THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090372
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Last summer, Corolla beachgoers couldn't seem to stay out of the ocean - even when red flags warned that they should.
``The first question out of their mouth would be, `What's the penalty?' '' said Corolla Fire and Rescue Chief Marshall Cherry. ``And we would say, `None.' And they would pass us and go get into the water.''
In September, a 24-year-old man drowned after, Cherry said, he ignored warning flags. Now, ignoring the ``No Swimming'' flags could cost people up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. This week, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance making it a criminal offense to ignore the red flags that go up under conditions dangerous to swimmers.
``We need to have some meat behind it so people will stay out of the water,'' Cherry said at a public hearing before the 5-0 vote.
The ordinance will apply only in the Poplar Branch Township beaches, which includes all of the populated Corolla areas. It does not include areas such as Swan Beach and Carova that are north of the beach access ramp. The regulation also applies to people who are doing things other than swimming.
``Any entry into the water under a red flag would be prohibited,'' County Attorney William Romm said at the hearing.
Commissioner Paul O'Neal, who represents the Corolla area, asked if surfers could be exempted from the policy.
``Let them surf in Dare County. Then you don't have to worry about them drowning here,'' responded Chairman Ernie Bowden, who lives in Carova.
Also at its meeting this week, the Currituck commissioners continued a discussion on delinquent taxpayers. Among the targets are several Outer Banks and mainland developers, some of whom owe hundreds of thousands of dollars.
``When you have working people paying their taxes, everybody should pay theirs,'' said O'Neal, who led the discussions.
County Attorney Romm said delinquent taxpayers have been contacted, and some - including some of the developers - have begun making payments to settle long overdue tax bills.
``We recognize people have financial ups and downs, and we want to work with them,'' Romm said. ``But some people have gone way beyond the limitations. And we need to pursue collections from them.''
The county currently has a 95 percent annual tax collection rate, officials said.
``Ninety-five percent might sound good,'' Commissioner Eldon Miller Jr. said. ``But any uncollected taxes reflect on the county's ability to pay when you go for bonds or what have you.''
This week, Currituck commissioners also approved:
An ordinance that prohibits the manufacture, sale and use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics to anyone under 16 who is not accompanied by an adult 21 or over. Those 15 and younger will need adult supervision to use explosive caps, sparklers, snake and glow worms, noisemakers, smoke devices, and other fireworks. Violators will be subject to a maximum 30 days in jail and $500 fine.
An ordinance prohibiting concealed handguns in county buildings, including Currituck's courthouse complex.
Another public hearing to consider extending the county's new animal restraint ordinance to all subdivisions. Commissioners earlier OK'd a leash law only in certain areas where residents had complained about problems with loose dogs or had asked to be included in the new regulation. by CNB