Independence Day Means Fireworks

Fireworks displays are in the future for residents of four communities that stage big Independence Day celebrations.

The Moore County Board of Commissioners has approved fireworks display permits for the village of Pinehurst, the town of Aberdeen, the Seven Lakes Landowners Association and Woodlake Country Club.

Woodlake will display fireworks as part of a July 3 celebration. The other three plan fireworks as part of July 4 events.

The commissioners approved the permits as part of their consent agenda at the May 7 meeting. Permits are approved after the sponsors submit proof that such requirements as fire marshal approval and insurance coverage have been met.

SALES TAXES — Sales tax collections for the month of February in Moore County were down 13 percent from the February 2000 total.

But John Frye, county financial services director, said that may not necessarily be such a bad thing when you remember what happened in January of last year. That was the month in which a snowstorm of rare severity brought business to a standstill for about a week. The damage and fallout from that storm lasted at least another week, further slowing down economic recovery.

By February of last year, however, business had picked up at a brisk pace, Frye recalled.

“We had a higher economic recovery in February because of the losses in January last year,” he said. “People were repairing roofs and other home damage. They were buying generators, chainsaws and rakes to clean up and prepare for the next time. It was like spring gardening season.”

For this reason, he thinks the slow February sales tax collection this year should not be compared unfavorably with the previous February. Frye also pointed out that sales showed an increase in January this year.

Frye expressed no concern about the current county budget, which projects almost $9 million in sales taxes on the revenue side for the 2000-01 fiscal year.

“I feel that retail sales are on target, and Moore County will meet our budget,” he said.

The report shows that the N.C. Department of Revenue collected $1,112,030.49 in sales taxes for Moore County in February. Counties receive these statistics two months late. It takes one month for the taxes to be remitted and another month for the state treasurer to compile the statistics and prepare the report.

OBSERVANCES — The county commissioners were in another proclamation mood at their last meeting.

They adopted four honorary proclamations, one of which marks the 10th anniversary of Moore County Emergency Medical Services.

Commissioner David Cummings read the proclamation designating May 20-26 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Moore County and also the proclamation for the 10th anniversary observance. EMS Director Barry Britt accepted both proclamations.

It was Commissioner Bob Ewing’s turn to read the proclamation recognizing the month of May as Older Americans Month. Terri Prots, director of the Department of Aging, accepted the document.

Commissioner Colin McKenzie, a member of the Board of Health, read the Teen Pregnancy Prevention proclamation designating the month of May for this observance. Public Health Director Robert Wittmann made the acceptance.

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