Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Dec. 5, 1991, edition 1 / Page 2
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77s The Season For Thieves As Well As Holiday Shoppers BY DOKI COSCJROVK (ilRCAMS K mi Hcwctt of Ocean Isle Beach was shopping wiih a friend oul of town during the altcr-Thanksgiving nish last weckeiui. and thought her shopping bags full ol gilts Mould be safe behind the seat of her car with the elixirs locked. When she and her friend returned to her Su/uki San hi rui later that day. the bags the> had left in the car were gone, along with their contents? Christmas gilLs worth more than S4.M). A thief or thieves had broken into the convertible top ol die car and taken their purchases. "I feel very violated." Ms. Hewetl said t>l the situation, "and I hojv other people can he warned to either cover up what's in side their cars, or not to leave them there at all." Noi only will she have to consider pur chasing all her gifts over again, which is a very costlv pro|x?suion. but she is canceling her credit cards as well. "I had the receipts from each purchase 111 the bags, now I have to cancel my credit cards so that the thief doesn't use them. tix>." Ms. Hewett said. "People should be warned that they should put the receipts in their purse or wallet." Brunswick County Shcrifl Don Gates agrees that shopping malls can Iv the loca tion of many auto and personal thefts, es|x cially during the peak shopping season thai follows Thanksgiving. He recommends that those who shop at malls park as near to the entrance as they can. and park under a light if they will Iv shopping at night l)i*>rs to a car should always Iv locked, he said, and gilts should be stored in the trunk it lhe> must he left in the car at all. "Out of sight, out ot mind is the host thing to remember," said dates. He also recommends that shoppers keep cash and credit cards in a pocket instead ol a purse, and that they should always check the hack seal of the vehicle before entering. To women who shop alone. Gates rec ommends keeping car keys ready in their hands when leaving the mall, to provide quick entrance to the car and a weapon lor self-defense it needed. Gates related the story of a Shallotte woman who was shopping at Briaiclitlc Mall in North My rtle Beach. SC.. and hail a long-siRipivd purse violently taken from her shoulder hy thieves in a passing car. "It was a good tiling the strap broke," he said, "or she could have been hurt more than lust the few bruises and scrapes she did get." Gates said the fashionable long-strapivd purses are very easy to steal and that shop pers should avoid carrying purses when shopping hi the first place. Mouse keys found in a stolen purse can also give a thief access to a shopper's home it the driver's license gives that information, dates advises that these keys be lei t in the glove compartment of the car. Judge To Rule This Week On Water System Lawsuit HY TERRY I'OPE A Brunswick County Superior Court judge* told lawyers Monday that he needed at least two da>s he tore deciding it a lawsuit tiled against the county hy Houston and Associates of Shallotte should Iv dismissed. Judge B. Craig Ellis said he wants time to review both the complaint and a disputed contract in the matter. He plans U) issue a ruling on Brunswick County's motion to dis miss by Wednesday, Dec. 4. Houston and Associates, engineers hired to design water line projects to the Shallotte Point and Seaside com munities, claims its contract was broached Aug. 5 when Brunswick County Commissioners voted with out warning to fire the firm. "It's clear there were certain pro visions for termination of the con tract," said Richard F.vans. attorney for Houston and Associates. "It's al so clear that none of them was com plied with." In court Monday. Alfred P. Car lton Jr., Brunswick County's attor ney. argued that the lawsuit, filed Aug. 30. tails to state a claim for re lief and that the matter should be dropped. The Shallotte firm is ask ing for in excess of S397,(KX) in fees, payment for work and dam ages. "We think this is a bona fide mo tion to dismiss on all lour counts," said Carlton. "Thai's why we're here today." Judge Ellis said he will also wait until Wednesday to decide if Bruns wick County should be given a 30 dav extension to respond to the plaintiff's request for pre-trial infor mation. The extension would be needed, said Brunswick County Attorney