North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 12/28/1994

Our tonight Miss Lewis continues its look at the South River with a generation fisherman. Good evening to you everyone I'm with you and I'm Mary Lou hard talk glad to have you joining us this evening.

Tonight on North Carolina now we'll talk about the future of state employees with Ed little and John Fitch of the State Employees Association of North Carolina and produces Erica stark and Patricia Rathbun share with us a profile of a courageous woman who's overcome her misfortune and personal tragedy and is now on her way to fame and fortune. It's the story of Angela Baker an up and coming star in the country music world. But first Michel Louis has a story about the personal impact of polluted river has had on a Carteret County fisherman. The pollution of the South River has changed the lives of many fishermen who depended on that Carteret County waterway for a living. In the final part of his special report on the South River Michel Louis introduces us to Tom Tasco a sixth generation South River fisherman who remembers the feast as well as the famine of the river. If it had been if the damage had been

done. It would be less great in our home. And to think that an outsider can come in and do the damage to the extent it's been done. Tom tossed it was a sixth generation South River fisherman he took to the waters at age 12 running his own blue crab fishing operation Tunstall's life centered around the Carteret County river. Except for the time he was in World War 2. But he returned home a decorated veteran to fish for the next 30 years. He retired in 1980. Started a shrimping business but gave it up six years later because of the rivers fecal coliform pollution Tunstall took us on a tour of the South River to reminisce and point out areas of contamination. Our first stop was about two fifths up a nine mile waterway which Tasco says at one time was a hotbed of shrimping activity in years past.

South River was a major producer in brown shrimp area it just did last. And any of the estuaries that's comparable in its use of abasing so that so they're there for last one in one region. I gave up the trawler because I was having to travel two and a half hours one way to get to work bottoms that were producing hostels love for the South River and strong vocal outrage about the pollution has resulted in his being called the mayor of South River by many of the residents there. He has spent numerous hours studying the report on Pico coliform bacteria levels in the South River. The report was presented in July of this year by the North Carolina Department of Environment Health and Natural Resources tost who agrees with the report's findings that fecal coliform pollution is being caused by logging some runoff from septic tanks and wildlife waste but says the report does

not pinpoint what he believes is the true source of the pollution. We can talk about how much pollution a duck or a raccoon. Fourteen days after we reached there ducking a raccoon has always been here. The Catalina farm hasn't. They farmed pigs and cattle efforts in 1985. Graph after graph into the study will show that just about the same time the river went down. We think there's a direct correlation tost O is referring to open grounds form of 44000 acre corporate farm. It was cited in the study as a source of pollution but also as a model of conservationists warming Tasco points out that the farm boarders much of the South River. So you figure that the open ground so far has a lot to do with this pollution. I think I don't know when I say not saying hi

200 head of cattle back there and they never have and I mean more to me like 40 years and all these great banks made my night get on the flight. There was no gold standard can only be brought out in a lot of money to me and it cannot compare with the six that rule as we continue to travel up the river Tasco began to slow down or and then let me ask you where you were used to be any were. It would vary from one side to create during a war from five to as much oil feet. That's what we have today. And by the way it's a normal tide in this area today Tasco says the area used to have a sandy bottom but now the soil is of a nutrient and rich base and the smell didn't leave much to the imagination as to what was enriching the soil. Once we moved away from the

non sandy bottom Tasco conducted an experiment. He says there was a time when one could see approximately three to six feet into the water to gather oysters in the South River. But now that's virtually impossible. Our journey near the end of the river led us to a bridge that was part of open grounds farm running parallel with the bridge was a canal it's a farm make an Iowa drain into the history. How many of these canals are around. And they all drain into the estuary. There's probably close to a dozen that drained all but directly most them directly into the estuary Antonov doesn't count and then there's 40 to get tied into that. Isn't that going to be tossed though is a 69 year old great grandfather. He remembers with great enthusiasm the days when Joe fishing was the pride of the South River. He believes that one day that pride will return if

