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West Craven HIGHLIGHTS, March 22,1979
Senator
Joseph E.
Thomas
Legislative Report
March 16,1979
The North Carolina coastline is one of the most beautiful
and unspoiled landscapes left in America. Over the years,
this same coastline has provided needed recreation and
adequate livelihoods for many of our citizens.
The coast is a major resource for residential and
recreational areas, investment properties, military instal
lations, and the commercial and sports fishing industry.
Unfortunately, this resource is in imminent danger of
being washed away with the tide.
The danger is especially threatening in the Bogue
Inlet-Emerald Isle area where in 1972 part of the western
tip of Emerald Isle was actually separated from the rest of
the island by erosion and flooding. Eventually the satelite
island was completely submerged by water.
Of course, the dangers of erosion, flooding, and storm
damage are not new to residents of the Second Senatorial
District. We have lived with these dangers all of our lives.
Only in recent years have the dangers become more
financial than physical.
However, just because the physical dangers have
lessoned does not mean we should ignore the threat to
millions of dollars in investments as well as the
opportunities for employment and recreation.
While many areas of the state have ready access to
state and federal monies in land management and
environmental problems, the coastal area faces an uphill
battle in obtaining funds in its continuing fight against the
shifting sands of inlet erosion.
There are several reasons for this battle over funding
for erosion problems in the coastal area. One is a general
lack of understanding over what can or should be done to
control erosion and protect personal property. Another is
the sheer magnitude of combating erosion on a major
scale. Probably the biggest problem coastal area residents
face in obtaining help, however, is the recent consensus
across the state that nothing can be done to stop the
forces of nature.
While such reasoning is at least valid on the surface, I
believe there are certain measures that can be taken to
insure the use and enjoyment of our coastal lands for
years to come.
In terms of long-range solutions, we must be especially
careful in planning and development of future facilities in
threatened areas. On-going studies by state and federal
agencies must be implemented and maintained with the
cooperation of local citizens.
At Bogue Inlet, however, there is little time for
long-range solutions.
NEW VISION TESTERS CHECK EYESIGHT MORE
ACCURATELY-Driver’s license examiner Addle Avery of
Raleigh prepares to check apidicant on new electronic
vision ad sign testing instrument. Hie new equipment
checks eyesi^t more carefuOy and requires knowledge of
intemationai traffic symlnds. North Carolina is the first
state to use this new type of electronic equipment.
Already the Swansboro Coast Guard channel has been
closed due to shoaling. The closure has caused the
Swansboro Coast Guard craft to be relocated increasing
emergency response time by 30 minutes. The shoaling has
also added additional burdens upon fishing craft. I support
the recent call by the Emerald Isle Association and have
been in contact with the Corp of Engineers for immediate
action to clear the channel.
In my contacts with the Corp, I have also learned that a
four-year study of the Bogue Banks and Bogue Inlet
problem (by members of the Corp) is almost complete and
will be published in the next few months. The study is
likely to recommmend permanent structures, such as
jettys, in order to stabilize the inlets.
In anticipation of these recommendations, I have
introduced a bill in the State Senate calling for $500,000
over the next two years for “channel clearance, mainten
ance, and beach nourishment specifically at Bogue Inlet.”
Hopefully this money will be available should the study
recommend structures that would require local funding. In
the event that a permanent structure is not forthcoming,
this money could be used in obtaining at least a temporary
solution to the current problem.
Obviously, there will be no quick and permanent
victories over the timeless march of erosion and shifting
sands on the coast, but with careful planning and hard
work, we may yet be able to co-exist peacefully.
Merger - - A Major development
I came to work at the Highlights on January 4 and
immediately began covering the issue of merger of the
Craven County and New Bern City Schools, which I am
sure will prove to be a major development in 1979. That
very night I attended a meeting at the County Superin
tendent’s Office. It was really a case of training under fire.