David Ciegg. if the case is not dis missed. Arguments over the motion went back and forth between Clcgg and Evans Monday while Ellis lis tened and read the attorneys' memo randa. Clegg said the matter was being rushed. "We haven't even filed an answer yet." he added. Hut Evans said the reason the eoiiniy wants a delay is "not a nor mal reason" in asking for one. lie said a judgment should be reaehed in the case by January. "This is just an attempt to further retard die proceedings." said Evans. Ellis said he will rule on both mo tions Wednesday. Citing numerous delays in receiv ing design work, as their reasons. Brunswick County Commissioners voted 3-2 to fire Houston and Associates on Aug. 5. In its complaint, the firm argues that the county's failure to obtain easements on time was a reason for at least a two-month delay . A contract was signed w ith Hous ton and Associates on Feb. 18. al lowing 1X0 days for design work on the projects to he completed. Only 167 day s had passed when the vote to fire the firm was taken, it states. The contract was "front-end load ed on work and rear-end loaded on payment," said Evans. Sixty percent of payment for the work became due after the bulk of the work had been completed, he added. The complaint also slates that county officials underuxik a series of deliberate acts, representations and silence "to induce" Houston and Associates to breach the contract so the county could obtain the work w ithout having to pay for it. Evans argued that the engineers were never told that they were doing poor work. "What we're saying is we didn't breach the contract," said Evans, "but if we did, our breaching was justified on their affirmative state ments." Evans predicted that a key issue in the case would be when the ISO day period to complete the water system plans actually began for Houston and Associates. County at torneys would argue, he said, that the period actually began before signing of the contract on Feb. 18. Claims that the county induced the firm to breach its contract. Carlton said, "was a little difficult to conceptually understand." County Has Good Reasons For Keeping 91 1 Low-Key BY TERRY POPK A nervous clerk who had been robbed at gunpoint last week reached for the telephone and dialed 911. As the two armed men tied the Brunswick County golf course, the clerk received a busy signal on her emergency call, not because the op erators were lied up but because the local enhanced 911 system isn't in operation yet. County officials say they must keep 91 1 low-key until the system is up and running in April. Then, they will wage an all-out media blitz to let the public know the long-awaited emergency service is taking calls. "If people see it now, they'll think it's in operation," said Doug Led gett, director of Brunswick County's Emergency Medical Services. Television shows featuring the 911 rescue system have made Americans more aware of how a works. But if Brunswick County residents dial 911 today, they will get a busy signal, said Ledgclt. It you've got a real emergency and you hear that, then you've got a major panic situation on your hands," he added. The target date for starling 911 in Brunswick County is April I. Residents should still keep their sev en-digit lire and rescue numbers by the telephone until 911 begins, Ledgclt said. After 911 is underway, if resi dents sull call their local fire and rescue numbers, those calls will automatically be forwarded to ihe 911 center, he said. "For some time we will keep that in operation," said Ledgeii. liie county had tried for a start up date in early January, but delays in design work and construction set the project back. "We probably could have made that," said Ledgclt. Renaming roads, issuing house numbers and erecting road signs al so became a major project for 911 "If people see it now , they'll think it's in operation." -Doug Ledgett, Director Emcrgcncy Mcdical Services planners at the Brunswick County Planning Department. Also, Ledgett said, rainy weather set Leader Construction Co. back al ter work began on the SI. 6 million emergency communications build ing at the Brunswick County Gov ernment Center in Bolivia. "I understand we are back on schedule now, with the nice weather we've been having." said Ledgett. All phases of the 911 project are now geared toward starting April 1 . Bid packages for the emergency equipment to be housed in the 911 center