The Daily Dispatch - Saturday, October 3, 2009 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK Friday Night Football Ticker ... Louisburg 29, N. Vance 11 ... Northwood 14, S. Vance 7 … Cedar Ridge 20, J.F. Webb 14 (OT) ... NW Halifax 26, Warren Co. 14 ... Early voting continues today

Keep covering political scandals

New non-denominational church service

Local News, Page 4A

Opinion, Page 6A

Faith, Page 1C SATURDAY, October 3, 2009

Volume XCV, No. 232

(252) 436-2700

VGCC ball benefits endowment By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer

The Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund will be one of the beneficiaries of the college’s 40th Anniversary Ball. The other beneficiaries will be supporters of the college, who will enjoy dinner and music at the celebration. The ball will be held tonight in the Civic Center on the college’s main campus. Dress is black tie optional. The deadline for the required reservations has passed. The evening will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served from 6:30 to 7:30. The Andrew Thielen Big Band, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., will provide music until 11:30. Thielen will man the drums while the musicians he brings together from throughout North Carolina and surrounding states sing and play a selection of popular songs from the 1940s up to the present. Proceeds of the ball will go to the VGCC Endowment Fund, which has awarded more than 5,000 scholarships since 1982. Celebration of VGCC’s 40th aniversary will continue on Saturday, Oct. 10, Please see BALL, page 4A

Index Our Hometown . . . . . 2A Business & Farm. . . . 5A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Light Side . . . . . . . . . 7A Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5C Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 6C Classifieds. . . . . . . 7-9C

50 cents

Oxford mayor candidates ask for votes By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — Residents saw not a two but a three-candidate field for mayor at a pre-election forum for municipal candidates. With departing City Commissioner Steve Powell having decided hours earlier Thursday to declare himself a write-in candidate for the top position, voters will now be choosing between him, Mayor Al Woodlief and two-time challenger Frank Strickland. The public got the chance to hear the trio at an evening gathering held at the Public Works Complex and sponsored by the

Granville “If you’ve County been excited Chamber about the of Comnew busimerce and nesses that the County have been Human coming to Relations Oxford over Woodlief Powell Strickland Commission. the past few Voters on months, I asNov. 3 will decide who they want sure you the next year will not let to be the city’s chief executive for you down,” Woodlief said. the next two years. Although Woodlief did not Woodlief, who spoke first, said, name names, a new Walmart “Oxford is not what it was 20, Supercenter opened the middle of 50 or 100 years ago. And it will last month off U.S. 15 near Intercontinue to change in the future state 85 and a new Walgreens is if we embrace the challenges as nearing completion at the corner they come.” of Linden Avenue and Hillsboro

Street. Woodlief told the forum audience he wants Oxford to be the beautiful, friendly and safe city “that I know it to be.” “That requires a lot of hard work by a lot of people. And I can assure you that I have and will continue to work hard to deliver the quality of life that Oxford citizens deserve,” Woodlief said. And Woodlief said, “When citizens interact with city representatives, they must feel that they have been treated fairly and in a timely manner.” Additionally, Woodlief said OxPlease see MAYOR, page 4A

Colorful sign of the season Hopefuls have say

at Oxford forum

Election event draws 10 of 13 vying for four commission seats By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Leaves begin their annual color change on this maple tree off Chestnut Street Friday afternoon. Little signs of Autumn have begun with fall foilage hitting its peak around mid-October.

Bible verses banned from Ga. school football field banners By DORIE TURNER Associated Press Writer

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. — When the Warriors of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High take the field Friday night, the football team won’t be running through the cheerleaders’ usual banner bearing a Today Bible verse. The school district Cloudy banned the banners last High: 80 week over concerns they Low: 49 were unconstitutional and could provoke a lawsuit, angering many in the deepSunday ly religious north Georgia town of Fort Oglethorpe. Sunny “I’m just kind of unHigh: 80 nerved about it,” said Low: 53 18-year-old Cassandra Cooksey, a recent graduDetails, 3A ate who often prayed with her fellow marching band members before football games. “It seems like the majority of people in our Emporia, Va. community want this and James E. Harris, Sr., 82 they don’t have a problem Henderson with it, so I think they Clarence E. Hargrove Sr., 59 should be allowed to have

Weather

Deaths

James R. Hoyle Jr., 61 William A. Terry Oxford Walter T. Green, 69 Sidney Sanford Warrenton Alphonso Twisdale, 74

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the signs if they want to.” The move has galvanized the community. Hundreds of people attended a rally this week supporting the signs, which included messages such as: “Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Many students attended class Friday wearing shirts with Bible verses and painted their cars with messages that read: “Warriors for Christ.” “When you get a whole bunch of teenagers mad, this is what happens. We stand up for what believe in,” 16-year-old Shelby Rouse said over the roar of a pre-game pep rally. The 900-student school began running through the Biblical banners shortly after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and school Principal Jerry Ransom said he enthusiastically supported it then. But Catoosa County schools Superintendent Denia Reese banned the practice after a parent

complained. Reese said the school board’s attorney advised her the signs violated federal law because they were being displayed by the cheerleaders during a school-sponsored event. “I regret that the cheerleaders cannot display their signs in the football stadium without violating the First Amendment,” Reese said in a statement. “I rely on reading the Bible daily, and I would never deny our students the opportunity to express their religious beliefs.” The Anti-Defamation League, a human rights group, sent a letter to Reese commending the ban. “There are legal ways for students to have religious observation in a school context and there are illegal ways, and we believe Reese is correct that the football game crosses a line,” said Bill Nigut, the group’s southeast regional director.

OXFORD — Ten of the 13 candidates seeking election to four City Commission positions participated in an extensive preelection forum in which residents got a first-time chance to see who they will be considering in the Nov. 3 election. Oxford’s electorate will have to decide who should replace departing incumbents Paul Kiesow, Steve Powell, Bob Shope and Chance Wilkinson. Oxford’s seven-member commission serves staggered four-year terms. The forum, held Thursday evening at the Public Works Complex, was sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce and the County Human Relations Committee. Here is a summary what of the attending candidates, in alphabetical

order, had to say: • Jim Branch, who is retired from sales and marketing in the foundry and automotive industry, said, “I think we need a good dose of common sense and we need fiscal responsibility.” Branch said he believes Oxford needs openness in government and to solicit the input of all citizens. “And our obligation is to listen with an open mind and to be open to change and to pursue change where necessary,” Branch added. • Ron Bullock is retired from working two decades for Burlington Industries and is presently a parttime instructor for VanceGranville Community College. “I enjoy being a part of looking at the issues and dealing with them and addressing them,” Bullock said. Please see FORUM, page 3A

N.C. applies for $5 billion for high-speed rail

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina has applied to the Obituaries, 4A federal government for more than $5 billion to improve rail service between Charlotte and Washington. Gov. Beverly Perdue announced Friday state officials had applied for the second round of federal stimulus

funds for high-speed rail projects. The recovery law had $8 billion in competitive highspeed rail grants nationwide. State rail division director Pat Simmons says North Carolina’s application includes a joint plan with Virginia to improve the cor-

ridor between Charlotte and Richmond, Va. Simmon says the application also seeks money to add second tracks between Raleigh and Charlotte to increase rail traffic volume and to provide a more direct northbound route out of Raleigh to Virginia.

