Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / March 22, 1990, edition 1 / Page 11
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under the sun THE BRUNSWICK-BEACON D THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1 990 [ ) Alberta Tatum TOWN CLERK RETIRING AFTER 1 5 YEARS Has Seen A Lot Of Change At Ocean Isle BY DOUG RUTTER Staff Writer Alberta Tatum means business when she says she's seen a lot of change. As town clerk at Ocean Isle Beach for the past 15 years, she's watched the resort community blossom before her eyes. Homes and businesses have multiplied, the old draw-bridge connecting the island and mainland has been replaced with a modem high-rise span and a sewer system serving most of the town has gone into op eration since she was hired as the town's first full-time clerk in 1974. "It's been growing every year since I got here and it hasn't stopped," said Ms. Tatum, who will retire March 31. "I don't think it will stop any time soon." She said the biggest change she's wit nessed at Ocean Isle Beach was the addition of a sewer system that went into operation in 1987 after 10 years of planning. "That sewer system has done more for the island than anything else," she said. "It's been a real boost." Over the years, Ms. Tatum has been through eight town elections and served un der three mayors ? Odell Williamson, t qTVinc RijJljngtnn anri Rpny Williamson, the current mayor. "Alberta has been a dedicated employ ee." said Mrs. Williamson. "We're certainly going to miss her as an employee of the town and a friend." The Shallotte resident started working at Ocean Isle in July 1974 shortly after the town put its water system into operation. Before that, she said, the town paid part time clerks who worked out of the office of whoever was mayor at the time. But once the water system became oper ational, town officials hired a full-time clerk to handle billing and other matters. Ms. Tatum said she started out with 400 water system accounts and had to generate each bill on a typewriter. "We were growing fast back then," she said. "After the water came in, the building took off." Years later, a computer system simplified billing, but the work load never dropped off as the town continued to devel op. " Getting to know the people has been the best part for me. I feel like I have a lot of friends here." ? Alberta Tatum Ocean Isle Town Clerk ALBERTA TATUM will retire March 31 after more than 15 years as town clerk at Ocean Isle Beach. STAW PHOTO ?Y DOUG IU/TTER practice that began when she started work more than 1 5 years ago. The clerk said she doesn't know of any other town halls that stay open Saturday, but that non-resident property owners in particular appreciate the special treatment "We have a lot of property owners who come down on the weekend," she said. "It's nice to be here when they need you." One of the most notable recent changes on the island ? at least as far as the town clerk is conccmcd ? was the opening of the new town hall in 1988. Perhaps nobody enjoyed the move from the old gray building on the causeway to the spacious new town hall on West Third Street more than Ms. Tatum. She worked in the old hall for 14 years, putting up with noisy space heaters in the winter and win dow air-conditioning units in the summer that never quite made the building comfort able. "1 always said I wanted a new town hall," said Ms. Tatum. "And 1 promised my self I'd work for a while after we got it so I could enjoy it." Looking around, she adds, "I'll probably miss this office as much as anything." Even after she retires, however, Ms. Tatum won't be leaving the town hall for good. As a member of the Ocean Isle Muse um Foundation Board of Directors, she said she'll be back for occasional visits. Before leaving, she'll be training the new town clerk, Emma Ross of Ash. Ms. Tatum said she expects current de velopment trends at Ocean Isle Beach to continue in the years to come. "I think we're going to stay basically the same as we are now with mostly residences and a few businesses." A 65-year-old native of Loris, S. C? Ms. Tatum lived in Wilmington for nine years and moved to Shallotte in 1951 following the death of her husband, Hamilton Todd. Ms. Tatum reared three children on her own and managed R.D. White & Sons of Shal lotte for 20 years before taking her position at Ocean isle Beach. Her retirement plans include traveling to places like Mexico. "I've been working so long," she said. "I just think I'll enjoy doing some of the things that I want to do." "The computer lightened my work a lot," she said. "I still have plenty to do though. There's always something coming up. You don't ever get caught up." As cierk, ~Is. Tatuni handles aii finan cial matters for the town, from collecting bills and making bank deposits to complet ing payroll reports and keeping the budget in line. She also serves as clerk to the board of commissioners and has sat through more than 200 town meetings in her career. Ms. Taium admits things sometimes get hectic around town hall, but says she still enjoys her job. The best part, she said, is dealing with people and staying active. "Getting to know the people has been the best pan for me," she said. "I feel like I have a lot of friends here." With an amiable demeanor, Ms. Tatum goes out of her way to serve people by