>985 THE BRUNSWICK BEACON
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Taking The
This sentinel along the Calabash Riv
tlvity, perhaps a fish jumping in th
unloading its cargo on 11 local restau
Bridges Hi
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ironic uni
BY BILL McGOWAN
An errant barge Monday afternoon
left the Sunset Beacii bridge "skint
and bent" and broke three fenders on
the Ocean Isle Beach bridge, but did
not cause enough damage to either
structure to interrupt water or land
traffic.
The accident is the third such
mishap since January when the
Sunset Beach bridge was hit by a
barge and put out of commission for
several days.
Sunset Bridgetender Howard
Holden and Ocean Isle Bridgetender
William Stevenson each said a barge
pulled by the tugboat "Mike R" of
Morgan City, La., was swinging from
side to side in the Intracoastal Waterway
before it hit their respective
bridges at 4:58 p.m. and G p in. Both
men said the barge looked as if it was
being blown by the wind.
Normal bridge operations resumed
immediately following the incidents.
Bridge maintenance Supervisor
Robert Cox was scheduled to view
the damage Tuesday firsthand.
According to Holden. damage at
Sunset Beach was limited to a couple
of broken pilings and scrapes and
dents on the pontoon bridge's barge.
No holes in the barge were created by
ihe impact All 1 can see IS it's skint
and bent," he said.
"I seen her ("Mike R") coming
Iks " *1.-1.4 1A
uvn ii uiv Laiiai j wiuci . i lwucu zttiiu
Monday night as he opened the
bridge for a passing motorboat "The
barge was swinging from side to side.
It was good sire."
Holden said he noticed the erratic
movement of the barge, which was
traveling north, when he first began
to open the bridge for the apWeather
Prom
Vacationers can expect good
weather for their Fourth of July holiday.
Shallotte Point meteorologist
Jackson t'anad} said Monday.
"All in all it's shaping up to be a
nice week for the Fourth of July," he
said, with near normal temperatures
and somewhat above normal
precipitation in the offing
Temperatures should average
about TO degrees at night, reaching
into the upper 40s during the
daytime, with about one inch of rain.
On the average, the area should
receive at least three-quarters inch
SONS BOOK BINDERY
1 ?731/ -39
hot M 7
34 bhaiiotte, Ni
iff '
STAfr PHOTO BY SUSAN U$M{R
1 Long View
er seems lo be eyeing some distant aie
water or the crew of a fishing boat
rant's doek.
I
t Again;
nterrupted
proaching tug.
"The stem of his barge swung over
and hit the comer there." Holden
pointed at the side of the bridge's
barge which faces water traffic when
the bridge is in the open position. He
pointed out a heavy steel frame
which is used to transfer the bridge
from one location to another. The
steel was dented and paint was peeled
where "Mike R's" barge allegedlyscraped
along the bridge after impact.
The bridge's fender system
went unscathed, he said.
Damages were minimal also at
Ocean Isle Beach. Contacted bytelephone
Monday night at 10 p.m..
Stevenson said he was just preparing
to report the incident at his bridge
While no supervisors or engineers
had checked the damage, Stevenson
said, he added that a state bridge inspector
was on the bridge at the time
of the accident.
"wnai did tne inspector say (about
the incidentl?" The Beacon questioned.
"He didn't say anything," Stevenson
said. "He just started running
like everyone else."
Holden said he checked the
damage immediately following the
accident and determined he could
Close the bridge and lei land traffic
across. He then contacted the Coast
Guard because he was unable to
reach the tug by radio. The Coast
Guard then apprised the tug of the
situation.
"Mike R". Holden said, is owned
by Circle R Marina in Morgan City,
La., home port for the vessel.
He aided that the barge was carrying
"a large showboat with an old
paddle wheel."
ising For Fourth
of rain every five days this time of
year, Canady said.
During the period June 25-30, the
area received about .86 inch of rain,
slightly above normal.
Temperatures reached their maximum
at 97 degrees, recorded on both
the 25th and 26th The minimum low
of 54 degrees occurred the morning of
the 28th
A daily average high of 92 degrees
combined with a daily average iovr of
66 degrees for an average daily
temperature of 79 degrees for the
period, which Canady said is about
normal.
X
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IWII i
orth Carolina, Wednesday,
I Witnes
Turnec
BY TKRHY POPE
A Brunswick County District Court
judge Monday ruled probable cause
existed against a Supply man charged
with the first-degree murder of his
brother-in-law.
Gary A. Reaves, 28, of Route 2,
Supply, was charged June 18 with
first-degree murder following the
shooting death of Mark A. Tolliver,
33, also of Route 2. Supply. The
Brunswick County Grand Jury must
now decide if enough evidence exists
to indict Reaves on first-degree
murder charges before handing the
case over to Superior Court.
At a probable cause hearing Monday,
Glen Jenkins, 44, of Route 2,
Supply, testified for nearly an hour,
telling the court and Judge D. Jack
Hooks Jr. what happened on the
evening of the fatal shooting.
Jenkins, who was a witness to the
shooting, said that Reaves and
Tolliver had been fighting that afternoon
on at least three occasions.
