Board asked for more transparency
WARSAW – Five residents signed up for public comment at the Town of Warsaw monthly town hall meeting. The first person to address the board was Teri Brinegar, she expressed concerns with vehicles speeding on Hill Street near the intersection with U.S. Highway 117.
“It is just a fairly dangerous strip of road right there… I hear them going down the street at an elevated speed,” said Brinegar, explaining that she can hear loud mufflers well into 2-3 in the morning. “Maybe it needs a noise ordinance… I don’t know what to do about that other than bring it up as a topic of concern.”
Brinegar shared that the night prior to the meeting, a boy crossing Center Street and Hill Street almost got hit by a car. “He had to stop and back up for the car that was coming fast down the street. He stepped toward the intersection again and the next car came up behind, and it turned in front of him and his dogs… The dogs could be the ones to take the hit. It could be a child. That is my concern,” said Brinegar. “I understand that it is a state road. I did not know if anything had been done as a change of jurisdiction since last year.”
She also shared that despite signs at both ends of the street that say no through trucks, she sees all types of farm equipment and Duplin County trucks on that road.
“My understanding is they are illegal because it is a state road and —it says no through trucks. The trucks that I’ve been seeing out there are Duplin County trucks. The speed up and down that road, I can hear them at the stoplight… I can hear them revving their engines. They come flying across there and fly down the street all the way to the end. It happens almost every day.”
Elizabeth Myer was next to address the board. She asked about reimbursement owed for repairs done to a sewer line in October 2023. She also asked for updates about stormwater repairs for East Plank Road.
“I wanted to get an update on if you are working on stormwater, the progress of that, because it is still flooding just as bad as it did before they started working on those lines in front of our house. I did not know if that was what they were working on. We did not have any notification of what they were doing out there, and the road is worse,” said Myer, adding that there are potholes at the corner of Plank and Center streets. “There are two dips in front of my house. It just sinks every now and then, the pavement goes away and now the corner’s torn up as well from that dip,” Myer explained.
Town Manager Lea Turner explained that they were putting a line there for an extension, but they are still doing work in that area.
The next person to address the board was Mrs. Marcus, among the items she brought to the board’s attention was the trash pick-up service. Marcus explained that the service providers do not pick up the trash bags if they are not inside the trash containers and the trash gets piled up. Marcus shared that the problem is worse during the holidays when trash is not picked up. “What are we supposed to do when we’ve got more trash that we should in the yard?” Marcus asked the board.
Currently the contract between the Town of Warsaw and the service company is for containerized trash. Turner explained that the contract they have with the company is for the contractor to pick up the trash that is in the trash containers, adding that it was up to the drivers if they pick up a trash bag that is on the ground.
“Occasionally they do pick up a bag here and there if it’s on the ground,” said Turner. “It is not in the contract for them to pick up anything outside of that can.”
Commissioner Ebony Wills-Wells proposed asking for a contract amendment to solve the problem. “The citizens should not be penalized if it’s my trash company and I decide not to come out to pick up trash because it’s the holidays,” said Commissioner Wills-Wells. “As citizens, we should not be penalized for the trash. I think the contract should be amended. We should not have to incur additional costs if they choose to not come out because it is a holiday.”
Marcus asked the board to consider these nuisances the next time a contractor is selected for trash services.
The next person who signed up for public comment was Marcella Mars. She asked the board for transparency explaining Warsaw residents would like to learn how they are servicing the town.
“If a citizen speaks about something we would like answers to, could the town manager come back with some kind of report, giving us information on these that are out there regarding what is going on in the town? Or could we consider getting committees together and let us, the citizens of Warsaw, be a solution to our problems that we have?” asked Mars. “We all know there’s a lot of things that go on in this town that need a lot of attention.”
Mars asked for committees to be formed so Warsaw residents could become aware of what is going on with the town and be able to get involved and help resolve issues. “All of our commissioners have full-time jobs or other things that they’re doing, and we have the brightest citizens that could help on the committees,” said Mars.
She also addressed her concerns about the company that is contracted to provide trash services. Mars has been waiting for eight months for a recyclable bin.
“You all voted to extend TOT’s contract,” said Mars. “Last April my name had to be put on a list because I was told that they did not have any. TOT has been a thorn on the citizens of Warsaw’s side ever since you hired them. They could not even pick up the trash when you hired them. They had to get the money from the town to buy trash cans, and they have not supplied the citizens with recyclable trash cans because they are not available. They do not have any. I think that you need to reconsider the contract, terminate it, and go back to waste management, because everybody cannot afford to drive to the county to take the trash that they do not take. If a bag sits beside a trash can, we need a trash company that can pick it up and during the holidays and on weekends, all the trash should be removed.”
Another resident expressed concerns about a camper on Pine Street that has been in the owner’s front yard for over a year. The town manager responded that the homeowner is doing remodels. According to the ordinance, residents can have a camper on their property if it is not for living purposes. There was some discussion as to whether someone was living in it or not and concerns about safety.
After public comment closed the board approved a budget amendment for repairs on Well #6, and a budget meeting was scheduled for Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.
