Feb. 14, 2010 
Can spring be far behind?
Mickey Roberson of Ocracoke found this pink hyacinth in full bloom despite Saturday's snow on the island. Up north a groundhog saw his shadow earlier this month, but the message from this little southern beauty is that ...well, regardless of what some groundhog may have seen, Ocracoke is a bellwether and full of nature's splendors.
Southern Shores canal dredging a failure so far
Stymied by water problem
"It's not going to happen this year," said project manager Tom Bennett when asked Saturday about the status of the dredging – a $2.25 million Southern Shores project to clear debris from 2.75 miles of its 7.5 miles of canals for the first time since they were constructed 50 years ago.
"Our best hope to resume the effort is in October or November of next year," Bennett said. That's because state policy prohibits such dredging after Feb. 14, which is this Sunday.
The hoped for restart would require the town to ask the state for another extension of ifs $800,000 grant Southern Shores has been counting on to help offset the cost of the project
Bennett (right) with Mayor Hal Denny and others had high hopes on Jan. 13 when it was believed the long delayed dredging – first discussed by the town eight years ago – had finally begun. But later that day, the contractor again ran into trouble trying to cleanse pumped out water to the degree required by state permits before it can be returned to the canals.
On Saturday, Feb. 6, with the project at a virtual standstill, the town council meeting in emergency session declared the contractor – Sampson Contracting, Inc. of Barco – in default of its contract. In a letter received Friday, Feb. 13, by town engineer Joe Anlauf, Sampson asked the town for an extension of default proceedings.
"Obviously," said project manager Bennett, "this lack of success on the part of our contractor is a disappointment to all of us, and we can only hope for a prompt and fair resolution."
What that will be remains to be seen.
Comments
Quote of the week:
"People have to believe that government works."
– a North Carolina advocate for reform.
But how well is government working these days?
That's not only a national question, but one being raised – and getting negative replies – from citizens throughout the country at both the state and local levels as well.
North Carolina is no exception. Unfortunately, this state has long been noted for "pay to play" politics that have landed prominent players in jail. But according to this report from Raleigh, the state's current leaders believe laws already on the books are sufficient to prevent what appears to be a continuing pattern of abuse.
The past week was a tough one in terms of the weather
Water covered streets in the Colington area of Dare County during Wednesday's storm. Moor Shore Road (left) on the bayside in the village of Kitty Hawk was impassable. 
Soundside flooding occurred on Hatteras Island (right), NC 12 was closed from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe and under water in Avon and sections of Hatteras Village. Ferries to Ocracoke, Cedar Island and Swan Quarter were suspended for the day due to high winds. Dare County schools closed for the day at 11:30 a.m. Click here for photos of the flooding at Avon taken by Jen Williams...
Nags Head tries anew to preserve its beaches
Mayor Bob Oakes will ask Dare County commissioners Monday (Feb. 15) for $20 million of the county's $24 million, and growing, kitty for beach preservation in what up to now have been failed town and county efforts to get anything going.
Yet, Dare County's beaches are its major attraction and the basis of its tourist supported economy. And even if it must go it alone, Nags Head, a town that has always tried to be progressive, has not given up on saving its badly eroded beaches. Some background and further comments on the subject...
Your comments
North Carolina politics 2010:
A big year for Republicans? Don't count on it GOPers
Filing for state and county offices began Monday in North Carolina; and while Republicans are hoping for a big year nationally, it doesn't appear that the Grand Old Party of years gone by has either the horses or money needed to change the state or Dare County power structures.
First of all, you need to have someone to beat someone, as the old saying goes. And second, as ol' Jesse Unruh of California once famously said, "Money is the mother's milk of politics."
Dare County Republicans don't have enough of either ingredient, and in Raleigh the party is badly hurting for lack of mother's milk, according to a highly credible party loyalist in this report.
Hatteras Islanders slam Dare County commissioners for lack of support
"I'm angry and disappointed," an Island business leader told commissioners at their recent board meeting. "The negligence must stop."
"We need an ambassador from Hatteras Island," she said.
Aside from her grievances over beach closures and matters of concern to all county residents, perhaps the lady forgot that Hatteras Island already has an ambassador. He's the vice chairman of the county commission, Allen Burrus, a businessman, native of Hatteras Island, and a champion of its interests.
