Introducing our new contributors

Gaining Depth in this Blog's Team

Courtesy of MS ClipArt

      I would like to take a few lines here to introduce our newest line up of blog contributors. I have invited each of them based on my experience with them and their  considerable observation and listening skills combined with their powerful ability to tell a story. My only requirement of them is that they keep their focus on "anything and perhaps everything Wrightsville Beach". Each has already been helping me behind the scenes getting this blog going with post ideas, facts and photos.

Our goal is to help build and maintain a high quality of life here in TOWB. That means helping property owners, residents, vacationers, visitors and last but not least our town government to understand and take their responsibility for the many aspects of life here at the beach.

"Communicate with an emotional component that will get your audience to think and act.."
Anonymous 

So here we go...

Ned Belmont - Has been a long term friend. He would describe himself as a very amateur photographer. He does not consider himself "artsie" just basic photos that have a story. He depends heavily on his phone camera and likes to terrorize his family and friends with his daily even hourly barrage of "insightful pic". He lives by the motto, "Pictures are worth a thousand words."

Mike Carpenter - I first met Mike after observing him in the neighborhood always working on odd projects. He is a very busy guy, the result of extensive honey-do and me-do-4-me lists. He is a Renaissance Man in so many ways, self made knowledgeable and wise beyond his years.What he doesn't understand he will work tirelessly to figure out.

Neal Briggi - Is a new found friend. I first came across him by way of his letters to the Lumina News. He defines himself as an advocate for quality of life here in Wrightsville. He has been an active citizen at TOWB meetings and is a strong advocate of open and responsible government.  He is a founding member of the Henderson Street League for the Environment & Responsible Government here in Wrightsville Beach..

Liz Daschell - I've known Liz for a very, very long time. She has a very keen view on style, food, shopping and especially adds the feminine perspective. Whatever you do, don't get between her and a sharks tooth laying in the sand  on the beach.

Noah Bridges - That's me...I am still learning who I am. I like to talk and write. I like to ask questions and listen for answers (especially answers to the question I asked). I like to use humor and analogy in making a point and I get especially frustrated when people don't take responsibility and accept the consequences for themselves.

"Writer's block......"
Copyright Ned Belmont

Please think about, act upon and enjoy our work. 



By All means please comment.


Thanks for reading.    Noah

Giant step for the citizens of Wrightsville Beach

Dear Readers,

I am happy to announce a "giant step for the citizens of Wrightsville Beach"

Late afternoon yesterday, at the Town of Wrightsville Beach Special Meeting called by the Board of Alderman to discuss recruitment of a new Town manager, a local resident and advocate, Neal Briggi took a long awaited step. He had bought a 32GB SD Card for his phone over the weekend. He came to this meeting (he is a regular attendee of the town meetings) with his kitchen stool and extension cord,. He plugged in his phone, set it on the stool in the front row and positioned it towards the Board. As the meeting started he hit record on the phones video camera.

Frustrated with the Boards recent line item budget cut for a previously approved and funded/earmark for video streaming  of the Town Meetings, he took matters forward. This issue has been raised numerous times in Town Meetings and covered by Lumina News in their reporting including Letters the Editor. The contentious issue here has been an ongoing voting block of three Alderman Collins, Mills and King (Mills and King being new to the BOA) vs. veteran Town Officials Mayor Cignotti and Alderman Sisson

Mr. Briggi has advocated video streaming as a means to increase the engagement of the WB Citizens especially property owners. He has also publicly stated and written about the need for greater transparency and the lack of reasonable explanation given for actions by the voting block,  "All our elected officials owe the citizens an explanation for why they vote the way they do, their rationale, they owe us to be prepared for items on the agenda and to engage in round table discussion of the issues, to find the common ground and sustainable solutions for our town.... it can't be left for just a few board members "  according to Briggi, this current Board has taken big steps backward and they are not working together, nor do they seem focused on a strategic agenda for the town.

