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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
SEASIDE PRESS CO., INC. 1003 Bennet Lane - Suite F, P. O. BOX 183 CAROLINA BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA 28428 Web Site: www.islandgazette.net (910) 458-8156 or (910)-458-9018 : FAX (910) 458-0267
STAFF Beattie Anderson McKee : Publisher Roger McKee : Publisher Willard Killough III : Managing Editor & Web-Master Shawn McKee : Advertising Manager & Layout Manager Ryan Mckee : Sales Representative Jasmine McKee: Advertising / Classifieds Manager Allen Denning ~ Staff Writer / Features Chuck Thomas ~ Staff Photographer News & Editorial Email: editor@islandgazette.net Advertising & Features Email: IslandGazette@aol.com
Photographers: Roger McKee, Shawn McKee, Jasmine McKee, Willard Killough III, Chuck Thomas Allen Denning, Captain John Carty, Fishing News Reporter/Photographer
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
Gazette, March 5, 2014
Editorial: Gazette Preparing For Website Redesign but as technology progressed This is the first step in ing. WILLARD KILLOUGH III over the years, it's time to re- bridging the generational gap Therefore, during the re| ByManaging Editor fine the system. between those (including my- design this week I'm open to Readers can already view the Island Gazette online at www.islandgazette.net We are getting ready to roll out a new version of the online edition that will simplify readers' experience while expanding features and amenities. Since the early 2000's the site has been geared to replicate the structure of the print edition. That has worked fine
Social media, video, reports published throughout the week, and expanded online advertising options have created a need to reinvent the experience with a focus on easier reader navigation of content along with video, audio and creating an online community. Recently we began publishing an easier to read version of the printed edition each week.
self) that like to flip through a newspaper's pages and those of a newer generation that demand easy access to our online version not only using their desktop or laptop computers, but also using their tablets and smart phones. While brainstorming new designs for the site I stopped and decided the customer is the best source of idea-sourc-
Ye Olde Public Forum
suggestions from our readers and advertisers as to what changes or improvements they would like to see incorporated into the new site. I could go into the details of all the new features, but they're not set in stone at this point and your ideas will help to build and refine that list. Send me your thoughts at editor@islandgazette.net
TO SUBMIT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IS | DEADLINE MONDAY MORNING ~ SEE RULES AT LEFT
Don't Be Gouged By Prescription Costs Dear Editor, I have lived on the Island for over 30 years, and never minded spending a little more at our local stores to keep the dollars on the Island, but what happened recently is outrageous. I needed 10 anti biotic pills,
which I ordered from a local major-name phamacy. When I went to pick them up they were $194.21. So when I got home I called Costco, same 10 pills $16.71. Of course I went and picked them up, but since I had removed 1 pill from the
unsealed bottle they refused to take them back. So if you live on a fixed income, as I do, or just don't want to be gouged, please get a price from Costco (you do not have to be a member). While we are very pleased with the employees
who work at the local pharmacy on the Island, who have been very helpful, I won't be back in your store, nor will I spend $1396.89 on prescriptions as I did this year. Dee Jenzano Carolina Beach, NC
Kure Beach Police To Hold Operation Medicine Drop March 15th KURE BEACH - The Kure Beach Police Department will conduct an Operation Medicine Drop on Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at 114 N. 7th Avenue, next to Town Hall. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. This is a chance to dispose of your unused or expired prescriptions or other medications. Operation Medicine Drop is
an effort coordinated by the NC Dept. of Insurance, Safe Kids NC, NC State Bureau of Investigation, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Riverkeepers of NC and local groups to prevent accidental poisonings, substance abuse and to protect our waters. Since 2010, over 1600 sites have collected over 53 million dosage units of medication during take back events statewide
Operation Medicine Drop reminds parents and caregivers to keep medicines locked up and out of reach of children; always read labels, follow directions and give medicine based on the child's weight and age; only use dispensers packaged with children's medications; and avoid taking medicine or vitamins in front of kids and don't call them candy. Unintentional poisoning from prescription medi-
cations is on the rise in NC. Since 1999, nearly 6,000 have died from this. If you suspect poisoning and a child is choking, collapses, can't breathe, or is having a seizure, call 911. Otherwise, take the product to the phone and call the national Poison Help hotline at 1-800222-1222. For more information, go to www.ncsafekids.org or call the Police Department at 910-458-7586.
