The Daily Dispatch - Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK How school lottery funds were distributed

Clouded thinking about smoking

Victory boys, girls fall to lighthose

From Page One, Page 3A

Opinion, Page 6A

Sports, Page 1B TUESDAY, December 15, 2009

Volume XCV, No. 293

(252) 436-2700

www.hendersondispatch.com

Chamber of Commerce guest Crisco becoming familiar face in area

Unknown state, federal funding stalled process

By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

Please see SPEAKER, page 3A

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

Weather Today A few showers High: 61 Low: 35

Wednesday

By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

Foggy adventure

spring to develop a plan to respond to the loss of funds. Among other considerations, emphasis was placed on giving priority to people with the most severe needs; making reductions that would have the least impact on essential services; and increasing the monitoring of organizations that provide services in order to maximize the use of resources. In spite of these efforts, Hennike reports that waiting lists are growing and some services are closed to new consumers. Hennike said that local providers are cutting salaries and laying off workers who are much needed as demand has increased. Triumph, a mental health provider with two offices in Henderson, illustrates the situation described by Hennike. Triumph’s Program Director Anita Toney

Already deja vu in some respects, the Vance County Board of Education adopted its 2009-2010 Initial Budget Monday night. The $72,931,047 spending plan is 1.34 percent less than the one for the previous fiscal year. “With respect to budget development and adoption, this year was unique due to the State budget shortfall and weak economy,” Steven Graham, the school system’s finance officer, said in an interview. He explained that the State was late in finalizing its allotments to the schools. Also unknown until late, Graham said, were federal stabilization funds which were to be received by the schools to assist in off-setting the deficit. “Due to this delay, our budget processes were behind normal schedule this year,” he said. “In a typical year, we adopt an interim budget to work off beginning July 1, and then work towards the adoption of an initial budget in September,” Graham said. Due to the limited funding resources available to Vance County Schools for the current fiscal year and the next, he added, “We are operating in a ‘survival mode.’” Because the school system currently has a smaller financial “pie” for all of its requirements, Graham said, “We’re having to reallocate or re-cut the pieces to creatively and resourcefully meet priority needs.” The new budget is powered, in part, by $43,259,370 — which is 11.54 percent or $4,850,000 less than 2008-2009 — from the State Public School Fund. “Federal and local funding will have to replenish this hole left in State funding,” Graham said. Other funding sources and amounts for the budget include: • Local — $11,393,756, which is up 5.84 percent from the previous fiscal year. • Federal — $12,440,497, which is up 56 percent from the previous fiscal year. • Capital Outlay — $859,455, which is down 40.95 percent from 2008-2009. The decrease is due to the State’s withholding of Public School Building Capital Fund allocations to schools for the current year due to the budget shortfall. These funds are typically generated from a portion of the North Carolina Corporate Income Tax. • Child Nutrition — $4,767,815, which is up 4.40 percent from the previous fiscal year. • Child care — $210,154, which is down 17.76 percent from 20082009. Expenditures by object include: • Salaries and Benefits — 77.86 percent. • Purchased Services — 11.26 percent. • Supplies and Materials — 9.03 percent. • Capital Outlay — 1.07 percent. • Other — .78 percent.

Please see LOCAL, page 8A

Please see SCHOOL, page 3A

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Cars emerge from the fog along Garnett Street near the fire station Monday morning. Dense fog made driving an adventure for motorists for most of the morning.

Third time’s a charm for Coffey, finally sworn as council member By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

New City Councilwoman Sara Coffey got to the bottom line in summing up her feelings after taking the oath of office for a twoyear term Monday evening “I guess only God and I know the meaning of, ‘You’ve come a long way, baby’,” said Coffey, who in the Oct. 6 municipal election defeated incumbent Bernard Alston in her third attempt. “Thank you to everyone that has supported me in all my times trying and finally winning,” Coffey said, her voice interrupted by applause. And Coffey thanked her husband for his support. Coffey, a bail bondswoman, said that, as she has in the business world, she will have an open door policy as a councilwoman. “I might not always have the answer, but I will always try to find it,” Coffey added. Coffey was the only candidate to unseat an incumbent. During the speeches of the other eight municipal officials who were re-elected Oct. 6, Councilman Michael Rainey referred to Coffey as the “new recruit” and

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

New councilwoman Sara M. Coffey receives a congratulatory hug from her husband Keith after being sworn in to office Monday night at the Henderson City Council meeting. After three tries for a council seat, she defeated the incumbent. All members of council and the mayor were sworn in. said he believed she would do a great job. “I’m sure she’ll bring some interesting comments, some good comments, some that we could use,” Rainey said. Councilwoman Brenda Peace additionally referred to Coffey in her comments, saying, “She has taught me something about tenacity and not quitting and not giving up and finally getting where she’s been striving to get.”

Each council member got the chance to speak after they were administered the oath by District Judge Henry Banks, himself a former councilman. “I will continue to represent you to the best of my ability,” Councilwoman Mary Emma Evans said, adding that most people know she ran on a platform of fairness in municipal government. Please see COUNCIL, page 5A

Local human service groups struggling

Enjoy the sun

High: 45 Low: 26

Details, 3A

Deaths Austin, Texas Carrie S. Wheatley, 86 Butner Mary A. Riggan, 76 William A. Wheless, 86 Fredericksburg, Va. Ronald Jordan, 72 Henderson Garey G. Wester, 66 Junious A. Edwards, 48 Margaret B. Greenway, 83 Manson Kenneth L. Daeke, 81 Queens, N.Y. Victor M. Tarry Sr., 70 Warrenton Lula Dunston, 89

Obituaries, 4A

50 cents

Finally a school budget

Commerce Secretary is speaker N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco will be the featured speaker at the 2010 Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce banquet. The annual gathering is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Vance-Granville Community College’s main campus, which is located off the Interstate Crisco 85/Poplar Creek Road interchange. And Crisco is becoming an increasingly familiar face in the TriCounty area. On Nov. 10, Crisco was one of a group of leaders who officially welcomed the Israeli-based Shalag Industries, which plans to open its first U.S. plant near Oxford. Shalag Industries is a supplier of non-woven fabrics in the hygiene and sanitary wipes markets. And Crisco tops a list of three officials scheduled to speak at the 2010 state Senate District 7 public forum, which is set for Jan.