KVA Queen

Daily Dispatch/EARL KING

Bailey Hughes, daughter of Art and Heidi Hughes of Henderson, was crowned 2009 Homecoming Queen during halftime festivities Friday night at Kerr-Vance Academy.

The Daily Dispatch

Mark It Down Today VGCC Anniversary Ball — Vance-Granville Community College will hold its 40th Anniversary Ball, a ticketed dinner and dance, beginning at 6 p.m. in the VGCC Civic Center on the main campus. The Andrew Thielen Big Band will play from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. For more information, call Jo Anna Jones at 738-3430. Library sale — The Friends of the Warren County Memorial Library is sponsoring its annual book sale at the Warren County Memorial Library, Front Street in Warrenton, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and from 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow. An early bird sale will be held today from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for members of the Friends of the Library organization. Members of the public are invited to become a member and get the best selection. Memberships may be purchased at the door for only $10. Benefit ride — The Warrenton Rural Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a benefit motorcycle ride/poker run covering 110 miles around Lake Gaston and Kerr Lake. The ride starts at the fire department at 236 S. Main St. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the ride begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $20 per biker ($10 per rider). For more information, contact John Blalock at 2571572. Henderson Institute — The Henderson Institute Triad Chapter will meet at 11 a.m. at the Henderson Institute Museum on Rockspring Street. The guest speaker will be Gloria White, chairperson, Vance County Board of Education. Those attending are asked to please bring a donation of non-perishable food items for a Thanksgiving donation to ACTS. Scrapbooking event — A scrapbooking “swarm” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library, 205 Breckenridge St., Henderson. Those interested in participating and joining a regular scrapbooking club should contact Alexis Baskerville-Cheatham at (252) 432-2644. Ridgeway Opry House — Performing are special guests, The Straight Way Band, along with Matt Nelson, Joyce Chisenhall, Jackie Turner, Verlin Bailey, Ronald Puett and Frieda, Julia Morton and Friends, Alan and Betsy Reid and The Home Folks, and Evelina Norwood. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Coming Oct. 10, Tri-County Bluegrass and Oct. 24, New Grace Bluegrass. Dee’s Music Barn — Dee’s Music Barn, 3101 Walters Road, Creedmoor, will be featuring The Woodruff Band at 7 p.m. For more information, call (919) 528-5878.

Sunday Art show — Ruth Russell Williams will hold her fifth annual one woman art show on the grounds of her residence at 45 Williams Lane in the Williamsboro community from 2-5 p.m. For more information, call (252) 492-2662.

Monday World Habitat Day — Granville County Habitat for Humanity will hold a World Habitat Day event at the Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and address the lack of decent housing around the world, including the need for affordable housing in Granville County. Planning board — The City of Henderson’s Planning Board will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers of City Hall, 134 Rose Ave. School board — The Granville County Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Board of Education Administrative Offices, 101 Delacroix St., Oxford. Course for farmers — The Vance County Extension Center is conducting a course for beginning farmers and market gardeners entitled “Homegrown: From Seed to Market” on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. beginning today and continuing through Nov. 2. The course will include instruction in soil preparation, vegetable production, fruit production, cut flowers, pest control, season extension and marketing techniques, and will meet at the extension office, 305 Young St. There is a $7 registration fee to help cover the cost of materials. For more information, contact Wayne Rowland at (252) 438-8188 or Paul McKenzie at paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

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 person’s name and phone number in case there are questions. Items for this listing can be e-mailed to communitynews@hendersondispatch.com.

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Our Hometown

Saturday, October 3, 2009

4-H – looking back, moving forward This year marks the centennial of North Carolina 4-H. For 100 years, 4-H programs have been helping youth from Murphy to Manteo learn life skills through hands-on, age-appropriate learning activities. The 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better,” has been the driving force behind 4-H programs that have changed the lives of thousands of youth in North Carolina Pam for the better. In Jones fact, 4-H Cooperative is still the Extension largest youth organization in North Carolina and the nation. In 2008, 204,419 youth participated in North Carolina 4-H programs. Over half of those youth live in small towns, a notable change from the roots of 4-H, which were farm and rural-based. Vance County 4-H also has a rich history. Many of the adults I encounter around the county today were active in community 4-H clubs, made presentations at District Activity Days, attended week-long sessions of N.C. 4-H Congress each July at N.C. State University, and won awards at the local, district, state and even national levels. These successful businessmen and women often share how life skills learned in 4-H

shaped them as youth and led them to the success they enjoy today. One of those successful 4-Hers whose list of 4-H achievements is quite lengthy was inducted into the inaugural class of the N.C. 4-H Hall of Fame. This honor was bestowed on Jean Jackson, Ph.D., vice president for college programs at Meredith College, at the 2009 N.C. 4-H Congress in Raleigh in July. As a 4-H member herself, Jackson worked with Vance County 4-H agent Carolyn Stanley to start a new 4-H club in Kittrell. From shepherding new 4-Hers to shepherding college students, Jackson is a perfect example of how current success was built upon the skills learned in 4-H as a youth. So what’s going on in Vance County 4-H presently? Is 4-H still a relevant youth program? Why, yes! In 2009, four new 4-H club leaders have received training to begin four new 4-H clubs. These are the first new clubs to be started in Vance County in a number of years. School enrichment efforts were started in two Vance County schools using 4-H curriculum and trained volunteers. Teachers and students were thrilled with the results. Summer camp numbers rose for the third year. Numbers of youth participating in 4-H special interest programs also increased. Youth aged 5-18 years participated in programs offered by Vance County 4-H as varied

Senior center to start Wii Games Day on Wednesday The Vance County Senior Center will begin Wii Games Day on Wednesday. The Wii Sports and the Wii Fitness games were donated to the senior center. There are many games to have fun with such as bowling, boxing, tennis, golf, baseball, skiing, hula hoop, etc. Wii Games Day will

continue every Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Anyone 50 years old or more is invited to come out and have fun and get in plenty of exercise at the same time. The senior center is located at 126 S. Garnett Street. Please call (252) 430-0257 for more information.

