_ The State Port Pilot
OPINION
Foundation for the future
The Pilot supports county wide zoning as an intelligent and necessary
means of assuring that county growth is also county progress. Far too
long have we grown in haphazard and hodgepodge fashion, and zoning
is an appropriate method of assuring that we grow with a plan as well
as a purpose. We applaud the county board of commissioners and their
instinct for constructive legislation, and hope that a good zoning
ordinance is adopted by the time the board membership rolls over. It
would be a fine legacy, to leave the county on solid footing as it moves
into the future.
Solid footing is, of course, the question as the days when the board can
act dwindle down to a precious few, and we hope that the measure they
approve will be the solid one they take to public hearing next week.
The board can anticipate assaults in Tuesday's hearing (7 pan., public
assembly building, county government center) on grounds that zoning
is meddling w ith individual property rights. And they can expect
private entreaties yet for altering the measure to suit private needs.
What the board does not expect, and what we'd like to encourage, is
a good turnout of people who are neither frightened nor threatened by
the measure but who have legitimate interest in passage of a strong
ordinance that has been thoroughly examined and proven strong. This
includes not only individuals but representatives of business, govern
ment and special groups and organizations whose operations will be
influenced by what the county board decides.
Because what the board does do will stretch to the county limit, and
further into the future than any of us can see.
Questions can be raised about certain shortfalls and thin spots in the
plan. In a county where we are naturally blessed the ordinance proposes
no special zoning for conservation, no special protection of environ
mentally sensitive areas. It also anticipates most of the county being in
a "rural” district, which may prove to be so loosely defined as to provide
no controls at ail.
On the other hand the measure is blessedly uncomplicated; it seeks to
reflect existing development, living and working patterns; it provides
for orderly placement of things people don't w ant any where, but we alt
must have; and it will hopefully prevent overw helming concentration
of population and industrial development - or to put it more positively,
arrange for their healthy distribution.
In this issue of the Pilot we have included a county zoning map. along
with explanations and suggestions w here citizens might go for help in
understanding the zoning matter fully. We hope this w ill lead to a full
turnout at the hearing next Tuesday, of both opponents and proponents,
so that the board will go into final deliberation fully advised and
empowered by how their constituents feel, and how they think.
Great expectations
We keep hearing criticism of the public schools of Brunswick
County, particularly when they come up short in tabulations and tests
which place us in competition with educational institutions in other
sections of North Carolina and the nation. Usually we do not fare so
well.
But every year graduates from our three consolidated high schools
enter colleges and universities and manage to stay in school and make
good grades. Some of them develop skills and achievements that are
outstanding.
Bernard Flythe is an example of what we are talking about.
At South Brunswick he was a member of the band and became an
outstanding tuba player. After winning aw ards on the district and state
level he was chosen as a memberof the McDonald's All-American High
School Band. He spent a year as a member of this elite musical
organization and continued his college education during the school
term, always with focus on development of his skills as a musician.
Last week he accepted a position as a member of the North Carolina
Symphony, a goal which he had set several years before. He will be one
of the youngest members of this prestigious musical organization, and
it will involve some measure of sacrifice.
He will have to drop out of school, w here he is a member of the senior
class at UNC-Greensboro. But the good news is that he lacks only 19
hours to earn his degree, and he has another long-range goal: To earn
enough credit hours to graduate.
He will achieve that milestone, and will do his family, school and
community proud.
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The State Port Pilot
USPS 520-280
Published Every Wednesday
James M. Harper, Jr...Publisher
Ed Harper ..Editor
Diane McKeithan. .Business Manager
Marybeth Bianchi. ... .Feature Editor
Holly Edwards....... County Editor
Amitabh Pal.....Municipal Editor
Debora McKellar..Graphic Artist
Kim Adams.. Advertising Sales
Cindy Leverette....Advertising Sales
Sue Paiker... Classified Advertising
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news
David Ckgg.Bninsw ick’s county manager and
county attorney, is a qualified beauty pageant
judge. Vdiett he returned home earlier this year
from Florida, where he had been owe of the offi
cials at die state pageant, he toid Ted Hoith. "I
have just helped nidge the girl who w ill be the next
Miss America.' Saturday night his prediction
came true.Miss Florida. LeanzaCocmett. won that
title... Spider lilies, which grow in great beauty
and profusion in Southport, just now are making
their fall appearance.
The flag at Fort Johnston was flying at half
mast last Wednesday when the U S. Army de
clared aday of mourning for retired Gen. William
DuPoy... The flag at Waterfront Park w as flying at
halt-lanyard all weekend because of storm dam
age sustained last week
If you are a Braves baseball fan and plan to
watch them on TV’ this w cek. you w ill have to stay
up late to do it. They are on a West Coast tour anil
games will start at lfteO EDT... Two Southport
couples have returned from a ten-day trip to Ha
wan. where they managed to stay just out of the
path of Hurricane Intki They arc Bobby Lynn and
r
Diane MeKcithan and Lee and Sharon Aldridge.
They were in Honolulu where high winds and
flood waters caused considerable damage, but
from there they went to Maui, which escaped the
brunt of the storm Kauai was Imki's prime target.
» here it caused damages estimated at more than
a bttteon dollars.
