County commissioner briefs Bogue on ZIP-code issue, emergency clinic and boat ramp

David Quinn, Carteret County commissioner for District 1, addressed the Bogue Town Council during public comment on Jan. 19 with several updates affecting western Carteret County. Quinn said the county passed a resolution asking the U.S. Postal Service to change a ZIP code he said is creating mail-delivery and 911-dispatch confusion and diverting online sales-tax revenue to Onslow County.

Quinn said county leaders have discussed the matter with U.S. Rep. Celeste Cairns and State Sen. Norman Sanderson and have requested that USPS provide a new post office for western Carteret County. "We passed a resolution last week to elicit the United States Postal Service to change the zip code that seems to be causing confusion," Quinn said.

Quinn also said a groundbreaking for a new emergency clinic in western Carteret County is expected soon; he said the clinic will help residents and "alleviate waiting times at Carteret General Hospital." He told the council a Carteret County-owned boat ramp in Ocean will be available for public use. Quinn said he has watched the county grow and strives to apply "steady hand and common sense when it comes to development and expansion."

Mayor Robert O’Chat and Councilmember John Dale, who serve with the mayor on the ILA Board for Western Carteret County Fire and EMS, thanked Quinn for county support for local fire and EMS operations and for planned improvements that they said will reduce transport times for injured residents. The council did not take formal action on these county updates during the meeting.