Kerr Lake Glassworks All of your Automotive, Commercial and Residential Needs Phone: (252) 492-6423 • Fax: (252) 492-6170 Email: kerrlakeglassworks@gmail.com Website: www.kerrlakeglassworks.com

as beginner carving and sewing classes, livestock workshops, workshops designed to teach youth how to make healthier choices with food and exercise, and guitar and tennis lessons, to name just a few. In all these programs, the underlying goal was to teach youth life skills using hands-on activities while expanding their knowledge in new areas of interest. National 4-H week is this coming week, Oct. 4-10. Celebrate with Vance County 4-H as we observe National 4-H Youth Science Day on Oct. 7. Fourth through eighth grade students are invited to be-

come scientific researchers for a day to explore how biofuels may be an answer to our future energy needs. To register your child, please come by the Vance County Cooperative Extension Office at 305 Young St. in Henderson on Monday. You can also become a Vance County 4-H Centennial donor by making a tax deductible donation to support Vance County 4-H programs. For more information on these or any other 4-H programs, please contact me at (252) 438-8188 or by email at pam_jones@ncsu. edu. Please check out our website at http://vance.ces. ncsu.edu.

Tips from the Vance Co. Parenting Task Force Breast milk is protective! Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect babies from some sicknesses during their lifetimes. Any cold/flu, virus or immunization that mom has had causes her to produce antibodies to fight those diseases off. Mom’s breast milk contains antibodies that are passed on to the baby, which decreases the baby’s chances of getting that cold, etc. We strongly

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encourage moms to make the best choice possible for their baby. Breast feeding allows mom to pass on a protection for her baby that can last a lifetime. By Jacqueline Ross, RN Maria Parham Medical Center

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(PG) FRIDAY: 5:10, 7:20 & 9:30PM SAT: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20 & 9:30PM SUN: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10 & 7:20PM MON-THUR: 5:10 & 7:20PM

SURROGATES

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PANDORUM

(R) FRIDAY: 7:20 & 9:30PM SAT: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20 & 9:30PM SUN: 3:00, 5:10 & 7:20PM MON-THUR: 7:20PM

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (PG) FRIDAY: 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00PM SAT: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00PM SUN: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00PM MON-THUR: 5:00 & 7:00PM

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CritiC’s ChoiCe IS ANYBODY THERE? (PG13)

FRI 10/2/09 @ 5:00PM SAT & SUN: 10/3-10/4/09 @ 1:00PM

THE ANSWER MAN (R)

MON-FRI 10/5-10/9/09 @ 5:00PM SAT & SUN: 10/10-10/11/09 @ 1:00PM

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Mike’s BarBer and Beauty shop

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Living Stones Church of God Worship Center HOMECOMING Sunday, October 4th 10:30 AM Performance by The Mills Family

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From Page One

The Daily Dispatch

Saturday, October 3, 2009

NATIONAL WEATHER

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. Seattle 58/45 Billings 56/31

Minneapolis 54/38

Detroit 58/47 Washington 76/53

Chicago 55/45 Denver 63/35

San Francisco 67/51

Kansas City 64/44

Los Angeles 75/58 Houston 84/72

Fairbanks 41/28

-10s

-0s

Miami 88/77

Honolulu 88/75

Hilo 83/69

Juneau 50/36

10s

20s

30s

40s

Showers Rain T-storms Snow Flurries

50s

60s

70s

Ice

80s

90s

100s

110s

Stationary front

Cold front

Warm front

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR HENDERSON TODAY

TONIGHT

SUNDAY

80°

49°

80°

53°

Mostly cloudy

Mainly clear

Mostly sunny and nice

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

80°

57°

82°

65°

Nice with sunshine

59°

An afternoon t-storm possible

A thunderstorm possible

ALMANAC

SUN AND MOON

Temperature

Sunrise today ........................... Sunset today ............................ Moonrise today ........................ Moonset today ......................... Sunrise tomorrow ..................... Sunset tomorrow ...................... Moonrise tomorrow .................. Moonset tomorrow ...................

Raleigh-Durham through 6 p.m. yest. High .................................................... 77° Low ..................................................... 55° Normal high ........................................ 76° Normal low ......................................... 54° Record high ............................ 91° in 1986 Record low .............................. 32° in 1947

Full

Last

New

First

Oct 4

Oct 11

Oct 18

Oct 25

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

WinstonSalem

Asheville

Henderson

Greensboro

80/49

Rocky Mt.

80/52

78/49

74/40

Durham

Raleigh

80/49

Charlotte

80/46

7:10 a.m. 6:54 p.m. 6:20 p.m. 6:31 a.m. 7:11 a.m. 6:53 p.m. 6:48 p.m. 7:33 a.m.

Moon Phases

Precipitation 24 hours through 6 p.m. yest. ......... 0.00” Month to date .................................. 0.00” Normal month to date ..................... 0.25” Year to date ................................... 26.33” Normal year to date ...................... 34.11”

82/52

Cape Hatteras

Fayetteville

79/65

82/53

LAKE LEVELS

Wilmington

82/56

Elevation in feet above sea level. Data as of 7 a.m. yesterday. 24-Hr. Lake Capacity Yest. Change Gaston 203 199.42 none Kerr 320 294.10 -0.03

24-Hr. Capacity Yest. Change 240 213.09 +0.01 264 248.38 -0.05

Lake Jordan Neuse Falls

REGIONAL CITIES Today

Sun.

Today

Sun.

City

Hi Lo W Hi Lo W

City

Hi Lo W Hi Lo W

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

74 72 80 80 76 76 80 80 74 82 82 78 78 83 74

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

78 82 82 82 80 81 80 82 82 76 80 80 80 82 78

40 42 47 50 45 46 49 55 42 53 55 49 47 59 41

pc pc pc pc s pc pc t pc pc pc pc pc c pc

72 67 81 79 72 78 81 82 73 82 81 78 79 83 75

45 s 46 s 49 s 53 s 54 pc 49 s 53 s 54 s 45 s 54 s 54 s 53 s 52 s 57 s 46 s

Branch

Bullock

A. Currin

48 58 55 50 58 62 65 56 52 52 53 52 51 56 49

pc c pc pc pc c t c pc t pc pc pc pc pc

80 80 84 82 77 79 79 83 81 79 81 81 83 82 79

52 s 58 s 54 s 50 s 55 pc 62 s 64 s 56 s 52 s 52 s 53 s 55 s 49 s 60 s 51 s

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice

The Daily Dispatch

Call 436-2800

“I’ve have some good experience with planning and budgeting and management skills and those kind of things,” Bullock added. • Alice Currin, who had been a commissioner before being defeated in the 2005 election, quipped about her age — she is 81 — being publicized in the Dispatch despite her belief this should not be public. Currin, a member of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment, said, “Don’t hold it against me because I’m old, because I can still do the job.” Currin in 2007 unsuccessfully sought election back to the commission. • Danny Currin, a businessman, cited his service to the city, which includes having been a volunteer firefighter from 1975-2001 and having served on the Planning Board since 2004. Currin said he believes Oxford has some excellent recreational facilities, “but I do not believe they are being used to their full potential to offer more children recreational opportunities.” And Currin said his next objective would be for Oxford to have a fire chief, noting the mid-January departure of Lanny Dillehay and noting the retirement of Assistant Fire Chief Butch Ball. Police Chief John Wolford is doubling as interim fire chief. • Calvin “C.J.” Harris Jr. is a mental health professional with the N.C.