Funding cuts mean most vulnerable citizens may have to do without By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer

Local human services organizations are struggling. It’s a double whammy: They have been hit hard by funding cuts. At the same time, the need for their services keeps growing. And it’s not just one source of funding that is affected. General state funds, mental health funds and Medicaid funds have all been Hennike reduced. These are funds that provide desperately needed services to the most vulnerable citizens — those that are sick, mentally ill, addicted to drugs, out of work, depressed, abused. There are many ways to be hurting and in need of help. Reading about the fiscal prob-

lems of human services organizations gives a person the sense that the problems lie elsewhere. But the problems are here in the community where we live. They are affecting our neighbors, our church members, our young people. Those struggling human services organizations are badly needed. They are reaching out. But their reach is limited by the current fiscal crisis. Valerie Hennike, Director of the Five County Mental Health Authority, points out that her organization — which oversees providers of mental health services in Vance, Warren, Granville, Franklin and Halifax counties — has received a reduction in state funds of almost $2.5 million. Most of that reduction will come out of various community-based services. The MH Authority began last

The Daily Dispatch

Mark It Down Today Masonic meeting — Henderson Masonic Lodge #229 will hold a Stated Communication at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 401 Brodie Road. Dinner is at 6 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. All Master Masons are invited to attend. NAACP — The Vance County branch of the NAACP will meet at 7 p.m. at the Gateway Center, 314 S. Garnett St., Henderson. Gardening meeting — An organic garden meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Vance County Cooperative Extension Center, 305 Young St. To register, call Wayne Rowland at (252) 438-8188.

Wednesday Fundraiser — The Volunteer Services Department at Maria Parham Medical Center will sponsor a Peanut Roaster sale from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the John T. Church building classroom. The public is invited to participate.

Thursday Weed & Seed – The Weed & Seed Steering Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 134 Rose Ave. Human Relations – The City of Henderson’s Human Relations Commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 134 Rose Ave. Fundraiser — The Volunteer Services Department at Maria Parham Medical Center will host a $5 Jewelry Sale from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the John T. Church building classroom. The public is invited to participate. Chess Club — The Henderson/Vance Chess Club, affiliated with the U. S. Chess Federation, meets at the First United Methodist Church from 6 to 9:30 p.m. All are welcome, adults and youths, novice or experienced. For more information, call Rudy Abate at 438-4459 (days) or 738-0375 (evenings). Car seat clinic — The Safe Kids Henderson-Vance Coalition will sponsor a free child passenger safety car seat clinic at Comparé Foods on East Andrews Avenue from 1-5 p.m. Seats will be available for parents who are in need of a child safety seat. A donation of $20 is requested for the seats. The donations will help buy more seats. Instruction will also be provided to parents in how to correctly install a child safety seat (more than 85 percent of all seats in Vance County are installed incorrectly). For more information, please call Lt. Irvin Robinson or Officer Angela Feingold of the Henderson Police Department or Lt. Michelle Satterwhite of the Henderson Fire Department. Community watch — The West Hills/West Creek/158 ByPass Community Watch will hold its annual Christmas dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. All neighbors are invited to attend and bring a favorite covered dish.

Friday Flu clinic — The health departments in Vance and Granville counties will be holding H1N1 flu clinics on Friday afternoons from 1-4 p.m., except for Dec. 25, while supplies last. The vaccine is free. The health department also has a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine for individuals 6 months of age and older. The charge for the seasonal flu vaccine is $32. The pneumonia vaccine is also available for individuals over 65 years of age at a cost of $50. Medicare Part B (red, white, and blue card), Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Wellpath insurance plans are accepted for immunizations. Please contact the Granville County Health Department at (919) 693-2141 or the Vance County Health Department at (252) 492-7915 for more information. “Messiah” concert — The Concert Singers of Cary will perform Handel’s “Messiah” at 8 p.m. in the Frances Boyette Dickson Auditorium at Louisburg College. Admission is free, but those attending are asked to bring a canned food item for the local food bank. For more information, call 1-866773-6354. Weight loss group — TOWN (Take Off Weight Now), a non-profit weight loss group, will meet at Aycock Recreation Center at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend.

Our Hometown

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Kennametal’s United Way contributions top last year, despite fewer employees to give Like many businesses and industries, Kennametal has had a difficult year. “Business has slowed down, the number of employees has gone down from 81 last year to 63 now, they’re working less hours and taking home less money,” said John Lazar, manager of the plant. Despite this, Kennametal conducted a United Way campaign this year, and its employees contributed over $1,000 more than last year. In 2008, 37 of the plant’s employees participated in the drive and donated $3,960.12. This year, 33 employees gave $5,021, an increase of 27 percent more than 2008. “I think the results are amazing,” Lazar said. “There are so many people hurting, but as we told our people, we’re fortunate to still have jobs.” Lazar and Paula Grissom, Kennametal’s campaign chairman, held meetings with the employees and gave them the opportunity to give to United Way of Vance County. Most who responded are contributing through payroll deduction. “I told them if they only gave $5 per payday, that is like skipping one trip to a fast food restaurant, and it will help a lot of needy people,” Lazar said. Grissom said one reason United Way giving appeals to many of Kennametal’s employees is because the organization covers so many agencies in Vance County and helps so many people. The United Way of Vance County helps support 17 agencies in Vance County and two in Warren County. These agencies provide assistance in basic