Congratulations to Bald Head Island develop
ers on their new billboards featuring a picture of
thetr impressive big ferry, the Sans Souci. The
ones we saw for the first time last week were in I
-M> and U. S. 17 and they protect a first-class image
of thus Brunswick County resort... The thought
occurs so us that what once was our best-kept
secre t hats been dismaed by an increasing num
ber of visitors during the past few years.
There is am attractive photo of Roberta Dasher
in the current issue of Encore, a regional maga
zine published in Wilmington. It shows the
Southport resident displaying a fish caught during
last years Wmshisville Beach King Mackerel
Tournament-. The next Ng special event here in
Southport will he the U. S. Open King Mackerel
Tournament October 1-4.
The Heritage Festival observed here during the
past weekend was another highlight in the cel
ebration of the 200th anniversary of Smithville/
Southport. Moving indoors to the Community
Building to escape the threat of rain on Saturday
turned out to be a good idea, and on Sunday the
sun came out to provide a beautiful setting for
outdoor activities connected with the burial of a
time capsule in front of City Hall... There's little
likelihood that anyone present for Sunday's cer
emony will be here for the reopening of the
capsule in the year 2092. but we surely would like
to see the reaction of members of that crowd when
they see some of the things they will dig up.
We are pleased to note progress on the DOT
project to widen Highway 133 between Southport
and Wilmington, a route which carries heavy
traffic each day as CP&L and ADM employees
travel back and forth to work... Seems to us we
never before saw such a proliferation of political
signs as are strung along the highways and by
ways of Brunswick County hoping to stir interest
in the November 3 General Election.
Fond memory
To the Editor
This letter is hie hut the thoughts
are still with me.
It has been a year since I left rite
Southport-Oak Island area l was
stationed at Sunny Point tor tune
months with the 1205th TRSU of
Middletown. Conn., dunng rite
Persian Gulf crisis. 1 would like to
take this opportunity to look hack at
some of the pleasant memories l
have of people and places.
To the VFW and Amencan
Legion posts of Oak Island and
Boiling Spring Lakes lor opening
their doors to us and making us feel
welcome. To all the local bust
nesses dial made the effort to
extend themselves above and
beyond what was required.
I would like to thank the churches
of die area for the hiked goods that
woe given to us at the NX. Baptist
Assembly when we first armed.
Also to the local schools—
Southport Elementary for the
Valentines, and the middle school
for asking us to help as proctors and
coaches during their fidd day
activities. 1 would also hike to tharik
Brunswick Community College for
its help to unit members in studvmg
for their GEDs. I thank the people
of Southport for including «$ m the
dinner during the N. C. Fourth
of July celebration. Thanks to The
State Part Ptlim Cor complimentary
copies, o*' the newspaper.
1 have been bock K> the area w »cc
since September. 1^1. and the
people have been as nice both
tones. 1 have to say the tom
"southern hospitality" really means
something special. I know others in
the tinit feel the same.
1 am sure 1 have left someone out
in ay thanks, and for this 1 am
Sony. Again, thanks for the memo
ries you. the people and your towns,
provided Cor me during a Dying
time.
James R. Brandt
MdleMmcCim
CP&L hurrah
To the Editor
1 have read a number oif ankles
critical of Carolina Power and Light
Co. recently, especially as it relates
to the Brunswick Nuclear Plant and
the problems which have arisen as
an outgrowth of construction.
1 am not familiar w ith any of the
details and hope that these deficien
cies can be promptly handled and
the improvements made in order
that the plant can be restored to
service.
I would offer a different voice.
In recent weeks there was a
power failure in the downtown area.
It was a very hot day, and I expect it
was occasioned by the abnormally
high load that the switches and
transformers were subjected to.
In this crisis, our own business
operation was brought to a stand
still. I was suddenly reminded of
our almost complete reliance on
CP&L for their vital service. I soon
saw their crews out checking the
lines and transformers with their
cherry-pickers. Power was swiftly
resrorod and we relaxed and took it
To The Editor:
pobfie relent. Comments should be addressed »TV Editor and maled
toTbe Sore Pm P&K.P&. Box I0S4S. Southport. N.G 28461. Letters
sfec^ be looker letterswiS be edited for space, or
nil be Rtmcd D ie writer if e£tmg would $t$mficantfy i$er the
coreeat. Ftetse mchidte dre writer's address andfcr telephone number so
be of site can be contacted by the Edaor if accessary. Addresses sad
Kkpbne numbers wdlint be pinted.
for granted that our power needs
would be there when needed.
This experience reminded me
again how the men and women who
drive the blue, green and white
trucks come to our assistance at all
hours of the day and night, through
rain and storm, and keep the region
operating.
Carolina Power and Light Co. is a
good corporate citizen and helps our
community, not only with its
financial support of worthy causes,
but also through the vital personal
leadership of its staff.
Sincerely,
Leslie N. Boney, Jr.
Wilmington
Island library
To the Editor
The architects have been hired,
and the building committee is in
place. What a proud day for Oak
Island and Brunswick County! Soon
the old building will come down
and, if not before next year then at
the beginning of 1993, construction
will begin on the library.
A library on Oak Island has been
made possible, in part, by Baxter
Stirling and United Carolina Bank
through the gift of property. The
people of Oak Island through die
See Opinion, next page
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