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The Island Gazette
"To print the news and raise hell" -- Ben Franklin "WE ALL LIVE HERE SO WE CARE ABOUT OUR ISLAND"
Established 1978 Published Every Wednesday by Seaside Press Co., Inc. 1003 Bennet Lane Suite F - P. O. Box 183, Carolina Beach, N. C. 28428 (910) 458-8156
Town Meetings Schedule Kure Beach Planning and Zoning Board holds their regular monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at Town Hall at 7:00PM. Call for 458-8216 for more information. The Kure Beach Shoreline Access and Parking Committee meets every month on the first Tuesday at 5:00PM at Town Hall. Kure Beach Town Council meeting held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at Town Hall. Carolina Beach Police Advisory Committee meeting first Monday of each month at Town Hall at 7:00PM. Carolina Beach Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, 7PM, held in the Council meeting room at Town Hall the second Thursday of each month. Carolina Beach Town Council regular meeting
held in the Council meeting room at Town Hall the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM. Meetings are televised on Charter Cable Channel 3 on Tuesdays at 7PM and on New Hanover County Government Access Channel 5 on Fridays at 7AM and Sundays at 6PM. The Kure Beach Community Center Committee meets the second Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am at the Community Center. Kure Beach, Beach Protection Committee meets every month on the first Tuesday at 3:30PM at Town Hall. Call Kure Beach at 4588216 or Carolina Beach at 458-2999. You may also visit Carolina Beach online at w w w. c a r o l i n a b e a c h . o r g You may visit the Town of Kure Beach online at www.townofkurebeach.org
Carolina Beach Police.................................... 911 or Carolina Beach Fire Department ............................... Carolina Beach Crime Stoppers ............................... Town of Carolina Beach........................................... Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce....................... Kure Beach Police.......................................... 911 or Kure Beach Fire Department...................................... Town of Kure Beach................................................. New Hanover County Sheriffs Department................. Wilmington Police.................................................... City of Wilmington................................................... Coast Guard............................................................. Carolina Beach State Park......................................... Fort Fisher Aquarium................................................. Carolina Beach Library............................................... Cape Fear Community College................................... University of North Carolina At Wilmington............... Kure Beach Pier........................................................ Carolina Beach North End Pier................................. NH County Animal Control .................................... Kure Beach Community Center................................
458-2540 911 Emerg. 458-1246 458-2999 458-8434 458-7586 911 Emerg. 458-8216 798-4200 343-3600 341-7800 256-2615 458-8206 458-8257 798-6380 362-7000 962-3000 458-5524 458-5518 798-7500 458-8944
Try to keep letters down to approximately one typed page. NO HAND WRITTEN LETTERS. We will not publish unsigned letters. Advertising not typically allowed unless it promotes or benefits a non-profit organization. A phone number is required for verification purposes only. Deadline is Friday by 5 p.m. or Monday morning. E-mail letters to editor@islandgazette.net Letters published reflect only the opinions of the writer, not the Island Gazette. The rules are subject to change without notice.
