NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1969 SESSION
CHAPTER 72
HOUSE BILL 109
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE VILLAGE OF WHISPERING PINES IN MOORE COUNTY.
The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:
Section 1. The following provisions of law shall constitute the Charter of the Village of Whispering Pines:
THE CHARTER OF THE VILLAGE OF WHISPERING PINES
ARTICLE 1. INCORPORATION AND CORPORATE POWERS.
Section 1.1. General Powers. The inhabitants within the boundaries as established in ARTICLE III of Chapter 1 of this Charter or as hereafter established in the manner provided by law, shall be a body politic and corporate by the name "Village of Whispering Pines, Moore County, North Carolina", and under that name shall have perpetual succession; may use a corporate seal; may sue and be sued; may acquire property within or without its boundaries for any municipal purpose, in fee simple or lesser interest or estate, buy purchase, gift, devise, lease or condemnation, and may sell, lease, hold, manage and control such property as its interests may require; and except as prohibited by the Constitution of North Carolina or restricted by this Charter, the Village of Whispering Pines shall have and may exercise all municipal powers, functions, rights, privileges and immunities of every name and nature whatsoever as now provided for Cities and Towns in the General Statute of North Carolina and otherwise authorized by law. The following shall be deemed to be a part of the powers conferred upon the Village of Whispering Pines by this Section:
(1) To levy, assess and collect taxes and to borrow money within the limits prescribed by general law; and to levy and collect special assessments for benefits conferred.
(2) To furnish all local public services; to purchase, hire, construct, own, maintain and operate or lease local public utilities to acquire, by condemnation or otherwise, within or without the corporate limits, such land, right of way, privilege, or easement necessary for any such purposes, subject to restrictions imposed by general law for the protection of other communities; and to grant local public utility franchises and regulate the exercise thereof.
(3) To make local public improvements and to acquire, by condemnation, or otherwise, property within or without its corporate limits necessary for such improvement; and also to acquire an excess over that needed for any such improvement, and to sell or lease such excess property with restrictions, in order to protect and preserve the improvements.
(4) To issue and sell bonds on the security of any such excess property or of any public utility owned by the Village or of the revenues thereof, or of both, including the case of a public utility, if deemed desirable by the Village, a franchise stating the terms upon which, in case of foreclosure, the purchaser may operate such utility.
(5) To adopt and enforce within its limits local police, sanitary and other similar regulations not in conflict with general laws.
(6) Policemen employed by the Village, when in pursuit of a criminal charged with the commission of any crime or who has committed any crime in the presence of any such officer within the corporate limits of said Village of Whispering Pines, may continuously follow and pursue such criminal to any part of North Carolina, and may arrest him; the said policeman to have and be bound by the same rules in this respect as members of the Highway Patrol, the sheriff or his deputies of the County of Moore and other law enforcement officers with County- wide jurisdiction to apprehend all offenders against the State within limits of the Village, and to carry them before the proper tribunal, and for such duty they shall have the same fees as now established, for Deputies Sheriff of Moore County.
(7) The governing body of the Village shall have power to sell at public or private sale any real estate owned by the Village, after first determining that said property is no longer needed for any public purpose of the Village, and if the governing body should determine to make such transaction by private sale, it must first establish the fact that the price offered for said property and confirmed by the governing body is fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Village, and in the event the sale is made by public outcry, then the same shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures as provided in the General Statutes of North Carolina.
(8) The governing body of the Village is hereby authorized and empowered to execute and deliver conveyances to any property, whether acquired by tax or assessment foreclosure or otherwise, with full covenants of warranty, whenever in the discretion of said governing body it is to the best interest of said Village to convey by warranty deed.
(9) Members of the said governing body are hereby relieved of any personal or individual liability by reason of the execution of any such conveyances with covenants of warranty.
(10) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the governing body of the Village shall have authority to determine by whom and in what manner the powers granted by this Section shall be exercised.
