Storm Water

As a County Commissioner I get more calls about drainage problems than about any other problem. Many people are not aware that the Counties in North Carolina are not responsible for drainage along side streets and Highways. This is the responsibility of the department of transportation.
With the current and foreseeable budget problems at the DOT their position is that they are not concerned with standing water and slow drainage in ditches, and unless the water actually comes high enough on the roads so as to present a danger to traffic, they are not concerned with overflowing ditches.

There are several reasons contributing to the NC DOT taking this position.

1. Budget shortfalls

2. The inmate labor that used to help with keeping the ditches clean is harder to come by.

3. Increasing stringent enviromental regulations are preventing keeping feeder streams cleared.

I hate to say it but this problem will continue to get worse, especially in Township 7,where much of the developement is taking place. As more and more inpervious surface replaces what used to be wooded areas the water that is shed will be forced into overtaxed ditches.

Highway 70 E crossovers

As many residents in Township 7 can attest traffic in the James City area is starting to resemble a large city at certain times of the day. Traffic in the HW 70 corridor from James City to Morehead is expected to double in the next 10 years. You might have noticed DOT working in James City this past week as they will be closing 8 median crossovers. Their stated purpose for these closings will be to enhance safety on the 70 corridor and facilitate the flow of traffic. Two median closings will be replaced with directional left turn lanes that will have a left turn lane that will allow left turns from the highway, but will prevent crossing from the service roads to make a left turn onto the highway. The directional left turns have been funded for the Garner Road intersection and the Grantham Road intersection. I'm told that others will be installed as funding are available and the DOT studies show the need.

The median crossovers that will be completely closed are,

1.Franco's Pizza

2.Williams Nursery

3.Trent Cadillac

4.New Bern Mazda

5.70 East Pawn

6.United Self storage

7.The median east of Fisher Road

8.Kicking Machine before you get to Catfish Road.

The directional left turns will be located

1.Grantham Road.

2.Gardner Road.

The stoplight at the interection of Taberna will be getting a high speed long vehicle detection device installed in the East bound lane only. This device detects if large trucks are going to fast to stop and will keep the light green until they pass. This is suppose to be installed within 3 months.

Spring Homes tour in downtown New Bern

Friday, April 13th and Saturday April 14th you are invited to explore the finest Architecture and flora that New Bern, NC has to offer. If you have never taken a homes tour of historic downtown New Bern you don't know what you are missing. Some of the finest architecture, craftsmanship, and design are right here. Tickets are only$15 in advance or $20 on the days of the tour. Call 252 638 8558 for tickets.

Taberna

I have lived in Eastern North Carolina long enough to know that although spring is tempting us, it is not quite here yet. Despite the fact that the azalias are blooming about as early as I can remember, I bet we will get some frost before warm weather is here to stay. Nevertheless, when I hear the birds chirping in the morning as I leave for work it makes me long for the river.

Last fall my wife suprised me with a kayak and I fully intend to start using it when it gets just a touch warmer. It has long been my intention to explore some of the small creeks that flow into the Trent River, especially up around the Riverbend area. Speaking of Riverbend, I think you will find the most house for your money in Riverbend. Incorporated in the early 1980's it has about everything you could want in a community and the homes are very affordable. Golf, tennis, boating, fishing, walking, and jogging, you name it. Check it out on my website, www.newbern-nc.info, or call me and I will give you the nickle tour.

The beautiful NC mountains

While traveling in the NC mountains along HW441 in Cherokee NC I was startled to see a male elk grazing on the side of a mountain about 100 yards off the road. This was the first time that I have seen an elk and they are truly magnificent animals. I later found out they were native to the NC mountains, as were bison, but were hunted to extinction in the 1800's.
Interestingly enough, I also recently saw, for the first time, a pair of bald eagles fishing at Lake New Bern. I had heard of bald eagles nesting in the Croatan Forrest area but was shocked to see a pair in town. Our local bird expert, Dr. Bob Holmes, told me that the pair nest about a mile away on the Neuse River. While we have done a better job of cleaning up the Neuse and Trent Rivers there is still room for improvement.

The beautiful NC mountains

My wife and I are heading to the mountains for a much deserved vacation. The mountains of NC are often overlooked as a tourist destination. Most folks from up north think of the beaches when they think of NC, overlooking the fact that Western Carolina has the highest mountains on the east coast. My only problem with the mountains is that they are a long way off, about 7 hours from New Bern. Although I would never move from New Bern and the beautiful rivers, when my ship comes in I might have to have me a cabin in the mountains.

Tonight my Sister in Law was in town and my wife and I took her to dinner at the Harvey Mansion in historic downtown New Bern. The Harvey Mansion is my favorite restauarnt n downtown New Bern. This 9000 square foot home, built in 1797, is one of the last remaining structures in New Bern representing the prominence of the town as a thriving colonial seaport.
This 3 story home has all he fine woodwork that you would expect in a home build by ship carpenters, and the food is the best in town. Great dining experience.