[ MPWS-HfmmPlCi Resident or visitor, catch the news Beach, Shaiiotte, Sunset Beach, uce Calabash, with stories inside this iss Twenty-sixth Year, Number 36 ?mm . y : . rjr ,.|g^ ' ' ) MOTORISTS TRAVELING U.S. 17 SOUTH last Thursday morning encountered reduced visibility due to smoke on a lV^-mile section of the highway between Shallotte and the Ocean Isle Beach Road intersection. Northerly Winds C Shallotte, Ocean I BY RAHN ADAMS generated from t Lena P.oss, co-founder of a local en- tinned to smolder vironmental group called Citizens Also, a section Against Toxic Shenanigans, hopes rekindled and ju the smoky haze that covered parts of Wednesday, inv western Brunswick County last acres of Federal i Thursday morning served as a brief ded. reminder of more serious smoke pro- "Part of it is i blems experienced here last sum- and part is what mer. yesterday," Caisi "I think the main thing to do is just day, referring t stay on top of it and be aware," Ms. drifted south into Ross said Friday. "It (last The ranger Thursday's smoke) is aggravating, Federal had a p but it's not as health-threatening as that the compa when it lingers every morning." Forest Service si Ms. Ross was referring to a situa- guidelines. "As tion last July, when a 5,000-foot col- following guidelii umn of smoke was measured over legal burning," C much of western Brunswick County. Meanwhile, < A large stable air mass, controlled residents in the S burning by paper companies and Isle Beach areas wildfires were blamed for last sum- dure smoky condi mer's smoke problem. morning until 1 According to Brunswick County ^e^ore noon ant* c( Forest Ranger Miller Caison, last ,S .a as? ' ... . . ... motorists on ITS. ween s suiose came iruin a cuiurun- .. ... ed burn by Federal Paper Board ^on 1fue ,ur Company in the Ludlum Pasture ue re "c area about four miles northwest of ?' w c Shallotte. The smoke drifted into the ?'2 e s re.C.. 1 Shallotte and Ocean Isle Beach areas ? a ?. a * e Thursday morning due to a change in ^ mtersec on wind direction, he explained. .. S?'T , ? Shallotte on Holde Caison said Federal's 100-aere smoke was so den burn, which was underway on and off Thursday mornin for about a month, actually ended Ju- ed early to cl< ly 5. However, "residual" smoke was Despite the situat Holden Beach Ef AA~:~l?r*\ fVldlillUIIU V-IUUIb BY SUSAN USHER the size of the ar Efforts by the Town of Holden nexation. Beach to annex an area along the The area easily mainland causeway to the island test with 86.4 per cleared a major hurdle this week tial and undevel when the area qualified for annexa- divided into lots tion under state statutes. acres or less. Hov Tom Cassell, a planning consultant and tracts in the with the N.C. Division of Community or 62.1 are "de Assistance, told town commissioners tracts used for re Monday night that the tract easily cial, industrial, met most of the criteria: It is adja- stitutional purpo: cent and contiguous to the town; 29.2 for annexation is I percent of its 12,898-foot perimeter 5 percent margin (well over the required 12.5 percent) allowed, Cassell ? coincides with the town's boundary; ^hp town took i no part of the area is included within toward possible the boundary of another incorporated than lMs years a( municipality and that the area is 19ft7 thp hn^ra a I developed for urban purposes. wWch identified"t Only on the fourth or use test, under considi did tho trncf harply nnplify. tion That reSOlUI "I don't think you could cut it any live for two years closer," Cassell said, answering a Rumors of the question about the effect of changing the area prompte i Lt , itM&mmamMmssamemaB [j The Amate at- Hnidpn I Led by winner Gary Ro 1 of Fayetteville, low hai an isie, g golfers met the challei ;iie. R ThP flmat-pnr at- RrirU I L" ?V ? ? ? IV4 uv>V<1 Ul. VJ I I v_f IX L Pages 8-B and 9-B. $RUNSWI HE BRUNSWICK BEACON Shallotte, North Carolina, 1 V .. V JI ' : " " J STAFF PHOTC BY RAHN ADAMS The smoke, which dissipated before noon last Thursday, resulted from a controlled bum located about four miles northwest of Shallotte. lorry Smoke Into sle Beach Areas the fire which con- similar complaints from her in organic soils. 25-memher organization, she said of the burned area That, however, wasn't the case last mped fire lines on Thursday morning at Ocean Isle olving another 50 Beach Town Hall. Secretary Peggy iroperty, Caison ad- Clemmons said she received about 200 calls about the smoke before controlled burning, noon. : escaped the lines "They all wanted to know when it on said last Thurs- was going to go away," Ms. Clemo the smoke that mons said. "We just told them to populated areas. pray for a big wind to blow it away." emphasized that Ms. Clemmons noted that most of ermit to burn and the calls came from individuals livny followed N.C. ing on the island's east end. She addnoke management ed that some oceanfront residents long as they're- told her that the smoke was so thick ties, they're doing that they couldn't see the ocean, aison said. Also, several individuals complained vacationers and of respiratory problems due to the hallotte and Ucean poor air quality, she said, were forced to en- j0hn Marshall, administrator of tions last Thursday -p^e Brunswick Hospital in Supply, he winds shifted saicl p^ay that his facility did not leared the air. treat anyone for health problems ):30 a.m., some stemming from last Thursday's 