Economic D
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HKl i
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E. DAVID REDWINE d
Incumbent
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HOAG
|j SF'RI
Twenty-sixth Year, Number 2
Ocean Isle
Hires New
Police Chief
BY DOUG RUTTER
Just 10 days after accepting the
resignation of Police Chief Bill Oz
meni, me rown ot Ueean Isle Beach
lias hired a new man to head up the
police department.
Ocean Isle Commissioners Monday
hired Curtiss Augustus Friichard, 38,
who has served as chief of police at
West Jefferson for the past six years.
Prior to becoming police chief in
the small western North Carolina
town, he worked nearly 10 years with
the Pomps' o Beach Police Force in
Florida.
Ozment, who had worked for the
department for about 10 months,
cited family reasons in announcing
his resignation April 15. His resignation
becomes effective April 30.
In a telephone interview Tuesday,
Pritchard said he will start work at
Ocean Isle no later than May 12. He
added, however, that he will attempt
to move to the area as soon as possible.
S
Commissioners hired the new I
police chief during a special meeting t
Monday. Mayor Betty Williamson E
said the board made its decision after f:
discussing all nine applicants in executive
session. Pritchard will earn
an annual salary of $24,000.
Mayor Williamson said four of the
board members voted in favor of
Pritchard, while Commissioner Bill
Benton did not vote. She said Benton
supported the hiring of another applicant,
but didn't want to oppose the
luring oi rrucnaru.
"Any new police chief deserves the pj
full support of the board and he will Bi
have that from the town of Ocean Isle pi
Beach," the mayor said. fo
The board interviewed Pritchard
last Wednesday and another appli- Bi
cant last Thursday, she said, before tii
reviewing all applications again Ti
Monday. si
iwo 01 uie appiicams currently th
live in Brunswick County, while one tii
was from Tabor City and one from el
Wilmington. Others were spread
throughout the state, with one from c<
(SeeOCEAN ISLE, Page3-A) _
)
County's
BY RAHN ADAMS
"It's inevitable," is how Planning Sa
Director John Harvey explains ad
Brunswick County's continued jU;
growth in population and housing. as
The Brunswick County Planning
Department last week released its Cc
annual report on population and di
housing counts in the county, es
Estimates contained in the report in- ha
dicatc that both categories remain on Un
the upswing, but at a slightly slower igf
rate than in previous years. sai
"I said when I came to the county
lin 1980), T-ct's do what we can to pe;
have good growth,' and that's how pei
I've approached it," Harvey told the hoi
Beacon last week. "The Douglas 1
Commission in 1958 said that the peo- tht
pie of the Unitcd States would flock to bol
the coastal areas of the nation for the pri
next century like lemmings to the in
sea. 1
evelopmer
BY SUSAN USHER
Both candidates fur the 14th
district scat in the Slate House of
teprescntatives say economic
Icvclopment and education are
imong the top three issues the
listrict's representative must face
luring the coming term.
In what is perhaps the most
losely-watehed primary contest to
te decided next Tuesday, attorney R.
ilen Peterson of I>eland is attemping
to derail incumbent Rep. E.
lavid Rcdwine's bid for election to a
hird term in the N.C. House of
tepresentatives.
Peterson said he is seeking election
ecause "wants to provide agressive
leadership that is commitsd
and open to everyone in the
istrict."
Also, he said, he feels he can do a
& SONS BOOK BINDERY
12/31
NGF'ORT MI 492S4.
5 1988 IHI BRUNSWICK BEACON
RBK3PTOB
^^^y^tMBMBPJCiw a? * WWW
hallotte Middle School sixth-gradJ
trunswlck County Spelling Bee Champl
lonal Spelling Bee. Here she is congrJ
Elementary School teacher Louise Gau
aalists is on Page 9-A. I
Quiet Primary $
To Conclusion
BY SUSAN USHER
An unusually quiet primary camtign
season will end Tuesday when
runswick County voters go to the
ills to name their party's nominees
r the general election in November.
