Transcripts tie former Chowan manager Copeland to 'fault'

By Ritchie E. Starnes
Chowan Herald editor
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Former County Manager Cliff Copeland acknowledged responsibility for the Capstrat controversy that cost county taxpayers $260,000 for what has since been deemed suspect assistance, according to conversation transcripts.

Edenton: 911 fee 'double taxation'
(from: http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/edenton-911-fee-double-taxation-25119)

By Rebecca Bunch
Chowan Herald
Sunday, June 20, 2010

At its June 28 meeting, the Edenton Town Council is expected to hear a finance committee recommendation that the town not pay the county for its use of the 911 central communications.
The finance committee — Sambo Dixon, chair, Bob Quinn and Steve Biggs — developed the recommendation at a June 1 meeting after a request by Chowan County that the town contribute funds for the service.

McArthur re-elected in Chowan
By Ritchie E. Starnes
Chowan Herald
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
EDENTON — Chowan County voters re-elected Clerk of Superior Court Mike J. McArthur for a fifth term in Tuesday’s Primary Election.

McArthur, a Democrat, garnered more than 82 percent of the total votes for a 1,110 to 237 victory over challenger Orville E. Mason Jr. He claimed the most votes in all six of the county’s precincts.

May 4th 2010

Trouble within EMS.

At last night’s Board of Commissioners meeting it became obvious that there is a split between the paid members of Emergency Services and the volunteers who man Unit #3 in Rocky Hock.

Commissioners Eddie Goodwin, Kenny Goodwin, and Keith Nixon met with County Manager Peter Rascoe and Finance Officer Lisa Jones this morning to review the latest Budget figures for FY 2010-11.Projected Expenses exceed Projected Revenues by around $189,000.

Challenger takes on court clerk
By Ritchie E. Starnes
Chowan Herald
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
EDENTON — It’s been nearly 16 years since there was a contested race for the office of clerk of Superior Court in Chowan County.
Come May 4, that will change as Democrats and independents will get a chance to vote in a contested primary for the clerk’s position. Incumbent Clerk of Court Mike J. McArthur is being challenged by Orville E. Mason Jr. in Chowan County’s only contested primary race.

Candidate Delinquent on Property Taxes
By Ritchie E. Starnes
Chowan Herald

March 10, 2010

A candidate for the Chowan County Board of commissioners is delinquent on his property taxes by $5108.75, according to tax records.

Ellis Lawrence, a recently filed Democrat candidate for District 3, acknowledged his property tax delinquency on some 20 parcels Monday. He reconciled his due taxes late in the day.

Sheriff hopeful shot in accident
By Ritchie E. STARNES
Chowan Herald
Saturday, February 27, 2010
EDENTON — A Chowan County sheriff’s deputy who’s filed to run for sheriff was recovering at a Virginia hospital late Wednesday afternoon after accidentally shooting himself in the hand.
Tim Brabble, 45, was cleaning a .357-caliber Glock handgun when it accidentally discharged, wounding him in his left hand, Sheriff Dwayne Goodwin said.

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Chowan again mulls sales tax hike
By Ritchie E. STARNES
Chowan Herald
Saturday, March 13, 2010
EDENTON — Nearly a year and a half after Chowan voters shot down a referendum to increase the county’ sales tax, county commissioners are considering putting a similar tax hike back on the ballot again this November.
Chowan commissioners will discuss Monday night whether to let voters decide to increase the local sales tax from 7.75 cents to 8 cents.
Commissioners are again considering the measure, which voters rejected in November 2008, because they see it as a way to add desperately needed revenue to the county’s coffers.

Chowan voters to decide on sales tax hike
By Ritchie E. Starnes
Chowan Herald
Thursday, March 4, 2010
EDENTON — Chowan County voters will decide in November whether the county’s sales tax rate rises a quarter of a penny.
Chowan County commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to add a referendum to this year’s fall ballot asking county voters to increase Chowan’s sales tax rate from 7.75 cents to 8 cents.
If the referendum passes, county officials say the higher tax will generate an additional $150,000 in annual revenues for the county.