North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 07/10/1995

It's Monday July 10. Tonight what happens when an anti tobacco conference is held in a tobacco growing state. Find out on North Carolina now. Good evening thanks for joining us I'm Mary Lou Hart Charke hope you had a great weekend. Tonight in keeping

with the PBS special series on Mondays called battlefield. We will speak with a World War Two veteran about his experiences. We'll also examine the conference taking place this week regarding tobacco control and the controversy over it taking place in a tobacco growing state. And then it's off to the Botanical Gardens in Asheville. Something you're sure to enjoy. First tonight though the future of tobacco crops. There's a classic struggle going on this week at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school's Center for Health Promotion and disease prevention is holding a summer institute on Tobacco Control. Its purpose is to teach health professionals how to stop the spread of smoking and to limit the industry's reach. But the institute held at a taxpayer funded institution is drawing fire from lawmakers and tobacco growing counties. At issue is a key dilemma for North Carolina how to balance the needs of the state's tobacco industry with the clear health risks of smoking. Kelly McHenry reports. Whatever you may think about tobacco it's as much a part of North Carolina's heritage as

Kitty Hawk and college basketball. Just a generation ago the brightly brought in half of all the state's farm income. Even now state agriculture statistics report nearly 100000 people in North Carolina make their living directly from the crop and counting related industries in taxes tobacco pumps more than seven billion dollars a year into the state's economy. But this lucrative industry has come under increasing attack from the state's health professionals as evidence continues to mount about the dangers of smoking. This is the youth access course reducing tobacco sales to minors from Northern California. The latest shot in this continuing battle was fired in Chapel Hill. The human C Center for Health Promotion and disease prevention is hosting a summer institute on Tobacco Control aimed at stopping the spread of smoking. We do not wish to antagonize or distress other people but this is an issue that is distressing that can't be resolved.

Without open debate we are promoting that open debate. I think that that is appropriate for an academic institution. Health professionals here cite the statistics that smoking is linked to one of every five deaths in North Carolina that it causes or contributes to cancer heart disease and lung disease. And it is the number one preventable cause of death. So to those working to prevent disease their mission is simple get people to quit smoking. But the difficulty comes when a summer institute on Tobacco Control is held at a school financed by tax dollars many of which come from the very tobacco they are trying to curb. You almost felt like a slap in the face. House Majority Leader Leo Daughtry is from a tobacco growing area and a tobacco farmer himself. He says the institute simply goes too far. Citing a class schedule that includes courses on legal battles with tobacco companies it's aims. If you're a the program is clearly intended. To

be a guerrilla attack on the tobacco industry it doesn't seem to have a lot to do with health it has to do with suing tobacco companies how you go about suing a company. The science classes that focus on lawsuits against tobacco companies. There are classes on drafting tobacco control legislation and hikes in the tax on cigarettes. But the director of the UN C. Center for Health Promotion and disease prevention says this is not an institute designed to teach people how to wipe out the tobacco industry. These classes are not classes that are training people how to do this as much as they are reviewing the results of studies on the impact of pricing on tobacco use on the impact of various strategies that have been used. I think it's important to be very clear that this is not an institute that's dedicated to trying

to damage the industry. It's trying to solve the problem of how do we deal with the tobacco effect on health. And recognizing that that problem is a complex one. The idea and the money for this came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta which shows you in C Chapel Hill out of 13 prevention centers across the country. School officials believe they were chosen in part because they are from a tobacco state which will give this institute a much different perspective than if it were held in Kansas or Idaho. This is really one of the first times in public health that I'm aware of and in tobacco control the public health leaders are going to have extensive exposure to a unique cultural heritage of tobacco and it's the cultural heritage of tobacco in this state is something that I think anyone who's lived here for the time being is is certainly proud of. In fact participants will tour a number of tobacco interest sites including the Duke homestead in Durham which details the history of tobacco in our state. But lawmakers say

the Institute only serves to strain relations between UN C and the legislature. Representative Daughtry says his constituents are concerned the school is becoming out of touch with the state. It worries them that the university may lose touch with the fact with the reality that it is a North Carolina University and it should. Reflect the North Carolinians who have for so many years contributed and made it a great universe. Dr. Cross says he regrets not making more of an effort to notify lawmakers of the Institute and that if he could do it again he would think we would acknowledge that this is almost certainly going to stimulate concern and we would want to be very open about the issues we don't have anything in this that we feel we're trying to hide from anybody. There was talk that you and CS budget might be affected by the controversy but neither side says that's a realistic possibility. However Daughtry says he hopes school officials would

