Newspapers / State Port Pilot (Southport, … / April 19, 1972, edition 1 / Page 1
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V - ' THE STATE POUT PILOT A Good Newspaper In A Good Community VOLUME 43 NUMBER 39 16PAGES TODAY SOUTHPORT, NORTH CAROLINA APRIL 19, 1972 5 CENTS A COPY PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY More Than $100,000 To Be Received From Tax The county and municipal governments in Brunswick will divide more than $100,000 in sales tax collected here during the past three months, according to reports from the North Carolina Department of Revenue. The state agency has reported a March collection of $36,965.40. The amount is the highest total since the extra penny sales tax was approved for Brunswick County by the county com missioners. The March collection will be added to the January collection of $35,750.78 and the February total of $34,532.74. Total collections for the quarter are $107,248.92. Subtracting the 1.035 percent withheld by the state Department of Revenue as its fee for collecting the tax, the county’s share far exceeds the $76,627.85 received for the first quarter which ended December 31. Of that first distribution, the county received $63,893.79 while the balance was allotted to the municipalities on the following schedule: Southport, $3,364.32; Boiling Spring Lakes, $594.61; Canal May Be Problem, Say Southport Aldermen The Canal being dug around Southport by Carolina Power and Light Company was the object of two criticisms by the Southport board of aldermen at its meeting last Thursday night. Acting City Manager Walter Aldridge termed “a sore subject" the damage that heavy earth-moving equipment has caused to the water line extending beyond the canal. And Alderman Hoyle Dosher had some second thoughts on the canal, which he said could result in saline intrusion of the fresh water supply for the city. About the damaged water lines, Aldridge said that during the past three weeks the pipe had been burst four times — “and I’m not talking about leaks." He blamed the heavy equipment working in the area of the NC 211 bridge: “It is not die fault of the pipe, the contractors or the placement of the pipe,” he told the board. On one occasion, the broken pipe went undetected for several hours and 780,000 gallons of water drained out. “It left a hole big enough to bury a car,” the acting city manager noted. CP&L has been sent the bill for the repairs and the lost water — about $300 worth — but the city finds itself in a peculiar situation with the 16 water customers on the other side of the canal. When the pipe breaks, Aldridge explained, dirt enters the line and is even tually pushed to the outlet. The dirt clogs the water meter at, the customers’ end and the mechanism stops working, allowing customers to use water for which they are not billed. Alderman Dosher, speaking outon the canal that encircles the city, said, “As it stands now, we have an abundant supply of fresh water,” but added that the supply was in Jeopardy. Dosher said he’s “heard a whole lot of stories,” in cluding one that the canal would be lined with concrete. That’s not true. “The company should show cause beyond a reasonable doubt” that the canal won’t bother the water supply around Southport. “If we put a little pressure on them, they’d put it in writing.” The board passed a resolution expressing con cern. “We haven’t been brought into this,” said Dosher. “As far as we know, they don’t even know we have deep wells here.” City attorney E.J. Prevatte said the salt water will move about two miles an hour through the canal, which will carry cooling water to the nuclear plant and then discharge the water into the ocean. An estimated two billion gallons of water a day will be used, he noted. Pilot Feature A special section of the State Port Pilot dealing exclusively with politics will be published May 3 in the last edition before the primary. The purpose of the special section is to give the public an opportunity to compare candidates for the various county and district offices. News items about the can didates will be published in the May 3 issue only. All candidates for Brun swick board of education, county commission and the register of deeds office have been written, asking their response to questions that pertain to this county. Also, responses have been sought from the five candidates for the 7th District U.S. House of Representatives seat, the five candidates for the N.C. Senate seat representing Brunswick County, and the two candidates running for: the N.C. House of Representatives seat. “We believe this is the fairest way to allow can didates to present their views to the voters,” said State Port Pilot publisher James Harper. “The special section will give the prospective voters a chance to read about the various candidates, compare their opinions and draw what we hope will be a reasonable conclusion about whom to vote for.” (Continued On Page Duw) THE SANITARY LANDFILL near Southport, although open only about 30 days, is already about half-filled. Site Superintendent Ed Clemmons said that 85 linear yards of the landfill