The Hyde County Commissioners agreed last Monday (Nov. 3) to include $15,000 into the 2016-2017 budget towards work in restoring the ecological health of the Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.
The commissioners approved the action after a second presentation in as many months by Pete Campbell, refuge manager.
Hyde County Manager Bill Rich said that until the new budget is in effect July 1, the county will look for grants to supplement the budget appropriation. Campbell did not provide an estimate of the total needed to restore the lake, which is the largest natural lake in the state, to health.
Stakeholders in a healthy lake include area farmers, residents, the state and federal governments.
“I want everyone to have input into or it’s not going to work,” he said about the effort.
He said there will be a public meeting on the state of the lake Nov. 29 at Mattamuskeet High School.
In addition, Campbell said at the recent commissioners meeting that he is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on repairs needed to Route 94 that goes across the lake.
He said he wants to submit a grant from the federal highways department for a large grant to armor the road. A first estimate he received to repair the road is $4 million, for which the repairs could be done in stages and paid for the same way.
Last month, Campbell asked the commissioners to take the lead in restoring the ecological health to the largest natural lake in the state.
This federally owned refuge is a mainland county tourist attraction and a winter haven for hundreds of thousands of waterfowl.
The lake, which is 18 miles long and seven miles at its widest, has lost almost all subaquatic vegetation (SAV), Campbell said at the Oct. 3 Hyde County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Crabbing is a popular activity at Lake Mattamuskeet on mainland Hyde. Islander Tom Payne frequents the lake to catch the succulent treats. Photo: P. Vankevich
In a presentation to the commissioners, refuge biologist Michelle Moorman said that due to its poor water quality, the lake is about to be listed as an “impaired water” by the EPA, a designation that is of serious concern.
A large die-off of SAV began in 1991 starting with the west side of the lake and again in 2013 when the much larger east side began to be affected.
Reasons for the dying vegetation are complex, but a major reason is a loss of water clarity is due to an increase in nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, fluctuating high water levels from heavy rains the last few year and run-off sediment.
Without SAV–especially wild celery–waterfowl, fish and crabs have been in decline.
Hyde County government has been monitoring the state of the lake over the years, and Campbell initiated the call-to-action to stakeholders to work together, including farmers in the watershed who have been affected in recent years by serious flooding.
Working on the local level may be the best solution, he said, and the commissioners could get technical support from the county’s Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, N.C. Wildlife and the N.C. Coastal Federation.
When it was discovered in 1585, the lake covered 120,000 acres–about three times its current size–and averaged six to nine feet deep.
Water depths in this below-sea-level lake can be anywhere from two to five feet deep Since the lake waters are not fed by any spring or river, level-control measures were installed years ago to keep saltwater from entering when water levels in the Pamlico Sound are higher than the lake and to flow excess water back into the sound.
And now, Campbell said, the water in the lake should be three feet lower than it is (so that sunlight can get to the SAV).
About half of the wintering waterfowl in North Carolina spend time at the lake with aerial photo estimates between 100,000 to 350,000 birds in the winter.
These include tundra swans, snow geese, pintail ducks and also several species of migratory shorebirds.
Waterfowl are a major attraction for nature lovers, birders, and photographers. The lake is also popular for fishing, photography, hiking, and boating. There is controlled permitted hunting for waterfowl and white-tailed deer. Moorman cited a 2006 study on the economic benefits of tourism to the lake when about $11.5 million dollars came to the county.
Osprey at Lale Mattamuskeet. Photo by P. Vankevich
The Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano will perform and teach during the Latino Fest de Ocracoke on Saturday at Ocracoke School.
Friday, Nov. 11, 2016
Ocracoke Oyster Co.: Karaoke, 8:30 p.m.
Coyote Music Den: Martin Garrish “Playing Your Ocracoke Memories,” 7:30 p.m.
Gaffer’s: Live Music TBA, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016
“Festival Latino de Ocracoke,” School 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ocracoke School; Dance and musical performances in the school gym from 7 to 9 p.m.; kids movie from 7 to 9 p.m. in Deepwater Theater. Capping off the evening with a dance in the Community Center from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Martin Garrish, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Gaffer’s: Live Music TBA, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Ocracoke Preservation Society Membership Meeting and Potluck honoring Martin Garrish with the Cultural Heritage Award, 6 p.m. Ocracoke Community Center
Remembrance services for Warren C. Judge III, 65, of Kill Devil Hills, a Dare County commissioner who was running on the Democratic ticket for N.C. House of Representatives District 6 seat, will be held this weekend.
Judge died Nov. 5 following a brief illness and hospitalization in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, Va.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in St. Andrews By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Nags Head. A celebration of Judge’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the same church.
Burial will take place immediately following the service at Southern Shores cemetery.
Friends and relatives are invited to join the family for a reception at Duck Woods Country Club, Southern Shores, immediately following the burial.
Born, Nov. 30, 1950, Judge was the Democratic candidate for the N.C. House of Representatives District 6 seat, which includes Dare, Hyde, Washington and Beaufort counties. Though he died three days before the election, his wife, Theresa “Tess” Strickler Judge, had stepped up at the behest of the District 6 Democratic party executive committee to take his place should he win the election.
However, Beverly Boswell-R, Kitty Hawk, on Nov. 8 captured the popular vote 21,805 to 20,246.
In lieu of flowers, the Judge family requests that donations be made to All Saints Episcopal Church Building Fund, 40 Pintail Trail, Southern Shores, NC 27949, or to the Outer Banks Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, 13 Skyline Road, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
Born in Queens, New York, Judge was a son of Ruth and Warren Cameron Judge, Jr. and raised in Charlottesville, Va.
In addition to his wife of 42 years, Judge is survived by his children Montague and his wife Katherine Dixon, Michael Dixon, Mary Elizabeth (Dixon) Levy, and Mark and his wife Wendy Dixon.
He is survived by two brothers, Carl and his wife Maren Judge and Robert Judge, and a sister Ruth, wife of Doug Bridgeforth; and 10 grandchildren and 13 nieces and nephews.
Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at http://www.twifordfh.com.
For a prior story on Judge’s passing and his accomplishments, click here.
Due to weather, last year’s ceremony was held in the school gym. Photo by P. Vankevich
Ocracoke School students will honor the island’s citizens for their military service today at its annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The event will take place at 8:30 a.m. in front of the school.
This tradition was started in 2010 by Principal Walt Padgett, a veteran himself.
Students will raise the flag, sing the national anthem and give statements of thanks.
The First Annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke Nov. 12 will honor the vibrant Hispanic culture on the island.
Day-long activities will take place in and around Ocracoke School–outside, the commons room, the multipurpose room and the gym.
“This will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know the culture of Ocracoke’s Latino residents,” said David Tweedie, president of Ocracoke Alive, which is organizing the event along with Freddy Contreras and other members of the Latino community.
In the week leading to the festival, there will be workshops for students at the school in making tortillas, building piñatas, and Ballet Folklorico dancing (under the direction of visiting performer Fabian Vargas).
Adults can join in a three-part workshop, “Pinatas!” Nov. 4 to 6 at 7 p.m. all in Deepwater Theater. Three days is needed for drying time.
The following is the festival schedule:
Friday, Nov. 11: Dance workshop with Ballet Folklorico’s Fabian Vargas at 7 p.m. in the school gym.
Saturday, Nov. 12: –11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Games, food, music, demonstrations (Ocracoke School)
–7 to 9 p.m.: Dance and musical performances in Ocracoke School Gym by Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, Fantasia Huasteca, and Ocracoke residents. Free.
–7 to 9 p.m.: Kids’ movie in Deepwater Theater. Free
–9 p.m. to midnight: Dance in the Community Center. Free; cash bar available.
