North Carolina Newspapers

Brunswick Organizes Trip To Florida Composting Facility BY RAHN ADAMS Faced with lighter state regulations on solid waste management, Brunswick County official* ?re quickly covering a lot of ground ? literally ? in search of viable options on how the county will get rid of garbage. Five county representatives were to be among a 10 mcmber North Carolina delegation that was to tour an innovative solid waste recycling facility in Dade Coun ty, Fla., Wednesday (Jan. 10). Brunswick County Agricultural Extension Service Chairman Milton Coleman, who organized the trip, said the local group was to include Commissioners Gene Pinkcrton and Kelly Holden; county engineer Robert Tucker; and county Solid Waste Advisory Board mem bers Jesse Clemmons and Wilbur Earp. Other individuals to participate in the tour were N.C. Department of Economic and Community Devel opment officials Paul Crissman and Gordon Layton; Dr. Bob Rubin of N.C. State University; and representa tives from the three -county area of Craven, Pamlico and Carteret counties, and the four-county area of Alexan der, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties, said Coleman The delegation was to leave the Brunswick County Airport near Souihport Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., for the 2 1.A?-hour flight to the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., airport The group was scheduled to return here by 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. "We feel like it's going to be a wise expenditure for the information we can pick up there and use here," Coleman said Friday. "We hope that from what I've seen and read, it's a (waste disposal) concept that the county can use." He estimated thai tiSe cost of the trip would be approximately S1.500 ? the county's share to rent a 10-passenger Economic and Community Devel opment airplane from the state. In Florida, the group was to spend at least four hours Wednesday touring a commercial composting op eration that has been contacted by Dade County to heip dispose of solid waste in South F.orida. Coleman said the plant went into operation last summer and now pro cesses approximately 600 tons of garbage per day. Dade County produces about 3,000 tons of solid waste per day. The plant's marketable product is an "amendment" maicnal uuil Can be used to CnhanCC ilie waici-iiu iuuig capacity of soil, said Coleman, observing that compost ed material produced by a plant in Jamaica was used to landscape Disneyworld in Orlando, Fla. Coleman also arranged for the group to meet with Dr. George Fitzpatrick, a researcher with the Florida Agricultural Extension Service at the University of Florida. Fitzpatrick is an expert on composting. Composting is an established disposal process in Europe but has just gotten a foothold in the United States, Coleman noted. Videotaped television news re ports that were viewed by the Solid Waste Advisory Board in September labeled the Dade County compost ing operation as one that seemed "too good to be true." According to the Department of Agricultural Communications at N.C. State University, the compost ing process ordinarily begins with the separation of metal and glass from refuse. The garbage is then run through a grinder, which chops it into small pieces. The material is formed into a windrow and treated to allow microbial decomposition before a second tilling. Ordinary composting takes two to three months to com plete. wie pax: ess at the Dade County plant apparently is different from ordinary composting, since the facility can compost garbage in a 2 1 -day cycle, Coleman said. He also speculated that some pre-sorting of garbage is done there, even though he has heard that the plant has equipment that can pulverize even large, metal appli ances. Interest in composting was sparked in Florida by the Florida Legislature's decision in 1988 to require that 50 percent of the state's garbage be recycled by 1994. A similar law was passed last year by the North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina's goal is for 25 per cent of the state's waste "stream" to be recycled by 1993. Coleman emphasized that composting is only one of several garbage disposal options being looked at by the Solid Waste Advisory Board, which was established last spring. Subcommittees have been formed to study several other areas including recycling, incineration, a new transfer station plan and public education. Coleman, who serves as staff support for the advi sory board, said of innovation garbage techniques, "If you've got the best mousetrap, you're going to be in a good position ? if you're on the ground floor." County Approves Ordinance (Continued From P-^e 1-A) ABC board applicants, if individual commissioners need help in finding qualified appointees. Commissioners had no problems making appointments to seven other county boards Monday, including: Southeastern Brunswick County Sanitary District Board ? Thomas Bowmer, Edna Canady, Jimmy Pricc, James "Bubba" Smith and Jamie Wilson; Emergency Medical Services Board ? Charles Prizer, H.L. Johnson Jr. and George Mal onc; Also, Board of Health ? Christopher Moshoures; Airport Commission ? Robert Williams; Register ot Deeds Advisory Board ? Patricia Fox, Tom Morgan, Janet Shires, William Carter and Virginia Byrd; and