THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511220293
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
As the campaign to ``expose'' all my dirty little secrets continues to unfold in the local press by way of letters to the editor, I feel compelled to respond on behalf of myself and wife.
The latest ``expose,'' by Mr. William L. Hauschild in The Coast, (Nov. 12, letters to the editor) is more interesting for what it does not say when compared with what it hopes to say.
The talented sleuths of the Republican Party have discovered and exposed a telephone number for Bobby Owens with a Manteo exchange prefix (473).
Since this information is readily available in any telephone book, it's not exactly an intelligence bonanza, but one must always consider the source.
The problem is, Hauschild failed to include the other three numbers listed for Bobby Owens in the same telephone book with a KDH prefix: 441-5336, 441-7309 and 441-6301.
For those folks new to the area who do not know me, I'll provide a little history.
I moved to Nags Head with my family in 1947. I have been a registered voter in Nags Head since 1969. I'm fairly certain my claim to residency outdates Mr. Hauschild's recent arrival. But this is not important.
What is important is that the majority of the people in Dare County live here because they appreciate our beautiful area and our quality of life.
Unfortunately, there are a few malcontents out there who want to glorify themselves at the expense of a public figure.
Mr. Hauschild, for example, is an aspiring politician who has run for office seeking to be a Dare County Commissioner and lost.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, elected officials get letters written about them.
I encourage the comments, particularly when the criticism is valid and constructive.
Then there is the partisan babble, which abuses the forum. You all are the ultimate judges.
With almost 95 percent of all these recent letters being signed by leaders or defeated candidates of the Republican Party, what are we getting? Constructive, valid criticism or partisan babble?
Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr.
Chairman
Dare County Board of Commissioners
Citizens against crime
Elizabeth City Glade Road residents held a Community Watch organizational meeting at the Pasquotank-Camden Library Multi-Purpose Room on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7:15 p.m.
Present were Glade Road residents Cochise Bethea, Hattie Etheridge and myself, plus Sheriff Randy Cartwright (guest speaker) and Councilwoman Anita Hummer (Cedar Street Community Watch and North Carolina Community Watch Association vice president).
I reported that about 30 Glade Road residents support and request a community watch in their area. Hattie Etheridge and I agreed at the meeting to serve as co-chairpersons of the Glade Road Community Watch. Cochise Bethea will be the block captain.
Sheriff Cartwright passed out a booklet, ``Starting a Community Watch,'' and went over the main points, including use of an engraver to identify valuables, such as jewelry, and the posting of Community Watch signs. Sheriff Cartwright emphasized that law enforcement does need help from the community (he only has 20 full-time officers to patrol 24 hours a day in Pasquotank County, which has 34,000 residents). Community Watch ``serves as a big deterrent to criminals,'' Cartwright said, as ``it gives them the feeling that everyone in the community is watching their every move and will report them.''
Councilwoman Hummer commented that a Community Watch was started in her neighborhood three years ago in response to crime there. She added that there are 75 people currently active in her Community Watch Group, and they meet at Knobbs Creek Recreation Center.
Frankie Kam
Elizabeth City by CNB