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What it took to remove Brian Berger from office

Commissioners voted 3-2 to remove Berger from office.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Elected leaders voted 3-2 Monday afternoon in favor of removing one of their own from the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.

By the process of an amotion hearing, commissioners kicked Brian Berger out of public office. Amotion is not bound by state law, but the county conducted the hearing similar to one that would happen in a courtroom.

It didn't take long in the process for Christopher Anglin, representing Berger, to question the board's ability to allow evidence against his client without having the ability to cross examine it.

Berger said a few days was not enough time to prepare his case. Anglin later said he was contact about a week ago to take the case. Sheriff's deputies served Berger with the charges against him almost a month ago.

Attendance

Open letter from Dave Allen to program supporters

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Soon after learning his program faced the possibility of being cut, Dave Allen was overwhelmed by the number of calls, emails and letters of support that he received.

Not one to use social media (he also doesn't have a cell phone) Allen emailed his student-athletes thanking them and encouraging them to keep up the fight.  The letter is below.

Dear Swimmers and Divers:

It is with great heart ache that I am writing you this email. I cannot begin to tell you how saddened I am with the decision of the review committee report.

I feel this is not a very good reflection on how well you have all done here at UNCW as students and as athletes, and how well you have represented this University.

Dave Allen preparing for uncertain future of swimming and diving program

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - UNCW Swimming and Diving head coach Dave Allen ends his voicemail message with "It's a great day to be a Seahawk."

That message remains despite the possibility of his program being dropped from the roster of sports at UNCW.

Based on last week's recommendations from the Intercollegiate Athletics Review committee, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's cross country and indoor track and field as well as softball are facing the possibility of termination.

"All of the coaches here work so hard to try to make the University proud of what they're doing, and what their teams are doing." Allen said Monday afternoon. "When something like this happens you sit there and go well, maybe we're not appreciate and there is a lack of respect for what we're attempting to do."

Commissioners vote 3-2 to remove Brian Berger

Commissioners in New Hanover County voted 3-2 Monday in favor of removing Brian Berger from the board.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in New Hanover County voted 3-2 Monday in favor of removing Brian Berger from the board.

The amotion process started after the board's meeting Monday. It was the first hearing in the state in more than 100 years.

Berger retained a lawyer for the process, Chris Anglin who is based in Raleigh. Anglin filed a Temporary Restraining Order in an effort to delay the process, but a judge ruled against it.

Jonathan Barfield said early in the hearing he was not pleased with the process. He said it seemed like the decision had already been made. Woody White reminded Barfield that elected leaders don't have the ability to choose which issues to deal with.

Berger's tardiness and other run-ins with the law were mentioned during the hearing.

'Click it or Ticket' campaign celebrates 20 years

'Click it or Ticket' campaign celebrates 20 years

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Monday, May 20th marks the 20th anniversary of North Carolina DOT “Click or Ticket” campaign.

According to the press release, North Carolina was the first state to launch this safety program in 1993.

The release also states, The Click it or Ticket campaign runs through Memorial Day weekend and ends on June 2nd.  During this time officers will cite driver’s state wide who do not buckle up.  

To learn more information about this campaign visit this link or visit  their website at, http://www.ncdot.gov/.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Early morning crash sends one to hospital

WILMINGTON, NC - (WECT) - An early morning car crash sent one person to the hospital on Saturday.

Dispatch confirms that one car rolled over on College Road near UNCW's campus. They say the call came in around one in the morning. 

One person was taken to the hospital.

Only one car was involved in the crash.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.