Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Oct. 29, 1987, edition 1 / Page 16
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I 7m ;iKc 4*U- rm% imt'NSWlCK BEACON. Thursday. October 29, 1987 Holden Beach Candidates Express Similar Views At Forum BY l)OL(; RflTKR While imcomniitted at times, Holden Beach commis- ioner candidates agreed on Hie majority of issues ad dressed dunriK the biennial -Meet The Candidates*’ pro- jjram last Tuesday at the town hall. All nine candidjites running for three available seats on the town bixird of commissioners and Mayor John Tandy, who is unopposed in his bid for re-election, presented their views on issues that included proposed t auseway annexation, a possible sewajte system, rezon- inu practices and the town's land use plan. The panel discussion was sponsored by the Holden Beach Property Owners Association and chaired by POA President Kenner Amos. KoHowinj; brief biographical in- lUKliu'tions. candidates took turns atLswerinj* prepared tpiestions. .At lea.st one candidate. Bob Buck, questioned th*‘ rotation system used, which had candidates answer .:!! questions in the same order. Causeway Annexation While none of the candidates supported forced annex ation. most expressed the view that future annexation would be inevitable and beneficial to the town and ..Hi.se way. Martin Keldt said, it is the entrance to Holden Beach. 1 would like to .see it become a part of Holden Beach. ’ He added that careful discussion by parties on t oth sides would ultimately decide the issue. Incumbent Commissioner Graham King said, in- voluntaiy annexation is a shotgun marriage at best. It’s Hist not in the best interests of the town to alienate those people." He added that the town may need part of the causeway at a later date for a waste disposal site, and it would be beneficial to annex the causeway with their ap proval. Bob Ihick agreed with those who said forced annexa tion is v.rong. but addoft tbi» town cannot wail until the causeway becomes it's own towTi or is incorporated Uy some other town. "Tliis is not something the towTi can turn it’s back on and wait until the people over there say they're ready." h-* said, explaining that the town must take the initiative b fore it is hurt. Donald Carey argued that future annexation is im- p«i tant and nece.ss;iry because causeway businesses benefit from the town's image, but aren't paying taxes for those benefits. Margaret Vasco said immediate annexation would be a major mistake because the $8,000 in taxes which would be gained by the town would not come close to equalling the costs of annexation. "We haven’t seen in black and white what we will benefit by annexing the area right now. ' she said. Vasco added that future annexation would probably be impor- Uint In terms of locating a possible wastewater treatment plant on the mainland. Candidates Georgia Umgley and Kermit Coble also oppose inunediate annexation. They believe it should be put off until such time as the additional land and taxes will clearly benefit the town. Ro.se Cole was aLso again.st annexation until In-depth studies are completed outlining the benefits, if any. the town stands to gain. She added. ‘ There are enough people on the island and causeway to work together on this. The people will dictate to the powers what should be done." Gil Bass siiid the issue cannot be decided until the report from an annexation committee which will include island and causeway rcsidenLs is completed. Incumbent Mayor John Tandy, who is unopposed in the upcoming municipal election, said a careful study by the annexation committee will provide direction for any future action taken by the town. He has not yet appointed that committee. ■‘The committee should be able to determine right off the bat if this is the time for annexation," he said. “It behooves us all to take a good look at it. but I think we're going in the right direction with this committee." Sewage Treatment Candidates also discussed the potential need for an island-wide or canal sewer system and possible avenues of funding it. Most agreed that further ^tiidy of the caP3! Water quality was needed since a recent engineering study is in conclusive. Bob Buck said that from what he drew from the study, the health of canal residents could be at stake. "The time is not too far off when we’re going to have a serious health problem in the three canal subdivisions." He added that a canal package sewer system, which could later be tied into an island-wide .system, may be the best answer because, he said, voters wouM not pass a referendum supporting an island-wide .system. Carey said that while further study of potential canal sewer systems should be continued, the