Horticultural 7
Twenty-seventh Year, Number 21 i?
Oi B A B
ui ui lows^rv
BY RAHN ADAMS
County officials say it is merely coincidental that
one Pennsylvania man's name keeps popping up in
Brunswick County government circles.
The Beacon learned last week that L. Robert Kimball?whose
architectural and engineering firm was
contracted last year to handle Brunswick County's $2.25
million mapping program?contributed to the 1988
political campaigns of four incumbent candidates, two
of whom were re-elected to county offices last
November. The contributions apparently were legal.
County commissioners are considering hiring the
Ebensburg, Pa., firm's subsidiary?Kimball Associates
P.A. of Raleigh?to design a new Social Services
building and addition to the county jail. A company architect
made a proposal to commissioners last week.
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VISITORS FROM AS FAR AWAY as California attended the
service near Holden Beach Fishing Pier led by the Rev. Fra
Easter Visitors Give
An Easter transfusion of sunshine steady stream acroi
and tourists set the South Brunswick bridges to Ocean Ii
Islands buzzing over the holiday beaches and the sin;
weekend. bridge to Sunset Bea
While no estimates were available While rentals were
yet on the number of visitors in the for at Sloane Realty,
area, most local business people said a slow weekend wei
the crowds were good, though lighter Ocean Isle's Cooke F
than last year when the holiday fell "We were taken bj
later in the season. Chauncey Cooke, whi
Susanne Sartelle, executive vice early holiday had no
president of the South Brunswick on rentals.
Islands Chamber, said from conver- He said the agency
sations last week with several area percent of the cc
real estate agents that reservations available, and tl
appeared to be "on par." cancellations despite
"They didn't really expect a big in- beginning. Sales wen
crease because of Easter being ear- said Cooke, indicati
ly," she added. spring and summer t
An early Easter always makes for on the wav
fewer rentals, agreed Debbie Fox at "It's like the weat'
Sloane Realty on Ocean Isle Beach. "On a scale from om
Still, rentals this past weekend were to say it was a 10."
less than the firm had hoped for, At Holdep Beach,"
though overall traffic at the beach the one-word descrif
was "really good." Police Chief Raymo
"It turned out to be a good the early holiday. "T
weekend," said Ms. Fox, "but it many people as last
could have been better." but those who came c
With good weather and many weather and didn't {
public schools out across the state, "I believe the boys w
she said week-long rental traffic for ing tickets?three!"
the agency will about the same as After last week's
over the weekend. said he enjoyed wo
Ms. Fox and other observers said weekend. "We had a
that island property owners and day The weather was be
visitors accounted for much of the temperatures weren'
B
Shallotte S
BY DOUG RUTTER during the next regi
Shallotte Aldermen are expected to April 5.
decide next week on the employment Aldermen David G;
status of Town Clerk Cynthia Long, the motion during la
who was suspended last week without regular meeting to su
pay. and Wilton Harrelsor
the motion, refused c
No cause was given for the suspen- Mayor Jones, Mayor
sion last Wednesday pending a hear- Wayne Reeves and
ing on the clerk's continued employ- Simmons. Board r
ment. Mrs. Long has served as town Tripp was absent las
clerk since July 7, 1982. Jones referred all
As of Tuesday, a special hearing town attorney, who
date had not been set. Mayor Jerry provide details on th
Jones said it would probably be held ters of personnel are
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Yade Show Open
M.'Ati bOf4b BINbERY
1 ">1 ?' .'l i / W "fBOX
lb 2 h
Sr'a i 'iin r P'jl ji'AVb4
Officials Defend Lii
1 don't owe them a thing
in the world, any more
than I would someone ,
who gave me $5." ,
?Frankie Rabon, Chairman <
Brunswick Commissioners (
t
One other link is that Brunswick County Manager |
John T. Smith's last employer before coming to work
here in September 1987 was L. Robert Kimball &
Associates. t
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i Easter sunrise Sabbath Home Baptist Church. A heavy i
tiki in Meyers of service, which drew approximately 6C^ i
> Area Early Spring '
3S the high-rise The weekend weather was
_1 _ 1 TT 1 1 * ...
sie ana noiaen unaeniaDly spectacular, but last w
?le-lane pontoon week's rain apparently kept some E
ch. people away from Holden Beach. si
less than hoped Kerry Cox of Brunswiekland Realexpectations
of ty reported a mediocre weekend in 01
re surpassed at terms of rentals, with about 80 per- h<
lealty. cent occupancy. p
' surprise," said She blamed the low turnout on the S(
o added that the combination of an early holiday and
apparent effect last week's weather, and noted that w
many of the people who rented homes et
rented about 90 decided to do so at the last minute ai
ittages it had after hearing the weekend weather
lere were no report. p
last week's wet "It's just back to normal now, but re
j also "red hot," it was a pretty busy weekend," she F
ng that a good said. b;
;ourist season is At Betty's Waterfront Seafood
Restaurant, business was down from
her," he added, last Easter weekend but was picking si
e to 10, I'd have early this week.