Section 1.2. Enumerated Powers Not Exclusive. The enumeration of particular powers as set forth in this Charter shall not be held or deemed to be exclusive but, in addition to the powers enumerated herein or implied hereby, or appropriate to the exercises of its powers, it is intended that the Village of Whispering Pines shall have, and may exercise, all powers which, under the Constitution of North Carolina, it would be competent for this Charter specifically to enumerate. All powers of the Village whether expressed or implied, shall be exercised in the manner prescribed by this Charter, or, if not prescribed herein, then in the manner provided by ordinance or resolution of the governing body of the Village.
Section 1.3. Corporate Limits. The corporate limits of the Village of Whispering Pines shall be as follows:
BEGINNING at the intersection of the north line of State Road No. 1843 with the west line of State Road No. 1842, said Road No. 1843 leading from Lakeview of Knollwood Airport and Road No. 1842 leading from Road No. 1843 to the Whispering Pines Country Club, running thence from the beginning with the west line of State Road No. 1842 in a northerly direction to a line of Whispering Pines, Inc., 38.97 acre, Mary K. Blue tract; thence with the Whispering Pines line, S 76-05 W 234.29 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 14-55 W 1549.15 feet to a concrete monument, a corner of Whispering Pines; thence S 58-11 W 1935 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 79-16 W 820.5 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 1-04 E 995.1 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 67-31 W 1373.8 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 43-21 W 867.2 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 39-35 W 1471.0 feet to a concrete monument on the southwest side of State Road No. 1841; thence N 52-30 W about 80 feet to the northwest line of the road in a northeasterly direction about 1550 feet to the King property; thence with King's line N 27-35 W 429 feet to his corner; thence with King's line N 54- 25 E 254 feet to King and Hodges common corner; thence with Hodges line N 64-35 E 495 feet to a monument in the west line of Sunset Drive; thence continuing with Hodges lines S 45-35 E 244.0 feet to a concrete monument, N 88- 35 E 241.0 feet to a point in State Road No. 1841 (old Pee Dee Road), thence along the road N 60-35 E 298.1 feet; thence leaving the road S 27-25 E 310.5 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 72-40 W 8760 feet; thence S 51-09 W 231.0 feet; thence N 27-35 W 106.5 feet to King's corner in Hodges line, located in State Road No. 1841; thence with King's line S 56-23 W 262.6 feet to the west line of State Road No. 1841; thence returning along the west line of the road in a southwesterly direction about 1550 feet to the Whispering Pines lines thence with it N 52-30 W about 125 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 50-53 E 324.0 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 17-20 E 2787.8 feet to a concrete monument; thence with the Whispering Pines property line N 72-44 W 420.0 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 17-16 E 651.1 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 76- 58 E 421.1 feet to an iron stake on the south side of Little River; thence S 77-07 E 734.0 feet to a monument; thence N 68-05 E 89.1 feet to a monument; thence S 71-04 E 675.0 feet to a monument; thence S 11-31 E 128.6 feet to a monument; thence S 72-55 E 1213.0 feet to a corner with Ferguson at State Road No. 1841; thence N 24-50 E 305.5 feet to a corner on the west side of State Road 1841; thence with King's line S 65-11 E 682.4 feet; thence N 78-10 E 394.9 feet; thence N 31-43 E 302.3 feet to Kings's corner; thence continuing with King, N 73-17 W 878.0 feet to a concrete monument; thence with the King Line S 89-21 W about 200 feet to the west line of State Road No. 1841; thence with the west line of the road in a northerly direction crossing Little River a distance of about 2200 feet to a point opposite the west corner of Lot 89B, Section Five, Whispering Pines; thence N 32- 33 E 60 feet to the west corner of Lot 89B; thence N 32- 33 E 455.2 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 52-33 E 740 feet to a concrete monument; thence N 88-03 E 769.7 feet to a monument; thence S 3-03 W 200.0 feet to a monument; thence N 87.29 E 716.05 feet to a concrete monument in the line of the Whispering Pines; Deaton Tract; thence with the Deaton tract line N 23 W about 300 feet to an iron stake; thence N 65 W 525.6 feet to an iron stake; thence S 85 E 176.6 feet to an iron stake; thence S 77-30 E 1324.0 feet crossing Grindstone branch to an iron stake; thence S 13-41 W about 560 feet to