Department of Health and Human Services in Butner. Noting a prior background as an educator, Harris said, “I am focused and I am ready to serve the citizens of Oxford.” Harris said he decided to seek election to the commission because politics is of great interest to him and added, “I feel that I could be a positive face on the board and I could add to what is already there.” And Harris added, “There’s no doubt that we do need some more recreational facilities for our children in Oxford.” • Sue Hinman directs Area Congregations in Ministry, a non-profit organization assisting the needy. “I do feel we do need to push forward in uniting this city in oneness of mind and purpose forward into a new era,” Hinman said. “It’s time to move out of 1960 and push forward into 2010.” That includes bringing Oxford back to being one of the state’s most prominent cities in terms of having quality education, Hinman said. • Bill Johnston, who is retired from the clergy and teaching, said he does not plan to change any existing programs or create any major new ones if he is elected. Johnston said his goal is that, regardless of whatever commission committee he would be in charge of if he is elected, the city employees would be deeply involved up to the final

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Est. Aug. 12, 1914 304 S. Chestnut St. P.O. Box 908 Henderson, N.C. 27536

The Daily Dispatch (USPS 239-940) is published Tuesday through Sunday mornings, except Dec. 25, by Henderson Newspapers Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Henderson, North Carolina, 27536.

SANFORD (AP) — Police say a North Carolina couple failed to make sure a gun in their home stayed out of the hands of their children after the woman’s 2-year-old son was shot to death,

Sanford Police spokesman Capt. David Smith said Friday that 21-year-old Melanie Tyson and 22-yearold Joey Tyson are charged with improper storage of a firearm to protect minors. Investigators say the gun

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boy shot himself or another child fired the gun. The Tysons have been released from jail. Smith doesn’t know if the couple has an attorney, and a phone listing for their home is disconnected.

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well, we all do well.” • David Wicker is an attorney who practices in Durham and who served on Oxford’s Historic Preservation Commission. Wicker drafted the city’s demolition by neglect ordinance, which gives the city the power to act against delinquent property owners in the College Street and Main Street historic districts. Wicker said that, if elected, he would like to focus on a couple of matters. “One is to consider what the development of Oxford should be. Development for development’s sake only is not a goal which the city should have,” Wicker said. And Wicker said that he would like to work with the Police Department on drug and gang prevention. “And where I think we should focus is not with the punishment aspect, but with looking at what the root cause is and trying to prevent that before it gets started,” Wicker said. Candidates Vivian Edwards, David Frazier and David Kimmons were absent. Candidate Constance Lue on Monday withdrew from the contest.

was left on a bed Wednesday. Police say Melanie Tyson and her two other children, a 4-year-old and another toddler, were home at the time, butthey have not figured out if the 2-year-old

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vote. As for finances, Johnston said, “My antenna tells me it’s going to be even worse next year than this year. And this will be mandated expenses versus new money. All I can pledge is: I will fight to hold the line and not have any increases next year.” • Eddie McCoy, a civil rights activist who served on the commission during parts of the 1970s and 80s, continued to argue for greater recreational opportunities. “I’ve been beating this dead horse for 20 years. Everybody knows that — swimming pool, the whole nine yards,” McCoy said, referring to his call for a centrally located site. And McCoy, noting his past service on the commission, added, “If you don’t work with the mayor and have a good relationship with the mayor, you’ll never be a good commissioner.” • Jackie Sergent is health promotion coordinator at the GranvilleVance Health District Department and a community activist. And Sergent noted her mother was the only member of her family to have survived the holocaust. “I believe in considering an issue carefully and weighing the facts before I make a decision,” Sergent said. Sergent said, “I believe in an equitable distribution of resources and helping all our children succeed” and added, “When the least of us does

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Deaths grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Cornerstone Christian Community Church, with eulogy by the Rev. J. Phillip Betts. Burial will follow at Sandy Grove Baptist Church cemetery. The viewing will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Betts and Son Funeral Home in Oxford. Arrangements are by Betts and Son Funeral Home of Oxford.

James Edward Harris Sr. EMPORIA, Va. — James Edward Harris Sr., 82, passed away suddenly on Sept. 28, 2009, at Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center in Emporia, Va. Ed was born in Henderson, N.C., on Oct. 18, 1926. He is survived by his son James E. Harris, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Eileen; sister, Bessie Hester; many wonderful nephews and nieces; and special friends Martha Elliott, Jerry Conner and Wayne Leath. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jacqueline; wife, Esther; and siblings, Jessie, John Billy, Acey, Ferman, Simon, Maggie, Elvis, Alice and Marion. Memorial services will be held on Oct. 10, 2009, at 3 p.m. at Fuller Chapel United Church of Christ, 1470 North Lynnbank Road, Henderson, N.C. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh, N.C., 27605. For additional information or directions, please call (919) 327-2724.

Sidney Sanford OXFORD — Sidney Sanford, a resident of 7106 Shep Royster Road, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at his home. Arrangements will be announced at a later date by Betts and Son Funeral Home in Oxford.

Clarence E. Hargrove Sr. HENDERSON — Clarence Edward Hargrove Sr., 59, of 265 Regina Lane, in the Williamsboro community, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at the University of North Carolina Hospital. He was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., and was the son of the late Roy Sr. and Diley Kearney Hargrove. He attended Vance County public schools and the former Henderson Institute. He was a faithful member of Woodsworth Baptist Church where he sang in the adult choir. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Woodsworth Baptist Church by the Rev. Lawrence Harrison. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Linda Faye Allen Hargrove; five children, Clarence Hargrove Jr., Clarence D. Hargrove, Emily Hunts, Antavious Allen and Cedrick J. Hargrove;

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Walter T. Green OXFORD — Walter Thomas Green, 69, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, at Senior Citizen Home in Henderson. He was a Granville County native and a member of Cornerstone Christian Community Church. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine M. Green; two daughters, Dereen F. Green and Jacinta N. Green, both of Kittrell; a son, Derrick K. Green of Fayetteville; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-

“Festival for the 40th” call Jo Anna Jones, VGCC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Director of Endowment Program, at (252) 7383430. Contact the writer at dirvine@ hendersondispatch.com.

