MmrS
By Ken Jones ^
You’ve seen a lot about the subject of economic development on the local scene
lately. In most peoples minds, it means businesses, stores, industry and jobs. Eco
nomic development really depends on the environment and economy you have to
develop. Pine Knoll Shores’ economy is based on residency, and, therefore, we have
to make sure it is managed appropriately.
The number of single family homes in Pine Knoll Shores is 2,363. The number of
vacant lots available for single family homes is 222. So what lies ahead for residen
tial development in Pine Knoll Shores? Should the town own property that isn’t on
the tax roles and the town doesn’t have access to? Will we have more development
than redevelopment? Based on the recent census, we know the demographics of
our town are changing. Pine Knoll Shores was previously made up of 39% full-time
residents and 61% second-home owners (ref: the 2000 census). After the 2010,
census these numbers have changed to 32% full-time and 68% second-home own
ers. Folks, less than a third of our property owners live here all the time. We also
know the population of the state is increasing. While we can’t duplicate or relive the
past, we MUST plan for the future on the basis of economic facts and maintain the
character and environment of our town.
There will be quite a few projects underway in our town over the next year. As
most folks know, the Mimosa Bridge is due for replacement in the next year. This
will take several months and be a short-term inconvenience to most. Highway 58,
Salter Path Road, along the whole length of Pine Knoll Shores, is scheduled to be
resurfaced this coming winter. We hope to add the resurfacing of several of our
streets while the paving equipment is “in the neighborhood.” The other project will
be Phase I of our sidewalks. Remember the pedestrian plan that was completed as
a result of the town’s recreation survey? This plan, approved by the North Carolina
Department of Transportation and our Board of Commissioners, will serve as the
basis for all future sidewalks should there be any. Phase I will accomplish the task
of connecting beach accesses and parking and several areas of town currently not
pedestrian friendly. If you were in favor of the 2003 beach nourishment where the
Army Corps of Engineers was requiring six additional beach accesses, it’s now dif
ficult to be against the sidewalks that connect the beach access with the associated
parking area for safety’s sake.
The only thing constant is change. Our entire society is based on cheap fuel.
Have you ever sat at a traffic light with vehicles stopped at all four corners when the
intersection was clear? When the most inefficient time a vehicle runs is on take-off
from a stop, why do we stop so much? Have you ever wanted to buy some oir all of
your groceries in Pine Knoll Shores, but can’t? Are superstores a thing of the past
because of energy inefficiency? Maybe, as in many other developed countries, the
local grocery store is on the way back. Is this something we need to be looking at?
As you can see, there is a lot to look at when planning for tomorrow in Pine Knoll
Shores. We need purposeful, well-planned development to maintain the best of our
town for future citizens. We always welcome your thoughts and input on keeping
Pine Knoll Shores the greatest place to live.
Carolina Squadrons’ 40th Anniversary
On September 10, at 2 P.M., there will be a 40*-^ anniversary celebration of the
naming of Power Squadron Spit. The event will take place at the Lighthouse Keep
er’s Quarters Museum at Cape Lookout National Seashore, where the official plaque
commemorating the Carolina Power Squadron is installed. Hosting this event will
be Fort Macon Sail and Power Squadron Commander Bruce Brill. District 27 Com
mander Michael McCulley will speak.
Forty years ago, a new name appeared on navigation charts of the North Caro
lina coast. The efforts of 20 Carolina squadrons of District 27 of the United States
Power Squadrons* were recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s National Ocean Survey and the United States Board on
(Continued on page 24)
By Tom Powers
With every month now, the Crystal Coast Cruisers are growing. This
month, we added two new couples. A full Cruisers’ caravan would now be
18 RVs. Our members all live in the area, from Beaufort to Emerald Isle, and
they are a fun-loving group who just love traveling in their RVs. We have
members who have just returned from trips to Wyoming, upstate New York,
Assateague Island, Fort Myers, Charlotte and Savannah, and almost all of us
have trips mapped out for the coming months.
Our next scheduled group getaway is later this month when we will be go
ing for a long weekend to the Willow Tree RV Resort in Longs, South Caro
lina, which is just outside of North Myrtle Beach. Even though it’s not on
the beach, it is an award-winning campground with a lot of activities. Along
with the beach, golf and shopping offered by the area, there’s a pool, hot tub,
bocce ball, horseshoes, billiards, lake fishing and hiking available right at
the campground. Besides enjoying the amenities, we have a group dinner
in town and a covered dish dinner at the campground. And, you can always
find good conversation and a cold drink.
If you have an RV or are considering one, we welcome you to our dinner
meetings, which are held the first Monday of every month at 6:00 p;m. We
now alternate the location between a few local restaurants. For more in
formation, you can contact Tom Powers at 240-3164 or by e-mail at tom.
powers@mac.com. .
Annual Bulk Waste Collection
By Ernie Rudolph
A town-wide collection of unwanted bulk items will take place on Thurs
day September 22. Please have all bulk items at the roadside in front of your
residence not more than three days before the collection day.
White goods, which include appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, wash
ing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers and hot water heaters, will be
picked up without charge separately from other bulk waste items. You must
call Waste Industries at 223-4176 before Thursday September 22 to indicate
that you have a white goods item to be picked up.
Bulk waste includes household furniture, mattresses, bedding, outdoor -
grills (no propane cylinders), outdoor furniture, bags of clothing, small
quantities of construction and demolition material (windows, doors, trirn
boards vinyl siding, plywood, etc.) normally associated with minor hom
eowner repairs. Items other than furniture need to be bagged or tied in bun
dles. Long items should not exceed four feet in length. Paint, solvents, waste
oil, petroleum products, lawn chemicals and fertilizers are considered to be
hazardous or special waste and will not be collected. Electronic iteras such as
televisions, radios, stereo equipment, computers, keyboards, modems, moni
tors, etc. are also excluded from the bulk waste pick up. Carteret County
currently accepts household hazardous waste materials and electronics iterris
twice yearly at designated locations.
Residents are requested to call Waste Industries directly (223-4176) if they
have a question as to whether an item is acceptable bulk waste that can be
collected without risk to employees or equipment.
12 The Shoreline I September 2011