North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 01/27/1996

The It's Monday January 27. Tonight the restructuring of our state's fishing regulations trying to stay afloat in troubled waters in North Carolina now. A very pleasant Monday evening everyone I'm reading the tri Thanks for joining us tonight on the savings program we'll talk travel destinations with the publisher of the North Carolina Traveler magazine. Also we'll explore an age

old method of getting the message out. A centuries old tradition of the town crier. But first tonight an examination of the controversy surrounding efforts to change North Carolina's fishing regulations. Some scientists maintain that the numbers of certain salt water fish are declining along the North Carolina coast due to overfishing. Other experts argue fisherman just are trying as hard as they used to to catch some of the species or that catches reflect normal migration patterns. The overfishing theory seems to be carrying more weight in state government circles. And now a package of proposals to better manage coastal fisheries is being considered. The proposed changes include not only limiting commercial fishing but all. Also for the first time we're acquiring a salt water fishing license for recreational anglers. Baumgartner tonight shares with us the reaction to the proposals from some residents of the Outer Banks. Along the coast some of the proposed changes are getting a reception that is icy is

the recent freeze on currituck sound. If you are contesting the need for some sort of management strategy for certain coastal fish. But despite state marine fisheries data there's no real consensus on whether fish stocks are actually declining or whether lower can't just simply mean that the fish have temporarily moved elsewhere in some sort of cyclical pattern. So much money Robert Lucas heads the committee that came up with the proposed changes. You feel like the marine fisheries data in terms of fish stocks is pretty trustworthy. Well I think it is on some species and then some species I'm not so sure that it is because we don't have a lot of doubt and Lucas says that really isn't the point. It doesn't matter if you think the resource is really good or if the resource is really bad. The point is it has to be managed so no matter how you feel what shape the resources in it needs to be managed. And that's what these recommendations are all about list manage it in a fair way and base those decisions on facts.

For years recreational and commercial fishermen have been at each other's throats over how to regulate fishing. But Lucas says the fisheries proposals are designed to reduce such conflicts in the future. This is not a sport fishing or commercial issue. This is a everybody. We got to do something about this resource. If it's going to be here when you and I are going and I'm sure that's what drives me. Recreational fishermen don't grab me. Commercial fishermen own me. What drives me is what my duty is in the statute that we have a resource that will be here when I'm gone. Pretty well everyone seems to be buying into that main idea. And there also isn't much organized opposition to a proposal to limit the number of commercial fishermen to those already in business when and if the proposals are adopted. However a proposed fishing license for recreational saltwater fisherman is encountering rougher waters especially among coastal residents. A license has never before been required to fish in North Carolina's coastal waters. The idea is to use license fees to help improve fish stocks. But

many people like Harry Shipman the owner of the Salty Dog marina in Manteo are afraid the state will end up getting not more fish but more bureaucrats. The problem seems to be how do you really generate money for the resource without building a large bureaucracy that eats up the money. And how do you protect the loss of funds that are already going in there from taxpayers. Shipman says legislative appropriations were withdrawn in Virginia after licenses generated enough money to replace them and perhaps in response to such concerns. A recent addition to the reform package would prohibit such replacements. Boat builders and charter boat owners like brothers Paul and Duke Spencer of Mann's Harbor dislike the entire idea of recreational salt water licenses as it now stands the reform package would allow a blanket license obtained by the owner to cover fishermen on hired fishing boats and on fishing piers. It would be awesome if I were just fighting a losing battle. As far as just kicking no license at all. If we've got to we've got to swallow this thing

we're trying to make it as palatable as possible to us in a blanket license was the only way that we could do that. The blanket license appeared in danger of being dropped at one point but for the time being it's back in the list of proposals. Duke Spencer head of the local charter boat captains Association see several problems with the objectives of the licensing program one of which is to improve records on the effort expended and the actual number of fish caught. Once you get a license you will mail back in at the end of the year and you get what you call it or this or that. Not everybody is going to do that it's just a logistical nightmare paperwork that can really not come to pass and not a year round recreational license would cost $15 while a one week version suited to vacationers would be $5. But Spencer feels that the extra cost plus the proposed limitations on size and number of fish to be caught would deter many casual fisherman. I go down to the hardware store the tackle store and buy the 29 on a five combo