Paula Grissom, chairman of the Vance County United Way campaign at Kennametal, helps Morris Turner fill out a payroll deduction form for his contributions to the campaign. Turner and his fellow contributors gave more than $1,000 over last year. needs and emergency services, family services and crisis intervention, child and youth services, and special services. Lazar has been plant manager for 22 years at the Kennamental facility, which makes tungsten carbide power used in the production of heavy-duty drills and cutting tools. He said over the years the Kennametal corporation has been positive about United Way. Over the past couple of years, the local

Sans Souci Literary club meets Mrs. Swanson Dodd was hostess for the December meeting of the Sans Souci Literary Club. A Dutch luncheon was held at the Henderson Country Club. Fourteen members were present. In the absence of Mrs. Nelson Falkner, president, Mrs. Ed-

die Ferguson, vice president, conducted a short business session. There was no program except the sharing of special Christmas memories among the members. The next meeting is in January with Mrs. Richard McIntyre as hostess.

plant has been better organized and more successful. He encourages other plants and businesses in the area to get behind the drive. The fund-raising goal for the current United Way of Vance County drive is $215,000. James D. Edwards is the campaign chairman. Although the campaign has been going on for several months, Edwards and Nancy Gray, executive director, emphasize it is not too late

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From Page One

The Daily Dispatch

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR HENDERSON TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

School board to tour new school By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

Few Showers

Partly Cloudy

Sunny

61º

35º

45º 26º

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Partly Cloudy

48º 25º

50º 28º

50º 30º

Almanac

Sun and Moon

Temperature

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

Raleigh -Durham through 6 p.m. yest. High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Normal High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Normal Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Record High . . . . . . . . .73 in 2001 Record Low . . . . . . . . .13 in 1960

.7:17 .5:00 .6:40 .4:14 .7:18 .5:01 .7:33 .5:08

a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m.

Moon Phases

Precipitation Yesterday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . . . . .4.21" Normal month to date . . . . .1.28" Year to date . . . . . . . . . . . . .38.55" Normal year to date . . . . . .41.29"

New 12/16

Last 1/7

Full 12/31

First 12/24

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

24-Hr. Lake Capacity Yest. Change Jordan 240 219.6 -0.6 Neuse Falls 264 255.4 -0.2

24-Hr. Capacity Yest. Change 203 199.7 0.0 320 305.1 0.0

Regional Weather

Asheville 56/30

Rocky Mt. 62/38

Greensboro 62/34 Raleigh 62/37 Charlotte 63/37

Fayetteville 64/40

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

Cape Hatteras 64/48

Wilmington 66/44

Regional Cities Today

Wed.

Today

Wed.

City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

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

56/30 55/30 61/34 62/36 56/33 64/34 62/36 62/38 56/29 64/40 63/40 62/34 63/41 66/43 58/32

62/34 66/43 64/42 65/39 66/44 64/48 62/45 65/43 62/37 61/35 62/37 62/38 62/37 66/44 61/33

sh sh sh sh mc mc sh ra sh sh sh mc sh sh sh

47/24 42/23 46/26 47/26 52/31 48/24 46/27 46/27 45/21 49/29 48/29 46/26 49/29 50/31 48/24

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

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

mc t sh sh sh t sh sh sh mc sh sh sh sh mc

46/26 50/31 49/30 50/28 53/33 51/36 47/37 49/31 47/28 46/26 45/26 45/26 48/26 51/33 46/26

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

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

Today’s National Map

By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

North Carolina Education Lottery funds sent to local counties in the 20082009 fiscal year totaled: • Vance — $2,062,546. • Warren — $774,965. • Granville — $2,230,819. School construction money for those counties amounted to: • Vance — $863,040.

• Warren — $304,635. • Granville — $1,006,409. The money they received for classroom teachers amounted to: • Vance: — $599,939 for 11.06. • Warren — $181,175 for 3.34. • Granville — $629,773 for 11.61. The money they received for scholarships amounted to:

28, also at the community college’s main campus. Crisco had been serving on the Asheboro City Council since 2003 until joining Gov. Beverly Perdue’s cabinet. Crisco, who holds a master of business administration from Harvard

University, founded an elastics company in 1986. From 1970-71, Crisco was a White House Fellow, serving as assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Nixon administration. Crisco addition-

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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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Dispatch, P.O. Box 908, Henderson, N.C., 27536

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Expenditures by purpose include: • Instructional Services — 74.17 percent. • System-Wide Support Services — 17.07 percent. • Ancillary Services — 7.04 percent. • Debt Service/Indirect Costs — 1.73 percent. Contact the writer at awheless@hendersondispatch.com.

• Vance — $207,821 for 177. • Warren — $61,277 for 58. • Granville — $210,572 for 190. The money they received to benefit four-yearolds through the More At Four pre-kindergarten program amounted to: • Vance — $391,746 for 81 slots. • Warren — $227,878 for 47 slots.

• Granville — $384,065 for 80 slots. The money they received over the past three fiscal years of lottery funding, including 2008-2009, amounted to: • Vance — $5,656,923.28. • Warren — $2,053,864.57. • Granville — $6,230,484.95. Contact the writer at awheless@hendersondispatch.com.

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ally served on the board of trustees of Pfeiffer University from 1981-2008. And Crisco is a past chairman of the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research.

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SCHOOL, from page one

St. • Henderson, NC 27536

Skip Satterwhite Makes Sense/Saves Dollars

Contact the writer at awheless@hendersondispatch.com.

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are in the building dry and warm,” was the essence of the Kittrell resident’s complaint. “This should not be happening, and it is not fair that parents have to wait outside and be late for work,” said Perry, who is employed by Granville County Schools. Ellis, the new board chairman, told Perry that Shearin will get in touch with her to discuss her concerns.

