County Surviving
Economic Slump
BY TERRY POPE
An ailing cconomy is taking a
bile out of Brunswick County's bud
get, but most departments arc sur
viving perhaps the worst financial
conditions in 20 years.
"I think we've seen it get just
about as bad as it's going to get,"
said Lithia Hahn, Brunswick
County's finance director.
Last year, she earned 8 percent to
9 percent interest on Brunswick
County's investments. Two months
ago, that rate plummeted to 4.5
percent. Today, the rates have fallen
even lower, lo 3.9 percent.
"I've never seen them so low,"
said Ms. Hahn, who has worked in
finance for 20 years. "I hope I didn't
overestimate our investment earn
ings."
Brunswick County operates on a
$35 million a year budget. A lot of
that money is invested with local
banks. Finance directors must add to
the budget what they believe the
county will cam in interest cach fis
cal year.
County departments that often
feel the crunch when the cconomy is
bad arc starting to feci the pinch.
The Brunswick County Register of
Deeds office. Building Inspections
and Health Department's environ
mental health scction operate partly
on fer.s generated from real estate
sales, the filing of deeds and permits
for new home construction and sep
tic tanks.
While those departmental budgets
arc not in any danger now, said Ms.
Hahn, the figures arc down for the
first half of 1991-92.
"I'm not seeing anything that's
dropping below where it should be,"
she said.
Brunswick County Commission
ers committed to several building
projects before the cconomy took a
turn. Those included a S2.3 million
Emergency Operations Center for
the 911 program that will begin in
April; a $7.5 million Phase III of the
water system lo Shallottc Point and
Seaside; and a $168,000 water line
project to the Jennifer subdivision
near Lcland.
"We're putting millions of dollars
into the local cconomy," said Kelly
Holdcn, chairman of the Brunswick
County Commissioners.
A positive side to the ailing ccon
omy is that it is a buyer's market.
Competitive bids the county has re
ceived in recent months have come
in below expected figures. Holdcn
said companies know that Bruns
wick County is still a growing coun
ty despite the economic forecasts.
"The companies that arc hungry
arc putting in the bids," he said.
Bids for part of the Phase 111 wa
ter system, at S2.2 million, came in
well under the expected costs, said
County Engineer Robert Tucker.
Also, last month, commissioners
were pleased with bids received for
the painting of county owned water
towers and a five-year trash disposal
contract.
"Those construction people are a
little bit hungry," said Ms. Hahn.
"But I'm not seeing any competitive
bids on investments."
Interest rates for mortgage loans
have fallen to about 8 percent. It
means good news for persons who
have a good credit history or have
not exceeded their credit limits and
can take advantage of the low rates,
said Ms. Hahn.
"If there were more people out
there that could take advantage of it
being in a recession period, it could
help the economy," she said. "The
sad part is, I don't think there's
enough people out there to take ad
vantage of it."
Brunswick County's economy
usually follows the national trend,
with an increase in buying and sell
ing activity in the spring months.
Ms. Hahn, who considers studying
the economy her hobby, is tentative
ly predicting another increase in ac
tivity this spring.
"I just hope it's not a false im
provement," she said.
Since 1992 is also a national elec
tion year, consumers arc likely lo
feci good about buying again once
the campaign season starts. But, that
"pumped up' feeling often lasts just
a few months, she noted.
"It's like eating sugar," said Ms.
Hahn. "You get pumped up, but after
a little while, it sort of goes away."
As a business, Brunswick
County's finances arc in good shape,
she said. But some local residents
and businesses arc hurting.
"I've had people talk to me about
their personal finances," said Ms.
Hahn. "It just breaks my heart."
LIBRARY CONSOLIDATION MOVING AHEAD
County Awards Second
Bid For Water Project
Brunswick County Commission
ers Monday awarded a second bid
for the Phase HI and II1-A water ex
pansion project to the Shallottc
Point and Seaside communities.
Carmichacl Construction Co. of
Long Beach submitted the lowest of
13 bids and will install a main water
line down Thomasboro Road and
N.C. 904 to Seaside, said County
Manager David Clegg.
