Three new members take up duties
Two members of the planning board and one member of the Historic Landmark Commission were unceremoniously dumped off their committees, in a move that closely resembled the disbanding of the Tourism Development Authority marketing committee last year.
In a split vote, both planning board chairman Bill Sisson and planning board member Eddie Collins were denied reappointment. Collins, a builder and developer, and Sisson, a chiropractor, served on the planning board for four years. Only Aldermen David Cignotti and Steve Whalen voted for the incumbents.
Staff photo by Joshua Curry
Mayor Bob O’Quinn shakes hands with planning board chairman Bill Sission during a reception for town committees at the Fran Russ Recreation Center on Thursday, Feb. 8. |
“It was a bit of a shock,” said Sisson. “But that\"s life and you move forward and you don\"t worry about it.” Sisson said he wishes the new planning board luck, as many important issues are on the table to be discussed.
Alderman Kitty Brunjes said she hopes the new board will study the packet of information prior to the meeting in order to exchange ideas, instead of simply relying on the chairman. “I’ve been very frustrated sometimes,” said Brunjes, who attends each meeting of the planning board. “It’s obvious that people have not been studying their information. These issues are important to people’s lives and their property. … I thought it was time for a change.”
Susan Collins, a real estate closings coordinator, was reappointed, and three new members will join her on the planning board.
David Culp, son of the late Alderman Harold Culp, was appointed and said he moved to the beach permanently one year ago. “I would like to ensure that Wrightsville Beach growth is balanced between residential and commercial interests to provide the best quality of life for its citizens,” he said.
Clayton Holmes, a retired engineer who lives on Captain’s Court, said he hopes to be of service to the community and has a special interest in environmental protection.
Susan Robinson, a retired chemist, was employed at the saline water-test facility that is now Town Hall. Robinson said she hopes to “provide careful long-range planning to manage the many problems we will face as Wrightsville Beach becomes even more popular.”
Dale Walker, a real-estate appraiser, received two votes, from Cignotti and Whalen.
The new planning board will hold its first meeting next Wednesday. The special meeting will deal with a mixed-use development conditional-use permit for the Oceanview Resort. The board will also elect a new chairman.
Historic Landmark Commission members Marjorie Way and Betty Bordeaux were reappointed to the committee, but Nancy Ritchie received only one vote, from Mayor Pro Tem Ed Miastkowski, and was not reappointed.