learn a fundamental political lesson that it's never a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you. However health officials say now that the issue is causing such a ruckus. Let's sit down together and find a solution to the problem that everyone can agree with. This Summer Institute runs for two weeks tobacco farmers have been invited to speak at some of the classes including one on the economics of tobacco growing. We'll talk with a World War Two veteran in just a few minutes. But first the latest news business and weather from Michel Louis at the now news desk. Hi Michel. Hello Mary Lou. Good evening everyone. The new chancellor at USC Chapel Hill is taking steps to fire a professor for misconduct and financial impropriety. English Professor James Williams has admitted having affairs with students. He is also under investigation for allegedly paying one of those students with funds from a grant. A decision last month to give Williams a letter of reprimand and suspend him with pay caused an

uproar among some lawmakers who saw the penalty as too light. Chancellor Michael hooker who took over July 1st says new evidence led him to take further action against Williams William sensed the charges are false and that he will find attempts to remove him. Inspectors set off for the state's animal farms today to try to prevent any further spills of animal waste. About twenty five hundred registered hog farms will go under the microscope to make sure their lagoons are safe. The inspections come after three highly publicized spills of Haagen poultry waste in the past several weeks. The inspectors will then work with farmers to correct any potential problems. The Senate will get a chance to debate the lottery bill tonight. The measure sponsored by Senator Frank balance is designed to put Republicans on the spot. Seven freshman Republican supported the lottery in last year's campaign but flip flopped on the issue later if the measure passes the state would receive one third of the estimated 900 million dollars in revenues. The money would be earmarked for public school construction. But even if the Senate does approve the bill its

fate is uncertain in the House where Speaker Harold Breaux Baker is a lottery opponent. A new report on the state Smart Start early childhood program shows the project is having some positive impact. The study by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center looked at the first 18 of the 36 counties now participating in the program. The report says improved services such as meals and health screenings were offered at daycare centers receiving Smart Start funds. The program also brought new services to the community such as Family Resource Centers and counties with Smart Start program saw a dramatic drop in the number of children waiting for subsidized day care. On the minus side the report says cumbersome rules and guidelines have failed to give the program local autonomy. It also set some communities have had trouble getting parents involved. Funding for Smart Start became a political football at the state legislature this session. Some Republicans questioned today's report saying the Frank Porter Graham Center has a conflict because it holds a contract for Smart Start training. The owner of

Asheville's Biltmore Estate is campaigning for a federal law that exempts estate taxes for some historic properties without the exemption William cesspools heirs could pay as much as 25 million dollars in taxes when they inherit the two hundred fifty room mansion. Sessile says allowing individuals and companies to maintain historic properties is critical in a time when public dollars are needed elsewhere. A bill before Congress would exempt taxes on historic properties open to the public at least eight hours a day six days a week 32 weeks a year. Taking a look at tomorrow's weather it may finally start to look like summer. It will certainly feel that way as highs climb into the 90s across most of the state. The cool spot will be in the mountains where Boone should warm up into the high 70s. The forecast calls for sunny skies just about everywhere. There will be a few clouds over the Elizabeth City and Wilmington areas. And there's only a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms for most of the state. In business news a business publication says the triage area landed five of last year's top 100 business deals in the south

according to southern business and development. Only three other areas had a better year. Dallas Houston and the tri city area of Tennessee. World away corporation of Charlotte is merging with Arkansas best freight as part of a 75 million dollar deal. The merger involves the sale of six and a half million shares of world way stuck at $11 a share world away was formerly known as Carolina freight Corp. ABS is one of the nation's largest motor carriers. Blue chip issues lagged behind the rest of the stock market today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down about a third of a point at forty seven hundred two point thirty nine. But on the broader market advancers lead decliners by a 7 to 5 margin 410 million shares traded hands. The Standard and Poor's 500 Index rose nearly a point while the Nasdaq composite index set another record close by gaining five points. And now for some stocks of North Carolina interest. Tonight