SPEAKER, from page one

1020 S. Garnett St. • Henderson, NC 27536

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

audit an “unqualified opinion,” which is the highest grade possible. Leonard Creech, one of the firm’s partners, praised the preparatory work done by Steven Graham, the school system’s finance officer, and the members of his staff. Also Monday night, the commission charged with finding a name for the new elementary school turned its choices over to the board. The first was “ClarkCarmel.” The second was “C.H. Brown.” Members of the board decided to wait until their Jan. 11 meeting to consider the matter. In other business Monday night, a parent, Janice Perry, said during the public session that her child, as well as some other students at Zeb Vance Elementary, shouldn’t be kept out of the school building each morning, especially during cold weather. “It has been cold as low as 27 degrees and raining, and the kids are being locked out while the staff

er Ev

110s 100s 90s 80s 70s 60s 50s 40s 30s 20s 10s 0s

The Vance Board of Education is scheduled Wednesday afternoon to tour the construction site of the new elementary school off Garrett Road. At the board’s regular meeting Monday night, Superintendent Norman Shearin said the members will meet about 1 p.m. at the Administrative Services Center on Graham Avenue before getting on an activities bus that will take them out to the emerging complex. In other business Monday night, a reorganization election for the board resulted in Chairwoman Gloria White and ViceChairwoman Margaret Ellis swapping seats for the next year. The vote for Ellis to take the top position was 7-0, while the show of hands for White to drop back to vice-chair was 6-1, with Robert Duke being the lone dissenter. The issue of gearing up for mandatory trash

recycling throughout the school system was brought before the board Monday night by Superintendent Norman Shearin. “This is going to be a task,” he said. “There are new, mandatory regulations, and we’ve got to do it. We don’t know where the money is going to come from.” Maintenance Director Claiborne Woods told the board, “This is uncharted water for everybody.” He said containers will have to be left outside the school buildings. “We’ll just take out the trash in a different manner,” Woods added. Questioned by Board Member Emeron Cash, the maintenance director said, “We’re going to do our best to keep the cans out of sight.” Chairmwoman Margaret Ellis put it this way: “This is going to be tough on everybody, I think.” Also Monday night, the certified public accounting firm of Winston, Williams, Creech, Evans & Company in Oxford gave Vance County Schools 2008-2009

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The Daily Dispatch

Local News

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Deaths Lula Dunston WARRENTON — Lula Dunston, 89, of Warrenton, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Warren Hills Nursing Facility in Warrenton. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Boyd’s Funeral Service Chapel in Warrenton. Elder Robert Terry Sr. officiated and burial followed in United Solid Rock Memorial Gardens in Warrenton. She is survived by a son, George C. Dunston of Warrenton; two granddaughters; and a great-grandson. The family received friends Sunday from 6 to 7 p.m. at Boyd’s Funeral Service Chapel in Warrenton.

Junious A. Edwards HENDERSON — Junious Andrew Edwards, 48, of 130 Center St., died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at his residence. The family will receive friends at 1609 Nicholas St. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by E.C. Terry’s Funeral and Cremation Services.

Margaret B. Greenway HENDERSON — Margaret Boyd Greenway, 83, of 2810 U.S. 158 Bypass, Henderson, died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at her home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Flowers Funeral Home.

Ronald Jordan FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Ronald Jordan, 72, of Spotsylvania County, died Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at his residence. He was a former resident of Henderson. He was a retired teacher in the Fredericksburg city school system and was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site), Fredericksburg. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vincent E. Jordan; his mother, Florence

F REE

Russell; brothers, Cleveland Russell and Chan Russell; and a sister, Ernestine Russell. Survivors include his daughter, Chrystal J. Brown of Alexandria, Va.; and a son, Sean C. Jordan of Detroit, Mich. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site) in Fredericksburg, with the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Young officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fredericksburg. The body may be viewed from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at A.L. Bennett Funeral Home in Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home for a Christian wake with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity performing the ceremony.

Mary A. Riggan BUTNER — Mary A. Riggan, 76, a resident of 610 “19th” St., died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Rose Manor Healthcare Center. A native of Rockingham County, she was the daughter of the late Bedford and Essie Dix Apple. She attended the First Baptist Church in Butner. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Butner by the Rev. Lenny Rogers. Burial will be in South Granville Memorial Gardens in Stem. Surviving are her husband, Johnnie M. Riggan of the home; a daughter, Sandra Marshburn of Raleigh; a son, Dr. Robert Pennington of Durham; three stepsons, Jay Riggan and Jody Riggan, both of Butner, and Wayne Riggan of Clayton; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation, Duke ADRDA, P.O. Box 2914, Durham, N.C. 27710. The visitation will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday prior to the funeral at the church and at other times at the home.

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Kenneth L. Daeke MANSON — Kenneth Leonard Daeke, 81, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Warren Hills Nursing Center. Mr. Daeke was a Warren County, N.C., native born to the late Gustive and Margaret Killian Daeke. He was a farmer and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Drewry Fire Department. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Surviving are his wife, Margaret Bender Daeke; his three children, John Arrangements are by Eakes Funeral Home in Creedmoor.

Victor M. Tarry Sr. QUEENS, N.Y. — Victor Marcellus Tarry Sr., 70, a resident of Queens, N.Y., died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009. He was born in Richmond, Va., to the late Bailey Hal and Annie Mae Terry Tarry. He was educated in New York City and later he earned his bachelor of business administration degree from Pace University in 1974. He served honorably in the United States Army as a conscientious objector and remained stateside during the full tour. He worked with Citibank and held many positions with the bank until he retired as vice president of Operations. He was a member of Grace Cathedral Church in New York where he served as a deacon, chief of staff, editor of Grace Abounding News, licensed minister of the gospel, and as a part of the Church Inter-

A. Daeke of Manson, Leonard K. Daeke and wife Melanie of Ridgeway, and Ann M. Daeke of Manson; his brother, Gus Daeke of Norlina; and his two grandchildren, Harley and Kendal Daeke of Ridgeway. Pallbearers will be Wayne Seaman, Brandon Gordon, Victor Tucker, Jonathan Bender, Chris King, Jeremy Seaman, Scott Burnette and Craig Seaman. Any memorials should be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements are by Blaylock Funeral Home of Warrenton. Paid Obituary

national Ministry where he traveled to various countries such as Africa and Israel. He is survived by a son, Victor Tarry Jr.; two stepchildren, Robert Mooring and Novella Winston; two grandchildren; and two sisters, Deloris Kee of New York and Catherine Elias of Florida. The graveside service will be Wednesday at Antioch United Church of Christ Cemetery at 10 a.m. Funeral arrangements are by Davis-Royster Funeral Service.