When asked about the Video Stream, he stated "I am glad it's done... we can move forward and see what the future brings, there is no turning back, I won't apologize for the quality of the video.. it is what it is, my mobile phone sitting on my kitchen stool... which as you will see was a bit too short... oh and the acoustics in the room combined with Alderman with poor microphone etiquette makes for some tough to hear spots".

When asked about the mood of the meeting he added, "In the end there are no contentious moments, or votes that hijacked the future of WB, like at the budget workshops. Everyone seemed to be compatible and the important thing is they agreed on a process to find a top notch candidate to fill Bob Simpson's shoes."

When asked about the future..."I hope to be able to get some other helpful citizens to be part of video streaming, I hope to see more people engage with the town issues and participate at the town meetings... I hope a greater understanding of what's happening, what needs to be addressed, what's critical and to compel my fellow citizens to be involved, we can't bury our heads in the sand at the beach... which BTW will be needing renourishment."

As regards finding a new Town Manager he hopes to see the BOA use a similar process as was used in filling the Police Chief role, which was an open house with the final two candidates. "It was a great opportunity to talk with the candidates, pepper them with questions that help to surface their experiences and to understand ways they expect to approach their role, priorities, solutions etc. as an example, our new Chief Dan House was very easy to connect with and he has proven that in his reaching out to citizens in a dialog. That will be no less the case with a new Town Manager who is a first and foremost link to the citizens by our government and town staff... I hope they work the process this way... it should be a part of the measurement of the candidate, their desire and ability to engage with citizens."


With Permission from Neal Briggi an important local advocate for open and responsible government, hereby below is the link to the TOWB BOA Aug 27, 2012 Meeting.

Thanks for reading,  Noah

http://youtu.be/5QRC7j3rFtk

highlight link above, right click, select go to http at the bottom of the drop down menu

Breaking News Update ....Statue hunt a success

Final update

      The search for the Buddha Shrine  was slightly delayed today due to pending weather and a late morning bicycle ride. After initial probes starting at about 1045 EDT the search team working tirelessly located the hidden statue..."he was right where we left him". He was slightly wet but nonetheless in fine condition having been rescued from the micro-jungle that had consumed his space. A few garden snails were harmed in the effort (&%^$#@(&!!!) A little bit of fresh air and sunshine should bring all back to normal.

"Lost & Found"
Copyright Ned Belmont

      Now our mission is to contact TOWB Public Works and request pickup of our considerable garden cuttings, as they are prohibited from the trash can and are highly compostable. That's a good thing.

      Should TOWB residents need to have garden cuttings or tree trimmings collected by the TOWB Public Works you should simply call 910-256-7935

Thanks for Reading.      Noah

Breaking News....Update... Buddha Shrine Gone!

Dateline: Wrightsville Beach.....

      With Reference to the posting of August 13, 2012 "Where is Noah's Ark..."

......Official Weather Data taken mid island...August 25, 2012; 0828 EDT....Month of August accumulated rainfall at Wrightsville Beach, NC(Lat.34o 12'18.233"; Long.77o 47'37.897") totals 11.88 inches.... 

      After continuing rains, this morning we discovered our cherished Buddha Shrine just barely visible in the garden 12 days ago, has been fully engulfed by that belligerent sweet potato vine. At least we believe the venerated statue is still sitting comfortably under the canopy of vivid green. We will be sending out a search party later today. to determine his exact whereabouts

The comparison photos tell the tale. I thought you would want to know.

August 13, 2012
Copyright Noah Bridges

August 25, 2012
Copyright Ned Belmont

    


  


















Please subscribe below to receive updated postings
on this developing situation.
 
Thanks for reading,

    Noah

You're a good man Bob Simpson

A Farewell to a proven leader

      It was a bit of a surprise as to the timing,  but not so shocking to hear that Bob Simpson our Town Manager here in TOWB will resign his position effective Nov. 1, 2012.

