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City disconnects power to Neuse II despite legal permit
By Lee Raynor
Posted: Wednesdayy, November 16, 2005
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file photo
This disconnect notice was attached by the city to the Neuse II on Monday when the power was disconnected. The city gave no advance notice of the disconnection. | Lanterns and flashlights are lighting the way today for tours of the Neuse II ironclad replica.
A notice attached Monday to the boat and its adjacent storage shed notified operator Ted Sampley that the city has discontinued electrical service to the site because it is "without approval, inspections and in violation" of state codes.
Sampley said he is current on the boat’s electric bill and is mystified about why service was turned off.
"We had tours scheduled Monday with people from out of town," Sampley said. "They wanted to go through the boat even without power."
The Neuse II, which is still under construction, has a temporary electric pole and security light installed by the city and has a legal permit, Sampley said. Electricity is delivered to the boat and the storage shed by extension cords, a common practice during construction.
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The disconnection notice is signed by the city’s code inspections department, headed by Tommy Lee. Lee did not return calls seeking a further explanation for the disconnection.
Sampley and Lee have faced off several times in disagreements about the boat. Lee claims the vessel violates the city’s fire code, which forbids wooden buildings within certain districts. Sampley counters by saying the boat is not a building and is exempt from the code.
"(Lee) even complained to the Coast Guard," Sampley said. "The boat is documented by the Coast Guard as a ship. The Coast Guard has assigned a hull number to it."
The completed Neuse II will be seaworthy, Sampley and shipbuilder Alton Stapleford insist. It could go into the water someday, although Sampley admits that is a big dream.
Sampley says he fears that Lee may be combining his position as head of the original CSS Neuse Gunboat Association with his duties as the city’s chief building inspector. Lee’s concern is raising money for the CSS Neuse Gunboat Association and he may feel the Neuse II is competing for the same funds, Sampley said.
Tourism brochures have been widely distributed with the Neuse II featured as one of the city’s tourist attractions. It is part of a "museum row" tour scheduled each Thursday. The tour includes, among other attractions, the original CSS Neuse gunboat, Black Heritage Museum, Harmony Hall and Kinston’s Civil War battlefield off U.S. 70 East.
Construction is beginning again and won’t be slowed by the lack of electricity. Sampley said he and Stapleford will use generators when power and lights are required.
The disconnect notice is the second blow to come to the boat within the last two weeks. A $65,000 grant application to Gold LEAF Foundation, submitted by state Rep. Stephen LaRoque, was not placed on the group’s agenda for consideration earlier this month.
"It’s ironic that this comes at the time when we’re ready to install escape hatches, like the Kinston fire marshal suggested," Sampley said. "I’m just not interested in arguing with the city any more."
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