West Wins Showdown
West's Catherine Bell covers South's
Jennifer Fullwood when a 47-45 win
secured a share of the Waccamaw
conference title for the Lady Trojans.
The story's on Page 9-B.
What's In A Name?
A proposed road name change has
neighbors asking questions as the
county continues efforts to bring a
91 1 emergency contact system on
line. Find out more on Page 11 -A.
H
Gardening Time!
A Lawn & Garden Guide inside this
issue offers friendly tips and practical
advice to get your landscape and
vegetable garden off to a great start
in 1992. It's Section D.
Thirtieth Yeor, Number 18
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C1992 THt MUNSWKTK 81ACON
Shollotte, North Carolino, Thursday, March 5, 1992
50C Per Copy
50 Pages, 4 Sections, 4 Inserts
STAfF PHOTO Br DOKI C. GUKGANUS
REBUILDING THIS ACCESS BRIDGE, burned during the 1970s, is part of Janie Price's plans for residential development of Bird Is
land near Sunset Beach.
ZONING. PERMIT APPLICATIONS AMONG FIRST STEPS
Bird Island Development Proposed
BY DORI COSGROVE GL'RGANUS
Sunset Bcach Town Council took
the first step Monday toward zoning
Bird Island following news that the
privately-owned barrier island be
twron Sunset Bcach and Little River
Inlet may be developed.
The owner of picturesque Bird
Island has applied for permits to re
establish vehicle access to the island
and to develop it for residential use,
but before construction is allowed
the area must be zoned by the town.
A public hearing will be held
Monday, April 6, at the start of the
council's next meeting, on the plan
ning board's recommendation that
the island be zoned agricultural/ for
estry. That category limits residential
development to single-family resi
dences on lots of at least one acre.
Janie Pace Price of Greensboro,
who owns Bird Island, was not
available for comment on her plans
for the property, which is considered
one of the last undeveloped barrier
islands along the North Carolina
coast She has considered develop
ment of the island on a smaller scale
several times in the pasL
She has applied for a CAMA ma
I
jor development permit from the
N.C. Division of Coastal Manage
ment in Wilmington for "replace
ment of a bridge, causeway and wa
ter access pier to support future resi
deniial development of Bird Island"
and to provide access to the island.
A map outlining 15 four-acre resi
dential lots is included in the the ap
plication, which is incomplete.
Jim Herstine, district manager of
the DCM in Wilmington, said Ms.
Price left some information off, and
has been notified that the agency
can't consider the forms until it has
all the information requested.
Herstine said it is "way too early"
in the application process to deter
mine whether the application will be
approved as submitted.
The island, part of the extra-terri
torial area (ETA) of Sunset Beach,
has never been classified on the
town's zoning map nor was it ever
addressed in the town's land use
plan, said Linda Fluegel, town ad
ministrator.
Not Addressed By Plan
It was brought into the town's
ETA in 1990, she said, but the last
land use plan update for Sunset
Beach was completed in 1987; the
town is in the process of updating
the plan. Any areas not addressed in
that plan were classified as conser
vation, she added, which provides
for limited residential development.
Town Planning Board Chairman
Dick Good the board was asked to
recommend possible zoning for the
island after Mrs. Price's attorney
contacted the town "quite some time
ago" about the possibility of apply
ing for permits.
Mrs. Price did not request any
particular zoning. Good said, but she
has been notified of the recommen
dation.
Ms. Fluege! told the council
Monday that Mrs. Price, like any
landowner, could request a change
in zoning in the future if she desires.
Hcrstinc said that once his office
in Wilmington receives a completed
application, it must be reviewed for
comment by 16 state and federal
agencies, including the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries. The
process "will take plenty of time,"
he said, "and there'll be plenty of
opportunity for public input during
this proccss."
The agcncy will also be making
required field studies on the island,
he said.
Another part of the application
process includes obtaining com
ments from adjacctit landowners,
one of which is the Town of Sunset
Beach.
Ms. Fluegel has been collecting
information from agencies to form a
statement for the town, hut said
Monday afternoon she thinks there
is little that could stop Mrs. Price
from legally building on the island.
Mrs. Price has contracted with the
engineering firm of Henry von
Oesen and Associates of Wilmington
for design of a new bridge and pier.
Drawings and plans for the bridge
call for it to be about the width of the
bridge that connects Sunset Beach's
island to the mainland.
As a result, Ms. Fluegel said she
can't object on the grounds that
emergency vehicles couldn't make it
over the proposed bridge.
A clause in the town's land use
plan states the town would not like
to see any development that would
(See BIRD ISLAND, Page 2-A)
Oyster Season
BY DORI COSGROVE GURGANUS
The counts aren't all in yet, but judging from
the 1991-92 oystej harvest so far, local har
vesters and market owners have had little to
complain about.
When contacted Tuesday, area oyster vendors
had liule bad to spy about the season, which
opened in October and closes March 15, but nei
ther were they jumping for joy.
While both the quality and quantity of local
oysters were up compared to recent seasons, a
mild winter and other factors cut into demand.