Last month, commissioners ac
cepted a low bid of S2.2 million
from Bryant Electric Co. of High
Point for another portion of the S7.5
million projccl. Bryant will install
the main line that runs from
Shallottc to Grisscttown.
Because of logistics, the projccl
must be bid in sections, said Clegg.
County Engineer Robert Tucker
said Monday's low bid from
Carmichacl was about 20 percent
under the anticipated cost. The com
pany has been hired on a number of
county Spccial Assessment District
(SAD) water line projects since
1988.
Others submitting bids Monday
were: Zciglcr Construction Co.,
5549,187; Mark H. Johnson Inc.,
S584.772; East Coast Construction
Inc., 5586,300; H.B.S. Contractors
Inc., 5591,513; Bryant Elcctric Co.,
5595.863; T.A. Loving Co.,
S603.365; Wright and Lope/ Inc.,
5653,271; R.H. Moore Co.,
5697,046; Yates Construction Co.,
5763,104; State Utility Contractors
Inc., 5793,401; Hobby Construction
Co., S807.647; and Hcrring-Riven
bark Inc., SI, 034 ,835.
Other Business
In other business Monday, com
missioners;
?Held a public hearing on an ambu
lance franchise ordinance with few
comments. The county's 10 rescue
squads and a private medical trans
port unit in Columbus County have
agreed to provide mutual aid under
the county's 91 1 system that will be
gin in April. The non-controversial
franchise agreement is a requirement
for the 911 program, said Doug
Ledgett, Emergency Medical
Services director.
?Met Crystal Williams of Lcland,
1992 Miss Brunswick County, who
thanked the board for county in
volvement in the Miss Brunswick
County Scholarship Pageant. "My
pride in Brunswick County will be
my motivation to excellence," she
said.
?Acccpied a low bid of S29.958 for
an aniculatcd trencher for the Water
Department from Prime Equipment
Co. of Wilmington.
?Accepted a low bid of SI 29,000
from Rivenbark Construction Co. of
Bolivia to do street improvements in
the Lcland Industrial Park with
funds available through a state grant.
?Set a public hearing for Tuesday,
Jan. 21, at 6:20 p.m., on a road name
change from Somerset! Road to
Shady Forest Drive near Calabash.
A Somcrsctl Drive already exists in
Calabash, said Lcdgctt. Residents
chose the new name, he said.
?Voted to support, by letter. State
Rep. Walter Jones' attempt to en
courage the N.C. Deparunent of
Transportation to apply for federal
funds to improve the state's ferry
service as a tourist attraction.
?Rcadopted an October 1990 reso
lution by request of Ocean Isle
Beach asking the U.S. Corps of
Engineers to take over maintenance
and dredging of the Shallotte Inlet.
?Instructed Clcgg to meet with li
brarians and town officials from
Shallotte and Southport to move to
ward consolidation of the county's
library system and to bring an agen
da back to commissioners later for
approval.
THE BRUNSWICK jjUtACON
Established Nov. 1, 1962
Telephone 754-6890
Published Every Thursday
At 4709 Main Street
Shallotte, N.C. 28459
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
One Year S 10.36
Six Months S5.55
ELSEWHERE IN
NORTH CAROLINA
One Year $14.86
Six Months S7.90
ELSEWHERE IN U.S.A.
One Year SI 5.95
Six Months $8.35
Second class postage paid at
Shallotte, N.C. 28459. USPS 777
780. Postmaster, send address
changes to:
P.O. Box 2558.
Shallotte, N.C. 2K459-2558
Saturday, Jan. 18
Come by for a tour
of our new facility
and meet our staff
of health ancl fitness
professionals .
r*~\ CMKHinaf
w uicunsff
Health & Fitness Center
Bringing You the Wealth of Health
Register for drawing for
One-Year
Free Membership
/7
Grand Opening Special
6-Month $1 tfA
Membership JLOU
Available thru Jan. 25
^ Enjoy refreshments
& register for prizes
from our Pro Shop!