efforts are made now to clean up the pollution. However he feels the south Rivers fishing tradition passed on from generation to generation is over I will not try to enter into the grand or great grand not to be a human but I will try to instill in them they cannot hang on to it for life. Yes two for now. But Tasco believes that there has been some improvement in South river's water quality since the river was closed to shell fishing in 1992. But the South River still has a long way to go before the waters are completely restored. We would like to give special thanks to pilot Eugene clay board and the Civil Air Patrol in Beaufort for assisting us in getting aerial footage. Well domestic violence is a horrible reality for many women. However in Beaufort North Carolina there is an incredible woman who overcame her abuse and is now on her way to becoming a country music star produces Erika stark

and Patricia RATH can bring us this heartwarming story here in Beaufort North Carolina is the story of an inspirational woman whose courage conviction in strength enabled her to overcome agoraphobia and open the door to a successful musical career. A native of Beaufort Angela Baker was raised by a loving family in this modest country home. She married at 19 to a man 13 years her senior. Their 10 year marriage produced two children but the relationship became physically abusive causing Angela to become agoraphobic. She developed an abnormal fear of open to public places. This crippling condition made Angela terrified to leave her home as the condition worsened. Angela's husband had her hospitalized. Ironically this was the beginning of her road to freedom and stardom. For the last three years

Angela has worked hard to overcome these odds. She is now on her way to becoming a national country music singer. Yeah yeah yeah yeah. Are you still in. When was it that you realized you could do something to make a change. I realized when I hit bottom I was I had reached a point in my life where I was just going nowhere. I I wasn't happy with myself. I had no pride. I just felt like I was going nowhere I felt like there was nothing

unlocked for me. What was the first step that you took to get out of this situation. Well I sought counseling and went to my doc. Course doctors they try to put you on medication. Everything to cure this kind of thing or to keep the symptoms from happening. However I found that to be very addictive and I found that on a daily basis I had to depend totally on this medication to get me by. And it found myself in an addictive situation I'll side with medications doctors had put me on. And that I thought I was going nowhere with that situation either. Angelou began her career in an unusual way. She responded to a talent search that a local radio station was conducting. Wiley Fowler was the producer looking for the talent he had already discovered Patchi Klein Conway Twitty and Hank Williams. I got this 1 800 number and I responded to it without

getting excited because God just said No I believe that anything like that would ever hear anything from it. I left my name and number and I had to go back out again that afternoon when I returned home. There was an answer on my machine that was left there by Wally's assistant Yes assistant had called the number that the radio station had given him to my house and when I was out they one day at a time song was playing on my answering machine and he said Wally LISTEN TO BE sit to the phones with them and Wally took the phone and he made this in there for a minute and he said Oh my goodness I don't know her she has big go and get her and get her there to not go father if you have to go to No you were not aware of the ejecta made her go getter While you not only became Angela's friend he also began to write songs for her while he just

passed away three months ago. But Angela's friend teacher and mentor had high hopes for her and it's taken me a whole lot to come out from where I have been. On the dark side and I said we'll keep right on getting on for the rest of my lawn. I would never return back to that nor do I ever want. And he said that's all on the news that you will go along good to new on should anything any obstacles ever stand in your way. You see if you continue on he said and you'll be a success in this life. While these predictions were right Angela has been honored for sharing her musical talents by various organizations and she performed for the troops during Desert Storm. Angela's dream is to perform at the Grand Old Opry and she found her way. She completed recording the songs that Wiley Fowler wrote for her and she's producing a tribute to

Wally with the help of his daughter and wife. This just goes to show you that anyone can overcome the obstacles and challenges in their lives. Now if you're a victim of domestic abuse or know someone who is you can contact your local law enforcement agency or county social services department for help. Well coming up a review of some of North Carolina's top news stories and a little later in the program we'll have a conversation with Ed little and John Fitch of the State Employees Association of North Carolina. So stick around for. Good evening Michel Louis is off tonight I'm with a look at your state wide news.