Fire
peared the moped either ran the stop sign at the intersection of State Park Road and Dow Road or pulled out in front of the 4-Runner and was struck. The moped was drug along the
roadway for over 130 feet after impact ultimately catching on fire and burning both vehicles. The driver of the moped was thrown off into the middle of the road. After the accident
the driver of the 4-runner and a bystander pulled her to the side of the road. The accident was still under investigation Tuesday afternoon.
pality in New Hanover County where a major economic force is tourism related to the coastal environment; and WHEREAS, the Town of Carolina Beach endeavors to be a good steward of the coastal environment and its resources; and WHEREAS, the full impacts of seismic testing as proposed in BOEM Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement alternative A and alternative B are not yet fully understood by scientists, the Oil & Gas industry, or BOEM, and WHEREAS, the Town of Carolina Beach believes that more research should be done to fully understand all impacts of seismic testing and options for mitigation those impacts; and WHEREAS, the Town of Carolina Beach does not believe seismic testing as currently proposed in alternative A or alternative B of BOEM’s Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement is the safest way to map oil & gas deposits in the mid-atlantic region. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Council of the Town of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, is opposed to seismic testing as proposed in alternative A or alternative B of BOEM’s Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement until such time as all testing options are evaluated and proper assurances for the protection of marine life are established. This Resolution adopted the 28th day of February 2014. The resolution came one day after the federal government ruled on the issue. According to Dustin Cranor - Communications Director, U.S. Campaigns for OCEANA - the Federal government had ruled the day before the Council meeting to permit seismic testing in the Atlantic from Delaware to Florida. Oceana is the largest international advocacy group working solely to protect the world’s oceans. Oceana wins policy victories for the oceans
using science-based campaigns. Since 2001, we have protected over 1.2 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea turtles, sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures. More than 600,000 supporters have already joined Oceana. Global in scope, Oceana has offices in North, South and Central America and Europe. Cranor explained Thursday February 27th, "Today, the United States government released a final proposal to allow the use of controversial seismic airguns to look for oil and gas deposits deep below the ocean floor in an area twice the size of California, stretching from Delaware to Florida. According to the Department of the Interior (DOI), these dynamite-like blasts are expected to injure and possibly kill large numbers of dolphins and whales along the East Coast and disturb the necessary activities of millions more. One species of particular concern is the North Atlantic right whale, the rarest large whale species, of which there are only approximately 500 left worldwide." “By failing to consider relevant science, the Obama administration’s decision could be a death sentence for many marine mammals, and needlessly turning the Atlantic Ocean into a blast zone,” said Jacqueline Savitz, Vice President for U.S. Oceans at Oceana. “If seismic airguns are allowed in the Atlantic, it will jeopardize wildlife as well as commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism and coastal recreation—putting more than 730,000 jobs in the blast zone at risk. In its rush to finalize this proposal, the Obama administration is failing to consider the cumulative impacts that these repeated dynamite-like blasts will have on vital behaviors like mating, feeding, breathing, communicating and navigating." Cranor explained, "Today’s decision comes one week after more than 100 scientists called
on President Obama and his administration to wait on new acoustic guidelines for marine mammals, which are currently in development by the National Marine Fisheries Service. These guidelines are 15 years in the making and aim to provide a better understanding of how marine mammals are impacted by varying levels of manmade sound as well as demonstrate the measures that are needed to protect them. Just yesterday, Sen. Cory Booker (DNJ) and eight additional U.S. Senators sent a letter to DOI Secretary Sally Jewell urging her to hold off on issuing this administrative decision until all of the best available science, including these new acoustic guidelines, can be incorporated." He explained, "With offshore drilling in the Atlantic more than four years away, there is absolutely no justification for failing to include the best available science in this decision,” said Savitz. “Seismic airguns create one of the loudest manmade sounds in the ocean, and we should be doing everything we can to protect marine life from their loud blasts. These devices are loud enough to kill small animals like fish eggs and larvae at close ranges and can disrupt the behavior of large animals like whales and dolphins from up to 100 miles away. It’s as if the Obama administration has learned nothing from the destruction that similar testing has caused off the coasts of Namibia, Australia and Madagascar.” In comments to DOI, Oceana has argued that the federal government has not developed adequate closure areas to protect the migratory corridor and nursery of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and has failed to fully consider safer alternative technologies such as marine vibroseis, which is quieter that seismic airguns and has less of an impact on marine mammals.
From page 1-A Medical Center in Wilmington. Police reported that it ap-
Seismic From page 1-A commercial fisheries, and disrupt coastal economies. These dynamite-like blasts—which are repeated every ten seconds, 24 hours a day, for days and weeks at a time—are 100,000 times more intense than a jet engine. Seismic airgun testing currently being proposed in the Atlantic will injure 138,500 whales and dolphins and disturb millions more, according to government estimates." The sound waves that return to the vessel towing monitoring equipment are used to determine if oil or natural gas are located beneath the ocean floor. A crowd of approximately 300 people rallied at Kure Beach Town Hall on January 27th, to voice their opposition to Mayor Dean Lambeth signing a letter in December 2013 supporting seismic airgun testing for off shore oil and natural gas exploration. The entire Carolina Beach Town Council attended that meeting sitting in the audience hearing from residents both in favor and opposition. The resolution adopted by the Council stated, "A resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Carolina Beach North Carolina expressing opposition to seismic testing as proposed in BOEM PEIS OPT A and OPT B." The resolution stated: WHEREAS, seismic testing as proposed in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement alternative A and alternative B has the potential to harm marine life; and WHEREAS, seismic testing as proposed in BOEM Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement alternative A and alternative B has the potential to impact recreational and commercial fishing; and WHEREAS, the Town of Carolina Beach is a munici-