Garey C. Wester HENDERSON — Garey Gleen Caudle Wester, 66, of 3000 Flemingtown Road, Henderson, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill. Born in Vance County, she was the daughter of the late James Lewis and Carrie Lee Barker Caudle. Mrs. Wester was a homemaker. She was a member of Clearview Baptist Church

and the Ladies Sunday School Class. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Clearview Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Abidan Shah. Burial will follow in the Fleming Family Cemetery. Surviving are her husband, Nelson Daniel Wester; two daughters, Amy Denise W. Cowley of Billings, Mont., and Donna Elaine W. Tingen of Henderson; two sons, John Earl Wester of Hillsborough and Byron Lynn Wester of Henderson; two sisters, Louise C. Crisp of Henderson and Carol C. Cox of Kinston; two brothers, Dwane Caudle of Gainesboro, Tenn., and David Caudle, of Montpelia, Va.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends today, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Flowers Funeral Home. All other times, they will be at the home, 3000 Flemingtown Road, Henderson. Serving as active pallbearers will be Paul Parrish, Alton Patterson, Dwane Caudle, Eddie Caudle, Stephen Andrews, Aaron Holland, Ricky Zook, and Bill Bissinger. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Clearview Baptist Church, c/o Rev. Abidan Shah, 1069 Eastern Boulevard, Henderson, N.C. 27536. Arrangements are by Flowers Funeral Home.

Carrie S. Wheatley AUSTIN, Texas — Carrie S. Wheatley, of Austin, Texas, died Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. She was born May 6, 1923, in Zebulon, N.C., and grew up in Henderson, N.C.

William A. Wheless BUTNER — William Alva Wheless, 86, a former resident of 301 “8th” St., died Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at Carolina Medical Center in Concord. A native of Franklin County, he was the son of the late Billy and Lena Bowden Wheless. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Butner and a retired barber. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today at the First Baptist Church in Butner by the Rev. Lenny Rogers. Burial will be in Carolina Memorial Gardens in Creedmoor. Surviving are a daughter, Sandra L. Edwards of Durham; three sons, Ronald Alva Wheless and Gary Dean Wheless, both of Butner, and William Green Wheless of Oxford; a brother, W.C. Wheless of Durham; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The visitation was from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Eakes Funeral Home in Creedmoor and at other times at 301 “8th” St. in Butner. Arrangements are by Eakes Funeral Home of Creedmoor.

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She was a retired U.S. civil servant and spent many of her retirement years in service to the Lord through missionary work throughout the United States and Asia. A memorial service was held at her church in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 10. She is survived by her husband, Andy C. Wheatley of Austin; her sister, Emma Lee Hester of Henderson; her son, Chris Coleman of St. Augustine, Fla.; stepsons, Ervin and Randall Wheatley of Austin, Texas; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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2009

YEAR IN REVIEW Top Stories

Plus local businesses from the past to the present. Public Meeting at 4pm on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at the Vance County Administrative Conference Room,

122 Young Street, Henderson, NC 27536 Vance County is inviting expressions of interest for the use of Vance Manor on County Home Road, Henderson, NC. The property, on about 5 acres, is a single story building of some historical interest with approximately 7,600 SF internal usable space and 1,650 SF of basement space. The property has been vacant for about 5 years and has fallen into a state of disrepair. Vance County is interested in either selling the property or partnering with an individual, group or organization to renovate and re-use the building. The County, with the aid of its architectural consultant, will hold the public meeting for the purpose of informing interested parties about the project. Meetings will then be held with each interested party individually to consider a plan for use and to assess the related financial viability. It may be possible to secure grants or tax credits towards the renovation costs. The County does not guarantee to move forward with any proposal and reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

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Business & Farm

The Daily Dispatch

Disaster management firm moves to N.C. with 430 jobs By EMERY P. DALESIO AP Business Writer

RALEIGH — A Louisiana-based disaster management consultant said Monday it’s moving its headquarters to North Carolina in a move expected to bring 430 jobs to the state in the next six years. Innovative Emergency Management Inc. will move its headquarters from Baton Rouge, La., to Research Triangle Park. In return, the company was promised state tax breaks of up to $9 million if it meets job and investment targets. Local governments are also expected to sweeten the deal for IEM. The company will establish 430 jobs in North Carolina paying an average wage of nearly $63,000 a year, Gov. Beverly Perdue’s office said. It wasn’t clear how many of those jobs would be filled by current employees who transfer from other offices, IEM founder and chief executive officer Madhu Beriwal said.

The company has 350 employees, with about 150 at its Baton Rouge headquarters, she said. “We have sent a message companywide today and we are offering a relocation package to any of the employees who choose to move to RTP,” Beriwal said in an interview. Once the number of workers willing to move becomes clear, IEM will hire locally to fill its remaining needs, she said. The new headquarters site will be fully operational by September, Beriwal said. A reduced Louisiana office will remain after the headquarters move, but staffing there will depend on needs and how many workers are willing to relocate, she said. The 24-year-old private company specializes in measuring and managing threats to people, infrastructure and information. Its clients include local, federal and foreign government agencies. The chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommit-

tee, U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., attended the event announcing the move on Monday. “We do a lot of government work, but we also do a lot of work for private industry,” Beriwal said. The company has prepared emergency evacuation plans for nuclear power plants, and evaluated the threat to neighbors from chemical plants, Beriwal said. IEM was hired by the federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct a simulation in 2004 to test what was likely to happen if a Category 3 hurricane hit New Orleans. It found that flood waters would surge over levees, creating “a catastrophic mass casualty/mass evacuation” and leaving the city flooded for weeks or months. Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm in Aug. 2005, resulting in one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