Fire crews are battling yet another blaze which is burning out of control in the low gap area of Surrey County today. So far the fire has burned two hundred and forty acres since it broke out yesterday afternoon. Three homes at the bottom of the mountain are threatened by the raging flames on Monday. Crews extinguished a fire which began on Christmas Day and burned one hundred and eighty acres close to the same area where this new fire is burning. Fire investigators believe that the same arsonist set both fires. Authorities do have a suspect. State inspectors have assigned ID forty six retail seafood businesses for violating the Food and Drug laws. Under a new monitoring program which began in March officials have inspected four hundred eighty eight fish markets and have discovered violations in nine percent of them. In fact inspectors have gone so far as stopping the sale of fish and other food products at nine seafood stores. In some cases there were stray dogs and cats in the markets. Others have rancid trout and spoiled clams. Although inspectors have

investigated consumer complaints at seafood markets for years this is the first time the Food Drug and protection division has undertaken formal inspection programs. A slate of high speed ferries is being proposed by the northeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission to provide transportation for the more than six million tourists who flock to the coast each year. The high speed ferries which would be four times as fast as the current ferry is now in use would serve 12 or more Harbor towns along the Albemarle and Pamlico Sound sand the Neuse River. The proposed 17 million dollar system would consist of seven vessels capable of carrying 50 to 200 50 passengers from a central base in Manteo to various destinations along the coast. The 1995 General Assembly would have to approve the creation of a ferry authority which would rely on federal state and private investors to establish the system. There

were sunny skies over the entire state today along with unseasonably warm temperatures. I swear in the mid to upper 60s for most of the day except for food which reached a high of 58. Do not expect clear skies for most of North Carolina except for portions of the mountains where there will be a few clouds low temperatures will range from the mid 30s in the western part of the state to the low 40s on the coast. Tomorrow look for sunshine to continue with the coast. There will be clouds in the mountains and partly cloudy skies in the central portion of North Carolina. Temperatures are expected to reach into the mid 50s for most of the state. However Wilmington may reach 60 degrees and Boone may only get 47. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug to prolong the lives of advanced lung cancer patients. Now which is produced by Berle's welcome will be

used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Now it's a type A most common of the deadly disease which is too advanced for surgery or radiation to be effective. More than 200 American Eagle ticket agents and baggage handlers based at Raleigh-Durham International have quit their jobs with the commuter airline rather than move to another city. American Eagle ended its service at RG yesterday. All seven hundred seventy eight American Eagle employees were given the option of relocating to another airport but only about 50 workers took the company up on its offer more than 200 of the employees have decided to quit. Another five hundred twenty eight American Eagle pot pilots flight attendants and mechanics haven't decided what they'll do. The stock market declined today the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost over 22 points to close at thirty eight thirty nine point forty nine. Losers led gainers by more than four to three on volume of two hundred and forty six million shares. The Standard and Poor's 500 index was down one and a half

points and the Nasdaq composite index lost nearly four points. And now for some stocks of North Carolina interest. With with with with with with with with both with with with with with. North Carolina has

more than sixty three thousand state employees. How will the 1995 legislature affect the state employees. With us tonight to answer that question are two people from the State Employees Association of North Carolina. Little is president and John Fitch executive director and welcome gentlemen to our show this evening. OK. I'm curious to know Mr. Little the association's major goals for the 1995 General Assembly if you could tell me some of those. One of our largest biggest priorities this year is to get funding of our comprehensive compensation package boy a plan that we're trying to put in place for state employees. Right now state employees do not have a plan that allows them to move across a pay grade from a beginning salary to an ending salary. And we're trying to get that put in place at the same time we're going to strive to get cough the living raises for our retirees and also to maintain our health plan and expand state wide for our state employees.

As recently as December the eight would now have to concern ourselves with making sure I am but we did not lose jobs because of the government's proposed tax cut so that those are our major issues that we'll be looking at and the upcoming session. Mr. Fits Mr. Little got a little bit into that. The state health plan in 95 could it be targeted for benefit reductions. It's my understanding that there is nothing on the table at this point that would target benefit reductions there is a surplus in the plan which we hope will be used to increase the benefits for state employees and those who are in the plan but at this point we do not know of any plans to reduce benefits. And I know also Mr. Fitts the governor Hahn just recently proposed the largest tax relief package in the state's history. And largely He said he was going to do that through a downsizing of state employees and I'm sure that that is not good news to your association. Can you tell me what perhaps could mean the future here

