The sun. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1937-1972, February 20, 1969, Image 1

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by the way... Vol. 32—No. 44 Newberry, S. C. 29108, Thursday, February 20, 1969 A COATING OF WHITE—the result of dangerous to motorists but provided two the sleet and snow of Saturday and Sun- happy holidays for school students. (Sun day, covers the playground area above the photo by Martin Armfield.) water plant on Nance street. The ice was By DORIS A. SANDERS NO SECRETS? I was asked the other day, “What is going to happen to our schools next year? Is the County Board of Education trying to keep us in the dark ? ” I don’t think this is the case. I would expect that the County Board itself doesn’t know yet what is going to happen next year. It is unfortunate that over the years, the feeling has grown that the county board is too secret in its actions. This really isn’t exactly true, because news media represen tatives are allowed to attend public and executive meetings of the board. The charge of “secrecy” really goes way back to the early 1950’s when the board did have a number of meetings from which the press was barred; not only barred, but not even told that meetings were to be held. Later the board began “op ening up” and since, reporters have been allowed at all ses sions. Now many feel that too many things are discussed in executive session; that things are done 'which could be made public at the time, but aren’t A good example of this would be the various “plans” the board drew up to satisfy the whims of HEW, but which it refused to release to the press until the bureaucrats of Wash ington or Atlanta gave their 0. K. The people have a right to know what is being planned for their schools. As matters now stand, it would seem that the schools will be run next ses sion in the manner proposed by the board last year in the “plan” submitted to HEW. Since that time, we have an almost completely new board; a board which could, if it would, tell the bureaucrats to keep their money, and let the board run the schools. There are signs of change. At its last meeting the Board voted to allow recording of its sessions by radio station WKDK to be broadcast at a time suit able to both the station and the board. This is a step in the right direction, especially if the board will limit its ex ecutive sessions. The Board will go a long way to (dear up distrust of the citizens if mem bers show they have no fear of being heard discussing the issues. We realize that there will probably be a necessity for some few executive sessions, for in stance, to discuss personalities. No member of the news media wants to see any person in jured by the public airing of rumor, etc. But there should be very few issues before the board which could not be dis cussed publicly. We will be looking to see what, if any, changes will be made by the new board in the handling of our schools. And we know the public will be looking forward to hearing for itself, via radio, the discussion of the issues. LET HIM BEGIN Speaking of the schools * .- minds me of a recent Viewpoint by Jesse Helms of WRAL-TV concerning the new administra tion’s handling thus far of the school situation. I would like to quote the last two para graphs: “Somebody needs to tell Mr. Nixon that ... his adminis tration’s turn-about concerning school guidelines, are merely continuing the frustrating tor ment that the country has en dured for the better part of a decade. Mr. Nixon promised to change all of this, and he was elected because the nation was fed up with what it had ex perienced for so long. Expansion of Nursing Home is proposed The Newberry County Board of Commissioners has been asked for approval of a pro posed expansion project which would double the capacity of the Jesse Frank Hawkins Nur sing Home at an estimated cost of $('>00,000. I). P. Folk, member of the board, told the county officials that the county’s share of the cost would be about $200,000. Federal Hill-Burton funds could be obtained to finance two-thirds of the total cost, he said. Since the beginning of oper ations, the home has been fill ed to capacity with numerous persons waiting admittance as vacancies occur. The proposed expansion would double the present capacity of 40 beds. The facility is now operating at a loss of about $1100 per month and proposed rate in creases have been made to go into effect the first of March. Semi-private and private room rates would be increased $75 each, to $350 and $375, accord ing to Folk. Folk pointed out that pay ments on bonds issued to fin ance construction of the nur sing home originally will be reduced by 1972 and that local funds probably would not be needed until that time for the annex construction project. The Board of Commissioners received the request as infor mation and took no action. "It