Baking in Burgaw Two Burgaw ladies are baking creations out of their small shop in the shadow of the Pender Courthouse. Read about the Burgaw Bakery on page 1C.
Volume 43, No.51
POST Voice The Pender-Topsail
&
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Pender County commissioners passed two resolutions to straighten accounting and budget errors made by the previous county manager and finance director. Interim Finance Officer Mike Apple asked the commissioners to transfer $200,000 to the Parks and Recreation Capital Outlay. While setting the fiscal year 2014-2015 budget, the commissioners had allocated $200,000 for projects at Hampstead Kiwanis Park and Pender Memorial Park. However, the monies were not placed in the budget. Apple suggested moving $200,000 from a debt services account which the commissioners will not use because they did not incur the debt yet from the Capital Improvement Program. “You’re not spending funds on debt services,” explained Apple at the Sept. 14 commis-
Trask Titan football has done what hasn’t been done since 2010 – winning two in a row. Read about Titan football and more in sports on 1B.
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
Budget problems frustrate county commissioners By Tammy Proctor Post & Voice Staff Writer
Titans win two in a row
Remembering 9-11
“I can’t fathom how bad we look.” Pender County Commissioner Jimmy Tate sioners’ meeting, regarding a that particular fund. “During the budget process we discussed renting land and making improvements,” said Chair David Williams. “The commitments were made but the money wasn’t in the budget,” said Bob Murphy, interim county manager. “This isn’t additional money.” “I can’t fathom how bad we look,” said Commissioner Jimmy Tate. “This is a lot of taxpayers’ money coming out of the general fund.” Tate, as well as George Brown, asked for more details in these budget mishaps. In the second financial accounting error, commissioners approved a resolution to
Continued on page 9A
Group carries on fight against midtown ramp Area residents continue to voice their opinions on the Highway 17 Hampstead midtown bypass interchange scheduled for construction in 2035. So far communication between the citizens and North C a ro l i n a D e p a r t m e n t o f Transportation officials has been less productive than anticipated, but Hampstead resident Mike Nadeau remains optimistic that progress is being made. Nadeau began to question the necessity of the midtown
ramp several years ago when he realized the plan included three ramps within a fourmile stretch of Highway 17 in the small community of Hampstead. One is scheduled to connect with Highway 210 West, and another just north of Topsail Middle School. These two ramps are set to be about four miles apart, Nadeau questioned the necessity of a third ramp needed between the two. In search of an explanation for a decision that seemed illogical, Nadeau contacted NCDOT officials to request
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The closing of Carolina Blvd.
Controversy continues in Topsail Beach By Tammy Proctor Post & Voice Staff Writer
Hampstead bypass
By Lori Kirkpatrick Contributing Writer
50 Cents
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
Jim Williams, a member of the American Legion Post 167 in Hampstead, raises the flag in front of the Surf City Fire Station on N.C. 210. The special dedication of the flagpole and flag, donated by the Woodmen of the World Hampstead Chapter 1483, was part of the 9-11 memorial service on Sept. 11. See more photos of the event on Facebook.
After several months of debate, arguments of setting precedents, and weighing the costs, the commissioners in Topsail Beach will conduct a public hearing about closing a portion of Carolina Boulevard at the Emma Anderson Chapel. If legal notices can appear in the newspaper for four consecutive weeks and certified letters are delivered to neighboring property owners, the Town of Topsail Beach will conduct a public hearing on Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. The motion to advertise and have a public hearing was approved by a 3-to-2 vote with commissioners Linda Stipe and Larry Combs voting no. According to town manager Tim Holloman, the cost to advertise, send the certified letters, and legal fees will cost approximately $3800. During the meeting, the question was raised by Commissioner Linda Stipe about emails to commissioners by church leaders asking commissioners about their vote. Stipe stepped down from her commissioner’s seat to address the town government as a citizen. She said she responded to the email from the church as an elected officials and then was clear in expressing her personal feelings as a church member. She said the church family had not taken time to pray. She said three commissioners did not respond to the church email. Morton Blanchard said he did not respond to the church’s email. He said he felt there was miscommunication, thinking the email was directed to Commissioner Larry Combs. “We’re trying to be what is best for this town,” said
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Pender Arts Council has new home Council moves into old EMS building in Burgaw By Meg Franklin Special to the Post & Voice
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
Pender Schools Superintendent Dr. Terri Cobb talks with Burgaw attorney Kent Harrell at the school bond meeting Tuesday night at Trask High School.
The Pender Arts Council held a board meeting Sept. 9 at its new official headquarters – the former EMS building on East Wilmington Street to Burgaw. Many thanks go out to the efforts of council members who spent a recent Saturday cleaning and sprucing up the building. Because of these volunteers, the council now has a central location for its official purpose – to promote the arts in central Pender County. Instead of being sold or demolished, the Arts Council asked the town board to use the former EMS building as an arts center. The town board voted to keep the building and granted the Arts Council a two-year lease.
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Photo contributed
Pender Arts Council member Rochelle Whiteside works at the former EMS building in Burgaw, now home to the Arts
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