ALONG THE FAMED OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA are a string of small communities that primarily thrive on seasonal tourism for their great ocean beaches and fantastic fishing. One of these isolated settlements is the small town of Southern Shores (pop. 2,600). And like most other towns along the strip it has a volunteer fire department.
SSVFD East Station
Fire Chief Bob Harvey
But the taxpayers have recently been roiled up by the shenanigans of the recently-elected town council that brought in a new mayor and fired the town manager. Next step was to levy a 40% tax increase on the citizens, all of which went directly to the VFD. This budget-buster further inflamed the taxpayers when they learned that the “volunteer” fire chief was pulling a $70,000 annual salary out of the FD’s funds.
In their unique situation, the Southern Shores residents are served by a VFD that is a private corporation that contracts with the town for services and considers their budget, and therefore the taxpayer’s money, is private information that the town has no business seeing.
It all hit the fan recently and WTKR-TV Ch. 3 in Norfolk was on the scene to record this astounding video report:
This has grown out of the recent election in which many are claiming an illegal quid pro quo on the part of the newly-elected officials. In just one year after the VFD signed a 10-yr. contract with the town council, they have doubled their budget and forced this tax increase on the tiny population. Following a 3-month investigation, WTKR-TV broadcast this explosive report earlier this week (it’s worth watching just to see the out-of-control town council meeting):
You can read more about this bizarre situation HERE.
Southern Shores Vol. Fire Department WEBSITE.
