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CALVIN R. PECK, JR.
(Articles are in reverse chronological order)
Tab 9
Star-News (Wilmington, NC)
August 11, 2000
Road repairs were questioned; Probe ending, town's works director resigns
Author: William Davis
The public works director of Carolina Beach resigned Monday, a month after a representative
from the Federal Emergency Management Agency investigated questions about the town's road
repairs and two weeks before town officials expect the conclusion of an audit of the problems.
In a written statement, Public Works Director Ed Lehman said he quit the job because he was
tired of politics and seeing his name in the press. His last day on the job will be Aug. 18.
Town Manager Calvin Peck said that Mr. Lehman was a valued employee.
"We will miss him, but understand his reasons," Mr. Peck said.
Mr. Lehman's resignation comes amid several complaints about the town's oversight of
roadwork.
The town started the investigation after contractor Jim Glover of Advanced Asphalt Applications
in Wilmington began checking work sites against repair invoices from contractor Wallace
Asphalt. In several locations, he said he found places where it looked like the town had paid for
work that had never been done, or was done shoddily. Wallace denied any wrongdoing.
Mr. Peck said the town found problems with the work and has repaired one of the sites pointed
out by Mr. Glover.
To answer the allegations, Mr. Peck hired Wilmington accounting firm Pittard, Perry and Crone
and consultants Engineering Services of Garner to look at all of the work and the invoices from
the company. Mr. Peck said he expects the investigation to be complete in the next couple of
weeks.
Around a month ago, a representative from FEMA inspected some of the questioned sites,
according to Mayor Ray Rothrock. Mr. Rothrock said the inspector requested that the town
forward the results of the independent investigation when complete. Some of the road repairs
done by Wallace were paid for with FEMA funds, Mr. Peck said.
An agent with FEMA's investigative division came to town in response to complaints and met
with Mr. Glover and town officials after touring the sites about a month ago. Mr. Peck said he
informed the N.C. Division of Emergency Management, FEMA and the State Bureau of
Investigation when he commissioned the independent investigation.
Opponents of the town's current government say Mr. Lehman left for other reasons.
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