Open Government and FOR the People---NOT!

Commissioner Etheridge is speaking out LOUDLY and often about the goings-on with this current BOC---for whatever good it does. They have consistently shown a total lack of regard for the people of our county and with each passing day they only get worse . The only positive thing I can see in their shenanigans is that the public should have a very good insight NOW into the actual character of some of these elected officials. I will be posting Commissioner Etheridge's remarks as they are received in hopes we can make a stand to let these individuals know they are OUR servants, here to do good for all of Currituck, and have no business trying to fill their own agendas.


Friends,
Below is an email request I sent to the commissioners requesting that Monday's workshop meeting be televised and taped. I had already made a verbal request and was told Chairman Nelms said no. Keep in mind, the objection to the last approved district boundaries is that the public did not supposedly know about the proposed changes, despite public meetings and mailings to every household. By taping and televising every step in the process, we do all we can to overcome that objection.Please let your opinions be known to your elected government.
Thank you.
Owen

Chairman Nelms, Vice-Chairman Gregory, Commissioner Taylor,
Due to the sensitive, important and timely nature of the subject of Monday's workshop meeting, I am requesting with great respect that it be video taped and televised exactly as our regular commissioners meetings are, live and then played several times. It is most important to provide the citizens of Currituck County as much public information and disclosure of this subject we can and televising the meeting is the most effective method we have available. We need and must have an informed public to participate in the upcoming Public Hearings.I want to remind each of you, your personal and collective pledge at your first meeting, promising to conduct Currituck's Government with full openness and disclosure.Thank you for your consideration.
Best Regards,
Owen Etheridge

Another loss for Currituck--County in Crisis?

Dear Friends,
Below is the notice of Sarah Keifer resignation as Currituck's Planning Director. I know that not everyone was in agreement with Sarah and some of the positions she held. Her departure comes at a very critical time. We are currently preparing to implement conditional use zoning and if the General Assembly passes the Transferable Development Rights legislation,we will untake it's implementation, both are areas that Sarah had a great deal of experience with. That experience is what helped make her stand out among the other applicants when she was hired.I have not spoken to Sarah and inquired of her reasons to leave Currituck, but as Dan's email indicates she is returning home and that I am sure that is a major reason. I do know that she had great concerns following the election the new majority on the BOC would not be committed to following a prudent common sense approach to managed growth the county was practicing when she came to Currituck.I am greatly concerned Currituck County Government is fast gaining a reputation as not being a very good place to work. I know from my conversations with many county employees, morale is at an all time low, mainly because of the many threats and intimidation they feel from some of the commissioners. I fear this reputation could negatively impact the county as we seek to find the right people to join the county's professional staff. If I am right about our reputation then, why would anyone "worth their salt" want to work here? Let us pray I am wrong and this is not the case.On another note, I am planning to carry these updates to you to the next level, by providing them as a weekly update, however if the need arises I will provide you the information asap.In closing I want to thank you for your interest, concern and involvement with our county. Your continued service to the county and citizens is most important as we work to make Currituck the best it can be. If I can be of service to you, please don't hesitate to contact me. May God bless each of you and your families.
Best Regards
Owen Etheridge

From: "Dan Scanlon" Subject: Planning Director Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:40:33 -0400
I am writing to inform you that Sarah Keifer has submitted her>resignation today as the Currituck County Planning Director. Sarah will be returning to New Kent County, Delaware to become their Planning Director. We are preparing the job recruitment notice and will be placing the ads immediately. Historically across the State, Planning Director positions have been extremely difficult to fill so we will keep our fingers crossed. In the meantime, I will be leaning on David Webb to pick up the slack.
Dan Scanlon,
County Manager
Currituck County

Ponderings and Tidbits

It seems that not only are the old-school Currituckians bailing out on attempting to work with this disfunctional new board of commissioners, but even the fairly recently employed (and even more recently nearly unemployed) attorney is seeking greener grass. Kate McKenzie has tendered her resignation effective later this month. Not only does she seem to see the writing on the wall, but evidently the changes touted by these new commissioners are not being well met by some of our good volunteers. First, Bob Kohler stepped down from the Airport Board, then David Palmer resigned as chairman of the Economic Development Board and now Bobby Henley is also resigning from the Economic Development Board. All brought excellent expertise to these respective boards and will be significant losses to the county. Term limits have been removed so none of these volunteers HAD to step down which could make it more than a little puzzling. But, given the time frame involved in the new commissioners tenure, it makes me feel that our good volunteers have allowed for the breaking in period but now see, as a large portion of the other citizens have noticed, this new board is not working for the best interests of Currituck as a whole, but mainly for the 'special' interests to which they owe an allegiance.
On a more positive note, it has been 'rumored' that Gene Gregory has decided to break away from Chairman Bully. Evidently he is politically savvy enough to know that being attached to a dictatorship will not garner votes in the next election.
Even more positive, it seems that not only did the attendees at a Corolla Light meeting vote to come out in opposition to the incorporation of Corolla, but they effectively shut down an appeal by Bully Nelms defending the incorporation. Thumbs up to the people of Corolla Light for supporting the preservation of the Currituck which attracted them here in the first place.

