Commissioners Take Position Against Proposed Loop Route BY RAHN ADAMS Brunswick County Commissioners Monday threw their weight behind the Town of Navassa's push to slop a proposed four-lane highway project that would run through that community as well as Lcland. An estimated 50 Navassa and Lcland residents at tended Monday night's county board meeting in Bolivia ? a 3 1/2-hour session attended by all five commissioners. So many individuals were present that the board moved that portion of the meeting from the commissioners' chambers to the Public Assembly Building. The meeting also included a one-hour, 10-minute executive session requested by County Manager John T. Smith to discuss "personnel." No action was an nounced from the closed-door conference. As he had presented to the Brunswick County Planning Board last Wednesday (see related story), Planning Director John Harvey explained to the gath ering Monday that the N.C. Department of Transportation is leaning toward a new route through the hearts of Navassa and Leland for a proposed Wilmington bypass. The highway will connect Interstate 40 in New Hanover County to U.S. 17 in Brunswick County. An original proposal ? one that was approved in years past by area governments in previous thorough fare plans ? would have the "Northern Outer Loop" be built through largely undeveloped areas north of Navassa and Lcland before it turns south toward U.S. 17. However, the latest proposed route, which was rec ommended earlier this month by a Wilmington Metropolitan Area transportation advisory board, is shorter and closer to Wilmington. It bisects the two densely-populated communities and crosses fragile wetlands on its way to linking with U.S. 17 at the U.S. 74-76 interchange. "We've been a town for only two months, and the Department of Transportation is talking about split ting us up already," said Leland Mayor Russell Baldwin. Lcland incorporated in September. He later added, "We will fight it every step of the way...One thing is for sure; if we don't stand up for ourselves, no one else will." Navassa Town Attorney Mary Easley noted that Navassa is one of the oldest communities in Brunswick County and that its largely black popula tion has worked hard to build the town into "one of the preeminent black communities in the state." 'To clcavc the town into two pieces cannot possi bly serve the common good here," Mrs. Easley said, later adding that the four-lane highway would "de stroy the pride and sense of community they have, be cause this is going to wipe them off the face of the earth." Navassa officials estimate that the new route would necessitate the removal of 52 homes and directly im pact two churches, a Masonic lodge. Town Hall and the town's fire and rescue facility. Mrs. Easlcy said an estimated 176 Navassa residents would be displaced by the road. Although the county planning board last week took no position on the matter, commissioners Monday unanimously passed a resolution in opposition to the proposed route. The resolution will be sent to state transportation officials. In other business Monday, the commissioners: ? Heard a report from Harvey on a countywidc shoreline access plan that is being developed. Public input meetings were tentatively scheduled for Dec. 5 at Shallotte Town Hall, Dec. 12 at the Public Assembly Building, and Dec. 19 at St. Mary's Baptist Church in Winnabow. No meeting times were final ized. ? Confirmed the assessment roll for Special Assessment District 6 (Seaside area), which includes an assessment rate of $5.22 per front foot for the $208,271 project. ? Approved October tax releases and refunds, as recommended by Tax Administrator Boyd Williamson. ? Tabled action until Dec. 4 on a proposal from Honeywell Inc., for the county to participate in an en ergy management program that guarantees the county $300,000 in energy savings over a five-year period. In its first year, die county would pay Honeywell $87,950. Net savings over the five-year period would be approximately $100,000. ? Amended a county ordinance to prohibit any merchant or salesman from conducting business on any property owned or leased by the county. ? Allocated $2,010 from the Water Department's improvements fund to pay DOT for work involving the county water line along U.S. 17 as the highway is widened. County Attorney David Clegg said DOT in accurately estimated in 1986 that the county would have to pay about $1 12,000 for the work. ? Accepted a deed of dedication for the water sys tem in Seaside North subdivision. ? Appointed Leland resident John E. Jones to fill the unexpired term of John Boney on the Brunswick County Utility Operations Board. Boney resigned last month, after being appointed to a two-year term in January. ? Recessed until Tuesday (Nov. 21) at 9:30 p.m., when the board was to hold the first of two morning work sessions on a wide range of topics facing the board, including complex expansion, the Clean County program, 911 and personnel matters. The sec ond work session was set for Wednesday (Nov. 22) at 9:30 a.m. Both meetings were to be held at the Administration Building. Man Injured In Traffic Mishap A pedestrian suffered moderate injuries in a traffic accident late Saturday in Calabash, according to Highway Patrol spokesperson Ruby Oakley. The mishap occurred Saturday at 11:45 p.m., on N.C. 179 inside the Calabash town limits. Driver of the vehicle was William Frank McLean, 18, of Calabash. Ms. Oakley said the accident fol lowed an argument involving sever al individuals in a business parking area. Jerry Lynn Nelson, 29, also of Calabash, was hurt when he ran to McLean's 1987 Dodge pickup truck and opened the passenger-side door as the vehicle took off north on N.C. 179. Nelson suffered