Clean County Committee ? Susannc Sartelle, George Booth, Pam Tyner, Maggie Ratford, Chance Scrantom, Joseph Bcatty, Lou Erway, William Dunn and Frank Smith. Commissioners also held a 30 minutc executive session Monday to discuss "personnel." After ihc closed-door conference, the board voted 4-1 to give Clcgg a 15-per cent raise, since he has served as both county attorney and county manager since the Tiring of County Manager John Smith Dec. 4. Clcgg's new salary is approximately 554,800 per year. Ludlum opposed the salary in crease, saying he felt Clcgg should be given a "lump sum" for the time he serves as county manager, but not a permanent pay reclassifica tion. The board scheduled a joint work session with the county planning board and Parks and Recreation Director Bobby Jones Thursday, Jan. 25, at 6:30 p.m., in Bolivia. The group will discuss the county's proposed shoreline access plan and long-range parks and recreation plan. Also, commissioners canceled their Jan. 16 regular meeting, since it would follow Monday's session by only a week. The board's next regular meeting will he held Feb, 5. Three Events Wi!! Honor Late Civil Rights Leader Three Brunswick County events, all open to the general public, will pay tribute to slain civil rights lead er Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was Jan. 15. King rose to international promi nence after leading a successful bus boycott in Montgomery, Ala. The boycott was organized after Rosa Parks, a black seamstress, refused to give up her seat near the front of a bus to a white man. King was assassinated in Mem phis, Tcnn., on April 4, 1968. His philosophy of passive resis iance inspired blocks across th? South io speak out for equality and justice. He received numerous awards, including, in 1964, the No bel Peace Prize. The first event in his honor, to be held at noon Friday, Jan. 13. in the Student Center of Brunswick Community College at Sup ply, will feature national colum nist and televi sion host Tony Brown. Indivi dual members of minority or ganizations are BROWN to recognized by the college for their contributions and service with in the county. This is the first time BCC has presented these communi ty service awards. Also scheduled on the program are entertainers Jimmy Gatlin of Riegclwood, who will sing a spiri tual, and BCC Visiting Artist Nnen no PrAolAn ?i m 1 1 r?? * rrt ?n Jn?i*r m ? } tt?*V ?*?*? ^*>V Mil llllVI ~ pretive performance depicting Har riet T ubman in song and prose. Tub man, an aboliliunist, ran the Under ground Railroad during the Civil War era. Then Sunday, Jan. 14, the South port-Brunswick County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will hold its annual Mar tin Luther King birthday celebration at the ILA Hall in Southport. The Rev. Naconiel Fullwood of Bolivia, pastor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church ir. nlimiiigiun, will be the guest speaker for the 3:30 p.m. event Earlier, at approximate ly 3 p.m., some participants will gather about a biock away for a short march to the hall. Also on the program arc the Ce dar Grove Gospel Choir of Si inn) v and the Dynamic Luther Small Singers of Southport. Leslie Myrie. chapter president, said nc feels this tribute will help keep King's "dream" alive. The dream was described by King in a landmark speech delivered at an Aug. 28, 1963, demonstration in Washington, D.C., of 200,000 peo ple in support of black demands for equal rights. Said King, "I have a dream that this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, *We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.' " Also a first in (he county, on Monday, Jan. 15, black youth from across the county will perform for the first time as the Brunswick County Choir, at a program com memmorating King. The 3 p.m. program will be held at the Public Assembly Building of the Brunswick County Government Center in Bolivia. It is sponsored by the Black Cultural Awareness Com miiicc, a piojcct of uie Souihport Brunswick County and Cedar Grove chapters of ihe NAACP. Warmer Weather On Tap Locally Slightly warmer temperatures and a normal level of precipitation are expected in the Shallottc area over the next several days, according to Shallotte Point meteorologist Jack son Canady. Temperatures through the week end should average from around 40 at night to around 60 during the day. Rainfall is expected to measure about one-half inch. For the period of Jan. 2 through 8, the daily average temperature was 51 degrees, which Canady said was five degrees above average. The daily average high tempera ture was 61 degrees, and the daily average low temperature was 41 de grees. The maximum high temperature during the period was 70 degrees on Jan. 4. The minimum low tempera ture was 24 degrees on Jan. 2. Canady measured 1.16 inches of rain during the seven-day period. COMPLETE INTERIOR DECORATING SERVICE -Mini blinds -Vertical blinds -Micro blinds -Carpet -Wallpaper -Draperies -Pictures Ruby Floyd Oceatt late Hwy. 904, #3 Seaside North 579-6091 CI 906 THE IRJNSWIC* BEACON PHOTO CONTRIBUTED CP&L Pays County Taxes Carolina Power & Light Company paid a record $5,042,660.93 in tax es to Brunswick County for 1989. Pictured with the check, from left, are David E. Kelly, director of external relations at the CP&L Bruns wick Nuclear Plant; Nancy