In addition to Ocracoke Alive, the group responsible for the popular Ocrafolk Festival, the festival is sponsored by Hyde County Occupancy Tax funds, individual and business donations. Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation, can do so online (see link below), or by mailing a contribution to Ocracoke Alive, P.O. Box 604, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
Sponsors will receive a festival T-shirt and festival button for every $50 donated and recognition on the website and from stage.
Festival attendees will also be able to support the festival by purchasing sponsorship buttons, T-shirts, and tickets that can be exchanged for food and entry into the games.
A portion of festival proceeds will benefit Ocracoke School and Ocracoke Child Care.
Islanders and visitors watch the general election returns Tuesday night in the Ocracoke Oyster Co.
Nov. 9, 2016. 9:44 a.m.
By Connie Leinbach and Peter Vankevich
While the United States presidency and many other contests nationwide went Republican in last night’s historic general election, Ocracoke voted for Democrats.
In the presidential race, Hillary Clinton received 318 votes to 158 for Donald J Trump, although Hyde County went for Trump with 1,275 votes to 956 for Clinton.
In the highly watched governor’s race, Democrat challenger Roy Cooper was narrowly leading Pat McCrory in the morning. With 100 percent of precincts reporting as of this morning, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections website, Cooper captured 2,281,851 votes to 2,276,850 for McCrory. Cooper declared victory and McCrory had not conceded as of this morning.
Islanders cast 373 votes for Cooper and 123 for McCrory, although county-wide, McCrory garnered 1,246 votes to Cooper’s 999.
In the much-watched U.S. Senate seat, incumbent Richard Burr of Winston-Salem, won a third term over Democratic challenger Deborah Ross. On Ocracoke, Ross tallied 320 votes to 159 for Burr.
While Democratic challenger for the District 3 seat to the U.S. House of Representatives, Ernest T. Reeves narrowly beat incumbent Walter Jones 255 to 240 on Ocracoke, Jones easily won re-election with 67 percent of the vote.
County-wide, there were few bright spots for the Democrats in the contested elections as voters followed a pattern of rural areas voting for Donald Trump and other Republicans on the ballot. In Hyde County, Libertarian Gary Johnson got 42 votes and there were nine write-ins.
Earl Pugh Jr,-R, beat his Democratic challenger Thomas Midgette in the Lake Landing Township, 1,208 to 831. Two county commissioners, Tom Pahl (Ocracoke) and Benjamin Simmons III (Fairfield) were unopposed, garnering 1,540 and 1,618 votes respectively. While the commissioners represent certain townships, the races are county-wide.
As of this morning, incumbent Bill Cook-R surpassed challenger Brownie Futrell-D with 59 percent of the vote for N.C. state Senate District 1.
Beverly Boswell will represent Ocracoke having won N.C. House District 6, which comprises Dare, Hyde, Washington and Beaufort counties. Her opponent on the ballot, Warren Judge-D, passed away on Saturday. It was announced on Sunday that his wife, Tess, would replace him should he have won. With all 44 precincts reporting, the final result 21,805 to 20,246.
Democrat Charles Meeker was unable to defeat incumbent Republican Cherie Berry for Commissioner of Labor getting only 45 percent of the statewide votes. The vote tally on Ocracoke, where Meeker’s step mother and late father have a home, was 372 to 117 for Berry.
In another close contest, Michael R. Morgan of Raleigh defeated incumbent Robert H. Edmunds of Greensboro for the state supreme court associate justice seat. As of this morning, Morgan captured 54.45 percent of the votes and Edmunds got 45.55 percent of the votes cast.
The North Carolina Democratic Party House District executive committee for State House District 6 voted today to name the late Warren Judge’s wife, Tess Judge, as the Democratic candidate for this seat that will be decided tomorrow in the general election.
Warren Judge, 65, of Kill Devil Hills and Democratic candidate for this position, died over the weekend, three days before tomorrow’s general election. He had been hospitalized Wednesday night in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, Va.
Judge, a Dare County commissioner, was running against Beverly Boswell-R, Kitty Hawk, a fellow county commissioner.