and then I got to have the license on top of that to go fish and all. So it's very you know defeats itself. There are so many regulations right now that a blue fish the size of a flounder to try that if it catches on a basis right now if I fish he's going to throw in three to four and back anyway. They're all too small and so to have to buy a license that's going to deter a lot of people to say well I can't keep so many fish anyhow and I'm just going to go out and spend a couple hours. I just changed my mind I'm not going to go live. Spencer says he and others are afraid the state will eventually require the purchase of special stamps in addition to a license in order to fish for certain species as is the case with trout in fresh water. And he claims private organizations similar to Ducks Unlimited could be formed to do a more cost efficient job of improving fish populations. We have tournaments right now my first special handicaps we have one in their area here for

dishonors children hospitals and things and we could also have tournaments you know. But money is going into rebuilding habitat and cleaning up water systems or whatever else you know. The bottom line is that coastal residents and many others seem to be wary of bureaucracy building. It means more enforcement and more processing more collection. Just more administration. And does the resource really again. The proposed changes were developed by the fisheries moratorium steering committee and are being debated by a joint legislative commission. The Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposals February 10th after which they'll be taken up by the full session of the General Assembly. Well still ahead some great vacation ideas and you don't even have to leave the state. But first Michel Louis is back at the news desk and he joins us now with today's statewide headlines. Welcome back Mitch. Thanks Zoraida. Good evening everyone. Republican Harold Brooks-Baker is facing another challenge in his quest to win reelection as House speaker. The U.S. the housekeeper's

Association is asking legislators not to cast their vote for Breaux baker and a note sent to the 119 incoming members of the state house. This OSI ation explains that a former spokesperson for brew Baker used the racial epitaphs to describe the housekeeper's officials for brew Baker say he doesn't condone racism. And why is the spokesman following the incident. Republicans hold us like 61 to 59 edge in the state house. Smithfield Foods is trying to secure approval to increase their existing Downeast hog slaughtering operation by 8000 pigs a day. Preston Howard the director of the state Division of water quality believes the growth could severely drain county resources how it stresses growth of the Smithfield Foods plant would require more than the 3 million gallons of ground water currently drawn from wells every day. Howard also believes the plant expansion would increase the region's hog population by two million. Today was the day the Reverend Ben Chavis called for unity economic development and an end to violence in Charlotte's black

communities. The former executive director of the NWA Sepi dubbed the day Black Monday Chavis called on blacks to forgo work in school for the day and attend a rally or worship service instead. Chavis organized the day in response to the fatal shooting of an unarmed black motorist by a white police officer in November. The Lumbee Indians are trying to overcome an internal struggle to win tribal recognition Lumbee leaders have been meeting with the assistant deputy secretary of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs to discuss the federal government recognition of the tribe. But leaders of the Lumbee Regional Development Association refused to meet with the secretary during a recent session sponsored by the tribal council the association is the longtime umbrella group of the Lumbee and maintains control over some tribal finances the tribal council is suing the Development Association over which group is the rightful governing body of the tribe. A state lawmaker says his proposal to spend an additional 8 to 10 million dollars on private education could save the

state money. Senate Democrat Aaron Plyler says he will introduce a bill to put more money into two existing grant programs for students bound for private colleges Plyler reasons that by increasing grants subsidy funds more students will attend private schools thereby providing some per student cost relief to public institutions. State taxpayers reportedly spend close to $2000 for each North Carolinian who goes to a public college. Looking ahead to tomorrow's weather statewide temperatures will range from the low 40s in the mountains to the mid 60s at the coast. Expect temps in the mid 50s on average elsewhere. Cloudy conditions will bring the threat of rain throughout the day tomorrow across the entire Tar Heel State. In business news Funeral services were held today for the president of Bell Store Services Incorporated. Thomas Milburn Belk was 71 and the second generation head of the belt department store empire. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed but reportedly suffered a sudden attack on Saturday. Bill was chairman of the Bell Foundation which provides