Turner provided the manager’s update next. “This month, I have done two sign permits, four zoning permits, and one zoning compliance letter. We are currently working on a paving project and patching project. There will be more to come on that. As we make repairs, we will try to let everybody know what is coming so you can be aware of the streets that may be impassable or where you will have some delays,” said Turner. She also shared that she is working with Eastern Carolina Council to put together a Part F grant application.
“Due to the application being due in May, we have discussed our options, and we feel like it is best to go for a 2025 application. When I was first talking to them about 2024, I was informed we needed a new master plan because we are coming up on our 10-year mark with the master plan we currently have. Plus, we have made some changes to the original plan. So that is why we are asking to push that off to 2025,” said Turner. “That’ll also give us time to make sure that we have all of our meetings together and we have our community involvement.”
Commissioner Jack Hawes shared that he received a letter from Representative Greg Murphy offering his support. Hawes added that he was planning to talk to him about Warsaw’s water and sewer.
Mayor A.J. Connors thanked the fire department for their attendance and expressed his appreciation for the department and the volunteers.
“You don’t get a salary, but we do appreciate the work you do,” said Mayor Connors. “I was with a House representative this morning and he talked about hoping to help the fire department get more funding for what they are doing. Hopefully in the near days to come.”
The mayor also clarified that the recycling bins are available upon request.
“I have seen some of these recycling bins out in the middle of someone’s field, or people end up moving and leaving and those recycling bins sit there, and they deteriorate, or they leave them out their side of the street and end up getting run over at times.”
Mayor Connors shared that last year Public Works completed 6,465 stops for picking up limbs and debris on the side of the streets, completed 1,784 work orders fixing water leaks and other issues, and took care of 1,340-feet of drainage issues. He added that the Warsaw Police Department responded to 486 calls with issues ranging from arrests to traffic citations.
“I know that you want certain things to happen faster, but there is some reality to certain things
and how things were done in the 60s and 70s,” said Mayor Connors. “So many things are different from what they were 25 or 30 years ago.”
Mayor Connors concluded the meeting thanking residents for their patience and understanding.
The next town hall meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 12.
Duplin and Lenoir counties are among those with the two highest proposed increases
By Ena Sellers, Duplin Journal
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced in a recent press release that the North Carolina Rate Bureau is asking for an average statewide increase in homeowners’ insurance rates of 42.2%.
For Duplin County the proposed rate increase is a whooping 71.3%. If approved, this hike would become effective Aug. 1.
“It seems like it goes up a little bit every year,” said Curt Simpson of Simpson Real Estate Group. “I’ve seen it before where they made a big request and then it gets knocked back down … and it’s not nearly as bad as we thought, but most of everything is going up.”
In 2020, the NCRB requested an overall average rate increase of 24.5%, later settling for an overall ARI of 7.9%.
Factors that play a role in increased rates are inflation, risks, value, rebuild cost, and the number of claims.
“We have had some pretty hefty increases in the value of homes in the last few years, and that’s probably part of the reason for the increase… because a loss of a $300,000 home is going to affect the insurance company more than the loss of a $200,000 home. So, they are probably making up for some of that as well, in addition to all the claims that we have had due to the natural disasters that we have had,” said Simpson.
If approved, the rate increase would mean larger premiums for homeowners and expensive mortgages for those seeking to buy a home.
“From my perspective, anything that increases the cost of owning a house is going to affect the affordability of all homes,” said Simpson. “So, someone who may have been able to afford, say, a $300,000 house, if they have to throw in all these extra, whether it is taxes or insurance or whatever it is, then they may be looking at only $275,000 or $250,000 or something like that. It is going to affect how much they can afford. Their monthly payment is going to go up quite a bit if they escrow in their insurance costs, and most mortgage companies and lenders do that. It is going to affect what they can buy.”
“Material costs, labor costs, it’s all expensive now,” said Simpson. “We’re having a lot of growth in the housing industry here. We are paying the price, somewhat, for being in a desirable area now. Increased demand brings increased cost.”
The proposed increase rates vary from one county to another, with Duplin and Lenoir counties being among the highest proposed increases, right after the 99.4% proposed for beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties.
The public can comment on the proposed rate increase by attending the public comment forum on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Jim Long Hearing Room in the Albemarle Building, located at 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, which will also be available online at https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=mb3fe10c8f69bbedd2aaece485915db7e
Public comments can be emailed to 2024Homeowners@ncdoi.gov by Feb. 2 or mailed to Kimberly W. Pearce, and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201 by Feb. 2.
If Department of Insurance officials do not agree with the proposed rate increases, the rates will either be denied or negotiated with the North Carolina Rate Bureau.
Just a few years ago, Lee and Amanda Graham owned and operated a turkey farm just outside Faison. Now, they’ve transformed the old farmstead into a premier venue that hosts everything from barrel racing and rodeos to weddings and quinceaneras.
The barns and arena that make up Tara Creek were originally turkey houses, and then transitioned into a shop for tractors and farm vehicles. Until one fateful day, one of the Grahams’ employees asked to use the space for a wedding.
“We had been farming out here for a few years,” Lee recalls. “One of our employees wanted to get married in here, and that sort of kicked off the wedding venue. We had no plans, no clue it could be something that people would want.”