Jenkins said he has known the two
men for about six months.
Following the last fight at the
Tolliver residence, Jenkins said.
Reaves walked home and returned
with a pistol, where he shot through
the door of the Tolliver residence five
times.
loiuver was sirucK in the chest,
Jenkins said. After finding Tolliver
lying on the hallway floor, attempts
to revive him were unsuccessful,
Jenkins' said, and he called the
Rules Se
BY SUSAN USHER
Brunswick County commissioners
laid out the ground rules Mondaynight
that will govern distribution of
county funds to fire and rescue
departments during the year starting
July 1.
Each fire or rescue department
"recognized'' by the county will
receive a lump sum appropriation of
$10,000, to be distributed quarterly to
the unit's treasurer.
Additionally, each of the five electoral
districts will receive $50,000 in
discretionary funds to be used to
meet emergency needs or to save
toward long-range capital purchases.
Departments can gain recognition
in one of two ways: Existing departments
qualify if they are incorporated
and are certified by the
state.
Departments not state-certified by
July 1 but are incorporated during
the budget year can receive the lump
sum. To receive the $10,000 the
following year, however, they must
attain state certification within their
first budget year.
However, commissioners stressed
they weren't guaranteeing county appropriations
beyond the current
year, adding that how the monies are
used and how well the district committees
work will influence future
decisions.
"If these people can't work
together for the same benefits and
end result," warned Chairman Chris
Chappell, "then wc don't need this
program."
Before checks are written all
departments must submit: 1) a proposed
budget before the first quarterly
payment is rendered; and 2)
before each subsequent quarter, a
budget statement showing how all
departmental funds, not just the
county contribution, have been spent
When you ask for ? budget, at
least you know they'll have one."
noted Finance Director Wallace Harding.
Emergency Management Coordinator
Cecil I>ogan said be has trouble
getting the quarterly reports now
required, holding some checks as
much as two months. But he said
most officers do "the best they can"
in handling departmental budgets
and paperwork.
The county can also conduct audits
m
PPLEMENT INCLUDED
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Juiy 3, IVOD 25c Per Copy
;s Recalls Ho>
\ Into Fatal S\
Coastline Volunteer Rescue Squad. again and another
Jenkins answered questions from the road,
both Assistant District Attorney "Gary said,'You
Wanda Bryant and defense attorney hit me,' " Jenkir
Roy Trest of Shallotte for nearly an Mark said, 'Well,
hour in court Monday. No other hard as I could ha
witnesses were called to testify. bad as 1 could ha\
According to Jenkins' testimony, much bigger thar
Reaves stopped by the Tolliver have a chance," J(
residence at approximately 4:30 p.m. After the second
the evening of the incident, to get three traveled bai
Jenkins and Tolliver to look at his residence where J?
new van he had just purchased. After purchases inside,
driving to Reaves' home, a quarter- outside, Jenkins s
mile from the Tolliver residence, the "Mark had Gary 1;
three men got into Reaves' new van of the van and
and drove to Shallotte, Jenkins said. Gary."
Jenkins said he had been with At the same tin
Tolliver since about 10 a.m. that mor- wooden mallet he <
ning. Tolliver had drank anywhere hit Tolliver in the
from six to eight beers and also stop- fight finally broke
ped in Shallotte to get a fifth of liquor Heaves told Tolliv
before heading back to Supply, he get you for this. Yi
said. Along the way, Tolliver mixed Tolliver then picl
himself a drink in the van and also struck Reaves' v
mixed a second drink, "but 1 didn't windshield, Jcnki
ever see Gary drink anything," he was then at the en
added. had dropped the w
While driving to Supply, Heaves was heading towar
and Tolliver got into an argument, a field. "1 don't evi
Jenkins said. On two occasions, saw it iwindshie
Heaves stopped the van and the two Jenkins added,
got out and began fighting in the Inside the housi
road, he said. Tolliver stop the
Jenkins said he was able to break gash on liis forehe
up the first fight by "hollering that Charlie Johnson, i
someone was going to call the police, and friend of the
I finally got it to break up and tlicy over and try to ge
both got back into the truck." Fifty down.
yards later. Reaves stopped the van Several minutes
tOn Fire And Re:
if deemed necessary, a move Poole save toward inaj
favored. use the funds wise
Finance Director Wallace Harding Commissioners
explained the controls are needed to that the money is r
document that public monies have among the di
been spent for public purposes. In- operating expense
eluding the entire departmental In fact, the mom
budget gives the county an overall ly upon the rec
view of the departments' operating district fire and r
condition and their needs, he said. Each committee v
The board said it had no intentions of the commissioner
penalizing departments that had and the county en
money in savings, but that that could ment coordinator
be considered in determining the voting) members
"emergency" nature of a funding re- the fire and res
quest to the district committee. district The corru
Control of the $50,000 in district the chairman of
funds will remain with the county, will meet at least q
but each district will accrue interest often if needed,
on its allocation. Any portion not For recommend
spent at the end of the year, and the a majority of the
interest, can be carried over to the present. A majorit
following year. Commissioner Jim with the comrn
Poole suggested interest accrual emergency exists
might encourage the departments to range capital exp<
Gordon Electee
Mayor OfSunst
BY BfLL MeGOWAN
Town officials are inspecting the record books, but
what may have been the shortest term for a mayor in
Sunset Beach histnrv ni0K1
That's half of the story. But who's to say?