"It is a quiet, calm time," I
runswick County Board of Elec- I
Dns Supervisor Lynda Britt said
uesday, echoing the general consen- >
is of election observers within both I
le Democratic and Republican par- i
es. "Hopefully it will hold through I
ection day." I
The key missing ingredient, Britt i
included, is the draw of a combined
i Populatioi
"When I came, people were still |
ying we could stop the growth," he I
Ided. "We can't do that; we have to ?
st try to make it better in all ways. 1
far as I'm concerned." 1
The 1980 Census listed Brunswick
lunty's population at 35,577. Accor- <
ng to planning department i
timates, the county's population i
s now grown to 56,966. Housing <
its have increased from 21,565 in <
10 to an estimated 36,311 over the
me eight-year period. I
Those figures translate to a 56.4 l
rcent rise in population and 68.1
rcent increase in the number of *
using units since 1980. I
The planning department study, i
>ugh, shows that rates of growth in
th population and housing have !
igressively decreased since peaks I
1985.
'rom April 1984 until April 1985, <
?
it, Educatior
better, more responsive job than the
incumbent has done.
The issue of seniority, he said, has
been "overrated," because the
legislature makes use of talent and
leadership it sees, "freshman or
not." He would like to sec the
district's representative involved
more in statewide and regional
issues.
Redwine, first appointed to complete
the unexpired term of Tom
Rabon Jr., has served 2ti terms. His
experience, seniority and effectiveness,
he said, enables him "to
make sure Brunswick County has effective
representation in Raleigh."
"I think this district need
somebody willing to go to Raleigh
and take the time and effort this job
needs," he said. "This area is ready
iu uiuewuiu; 11 ruHKis leadership, i
TJsW!
Shallotte, North Carolina,
z
^ susan usher 1
?st Speller
?r Monekia Gause captured the i
lonship last week and a trip to the Na- <
3tulated by her mother, Waccamaw i
ise. The story and a picture of other t
(
ieason Rolls
Jext Tuesday
presidential/state primary.
"That's the only logical conclusion
you can reach," she added. "That's
ine only thing that is different."
"It is hard to analyze whether it
[separate primaries) helped or
narmeu unui we Know the turnout s
next Tuesday," she concluded. s
Based on past experience, Britt is F
anticipating to vote a relatively low s
turnout next Tuesday, in the 40 per- r
cent to 45 percent range. That would t
be above the turnout for the presiden- c
tial primary in March, but below the f
50 percent vote in May 1984?the last
(See QUIET, Page 2-A) 1
S
1 Uni if in
if i iuuoh ly
jopulation rose by 7.6 percent. The ii
growth rate was estimated at 6.7 percent,
5.6 percent and 4.7 percent in p
:he three succeeding 12-month h
oeriods up to present. t
Similarly, increases in the number
>i housing units peaked at 8.7 percent ti
n the planning department's 1985 1
"eport, tlien slowed to 6.2 percent in ti
1986, 5.4 percent in 1987 and 5.3 per- 1'
ent in the current study. 5
Harvey last week described the 9
<rowth rates as "a cyclical c
phenomenon only, of no long-range 3
significance." He declined to c
speculate on future peaks in the coun- is
y's growth rate, although he said he
vas "confident they will occur." is
In terms of individual areas, I.
ihallotte Township remains the ii
astcst-growing section of the county 1!
since 1980, with a 98.2 percent in- p
prcase in population and 118 percent u
iTop Issues
think I can give it that."
Redwine said he also enjoys the
"nuts and bolts" aspect of the
job?helping constituents solve individual
problems, and feels he has
done a good job at it.
Along with economic development,
Peterson lists education and environmental
concerns as lop issues;
Redwine, education and the state's
transportation network.
Redwine, 40, an Ocean Isle Beach
resident and vice president of a
Shallotte insurance and realty agency,
is currently ranked the 28th most
effective of 120 House members by
the non-partisan N'.C. Center for
Public Policy Research in Raleigh.
