of Dr. Kernan Manion, a brain trauma specialist who had complained to commanders about poor facilities, inadequate care programs and weak security. Rep. Walter Jones, a Republican whose district includes Camp Lejeune, asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates for a probe of the mental health care issue after Salon.com, which first reported Manion’s firing, last week reported on documents it obtained that showed officials had changed Manion’s job performance evaluations from good to bad after his complaints. Jones said the Defense Depart-

ment’s Inspector General told him Wednesday that an investigation is open. “I am just pleased we got such a quick response,” Jones said. The department’s Inspector General did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press and details of the investigation were not clear. Jones said his office has received numerous complaints from Marines and their families about mental health care at Camp Lejeune. “There are very serious questions about how the system is working and how that system is supposed to be helping the Marines and their families,” Jones told the AP. “There are some issues there. We’re taking a giant step with this investigation,” Jones said. Manion, 59, has 25 years of experience as a psychiatrist with a specialty in traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Manion last year said he was fired for writing memos to his military superiors complaining of shoddy care for Marines returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. In e-mails shown to The Associated Press, Manion complained, among other things, that the military was not dealing with PTSD properly and that the hospital lacked security procedures in the event of a Fort Hood-like shooting. Manion welcomed Jones’ call for a probe and said he hoped any investigation would “eliminate the

climate of secrecy and reprisal and do much to improve the delivery of mental health care services at Camp Lejeune.” According to Salon.com, Manion’s performance review was finished after he was fired, giving him a rating of “satisfactory” in every category. But the review was pulled back by the head of mental health at the hospital and changed. His ratings for judgment, ethical conduct and ability to work with peers were changed to “unsatisfactory” and it was ordered that Manion’s positive review be destroyed. Camp Lejeune hospital spokesman Raymond Applewhite did not return an e-mail from the AP seeking comment on the Salon.com report and the investigation. In an interview with the AP in January, Capt. Gerard Cox, the hospital’s commanding officer, said Manion’s concerns were treated seriously and addressed. Cox said there has been an explosion of demand for mental health care and the Marine Corps is working to keep up. “There is no question that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have produced more people with mental health needs,” he said. “Our primary concern is to return them to a healthy and successful life.” Cox said the hospital has been rapidly hiring personnel to meet the demand. The hospital is trying to fill more than 50 positions in its mental health department.

Man, 70, freed from jail after Nevada casino crash LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 70-year-old Washington state man has been freed on $6,000 bail pending arraignment on felony charges in a deadly Nevada casino crash that killed two people and injured at least seven, authorities said. Walter McGie of Kelso, Wash., was released late Wednesday from the local police lockup in Laughlin and scheduled for arraignment March 11 in Laughlin Justice Court on two

charges of reckless driving causing death, a court clerk said. Each charge carries a possible sentence of probation or one to six years in state prison. It was unclear if McGie had a lawyer, and there was no telephone listing for him in Laughlin or Kelso. A message left for McGie with his bail bondsman at All Star Bail Bonds was not immediately returned. Las Vegas police said

McGie told investigators he fainted before his 2007 Pontiac Vibe crashed Wednesday morning through the front entrance and into a bank of slot machines at the Edgewater Hotel & Casino in Laughlin. Las Vegas police cover the Colorado River resort town about 100 miles south of Las Vegas. Crash investigators have impounded casino security videotapes that officials said should show

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the crash from several angles. Police Officer Barbara Morgan said Thursday the video is evidence and will not be released to the public until trial. Investigators also were due Thursday to begin trying to determine if McGie’s vehicle had a mechanical malfunction as it sped through a red light, across Casino Drive and down a 150-foot horseshoe-shaped driveway into the front doors of the 26-story hotel.

VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Arrests • Derrick Devon Royster, 32, of 1628 Steward Ave. was served Feb. 3 with an order for arrest. Misdemeanor failure to appear on a charge of failing to comply with child support. Cash bond was set at $179. Court date Feb. 10. • Billy Ray Hendley Jr., 40, of 133 Shank St. was served Feb. 3 with an order for arrest. Misdemeanor failure to appear on a charge of failing to comply with child support. Cash bond was set at $457. Court date Feb. 10. • Richard T. Sanford Jr., 38, of 530 Dr. Finch Road was served Feb. 3 with an order for arrest. Misdemeanor failure to appear on a charge of failing to comply with child support. Cash bond was set at $1,000. Court date Feb. 24. • Michael Crawford, 44, of 3695 Weldon’s Mill Road was served Feb. 3 with an order for arrest. Misdemeanor simple worthless check. Misdemeanor show cause. Secured bond was

set at $1,000. Court date Feb. 15. In another report, subject was served Feb. 3 with an order for arrest. Misdemeanor failure to appear on a charge of driving while license revoked. Secured bond was set at $300. Court date March 1. • Linda M. House, 20, of 932 Pine Ridge Road was arrested Feb. 3. Misdemeanor second degree trespassing. Misdemeanor aid and abet larceny. Secured bond was set at $1,000. Court date Feb. 22. • Chelsie Dale House, 19, of 2940 Warrenton Road was arrested Feb. 3. Misdemeanor failure to appear on a charge of shoplifting. Secured bond was set at $1,000. Court date March 2.

