Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / April 28, 1994, edition 1 / Page 5
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MORE LETTERS Holden Beach Board Takes Heat Over Appointments To the editor: The commissioners of the Town of llolden Beach called a special meeting April 15 to appoint a new mayor to fill the vacancy created by the death of Mayor Wally Ausley, to serve until the next town election in 1995. Gay Atkins, who has been serving as mayor pro tem since the last election, was appointed mayor. This action created two more ap pointments to be made: a new may or pro tem and a new commissioner. It has been a tradition here in this town for commissioners receiving the most votes in the election to be appointed mayor pro tem by the oth er commissioners For example. Gay Atkins received the most votes for commissioner in last election, and was serving as mayor pro tem be fore her appointment as mayor. Appointing a new mayor pro tem and a new town commissioner would have been simple if the pre sent commissioners had let tradition and the results of the last election determine who would fill these va cancies. If tradition had prevailed, David Sandifer would have been mayor pro tem because he received more votes than any of the other present commissioners. Jeff Lee, who ran for commissioner last elec tion and lacked only four votes for winning, should have been appoint ed as the new commissioner. This action would have allowed the vot ers of the Town of Holden Beach to determine who should serve them in Town Hall. At the town meeting April 20, Dwight Carroll, Jim Fournier and Sid Swarts disregarded intentionally the town tradition and the vote of the homeowners. Instead, they ap pointed Sid Swarts mayor pro tem and appointed Marlaine Thomas as commissioner. Marlaine Thomas might be well qualified for the appointment as commissioner, but she did not run for town commissioner in the last election. In the past, these commis sioners have often accused, implied, and referred to developers, real es talc brokers and rental agencies of wilfully violating town ordinances. The public should not question the appointment of Gay Atkins, a re al estate broker at Coastal Devel opment and Realty Company, as mayor; she was serving as mayor pro tem and that appointment was determined by the voters of Holden Beach in the last election. Many questions have not been an swered: Why did those three com missioners refuse to appoint David Sandifer as mayor pro tem? Accor ding to the results of the last elec tion, he would have been the choice of the voters. The new mayor, a real estate bro ker at Coastal Development and Realty Company, was appointed April 15. Five days later, April 20, those three commissioners appoint ed Marlaine Thomas, an employee at Coastal Development and Realty Company. Considering the distrust these three commissioners have had for developers, real estate brokers and rental agencies, one can not help but wonder what Coastal Development and Realty Company did to per suade the commissioners to ignore the votes of the residents of Holden Beach. When government leaders in oth er countries ignore the vote of their people and appoint officials to ac complish their own personal and po litical gains, the United States gov ernment and its citizens identify such action as dictatorship. John F. Holden Holden Beach The writer is a former mayor of Holden Beach. Not The Fair Thing To the editor: I had hopes that the commission ers of Holden Beach, given this chance, would do the right thing, the fair thing. It was evident at the April 20 meeting that most of the commis sioners have little consideration for their voters. For if they had, a "nat ural progression" would have taken place in filling the recent council va cancies. Mayor Atkins, formerly mayor pro tern, acquired the pro tern title due to a singular reason?receiving the most votes for a commissioner in the 1993 election. Thus, by follow ing this system, naturally the candi date to move into the position of mayor pro tem would be the next highest vote-getter not in office, which would be Jeff Lee, having lost the position by only three votes. I am saddened to say these posi tions were filled quite "unnaturally." The newly appointed commissioner was not on the 1993 election ballot, therefore was not voted on in an election. Our vote is supposed to be our voice. We need officials in of fice who will recognize and repre sent the voters. Victoria M. Lee Holdcn Beach The writer is the wife of Jeff Lee. Railroad Job? To the editor: I have owned a house at Holden Beach for ten years. Just recently I have had the opportunity to become a permanent resident. Wednesday, April 20, 1 attended my first board of commissioners' meeting. On the agenda was the nomination and election of a new commissioner. Jim Lowell, a prominent resident and president of the Merchants' Association, strongly recommended we follow the procedure previously used in 1991 by filling the vacancy with the candidate in the November 1993 election who missed being elected to the board by the fewest votes. In this case it would be Jeff lee, losing by