County Elections Director Glenda Clendenin says her office has not experienced a flurry of new registrations since the referendum date was established. She speculates that most eligible — and interested — people residing in the district are already registered to vote.
However, anyone who wants to vote and is not registered must do so by Friday, July 13, the date when registration books will be closed until after the election. Absentee ballots are already available, and one-stop absentee voting is permitted.
East Moore Water District encompasses 10 precincts within four townships, Carthage, Greenwood, Little River and McNeill — exclusive of municipalities. There are 8,882 registrants eligible to vote.
FIREWORKS — McLendon Hills Subdivision is the latest entity to receive a fireworks display permit from the Moore County Board of Commissioners.
The board approved the permit as part of the consent agenda at the June 18 meeting.
The development plans a July 4 celebration for homeowners, employees and guests. The Eagle Springs Fire Department has agreed to assist McLendon Hills personnel during the fireworks display.
McLendon Hills is an equestrian development on N.C. 211 about a mile west of Seven Lakes.
The commissioners have previously issued fireworks permits for several municipalities and private developments.
PATIENTS — Although Congress is debating a national patients’ rights law, the N.C. Senate has already approved similar legislation for the state.
The Senate version, supported by Gov. Mike Easley, is awaiting review by the state House.
The two senators representing Moore County, Howard Lee and Ellie Kinnaird, this week announced their support for the North Carolina bill.
“People all across our state rely on good health care for themselves and their families, and we need to make sure they get it,” Lee said. “I hope the House takes a close look at this proposal and acts soon to put patients first — where they should be.”
Kinnaird added, “Consumers shouldn’t have to find their way through a complex web of bureaucracy to get the treatment they need to treat illnesses or stay healthy.
These reforms will make managed-care entities more responsible for their decisions and more responsive to their customers.
The Senate bill would give managed-care consumers better access to care, more information about their providers and the right to hold their HMOs accountable.
Kinnaird and Lee, both Democrats from Orange County, represent the 16th District.
HURRICANE — U.S. Sen. John Edwards announced Tuesday that the city of Kinston and Lenoir County will receive $8 million to buy 246 homes destroyed by Hurricane Floyd.
“Almost two years later, North Carolinians are still struggling to recover from one of the worst storms in our history.
This grant will help us deal with the effects of Hurricane Floyd and prepare eastern North Carolina to better withstand future storms,” said Edwards, co-chairman of the Senate Natural Hazards Caucus.
Kinston and Lenoir County are participants in the National Flood Insurance Program, a condition for qualifying for the grants to acquire flood-damaged properties.
