Willard Outreach The Willard Outreach Center serves the community in western Pender County. Read about the center’s work on page 1B.
Volume 44, No. 30
POST Voice The Pender-Topsail
&
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Winning streak to 13 The Topsail Pirates pushed their winning streak to 13 as they chase another state title. Read more in sports on page 10A.
50 Cents
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
Burgaw Police chief suspended amid reorganization By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher In a surprise move, Burgaw town officials suspended Police Chief Montrina Sutton and announced a reorganization of the town’s police department. In an announcement re-
leased late Monday afternoon, town manager Chad McEwen said Sutton will begin serving a two-week disciplinary related suspension beginning at 5 p.m. April 20. For mer Burg aw Police Chief Wayne Briley will serve as acting administrative police chief during Sut-
ton’s suspension. A reorganization of the Burgaw Police Department will follow Sutton’s suspension. The announcement said “greater efficiency and effectiveness will be realized through a department reorganization. As part of this reorganization, the Major and
Captain positions within the Burgaw Police Department will be eliminated. “It is the opinion of the mayor, board of commissioners, and town manager that the current staffing of the police department places too much focus on administrative and command level positions
rather than patrol level positions. By refocusing the police departments’ resources on patrol level positions, we believe a higher level of service can be provided to the residents through greater efficiency within the depart-
Continued on page 2A
Chief Montrina Sutton
Demetrice Keith to take seat on county board
Higher education in Surf City
By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Pender County Democrats elected Demetrice Keith to fill the unexpired term of former Commissioner Jimmy Tate. Tate resigned earlier this month due to job obligations. Pender County Democratic Party Chairman James Faison Jr. made the announcement. Commission Chairman David Williams says Keith will be sworn in at the next board meeting May 11.
“We want to prepare her all we can. We want her to have anything she needs in advance,” Williams said. “For anyone who has just come on the board, it’s impossible to catch up. You just get kind of thrown into things. We want to make sure if she has any questions she gets the answers.” Keith is no stranger to Pender County politics, having run unsuccessfully twice for a seat on the Pender County Board of Education in 2010 and 2014.
CFCC Surf City campus opens Classes will begin as early as May By Tammy Proctor Post & Voice Staff Writer
Staff photo by Tammy Proctor
Surf City Mayor Zander Guy cuts to the ribbon to open the new CFCC Surf City campus Saturday. Helping with the ribbon cutting is CFCC President Dr. Amanda Lee and Chairman of the Trustees Jason Harris.
Pender EMS and Fire improve ISO ratings Long Creek/Grady, Sloop Point, Hampstead fire districts affected By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Some Pender County residents could see lower homeowner’s insurance rates with the announcement of improved ISO ratings from Pender EMS and Fire. Insurance Office of State Fire Marshall (OSFM) and announce effective July 1 the communities of the Long Creek/Grady Fire District will have an insurance rating of a Class 5 and the Sloop Point and
Hampstead Fire Districts now Pender EMS and Fire District will have an insurance rating of a Class 4. The ratings help determine rates homeowners pay for insurance. “It took a team effort from all the staff at Pender EMS and Fire. Without them, this would not have happened,” said Pender EMS and Fire Chief Woody Sullivan. Since the merger of the
Continued on page 2A
The Surf City campus of Cape Fear Community College was dedicated April 18. In spite of rain, a crowd gathered to open the new campus of higher learning as well as to pay homage to the people who made a dream a reality in the Alston W. Burke Center. Burke, who dedicated his life to education, coaching, and mentoring, donated the 23 acre parcel to Cape Fear Community College. “He was from the depression era,” said Teresa Batts, who approached Burke about selling the property. “I was overwhelmed by his generosity.” Batts gave an emotional and loving tribute to the late Alston W. Burke. The Surf City campus will grow over the years to as many as seven buildings, said CFCC
officials. Yet, on April 18, the first building was dedicated and named after Surf City Mayor Zander Guy. Guy called it an honor but he thanked the many people in the audience who came together to bring CFCC to the community. He thanked the town council of Surf City, as well as Topsail Beach Mayor Howard Braxton and North Topsail Beach Dan Tuman who shared his vision of bringing Cape Fear Community College to the area. “This is economic development,” said Guy. “It’s about education and jobs.” Guy added that he envisions military personnel taking advantage of the nearby campus to further their education. Dr. Amanda Lee, president of Cape Fear Community College and Jason Harris, the
Continued on page 3A
Regional DOT meeting in Hampstead April 23 Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
Pender EMS and Fire Chief Woody Sullivan (right) and Pender County Commission Chairman David Williams at Tuesday’s press conference. Maps of the new fire districts are published on page 4B of The Post & Voice.
From Staff Reports A regional transportation planning meeting is scheduled in Hampstead this week, aimed at gathering public input on the area’s needs for the next 25 years.
The public is invited to attend the meeting April 23 at 4 p.m. at the Hampstead Pender County Annex (the old Topsail School) at Highway 17 and Hoover Road.
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