will be issued stxm. Presently, signs have been placed along 80 percent of the county's roads, at intersections and in subdi visions. Workers have been busy in stalling the signs at any street or roadway that serves three or more homes. Sir.ce the project began in August, more thou 1()0 signs have lx.cn dam aged or stolen by vandals, said Ledgett, and have been replaced. The state estimates that 30 per cent of county road signs must be replaced yearly due to vandalism or highway accidents. "Right now, we're at about 25 percent," said 1 xdgetl . Community watch groups are be ing asked to keep an eye on road signs as well as homes in their patrol or watch over neighborhoods. If a street sign is missing, it should be re ported to the Planning fX-panment. "A lot of people don't realize that's a fairly expensive item there on their street comer," said Ledgett. I Hi STA^F PHOTO BV OORI C GURGANuS DORIS OIJVITO (left) of Victoria's Rag patch Ocean Isle store adds up purchases for Susan Cohen (second from right) while her husband Paul (right) and daughter Amy (third from right) wait for the afternoon shopping spree to end. Local Merchants Are Smiling (Continued From Page 1 - A > we also hail other Christmas items on sale that sold well." Novelty and luxury items also did well lor Carson's, where owner Pete Durham said that he didn't think the economic recession was affecting this area. "I don't think it's that bad in places." Durham said, "and I haven't seen it here." He said that gnome statues as well as Christmas collectablcs were selling very well, but that sales fig ures were no different than last year. Durham said that television is painting a gloomy picture of the economic outlook, but he isn't pay ing any attention. "I even had the best December I've ever had right after Hurricane Hugo hit, when I thought it was go ing to be the worst," he added opti mistically, "I think Christmas will be a good season here." If a trend could be found for this season, most of these business owners said it was that shoppers are still looking for a low price. Subdivision Restriction Lifted For Former Commissioner (Continued From Page 1-A) developed prior to current subdivi sion requirements, said District 4 Commissioner Jerry Jones. "It these don't have it, then yours shouldn't have to have it." added Shaw. "It's as simple as that." Other Complaints Voiced ?Arden Moore of Shallottc asked commissioners lor a trash burning ordinance, saving neighbors arc threatening his health by burning trash near his home. "Everybody tells me I have no le gal recourse." said Moore. "In my opinion, it's the same as premeditat ed murder." Moore said he has volunteered to lake his neighbors' trash to the dump, but they insist on burning it. Clcgg said the stale laws thai ad dress the issue do not mention ordi nances thai can ban burning when a person's health may be threatened. ?R.C. Eaton of Shallottc Point asked for an ordinance to restrict billboard lights. "They should be showing the signs, instead of the people's eyes," said Ealon. District 3 Commissioner Gene Pinkerton said DOT laws regulate the aiming of lights, while the coun ty has a sign ordinance that restricts the placement of billboards. He sug gested that concerned citi/.cns con tact DOT officials. ?Edith Tillman of Leland asked for quick action on resolving the Leland library dispute. Pinkerton said he and Jones were to meet with Soulhport officials Tuesday, Dec. 3, to discuss the county's role in helping U) gel the S2 1 7,(XK) library project under way. "1 do not think a committee can gel together in an hour and resolve a con 11 id as large as this one," said Pinkerton. County commissioners stepped in when the Brunswick County Library Board of Trustees became dead locked over who should oversee construction. ?Gary Gressel of l.cland asked if the county had planned to set up tip ping fees at its solid waste transfer stations, saying out-ol-county dumpers are abusing Brunswick County's lax enforcement. Gressel said residents should have a vote on tipping fees, for a lot of people would not he able to afford them. "It's something dial will come up during budget session." said Holden. Other Business In other business Monday, the board: ?Appropriated S8,(XW) to help fund a physician extender II posi tion. The employee will treat in mates ai the Brunswick County Jaii and work part-time at the county heal ill clinic. The sheriff's