Bob Simpson Town Manager Wrightsville Beach "at Work"
Photo courtesy of TOWB website

Bob Simpson the Leader

     For those of you who have seen Bob in action you have seen a seasoned public servant. His command of the issues facing TOWB is deep and broad. He has always had the situation at the tips of his fingers and quickly to the tip of his tongue. He has provided solid input and advice to the Board of Alderman. His engagement and energy in behalf of our town is laudable.

      “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and become more, you are a leader.”       
John Quincy Adams

     He has been a strong advocate for the quality, performance and well being of our town employees. He has provided the level of forward thinking and anticipation that our town needs. His leadership in the budgeting process, especially in demonstrating fiscal responsibility for the short and longer term needs of the town has been critical and successful.

The Dark side of town politics

      He has also had to walk the challenging line of Alderman politics. That line is precarious and often demotivating. But his leadership has held true through those dark moments. It has been beyond frustrating to watch the pathetic disarray of the current Board of Aldermen. Their micro-management of staff, lack of strategic focus and individual agendas has created mountainous obstacles for the Town Staff and our Manager in particular.

      Time and again Bob has sought "guidance" from the BOA, only to receive a disarray of way off the mark babble.

      Bob is a seasoned leader through the course of 46 years of military and public service. He has learned and demonstrated that he can get beyond the trivial interference of an inept BOA. He can muster the wisdom to provide professional guidance to such individuals that don't prepare for agenda items, or despite admitting they don't understand an issue, yet balk or push back at Bob's careful re-explanation. Learning is a lifetime journey. It has been a grueling pattern of coaching and spoon-feeding those individual Alderman who are in way over their head. His coaching of the Board, about the consequences of actions or in-actions,  has often gone unacknowledged.

      "The leaders who work most effectively never say "I"  They  don't think "I"  They think "We" They think "Team" They understand their job is to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but "we" gets the credit....This is what creates trust...."
Peter Drucker

      In Bob's resigning, we lose a very capable, high impact player with the energy to deliver a team effort to a broad list of  critical issues facing our town, with the wisdom to see through the complexity and gain focus, with the outward appearance of  patience to tolerate fools on the Board and try to inform.

Some wisdom for the Board of Aldermen

     This is not Monday morning quarterbacking. As we don't have the modern day practice in TOWB of video taping the Public Board Meetings, we can't easily go back and see/hear how poorly the BOA operate. But for those who have seen the meetings, we well know the pathetic pattern of conducting business. Especially now in the powerful hands of the new voting block held by Aldermen, Susan Collins, Darryl Mills and Elizabeth King we need a BOA who can find and recruit a highly capable Town Manager, for the next chapter in our towns history. We do not want nor can we tolerate a malleable candidate who will accept the personal agendas of Board members. It is the needs, of our growing town on the edge of the ocean, that must be front and center.

Filling Bob Simpson's shoes will not be easy and can not be a political game!

They will be wise to engage, staff and citizens in the vetting process.

      If they wish to refute such criticisms, they simply need to approve the previously agreed funding for video recording & streaming of their proceedings, they need to come prepared as individuals to discuss agenda items and to explain their position and  to seek and to contribute to compromise in behalf of the TOWB. Their failure to-date to do this, points to their lack of professional sincerity as Alderman and their pursuit of their individual agendas.

Dear Board of Aldermen:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."     
Margaret Mead

"Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things."
Peter Drucker

"If you don't know where you are going you will end up somewhere else"
Yogi Berra

"Where there is no vision, people perish"
Proverbs 29:18

You're a good man Bob Simpson. 

Thank you for your service.

Dear readers,

      You can contact any of our TOWB officials to give your input:

Mayor and Board of Aldermen
David Cignotti, Mayor	910-256-5817	dcignotti@towb.org
Susan Collins, Mayor Pro Tem	910-256-5072	scollins@towb.org
Bill Sisson, Alderman	910-256-1898	bsisson@towb.org
Elizabeth King, Alderman	910-256-2260	eking@towb.org
Darryl Mills, Alderman	910-228-8552	dmills@towb.org

Thanks for reading,     Noah

Lost Toys, Priceless Shells ...Back to school

All good things come to an end.... or perhaps not!