"It was reasonable to fair," said Carson
Vamam, seafood merchant in Vamamtown.
"The oysters had as good a flavor as we've had
in a long time, and everybody enjoyed them."
He estimated that fishermen who make their
Ending With 'A>
living off of oysters would have had no problem
catching their limit every day.
"The supply was a good or better than in past
years," said Varnam.
Joe Peed, owner of Bill's Seafood in Sunset
Beach, reported that the harvest was "normal,"
but that the unusually mild winter was not good
for sales.
"We've had more oysters than we had people
to eat them," he said.
People eat more oysters during cold seasons,
he explained, so not as many clients were order
ing oysters at his restaurant, Crabby Oddwatcrs.
"But still, Brunswick County's got the best
oysters," said Peed.
Another seafood retailer, Ernie Galloway of
Varnamtown, replied that the season "has been
erage' Harvest
average," as far as he's concerned, and that
nothing unusual happened to make it a really
bad or great harvest.
Official statistics for Brunswick County's har
vest are not available yet from the Division of
Marine Fisheries in Morehead City.
Jerry Parker, shellfish biologist with the divi
sion office in Wilmington, said that he usually
uses the response of local harvesters and mer
chants as part of his overall report on the annual
harvest, and that he's heard no complaints.
"If we don't get any calls from fishermen,
then we don't sec that there arc any problems."
Parker said. "And 1 haven't heard any com
plaints this year."
The oyster harvesting season closes officially
at sunset Sunday, March 15, by directive from
William Hogarth, Marine Fisheries director.
Redwine, Holden
Top Local Candidate
List As Filing Closes
Filing for local political offices
closcd at noon Monday with a flurry
of activity at the Brunswick County
Board of Elections.
Brunswick County District 1
Commissioner Kelly Holden of
Shallottc ended speculation over his
political future when he filed for the
14th District State House scat
As the only Republican to file for
one of two available seats, Holden
will not face a primary. Four Dem
ocrats, including incumbent E. Dav
id Redwine of Ocean Isle Beach, arc
also in the race.
The surprise of the day was the
withdrawal of Rep. Leo Mercer of
Columbus County from that race.
The Democrat had previously been
elected to represent the 15th State
House District which merged with
the 14th in January under the state's
rcdistriciing plan.
The two-member 14th District in
corporates most of Columbus and
Brunswick counties and parts of
Robeson and New Hanover coun
ties.
Redwine will facc three chal
lengers in the May 5 primary: busi
nessman Dewey Hill of Lake
Waccamaw; attorney Michael T.
Mills of Bolton; and Shirley T.
Green, a semi-retired farmer and
husinessman from Robeson County.
At a press confcrcncc Monday
morning, Merccr indicated the larger
district would make it difficult for
him to run his campaign.
"We're going to miss him," said
Redwine. "He has done a good job.
He's one of the finest men 1 know."
Holden said Monday he waited
until the last day to file because he
wanted to discuss it with his family
and to "get their blessings" before
running.
"I think the chances are very
good," said Holden. "Columbus
County is heavily dominated by
Democrats, but they, too, have split
the tickets in Columbus County."
Others who withdrew from races
Monday were Democrat William F.
Faught of Long Beach, who had
filed for the District 3 school board
scat, and Republican Bill Kirby of
South port, who had filed for Reg
ister of Deeds.
Democratic incumbent R.C. Soles
Jr. of Tabor City will face two chal
lengers in the 18th District Senate
race. Filing Monday were Demo
crats Claude Spivey of Tabor City
and Ron Taylor of Elizabeihtown,
and Republican Jim Whitworth of
Wilmington.
The 18th Senate District includes
Brunswick, Columbus, two pre
cincts in New Hanover County and
all but two precincts in Bladen
County.
both the Brunswick County Board
of Education and Board of Com
missioners races.
Democrat J. Bryant Pergerson,
35, of Boiiing Spring Lakes, filed
for the District 4 school board race.
No additional candidates filed for
(Sec R EDWIN E, Page 2-A)
Who's Filed
COMMISSIONER
District 1
?Raymond Ericksen, Dem.
?Don Warren, Dem.
District 3
?Steve Foster, Rep.
?Joseph Tyler Lenins, Rep.
?William (Bill) Sisk, Rep. '
?Bob Slockett, Rep.
?Tom Yeagle, Rep.
?Nathaniel (Nat) Parker, Dem.
?William R. (Bob) Thorsen, Dem.
?M.E. (Mark) Sharpc, Dem.
?Wayland Vereen, Dem.
District 4
?C. Lcphus Pigou, Dem.
?Tom B. Rabon Sr., Dem.
?Jo Ann Bellamy Simmons, Dem.
?Tom Simmons, Dem.
?Gene Sellers, Rep.
?Patricia (Patty) Young, Rep.
SCHOOL BOARD
District 1
?j oseph V. Brusi, Rep.
?Janet Pope, Rep.
?Sam Fletcher Frink, Dem.
District 3
?William D. (Billy) Carter, Dem.