Water at a Price?

The Daily Advance posted a column this week with some scary costs involving our water in the county. Double this cost, triple that, increases, increases, increases----for US---citizens already here and settled. Currituck County is one of the fastest growing in the state. Why wasn't it discussed that increasing a tap fee for NEW connections to approximately $5,000-$6,000.00 would satisfy the costs that will be incurred with the RO plant. Also, the decrease in cost involved with the proposed outfall by shortening it from 21 miles to 8 could be accomplished by taking it across Currituck Sound and connecting it to the existing outfall at Corolla.
Oh, but wait, those things can't be done by this board---they were proposals suggested by a former Commissioner, Paul Martin, nearly 2 years ago so we know then, they must be cast aside.

An Incensed Independent

Things must be going downhill---not only do most of the public I meet have nothing but disdain for the actions from some of our county commissioners, but even the editorial in The Independent today slams the chairman for his 'heavy-fisted' actions in regards to the public comments section of the board meetings.
In another column, the misdirection by the county attorney is taken to task, as well. Her comments that the previous board had directed her to research rules for the comments area was just another attempt to mislead the public. In what is evidently a carryover from the campaign strategies used by a few of the board members, this statement has no merit. A big difference I see here, though, is that the statement has not been allowed to pass. Finally we have one member of the media who is not sitting back until everything is over and done before announcing some of the strategies are misleading or even outright lies. 'After the fact' announcements have allowed those commissioners to get where they are today. Maybe I'm being optimistic, or maybe we on the mainland aren't quite as simple as the George Soros of the outer banks has stated, and just maybe we have support that will step up and call to task those things that need to be addressed. We can only hope. Too bad it has taken us this long and this far to see that.

Reagan Day Event

What a wonderfully successful event!! Currituck County hosted the Reagan Day Event this year combining efforts with Camden, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties. Senator Burr was the keynote speaker and was joined by gubernatorial candidates Senator Fred Smith and Bill Graham. They were met by an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 200 interested and involved citizens from the region. Primary topics included the refueling of the Republican Party that needs to be done now in preparation for the 2009 elections, the job we still have with the war on terrorism, and the need for viable candidates at all levels of government. Senator Burr related what a shock it has been to the public to see the backlash from the last election and he stressed that we are still at war with terrorism and need to continue to support means for stopping its progression .
Past and present public officials were recognized and presented with an American flag that has been flown over the Capitol. Other involved citizens were called upon to stand and be recognized for their volunteer work that is so important for the betterment of all our counties and the numbers were truly inspiring. The people of NENC showed quite readily how involved they are.
The documentary on Ronald Reagan was both unique and still appropriate for today's world events. It showed how Reagan went against popular opinion and held steadfast in his stand against a Communistic world threat to ultimately see its demise. The response from the viewers showed just how significant this video was; there were chuckles, applause, nods of agreement, intakes of breath, and finally during the Twin Tower attacks on 9/11 there was absolute quiet.
Those in attendance left the event with a new sense of optimism for the Republican Party's cohesiveness in our area.

Bully for Barry

The Daily Advance's View of Politics by Barry:

Our View: Nelms has some 'growing up' to do
Saturday, February 10, 2007

During his campaign for county commissioner last fall, Barry Nelms promised Currituck voters they were in for changes. Well, Nelms has delivered on his promise. But we're not sure his idea of change is what voters had in mind. Instead of the mature leadership he was expected to provide as the Currituck Board of Commissioners' new chairman, Nelms has often seemed more childlike than statesman. We're concerned about two incidents in particular, one involving Nelms' decision to distribute bumper stickers containing an offensive remark about a business rival at a public event, the other his decision to arbitrarily shut down discussion about a highly controversial matter during a public meeting. In the first matter, Nelms had just taken the oath as a county commissioner when he reportedly showed up at a motorcycle "toy run" fundraiser in December with "Maurice Sucks" bumper stickers to pass out to riders. The "Maurice" mentioned in Nelms' stickers is Maurice Slaughter, owner of several Harley-Davidson dealerships in the area.It's not clear why Nelms was handing out the bumper stickers targeting Slaughter; he declined The Daily Advance's request to address the matter. But according to Slaughter, Nelms and the Harley-Davidson dealer apparently have been spatting for some time. Slaughter says the two most recently butted heads over the naming of a biker rally Nelms is planning for Currituck in April. Slaughter owns a federal trademark on the phrase "Outer Banks Bike Week." Nelms apparently has inverted the phrase and has referred to his event on T-shirts and a Web site as "Bike Week Outer Banks." Nelms has also pushed back his event so that it's held the same weekend as the motorcycle rally Slaughter was planning for Currituck in April.The dispute has since evolved into a legal matter. Slaughter's attorney has written Nelms, advising him to stop distributing the bumper stickers and to halt his use of the phrase "Bike Week Outer Banks," threatening legal action if the Currituck commissioner doesn't comply.It doesn't matter whether Nelms is the truly aggrieved party in this dispute. There are legitimate ways for public officials to express their disagreement with others. Passing out bumper stickers with offensive language on them isn't one of them. Nelms also seems to have lost sight of the fact that frat boy humor should be practiced by frat boys, not elected officials.The second matter that gives us pause about Nelms' judgment is even more serious. During a commissioners meeting earlier this week, the Currituck board chairman denied fellow Commissioner Owen Etheridge a chance to express his opposition to an impending board decision.Etheridge, an opponent of ending a county project to convert a former church into a visitors center-library, had asked Nelms for time to present an argument for continuing the county's lease on the property. Nelms denied the request, however, telling Etheridge: "This isn't a discussion on an issue, this is an action on terminating the lease." The Currituck board then voted 4-1, with Etheridge objecting, to terminate the lease for the former church.Again, it doesn't matter whether Nelms was right to end the lease on what has proved a controversial project. He was wrong to deny Etheridge a chance to voice his opinion on the lease. And by so doing, Nelms rode roughshod over the fact that Currituck voters elected five people, not one, to represent them on the county commission.Returning to public life after 20 years - as Nelms, a former commissioner, is doing - often requires a period of adjustment. Let's hope for Currituck residents' sake Nelms' "growing up" period doesn't take too long.

