The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-02-22
BRIDGES THE BIG ISSUE.

BRIDGES THE BIG ISSUE.
The big issue in this years campaign for Governor Of
North Carolina so far as the Walter Raleigh Coastand is
concerned is whether definite commitment Will be Obtain
ed the question of bridge or maybe two to give TINS
part of the equal highway facilities and the opportun
ity that is its due for expansion and development
The bridging of Croatan Sound and Alligator River are
live subjects with people because they highway
facilities that should been completed long People
of Hyde and Eastern Beaufort extremely anxious that
and Tyrre are equally anxious that Alligator River be
bidged The people of Dare naturally want BOTH for
nothing under the could do to develop the main
land Roanoke Island and the Dare Coast than the heavy
of tourists traffic that bridges would permit to
flow in from the south and west.
On the other hand there is tremendous weight OF
influence spouting forth from along u S. IL and S. 158
SO shosghted as to believe they would lose business
these bridges built They are shorsghted because
and development of the South Abemarle would bring them
far business from old friends and customers the year
round than they could ever lose from tourists
rolling through highways and better highways
There doubt that influences exered in some quar-
tiers from popuous center has done lot to delay construc
there may be many wise friends in the who
though with spirit hesitate to join with vigor in our
fight because of fear of alternating the good will OF their
neighbors
We have been given the run-around many times by
candidates for governor Some have sdesepped the issue
others have privately assured supporters in this they
would build the bridges and being elected have ignored
In the last campaign for Governor Charlie Johnson
speaking in Manteo dismissed the subject of bridges rather
lightly with shrug of shoulder and the of his hand
and the solemn here no to worry about
the BRIDGES they're thing, you'll get the bridges
everybody knows they are in the bag were almost the
words he used.
Kerr Scott quiet frankly said he was making prom
ses We give him credit for that much and better still
also give him credit for road program that gave
long isolated coasand communities roads they wouldn't
have had today Had not been for SCOTS road program
there wouldn't have been roads to Hatteras Island
haps on the Dare Mainland Colngton and to numerous
other communities. .a st.s.
One Governor really intended to build the bridges M
Broughton than whom the coast had better friend
in the Governors seat gave his solemn pledge September
1884, that he and his highway commission had agreed
bridge Croatan Sound and that he would exert every effort
to get the Alligator River bridge started before his admins
raon ended But in few weeks the threat of war;
with the sudden sappng of prores steel that shut off
essential materials and then in December the bombing of
Pearl Harbor precpitaed the long struggle known World
War IL
There is not now leg to stand on when it comes to
finding for not building the bridges would
profitable investment for the state It written the law
of the state is due the people of this section
state is douby due because of the many costly projects
already completed of them almost duplicated in other
by the funds that poured into the operation of
inadequate and clumsy ferry system Good they
ferries can never take the place of bridges and just isn't
right to force our people to put up with them.
The people of the Coastland for ought to have CUTS
to stand for their rights They ought to refuse listen
to any candidate who with flowery evasons and nimbe
sdesppng won't face the bridge issue fairly
y any man worthy of the govenorshp should readily
The people should withhold their support until candidate
forth with unequivoca statement that really
means something.
Ye Gods! If we want to get somewhere, we've got to
stop falling over ourselves to support this candidate that
candidate just because sefseekng neighbor tells lis
ought to do it. What does it us the Governor
gives special favors state jobs to of neghbors
to do for ALL of We have waited about long enough
Let's insist on square deal.
ALITTLE HUMILITY