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Thirty-Third Year, Number 1
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Shollotte, North Carolina, Thursday^ November 3, 1 994 50< Per Copy 50 Pages, 5 Sections. Plus Inserts
FINANCE REPORTS
Sheriff's Race May Be Brunswick's Costliest Ever
BY ERIC CARLSON
This year's race for sheriff ? to be settled Tuesday
along with five county commissioners and fivr school
board members ? is probably the most expensive politi
cal contest ever run in Brunswick County.
But no one can say for sure, since it's the first time
candidates have been required to keep official records of
campaign spending.
"It's the most expensive one I can remember," said
Elections Supervisor Lynda Britt
Pre-election financing reports were due Friday after
noon and were submitted on time by all the candidates.
Britt said. They indicate candidates Ronald Hewett and
James Brown have together spent more than $80,000 in
their bid to succeed retiring Sheriff John Carr Davis.
Expenses for the sheriff's race have dwarfed all others
political campaigns in the county, with Hewett out
spending Brown by a margin of more than five -to-one
As of Friday, Hewett had logged more than $68,450
in expenses, including $23,052 for television advertis
ing, $6,014 for newspaper ads and $3,721 for radio
spots. Brown had spent $12.2X1. including $2,556 for
newspaper advertising. $2,010 to a Wilmington radio
station and S5.340 to a Southport advertising and design
firm.
Hewett's latest Finance report names about 200 indi
vidual campaign contributors, with most giving SI 00 or
less. His campaign has raised a total of $35,750 since
April.
The largest contribution to Hewett's election bid came
from his parents. Emory and Pauline Hewett of Supply,
who gave $7,100. Other large donors included his cam
paign manager, Albert Parker of Supply, who has con
tributed S3.M46, and Floyd Kirby Jr. of Shallotte. who
has given $ 1 .650.
Other contributors to Hewett's campaign include
Secretary of State Rufus Edmiston, State Senator R.C.
Soles, N.C. representatives David Redwine, Dewey Hill
and Thomas Wright of New Hanover County, Com
missioner Wayland Vercen, Holden Beach Commis
sioner David Sandifer and Sheriff Davis
Hewett and his wife Julie have contributed $2,400 to
the campaign so far. according to the report
(See CANDIDATES, Page 2-A)
?tt#f moro ?Y HOC CAJHV3N
Record Crowd
Traffic inches over the H olden tteach bridge en route to last weekend s Festival By The Sea to enjoy
music, food and varutus kinds of competition. More festival stories and photos are throughout this is
sue.
Holden's New Manager Starts Work Nov. 1 4
BY DOUG R UTTER
Scan J. Anderson, a rcccnt collcgc graduate with lim
ited experience in municipal government, will take over
as town manager of Holden Beach starting Nov. 14
Since graduating from Appalachian State University
in May, Anderson has been working as administrative
assistant to the town manager in Troy, a city of about
3,00() people in Montgomery County.
Holden Beach Commissioners approved Anderson's
hiring last Wednesday on a 4-1 vote, with board member
David Sandifer dissenting.
Sandifer said he didn't think Anderson was the most
qualified of the four applicants who were interviewed
for the position on Oct. 25. "My choice as far as being
the best qualified was not the one we chose," he said.
Mayor Gay Atkins said she thinks Anderson's energy
and enthusiasm will make him a good manager for
Holden Beach, where he will replace the retiring Gus
Ulrich.
"There is a lot to say for the years experience you
have in a profession," Atkins said, f On the other hand,
there is a lot to say for someone who has just gotten out
of school and has just gotten the latest on facts and net
working that would probably be beneficial to this town."
Now that Anderson has been hired, Sandifer said he
will support the new manager KM) percent.
"I wish him nothing but the best I think he's a very
nice young man I just don't think he was the most qual
ified," Sandifer said.
Anderson, 23, is expected to come to Holden Beach
this weekend to look for a place to live. He may return
Nov. 9 for the town board's day-long retreat at the
Lockwood Folly Golf Links clubhouse
Anderson, who was born in Pennsylvania and grew
up in Texas, said Monday he's excited about his first job
as town manager
"I guess this is as close as you can get to a perfect op
portunity for my first job," Anderson said. "It was the
size of town I was looking for. I've always wanted to be
at the beach."
Anderson, who plans to marry in June, received a
B.S. degree in political science from ASU. His major
field of study was town administration and city/county
management with a minor in community and regional
planning.