“After that, people started calling so we didn’t put the tractors back in,” Amanda explains, “because we were going to have one more thing. And then it was one more thing after that.”
Lee adds with a laugh, “Now the tractors are just for decoration.”
The first event at Tara Creek was held on Oct. 31, 2020. In just a little more than three years, the venue has turned into a hot spot for weddings and other parties, and draws in thousands per night for its rodeo events. In fact, Lee says the annual two-night rodeo, held this year April 19-20, will draw as many as 3,000-4,000 people each night.
The Grahams built the horse arena for their 14-year-old daughter, Scarlett, to practice showing horses. Then, one day, someone called and asked if they had ever considered using the arena for events like barrel racing. “That led to a friendship, and that’s how we got into the barrel racing and the rodeo,” Amanda says.
“We have a monthly barrel racing competition with associations like the National Barrel Horse Association,” Lee says. “They’ll come here and they’ll bring groups from North and South Carolina and Virginia. Once a year, the Southern Rodeo Association has a full rodeo here. People come here from northern New York all the way to the southern tip of Florida to compete.”
Although some people may confuse barrel racing for a rodeo, it’s actually its own separate event that can be part of a larger rodeo.
“The rodeo is eight events for two nights in a row,” Lee explains. “They’ll have bareback, saddle bronc, they’ll have steer wrestling, three different tying events, they’ll have team roping, tie-down roping and then cowgirl roping. And there’ll be barrel racing and bull riding so eight full events at our rodeos.”
“So, barrel racing is the horse and rider are running against the clock,” he continues. “They’re running against their competition in a timed event, and they come out, circle three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, and the fastest horse wins.”
Tara Creek will host a series sponsored by Bojangle’s, starting Feb. 16, and there will be a few barrel racing events in March, followed by the rodeo April 19-20. Tickets for the events will be on sale on the Tara Creek website, taracreek.com.
Lee and Amanda Graham may not have ever dreamed of owning a successful rodeo and events venue, but they believe someone else had a plan.
“Honestly, I tell people all the time, honest to goodness, the Lord had a plan for us, because we had no plan to do it,” Lee says. “We’re very fortunate that it’s worked out, because we didn’t have income out here anymore. You can tell some of these places that don’t get used they just seem to fall apart. It was headed in that direction, but we were very fortunate that some things came together to change that.”
“The community has embraced us, totally,” he adds. “We’ve really had a good response from the local community, sponsorships have been a blessing. We want to be somewhere people can go without breaking the bank.”
As for what’s up next for Tara Creek, it’s definitely not etched in stone or planned out strategically, the Grahams say. “People say, ‘what are you gonna do next?’” Amanda says. “We don’t have any plans; we just kind of trust and see what falls in our laps. We believe in blessings and right timing. We just kind of take it as it comes.”
Numerous residents of a community near the Pender County line packed Wallace’s town hall on Thursday night, Jan. 11, to participate in a public hearing on the proposed voluntary annexation of 150 acres along US Hwy. 117.
Ann Autry spoke first during the public hearing, saying she wanted to get more information on the rezoning and annexation. “How can Wallace take from Pender County?” she asked. “I don’t understand how all this works.”
Planning director Rod Fritz explained that the N.C. general statute allows for land to be annexed within three miles of the town limits, and added that the town doesn’t yet know what the 150 acres will be used for, or what type of rezoning applicants Keith Spalding-Robbins and Tony Davis will request. “It’s an opportunity for economic development for the town of Wallace,” Fritz said. “I’m sure it’s going to be, if history is anything to go by, a mix of housing and retail, but as far as what zoning will be or how many houses, we can’t discuss that. However, it will be discussed in public hearings in the next couple of months.”
Those who spoke during the public hearing were not in favor of the annexation, it’s safe to say.
“I moved out there because of basically, the scenery,” said resident Lawrence Sawyer. “I walk out now, all I hear is the birds, the crickets, a few cars every now and then. I’m not against change. I just want y’all to realize you’re affecting … how we live right now. I just don’t want it to be turned into a suburban area. That’s not what it should be.”
Marcella Davis agreed. “We’ve got a peaceful little community,” she said. “[With] retail and houses, it won’t be peaceful anymore. I’m not against development, but be considerate of the people that live there.”
After the public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve the annexation ordinance. “This vote is only to consider annexation of the land,” Mayor Jason Wells pointed out. “As Rod stated earlier, when we get past the annexation, we can get into the details when we have other public hearings on what the project could look like. I think it’s also important to note that this project could potentially happen, whether it’s part of the town of Wallace or not.”
In other business at the Jan. 11 Wallace Town Council meeting:
PINK HILL – The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accidental shooting death of Clarence Roland Byrd IV, 3, of Pink Hill.
According to Lenoir County authorities, the 3-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself with a handgun. The tragic accident took place Sunday, Jan. 14 on Murphy Road in Pink Hill.
Lenoir officials said case evidence will be sent to the SBI lab to be analyzed and once the results are determined, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office will consult with the District Attorney’s office in reference to potential criminal charges.
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