a corner of Lot 66B and 67B, Whispering Pines, Section Three; S 69-42 E 907.73 feet to a monument; thence N 76-37 E 397.3 feet to a monument in the northwest line of Lake View Drive; thence along the line of Lake View Drive easterly about 900 feet to the run of Little Creek; thence up the run of Little Creek about 450 feet to the northwest corner of Lot 52B, Whispering Pines, Section One; thence N 75-41 E 591.33 feet to a monument; thence N 86-46 E 607.03 feet to a monument; thence S 44-19 E 748.69 feet to a monument; thence S 78-39 E 448.5 feet to the north line of Lake View Drive; thence easterly with the line of Lake View Drive a distance of 206.64 feet to the southwest corner of Lot 14B, Whispering Pines, Section One; thence N 13-36 E 163.31 feet to a monument; thence N 80-08 E 298.65 feet to a monument; thence S 35-43 E 167.37 feet to the north line of Lake View Drive; thence with the West line of a 2.06 acre tract N 27-05 E 309.2 feet; thence with the north line of the 2.06 acres, S 75-04 E 361.0 feet; thence with the east line 2.06 acreas S 45 W 148.5 feet to the northwest corner of lot 54B, thence S 46-01 E 315.21 feet to a monument; thence S 80-09 E 376.0 feet to a monument; thence S 72- 22 E 60.23 feet to a monument; thence S 60-40 E 149.62 feet to the west line of State Road No. 1802; thence with the line of the road in a southerly direction about 1300 feet to the run of Little River; thence down the run of the river about 2200 feet to the mouth of a branch; thence up the branch in a southerly direction about 700 feet to a canal; thence up the canal southwesterly about 600 feet to a corner of the Whispering Pines' "Bibey tract", thence with the lines of the Whispering Pines' "Bibey tract", N 85-37 W 155 feet; thence S 18-23 W 1149.5 feet; thence N 70-51 W 1353 feet; thence S 42-56 W 167.15 feet; thence S 16-51 W 165.7 feet; thence S 3-40 W 557.8 feet to a corner near the end of a small dam; thence S 80-00 W 1406 feet to the center of Stage Road No. 1802; thence along the center of the road N 7-59 W 264 feet, N 2-53 E 385 feet, N 12-58 E 308 feet, N 23-11 E 360 feet and N 32-42 E 311 feet to the intersection of Road No. 1802 with Road No. 1842; thence continuing with the center of Road No. 1802, N 42-16 E 234.7 feet N 45-42 E 1148.8 feet, N 53-39 E 218.4 feet, and N 59-50 E 168.50 feet to a corner of the Whispering Pines, Inc., C. S. Bibey tract; thence with the Whispering Pines line N 15-16 W 365.3 feet to an iron stake, J. S. Bibey's corner in the Whispering Pines line; thence as the Bibey's Whispering Pines line, S 67-24 W 1931.3 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 66-45 W 808.45 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 0-47 E 324.65 feet to a concrete monument, the north corner of Lot 424B, Whispering Pines, Section Four; thence continuing S 0-47 E about 300 feet to the center of State Road No. 1842; thence along the center of the road in an easterly direction about 1200 feet to the center of State Road No. 1802; thence returning along the center of State Road No. 1802 S 32-42 W 311 feet, S 23-11 W 360 feet, S 12-58 W 308 feet, S 2-53 W 385 feet and S 7-59 E 264 feet to the Bibey corner; thence continuing along the center of the road, S 12-49 E 328.5 feet, S 11- 24 E 1420.3 feet and S 9-24 E 234.3 feet to a corner of the Whispering Pines' Tarlton tract; thence S 84-52 W 567.6 feet to an iron stake; thence N 9-07 W 234 feet to an iron stake; thence S 84- 53 W 835 feet to a monument in the south line of Lot 11B, Section Six, Whispering Pines; thence N 43-38 W 51.1 feet to S. R. Ransdell's corner of 0.46 acres, thence with the 0.46 acre line S 84- 53 W 471.3 feet to a concrete monument; thence S 33-39 W 353.57 to a concrete monument; Ransdell's corner with Whispering Pines; thence S 7-02 W 900 feet to a concrete monument, Ransdell corner with Whispering Pines; thence S 82-48 E about 850 feet to Randsdell's corner; thence with Ransdell S 2-54 W about 930 feet to the south line of State Road No. 1843; thence with the south line of the road about 1400 feet in a westerly direction to a point opposite A. E. Darnell's southeast corner of his home lote; thence crossing the road to Darnell's corner and with his east line N 17-24 E 411.25 feet to a monument, Darnell's northeast corner; thence N 72-36 W 183.31 feet to Darnell's northwest corner; thence with Darnell's west line S 17-24 W 399.57 feet to the north line of State Road No. 1843, thence continuing S 17-34 W 60 feet to the South line of the road; thence along the south line of the road in a westerly direction about 1400 feet to a point where the west line of State Road No. 1842 extended south intersects the south line of State Road No. 1843; thence in a northerly direction about 60 feet to the BEGINNING.
