."WaKv.1 i i w, IYY4
O/B Mayor, Commissioner Differ
Over Planning Board Expansion
(Continued From Page l-A)
asked Tuesday, questioning the ef
fectiveness of keeping town mem
bership .it just three people. Earlier
he had cited a letter from the
Institute ot Government supporting
a larger-size board.
Williamson defended the docu
ment. describing it as a "worksheet
only. II it's incorrect, we can change
it." she said.
Taking the role of mediator.
Commissioner Kendall Suh proposed
a compromise, pointing out that the
planning board issue "had created a
lot of undue contention which hasn't
been go*>d for any of us."
The Feb. 15 workshop was to have
been a joint session, but only one
planning board member showed up.
Tuesday, saying he wanted to see
"who was lying and who was telling
the truth." Odell Williamson assert
ed that Proctor and Building In
spector Druied Roberson had
changed the workshop date, and that
was why only one planning board
member came.
That wasn't the case. Planning
and Zoning Board Chairman De
Carol Williamson attended the com
missioners' Feb. S meeting He par
ticipated in setting the lime and date
for the Feb. 15 workshop. He mis
sed the workshop, apparent I \ be
cause of another appointment
Since then iwo other planning
board members who didn't attend
the workshop have resigned.
Tuesday, over Proctor's objec
tions. commissioners appointed ar
chitect Joe Johnson to replace re
signing {own member Mill IJul
lington. and voted to recommend
Frank Williamson Jr.. the mayor's
son. for appointment by the Bruns
wick County Commissioners to re
place KTA member Judy Yarbrough
McHenry. who resigned tor health
reasons.
Proctor wanted commissioners to
wait to make the appointments until
after the new rules governing the
planning board are adopted by com
missioners. sa\ ing new members did
not have the background needed to
evaluate the rules.
However. Mayor Williamson
thought it would be helpful for new
and continuing members to partici
Ocean Isle Beach
Board Considers
Nighttime Work
Sessions: Page 7-A
pate in an Institute of Government
training session for planning and
zoning hoard and lnurd of adjust
ment members March 1(> from 1
p.m. to 4:3l( p.ni .it I (olden Beach
Town Hall.
Proctor's fellow commissioners
tilled the vacancies immediately.
I'hev will also ask the newly-consti
tuted planning board to review the
proposed changes when it meets at 9
.' in next Tuesday. March 15. and
make recommendations before the
town board adopts any changes.
"I think we ought to hear what
they have to say." said
Commissioner Debbie Sloane.
Proctor had at first thought plan
ning board review would delay
adoption ot the rules. Since the
changes need to he voted on during
a regular commissioners' meeting.
?h;ii isn't the case. The soonest they
can he adopted is April 12. If there
are substantive changes from those
proposed, adoption could take even
longer.
While Proctor has questioned the
board's slowness is making planning
hoard changes. Mayor Williamson
disagreed, saying. "I don't think
we've wasted any time dealing with
this."
Other than size and attendance
rules, most other points of concur
rence at the workshop are reflected
in the draft planning board bylaws,
including not requiring LTA mem
bers to attend unless ETA matters
are on the agenda. The board would
meet at least monthly on a set day
and time of its own choosing, act
only with a quorum, serve staggered
three-year terms, maintain public
records and elect officers, with
Town Clerk Daisy Ivey recommend
ed as secretary.
New Klcvated Tank Eyed
Engineer l-inley Boney said the
cost of a new elevated water storage
facility could range from $750,000
to $1 million, depending upon its ca
Sunny Point To Receive Spent Fuel Rods?
(Continued From Page 1-A)
a National Hurricane Conference
this week, and with Hon Lggert, a
county planner.
At the planning department they
asked for maps, population data,
possible routes for transporting low
level nuclear waste from Sunny
Point toward the Savannah River
Site at Aiken. S.C.. and their poten
tial impact.
"Thev said they were the ground
troops, doing a general survey." said
l-ggert. "They didn't indicate they
were looking at other sites and they
didn't give any indication of the sta
tus of Sunny Point."
liggert pointed out westbound
routes from Sunny Point by way of
N.C. 2 i i and N.C. K7.
