Larabee Homes’ Proposed Subdivision in Elizabeth City Poses Massive Taxpayer Burden – Offered Loan and Substation Fall Far Short

By Scott Perry

Residents and taxpayers of Elizabeth City are urged to take note of the significant financial risks associated with the proposed 277-lot subdivision by Larabee Homes, LLC.

While the developer has offered a partnership loan to help build a new electrical substation, experts warn that this gesture, along with the substation itself, is insufficient to meet the project’s extensive infrastructure needs. The result? Potentially tens of millions in costs are shifted onto local taxpayers for upgrades to electric, sewer, school, police, and fire services.

Larabee Homes, LLC, a North Carolina-based real estate investment firm specializing in property acquisition, development, and management, is led by President Benjamin Cade Larabee. The company’s principal address is 122 Beechwood Road, Ahoskie, NC 27910. The firm has positioned itself as a provider of affordable housing in northeastern North Carolina, but the scale of this subdivision highlights critical capacity shortfalls in the city’s existing systems.

Current utility loads stand at approximately 90% for electric and 80% for sewer, rendering them ill-equipped to handle the additional demand from 277 new homes without a roughly 65% capacity increase. This bottleneck arises from overloaded feeders, substations, pump stations, force mains, and potential wastewater treatment plant limits – issues that a single substation cannot fully resolve.

“Building a new substation might sound like a solution, but it’s often the wrong tool for subdivision-scale constraints,” according to a detailed planning analysis. Key reasons include:

• Feeder and Voltage Issues Persist: A substation does not automatically alleviate overloaded distribution feeders or voltage drops at the end of lines.
• Upstream Dependencies: Substations require transmission upgrades, land acquisition, and long-lead equipment, which could escalate costs beyond the project’s scope.
• Mismatch in Scale: For a development adding low-megawatt loads, utilities typically prioritize cheaper distribution upgrades like reconductoring, new feeders, or load transfers over a full substation, which can cost tens of millions. 
• Meaning that, for Elizabeth City, other neighborhoods & the business district will suffer more and longer periods of service outages by building a single substation. 

The offered partnership loan, while a step in collaboration, fails to cover the breadth of required fixes. Ballpark estimates for electric upgrades alone range from $1 million to $25 million or more, depending on whether distribution fixes suffice or a full substation expansion is needed. Sewer improvements add another $1 million to $50 million, including pump station upgrades, larger mains, or even wastewater treatment plant expansions.

When combined, realistic scenarios paint a grim picture for taxpayers:

• Scenario 1 (Distribution and Pump/Trunk Fixes): $2 million to $14 million total.
• Scenario 2 (Substation and Major Sewer Expansions): $15 million to $75 million or more.

These figures do not include public service impacts. With an estimated 637 new residents and 139 additional students from the subdivision, schools could require up to $8.6 million in capital costs for expansions, plus $1.7 million to $2.2 million annually in operating expenses. Police and fire/rescue services might add $255,000 to $478,000 in ongoing costs per year, with potential capital outlays for vehicles, gear, and facilities.

North Carolina law limits the city’s ability to recoup these costs through impact fees. While System Development Fees (SDFs) exist for water and wastewater, they are subject to strict methodologies. They cannot fund broader needs like schools, police, or fire without special authorization, which is lacking. Electric upgrades fall under utility tariffs, not city fees, further exposing taxpayers.

“Taxpayers should demand transparency: Why should the taxpayer foot the bill for private development profits?” said a local familiar with the analysis. “The offered loan and substation are band-aids on a major wound. Without full developer funding for all upgrades, this project risks straining our budgets for years.”

To move forward responsibly, the city must secure a utility “will-serve” study, downstream capacity models, and clear Contribution-in-Aid-of-Construction (CIAC) terms. Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming hearings and contact city officials to voice concerns. Planning Board Meeting is February 9, 2026, @ 7 pm. Location: City Hall. 

Scott Perry is a local business owner, writer and historian.

Schill Weighs in on NC Senate District 1 Race

Retired North Carolina Fisheries Association Director of Government Affairs Jerry Schill has offered a final perspective on the Republican primary race for North Carolina Senate District 1, weighing in on three leading candidates while sharply criticizing state Republican leadership over last year’s controversial effort to restrict shrimp trawling.

In a recent social media video, Schill discussed the race to replace Sen. Bobby Hanig, who is running for Congress in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. Schill said he continues to support Hanig’s congressional bid and believes the Senate race deserves careful attention from voters in northeastern North Carolina.

“That position is currently being held by Bobby Hanig,” Schill said. “Well, Bobby decided to run for Congress… and I strongly support Bobby Hanig for Congress.”

He said several candidates are seeking to replace Hanig, including Cole Johnson, Dave Forsythe, Jay Lane, and Jerry Tillett.

Schill began by discussing Tillett, whom he said he has known since the early to mid-1990s through their work on fisheries and legislative issues. He noted that Tillett later served as a judge in Dare County before stepping down and entering the Senate race. Schill acknowledged that judges often face criticism but said he generally views Tillett favorably.

Schill next discussed Johnson, a farmer and Marine veteran. He said he had spoken extensively with Johnson and his wife and was impressed by Johnson’s background and political involvement following regulatory challenges.

“When your livelihood is threatened, you get involved,” Schill said.

He connected Johnson’s activism to the 2025 shrimp trawling controversy known as “Shrimpgate,” which centered on a proposed ban on shrimping.

Turning to Jay Lane, Schill said he had several lengthy conversations with the candidate and expressed concern about Lane’s backing from Senate Republican leadership, whom he blamed for pushing the shrimping amendment.

“They shoved that amendment through without hardly any debate,” Schill said. “It was done underhandedly.”

Schill said he told Lane directly that the endorsements troubled him and made it difficult for him to encourage voters to support Lane. Although Lane told him he would remain independent, Schill said he remains skeptical.

“I know how politics works,” Schill said. “If they back you, they expect you to back them.”

Following those remarks, Schill issued a clarification regarding statements he made in that video. He said he should not have presented as factual a claim that Lane’s campaign was partially funded by money connected to the proposed shrimping ban.

“I should not have made that appear as factual as I have no evidence,” Schill said.

He added that some of the same individuals who supported the ban have endorsed Lane’s campaign. As an example, Schill cited lobbyist Nathan Babcock, who formerly had Sound Economy as a client and now works for Sen. Bill Rabon, a key architect of the proposed ban. Sound Economy testified in favor of the amendment, according to Schill.

Throughout the video, Schill criticized what he described as the growing influence of money in politics and expressed disappointment with lawmakers he once supported.

“This money issue in politics is huge,” he said. “It’s evil.”

Schill emphasized that he is not endorsing any candidate and urged voters to question candidates directly and research their records.

“I’m not making an endorsement,” he said. “You look at Jerry Tillett, you look at Cole Johnson and make up your mind.”

As the District 1 primary approaches, Schill’s comments reflect ongoing tensions in northeastern North Carolina over fisheries policy, campaign financing, and legislative leadership.

Governor Spanberger Must Choose Between Responsibility and Indulgence

By Douglas Wilder

Virginia has inaugurated a new governor, Abigail Spanberger (D), and with that moment comes both celebration and responsibility. She did not campaign as a woman seeking recognition for being the first to do so; she campaigned to govern.

That distinction matters.

The earliest days of any administration are often dismissed as ceremonial; they are not, they are revealing. They disclose priorities, instincts and governing philosophy. They test whether ambition is aligned with mandate.

When I was elected governor, I quickly learned that not only were we broke, but we were nearly $250 million in the hole. In response, we established the Rainy Day Fund (https://archives.wilderlibrary.com/exhibits/rainy-day-fund) and placed its maintenance into our constitution to ensure fiscal discipline and long-term stability.

Today, Virginians face a different but no less serious reckoning. The basic costs of living continue to rise. Housing, food, transportation, health care and education are not just abstract talking points, they are daily burdens. Families are forced to choose between essentials. Seniors are rationing care. Young people are delaying dreams.

In times like these, we must distinguish between niceties — the policies that may sound appealing or politically rewarding but do little to ease the pressures Virginians face — and necessities, those actions that directly address affordability, economic security and opportunity. Government must focus first on what helps families remain afloat, not on what merely satisfies ideological impulses.

The temptation of new leadership aligned in policy and purpose is to move quickly and expansively. Yet the first question must always be the same: Who will pay? And can they afford it?

Members of the General Assembly have rushed to introduce bills eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for numerous crimes, raising taxes and expanding spending. Each of these proposals deserves debate, but discussion without discipline becomes indulgence.

Will raising taxes shift the burden primarily to those with the greatest ability to pay, or will it squeeze working families already stretched thin? Will increased spending result in measurable improvements in public services, or will it drive the state toward deficits that future generations must repair? Will eliminating sentencing standards improve justice and public safety together, or produce unintended consequences that communities later regret?

Good intentions do not replace careful judgment. Every policy choice carries consequences, financial and otherwise. Gov. Spanberger must demonstrate that she is willing to exercise discipline and resist excesses that extend beyond the mandate voters entrusted to her.

As governor, she must be the driving force and steady commander of our ship of state. Her advisers, capable though they may be, must not become an insulation from the people she was elected to serve. Leaders cannot govern from behind layers of staff and strategy. They must remain directly accountable to citizens, listening to their concerns and responding to their realities. That may cause discomfort at times, but it is a small price to pay for genuine representation.

I need not restate the governor’s and our shared values, but I will restate my lifelong effort to remind those in power that government exists to further what my mentor, Mordecai Johnson, former president of Howard University, called the “high possibility of the individual.” Setbacks will occur, but leadership means ensuring that they remain temporary, not permanent conditions.

Gov. Spanberger now stands among those who can make a difference. I believe she intends to be a servant of the people, all of the people. But that service must be disciplined, because every initiative has a cost, every promise has a price, and every reform must be measured not only by intention, but by consequence.

Justice and fiscal responsibility are not opposing goals, they are inseparable. Lasting reform requires financial stability. Programs that cannot be sustained eventually collapse, leaving those they were meant to help worse off than before. True justice demands solutions that endure.

Stay tuned.

“View this post on the Wilder Visions website:  https://wildervisions.com/2026/01/30/abigail-spanberger-must-choose-between-responsibility-and-indulgence/ 

Douglas Wilder is the former governor of Virginia

Pat’s Praise — Prisoners

By Patricia Throckmorton

My career as a Registered Nurse spanned nearly five decades.  But once a nurse, always a nurse, whether you are employed or not.  I have cared for the infirm from the delivery room to death.  The most heartbreaking assignment I had was caring for newborns and children who were terminally ill.  Interestingly, the most rewarding task was providing care to inmates in our prison system for more than ten years.  My motto was “they are in prison as punishment, not for punishment.” Thus, they were treated with equality by the medical staff.

When I think of the Apostle Paul, I consider the time he spent in Roman prisons.  He was placed in a dungeon, most likely on an upper level, once his trial was underway. Ironically, his first arrest turned out to be a place of refuge or sanctuary to protect him from the angry mob of Jews who planned to murder him.  Read Acts 23:12-30 for the full story.

To continue the story, Paul was tried by Felix, the governor, who, after hearing Paul’s testimony, adjourned the trial saying to Paul, “When Lysias the commandant comes down, I will determine your case more fully.”

“Then he ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to treat him with indulgence [giving him some liberty] and not to hinder his friends from ministering to his needs and serving him” Acts 24:23 AMP.

There are three types of prisoners. 1) A person legally held in prison for crimes committed.  2) A person captured and kept confined by an enemy, opponent, or criminal.  3) A person who is or feels confined or trapped by a situation or set of circumstances.