Thoughts and Concerns

After the meeting Monday night, issues pertaining to the direction our county is going are of even more concern to me. I have to wonder when or even whether the new board will finally decide to do something of their own making for the good of the county and not just continue in their trend to undo anything and everything the previous board had set in place. Their method of stating they are looking for public input and their actions are in direct opposition to one another. The town hall meeting was nothing more than a diversion. The methods for carrying out county business are being done in the same light as the campaign that was run--subterfuge and/or outright lies. The stop order for the library had already been given and it appears the presentation by the chairman of the board was a statement of where the county was going. In that same trend, the firing of Greg Schwarga gives us the indication of what Nelms is expecting for Corolla and its incorporation as does the firing of the 'horse farm' employees and the 'review' of the horse farm. Doing away with the property is probably going to be announced in the near future with all his entailing reasons. Of course, since no discourse other than what the chairman deems appropriate is allowed, the general public will have no true idea of the monies spent or lost. The board has already sent for information from the state as to how they can redo the public vote to accept the 7 commissioners and the new districts. They are misleading the people by allowing them to believe they will have to travel to all parts of the county to vote, which is not the case. Nelms attitude toward the people of Currituck mirrors quite forcibly that of one of the Corolla residents who was quoted as saying those of us on the mainland are not very bright. He apparently continues to make decisions without including all the board and is arrogant in his role as chairman both towards the general public as well as others in supervisory positions within the county. Our government's stand on county affairs looks to be on a downhill slide with no end in sight and it's a tragedy that we have no means to offset what is or will be done. The people of Currituck must make a stand and let their feelings be known.

Owen's Response to Library Inquiries

To all,
In response to inquiries regarding confirmation I made my library presentation available to all BOC members, here is my correspondence with that request to the County Clerk.BOC members received this and made inquiry to staff regarding it but did not contact me. As you know, the information in the presentation simply laid out information from the public record which I believe supported voting against a motion to terminate the lease for the library facility in Moyock. I had photos and the blueprint plans for the facility with me for public review.In Moyock, a presentation was made by Chairman Nelms he had given to staff to put in power point form the preceeding Friday. He instructed that the presentation was to be distributed to other BOC members at the end of the Monday retreat, which it was, at app. 5pm before the 7pm Moyock meeting. Chairman Nelms admitted in Moyock no other BOC members were privy to his presentation before the distribution at the retreat at app. 5pm.In light of the discussion last week with the BOE where the County Manager discussed a deficit and potential need for a tax increase, and in light of the agenda item to terminate the leased Moyock facility in order to go forward with the immediate construction of a substitute, million dollar plus building project, I thought it was very relevant that the debate over the motion to terminate the lease include factual information about the leased facility option.Thank you for your feedback.
Best Regards,
Owen

Aborted Totem Tackle

Under Owen's protest of censorship, Barry 'disallowed' Owen's discussion items on the temporary library and its funding. As of February 28, the lease agreement will be terminated (4-1 vote), the county will have lost money it didn't intend to spend, and the people of Moyock will continue to wait for their library.