Still, her suggestion of a local ambassador was a reminder that other residents of Dare County may wish they had an ambassador, or commissioner or school board member, elected by the people living in their district rather than by voters countywide. Some North Carolina counties do it that way, most do not.
Commissioner Burrus has proved he could win on the basis of local support, but Dare County has had elections where candidates were rejected by voters in the districts they represented yet won because of countywide voting.
It's an archaic system − and of questionable legality − that dates back to when a few county bosses managed to control everything.
Your opinion, comments
Southern Shores looks for a new town manager after firing Charlie Read
For fear of violating state cover-up laws with regard to personnel matters, the mayor and town council don't say they fired Read. Instead, all they say is they voted unanimously Tuesday night (Feb. 2) to accept the resignation of Charles B. Read, Jr., as town manager, effective immediately (the tip-off that he was fired), and replaced him with Police Chief David Kole (below).
Kole remains police chief but, in addition, is also interim town manager for the time being. The 5-0 vote to dismiss Read and replace him with Kole was taken in public following a closed door council session.
It was only a matter of time before Read would be forced to leave following the ouster of Mayor Don Smith, Read's patron, in last November's election.
Smith and Read (on the right in happier days) were close friends. Smith wanted to make Read police chief following the death of Thad Pledger. After that effort failed, he arranged the hiring of his equally combative friend Read as town manager, despite the fact Read had no experience related to the position.
Last January and February, during their bitter contract dispute with the independent Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department, Smith and Read (with Read writing most of Smith's statements) denounced the SSVFD, its chief and its budget request as "deceptive, dishonest and unacceptable."
The two then threatened to create a town fire department, and Read shopped neighboring Kitty Hawk and Duck with Smith's approval in hopes one of them would agree to take over fire protection in the interim.
Word quickly got out, of course, and SSVFD Board Chairman George Kowalski (left) served notice on the town that the SSVFD had terminated its contract with Southern Shores because of what was described as the town's breach of contract.
Both Read and Smith eventually backed off, and a new 10-year SSVFD contract was arranged. But since then, Read has failed to gain many council endearments by regularly promoting himself in town email advisories. What's more, he campaigned not too covertly in the town sponsored emails for the re-election of Mayor Smith, who was challenged by former mayor Denny.
Denny said at the time "I became very disenchanted with what was happening in the town. And I think I can do a better job of leadership and get it going in a positive direction."
Voters agreed. They elected Hal Denny mayor and along with him Kowalski, a write-in candidate who defeated incumbent Brian McDonald, who was perceived as a Smith ally because Smith had recruited him as a council member.
Comments
Dare County unemployment rate hits record high 15.5%
That's the highest it's been since the North Carolina Employment Security Commission began tracking statistics more than 30 years ago.
Only five of the state's 100 counties topped Dare's December jobless rate: Graham with the highest, 17.6%, followed by Scotland, 17.1; Rutherford, 16.9, and Caldwell and Edgecombe, each with 16.7%.
Cherokee equaled Dare County's 15.5%, which jumped from the previous record high of 11.6% unemployed in November. Currituck County swelled from 7.1 to 8.9%.
A few other counties, with the November figures in parenthesis: Beaufort, 11.9% (11.4); Bertie, 10.8% (10.4); Camden, 8.2% (7.8); Chowan, 11.5% (11.7); Hertford, 9.3% (9.2); Hyde, 12.2% (8.8), Pamlico, 9.8% (10.2), Pasquotank, 10.1% (9.7), Perquimans, 9.9% (10.4); Tyrrell, 12.6% (10.8), and Washington County, 12.8% (12.3).
No Heritage Day for Kitty Hawk this year
Victim of budget squeeze
.jpg)
For nine years the town that was home to the Wright Brothers during preparations for their historic First Flight has celebrated its heritage with arts, crafts, music and fun on the last Saturday in September.
But it won't happen this year. Not unless a financial angel should appear, or the town council changes its mind about appropriating about $7,500 or so, the amount of expense money provided last year to the volunteer committee that does all the work in arranging the special day.
At a recent budget workshop, council members said they couldn't justify the expenditure while cutting back elsewhere in their effort to avoid a town tax increase.
Heritage Day has never made any money but last year's event at The Promenade, which, as always, was provided rent-free, drew thousands of visitors to Kitty Hawk.
It was preceded by a 5k marathon − “the largest Heritage Day race ever” − and featured a free performance by the celebrated Four Star Edition of the U.S. Navy's Fleet Forces Band.
