Fun’d run Saturday
POST Voice The Pender-Topsail
The Matthew 25 Center in Burgaw will sponsor a 5K walk/run Saturday on the Courthouse Square. See more on page 15A
Volume 44, No. 25
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Thursday, March 19, 2015
Commissioners, school board to work together Pender County commissioners and the county board of education issued a joint statement declaring they will work together. Chairman David Williams and Karen Rouse, the chair of the Pender County Board of Education, said, “Each of our boards authorized us to work together with the superintendent, county manager, and our respective staffs to formulate a plan for the completion of the bond projects.” In the statement they said they are confident that a final funding schedule will be presented to both boards in April. This will allow the two boards to construct the needed improvements in a way that “results in quality buildings built in a financially responsible way.” “We take seriously our joint duty to provide safe, secure schools and to be good stewards of public funds for all the taxpayers of Pender County,” said Williams and Rouse in the statement. Both boards promise to keep the community informed and updated throughout the process. The commissioners voted to
change their own meetings from the first and third Mondays of each month to the second and fourth Mondays. Currently the commissioners and the board of education meet the same day. The commissioners begin at 4 p.m. and meetings often last several hours. The board of education meetings begin at 6 p.m. The change of meeting dates allows the commissioners to attend school board meetings and visa versa. In other business related to the commissioners and the board of education, Bob Jessup, bond counsel, explained the process of approval for the school bond. Jessup said the commissioners will pass one more resolution. He said commissioners will establish a schedule that will be reviewed by the Local Government Council (LGC). Jessup said the LGC is not judging the schedule but they want an articulated plan and repayment plan. Chair David Williams stated that the county will review a schedule, but first the county approved financing for county projects such as the Topsail School Annex renovation and the Pender Commerce Park waste water treatment plant.
DSS to begin office hours at the Hampstead Annex From Staff Reports Effective April 1, The Pender County Department of Social Services will have staf f at the Hampstead Annex every Wednesday to assist citizens from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Appointments are suggested but not required. To make an appointment, call (910) 259-1240. If it is not possible to make an appointment in advance, provisions will be made to assist those who
come to apply. Applicants may apply for the following benefits: s&OOD ASSISTANCE s&ISHING LICENSE s7ORK PERMITS s(OUSING ASSISTANCE s-EDICAL TRANSPORTATION s-EDICAID s%NERGY ASSISTANCE s#LOTHING ASSISTANCE s7ORK lRST s)NFORMATION AND REFERRAL service
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
Rosalind Townsend, owner of Sunny Soap, talks with visitors to the Women’s Expo in Surf City Saturday. Townsend’s, handmade soap scent filled the gym with fragrance. See more photos of the event on page 5B.
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Warm temperatures and dry weather sent the county’s baseball and softball teams to the field. Read about it in sports beginning on 10A
50 Cents
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
Boards pledge communication, unity
By Tammy Proctor Post & Voice Staff Writer
Diamond action
Let’s go fly a kite
Citizens suggest name for bridge By Tammy Proctor Post & Voice Staff Writer
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, according to the old saying. Kindergarten students at Cape Fear Elementary learned about the March wind last week by flying kites. See more photos on the Post & Voice Facebook page.
Busy meeting for county commissioners By Tammy Proctor Post & Voice Staff Writer From fox trapping to FOCUS study, the Pender County Commissioners listened to eight presentations before approving their consent agenda. Among the presentations was Steve Keen, from the office of Gov. Pat McCrory. He talked about the improvements in the state in the last two years, including the improvement in the unemployment rate. “Jobs, jobs, jobs,” said Keen. “Jobs are very important to the governor.” Keen met with Pender County leaders and staff to discuss concerns at the local level. Williams said Keen took a lot of questions and concerns. “It’s nice that from the Governor’s office is expressing what you can do for us,” said Commissioner George Brown. Sgt. David Jordan, of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Division of Law Enforcement, informed the commissioners there was still time to be included in language in a senate bill authored by Bill Rabon that would allow fox trapping. “Wildlife is neutral on this,” said Jordan who was not advocating for or against trapping fox. “Fox can be hunted but not trapped,” he said. “Trapping season is Dec. 1 through Feb. 28,” said Jordan. He said if the bill passes, fox can be trapped. Once caught, their pelts can be sold for the fur or they can be turned over licensed fox pens. Commissioners took no action at this time.
Relay for Life Tiffany Fountain, community manager for the Pender County Relay For Life, said the world’s largest non-profit benefit is coming to the Pender County Courthouse April 18, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. “We’re mixing things up,” said Fountain. “This is going to be a daytime fair event.” The event has been hosted by Topsail High School. This year it is moving westward to Burgaw. She commended the Pender County Sheriff ’s Department for their support of Relay For Life. For more information about the Pender County Relay For Life, call Fountain at 910470-8785. Bob Jessup, Pender County’s bond counsel explained the process for the school bond. Jessup said it is a 90-day process. Pender County Planning Director Kyle Breuer reported to the commissioners that the staff has been proactive in trying to make broadband available in rural, underserved areas of the county. Breuer is working with Jason Semple of the North Carolina Broadband Division of the Department of Commerce Kurt Frenzel. “We hope for a contract soon,” said Breuer who inventoried potential towers, water towers, and fire towers to locate a provider. Adrienne Cox, project manager for FOCUS, a regional study that coordinates with local governments and organizations to identify common goals. Cox said the three-year grant is winding down. The study focuses on economy, environment, health, housing, transportation,
Continued on page 9A
Hap Alexander is on a mission. The long-time island business man and restaurateur, attended the Mar. 3 Surf City council meeting and the March 11 Topsail Beach commissioners’ meeting to request passage of a resolution to name the new bridge the Angelo DePaola Bridge. “Never in my 65 years have I had such an honor,” Alexander said. “I have never met a more humble servant and hero.” Alexander is urging the two towns to pass resolutions to name the highrise bridge that will replace the swing bridge in honor of DePaola. DePaola, 94, has spent a life in service, Alexander said. DePaola, who resides in the area with his daughter, served in the U.S. Marines and as fire chief at Camp Lejeune. An immigrant who came to the United States at the age of 16, DePaolo is a World War II veteran. He was one of only a handful of survivors in his rifle platoon in the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill on Okinawa. His platoon was Lejeune’s 29th Marine Regiment. “He has a Bronze Star,” Alexander said. “He drew fire away from his unit and he dragged wounded men out.” DePaola was a volunteer training officer at the Topsail Beach Fire Department. Topsail Beach Fire Chief Bobby Humphrey agrees with Alexander. He said the town’s high rating is due to DePaola’s service and the bridge should
Continued on page 2A
Council on Community Affairs meets By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher The Pender County Council on Community Affairs has elected a chair and vice-chair, according to county commissioner Jimmy Tate. Greg Gobels was elected chairman of the committee, along with Aaron Helfer Mar. 12. “We have been meeting once a month and we are planning a hall of fame for Pender County to recognize leaders and promote young leaders to step up,” Tate said. “We have a chairman from the west and a vice-chair from the east. We want to bring the county together. I want to put the vision out there and see what the committee comes up with
Continued on page 9A
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