COUNCIL, from page one After Coffey spoke next, Councilman Michael Inscoe said, “I will work diligently for all of the citizens of this community to make this a better place for all of us to live.” Rainey noted his wife constantly asks him, “Why do you put up with that? Why do you do that?” “I do it because I love the people and I love this town,” Rainey said, adding that he wants the later generations of his family to say he had a special part in the development of Henderson. “It has been a hard two years for all of us, but what was good about it is we all worked together as a team — very little division,” Rainey said. Rainey added that he believes the last municipal government retreat was probably one of the best he has been involved with since he has been on the council. Peace said she made clear when she was first elected she had no idea what she was doing. “This is a learning experience,” Peace said. Peace additionally said that she believes there is a purpose for everything people do, that God has a plan and that people need to fall in. Councilman Garry Daeke said he believes the council is much like a family. “You love each other. You support each other,” Daeke said. Daeke said, “Once in a while, it’s like brothers: You wrestle to settle things, but you always come together as a unit because we serve you the citizens.” And Daeke pledged to continue working hard and reading everything he and his fellow council members receive. And Daeke noted he tests his decisions by asking himself, “Do I go home and sleep well that night?” “And when I don’t, I come back and ask more questions and reconsider,” Daeke added. Mayor Pro Tem Lonnie Davis said, “We can all be agreeable.” “And I think this is what this council is about, being

agreeable. We come up with conclusions at the end of the day and we go home peacefully, smiling, instead of carrying a grudge over from one meeting to the next,” Davis said. Councilman George Daye said the city has more on its back than his business. “It’s a big task, but nevertheless, I do believe that all of us around this table have the city and its people at heart to do the best thing that we can for this, our city and our people,” Daye said. Mayor Pete O’Geary took the oath of office before the council incumbents and Coffey. O’Geary made a statement praising the progress of the previous two years in several aspects, including the implementation of a strategic plan and the relocation of City Hall from off Beckford Drive to along Rose Avenue. “And, importantly, the crime rate is starting to come down,” O’Geary added. O’Geary pledged to work with the council and municipal administration to help improve Henderson.

“As all of you know, I love this city. I believe in its future and I want to thank everyone for your continued confidence,” O’Geary said. During the meeting, the council unanimously voted to keep Davis as the No. 2 elected official in municipal government. Daye did make a motion nominating Evans for mayor pro tem, but his motion died for lack of a second. The council unanimously voted to keep City Attorney John Zollicoffer, City Manager Ray Griffin and City Clerk Pam Glover in their positions. Alston was not present to receive a resolution honoring his service. During the meeting, Rainey made a motion calling for holding off recognizing Alston until Alston is able to be present. O’Geary said the council can approve the resolution and present the document to Alston at a later date. Rainey led the vote to do the latter. Contact the writer at bwest@ hendersondispatch.com.

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Area

A DAY ON WALL STREET 10,000 8,000 A

Pct. change from previous: +0.28%

High 10,514.66

7,000

Low 10,471.28

Dec. 14, 2009

2,400

Nasdaq composite

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

+21.79 2,212.10

High 2,212.56

Pct. change from previous: +0.99%

Dec. 14, 2009

+7.70 A

Pct. change from previous: +0.7%

High 1,114.76

1,400

Low 2,193.20

Standard & Poor’s 500 1,114.11

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

9,000

+29.55 10,501.05

Stocks

11,000

Dec. 14, 2009

Dow Jones industrials

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

Low 1,107.83

SOURCE: SunGard

MARKET ROUNDUP 121409: Market

Currencies & etals charts show Dow,M S&P 500, and

Nasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; 96 mm x 114 mm; staff Aluminum - $1.0019 per lb., London Metal NEW YORK (AP) — Key currency exEditors: All figures as of: 5:25:04 PM EST Exch. change rates Monday: NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after not match other AP content close; Coppermay -$3.1160 Cathode full plate, LME. Dollar vs: ExchgRate PvsDay Copper $3.1300 N.Y. Merc spot Mon. Lead - $2288.00 metric ton, London Metal Yen 88.63 89.18 Exch. Euro $1.4647 $1.4617 Zinc - $1.0368 per lb., London Metal Exch. Pound $1.6304 $1.6241 Gold - $1123.75 Handy & Harman (only Swiss franc 1.0322 1.0341 daily quote). Canadian dollar 1.0595 1.0606 Gold - $1123.30 troy oz., NY Merc spot Mexican peso 12.7840 12.9340 Mon. Silver - $17.365 Handy & Harman (only Metal Price PvsDay NY Merc Gold $1123.40 $1119.40 daily quote). Silver - $17.326 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot NY HSBC Bank US $1125.00 $1116.00 NY Merc Silver $17.326 $17.084 Mon. Platinum -$1442.00 troy oz., N.Y. (contract). Platinum -$1447.00 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot Nonferrous NEW YORK (AP) — Spot nonferrous metal Mon. n.q.-not quoted, n.a.-not available r-revised prices Monday:

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

58.20 28.05 52.14 15.63 26.23 59.04 32.36 17.70 69.69 9.08 15.95 28.87 129.93 64.96 25.14 2.92 6.12 24.17 3.34 60.98 19.67 63.01 41.73 4.86 52.64 53.40 19.75 4.00 22.28 46.33 33.55 48.50 54.07 25.49 4.06 78.02

Visits to Smokies in November up 8.7 percent GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — Visits to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park increased by 8.7 percent in November. National Park Service spokesman Bob Miller said the jump was fueled by a 27.2 percent increase at the Gatlinburg entrance to the Smokies. Miller said that was caused by the major rock slide that has closed Interstate 40 just inside North Carolina. The other major entrances to the park — at Cherokee, N.C., and Townsend, Tenn., were unchanged from October.

