Newspapers / The Shore Line (Pine … / Oct. 1, 2015, edition 1 / Page 22
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ffl^orS fficnw^^ By Ken Jones The haves or the have nots—or fair vs. not fair It seems like a good time of year to talk about government since we have elections in the next few weeks. As many of you know, we have been in several challenging positions this year, and I don’t look for any of that to change any time soon. Our State Legislature is going to try to fix the problems in every municipality they have ever known. The sales and use tax redistribution, a.k.a. wealth redistribution, is the latest activity we have had to conquer. This is so misguided I cant begin to put it in words. This doesn’t have anything to do with economic development, which would have slowed me down a little. Jones County, to the west of the southern part of Carteret County, would be the biggest winner in the state, while we are number four in the list of counties to lose the most. This is not about the haves and the have nots; it’s about fair and need—and not want. I have always been of the opinion that the best government is the government closest to the people. This is one of the reasons I think homeowners associations are so important. If you want to know the opinion of the people and can’t get to them directly, ask the next level down, the homeowners association, and then the next level down, local government, and so on. North Carolina is as diverse geographically, from the ocean and Outer Banks to the Appalachian Mountains, as any state in our nation. The economic differences are also as diverse. Tourism, agrarian economies, manufacturing and more tourism—North Carolina has it all, and not every economic problem can be solved with just money. Sales and use tax distribution openly displays the struggles local governments are having with cash flow management. Services cost more with inflation and contract increases that are set in concrete. If you cut and cut, and add more and more efficiencies, eventually you run out of options. Locally, we have had this same struggle for a few years now. The same argument applies locally. Without question, the economic engine in Carteret County is our beaches. To change the sales and use tax, we can only hope that our unified fight against the State Legislature will cause our county to look in the mirror and make any decision in the future to change the sales and use tax distribution sound ridiculous. We have had threats to our tree . ordinances, to our municipal service districts, and to our sales and use tax redistribution, to name a few. Let’s hope the other levels of government can find something to do other than try to regulate us. It is an honor to serve and represent you and your interests—one team, one town, one Pine Knoll Shores. ' m. ^jmtoyourcKpoft camof a'ft tor.tCHday i all vouriH ferafiair, maint^iatioe^ mstaitaiiofi ivMds. Turn to the Expert£ A w«»Qi( qpcwfRer 252-247-5900 Looking Ahead The holidays are just around the corner and plans are already in the works for some favorite community activities. Put these on your calendars now, and watch for details in future issues of The Shoreline. The annual Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at McNeill Park for the walk/run event. Bikers are also welcome, and there will be a separate bike route. The event starts at 9 a.m. and will conclude with hot chocolate and/or coffee. The Christmas Flotilla will be held at McNeill Park on Saturday, December 5. Boats should enter the canal at approximately 5:30 p.m., and it is rumored that Santa will make an appearance. The fourth annual Pine Knoll Shores Christmas Carol Sing is planned for Tuesday, December 15, at 4:30 pm. Carolers visit the homes of shut-ins and those who live alone and will enjoy some holiday cheer. All ages (and singing abilities) are welcome to join the group at Garner Park to assemble for the sing—and for a hot chocolate social afterwards. The Pine Knoll Shores Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 19, at 11 a.m. Residents and visitors are encouraged to decorate bikes or golf carts, get a group to sing carols or play music or make their own floats. Everyone is encouraged to participate. The parade will begin at Garner Park. What’s Up With PARC? By Jean McDanal Remember that on Saturday, October 10, the annual community yard sale will be held at the Pine Knoll Shores fire station from 8 a.m. until noon. You never know what kind of treasure you may find. If you are selling at the yard sale, we will be collecting items at the end that will be donated to a charity, either The Hem of His Garment or the Salvation Army. If you need help with a large item, please contact Tina Keefe at 240-2395 or wkeefe@live.com. John Brodman, Mike Hargett and Jan Frye began their ride in the NC Amateur Sports Annual Mountain to the Coast Bike Ride after this issue of The Shoreline went to press, taking a sometimes meandering route from Waynesville to Oak Island. Their daily reports about their escapades have been shared via town-wide email, and as in previous years, a map is posted at town hall showing the route of the bike ride and the riders’ progress across the state. Along with team members Sylvia Brodman and Buffa Hargett, their goal is to raise funds for the Crystal Coast Hospice House. If you are interested in supporting this worthy cause, your tax-deductible contributions will be accepted at town hall. Please make your checks payable to The Town of Pine Knoll Shores, with a notation that says “bike ride” or “Hospice House.” The team pays its own expenses, so 100% of your donation will go directly to the Hospice House. Parks and Recreation Committee (PARC) upcoming events include the annual Angel Tree project for Hope For The Warriors, beginning on November 2; our annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning; the Christmas Flotilla on December 5; and our Christmas Parade on December 19. Please note that the parade will be similar in style to our Fourth of July parade. We hope to see you there. PARC welcomes any suggestions for activities that will get people out, moving and involved. Just let us know. If you have any suggestions for PARC, please do not hesitate to email me at PARCPR@ec.rr.com or come to one of our meetings. The next meeting is Tuesday, October 13, at 9 a.m. at town hall. 22 The Shoreline I October 2015
The Shore Line (Pine Knoll Shores, N.C.)
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