Tuesday, May, 13 2008

How to Conserve Water
Posted May 13th, 2008 at 8:18 AM by Paul Messino

Like any other resource, water can best be conserved by letting its price reflect its relative scarcity. Trying to figure out what the “right” level of water is and whether or not people are using it wisely, is unnecessary and impossible.
For the 2007-2008 adopted budget, Wilmington charged $1.87 per 100 cubic feet of water usage. […]

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Annexation Finally Snags
Posted May 12th, 2008 at 1:21 PM by Chad Adams

The old annexation laws allowing cities to annex willy nilly has finally hit a snag in the form of freedom loving citizens across the state. After having their collective property rights handed to them in a knapsack, citizens started communicating across the state with one another about this terrible issue, they got organized and […]

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Sheriff Ron Hewett (D-Brunswick)
Posted May 12th, 2008 at 1:05 PM by Chad Adams

Something about democrats in North Carolina over the past few years. Could be that one party rule leads to such problems and that regardless of party, such lengthy hall of power control leads to abdication of public respect. But on the heels of D-Ag. Secretary Meg Scott Phipps (just out of prison), Con. […]

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• BOOM: Growth in Southeastern N.C.
  A Star-News special report.
• Bad Signs for Jim Black
  State's residents are connecting the dots.
• Local Spending in Wilmington
  What's the cost of city and county government in Wilmington?
• Coastal immigration arrests
  Federal officials arrest 24 suspected illegal immigrants.
• Offshore drilling action
  Decision to drill may be put in states' hands.
• Wilmington first in spending growth
  Local government spending in Wilmington grows faster than any other city in N.C.
• See More Hits

Hewett goes to federal court June 2
WILMINGTON — Former Brunswick County Sheriff Ronald Hewett will be arraigned June 2 in federal court on a felony charge of obstruction of justice, accused of trying to “influence, obstruct and impede” the almost year-long federal grand jury investigation into his office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Raleigh filed the charge through a “criminal information” Thursday in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Developer sues Navassa over building moratorium
NAVASSA — One developer, clearly not happy with Navassa’s recent actions to handle growth, has sued the town. The lawsuit, which Navassa officials were served with about two weeks ago, questions the validity of a moratorium the town imposed on big developments. The town made that decision in order to have time to rework its zoning and subdivision ordinances as a guide to development.

Bond may pay for Wilmington Bypass
WILMINGTON — After a presentation by the N.C. Turnpike Authority on building sections of the Wilmington Bypass as toll roads, Brunswick County Commissioner Bill Sue had a message for the audience: “I would encourage each of you in the audience to contact representatives in Raleigh and take the suggestion from the 21st Century Transportation Committee,” Sue said.

Hughes winner in race for Wright’s spot
WILMINGTON — Last month, the party leaders spoke for N.C. House District 18. On Tuesday, the people did. In both cases, Sandra Spaulding Hughes prevailed. The former Wilmington councilwoman rode to victory in the Democratic primary for House District 18.

Wilmington looks at 14% tax increase
WILMINGTON — Property taxes in the city of Wilmington could soon jump 14 percent. City Manager Sterling Cheatham has presented city council with a proposed budget that calls for raising the tax rate to 34.25 cents per $100 of value, up from 30 cents currently. Cheatham will formally unveil the $128 million proposal at tonight’s city council meeting.

GE Hitachi to get up to $25.7M
WILMINGTON — The state will pay GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy as much as $25.7 million over a dozen years to expand its operations in Castle Hayne and create 900 new jobs during the next five years, according to a news release from Gov. Mike Easley, who spoke Wednesday at Cape Fear Community College. The governor was joined by GE Hitachi CEO Jack Fuller, who discussed the company’s expansion plans.

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Does Greene need a sales tax increase?
The Greene County commissioners are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase on May 6. This report identifies $3.3 million in revenue and savings the county could use to meet its needs — more than 19 times the amount that the proposed tax increase would produce.

Does Hertford need a sales tax increase?
The Hertford County commissioners are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase on May 6. This report identifies nearly $6.2 million in revenue and savings the county could use to meet its needs — more than 11 times the amount that the proposed tax increase would produce.