Time Running Out In Southport Sidewalk Debate

Not long ago, the iconic southern city of Southport found itself embroiled in controversy as interpretation of local ordinances led the city to consider getting rid of benches and A-frame advertisements on the truly walkable streets.  But owners stood their ground and council, rather than address the issue which wasn’t really a problem to start with, will update their course of action on Sept. 9th. (from the StarNews)

The proposed ordinance would allow a business to place benches, planters or A-frame signs on the sidewalk as long as they do not exceed 36 inches outside the building occupied by the business. “This is the opportunity for Southport to have certain things … things that everyone has come to associate with Southport,” City Manager Alan Thornton said. Some aldermen still express concern with the wording in the ordinance that has been drafted since the moratorium was first put into effect July 21. Alderman Vickie Potter asked that the board be cautious when explicitly exempting some items in the ordinance and excluding others.

The need to address a non-existing problem is nearly always the rationale to remove freedoms one at a time.  In this case, dressing the situation up as a “need” is simply farcical.  Why not consider getting rid of instead of adding to existing ordinances?  And when council starts making truly ridiculous suggestions they look like this:

Alderman Ed Buguskie said it is important for the ordinance to specifically require benches to be against businesses and not permitted under trees close to the road.

I mean, why would you want a bench under a tree in the South in the summertime?   How ludicrous. . .

Alternative To Cheap Affordable Power

Yes, there are many, most notably, expensive wind and solar which Brunswick County seems eager to embrace. Don’t get me wrong, I love alternative energy as much as the next citizen, BUT NOT AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE!  Alternative energy has been propped up by more taxpayer dollars than one could fathom.  You have to really read this to figure it out, but pay attention to highlighted areas:  (from the StarNews)

The solar ordinance has two focuses: retrofitting individual homes to use solar energy and allowing solar farms. While solar panels on roofs have become well-known, less prevalent have been ground-mounted systems, often incorporated into landscaping.
. . . several companies have shown an interest in setting up a solar farm. And the federal government is offering support to such enterprises for the rest of the year, he said, another reason the ordinance needs to be completed soon.
“We wanted folks who thought it was a viable opportunity to take advantage of the federal grant money,” he said.
While much less common, wind energy could also make inroads in the county. Southport, Bald Head Island and areas along N.C. 133 could be good candidates for wind turbines, Bell said.
he goal would be to encourage farms to install turbines to help power their operations.
Wind ordinances have made progress in the mountain region of North Carolina, where turbines are much more controversial, said Heather Kersey, a research assistant at Appalachian State’s Wind Applications Center.
Ordinances there deal mainly with height requirements, and the concerns deal with obstructing the scenic views. No turbines are now in Brunswick County, Bell said. But solar systems are already popping up. “It’s amazing the increase in alternative energy in our area,” said John Donoghue, who installs solar systems through Cape Fear Solar Systems.
Kim Sniffin is one of the early adopters. He had his St. James home equipped with a solar system a few weeks ago and said he’s heard of a few more people looking at installing similar systems. “If nothing else, fossil fuels are a finite resource, and we’re going to run out,” he said. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

Same rational, different era. Do we remember the “finite” argument from the Carter years? Cars are more efficient and cleaner every year and you won’t be running your car on wind or solar anytime soon, nor will you be able to do anything in the dead of night with no wind.

In truth, YOUR taxpayer dollars are being used for those “grants”, “incentives”, and “government support” because alternative energy has NEVER been allowed to proliferate on its own.  Propping it up since the Carter years has made it less innovative and less competitive in the open market.

If you really want to see alternative energy become more useful, get government handouts out of it, quit making special ordinances for it (which points out how terrible ordinances are to start with) and focus on cheap, reliable power like nuclear which has a great head start in Brunswick County.  In the meantime, one should be reminded of how wind turbines actually kill birds and bats.

New Scam In Brunswick County

Not unusual to think such things about local, state and national government, but this is actually an attempt to help local law enforcement.  The Brunswick County Sheriff is trying to make folks aware of a scam involving folks trying to represent the K9 unit:

. . a male subject that identified himself as a Supervisor with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division. . .  advise that he was calling county residents asking for donations to assist in the K-9 Division. After the recipient of the phone call declined to donate funds, the caller insinuated if a donation was not given there would be repercussions. Sheriff Ingram wants the citizens of Brunswick County to be aware of this illegitimate solicitation. If you receive a telephone call and someone whom identifies him or herself as an employee with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office attempts to solicit for donations, please call Sergeant Mark Francisco with the Professional Standards Division at (910) 253-2440.

Please tell others what might be going on in Brunswick or elsewhere.  Thanks to WWAY for getting this out to the public.