Post & Voice 7.16.15

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Backyard adventures

POST Voice

Basketball clinic

The Pender-Topsail

The Sea Turtle Hospital in Surf City attracts thousands of visitors each summer. Read about the hospital in Backyard Adventures on page 1B.

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Thursday, July 16, 2015

The Topsail Basketball Association held its annual summer clinic last week with a big group participating. Read about it and more in sports on page 9A.

Volume 44, No. 42

The Media of Record for the People of Pender County

Topsail Beach

Singing on the square

Bone to challenge Braxton for mayor

Bus drivers needed in Pender Pender County Schools is seeking bus drivers to fill fulltime, part-time and substitute positions. Prior experience is not necessary. The district will provide instruction and behindthe-wheel training. “Our bus drivers are often the first people to greet children each day,” Superintendent Terri Cobb said. “It’s amazing how much the simple kindness of smiling and saying, ‘Good morning’ to a child can impact the rest of his or her school day. And our drivers do that – they make that difference.” Driving for Pender County Schools is an opportunity for retirees or anyone looking to give back to the community and children of the county. For more information, contact the Pender County Schools Transportation Department at (910) 259-0141.

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BOE, BOC continue in mediation talks Board representatives met last week, again this week for discussions By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher The Pender County Board of Education and County Commissioners continue to meet in mediation sessions working to come to an agreement on the county’s portion of the school budget. Representatives of each board met with the mediator July 9 and again July 15. During the mediation, each group is in a separate room and the mediator goes back and forth for discussions. Pender County Commission Chair man David Williams couldn’t say much about

By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Topsail Beach councilman Julian Bone has thrown his hat into the ring in the mayor’s race. Bone will challenge incumbent Howard Braxton Jr. Three candidates have also filed for seats on the Topsail Beach Board of Commissioners. Steve Smith, William Jordan, and Herb Netherton will be on the fall ballot. In Burgaw, commissioners Red Robbins and Elaine Tyson have filed for reelection, along with newcomer William E. “Bill” George III. Charles Rooks is up for reelection, but has yet to file for the fall municipal election as of July 14. In Surf City, Garry Noel, Donald Ray Helms, and Buddy Fowler have filed in Pender County, along with Donna S. Thigpen and Nelva R. Albury. Thigpen and Albury live in the Onslow County section of the town of Surf City. Mayor Zander Guy has filed for relection. The filing period for municipal elections runs through July 17 at noon.

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the ongoing closed mediation sessions. “We discussed a lot of topics and heard their needs and we have gone back with our discussions,” said Williams. “I really can’t say anything specific. Our meeting July 9 lasted about four and a half hours. I don’t think the mood of the meetings is as combative as the some in the public might think.” Williams is optimistic about the mediation. “I don’t think either side wants us to have to go to court,” he said. “We have to be willing to be open-minded without being too defensive.”

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New Burgaw Chief of Police JIm Hock was sworn in by District Court Judge James M. Faison III July 9. The swearing in service was attended by three former Burgaw Police chiefs; Keith Hinkle, Bill King, and Wayne Briley. Briley served also as interim chief prior to Hock’s arrival. Burgaw town manager Chad McEwen praised Briley for being a stablizing presence in the department and implementing several key policy changes that have increased morale and strengthened the department.

Staff photos by Andy Pettigrew

The praise team from Cora’s Grove Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church sings Saturday night on the Courthouse Square in Burgaw at the monthly gospel sing in Burgaw. Gospel music lovers of all kinds (right) enjoyed the singing.

Surfing to Stop MS coming Aug.1 By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer The 4th Annual Surfing to Stop MS Charity Surf Competition is scheduled for Aug. 1-2 at Topsail Beach beginning at 7 a.m. The event will be held at the Broadway Street beach access. Joey Grant started Surfing to Stop MS as a Topsail High School senior project four years ago, and has made the fundraiser a successful annual event. He first became involved with the MS charity after a close family friend was diagnosed with the disorder. Grant grew up in the Hampstead area and is an avid surfer. He attends Cape Fear Community College and plans to transfer to UNCW to complete his studies. He has been involved in the community for years, including building a nature trail for Topsail Elementary School as his Eagle Scout project. He also helped in the building of Hampstead’s Kiwanis Park. Jean Pollard, Grant’s mother, helps her son with the planning of the event each year. The two of them have watched the fundraiser grow each year,

but not without the challenges that have come along with it. “Every year so far we have not had the best weather,” said Pollard. “It’s not just rain - we’ve had some really bad weather. We are hoping this year to have some sun, so we’d have more people come up on the beach and look at the raffle items. Even

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with the weather problems, it still went really well all three years. The first year we donated $600, the second year it was $1,903, then last year we donated $2,550.” This year the cause has been able to receive some funding it did not have the first few years. Pollard said that each year, the local Toes in the Water Parrot Head Club chooses a charity to give to. They invited Joey to speak in front of the board, and his charity was chosen by the club this year. The club raised about $4,000 recently during a Pub Crawl, and the proceeds have been donated to the MS cause. Additionally George Hartner, who has been involved with Surfing to Stop MS from the beginning, has connections with founding Eagles band member Don Henley. Henley held a CD release party in May to benefit Grant’s charity. He donated 5,000 box sets of Eagles CDs and DVDs to be auctioned, which raised about $3,200 for Grant’s fundraiser. “We have paid for the t-shirts and trophies, when usually we have to wait until after the competition.

Continued on page 3A


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