BY JOHN MITCHENER

The biggest surprise was a cell phone found on the roadside. It works! Had recordings which may need review by a local Matlock!         

Lion’s guest speaker for the evening program is a pilgrim from  Connecticut who now resides in Yeopim, USA. Mizz Sarah, retired teacher, keeps Larry McLaughlin straight….sometimes.   

Larry talked to the Lions about issues facing all of us and our Chowan County Commissioners. Says he wants genuine feedback! 

Local redneck Lorenzo Bozo mumbles, “Is he kidding? Is he putting me on!” Female companion Mimi Motormouth rolls her eyes at both fellas. Program Chairman John Guard begins to perspire profusely! 

Main issue is rebuilding of Holmes High School on North Broad Street. Classes and students now meet at the former elementary school on N. Oakum Street. The campus at 600 Woodard Street is an incredible mess!  

Dirt galore, pipes of all sizes plus numerous bulldozers and jackhammers everywhere.  One Lion fretted about finding summer parking to attend Steamers baseball games.   

McLaughlin recalls his days as a jack leg contractor and carpenter. 

But before a gazillion questions soar, Larry pivots to HVAC needs of the 1979 Courthouse on South Broad Street and elsewhere.  Humidity problems there are now worsening. Precious legal documents at risk. Plus, some want to redo the main courtroom.   

Others say resizing and/or relocation of the county jail out of town to Haughton Road on NC 37 is a must for improved local justice.  Will $25 million be sufficient to do this?   

A new roof is needed to fix humidity issues at the Ag. Extension building on North Granville at the corner with Virginia Road. Metal bridge to replace splintered wooden one on the south side of Ag. Building is essential. Don’t need voters falling into the creek on Election Day or on any other day.  

Improved jail facilities a must. Raleigh has issued new state standards  for cell size, revamped quarters for females. No one is being coddled. Just basic safety concerns. Plus, the cost of daily transportation of prisoners to and from Court anywhere any time.   

Collateral issues are whether to partner with Bertie-Martin County Jail across the Chowan River and leave current Chowan facilities untouched. Or, seek a new relationship with Albemarle District Jail in Elizabeth City, NC. Less local brick and mortar improvements required for these options but greater transportation costs surely will occur. And less local say-so about a mandated service will result.  

Shepard-Pruden Library on West Water Street has floors needing repair from leaking windows and water damage. Wallpaper peeling may be remediated with good paint. Timely repairs needed to protect Harry Potter.   

Then there is the Valhalla Water Plant replacement issue.  Quality water is a major need county-wide. Reverse osmosis technology is highly recommended. Better water has resulted elsewhere where this technology has been used. Water improved for years to come. Relocation of water plant to Haughton Road on NC 37 being considered. Five test wells within 30 acres plus numerous pumping stations envisioned. Total cost $63 million.  

How to pay?  Selling water to Perquimans County (and Town of Edenton)  is recommended by authorities in Raleigh.  Regional approach has other benefits.  Chowan provides $30 million. Monthly revenue from users in Perquimans plus those in Chowan will help secure better water in the long term and short. Water rates are likely to increase no matter what. 

Improved fire protection intrigues county residents. Is there a way to get beyond the current 6-road mile limit and make fire protection less expensive?  By what criteria might counties get authority to set a local option here? 

The future of Swain auditorium is uncertain. Chowan County now keeps windows and roof from leaking. These are presently in good shape.  But inside 800+ seats need to be upgraded. Even if Dolly Parton comes to town, wooden seats remain hard and tough on everyone’s derriere!   

A 400-seat auditorium is part of the new Holmes High. Improved acoustics and visuals promised. Heating and cooling to be outstanding. Administrators know how to add seats for sold-out performances.  Does Edenton-Chowan need two state of the art auditoriums?  

This writer remembers 1989 when heavy rains at graduation forced the Holmes Class of 1989 to turn tassels and receive diplomas inside Swain Auditorium rather than outside at Aces Stadium. Even then some could not be seated. More seats and space would have been nice.  Yes, the recent census shows a drop in county population. But quality fixtures will prove worthwhile in years to come. Other events of the past may return to Edenton. 

Several decades ago, the North Carolina Symphony came for two or three concerts annually. This writer remembers them well. Well-received until

Selections preferred by the symphony conductor became too different from those requested by locals. No easy compromise found then, so the NC Symphony stopped coming. William Tell Overture should always be welcome!  

Revival of symphonic music festivals either during Spring Pilgrimage and/or during the Christmas Season could boost tourism. Edenton is only 80 miles from Norfolk, Rocky Mount, Manteo or Greenville, NC. New Bern is merely 

100 miles south of us. Hopefully the Albemarle Chorale will still perform 

twice a year on Sundays. Edenton could become a mecca for music!  

Transportation by Showboats (water taxis) between 5 towns of the Northeast starting later in 2024 can improve attendance at future symphonies. Larger audiences may result from continued performances by Hee Haw talent.      

Emergency Medical Services are important.  EMS improvements may require relocation to other quarters. This mandated service can be improved. 

Unknown at this moment is how many local dollars are required. We do not know now what new services may be added to Vidant Chowan Hospital and the implications for EMS care.  Share your ideas!  

Other current conversations focus on the need for a recreation bond issue. It costs to do better. Doing nothing is costly too. A swimming pool is sorely needed to help student athletes, diversify physical education at all grade levels in our schools and expand physical therapy for all. Plus make Edenton more competitive as a retirement destination.   

      Such a pool is not part of the current Holmes High renovations. The pool might be built on Red Banks property owned by the county. What needs to happen?  $35 million is the possible tariff for the Recreation Bond issue (May 2024). Property tax may increase by $.15 to $.25 per hundred valuation.  

      Additional multi-purpose ball fields are needed. Possibly at new locations. Playoffs in soccer, baseball, softball, tennis or volleyball can draw adults from miles around to see their kids play.  Such economic booms have happened elsewhere.  

Red Banks Property, currently owned by Chowan County, could be altered to meet these needs and opportunities. Adjacent properties can be purchased too if restrictions negate recreation uses.  

Some improvements are needed at Chowan Middle School. Can these be done through regular budgets? Lorenzo Bozo was doodling as McLaughlin spoke. Mimi hums song Jolene. Each says their thoughts are insufficiently focused. But will do better.  

Bottom line: If we do not invest in ourselves, others will not either.  

McLaughlin stirred thoughts as intended. Good. Uncertain how many cobwebs rearranged but the process is off to a promising start. Larry’s basic thought is to get financing for the whole project in place so that when a particular matter is defined satisfactorily, money is available as inexpensively as possible.  

None of the commissioners are thinking about doing this entire project at one time. Rather do each part as inexpensively as possible over a decade so that excellent results are secured. (05/04/2024).  

This article was originally written on May 4, 2024 and updated on Oct. 23, 2024.