a mere three votes. The recommendation was completely ig nored by the board. Jeff Lee and Marlaine Thomas (who did not run as a candidate in the November 1993 election) were nominated. The board voted quickly, and Marlaine Thomas filled the vacant seat. Short Attention-Span Column Ever hear of the television show "Short Attention Span Theater?" Think of this as Short Attention Span Column?I have some things on my mind today, none requiring more than cursory mention. Here goes: ? ? ? Sometimes when I read signs, I can't help being curious about what kind of incident might have pro voked them. In McDonalds dining room, on the staff entrance to the food prep area, it says this: "NO HIGH CHAIRS IN FRONT OF DOOR." Ouch! in Hcndcrsonville, there's this one in a Baptist church graveyard: "DO NOT BURY WITHOUT FIRST NOTIFYING CEMETERY COM MITTEE." Outside Shallotte, this is painted free-hand on the side of a shed: "NO DRINKING OR CUSSING." I once saw this one in a laundro mat: "DO NOT DIE IN MA CHINES." No problem. ? ? ? Which reminds me of the answer ing machine message I once heard when I called Mickey the Sign Man up in the mountains: "If you're calling to order a sign, we'll get back to you. If you're call ing about a sign you still owe us for, we're on our way out to your place to dig it up. If you're calling to check on a sign you ordered months ago, it's just about ready. Don't lose your temper with us; we're slow and expensive, but we're #@$*& good!" ? ? ? Speaking of customer service: I went to buy a roll of film and re membered while in the middle of the store that 1 needed a couple of big bags of potting soil. I looked around to see if I could find a cart and avoid going all the way back to the entrance to get one. Tliere was an empty buggy next to an "associ ate" who was stocking shelves. "Is it okay if I use this?" I asked. She let out a big sigh, looked as me as if I were a puddle of ooze and said impatiently, "Well, I reckon 1 could see if I can find another one somewhere else..." I told her not to trouble herself; then I went home and wrote her boss?the big boss at corporate HQ. I was in a drug store to buy two packages of No. 4 cone-shaped cof fee filters. 1 found them there after having struck out at four other places. The only customer at the register, I had to wait for the clerk to finish her protracted conversation with a co-worker before she rang up my paltry $2 purchase. She didn't acknowledge my presence before, during or after the transaction. I said "you're welcome" even though she didn't say "thank-you," hoping to make my point, or at least to pick a fight. She ignored that, too. ? ? ? It affirmed my affection for mom and-pop shops. A while back we bought a gas grill from a business owned and run by a local family. A couple of days after the purchase, m Strawberries \ Per lb- (y?u pick) IO W~a/so~ Large selection of fresh re produce available, * including greens and early peas. Holden Brothers Farm Market OPEN 7 AM-7 PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK Hwy. 17 (4 miles south of Shallotte) 579-4500 BRUNSWICK BEACO they called the office and left a mes sage saying they'd forgotten to tell us we were entitled to a free filled gas bottle. They didn't have to make that extra effort, but they did. With family businesses, you rarely get treated as if you're impos ing when you ask to get a key made, a watch battery replaced or your car inspected. If it costs a couple of ex tra bucks, I think it's worth it. ? ? ? There arc still folks out there who care about helping. Take Edna Parodi of Calabash, a long-time first aide and water safety instructor. Edna wants to pass along an idea she heard from her daughter. Dee Parodi Dunham, an emergency med ical technician in New Jersey. Edna says it's a good idea to carry a pair of latex surgical gloves in a 35-mm film canister in your car. That way, if you happen upon an ac cident, you can offer your help and be protected against blood-borne diseases. She advises that you must use the black plastic canisters, not the clear ones; you don't want the latex exposed to sunlight. She says photo shops are usually happy to give away their extra canisters just to be rid of them. ? ? ? There are words I'd like to be rid of, especially: Keyboarding. This is an asinine and needless "verbing" of a perfect ly good noun. What was wrong with "typing?" This "verbing" trend is embar rassing. I once received a news re lease from a church saying that there would be "fellowshipping" after morning worship. And on that note, I'll stop key boarding for this week and go home to fellowship my loved ones. I have been involved in small town politics, but I have never seen a more obvious railroading job. This was definitely a pre-planned set-up to put Marlainc Thomas on the board and override the voters' choice based on the results of the last election. Be careful who you vote onto the board of commissioners. We want representatives of the people, not a coalition who decides among them selves and presents their decision to the people. Audrey H. Ligon Holden Beach Show Respect To the editor: Election year seems the appropri ate