In his letter dated March 7. Hunt
references a Jan. 25 letter from
O'Leary announcing that
Wilmington, Vtorehead City and
Sunn\ Point are under considera
tion.
Hunt argues that none of the pos
sible state sites meet the depart
ment's own criteria and that Sunny
Point and Morehcad City are "clear
ly inappropriate tot further consider
ation."
To back his contention. Hunt rec
ommends that DOh follow its own
selection process, which did not
rank Wilmington nor any other
North Carolina port at the lop. He
suggests that transport by truck
would likely involve travel over "in
appropriate two-lane roads along
routes that are ill-equipped to re
spond to a nuclear accident."
If shipped through Sunny Point,
the fuel would come into proximity
with considerable quantities of ex
plosive material. Oversight by the
slate would also be more difficult on
a federal military installation. Hunt
suggests.
He also points out that publicity
over the movement of the spent fuel
roils is likely to have a negative ef
fect on efforts by the N.C. I.ow
1 A.'vel Radioactive Waste Authority
to obtain permitting for a waste fa
cility in the state tor use by member
states of the Southeast low -Level
Radioactive Waste Compact. "High
profile nuclear waste shipments dur
ing this critical period will unneces
sarily alarm and confuse the pub
lic...." Hunt writes.
According to federal documents,
transport is to be through a |*>rt ot
entry that has "the lowest human
population in the area surrounding
the port of entry, is closest in prox
imity to the Savannah River Sile.
and has the most appropriate facili
ties for, and experience in. receiving
spent nuclear fuel."
According to Howes, the federal
government cited Morehcad CitCs
greatest disadvantages as the eco
nomics of equipment retrofits and
variable traffic on surface trans
portation routes.
For Sunny Point, the greatest dis
advantage was proximity to muni
tions. Operated by the U.S. Army's
Military Traffic Management Com
mand. Sunny Point is the largest
hazardous ammunition and explo
sives terminal in the free world, and
the largest terminal operated by the
U.S. military.
The Army 's standard response is
to "neither confirm noi denv"
whether the port handles or has han
dled nuclear weapons, fuel or waste.
Of the seven primary port sites,
only two. Charleston. SC.. and
Jacksonville. I la., have no expert
cna' in handling commercial spent
nuclcar fuel. Ports in Wilmington.
N.C.; Newport News. Norfolk and
Portsmouth, Va.: and Savannah. <ia .
have experience
In semi-isolation, the terminal
proper occupies 8,502 fenced acres
along the Cape feat River, while its
easements and buffer /ones occupy
another 7. l?? acres in Brunswick
and New Hanover counties.
Its administrative offices are 17
miles from its three 2,2(H)-foot
wharves, which are equipped to han
dle containerized or break hulk car
go. I'rov iding only short-term stor
age for cargo awaiting shipment, the
terminal moves ammunition and
other danuerous cargo in support ot
the li.S Department of Defense.
Army shipping takes priority on an
IN-milc railroad track that runs be
tween I .eland and Sunny Point and
also serves several industrial cus
tomers. including Carolina Power &
I .ight Co.
Before any action is taken, the
Department of hnergv must review
all comments on its initial environ
mental assessment and decide that
there would be no significant im
pact. or begin a lengthy full environ
mental impact statement process.
Other port screening criteria in
clude economic feasibility, closeness
ot the port to the storage facility,
lowest human population exposure
and distance from she port to the
open ocean. Among the seven ports
DOI- (iist listed. Wilmington ranks
in the middle on most criteria.
Railbed quality is similar among
all options, l or trtkks, the federal
government piei'ers transport over
tour-lane controlled access roads, but
may approve two-lane roads. Over
weight loads haven't been ruled out.
'Phantom' Fraud Suspect Arrested
(Continued From Page 1-A)
ihc area to look al property.
"That's what made me think this
was more than |usi .1 house guest
who ran off with some jewelry,"
Hunter said. "The fact that people
were so taken in suggested that he
might have done this before."
It was the local land deal that
gave Hunter his first break in the in
vestigation. When the real estate
agents took Hudgens to look at the
hotse farm, one of them brought
along .1 video camera to film the
property lor other prospective buy
ers.
Without his knowledge. Hudgens
was captured by the camera, leaning
uii .. fcttcc. ;.:r.:!ing ant! chatting
with the sales people.
Hunter said he was in the process
of distributing still photos from the
film to other law enforcement agen
cies when the big break came.
Someone at an Asheville jewelry
IKE BRUNSWICK ? BEACON
l-.stabhshed Nov I. 19(i2
Telephone "754-6890
Published livery Thursday
At 47IW Main Street
Shallottc. N.C. 28459
SUBSCRIPTION KATES
IN HRUNSWK'K (Dl Vh
One Year $lo 36
Six Months S5.55
ELSEWIIKRK IN
NOR TH CAROLINA
One Year $1-1 86
Six Months $7.0(1
KLSKWHKRE IN U.S.A.
One Year $15 95
Six Months $8.35
Second clas . postage paid a!
Shallottc, N < 28459 USPS 777
7X11. Postmaster, send address
i haliges to
P.O. Itox 2558,
Shallot li N.C. 28459-2558
store called the Calabash business der the name Michael Wayne
where the card was registered to vcr- Hough lie has been charged with
ify a large purchase. The owner took one count each of lelonious larceny,
the call and notified Hunter. forgery, financial transaction card
The store owner said he was sup- theft and financial transaction card
posed to pick up the jewelry the next fraud. He was being held Tuesday in
day and was staying at the Raddison lieu of S5.(KMI bond.
Hotel, Hunter said. He immediately Hunter said Iludgens has only one
contacted Ashcvillc Police Detectiv e prior criminal conviction, for a 14X4
Van Smith and gave him a descrip worthless check offense in Spokane,
lion of Hudgcns and the car. Washington. He was arrested on two
"He said he was across the street other charges in Washington, but did
from the hotel and could see the ear not show up for trial. Hunter said,
from the windo v. So he walked Authorities in the western states
across the street and took him to s.tv they do not intend to extradite
jail." Hunter said. Hudgcns Hut he may face addition
Iludgens was brought back to al prosecution in Virginia. South
Brunswick County and booked un- Carolina and Georgia. Hunter said.
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^ Purchase tickets by ^
March 11, unless the ^
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Certain restrictions apply.
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OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC 28469
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There arc significant differences
in potential population exposure at
the point of entry anil along the en
tire truck route for the various ports.
Hic shipment casks are designed
to contain radiation during shipment
and under reasonably predictable ac
cident conditions. That suggests the
potential for exposure is generally
equal among the ports, except for
differences in population density
along the route.
Potential impact of any proposed
route on disadvantaged/minority
populations is also taken into ac
count.
Monday was the formal deadline
for comment on the DOl: plan. The
project was not publicized by the
agency in the potential port of entry
communities, though local officials
and U.S. congressmen serving each
community were notified.
As ot Tuesday. The Brun.swuk
Bcacon did not know if officials of
Brunswick County or the two local
communities closest to Sunny
Point?Southport and Boiling Spr
ing Lakes?lud been notified prior
to the Sandia Laboratories research
stop last month.
Junior Squad
Member Makes,
Donates Boards
Coastline Volunteer Rescue Squad
junior member Todd Pruitt made
backboards for the squad as project
for his Eagle Scout badge.
Scoutmaster Butch Harrison and
Troop 2(11. as well as Pruitt's family
members, were present when he pre
sented the hoards to the squad at its
monthly meeting.
During January, the Coastline
squad answered hi emergency calls,
according to spokesman Sharon
Martin. I'wenty-one were mutual aid
calls were answered, and 12 patients
were transported for a total of l>4
runs and total mileage of 2,519.
Families of the patients transport
ed donated $1,170 to the squad.
pacify. March 31 is the deadline to second tank and quality problems
applv for a 5 percent interest loan associated with long-term water
from the stale. storage. "If we don't have tt) have it.