Published Every Wednesday By
Gazette, July 16th, 2014
Editorial: Snow's Cut Should Not Become Industrial Zone WILLARD KILLOUGH III | ByManaging Editor
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is planning to change the appearance of Pleasure Island in a major way. For many decades they've owned undeveloped land along the Intracoastal Waterway (Snow's Cut) in Carolina Beach. (See report on page 1-A...) This land is located between homes on Spencer Farlow Drive and the waterway. For many years people have enjoyed the undeveloped views out of their backdoors never contemplating what may happen in the future if the Corp
decided to utilize the property. And you can't blame them. It's always been undeveloped and there was never any indication to the public that it would be developed for light industrial use in the future. Now the Corp wants to change the status of the land to "Operational" and relocate a portion maybe all - of their operations at a facility located adjacent to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) maintains a repair yard and survey offices located on Eagle Island adjacent to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Due to flooding, maintenance
issues, and future design modifications associated with the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, the Eagle Island ACOE location is expected to be abandoned in the next 5 – 20 years, depending on their budgets. Take a look at the aerial view of the existing Eagle Island facility and compare it with the aerial photo on page 1-A. There's more land along Snow's Cut. There are a number of large warehouse style buildings at the existing facility with boat docks, materials, a large vessel at a dock, gravel lots, etc. If the Army Corp plans to relocate that operation to the banks of Snow's Cut, image what that
Ye Olde Public Forum
will look like when crossing over Snow's Cut Bridge. The gateway to Pleasure Island. Not to mention the impact any such operation on any level will have on the residentially zoned quiet neighborhoods along Spencer Farlow Drive. Additional noise, lights and commercial appearance are all negative impacts that won't just impact adjacent properties, but all properties in the general area. The public - not just directly affected property owners - should get involved and attend meetings with the Corp and Town Council to voice their opinions and monitor the final plan.
TO SUBMIT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IS | DEADLINE MONDAY MORNING ~ SEE RULES AT LEFT
End Council Health Insurance Dear Mayor Wilcox, Council lady Pierce, Councilman Doetsch, After months of no action at what point in time do the three of you intend to honor your campaign promise made to residents
of Carolina Beach (6,000 of us) before the election to eliminate Health and Dental Insurance for elected officials or was this just a ploy from you 3 to help your chances of being elected? Your absurd compromise will
not be a substitute as means to keep your promise to eliminate Health and Dental Insurance for yourselves. At our budget hearing Manager Cramer brought up Councils compensation. Mayor Wilcox made a mo-
tion for Council members to pay 20% of the cost of premiums and the Town pay 80% for our 2014/2015 budget year and eliminate insurance for only
Bond
cational attainment will suffer unless improvements are made." The resolution strongly encourages citizens to demonstrate their support for providing resources for the school system by supporting the bond referendum. The bond will be on the ballot for the November 2014 general election. The funds will be used to fund projects at specific schools as well as improvements at schools throughout the system. To learn more, visit http://www. nhcs.k12.nc.us/bond/BondReferendum.htm Eddie Anderson - Director of Facility Planning and Construction for New Hanover County Schools - requested Council approve a resolution supporting the referendum during their July 8th, meeting. The Town of Kure Beach recently adopted a resolution supporting the referendum. Mayor Dan Wilcox questioned if any improvements were planned for Carolina Beach Elementary School from the $160
million dollars. In addition to specific projects at certain schools, Anderson said the bond would address technology improvements as well as safety and security enhancements throughout the school district. Council member Sarah Friede said Carolina Beach Elementary School, "Is grossly overcrowded" and, "The music is already in the cafeteria and there is no physical education center... is there anyway to expand the actual space?" Anderson said expansion is not included and, "Expanding the space is not included in this. Carolina Beach Elementary falls in a unique category. At some point I think we all have to realize the site is going to limit how big the school is going to be and how many kids can attend Carolina Beach." Mayor Wilcox said, "I think everyone supports funding for schools" and, "In discussions with the County Manager this could result in as much as a five cent increase in county taxes as
well." Councilman Steve Shuttleworth said, "Before I can support a resolution from the Carolina Beach Town Council encouraging our fellow residents to see a tax increase or support a bond, I'd be more specifically interested in what the facilities plan that Dr. Markley spoke about at the County Commissioners meeting, what direct benefit does that have to Carolina Beach. Because you are asking this Council to endorse something that will affect our residents." Shuttleworth said the Town recently helped pay for a police officer to be stationed at the school and while the bond is helping to lighten the load throughout the district, other than technology improvements he would like more specific information for Carolina Beach. Council member Leann Pierce said, "I think it's for the voters to decide. I don't think we should influence them one way or the other."
