Editor’s note: The OCBA meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, has been canceled. Information about contacting state legislators about the ferry system will be available at the next meeting at 6 p.m. May 20 in the Community Center.
Observer staff report
The Ocracoke Civic & Business Association wants to be proactive and not just reactionary about island issues.
“We don’t have a mayor,” said OCBA chair Bob Chestnut at the March 18 meeting in the Community Center that focused on What is Ocracoke’s Future. “We need a platform for concerns, and we want to be that resource.”
He added that Ocracoke needs to insert itself into the various decision-making processes to find solutions that islanders want.
Mainly though, he said, the big issue making sure the ferry service is equipped and funded to handle 500,000 riders to Ocracoke per season.
The Ocracoke Waterways Commission is a good example of Ocracoke being proactive, he said in the meeting, because this group meets monthly with the Ferry Division, Army Corps of Engineers and other officials about the Hatteras and Ocracoke inlets.
Although she did not attend the meeting, Hyde County Manager Kris Noble last year decided to take the reins of wrangling the various agencies needed to get permits for dredging, sandbag repair along the north end of NC12, and island infrastructure.
She was able to modify permits for multiple dredging events so that maintenance dredging can occur as needed instead of on a crisis basis.
Short of personal visits to state legislators, which the OCBA could organize, Chestnut said that islanders need to contact representatives to personally voice their concerns.
Two years ago, the OCBA’s Ferry Lobbying committee had a campaign to make legislators aware of how critical the ferries are to the coast.
Chestnut said that the OCBA will compile a list of legislators, along with talking points, so that the Ferry Division, island residents and the county are asking for the same thing. Help from islanders on these issues is also needed, he said.
Among the concerns noted by the two-dozen people who attended the meeting are as follows:
Access to the island:
Can there be a Hatteras ferry just for trucks/deliveries?
Developing Swan Quarter with a more robust ferry service that includes adding a passenger ferry and more frequent vehicle ferries.
Could we have more ferries? (Lack of boat slips on Ocracoke)
Ferries are limited to what legislature will appropriate.
What about the age of our ferries?
Can the ferry boats go faster?
Designated days (or times) for large trucks?
Lightering of items on big trucks? Having goods switched to a smaller truck at the Hatteras terminal.
Commercial trucks in the priority lane at the Hatteras ferry.
Non-resident property owners should be able to get Hatteras ferry priority passes since they pay taxes, too.
Other concerns:
Because of the problems at the north end with NC12, how about a bridge to Ocracoke?
Could there be better transport within the village so more people can come without a car?
Property taxes paid by residents and businesses are through the roof.
Academic and other commissioned studies vs. implementing solutions.
Who is responsible for solving issues?
A noise ordinance 10 p.m.(weekdays) to midnight (weekends) needed.
Is year-round tourism possible?
Access to the beach not readily available for those who use the passenger ferry.
Density of houses is growing; Don’t want to end up like Virginia Beach.
Could we have a village council for more self-governance?
Can owners of vacant houses (or realty companies) be approached to rent long-term?
As much as we generate revenue, it’s not considered as much as other states.
Homestead exemption: can it be modified to get rid of the age or income requirement? (Would have to be statewide.)