Larceny • Snow Companies, 698 Linden Drive, Eden, reported Feb. 3 the theft from 1695 Dabney Drive of a 50-gallon hot water heater valued at $400.

HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT Larceny • Horace Bishop, 37, of 55 Bishop Lane, Kittrell, reported Feb. 3 the theft from a vehicle of a car stereo system valued at $200. • Dannie Lee Howard, 47, of 717 Quail Run Lane reported Feb. 3 the theft from a vehicle of a car stereo system valued at $200. Damage to passenger side window estimated at $100.

meanor fictitious registration. Secured bond was set at $1,000. Court March 10. • Ciarra Williams, 16, of 1127 U.S. Hwy. 1, Norlina, was arrested Feb. 3. Misdemeanor shoplifting. No bond listed. Court date March 8. • Robert Keith Rainey, 45, of 328 Winder St. was arrested Feb. 3. Misdemeanor assault on a female. No bond. Court date Feb. 23.

Arrests • Michael M. Johnson, 23, of 1348 Nicholas St. was arrested Feb. 4. Misdemeanor driving while license revoked. Misdemeanor possession of marijuana up to a half-ounce. Secured bond was set at $1,000. Court date March 9. • Linda House, 20, of 935 Pine Ridge Road was arrested Feb. 3. Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Misde-

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Attorney says U.S. Baptists charged in Haiti child case By FRANK BAJAK Associated Press Writer

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Ten members of a U.S. missionary group who tried to take 33 children out of Haiti after the nation’s devastating earthquake were charged with child kidnapping and criminal association on Thursday, their Haitian lawyer said. Edwin Coq said after a court hearing that a judge AP Photo/Susan Walsh found sufficient evidence to charge the Americans, Nicole Meese feeds giant panda Tai Shan on a cargo plane Thursday at Dulles International who were arrested Friday Airport in Chantilly, Va., before heading to China. Two giant pandas born in American zoos at Haiti’s border with will become part of a breeding program in their endangered species’ native land. the Dominican Republic. Coq attended Thursday’s hearing and represents the entire group in Haiti. Group leader Laura Silsby has said they were trying to take orphans and abandoned children to an weeks putting together National Zoo, she recalled By BRETT ZONGKER orphanage in the neigha photo booklet of the tracking his growth from Associated Press Writer boring Dominican Repubthe size of a stick of butter signals for his new keepers lic. She acknowledged in China. to nearly 200 pounds. WASHINGTON (AP) they may have lacked Chinese zookeepers are paperwork but said they Pandas have a long, — Two giant pandas born advertising for a tutor to symbolic history in Washin American zoos were just meant to help victims provide language lessons headed to China by special ington. The first panda of the quake. Officials say for Mei Lan to understand many of the children still couple, Ling-Ling and cargo jet Thursday to her handlers. Hsing-Hsing, arrived in become part of a breeding have parents. The female panda, 1972 as a gift to the Amerprogram in their endanThe U.S. citizens, most whose name means ican people from China gered species’ native land. of them members of an “Atlanta beauty,” was the Idaho-based church group, after President Richard Three-year-old Mei first cub born at Zoo AtNixon’s historic visit. Lan of Zoo Atlanta and lanta. Her arrival in 2006 The pair lived more 4 1/2-year-old Tai Shan brought thousands more than 20 years at the zoo of the National Zoo in visitors to the zoo and miland produced five cubs — Washington were loaded LONDON (AP) — The lions of clicks to an online but none survived. into travel crates for their British government wants The zoo’s two remaining panda cam. long flight to new homes in Since then, her parents, pubs to try out shatterproof pandas, mother Mei Xiang Sichuan. pint glasses as a way to Lun Lun and Yang Yang, Zookeepers fed Tai Shan and father Tian Tian, are had another cub — Xi Lan cut back on beer-related on a 10-year, $10 million apple and pear slices by violence. — a male born in 2008. loan until December. Vethand through bars in his The problem is the high erinarians hope Mei Xiang shipping crate before he number of binge drinkers Associated Press writers left for Dulles Internation- may be pregnant after a who break pint glasses and Dorie Turner and Ron Harris recent artificial inseminaal Airport early Thursday use the jagged remains as in Atlanta contributed to this tion. in a caravan escorted weapons in fights. report. For animal keeper by U.S. Park Police. He Nicole Meese, Tai Shan’s munched calmly and departure is personal. She looked out through clear first held him as a baby plastic windows. and spent late nights callIn Atlanta, Mei Lan ing him when he learned could be seen pacing Canine Influenza is a highly contagious virus to climb trees but wouldn’t rapidly back and forth known to cause respiratory illness and spread come down. before her crate was lifted rapidly from dog to dog. Protect your pet To help ease the transiinto the belly of a FedEx today with the new influenza vaccine. tion from English to Chifreighter for a flight to West Hills Veterinary Centre nese, Meese trained Tai Washington, where she Shan, whose name means will join Tai Shan for the “peaceful mountain,” with 158 By-Pass West Gwynn Lane China trip aboard another hand signals. She spent Boeing 777 with a panda PO Box 590 • Henderson, NC 27536 painted on the side. “He’s our success story,” 37-year-old Deanna Williston said of Tai Shan. During a Wednesday visit to the Smithsonian’s

