Fun and Games Fridays Return to Onslow County Museum

Fun and Games Fridays Return to Onslow County Museum

(Onslow County), Onslow County Museum is pleased to announce the return of “Fun and Games Fridays”.  Each Friday, youth (ages 3-7) and parents are invited to join in on hands-on activities and crafts inspired by the themes of Play, Art, History, and Science featured in this year’s Children’s Discovery Gallery.  These activities are FREE and families can just drop-in on the fun – Fridays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm each day.  These activities will take place in the Museum’s multipurpose room.  Located at 301 S. Wilmington Street in Richlands – Onslow County Museum can be contacted at 910.324.5008 for more information or visit the website at www.onslowcountync.gov/museum.

Attorneys Meet Over Big Rock Dispute

Lawyers plan to meet this week regarding the legal dispute over the disqualification of the boat the Citation that landed a record catch at the 2010 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament as efforts continue to resolve the issue. Questions about when and where the fishing license was purchased and when and where it is required to qualify for the tournament may be the deciding difference.

Please see JDNews.com article Attorneys meet over Big Rock dispute for more info

Onslow Commissioners Lower Tax Rate In Historic Meeting

For the first time in its history, the Onslow County Board of Commissioners exercised authority granted to them under NCGS 159-15 to lower the property tax rate of the county an additional ½ of one cent (the equivalent of over half a million dollars) following the start of a fiscal year.

Chairman W.C. Jarman signing Ordinance

This is made possible through the recent enaction of legislation that enables a ¼ of one cent local option sales and use tax to take effect on October 1, 2010 instead of January 1, 2011.  Senate Bill 1177, ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Governor Purdue this month gave the county this unexpected additional revenue.


Onslow County Voters approved a ¼ of one cent local option sales and use tax on May 4, 2010 during the 2010 Primary election.  Onslow was one of three counties to do so, the other counties being New Hanover and Duplin.  The Board of Commissioners for the County of Onslow promised taxpayers that they would use any revenues for 3 specific purposes’

(FIRST) lower the property tax rate by 2 cents below revenue neutral with one (1) cent being lowered in July 2010 and one (1) second cent being lowered in July 2011

(SECOND) of the remaining money, 50% would be spent on public safety.

(THIRD) the last 50% following the property tax rollback would be spent on public education.
Being mindful of the current economic times, and in an effort to provide additional relief to property owners, the Board of County Commissioners voted to lower the tax rate an additional ½ cent.  On June 29^th, the Commissioners had lowered the tax rate one and one-half cents below the revenue-neutral tax rate of 60.5 cents per $100 valuation.

The additional mid-fiscal year rollback of taxes means that the Onslow County Commissioners have rolled back property taxes a total of 2-cents from revenue neutral.  The County Commissioners have kept their promise one year earlier than previously thought possible.

In addition to rolling back property taxes, the Commissioners channeled an additional $209,000 in new sales tax funding to the Onslow County fire and rescue system, an additional $124,000 to the Onslow County public school system, and an additional $85,000 to Coastal Carolina Community College.  This once again fulfills the promise of the Board of Commissioners to channel all sales tax revenue to property tax rollback, public safety, and public education.

Onslow County Parks and Recreation August Events

AUGUST SUMMER DAY CAMP REGISTRATION
The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring an August Summer Day Camp Program at Onslow Pines Park. Register now at Onslow Pines Park with a limited number of spots available. Camp begins August 2 - August 13 Monday – Friday from 7:45 am – 5:15 PM. Cost is $85 per child. Call 347-5332 visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks



BACK TO SCHOOL CONCERT SERIES
The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department, Onslow County Public Library and the NC Arts Council are sponsoring a “Back to School” music series. Concerts are held outdoors at the Onslow County Public Library on Thursday evenings August 5 - 26. Times of each concert are 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. The Library is located at 58 Doris Ave. Performers are:

August 5 – Joe Jackson (Elvis Now)

August 12 – DV8 Band (Variety)

August 19 – To Be Announced

August 26 – O.H.L.A. (Hispanic Latino)

Concerts are free and open to the public. Pack up the family; bring lawn chairs and blankets. Join us for a variety of music and fun. In case of rain, the concerts will be held indoors at the Library. This program is funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, a State Agency, and awarded through the Jacksonville/Onslow Council for the Arts. Call 347-5332 or visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks



KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO
Join Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department for an exciting, fun filled evening of bingo Monday August 9, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Kids 5 to 12 are invited to test their game skills at Blue Creek Elementary School Cafeteria. Play bingo and win back to school supplies. Kids 12 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult! The program is free. Visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks





END OF THE SUMMER CAMPOUT

Pack your tent, sleeping bag, bug spray and join Onslow County Parks and Recreation at Camp Mitchell in Swansboro Saturday August 28, 2010 for an overnight Family Campout. There will be games, fishing (bring fishing pole and bait) and other planned activities beginning at 1pm. We will roast a Hotdog maybe a Marshmallow and tell Campfire Stories. Don’t forget your pillow! Children must be accompanied by an adult! The program is free. Call 347-5332 to Pre-Register. Visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks

ONWASA mulls lower impact fees

The Onslow Water and Sewer Authority ("ONWASA") will be deciding on Thursday, July 15, 2010 6:00 pm during its board meeting at Jacksonville City Hall whether or not to adopt its 2011 budget including lowered impact fees to make it competitive with other sewer utilities providing local service like Pluris.


For more info please see ONWASA mulls lower impact fees by JDNews.com

Sneads Ferry Lions Club Vision Van at Salem Baptist Church July 16th

The Sneads Ferry Lions Club

Vision Van

will be at

Salem Baptist Church

at

198 Sneads Ferry Road

from

10:00 - 4:00

On

Friday, July 16th

This is a FREE screening of your eyes

 and is open to the community

and all the surrounding areas

It has been said

 "Your eyes are the windows to the world"

so make sure you are seeing a clear and beautiful world.

It is one of the best decisions you may make !! 

Annette

Sneads Ferry Senior's Center

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Here is more info on our Senior’s Center that I hope will help paint a better picture, answer some questions and offer some good news.

I spoke with George Boan 327-3018 who said our SF Seniors bought and own the building and set up SF Senior Citizens Center Inc., but Easter Builders own the property and graciously allow the Senior’s to use the property as long as it remains a Senior Center.  So, our Senior's are responsible for everything, the driveway rock, building upkeep, maintenance, bills, etc., because they own the building.

I have received a few e-mails asking if donated used window a/c’s might, that is a gracious offer but they want to concentrate on getting the main unit replaced. The one that they have was salvaged from a hurricane quite a few years ago and it did a great job but it has worn out.

Sneads Beans Raffle:  Bill at Sneads Beans Coffee Shop is setting up a Raffle, if you would like to make donations, please contact Bill via: Sneads Beans sneadsbeans@aol.com.

Spaghetti Benefit: Our very own 2008 / 2009 Shrimp Queen Jillian Patrick would like to set up a Spaghetti Dinner Benefit, if anyone is interested in helping her, please e-mail her via: Jillian Patrick jimmy_dearest@hotmail.com.  

Monetary Donations: can be mailed to the Senior’s Centers at:

Sneads Ferry Senior Citizens Center Inc.

PO Box 522

Sneads Ferry, NC 28460

Please direct questions or comments to:
George Boan 327-3018 or e-mail him via: gboan@charter.net

*Note: Original article by Tim Supple