time to make long-needed chan ges at the Brunswick County Sher iff's Department?changes that I have hesitated to mention until they directly affected my family. It appears that the Brunswick County Sheriff's Department cannot find the time to be escorts for funer als when needed on the busy roads in our county. My father-in-law, Lloyd Evans, passed away in May 1993. There was supposed to be a police escort at the intersection of N.C. 130 and Civietown Road, allowing the fami ly procession to stay together travel ing to Oak Grove Baptist Church. No patrolman ever showed up. The residents of Brunswick County don't seem to believe in showing respect to the decease or re morse for their family. Our sheriff's department must enforce this. People could at least pull off the road until the procession passes. Those who break in line and pull in to the middle of the procession don't realize that one day it will be their funeral procession! Our sheriff's de partment must enforce this also. We had a close family member pass away in June 1993. Again, the sheriff's department failed to show up. The funeral director told us this occurs on a regular basis?he calls for an escort and no one comes, leaving him to lead the procession and handle traffic. It appears Brunswick County deputies are satisfied running up and down the road blowing sirens or sit ting at convenience stores drinking coffee. They are nowhere to be found when it's time for a funeral. They all go hide! What really brought this to mind was when our aunt passed away in Conway, S.C., in February of this year. We had police escorts from Conway to Myrtle Beach and to the church. The patrolman made people pull off the road until the procession passed. There were patrolmen at every intersection?stopped, stand ing outside their cars, hats over chests, showing respect to the fami ly The moral of the story, and my letter, is this: If you want a proper funeral and your family and funeral procession treated with respect, don't die in Brunswick County. Go to Myrtle Beach where they treat people with respect?both the living and the dead. Elizabeth Evans Supply Don't Dismiss Claims To the editor: I congratulate Thurman Gause for fulfilling his campaign promise to keep us informed as to what is going on behind closed doors with the Brunswick County Board of Edu cation. After having talked with Mr. Gause and having been present at some board meetings over the last 18 months, I don't see how any of the board members could dismiss any of Mr. Gause's claims. All a person would have to do is secure copies of board minutes from past meetings. Donna Baxter attacks Mr. Gause tor making black-and-white issues out of board concerns. However, television news footage would show HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES Rentals, Sales & Service Complete Line Of The Newest, Most Modern Equipment & Supplies Available Today ?Prompt Delivery Service ?Senior Citizens Discounts ?24 Hours Emergency Service Serving Brunswick County ^Medicare, Medicaid Provider A CMMon 01 PAAADtCM Hsaffi Sw*C6?. incorporated and Surrounding Areas We offer Oxygen [?. Therapy ? Respiratory m Therapist on Staff r Oxvaen O, Oxvaen 0. Oxvaen O. Oxvaen #4 Shallotte Plaza (across from Sizzling Sirloin) ? Main Street, Shallotte f For professional quality service for your home care patient I CALL (910)754-3400 OR 1-800-475-9165 Mr. Gausc making the same claims months ago regarding minority re cruitment and other issues. I realize that Superintendent Ralph Johnston is a man of truth and honesty. It is strange that such issues could have slipped his mind when he directed that there be an entire task force formed to recruit minority teachers several months ago. This task forcc grew out of concerns of Mr. Gausc and other Brunswick County concerned citizens. With reference to inequities, tell me where the equity is in having on ly two black principals out of 12? In my conversation with Mr. Gause, he assured me that while he is con cerned with black students, he is equally concerned with the educa tion of white students, as this in equity will ultimately effect all stu dents. Additionally, he is concerned with the curriculum being offered to black and white students in Bruns wick County. With reference to equal pay for equal duty, I'm not a mathematician, but I can count. Assistant Super intendent Ralph Ward needs to look at the number of students and teach ers at Shallotte Middle School. There is clearly a larger number of students at Shallotte Middle School than Lincoln Primary or South Brunswick Middle School. Mr. Ward references the educa tion level of the two principals at Lincoln Primary or South Bruns wick Middle schools. Are they paid based on their level of certification and years of experience? If not, then why is Mrs. Robinson being held to that level of pay? If there is some common denominator that affords these people a higher level of pay, let's also apply it at the central office level. I look forward to the state audi tor's report which will most likely substantiate much of what Mr. Gausc has been saying throughout his term. I believe that he has been truthful. If there is any doubt in your mind, then why has Bill Fairley, who has struggled publicly during board meetings with his colleagues, now verbally withdrawn his bid for a seat on the board? In my mind, Mr. Gausc is one board member who has done exactly what he promised to do. Good or bad, he has kept the citizens of Brunswick County informed. Franklin Randolph Bolivia Coastline Cares To the editor: On Saturday night. April 2, while visiting at Holden Beach, my broth er-in-law became seriously ill. The rescue squad was called and trans ported him to The Brunswick Hos pital. The next afternoon he was transferred to Duke Medical Center. Since that time has undergone surgery and is now at home recuper ating nicely. I would like to express my appre ciation on behalf of Houston Hes ter's entire family for the quick re sponse of Coastline Volunteer Res cue Squad and the care and concern they showed. I do not know the names of the men and women who responded, but they arc trained peo ple that Holden Beach can be proud of. Many people tend to take our res cue squads for granted and do not appreciate them until someone in our own family has an emergency. We're blessed to have people willing to give their time to organizations like this. I'd also like to extend thanks to Jackie and Richard Crabtree, our beach neighbors for their assistance that night and for being our good neighbors for many years. We all love Holden Beach and hope to spend a lot more time there. Joyce C. Dowless Elizabethtown Who Discriminates? To the editor: Outlandishly drawn voting dis tricts contrived to guarantee the election of black candidates: Docs this mean that white legislators can not competently represent blacks? What about the reverse? Black women have won the Miss America contest, but white women are pre cluded from entering the Miss Black America contest. The National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People, and the United Negro College Fund: Are there comparable organizations for whites? Constant harping by black leaders to end black-on-black violence. Does this mean that they condone any other violence? Why not preach against all violence? Black history month; constant an ti-semitic tirades by the Nation of Islam; an Atlanta, Ga., telephone book that lists only black-owned businesses; violence perpetrated against Korean merchants who dare to operate in black neighborhoods; not admitting Haitian AIDS carriers is racist because they happen to be black; quotas for colleges that disre gard qualifications in the interest of so called diversity: These are only a few examples. The list is endless. Two questions beg for answers: Who is really being discriminated against? Do minorities really want integration or special consideration? John McAleer Calabash Many Fine People To the editor: Recently, our family experienced a monumental tragedy in the loss of our most precious Julie Marie Parker. In the early hours of dealing with this most painful time of our lives, we received comfort and assis tance from some very fine people in the Brunswick County Sheriff's Department, rescue squad and many others involved with 911. For their help and concern we are most thank ful, and proud that they are there for all of us in this county. As time passed, the out pouring of love and concern that our family re ceived has been monumental as well. For the many friends who vis ited our home, sent food, flowers, and wrote us to share our grief and, most of all, remembered us in their prayers, we are very very thankful and humbled. We are very thankful for all the young people and adults who knew our Julie and came by to share their memories of her with us. Also, the many people who have experienced similar tragedies in their lives who have written us, or visited, have made quite an impact upon our lives. Please thank Eric Carlson for his column, which showed what a fine person and responsible reporter he his. I have lived in Brunswick County all my life and have always been ap preciative of the many fine people who make this place such a great part of the world. The actions of so many of the residents of our fine county which my family and 1 have been able to observe in the last ten days has just reinforced our love for them. I find myself at a loss for words to express my appreciation of the love we have received. Ricky Parker Supply Write Us We welcome your letters to the editor. Letters must include your address and telephone number. (This information is for verifica tion purposes only; we will not publish your street/mailing ad dress or phone number.) Letters must be typed or written legibly. Address letters to: The Brunswick Beacon P.O. Box 2558 ShaUotte NC 28459 Anonymous tetters will not be published. Cape Fear Fence Residential ? Commercial CHAIN LINK AND WOOD FENCES QUALITY WORKMANSHIP 26 Years Experience Low Prices Free Estimates Serving All of Brunswick County! 754-3826 or 371-3826 C.W. THE anuNSWO. BEACON
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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April 28, 1994, edition 1
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