Last Friday night at the Wilco-Hess station in Windsor gasoline started spewing out of the nozzle before I could put it in my tank. Fortunately, no one was standing nearby and my shoes and clothing were the only casualties. But the situation was dangerous, and I have since learned that my experience was not unusual.

We would appreciate your help in identifying and prioritizing animal welfare needs in this area. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey.

Thank you for your help!

There are two very small private animal welfare organizations in the area--SPCA Perquimans County NC and Chowan-Gates SPCA. The SPCA Perquimans County has proposed to its membership that it expand its reach to cover the entire Albemarle region, which would include Perquimans, Chowan, Gates, and Bertie counties. We would welcome the members of the Chowan-Gates SPCA to join us.

We believe that by combining membership resources we can more effectively improve animal welfare conditions, increasing donations of time, expertise, and money.
Questions? use the "Comments" feature and I will do my best to answer them. Or contact me at:

Lois Schneck
The Sound Pet
1316-M North Broad Street
Edenton, NC 27932
252.482.2562

At the March 2, 2009 Board of Commissioners meeting it was revealed that county sales tax figures are so far behind projections ( a shortfall of over $750,000) that severe cuts in spending must be made in order to keep the budget balanced for this year. Those cuts will undoubtedly be cataloged in the Chowan Herald. Attached is an email I sent to each commissioner regarding last night's meeting. They need to 'plan for the worst' while 'hoping for the best....'

Extreme Makeover News. Edenton Builders have been chosen along with a local family to be the focus of the show which airs on Sunday, May 3rd. The chosen family will be announced on Friday March 5th on ABC.

To find out how you can participate and read the complete story go to ABC Affiliate WTVD's website

The Chowan Edenton Environmental Group and the Town of Edenton are hosting the 2nd Green Energy Fair on Saturday, May 9, 2009. The Fair will be held at the old D.F. Walker School Gymnasium on N. Oakum St. from 10:00am-2:00pm. Registration will entitle you to a free lunch (once you have visited the exhibitors) and a chance to win door prizes. Last year there were over 350 people who visited twenty two exhibitors and attended serveral workshops. This is a good chance to be brought up to date on products that will reduce your energy costs and help save the planet. If you are an exhibitor and are interested in having a both, contact Vero Brentjens (vaamb@yahoo.com) or Dennis Robison (robisode@yahoo.com).

Thanks to the hard work of Democrats statewide and in Chowan County, North Carolina turned blue. Countless volunteer hours and the extraordinary energy of people who care made this victory posstibe. We need to keep the momentum going, and we need your help.
The Chowan County Democratic Party will hold annual precinct organizing meetings between Febrary 23 and March 7.
Meeting will be held at the following locations:
Yeopim, Airport , Tuesday, Feb. 24 @7pm
Center Hill, North County Rec. Cntr., Monday, March 2 @ 6:30pm
East Edenton, D.F.Walker Alumni Bldg., Wednesday, March 4 @6:30 pm
West Edenton, Agricultural Bldg., Thurs.March 5 @ 7pm.
Meetings are free and open to any registered Democrat residing in the precinct.
Meeting attendees will be electing precinct officers and delegates to the Chowan County Convention to be held on Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 pm in the Chowan County Courthouse.
For more information contact Martha Badger at 482-3044 or by email at jlmbbadger@mchsi.com.

Regarding the proposed new town park at Meadow View Dairy Farm, the following was presented to the Edenton Town Council at their Feb 10, 2009 meeting. I believe I have made a reasonable case that this is more about lining John Dowd's pockets than establishing a park. I am not in the business of further enriching the former mayor and the Town shouldn't be either!
(visit GALLERY for larger arial view of proposed park )
The following figures come from the Chowan County Land Records Office:

1. Purchase Price:
It is difficult to arrive at a true purchase price for each parcel as the recording of the deeds was manipulated to show the two parcels considered for the park to have cost NOTHING. However, a third parcel was sold by the same parties to the same parties on the same date (June 12, 2006) for $310,000.

The US Office of Veterans Affairs plans to open a new clinic to serve veterans in our region. If the office is located here in Edenton our community would get needed employment opportunities and a big economic boost. It is in our best interest as individuals to lobby our federal representatives to locate this clinic in Edenton. We can do this by calling or writing our Senators and Congressmen and pointing out the benefits that the VA will enjoy if they choose our town for their facility.

Marcy Kaptur of Ohio is the longest-serving Democratic congresswoman in U.S. history. Her district, stretching along the shore of Lake Erie from west of Cleveland to Toledo, faces an epidemic of home foreclosures and 11.5 percent unemployment. That heartland region, the Rust Belt, had its heart torn out by the North American Free Trade Agreement, with shuttered factories and struggling family farms. Kaptur led the fight in Congress against NAFTA. Now, she is recommending a radical foreclosure solution from the floor of the U.S. Congress: “So I say to the American people, you be squatters in your own homes. Don’t you leave.”

Read the complete and informative story by Amy Goodman