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I know the Memorial Day Holiday has come and gone, but in light of how the calendar fell this month, I did not get the newsletter out before the holiday. Nevertheless, this is my post Holiday message; it is applicable now as well as a few days ago.
As we all know, Memorial Day is the traditional beginning of summer. Schools are closed for summer vacation; northern cottages are being opened for the season. Family barbeques are held and fun is had by all: EXCEPT FOR THOSE AMERICAN WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY.
Last year I wrote about those brave souls who lost their lives in the last offensive of The First World War.
While I was grilling the traditional Memorial Day cookout this year, I thought of all the American Military cemeteries worldwide. They are in places like Guadalcanal, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, France, The United Kingdom, and Italy. In fact, there are 26 overseas Military Cemeteries that are maintained and operated by the Cemeteries & Memorial American Battle Monuments Commission. In every one of them lay the remains of someone's loved one. It is these that we remember and honor on Memorial Day. They all gave their lives so that we may enjoy the lives we live. We can never repay the gift they have given to us. But we should never forget that gift.
After writing that solemn paragraph, it seems almost trite and disrespectful to write about Town business, but I know you all are interested in what is going on.
May Commission Meeting:
- The Consent agenda had one item you all might find interesting: an open water boat race to the Bahamas and back. The boat will begin at the Sailfish Marina and proceed to the Inlet. At some point near the mouth of the Inlet will be the starting point. The boats are high-speed open watercraft driven by professional drivers. Check with Chief Steedman for details.
See the schedule below:
o Saturday, June 3 – RACE DAY
o 8:00 - 4:00 Trolleys Running Auxiliary Parking & Sailfish
Marina & Ocean Pointe
o 8:30 Sea Cadet Color Guard Tiki Hut - Docks A & B - Sailfish Marina
o 8:30 Start/Finish Line Viewing Marriott's Ocean Pointe at Inlet
o 8:45 Boats Depart Docks Tiki Hut - Docks A & B - Sailfish Marina
o 9:00 Boats Milling Inlet - Near Peanut Island
o 9:15 Start of First Boat Marriott's Ocean Pointe at Inlet
o 10:00 Start of Last Boat Marriott's Ocean Pointe at Inlet
o 4:00 Podium Awards
- The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a Variance concerning the placement of an electrical generator. The applicant demonstrated that she faced genuinely unique circumstances.
- An extension of the variances previously given to the owners of 123 Ocean Drive (the old Seaspray) was approved after a long series of heated exchanges with the Commission. The Commission was unanimous in the opinion that the applicants and property owner had not used the six months since the original approval efficiently; their performance to date has been disappointing and, in some cases, disingenuous. The extensions were granted after the applicant met a number of firmly stated stipulations. Town staff will be monitoring progress closely. The existing building is to be demolished by early October; building plans and building permit applications are to be submitted and approved before the end of the new six-month period.
- A long-standing Interlocal agreement with the County Government for the purpose of certain federal community development funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was reapproved. While this program is not important to the Town, it is to the County. They were most anxious that we sign the modified agreement. Doing so somehow helps their programs.
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The regular staff reports were given; the report's subject will be covered elsewhere, except for the financial report. Darlene Hopper, the replacement for Wendy Wells, gave her first report. Revenue is tracking ahead of budget, and expenses are basically on budget. However, because the Town is dealing with two unbudgeted lawsuits, we may have some budget overruns down the road.
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An ordinance regulating where and how ARTIFICIAL GRASS can be placed passed on first reading by a 4-1 vote. Commissioner McCranels cast the dissenting vote. The ordinance creates certain quality requirements and DISALLOWS artificial grass beyond the front building line.
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