Atkins said town officials realize the Holden Beach
job will most likely be a stepping stone for Anderson.
"We know that thus would begin his ladder in town
management. This is what he geared all his schooling to,
(See HOLDEN BEACH, Page 2-A)
STWnia"
ROACH
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SSTCMWII
? SHERIFF
SWF FwJfd ?y SuUn ui^k
TAKE YOUR PICK...W hile the wild flowers planted by the stale Department of Transportation along
VS. 1 7 are for looking only, local voters will take their pick of candidates next Tuesday when polls
open in 22 precincts countywide.
iY JAMES
BROWN
* * * ft *
SHERIFF
Voters To Choose School Board,
Commissioners , New Sheriff
Brunswick County voters go to the polls Tuesday.
Nov. H, to elect a new sheriff and at least four new
members of the board of education.
All five members of the county board of commission
ers arc standing for re-election, and all face opposition.
TWenty-two precinct polling places open at 6:30 a.m.
and close at 7 30 p m A list of polling places can be
found on Page ! -B of this issue.
Election results will be tallied at the Brunswick
County Government Center in Bolivia
Voters will be marking two ballots, one with the race
for the 7th District U.S. House of Representatives scat
held by Democrat Charlie Rose, facing opposition for a
third time from Republican Robert C Anderson
Also on that ballot are 32 judgeship races, 20 of
which are unopposed
On a separate ballot arc races for Brunswick County
sheriff, board of education, board of commissioners and
two supervisors' seats in the nonpartisan Brunswick
County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Profiles of candidates for Brunswick County sheriff,
board of education and board of commissioners can be
found throughout Section B of this issue. All candidates
in the three races responded to questionnaires prepared
by Beacon staff writers and editors.
Sample ballots arc on Page 6B
Unopposed but on the ballot are N.C. IKth District
Senator R.C. Soles Jr., 14th District N.C. House Reps
Dewey L. Hill and Ei. David Redwinc. 13th Judicial
District candidate Tom Aldndgc, 13th Judicial District
Attorney Rex Gore and Brunswick County Clerk of
Court Diana Morgan. All arc Democrats.
For sheriff. Democrat Ronald E. Hcwett of Supply
faces Republican James Brown of Southport to succeed
retiring Sheriff John Carr Davis.
In ihe county commissioners' race, in the order their
names appear on the ballot, are:
? District 1, Democrat Don Warren (incumbent) and
Republican Douglas Simmons;
? District 2, Democrat WA (Alfonza) Roach and
Republican Jerry Jones (incumbent);
? District 3. Democrat Wayland Vercen (incumbent)
and Republican Leslie Collier;
? District 4, Democrat Tom B. Rabon Sr. (incumbent)
and Republican Theron (Woody) Leonard Jr.
? District 5, Democrat W.M. (Bill) Sue and
Republican Donald Shaw (incumbent).
Running for board of education are:
? District 1, Democrat Olaf (Bud) Thorsen and
Republican M Rozzell Hewett;
? District 2. Democrat Clara S. Carter and
Republican Eugene Hewett;
? District 3, Democrat William D. (Billy) Carter and
Republican Elisabeth (Beth) Osiek;
? District 4, Democrat J. Bryant Perguson (whose
name, Pergerson. is misspelled on the ballot) and
Republican Pat Purvis Brown.
? District 5. Democrat Glenda C. Browning and
Republican Yvonne Lewis Bright (incumbent).
Candidates for county commissioner and board of ed
ucation run from and represent the districts in which
they live, but are elected by and accountable to all coun
ty voters.
Three candidates are seeking two supervisors' seats in
the nonpartisan Brunswick County Soil and Water
Conservation District. Incumbents James D. Bellamy Jr.
and Harold C. Robinson face a challenge by newcomer
R.C. (Ray) Gilbert.
Plan Won't Directly Protect OIB
East End, But Would Widen Channel
BY SUSAN USHEK
A multimillion dollar bcrm and
dune beach rcnourishmenl program
proposed for Ocean Isle Beach may
not provide dircci protection for the
eroding east end of the beach, but
could provide indirect benefits to
east end property owners, Holden
Beach, and boaters using Shallotte
Inlet
One east end property owner says
the project isn't the best solution and
that the town needs to tell home
owners what options are available
while providing increased short
term protection.
The 50-year berm and dune re
nourishment project considered
most cost-effective by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers wouid ex
tend 12,850 feet from Winnabow
Street to Duneside Drive. It would
have a dunetop elevation of 9.5 feet
and a berm width of 50 feet at a 7
foot elevation.
It would cost an estimated $10.2
million to build. The Corps would
(See OIB, Page 2-A)
Inside...
Birthdays ~2C
Business News 8-9A
Calendar 7B
Church Nr~s 11A
Club Briefe 2C
Crlaaa Report ? ...12D
Court Docket 10-11D
Fishing ... .....4E
Golf. 4-5E
Obituaries 11A
Opinion 4-5A
Plant Doctor 5C
Television 8-9E
CALABASH MAN ARRESTED
Brunswick County Bust Uncovers Four-State Drug Operation
BY ERIC CARLSON
A package of cocaine intercepted by the Brunswick
County Sheriff's Department narcotics squad last
month has uncovered a multi-state smuggling operation
and resulted in the arrest of four suspects on drug traf
ficking charges.
The most recent suspect to be apprehended in the in
vestigation was Clifford Allen Carlisle, 29, of
Calabash, who was arrested Tuesday, according to Lt.
David Crocker, head of the BCSD narcotics squad.
Described as a "mule" who allegedly moved the ille
gal drugs from place to place, Crocker said Carlisle is
charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and one
felony count each of trafficking cocaine by possession,
manufacture and transport.
Crocker said more than 18 ounces of cocaine, with
an estimated street value of nearly $19,000, was seized
in the four arTests, with assistance from the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA) and police in South
Carolina and West Virginia.
"We believe they were moving at least a half-pound
of cocaine ? that's $345,600 worth ? every month for
the past two years," Crocker said. "The West Virginia
State Police said it was one of biggest cocaine opera
tions in their area."
Investigators believe the cocaine was being smug
gled into the U.S from Colombia, South America, to
Atlanta, Ga. From there it was shipped to Charleston
and the Myrtle Bcach areas of South Carolina and on to
locations in North Carolina and West Virginia.
Authorities hope the investigation will lead to further
arrests in those areas.
The investigation began Sept. 2, when Brunswick
narcotics officers intercepted a package containing 2.5
ounces of cocaine, which was being shipped through
the "commercial transport system," Crocker said. The
package was addressed to a man in Bluefield, W. Va.
Crocker said his officers contacted West Virginia
State Police and notified the DEA that the two agencies
were repackaging the shipment of drugs for delivery
between North Carolina and West Virginia.
Once in West Virginia, under police surveillance, the
package was delivered in its original form to the trans
port system office, where it was picked up by the ad
dressee, according to Brunswick Detective Billy
Hughes, who arranged the operation.
Arrested there was a Bobby Gene Harden, 37, of
Princeton, W.Va. He was charged with cocaine traffick
ing in West Virginia and still faces a conspiracy charge
in Brunswick County, Hughes said.
Further investigation led police to a man named
James Lee Tompson, 31, of Cherry Grove, S.C., who
was found by tracing a telephone pager number,
Hughes said. Detectives from Brunswick County and
the Horry County Police Department went to
Tompson's place of employment in Cherry Grove on
Sept. 12. %
"We had an officer dial the pager number while we
were there," Hughes said. "It went off and they arrested
him."
During a search of Tompson's home, detectives
found a half-pound of cocaine, worth an estimated
$14,400 on the street, Crocker said. They also seized a
1985 BMW automobile believed to have been used in
the smuggling operation.
The telephone rang while police were at Thompson's
home, Crocker said. The caller was a Carteret County
man who said he wanted to buy some cocaine.
"Mr. Tompson was instructed to tell him to come
on," Crocker said.
Narcotics detectives arranged to meet the caller on
U.S. 17 in Brunswick County, where Crocker said a
controlled drug transaction was conducted under sur
veillance the next day.
After watching the suspect exchange $1,300 cash for
some of the cocaine, Hughes moved in and snatched
Wesley Arnold Alderman, 28, of Newport from the ve
hicle. He was arrested on charges of cocaine trafficking
and maintaining a vehicle for keeping a controlled sub
stance. He has been freed on bond.
Warrants for Carlisle's arrest were issued after he
was identified as a member of the smuggling ring,
Crocker said. He was released on a $5,000 bond.
The narcotics squad urges anyone who observes or
has information regarding illegal drug activity in
Brunswick County to contact them at (910) 253-4797.
All calls will be kept confidential.