Officials feel good about lobby trip
Havelock hand-delivered its wish list to Washington last week in hopes that legislators will be the city's Santa Claus.
"It's sort of like waiting for Christmas," said Mayor Jimmy Sanders. "You don't know what you're going to get."
Sanders, Commissioner Danny Walsh and City Manager Jim Freeman spent April 1 in the nation's capital to find money for long-term infrastructure projects. Havelock hired Washington lobbyists from Marlowe & Company to help make the pitch to Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.) and Sens. Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole.
Lawmakers met with Havelock leaders to explore funding opportunities for a $28 million sewer system upgrade, a $20 million U.S. 70 overpass for Cherry Point traffic using the air station's Slocum gate and $200,000 to replace field lighting at the Havelock Recreation Complex.
"We thought all three of the meetings went well," Sanders said. "Obviously, time will tell. If we receive funding, it was successful. Right now, I'm very pleased and very optimistic."
Havelock paid $38,000 for an 11-month contract with Marlowe & Company. Sanders said the lobbying firm averages a $72 return on every $1 invested and boasts a 90 percent success rate. Airfare to Washington and other expenses for the April 1 trip cost the city about $2,300.
Walsh, a second-term commissioner, said the lawmakers and their aides were receptive and expressed interest in Havelock's plans for future growth.
"They were all happy with what we brought to them," he said. "They thought all three (projects) were very good for the community and for the region."
Dole was especially interested in the planned overhaul to Havelock's wastewater system and a proposal to connect with the city of New Bern's sewer lines, Walsh said.
The District of Columbia daytrip offered Walsh a firsthand look at the political epicenter he'd previously only read about.
"It was kind of interesting to be the country bumpkin walking around D.C. with a briefcase," he said. "It was an awesome place to be, and it was an exciting day."