The Totem Tackles the Library Truths

Greetings all:
If the BOC continues to pursue the termination of the lease for the Moyock Church/Library/Vistors Center then I plan to make tonight the following presentation in regards to the agenda item regarding the leased facility. I am doing this in an attempt to put the idea of a leased facility back on the table as an alternative. An alternative that will give the county time to properly plan this needed facility and identify funding sources that will not necessitate a tax increase as it is apparent the current proposal might. I hope you understand my position on this issue and ask you to comment back to me any criticism or suggestions you might have.Thanks to each of you for your concern, interest and work you do to help make Currituck a better place.
Best Regards,
Owen Etheridge

MOYOCK LIBRARY CLAIMS vs FACTS

CLAIM: Library Temporary - available for only two years after renovation >>>and Lease Rate increases $6,000 per year.
FACT: Initial Lease Length is three years, with two additional two year >>>options. Initial Lease Rate for 3,293 square feet, is $26,344 per year >>>for the entire length of the first term of three years. The first two >>>year rate is set at $32,930 per year and the second two year term is set >>>at $39,516. These rates are set in the lease contract. These lease >>>rates when compared to other square foot commercial lease rates in Moyock >>>represent a sizable savings. The rate goes up only twice in seven years >>>at the beginning of each renewal option if so exercised.>>>>>>
CLAIM: Costs have increased due to lack of Proper Due Diligence.>>>>>>
FACT: Any increased costs realized to date are a result of Proper Due >>>Diligence not the lack of, as claimed. During the normal course of >>>renovations as anyone would expect, items were discovered. The cost to >>>repair structural issues is clearly addressed within the lease and is the >>>sole responsibility of the owner and not the county as has been implied.* >>> Termite Damage was found to be a major cause and is the responsibility >>>of the owner. *Refer to Lease Contract, Clauses 13, 14, & 18 for >>>verification.>>>>>>
CLAIM: Facility not wired for computers.>>>>>>
FACT: The renovation cost included the computer network, wiring and the >>>installation costs for a complete computer setup. The wiring for the >>>computers and the layout for the location of computers is seen in the >>>post-renovation photo and design blueprints. (see plans and photo)>>>>>>
CLAIM: Insulation, Windows do not meet code, and building costly to heat >>>and cool.>>>>>>
FACT: Edmond P. Virgil, RA the architect, placed and sealed the >>>following statement on the renovation plans, “To the best of my knowledge >>>and belief, the design of the building complies with the thermal envelope >>>requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code, Volume X >>>Energy”.(see design blueprints)>>>>>>>>>
CLAIM: Lighting not conducive for a Library.>>>>>>
FACT: Edmond P. Virgil, RA the architect reviewed the existing lighting >>>for compliance and where it did not meet the code made necessary >>>adjustments to bring it into compliance. Costs were contained in the >>>renovation contract.(see design blueprints)>>>>>>
CLAIM: Additional Toilet Facilities needed & no handicap bathroom.>>>>>>
FACT: The facility has the required bathrooms included one which was >>>added as a code compliant handicap bathroom.(see design blueprint & >>>post-renovation photo)>>>>>>>>>
CLAIM: Parking, 20 spaces only, visiting tourist will crowd out library >>>users.>>>>>>
FACT: Number of Parking Spaces exceeds minimum requirements. >>>Arrangements for large vehicles, RVs, SUVs and any overflow were being >>>negotiated with an adjoining landowner, making the parking comparable to >>>the existing public library in Barco.>>>>>>>>>>>>
CLAIM: Size, 1,285 Sq Ft including visitor’s center.>>>>>>
FACT: 1,285 Sq Ft only accounts for the sanctuary area. The building >>>contains a total of 3.293 Sq Ft. The additional 2,008 sq ft apart from >>>the sanctuary was included in the design for this library as planned and >>>useable space similar to the design plan of the proposed newly built >>>library. The first floor renovation plans contain a large children’s >>>room, a new handicap bathroom, large storage room, office and a utility >>>room. Second Floor planned renovations include a work room, storage room >>>and 2 additional offices.>>>>>>>>>
CLAIM: New Permanent Library will cost $1,200,000.00>>>>>>
FACT: This estimate from The Design Collaborative of $156 per sq ft is >>>based on a 2005 Suffolk, VA Library bid. The same memo contained the >>>following statement. “We recently bid a 20,000 sq ft library in >>>Chesterfield County outside of Richmond, that came in at $250/sq ft. It >>>has very nice finishes and a lot of high volume space with day lighting >>>from above. I don’t think its really comparable to your project, but it >>>is not out of line with the market today”. Pasquotank County is >>>currently constructing a new library at a cost of a little over $200/sq >>>ft and Chowan County in November 2006 approved a renovation of their >>>existing library with a 5,500 sq ft expansion at a cost of approximately >>>$250/sq ft. There is a major discrepancy between the proposed cost of >>>the new Moyock facility and the actual construction cost of the two new >>>library facilities in our area. Which is correct a hypothetical proposal >>>or actual construction costs?>>>>>>>>>
CLAIM: Construction can start in May 2007 with targeted completion date >>>of July 2008>>>>>>
FACT: To date Currituck County has not acquired a deed to either of the >>>proposed donated Library sites. In reality it could be many months >>>before this can take place. Is Currituck County going to undertake >>>extensive engineering studies on both sites in order to prepare all the >>>preliminary detailed site and building plans in order to move forward >>>before the land is actually acquired? Based on my research with various >>>engineers, these studies and design work at a minimum will take at least >>>three months to complete. At that time building, waste water, drainage >>>and any other permits must be applied for. How long will the review >>>process take? We know how long state review of permits is currently >>>taking, months and months. Realistically many months or even a year >>>could lapse before actual construction can begin. Any deviation from the >>>proposed timetable and any delay in construction which will result in the >>>delay of the library's opening, could possibly increase costs.>>>>>>
CLAIM: The prior Board of Commissioners was trying to give Moyock a >>>second class Library Facility.>>>>>>
FACT: It was never the intent of the prior BOC to make the church >>>building a permanent library. It was the intent to begin the delivery of >>>library services in an expeditious and economically feasible manner.>>>The reasons for following this course:>>>1. Combining the library with the visitor’s center , allowed the use of >>>Occupancy Tax Funds to cover renovation and operational costs’ of the >>>facility and prevented tapping into other earmarked important capital >>>expense funds>>>2. The use of the temporary facility would allow the library staff , >>>library trustees and county staff to study and determine the actual needs >>>of a permanent Moyock Library. Doing it this way would allow for the >>>planning and design of this facility to truly reflect what is needed. In >>>other words, design the shoe to fit the foot, instead of trying to make >>>the foot fit the shoe.>>>>>>
CLAIM: $1,200,000.00 was found in the Land Transfer Tax Fund to pay for >>>this.>>>>>>
FACT: I stated at the Moyock Town Meeting, the prior BOC was using >>>occupancy tax funds as allowed under the restrictions of the law ,in >>>order not to take away funds from another future building project that >>>these funds can not be used for. As we now apparently know, the 1.2 >>>million is coming at the expense of another project. The possible need >>>for a tax increase is only one of the possible results of “finding this >>>1.2 million”. This might not be necessary had there not been a “Sudden >>>Rush to Judgment” to halt/eliminate ongoing capital projects within the >>>first week of being in power. Capital Projects that had been studied and >>>planned, with the funding sources identified within current revenues and >>>used in a prudent efficient manner.>>>>>>>>>>>>
CLAIM: The permanent library is what Moyock needs.>>>>>>
FACT: There has not been a thorough, responsible analysis performed to >>>determine what might be needed in a permanent Moyock Library. The plan >>>for the new facility is based on Virginia Beach libraries. With all due >>>respect to Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach is not Moyock. It is important >>>a Moyock library reflect Moyock and it's residents needs, not Virginia >>>Beach. Before we even consider adding another expensive capital project >>>which may result in increasing all Currituck resident's taxes, , a >>>thorough analysis of Moyock's library needs should be undertaken. Too >>>rush these determinations to meet an arbitrary, politically motivated >>>timetable is not fiscally responsible given a funded, temporary option is >>>almost immediately available at far less cost and if we do not utilize >>>it, we are simply throwing away app. $150,000.

Feb. 5, 2007 BoC Agenda

Currituck County
Board of Commissioners Agenda
Historic Currituck County Courthouse
Date: Monday, February 5, 2007
Time: 7:00 PM
7:00 p.m. Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Item 1 Approval of Agenda
Item 2 Public Comment
Item 3 Public Hearing and Action on Amendment to Code of
Ordinances, Chapter 2 (Administration), Article III (Authorities,
Boards and Commissions), Division 3 (Economic Development
Board) Amendment to eliminate term limits for members of the
Economic Development Board
Item 4 Action on Resolution Amending "A Resolution of the County
of Currituck, North Carolina Establishing a Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board" Resolution to eliminate term limits
for members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Item 5 Public Hearing and Action on PB 06-56 RAYMOND AND
JENNIFER ALLEN (PAWN SHOPS) Request to amend Currituck
UDO Article 13, Permissible Uses and Table, to allow a pawn shop
in a General Business zoning district.
Item 6 Public Hearing and Action on Pawnbroker Ordinance
Amendment to Chapter 8 of the Currituck County Code of
Ordinances to codify Article III, Pawnbrokers
Item 7 Public Hearing and Action on PB-07-01 UDO AMENDMENT
REQUEST (TERM LIMITS) an amendment to Article 19,
Administrative Mechanisms, Sections 1901, Appointments and
Terms of Planning Board Members and 1907, Appointment and
Terms of Board of Adjustment to remove the requirement for term
limits.
Item 8 Public Hearing and Action PB-07-02 UDO AMENDMENT
REQUEST (TERM LIMITS) - An amendment to Article 20, Zoning,
Special Use, and Conditional Use Permits, Section 2021,
Amendments to and Modifications of Permits, Article 22, Hearing
Procedures for Appeals and Applications, Sections 2201 Hearing
Required on Appeals and Applications and 2202 Notice of Hearing,
and Article 24 Amendments, Section 2404 Hearing Required;
Notice of the Unified Development Ordinance to clarify the
procedures for amendments
Item 9 Public Hearing and Action on PB 06-31 KNOTTS ISLAND FIRE
STATION PB 06-31 KNOTTS ISLAND FIRE STATION: Special
Use Permit. The property is located at 327 Knotts Island Road,
approximately 460 feet south of the intersection with Marsh
Causeway, Tax Map 76, Parcel 23A, Fruitville Township
(Deleted) Item 10 Public Hearing and Action on PB 06-23 COVEY RUN Sketch
Plan/Special Use Permit for a 16 lot open space residential
subdivision. The 44 acre property is located on South Indiantown
Road, 8/10 of a mile south of the intersection with US 158 (Shortcut
Road), Tax Map 44, Parcel 11C, Crawford Township.
(Deleted) Item 11 Public Hearing and Action on PB 88-66 Villages at Ocean Hill:
Amended Sketch Plan to increase density by 4 lots on parcels that
are former will sites. The tow properties are located at the north
end of Corolla Village Road Tax Map 114, Parcel 3M and the
intersection of Lakeside Drive and NC 12, Tax Map 114, Parcel
WELL, Block 1, Poplar Branch-Outer Banks Township
Item 12 Public Hearing and Action on PB 04-53 Brumsey Woods;
amended Sketch Plan for 17 lots to re-align roads located on
Brumsey Road approximately 500’ west of the intersection with
Tulls Creek Road, Tax Map 49, lots 34S and 34T, Crawford
Township.
Item 13 Discussion and action on Certified Industrial Park, Maple
Item 14 Discussion on Service District
Item 15 Action on lease with R & E Development, LLC & Change Order on
Moyock Library/Information Center
Item 16 Discussion and action on renewal of Carolina Water Purchase
Agreement
Item 17 Appointments to Whalehead Board of Trustees
Item 18 Consent Agenda:
Budget amendments 2007056-2007059
Approval of County fire district map
Approval of January 16, 2007, Minutes
Waive sign fee for Animal Assistance League
Approval of funds for Knotts Island Fire Truck
Item 19 Commissioner’s Report
Item 20 County Manager’s Report
Item 21 Closed Session to discuss personnel and property acquisition
Item 22 Adjourn

