To win support for the bond referendum that paid for hospital construction, J.W. "Joe" Pou knew he had to persuade people to assume a huge public debt.

     As head of the Citizens' Committee, he became a vital leader of that successful drive. "Building a modern, equipped new county hospital is probably the most important project that the people of Pitt County will undertake in this generation," he said before the vote.
Pou used his influence in the community to corral votes in favor of the referendum.

     As agricultural account expert for Wachovia Bank, he knew most of the county's farmers and business leaders. That rallying cry helped awaken public sentiment to the importance of this large bond issue.

Joe Pou