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Currie community
Work continues in Currie on a new community center facility for the area. Read about the work of the Greater Currie Community Action Group and their efforts to build a center on page 1B.
Volume 45, No. 14
513 Roland Ave Surf City, NC (910) 328-2105 www.shopthebee.com
The Pender-Topsail
&
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Back in action After the Christmas holiday break and some tournament action, Pender County cagers will be back on the hardwood with conference games this week. Read more in sports on page 8A
50 Cents
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
BOC approves revisions to county animal ordinance
A chilly start to the new year
Changes deal mostly with dangerous dogs By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice editor Pender County Commissioners approved a number of changes to the county’s animal ordinance at Monday’s board meeting. Most notable changes include more specific wording on the definition and actions taken against dangerous dogs. The new wording defines a dangerous dog as one that: s7ITHOUT PROVOCATION HAS killed or inflicted severe injury on a person, s)S DETERMINED BY THE PERson (Sheriff) or board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the behaviors lsted in the potential dangerous dog definition, s!NY DOG OWNED OR HARbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting. There are exceptions to the definition listed in the ordinance. The ordinance changes also prohibit reptiles 25 pounds and larger and has specific
wording re garding rabies exposure. The old ordinance required cats to wear rabies vaccination tags. Sheriff Carson Smith, who presented the ordinance changes to the board, said the new wording removed the requirement for cats to wear rabies tags. h)T IS OUR OBSERVATION THERE are a lot of cats in this county that don’t wear rabies tags,� 3MITH SAID h7E WOULD SUGGEST that both for cats and ferrets, you could exempt them from having to wear them. That would be the easiest thing to do.� #OMMISSIONER $AVID 7ILliams was concerned the ordinance changes would affect the Sea Turtle Hospital, which treats turtles often in excess of 25 pounds. The board made an exception for turtles in the ordinance changes. 7ORDING WAS ALSO ADDED TO the ordinance dealing with stray animals – strays need to be taken to the animal shelter within 24 hours in an attempt TO LOCATE THE ANIMAL S OWNER )F residents do not want to take the animal to shelter, they must provide a clear photo and
Continued on page 3A
Nothing they can do for Godfrey Creek Road, commissioners say By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Despite damage to Godfrey Creek Road from a wet fall and December storms that has left many residents of the Hampstead-area road stranded, Pender County Commissioners reaffirmed their inability to fix the private dirt road. “This is a private road – a rather lengthy road. There is a lot of concern about accessibility by EMS and fire and other potential problems,� said Commissioner David Piepmeyer. “Sheriff Smith has addressed this problem head-on and tried to be proactive to ensure we can do all we can do to respond TO THESE INDIVIDUALS 7E ARE
concerned, but unfortunately, it is a private road, so it has responsibilities that are outside our domain. More than 50 homes are located along the road. Pender County has hundreds of miles of private, non-state maintained roads, the majority of which are not eligible to be taken over by the state, due to ownership, easement, and design problems. During the past few years, Commissioners have been approached by residents of numerous private roads in the county with similar problems. h)F WE DID SOMETHING FOR one, we would have to do it for all,� Piepmeyer said.
Staff photos by Andy Pettigrew
A crowd turned out for the annual New Year’s Day Dolphin Dip Extravangaza in Surf City Jan. 1. High tide at the noon swim time and beach erosion at the Roland Street access made for a crowded beach as hundreds took the annual plunge into the chilly Atlantic Ocean. See more photos of the event on page 4B and on Facebook.
LGC approves Pender audit, moves ahead on school bond By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
The North Carolina Local Government Commission approved Pender County’s audit for the 2014-15 fiscal year last week. “The audit has been approved and as they continue to review it we possibly could get a letter telling us about any deficiencies and recomendations they may find,�
said County Finance Director Kathy Brafford. The audit will be presented to commissioners at the board’s next meeting. “That’s music to my ears,� said Commissioner David 7ILIAMS 7OODRUFF SAID HE AND "RAFford will meet with LGC officials Friday to receive discuss
moving ahead with the school bond. h7E WILL BE MEETING WITH them to get guidance on how to proceed with the next funding necessary to keep the design process flowing on the school BOND PROJECTS v 7OODRUFF SAID h7E HAVE TO UPDATE THEM ON our financial situation and get their input.�
Phillip Cotman
Brandon Winesett
Carlos Nixon
Timothy Carter
Men sought on drug charges From Staff Reports The Pender County Sheriff ’s Office is currently looking for the following individuals for outstanding warrants on narcotics violations. The Sherif f ’s Of fice is requesting assistance from
the public in locating these individuals; Timothy Carter, 29, wanted for the sale and delivery of heroin; Carlos Per nell Nixon, 31, wanted for the manufacture of a schedule 1 controlled substance, and
possession of heroin; Phillip Cotman, 23, wanted for the sale and delivery of heroin, AND "RANDON *AY 7INESETT 27, wanted for conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule 3 controlled substance, and the maintenance of a vehicle or
dwelling for the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. !NYONE WITH INFORMATION on the whereabouts of any of the individuals can contact the Pender County Sheriff ’s Office at 910-259-1212.
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