If you commit a crime and are found guilty, you go to prison.  If you are abducted and held against your will, you are a prisoner.  Consider those held captive by their own devices whether it be drugs, pornography, over-eating or the environment of domestic abuse.  Consider those with intellectual disabilities.  These too, are prisoners.

I am stumbling around, trying to get to my point, with some difficulty, I might add.  I want to say this.  We are all in need of someone to “care” for us.  We need to be important to someone.  And there are countless people out there who need someone to care for them.  Yes, it can be incredibly draining yet amazingly rewarding.  Take the time to be that someone.  It may lead to reduced stress and increased happiness for you.   When you are the “giver,” you may experience an increase in self-esteem, self-worth, and a feeling of connectedness.  It is a win-win.

A published author, Pat Throckmorton, is a retired nurse who lives in Perquimans County.

Reflections On Our Military And My Heroes

By Keith Throckmorton

Jesus spoke, as recorded in Matthew 24:6 KJV, regarding signs of the end of this age.  He said, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye not be troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”  David lamented in his warrior’s Psalm 144:1-2 KJV,  “Blessed Be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. My goodness and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.”

My heroes are our military, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS (all first responders), and of course, our health care providers.  Our military and law enforcement are currently not as respected and stable as the others mentioned.  Many are leaving the police profession as they have no desire to work in the continuing deplorable work environments they face today.

Our military cannot leave at will.  They are obligated to complete their enlistments or commitments.  They serve to protect us from our enemies abroad.  Our military is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.  They leave their families behind while serving in a foreign country for long periods. Some never come home (deemed missing in action) or choose to stay out of the country.
Their Oaths of Allegiance is as follows:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
They must memorize and repeat on command:

THE CODE OF CONDUCT
1. I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
2. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
3. If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
4. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
5. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
6. I will never forget that I am an American fighting for freedom, responsible for my action, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Over history, these heroes have paid the following sacrifices for our freedom:

Total Casualties, Wounded and Death (All Wars) 2,852,901+

Missing In Action (All Wars) 40,031+

Prisoners of War (All Wars and Catagories) 406,849

Our military personnel have more than earned and deserve the best of benefits, respect, and care that our country can provide.  Sadly, this is not the case.  Monies and services that they should receive go elsewhere. One prime example is homeless veterans living on the street while illegal immigrants are being housed and provided care. Veterans should receive monies, educational benefits, housing, and any other assistance necessary.

Recently at the disturbances at the capital, our military personnel were forced to stay in a parking garage. Illegal immigrants are staying in nice living quarters and big-box hotels. Sadly, the political pursuits are providing entitlements to others over our veterans. Such poor prioritization is insanity and a slap in the face of our military heroes.

 Our armed forces deserve the same treatment as those previously mentioned. Our military was recently assigned to pick up trash and garbage left behind by illegal immigrants entering our country.  Such is disgraceful and disrespectful to those serving in our military.  As a patriotic American, I feel their pain.  All of this is unacceptable.

Professionally, as a police criminal investigator, supervisor, and as federal background investigator, my responsibilities required my presence at four different military installations. They were Fort Belvoir (Army), Quantico (Marine), Camp Lejeune (Marine), Cherry Point (Marine), and the United States Coast Guard Base (Elizabeth City).

Each time I visited and left these installations, I felt that I had been back in the real America I once knew. I was always treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. The atmosphere and appearance of these installations and personnel demonstrated loyalty to our nation. All of this brought back memories of my time in the Navy.
On many occasions in my career, I responded to neighborhoods made up of military personnel.  As neighbors, they were close and looked after each other’s interests. They were always ready to assist in any way that they could.  By contrast, in civilian neighborhoods, citizens did not know each other than casual waving and speaking.
Professionally, military installations were ever willing to serve in their communities.  I was honored to serve as the Fairfax County Police liaison with Fort Belvoir.  In this capacity, I responded to specific requests from them. Likewise, they were there for us. 
There was an occasion when we had a blizzard, making it impossible for our officers to drive back and forth to work.  The Fort Belvoir Military Police came and stayed in our conference room.  They used special vehicles to transport police officers to and from work until travel could be made safely. It represented community partnership at its best.  On a recent occasion locally, military personnel assisted our EMS by administering COVID 19 vaccinations.

