THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410180307
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Dare County Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens said Monday that the county hopes to talk with Pitt Memorial Hospital officials about the possibility of building a small hospital in the county.
Owens said he is trying to set up a meeting next month with representatives of the hospital at Greenville and county officials to discuss the feasibility of the project.
``We are moving forward,'' Owens said. ``This is a need that is paramount to the citizens of Dare County.''
There is no hospital in the county, although some outside hospitals offer medical service at clinics.
The county also moved a step closer to extended area phone service Monday when the North Carolina Utilities Commission announced its approval of a vote taken last month by residents in Manteo and Hatteras Island.
Carolina Telephone now has 30 days to submit an implementation plan to the utilities board.
``We hope Carolina Telephone will move forward as rapidly as possible,'' Owens said. ``This will unify us as never before.''
Commissioner Doug Langford praised the utility commission's action. Langford was a key player in getting consideration for EAS (Extended Area Service), which will enable Hatteras Island residents to call the rest of Dare County without long-distance charges.
``I've been sitting here, considering the enormity of this and what it means to the county,'' Langford said. ``I'm glad the utilities commission decided to approve this vote and extend this service to the citizens of Dare County.''
The commission also approved beginning phase three of repairs on Bayview Drive, on Stumpy Point Bay. In cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the board agreed to provide 1,000 tons of stone for the project and the cost of putting it on the site. DOT will provide equipment and construction expertise on the project.
Erosion had become a problem along the banks of Stumpy Point Bay, near N.C. 1100, endangering one of dare County's most historic communities.
Commissioner Samuel O. ``Sammy'' Smith urged the board to approve the plan.
``We need to do whatever we need to get this done,'' he said. ``It's just got to get done.''
Following completion of the work on the shoreline, the DOT will begin work resurfacing NC 1100.
Owens also touched on the possibility of a new airport on the mainland, near the site of the Dare County Bombing Range. County officials met with Air Force personnel from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
``We want to try to reach a common ground,'' said Commissioner Clarence Skinner. ``We wanted to convey to them that our plans for the airport and their plans for the bombing range are not mutually exclusive. We support the military, and we want to try to develop a spirit of cooperation.''
In other action:
The commissioners voted unanimously for a resolution calling on state and federal officials to begin serious efforts toward welfare reform.
``I'm glad to see this go forward,'' said Skinner. ``I'd ask for input at some future time from the director of social services to and tell us how we can implement this resolution. I'd like to see some actions to go with words.''
Owens, who introduced the resolution, said the welfare system was ``out of kilter.''
``Our goal for this (resolution) is to get some input from every county and the state government as to where we're heading on social services and welfare.''
Copies of the resolution were to be sent to every county government, Gov. James B. Hunt, and members of the General Assembly.
The commission approved a $6,000 appropriation for the Emergency Management technician program at Manteo High School, as well as almost $1,600 for social services and its foster care program.
The commission also set two public hearings for Nov. 21, one for a proposed zoning amendment requested by Wallace Harvey Jr. The Harvey family owns a 46-acre tract on which it hopes to develop a destination style campground. Also, the commission will hold a hearing on a proposed ordinance governing satellite dishes.
The commission also announced the appointment of Greta Skeen as the county's new tax assessor. Skeen replaces Jim Kelly, who resigned Oct. 14. by CNB