Architectural Drawing photographed by Susan Phillips from PKS town archives.
The Shore Line was not being published when the dedication took place.
“After a hiatus of more than a year the Shore Line is back in business with a new format, a new editor and a new sponsor.” With these words, 14 months after founding editors Betty Hammon and Mary Doll said their goodbyes, the paper begins anew in September 1979.
The new format is 8”x11” double-sided mimeographed sheets with underlined headers for stories. The new editor is George Eastland, working with Associate Editor Lenora Roberson. The new sponsor is the Town of Pine Knoll Shores.
Mayor Ken Haller makes the following policy anouncement:
Although the Town will assume the printing and delivery costs in order that the paper may be received by all of our citizens without charge, it will exercise no control whatsoever over the content of the paper or over its editorial policy. In each issue, however, sufficient space for the Town to advise our people of actions taken or to be taken will be made available….
The lead news story is a happy one. The town has adopted a Flood Plan Management Ordinance, which will reduce Federal Flood Insurance Program rates for 1980 from “25 cents to one cent per $100.”
Fortunately, hurricanes David and Frederick, which pose possible threats in 1979, miss the island. However, emergency preparedness is a big issue. The town’s Civil Defense volunteers are at the ready, and an emergency electrical system is installed in the new municipal building to “furnish power to light the fire and rescue bay, the emergency headquarters overlooking the garage, the gasoline pumps, the police station and sufficient wall sockets to charge walkie-talkies and beepers.” The back-up system includes a 3,000-watt gasoline-powered generator with “appropriate switching gear.”
The volunteer rescue squad with 12 EMTs and nine drivers reminds readers of the need to be prepared for day-to-day emergencies. It makes a plea for more volunteers.
November elections in 1979 return all incumbents to the Board of Commissioners. They in turn, reappoint Ken Haller, who has served as mayor since 1975.
Among municipal concerns that make the paper in 1979 are parking on Dogwood Circle and Mimosa Boulevard, stray animal problems and the enforcement of leash laws, lighting at intersections on Salter Path Road, attempts to increase density restrictions in zoning ordinances, the need for residents to install visible house numbers and requests for “Children at Play” signs in growing neighborhoods.
In reference to the latter concern, it is noted that Pine Knoll Shores is not just a retirement community. In fact, the November 1979 Shore Line reports, “…eight babies were born to parents here in the past few years and another is on the way.”
Although 1979 issues are short, no more than four pages, they still help build a sense of community. Before the municipal election, Shore Line provides short biographies of candidates. And, in each issue, we meet new neighbors and hear from local clubs, such as the Ancient Mariners and the Garden Club.
Photos by Susan Phillips from Garden Club Albums.
The year ends with thousands of luminaria along driveways, sidewalks and bulkheads to celebrate Christmas, a tradition started by the Garden Club several years earlier. The year also ends with the promise of continued monthly Shore Lines.
Post Author: Phyllis Makuck