The Fort Belvoir Provost Marshal Office (PMO) requested to be advised on any occasion when any person arrested disgraced the uniform of service by their conduct.  There was an occasion when a full colonel was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. He was belligerent and disrespectful to everyone present. Four privates were charged earlier for being Drunk In Public.  They were waiting to be released.  When the colonel was brought into the cellblock, where they were, he screamed at them and scolded them for not coming to attention when he entered. One of the privates responded to him, “You might be a colonel, but right now, you are a $#@% jailbird, just like us.” Upon receiving a call placed to the PMO office, a lieutenant General (3 Stars) arrived, very respectful and polite.  He spoke with our magistrate, and the colonel was released.  The general marched the colonel out of our station in silence.  It reminded me of basic training. The general apologized to all of us for the colonel’s behavior.

There was an occasion that I responded to Quantico to interview a person of interest regarding an investigation that I was conducting. I went to the Naval Criminal Investigation Office and made my request known. My person of interest was marched in by a Marine Second Lieutenant.  He requested that I let him know when I had finished. After completing my interview, the lieutenant came back and marched the person of interest out.  I was always impressed with military discipline.

Of particular pleasure was going to Camp Lejeune on federal background investigations.  Camp Lejeune is 246 square miles, so it took some time to find my way around. On my initial visit (the purpose was for background investigation work for the Department of Defense), not sure of the requirements to enter the base.  I was driving my personal vehicle, not a government-issued one.  I stopped at the visitor building outside of the main gate off Western Blvd., produced my identification, and enquired if a pass was needed. The sergeant was unsure and referred me to the main gate Military Police (MP) for this information. He advised that he would contact the main entrance and announce that I was en route.
It took 3 minutes to arrive at one of the main gate entrances and was met by a uniformed MP.  Again, I asked if a pass was necessary to enter the gate.  Before he could answer, a plainclothes MP yelled at him from the adjacent entrance, criticizing the young MP loudly, saying to him, “You idiot!  You were told that this man could go anywhere on base that he wished.” Even though I was embarrassed for the young MP,  it was impressive that there was still discipline in the world.  Upon thanking the young man for his service, my investigation commenced.

On another occasion, I interviewed a sergeant major during his off-work time in a local restaurant in the privacy of a booth.  When I entered the establishment, I immediately recognized him even though he was not in uniform.  His command presence, posture, all clothing pressed and neat made it evident of his position.  He was respectful, straightforward, thorough, and confident with all answers during the interview.  When appropriate, all answers were “yes sir” or “no sir.” Upon leaving Camp Lejeune that evening, it was apparent that I had been in the presence of a true American hero in every way. The sergeant-major represented the very best of our military.

There was a time that I interviewed a captain and a first sergeant at the Intelligence Unit at Camp Lejeune. The building had no windows and was well off the main drag. The captain met me, and we went to the interview location on the inside.  Several junior enlisted marines were working at their desks.  I was surprised to see them somewhat unkempt with shaggy hair.  I jokingly ask the captain about this deviation from the always sharp marines on base.  He promptly advised that he was an infantry officer and was not used to this.  He had only worked there a week. As “intel” folks, they were not required to look the “spit-shined” role as their counterparts.  The captain informed me, most seriously, that he would like take them into the field for a week and make marines out of them; this made me chuckle.

Although there are countless other experiences that I could share, my point is this.  I love our armed forces, honor their sacrifices and who they are in real life. I trust that all Americans share my feelings. Please, thank them for their service when you encounter them.  I salute and thank all who have served.  Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice or never returned.

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 KJV: “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord, thy God is with thee, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be when ye are come into battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;  For the Lord, your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

Keith Throckmorton, Fairfax County Police (Retired and Chaplain), Perquimans County.