Pandas leave D.C., Atlanta for their new homes in China

were whisked away from the closed court hearing to jail in Port-au-Prince, the capital. One of them, Laura Silsby, waved and smiled faintly to reporters but declined to answer questions. Coq said that under Haiti’s legal system, there won’t be an open trial, but a judge will consider the evidence and could render a verdict in about three months. Coq said a Haitian prosecutor told him the Americans were charged because they had the children in their possession. No one from the Haitian government could be reached immediately for comment. Each kidnapping count carries a possible sentence of five to 15 years in prison. Each criminal association count has a potential sentence of three to nine years. Coq said that nine of the 10 knew nothing about the alleged scheme, or that paperwork for the children was not in order. “I’m going to do everything I can to get the nine out,” Coq said. That would still leave mission leader Laura Silsby facing

charges. Only minutes earlier, the Americans’ Dominican lawyer, Jorge Puello, had said he expected at least nine of the 10 to be released Thursday, and said he was arranging a charter flight for them from Santo Domingo, the Dominican capital. After the Haitian lawyer’s announcement, Puello could not be reached by telephone for comment. “I’m at the airport (in Santo Domingo) and we’re getting the plane ready. We’re just waiting for the green light,” Puello said. “I spoke to a source inside the jail — a government official — who said nine would be released but one would be held for further investigation.” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in Washington the U.S. was monitoring the case and was open to discuss “other legal avenues” for the defendants — an apparent reference to the Haitian prime minister’s earlier suggestion that Haiti could consider sending the Americans back to the United States for prosecution.

British building a better pint glass Officials say the resulting injuries cost the National Health Service about 2.7 billion pounds ($4.3 billion) each year. Officials say there are an estimated 87,000 incidents each year involving pint glasses and other glasses used as weapons. Two prototype pint

glasses designed not to break up into dangerous shards were introduced Thursday by the Home Office anti-crime design team and the governmentfunded Design Council. Further tests will be made before the glasses are introduced on a voluntary basis.

You May Have Gotten Your Flu Shot, But Has Your Dog?

(252) 438-7163

Second large quake hits off Calif. coast PETROLIA, Calif. (AP) — Residents of Northern California’s Humboldt County were rocked by a magnitude-6.0 earthquake Thursday, but officials said there were no immediate reports of major injury or damage from the second large temblor to hit the area within a month. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude-6.0 quake struck at 12:20 p.m. about 35 miles northwest of the community of Petrolia and nearly 50 miles west of Eureka. The shaking was felt within a 150-mile radius, as far north as southern Oregon and as far south as Sonoma County, according to the USGS Web site. Local officials and residents reported feeling a rolling sensation that caused items to fall from walls and shelves. Many said the movement didn’t feel nearly as severe as the magnitude-6.5 quake that struck the same region Jan. 9 and caused more than $40 million in damage and one serious injury — an elderly woman who fell and broke her hip. Eureka Fire Chief Eric Smith said crews were checking on structures that were damaged in the previous earthquake to ensure they’re secure.