Family Beach Vacation "Sand Hole Digging 101"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      That about does it for the pleasant summer, family vacations, at the beach. It has been so nice this summer seeing the young kids enjoying this special place. Watching them learn new things at the beach like, perfecting their sand castles, boogie boarding, and swimming. Can't forget snorkeling, skim boarding and surfing. Oh, and shelling and fishing of course.

      With the exception of the notable three day holiday weekends, the beach has been relatively uncrowded and clean, water quality and temperature fantastic. No major jelly fish invasions, loud radios etc. Of course, a number of those tent/ canopies got themselves airborne and permanently bent out of shape, only to be retired to the fate of the blue beach barrels. (remember they are not considered recyclable!)

"Tube Walk"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Skim Boarding"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Surf Casting"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Kowabunga"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Beach Strollering"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      I feel thanks are in order; first for the families who vacation here and show respect for the beach & our community; secondly for the  TOWB police force, under our new Chief Dan House, they have committed to uphold the quality of life here in Wrightsville.

Priceless Shells Found At Wrightsville Beach!

      I had the pleasure to watch two young brothers, on their last day of vacation, snorkeling just within the surf break and sandbar. They each struggled with their masks and snorkels and flippers and getting it all to work in harmony. Foggy mask, water in the snorkel, ill fitting flippers, their frustrations were ginormous... and then like crossing a threshold it all came together, as if nature had thrown a switch. It all began to work and they were able to focus on the world below the waves.

"Novice Snorkeler... Expert Adventurer"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      Suddenly, as the sandy bottom swirled with each wave passing overhead, it wasn't scary, those tiny fish weren't monsters and the shells on the bottom, well,  they were now to become there own individual treasures.

       Later, as they left the water with hands full of their new found booty, I overheard the one brother ask the other what he thought the shells might be worth, he replied "let's ask grandpa". Well I heard that conversation too. Grandpa said in calm knowledgeable voice "those shells are priceless". He knew well, this summer vacation and especially their new found success at snorkeling would be with them for a lifetime.

        

Delayed Reaction to Salt Air

      I'm sure many of you readers have deep fond memories of vacations. Vacations  have a way of sticking with us and being a part of who we are through life.

      I remember my childhood summer vacations taken on the "Jersey Shore". No! not the un-reality TV version we see today, but at nice beach towns not much different than Wrightsville.... when the families are around. Each summer, as we were crossing the causeway to the beach leaving the real world behind, my father would say.."aah! smell that salt air...that  will make you sleep tonight".

"Boogie Board & Boarder at Rest"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      As a kid I never understood it, but I have since figured it out. My dad never took a nap that I could recall except on summer vacation, Lying on the beach blanket, "out like a light". He always said it was the salt air, that made him do it.. And as for us kids, we ran full out all day at the beach... and I mean full out. We were never bored and never resting. No TV on vacation after dinner, just great beach & family time... and then our heads hit the pillow, and we were out like a light.

       I guess we had a delayed reaction to the salt air.

Lost Toys

"Lost Toys....Yard Sale!"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      As Wrightsville transitions into the college season, you can see the decreasing family presence.

             U-Haul trucks and trailers abound and student renters with all their stuff and immature behaviors inundate the community. Soon, all that will be left of that calmness of the summer, will be the ghostly remains of lost beach toys materializing from the sand with the changes of the tide.

       Of course it is not only students and it is not all students, that are a part of the negative elements of this transition  But the reality is; the atmosphere changes and not for the better. Drunkin, noisy, crude, rude and lude behavior is not acceptable in our community. These rental properties should not be competing for the "Animal House Award". Chief House and his police force are committed to our quality of life. The Chief has undertaken an ongoing community outreach to solidify his commitment and broadcast the message. So all you wild renters this autumn, beware you have been so notified. Do not assume, what you got away with last year is business as usual this year.