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commission votes to make changes. Powell said he did not believe the office of mayor had any real authority, but learned the position has the power of influence and the power to guide, motivate, inspire, unite and cross barriers. Oxford has a commission-manager form of government, with the mayor chairing commission meetings and casting tiebreaking votes. Powell said he would seek better relations with the county as well as the surrounding area. Powell said he would emphasize economic development, but in terms of making sure a person has marketable skills to get a job. While Powell, who doubles as the commission’s Recreation Committee Chairman, continued to emphasize a need to focus on youth, he also cited the need to focus on senior citizens. Powell, who is a teacher, went on to say he believes there needs to be a better relationship with the County Schools System, noting, “If we are in the business of people, then we are in the business of children.”

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“It’s time to elect a mayor who cares about the people,” Strickland said. “A mayor is part of a team, but the mayor is the leader of the team. And we need someone with real leadership that looks out for all the people.” Additionally, Strickland cited the lack of a professional fire chief since Lanny Dillehay’s departure in mid-January. “And that, to me, is a very important issue in this election,” Strickland said. “And I will fight for that.” Police Chief John Wolford has been doubling as interim fire chief. The outcome of a $40,000 study of public safety at the request of City Manager Mark Donham has not yet been made public. Donham has said he would hold off a search to fill the fire chief position pending the outcome of the study, which was conducted by the International City/County Management Association. Strickland favored having a self study of public safety. Powell, who is completing a four-year term on the commission, said a reason why he decided not to seek re-election to the sevenmember board is because he has to get three other

Early voting continues today

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ford must continue to attract business and industry while understanding the economy is changing and understanding the city must welcome new people with new visions and new dreams. Woodlief, a retired radio broadcaster, was a city commissioner from 1987 until being elected mayor in 2001. Strickland is a Vietnam John R. Hoyle Jr. veteran who is chief of campus police at Meredith HENDERSON — John College in Raleigh. Russell Hoyle Jr., 61, a Strickland opposed resident of 711 William Woodlief in a hard-hitting St., died Friday, Oct. 2, 2005 contest and in a more 2009. The family will be subdued contest two years at the home of his father, later. John R. Hoyle, Sr. at Strickland at the forum 1552 Lynn Avenue. Other emphasized his having arrangements will be served as a soldier, as a announced by J.M. White teacher and as a police ofFuneral Home. fer over a half-century. “A man’s reputation is William A. Terry what others think of him,” Strickland said. HENDERSON — “His character is who he William A. Terry died is. And my reputation has Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at been attacked by some who Duke Medical Center. The have no knowledge about family will receive friends me. And I would challenge at the residence. you to get to know me as a Funeral arrangements person,” Strickland said. are incomplete and will be Strickland said he announced later by Garnes would establish a working Funeral Home. relationship with Granville County and with agencies Alphonso Twisdale within the county while at the same time promoting WARRENTON — AlOxford. phonso Twisdale, 74, of Warrenton, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson. From STAFF REPORTS Funeral services will Early voting in the Henbe conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Boyd’s Funeral derson elections for mayor and council members ends Service Chapel in Wartoday. The Board of Elections renton. The Rev. Shonwill be open for business dra Jordan will officiate today from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and burial will follow in Through the first four Manson Baptist Church days of this week, 219 resiCemetery in Manson. dents voted. Added to the 291 The family will receive residents who had cast balfriends Sunday from 2 to lots since early voting began 3 p.m. at Boyd’s Funeral on Sept. 17, the total is 510. Service Chapel in Warrenton. Arrangements are by Boyd’s Funeral Service of Warrenton. a sister, Lillian Best; and three brothers, Roy Hargrove, Samuel Hargrove and Calvin Hargrove. The family will receive friends at the residence. The body will be on view until taken to the church one hour before the service. Funeral arrangements are by Davis-Royster Funeral Service.

BALL, from page one when the college will hold a “Festival for the 40th” on the Main Campus. Festival goers will be able to enjoy music and games from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. while they sample the great food that will be available. For more information on

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Business & Farm

The Daily Dispatch

U.S. jobless rate reaches 9.8 percent in September By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON — The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent in September, the highest since June 1983, as employers cut far more jobs than expected. The report shows that the worst recession since the 1930s is still inflicting widespread pain and underscores one of the biggest threats to the nascent economic recovery: that consumers, worried about job losses and stagnant wages, will restrain spending. Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the nation’s economy. Most analysts expect the economy to continue to improve, but at a slow, uneven pace. Government stimulus efforts, such as the Cash for Clunkers auto rebates, likely boosted the economy in the July-September quarter, but economists worry that growth will slow once the impact of such programs fades. The Labor Department said Friday that the economy lost a net total of 263,000 jobs last month, from a downwardly revised 201,000 in August. That’s worse than Wall Street economists’ expectations of 180,000 job losses, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters. The unemployment rate rose from 9.7 percent in August, matching expectations. If laid-off workers who have settled for part-time work or have given up looking for new jobs are included, the unemployment rate rose to 17 percent, the highest on records dating from 1994. All told, 15.1 million Americans are now out of work, the department said. And 7.2 million jobs have been eliminated since the recession began in December 2007. The department said 571,000 of the unemployed dropped out of the work force last month, presumably out of frustration over the lack of jobs. That sent the participation rate, or the percentage of the population either working or looking for work, to a 23-year low. The unemployment rate would have topped 10 percent if the labor force hadn’t shrunk, Fabbri said. Older, laid-off workers are dropping out and requesting Social Security at a faster-than-expected pace, according to government officials. The Social Security Administration said earlier this week that applications for retirement

N.C. utility to switch plant from coal to gas RALEIGH (AP) — Progress Energy said it has won regulatory approval to replace a North Carolina coal-fired power plant with one that will burn natural gas to generate electricity. A spokesman for the Raleigh-based utility said Friday the North Carolina Utilities Commission advised the company of its decision to allow construction of generators that will use the cleaner-burning fuel. Spokesman Mike Hughes said Progress Energy will begin construction in early 2011 and shut down its coalfired Wayne County plant in about four years. The company filed for regulator approval of its plan to retire the H.F. Lee plant’s three coal-fired units less than two months ago after state legislators approved a streamlined review process in July.

