We start this week with a tip of our hat to the ‘Cops on Mic,’ a new podcast from the Wilmington Police Department. The podcast will allow the WPD to tell its own story, according to spokeswoman Linda Thompson. While we always think government statements should be vetted out and put in context by the media, we’re happy to add ‘Cops on Mic’ to the other voices in the conversation. No word yet on whether or not they’ll be inviting guests on the show (hint, hint).
Then, we take on two issues plaguing the Wilmington area: a lack of affordable housing and a public transit system that seems to be at a crisis point. The City of Wilmington is working on a new zoning district that could encourage developers to offer more affordable housing. And WAVE, for its part, is considering some options to help it more adequately serve the communities that need public transit most.
Up next, New Hanover County’s new combined Public Health and Social Services departments take on a major project: banning vaping (and possibly all nicotine-containing products) from public places, including sidewalks, common areas at apartment complexes, shops, restaurants and bars, and more. How will that work? We get into it.
Finally, a trip to Wrightsville Beach, where for years the town has used on-street parking revenues to keep its property taxes at rates that are much lower than any other neighboring beach town. Ordinarily, state law prohibits this — but it looks like in the late 1990s a law was passed, specifically for Wrightsville Beach, that allows it.
If you missed any of these stories you can catch up below, then take a deeper dive with our weekly podcast.
Getting answers on Wilmington’s proposed new ‘workforce housing mixed-use’ districts
Wave Transit expects $745,000 deficit in 2020 without service cuts or new funding sources
New Hanover Health and Human Services Board considering bans on vaping, smoking in all public areas
NHCS parent says school first denied access for service dog, then ‘demoted’ her child in retaliation
Carolina Beach Yacht Club bar and grill barge returning to Planning and Zoning Board
