The Virginian-Pilot 
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995           TAG: 9509210414
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO                             LENGTH: Medium:   65 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** Manteo Commissioner Dellerva Collins was the first African-American elected to the panel when she took office in 1989. A story Wednesday incorrectly indicated the achievement came when she was sworn into office Tuesday after a long hassle for the seat. Correction published in the North Carolina edition of The Virginian-Pilot, Friday, September 22, 1995, on page B2. ***************************************************************** COLLINS FINALLY TAKES MANTEO OFFICE SEAT SHE IS TOWN'S FIRST BLACK ELECTED OFFICIAL

Dellerva Collins took her long-sought seat on the Manteo Board of Commissioners Wednesday becoming the first African-American to hold elective office in the 96-year history of this Roanoke Island town.

A racially mixed audience packed the Manteo Town Hall to witness the swearing-in ceremonies.

Collins and former board member Rocky Midgette had been embroiled in a dispute over write-in ballots in the 1993 at-large voting for three seats on the board. On Monday, First Judicial District Superior Court Judge William C. Griffin Jr. ordered Midgette to step down from the board and Collins to take office immediately.

The ceremony took on the feel of an old-fashioned tent revival. As the oath was completed, one woman shouted, ``What a happy, glorious day,'' while others simply said ``Amen.''

Collins, a 59-year-old grandmother, thanked the crowd, which included many who had bought and sold fish and chicken dinners to help her pay for the cost of her court challenge.

``If it were not for you and your support, I would not be here,'' Collins said. ``This is another moment in history for our town. This case has made history. It's been a long 22 months.''

Collins spoke of some concerns as she begins the remaining two years of her term.

``I had no selfish motives in pursuing this,'' she said. ``I have no hidden agendas. All I'm concerned with is doing what's best for the benefit and welfare of the entire community. This is a small town, and I will fight to keep it that way.''

Many present and former town and county officials were on hand at the ceremony, including Dare County Board of Education Chairwoman Virginia Tillett, Manteo Commissioner Edward Greene, Police Chief James Ray Flowers, and former mayors Luther Daniels and John Wilson IV.

``I'm happy to see the democratic process still works,'' said Greene, who will step down from the board at the end of his term in November. ``I'm very upbeat today.''

Collins said maintaining Manteo's small-town atmosphere will be her top priority. ``We want to try to prevent development that will hurt our town before it happens,'' she said.

Collins' first meeting will be a special session of the board of commissioners at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 28. An agenda released by the town on Wednesday indicated the board will meet in closed session with Town Attorney Dan Merrell. The subject matter of the meeting was not disclosed. by CNB