for you. Well to say the least we're not happy about it. First of all we don't believe that there needs to be such a massive cut in taxes across the state. We believe that there is no fiscal crisis in the state of North Carolina and in fact the governor wants to give back some of the sacrifices that people made during the recession and the budget crunch that happened here several years ago. State employees are now being asked to. Give up their positions in order to fund this tax cut which is in our judgment again not something that is necessary. Tell me where the most growth has occurred in state government say over the past two years then where are we seeing the largest population rise. Well the statistics show that since 1974 there's been approximately sixty six thousand positions added to state government. Of that it's probably close to 74 percent have been in public education universities and community colleges. Only 26 percent have been in actual

state government departments and agencies. And of that 15 percent have been corrections department corrections and in the court system which is mandated. Certain. Correctional officers be a president and new prisons and that sort of thing. So in actuality only real growth in government in terms of employees over the last 20 years has only been 11 percent. That's a half a percent a year in terms of employee growth in state government so there's not any fat in government when it comes to employees. So your goal will be that that if there's no fat to cut why be catching it right. Well particularly at a time when the federal government will be downloading programs and things to state government. The population of North Carolina is increasing and the demand on state services and programs are going to go up as well so to be reducing state workforce at a time when Number one it's not necessary only because of the tax cut which

doesn't have to be as large as it is and at a time when state employees and state workers are going to be. Doing more in terms of servicing existing programs and increased population in North Carolina it doesn't really make economic inefficiency sense to reduce the state workforce. I'm wondering Mr. Little there do you think that voters because of the Republican landslide in this recent election do you think voters are trying to tell us that they were displeased with the state workers state government workers or with the services that they're getting from state employees. I don't think the voters were trying to send that message at all. We've heard nothing to say they're displeased with the service or displeased with state employees. I think a lot of it's a trickle down effect from the national level to the state level. And people are tired of the political system and not necessarily employees of the services as John has alluded to. Cut positions

and lay off employees. Who is going to pick up and continue the services. The service is going to increase. We pride ourselves as state employees on providing the best service to the people of this state. You yourself are a state employee. It's people who work in these in the studios of state employees who are providing a service that the public wants. So I don't see it as a mandate or a message that they're dissatisfied with state employees or the services we provide to the citizens of this state. Well I know that the two of you representing this association will be very busy with the General Assembly the new session coming up and trying to get your goals met. However aside from the legislature what are perhaps the associates Association's goals for 95. Well obviously our number one priority is our legislative go. But we're also in the process as an association right now of putting together a marketing plan to try to market our association markets state employees. To the general public to let these folks know that the highway patrol officers of the state correctional officers should

be OT workers. So as I said before folks who work in the business you're in. We're all providing a service this is what we're all about. They're more familiar a lot of times with federal employees and local government employees and they don't really know what state employees offer them so we'll be trying to put forth a strong marketing effort through the news media and through our own association to get the word out to the public as to what we're all about. So 95 means awareness to the power at his very zero Association is concerned with. Well Mr. Fitton Mr. Little thank you so much for joining us this evening we appreciate you being on. Thank you thank you. We want to keep in touch with you so simply call our viewer comment line at 9 1 9 5 4 9 7 8 0 8 or write us at you know Box 1 4 9 0 0 RTP NC 2 7 7 0 9. You can fax a message to 9 1 9 5 4 9 7 0 4 3. Or try our Internet address UN CTV at 8 0 0 0

dot com and please give us a daytime phone number in case we need to follow up. Well I don't need to remind you but New Year's is coming up and for a lot of us that means college football bowl games or for our husbands at least tomorrow night on North Carolina now. We'll tell you about an interesting and little known connection between the Rose Bowl in North Carolina and I intreat you know we definitely and our state has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. Tune in tomorrow night to find out what the state is doing to correct the problem. Producer Kelly McHenry will bring us that story and our guests tomorrow night will become Grisman Mel Watt. Now later tonight Charlie Rose will visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with director museum director and the De Montebello Hall thank you that's all for now going thy. Good night.