at 9:00 PBS continues its special series called Battlefield which examines the most momentous battles of World War Two. This evening segment focuses on the Battle of Britain. A lengthy aerial duel between what were at the time two of the most powerful air forces in the world Britain and Germany to coincide with the special series every Monday night for the next couple of weeks. We're devoting the interview segment of our program to North Carolina as World War 2 veterans. Our guest tonight is a North Carolinian who was a messenger for Winston Churchill during the war. And John back when. Welcome to our program. Good to have you here sir. And I think being here we should say right off the bat now you are sort of an assistant help out Santa Claus during those off months and Christmas time and that's part of the reason that you look so much like him. And we'll talk about that in just a few minutes First though we want to talk about your war experiences now I understand that you were a messenger for Winston Churchill. How did an American get that job and what were your duties.

Well American got that job because we run them. Communications and we had one of the first secret phone ever used that was where they scrambled up the words you say and then scrambled them at the other end and you could talk secret over the phone. They had never done it before outside the United States until the end. Well that was one reason that they wanted the Americans to handle the and true methods that are OK. I knew at the time you were you served in the army. Right right. And you at the time were in Africa right. Yeah Americas Africa. OK and now what were your responsibilities. You would receive a message from someone else and have to deliver it right to Churchill yourself. No we received the message. We could always in code. We took it into the English message center. They decoded it and then I took the message up to the house

in a sealed envelope and you were never privy to any of that and anything else that they might want. They would call them and go do like Churchill wanted a daughter take a downtown shop and one day Sarah. So I got the job of calling her downtown in a jeep. No kidding. Yeah and I tell you a lady in a skirt can't get in and out of a jeep. What an interesting job to read how many people can say that they are able to take Winston Churchill's daughter to shopping or what have you. Tell me a little bit now did you get to know Winston Churchill yourself or know I seen about most every day but didn't get to know and didn't get to speak with him actually. Now I know you've got some interesting stories to tell about him though and one of interest to me was something about he he had a liking to cigars right. Oh he had his favorite cigars Yes. Well you see these pictures he's always got a cigar in his hand. He ran out of his cigars and I got the job at the PDX

and get a broom cigar that the only kind they had with King Edward which of course is the cheap will. So they immediately flew him from England but he spoke. Get ready for one day. Well Mr. Backlund I always also want to show some folks what you looked like while you were a messenger for jobs you know young just a little bit. There's a picture of you right now. Now where exactly is that taken said with a Cuban American high school buddy of mine who over the forty seven and I ran into him there and we went out the IV Play and I had my picture taken by his plane and that was the thing to do. My mother didn't know where I was at the Africa because all we could put down with though is that Africa. So he was an officer. So after he was there I had him write my mother and tell her exactly where I would located. So at least she had some peace of mind then. Right. Well now some of the messages that you sent were they all top secret messages that you were relaying for Churchill. Yeah.

And were you at any time in danger because of these messages. No no. You were always pretty safe right. OK tell me some other things now while you served you were not only in Africa as a messenger for church what were some of the other duties that you had. Well I did a number job I was a. Look Bessie said her rant which bored operator Wideman little bit of everything Jack of all trades master of none. Well I know that you also just while you served you were able to actually meet some celebrities and we have a picture of one of the locations that you met an awful lot of celebrities and that is what is it now. Sir let's look at that it's a Red Cross center is that right. That's OK. What country was this was that was America. OK tell me about some of the celebrities that you met there. Well Jimmy Stewart stand and chow line one day Bob

Hope Frances Langford came through they were on a tour you know caning the troupe. Humphrey Bogart came and put on a show for us and Al Jolson guilt was my favorite. How come he was your favorite. He just loved to sing he was the regular fella. He loved to talk. Now I know also that you you were in Italy for a while right. Right. Well I mean you've really got to see a lot of the world while you've served and we do have a photograph and an interesting story behind a particular bridge and if you would explain that to me sir. We see it right there. That's the pot of bet you a bridge and that was the landmark and the Americans were very careful not to bomb that. That was about the only bread left across the Arno River that went destroyed but they did cave to build exhibit both then through the bridge could be used. Well you have a lot of really interesting memories and photographs. Now tell me with this being the commemorating the 50th year since the war. Have you been going to a