Comments
Teacher uses own money to buy 15 computers for her class
Bonner Bridge replacement delayed again
Dare County commissioners were informed this week of the latest delay by top officials of the state Department of Transportation, who said construction of the new bridge will not begin until the spring of next year, at the earliest.
It had been expected to begin sometime this year. But because of bridge design changes another environmental impact study is required.
"Federal and state agencies have done environment studies over and over again since 1993," said Allen Burrus, a Hatteras Island businessman who is vice chairman of the county commission. "Let's get moving on this before people get hurt."
Environmental activist groups continue to hold out for a 17-mile bridge that would by-pass the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, and some have suggested that the cost, which the state considers prohibitive, could be off-set by tolls.
County commission chairman Warren Judge rejected that idea saying it was "offensive" to think of charging residents a toll to get to and from their jobs every day, or charge visitors" who want to see the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.
The mid-Currituck County toll bridge, Judge said, "is a matter of providing an optional route for the convenience of visitors to Corolla; whereas, we are concerned with maintaining the only safe transportation corridor for our residents’ safety, health and welfare.’"
For the latest on the mid-Currituck bridge, click here.
Offshore drilling back on the table
Corolla could get the state's last approved charter school
Daily Reports
Avalon Fishing Pier Reports
Cape Hatteras Fishing Reports
Oregon Inlet Fishing Reports
Golf Courses, Conditions
N.C. Lottery Results
Links:
Currituck County
Dare County
- Animal Shelter and Adoptable Pets
- Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
- Confederate Fortification Markers
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
- Lighthouses
- N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island
- Outer Banks History Center
- Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
- Roanoke Island Festival Park
- The Lost Colony
Hyde County
- Ocracoke Village
Other links of interest:
Carova Corner
Eastern Carolina Radio News
N.C. Beach Buggy Association
N.C. Fishing and Hunting Licenses
Ocracoke Newsletter
Outer Banks Free Press
Outer Banks Marinas
Russ's Outer Banks Journal
Talking About Politics
Southern Shores Times
Thanks for stopping by! Additional comments are welcome below, and please email us any news tips as well as your photos of interest.
The Editor
Can spring be far behind?Mickey Roberson of Ocracoke found this pink hyacinth in full bloom despite Saturday's snow on the island. Up north a groundhog saw his shadow earlier this month, but the message from this little southern beauty is that ...well, regardless of what some groundhog may have seen, Ocracoke is a bellwether and full of nature's splendors.
Southern Shores canal dredging a failure so far
Stymied by water problem"It's not going to happen this year," said project manager Tom Bennett when asked Saturday about the status of the dredging – a $2.25 million Southern Shores project to clear debris from 2.75 miles of its 7.5 miles of canals for the first time since they were constructed 50 years ago.
"Our best hope to resume the effort is in October or November of next year," Bennett said. That's because state policy prohibits such dredging after Feb. 14, which is this Sunday.
The hoped for restart would require the town to ask the state for another extension of ifs $800,000 grant Southern Shores has been counting on to help offset the cost of the project
Bennett (right) with Mayor Hal Denny and others had high hopes on Jan. 13 when it was believed the long delayed dredging – first discussed by the town eight years ago – had finally begun. But later that day, the contractor again ran into trouble trying to cleanse pumped out water to the degree required by state permits before it can be returned to the canals.On Saturday, Feb. 6, with the project at a virtual standstill, the town council meeting in emergency session declared the contractor – Sampson Contracting, Inc. of Barco – in default of its contract. In a letter received Friday, Feb. 13, by town engineer Joe Anlauf, Sampson asked the town for an extension of default proceedings.
"Obviously," said project manager Bennett, "this lack of success on the part of our contractor is a disappointment to all of us, and we can only hope for a prompt and fair resolution."
What that will be remains to be seen.
Comments
Quote of the week:
"People have to believe that government works."
– a North Carolina advocate for reform.
But how well is government working these days?
That's not only a national question, but one being raised – and getting negative replies – from citizens throughout the country at both the state and local levels as well.
North Carolina is no exception. Unfortunately, this state has long been noted for "pay to play" politics that have landed prominent players in jail. But according to this report from Raleigh, the state's current leaders believe laws already on the books are sufficient to prevent what appears to be a continuing pattern of abuse.