depart ment will provide other funds for the nurse program that is saving the county around SfS.CXH) a month in medical bills for inmates, said Health Director Michael Rhodes. Previously, all inmates asking for medical care hail to be transported by deputies to the hospital or doc tor's office. ?Approved a list of 144 names for roads discovered by crews preparing for the county's 9 1 1 sys tem. No one spoke at a public hear ing on the names. ?Accepted a bid of S93.750 from Pro Con Inc. of Greensboro, which will rcroof the health and agriculture THE BRUNSWICK&EACON Established Nov. 1, 1062 Telephone 754-6X90 Published Every Thursday At 4709 Main Street Shallotic, N.C. 28459 SUBSCRIPTION RATES IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY One Year SI 0.36 Six Months S5.55 KLSEWIIKRK IN NORTH CAROLINA One Year S 14.86 Six Months S7.90 KLSEWHERK IN U.S.A. One Year $15.95 Six Months $8.35 Second class postage paid at Shallotte, N.C. 28459. USPS 777 780. Postmaster, send address chanues to: P.O. Box 2558. Shallotte, N.C. 28459-2558 buildings ai the government center in Bolivia. A low hid of S89,5(X) from CEI of Florida was rejected by the board for the company had planned to hire subcontractors, a bid irregularity, said Clegg. ?Appointed Holly Richards, ex ecutive vice president of the South Brunswick Islands Chamber of Commerce, to the Keep America Beautiful Board and Robert Williams to the Industrial Facilities Board. ?Made the following appoint ments to the Board of Health: Joey Galloway, pharmacist; Bill Rabon, veterinarian: Arthur Knox and George Young, residents. By state law, Rabon can only serve one year of his three-year appointment. December-Like Weather On Way Temperatures ami rainlall should he reluming to normal lor early December, meteorologist Jackson Canady said Tuesday. Temperatures should he in the 40s during the evening, and should reach the 60s during the day, he said. Canady said he anticipates only a hall' inch of rain to lall within the next week. "We should see a return to what we think of as a normal December," Canady said. "I don't expect any outbreaks of extremely cold weath er. but it should cool down to more seasonable conditions." For the period ol Nov. 2b to Dcc. 2, Canady said that the maximum daytime high of 78 degrees was recorded on Nov. 30 and the mini mum evening low of 2X degrees was recorded on Nov. 27. The daytime average was 69 de grees for the period, and the evening average was 52 degrees, making for a daily average temperature of 52 degrees. Canady said that this read ing was two degrees above average for this time of year. He said he recorded no rainfall at his home at Shallottc Point. HEARING filD CLINIC Saturday Dec. 7 9 A.M.-2 P.M. Thelma Quinn Certified licensed hearing aid dealer will be here to conduct hearing tests and make evalu ations this Saturday 30-day trial period No obligation. Home calls available. BRUNSWICK PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY Across from the hospital in Supply C1*?l THf; BQUNSWICH DEACON 754 8155 Ear Molds Cleaned Service Includes: Hearing Test Hearing Aid Evaluations Repair Estimates <aii Modois) ;xStmas^ Harrelson's Garden^ Center ?Norfolk Pines 'Christmas Cactus -Bulbs 'Wild Bird Seed ?Poinsettias -Christmas Trees -Pansles ?Rye Grass Beautiful tropical plants make super gifts that keep on giving. Hwy. 17 S. (Just off the bypass) Shallotte ? 754-6373 ^ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE BRUNSWICKfeBEACOM POST OFFICE BOX 2558 ' SHALLOTTE. NORTH CAROLINA 28459 NOTICE: Reliable or consistent delivery cannot be guaranteed since this newspaper must rely on the U.S. Postal Service for delivery. We can only guarantee that your newspaper will be submitted to the post office in Shallotte on Wednesday of the week of publication, in time for dispatch to out-of-town addresses thatday. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES BY MAIL: Sr. Citizen In Brunswick County -16.30 N.C. Sales Tax .38 Postage Charge 3 68 TOTAL 10.36 Elsewhere in North Carolina N.C. Sales Tax Postage Charge TOTAL Outside North Carolina Postage Charge TOTAL -15 30 .32 3 68 9.30 -16 30 .38 8 18 14.86 -16.30 9.65 15.95 -15 30 .32 8 18 13.80 -15.30 9.65 14.95 Name .. Address ... City, State Zip Complete And Return To Above Address
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 5, 1991, edition 1
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