ditches had been filled, far above the expected rate. Cooperation from the public, he added, has been good. Yaupon Beach, $858.51; Long Beach, $4,771.57; ShaUotte, $1,051.29; Bolivia, $51.13; Holden Beach, $863.10; Ocean Isle Beach, $766.04 and Sunset Beach, $413.49. The next distribution, expected in May, will be made on the same basis, with all totals about one-third higher. The distribution Is made according to the amount of ad valorem (property) taxes paid by each incorporated town. The increase in the extra sales tax receipts reflects a general growth in the county and more local purchases; the penny levy is applicable to all purchases that are subject to the state’s three percent tax. The levy was approved by a unanimous vote of the couty board of commissioners, without a referendum of the people. Public sentiment, however, has been almost 100 percent in favor of the tax. The law allows the levy to be repealed if enough voters oppose the tax, but this is doubtful. The first levy was used for various purposes, Including a payment of more than $30,000 from the county to the schools, an appropriation of more than $3,000 from South port to the county hospital, and a decision by the Long Beach town board to use its funds to improve the police department. The sales tax levy is con sidered by government of ficials as a fair way to in crease revenue without placing an additional burden on the property-tax payer. To raise $100,000, as was done through the levy in the past three months, the county would have to increase its current $1.90 tax rate by approximately 12 cents. Sunday Ends Library Week The observance of National Library Week in Brunswick County will be highlighted by a special program Sunday afternoon at the Southport — Brunswick County Library. The program is scheduled for 4 p.m. Theme of this year’s observance is “Reading Makes The World Go ’Round.” The Waccamaw High School glee club, the Brun swick County-Southport glee club and the Leland glee club will participate. Other sec tions of the program include the welcome by James Clemmons, principal of Lincoln School and president of the Friends of die Library organization. wua. iyuiuuij uavut, uic Southport — Brunswick County librarian, will in troduce the public librarians, while Mrs. Edna Gause, supervisor of the Brunswick County school librarires, will recognize the school librarians. Introduction of the National Library Week committee and special guests will be by Mrs. Frances Stone, assistant superintendent of Brunswick County schools in charge of ESEA Title I affairs. Guest speaker Rep. Thomas Harrelson of South port will be introduced by Ralph King, superintendent of Brunswick County schools. Remarks will be made by Mrs. Margaret Harper of Southport, who has been active in creating the library system here. A progress report of the Friends of the Library and the introduction of that organization’s new officers also is included in the program. A certificate of ap preciation will be presented by Harold Aldridge, chairman of the Southport — Brunswick County Library board of trustees, and project recognition and awards will be made by Mrs. Martin Neilson. 15-FOOT DIAMETER PIPE to be used for Carolina Power and Light Company's canal system has been unloaded at the intracoastal Waterway site. The pipe will be laid underneath the canal to carry water to Fort Caswell, from where two similar pipes will be extended 2,000 feet offshore to carry the heated water. County Moving Ahead On Plans For Water Supply Brunswick County, the board of commissioners was reminded Monday, “is get ting ready to set sail” as far as progress in southeastern North Carolina is concerned. Troy Doty, executive vice president of the Peirson and Whitman consulting engineers firm of Raleigh, made the statement to justify his companies interest in the proposed $4.5 million water supply system that would serve Pfizer, municipalities and individual users in this section of Brunswick County. Doty has been authorized by the commissioners to represent the board in further negotiations this week. Also, he has helped County Manager Jerry Lewis in preparing papers that must be presented for funding by the Economic Development Youth Rally Is Held Here The first meeting of the Concerned Youth of Brun swick County was held here Tuesday afternoon as a group of under-21 voters got a first hand lode at the candidates in the May 6 primary. The meet-the-can didates session was held in the In ternational Longshoremen’s Union Hall. All candidates were invited, although many failed to appear and some sent expressions of regret for their absence. At the meeting were Doran Berry, candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 7th District Congressional seat, and William Nixon, Republican hopeful for the same post; State Senate candidates Bobby Sessions, Dennis Grainger, Arthur Williamson and Republican J.W. Suggs; State House candidate James Prevatte; Board of Education can didate Donald White and the following candidates for county commissioner: W.A. Kopp, Ernest McGee, Wayland Vereen, William Thorsen and Herman Strong. Co-chairman