Manager Bolena Laws said Tues- w
Beautiful," was day, "We were busy last night, and it s<
>tion offered by looks like we're going to be busy
nd Simpson for tonight." n
here weren't as Conditions seemed much better
year," he said, down the road at Sunset Beach, ft
;njoyed the good where a restaurant manager and c.
jet into trouble, real estate representative reported a IV
rote three park- great weekend and high hopes for the S
season. li
rain, Simpson "We had a fantastic weekend, and d
rking over the it hasn't stopped," said Joann Stubgreat
weekend, bert of Sunset Properties, who said a
autiful and the the agency rented nearly all of its C
t bad." available homes over the weekend.
usperids Town CI
ilar meeting on tial," said attorney Mark I^ewis, who ii
added that divulging personnel b
ause, who made records is a misdemeanor. t?
st Wednesday's Mrs. Long, who lias been employed
spend the clerk, by the town for almost 15 years in- hi
1, who seconded eluding her tenure as clerk, also pi
omment. So did declined comment. She currently e<
Pro Tern Paul earns an annual salary of $17,160. hi
Alderman Jody Her suspension followed a one- tl
nember Sarah hour, 20-minute executive session bi
t week. called to discuss personnel matters,
questions to the During the closed-door session, the
also refused to town clerk was called in on two dif- E
e action. "Mat- ferent occasions. h
i very confiden- Town attorney Lewis said the hear- hi
s Here Friday (S
ursday, March 30, 1989 25c P
iks With Arch its
In response to recent rumors questioning the couny's
relationship with the company, county officials
lave denied speculation that L. Robert Kimball &
\ssociates has enjoyed preferential treatment due to
he campaign contributions or Smith's former position
with the firm.
Kimball could not be reached for comment Monday
it his Ebensburg office; his secretary said he was "out
)f town on vacation." Kimball Associates Vice Presiient
Gerald Kabala, who manages the company's
Raleigh office, said Tuesday he recommended the conxibutions
because "I truly liked those folks (the incumxrnt
candidates) down there."
Campaign Contributions
According to Kabala and the candidates
hemselves, L. Robert Kimball personally made $1,000
Legis
To V.
'< t I .-J On I >
~ . After hearing lot
position to the bil
the Local Governr
was to make its ri
the proposal this i
j - State Rep. Edith
r . J I - 1 chairperson of the
jJ^ Jf J/, i | She said folio'
W if J discussion that sh
53^thevotewouldtL
^Tlite fW ^ftfl passes the commit
STAFF PHOTO BY EDDIE SWEAT! it WOUld then gO
:og broke just before the start of the 3&-member gover
Jeople. before going I
Assembly.
Attending last
Transfusion
neighboring To\
She speculated that the nice which opposes th
nafhpr nffcot or**/ ?if for?+ aF t*r??1??
vutuvt vuuvi. uuj muvv vi uic cai poration.
aster holiday. "Mother Nature has Robert Cook,
ire cooperated." Carolina Shores
The Italian Fisherman Restaurant Association, said 1
1 Sunset Boulevard enjoyed a full committee a positi
3use over the weekend with no com- documents indicat
laints from manager David 0f the communitj
:hweitzer. p orate.
"Easter weekend is always a good He said the local
eekend," he said, adding that the receive any indie
irly holiday did not seem to have committee viewe
iy impact. weren't left with
Calabash Merchants Association said Cook,
resident Tony Belk said the town's
:staurant district was "bustling"
riday and Saturday night, followed
V a lull on Sunday. D f"U Q "|
Speaking for his own convenience .
;ore business, he said business was XQ||
moderate" and postulated that bad
eather in the week might have had
ime would-be visitors "jittery." A hunting d
"We did about what we expected, Animal Shelter
o blow out," he concluded. Friday when it
Belk attributed the weekend per- According I
irmance in part to a "deliberate the three- to fou
ampaign" by Myrtle Beach/North convicted cocai
lyrtle Beach, S.C. to keep Grand taken to the ant
ii ciiiu vauauuiicio ctuiu^ llie McllU nuiiua men we
ne in Horry County. "I think they near Calabash,
id a good job of it this weekend." Brunswick i
He said the merchants' association animal was seiz
nd South Brunswick Islands cle that had tra
hamber of Commerce are working Also, the th
(See EASTER, Page 2-A) with the dog," J
Green plea
sentenced to a
hearing in Boli
rl^ ordered that Gr
Proceeds al
will go to the
ig will likely be in executive session, However, he a
ut that any action will have to be $1,000?during i
iken in open session. of Supply.