More from The Totem

I am sending this e-mail to address the flood of inquiries I have received regarding budgeting/taxes. Please let me know any additional questions you have.
The last BOC worked to save all the funds needed to cover the three agreed to capital projects.app. $18-$24 million for the Shawboro(Sligo) and Jarvisburg elementary schools. (This figure was based on the BOE's projections of costs they received from the architect).app. $18million for rec/center(projected costs by the architect)The Moyock library need was determined to be met in the short term by a leased facility to be paid for largely by occupancy tax. Any additional costs were covered in the current budget and were not considered in the savings.The school projections for the two Elementary schools from the BOE increased substantially in the last few months but bids were not opened and actual numbers known until December, 2006.Those numbers reflected an increase from the projected BOE number of app. $24million to app. $35 million. As a result there was about a $1million dollar difference between savings and costs for these three buildings that whoever was going to be on the BOC after the numbers came in from the bids would have to manage.In the meantime, the newly elected members of the BOC decided to scrap the leased library system to be paid largely from occupancy tax and commit to a cost from the general fund of over a million dollars and an immediate construction timetable. I believe that figure is very conservative and likely to be more. This decision was sold to the public with assurances the costs would be covered by “found” transfer tax revenues to quash complaints about losing the already planned, budgeted and more imediately available leased library facility. The truth is those land transfer revenues were calculated in to the savings already projected to be used on the three capital improvement projects, the two schools and the Rec center. In addition, our land transfer revenues are down 48% over the last year as the real estate market is in a lull.Now the County has a deficit between savings and costs for commitments to capital improvements of approximately $2.2 million, which assumes that the library construction costs will not be more when bid, that according to the County Manager will require either a 3cent tax increase or borrowing. In addition, we may be required to delay the recreation/senior center project.The former BOC did not intend to borrow any money for these three projects they committed to. In fact, even with the dramatically increased school projections, there could be in my estimation with over 20 years government experience, savings found to make up a difference up to a million dollars. However, when you need to make up over $2 million, it is a different story. For example, both the new elementary schools are using the same prototype design plans to save money on developing new designs. However there are significant costs in adapting those plans to our specific locations like engineering and site plan work requirements. The school board bids out through two options, one has one company bidding the whole project, then that company subs, or, option two, you take sub bids, total them, hire a construction management firm to oversee(MBKahn). The BOE chose option two at a cost SAVINGS over the bid for the first option of $69,728 for Jarvisburg elementary. The last time the BOE went with option one with no construction manager was when the new high school was constructed which resulted in millions in cost overruns and two years delay. In contrast, when option two was selected and MB Kahn hired by Currituck for the Moyock Middle School, that project was delivered on time and on budget.Chairman Nelms proposed looking at eliminating MB Kahn from option two and possibly having County staff oversee the project. I have contacted New Hanover County which has such in-house staff for projects and they have recently decided to contract out capital construction project oversight.Now to the new high school. The former BOC fully intended that the moneys currently committed to the current high school’s bond debt service rollover to help finance the costs of the new high school’s debt service. We have very successfully funded our schools this way while balancing the interest to keep taxes low. Additional required funds would come from our continued accumulating savings programs and other resources we have used in the past.The former BOC worked very diligently and remarkably successfully in my estimation at balancing the interest in keeping Currituck taxes low while meeting needs for services. The BOC did this and still provided two tax DECREASES. The former BOC did the following projects:1. Constructed a new Judicial Center, Health Department, Moyock Middle School, major Airport Expansion projects, Southern Outer Banks Water System, Maple Park facilities, Southern Currituck Sound Park facilities, Crawford Fire Station, Waterlily Fire Station2. Major renovations to Griggs Elementary, animal shelter facilities, Central Elementary, Moyock Elementary, Knotts Island Elementary, historic Courthouse facility, Whalehead Club, Maple Jail and law enforcement center, Moyock Fire StationWhile some complain about the Horse Farm purchase and the temporary Moyock library, these projects were funded with occupancy tax which by law can only be used for very restricted purposes but we looked at using those funds in ways to accomplish goals without causing a deficit in our general funds which would result in what we face now, a tax increase or borrowing. There is no deficit in occupancy tax revenues like we now face in general fund revenues. In fact, we have a very healthy occupancy tax fund balance which is exactly why the former BOC wanted to use occupancy tax funds to bridge and meet the immediate Moyock library needs.It was a prudent response, not lack of proper due diligence as Chairman Nelms claims, to what our projected revenues are, what our projected needs/costs are and the best balance of the use of varied funds. It is my opinion that we could avoid a tax increase or more borrowing if we prudently managed the use of occupancy tax dollars to fund a temporary Moyock library facility as planned by the former BOC, continued forward with our current promised capital improvement projects using savings and continued the planned savings and financing for the new High School.In NC, by law, a County must re-evaluate property values once every eight years. Also by law, the tax rate must after such a reevaluation, be set at a “revenue neutral rate“. That simply means the rate is set to provide the County only the same amount of tax revenue as the previous rate did. The former rate before the re-evaluation was 62 cents per hundred. The law required nothing less than revenue neutral which the BOC complied with when it set the new tax rate at 32cents. This rate met the legal requirements following a re-evaluation and met the County’s projected needs and recommended savings obligation.I hope that provides an understanding of where we are and how we got here.
Best Regards,
Owen Etheridge