town could suc cessfully control growth by opposing an island-wile system. "Down the road." he said, "we may need package sewer systems along the canals, but we can hold off the need for an island-wide system as long as we don't want unlimited growth." Coble also said additional study concerning possible canal water pollution is important, but argued that he has never had a water or sewer problem in his 33 years of liv ing along the canals. "1 don't think now is the time for a sewer system which would only serve the interests of a few people look ing to develop and profit from that development," he said. Candidates King, Vasco, l.angley. Cole, Bass and Keldt agreed an island-wide sewer system may be need ed in the long run, but added that the continued monitor ing and study of canal water quality may discover Uie im mediate need for a canal package sewer sy.stem. In a related matter, canal lot resident Jim Fournier asked candidates about the blatant abuse of laws restric ting canal houses to three bedrooms. Buck agreed the law was being violated regularly but said there is little the town can do about it. He said developer plans calling for threc-bedroom houses are granted septic tank permits froni the health dcparlmenl. even though the developers fully intend to turn what was mapped out to be a den or dining room into another bedroom. Tandy agreed, "Some people are taking advantage of the spirit of the law and it has to be enforced." Uingley said the enforcement of these laws should be the responsibility of the towTi’s building inspector, but she 5,'iid that since he is paid on commission and not s«ilary. the violations are often overlooked. Carey added that realtors who rent canal homes also need to enforce the maximum occupancy slated in the lease since the larger number of inhabitants often puts a strain on the sewage system. Planning Land Use Most of the nine candidates agreed that the town’s land use plan is a good guideline to follow. However, they added that rezoning had to be handled on an individual basis anil sometimes executed conlrar>‘ to the plan. Coble, however, said the land use plan should be followed as strictly as possible with vcr>' few zoning ex ceptions. He .s«iid, "It’s just like any other law or ordinance, U you (Ion t police it. it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on." King, who participated in the plan’s updating in 1980 and 19B5, said that in theory, tlie land use plan and rezon ing .should go hand in hand with one another. But, he add ed. rezoning cases need to be addressed as they come up and cannot always follow the plan. Buck .said, "It is a guide. It is a flexible living docu ment in and of itself." He added that each rezoning case is different and depends entirely on the person making the request and the purpose of the request. Carey addcHl. ‘My pliilosophy is that you follow the i:nipa '»nrl intonf »%f latro rtl ...... .. .....M. ......... ... ..... but not .specifically in all cases.' i|/vcn no r\/%cciKla No Highrises All candidates rejected the idea that the maximum building height of 35 feet should be raised. Referring to the current standard. King said, "If something is not broke, don’t fix it." Mrs. Cole added that she would "personally ring the necks" of anyone tr>'ing to raise the maximum height. Tandy joked that he would "tar and feather" anyone who raised the issue again. Appointments Questioned Part-time resident James Calvin asked candidates to express their positions on how town board appointments should be made. Most said that elected town commissioners should actively pursue knowledgeable towTispeople to serve on the board of adjustments and planning and zoning board. Too often, said Va.«;ro. board appointments come through friendships with commissioners, not necessarily through a careful examination of qualifications. Cole recommended that all sectors of the population be represented on the town boards to bring new ideas and vary ing points of view out in the open. Buck added that it is important that appointees be in terested in ser\'ing and willing to do a good job for the town and that they be willing to invest the time required. Nine Candidates Seek Three Council Seats At Holden Beach BY DOUG RL'TTER Nine candidates are running for throe available council seats at Holden Beach while incumbent Mayor .John Taiuly seeks re-election '.inoppo.scd. Town council members and the ma\(H‘ are elected to two-year terms without pay. All Holden Beach candidates ••nornlefl l(i the Beacon qucslion- TODd> Carry l.unRlry John H. Tandy ■lolm H Tandy, 56. of 121 Shrimp ''I . ciiiTenlly mayor of Holden I '-eacli. is unoppused in his bid for re- • lection. lie lias previously served as