Thursday, December 30

2010 News Year In Review

A combustion fire engulfed Jersey Mike’s restaurant on Eastwood Road in the Lumina Commons shopping center.

Retired Wrightsville Beach Police Lieutenant Michael Bruce Lassiter passed away.

Hugh Trey Sandlin pled guilty for assaulting Jud Gee in Wrightsville Beach last year. Sandlin was sentenced to four months and three years probation, but given credit for time served. The brutal attack, which left Gee hospitalized for five weeks suffering multiple injuries and broken bones, sent ripples throughout the community.

An $86,500 budget deficit was discovered by county tax officials.

Injured pelicans began washing onto local beaches once again; authorities renew search for perpetrator.

Several dozen Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach doctors and nurses left for Cap Haitien to render medical aid to injured Haitian earthquake victims. The group was led by Dr. Ken White, who has ongoing involvement in Medical Missions International in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Family and friends of the late Bobby D. Dowless walked from King Neptune restaurant to the beach strand during a Celebration of Life. Dowless, a Wrightsville Beach volunteer firefighter in the ‘80s, passed away on Dec. 31, 2009.

The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History held its annual meeting with an unusually large number of people in attendance.

The town of Wrightsville Beach, Mayor David Cignotti and the board of aldermen awarded the Nancy Faye Craig Volunteer of the Year award to volunteer firefighters Capt. Bill Ivins and Steve Lewis.



A large group of citizens gathered outside the New Hanover County Courthouse before the county commissioners’ meeting to protest the Titan America cement plant.

Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau president Kim Hufham delivered the industry’s 2008-09 annual report which showed New Hanover County as eighth among the state’s 100 counties, and the second most lucrative coastal county as far as tourism.

The expanded presence of metered parking on Wrightsville beach, plus increases in fees and fines headlined the regular agenda during the town’s board of aldermen meeting.

A dispute over the usage of private waste haulers exposed a new rift between the Blockade Runner Beach Resort and the Town of Wrightsville Beach, with one side decrying the town’s waste operation and the other stressing the importance of Wrightsville’s exclusive right to handle trash disposal.

James Fred Rippy III, former president of Rippy Automotive, passed away.

The Wrightsville Beach Merchants Association hosted a celebrity fundraising event at King Neptune, where Mayor David Cignotti was the guest bartender.

Wrightsville Beach had a snow day!

The board of aldermen voted to increase parking fees to $1.50 per hour.

Following a ribbon-cutting, Wrightsville Beach unveiled its new municipal joint-use pier, home to both the town’s law enforcement boat and the city’s fire rescue boat.

The Great Lakes Dredge Company began dredging Banks Channel as part of the four-year beach renourishment plan.

It was discovered that Wilmington Industrial Development Inc., an economic development organization which collects hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars from area municipalities and governments, paid its CEO Scott Satterfield $303,669 in fiscal year 2008.

Economist Dr. Woody Hall addressed the Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce on the national, state and local economic outlook, and predicted that the state would end in all-around better shape than the nation this year.

New Hanover County’s No Discharge Zone became official 18 months after the application was initiated by the Town of Wrightsville Beach.

Wrightsville Beach was denied
$3.6 million in transportation funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

An $11.356 million county budget deficit was exacerbated by a request for $1.832 million from the New Hanover County Board of Education, bringing the total shortfall to more than $13 million.



Fifty-three candidates filed for 15 seats for the 2010 midterm elections in New Hanover County.

The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen voted to uphold the limit of two seasonal parking passes issued to town residents per property.

A New Hanover County watchdog group led by Rick Catlin visited Washington, D.C., lawmakers as part of the North Carolina Water Resource Congress to address key issues that will surface along our coastline next year.

During a joint meeting, the board of aldermen tasked the planning board with a survey of resident conversion of town-owned streets.

Mayor David Cignotti led the board of aldermen through a 32-item retreat at the Fran Russ Center, forecasting the 2010-11 year to come.

The beach renourishment project ended several weeks early.

The Coastal Resource Commission debated terminating the 25-year terminal groin ban.

During budget talks, county commissioners leaned in favor of sustaining employee furloughs, holding back parks and college bonds and slashing funding for outside agencies.

Wilmington City Council passed a 90-day moratorium, and New Hanover County passed a 60-day moratorium, on cyber sweepstakes parlors as a result of public hearings.

Former Wrightsville Beach mayor Herbert Pope McKim passed away.

The Wrightsville Beach Marketing Committee discussed how technology may shift destination marketing for Wrightsville Beach.