The past week was a tough one in terms of the weather
Water covered streets in the Colington area of Dare County during Wednesday's storm. Moor Shore Road (left) on the bayside in the village of Kitty Hawk was impassable. 
Soundside flooding occurred on Hatteras Island (right), NC 12 was closed from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe and under water in Avon and sections of Hatteras Village. Ferries to Ocracoke, Cedar Island and Swan Quarter were suspended for the day due to high winds. Dare County schools closed for the day at 11:30 a.m. Click here for photos of the flooding at Avon taken by Jen Williams...Nags Head tries anew to preserve its beaches
Mayor Bob Oakes will ask Dare County commissioners Monday (Feb. 15) for $20 million of the county's $24 million, and growing, kitty for beach preservation in what up to now have been failed town and county efforts to get anything going.
Yet, Dare County's beaches are its major attraction and the basis of its tourist supported economy. And even if it must go it alone, Nags Head, a town that has always tried to be progressive, has not given up on saving its badly eroded beaches. Some background and further comments on the subject...
Your comments
North Carolina politics 2010:
A big year for Republicans? Don't count on it GOPers
Filing for state and county offices began Monday in North Carolina; and while Republicans are hoping for a big year nationally, it doesn't appear that the Grand Old Party of years gone by has either the horses or money needed to change the state or Dare County power structures.
First of all, you need to have someone to beat someone, as the old saying goes. And second, as ol' Jesse Unruh of California once famously said, "Money is the mother's milk of politics."
Dare County Republicans don't have enough of either ingredient, and in Raleigh the party is badly hurting for lack of mother's milk, according to a highly credible party loyalist in this report.
Hatteras Islanders slam Dare County commissioners for lack of support
"I'm angry and disappointed," an Island business leader told commissioners at their recent board meeting. "The negligence must stop."
"We need an ambassador from Hatteras Island," she said.
Aside from her grievances over beach closures and matters of concern to all county residents, perhaps the lady forgot that Hatteras Island already has an ambassador. He's the vice chairman of the county commission, Allen Burrus, a businessman, native of Hatteras Island, and a champion of its interests.
Still, her suggestion of a local ambassador was a reminder that other residents of Dare County may wish they had an ambassador, or commissioner or school board member, elected by the people living in their district rather than by voters countywide. Some North Carolina counties do it that way, most do not.
Commissioner Burrus has proved he could win on the basis of local support, but Dare County has had elections where candidates were rejected by voters in the districts they represented yet won because of countywide voting.
It's an archaic system − and of questionable legality − that dates back to when a few county bosses managed to control everything.
Your opinion, comments
Southern Shores looks for a new town manager after firing Charlie Read
For fear of violating state cover-up laws with regard to personnel matters, the mayor and town council don't say they fired Read. Instead, all they say is they voted unanimously Tuesday night (Feb. 2) to accept the resignation of Charles B. Read, Jr., as town manager, effective immediately (the tip-off that he was fired), and replaced him with Police Chief David Kole (below).
Kole remains police chief but, in addition, is also interim town manager for the time being. The 5-0 vote to dismiss Read and replace him with Kole was taken in public following a closed door council session.It was only a matter of time before Read would be forced to leave following the ouster of Mayor Don Smith, Read's patron, in last November's election.
Smith and Read (on the right in happier days) were close friends. Smith wanted to make Read police chief following the death of Thad Pledger. After that effort failed, he arranged the hiring of his equally combative friend Read as town manager, despite the fact Read had no experience related to the position.Last January and February, during their bitter contract dispute with the independent Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department, Smith and Read (with Read writing most of Smith's statements) denounced the SSVFD, its chief and its budget request as "deceptive, dishonest and unacceptable."
The two then threatened to create a town fire department, and Read shopped neighboring Kitty Hawk and Duck with Smith's approval in hopes one of them would agree to take over fire protection in the interim.
Word quickly got out, of course, and SSVFD Board Chairman George Kowalski (left) served notice on the town that the SSVFD had terminated its contract with Southern Shores because of what was described as the town's breach of contract.Both Read and Smith eventually backed off, and a new 10-year SSVFD contract was arranged. But since then, Read has failed to gain many council endearments by regularly promoting himself in town email advisories. What's more, he campaigned not too covertly in the town sponsored emails for the re-election of Mayor Smith, who was challenged by former mayor Denny.