Mayor Jones said that while the While the d
earing is not required under town have its registr
ersonnel policy, it was recommend- probably sell foi
J by the town attorney. He said the blue tick coon h
earing is meant to allow Mrs. Long Green repoi
le opportunity to speak on her own said it is in good
ehalf. it was placed in
good buy," Spe<
Meanwhile, Assistant Clerk Mary Hawes will
itta Hewett is serving as interim shelter. The top
>wn clerk. She has worked in town or by certified c
all for nearly seven years.
1
j
'tory Page 9-A)
er Copy 36 Pages, 3 Sections
3Cturo! Firm
? ? w a u a B U
contributions last spring to the re-election campaigns of
incumbent Commissioners Frankie Rabon, Chris Chappell
and Jim Poole, and incumbent Register of Deeds
Robert Robinson, whose office is directly involved in
the county mapping program.
Kabala said the four campaign donations here were
the only county-level contributions that Kimball made
last year in North Carolina and only the second ones he
has ever made in this state. "We don't generally go
around spreading money around," he said.
"I thought that helping those people would help continue
on with the growth in Brunswick County," Kabala
added, particularly noting recent strides the county has
made with its water system and district parks.
When questioned last week by the Beacon,
(See BRUNSWICK, Page 2-A)
lative Panel Was
ote Wednesday
icorporation Bill
r RUTTER Also attending from the communistate
legislative ty were Robert Noe, manager of the
expected to vote POA; A1 Smith, board of directors
bill which would member; Pete Sperry, past POA
poration of the president; Les Meader, chairman of
! community in the incorporation committee; and
lswick County. citizens George Taubel and Jon San
:al support ajid op- born.
1 last Wednesday, Calabash Mayor Doug Simmons
nent II Committee also attended last week's meeting, to
icommendation on speak in opposition to the incorpora veek,
according to tion bill on behalf of the town.
Lutz of Lawndale, Simmons said Monday he told
committee. members of the legislative commitwing
last week's tee that incorporation would restrict
e had no idea how the future growth of Calabash, a town
un out. If the bill currently looking to expand its cor;tee,
Mrs. Lutz said porate limits through annexation.
before a larger, The mayor noted that at least 70
nment committee percent of Carolina Shores falls
to the General under the extraterritorial jurisdiction
of Calabash, and all of the golf
week's committee course subdivision is included in a
:ven residents of resolution of consideration for annexid
the mayor of the ation adopted last March,
vn of Calabash, Simmons also said he had no idea
e proposed incor- how the committee may vote on the
bill. "From what I gather, it's going
president of the to be a while to get it through the
Property Owners House and Senate," he noted,
le presented to the The N.C. League of Municipalities,
on paper and other which had earlier been leaning
ing the time frame toward opposition of the incorporar's
move to incor- tion bill, has decided not to take a
specific position on the proposal, said
I contingent did not staff attorney Andy Romanet.
ation on how the League officials had proposed joind
the bill. "We ing the Town of Calabash in opposing
any impression," the bill because of the existing town's
(See INCORPORATION, Page 2-A)
" tt* I I "?. i a / I I
ramcKers uog win
d To Benefit Schools
BY RAHN ADAMS
og that has been serving time at the Brunswick County
for the past 15 months will be granted "work release"
is sold at public auction.
.o crunswicK uounty uniet uivu Deputy uston Hawes,
r-year-old trained blue tick coon hound?once owned by
ne trafficker Larry Charles Green of Starke, Fla.?was
mal shelter in December 1987 after Green and two other
re arrested in an SBI sting operation at Pearl Golf Links
County Narcotics Officer Mike Speck explained that the
ed by authorities because it was found in the same vehinsported
a kilogram of cocaine here from Florida,
ree drug suspects "weren't in a position to do anything
Speck noted.
ded guilty to cocaine trafficking charges and was
five-year prison term in February. At the sentencing
via, Superior Court Judge Henry V. Barnette Jr. also
een's dog be sold.
bove the cost of keeping the dog at the animal shelter
Brunswick County Board of Education, Hawes said,
dded that the dog has run up quite a bill?around
ts 15-month stay at the county facility off N.C. 211 south
og is believed to be AKC registered, authorities do not
ation papers, Hawes said. As a result, the animal will
r considerably less than its value. Hawes said a trained
ound is worth up to $5,000.
tedly bought the dog in western North Carolina. Speck
physical condition, although it has not been "run" since
the shelter. "For someone who hunts, it would make a
:k said. . j 1
conduct the auction Friday at 2 p.m., at the animal [i
bidder will be required to pay for the dog in full?in cash
heck?at the time of the sale. J J
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