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Opinion

The Daily Dispatch

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Friday, February 5, 2010

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

Daily Meditation Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

Our Opinion

Attracting business takes speed Henderson’s budget woes are no different than the rest of the state’s. Sales tax revenues are again up in the air. How much will the city generate in sales tax revenue? Unfortunately, probably less than what was budgeted — at the end of November the city was about $36,000 behind. Hopefully, when the Christmas shopping numbers come in, it will boost the city back to the budgeted figure. If not, city leaders will find themselves looking for additional ways to trim costs. City Manager Ray Griffin had some harsh words at last week’s retreat. He said Henderson has fallen behind regionally when it comes to stores people want to shop at. We have no Bed, Bath & Beyonds and Targets, he said. Griffin is right. Henderson has its share of stores (Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Belk), but increasingly is losing its ability to attract shoppers from around the region. Griffin said in order to correct the problem, the city will need to move at “the speed of business.” He stressed that Henderson is currently not competitive with other communities when it comes to attracting businesses. Griffin was not alone in his assessment of the city. “Well, we need to do something fairly quickly,” because by the time Henderson gets to the speed of business it will seem like the speed of business will be passing by, Councilwoman Sara Coffey said. Coffey said she could not understand where the breakdown is between what the city has and the “positive spin” she has heard. “We’ve got probably more empty warehouse space than any city, county, town I know of,” she said. Henderson and Vance County have real challenges on the economic front, and meeting those challenges will take a lot of work. Attracting new businesses in today’s economy is no easy task. But the first step seems simple enough: Find a permanent Economic Development Commission director. The EDC has been without a full-time, permanent director for over a year now. That’s about as far from “the speed of business” as you can get. If city and county leaders and the EDC can’t find a director soon, businesses will continue to speed right past Henderson and Vance County.

What’s your opinion? The Daily Dispatch welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed, include the author’s city of residence, and should be limited to 300 words. Please include a telephone number for verification. We reserve the right to edit comments for length, clarity, libelous material, personal attacks and poor taste. We do not publish anonymous letters, form letters, letters with names withheld or letters where we cannot verify the writer’s identity. Letters can be accepted by e-mail, but city of residence and a phone number for verification purposes still must be included.

As the hour edged closer to bedtime, I was certain my uneasy jitters would dissipate. And yet, this notion was immeasurably inaccurate. My quandary emerged as did my footsteps, in the snowpacked path to my sisters house earlier that day. With the aid of my four-wheel drive, I had ventured to visit housebound family. And my oldest sister, Wendy, was my first stop. Following a forceful knock on her back door, my sister greeted me dressed in a cotton-blend night robe draped over heartcovered Valentine’s pajamas. And slipping the warm winter coat from my chilled body, I revealed my own Christmas pajamas. We both laughed, and thus began our sisterly communion. It was then, noticing her television screen, that I should have responded contrarily. I realized, even at that moment, the potential problem ahead. Had I acknowledged my intuition, I would have asked my sister to please change the channel. Furthermore, I would never have requested a summary of the movie’s plot. But as always, curiosity seized control of my better judgement. “What’s that your watching?!” I inquired, already a bit spooked, but mimicking fearlessness. Following her synopsis of the horror movie, she ended with,

“and it’s a true story.” Looking back, I’m certain it was at this moment that my flush faded, replaced by a ghostly hue that matched several of the characters in the movie cast. The day progressed, as did my afternoon visits. And subsequently all fears subsided, lounging in the back Gina chambers Eaves of my mind, awaiting Daily Dispatch bedtime’s Columnist arrival. As bedtime approached, I prepared myself for a much needed slumber, certain that I would sleep well. I was convinced the eerie flick would not spook me now, hours after its viewing. And so laying aside a stack of newspapers, and flipping the switch on my bedroom’s overhead light, I crawled into a mountain of blankets and pillows. I’d barely eased into the sheets when I scampered out again, flipping the light switch “on” in the adjoining hallway. An extra light would surely pacify any potential anxieties. Such notion proved erroneous. As I lay in bed, my eyes shrinkingly shifted about

the room. Glimpsing a collector’s doll atop my dresser, I froze, remembering a scene from the frightening flick that involved multiple haunted china dolls. The mind’s a mighty powerful enemy I have long believed, and as fearful notions flooded my thoughts and that doll wickedly peered at me, I considered my options. “It was just a movie,” came the chuckled response from my sister, following a frantic phone call as the evening grew yet older. “There’s nothing in that house that’s going to harm you. Just say a prayer and go to sleep.” “But you said it was a true story?” I insistently whispered. “I’m sure those folks were praying hard, too. And look what happened to them!” Despite Wendy’s calming colloquy, the movie plagued my thoughts. And in my mind’s ruminations, nearly every object in my bedroom had assumed dangerous potential. It was at this moment that I adminstered a prayer of thanksgiving: I graciousy praised God for an enormous student loan debt, which prevented me from fleeing Mama and Daddy’s nest. Mama was dozing as I slid into her bedroom. I stood by her bed, awaiting her motherly instinct to sense my presence. But such instinct slept as well, as Mama never budged. And so, I reached for mama’s