Denny said at the time "I became very disenchanted with what was happening in the town. And I think I can do a better job of leadership and get it going in a positive direction."
Voters agreed. They elected Hal Denny mayor and along with him Kowalski, a write-in candidate who defeated incumbent Brian McDonald, who was perceived as a Smith ally because Smith had recruited him as a council member.
Comments
Dare County unemployment rate hits record high 15.5%
That's the highest it's been since the North Carolina Employment Security Commission began tracking statistics more than 30 years ago.
Only five of the state's 100 counties topped Dare's December jobless rate: Graham with the highest, 17.6%, followed by Scotland, 17.1; Rutherford, 16.9, and Caldwell and Edgecombe, each with 16.7%.
Cherokee equaled Dare County's 15.5%, which jumped from the previous record high of 11.6% unemployed in November. Currituck County swelled from 7.1 to 8.9%.
A few other counties, with the November figures in parenthesis: Beaufort, 11.9% (11.4); Bertie, 10.8% (10.4); Camden, 8.2% (7.8); Chowan, 11.5% (11.7); Hertford, 9.3% (9.2); Hyde, 12.2% (8.8), Pamlico, 9.8% (10.2), Pasquotank, 10.1% (9.7), Perquimans, 9.9% (10.4); Tyrrell, 12.6% (10.8), and Washington County, 12.8% (12.3).
No Heritage Day for Kitty Hawk this year
Victim of budget squeeze
.jpg)
For nine years the town that was home to the Wright Brothers during preparations for their historic First Flight has celebrated its heritage with arts, crafts, music and fun on the last Saturday in September.But it won't happen this year. Not unless a financial angel should appear, or the town council changes its mind about appropriating about $7,500 or so, the amount of expense money provided last year to the volunteer committee that does all the work in arranging the special day.
At a recent budget workshop, council members said they couldn't justify the expenditure while cutting back elsewhere in their effort to avoid a town tax increase.
Heritage Day has never made any money but last year's event at The Promenade, which, as always, was provided rent-free, drew thousands of visitors to Kitty Hawk.It was preceded by a 5k marathon − “the largest Heritage Day race ever” − and featured a free performance by the celebrated Four Star Edition of the U.S. Navy's Fleet Forces Band.
Comments
Teacher uses own money to buy 15 computers for her class
Bonner Bridge replacement delayed again
Dare County commissioners were informed this week of the latest delay by top officials of the state Department of Transportation, who said construction of the new bridge will not begin until the spring of next year, at the earliest.
It had been expected to begin sometime this year. But because of bridge design changes another environmental impact study is required.
"Federal and state agencies have done environment studies over and over again since 1993," said Allen Burrus, a Hatteras Island businessman who is vice chairman of the county commission. "Let's get moving on this before people get hurt."
Environmental activist groups continue to hold out for a 17-mile bridge that would by-pass the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, and some have suggested that the cost, which the state considers prohibitive, could be off-set by tolls.
County commission chairman Warren Judge rejected that idea saying it was "offensive" to think of charging residents a toll to get to and from their jobs every day, or charge visitors" who want to see the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.
The mid-Currituck County toll bridge, Judge said, "is a matter of providing an optional route for the convenience of visitors to Corolla; whereas, we are concerned with maintaining the only safe transportation corridor for our residents’ safety, health and welfare.’"
For the latest on the mid-Currituck bridge, click here.
Offshore drilling back on the table
Corolla could get the state's last approved charter school
Daily Reports
Avalon Fishing Pier Reports
Cape Hatteras Fishing Reports
Oregon Inlet Fishing Reports
Golf Courses, Conditions
N.C. Lottery Results
Links:
Currituck County
Dare County
- Animal Shelter and Adoptable Pets
- Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
- Confederate Fortification Markers
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
- Lighthouses
- N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island
- Outer Banks History Center
- Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
- Roanoke Island Festival Park
- The Lost Colony
Hyde County
- Ocracoke Village
Other links of interest:
Carova Corner
Eastern Carolina Radio News
N.C. Beach Buggy Association
N.C. Fishing and Hunting Licenses
Ocracoke Newsletter
Outer Banks Free Press
Outer Banks Marinas
Russ's Outer Banks Journal
Talking About Politics
Southern Shores Times
Thanks for stopping by! Additional comments are welcome below, and please email us any news tips as well as your photos of interest.
The Editor
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment