Briefly
By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on July 1, 2004 1:58 PM
Mt. Olive 4th of July
An article in Wednesday's issue of the News-Argus placed the Mount Olive Jaycees' fireworks and the Exchange Club's celebration in Westbrook Park on the same day, but they're on different days.
The fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. Saturday and is staged from the Mount Olive Municipal Airport.
The events at Westbrook Park are Sunday, beginning at 4:15 p.m. with a line-up for the children's parade along the park's new walking trail. Other events on Sunday include an opening ceremony at 5 p.m., entertainment, free food and activities like children's games and bingo, a flag-burying ceremony and a martial arts demonstration.
DGDC director selected
Julie Thompson, executive director of Goldsboro's Downtown Development Corporation, was selected by the North Carolina Department of Commerce to be a member of the resource team helping to establish a Main Street program in Marion.
Mrs. Thompson is the only member of the team not employed by the state's Department of Commerce. The department chose Mrs. Thompson for her "knowledge, experience in urban planning and development, and contagious enthusiasm."
She was also named the winner of the National Main Street Community Award. She previously served on the resource team that served Hertford's efforts to establish a main street program in that city.
DOT crackdown
The N.C. Department of Transportation is cracking down on signs that have been illegally placed in highway rights of way.
DOT workers are removing all illegal signs as part of their routine highway inspections and maintenance. These include campaign, real-estate and business signs stuck along the state roads.
"Keeping our roadsides free of clutter and trash is an important part of our commitment to provide citizens of our state with a safe and well-maintained highway system," DOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett said. "Removing these signs -- and reminding advertisers of the law -- will also improve scenery for citizens and visitors traveling along our highways."
People who want more information regarding sign-placement laws can call the DOT district engineer's office at 731-7938.