ARTICLE 11. GOVERNING BODY.
Section 2.1. Control Vested in Village Council. The government of the Village and general management and control of all its affairs shall be vested in a Village Council, which shall be elected and shall exercise its power in the manner herein and in Chapter Two, ARTICLE VI, set forth, except that the manger shall have the authority hereinafter specified.
Section 2.2. Number and Election of Village Council. The Village Council shall consist of five members, who shall be elected at large by and from the qualified voters of the Village for a term of two years and until their successors are elected and qualified. The initial officers of the Village of Whispering Pines shall consist of five (5) Councilmen, to wit: Robert E. Carey, A. B. Hardee, J. W. Leverton, Jr., Carson A. Roberts and William H. Toussaint, who shall elect from their number a President, and they shall proceed to organize the Village government in accordance with this Charter and the General Statutes of North Carolina. They shall serve until the next regular municipal election on May 6, 1969 and until their successors are elected and qualified as hereinbefore provided.
Section 2.3. Power and Organization of Village Council. All the legislative powers of the Village shall be vested in the Village Council. The Village Council elected as aforesaid shall meet at 10:00 o'clock in the forenoon on Wednesday after the first Monday of May in each election year, and the members of the Village Council whose terms of office then begin shall severally take oath before the Village Clerk, a Magistrate, Judge or other duly constituted officer authorized to administer oaths, to perform faithfully the duties of their respective offices. The Village Council shall thereupon be organized by the choice from its members of a President, who shall hold his office during the term for which he was elected a member of the Village Council, and a President pro tempore, who shall hold his office during the pleasure of the Village Council. The organization of the Village Council shall take place as aforesaid, not withstanding the absence, death, refusal to serve, or non-election of one or more of the members; provided, that at least three of the persons entitled to be members of the Village Council are present to take oath as aforesaid. Any member entitled to take the aforesaid oath, who is not present at the time fixed therefor, may take oath at any time thereafter, provided, the taking of such oath is not unreasonably delayed.
Section 2.4. President of Council. The President of the Council shall have all of the same powers, authority, duties and responsibilities as provided for mayor under "Plan D" form of government as set forth in Chapter 160 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
Section 2.5. Meetings Regulated. The Village Council shall fix suitable times for its regular meetings. The President, the President Pro tempore of the Village Council, or any two members thereof, may at any time call a special meeting by causing a written notice, stating the time of holding such meeting and signed by a person or persons calling the same, to be delivered in hand to each member or left at his usual dwelling place at least six hours before the time of such meeting. Meetings of the Village Council may also be held at any time when all the members of the Council are present and consent thereto.
Section 2.6. Quorum and Conduct of Business. A majority of the members of the Village Council shall constitute a quorum. Its meetings shall be public, and the President who shall be the official head of the Village, shall, if present, preside and shall have the same power as the other members of the Council to vote upon measures coming before it, but shall have no power to veto. In the absence of the President, the President Pro tempore of the Village Council shall preside, and in the absence of body, a Chairman Pro tempore shall be chosen. The Village Clerk shall be ex officio clerk of the Village Council, and shall keep records of its proceedings; but in case of the Clerk's temporary absence, or in case of a vacancy in this office, the Village Council may elect by ballot a temporary clerk, who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of that office, and may act as Clerk of the Village Council until a Village Clerk is chosen and qualified. All final votes of the Village Council involving the expenditure of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or over shall be by "yeas" and "nays" and shall be entered on the records. On request of one member, the vote shall be by "yeas" and "nays", and shall be entered upon the records. Three affirmative votes at least shall be necessary for the passage of any order, ordinance, or resolution, unless otherwise specified by the General Statutes of North Carolina.