chair- .naii of the Kor.sylhe County Board of ''onimissioners. president of Ard more ( omnmnily Club and chainnan of the liidu.slry for the Blind and thmilwill Industries. T’amh received B.A. and M.E. degrees from the University of North (’arulina. He has u wife. Elizabeth, have five children. Tandy said the most important issiie.s currently facing Holden Beach are annexation and a po.ssiblc sewer \slem. lie .said, “If the majority ot the peo ple on the north side desire to lx? an- ne.xed, then I am all for it." Concerning the possibility of a sewer system. Tandy added. “If the consultants can prove that the health of om citizens is in danger, then we need lo gel .started on a sewer .sy.sleiii." I If concluded, “This will he my last effort: however. I am looking for ward to IhLs effort." Guilford W. Bass Guilford W. Bass. 41, of 140 Greensboro St., manages Holden Beach Fishing Pier and has previous ly served on the town’s planning and zoning board. Bass is president of the Holden Beacli Merchants .A.ssocialion. vice president of the Holden Beach Pro perty Ouners .Association and on the board of directors of the South Bnnisuick I.slands Chamber of Corn- men e He has earned a bachelor of scieme degree from Campbell Col lege and a master's of education fi om N (■ Stale University. Ba.ss has a wife. .lanel. and two children. Wilson and .Shannon. Bass said the most important issues at Holden Beach are the eon- tmualKHi of a sewer .system study, aniiexalioii, beach access, con.slriic- lion of a bike fialh and beach erosion. He said he is seeking election f>ecanse I desire lo be a part in the growth of «iiir community, helping Ic maintain the family atmosphere." Bass added, “I have 15 years ex perience in administration, manage ment and personnel. I will be a listener first, tr>'ing lo gather the facts from all before making a deci sion." Bob Buck Bob Buck, 62, of 231 Lois Avc.. is a retired city manager and former town administrator of Holden Beach. Buck was graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School with a master's degree in management. He has a wife. Betty, and four married children. He said important issues at Holden Beach include maintainance of the family beach image, beach access and annexation of the causeway area. Buck said that he is seeking elec tion ‘to use my experience and knowledge of Holden Beach lo assist in providing the best possible town government.” * * He added, “I will work for the best possible municipal ser\'ices and pro grams, administered with common sense, fairness and consistency." Donald Carey Jr. Donald Carey Jr., 38, of 113 Seagull St., is a pharmacist at The Brunwick Hospital .seeking his first elective of fice. He has earned a bachelor of arts degree in biology from St. Andrew.s College and a baclielor of science degree in pharmacy from UNC- Charlotte’s Pharmacy School. Carey Ls .single and a U.S. Navy veteran. Carey said the most imporUmt issues faced by Holden Beach com missioners arc growth, enforcement of current ordinances and construc tion of a bike and jogging path along Ocean Boulevard. He said he is .seeking election to help create a balance on the town’s council. Carey said, ‘‘My background in the biological sciences and medicine will give the city council a member with expertise on en vironmental issues." Carey added, "I am used to being part of a team and will be able to work well with the mayor and the rest of the city council. My goal is the least possible government while still presetting the basic character of our community.” Kermit J. Coble Kermit J. Coble, 62, of 111 Charlotte St., has served two previous terms on the town council and four years on the board of ad justments. He is retired and has a wife, Stella, and two children. Barbara Kesler and Kermit Coble Jr. Coble said the most important issues currently facing Holden Beach arc control of the town board by realtors and developers and a possi ble sewer sysltim. . He said he i:s seeking electio.n because “I think I could give something to make the town a belter place." Coble concluded, "This will be an important board because of the sewer system. That is why the realtors and developers should not have control .so they cannot decide against paying for the line in front of their property." Ruse H. Cole Rose H. Cole, 55, of 181 High Point St., is current chairman of the town’s board of adjustments. She was also named 1986 volunteer of the year by the N.C. Department of Correcuoa-s for lic-r work at the coun ty Adult Probation and Parole office. Mrs. Cole is a 1953 graduate of UNC-Greensboro and has chaired two university committees since graduating. She has a husband, Ix^o, and three children. She said important issues at Holden