The coastland times., 1955-01-28

Last summer shortly before he died Governor William
B. Umstead visited Hatteras Island expressing extreme
terest in keeping road and ferry facilities serving this island
completely up date in order it's people and
the increasing flow of traffic destined to follow
includes Ocracoke Island
Governor Umstead also on this visit expressed his
teres in improved highway advantages for Ocracoke Island
1t is good according to reports reaching this
newspaper that Governor Hodges is likewise interested
doing something for Ocracoke Island We trust that he will
1t will be remembered long time in this connection
say that when the majority of the people of Haeras Is
land desperate for road that few of its of
prominence and influence were not only indifferent but
actually opposed road of them engaged in busi
they feared would when the Since the
building of the road these have proited hand
somey far than they might have done under old
dons Already great development and prosperity has fol-
lowed the road on Hatteras Island
Having this lesson to guide them trust there will be
Ocracoke Island shortsghted try to dis
courage the of who wishes to do some
thing make amends for neglect oversight of preceding
administrations Fortunately for the Outer Banks Gov
Cherry and Broughton did do things to aid it, and
behalf, and Governor Umstead followed through
Now let's how the situation Ocracoke Island
stacks For its outlet has been by slow mail
boat to Atlantic only One must leave early in
the morning spend four five hours the boat then take
journey takes three days for the Ocracoker merely to
visit his county Hyde County With good road
and free ferry would be possible to make the round trip
in a day by way of Hatteras and Roanoke Island
The people of Ocracoke deserve good road and free
ferry that all other sections of the state have
able The needs of it's people demand in all their
affairs particularly their fishing industry One certainly
a
southwark and westward of Ocracoke with it's many hours
over rough water, in the forseeable future.
across the narrow Hatteras Inlet where good road lies
before motorists far they wish to 60 Everything
points to the need for this outlet
People who will to Ocracoke to enjoy vacations
will come largely from the northward many of them will be
visitors the Seashore Park already in the and fed
southwark from the long of Dare Beaches.
Ocracoke people will find medical advantages among
resident doctors places away
Ocracoke people will find through this route the quick
est and easiest for contact with the officials in their
county seat, Swan Quarter
They will the quickest outlet their
of commercial fish which demand quick transit in good
don to markets in the nothward Fishermen would there
by get much better prices for their fish and be able to sell
many catches which now have market.
Ocracoke people would be avaied of services
commercial advantages enjoyable relationships now denied
them They would be united with their people, people
who have married and moved the Banks people who have
the interests, whose livelihood gained the
is theirs.
ocracoke Island is in part of any other
tion of North Carolina of Outer
1t is most important part of the Outer Banks 1t is lovely
and lonely island attractive many people for it's de-
ightfu climate its splendid people, its restfu atmosphere
the goal of countless woudbe tourists 1t has too little
In with other parts of the coast than the Outer
Banks to continue to be separated from it.
Unfortunately for Ocracoke Island it is small in pot
to be heard far away where the benefits of Gov
that were due it, have been dispensed was too
far away for its representatives conveniently appear
its behalf and too small for them to be adequately and
pletely heard had they been present.
Ocracoke now has the opportunity to catch up with its
lost Had it been political part of its neighbors to the
north with their penchant for going ahead behalf of pro-
gresve things for the people might have long ago been
in far better position to enjoy life comfortably and
more proftaby.
We believe the people to the north of Ocracoke should
join hands with and present to the Governor the
sound facts and considerations that merit his consideration
at this time Fortunately, it appears the Governor
mitted to road needs statewide basis and not from
sectional view When he given the full story of Ocracokes
possibilities he will that the development of Ocracoke
Island be of tremendous value to the whole state
has been big enough to merit the attention of farseeng
In the National Government who recognize its possibilities
Tor contributing to the states growing tourist industry
is big enough to develop into park for the whole nation
1t is big enough to be noticed by North Carolina.
DARE COUNTY ExcELS IN CULLIBILITY
Dare county, while exceeding in good folks also excels
in gullbity The latest Wednesday of this week
when zoo people stood around in the wind hour to