benefits are 23 percent higher than last year, while disability claims have risen by about 20 percent. Meanwhile, the number of people out of work for six months or longer jumped to a record 5.4 million, and they now make up almost 36 percent of the unemployed — also a record. Persistent joblessness could pose political problems for President Barack Obama, who pushed through an ambitious $787 billion stimulus package in February intended to “save or create” 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010. “We still think the overall trend is moving in the right direction,” said Christina Romer, chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. “We’re going from much larger job losses earlier this year. They are moderating. We want them to moderate more.” Republicans note that job losses have continued despite the stimulus. “Wasteful government spending is not the solution to what ails this economy,” said Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, chairman of the House Republican caucus. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Thursday that even if the economy were to grow at a 3 percent pace in the coming quarters, it would not be enough to quickly drive down the unemployment rate. Bernanke said the rate is likely to remain above 9 percent through the end of 2010. Besides the sagging jobs market, other potential obstacles to a smooth recovery include wary consumers, the troubled commercial real estate market, and a tight lending environment for individuals and businesses, said Eric Rosengren, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Hourly earnings rose by a penny last month, while weekly wages fell $1.54 to $616.11, according to the government data. The average hourly work week fell back to a record low of 33 in September. That figure is important

because economists are looking for companies to add more hours for current workers before they hire new ones. The uncertainty that surrounds the recovery has made employers reluctant to hire. The Business Roundtable, a group of CEOs from large corporations, said earlier this week that only 13 percent of its members expect to increase hiring over the next six months. While job losses have slowed since the first quarter of this year when they averaged 691,000 a month, the cuts actually worsened last month in many sectors compared with August. Construction jobs fell by 64,000, more than the 60,000 eliminated in August. And service sector companies cut 147,000 jobs, more than double the 69,000 in the previous month. Retailers lost 38,500 jobs, compared to less than 9,000 in August. Government jobs fell 53,000, the report said, with local governments cutting the most. One the bright side, temporary help agencies eliminated only 1,700 jobs, down from the previous month. Economists see temporary jobs as a leading indicator, as employers are likely to hire temp workers before permanent ones. Tig Gilliam, CEO of Adecco North America, a temporary job agency, said the industry likely will add jobs next month. According to a separate report Friday, U.S. factory orders fell in August by the largest amount in five months. The Commerce Department said demand for manufactured goods dropped 0.8 percent, much worse than the 0.7 percent gain that economists had expected. The August decline reflected plunging demand for commercial aircraft, a category that surged in July.

MIKE

INSCOE C C W  A L

Area

A DAY ON WALL STREET

Dow Jones industrials

9,000

Listed below are representative inter-dealer quotations at approximately 4 p.m. Friday from the National Association of Securities Dealers. Prices do not include retail mark-up, mark-down or commission.

8,000 7,000

-21.61 J

9,487.67

Stocks

10,000

Oct.2, 2009

Pct. change from previous: -0.23%

6,000 O

High 9,524.78

Low 9,430.08

Oct. 2, 2009

2,400

Nasdaq composite

2,200 2,000 1,800 1,600

-9.37 2,048.11

1,400 O

High 2,064.15

Pct. change from previous: -0.46%

Low 2,040.73 1,200 1,100 1,000 900 800 700 600 O

Oct. 2, 2009

Standard & Poor’s 500 -4.64 1,025.21

High 1,030.59

Pct. change from previous: -0.45%

Low 1,019.95

SOURCE: SunGard

MARKET ROUNDUP 100209: Market charts show Dow, S&P 500, and urrencies etals Nasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; 96 mm x 114 mm; staff Aluminum -$0.7000 per lb., N.Y. Merc spot NEW YORK (AP) — Key currency exEditors: All figures as of: 5:26:05 PM EDT Thu. change rates Friday: NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after not match other AP content close; Coppermay -$2.0430 Cathode full plate, U.S. Dollar vs: ExchgRate PvsDay destinations. Copper $2.0705 N.Y. Merc spot Thu. Yen 89.74 89.63 Lead - $1310.0 metric ton, London Metal Euro $1.4537 $1.4646 Exch. Pound $1.5950 $1.6008 Zinc - $0.6189 per lb., delivered. Swiss franc 1.0413 1.0357 Gold - $880.50 Handy & Harman (only daily Canadian dollar 1.0841 1.0685 quote). Mexican peso 13.6520 13.4820 Gold - $882.20 troy oz., NY Merc spot Thu. Silver - $12.315 Handy & Harman (only Metal Price PvsDay NY Merc Gold $999.50 $1008.00 daily quote). Silver - $12.325 troy oz., N.-. Merc spot Thu. NY HSBC Bank US $1000.00 $1007.00 NY Merc Silver $16.418 $16.636 Mercury - $640.00 per 76 lb flask, N.Y. Platinum -$1183.00 troy oz., N.Y. (contract). Platinum -$1190.00 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot Nonferrous NEW YORK (AP) — Spot nonferrous metal Thu. n.q.-not quoted, n.a.-not available r-revised prices Friday:

& M

SOUTHPORT (AP) — Progress Energy Inc. has restarted two nuclear reactors at its southeast North Carolina plant that were shut down for 10 days as a precaution. Progress Energy spokesman Mike Hughes said the Brunswick Nuclear Plant began ramping up its electricity generation Thursday. The reactors were forced to shut down after one of four emergency diesel generators stopped last month and wouldn’t restart, Hughes said. Regulations require a shutdown if a problem with

a diesel generator can’t be fixed within seven days. The generators provide emergency power for plant operations. The Nuclear Regulatory

52.00 26.52 48.86 16.34 26.71 53.87 35.32 15.38 66.58 6.84 15.36 26.03 119.02 59.73 21.95 3.38 6.20 20.03 4.19 60.90 17.47 56.75 38.17 4.65 51.03 44.16 4.91 3.91 21.15 42.41 29.89 50.06 49.08 26.28 4.66 68.40

Commission will issue a report on the shutdown within two months. The company also operates nuclear plants in South Carolina and Florida.

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ACS ATT Ball Corp. BankAmerica BB&T Coca-Cola CVS Duke Energy Exxon Ford General Elec. Home Depot IBM Johnson & Johnson Kennametal Krispy Kreme Louisiana Pacific Lowes Lucent Tech. Pepsico Phillip Morris Procter & Gamble Progress Energy RF Micro Dev Royal Bk Can RJR Tobacco Revlon Sprint Sun Trust Universal Verizon Comm. Vulcan Wal-Mart Wells Fargo Wendy’s Establis Delhaize

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AP Economics Writer Jeannine Aversa and Associated Press Writer Mark S. Smith contributed to this report.