non-incapacitat ing injuries but did not request em ergency medical treatment. Trooper T.W. Caulder reported that he could not determine whether Nelson was struck by the vehicle or was hurt in the fall to the pavement. No citations were issued in con nection with the accident. Put a Gnome under the tree for you special collector ?We're well-stocked-hurry while the selection Is good. , ?Now accepting orders for 1990 retirees & Jan. 1990 new releases ?Large assortment of retired pieces available. }nomes from CARDS &G\m 754-9968 Twin Croak (Food Uon) Plaza, Shollotte BRIDAL & GIFT REGISTRY ? FREE GIFT WRAPPING LAYAWAY ? WE PACK 4 SHIP UPS DAILY HOURS: 10-6 MONDAY THRU SATURDAY All Holden Beach residents are invited to a . . . xWe Survived Hugo' Luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 28 12 o'clock noon Holden Beach Town Hall Qu&t Ik time fax C,bii&t*ux&! The Bridge" Ocean Isle Draw Bridge Signed Limited Edition Prints By Marty Cooke. $45. Call 579-3535 for further details. State May Reimburse Beachfront Lot Owners BY DOUG RUTTER Coastal landowners who paid to have sand dunes bulldozed as an emergency protective measure following Hurricane Hugo may be eligible for reimbursement from the state. As many as 500 occanfront homeowners in Brunswick County may qualify for reimbursement checks, according to Berry Willi ams, state individual assistance officer. However, local officials estimate the number will be much lower. Following the Sept. 21 hurricane, officials with the N.C. Division of Emergency Management joined local officials in a survey of area beaches to determine the extent of erosion damage. As a result, emergency bcrm projects were authorized at Ocean Isle Beach, Holdcn Bcach, Long Beach, Yaupon Bcach, Caswell Bcach and Bald Head Island. The state pledged 5269,220 to build 29,990 feet of bcrm in the six bcach communities. Earlier, the federal government had authorized construction of 4,100 feet of bcrm at Ocean Isle Beach, Holdcn Beach and Long Bcach. However, since many property owners contracted to have sand pushed in front of their homes before the emergency bcrm projects were authorized, the state has decided to offer reimbursements. To qualify, properties must fall within the area of "imminent threat" outlined in the Upton-Jones section of the National Flood Insurance Program. In most areas, homes would have to be within 20 feet of the first line of vegetation to be eligible. However, since the state-funded bcrm was also based on the "im minent threat" standard, local building officials speculated last week that there would be very few lot owners who qualify for reimbursement. The only landowners who would be eligible would be the ones who qualified for the state berm at their property but paid to have sand pushed before that berm was con structed. Although several hundred beach front lot owners at Holden Beach paid to have sand pushed to protect their homes, Building Inspector Dwight Carroll speculated that only about IS would qualify for rci mburscmcnt. Ocean Isle Building Inspector Druicd Robcrson said even fewer would qualify there. "The ones who would have been eligible were part of the state berm project anyway," he said. Whatever the number of land owners who qualify, Williams said the state assistance should come as a blessing. "This is something nobody expected so they should be very pleased," he said Monday. Williams said it's unlikely that the reimbursement checks will be mailed in time for Christmas. Elig ible property owners will probably receive their money in January 1990. Most lot owners who hired a contractor to rebuild their dune paid about $300 per 50-fool-wide lot. The dollars for the reimburse ment program, he said, will be taken out of a $500,000 state fund for emergency dune construction in the couiiiy which siill totals more than $200,000. Rcnee Hoffman, spokesperson with the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said state funds for the berms became available following the federal disaster declaration in late September. "It was an emergency situation and under an emergency situation the state can go in and rebuild the ALL STARl FLAGS (91f)251-FLAG ?Flags 'Banners ?Flagpoles -Pennants A Variety Of Flags Mail Orders FREE Delivery Ask for FREE Catalog 101 Aviators Lane Burgaw, NC 28425 Catherine Moore, Owner bcrms," said Ms. Hoffman. "The bcrms were needed to prevent further erosion and property damage." Requests for reimbursement must includc the original bill for pushing sand as well as the name, address and telephone number of the contractor. They should also include the address of the property which was threatened, the linear footage of the beachfront where the sand was placed and a statement from the owner saying the work was necessary due to erosion causcd by Hugo. The property owner should indicate the address to which the reimbursement check should be mailed and provide a daytime phone number where he or she can be reached. Once a request for reimbursement is received, an inspection team will verify whether the property qualifies. Landowners have until Dec. 15 to apply for reimbursement. Claims should be mailead to the N.C. Divi sion of Emergency Management, 116 W. Jones St., Raleigh, N.C., 27603, Att: Tonia Young (bcrm). -WPWMi AMERICA! 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FROM: Brick Landing Golf Shop GIFT CERTIFICATE $20 VALUE J L. VALID ON PURCHASES Of $100 OR MORE. TO . FROM. Brick Landint Coif Shop GIFT CERTIFICATE $10 VALUE J l_. VALID ON PURCHASES OF $30 OR MORE. NOTE: Coupons not to be used on sale merchandise or in conjunction with any other offer. Coupons expire Dec. 24, 1989. OCEAN ISLE BEACH GOLF SHOP PHONE 754-5545

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