The count at the 13 outlying entrances were off by 6.3 percent, but that was mostly because the traffic counter at Cosby was removed for a month of paving work.

Miller said the November figure keeps the Smokies on track for an expected yearly total of 9.4 million visitors. Year-to-date visits are up 4.7 percent.

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CMYK 6A

Opinion

The Daily Dispatch

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Clouded thinking about smoking

Editorial Board: James Edwards, Publisher jedwards@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 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord [is] thy keeper: the Lord [is] thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121

Our Opinion

Got ideas on Kerr for Corps? Got some ideas about Kerr Lake and its resources that you want to share with the federal government? Today’s the day. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to identify the public’s concerns that should be considered in the planning process for updating the Master Plan for the John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir. Representatives of the Corps will be in Henderson today to hear from locals. It’s been nearly 30 years since the last update of the plan, but the timing is right for getting it done, thanks in part to Obama Administration’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Reportedly an updating should take place every five years, but the process has been put off for a lack of funds since last being done in 1980. The public is being invited to attend one of three public information sessions, the closest one being today’s meeting at Vance-Granville Community College’s Civic Center. The session will begin at 4 p.m. and run until 7. One was held Monday in South Hill, and another is set for Wednesday in Clarksville. The Master Plan provides guidance on land allocation and management, existing and future recreational opportunities and inventories of resources. The plans are updated to provide accurate goals and direction for the reservoir facilities, according to Neil Myers, chief of the Lakes Branch of the Corps’ Wilmington District. Updates consider all of the reservoir’s existing natural, cultural and physical resources and the results that proposed changes may have on these resources. The process will include an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Myers said. To say that Kerr Lake is an invaluable resource for Henderson and Vance County — as well as southside Virginia and surrounding counties in North Carolina — is a gross understatement. Built for flood control and electric power generation in the 1950s, the lake has become a major attraction for its recreational opportunities. More than 850 miles of shoreline stretch across Vance County and the state line, making Kerr one of the largest lakes in the Southeast. The list of activities afforded locals and the more than million-and-a-half visitors to the lake each year includes boating, fishing, skiing, picnicking, camping, sailing, wind surfing, nature walking, bird watching, golfing and public events such an annual fireworks display in celebration of the Fourth of July. The Corps is welcoming comments from the public in writing, but the deadline is fast approaching. Written comments are being accepted by Friday, Dec. 25, according to Myers. Those comments should be directed to Josh Davis, Shoreline Ranger, John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir, 1930 Mays Chapel Road, Boydton, Virginia 23917. Comments may also be posted online by Dec. 25 by going to www.saw.usace.army. mil/Recreation/index.htm. Under Master Plans, click on John H. Kerr. A copy of the current master plan is available at the same Web site. “Your participation in the planning process for this project is important to us, and we look forward to hearing from you,” Chief Myers said. It’s a time-consuming process to get the Master Plan updated. Corps officials say not to look for the revised plan until the end of 2011.

Let me get this straight. Smoking is bad for you, right? It’s bad if you smoke. It’s bad if someone smokes around you. It’s so bad that Michigan’s state government, like others before it, is passing a law against smoking in any public place — restaurant, office building, shopping mall, museum — any public place at all. Except a casino. Got that? A casino that harbors gambling — which is also not good for you — is an OK place to smoke. Not in the casino restaurant. Not in the casino hotel. Not in what I’d call the “safe” parts of a casino. You can’t smoke there. But on the gaming floor, where you can lose your weekly paycheck in 60 seconds — there it’s OK to light up? I know. I hear you. It’s like saying you can’t yell “fire!” except in a public theater. It makes no sense. Unless you are a casino. Because just as restaurants don’t want to lose business to other restaurants, casinos don’t want to lose business to other casinos. And right now, in Michigan — as in Minnesota, as in Connecticut, as in many other states — local

casinos compete with Indianowned casinos, which exist on tribal lands. And are not covered by state laws. So you have a casino in Detroit that has to do what the state tells it to do. And you have a casino in Mt. Pleasant that doesn’t. And you Mitch know what Albom that leads to? Tribune Media Smoke Services ’em if you got ’em. Different places, different laws? Now, I’m not going to debate the whole Native American question here. There is no doubt what the states and the federal government have granted to Indian lands is small compensation for the upheaval our ancestors caused to their way of life. But there are times where we’re either a state or we aren’t. It seems to me if a state decides for the health and well being of its citizens that a law

needs to be changed, there should be compliance from all sectors. Otherwise you’re not really living in a state, are you? You’re living in two different countries. Everyone agrees the Indian casinos would likely not comply with the no-smoking ban — not because an ancient tribal reverence for tobacco. They wouldn’t comply because they don’t have to. And they could make more money by refusing. Hey. In the competitive world of casinos, who wouldn’t want to be the only place where you can still smoke and gamble at the same time? All this has led to a crazy inequity in this law. Detroit casinos will allow smoking on the gaming floor because otherwise they would lose business to their competitors. But if that is a good enough reason, what about the bars that have to go smoke free? Couldn’t they claim they are losing business to nonsmoking restaurants, because, once you can’t smoke in either place, people who had been coming to their bars to puff and drink will just go to a restaurant to drink? Whose rights rule the day? Many people have objected

to this law — even though dozens of states have similar ones. Critics say, “The government is getting into our business too much. They should stop telling us what’s good for us and butt out.” That sounds fine. Maybe even noble. But if it were true, we might as well remove all speed limits. That’s government, too. Should we just trust that people won’t speed and eventually kill somebody? There is no debate over the dangers of smoking or the dangers of second-hand smoke. This isn’t the global warming issue. And the state isn’t outlawing smoking altogether. It’s saying those who don’t smoke are entitled to clear air more than those who want to smoke are entitled to cloud it up. I don’t think that’s as awful as some say. But when you make a ridiculous exception because of a duality in your state, there is reason to complain. What’s funny is that many people, when Detroit’s casinos were first voted in, worried about the effects a vice like gambling could have on the population. And now, it’s the only place you can do two particular vices at the same time.