Section 2.7. Vacancies in Council. Vacancies in the Village Council shall be filled by the remaining members of the Council for the remainder of the unexpired terms.
Section 2.8. Election of President. The President shall be elected by the Council from among its own members, and shall hold office during the term for which he has been elected to the Council. In case of a vacancy in the office of President the remaining members of the Council shall choose from their own number his successor for the unexpired term.
Section 2.9. Salaries of President and Council. The President shall receive for his services such salary as the Village Council shall from time to time by ordinance determine, but in no event shall he receive more than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) per annum and he shall receive no other compensation from the Village. His salary shall not be increased or diminished during the term for which he is elected. The Council may, by vote of not less than three members taken by all of the "yeas" and "nays", establish a salary for its members, but in no event shall it exceed Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per annum per members. Such salary may be reduced, but no increase therein shall be made to take effect during the year in which the increase is voted.
Section 2.10. Election of Treasurer; Salary. The President and Council may elect from their membership a Treasurer by the method outlined above, and in addition to the salary allowed as a member of the Council, such Treasurer may be paid for his service such amount as the Council may determine to be proper, and commensurate with his duties and responsibilities.
ARTICLE III. MANAGER.
Section 3.1. Appointment. The Village Council may appoint a manager, who shall be the administrative head of the Village government, and shall be responsible for the administration of all departments. He shall be appointed with regard to merit only, and he need not be a resident of the Village when appointed. He shall hold office during the pleasure of the Village Council, and shall receive such compensation as it shall fix by ordinance. He must become a resident of the Village as soon as conveniently possible following the time of his selection.
Section 3.2. Powers and Duties of Manager. The manager shall (1) be the administrative head of the Village government; (2) see that within the Village the laws of the State and the ordinances, resolutions, and regulations of Council are faithfully executed; (3) attend all meetings of the Council, and recommend for adoption such measurers as he shall deem proper and necessary for the government and operation of the Village; (4) make reports to the Council from time to time upon the affairs of the Village, keep the Council fully advised of the Village's financial condition and its future financial needs; (5) appoint and remove all heads of departments, superintendents, and other employees of the Village.
Section 3.3. Appointment or Removal of Officers. Such Village officers and employees as the Council shall determine are necessary for the proper administration of the Village shall be appointed by the manager, and any such officer or employee may be removed by him; but the manager shall report every such appointment and removal to the Council at the next meeting thereof following such appointment or removal.
Section 3.4. Control of Officers and Employees. The officers and employees of the Village shall perform such duties as may be required of them by the manager under general regulations of the Village Council.
ARTICLE IV. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS.
Section 4.1. Nominations. The years for regular elections prescribed by the General Statutes of North Carolina, the Village Council shall call and give two weeks notice of a Village caucus to be held for the purpose of nominating candidates for the office of Village Council.
Section 4.2. Caucus. The Village caucus shall meet at a place designated by the Village Council within the corporate limits of the Village or at a convenient place nearby on a date set at least 30 days prior to the date of the municipal elections as established by the General Statutes of North Carolina, at which time the President shall convene the meeting and a Chairman of the caucus shall be elected, a Secretary of the caucus shall be elected and such other Clerks and officers as are necessary to carry out the functions of the caucus shall be elected by the caucus or designated by the Chairman.
Section 4.3. Caucus Rules. The rules and regulations for the conduct and operation of the caucus shall be promulgated by the Village Council and may be changed from time to time by the Council, provided, proper notice is given to the residents of the Village of such changes.
Section 4.4. Municipal Elections. The regular election for the choice of members of the Village Council shall be held on Tuesday following the first Monday in May in odd numbered years. The Village Council may by resolution order a special election, fix the time for holding the same, and provide all means for holding such special elections.