CoL James Gordon, elected mayor by council at its
June meeting, or seemingly so, relinquished his office
Monday night. And for what?
Just so fellow town officials could renominate and reelect
him mayor.
Confused?
Well the fun began in June when council members
first nominated Col. Gordon to replace Ed Gore, who
served as mayor pro tern in the absence of former
Mayor Francis Kanoy, who resigned her position
several months ago. Remember''
At Monday night's meeting, however. Council
member Kathy Hill noted that the motion nominating
Gordon never received a second. He was elected illegally
by acclamation, she said, and as a result was never
legally elected to the position of mayor.
And as a second result Hill said, Gordon had illegally
been sitting as mayor while Monday night's public
hearings on the budget and the annexation of the golf
course owned by Sea Trail Corp.
*.
V'
IN THIS ISSUE
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Vb Mages, Including Supplement
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looting
fight broke out in was heard outside and Jenkins said
Tolliver stated, "Well, that's Ms. Lini
hurt me when you da (Reaves wife). She must be comis
recalled, "and ing by to give me hell for fighting
I didn't hit you as with Gary."
ive or hurt you as As Jenkins walked toward the
re.' Mark being so door, he "looked back and noticed
! Gary, he didn't that Mark had a rifle in his hand."
;nkins said. After convincing Tolliver to put the
fight broke up, the rifle down on a counter Jenkins stepttk
to the Tolliver ped outside on the porch,
mkins took Mark's "Gary got out of the car," Jenkins
Upon returning said. "He had a pistol in his right
aid, he saw that hand."
aid out on the seat As Reaves walked up to the porch,
he was punching Jenkins said he was still yelling at
him, "trying to get his attention to
tie. Reaves had a get this thing stopped."
was using to try to Jenkins said he could see Tolliver's
head. When that shirt in the glass door and "Gary
up, Jenkins said, pulled the pistol up in a two-handed
er, "I'm going to position, pointed it toward the door
3ii hurt me." and pulled the trigger," the first shot
ted up a board and breaking the glass, he testified,
an, cracking the Four more shots were fired before
ns said. Reaves Reaves left the porch and began
d of the driveway, "wandering around, kind of aimlcssrooden
mallet and ly, but still holding onto the pistol,"
d his house across Jenkins said,
en know if he even After the rescue squad urrived.
Id) get broken," Reaves approached Jenkins and asked,
"How bad is he hurt?" Attempts
e, Jenkins helped to revive Tolliver were also unsucbleeding
from a cessful by the rescue squad personad
and also called nel.
a nearby resident Following a lunch break in court
two men, to come Monday, Judge Hooks ruled probable
t the men to calm cause existed for tirst-degrcc
murder. Reaves is out on bond of
i later, a car horn $200,000.
\,
scue Funding
or nurfhasp."! anr! mnHp Thon onH nnlu ??in
ly. funds become available,
specifically stated The departments must also be willlot
to be divided up tng to sign a document releasing the
rpartments for county from all liability,
s. While the county would find it difly
can be spent on- ficult to require matcliing funds from
commendation of municipal departments, cotninisescue
committees, sioners stressed they did not want the
rill be composed of county's funding decisions to prompt
from the district towns to reduce their fire and rescue
nergency manage- contributions,
as ex-officio (non- No solution was reached on how to
plus the chiefs of handle mutual aid agreements. No
cue units in the county departments have signed
missioner shall be written agreements to respond to
the committee, ft calls outside their district on specific
[uarterly and more request, though it is a current?and
unenforced?requirement to receive
ations to be made, quarterly checks from the county.
momh?rc miict Jvi D >? t? J?? ? ?4- 1
?v... >.'ui uv uui ui iot.1 uic uepiiiuliefiLa uu
> must also concur operate successfully under oral
issioner that an agreements, Logan said.
or that a long- The annual county appropriations
enditure should be , See FUNDING, Page 2-A i
1?A aain?
- JBeach
"At least we ought to do it right if we're going to do it
at all," HjII explained herself. "I'd hate for it to come
up five months from now have for someone to call our
hand on it"
Once again Gore took the helm as mayor pro tern. "I
apologize for the inadequacy of these proceedings," he
said.
But Councilman Don Safrit quickly announced,
"Well, if he's not mayor, let's back up and call the
meeting to order."
"Shall we go through the Dublic hearings avaio""
Gore asked.
No one said anything until Gore called for a motion to
validate the proceedings chaired by Col. Gordon.
Safnt finally made the motion and added, "I'd like to
thank Col. Gordon for his short tenure as mayor and to
offer his name for nomination far mayor. He saw the
motion pass unanimously.
In the spirit of the moment. Clerk IJnda Fluegel administered
the oath of office, and once again the mayor
was the mayor.
And what did Gordon have to say after a full half-hour
of confusion and disbelief1
"Okay are you ready to go ahead now?"