Other Views Perdue’s requests are costing us

No one can accuse Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue of taking a hands-off approach to governing the state. Just the other day, the governor made another trip to the nation’s capital in an effort to get officials in Washington to funnel more federal dollars down to Raleigh. We all like to get someone else to pay for the things we need and want. So a flight to D.C. to try to cajole Washington bureaucrats into sending more money our way seems like a good way to do that, doesn’t it? Well, not exactly. Don’t Perdue and the members of her administration realize that the money to finance federal spending comes from the same resource that the state uses to get its money? It all eventually China, then spent the rest of the comes out of taxpayers’ pockets. week learning what the Chinese Our state constitution think about us. requires that the General AsMy biggest surprise was how sembly and governor balance little today’s China resembles state government’s budget, the old Cold War stereotype of a thereby putting a measure of communist regime. Capitalism fiscal discipline on our leaders has taken hold in a bonanzain Raleigh. land fashion. The fact that comBut there’s no such constimunists happen to be regulating tutional requirement on the it is treated in polite conversafederal government. Politicians tion as an inconvenience or a have exploited this lack of conmarginal benefit, depending on stitutional discipline and have whether the regime happens placed taxpayers in tremento be subsidizing a particular dous debt. enterprise or restricting it. According to usdebtclock.org, The government’s human the U.S. national debt is aprights abuses are well known. proaching $12.1 trillion. That’s Yet, since Deng’s lifting of more than $39,000 per citizen market restrictions and bans and more than $111,000 per against capitalists joining the Communist Party, such abuses taxpayer. This calendar year’s federal are more rare than they used budget deficit is approachto be. Besides, if you play your ing $1.5 trillion. More federal cards in a politically correct spending, even if it’s on the fashion, you can make money states, will serve to add to without going anywhere near that deficit and to the federal those controversies. taxpayers. In North Carolina, And making money is the those are generally the same new engine of China’s developpeople that pay the taxes to ment, whether the moneymakhelp state government function. ing occurs because of China’s The same Web site estiregime or in spite of it. mates that the average taxAs Kai-fu Lee observes, payer in the United States has China’s entrepreneurial environment is still in its formative already shelled out this year more than $37,000 in federal, stage. It doesn’t have the deep state and local taxes this year. bench of experienced managTaxpayers don’t need a ers and coaches and venture bigger burden, whether they’re capitalists. paying for government at Yet if the young entreprehome, in Raleigh or in Washneurs I met offer a glimpse of ington. The debt that will have China’s future, they have a lot to be shouldered by taxpayers more in common with their doesn’t need to continue mushAmerican counterparts than rooming. they have in competition. It is What taxpayers need is for not hard to imagine today’s entheir elected officials to practice terprising young in both nations better fiscal discipline. Many accomplishing something their ancestors never could: bringing of them have seen their hours a new peace and prosperity that reduced, their salaries cut or, can close gaps beneath rich and even worse, been laid off. They don’t need to be saddled with poor in both nations. We can future increased tax bills. only hope. Doing so would be counterproductive. (E-mail Clarence Page at Sun Journal of New Bern cpage@tribune.com.)

A visit with China’s new moguls BEIJING — He could be a teenager in any American high school. He loves to “play Xbox.” He hates to do his homework, and when a visiting journalist asks what his dreams are, he responds simply, “I want to be rich.” No, he’s not an American student. He’s enrolled in Beijing’s High School 101, where his candid declaration of financial ambition brings a demure giggle from his classmates. Yet many of them will tell you in so many words that they want the same thing. They might even quote a line often attributed to the late reformer Deng Xiaoping: “To get rich is glorious.” This is the new China, where capitalism has been enlisted into the service of communism. You can see it and hear it in the way a self-described “nerd” like Kai-fu Lee, former president of Google Greater China and founder of Microsoft Research Asia, is greeted like a rock star by the sportswear-clad high school kids at Beijing High School 101. You can hear it in the ambitious motto — “One world, one market” — of Alan Guo, also known as Guo Quji in Chinese, 34. He founded Lightinthebox. com, which ships just about everything from tools and gadgets to wedding dresses anywhere in the world overnight. I talked to Lee and Guo at Innovation Works, a small business incubator designed to provide in Beijing what Silicon Valley provides in northern California, a place for computerrelated start-up businesses to find expertise and capital resources to grow bigger. With graduate degrees from Stanford and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Guo says he was inspired by Thomas L. Friedman’s “The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century,”

a best-selling exploration of how technology is introducing greater democracy and breaking down economic and corporate barriers for developing countries like China and India. “When our thousands of Chinese students abroad return home,” Deng once said, “you will see how China will transform itself.” China is indeed transforming itself, and that stirs a mixture of hope and dread in Americans, especially in these times of high joblessness and high American anxiety about China as an emerging superpower. As a guy who was Clarence raised in Cold War Page America, the Tribune Media dazzling ease Services with which communist China has accommodated capitalism is hard for me to fathom, but I was there to learn. I was invited by the Committee of 100, an organization of prominent Chinese Americans organized by architect I.M. Pei to encourage better understanding between our two countries. How well do we know each other? Not well. Last year a Gallup poll found 40 percent of Americans over 18 thought China was “the leading economic power in the world today.” Only 10 percent thought so in 2000. In fact, our gross domestic product is more than three times that of China, although China has been growing fast and investing well, including its purchase of much of America’s debt. Accepting the Committee of 100’s invitation meant that I appeared on a panel to discuss what we Americans think of

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News From The Light Side TUESDAY Morning / Early Afternoon 12/15/09

Ten years ago: With President Bill Clinton’s close mediation, Syria reopened peace talks with Israel in Washington.