Section 4.5. Conduct of Elections. All elections shall be conducted in accordance with the General Statutes of North Carolina relating to municipal elections, except as otherwise herein provided.
Section 4.6. Candidates for Village Council. Any qualified elector of the Village may become a candidate for the Village Council by filing a statement of such candidacy as provided for in this Article. On each statement of candidacy filed shall be stated the place of residence of the signer, giving the street and number or other description sufficient to identify the same. All statements shall be filed by the candidate with the Village Clerk not earlier than 90 days nor later than 30 days before the election and shall be in substantially the following form:
"I, the undersigned elector of the Village of Whispering Pines, hereby declare that I am a candidate for the office of Village Council, to be voted for at the election to be held on the _________day of____________________, 19____.
"If elected I hereby agree to serve for the term of office as set forth in the Charter of the Village of Whispering Pines."
Signature of Candidate
Date of filing: _______________________
This statement was filed by ____________________________________
whose address is _______________________________________________________
Signature of Village Clerk
(A qualified elector shall be any person who is registered to vote in the Village elections or who is eligible to be registered at the time of filing as a candidate.)
Section 4.7. Filing Fee. Each candidate for Village Council shall pay a filing fee of Five Dollars ($5.00). The Village Clerk shall take and preserve each statement filed. No statement shall be accepted by the Clerk if not signed by the candidate in person, or if it is determined that the candidate is not a qualified elector. Any candidate may withdraw his statement of candidacy not later than the last day for filing by filing notice of withdrawal with the Village Clerk. The statement of each candidate for Village Council shall be preserved by the Village Clerk until the expiration of the term of office for which he has filed.
Section 4.8. Ballots. When printed ballots are used for Village elections, the names of candidates for Village Council in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, except such as have been withdrawn, died or become ineligible, shall be printed on the official ballots in the alphabetical order of the surnames in rotation without any party designation. There shall be printed as many sets of ballots as there are candidates. Each set of ballots shall begin with the name of a different candidate, the other names being arranged thereafter in regular alphabetical order commencing with the name next in alphabetical order after the one that stands first on such set of ballots. When voting machines are used for Village elections, the names of candidates for Village Council shall be inserted in the proper place on each machine in alphabetical order, ranging from left to right as the voter faces the machine.
Section 4.9. Election of Village Council. All members of the Village Council shall be elected at large. Every voter shall be entitled to vote for as many candidates as there are members to be elected to the Village Council. All candidates up to the number to be elected, who receive the largest number of votes shall be declared elected.
Section 4.10. Oath of Office. Every officer of the Village shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation, to be filed and kept in the office of the Village Clerk:
"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution and will obey the laws of the United States and of the State of North Carolina, and that I will, in all respects, observe the provisions of the Charter and Ordinances of the Village of Whispering Pines, and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Village Council (or such other office to which he may be elected or appointed)."
ARTICLE V. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
Section 5.1. Publicity of Records. All records and accounts of every office and department of the Village shall be open to inspection by any citizen or by any representative of the press at all reasonable times and under reasonable regulations established by the Village Council, except records and documents the disclosure of which would tend to defeat the lawful purpose which they are intended to accomplish.
Section 5.2. Personal Interest. No member of the Village Council nor any officer or employee of the Village shall have a financial interest, direct or indirect, in any contract with the Village, or be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in the sale of the Village of any land, materials, supplies or services, except on behalf of the Village as an officer or employee. Any willful violation of this Article shall constitute malfeasance in office, and any officer or employee of the Village found guilty thereof shall thereby forfeit his office or position. any violation of this Article with the knowledge expressed or implied of the person or corporation contracting with the Village shall render the contract voidable by the Village Council.
Sec 2. If any part of this Charter shall be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction such judgment shall not invalidate the remainder of the Charter. The provisions of this Charter shall supersede all laws and ordinances not consistent herewith, insofar as the Village of Whispering Pines may be affected thereby.
Sec. 3. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.
Sec. 4. This act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 14th day of March, 1969.