Carolinas' Wellness offers:
?Nautilus *Sauna
?Free Weights *CPR Classes
?Instruction *Stop Smoking
?Aerobics-Low impact and step classes
tl^orpfp onf| inrt pi j^Chlldrcii & Adults
ana rvung r u Bpjtinner & Advanced
?Computerized Weight Control
?Men's & Women's Whirlpools
?Support Groups ...and much more!
?Dolphin Spring Water in our Pro Shop
?New Sound Hearing Center will offer
services beginning in February.
?Classroom available for public
meetings by special arrangemcnt-call.
Carolinas' Wellness, a member of IRSA The Association of Quality Clubs, pledges to
provide quaiiiy health and fitness services in a professional environment.
The following Information provided by and presented with the permission oflRSA:
"For the first time, we have scientific evidence to support what has always seemed true: regular
exercise helps prevent many diseases, lengthens lifespan, and improves quality of life." James Rippe.
M.D., Director, exercise Physiology Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Medical School. 1991.
' BENEFITS FOR EVERYONE ^
"A sedentanj lifestyle constitutes the greatest single risk to the
collective hearts of America, "Center Jor Disease Control. U.S.
Public Health Service.
Premature death: Physically fit men are 53% less al risk of pre
mature death, and physically fit women are 98% less at risk of
premature death than sedentary men and women, taking into
account many risk factors including cholesterol levels. Dlood
pressure, weight, smoking, heart disease history, etc. (Dr. Steven
Blair. Dr. Harold W. Kohl? et al.. "Physical Fitness ana All-Cause
Mortality." Journal of the American Mcdical Association.
November 3.1989)
Cancer: Physically lit men die four times less often from cancer,
and physically fit women die 16 times less often from cancer
than unlit men and women. (Dr. Steven Blair. Dr. Harold W.
Kohl, et al "Physical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality." Journal
of the American Medical Association. November 3.1989)
Cardiovascular disease: Men and women who are physically lit
are 8 times less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than
unlit persons. (Dr. Steven Blair. Dr. Harold W. Kohl, et al
"Physical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality." Journal of the
American Medical Association. November 3. 1989)
Cholesterol: Regular exercise helps raise the percentage of ben
eficial HDL cholesterol and lowers the TC/HDL-C ratio (total
cholesterol divided by HDL cholesterol) to a low-risk profile. (Dr.
William Castelli. Director. Framingham Heart Study, as reported
in "In With the Good." Runners World. December. 1987)
High blood pressure: Regular exercise helps reduce systemic ar
tenal blood pressure. (Dr. William Haskell. Heart Disease
Prevention Program. Stanford University Medical Center,
"Developing an Activity Plan for Improving Health." Exercise and
Mental Health. 1987)
Body weight and composition: By burning calories more effi
ciently and allowing the body to bum calories whiie at rest, reg
ular exercise helps maintain optimal body weight and composi
tion. (Dr. William Haskell. Heart Disease Prevention lYogram,
Stanford Universitv Medical Center, "Developing an Activity Plan
for Iirproving Health." Exercise and Mental Health. 1987)
Osteoporosis: Men and women who remain physically active in
to old age are not likely to suffer from osteoporosis. (Dr. Keith
Johnsgard. San Jose State University. The Exercise Prescription
for Depression and Anxiety. 1989)
Insomnia: Regular exercise typically causes more continuous
and restful sleep. (Dr. James Wasco. University of
Massachusetts Mcdical School. "Diseases Exercises Can Help."
Womans Day)
Healthy skin: Regular exercise increases blood flow to the skin,
helps protect if from the sun. and keeps it healthy.
("Environmental Nulrition." Running and Fit News. February.
1988)
"Reaular physical activity enhances both personal health ancl the
vitality of oiir society. Establishing such activity as a habit Jor all
\o/ our citizens must be a national priority" Jimmy Carter. J
' BENEFITS FOR FORTY PLUS^
" Physically Jit people generally live longer, perform better, and get
more out of life.* Arnold Schwarzenegger. Chairman. President's
Council onPHysical Fitness and Sports. 1991.
Blood pressure: Regular exercise Is as effective as medication in
reducing blood pressure. (Dr. Michael Kelemen. Director.
FreeStale Health System. Columbia University. Journal of the
American Medical Association. 1988).