blanketed form and began to shake it. Mama remained asleep, until such shaking intensified, finally rousing her. “Mama, I’m scared!” I whispered as her eyes opened, spotting her favorite child by her bedside. Initially hers was an incoherent response. Confused, she mumbled something in a language I didn’t understand. Bedtime language, I assumed. “Mama,” I whispered more emphatically. “Please let me sleep with you!” Moments later, I was covered in Mama’s blankets and telling her the bits and pieces of what had scared me. She agreed that it was bad of Wendy to scare me, and I reveled in this disparagement. And then we both fell asleep. Logic tells me that Mama couldn’t have saved me that night had any haunting inhabited our house. Not even Daddy, snoring on the couch as I slept in his place could have prevented the likes of ghosts. And so I question why it is that, although 30 years old, my parents remain the invincible protectors I’ve considered them all these years. But they do. And that’s how it should be. Gina Eaves is an Epsom native, a Peace College graduate and an advertising representative at The Daily Dispatch. Her columns appear on Fridays.

Get involved in Community Watch I’m sure most of the residents of Henderson and Vance County are aware that the city and county governments proclaimed 2010 The Year of Community Watch. Jan. 28 was a very significant day in regards to this year-long emphasis because the first Henderson/Vance Community Watch Association was organized. This association will motivate, resource, train and network the 21 community watches we have in the city and county as well as strive to see many more organized during 2010. Maybe the first order of business should be to answer the question, What is Community Watch? Community Watch is a crime prevention program that involves citizens working with each other and with law enforcement agencies to reduce crime and victimization in their communities. It involves citizens

protecting themselves and their property by using common sense crime prevention practices. Neighbors getting to know each other, watching out for each other and acting on or reporting suspicious activities. Citizens working with groups, community leaders and more importantly, law enforcement agencies to make entire communities safe and free from crime are a major objective of community watch. Then the second question would be, Why start a Community Watch? Because law enforcement officers cannot be on every street corner, citizen involvement is necessary to combat crime. On average, there are approximately two law enforcement officers for every 1,000 citizens. You and your neighbors are the ones who really know what is going on in your community. By cooperating with each other and with the police, citizens

can help fight crime in the most effective way — preventing the victimization of themselves, their families and friends. You are the key element in fighting crime. Get involved! Please understand that Community Watch works. The goal of Community Watch is to make criminals aware that every move is being watched and will be reported to the police or sheriff departments. Across North Carolina, citizens work together to secure their homes, mark their valuables, identify drug dealers, develop child safety programs and improve the environment in which they and their families live. Neighbors get to know each other and this improves the morale and pride in the community. Projects other then crime prevention can be tackled by local citizens, that are now organized, that will improve

Letter Jobs can’t be created; work can’t be made In his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech, Patrick Hendry said, “Men may cry ‘peace, peace’ but there is not peace. Today men cry, ‘jobs, jobs’ but there are no jobs. Our political leaders say they are going to create jobs. Please

tell me how you create jobs. Jobs are not created; rather, they simply happen when someone wants a product or service and someone else agrees to provide it for a fee. Unfortunately, in today’s economy much of these products and services are produced by overseas people who work for very low wages. These products are then shipped into our country and sold for a fraction of the price it

would cost us to produce them. Another phrase I detest is “make work.” What kind of work are we going to make? Are we going to build more roads that parallel roads we already have? Are we going to build bridges that go nowhere? Are we going to build bigger and more ornate buildings that will sit empty or partially so? And all these things are supposed to be partially paid for by

the quality of life for all. I’m sold on the worth, effects and benefits of Community Watch and what it potentially can do to improve Henderson and Vance County. Today, I want to appeal to the public to get involved in this effort by considering organizing a community watch in your community or neighborhood. Time is of the essence so please don’t delay, contact either the police or sheriff’s department today and get started in the process of formulating an active and meaningful community watch. If I can assist you in the effort please call me as well at 252-438-3322. Thank you for your interest in making our city and county a better place to live and raise a family. Frank Sossamon is chairman of Henderson/Vance Crime Stoppers, 252-438-3322 to the

Editor

unemployed workers who only draw an unemployment check. Finally, sooner or later we are going to have to realize that entitlement programs were (or should have been) established for the benefit of our American citizens and are not to be considered goody bags for everybody to dig into. John A. Rainey Henderson

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