More Great News!
Town Manager David Hewett just sent me two great announcements!
- First off – in addition to the good news contained in the independent auditor’s report – we have been made aware that the report has been approved by the NC Local Government Commission. I have never heard of any audit being reviewed and approved so fast in my 20 plus years in local government. Hats off to Daniel and Margaret for their excellence in getting it done.
- Secondly – Congressman Rouzer’s office advises that the House has passed H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2024 which specifically includes $425,000 to support the federal cost share of the Army Corps’ work to address Holden Beach’s risk of storm damage and coastal erosion due to hurricanes and tropical storms which impact homes and businesses in the community. In addition we continue to coordinate with our federal advocates to press for a final determination on the Disaster Relief Act (DRA) money which hopefully will provide full funding for the rest of the study.
Holden Beach has been blessed again this year! No major storms have visited us and the island is in overall good shape!
The election of four town commissioners and a mayor will take place November 7, 2023.
The Festival by the Sea was a tremendous success last weekend. The weather was great and the crowd was large!
Last year’s beach nourishment project has been selected by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association as one of America’s best restored beaches. The beach strand overall remains in good condition as reported by Fran Way, our coastal consultant engineer that continues to monitor the sand along our shore. There is an escarpment line along part of the oceanfront that is temporary.
The bike lanes and resurfacing project preliminary work is ongoing. The project is on schedule to be completed before Memorial Day.
Rest assured the pier and Block Q are being worked on by our engineers and architects behind the scenes even though there isn’t much to see to date. Satisfying regulations and due process is a constant struggle. There is a shortage of bids from potential contractors.
Sailfish Park plans are far from being made as more information is still forthcoming from the designers, permitters, etc. It is my opinion that this project has a long way to go before final decisions will be made by the commissioners.
The sewer pump station (#4) located at the corner of Greensboro Street and Ocean Boulevard West continues to be a problem of contract pricing, bidding, etc. There is more work that has to be done to get more competition in the bidding process. Contractors seem to have more work than they can get done.
The Holden Beach causeway is still a hot topic at the local highway committee meetings. It appears the project continues to gain traction. Improvement is still needed more than ever to be more inviting as one approaches our beautiful Holden Beach bridge.
Paving of portions of NC 130 between Shallotte and Holden Beach is still in the planning stages.
Eddie Sweatt passed away last weekend. Many of you will remember that he and his wife Carolyn were the owners of our local newspaper, the Brunswick Beacon for decades. They have been property owners and longtime residents for many years. Mr. Sweatt’s funeral service is at the Holden Beach Chapel at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, November 2, 2023.
Wintertime is almost here. It is time to start preparing your homes for the cold weather.
Happy holidays are coming!!!
