The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

Related Photos

  • W.TERRY SMITH

    images_sizedimage_241104046
August 28, 2008

Perdue stumps in Tarboro

Candidate for governor touts education, technology

W. TERRY SMITH

When Bill Bourne introduced Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue as “the next governor of North Carolina,” no one objected.

Bourne organized a get-together for the Democratic nominee and about two dozen people Wednesday at On the Square restaurant.

“I’m excited about Tarboro and its new Web site,” she said. “Cool. You are living the dream.”

Perdue, who was en route to a private fund-raiser in Rocky Mount, appeared confident. The latest Public Policy Poll has her ahead of Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, her Republican opponent, by five points.

Perdue asked questions and then answered them by saying what she would do if she is the first woman elected governor in North Carolina.

Edgecombe County Public Schools Superintendent Craig Witherspoon told her about the high schools getting laptop computers.

“That’s remarkable for the county to be so progressive,” she said. “The way you level the playing field in small North Carolina towns is with technology.”

Perdue reminisced about moving to New Bern years ago when there was no riverfront development.

“No one realized the water was resource,” she said.

Perdue promised more help with the former Main Street program that New Bern and Tarboro used successfully some 30 years ago.

“You have a plethora of wonderful historic homes,” she said. “The history here so rich. You need a governor that understands the Main Street program.”

Rusty Holderness told her Tarboro looked pretty but the county was losing population, as much as 10 percent since 2000. So many people who work in the county live elsewhere.

Bernice Pitt said the county’s biggest problem was its schools and the need for good teachers.

Witherspoon said most Edgecombe teachers live in Pitt and Nash counties.

Perdue said perhaps a program to pay teachers extra bonus money or trade paying for their education for years of service might be the solution.

“Like you do with doctors,” she said.

Perdue praised Edgecombe Community College President Deborah Lamm and ECC, “a good community college.”

“We need continued support,” Lamm said.

Perdue also said, “The future is really bright for agriculture.”

“You know what the challenges are,” she said. “You need help from the state with Main Street, infrastructure and help recruiting the right kind of industry.

“It sounds like you are on the right path,” she said.

Perdue praised state Rep. Joe Tolson, D-Edgecombe, and his work in promoting technology.

Tolson said, “I think she’ll make us an excellent governor.”

Tarboro Mayor Donald Morris predicted she would carry the county with 65 percent or more of the vote.

“I’d like 90 percent,” she said.

Perdue served in the state House of Representatives from 1986-90, and in the state Senate from 1990-2000. She became the first woman ever elected lieutenant governor in North Carolina.

On May 6, Perdue, 61, won the Democratic nomination for governor, defeating State Treasurer Richard H. Moore and Dennis Nielsen.

Prior to running for office, Perdue worked as a public school teacher, as director of geriatric services at a community hospital, and earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration.

”If a little girl from Appalachia (Grundy, Va.) like me can grow up and make it with hard work and education, any child can.”

Text Only
Local News
  • DAR Micajah Pettaway Chapter sees fashions and styles of Jackie Kennedy Onasis

    The DAR Micajah Pettaway Chapter met 11:00 a. m., Thursday, May 17 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.  After Frankie Powell, First Vice Regent, welcomed everyone, she introduced new members Mary Ann Crawford, Angela Urquhart and prospective member Jaiann Rains from Rocky Mount.

    May 24, 2012

  • Civitas Poll: Parents primed for school reform

    If legislators listen to their constituents, school reform in North Carolina will happen.
    In a new poll released Wednesday by the Civitas Institute, results indicate that by large margins North Carolinians support a wide range of school reforms now before the state legislature.

    May 24, 2012

  • Edgecombe health stats spiral down

    In 2011, there were 12,164 premature deaths in Edgecombe County, according to a 2012 report compiled by County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.
    In the same report, it was noted that 1,167 county citizens were treated for a sexually transmitted infection. In the same report, North Carolina averaged 445 and the national benchmark was 84.

    May 24, 2012

  • Americans will remember fallen Monday

    On Monday, Americans honor the fallen men and women who have served our country through the military with the annual observance of Memorial Day.

    May 24, 2012

  • CORRECTION

    In a story titled “School board approves Roberson revisions” that appeared in the Thursday, May 17 edition, there were numerous errors. The story was written about the May 14 meeting of the Edgecombe County School Board.

    May 23, 2012

  • historic tarboro.JPG Hoard’s work still benefiting Tarboro

    Ten months after former Tarboro Town Councilman Steve Hoard passed away, his work on behalf of the town is still paying dividends.
    The North Carolina Department of Transportation has erected large signs on U.S. 64 bypass reading  "Tarboro Historic District Exit 485." Hoard, with the agreement of the council, spearheaded the push for the signs. The signs are the trademark brown color that designates a historic location.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Vidant champion.JPG Vidant Edgecombe names Turner ‘Champion of the Year’

    Ms. Billie Turner, a cashier and server in Edgecombe Vidant’s nutrition services department, has been named as the 2012 Champion of the Year at the hospital.
    During a reception in her honor, Turner was awarded a bouquet of flowers, a monetary gift and a special recognition plaque.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • U.S. 64 Princeville exit closed until July

    The North Carolina Department of Transportation has closed the U.S. 64 East exit that leads into Princeville after an accident damaged the overpass. The exit designator is Exit 486.

    May 23, 2012

  • South Edge.jpg Community members mentor South Edgecombe students

    Male students and South Edgecombe Middle School have the opportunity to be mentored by local community members through the Boys to Men program.
    Charlie Cobb, Robert Williams and Thomas Williams have taken the time to meet with students who are targeted as “at-risk” each Thursday.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • (USE FRONT) One To Go.jpg Tractor pull again a success

    PINETOPS – The 36th annual Pinetops 300 Tractor and Truck Pull was just as big as the previous events on Friday and Saturday night. There was standing room only both nights. Everyone got their monies worth on Saturday night during the last event.

    May 21, 2012 3 Photos