Perhaps this latest incoming herd of  renters, will be more mature and reflect  the values of their family vacations as a child and they will treat our island community with the respect we all deserve . We can certainly pray they do.

Oh I almost forgot  they also seem to lose their toys on the beach. I found some just yesterday. Aluminum & Glass Beer and Wine Bottles & Cigarette Butts.... not to forget shirts, socks and undergarments of all varieties. Yuk! 

"This is against the Law at WB"
Copyright Noah Bridges

WAKE UP & WISE UP!

BTW, you can reach Chief House to register your kudos and comments at dhouse@towb.org

Thanks for reading,

Noah


   

Where's Noah's ark... we might need it!

Rain, Sun, Rain, Sun, Rain, Sun... 
       ......so where's the Rainbow already?

      It's been a tough weather pattern for the many families who have had their vacation rentals in August thus far. This afternoon was no exception. My "personal/official" weather station,  located on my upper deck not far from Johnny Mercer's, Pier is reading  8.56 inches of rainfall to date for the month of August.

     I don't know, from town, county or state records when it comes to rainfall, but I do know that July  here at the beach was hot, humid and pretty light on the rainfall. But now it just seems that www.weather.com staff have taken vacation after posting the forecast for the entire month of August "partly sunny, hot, humid, 40% to 60% scattered thunderstorms. In actuality, its been landing towards the 60% + several times a day.

$$$$

     Watering our garden end <> end this summer has been time consuming and costly.Frankly not our favorite fun thing to do.

     And speaking of costly, have you all been keeping up with the potable water challenge we face here in Wrightsville. The salt water infiltration on our aquifer!

      Briefly,,,,seems like the legendary water rights battles of the old wild west may be coming here to the east coast. Think of the possible story lines, novels, screenplays and legal battles about our water wars! Stand Up Paddle Boarders in attack formation as John Deere Tractors line the west bank of the ICW with their hay-balers aimed at Town Hall. It would certainly help the film industry here. There's money to be made in this I'm sure!

        Nicholas Sparks, Martin Scorsese are you out there? Jack Nicholson (Chinatown) are you available?

Where does our TOWB water come from?

Our aquifer.. that is, the aquifer that we here in TOWB tap into, drink, make ice with, slush our umbrella drinks from, shower by, cook with and flush, runs all the way back to the Piedmont. Yup that pits us sandy flatland beachers against those mid-state rolling  hill dwellers and everyone in between. That's right the aquifer runs from Winston Salem to the Atlantic Ocean a.k.a. Wrightsville Beach..

S**T Happens

As the inland demand for water increases (i.e.The Landfall Housing Project needs to water its several golf courses or Titan Cement some day may need to do what it plans to do or every tap/ well into the aquifer upstream of us turns on the faucet more and more etc. etc.) the level in the aquifer drops...and with that "S**T" happens, That's right "SALT water happens". It is sucked into the aquifer from the ocean to rebuild the level. Our TOWB water wells are right here at the bleeding edge of the aquifer and so we here suffer/risk that salt water infiltrates our potable water supply. The TOWB Public Works Dept.monitor our numerous wells to keep a vigilant eye  on this situation and shut down wells that fail the salinity test. We do have a few "problematic wells." and if you are wondering... Yes! we can still operate with a few wells shut off. But,  the increasing water demand in our town and beyond continues to keep us pressed up to the salty aquifer edge and subjected to consequences of the increasing upstream demand.

