We start this week with the results from the 2018 mid-term election results. Republicans held swept Pender and Brunswick counties, but Democrats flipped the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and took three seats, for the first time in years, on the county’s Board of Elections.
The tightest race in the region was incumbent State Senator Michael Lee versus former Wilmington Mayor Harper Peterson. The race was largely about GenX — until the last minute, when an ethics complaint was filed against Lee over his private law practice. What happened, and might Republicans have turned against their candidate over local frustrations?
Then, the latest on Wilmington’s $20 million North Waterfront Park. Recently, designers gave City Council some sobering news: the project, or at least the “aspirational” version of the project, that council had wanted is $5 million over budget. So, what does that mean for the future of the park, designed as the centerpiece of Wilmington’s Riverwalk development area?
Next: two months after Hurricane Florence, debris is still piled up in Pender County, especially on unpaved private roads. Residents on these roads pay the same taxes as those on state-maintained roads, but the county has said it won’t spend the money to pick up debris. This comes after FEMA signaled it would reimburse the county, and one county commissioner said pick up would happen. Frustration is building, so what now?
Last, some local Brews and Bites stories. In Surf City, restaurant owners prepare to go another round in their fight to get food trucks regulated, if not completely banned, from the town. And, in Carolina Beach, the owner of a popular business plans his own rum distillery.
If you missed any of these stories you can catch up below, then take a deeper dive with our weekly podcast. You can find all our Brews and Bites stories here.
Republicans hold Brunswick, Pender; Democrats shake up New Hanover, Peterson over Lee by 38 votes
North Waterfront Park design firm tells Wilmington leaders costs need to be cut
Wilmington’s reduced North Waterfront aspirations could bring food trucks to the park
Pender County commissioners block plan to remove debris on private, unpaved roads
Round 3: Surf City food truck debate to continue at hearing later this month