The county considered tax increases and service cuts due to dire budget issues.

The Wrightsville Beach Merchants Association hosted a second celebrity bartending fundraiser at King Neptune, with Rick Catlin as guest bartender. All proceeds benefited the WBMA’s joint beautification project with the Town of Wrightsville Beach and the Harbor Island Garden Club.



New parking meters were installed on Old Causeway Drive.

Wrightsville Beach Mayor David Cignotti retired from a 23-year career of public service as a school administrator in order to devote more time to serve as an elected official.

Wrightsville re-energized its marketing by focusing on social media.

Gas prices were expected to continue increasing to more than $3 per gallon.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission concluded a six-month study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of terminal groins as an erosion control device for coastal North Carolina. The study determined that the use of terminal groins, in combination with beach renourishment, can be effective at controlling erosion at the ends of barrier islands.

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority steered $353,400 toward Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue.

Judson Gee, who was viciously attacked in September 2009, drafted a thank-you letter that was read during the board of aldermen meeting that thanked the town for its support throughout his recovery.

In its battle to close a $13 million budget deficit, New Hanover County issued sharp warnings that Airlie Gardens may be sold off, closed and cleared for development.

New Hanover County commissioners began pushing a quarter-cent tax increase to help soften the budget deficit.

U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre lauded the New Hanover County 2010 beach renourishment efforts, declaring it a project of regional and national significance.

The Court of Appeals once again heard oral arguments in the coastal insurance rate hike case when the Department of Insurance defended its jurisdiction over coastal communities.

County commission chairman Jason Thompson placed emphasis on the county’s far-reaching initiatives to provide quality of life services and highlighted the county’s progress despite its financial status during his dynamic, well-attended state of the county address.

The Wrightsville Beach Planning Board voted unanimously to pass on a favorable recommendation to allow Tower 7 to partially remove a wall inside the Saffo Building.

Developers dominated the list of delinquent tax notices that county officials will begin collecting, with more than $5.56 million in back taxes owed by 4,562 New Hanover County property owners.

Construction of the new public safety facility approached its final phase.

The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to prohibit the use of groins, breakwaters and jetties within the town’s inland waterways.

Shawn Braden, vice president of marketing for the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, rolled out a new marketing campaign that emphasized rebuilding room occupancy in local hotels and lodgings.

Officials confirmed that water and sewer rates will increase 14 percent for all customers of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.



Tryouts for Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue ended May 2 with more than 50 hopeful candidates.

Primary elections were held Tuesday, May 4. Brian Berger called for a second primary challenging incumbent county commissioner Bill Caster.

Wake county Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens applied the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to Titan’s proposed cement plant.

The pending sale of Orton Plantation was announced May 6 by members of the Lawrence Sprunt family.

A non-smoking ordinance for Wrightsville Beach fell one vote short of approval.

Wrightsville Beach Police Officer Chris Kelly was named Officer of the Year.

The WBMA endorsed Family Movie Night in Wrightsville Beach Park.

Strong rip current warnings took over Wrightsville Beach.

Fire ripped through a Greensboro Street home causing more than $75,000 in damage. The cause of the fire was later determined to be smoking material.

Town staff discussed tax increases and sacrificing cost of living and benefits to balance the budget.

Boaters 25 years old and younger now must show proof that they successfully completed an authorized safe boating class in order to operate a vessel equipped with 10 horsepower or greater engine in public waterways.

Stormwater Manager Steve Dellies was presented with the 2009 Pelican Award by the North Carolina Coastal Federaion.



Attendees of the 26th annual Harbor Island Lobster Fest enjoyed fresh lobsters while helping to raise funds for the Church of the Servant.

During the Memorial Day celebrations, a naked streaker was tased by sheriff’s deputies; and Jedadiah Woodcock was accused of striking two pedestrians on Causeway Drive.

The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to relocate the town’s pierhead line after the three-year debate between property owners of the Moorings and members of the Seapath Marina and Yacht Club.

A litter awareness task force was appointed to examine the town’s litter ordinance and brainstorm ways to educate the public about its littering laws.

Three of Wrightsville Beach’s aldermen won their attempt to hold the line on the proposed property tax increase to 1.9 cents at a final budget workshop.

The historic firehouse pole was dedicated at the new public safety facility.

Local emergency management agencies began preparations to head off disaster should the Gulf Coast oil spill reach North Carolina shores.

Board of aldermen and bar owners that operate in the town’s central business district met to review a new bar proposal and unresolved noise issues.