Moore, county tax supervisor; and David Clegg, acting county manager. H#=*nl+h Rr*nrrj StOP.ds Firm ? m w ? ? ? ? av ^0 ? ? ? ? ? ? (Continued From Page i-A) have to pay for them some way." Rhodes maintained that the non refundable fee is reasonable "be cause what we're actually doing is a service, whether (the lot) is suitable or unsuitable." The health oirector also reminded that the cost of doing an individual site evaluation exceeds $35. Slate studies have indicated that an evalu ation costs the Health Department about SI 00, considering the time spent by sanitarians, secretaries and administrators. ? ret /tjppiuvcu In another matter at Monday's meeting, the health board unani mously approved a proposed $100 annual fee to cover the costs of a new state-mandated public swim ming pool inspection program that begins Feb. 1. The fee must be ap proved by county commissioners before it can be levied. According to Environmental Health Supervisor John Crowder, there arc approximately 50 public pools in Brunswick County. He also speculated that the new law ? adopted by the N.C. General As sembly in July 1989? may also af fect hot tubs and spas. State law defines a public swim ming pool as "any structure, cham ber or tank containing an artificial body of water used by the public for swimming, diving, wading, recre ation or therapy, together with buildings, appurtenances and equip ment used in connection with the body of water, regaidless of whether a fee Ls charged for its iisp. " The law docs not apply to a pri vate pool serving a single-family dwelling; to thcrapcuiic pools used in physical therapy programs oper ated by licensed mcdical facilities or licensed physical therapists; or to "therapeutic chambers drained, cleaned and refilled after each indi vidual use." Based on a memorandum from sanitarian Dorian Dixon, who will handle the program locally, Crow der said each public pool may re quire at least two inspections per year. Inspections will be to ensure water quality, the use of safety equipment and proper documenta tion related to the pool, Crowder noted. He said only two other coastal counties ? Onslow and New Han over ? currently charge pool inspec tion fees; Dare County also is con sidering instituting the fee. In response to board members' questions, Crowder said pool own ers who violate the new law will be given opportunities to correct any violations. He added that the law does not provide for closing pools, unless a public health hazard exists. Foundation Discussed Since five board members were absent Monday, the health board tabled until its February meeting discussion of a proposed Brunswick County Health Foundation ? a non profit agency that would raise pri vate funds for health-related pro grams in the county. Rhodes outlined the proposal and noted the foundation would be com parable to a local educational foun dation that is affiliated with Brunswick County Public Schools. The Surry County Healtn Depart ment has the only similar health foundation in the state, he added. "My understanding is that it's been very successful (in Surry County)," Rhodes told the board. He said funds that are solicited by the foundation from businesses, in dustries and individuals could be used for "line items of any program in the Health Department." Rhodes said that if the health board decides to pursue establishing a foundation, a committee of board members and other individuals should be formed to develop foun dation by-laws and articles of incor poration. Other Business In other action Monday, the health board: ? Voted to recommend to com missioners adjustments in the Health Department's Medicaid fee schedule for 10 separate medical clinic and family planning services. ? Approved a clarification of septic tank inspection procedures involving connections and recon nprtinns nf mobile hOiT!! SCptlC SJ'S tems, to decrease repeated inspec tions of the same systems. A initial inspection will cover a new but un used system for 18 months; and an existing system for 12 months. ? Authorized a new site evalua tion fee refund policy that will per mit refunds for application duplica tions, overpayment and cancella tions of site evaluation requests. THE BRUNSWIOrfiftACON Established Nov. 1, 1962 Telephone 754-6890 Published Every Thursday At 4709 Main Street Shallotte, N.C. 28459 SUBSCRIPTION RATES W BRUNSWICK COUNTY One Year $10.30 Six Months $5.50 ELSEWHERE IN NORTH CAROLINA One Year $14.80 Six Months $7.85 ELSEWHERE IN U.S.A. One Year $15.95 Six Months $8.35 Second class postage paid at the Post Office in Shallotte, N.C. 28459. USPS 777-780. School System Seeking New Business Manager The Brunswick County school system will be hiring a new busi ness manager to replace Elaine Shappcll. TTie vacancy comes just before the school system administration begins preparing its local budget request for the 1990-91 fiscal year. Flyers announcing the opening were printed and distributed in the Brunswick County Board of Edu cation offices Tuesday afternoon, though one administrator described Shappcll's apparent status Tuesday as "suspended." At press time, her employment status was uncertain. Neither Superintendent John Kaufhold nor Ms. Shappcll could be reached for comment Tuesday evening. Kaufhold has a new, un published telephone number at his Long Beach residence. The