17snuthofShallottf> , aiuui\y cuiiumuiu). n their headlights , , visibility from the "I'm surprised it didn't (cause procovered about a blems)," Marshall said, "because m U S 17 between peopk with respiratory problems Ocean Isle Beach generally have a tremendous sen' sitivity to that... We got lucky." ho lives east of In February. Brunswick Countv ;n Beach Road, said Commissioners told Ms. Ross that ise at her house last they would consider asking the state g that she awaken- to restrict outdoor burning here if )se her windows, smoke becomes as serious a problem ion, she received no as it was last summer. fort To Annex First Hurdle ea proposed for an- porate the causeway as North Holden Beach. I^ast year a compromise met the subdivision study committee of causeway and cent of the residen- island restaurants met over a period oped acreage sub- of three months to study the area proand tracts of five posed for annexation. /ever, of the 583 lots The next steps in the study process, proposed area, 363 Cassell said, including determining veloped" lots and the "financial feasibility" of annexisidential, commer- ing the area or some smaller portion government or in- of it. ses. The minimum This involves preparing maps that ifl nprnnnt (ViniiitVi ?-? KntU * ! ?? * ' *-* .v ^v.vvuv, uiuugua mciuuc uuuI uic IUWII ' for a five- to 10-year period; dopted a resolution anci preparation of .*? financing plan he causeway as be- should one be re-.a, u. The town will oration for annexa- have to hire a professional engineer tion remains efiec- to. P?Pare a plan for extending I. utilities into the area, such as water town's interest in service. d an effort to incor- (See ANNEXATION, Page2-A) .? J !ur ?Dinson ^T^SSs^SuT* ndicap W * I rige of w j anding, ^ | EH?K5!*>?3E?Ba f C?/M JThursday, July 14, 1988 Clarify Ser Health Bo< BY RAHN ADAMS The Brunswick County Board of Health went on record Monday supporting changes in the state's sewage disposal regulations to clarify rules involving lols that contain fill material and others that can be found "provisionally suitable" for septic tanks. rI'V"ir> Knnr/1 ??r* - ? ? ? ? ? a ?1G uuai ct uncllliiliuu^iy cJJJJJl UVtlU ci two-page letter from Health Board Chairman William Rabon to State Rep. David Redwine of Ocean Isle Beach, who is co-chairman of a legislative study committee on septic tank permitting. Copies of the letter also were sent to regional and state health officials. According to Health Director Michael Rhodes, the purpose of the letter is to make the legislative study committee aware of specific concerns of the local health board. "They (the study committee) haven't had?as far as I know?direct correspondence from a board of health," Rhodes said. He added that he feels the board's input will have positive results. In the letter, Rabon states that "any changes in the North Carolina Sewage Rules will have a significant effect on Brunswick County," sinc< more '.of evaluations for septic tank are done here than anywhere else ii the state. The health board specifically ask that the regulations addres! "historical fill" in the section whicl requires that a lot contain at least 15 inches of original soil above the water table to be approved for a septic tank. "In many cases, the fill material is over six feet in depth and of a suitable nature for septic systems," the letter states. "These 'historical fill' areas must be addressed in the rules." The board also requested a clarification of the section which allows the health department to determine lots "provisionally suitable" if engineered solutions with substantiating data are provided. "This section needs to have more explanation so the local sanitarians, health directors and boards of health can utilize it and still maintain good public health practices," the letter says. Redwine's study committee is expected to make its recommendations to the General Assembly during next year's session. Redwine's For Privat BY RAHN ADAIV The N.C. General Assembly 1 local bill which will help residents ii upgrade their private roads evei neighbors don't want to share any The bill, which affects only Br counties, allows private roads to be standards through a process similai ly used to extend water service 1 Brunswick County through sp districts. State Rep. David Eedwine spon request of Brunswick County Com the June session, Redwine's bill ini Brunswick but was amended to inc Also, the bill was rewritten to roads instead of only roads built pri the original draft stated. I^ast May, commissioners sent private roads bill which was not ini was received late in the General A At a public hearing held by coir tober, speakers said they favored the county for road improvements, not afford to bring their roads up without full cooperation from other Uleir subdivisions. Under the ratified bill, owner I least 65 percent of the road fronts ..u ijiim in Hitting TSi A mid-season run of sp vvccr\ci iu ui pifei iioiiiii Report's on Page 12-C. I 'BEACi 36 Pages jtieTank Re< rd Asks Co Permitting Changed In another matter at Monday's meeting, the health board approved a measure that, in effect, reduces the length of time that a property owner can hold a permit before installing a septic tank. Rhodes explained that favorable site evaluations, which are necessary to obtain a septic tank permit, are valid for 36 months. In turn, septic tank permits also are good for 