PLEASE ELECT

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Opinion

The Daily Dispatch

XII I

II III

VIII VII VI

IV V

X IX

XII

Keep covering political scandals II III

VIII

VII

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Editorial Board: James Edwards, Publisher Glenn Craven, Editor

jedwards@hendersondispatch.com gcraven@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 O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. Psalm 88:1-3

Our Opinion

An Olympic disappointment Perhaps it isn’t a foreign policy defeat, but it’s a big setback nonetheless. President Barack Obama, Chicagoan and supposedly (even according to Republicans) the media darling both here and to the rest of the civilized world, ventured to Copenhagen, Denmark to make a pitch for his home city as host of the 2016 Olympics. And Chicago came in last. This despite the city’s perceived position as one of the leaders. Chicago bested no city from the “final four,” not even Tokyo, a location that nobody gave a chance. Some International Olympic Committee members blame Chicago’s poor finish on a “stupid bloc” of Asian voters who banded together in favor of Tokyo in Round 1, even though they had to know the city was almost certain not to win. At least, the reasoning goes, they eliminated someone else first. In the end, Rio de Janeiro overcame Madrid for the right to host the Games. The 2016 Summer Olympics will be the first ever held in South America. Obama was also criticized by some for the brevity of his appearance in Copenhagen, a visit that lasted only a few hours. The short stopover between other items of business for Obama might — at least one observer said — have seemed like a snub to some IOC members. Other leaders, such as the king of Spain, were on hand throughout the venue presentations and decision process. We don’t fault Obama for spending very little time on pitching Chicago’s Olympic bid. He has considerably more important responsibilities to handle. No, where we think Obama’s message fell flat was in his promise to make the hypothetical 2016 Chicago Olympics an opportunity, according to the Associated Press, to “reconnect the United States with the world after the presidency of George W. Bush.” Obama has gone to the “pin it on and apologize for Bush” well so many times that the rope from which the bucket dangled was already worn precariously thin. It had already hauled up a presidency for him. Trying to lug an entire Olympic Games in that bucket finally snapped the tether. Two points are worth making: 1. If the people of the world universally and desperately hate George W. Bush — and in some locales, they do — can we really expect a big track meet and athletic festival to make it all go away? 2. Maybe much of the world is letting go of George Bush faster than Obama and the Democrats are. After all, he’s no longer president; he can no longer make a single decision that impacts their countries and their futures. And by 2016, most people in the world — maybe even here, maybe even Democrats — will have relegated George W. Bush to some far-back corner of their minds. The Olympic bid put forth by Chicago and the United States had many positives. Tossing in a negative and trying to spin it as a positive was a mistake.

Quotable “I was worried for myself, I was worried for my family. I felt menaced by this, and I had to tell them all of the creepy things that I had done. The creepy stuff was that I have had sex with women who work for me on this show.” — David Letterman, describing to his “Late Show” audience how he admitted having affairs with female employees to a grand jury investigating allegations that Letterman was the victim of a $2 million blackmail plot.

RALEIGH — These days, it can be difficult for newspaper readers to tell the difference between the state news section, the gossip page, and the crime blotter. Many of the controversies and investigations surrounding former Gov. Mike Easley remain unresolved, with a new round of hearings by the State Board of Elections scheduled to commence in late October. Sen. R.C. Soles of Columbus County remains the subject of what is reportedly a wide-ranging probe of alleged criminal and personal wrongdoing. Rep. Ty Harrell of Wake County has just resigned from the legislature after authorities pointed to irregularities in his campaignfinance reports. And divisions within two state departments, Environment & Natural Resources and Transportation, are now under investigation for accepting pricey meals and other gifts from private vendors. Of course, these and other recent stories about official mistakes, lapses in judgment, or wrongdoing involve only a small fraction of North Carolina’s state employees and politicians. Are the state’s journalists asking the right questions? Are they pursuing front-page exposes and broadcast exclusives at the expense of covering more-important stories?

I know there’s a large chunk of the political class who thinks so. I think such critics are mistaken. Ensuring that government operates as openly, honestly, and fairly as possible is more than just a worthy cause. It’s an imperative. When John political insiders abuse Hood governmenSpecial to tal power The Daily Dispatch and waste taxpayer money, they don’t just commit a little boo-boo. They strike at the very heart of what makes free societies free, and what separates modern liberal democracies from the corrupt states that have dominated human life since the dawn of history. Douglass North, the famous economist and Nobel Laureate, has just published a new book with coauthors John Joseph Wallis and Barry Weingast entitled Violence and Social Orders. I’m about halfway through their comprehensive discussion of the history of governmental forms. It’s fascinating but complicated.

The relevant part for this discussion is how the authors distinguish between two mature forms of government: natural states and open-order states. Most human cultures and civilizations have produced and maintained natural states. Only in the past couple of centuries, beginning in Europe and America, did open-order states arise and prosper. Both kinds of states accomplish the primary function of government, according to Douglass and his colleagues: to restrain the use of violence in society. But the open-order state allows for the creation of far more wealth, health, and happiness. What’s the distinction? To put it simply, in natural states the offices and benefits of government are distributed by coalitions of ruling elites according to kinship, patronage, or tribal membership. Think ancient pharaohs, medieval kings, and modern sheikdoms and banana republics. In open-order states, the relationship between public officials and others is impersonal. No matter who you are, if you fall into the proper category you have the same experience as everyone else. If you have the same economic means as your neighbor, you pay the same tax — even if he knows the governor personally and you don’t. If you

apply for a permit to open a shop, no regulator will ask what political party you belong to or which politician you supported in the last election. In other words, while open-order states are hardly perfect, they are less corrupt and more efficient than natural states are, for pretty much the same reason. Political corruption is not, or is not only, a laughing matter. It is a serious impediment to social wellbeing and economic development. Even the appearance of impropriety, the perception that greasing the right palms or supporting the right politicians will get you contracts or tax breaks or special treatment, disrupts the ability of government to deliver the social order that is its chief object. Sure, there are other important stories to cover in North Carolina. But until significant progress is made against the entrenched political corruption in our state, the journalistic exclusives, legislative deliberations, regulatory probes, and criminal investigations should continue to compel our utmost attention. No matter what you think government should do, a corrupt government will never do it well. John Hood is president of the John Locke Foundation and publisher of CarolinaJournal.com.

