The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1960-05-06
HOW GOOD HARBORS CAN BE
PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED
FOR DARE COUNTY PEOPLE
1t Is Time to Set Up Plan Within Reach Of The
Coun+y's Means to Fill Need That Has
Grown Up Fast Through the Years; Funds Can
Be Found and Early Relief Obtained
By VICTOR MEEKINS

ing the past few years is small
harbors for the accommodation and
protection of the boats of those who
depend on their living from the
waters.
During the past two years, while
engaged in many other projects
which had to be completed, have
given considerable thought to plan
ming for bringing about solution
of this serious problem.
have been disturbed from time
to time as there would come to
light instance after instance where
harbors built in several communi-
ties had been outgrown, or the
peoples rights pre-empted until an
investment of the peoples money
totalling something like 100000
has already come to but little.
Quick action can save some of
this investment, and the outlay of
more money can enlarge and i'm
prove these community harbors
whereby the needs of the people
may be filled for many years to
come.
The advantage of good harbor
in community can bring many
benefits and profits. Citizens at
home can earn a better living, save
damage TO their boats, load and
unload their cargoes at less cost,
and much quicker. They can also
benefit by visiting yachtsmen and
boatmen who will spend money in
the community.
My proposition is to have our
representatives in the House and
Senate at Raleigh establish legis-
lation that will make possible these
benefits. A bill between now and
the end of this year can be written,
considered carefully by all com
munities interested in obtaining
small harbor benefits, the wrink-
les ironed out, and when agree
ment is reached, have a committee
to go to Raleigh in its interest,
and keep it alive and get it made
into law.
This bill would provide for the
sale of debentures which would
provide adequate funds for all
places in need, say up to 100000
to be paid back over a period of
years, at the rate of $1,000 per
year, and interest. l believe this
obligation can be met from sources
other than ad valoreum taxes,
which means no tax increase. These
funds would include donations from
public spirited people who could
take advantage of such gifts be-
cause they would be tax deductible.
Every project undertaken would
be first surveyed, and intelligent
estimates of cost provided, and be
let by contract to the lowest bid
der. No project would be under
taken before all rights-of-way had
been signed and made a matter of
record, thereby avoiding some of
the costly mistakes that have come
out of past neglect of former Of
ficials in providing these safe
guards, and whereby have come
our troubles of today in the areas
in which large sums of public
money have been spent.
The administration of this law
could be under the direct super
vision Of a Board of Trustees,
named by the people or as directed
in the bill, at the usual elections
in the county, and must include
men to represent each voting dis
trict. Their duties and responsible
ties would be defined by statute.
Their accounts would be audited by
a CPA as provided by the local
Government commission.
will ask the Dare County Com
missioners for tentative approval
of this project at any early date.
We would then have opportunity
to begin the construction of pro-
posed bill, and when the citizens
who are interested shall have ex-
pressed their views, the final draft
would be submitted to the Attorney
Generals office, and to other able
legal counsel to make sure that
there would not likely be any
question of its constitutionality. In
this manner, we can, well in adj
vance of the 1861 legislature, have
one piece of legislation ready for
quick enactment. We can arrange
to get all necessary funds as need
ed, and during the coming year we
could have all the most urgent
projects completed.
Every such project would guar
iantee a public landing, with per-
haps arrangements for income 10
assure maintaipance, hard-sur-
faced road leading TO such public
landing, and where feasible, pub
Lie dock where water and electrici-
lty would be available to visiting