36 months, as mandated by state law. # Shaliotte Gause Poli Shaliotte Aldermen couldn't have surprised too many townspeople last Wednesday when they named Rodney Gause chief of police. With Mayor Pro Tern Paul Wayne WKKBfifo ' Reeves absent, i W& the board voted t Hm* VA unanimously to ^5$' ? ?. V appoint the s WS T Brunswick Counn -?i'.l*. ) ty native and SB' seven-year police s SSff k. depart m e n t 3 fcasa Jpi'% veteran to the i Uliifiak. chief's position. ? cause The appointi ment followed a 45-minute executive . session called to discuss personnel. In addition to the selection of a chief, i the closed session also resulted in the hiring of two town patrol officers. Despite the earlier selection of three finalists for the chief's position who were to be interviewed last week, Gause was the only applicant fa tnllf snitVi U~~-J 1?l--?' ?1 * IU lain mill 111C UUcIIU LX'UHKl CI0SC11 doors. Mayor Jerry Jones said the other two finalists, who were selected June 15 from a total of seven applicants, i dropped out on their own but gave no | specific reasons. "The two of them I just called me and told me they I weren't coming for the interview." He said the other finalists current- < ly work with police departments at ' Matthews and Saint Pauls. 1 "I don't think we could have done ( any better," said Alderman Wilton Harrelson after making the motion to 1 appoint Gause. "We're looking for- ; ward to his tenure as chief." Bill Paves Th< e Road lmpro\ IS project and at least ast week ratified a along the road m i Brunswick County provements. The pr a if some of their N.C. Department ol of the expense. After DOT com] unswick and Avery commissioners will brought up to state certifying that the r to the one current- reimbursement. V\ n specific areas of developer or petitioi ecial assessment share to the county, DOT. isorea the bill at the Property ownei missioners. During tionate share of the tially involved only that amount, plus II ilude Avery. ministrative expens ihliuuc au private According 10 u or to Oct. 1,1975, as the local share of in after Oct. 1,1975, is Redwine a similar be paved to be inc] troduced because it system, ssembly session. Roads built prio imissioners last Oc- to the state system being assessed by or not, Cooke said. 1 because they could not necessarily imp to state standards Cooke said ro? property owners in system for at least t priority list throug s who represent at program. The curre ige of the proposed per foot, while the s V ?i?ill Mini I - is Spot(s) tots made for a good n r?r hi nn \J. II iC f I Dl III ivj m 25c Per Copy gulations, mmittee Ac Q rocitlf o r\r/\r.ni4.. . w? . vjuii, ci piwjjciiy UWIICI V.UUIU install a sentir tank six years after receiving the initial site evaluation, Rhodes said. The problem is that state septic tank laws may change over that six-year period. In order to help prevent such problems, the board voted to give an individual septic tank permit the same date as its previous site evaluation, an action which effectively gives the property owner the mandated three years in which to install the septic tank. appoints ice Chief Following the vote, the mayor added, "Rodney, we've all looked forward to you handling this job for a long time. We hope you'll stay with us for a long time and continue to do the good job you've done in the past." According to Jones, Gause will earn a salary of S20.800 as chief of police. He earned $17,282 last year as thn rionartmont'c Mtavitv o villi iicuu:uriiiu detective. Gause, 28, succeeds former chief Don Stovall, who resigned effective May 18. Before his appointment last week, Gause had served as acting chief since Stovall's resignation. Prior to the closed session last week, Shallotte businessman John Fazekas spoke on behalf of Gause and urged board members to appoint him chief. "Rodney is dedicated to be here, and I feel he's gonna be here 20 years from now," he said. "I really feel we'd be building a fine foundation with him as chief." Fazekas stressed to the board that he was not second-guessing any of their previous decisions and that he did not know any of the other applicants, but said a lot of people in town felt the same way he did?that Clause would be the best choice. In other business relating to police department personnel, aldermen /oted last week to hire patrol officers Ray Altizer and William Kohler, both }f Ocean Isle Beach. Altizer, a 21-year-old native of tVest Virginia, said he worked with security companies since high school (See gause, Page 2-a j "N \ A /f =7 v vuy cements 65 percent of the property owners lust petition the countv for im oject also must be .approved by the ' Transportation. jletes a cost analysis of the project, hold a public hearing and consider project is eligible for local share rith the board's approval, the tiing property owners pay the local which in turn forwards the funds to rs who do not pay their proporproject up front are assessed for [) percent to cover the county's ades. istrict DOT Engineer Jim Cooke, lprovement projects on roads built 100 percent. Also, those roads must luded in the state secondary road r to Oct. 1,1975, can be accepted inwhether they meet state standards The roads would be maintained but roved. ids that have been on the state wo years can oe paved oui ot DOT'S h a propei-tv owner participation nt local share of a POP project is $8 itate's share is S12 per foot. ?? m ^