?Carlton L. Sligh, Dem.
?Stephanna Tcwcy, Dem.
?Bill Fairlcy, Rep.
District 4
?Donna Baxter, Dem. (I)
?J. Bryant Pergerson, Dem.
?Pete Bamette. Rep.
REGISTER OF DEEDS
?Grace Beasley, Dem.
?Edward F. Mintz, Dem.
?Robert J. Robinson, Dem. (I)
?Arthur Knox. Rep.
CORONER
?Greg White, Dem. (I)
STATE HOUSE
14th District (2 seats)
?Shirley T. Green, Dem.
?Dewey Hill, Dem.
?Michael T. Mills, Dem.
?E. David Rcdwine, Dem. (!)
?Kelly Holden, Rep.
98th District (1 seat)
?Johnnie S. Fields, Dem.
?Thomas E. Wright. Dem.
STATE SENATE
18th District
?R.C. Soles Jr., Dem. (1)
?Claude Spivey, Dem.
?Ron Taylor, Dem.
?Jim Whitworth, Rep.
13th DISTRICT JUDGES
Contested
?Napoleon B. Barefoot Jr., Dem.
?Wayne Long, Dem.
Uncontested
?D. Jack Hooks Jr., Dem.
?Jerry Arnold Jolly. Dem.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
?Charles L. (Chip) Carroll
Two candidates have filed for the
98th State House District, both from
Wilmington. The minority-majority
district includes parts of Columbus,
Brunswick, Robeson and New Han
over counties.
Filing were Democrats Ms. John
nie S. Fields, 60, of S. Fifth Street,
and Thomas E. Wright, 36, of S.
17th Street. No candidates filed
from other counties.
More candidates also filed for
School Board To Approach County
About Putting Officers On Campus
BY SUSAN USHER
Responding to parents' concerns about campus secu
rity, the Brunswick County Board of Education decided
Monday to talk with other county officials about possi
bly assigning a law officcr to each high school and mid
dle school campus.
The vote is the latest response by the board to con
cerns expressed by principals and parents about increas
ing incidents of violence, drugs and weapons in county
schools, as well as in schools across southeastern North
Carolina.
After hearing from several parents during a four-hour
board meeting at South Brunswick Middle School,
board member Polly Russ made the motion to "under
take a feasibility study" with the county commissioners
onrj
"What we need on that campus is not a teacher with a
whistle, but a deputy," Gordon Hobbs of Iceland, the
parent of a North Brunswick High School student, told
board members Monday. "There is nothing the school
board can do that would more improve acadcmic
achievement than creating an atmosphere for learning
and a safe campus."
Hobbs was one in a series of speakers to address the
board during a two-hour public address period in which
the board made no attempt to enforce its five-minute
limit on individuals' remarks.
After meeting four hours, the board recessed shortly
before 1 1 p.m., with plans to continue the meeting next
Monday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the central office.
When a sheriff's deputy bnngs "Buddy the drug dog
on campus, Hobbs told the board, the campus is "as dif
ferent as night and day".
"The kids respect authority," he said.
Hobbs' said taxpayers aren't getting the administra
tion and education they're paying for because the
school's leaders an* ino busy policing student behavior.
His specific concerns include the need for fencing to
discourage students from leaving campus and frequent
ing nearby business establishments during lunch; non
studenis and recently expelled students returning to
campus without authorization; drug sales and drug use
on campus; increased numbers of weapons being
brought on campus; and physical assaults on students by
fellow students and non-students alike.
Hobbs said he was told the board has not taken steps
to hire officers in the past bccausc of concerns about
public image and a lack of money, neither of which is
important, he said, "when it comes to a child's safety".
"If we don't do something, someone will be killed,"
he said. "We need some help now."
At the request of principals, the board recently adopt
ed a policy that now requires local law enforcement au
thorities to be brought in when students fight on campus
and charges filed if appropriate. Officers arc also called
in if a weapon is found or used on campus, which is a
violation of state law.
Hobbs said he likes the change because the associated
lines get parents' aiicnuim.
Superintendent P.R. Hankins said that until the meet
ing Monday he had had no reason to believe measure:;
already taken to deter the problems "nadn't made a dif
ference".
When he and other central office personnel have visit
ed the campus, it has been "orderly and quiet," he said.
In addition to the stricter policies, the school system
has purchased metal detectors for the schools.
At North Brunswick, he said the sheriffs department
has stepped up patrols of the campus and will increase
random, unannounced visits by the drug dog; the N.C.
Highway Patrol has agreed to station its drug dog more
visibly in the vicinity of the school and volunteers arc
helping patrol the school grounds.
Headed Same Direction
School board members. Superintendent P.R. Hankins
and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Mose
Lewis hastened to assure members of Parents In Action
Monday night of their support.
Speakers Dorothy Essey and Gilbert Powell said the
group would like to see South Brunswick Hi ph find
South Brunswick Middle schools implement a new op
erating approach called comptchensive management
system before the start of the fall term.
(See CAMPUS, Page 2-A)