Controversy has swirled around the small piece of land on U.S. 70 and 258 for years and it hasn’t stopped yet.

First was the rumor that the remains of a Civil War soldier were unearthed when the state built a weight station at the intersection, which once was part of a battlefield. Then came the argument that the state should give the land to the city for a tourist center, instead of charging for it. After that, disagreement erupted over the appointment of a tourism director.

The latest flap involves whether the Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department is trying to take control of the Neuse II, move it to U.S. 70 and turn it into a visitors center.

A story floating around town suggests that parks and rec Director Bill Ellis offered to pay $100,000 to the veterans group that owns the boat.

That’s not exactly how it happened, Ellis says. He made an off-the-cuff remark that has been blown up into a serious offer that never was made.

The story developed this way: Ellis was having lunch at a Rotary Club meeting and mentioned that the boat would make a wonderful exhibit at the visitors center. When people drive through a town and see a small building marked “Visitors Center” by the side of the road, they seldom stop. Ellis was looking for something eye-catching, similar to the four-story chest of drawers in High Point or the upside-down building in Orlando, Fla. – something unique that would make kids say, “Mama, mama! Let’s stop and see what that is!” The Neuse II would have done that.

“It was a stupid statement and I wish I’d never made it,” Ellis said.

Park and rec has about $120,000 to build a center. Ellis knows that amount won’t go far toward providing a structure that would capture the attention of someone driving 55 mph down U.S. 70. He also knows he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of getting the boat.

“I want to see the boat finished as bad as Ted (Sampley) wants it finished,” Ellis said. “It’s good for the city, good for the county. I think the world of Ted. I have no problem with Ted. Who else would have the guts to go out and say ‘We’re going to build a 150-foot boat and we ain’t got a penny of money but we’re going to do it, by God,’ ” Ellis said.

Ellis has also considered putting up a giant Civil War cannon on the center. He once thought about the former Gen. Beauregard house, now razed after being gutted. His latest idea is a 4-foot modular frieze with a painting of Confederate and Union soldiers, horses and cannons. It’s not what he wants, but it’s what he can afford.

“I’m trying to build a $250,000 building with $120,000” he said. “What we need is something that gets your attention and makes you want to stop and take a picture.”

The talk about parks and rec taking over the boat began 18 months or so ago when Sampley approached Ellis about his department accepting the boat. A list of conditions was drawn up. The veterans group would complete the boat. It was the 10th condition that caused Sampley to balk. The Recreation Commission would have final authority over the Neuse II. The veterans organization was unwilling to give up the last vestiges of control, and talks stopped.

Ellis regrets so much dissention has arisen over moving the boat, a plan he never seriously considered, and an offer he never made.

It was Ellis’ cooperation with Sampley that resulted in the successful Walk of Honor, the Vietnam Memorial and the flagpoles at the site. Ellis said he wants to continue working with Sampley and will even “go out there on Saturdays and work with the Boy Scouts to help finish building the boat.”

If more people in the community were as concerned and determined to see the Neuse II completed, the boat would not still be sitting on Herritage and Gordon streets, seemingly almost abandoned, seemingly the target of yet another Civil War.

The enthusiasm and the volunteers were there at the beginning. For one reason or another, they have fled and taken their money with them. Politics? Control issues? Probably both are at work here.

In the meantime, visitors who would come to Kinston to see a unique sight are being lost and their dollars are being spent somewhere else, all because one or two powerful groups are determined to see the veterans group fail. And Bill Ellis is not a member of either of those groups.

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