March 3, 1958 - 11:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

March 3, 19581 6Fit widthMeeting of Board of Commissioners for the County ofJohnstonMarch 3, 1958The Board of County Commissioners of Johnston County met in regular sessionon March 3, 1958, at 1100 A M, in the Commissioners Room, with the followingmembers presentH M Johnson, Chairman, J D Bailey, Floyd C Price, Sr, R G Gurley,and Frank B HoldingAbsent NoneThe following business was transacted;1 A M Noble, Attorney, spoke briefly uring the Commissioners to pay employeesan adequate wage scale in proportion to their duties and responsibilities, citingthe office of Mr H V Rose, Clerk Superior Court, as an example where employeeshad quit the services of the county to receive higher wages by local employers,which in his opinion was not a healthy condition2 Commissioner Floyd C Price, Sr, who was appointed by the Board to serve asa member of the committee to investigate the transactions of the Eastern CarolinaHousing Authority, submitted the following report of the committee, which was readto the Board by W G Massey, ClerkTo Honorable Members of the Boards of Commissioners for the Counties ofJones, Sampson, Duplin, Wayne, Cartaret, Johnston, Harnett, Craven,Pamlico and Qnslow And to Honorable Luther H Hodges, Governor ofNorth CarolinaPursuant to the instructions given this committee upon appointment to inquireinto the operations of the Eastern Carolina Regional Housing Authority, theCommittee convened in Raleigh, February 28, at 1000 A M The Committee heldpublic sessions that date and on March 1, 1958From the evidence placed before this Committee, we unanimously make thefollowing conclusions1 The activities of H Emmett Powell, Executive Director of the EasternCarolina Regional Housing Authority, and N E Mohn, Jr, the Assistant ExecutiveDirector of the Regional Housing Authority, in acquiring ownership of lands under-lying Seymour Johnson Homes and in later asserting ownership to all of the propertyknown as Seymour Johnson Homes constitute an obvious conflict of interest2 The loan of money to the Housing Authority by the Executive Director,under the circumstances related to the Committee, was in our judgment, improper3 With respect to the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Directorof the Authority, this Committee recommends to the County Boards and the Governorthat it is in the best interest of the Regional Housing Authority that theseofficers be requested to resign immediately, and that appropriate steps be takento remove them from office, if necessary4 This Committee is of the opinion that the Housing Authority as a bodydid not exercise necessary diligence in protecting the interests of the AuthorityThis Committee is further of the opinion that as among the Housing Authority membersthere were varying degrees of responsibility by reason of different and varyingdegrees of knowledge concerning the operations of the Authority5It is the unanimous recommendation of this Committee that our appointingauthorities take whatever action is necessary to insure that the Regional HousingAuthority asserts its interest in the property described Seymour Johnson HomesThis Committee expresses its sincere appreciation to all counsel and personsparticipating and cooperating in its hearingL A Tart Floyd C Price J H B Maynard0 Yell Merrill Robert E Giles R A NunnBernard B Hollowell Mrs Winifred T Wells Z L RiggsG N Noble C Bryan Aycock3• Commissioner R G Gurley submitted the following annual report for 1957 ofall fire departments participating in the Johnston County Rural Fire Protection;Program1957 Annual Fire Report of all Fire Departments Participatingin the Johnston Rural Fire Protection Program T0 The JohnstonCounty Fire CommissionDate January 1, 1957 Through December 31, 1957Departments No Fires Value of Rural Property Amount of Value of Propertyand Contents Damages SavedSelma 17 89,60000 141 0500 0 75,19500Clayton 10 45,07500 20,11}500 24,63000t189March 3, 1958 ContDepartmentsNo FiresValue of Rural PropertyAmount of DamagesValue Prop -and ContentsSavedKenly2589,3500026,8750062,47500Four Oaks23,9500054 4500050000Pine Level815, 00001},7310010,66900Princeton1747, 500015,+350032,21500Brogden811,550005,200006,35000Corinth - Holder1131,3000022,150008,15000Smithfield869,000008,4000060,60000Totalslo6402,87500122,09100280,72400The above is a report of all the Fire Departments participating in the RuralFire Protection Program in Johnston CountyAll of the Firemen and Fire Departments are to be commended for their finework and the spirit in which they have protected lives and property in our CountyWe would like to urge all housewives to keep all old newspapers, furniturerags, gaboline and all other flamable fluids out of the house Do not let trashaccumulate around the hoarse We should keep clean garages, and outbuildings of allkinds Keep matches, cigarette lighters, etc, away from children and out of theirreach The way to eliminate fires is to try to prevent them before they happenEvery home and business