The state requires municipalities then I wouldn i necessarily lv lor
to keep in reserve one day's supply building it." he said
of water for firefighting purposes. Kate Tied To Tap Size
During July and August, said Boney, In preparation for the March 22
usage .it Ocean Isle Reach some- meeting. Mayor Betty Williamson
times approaches or exceeds one appointed Commissioners Debbie
million gallons of water per day. Fox and Janet Sanders to work with
fluctuating widely from the winter her and staff members to develop
months. new basic water rales tied to meter
The existing lank stores about size, not the number of units in a
2(KUMK) gallons, leaving a need for building. Most meters (1,463) in
at least MtKi.tNN) and up to one mii- town .uc three-quarter inch, with a
lion gallons of storage to accommo- few in si/es ranging up to S inches,
date current and future needs, the The committee will also consider
engineer suggested. raising Ihe minimum water service
Utility Supervisor Odell Wil- rate.
liamson questioned whether the Other fee changes proposed range
town could not base its water re- from S25 for mowing a vacant lot to
serve on the average water usage changing to v. n privilege license tax
during a year rather than peak de- es to follow those in the state
mand and avoid the expense of a statutes.
Holden Manager Under
Fire From Former Inspector
(Continued From Page 1-A)
doesn't think Ulrich enforces the town ordinances fairly.
Ulrich, now in his second stint as manager at Holden Beach, took
over on an interim basis last August following the resignation of Gary
Parker. Ulrich was hired on a permanent basis in October.
Contacted Tuesday. Ulrich declined to comment on his evaluation or
rumors about his job security.
Carroll, a first-term commissioner, said one of his campaign pledges
last fall was replacing Ulrich as manager.
He said voters told him Ulrich was not doing his job. "That was the
word 1 got up and down the beach from the average citizen."
Carroll said he doesn't think Ulrich is capable of doing the manag
er's job "I try to get a dollar out of a dollar and he don't. I hope he can
straighten up and start doing his job."
"I think we need somebody qualified to replace him," Carroll added.
"You need somebody qualified to do the job. It's a hell of a big job."
Despite his ill feelings toward the manager, Carroll contends that he
has not instigated a movement to fire Ulrich.
"1 think he should be replaced, but I'm not the gung ho leader behind
the movement to get rid of him," he said. "I'm not the ramrod, I'll put it
that way. It may not be that any one individual is a ramrod."
Rumors have been circulating for more than a week that Ulrich is
going SO be fit'cd.
A special meeting of the board of commissioners was scheduled Feb.
28 for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter. However, it was
called off about three hours before the meeting time.
Commissioner David Sandifer declined to comment on Monday's
Closed session or rumors concerning Ulrich's employment.
However, he indicated that he supports keeping Ulrich as town man
ager. "I'm very much in favor of Gus. I think he's doing a fine job,"
Sandifer said Tuesday.
Fournier said rumors concerning the town manager were so wide
spread that he received telephone calls from residents requesting that the
town board return winch.
"We seem to have a lot of that lately," Fournier said of the rumors.
"We seem to be getting chewed out for things we haven't done."
Commissioner Sid Swarts declined to discuss the closed-door ses
sion or Ulrich's employment status.
"There were rumors flying around this island something terrible be
fore the executive session," Swarts said. "Rumors get terribly warped is
the problem. There were no facts at the start of that."
Ulrich was town manager in Garner for 17 years before moving to
Holden Beach in January 1989. His first stint as manager continued
through August 1990, when he resigned for "personal reasons."
Wet Weather is Expected
Normal temperatures and above- measuted 3.85 inches ol rain at
average rainfall arc expected over Shallottc Point.
the next few days, according to Thc daj, a c tcmperalure of
Shallottc Point amateur meteorolo- % ^ > wjs :t|n)ut 5 ^
gist Jackson Canady. ahovc norma, T(k ;|V jallv
Canady sa.d Tuesday area res,- high was ()8 tlcgrccs and lhtravcr c
dents can expect at least three- niJht|y low was 44 d,.grccs.
lourths of an inch 01 rain over the
next week. Temperatures should Canady said the maximum high
generally range from the low 40s at temperature during the period was
night to the low 60s during the day. 75 degrees on March 7 and the mini
I'or the period March 1-7. Canady mum low wa? 37 degrees on the 4th.
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