While Warren’s name will remain on the ballot, if the voters elect him, his wife Tess will serve out his two-year term, according to today’s announcement issued by Sandy Semans Ross, Dare County Democratic Party secretary.
The following statement is from Elizabeth Morey, Judge’s campaign manager:
“Warren Judge leaves behind a legacy of public service and compassion for the people and communities he served. The campaign appreciates the outpouring of love and sympathy we have received during this difficult time.
“The lives Warren touched and the impact he had on Dare County are immeasurable. Our campaign intends to honor that legacy by continuing to campaign and give Warren one last chance to make a difference for the people and community he loved.
“Today, Warren’s devoted wife Tess accepted the nomination as the Democratic candidate for House District 6. Tess’s decision was driven by a strong belief that the people of our district deserve to be served the same way Warren would have served them. She wants to help finish the work she and Warren started together more than 40 years ago.
“Tess believes serving Warren’s term is a way to honor his memory should the voters elect him tomorrow. I know Tess shares the same values and ideals that we all respected and admired in Warren and I can’t think of a more fitting tribute.”
Kimberly Reynolds, executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said the party is proud that Tess would have the opportunity to serve her husband’s term should he be elected tomorrow.
“This vote (by the local committee) also assures voters that a vote for Warren Judge will go to someone who couldn’t be more committed to honoring his legacy and reflecting his values – his loving wife Tess,” she said.
Three of Hyde County’s five county commissioner positions will be elected on Nov. 8.
Each of the county’s five townships is represented by a commissioner who resides in that township but is elected countywide to a staggered four-year term.
Two candidates are vying for the Lake Landing commissioner seat.
Earl Pugh
Incumbent Earl D. Pugh, Jr., a Republican and retired farmer, currently serves as the board’s chair. He was first elected a commissioner in 2012, and previously served on the Hyde County School Board from 1990 to 2002.
He said his focus is on efficiency in government and ensuring a future for the young people of Hyde County. As a commissioner he recognizes the issues faced by a rural county like Hyde and the unique challenges of providing services to Ocracoke given its remote location away from the mainland and the county seat in Swan Quarter.
Democrat Thomas Midgette of Engelhard is challenging Pugh.
A retired educator after 30 years in the public schools, Midgette was most recently the Mattamuskeet Elementary School principal for the 2014 to 15 school year.
“I’m running for county commissioner to give the average citizen a voice and to represent the people of Hyde County who have to go to work every day and are not the top 1 percent,” he said.
Benjamin Simmons III. Photo by P. Vankevich
Benjamin Simmons III, a long-time resident of Hyde County and is the incumbent commissioner for Fairfield Township. A farmer, Simmons first ran for election unopposed in 2014 and is again unopposed for the 2016 election. His big concern for the county, including Ocracoke, is drainage and having the infrastructure necessary to manage the frequent flooding events that impact the county.
Tom Pahl. Photo by P. Vankevich
After winning the March primary, Democrat Tom Pahl is unopposed to represent the island, and, barring a last-minute write-in campaign, will become the county’s newest commissioner.
Pahl has lived on Ocracoke for the last 12 years and owns Landmark Building and Design, a construction and historic restoration business.
In the primary, he stressed the need for teamwork in county government and treating all Hyde County citizens respectfully. Reaching out to broader community groups for appointments to local boards is a priority. For Ocracoke specifically, he saw a need for better relationships with the outside agencies that affect the island’s economy and way of life.
The last offices on the ballot are the Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor and the Ocracoke Sanitary District Supervisors.
The Soil and Water board has five supervisors. Three are elected and two are appointed by the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission. The district is responsible for implementing state and federal programs to promote best management practices that protect Hyde County’s soil and water.
One position is on the ballot with one candidate, incumbent Darren Armstrong, who is the vice-chairman.
Information about the district’s work can be found at www.hydeswcdnc.org.
