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Backyard adventures The Moores Creek Battlefield, the only National park in southeastern North Carolina, is well worth a visit. Read about it this week on page 1B
Volume 44, No. 40
P ST Voice The Pender-Topsail
&
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Summer baseball Trask hurler Jordan Flora is one of many Pender high school players on the Hampstead Legion baseball team. Read more in sports on 10A
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The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
BOE says county school budget is too little, calls for mediation
School Board, Commissioners battle over budget By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher The Pender County Board of Education and County Commissioners faced off across a table at a mandatory mediation session Monday night. The School Board, unhappy with the school’s allotment in the new budget, requested the mediation. Former N.C. Supreme Court Judge Willis Whichard is the mediator assigned to the sessions. If the two boards cannot reach an agreement by August 1, then court may be the next step. State law says counties must adequately fund school systems. What is adequate is the point of discussion. Following the meeting, both boards agreed to meet with Whichard in a private small group session July 9. The small group will consist of both board
chairs, both attorneys, the finance directors, the county manager and the school superintendent. Attorney Richard Schwartz made the case for the School Board, with a presentation lasting more than 45 minutes. In the presentation, Schwartz outlined the school system’s need for increased funding in the face of rising enrollment across the county. “If you continue to go year after year without funding increase, sooner or later you hit the breaking point,” Schwartz told Commissioners. “Unfortunately that is where we are and it is coming at a time when you just passed a dramatic tax increase.” Schwartz said the School Board is not asking for a tax increase and says the $2.61 million requested increase in the school budget can come from the county fund balance, debt service savings, and
From Black River to the Beaches
Big July 4 planned in Pender
extra revenue received by the county. The school system is asking for the funding increase to cover needs in both the current expense and the capital outlay portions of the budget. During the presentation, Schwartz said approximately 8.2 cents of the 11 cents attributed to the $75 million school bond was actually needed to fund the bond. After the school board presentation, Commission Chairman David Williams told Schwartz it was an impressive presentation, but the commissioners have not had the opportunity to see the presentation until then and needed time to prepare a response. Following the meeting, Williams Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew did take issue with some of the School School Board attorney Richard Schwartz makes the Board’s figures.
Continued on page 15A
school’s case for increased funding while school board members Brad George and Karen Rouse listen.
A quiet sunrise
DSS director Shiver put on leave
By Andy Pettigrew and Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writers Independence Day celebration are planning from east to west across Pender County to celebrate the holiday this weekend. Surf City July 3 Independence Day celebrations kick off with perhaps the largest event in Pender County – the Surf City celebration Friday evening in Soundside Park. The fun begins at 6 with music from Mark Roberts and the Breeze, a long-time participant in the Surf City celebration. There will be activities for the children and fireworks just after 9 p.m. Surf City Mayor Zander Guy says it’s always a good idea to arrive early for the event. “We are excited for the local folks and our visitors,” Guy said. Guy says the town sent out a reverse 911 message to everyone to alert the visitors to the island about the celebration. Traffic is always an issue with the Surf City event. “We recommend people show up about 5 p.m. and secure a parking space. We do everything we can to try and cut down on congestion but when you are an island, that is only so much you can do,” Guy said. Holly Ridge July 4 The town of Holly Ridge will hold it’s annual July 4 event at the Holly Ridge Municipal Park on Sound Road. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with fun for the family. Bring your lawn chairs,
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From Staff Reports Pender County Department of Social Services Director Dr. Reta Shiver has been placed on administrative leave, according to county officials. Shiver has been placed on paid leave for personnel reasons and no further details were available. Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser will assume Shivers duties while she is on leave, the length of which has not been disclosed. blankets, and a picnic supper. There will be music and food is available. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Willard July 4 The Willard Outreach Organization will be having its annual Fourth of July celebration Saturday. The event will start at 10 a.m. with a parade making its way down N.C. Highway 11 from Railroad Street to the Willard Outreach Center. The official kick-off for the follow-up festivities will begin at 11 a.m. at the Outreach Center. Following the parade, there will be a variety of activities that will include an antique car and bike show. Bouncy inflatables and games will be on site to keep the kids happy. There will be live entertainment with a DJ, as well as a festive selection of foods and drinks at the vendor booths. A live auction is on the agenda, and door prizes will be given. There will be zumba,
Continued on page 3A
County hires new finance director
Photo by Bet Wilson
The sun breaks through morning clouds over the ocean on an empty Topsail Island beach.
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After a long search, Pender County Manager Randell Woodruff announced the hiring of Katherine Brafford for the position of Finance Director. Brafford currently works as Finance Director for the City of Henderson. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), is a Certified Local Government Finance Officer, is a member of the North Carolina Association of CPA’s (NCACPA), the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA) and the North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association (NCGFOA). “We are extremely pleased to welcome Kathy,” said Woodruff. “She brings over twenty (20) years of combined experience in State and Local Government to the Finance Department.” Brafford will begin her duties in late July.