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POST Voice Thursday, May 2, 2019
Vol. 49, No.29
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The Media of Record for the People of Pender County www.post-voice.com Information cards already sent to property owners
Rebuilding the beach
Property reval notices expected in 10 days By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
Sand continues to be added to the beach in Surf City as the town repairs damage from Hurricane Florence. Screening sand pushed the project into May past the sea turtle season deadline, but town ofďŹ cials expect to receive approval to ďŹ nish the project, which will end in early May.
Beach businesses report strong Easter, hopeful for good summer Surf City officials say the Easter holiday brought a large number of visitors to Topsail Island. The holiday ran for the week before and after Easter. “Businesses say they really did well this Easter season and are looking forward to the summer,� said Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin. “Even the people who were complaining and saying we were not going to do as well this year because of the hurricane have realized the people
are still coming.� Hurricane recovery Considerable construction work continues on Topsail Island, as property owners prepare for the summer rental season. Medlin says realtors are reporting about 80 to 90 percent of the usual summer rentals will be ready by June 1. Bookings for the summer season is strong. Electrical contractors working on the island are completing work that began last fall and was interrupted by Hurricane Florence. “They had replaced the
By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
light poles going toward the south end of the island last fall. Then the hurricane stopped their work. Now they are back putting up the new lines,� Medlin said. Sand replacement Truckloads of sand continue to be added to the beach replacing sand lost to the hurricane. The sand project was scheduled to be completed May 1, but difficulties have pushed the project into May, which encroaches on the sea turtle nesting season. Extra screening of the sand for rocks has delayed
the project, as well as cost Surf City more money. Medlin expect to be able to continue moving sand into early May. “We met with Jean Beasley (Turtle Hospital Director) and other wildlife officials. Jean said beach patrols from the turtle hospital will begin May 1 looking for turtle nests. Any nests would be found quickly and would not be disturbed by the sand project.� Medlin says the sand project should be completed by the first week of May.
Street Dance Friday night
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Depot Friday May 3 from 6-9 p.m. Barbecue plates will be available and DJ Jason Aycock will be there to spin the tunes. The Spring Fest Family Fun Run will be Saturday
Pender schools stay open on May 1 teachers rally day From Staff Reports Pender County school officials decided to keep county schools open during the May 1 teachers protest rally in Raleigh. In a press release, Pender Schools said a determination had been made that Pender County Schools will remain open on May 1. As of last week, 80 PCS teachers had submitted requests to be out of their classrooms on May 1, many of whom will be taking part in the N.C. Association of Educators demonstration in Raleigh. The decision for schools to remain open was reached April 25 at a special Board of Education meeting. “We understand the reasons behind the May 1
march, and fully support our teachers’ right to express their opinion and advocate for positive change in the education system,� Pender County Schools superintendent Dr. Steven Hill said. Substitute teachers will be used to fill in for absent teachers May 1, allowing instruction to continue. Because of Hurricane Florence and its aftermath, students in Pender County have already missed as many as 30 days of class time this year. By not closing campuses across the county, the academic calendar will remain unchanged, meaning school will finish on June 14 with no additional days needed.
Sheriff ’s Office plans community meeting in Rocky Point May 21
Spring Fest Saturday in Burgaw
The 40th Annual Pender County Spring Fest is Saturday. The festival takes place each year at Burgaw’s Courthouse Square in celebration of Pender County’s cultural heritage. Those who attend can expect to enjoy a wide range of music, arts, crafts and activities for children provided by vendors from across Pender County. Local churches and civic organizations will also offer a variety of foods including baked goods. Information on Spring Fest can be found on page A14, including a map, vendor’s list, game schedule, and schedule of entertainment. The annual Street Dance will be held at the
The letter in the mail eagerly anticipated by county residents is close to arriving – the Pender County property revaluation notice. Pender County Tax Assessor Justin Pound says the notices are going to the printer and should be in county mailboxes in about 10 days. Proper ty owners received a card in the mail last week with information about the revaluation and instructions on how to discuss property valu-
ation figures with county officials. “It was important to the County Commissioners that we notified everyone and gave them an understanding about what was going to happen,� Pound said. “Moving forward, the next step is the reval notices.� Property owners with concerns about how hurricane damage affected their property assessment should contact the county tax office. County officials are prepared to discuss property revaluations with all interested taxpayers.
From Staff Reports The Pender County Sheriff ’s Office will hold a community meeting with Sheriff Alan Cutler and other officials May 21. The meeting will be held at the Rocky Point
at 8 a.m. It is a free, untimed event for the whole family. Registration will be held at 7:30 a.m. in front of Burgaw Presbyterian Church. The run is approximately 2.6 miles.
Friendship Community Building 17808 N.C. Hwy. 210 in Rocky Point. Light refreshments will be served. Residents are invited to attend and voice any concerns or questions.
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