working at the town hall every Saturday, a Adult Day Center To Offer Eideriy Arid Their Caregivers More Options BY SUSAN USHER Another option in long-term care will soon be available to area resi dents who tend an aging relative. By August, the South Brunswick Intcrchurch Council plans to open the county's first adult day-care center in Southport. One of two such facilities proposed for the county, the center will be operated under a new non-profit organiza tion, Brunswick Adult Day Care, Inc., formed by the council. Once the Southport center is open, the group will pursue opening of a sec ond site, in the Shsllotte-Supply area, said Don Pringle of Holden Beach, board chairman. After more than a year and a half of research and development, Pringle noted with just a hint of ex citement in his eyes and voice, "I can see it happening now." The center will provide social companionship and personal care for clients age 60 and older, as well as respite for the people responsible for their round-the-clock care. "It's really stressful to provide 24-hour a-day care," said Pringle. "It will help the caregiver as much as the person who is sick." Located in a house at 1207 E. Moore Street, Southport, with a fenced-in back yard and fireplace, the center will initially serve ap proximately eight people. It will provide its clientele with snacks, games, crafts, day trips and fellow ship, said Don Pringle, chairman of the center's governing board. "We're trying to help them keep their social skills, to help them keep thinking," he said. "If you can get them involved with people in some way it helps revitalize them, it helps bring them back to life." The board is also exploring ways to provide transportation for those who need it, as well as a hot noon meal. Pringle said the local program is "It will help the caregiver as much as the person who is sick" ? Don Pringle, Chairman Brunswick Adult Day Care, In. aimed at helping participants main tain self-identification and self worth, and to enhance the quality of their lives. Families will be able to bring panic ipanis 10 the center as need ed ? on their way to work, shop, or while simply taking some time for themselves. The center will open at 7:30 p.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. Between now and the targeted Aug. 15 opening, Pringlc said the volunteers responsible for the center also have much more to get done, specifically identifying clients, se curing additional operating funds and obtaining furnishings, as well as hiring staff. One committee of volunteers in the Southport area is interviewing 30 potential clients to come up with a list of "reasonable" candidates for the program and to identify funds to Caic fui liiusc arc una'oic to pay. A second committee is charged with finding out what must be done to icady the house for occupancy from exchanging door knobs for door handles to widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs. Board members are also seeking donations of good used household furniture, such as small tables, chairs, and other seating, a refriger ator. "What they don't give us we'll have to buy and we'll need money for that," said Pringlc. Meanwhile, the board of directors is waiting to hear the results of a se ries of applications for $57,000 in grants to cover at least some of the center's operating costs. It may then approach the county and the United Way for additional support to main tain and expand the program. Pringlc said the board is also seeking support from the communi ty ? churches, individuals, business es, civic groups. "And we'll need almost that amount again to open the Shallotte site," he added. The centers arc cxpcctcd to help fiicci on iuCftiificd liCCd in Biuiis wick County, with its growing el derly population. According to Don Eggert, a planner with the Bruns wick County Planning Department and staff to the Brunswick Inter agency Transportation System, the proportion of county residents age 60 and older is increasing steadily. The 1980 U.S. Census showed that those age 63 and older made up 15.7 percent of all county icsidenis, or 5, 617 people. By 1987, accord ing to estimates prepared by the N.C. Office of Management and Budget, they accounted for 17.3 percent of the population, or 8,601 people. By 1994 the age bracket is expected to represent 11,830 indi viduals, 17.3 percent or nearly one out of every five persons in the county. According to the National Insti tute on Adult Day Care, the average age of day-care participants is 85, with a majority suffering from Alz heimer's disease, stroke and other cognitive disorders. To refer an elderly person to the centers, contact Pringlc at 842 3122, or write Brunswick Adult Day Care Center, P.O. Box 310, Supply, NC 28462. The Primary Source For Fine Home I Furnishings and Expert Interior Design 1 V y' t "V ^*4 1 From floor to ceiling... We do it all! ARE YOU AN OUT-OF-TOWN OWNER? If you can't be around, don't worry. We'll put everything to gether for you? whether it's reworking a room or two, refurb ishing an older home or villa, or handling an entire new project. 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The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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March 22, 1990, edition 1
11
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