New York-based money manager Guy Albert de Chimay, alleged to have siphoned millions of investor dollars into his personal bank account, was arrested in Wrightsville Beach.

Hours after Wrightsville Beach bar owners and elected officials held a discussion about the town’s nightlife, a large and unruly crowd appeared in the central business district, where verbal altercations and multiple fights were reported.

Steve Dellies made a final presentation following the completion of the town’s public safety facility. The ribbon was cut the following day.

University of North Carolina Wilmington researchers prepared for the oil slick by collecting samples around Wrightsville Beach.

Brian Berger claimed the ballot box in the Republican primary runoff against incumbent Bill Caster.

The 2010-11 county budget was approved as a slimmed down
$254 million spending plan that raised the property tax rate by 1.3 cents and eventually tacked on an additional quarter-penny to the county’s sales tax rate.

Candidate for New Hanover County commissioner Rick Catlin was awarded the Engineer of the Year Award by the Professional Engineers of North Carolina.



The Senate passed a bill regarding an impending ban on Internet sweepstakes.

Senate candidates debated offshore drilling, financial reform, economic growth and illegal immigration.

Masonboro.org kicked off the July Fourth weekend with volunteers hoping to educate and create awareness about the need to keep Masonboro Island clean.

Wildlife officers cracked down on intoxicated boaters during Fourth of July weekend.

Fearing the recent court order that delayed Titan America’s cement project in New Hanover County, business and economic development groups pushed through the state senate an amendment to narrow a 39-year-old rule requiring certain projects to undergo an environmental review.

With a $5,000 donation from Hope from Helen and the endorsement of the Wrightsville Beach Merchants Association and the Surfrider Foundation, the town installed six recycling corrals on the beach access.

Wrightsville Beach unveiled plans for a new public works sanitation program aimed at educating residents about proper disposal of yard debris, construction debris and hazardous material through the use of colorful stickers.

A majority in the New Hanover County commission voted to pass a resolution supporting Arizona’s controversial new immigration policy.

The Blockade Runner Beach Resort announced it will continue to pursue a parking deck to remedy the parking situation at its existing lot after a North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the Wrightsville Beach decision to reject the four-story deck plans submitted four years ago.

After county commission hopeful Justin LaNasa’s elections protest was tossed aside for lack of evidence, he announced his plans to file a lawsuit in the Wake County Superior Court.

The Wrightsville Beach Marketing Committee’s event subcommittee, led by Bob Butler promoted Wrightsville Beach-based events and earned national media coverage by sending press releases to a database of journalists and media contacts statewide in an effort to drum up tourism.

The Cleaner Greener Wrightsville Beach Committee met for the first time and agreed to break off into three subcommittees.

Thirteen-year-old Kendall Parker was bitten by a shark near Mason Inlet. Experts blamed warmer waters for the increase in attacks along the coast.

James Galloway and his son Steven Galloway dumped approximately 14,300 pounds of oyster shells into the marshlands and tidal creeks of Wrightsville Beach’s Lollipop Bay as part of the recently initiated $5 million federal stimulus project.

Mayor Pro Tem Bill Blair looked to save the town money by reducing the number of public meetings from two per month to one.

An event stage was approved for Wrightsville Beach Park.

A 16-year-old driver was eating cake behind the wheel of her car when the vehicle crashed on the Heide Trask drawbridge, smashing into the concrete guardrail.

Gov. Beverly Perdue signed a 25 percent film incentive into law.



The Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee began discussing widening the John Nesbitt Loop.

FirstBank foreclosed on the 1.1-acre project site owned by Seascape, signifying the first mixed-use development project approved by Wrightsville Beach officially failed.

The Wrightsville Beach Marketing Committee ditched a news release promoting an upcoming surfing event because the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau beat it to the punch, causing strain between the two agencies.

A local homeowners’ association requested the speed limit along West Salisbury Street be lowered from
45 mph to 35 mph.

In a record-breaking day for lifeguards at Wrightsville Beach, 214 swimmers were pulled to safety from treacherous rip currents cause by Tropical Storm Colin.

A fight involving six nonresidents in the Wrightsville Beach central business district resulted in a stabbing. Nicholas Anthony Irrera was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced tougher emission standards for mercury, particle pollution and other harmful pollutants, identifying Portland cement manufacturers as the third-largest source of mercury air emissions in the U.S.

The Cleaner Greener Advisory Committee aimed its focus at getting cigarette butts off the beach strand.

Wrightsville Beach Town Manager rated the North Carolina beach town in the top 2 percent of all others nationwide in economic performance.

