Town investigating after citizen declares ownership of emergency beach access

SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Sunset Beach is encouraging people to avoid the East End Emergency Beach Access until further notice.

Anglin says the town is investigating and seeking legal guidance on how to best address the situation.

“We are advising that all citizens and members of the public avoid the emergency access until the details are resolved,” Anglin wrote in a news release.

As of 1 p.m. Monday, Mayor Shannon Phillips called a special town council meeting to consult with the town attorney concerning the matter.

Linda Register says she was the listing agent for the property and claims it was never owned by the town. She says there was a temporary easement for the town to use it, but that was revoked last summer.

“This lady that has bought it is going to be building a beautiful home and is looking forward to being here in Sunset Beach,” Register said. “She doesn’t need traffic going through her private property.”

“She’s just grabbing this land that’s been used by all the citizens of Sunset Beach for years and years and years,” Resident Lynn Nesmith said.

Ann Morales, who says she owns the property in question, spoke at Monday night’s town council meeting. She claims she tried to make a deal with the town to use the beach access during summer months, but a deal could not be reached.

“After that, we revoked the emergency access there,” Morales said. “There has never ever been a public access.”

Morales also says she’s been harassed and degraded on social media.

“It has been ugly here, I’ve been called a snob, entitled, from people that I don’t even know,” Morales said. “This is my dream, I’ve worked very hard.”

The closed session meeting will take place Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers.