Columns

Writing last week about my ugly experience June 2 at one of Brunswick County’s roundabouts generated some good response from readers — actually, a bit more than I expected, considering staff writers Laura Lewis and Brian Slattery each had written columns two years ago about roundabouts and how to maneuver through them. It looks like the subject still strikes a nerve.

Lest anyone mistake my position, let me go on record saying I’m pro-roundabout.

By Alice Garland

Guest Columnist

Perhaps it’s a dream of doing something fun, learning to scuba dive or going to Disney World. Maybe it’s a desire to help someone, paying for a new kitchen for your mother or donating to a good cause. Or it could be giving someone the gift of education.

Over and over again, when you talk to someone about why they play the lottery, they mention they have fun thinking about what they would do if they win. They talk about their dreams.

During our last chat, right around Mother’s Day, I wrote about my dad and baseball.

Because I believe in equal time, today I am writing about Mom, with a little more about baseball, but more about what she has had to put up with.

The stories Mom gets included in, as you’ll soon find out, tend to end in bloodshed.

Back in my not-so-Little League days, it was Mom who ran my sisters and me to all our practices and games.

By Walt Eccard

Guest Columnist

Once again, Brunswick County and the towns in Brunswick County face the prospect of a loss of significant revenue because of actions of the North Carolina legislature. The total loss projected for Brunswick County, the 19 municipalities in Brunswick County and the school system this year is about $2.6 million. Shallotte alone faces the loss of $130,000. Legislation that would take this money from Brunswick County has passed the North Carolina Senate and is pending action in the North Carolina House of Representatives.