Peterson, 33, is partner in a
Southport law firm and was cochairman
of the Brunswick County
Constitution Bicentennial Commitnivw
IWI w
Thursday, April 28, 1988
Varnam I
Cocaine'
BY RAHN ADAMS
A Supply man who faced more
drug charges than any defendant indicted
by investigative grand juries
in Brunswick County over the past
year pleaded guilty last week to 36
counts of cocaine trafficking.
Olaf Dale Varnam, 36, of Supply,
entered guilty pleas last Thursday in
Brunswick County Superior Court to
five counts of trafficking by possession
of more than 400 grams of cocaine,
five counts of conspiracy to
traffic in more than 400 grams of cocaine,
13 counts of trafficking by
possession of more than 28 grams of
cocaine and 13 counts of conspiracy
to traffic in more than 28 grams of cocaine.
As part of a plea arrangement, the
28-gram charges were reduced from
400-gram counts. Also, four counts of
trafficking by possession of more
than 400 grams of cocaine and four
:ounts of conspiracy to traffic in
more than 400 grams of cocaine were
Varnam, however, was not
ienteneed last week. Judge Giles R.
[:1ark continued Varnam's sentencng
until an upcoming term of
Superior Court when it Is "calenlared
and called hy the district at3UT
PROCEDURES NC
Commissi
Discriminc
BY RAHN ADAMS
After dealing with the matter in
ecret for about 11 hours in four
eparate meetings over a two-week
eriod, Brunswick County Commisioners
determined Monday that a
acial discrimination grievance filed
ly six black employees of the
ounty's water department was unounded.
However, in a news release issued
'uesday, County Manaeer John T
mith said the commissioners' probe i
Figures Cor
ncrease in housing units. t
Shallotte Township's estimated (
lopulation is 12,966. Some 10,249 :
lousing units are located within the
Dwnship. i
Population estimates for other i
ownships are: Lockwood Folly, <
2,546 population in 1988, represen- i
ing a 70.4 percent increase since 1
980; Town Creek, 10,720 population, 1
5.9 percent increase; Smithville,
,525 population, 39.4 percent in- I
rease; Northwest, 8,426 population, I
7.3 percent increase; and Wac- |
amaw, 2,773 population, 37.1 percent I
tcrease. I
Estimates on the number of housig
units in other townships are: i
ockwood Folly, 9,499 housing units i
i 1988, 68.5 percent increase since i
180; Town Creek, 3,956 units, 53.7 '
erccnt increase; Smithville, 8,208 I
nits, 50.6 percent increase; Nor
WW???
For House Candidates
tec. He was county coordinator for
Terry Sanford's 1086 Senate race,
and campaign manager for
Itedwine's predecessor, former Kcp.
Torn Rabon Jr., in the 1078 and 1982 Wbk
elections.
Economic Development ,TJH
Redwine wants to ensure the con- |^&
iinued economic growth of North
Carolina, "urban and rural." ~ ) ^
Critical to that is development of w JrJ V y
infrastructures in the rural areas of A. V
the state, particularly roads, but also ,
more support for sewer projects.
Citing the Albemarle area as an ex
ampie, ne said a regional economic 4W" , J?j|
development effort is needed. "New MB
Hanover County does not have much
land available for economic develop- jH
ment, but Fender and Brunswick Kf^Pk AHn
do," he noted. R. GLEN PETERSON
(See TOP ISSUES, Page 2-A) Challenger
v
BrjmM
DLfltVIV
25c Per Copy 46 Poges Plus Insert ^
Pleads Guilty To 36
Trafficking Counts
torney and the state," in keeping two remaining defendants?Fotios
with the plea arrangement signed by Kamtsiklis of Greenville and fugitive
the defendant last Thursday. Francisco Navarro of Fort Myers,
"T uinnlrl nccumn n*i_ !?
