Post & Voice 1.1.15

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Dolphin Dip Jan. 1 Surf City will again host the annual Dolphin Dip New Year’s Day at noon. Read about the big plunge into the sea on page C1.

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ST &Voice

The Pender-Topsail

Top sports stories Sports writer Bobby Norris takes a look at the top sports stories in Pender County for 2014 and more on page 1B.

Thursday, January 1, 2015 Volume 44, No.14

50 Cents

The Media of Record for the People of Pender County

Board chairman urges representatives to push for bypass

Foggy Christmas on the square

Williams asks Rabon, Millis to put the bypass at the front of their list By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher In an email dated Dec. 17, Pender County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Williams urged State Senator Bill Rabon and Representative Chris Millis to “get down to business” regarding the Hampstead bypass. “This email is not aimed at any one particular person. It’s just mainly out of frustration,” Williams said. Williams wrote “We the citizens of eastern Pender County would like as much attention paid to the entire project by the folks in Raleigh, as has been given to a very small group of folks who want to argue over one silly interchange... Hampstead and Eastern Pender County will survive and thrive regardless of how many interchanges it takes to keep people safe and traffic moving. “We respectfully request that you gentlemen put this at the front of your list so the folks of eastern Pender County can finally know that there is an actual plan that is funded.

Hopefully you can convince your fellow representatives and the Governor to govern and do what is right for a region. Williams says in the most recent prioritization process, the bypass project did not rank high enough to be considered of statewide significance. It will not be funded in 2015 due to the overall coast of the project. It is also not feasible for the regional or division allotment of funds to build the project. Williams plans a meeting with Rep. Millis this week. “We have to somehow as a community rally behind our representatives. They are working hard for us, but we also have to stand up for ourselves,” Williams told the Post & Voice. “I’m frustrated with this. The elections are behind us and we have to start beating the bypass drum again. We are in no-man’s land when it comes to this project.” The N.C. DOT has already purchased property in the corridor acquisition. “There is a three-year window to preserve the corridor and we are running out of time,” Williams said.

Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew

Warmer than usual weather and rain the night before Christmas eve brought foggy conditions to much of Pender County, including the Courthouse Square in Burgaw.

2014 year in review

News stories from the pages of the Post & Voice Editor’s Note: The following is a synopsis of news stories from the front pages of the Post & Voice during 2014. The date of each edition is referenced. April 30 Concerns voiced at Penderlea meeting Penderlea residents voiced a number of concerns at a public meeting april 24 at the Penderlea Fire station. County Commissioner Jimmy Tate, who represents the area,

sponsored the meeting, which included county officials, North Carolina Department of Transportation representatives, as well as the N.C. Highway Patrol first sergeant of this district. Topsail Beach Town Center moves ahead The Topsail Beach town board approved construction bids for the Town Center parking lot and playground equipment at the board’s April

23 meeting. “All this money is reimbursable to the town because of the grant money,” said Mayor Howard Braxton. The Town Center phase one work is scheduled to be completed by July 2014 on the one-acre lot at the corner of S. Anderson Blvd. and Davis Avenue. Phase one includes a playground, events area, benches, restrooms, area for lawn games, connecting paths

and a parking area. May 7 BOC designates land for Hampstead Library Pender County library officials and Hampstead Library supporters now have a piece of land to envision a new library building. County commissioners designated the northwest portion of the old Topsail High School property for the new library The land, currently a ball field adjacent to the old school building, is approximately four acres. Job situation improves slowly in Pender County Employment figures released by the N.C. Department of Commerce show Pender County’s unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged from February to March this year. The rate increased slightly from 7.6 to 7.7 percent. However, the rate showed a large improvement over last year’s March numbers, falling from 9.3 percent in 2013. May 14 Surf City Walmart to open May 14 The new Walmart Neighborhood Market opens May 14 with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. The new store, approximately one-quarter the size of a Walmart Supercenter, is located at 420 Fun Center Drive and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The store will

provide local customers with a new, convenient option for their grocery shopping needs, including fresh produce and pharmacy services. County jail renovation project nearly complete The renovation of the old Pender County jail in Burgaw is nearly complete, with a few details to be finished before the county tourism department moves in. “The only thing remaining to be done to be occupied is the county has to install its IT equipment and phone lines,” said Burgaw Town Manager Chad McEwen. McEwen says the Blueberry Festival is occupying one of the offices that was originally planned to be used for storage for the town of Burgaw. May 21 Pender County to recoupe back taxes The law firm retained by Pender County is collecting back taxes, according to a report presented to Pender County commissioners. Sherman & Rodgers, the law firm retained by the county to take legal action to collect taxes, told commissioners a majority of taxpayers respond to the initial demand letter. Other cases reguire litigation. Burgaw, Surf City say no tax hike Surf City and Burgaw residents can breathe a sigh of relief as town officials say there

• 2014 Mower Closeout •

Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew

Farris Leonard organized a 24-hour candlelight vigil to support Pender County law enforcement Dec. 22-23 on the Courthouse Square in Burgaw. Leonard is pictured above with daughter Brittney Somers. Leonard was joined by others in support of the vigil during the course of the event.

will be no tax increases in the new budgets. Burgaw Town manager Chad McEwen says the town has a balanced draft budget under consideration by the board of commissioners. “The major highlight of the budget is no tax increase,” McEwen said. May 28 Pender County manager resigns; takes job in the mountains After a little more than two years on the job, Pender County Manager Dr. Mickey Duvall is heading back to the mountains. In a letter dated May 21, Duvall announced his resignation – his final day with Pender County government will be June 6 Duvall followed retiring manager Rick Benton in February 2012. Duvall will be the new executive director for Region D., High County Council of Governments in Boone. School, county officials wrestle with budget With adoption of the county budget just under a month away, Pender County school officials are working with commissioners to hammer out the details of the school’s portions of the county budget. School officials met with commissioners May 19 to present budget requests and make a pitch for more money. School board members high-

Continued on page 2A

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