Super Pipe to the Rescue

      The TOWB backup plan, juxtaposed to a catastrophic salt infiltration failure of our wells is.....WHABAPIP  yup, we have a big ass pipe in place running  across the draw bride to Wilmington/ New Hanover County. This can quickly be called to task. No worries, they'll bring water we just bring more dollars. It won't be cheap! If you want to find out more about this BAP (Big Ass Pipe, cost and implementation plan) you can email our town manager Bob Simpson at bsimpson@towb.org or our Mayor David Cignotti at dcignotti@towb.org

Moving on, in conclusion.. epilogue

Good News... Here at Wrightsville View we haven't had to water our garden, yet this month

Bad News.... We lost our cherished garden Buddha Shrine to an aggressive sweet potato vine that has gained a second wind from these August showers!

A special spot in our garden.... "Hang in there Buddha, Autumn is just around the corner"
copyright Noah Bridges

What's next a new crop of weeds?  duh!

Thanks for reading. Noah

OCEANIC... CLEAN UP YOUR STINKY, MESSY DUMPSTER

 Beautiful Early Morning      

           Yesterday morning was a great opportunity for a bike ride down South Lumina to the end and back. Finally a morning without a thunderstorm,  no in-your- face Southeast sea breeze and body hugging humidity.

Beach bikes a must have at WB
copyright Noah Bridges

            Car traffic was fairly light and unobtrusive to our journey. The occasional biker athlete in training ("ironman-iac"), blew passed us with abandon. No worries we had plenty of road to share. How do they tolerate those spartan bike seats,,,aaaah numbing cream perhaps!

Checking and sampling the local Fig Crop

              Our South Lumina sojourn gives us a chance to check the numerous fig trees we pass along the way. Not much left of this year's crop. But gosh they were good and plenty up till a few weeks ago. Funny thing about people who have fig trees... they don't seem to pick much of their own figs. They leave quite a few to over ripen. After passing by these specimens time and again it dawned on us that they must depend on passersby to do their harvesting. Well you don't need to pinch us twice. You know those dog poop bags placed at the street ends are exactly the same size as fig bags!

Fig Tree at south end of WB
copyright Noah Bridges

Fig trees do two things very well. They produce lots of figs and they grow real tall. Too tall in fact, perhaps I can convince a few of these fig ranchers to prune their trees and promote growth of more low hanging fruit for next year's crop.
(wow.. I just used the "low hanging fruit" business lexicon in relation to agriculture... cool)

And then came that smell....errrr stench!     

               Now biking towards home, North on South Lumina, approaching SouthEnd  Surf Shop, it all started to change.. and not for the better. Advancing towards Oceanic an unpleasant smell thickened into a  dank putrid stench. Bwaaah! Where's it coming from?

               There it was!. Right out in front of Oceanic Restaurant as if  a welcome mat for roaches, vermin and other goblins.... a thick, milky, stinking stream of trash juice flowing from the under the dumpster fencing right into the storm drain. Gosh awful sight and aroma! BTW the storm drain probably make its way into Bank's Channel. Think about that!

                I hope the neighbors don't accept this as the status quo, nor any other citizen for that matter. I can say this is not the first time I have seen and smelled this at the Oceanic lot entrance. .In fact, you can see a permanent stain across the pavement meandering from "dumpster" to "drain". I hope the Oceanic management makes a serious and successful effort to correct this problem for good. Simply put this is not an acceptable situation and we have TOWB ordinances that say so.

                Perhaps it is a matter of retraining employees or revising trash procedures or a better engineered dumpster site...or worse getting management's attention and engagement. Unless Oceanic management swims the ocean to get to work each day, they must pass through this grand welcome mat of stink regularly. Get a clue folks... fix it... is is not acceptable.

                I have intentionally not placed a picture of this Oceanic situation as it is quite revolting, but if management would like to see it just contact me... better yet walk out to the street to smell and see it for yourself.

For those readers who want to register their dissatisfaction you can email our TOWB Town Manager Bob Simpson at bsimpson@towb.org or Mayor David Cignotti at dcignotti@towb.org ....and I have no qualms if you reference me (Noah Bridges a citizen of Wrightsville Beach).

So to end on a positive note I have rather chosen to share below something more pleasant, reflecting good stuff here at WB.

