In his state of the union address two weeks ago, President Barack Obama proposed a $4 trillion spending plan for the nation. Debate on that will capture the headlines for months.
This week it was a bow-tied New Hanover County Commission Chairman Jonathan Barfield, giving his State of the County address complete with invitations and careering, which drew the ire of former chairman Woody White before and after the speech was delivered.
In his grumbling about the State of the County speech delivered Monday night, White found fault that he wasn’t consulted, also with commissioner spending, zoning in on dollars spent to provide the catered meal to everyone who showed up for the speech, an estimated $1,016, even though the county has offered catered meals to the public at prior State of the County addresses. In addition, White nitpicked over the county, which has a $327.2 million budget, mailing printed invitations to 61 area elected officials, at a cost of around $30 for postage.
In this, his second spin around the top spot, Barfield has not in the past been shy in spending on himself when the county is paying, and he defended his choices as bringing back tradition.
Yet to come, next week, presiding over a budget of $144.7 million, Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo will give his State of the City address from Wilmington City Hall but in the meantime, in advance of that speech, you can read Saffo’s thoughts in print on pages 1 and 5 (jumped to the website), reported by Cole Dittmer in his last week as a Lumina News staff writer before his move to New Bern to take a spot on the staff at Tryon Palace.
Wrightsville’s mayor was again this week enjoying the islands, leaving the town in the capable hands of town manager Tim Owens and mayor pro tem Darryl Mills. The town’s projected spending bill is $12.4 million.
The upcoming town retreat on Feb. 14 will solidify what’s on deck for 2015, set a tone for the year and indicate how each elected representative will play with the others.
In the mayor’s absence, and in lieu of him being left out of the slew of formal public statements, it seemed prudent to offer a State of the Town address for him, or more accurately, present the issues for 2015 as we see them:
Insurance rate hikes
Including FEMA flood map appeal — ongoing, Phase 1, which could keep some residents’ flood insurance bills from going through the roof.
Water
Toxic tap water quality as well as the polluting of recreational and fishing waters that surround the town’s islands.
Need to find a way to pay for the bill the town will get for the huge 2005 CFPUA sewage spill mayor Bill Blair estimates will possibly be $15 million to $18 million.
Water sewer ad hoc committee continuing to work with consultant on long-term solution for the miserable state of the water/sewer infrastructure.
Challenges to the town’s 40-foot height limitÂ
Amid vehement opposition, the couple who own the building that houses South Beach Grill restaurant was again turned down for a text amendment to change the height requirement to accommodate them in a proposed mixed use development. Meanwhile, the proposed Island Center adjacent to Johnnie Mercer’s Pier is still out there, currently redrafting another new text amendment plus planning a public meet and greet to drum up public support for its project and to gauge the town board’s response.
BusinessÂ
The impacts of proposed regulations on the business sector’s ability to rebuild following a catastrophic storm.
Survival without tourists.
Storm Damage Mitigation aka Beach RenourishmentÂ
Can newly elected Congressman David Rouzer deliver federal funding?
Removal of the beach renourishment spending cap.
Disbursement of U funds and Masonboro Inlet dredging.
Corps of Engineers revisions with county on sand and erosion programs
The impact of sea rise rulings on FEMA regulations. Which study are they going to go with?
Gateway access
Multiple housing developments coming on line at Wrightsville gateway, which could create quality of life issues for island residents, not to mention, traffic and parking impacts.
TransportationÂ
Traffic patterns on the beach will continue to receive attention.
Where does the town rank with needs of roadways? Ask Hank Miller. He’s the town’s appointee to this task force, yet he missed the last two WMPO meetings.
Grant money may possibly be used for Coral Drive sidewalk and downtown pedestrian updates — we’re waiting for info from Tim Owens. The town will have another public hearing soon.
Pedestrian and bike improvements to be made around drawbridge.
Bike paths and better pedestrian access on the beach are at the top of residents’ lists.
ParkingÂ
Blair has mentioned the town would possibly consider extending paid parking hours again, but only in parking lots, not on-street parking.
Coalition of beach townsÂ
The beach towns working together with the county and state to ensure continued state funding for projects if/when federal money falls away plus finding sustainable long-term funding source.
Another beach town breakfast in March, the county has been invited again, a step in the right direction. Inviting David Kellum and the Figure Eight Island crew to the table wouldn’t hurt either.
Attitude
Which came first? The county’s attitude toward its beach towns or the WB residential attitude toward tourists and daytrippers?
It’s looking like the towns’ boards will work cohesively this year. The city council members under Saffo’s reign are toeing the line, but the county is showing signs it may be in for another bumpy ride. All bets are off on the national scene, it is a mess.
