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Incorrect and untrue
NEWS-TIMES
Newport, N.C.
Oct. 20, 2008
TO THE EDITOR:
I read Hugh L. Wilde’s letter to the editor in the Wednesday, Oct. 15, paper. Some of the information concerning the sale of the Newport land owned by M&J Investments (Pat Joyce and partner) to the Carteret County School system is incorrect.
The new school site was discussed PRIOR to Mr. Joyce being elected a Carteret County Commissioner in 1996. Acting as a private citizen, Mr. Joyce was involved in and was a strong supporter of the first school bond of $29,000,000 that passed and built the Croatan High School and Bogue Sound Elementary, as well as various other school projects at that time. This bond did not include the Newport Middle School project. After the $29,000,000 bond passed, it was determined that a new middle school was needed that was not addressed in the $29,000,000 bond.
The school board then went to work and identified four different site locations in the Newport area for a new middle school. The four sites included the Wallace Conner tract, the Smith Farm tract (now a new subdivision), the Taylor tract (west of Newport) and the M&J Investment’s tract. The proposed project was originally for 30 acres, but due to needs at Newport Elementary, the school board requested the project be expanded to 50 acres. The school board narrowed the project list to two sites that could meet all the school board’s needs and permits. The school board then asked for proposals from the two site owners and after evaluating the two proposals, M&J Investment’s proposal was much better for the overall project and price.
It was asserted that Mr. Joyce and his partner made a $330,000 profit from the sale. However, as a part of the contract M&J Investments was required (at a cost to them) to put in new roads, water, sewer, power, building pad and obtain environmental permits, 404 wetland permits, erosion and sedimentation permits, DOT permits and state sewer permits. All of this was completed prior to closing and the M&J Investment package was worth a very large savings to the taxpayers of Carteret County!
It amazes me to think that anyone would accuse Mr. Joyce of cheating the taxpayers of Carteret County and abusing his power.
This simply is NOT TRUE.
DAVID LENKER,
Former superintendent
Carteret County Schools
Oct. 20, 2008
TO THE EDITOR:
I read Hugh L. Wilde’s letter to the editor in the Wednesday, Oct. 15, paper. Some of the information concerning the sale of the Newport land owned by M&J Investments (Pat Joyce and partner) to the Carteret County School system is incorrect.
The new school site was discussed PRIOR to Mr. Joyce being elected a Carteret County Commissioner in 1996. Acting as a private citizen, Mr. Joyce was involved in and was a strong supporter of the first school bond of $29,000,000 that passed and built the Croatan High School and Bogue Sound Elementary, as well as various other school projects at that time. This bond did not include the Newport Middle School project. After the $29,000,000 bond passed, it was determined that a new middle school was needed that was not addressed in the $29,000,000 bond.
The school board then went to work and identified four different site locations in the Newport area for a new middle school. The four sites included the Wallace Conner tract, the Smith Farm tract (now a new subdivision), the Taylor tract (west of Newport) and the M&J Investment’s tract. The proposed project was originally for 30 acres, but due to needs at Newport Elementary, the school board requested the project be expanded to 50 acres. The school board narrowed the project list to two sites that could meet all the school board’s needs and permits. The school board then asked for proposals from the two site owners and after evaluating the two proposals, M&J Investment’s proposal was much better for the overall project and price.
It was asserted that Mr. Joyce and his partner made a $330,000 profit from the sale. However, as a part of the contract M&J Investments was required (at a cost to them) to put in new roads, water, sewer, power, building pad and obtain environmental permits, 404 wetland permits, erosion and sedimentation permits, DOT permits and state sewer permits. All of this was completed prior to closing and the M&J Investment package was worth a very large savings to the taxpayers of Carteret County!
It amazes me to think that anyone would accuse Mr. Joyce of cheating the taxpayers of Carteret County and abusing his power.
This simply is NOT TRUE.
DAVID LENKER,
Former superintendent
Carteret County Schools
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of carolinacoastonline.com.
national forrest owner wrote on Nov 11, 2008 12:43 AM:
" Has anybody ever questioned how Mr. Joyce became the owner of NATIONAL FORREST LAND? The land Newport Middle school is located on and the remaining land which Mr. Joyce owns in that triangle, was at one time NATIONAL FORREST LAND owned by you and i. The land the school doesn't own but Mr.Joyce does own, has a tax value of over 10 MILLION DOLLARS! "
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Bouge-sounder wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:55 AM: