Dear Neighbors,

It wasn't forecast to be coming our way or to be much of a storm, but Ernesto certainly has an impact on the Town of North Beach. The flooding was not on the scale of Isabel three years ago but the wind damage was much more severe. A number of homes were hit by falling tree limbs some sustaining major damage and at least one home will have to be demolished.

The public works crew, which worked all night when Ernesto hit, did an outstanding job dealing with the flooding and the subsequent cleanup. Let's hope we get through the rest of the 2006 hurricane season with no further damage.

After years of negotiations, finally we have Comcast in North Beach. We owe thanks to Rusty Smith for his hard work on the Cable Advisory Committee to help bring this about.

It was eight years ago that the residents of North Beach first elected me to serve as their Mayor. In many respects, it's hard to remember what the Town looked like in 1998. Gone are most of the abandoned and dilapidated dwellings, which characterized the landscape. Gone, also are most of the junk cars, trash-filled yards, broken-up sidewalks and crumbling streets and roads. The public beach, waterfront and boardwalk are now attractive destinations; new senior apartment housing has been constructed as well as a new senior center, community health center and a planned Boys and Girls Club. Most importantly, many residents have made incredible efforts to improve and upgrade their homes throughout town and people are moving in instead of moving out.

I would like to express my appreciation to the council member with whom I have served and shared a common vision. My thanks also to the entire staff, Joanne Hunt, Stacy Wilkerson, Beverly McInnis, Richard Ball and the public works crew, Brian McNeil, Isaac Harris, Scott Mulden and Derrick May as well as John Hofmann, Town Engineer, all of whom genuinely care for North Beach and for your concerns. The many improvements which have occurred since 1998 would not have been possible without their involvement.

Lastly, I'd like to thank you, the citizens of North Beach, for your support during my two terms as your Mayor. It has been an honor to serve you.