Socks and shoes Two local teens are collecting shoes for charity and students at their school are walking around in just their socks. Read more on page 3A.
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ST &Voice
The Pender-Topsail Veterans Day 11.11.14
Rivals clash Friday It’s the last game of the football regular season and county rivals Pender and Trask will face each other. Read about it on page 1B.
Thursday, November 6, 2014 Volume 44, No.6
50 Cents
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
Yes by 57-43 percent margin
A direct hit at Cape Fear schools
Bond approved, work on schools to begin soon By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Work on Pender County Schools will begin as soon as possible, following the approval of the $75 million school bond. Remodeling and additions to existing schools will likely be the first projects to begin, with new school construction to take longer to get underway. “We will immediately begin the architectural design for all the buildings and get that out of the way, and establish a schedule,” said School Board member Tom Roper. “Some of the remodeling work we may be able to do on our own – we won’t need an architect. It can take six to 10 months
to get plans ready and sent to Raleigh for approval. The state Department of Public Instruction has to approve major renovations like the Penderlea project and new schools. “We can’t do every project on day one. We will have to work with the county commissioners on the payment schedule,” Roper said. “There is a lot of preparation before any dirt is moved.” The planned new K-8 school in the Surf City area will be built using the plans of Cape Fear Elementary, which the county owns. However there is no location for the school as of yet. “We don’t have a site for
Continued on page 2A
Pender County voters return incumbents to office By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Editor
Staff photos by Andy Pettigrew
A youngster sends a stack of cans tumbling (above) with a direct hit at the Cape Fear Elementary and Middle School Fall Festival Oct. 30. CFES physical education teacher Dr. Chris Wirszyla (right) gets a temporary tattoo, not a flu shot, at the event. See more photos on page 4C and Facebook.
Board calls for unity on school issues By Tammy Proctor Post & Voice Staff Writer At the conclusion of an hour-long public meeting, commissioners Fred McCoy
and George Brown expressed concern and disappointment regarding quotes made by Pender County Board of Education member Tom Roper. The quote, which appeared in the Pender-Topsail Post & Voice accused the commissioners of paying for an jail on the backs of Pender’s school children. “This type of comment doesn’t help us to work together,” said McCoy. “Let’s put behind us petty politics and do what is best for the county.” “We’re going to take care of the county, the children, and the jail,” said Brown. “A lot of people are feeling frustrated. We need to be helpful. Not hurtful.” Commissioner Jimmy Tate addressed residency rumors.
He said he happily resides in Willard and he doesn’t serve for power. Tate has served eight years as a commissioner and says does not plan to seek re-election. Pender County commissioners approved authorized Pender Adult Services to submit a grant application with a local share of $42,312. Pender Adult Services will ask the state Department of Transportation for $363,549. According to Wesley B. Davis, the adult services executive director, two vans need replaced. Transportation Coordinator Valeria N. Sutton said these vans will include bike racks and cameras for each vehicle. Commissioners unani mously approved the Pender
Adult Services request, authorizing the grant request with the $42,312 local share and the second request with a local share of $92,957 with a grant of $185,913. In other business, a Rocky Point woman asked the commissioners for help with a dog that goes onto her prop-
Pender County residents won’t see much change in county officials as voters returned incumbents to their respective offices in Tuesday’s general election. Republican county commissioners David Williams and George Brown fended off challenges to return to the county board. Inde pendent candidate Doris Carlton had a strong showing, but was unable to overtake Brown. Democrat Eugene Meadows withdrew from the race in October, but remained on the ballot
and received nearly as many votes as Carlton. Republican David Piepmeyer will join the board representing the new District 2, defeating democrat Charles Tippit 63 to 37 percent. Republican Clerk of Superior Court Robert Kilroy defeated challenger Susan Rooks Lunsford by 10 percentage points to return to the Pender County courthouse. Pender County Sherif f Carson Smith won another term as the county’s chief law enforcement officer, defeating former Pender County Sheriff ’s detective Scott Lawson 71 to 29 percent.
erty. Sherri Robbins also requested more reimbursement for her mileage when driving herself to the doctor verses taking county transportation. The commissioners directed her to the proper department. Commissioners approved the capital budget for the
engineering design, permitting, bidding, inspections, testing, and construction of the Pender Commerce Park. Utilities Director Michael Mack said the resolution was a “housekeeping” matter since the expenditures were approved more than one year ago.
County manager search down to one By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher The search for a new Pender County manager has narrowed to one candidate, according to county commission chairman David Williams. “We were very pleased with
our follow-up interview last Friday and we have it narrowed down to one. If all goes well, we hope to make an announcement in a couple of weeks,” Williams said. “They are aware of the political area and there is no politics in this person.”
Williams says the Board of Commissioners has a few more issues to discuss. “We have to make sure we are all on the same page. I think realistically we should Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew have someone in place by the Dennis Fusco keeps an eye on the barbecue at the Marine Corps League’s annual first of the year,” said Wilbarbecue sale at Hampstead United Methodist Church Nov.1. See more photos of the liams.
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