Simple sand fun had by children during low tide at WB
copyright Noah Bridges

Thanks for reading,

Noah

Don't be voted off the island!

I believe the following will compel you to action. Its not the children and grand children I worry about, in their innocence they seem to know better, its the adults and young adults who seem to take life for granted and assume someone else will pick up after them or fix the planet for them..

The subject of recycling is ever present in our community. Unfortunately, it is not present enough in the minds and actions of enough of us. I am told that education is the key to improving our communities performance with respect to recycling.

Recycling is a very basic issue. We have limited resources (fossil fuel, minerals, clean air and water). We have a tremendously growing population that requires and demands more & more goods; that impinges on agricultural and forested land. Recycling generally requires less energy and creates less water and air pollution to collect, process and deliver a new pound of  paper, glass, aluminum or quality plastic etc.

While we are improving our commitment to recycling, in the USA, frankly we are far from a gold medal, in fact we are pitiful.

The Local Picture

Looking at this on a local Wrightsville Beach basis, the fact is (as was recently reported by The Lumina News, ref. Publisher's editorial issued Aug 2, 2012)  if TOWB did not allow/include recycling at the town center by non-residents (from across the draw bridge) we would not be able to meet our State mandated level of recyclables. The mandate is based on data provided by TOWB Waste Management and is a percentage of our waste management tonnage.

What the heck? What does that mean? It means that across the community of Wrightsville both residents and visitors simply don't recycle enough, full stop.... end of discussion! We throw too much recyclable material in the trash.

How can that be? What about all those blue barrels on the beach? They seem just full of Miller Lite and Bud Light beer cans. How can it be possible? It makes no sense.

An Array of Recyclables ... familiar in our everyday lives


Photo from dosomething.org

Our Beach Barrel Problem

The problem with our beach barrels, is that people dispose of anything and everything as they leave the beach. That simple action turns the classification of the content from recyclable materials into trash... and trash is not accepted at the recycle center.

An estimate by TOWB Public Works is that these blue barrels could contribute an additional 40% to the recycling tonnage, had it not been spoiled by non-recyclable materials (broken beach umbrellas, broken beach chairs, potato chips, half eaten PB&J sandwiches, watermelon rinds, not to mention broken styrefoam coolers from Scotchman & Harris Teeter, etc.)

Action Items

• As part of education you can spread the word to your fellow beach goers don't trash our recyclables and please do recycle.
• Too many people in NC don't realize or accept that recycling is the law! Please spread the word.
• If you don't currently recycle.... start, its painless and rewarding
• Perhaps we can get the TOWB Public Works to label the barrels "no Trash... Recycle only"
• Maybe we can get the TOWB to post/ monitor our recycle tonnage so that we as a community can see and understand the results of our activity
• Next time you drink a can of soda or beer while watching TV, think about the fact that by recycling that one can you could save enough energy to run your TV for 3 hours!

Keep this in mind and share it

• Recycled aluminum produces 97% less water pollution than producing it from ore. 

• More than 20 million Hershey's Kisses are wrapped each day, using 133 square miles of aluminum. All of that foil is recyclable, but not many people realize it.

I am told that education is the key to improving our communities performance I hope this has been educational for you as it has been for me. Below are but a few websites that can provide greater insight into the realm of recycling. (or just try a simple Google..."recycling)

I know there is more to understand about recycling, plastic shopping bags for example are a huge pollutant, especially to marine life.... that will be for another day, another chapter.

In the meantime, don't risk getting voted off the island for poor recycling behavior!


Thanks for reading, Noah

 http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-facts.html

http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-recycling

http://www.cancentral.com/funFacts.cfm

Cats & "the Loop"

Today is day 1 of this blog "wrightsvilleview". I hope it will provide important insight and help to accomplish positive change in this special town called Wrightsville Beach.

The cool thing about indoor cats is you don't have to walk them morning, noon and night on a leash and they don't poop on the loop!

Thanks for reading, Noah