I’aKi' 8-A—THK BKL'NSWICK BEACON. Thursday. October 15, 1987
Ocean Isle Addresses Beach
Erosion, Airport Expansion
MY noUf; RUTTER
Orcan Isle I'oinmissionors Tues
day voted to accept limited state aid
for improvements to the Ocean Isle
Reach \irport and discussed the
possible use of sandbag groins to
reduce eiosion on the east end of the
beach.
I'ollowinn a report from Commis
sioner IH'Carol Williamson, council
voted to accept only $1,000 of a $26,500
malchinu erant which had been ap
proved in .September by the N.C.
Oepartment of Transportation.
Commissioner Williamson said.
"Just because we don’t accept the
full grant this year doesn't mean we
cannot reapply at a later date for
these projects.
“As a pilot. 1 am all for airport ex
pansion. But we just don’t have the
funds to match the entire grant if we
want to put it toward next year’s aid
for expansion.” he added.
the groin which may affect some pro
perties.
Williamson recommended council
accept the Sl.tXM) grant for airport
ohstrm'tion removal and save other
airport funds in the town budget until
next fiscal ye;ir when the town may
he itble to acquire state aid for air
craft apron exiiansion.
Mtiyor Betty Williamson said the
stale has tentaively approved a
$55.00(1 matching grant for the 1988-89
fiscal year for airport expansion.
Sandbags Recommended
The town board also di.sen.wd the
possibility of establishing a program
for beach erosion protection at the
island’s east end.
Commissioner Williamson said he
met with officials of the N.C. Office of
Coastal Miinagement who recom
mended a system of sandbag groins,
which they said would control erosion
at a relativlev low cost.
Commissioner Williamson rai.sed
the question of town liability if sand
loss at the base of the groins was so
much that it caused property
damage.
“With the groins.” he explained,
“there is so much more gain than
loss, but the loss could occur right in
front of a house. It’s a question of
liability for the town.”
Mayor Williamson said the com
missioners should meet with town at
torney Elva Jess and determine to
what extent the town could be held
liable.
He said the only potential problem
with sandbag groins is that they
create some sand loss at the base of
Council Decision
Upsets Guraanus
BY DOUG RUTTER
Ocean Isle Beach Council Tuesday voted unanimously to pay Sl.tKK)
in attorney fees to Mike Ramos for his recent court defense of former
I’olice Chief Jerry Gurganus.
Approval of payment came as a result of a letter sent by Gurganus
to Mayor Betty Williamson asking for restitution of all $5,000 in attorney
fees.
I'ollowing the vote, Gurganus said publicly. "I just want the record
to show that I was charged $5,000 in attorney fees and that I will now-
have to pay $4,000 of this on my own behalf."
The vote followed a brief executive session after which Mayor Betty
Williamson said, I’he town board felt it wanted to pay $1,000 of the at
torney fees."
.She added that Gurganus could have been represented by the town’s
iittorney ;md the attorney appointed by the insurance company, but
chose to seek separate counsel.
It was entirely his decision to hire additional counsel. The town did
not riM.’ommend that at all,” she said.
Gurganus was cleared of all charges Sept. 16 when a federal civil
jur\ found he was not negligent in a 1984 high-speed chase that resulted
in a motorcycle crash in which a passenger was seriously injured.
A federal jury had originally declared a mistrial April 21 when it
could not decide the issue of negligence.
' lurganus siiid he would have more to say about council’s decision
at a later date.
Commissioner Williamson said the
estimated cost of each groin is about
$1,500 and that Office of Coastal
Management engineers recommend
ed starting the groins at Shallotte
Boulevard and working west as far
as necessary.
Williamson added that past efforts
at erosion control by the town have
relied on funds which, to his
know ledge, were no longer available.
Board members stressed that the
town needs to work closely with the
affected property owners on the pro
ject, but also said the project will
l>onpfit ovpr\'hiTf|v anrj nnf iirQf PP«t-
end property owners.
Other Business
In other business Tuesday, coun
cil:
•Approved a resolution adopting
the countywide major thoroughfare
plan as e.stablishcd by the Brunswick
County Planning Department
Transportation Committee.
•Heard from Robert Runyans and
Roy Spanauer of U.E. Wooten &
Associates concerning the design of a
new town hall. Mayor Williamson
said the town hopes for construction
to begin this winter with completion
of the building by summer of 1988.
•Heard the monthly building in
spector's report from Druid Rober
son. He said 13 permits had been
issued at a x’aluation of $184,050 and
$2,590 in fees collected.
•Thanked those people involved
with two recent beautification pro
jects at Ocean Isle Beach, Beach
Sweep on Sept. 19 and Plant-A-Hound
on Oct. 10.
STAff PHOTO Bt OOUG
Plonf-A-Round Takes Roof
The Ocean Isle Beach Property Owners Association
held its first Plant-A-Round Saturday as part of a conti
nuing effort at island beautification. In this photo. POA
President Bess Saunders (left) helps Ed .Shivley ready
a crepe myrUe for planting as Carolyn Wendrich
prepares the soil.
Have
Lunch with
Pre-Owned
Cars & Trucks
SPECIAL
1985 Honda Prelude $9,995
HUNTER'S SPECIAL
'84 RANGER
$4,295
CUSTOMER
APPRECIATION DAY
'86 Ford Bronco XLT 351 Engine
$14,500
'86 Ford Taurus
at the
Main Branch, Shallotte
Friday, Octobor 23
11 AM-2 PM
Low Mlles«BIG SAVINGS
'86 Buick Electro
! Free Hot
$10,405
Low Miles*Local Owner
$12,295
'87 Dodge Doytono
Low Miles*Local Owner
$12,876.07
'87 Chrysler
LeBaron
Low Miles
$10,905
- ' ^ 'i
Ford & Chrysler Backed Warranties
available on all previously owned vehicles!