An Invitation

SENATOR RICHARD BURR & the Republican Parties of Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank & Perquimans

Invite you to a truly unique night of events to celebrate a grass-roots rekindling of Ronald Reagan’s vision for America. Join us at Currituck High School on February 21st, 6pm. A Meet & Greet with the Senator will be followed by an All-American Box Dinner & Refreshments served during a showing of the award-winning film, “In The Face Of Evil”. This is a contemporary documentary that chronicles Reagan’s lifetime pursuit of liberty for all and a reflection of that on-going battle (www.inthefaceofevil.com). Cost: $20 person/ $35 couple, $10 children (ages 12 and older invited)

You must RSVP by calling (252)232-3514
Calls before 4pm, please leave a message with your name and phone number

Money Talks or Oh What a Tangled Web...

From the rumor mill----

The radio voice of Corolla has been overheard bragging that Dan Scanlon has been fired.
That, in turn, has led to the speculation that one of "The Village of Corolla's" very own self-appointed officials has made himself available and is standing in line to take Dan's place. After all, what better way to soothe ill feelings between Corolla and the County than to have one of the councilmen be the county manager. I have to agree with the person who said, "A pre-arranged marriage NOT made in heaven."

A Chairman's Appeal? Follow the Leader?

It seems that Barry Nelms feels his weekend bikers' event at his Walnut Island Restaurant does not need to apply for a special use permit and he has appealed the decision to the BOA. As is stated in the Board of Adjustments minutes, the staff determined the event is outside the customary and usual operations of the Walnut Island Motel and Restaurant and should apply as a special use event for the following reasons:

1. The outside vendors and retail activities associated with this event is not within the normal scope of operations for a hotel and restaurant. (Section 1310 of the Currituck County UDO describes this activity as use 2.220, Storage and Display of Goods Outside of Fully Enclosed Building. This use is not permissible in the Limited Business, hotels zoning district. It can be permitted only with a Special Event permit.)
2. The site does not contain the on-site parking needed for this event. This site has 31 approved on-site parking spaces.
3. There is a concern that the traffic and parking issues this event generates exceeds the approved on-site parking.
4. The Albemarle Regional Health Department has not issued any approvals for a larger number of people to use the existing restroom facilities at the restaurant on a continual basis.

An entire weekend, Friday thru Sunday, of motorcycles in and out of a residential area? Outside bands and other events? Not to worry; Those details can be explained away by his usual method of misdirection, misrepresentation and plain old disregard for the truth and facts. Just ask him--- he'll explain how its only a one-day event and that the bikers just happen to come in early and stay longer. This is hypocrisy at its finest and certainly not what we should expect from a "community leader", much less the chairman of our Board of Commissioners. If he doesn't respect the county's ordinances, how can we expect anyone else to respect them?