At that point the two school boards were discussing
things like an interim board, another study commission,
and a referendum. At a joint meeting of the two school
boards, on January 12, there was much discussion, but
little action. However, this situation changed drastically,
when at a meeting on Friday, January 19, the Craven
County Commissioners issued an ultimatuim to the two
boards. The Commissioners gave the Boards of Education
until February 23 to submit a plan of merger for the two
sdiool systems. If the boards failed to come up with a
plan, then the County Commissioners would prepare their
own plan, which probably would have been along the lines
of Rep. Chris Barker's proposed bilL
This action was never necessary, because the two
boards did agree on a plan. In a joint meeting called for
the next Tuesday, January 23, they adopted a plan of
merger to establish one administrative unit for the two
systems. The plan calls for merger of the two systems on
the first Monday of December, 1980. In addition, it
provides for a study committee to work out the details of
the merger. This plan, after being approved by the
County Commissioners on March 5, was submitted to the
Connie Bryan
North Carolina State Board of Education and will be
reviewed by that board.
I believe that the citizens of Craven County should be
proud of their representatives and commend them for a
job well done. I was at that marathon meeting on January
23, when the members worked until after midnight
discussing a plan that would be fair to all. Throughout the
long debate, I have felt that the Craven County and New
Bern City School Boards were both acting in a ftur manner
and that providing the best education possible for the
students was paramount in their view. Whether or not the
fairness continues, however, is up to the citizens of the
county, because they, after all, have the final say so in
these matters in the form of the ballot.
I believe that a merged system can benefit students. It
will take hard work and adjustments on both sides. But in
the end, the new system will be able to offer the best
possible education at the lowest cost for the taxpayers.
The
Washington Report %
by
Rep. waiter B. Jones
beginning March 19, 1979
The big news here in Washington last week, or for that
matter, anywhere, was the apparent success of President
Carter in effecting a peace treaty between Elgypt and
Israel. At this time, many of the details have not been
announced, but if successfully concluded, it will stop the
frequent military skirmishes which have had a heavy cost
in life and property. Regardless of how one might feel
towards President Carter personally, certainly an over
whelming majority must admire his tenacious efforts to
bringing the two nations together. Present estimates plac^^
the cost for this nation of the treaty implementation
approximately $5 billion. This consists of economic and
military aid to both countries. But if some sort of
permanent peace can be achieved, many of us feel that it
will be well worth the price. The President was greeted
upon his return in the early hours of March 14 by a
tremendous crowd at Andrews Air Force Base.
The legislative process continues to move at an
extremely slow pace. Last week both the House and
Senate passed legislation concerning our future relations
with the nation of Taiwan. Many felt that we were
deserting the people of Taiwan by resuming diplomatic
relations with Red China. So, legislation was enacted to
state categorically what this nation’s position would be
towards Taiwan in the future. The provisions of the
U.S.-Taiwan Relations Act are basically as follows: 1.
Peace and stability in the Western Pacific are in the U.S.
political and economic interest and must be maintained-
continued close and friendly commercial, cultural and
other relations with the people of Taiwan must be
assured.
2. Taiwan’s future must be determined by peaceful
meas-any attack on Taiwan, or use of force, boycott or
embargo would be a threat to Western Pacific and of
grave concern to the United States. (The Administration
agreed to accept this language, but opposed efforts to
state that use of force against Taiwan would “threaten
security interests of the U.S.”)
3. The U.S. will make available to Taiwan defense articles
and services. The President must notify Congress at once
of any threat to Taiwan’s security for a joint determina
tion of appropriate action.
4. U.S. laws and programs will continue to apply with
respect to Taiwan as if derecognition had not taken place;
this includes immigration laws.
5. All treaties and international agreements between the
United States and Taiwan which were in force before
December 31, 1978, will continue in force unless terminated
under their own provisions.
6. Taiwanese interests in property acquired before
January 1, 1979 will continue.
I personally feel that this should satisfy those who felt
that we were deserting Taiwan, a longtime international
friend, and for that matter, a good customer of American
exports.
As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Tobacco, I
continue my efforts to insist on a four-day sales week
rather than the proposed five days by the U.S. Depart
ment of Agriculture. At this point, I feel reasonably
confident that the four-day week will be restored for the
1979 season.
The West Craven
HIGHLIGHTS
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