LDL cholesterol: Regular exercise reduces harmful LDL choles
terol while increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol. (Dr. Joseph
Putsch, Baylor University, quoted fmm "Keeping Fit for Life,"
Newsweek. August 6, 1984).
Body composition: Regular exercise promotes fat loss while
preserving muscles. (Dr. Peter D. Wood. et. al. Physical Activity
and the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease. * The New England
Journal of Medicine. November 3.1988).
Arthritis: Regular exercise helps keep joints flexible, helps build
and preserve muscle strength, and helps protect joints from fur
ther stress. (Arthritis Basic Facts, \rthritis Foundation. June
1989).
Bone loss: Regular exercise can potentially prevent most forms
of bone loss which accompany aging. (R. Bruce Martin, biomedi
cal engineer. West Virginia University, quoted from "Keeping Fit
for Life." Newsweek. August 6, 1984).
1.9" Improved circulation from regular exercise typically in
creases I.Q. in older people. (Walter Bortz. M.D., We Live Too
Short and Die Too Long. 1991)
Oxygen in the bloodstream: Regular exercise creates a 40-year
offset in oxvgen carrying capacity? in other words, a fit person of
70 years has the same oxygen carrying capacity as an unfit per
son of 30. (Walter Bortz, M.D.. We Live Too Snort and Die Toe
Long. 1991)
Sickness: Exercisers feel sick almost 30% less often than non
exercisers. (Joel Gurin. T George Harris. "Taking Charge, the
Happy Health Confidents." American Health. March. 1987).
Diabetes: Programs of regular exercise can help diabetics cut
down on the amount of insulin they must use. (Dr. William
Haskell. Heart Disease IVevention lYogram, Stanford University
Medical Center. "Developing an Activity Plan for Improving
Health." Exercise and MentaTHealth. 1987)
Stress Management: Exercisers are 100% more likely to find
ways to relax and are 300% more likely to be able to relax when
under stress. (Joel Gurin. T. George Harris. "Taking Charge, the
Happy Health Confidents." American Health. March. 1987).
Bowel irregularities: Regular exercise is nelpful in relieving con
stipation. irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and other gastro
nomical disorders. (Dr. James Wasco. Universirv of
Massachusetts Medical School. "Diseases Exercises Can Help."
Womans Day).
I 'Physical fitness is the basis jor all other forms oj excellence,"
I John F. Kennedy.
\ J
BENEFITS FOR WOMEN
Breast cancer: Physically fit women have a 50% lower rate of breast cancer
than sedentary women. (Dr. Hose Frisch, Harvard School of Public Health,
quoted from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual
Meeting, February, 1988)
Osteoporosis: Regular exercise delays bone loss and promotes bone fonma
tion in women most at risk of osteoporosis (Dr. Keith Johnsgard, San Jose
State University. The Exercise Prescription for Depression and Anxiety,
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome: Regular exercise reduces the likelihood of ex
treme PMS. (Dr. Jerilynn lYior, University of British Columbia, Women's
Sport and Fitness, 1987).
Infertility: Regular exercise reduces the risks of endometriosis ? a cause of
Infertility by 50%. (Dr. Daniel Cramer, Harvard Medical School. "Fitness
and Infertility," Women's Sports and Fitness, August. 1986).
A
Blood pressure: Physically fit women tend to have healthier blood pressure
levels-with higher systolic blood pressures and lower maximum diastolic
blood pressures than unlit women. (Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., The New
Aerobics For Women. 1988)
Diabetes: Physically fit women have diabetes 66"/* less often than unfit worn
en. (Dr. Rose Frisch. Harvard School of Public Health, quoted from the
American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting,
February, 1988)
Varicose veins: Regular exercise eases leg spasms and leg fatigue and im
B roves circulation so that blood doesn't pail in leg veins. (Dr. James Wasco,
niversity of Massachusetts Medical School, "Diseases Exercises Can Help,"
Woman's Day).
Sellers Road (behind Resort Plaza) ? Shallotte ? 754-A SPA (2772)
Hours: Mon-Thurs lO am-lO pm; Friday lO am-9 pm; Sat & Sun 1-6 pm