financial support to schools hospitals and other charitable causes. He was also noted for having helped establish you and see Charlotte gardeners who want their flowers and vegetables pollinate it may want to consider raising their own bees. Over the past few years over 90 percent of wild bees have been killed by a mite infestation. Scientists have developed a means of controlling the past and manage bee colonies. The state's agricultural co-operative extension service encourages home gardeners to consider beekeeping as a hobby and now for a look at what happened on Wall Street today. Yeah. For a decade now the North Carolina Traveler magazine has been keeping tourists informed about the many

vacation attractions of our state. You can pick up a free copy of the monthly publication of any of our state's welcome centers at hotels restaurants. Joining me now is the publisher of the North Carolina traveler Michael Breedlove. Mr. Breedlove welcome. Thank you. There may be some viewers who aren't quite familiar as to what the North Carolina Traveler magazine is all about when to give us. Quest A quick synopsis of what's contained in the publication. Well for 10 years the North traveller has been out circulating all over North Carolina as a mouthpiece to those that are traveling through our state or in our state. It has been available through the welcome centers also along the four or five major interstates in North Carolina and you can find them at motels and it's a it's a tabloid newspaper and it contains some future stories. It contains articles of interest that are coming up in the next 30 to 45 days. Are you targeting people from out of state or are you targeting North Carolinians who might be looking for something to do.

Or both. Both. Of course being the North Carolina traveler where our efforts are concentrated in North Carolina only. And you probably are aware of this but right now tourism is ranking along the second of one of our leading. Things here in North Carolina to do right now in North Carolina employs about one hundred sixty one thousand people in travel and tourism. And of course there's a lot of a lot of others who are indirectly involved so we have something that is really an industry all its own and we're proud to say North Carolina has a lot to offer to folks. I found it helpful you might be in a particular location like at the coast or the mountains and you're there already and you can pick up the magazine and look at some other things that might be in that area that you may be not familiar with. Which leads me to my next question. In the preparation for this publication you must find some very unusual places in North Carolina where people can travel to. When we talk about some of those. Well glad to. We have the magazine divided into four areas we have the mountains the coast the heartland. In the Piedmont and each

publication has something of those Something about each area here in North Carolina. And of course right now being the winner a month that we're experiencing we have a lot to share with those traveling for those. When are activities in the mountains. I would like to tell you that our February issue coming out real soon features hickory and there are some exciting things happening in Hickory March the 9th will be the opening of the new Trade Center called the hickory Metro Center. And it's it's a trade center convention center. It's wonderful and it's going to really be a proud addition to the Hickory area. And then of course I will be talking about the wonderful downtown area called Union Station and that's all coming up in the February issue. So we're spotlighting Hickory as well. One of the things that makes our publication unique is in the back of the publication we have a schedule of events and the schedule events includes those things that are coming up as far as festivals or events. You know 30 to 45 span window. So if you pick a copy

up of the February issue then 30 to 45 days from now you'll be able to play in some event on a weekend where you can take your family and go. So it's very exciting what we have there's something going on all the time and I'm sure I've heard this term thrown around there are over 700 festivals and events in North Carolina and it is exciting to see what we have to offer. There's always something to do. There is the other thing too I would like to say is we never really have to leave our state to enjoy a vacation we have many things here in North Carolina. And there are things after doing this publication for six years that I'm still discovering and I've enjoyed it. Let's talk about this trend towards I believe it's heritage tourism What's that all about. Well the state of North Carolina the travel and tourism coalition is trying to build this heritage tourism. In other words let's play on those things that make each county a place to want to visit. Now I can

cite you some examples. Here in Hickory we're the feature we're going to be talking about Murray's mail Murray's mail is located in here agree it is way out in the country yet it has a rich tradition of being a very part of that community. And we're going to be talking about that it's those things that are bringing out the heritage of the county. And so there's a real emphasis upon that right now. You talked a little bit about what's coming up in the February issue and that you're going to be focusing on history. Do you know their ideas for our viewers out there that are maybe looking for something to do during these winter months that they may not normally think of as an example of a trip to take. Well other than the skiing that's available up in the high lands. Right now I think we're really having the best weather we could have right now because we are having some winter weather up in the Asheville boom Blowing Rock air as well as are having some real pretty weather on the coast being there just last weekend is wonderful. So you could really take your pick what you want to do this time of year.

