Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Mayor of Ocracoke

In 2009 WRAl.com (WRAL is a television station broadcasting from Raleigh, NC) asked its readers this question: "Who is the mayor of Ocracoke?"

The web site pointed out that Ocracoke is unincorporated, and thus has no mayor. It then went on to interview Charles Meeker, long-time visitor to Ocracoke, who was at that time the mayor of Raleigh.

Charles' father, Leonard Meeker (1916-2014), former lawyer for the State Department and former Ambassador to Romania, was living on Ocracoke in 2009.

Leonard Meeker, 2005 by Oliver White



















In the  interview Charles talks about aspects of the island that continue to draw him here...the natural beauty, local stories, the quiet pace of life, and the community's commitment to the preservation of its history.

You can read the short conversation here: http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/blogpost/6028795/.

 Out latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the Aleta, Ocracoke's mailboat from 1944-1952, compliments of the Core Sound Museum. Click on the following link for photos, text, and audio recordings about this iconic vessel: http://www.coresound.com/saltwaterconnections/portlight/aleta/

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:20 AM

    That short interview was rather interesting. He gave a shout out to preservationists endorsing both the Watermans's efforts and the former Coast Guard building being converted to a Teacher conference center. Now please tell me exactly how these buildings in the current state of use justifies being categorized as Preservation as opposed to being restored renovated or re-purposed. Oh I know qualifying for grant money or donations?? Please enlighten the basket occupants.

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    1. Leonard mentioned the renovation of the fish house and "preserv[ing] that way of life for another generation." That seems self-explanatory to me. He called the former Coast Guard Station an "adaptive use." Have I misunderstood your question?

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  2. Anonymous4:31 PM

    The reason the above question was asked is the web site for the Watermen features a poster advertising an event in 2013. Either they are too busy fishing to update their web site or they no longer are active ly educating folk on a social media platform. I thought you would have elaborated a bit as the link made for a thinking reader to think about the subjects mentioned.

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    1. I did not know how out of date the OWW website is. Apparently there is no longer anyone updating it. The island fishermen (and women) I know would all rather be out on the water than sitting in front of a computer. The robustness of the Fish House activity speaks to a vibrant fishing community.

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