tele phone at Ms. Shappcll's residence in Wilmington remained busy. However, one school board mem ber contacted said Tuesday night his understanding is that "incompatible management styles" led to the superintendent's decision to seek a new business manager. "I think the reason that will be offered is something like 'not fitting the job as far as the superintendent is concerned,' " said Robert Sloc kett. "The way he wanicu ilic office to operate was not the way the fin ance officer was operating it." While not all board members agreed with the decision, he said, "There was nothing wr could do." As superintendent, Kaufhold has the authority to hire and fire all per sonnel not covered by contracts with the board of education, includ ing the business manager. Central office employees and at least two school board members ?-u tl ?. n :.l n nr. iuiu trie ururijvvu.fi, ucuti /n iuu day that when contacted at home Tuesday morning, Shappell's hus band said his wife was sick and would not be coming in to the office. Said Associate Superin tendent P. R. Hankins, "I don't think anybody here has talked with her today." Kaufho'd discussed his intentions with the board of education during an hour-long executive session Monday night, Slockett confirmed Tuesday night. Members discussed attorncy-client matters with their attorney for 30 minutes, then returned to open session and voted to go back behind closed doors to discuss personnel. Tuesday evening Personnel Di rector Ralph Ward said that the superintendent that afternoon had authorized him to distribute flyers announcing the vacancy, but did not apprise him of Shappell's status. Associate Superintendent P. R. Hankins of Bolivia said Tuesday evening he understood Mrs. Shap pell had been "suspended." He said no one at the central office had seen or talked directly with her Tuesday, to his knowledge. Three of five board of education members were reached by tele phone Tuesday night Board member Dot Worth con firmed that the board had been informed Monday night by Kauf hold of problems with operation of the business office. "We instructed him to handie it as administrator," she said, referring the reporter to Kaufhold, Chairman Doug Baxley or a fellow board member for fur ther comment. Board member James Clcmmons referred a reporter to Kaufhold for comment, but neither Clemmons, Worth, Ward nor Hankins had a cur rent home telephone number for the superintendent of schools. Board Chairman Doug Baxley and Public Information Officer Glo ria Yount could not be rcached for comment at cither office or home Tuesday evening. Board member Donna Baxter could also not be reached. Shappell was hired in 1987 and succeeded Samuel Adcock. During her tenure, the school system at tained a "clean" audit for 198-89 Sflsf having clouded audits fui uic previous two-year period; estab lished a "reserve" fund; converted to a new, state-mandated computer system; established a fixed-invento ry system; begun routine review of individual school accounts; and had begun transition to a purchase order, system. However, for at least the past sev eral months, one board member ac knowledged, the school system office has been receiving calls and letters from vendors complaining of unpaid bills. Newspaper Taps Easley As State's Top 'Drug Buster' Thirteenth District Attorney Mi chael Easley of South port recently was honored by a national publica tion for his woik in fighting drug trafficking in North Carolina Easley, who is seeking the Demo cratic nomination in this year's U.S. ocnaie racc, was named to USA Today's "Fifty-State Roll of Honor" as North Caroli na's nominee for the newspa per's "Drug Buster" awards, which were an nounced Dec. EASLEY 27, 1989. "I am glad the work we've done in the 13th Judicial District of North Carolina and across the state is being recognized by. the rest of the nation," Easley said in a news release. "Drugs are eating away at the core of our soci ety." Approximately 450 individuals across the nation were nominated for the awards. Easley was the only prosecutor named to the honor roll, according to his campaign office in Raleigh. The district attorney told the Beacon last Thursday that he did not know who submitted his name to the nationwide newspaper. Easley's listing in the publication stated that he "pushed for laws to catch drug dealers" and "warns (that) rights should not be violated in zeal to stamp out drugs." He was the first prosecutor in the ctntp to use investigative grand ju ries to indict drug traffickers. North Carolina's first two investigative grand juries weic seated in Bruns wick County in 1987 and 1988. Sincc then, other investigative grand juries have indicted drug dealers here, as well as elsewhere in the 13th District and the stale. "Drug dealers are not above the law, as much as they think they are," Easlcy said. "Our office has shown you can put drug dealers away without abusing llie Constitu tion. That's important to the people of North Carolina." Easley also developed the special drug prosecutor program and has worked to obtain federal and state monies to hire two special assistant district attornics. One such drug prosecutor, William Wolak, is as signed to Brunswick County, but as sists with investigative grand jury probes throughout the state. CLASSIFIEDS Good News People Can Use