needs a fire extinguisher in a convenient placeIf you have electrical shortages of fuse blowing, you should have an electriciancheck your wiringWe stand ready to assist all the people of Johnston County at all timesRespectfully submitted;Johnston County Fire CommissionBy; R G GurleyJohnston County Fire CommissionerBreak down of each fire district was filed with the Clerk to the Board4 C W Tarlton, County Agent, reported that an eight week program would commencein March for checking bangs disease among cattle5 Upon the request of Sheriff B A Henry, Commissioner J D Bailey moved thatthe following resolution be adopted,WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Board of Commissioners of JohnstonCounty that three shotgun blasts were fired from a moving car into the home of DeputySheriff J T Smith of Johnston County at 3 30 oclock on Saturday morning, February22, 1958, andWHEREAS, Deputy Sheriff Smith and his wife and children occupied said home atthe time of said shooting; it appearing to the Board that several gun shot piercedthe window of the bedroom in which Deputy Smiths twelve -year old daughter wassleeping at the time of the shooting and barely missed said child; it further appear-ing to the Board that a load of buckshot broke the glass in the front door of theSmith residence and went through two living room walls and became embedded in thethird wail of an unoccupied room, and that several gun shot tore through the metalawning over the front door of said residence, and further that the outside lightto said home was shattered and that the shingles on the front roof were torn by theblastAND WHEREAS, it further appearing to the Board that several shots dug deep inthe outside wall of the residence, and it further appearing to the Board that one-half hour prior to the shooting the telephone of Deputy Smith rang three times, andwhen Deputy Smith tried to answer the first call, the party calling refused toanswer; that a short time thereafter when another call was made to Deputy Smith, avoice instructed Deputy Smith to report at once to a point in Clayton for that anemergency had occurred and that his services were needed; that the person makingsaid telephone calls refused to give Deputy Smith his true identity; that DeputySmith refused to go to Clayton at the point designated and remained at home; thatthe officer then returned to bed but did not go to sleep and several minutes there-after he heard the sound of a car approaching his home from the direction of Claytonat a slow rate of speed; that said Deputy Smith got up from his bed and saw thehead lights of an automobile immediately near his home; that suddenly thereafter thethree shotgun blasts were fired at his home; that Deputy Smith then took his pistoland went out of doors to see if the car had returned to his premises; thELt said cardid not return to his residenceThat WHEREAS, the citizens of Johnston County have become upset and disturbedover the above acts of lawlessness and that the citizens of Deputy Smiths communityhave volunteered to guard his home and his family to secure their safety; that190March 3, 1958 Coatalthough the Sheriffs Department of Johnston County and the State Bureau ofInvestigation have worked diligently in attempting to solve the infamous crimeabove related and to bring the offenders to trial before a court of justice, saidoffenders temain unknown at this timeAND WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Johnston County are of the opinionthat a reward in the sum of 40000 should be offered for the apprehension and theconviction of the person or persons committing the infamous crime above related asprovided in General Statutes 15 -53 of the State of North CarolinaBE IT NOW THEREFORE RESOLVED unanimously by the Board of Commissioners ofJohnston County, allfive members being present, that His Excellency, HonorableLuther H Hodges, Governor of North Carolina, be requested to offer a reward immed-iately in the sum of 040000 to be paid by the State of North Carolina as providedin General Statutes 15 -53 of the State of North Carolina for the apprehension andconviction of the person or persons committing the secret and infamous assault uponDeputy Sheriff J T Smith of Johnston County and his family at their residence onthe morning of February 22, 1958, and that a copy of this Resolution be transmittedforthwith to the Governor at Raleighb Upon the recommendation of W H Britt, Auditor, the following motion wasadoptedOn a motion made by Floyd C Price, Sr, seconded by Frank B Holding, itwas moved that W H Britt, Auditor, be authorized and empowered to use a facsimilesignature stamp for the signing of hospital and welfare grant checks as authorizedby Section 153, paragraph 131 of the County Fiscal Control Act7 On a motion made by J D Bailey, seconded by Frank BHolding, it was movedthat the bond of Mrs Marian W Lassiter, Deputy Clerk, Clerk of the Superior courtsoffice, dated February 19, 1958 in the amount of 4100000, be approved8 On a motion made by J D Bailey, seconded by