Wednesday, Nov. 12, 1969 --

• Dr. Rufus C. Johnson, a new member of the Wicomico Board of Education, insisted Tuesday that he is not on a witch hunt and isn’t trying to badger school administrators. “I feel it is my duty to ask questions,” said the Salisbury veterinarian. We’re spending other people’s money -- taxpayers’ money. There are a lot of things I don’t know, so I ask questions to find out.” At the board’s meeting this week, Johnson asked why the school systems electric bills were higher than projected, and then went on to observe that he had seen some schools brightly lit at night, and some schools with outdoor lights on during the day.

• C&P Telephone Co. is planning a $500,000 addition to its Downtown Salisbury building on East Church Street. The utility said the building will get an entirely new front that will be attractive to motorists passing by on Route 50. To achieve this, the current front porting of the building will be demolished. City officials said they have discussed with C&P the importance of ensuring the addition conforms with the city’s Urban Renewal Plan.

• State Sens. Frederick C. Malkus and Mary L. Nock have pre-filed General Assembly Bills that would bar sex-education courses until the 1973-74 school year, and possibly longer. Wicomico County’s school board is expected to clearly state that it is in favor of continuing sex-education courses in the school system. Superintendent Royd A. Mahaffey said he has discussed with board attorney James P. Bailey on the wording of a statement or resolution the board would consider in December.

• The city of Salisbury has established a tree-trimming task force to determine locations were overgrown trees are interfering with street signs or making visibility dangerous at intersections. Public Works Director Philip C. Cooper said “particular emphasis will be placed on street-name signs and stop signs.” Cooper said he is hoping that property owners will take action on their own to remove overgrown branches, so the city doesn’t have to act. “Appropriate action by homeowners will preclude any possibility of city forces causing any injury to trees that may be affected,” he said. 

• Several Wicomico teen-agers were honored with awards handed out at the Optimist Club’s Youth Appreciation Week program. They include: Daniel Evan Whithey of Elizabeth Street, Mary Kay Mancuso of Lexington Street, Robert MacPherson of Waverly Drive, Jeanne Adams of Camden Avenue, Jacqueline DeCola of Pinehurst Avenue and Donald Dashiell of Riverside Drive.

• First District Congressman Rogers C.B. Morton was the guest speaker at yesterday’s Veterans Day assembly, held at Wicomico Senior High School in Salisbury. Accompanying the legislator on his visit to Wi-Hi were Student Council President Tim Knapp, 1st Vice President Bob Culver and Secretary Mike Winner. Morton said it was Culver who had invited him several months ago to attend the school’s ceremony.

• Salisbury Mayor Dallas G. Truitt has retired from Swift & Co. after 40 years of continuous service. The white-maned politician with the omnipresent smile said he will be able to devote all of his time in service to the citizens of Salisbury. The Mayor’s salary is $2,000 annually, but Truitt said his sizable pension will cover his family expenses. The Mayor’s seat is up for election next year, but Truitt has hinted several times he may be open to seeking a state Senate seat in 1970.