of the special ad hoc committee were Patti Gail Swan and Libby Walton. Other members were Mary Dee Swan, Katherine Hufham, Stephanie Helms and Francie Haake. Cheryl Johnson served as emcee for the Tuesday afternoon program. Administration, HUD and a loan from Farmers Home Administration. Doty detailed the operation of his firm, which specializes in water and sewer systems. Peirson and Whitman, he noted, “has a broad spectrum of experience. He said he was familiar with the county’s study of the proposed water system and was ready to move forward. Next step of die county plan is to persuade the Local Government Commission that the water supply system will support itself. The county is encouraged about chances for a $2 million EDA grant and a $500,000 allotment for HUD, and FHA will be in Right To Know Idea Supported Margaret Harper, can didate for lieutenant governor, told members of die Raleigh Optimist Club Monday that if she is elected she will work to put an end to secret meetings of state, county and municipal agencies. She said that during the last session of the General Assembly there was written into law an Open Meetings Bill which spelled out the rights of access to in formation. “It was not a perfect bill,’’ she said, “but it was an important beginning for an open meetings policy for government in North Carolina. “There are certain ex ceptions which I would like to see eliminated in the thought that all government business is public business, so long as the citizens foot the bill and are obligated to live under the regulations and laws which come out of these sessions,” the candidate said. “Freedom of the Press is a term which frequently is misunderstood by persons who imagine that what it implies is special privileges for a favored few, engaged in a specialized business of newsgathering,” Mrs. Harper continued. “The fact is that representatives of the various news media become our personal representatives when they cover meetings or special events which we are unable to attend in person. Some of these are of extreme importance and the only way we have of knowing the facts is through reading newspaper reports or listening to radio and television. These men who cover these events protect the precious privilege of “The People’s Right To Know,” she noted. “If I am nominated and elected lieutenant governor of North Carolina I shall work toward the end that all meetings shall be open to the public and that several existing exceptions be eliminated.” Mrs. Harper stated that she believes she will be the logical person to help bring about these changes. “First of all, I have heard the story from my colleagues of the North Carolina Press (Continued On Page Three) volved in the selling of revenue bonds which would be no burden on county finances. Based on a “very preliminary” water-use rate schedule, the county would expect to receive $280,000 a year, above the $220,000 that would make the system “workable.” “The revenue is in good shape, we think,” said Doty. “If you’re going to get into the water business you don’t want any surprises later.” The representative said his company’s fee was standard (five percent) with no collection until the con struction contracts are signed. A resolution to hire the Raleigh firm is to be considered later, but for now Doty is authorized to work with Lewis on the project. Also on Monday, the commissioners heard of progress in the county’s sanitary landfill system. The county still is looking for a Shallotte Township site: “It won’t be located where you want it, I want it and a whole lot of people want it,” said site manager Ed Clemmons, but negotiations are con tinuing on a site, as well as on a site in Waccamaw Town ship. Campaign Diary By MARGARET HARPER My campaign is in high gear. My billboards are up, my first wave of television commercials has been shown and just about everybody knows I’m running for lieutenant governor. Now is when I need help from my folks in Brunswick County. Contact with your upstate friends will help more than anything. This can be in person, by telephone or letter. Now I have one more way to do it. I have received several thousand post cards about my candidacy, and one of these mailed to someone upstate is a good way to help. If you want some cards to mail, please call my office or come by in person. Last Wednesday began with a morning meeting and luncheon at Lumberton and wound up at a fashion show staged by the Democratic Women in High Point. I spent the night with Mrs. Frank Hardy who lived in Southport several years and she and other friends arranged some interesting things for me to do, including newspaper and television interviews. These things help. It was that night that the one hour show “Candidates ’72’’ was shown over WUNC-TV and I have been very much encouraged by the reaction from many persons who have written or called me about this program. Doing that filming was one of the (Continued On Page Three)
State Port Pilot (Southport, N.C.)
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April 19, 1972, edition 1
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