Frank B Holding, it was movedthat the bond of Mrs Doris Lambert, Deputy Clerk, Clerk of the Superior CourtsOffice, dated January 30, 1958 in the amount of 100000,be approved9 After receiving a letter from E S Simpson, Superirlendent Public Instruction,,requesting that the Commissioners take necessary action to arrange for the localgovernment commission to place the county bonds on the market at the most favorabletime, in order that a satisfactory sale can be made and money made available forletting contracts on projects during the month of March, Chairman H M Johnsonappointed W H Britt and Frank B Holding to confer with Mr Simpson and MrEasterling of the Local Government Commission, to make the necessary arrangementsfor placing the county bonds on the market10 After advising W J Austin, Johnston Countys member of Eastern CarolinaHousing Authority the action of the committee investigating the transactions of theEastern Carolina Housing Authority, and after a statement from Mr Austin to theeffect that he would like to see right prevail and would endeavor to bring thisto pass, the following motion was adopted;On a motion made by Frank B Holding, seconded by R G Gurley, it was movedthat W J Austin, Johnston Countys appointee to the Eastern Carolina HousingAuthority be given a vote of confidence11 Jiggs Broadwell, Civil Defense Director, gave a verbal report of the activit-ies of his organization12 Upon the recommendation of W H Britt, Auditor,the following motion wasadoptedOn a motion made by J D Bailey, seconded by R G Gurley, it was moved thatthe audit contract for the year 1957 -58 covering the offices of the county, withthe exception of the hospital and Board of Education, be awarded to Daniel GMatthews, Certified Public Accountant, at a contract price of 15000013 Subsequent to Chairman H X Johnson bringing to the attention of the Boarda request for a five day week work plan for the county, the following motion wasadoptedOn a motion made by J D Bailey, seconded by Frank BHolding, it was movedthat this matter be deferred until the 1958 -59 budget was considered14 At the request of Col David L Hardee, Director Civil Defense for Raleighand Wake County, Commissioner R G Gurley introduced the following resolution;Whereas, it is ascertained that the Wakelon Rural Fire District as servedby the Zebulon Rural Fire Department has complied with the provisions of theresolution providing for the establishment of fire districts in Wake County, whichwas duly adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Wake County on September 7,1954 and is now serving an area of Johnston CountyNow therefore, it is ordered that the following described area in JohnstonMarch 31 1958 ContCounty be defined as an area of the Wakelon Rural Fire District for the sole purposeof enabling the property owners residing in said area to receive any fire insurancebenefitsBeginning at a point on the Wake - Johnston County line whereMocassin Creek crosses same and extending in a southerlydirection for about 3 miles to a point on Highway 64, thesaid point being about 4 of a mile on Highway 264 from thesaid county line; thence, in a southwesterly direction for adistance of about 13 miles to the junction of the Perry Roadwith Highway 39; thence, in a southwesterly direction for adistance ofabout 2 miles to a point on Highway 96, said pointbeing about 5 of a mile from the crossing of Highway 96 andthe Morphus Bridge Road; thence, in a northwesterly directionfcr a distance of about 16 miles to a point where LittleRiver crosses the Wake - Johnston County line; thence, in anortheasterly direction following the Wake- Johnston Countyline for a distance of about 4 miles to the point of BEGINNINGCommissioner R G Gurley moved that the foregoing resolution be adoptedCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted15 At the request of Col David L Hardee, Director Civil Defense for Raleighand Wake County,Commissioner R G Gurley introduced the following resolution;Whereas, it is ascertained that the Wendell Holmes Rural Fire District asserved by the Wendell Rural Fire -Department, Inc has complied with the provisionsof the resolution providing for the establishment of fire districts in Wake County,which was duly adopted by the Boardof County Commissioners of Wake County onSeptember 7, 1954 and is now serving an area of Johnston CountyNow therefore, it is ordered that the following described area in JohnstonCounty be defined as an area of the Wendell Holmes Rural Fire District for the solepurpose of enabling the property owners residing in said area to receive any fireinsurance benefitsBEGINNING at a point on the Wake - Johnston County line whereLittle River flows into Johnston County and extending in asoutherly direction for a distance of about 17 miles to apoint on the Hallow Brook Road, said point being about 2miles southeasterly from the crossing of the Hollow Brook andMorphus Bridge Road; thence, in a southwesterly direction fora distance of about 12 miles to a point on the Lake WendellRoad, said point being southerly about 12 miles from thecrossing of the Hollow Brook and Lake Wendell Roads; thence,in a westerly direction for a distance of about 15 miles toa point on the Wake - Johnston County line, said point beingabout 5 mile northeasterly from the point where the EagleRock - Medlin Store Road crosses the county line; thence, ina northeasterly direction following the Wake - Johnston Countyline for a distance of 33 miles to the point of BEGINNINGCommissioner R G Gurley moved that the foregoing resolution be adoptedCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted16 On a motion made by J D Bailey, seconded by R G Gurley, it was moved thatthe State Highway Commission be requested to hard - surface that certain road inMicro Township, described as follows;Beginning at J H Brewers on the Princeton -Oake Grove Inn Road and runsthence to glade Peareets place via Barden House, Rex Thomas to the Lowell Road andthence left 8 mile to Otis Daniels at Wade pearcefs place, knownas the Old ZionRoad, and being a distance of 28 miles in lengthPetition, sketch and map enclosed with this order For reference see BardenHouse, Route if 3, Selma, N C17 On a motion made by JD Bailey, seconded by Floyd C Price, Sr, it was movedthat the State Highway Commission be requested to hard - surface that certain road injBeulah Township, described as follows;Beginning on Highway # 301 two miles South of Kenly at Radfords Store andruns thence to Old 22 at Mrs Mamie Aycocks farm, and being a distance of 9 milesin lengthPetition enclosed with this order For reference see Mrs Mamie Aycock,Micro, N Ci192March 3, 1958 ContU18 On a motion made by R G Gurley, seconded by Frank B Holding, it was movedthat the State Highway Commission be requested to hard- surface that certain road inMeadow Township, described as followsBeginning at New Zeland Church North east and connects to Highway 701 atR D Marler,a, known as the old Meadow Road, and being a distance of 18 miles inlengthPetition and sketch enclosed with this order For reference see Roby HBlackman, Route # 2, Benson, N C19 on a motion made by Frank B Holding, seconded by Floyd C Price, Sr, it wasmoved that the State Highway Commission be requested to hard - surface that certainroad in Boon Hill Township, described as followsBeginning at a rural paved road that passes the W A and N T Hinton farms,and runs thence to a rural paved road just across the Jayne- Johnston County line,known as the Toler Millard road, and being a distance of 8 miles in lengthPetition and map enclosed with this order For reference see Bobby Gray Toler,Route # 1, Princeton, N C20 On a motion made by R G Gurley, seconded by Frank B Holding, it was moved1, that the Mate Highway Commission be requested to add to the Johnston County Roadsystem and maintain that certain road in Banner Township, described as followsBeginning at Harnett Street in the Town of Benson and runs thence to a statemaintained dirt road at a cross roads south east of the Town of Benson, and beinga distance of la miles in lengthPetition enclosed with this order For reference see Robert Denning, Benson,N C21 On a motion made by R G Gurley, seconded by Frank B Holding, it was movedthat the State Highway Commission be requested to add to the Johnston County RoadSystem and maintain that certain road in Pleasant Grove Township, described asINfollowsNBeginning at the Benson- Angier road at E S Hollands filling station andruns thence to the farm of I H Holland, and being a distance of 3 miles inlengthPetition and sketch enclosed with this order For reference see I H Holland,Route # 1 , Angier, N C22 On a motion made by J D Bailey, seconded by R G Gurley, it was moved thatthe State Highway Commission be requested to add to the Johnston County Road Systemand maintain that certain road in Beulah Township, described as follows;Beginning at Ben L Cuddingtons on the Hickory Cross - Princeton Road, andruns thence to a dead end, known as the R E Parrish road, and being a distanceof 12 mile in lengthPetition and sketch enclosed with this order For reference see R E Parrish,Kenly, N C23 On a motion made by R G Gurley, seconded by Frank B Holding, it was movedthat the State Highway Commission be requested to add to the Johnston County RoadSystem and maintain that certain road in Banner Township, described as followsBe inning on a dirt road at t;Ub home of Mrs Almeta McLamb and runs thencesouth t} mile to Mrs Nicey Norris Moore a, and being a distance of 4 miles inlengthPetition and letter enclosed with this order For reference see Mrs BertriceNorris, Route # 3, Benson, N C24• The following reports were filed with the BoardL PCreechVeterans Service officer-?_C WTarltonCounty AgentDRCliftonJailerT LUpchurchTax CollectorMrsLulu JolliffSuperintendent Welfare DepartmentJohnW MayoElectrical InspectorSarahAnn ButtsHome Demonstration AgentMrsWillye WrightCounty LibrarylMarch 3, 1958 ContIOn a motion made by J D Bailey, seconded by R G Gurley, it was movedthat the meeting be recessed until 230 P M, March 17, 1958Chaigy n ierII