would be helpful, perhaps, if Mr. Nixon should take time out to re-read his campaign speeches. It wmuld be comfort- ing to the country if he would now undertake to put his prom ises into effect.. He asked for the chance to set this country straight again. Now let him be gin to do it.” Hospital area is re-zoned At a special meeting Tuesday afternoon, Council gave final reading and approval to an or dinance to change the zoning of an area adjacent to New berry hospital from an R-10 residential to a B-l neighbor hood shopping zone. The change will allow com- merical enterprises to be oper ated in the neighborhood which takes in approximately a square block surrounding the hospital, from Hunt to Kinard streets and Harrington to Harper Sts. Council also heard first read ing of another zoning change, from residential to B-2 busi ness, of a triangle which in cludes the education building and Junior High school. The city manager was auth orized to advertise for bids on a custom fire pumper for which specifications have been drawn but also instructed the fire chief to prepare specifications for a standard pumper on which bids will be received at a later date. Norris named Star Teacher Eugene E. Norris Jr., a grad uate of Newberry College, class of 1954, began his teaching career in the Beaufort City School system and has remain ed there since. He is head of the English Department of the High School. Last week Prof. Norris was honored by being selected as Star Teacher of the Year for the Beaufort section. One of his students was selected as Star Student, These honors are awarded annually by the Beau fort Chamber of Commerce. “Gene,” as he is known, has done graduate work at the University of Virginia, Boston University and Clemson Uni versity and expects to continue his studies this summer, look ing towards a degree, either in English or Guidance. He is con sidered a most dedicated teach er by students, faculty and the Beaufort people. P. 0. closes for holiday The Newberry Post Office will be closed February 22, 1969 in observance of Washington's birthday. No window service will be provided and there will be no delivery of mail by city or rural carriers. Regular holiday lock- box service will be maintained and dispatch of outgoing mail will be provided as usual. Col lection of mail will be in ac cordance with holiday schedules posted on all collection boxes. Special delivery mail will be delivered. Five and six cent stamps are available from the stamp ma chine in the lobby of the post ofi ice. t $2 a Year—10c a Copy Door to door canvass set Heart Sunday A residential canvas here giving every family a personal opportunity to advance the fight against the heart and blood vessel disea.es, will get underway Sunday under the leadership of Allen T. Webb, Heart Sunday chairman. The residential calls will be made by a volunteer corps numbering 80, reaching their high point on Heart Sunday, February 23rd. Literature being distributed by Heart Sunday volunteers emphasizes the desirability of getting the benefit of presently- existing knowledge in the car diovascular field, and under scores the need to support re search from which tomorrow’s dramatic advances may come. Under “what you should know today.” the pamphlet lists these points: “Know the risk factors and reduce your family’s risk of heart attack. “Hospital coronary care units are saving lives of thous ands of heart attack victims. “New surgical techniques can correct most inborn heart de fects. Damaged valves and blood vessels can often be re paired or replaced. “Disability from stroke can be reduced and predictive life prolonged. High blood pressure—a lead ing cause of heart disease and stroke—can be controlled. “Rheumatic fever and the heart damage it causes can be prevented. ” Looking to the future, the Heart Sunday pamphlet sug gested these advances may come from expanded heart re search: “The saving of 50,000 lives annually through extension of coronary care units. “Prevention and control of (Continued on Page 2) STAR STUDENT AND TEACHERS—Shown above irum left is Mary Nancy Shealy, daughter ,,f Mr. and Mrs. Otis Shealy of Prosperity who was named Star Student at Mid-Carolina High school. Miss Shealy chose as her Star Teacher Mrs. Dorothy Lovelace of Prosperity. The Star Teacher is selected by the student as the per son who has helped her most in her scholastic attain ments. The Star Student is selected on his or her schol astic average and State College Board Tests (SAT). The presentation to student and teacher was made by ,J. Walter Hamm, chairman of the Newberry County Development Board. Also taking part on the program was Dan Hamm Jr., chairman of the Education Comm ittee of the County Development Board and Dave Mori- son. Director of the Board. Pictured left to right, Dan Hamm, Miss Shealy, Walter Hamm and Mrs. Lovelace. (Citizen Photo).