- iiaiuuk vi??i mcviiduiy r w.?remain 10 De pruseCuieu. in aiithat
day would come," Clark com- dition to Varnam, 10 other defenmented
in court, concerning Var- dants are now awaiting sentencing,
nam's sentencing. according to Wolak.
"Yes, sir," replied Special Assis- Varnam faces a possible maxtant
District Attorney Bill Wolak. imum sentence of 790 years in prison
"Within the next few terms." on the 36 trafficking counts and a
Outside the courtroom, Wolak told mandatory minimum sentence of 532
tile Beacon that Varnam's scnter.c- years. In addition, each 400-gram
ing will be called when the district at- count carries a $250,000 fine, and
torney's office can clear enough time each 28-gram count carries a $50,000
on the Superior Court calendar for fine.
what is expected to be a lengthy hear- However, both the prison term and
ing. Wolak said Varnam's sentencing fine can be reduced if a trial judge
hearing will probably last at least a determines that Varnam provided
full day in court. substantial assistance" to the state
Last June, Varnam was one of 32 in the investigation?a position that
individuals indicted in Brunswick law enforcement officials have
County by the state's first investiga- already taken, according to
tion grand jury. Five other defen- testimony during Varnam's hearing
dants were indicted last July as a last week.
result of the same investigation. Under questioning by Special
The total number of defendants Assistant District Attorney Bill
rose to 85 last week, when 48 others Wolak, SBI Special Agent Corey
were indicted here on April 18 by a Duber last Thursday testified that
second investigative grand jury, in a Varnam provided information about
continuation of what authorities call his illegal drug dealings with 16 of the
"Operation White Tide." 32 defendants who were indicted last
Of the original 32 defendants. Var- June. All but one of those 16 have
nam was the 30th to plead guilty. The (See VARNAM, Page 2-A)
)T FOLLOWED
oners Decide Racial
ition Not A Factor
into the grievance uncovered incon- water department heads on April 13;
sistencies in the water department's and brought both groups together on
enforcement of the county personnel April 15, with each meeting behind
policy. Smith made the announce- closed doors,
ment Tuesday morning after Following Monday's meeting,
meeting with four of the six Commission Chairman Grace
employees. Beasley would not announce the
Commissioners had met in ex- board's findings, "to protect the conecutive
session for about 45 minutes fidentiality of the employees," she
Monday night to formalize their said.
recommendations in the matter. The "As a result of the heannoa th? - .
board heard the employees' Board of Commissioners could not
grievance on April 11; met with (See NOT RACIAL, Page 2-A|
itinue To Increase
hwest, 3,376 units, 37.7 percent in- g
:rease; and Waceamaw, 1,023 units, tjlUllSv^/ICK S
16.9 percent increase. ^ ,
Eacn of the county's 14 AriDUCll
municipalities registered population
ncreases in this year's planning I ^
iepartment study. Growth ranged w/ OWT11
rom two persons in both Bolivia and
3elville to 200 in Roiling Spring UoQ 1""
.ages. 1981 4.6% 5.5%
Towns in the Shallotte area showed '98' ?-2% 7.3'%
he following population increases in '988 8 '98 8 5%
he 1988 report: Shallotte, 101 new 19fw 8.0%
jermancnt residenLs; Ocean Isle 1985 7.6% 8.7%
3each, 36; Sunset Beach, 17; Holden '988 ?-7% 0.2%
loach, 15; and Calabash, nine. '9"7 5.6% 5.4%
Estimated 1988 populations of the 1988 ' 7% 5.3%
municipalities include: Southport, Total 56.4% 68.1%
1,188; l-ongBeach, 2,987; BoilingSpr- "Figures represent growth
ng lakes, 1,795; Shallotte, 9<J6; estimates for one-year periods
Vaupon Beach. 758; Sunset Beach, beginning and ending April 1.
>46; Ocean Isle Beach, 564; Navassa, u"" c<w??
Planning Oopartrn*m
(See GROWTH, Page 3-A)
1 i