Beach include the possible sewer system, beach access, walking and bike paths and the enforcement of current ordinances. Mrs. Cole said her past work as a social worker and with the American Red Cross should help her as com missioner. She also said, "I have enjoyed ser ving the town and want to continue to serve the town but in a new posi- tion—hopefully as town commis sioner." Martin G. Feldt Martin G. Feldt, 35, of 125 Lumber- ton St., operates M.G.F. Builders Inc. and is membership director of the Holden Beach Merchants Association. Feldt is also a team leader on the Holden Beach Evacuation Commit tee and a member of the South Brunswick Islands Chamber of Com merce. He is a graduate of Palm Beach Junior College, and he and his wife, Wanda, have tour children. Feldt said the most important issues now at Holden Beach arc an nexation of the causeway and ocean- front erosion control. He also said, "It is my desire to find any available funds to construct some sort of walkway or bike path on Ocean Boulevard." Feldt added, "Holden Beach is my home and I would like it to remain as lovely as It is now. Growth will con tinue, but the growth needs lo be con trolled and orderly. We need lo look ahead and plan growth so it is beneficial to all Holden Beach residents." Graham King Graham King, 56, of 129 Lions Paw Dr., is the only incumbent .seeking re- election to the board of commis sioners. King graduated with a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina. He has a wife, Macie, and three children. He said he is seeking re-election "to continue projects started in the last four years." King said important issues at Holden Beach include wastewater treatment, annexation, sidewalks on Ocean Boulevard and street im provements. He explained that the issue of wastewater treatment should be dic tated by the needs and desires of residents and that he is opposed to causeway annexation. King said, "My past four years ex perience on the board has given me an insight into the needs and pro blems of our town and citizens." Georgia R. I.,anglcy Georgia R. I^ngley, 49, of 122 Conch St., Is a housewife who "loves Holden Beach and cares about its future." Among other things, she co founded the N.C. Municipal Clerks Association and is a former city clerk of Rocky Mount. Mrs. I,anglcy has also been a hospital volunteer for more than seven years and is presently volunteering her services on the “Sw ing Bed" unit at The Brunswick Hospital. She has received degrees or diplomas from Carolina College of Commerce. Nash Community Col lege, Wesleyan College, Syracuse University and the Medical Universi ty of South Carolina. Mrs. I^ngley has a hu.sband. Wiley, and two married daughters. She said important issues curerent- ly facing Holden Beach residents are growth, erosion control and control of taxes. Mrs. Langley concluded, "My record in government proves that when I make any commitment, I give it my best. I have nothing to gain per sonally or financially. I only want to serve Holden Beach to improve and control the problems it now faces." Margaret Vasco Margaret Vasco, 61, of ISO Ocean Boulevard East, is a retired food ser vice manager and a former Girl Scout leader who has received that organization’s highest honor, the Marjorie Dangerfield Award. She has scrv’cd as chairman of Holden Beach Community Watch, the town’s community appearance committee and the P.T.A. Mrs. Vasco graduated from Arl ington Kail Junior College and con tinued her education at the Universi ty of Maryland, American University and Howard County Community Col lege. She has a husband, Armand, and three children. She said the most important issues currently facing the town are keep ing the "family beach" atmosphere, controlling erosion and litter and planning for orderly growth. Vasco said these issues can best be achieved by studying enforcement of current ordinances, controling com mercial zoning and obtaining state aid for sandbagging and dune renourishment. She added, "I first came to Holden Beach in 1948, became a property owner in 1958 and a permanent resi dent in 1980. Three generations of my family liave enjoyed this beach and its people.” SoMtyeKM CiAsUm Homes K lNbeiiux WCBT HNISHES BiUlW HUDWUE ‘Custom Designs ‘Residential Construction 'Additions Remodeling 1937 Now Op^ Moo.^. 8 AM to 6 PM Moln Su—fSholkXf 754^733 Steve Walker— NC Lie. ^21565 Locoted upstairs at Brunswick Islond Furniture Hwy 179, PO Box 5144, Ocean Isle Beach, 579 8929 Double Coupons Every Day MC VISA Sole Prices E( ective Oct. 26-31 • Shallotte Location Only . .1 ill-' II . . ‘V f
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 29, 1987, edition 1
16
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