lot of the commemorating ceremonies in that sort of thing with quite a few of them. And why why is it important for you to go to them. Are you proud that you served as it's sort of a you know I we want to get patriotism back up in the nation and that's why it's important to go to these things. What are you hoping that some some young people will take away from learning about World War Two and what you did to serve. Well after the other two wars left a bad taste in many people by this with Award. You piece all over what you did but we were all very good and I hope a lot of people understand your message and thank you so much for being our guest it's really been a delight to have you here tonight. Thank you sir. OK. North Carolina's movers and shakers each night on North Carolina now we profile the people who make a difference in politics in the arts in

business and in Health Innovators for our future and those who treasure our past. If you know someone you think North Carolinians should meet right North Carolina now P.O. Box 1 4 9 0 0 RTP NC 2 7 7 0 9 0 9 1 9 5 0 9 7 8 0 8 4 fax us at 9 1 9 5 4 9 7 0 4 3. The Botanical Gardens near the University of North Carolina at Asheville are a feast for the senses of sight and smell. Now gardener Kim Hawkes takes us to the gardens tonight for a special look at southern horticulture. Today I'm in the Botanical Gardens in Asheville adjacent to the hamlets practically every plant in this garden. Southern Watch. It's very rare. Another unique aspect of our plants are here.

Maintained almost exclusively by volunteers and modest budget is maintained and supported by memberships contributions of oil funds. Today we're going to meet with the manager at home will show us around the gardens or meet some of the plants and boy do you know what. Hello nice to see you again. It's great to be here. I can smell this native Azalea all the way up to the bridge. Which one is this one like all of this we desire but actually it's a thanks to flowers. Wonderful. This particular one has probably been in this location for 25 or 30 years now. That accounts for its statue in its profuse blooming running people like to prune their plants like that. But we get a much more stately kind of a shrub if we just let them find their own way in the room right. Normally you find these all say these when I'm walking in the woods they're much more blame and not a

school in Florida first you think bring this out into a little more sunshine is on the open it doesn't have the interference that it has from fallen lambs and shade and other conditions of life. Even the roots you know there are any other native that are blowing today. Yes the flames I use over news right now. This may be our most popular mountain flower. The flame as I have it does in many of the mountain coves and when people see it and in great column is they often see almost a ball of fire and they are of course impressed by its variations in color. This is one of my favorite small trees in large crowds. The French are a kind at this for Janica s. Tell me a little bit about it. It's more common in the Piedmont haha but it grows very well here in the mountains. I would think you'd be a tremendous asset to any lawn or

garden. Yeah one of the common names is grandfather's fear because it's always a man's beard. Yeah it's very unusual flower. Here we have our native pack a cinder and many people aren't even aware that we have a native Pakistan you go to the garden centers and you can only find the Japanese selections. This one is of course uncommon which one that I've never seen in a while myself. Yes it would make a great addition in the shade garden for a ground cover. Why now. And these are from the same species of a rhododendron. That's right this is a Carolina rhododendron. If it comes in color forms from almost pure white to a fairly deep vein it's an amazing view stationing color. Here this is a really rare plant yellow lady's. How in the world did you all get into the cars of this plant and many others you were rescued by volunteers in the early days of the scar. We would not suggest anyone take them from a while because they are so difficult to train

with looking at them very probably the Japanese were powerless not made a mistake and this is just wonderful I'm really here to write thank you so they can add bank notes. If you're ever in the Nashville area I encourage you to come to the town of gardening is a wonderful conservation area. I love my friends and a quiet place a beauty to appreciate our native and the Botanical Gardens are located right next door to you and see Asheville on Weaver Boulevard the gardens are open year round from dawn to dusk and admission is free. Tours of the gardens can also be arranged for more information call the number there on your screen 7 0 4 2 5 2 5 1 9 0. 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0. And here's what we're working on for tomorrow night's program legislative correspondent. Adam Hochberg Well look at community development funding in our state and what a loss of revenue means to that program. Plus they just don't make them like that anymore. Tomorrow we'll look at the restoration process of those of beautiful old pipe organs they look and sound wonderful. We appreciate you joining us tonight and we will see you back here tomorrow night at 7:30. Thanks for joining us and good night or early. Thank

you.