http://www.luminanews.com/article.asp?aid=4612&iid=175&sud=30Most people in this country don't live anywhere where the incumbent mayor runs for reelection unopposed. You would have to live in the most backward small town, politically apathetic banana republic, Middle East oligarchy, or Eastern European police state, to run for a high-profile office like mayor of a profitable town completely unopposed. That's exactly what happened with the last mayoral election at Wrightsville Beach, NC.
The results have been mixed, but the response to citizens complaints have been swiftly addressed and resolved by a mayor and Board of Alderman that often lean toward strict interpretation of the law. The fear of the outsiders (tourists and off-islanders) have resulted in a set of regulations that have quietly enforced the foundations of exclusivity that had kept Fantasy Island out of the spotlight for so long. Some frequent visitors have been quietly going to Carolina Beach and elsewhere on the Outer Banks to enjoy the sunshine with their families and friends. WB is just too much trouble, they say.
Have you seen many dogs on The Loop this summer? Do you know someone who has been pulled over for the ubiquitous reason of going five miles over the speed limit? Do you know someone who has gotten a noise complaint ticket without getting a warning to turn it down? Have certain businesses been targeted for tickets while others have not. Do you know someone that's been treated discourteously by peace officers for the slightest infractions of the law. How many people do you know were detained for blowing
exactly .08 on the Breathalyzer, without ever seeing the number. Is The Plan working perfectly?The Internet has already caught the town off-guard. A few Myspace pages with photos of the beach, the bars, and Masonboro Island is all that's been needed to get half of Goldsboro down here for the weekend. And it is now impossible to hide this little jewel of the coast from prying eyes with the advent of this: http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/%20It It's coming soon. We do live at the terminus of a highway.
Soon a new Mr. Roark may be chosen to lead the town into the next decade of the Computer Age, since there are two men now running for the office of mayor. The foundation of American democracy--the small town election--is about to get another test, and we encourage everyone to play a part. We wish the best of luck to both men. The person with the most votes will win but, at least, this time we have a choice.
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE56J4UK20090720
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