Letters to the Editor Kill water district To the editor:

Roman Polanski controversy shouldn’t be this controversial I am delighted by the Roman Polanski controversy. Don’t get me wrong: I am horrified and disgusted by what the acclaimed director did — and admitted to — but there is an upside. Just to recap, Polanski drugged a child put in his care for the purposes of a photo shoot. He tried to bully her into sex. She said no. He raped her anyway. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse but fled the country before sentencing, allegedly for fear the judge wouldn’t keep his end of the plea bargain. He spent the subsequent three decades living the life of a revered celebrity in Europe. He never returned to America because there was a warrant for his arrest. In a bit of ironic justice, he was apprehended en route to Zurich to receive a lifetime achievement award. That ceremony will apparently go on without him. So what do I like about the controversy? Well, for starters, that there is one at all. I think it is fascinating beyond words that this is open to “debate.” If Roman Polanksi was the name of the world’s greatest plumber or accountant, or even the director of “Weekend at Bernie’s II,” there would be no argument. Indeed, Polanski would have already paid his debt to society and would be a free man by now. No serious person can dispute this. Now of course, reasonable people can disagree about all sorts of stuff. What sort of punishment does Polanski deserve? If he’s sent back to the U.S., should the 76-year-old spend the rest of his life in jail? Does the fact that the understandably exhausted victim has forgiven him mitigate issues? How should we score allegations of judicial misconduct or the time

Polanski already served in jail? All of these things are open to good-faith disagreement. But there are also a few things, by my lights, no reasonable person can dispute. The first is that child rape is a very bad thing and no amount of blame-shifting to the 13-year-old Jonah or her mother Goldberg can absolve Polanski of Tribune Media his culpabilServices ity. Giving a grown woman a “roofie” and having sex with her is a crime. How on earth can plying a 13-year-old with champagne and a Quaalude be seen as less heinous? A second point beyond dispute is that whatever your crime, be it tax fraud or tearing the tags off your mattress, our system of justice cannot tolerate anyone pleading guilty only to buy time to flee the jurisdiction. Even if Polanski were wholly innocent of the charges, it would be necessary for us to seek extradition. That brings us to the even more refreshing aspect of this controversy: It is not a left-right issue. I’m not normally one to celebrate bipartisan unity, but it’s nice to know there are some things political or ideological opponents can agree on. Some of the most ardent and clear voices on the Polanski issue have been on the left. Go into a bar or union hall and ask whether fat-cat directors should get special treatment when they rape 13-year-old girls and you’ll discover that on this

issue, the differences between “blue America” and “red America” are vanishingly small. And yet, there is a controversy. Many of the international community’s leading lights are rallying to the Free Polanski movement. A petition is circulating with such names as Harvey Weinstein, Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen on it. (No surprise that Woody’s on board, given that he married his adopted daughter.) The arguments in Polanski’s defense range from lawyerly red herrings to intellectual piffle to horrendous affronts to human decency. Whoopi Goldberg (no relation) dismissed the allegations because she was sure whatever Polanski did, it didn’t amount to “rape rape.” It all boils down to the fact that Polanski is famous and talented and an Olympian artist, living above the world of mortals. Indeed, if he didn’t rape that girl — and he did — Polanski would still be considered a pig in most normal communities. This is the man who, after all, started dating Nastassja Kinski when she was only 15 and he was in his 40s. His taste for teenage girls is an established fact. His defenders don’t care. They are above and beyond bourgeois notions of morality, even legality. And that’s the main reason I am grateful for this controversy. It is a dye marker, “lighting up” a whole archipelago of morally wretched people. With their time, their money and their craft, these very people routinely lecture America about what is right and wrong. It’s good to know that at the most fundamental level, they have no idea what they’re talking about. You can write to Jonah Goldberg by e-mail at JonahsColumn@aol.com.

The article about the water district (Page 1, Oct. 1) talks in millions of dollars and thousands of customers. Has anyone broken this down to the cost per household? I did: over $6,560 per house, plus (of course) the cost to the homeowner of laying pipe from the street to the house and connecting all the plumbing. Just because much of it will be done with grants and bond issues, don’t think it is free — you, the Vance County voter, will pay that entire price plus interest through your taxes and assessments. “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” I’ve often disagreed with my neighbors because I am not a rabid supporter of reducing every tax in sight. Taxes are the bills we pay for the services government renders. If the services aren’t worth the taxes paid, change the government. The water project passed narrowly in an election full of “errors.” It reminded me of the 2000 presidential election in South Florida. Please do not claim I exaggerate as I was a voter there in 2000 and a voter here for the recent election fiasco. I’m an eyewitness in both cases, and in both cases the elections were dishonest. In both cases, the information presented to the electorate by politicians was full of lies, halftruths, and innuendoes. Stop this foolishness NOW! The county council has spent way too much time and money being led around by the nose on this issue. They remind me of tethered bulls. I, for one, will contribute to the OPPONENT of any council member who has backed this foolish project and I urge my fellow citizens to do likewise — throw these incompetents out as soon as possible. And by the way, these same sentiments apply to the zoning fiasco. And to the lack of willpower that keeps county government from forcing our school board to provide decent education in this county. I’m certain other items can be added to this list. In short, the problems in Vance County and in Henderson were made by the voters not watching carefully and not throwing out those elected officials who favored unnecessary projects while neglecting our real needs. Kill the water district. Kill zoning. And kill the idea that council members are there to improve the resumes of County Officials. They are there to serve the people instead. H. Larry Elman, Dabney

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News From The Light Side SATURDAY Morning / Early Afternoon

Ten years ago: Sony co-founder Akio Morita, the entrepreneur, engineer and savvy salesman who helped give new meaning to the words “Made in Japan,” died in Tokyo at age 78.

Today’s Birthdays: Author Gore Vidal is 84. Basketball player Marques Haynes is 83. Composer Steve Reich is 73. Singer Alan O’Day is 69. Rock and roll star Chubby Checker is 68. Actor Alan Rachins is 67. Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) is 66. Magician Roy Horn is 65. Singer Lindsey Buckingham is 60. Jazz musician Ronnie Laws is 59. Blues singer Keb’ Mo’ is 58. Former astronaut Kathryn Sullivan is 58. Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield is 58. Baseball Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is 55. Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton is 55. Actor Hart Bochner is 53. Actor Peter Frechette is 53. Golfer Fred Couples is 50. Actor Jack Wagner is 50. Rock musician Tommy Lee is 47. Actor Clive Owen is 45. Actress Janel Moloney is 40. Singer Gwen Stefani (No Doubt) is 40. Pop singer Kevin Richardson is 38. Rock singer G. Love is 37. Actress Keiko Agena is 36. Actress Neve Campbell is 36. Singer India.Arie is 34. Rapper Talib Kweli is 34. Actress Alanna Ubach is 34. Actor Seann William Scott is 33. Actress Shannyn Sossamon is 31. Actor Seth Gabel is 28. Rock musician Mark King (Hinder) is 27. Actor Erik Von Detten is 27. Actress-singer Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is 25.

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