THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 30, 1996 TAG: 9603300311
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HERTFORD LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Albemarle Commission leaders moved swiftly this week to transfer financial responsibility for the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center on Route 17 to the Northeastern Economic Development Commission.
The General Assembly two years ago approved an annual funding of $75,000 to run the Welcome Center through the end of the current fiscal year on June 30. In the past the financially troubled Albemarle Commission has handled the money.
But Penny Leary-Smith, director of the Welcome Center, said earlier in the week that she had been informed by Hal Walker, director of the Albemarle Commission, that some of the $75,000 would have to be held back this year.
Walker confirmed that an erosion of the Albemarle Commission's working funds meant that some of the group's beneficiaries would have to make-do with less money.
On Friday, Zee B. Lamb, an Elizabeth City attorney who is a member of the Albemarle Commission's advisory committee, said the committee would recommend next week that the Welcome Center funding be turned over to the Economic Development Commission.
``We will pass our recommendation along for action by the Albemarle Commission's executive committee on Monday night,'' said Lamb, the chairman of thePasquotank County board of commissioners.
``It is our understanding that the full Albemarle Commission board will act quickly on the proposal,'' Lamb added.
In contrast to the Albemarle Commission, the economic panel has $1.8 million in the bank for worthy causes, and Chairman Jimmy Dixon has often said he felt the northeast pump-priming panel was the best venue in which to place the Welcome Center.
``The Economic Development Commission is structured with a tourist division where the Welcome Center would fit nicely,'' said Dixon.
Meanwhile, another $75,000 for the Welcome Center is expected to be approved by the next General Assembly for the 1996-1997 fiscal year, said a spokesman for Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare, the state Senate leader.
Basnight, when he was a member of the state Transportation Board, got the initial appropriation in the mid-1970's to build the Welcome Center on the historic Dismal Swamp Canal. The center, just south of the Virginia state line, is one of the few in the nation where both tourists in autos and visitors on yachts are greeted.
Walker said he had made the original recommendation that the Development Commission take over responsibility for the Welcome Center.
``There's nothing adversarial about this,'' Walker said, ``It would simply make more sense if the Economic Development Commission handled the money. I've talked with Sen. Basnight's office, and they told me it would be easy to arrange.''
The Albemarle Commission's involvement with the Welcome Center came about as a result of legislative debate that preceded approval of the $75,000 annual support money.
``I introduced the bill and we found we needed some official agency to send the money to for transfer to the Welcome Center. We just picked the Albemarle Commission and it was my understanding that they would merely pass along the money,'' said former state Rep. Vernon G. James, of Pasquotank County.
Dixon and Basnight conferred recently about the proposed transfer of Welcome Center operating funds from the Albemarle Commission to Dixon's Economic Development panel.
``There is a lot of agreement that this would be a good idea,'' said Dixon.
``There is also a feeling among the economic commission members that we should give the Welcome Center more money,'' he added.
Leary, the Welcome Center director, has a payroll that includes two other paid staffers besides herself.
``None of them get paid very much and considering how much good will they generate for North Carolina, they deserve more money,'' said Lamb.
Several of the development commissioners have indicated they would approve a $25,000 appropriation to bring the Welcome Center funding next year up to $100,000.
The financial troubles of the Albemarle Commission will be on the table when the panel's executive board meets next week in Hertford. by CNB