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Opinion

  • This isn't the way we hoped...

    The Brunswick County Board of Education had a great opportunity to start anew with the hiring of a new superintendent last week, and yet somehow the announcement got flubbed up.

    When the community should have been celebrating and welcoming the district’s new leadership with Dr. Edward Pruden, there was dissent among the board.

    In a prepared statement, board member Scott Milligan said he was voting against the hiring of Pruden, not because of Pruden’s candidacy, but because of what he believed were some shady actions of some board members.

  • VA officials are missing a great...

    Veterans Affairs officials have really missed the boat on a grand opportunity right here in Brunswick County, and unfortunately it appears it is going to come at the expense of taxpayers.

    The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners has practically thrown the current Brunswick Community Hospital location at VA officials. County officials have offered to make VA officials a deal they couldn’t refuse for a new VA facility.

  • Terminal groin project could be...

    In a close vote last week, the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) voted 8-5 to recommend to the state General Assembly that the use of terminal groins could be feasible when used in conjunction with beach renourishment.

    That’s a step in the right direction for officials who have been pushing for terminal groins, like Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith.

    Now, the decision about whether terminal groins will become a possibility goes to the General Assembly.

  • Board of education faces tough...

    Brunswick County Schools officials have some tough decisions ahead of them.

    In light of troubled economy, the district is anticipating budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year.

    Recently, as a solution to save the district money, a proposal was presented that would remove pre-K services from the school district. It’s an effort that, if adopted, would mean some $450,000 in Title I funding could go to elementary and high schools throughout Brunswick County—each county elementary and high school could receive an additional $35,000.

  • There are too many holes in N.C....

    There are problems with North Carolina’s voter registration system. In its current form, the process has too many holes, making it far too easy for those who want to take advantage of the system.

    Voter fraud is a very real problem in this country and more needs to be done—especially right here in North Carolina—to make that more difficult to happen.

  • It's important to keep pets up...

    Two rabies cases have been confirmed in Brunswick County and they’re serving as a reminder about the importance of keeping pets current on vaccinations.

    In the two cases reported by the Brunswick County Health Department, two dogs that got into fights with wild animals were not current on their rabies vaccinations. Because of that, one of the dogs was euthanized. In the other case, Brunswick County Animal Services quarantined the dog while the owner made a decision about whether it would be put down.

  • Jim Roach was a selfless community...

    When The Brunswick Beacon updated its retirement section “Golden Sands” last year, Jim Roach was one of the first people to comment about it.

    As a matter of fact, he was so excited he showed up at the office after it published with a list of stories in hand. As a representative of the N.C. Senior Tarheel Legislature, Roach, a retiree, was enthusiastic about sharing more ideas for the section. His list was so long, he asked us if we could move from our annual production cycle and produce it more frequently, quarterly would be a good start, he encouraged.

  • Officials, law enforcement had good...

    It was likely a confusing and scary situation for some Shallotte Middle School parents last week when the school was placed on lockdown Feb. 18 just before the school day began.

    As buses and vehicles arrived at the school, students were turned away and sent to West Brunswick High School, where they were directed to wait in the school’s gym.

    On the morning of Feb. 18, a parent reported a student had received a threatening text message. School officials believed it was serious enough to warrant the lockdown.

  • That's not what we would call...

    It’s hard to call the sentence handed to North Carolina Sen. R.C. Soles Jr. “justice.”

    Last week, Soles, who has admitted to shooting Thomas Kyle Blackburn at Soles’ Tabor City home last August, entered a guilty plea to a charge on one count of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon.

    After failing to call the police at any time during which he felt threatened at his home, and then shooting a fleeing man in the back of the leg, Soles will get no jail time.

    He won’t be on probation.

  • Counterpoint--It's about the...

    It’s not about the person; it’s about the process.

    Unfortunately, it appears the Shallotte Board of Aldermen never had a clearly defined process to hire a new town administrator.

    That’s shortchanging constituents whose taxpayer dollars are used to run the town.

    The town received about 100 applications for the job. Two weeks ago, some board members were ready to hire Albert Hughes, even though aldermen Michael Pease and Larry Harrelson said then they hadn’t even looked at the applications.

  • Point--Decision was good

    Last week, the Shallotte Board of Aldermen made an appropriate decision to cut short their hiring process and award the position to interim town administrator, Albert Hughes.

    They recognized they had a unique opportunity in promoting Hughes to the position—an opportunity not always available to elected officials who serve in the hiring role for the town’s top paid position.

  • Now is the time to pay close...

    Brunswick County District Attorney Rex Gore has admitted a mistake was made last week when a press release was sent from his office announcing his plans to run for re-election.

    The misstep was immediately reported to officials, and it was later determined it did not violate election laws.

    However, the issue can serve as an important reminder to all those seeking political office. Now is the time to educate yourself about the state’s campaign laws.

  • Sheriff’s ACE team...

    Almost 200 intoxicated drivers were taken off Brunswick County roadways in 2009 thanks to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team.

    The team, which receives funding through a Governor’s Highway Safety Program grant, targets intoxicated drivers and other driving-related offenses.

    Through their efforts, some 3,328 driving, drug and alcohol-related citations were issued in 2009, a significant increase over previous years, according to the sergeant who oversees the ACE team.

  • New Hospice inpatient facility will...

    Through Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter, Brunswick County residents and their families are helped with the decisions and emotions related to end-of-life care.

    While many benefit from in-home services, those needing inpatient care have had to travel outside the county. But soon, important, essential inpatient hospice services will be offered right here in Brunswick County.

  • Local angels are making girls...

    There are countless milestones young people encounter as they transition through high school. However, none of them may leave more lasting memories than prom.

    For many Brunswick County girls, the costs associated with getting a prom dress and all its related accessories can be so high, it can completely eliminate the dream of a teenager’s rite of passage.

  • Towns need this agreement

    It appears, finally, the towns of Oak Island and St. James are ready to come to an agreement about Midway Road property both towns had intended to annex.

    The proposed annexation sparked outcry from residents and sent lawsuits into Brunswick County courts.

    Now, it appears the towns are ready to settle the matter.

    It’s about time.

  • Why not use facility here for VA...

    Brunswick County commissioners have made it clear they would like to see the current Brunswick Community Hospital become a Veterans Affairs facility in the future.

    The current hospital will become vacant when the new Brunswick Novant Medical Center opens in 2011.

  • Help to Haiti comes in many forms...

    When the 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday, Jan. 12, thousands of people were killed and even more were injured.

    With little sound infrastructure in place, it was immediately clear rescue and relief efforts originating beyond Haiti’s borders would be key in survival for a country devastated by this natural disaster.

    Here in Brunswick County, many residents wanted to know how they could help. Some took to aiding national organizations, like the American Red Cross, with fundraising efforts aimed at assisting those in need.

  • Warm Homes, Warm Hearts helps local...

    We’ve editorialized several times in the past year about how the economy has affected Brunswick County families.

    From residents losing jobs, to those who are having difficulties making ends meet, many residents have found themselves in need. Some need help with food and clothing; others need help paying bills for life essentials like housing and electricity.

    The weather recently has added an additional strain on some of the county’s cash-strapped residents.

  • R.C. Soles Jr. should step down

    Last week we said we were waiting to see what would happen next for North Carolina Sen. R.C. Soles Jr.

    We were quick to find out.

    Soles, North Carolina’s longest serving legislator, was indicted Thursday, Jan. 7, for the Aug. 23, 2009, shooting of Thomas Kyle Blackburn at Soles’ Branchwater estate in Tabor City.

    He was indicted on one count of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Soles has maintained the shooting was in self defense.

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