As we slide in in the in the March issue coming up we're also going to talk about the wonderful Xillia festival in Wilmington and that's why I'm spending a lot of my effort now. But once you head into March you're pretty much segue right into summer anyways. Yeah a great time you had to be yeah you're just going right into summer and then you're all your summer activities and your parks start opening up again and the historical sites begin the battlefields begin to open up again. And then you have a whole new realm to to do. Well Mr. Breedlove I want to thank you so much for coming on the program tonight and telling us all about your wonderful magazine. Thank you so much taking shit on. Want to know what's going on in your town. You may have to pick up the phone or turn on your television. But some

people in North Carolina still get their news the old fashioned way. REPORTER A new book on it introduces us to North Carolina's town criers in the town of Benson way may still rise the news allowed. It's a job he takes very seriously. Every Saturday he comes to this downtown street corner and lets people in Benson know what's going on. Well it's part of a broad draw my story. Dan at 12:30 that they check out now they are fracturing. Come Friday. They're American Red Cross and they join our blog and our center stands way I ask about your job. Guess people do not pay attention to the television and not pay attention to articles and it is a favor they do pay attention to me. We are still needed and the more

technology the more we're needed. We spread good news which people need to hear more often. May represents exactly half the town crier population in North Carolina. He's a transplant from New Jersey who says the Tar Heel State is a far cry from places up north. Mei came to Harnett County five years ago and has been crying for 20 years. He makes his home here and despite his job his is no sob story because he's even turned crying into a developing business. We do Bella grams have Bell will yell. We do customize announcements for everything from the birthdays to birth announcements to showers out of virtuous even proposals we do weddings. It's really really beautiful to see a town crier in a bagpipe and some dancers walking down in front of a wedding party in a white carriage it's really really beautiful and it's unique. Oh yeah North Carolina's other town criers is Ren

Phillips. He doesn't make a business of it. But once each year Phillips takes part in celebration remembering the Halifax resolves in which North Carolinians pledge their support to a National Declaration of Independence. It read in part because I saw that the delegates from this county and the Continental Congress be empowered to concur with the delegates from the other counties in declaring independence and forming foreign alliances reserving to these colonies the sole and exclusive right of forming a constitution and laws for this colony and of appointing from time to time. Delegates to meet with the delegates to the other counties for such purposes I shall have to be pointed out. That is always in remembrance of this historic document which gave us the privilege of being the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain.

There are no official records of town criers in eastern North Carolina. They came mainly from Europe where they made royal proclamations for the king. But Philip says they're still popular today especially at historic events. I think it adds a little color and adds a little ceremonial snus too to what is going on and gives it a little order and also brings people back to the focus on the times that we're commemorating 1776 and to have someone in it maybe not necessarily myself but dressed in the attire of the times kind of brings a perspective. Believe it or not there's even a national town criers association with about 15 members. There's one in North Carolina too. So if you're thinking about becoming a town choir or if you need one to help you spread the news just yell. You can catch Wayne may or ren Phillips at any of the hundreds of festivals throughout North Carolina. Well that'll do it for tonight's edition of North Carolina now thank you for having been a

part of it. On tomorrow evening's program the state highway patrol has been trying to attract more women into its ranks their efforts may be paying off we'll tell you all about it. You'll also meet a scientist who's developed a process of turning a crop residue into recyclable paper products I think you'll find that interesting. And Maria Lundberg takes us to a private college tucked away in the mountains that offers a unique approach to learning. Meantime Have a great evening everyone and we'll see you tomorrow. Good night.