The Ocracoke Sanitary District was created by authority of the North Carolina Commission for Public Health. District Supervisors are responsible for providing safe drinking water to the village. Water is pumped from a 620-foot aquifer beneath the island and treated for distribution to the district’s customers.
Two positions are on the ballot with two candidates, Regina Boor and Scott Bradley.
Warren Judge visited the island in August to talk to the Observer. Photo: C. Leinbach
By Connie Leinbach and Peter Vankevich
Warren Judge, 65, Dare County Commissioner from Kitty Hawk and candidate for the North Carolina House District 6 that represents Ocracoke, died overnight after a brief illness. He had been hospitalized Wednesday night in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, Va.
According to an article posted today in the OBX Voice, if a candidate dies after the ballots have been printed and before the end of election day, the respective party leaders, in this case, North Carolina House District 6, which includes Dare, Hyde, Washington and parts of Beaufort counties, will choose an eligible candidate to assume the votes cast for Judge, according to Bob Joyce of the UNC School of Government.
Last year, when Paul Tine-U, Kitty Hawk, announced he would not seek re-election, Judge decided to run for that office. In the March Democratic primary, he handily beat opponent Judy Justice and is on the ballot to run against fellow commissioner, Beverly Boswell-R in this Tuesday’s election.
The family released the following statement through Dare County this morning:
“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Warren C. Judge III.
“We are grateful for, and comforted by, all of Warren’s friends and supporters in Dare County, which he loved so dearly. It was one of the greatest honors of Warren’s life to serve as a Dare County Commissioner for the past 16 years.
“We are also grateful for Warren’s many new friends and supporters he made throughout NC House District 6 over the past year. Warren was looking forward to the opportunity to serve all of the citizens of House District 6 in the NC General Assembly.
“We are immensely grateful for everyone’s prayers and words of comfort during this difficult time.”
Judge grew up in Charlottesville, Va. and graduated from Virginia Wesleyan College with a major in history. After college, his work career began in Greensboro in the hotel business. Twenty-nine years ago, he moved to Dare County to continue working in the hospitality industry, owning and managing lodgings and the Sands Restaurant for 11 years.
A Democrat, Judge had served on the Dare County Board of Commissioners since 2000 and was chairman for 11 years. Prior to moving to Dare County he served three terms on the Jamestown Town Council, Jamestown, N.C.
Judge strongly believed in public service. Some of his many civic activities include serving on the Outer Banks Tourism Board for nine years, five them as chairman, chairing the Joint Committee on Beach Access, director on the Outer Banks Catch Executive Committee, the Shoreline Management Commission, the Dare County Social Services Board and the Dare County Capital Improvements Planning Committee.
In 2011, he and his wife, Tess, were named Outer Banks Citizens of the Year by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce.
He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Southern Shores.
“Warren’s been a tremendous friend to me and to Hyde County ever since I’ve gotten to know him as county manager,” Hyde County Manager Bill Rich said today. “He’s always been a strong advocate for the coast and the fishermen, which we also have a tremendous interest in.”
Rich said he is sad that he will not be able to work with Judge on the state level.
He recalled the time when Judge attended his brother-in-law William “Kim” Piddington’s funeral in March 2014 in Collington, Dare County, where Piddington had been the fire chief for 25 years.
“There was Warren in the front row,” Rich said. “He was so genuine about his care and commitment to people. I will miss him.”
On a visit to Ocracoke this summer, Judge weighed in on several issues that prompted his quest to serve in the General Assembly. One of those was working together.
“There is a lot more that brings us together than divides us,” he said. “I will represent all those who vote for me, against me and those who don’t vote such as children. We need to get things done, compromise, come to the table and craft agreements and find commonality.”
Here is how he saw himself, “I’m a worker; I’m blue collar; I believe in the principles of my party, and I ran a business. I’m a hands-on manager. I share my life experiences.”
On Oct. 24, Judge participated in a candidates forum sponsored by The Outer Banks Voice and Milepost magazine at the Waveriders Restaurant in Nags Head. You can watch it by clickinghere