In the budget closeout for fiscal year 2009-2010, town finance director Peggy Jones reflected a 101 percent return on revenue projects and an $860,000 reduction in expenditures.

The board of aldermen gave a green light to Green Coast Recycling, when elected officials unanimously agreed to an exclusive franchise agreement with the recycling provider.

Lisa Paulos Shea, 45, of Gahanna, Ohio, drowned just south of Crystal Pier while she was vacationing with her family.

Wrightsville Beach Police searched for two individuals suspected of committing credit card fraud at a Wilmington big box discount chain store.

The Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau claimed rights to promote major events, after confusion over whether it or the Wrightsville Beach Marketing Committee should market Wrightsville Beach events.

Town aldermen voted unanimously to expand the commercial parking pass program midseason with the adoption of an amendment to the town’s parking ordinance.

The Wrightsville Beach Merchants Association announced a $1,650 treasury—proceeds from three celebrity bartending events—and then doled out $1,250 to local nonprofits to support community events.

U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre faced challenger Illario Pantano during a debate for the 7th Congressional District at the Cape Fear Community College North Campus.

Terry Jermaine Whitaker, of Durham, was arrested in Wrightsville Beach for cruelty to animals and misdemeanor child abuse.

Pilings were placed for the Wrightsville United Methodist Church to prepare for the new fellowship hall addition.

The Cleaner Greener Advisory Committee met for its fourth meeting and discussed the differences between micro and macro trash.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department began investigating two cases of larceny that occurred on boats anchored at Masonboro Island.


The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to meet once a month, on the second Thursday of each month.

Private property located at No. 2 Shore Drive adjacent to Island Drive Mini Park was cited by the town’s planning and inspections department for multiple encroachment violations.

The cause of a South Lumina house fire in August was determined to have been caused by a lightning strike.

Dr. Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Bordeaux passed away.

Wrightsville Beach’s fire, police, and ocean rescue personnel moved into the town’s new public safety facility.

It was a fairly quiet Labor Day weekend for Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue, although an un-named middle-aged man was stung by a stingray.

A North Carolina Department of Transportation official shut down the fire department’s seventh annual Fill the Boot collection effort, citing a state statute that prohibited the firefighters from soliciting donations on a state-maintained road.

Planning and inspections director Tony Wilson invited area architects to the planning board meeting to discuss roof heights, floating setbacks and their practical applications.

The Lumina Commons Blockbuster store closed.

A flagpole, presented by Woodmen of the World, was dedicated outside the Northeast Regional Library, marking the ninth anniversary of the
Sept. 11 attacks.

Two resolutions won unanimous passage during the board of aldermen meeting. The first, put forth by Mayor David Cignotti, called for support of the Supreme Court ruling ordering a full SEPA review of the Titan Cement Company’s plan to operate a plant in New Hanover County. The second resolution supported a Surfrider Foundation request to oppose exploratory oil and natural gas drilling off the North Carolina coast.

In light of recent disagreements between the Wrightsville Beach Marketing Committee and the Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, WBMC member Bob Butler suggested his events subcommittee could back out and leave events promotion to other agencies. Chairman Sue Bulluck respectfully rejected that offer, causing Butler to agree to reconvene for further discussions.

Deborah Butler and Sid Causey are the two Democrats running to become the New Hanover County commissioners.

The Wilmington City Council unanimously approved a groundbreaking set of criteria for recommendations on issuing North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control permits.

The New Hanover County commissioners approved funding for a study on beach renourishment options.



Sales Tax rose 0.25 percent on Friday, Oct. 1, to a total of 8 percent in New Hanover County.

Seventh District incumbent and Democratic candidate U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre and Republican challenger Illario Pantano —talked small business and health care through aggressive campaigning.

North Carolina’s 9th District state Senate candidates—Thom Goolsby and Jim Leutze—focused on tackling one of the General Assembly’s biggest issues—state budget cuts.

Incumbent Sheriff Ed McMahon and former deputy and challenger, Marc Benson talked about trust.

Wilmington City Council voted to turn part of Oleander Drive into a Transition District that would allow light retail, among other uses, on some parcels that had been zoned residential.

New Hanover County commissioners ratified a contract with R3 Environmental to take over waste operations.

After more than a year of discussion, the Wrightsville Beach Planning Board sent its revamped nonconforming structure and nonconforming use ordinance to town attorney John Wessell to search for legal loopholes.

The Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee voted to recommend enhancements to the John Nesbitt Loop to the board of aldermen.

Beth Dawson and Susi Hamilton, candidates for the N.C. District 18 House seat said they will cross party lines to serve the diverse constituency.