From page 1-A the workforce" and, "A superior school system is necessary to attract businesses to New Hanover County, as well as retain them, thus helping keep the economy of New Hanover County strong." The resolution states, "The education gap between the United States and the rest of the world is growing and competition for highly educated workers is going to be one of the most pressing issues facing businesses." The resolution states that New Hanover County Schools are 3,548 students over capacity and are projected to add another 3,000 students in the next seven years. 84 mobile units are already being relied on to house students. That's the equivalent of three elementary schools. The resolution states, "There are $390 million in facility needs at New Hanover County Schools, and students, programs and edu-
See Letter, page 6-A
Former Sheriff Dies While In Custody At Jail NEW HANOVER CTY Federal inmate Ronald Emery Hewett died shortly after 2PM on July 12th, while in the New Hanover County Detention Facility. Hewett was being held at the County jail under a Federal Detainer after federal ATF offi-
cials found firearms in his Supply, NC home. Hewett was being moved within the jail to visit with family members when an altercation took placed between Hewett and a deputy. A taser was used on Hewett. No deputies have been put on leave or disciplined.
The maximum sentence for Hewett would have been 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and several years of supervised probation. Hewett resigned in 2008 after serving as Sheriff of Brunswick County for 14 years. The federal government in-
dicted Hewett in 2007 for felony embezzlement and corruption charges. He served prison time for obstruction of justice and was released in 2010. Hewett's death is being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
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SUBSCRIPTION RATES In New Hanover County . . . . . . . $29.00 per year Outside of County . . ........... . . . $39.00 per year The Island Gazette reserves the right to edit any news items submitted to us, including press releases, letters to the editor, and articles of interest submitted by individuals for publication. Deadline for news articles is 12 Noon Friday. Display ads must be submitted before 4:PM on Thursday. Classified ads must be in by 4pm on Friday. 2nd class postage paid at Carolina Beach, N. C. 28428 Publications Number (USPS 474-990) © Copyright 1978 - 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publishers. Registered Library of Congress #ISSN 1084-144X - © Copyright 1978 - 2013 OFFICE HOURS: Mon & Tues 8:00am - 4pm Wed 9am - 4pm : Thur 8:00am - 4pm Fri 9:00am - 4pm : Closed Sat & Sun
Police Arrest Two For Slashing Tires CAROLINA BEACH Carolina Beach Police arrested 19-year old Madison Roarke Jennings-Gilbert and 18-year old Joseph Donato Sabetti on July 7th for slashing tires on numerous vehicles. An officer received a call about property damage on Carolina Beach Avenue South. A description of two white males was given. The officer observed two males fitting the description a short distance away on South Lake Park Blvd. The officer stopped the males and conducted a search finding a knife on Sabetti.
Madison Jennings-Gilbert
Joseph Sabetti
A witness was brought to the officer’s location and posi-
tively identified both subjects who were then taken to the
Police Department. Officers found numerous owners with slashed tires. Once at the station the officers were able to search Gilbert and found a stiletto knife under his foot in his shoe. 13 victims were listed in the police report. Police Chief Ken Hinkle said the investigation is continuing and there may be additional charges to follow. Sabetti was charged with Criminal Damage to Property and Underage Drinking. Gilbert was charged with Criminal Damage to Property and Carrying Concealed Weapon.
Carolina Beach Make Narcotics Seizure And Arrest CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. : July 10th, 2014 - On Wednesday evening July 9th 2014, the Carolina Beach Vice Narcotics Unit executed the search of a residence in the 1400 Block of Snapper Lane, Carolina Beach. The search was part of an ongoing operation and prior narcotics purchases from the residence. The target of the investigation, Mr. John R. Lunsford (69) of that residence, was arrested
and charged with Possession with Intent to Sale Manufacture and Deliver Schedule II Narcotics, and Maintaining a Dwelling for the Use/Sale of a Controlled Substance. A large sum of money, narcotics and a weapon was recovered from the scene. The Carolina Beach Police Department said they will continue to pursue those subjects who violate the law and the community standards of our Town.