THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 20, 1996 TAG: 9606200457
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSTON LENGTH: 58 lines
Members of the Northeast Economic Commission swept through an agenda Wednesday and prepared to elect new officers next month to take over a big-bucks pump-priming organization that has $1,442,759 in the bank.
The meeting adjourned early with one budget question unanswered by the commission's executive director.
Chairman Jimmy Dixon, a Pasquotank County commissioner, canceled a scheduled closed session and called for adjournment as rain squalls from Tropical Storm Arthur caused the Roanoke River to swirl past the riverbank recreational center where the final meeting of this fiscal year was held.
In opening business, Buck Suiter, an Ahoskie banker who is the commission's treasurer, reported the panel had $1.4 million on hand at the end of 11 months ending May 31, 1996.
But a check after the meeting of his written report showed Suiter listed $231,203 spent for ``other services.'' The charges were among the largest individual outlays by the commission during the reporting period.
``I hate to admit it, but I really don't know what the `other services' are,'' said Richard Watson, the $75,000-a-year commission director, when he was asked about the expenditure later.
Dixon, Suiter and J.P. Timberlake III, the panel's Edenton accountant, dispersed after the meeting and could not be reached for an explanation.
``Obviously, `other services' will need clarifying as quickly as possible,'' said Watson.
But there was good news from Watts Carr, special representative for Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. on the economic panel. Carr said members of the General Assembly favor the work already done by seven regional economic commissions the legislature created 1992.
``The General Assembly has already earmarked $4.68 million for the commissions. The funds will be apportioned to the regional panels depending on geographic needs of each,'' Carr said.
When the legislators established the regional panels, the northeastern commission received $1.2 million with the promise of more to come each year. So far, the panel has received more than $2.4 million.
Projects listed as financed by the panel include $125,000 to renovate Edenton's airport, $120,000 for a county commuter system; $200,000 for a Babe Ruth World Series in Dare County (although the commission has whittled that figure since it was entered), a $30,000 water study for the future needs of northeastern North Carolina, and $520,000 to link the Albemarle with a vast data base that will help industries or other business relocate in North Carolina.
The commissioners also formally signed a contract to support the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center on U.S. 17 north of South Mills.
``It's the first time in years,'' said Penny Leary-Smith, director of the center, ``that we feel stabilized enough to truly perform our function of making people glad to be in North Carolina.''
Dixon earlier named Jack Runion, a retired executive of North Carolina Power, as chairman of a nominating committee to produce candidates for election next month as the commission's new leaders.
Runion said he expected the new slate would be elected at next month's commission meeting. by CNB