Eight candidates running for open seats on the New Hanover County Board of Education agree redistricting is still a hot topic but not worth revisiting before growth and economic shifts arise again.

The North Carolina DOT began maintenance work on the first of the two bridges that bisect the town over Banks Channel.

Wrightsville Sound Small Area planners and stakeholders met.

U.S. Senate candidates, Mike Beitler, Richard Burr and Elaine Marshall, addressed saving small businesses, health reform and immigration.

Wrightsville Beach aldermen voted 3-2 against pursuing a North Carolina DOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant, a possible source of money to seed a feasibility study of pedestrian needs paving the way for an expansion of the Loop.

Bob Butler resigned from the Wrightsville Beach Marketing Committee following a request from Mayor David Cignotti.

Wrightsville Beach officials met with engineers from the NCDOT and other transportation and planning officials to discuss traffic signals, signage and traffic flow.

Lillian Salcines Bright, Superior Court clerk candidate challenged Jan Kennedy, an assistant clerk who had worked in the office since 1993, saying it’s time for fresh perspectives.

The race between incumbent District 5 Court Judge Rebecca Weathers Blackmore and challenger Jonathan Washburn was a contest between judicial experience and life experience.

Former UNCW Chancellor Jim Leutze, Democratic candidate for N.C. Senate, spoke at the Get Off Your Butt and Vote Beach Party at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

Debate was sparked during "Economic Development: A Collaborative Effort" organized by the Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina, an affiliate of the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors at Shell Island.



A grant from the Landfall Foundation was awarded to assist the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History with the purchase of equipment to digitize photographs to be made available to the public.

Polls drew to a close on Tuesday, Nov. 2, Election Day 2010.

McIntyre was re-elected to the U.S. Congress for the 7th district.

Republicans swept county commission and school board elections.

Hogston and Kennedy won open judge and clerk seats.

Wrightsville Beach and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted two dye water flow tests in Banks Channel to determine the cause of perennial swimming advisories.

Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee discussed implementing new youth programs.

Community activists crowded UNCW’s Lumina Theater for a Stop Titan Rally.

New Hanover County Commissioners voted to place a preservation easement on Airlie Gardens which will stymie future land development.

Mayor of Wrightsville Beach David Cignotti spoke in protest to offshore drilling.

The Wrightsville Beach Marketing Committee members created a new website design.

Alderman Bill Sisson cited a skewed Cleaner Greener survey.

The Wrightsville Beach Planning Board nominated David Culp and Darryl Mills to serve on the town’s Unified Development Ordinance committee.

The Historic Landmark Commission approved a historic designation application for an East Augusta Street cottage.

A ban prohibiting the outdoor release of balloons passed on a 3-2 vote.

Elected officials from the three New Hanover County Beaches met to discuss common issues.

The Cleaner Greener Advisory Committee held its final meeting.

December


Gov. Bev Perdue cited biotechnology as a key to the state’s economic recovery during a visit to UNCW’s Center for Marine Science.

The Cleaner Greener Wrightsville Beach Advisory Committee wrapped up six month’s of study, made recommendations to board of aldermen.

The Wrightsville Area Small Plan exceeded three-meeting limit and scheduled a fourth to air stakeholders’ concerns.

Local businessman Jim Wallace filed for personal bankruptcy.

County commissioners unanimously endorsed a proposal for an Airlie Road Scenic Byway designation.

Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure beaches endorsed a joint resolution to utilize room occupancy tax dollars to pursue beach town branding, furlough Cape Fear Coast.

Jonathan Barfield, former vice chair of the New Hanover County Commission, was unanimously appointed chair by a vote of his peers. Jason Thompson, former chair, slid into the No. 2 seat.

Brian Berger and Rick Catlin were seated as New Hanover County commissioners.

Wrightsville Beach Alderman Lisa Weeks was unanimously appointed Mayor Pro Tem for a one-year term. Former Mayor Pro Tem Bill Blair took a bow.

Danielle Richardet’s film "Our Daily Ocean: A Story of Butts" was taped on Wrightsville Beach.

Room occupancy tax revenues released through October indicated eight months of consecutive increases.

Gov. Bev Perdue’s plans to streamline state government earned the nod of approval by Rep. Danny McComas and local lawmakers-elect Susi Hamilton and Thom Goolsby.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve artificial turf for Legion Stadium.

County granted R3 Environmental a 90 day extension.

Tom Ames received a 35-year service award during the town employee’s annual luncheon.

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