THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505180718
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: MASON PETERS
STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
It isn't clear whether the top bananas in the Pasquotank County Democratic Party will make a public spectacle of themselves in the Riverspree parade on May 27.
Johnny F. Houston, a professor who teaches math at Elizabeth City State University, volunteered to ride on a Democratic float during the parade as an exemplar of local political leadership.
Houston is a certified political role model, having just been elected first vice chairman of the Pasquotank Democrats.
But let the record show that Betty Meggs, who outranks Houston as an exemplar, having been named head of the local Democrats in the same election last month, doesn't think the party leadership should parade in public.
``I told Dr. Houston I didn't intend to put on a bikini and ride around in a convertible with the top down,'' said party chairwoman Meggs, without explaining that she meant the car.
``I just wanted everyone to know I thought it was silly,'' said Meggs at a county Democratic executive committee meeting recently. ``I don't mind if elected officials appear in the Riverspree ceremonies, but I don't think I should.''
Now comes Rhonda Martin, executive director of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Chamber of Commerce, who suggested the Democrats could enter a symbolic donkey in the Riverspree parade if they wanted to.
``We mailed Cynthia Owens an application for a float this morning,'' said Martin, whose Chamber of Commerce efforts have made Riverspree a major attraction each year. ``The more the merrier.''
Cynthia Owens, wife of state Rep. William C. ``Bill'' Owens Jr., D-Pasquotank, is secretary of the county Democrats.
She was not available to discuss the passengers - if any - who will be aboard the Democratic float - if any - in the parade. by CNB