Wednesday, April 20, 1960 --

• The county has awarded the annual contract for operation of the Whitehaven Ferry. Tom Dashiell, who has been operating the ferry for 20 years, will receive $4,000 but must supply the oil and gasoline. Cecil H. Phillips was awarded $3,500 to operate Upper Ferry. Preston Bell will receive $1,300 to operate Redden Ferry, which crosses Wicomico Creek.
• Engineers have been called in to address leaking windows at the new half-million-dollar Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Wicomico County Commissioners have called a meeting for May 3, in which the massive building’s contractors will be questioned on construction problems that are continually being detected.
• Salisbury businessmen want a junior college established in Wicomico County to provide further education for workers needed in business and industry. The Wicomico Improvement Committee, a study group of the McCabe Survey, made its school-backing announcement at a meeting held last night at the Wicomico Hotel. Committee Chairman George P. Chandler said two recent industrial companies had recently decided not to locate in WIcomico because the working population lacks sufficient education.
• Salisbury Democrats have formed a special organizational group to ensure their party wins the three City Council seats are are up for election April 26. David F. Rodgers was appointed campaign chairman; former mayor L. Thomas Parker and Mrs. Branch H. Phillips Sr. were appointed honorary chairmen. The campaign committee itself will be headed by state Sen. Mary Nock. The Democrats are calling themselves “the party of forward-looking and constructive administration.” Their candidate slate is W. Paul Martin Jr., former mayor Rollie Hastings and Richard M. Laws.
• As part of their annual 60-hour marathon sale, Erwins on South Salisbury Boulevard across from the Colonial Store was offering 12 used televisions for sale, first-come, first-served -- for 98 cents each. Frying pans were on sale for 19 cents.
• C.F. Bateman, vice president and general manager of the Wayne Pump Division of Symington-Wayne Corp., confirmed that 78 people had been laid off at the Salisbury plant, “due to the fact that the expected spring (season) rise in business has not materialized yet.” He said that the company hopes to recall the employees once sales volume improves. About 227 employees remain at work.