SBTPA I
BY SUSAN USHER
From its inception in October 1983,
the Sunset Beach Taxpayers Association
has vigorously opposed replacement
of the pontoon bridge that now
links the island and mainland sections
of their town.
Saturday, the organization
reiterated that stand. From the approximately
60 persons attending the
meeting at the Sunset Beach fire station,
a vote on a resolution worded by
Warren "Bud" Knapp drew all ayes
except for one abstention and one no.
With both state and federal
goverments strapped for money,
delays in the bridge's construction,
and rising costs, several directors
said the timing seemed right to bring
the issue into the foreground again.
Knapp's resolution calls for Gov.
Jim Martin and the N.C. Deoartment
of Transportation to drop plans for a
high-rise bridge the SBTPA says "is
not wanted and certainly not
necessary" to the island. Instead it
recommends the money go to help
pay for highway improvements
(such as the widening of U.S. 17) and
teacher's salary increases. A*
reasons to abandon the project, it
cites both the continuing opposition
of the SBTPA and the federal budget
deficit.
Plans have been in the making to
replace the pontoon bridge for approximately
10 years. Now in the
design stage are plans for a 65-foot
high fixed span, budgeted at $7.88
million, which would allow
simultaneous waterway and land
traffic. Due to delays in obtaining
permits, construction isn't expected
to begin until the 1991 fiscal year.
Knapp said Saturday the estimated
cost of the project has increased
from $6 million to $10 million,
"although what the ultimate cost will
be when the bridge may finally be
built is anyone's guess?perhaps $15
million."
When Liz Liebert asked how one
should counter arguments that a fixed
span is needed for safety reasons,
Knapp advised, "That bridge is
perfectly safe $nd will continue to be
as long as it is maintained." The
NC
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bridge had been allowed to fall into a
state of disrepair but has since been
improved, he said, with piling
replacement under way now.
However, Julia Thomas, who helps
the Sunset Beach Volunteer Fire
Department with fund raising, said
in the event of a major fire, a ladder
truck could not be taken across the
island on certain tides. She added, "I
think truly the (new) bridge is for the
waterway traffic, not the island."
The pontoon bridge is considered
one of the last of the type along the
Eastern Seaboard and the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway. It has been
the recent subject of numerous articles
and artwork.
Welcome Extended
Members also approved a letter
from the board of directors to Tom E.
Smith, president of Food Lion Corp.,
applauding its decision to locate a
grocery at Seaside. "Your decision
makes it apparent that annexation by
the Town of Sunset Beach of the site
of the new store was not necessary as
a means of achieving the desired
result." the letter further points out
that the association's opposition was
to the proposed annexation, not to the
grocery itself.
VFD Has Plans
Work has begun to add two new
bays to the fire station, Jeff Potter,
chief of the Sunset Beach Volunteer
Fire Department, told the taxpayers
association. The department also
plans repairs to the roof and other
areas.
Now that its building fund goal has
been met, he said, the department
wants to begin setting aside funds to
purchase a vehicle to replace a
13-year-old truck.
Potter said the department is in
good financial shape, but in need of
additional volunteers?both
firefighters and others in support
capacities such as building
maintenance and game night operation.
The VFD is exploring, with the
Calabash Volunteer Rescue Squad,
establishment of a "first responder"
unit within the department. Trained
individuals would be the first to res
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STAFF PHOTO BY SUSAN USHER
SUNSET BEACH FIRE CHIEF Jeff Potter explains to association members
how a VFD first responder unit would care for emergency victims until the
rescue squad arrives.
pond to non-fire emergencies in the permanent residents,
service area, helping stabilize vie- "Noted contributions of $500 each t<
tims while awaiting arrival of the the Sunset Beach Volunteer Fin
rescue squad. In conjunction with the Department and Calabash Volunteei
project the rescue squad may station Rescue Squad,
a vehicle at the fire house. "Heard a financial report fron
At Ocean Isle Beach, the property Treasurer Cletus Waldmiller, whi
owners' association donated a vehi- reported a balance of $6,809, as wei
cle for use by the first responder as a plea to participate in the seconc
team there, Potter said. Some year of the Adopt-A-Bloek litter pick
emergency care equipment would up program. Last year 33 areas wert
also be needed. adopted, with good results, he said.
In other business the group: 'Heard that the underground cabk
On a motion by Everett project will be delayed at least until
Woldbruck of Charlotte, expressed winter because the town had nol
appreciation for local merchants and worked out provisions for relocating
Something's Coming...April 20
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THE BRUNSWICK BEACON, Thu
ng High-Rise 1
telephone phone company cables as trie,
well as electrical service cables. *1
Atlantic Telephone Membership put
rents space on above-ground poles for:
from Brunswick Electric Member- tor I
IJtj ship Corp. Local legislation adopted and
last year at the town's request allows use
Sunset Beach to pass along to tax- !payers
the cost of relocating elec- I^ib
SAD 3 Property (
1 County Water Is
Property owners in the county's line:
third special assessment district told Jun
the Brunswick County Utility Opera- C<
Itions Board last week that they op- the i
pose having to pay for the water line by c
extensions in their Seaside area sub- will
divisions. rate
pie.
The SAD 3 public hearing was held wide
| March 21 at the Public Assembly Hr
I Building, Bolivia. According to Plan- spea
fl ning Director John Harvey, UOB ing
~ members Robert Nubel, Ed Gore and Man
D.V. Jones attended the 212-hour ed a
hearing. Har\
SAD 3 mainly includes Hideaway He
Estates, Brooks I, Brooks II and B&B owne
subdivisions. Water department cour
figures show that 130 of the district's meet
j 255 different property owners comi
> already have tapped onto the new atter
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Something Even Bi
'information. \( '.\'li National Hank ofNorth Ccn
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rsday, March 30, 1989?Page 3-A
Bridge
il cables, but not others.
/earned that contractors must
up a $100 litter clean-up deposit
site work in town. If the eontracFails
to clean up after his crews
a complaint is filed, the town can
the money to clean up the area,
leard plans for an associational
or Day social.
Dwners Say
Too Costly
s, wnicn were installed by last
e.
jst of the project is $147,973.87. If
Final assessment roll is approved
iommissioners, property owners
be asked to pay an assessment
of $6.45 per front foot. For exama
property owner with a 50-footi
lot would be assessed $322.50.
irvey told the Beacon that 16
kers at last week's public hearall
opposed the assessments,
y of them stated that the proposssessments
are too expensive,
rey indicated.
added that several property
;rs said they plan to attend the
ity commission's April 3
ing, to take their complaints to
nissioners. No commissioners
ided last week's hearing.
HH
RS& TRAVEL
.LOTTE, N.C.
? 1989 THE BRUNSWICK BEACON I
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ite
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dedicated To
qgerdlhe Individual
n ilina \leinl>t>rFDIC.
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