The Totem Clarifies

Thank you to the many people who have contacted me already today regarding concerns about the construction and timetables for Currituck's new schools. I know you are all aware how diligently the former BOC worked to plan, fund and build these schools.At the last BOC meeting, the Commissioners voted to approve the Jarvisburg Elementary School Construction contract. Chairman Nelms requested a meeting between the BOE and BOC to discuss a contract for the projects' management with a firm called, MB Kahn. Currituck has a very successful history with this firm bringing school projects in on time and budget and I look forward to continuing that relationship.I do not think it is unusual or untoward for an incoming BOC to review on-going projects for fiscal soundness and do not anticipate such a review causing any significant delays to this school project. Every Commissioner has an obligation to make informed decisions on behalf of the public and in so doing, is entitled to the information necessary to feel confident about their votes. I believe we are all committed to new schools in Currituck and will continue to work together to achieve that to a timely and responsible end. This upcoming meeting between the BOE and the new BOC will give all parties an opportunity to become acquainted and develop a healthy and productive working relationship, like former BOC's and the BOE have had in the past.Please know that I will be diligent in doing my part to ensuring that the commitments made to the community reflecting all of our desire to maintain quality schools in Currituck are followed through. I will make sure you are aware of any obstacle to that progress that I am made aware of.Please continue to let me know your thoughts and ideas.Thanks to each of you for your interests and involvement in Currituck.
Best Regards,
Owen Etheridge

Terminations and Other Ponderings

The Town Hall Meeting on Jan 22 is supposed to provide for discussion on what the PUBLIC wants to see happen with the Library in Moyock. Yet, the commissioner who represents Moyock has evidently already decided not to need any public input since she voted against Owen Etheridge's motion to postpone action until after the Town Meeting. Why should she and Nelms still want to bother with a town meeting which will only serve as window dressing since they have already decided what they plan to do. This is nothing more than deception by your elected officials.

The Assistant County Manager position was done away with today. Mr. Greg Schwarga, without any previous knowledge or notification, was called in this morning and asked for his keys. Immediately. No reason was given except the Board of Commissioners decided LAST NIGHT the position was no longer needed. He was not offered any other employment with the county nor granted any common courtesies normally associated with a loss of job. It's a sad state of affairs when newly elected officials feel the need to undo any and all things associated with the previous board. What message does this send to other employees and department heads?

Words from the 1/16 Board Meeting

Tonight the BOC voted 3-2 to postpone action on the leased library facility in Moyock until after the Moyock Town Meeting scheduled for January 22nd. Commissioners Nelms & Taylor voted against my motion to postpone action. Please let the BOC members know your opinion about their positions.As you may recall, I sent an e-mail outlining the chronology of the new BOC's actions regarding the leased facility and expressed my concern about a November, 2006 directive issued and carried out by the County Manager to end the leased facility option. This is evidenced by a memo to the BOC members from the County Manager outlining the directive, a December 7th meeting with the parties to the contract and a December 8th issued change order. That change order to return the leased building to agreed upon condition so as to return the building to the owners is almost complete.I made my concerns known to the BOC and County Manager and indicated I believed the BOC needed to publish this issue on a meeting agenda, allow public input and formally vote if any change was to be made to the prior BOC's approved and funded policy for a leased facility.Unfortunately, the public process followed the directives and actions and it does not appear to me that the leased facility was intended to remain an option by the new BOC members.All of these documents are public record and available from the County Manager upon request.I have been requesting and am attempting to compile information regarding the costs to cancel this option, costs to reinstate the option despite the directive, change order and action, timetables and costs for new options and the answers to the questions regarding fundng.As I am able to obtain this information, I will continue to pass it on to you. In addition, if there was any other action taken or question raised for you regarding tonight's BOC meeting, I of course, remain willing to discuss that with you.Thanks to each of you who have involved yourself in the process of local governing in any capacity, whether it is to show up, speak, write, call or inquire. I hope you will continue to do so and encourage others to participate in this ownership as well.
Best Regards,
Owen Etheridge

Corolla Incorporation

Questions that should have been answered by Currituck County’s Commissioners before they endorsed the incorporation of Corolla.
I wonder how many of these items were even considered by the 3 affirmative votes as being of any importance to the citizens of Currituck as a whole?

Have you honored the request to meet with the citizens opposed to incorporation?

Have all of the absentee homeowners been informed of the incorporation referendum?

Will you be entering into a revenue sharing agreement with the town of Corolla? If so, what will it consist of and what taxes will be raised to offset it, or what services will be cut? We do have a need for schools and other capital projects.

If Corolla gets zoning powers will they be able to stop the mid-county bridge? If so, what will you tell the citizens in lower Currituck and all of the many people who have worked so hard on this project?

Will Corolla have jurisdiction over the many duck hunting blinds that will be within their town limits?

Will they, as a town, be able to declare the public roads within Whalehead private, thus closing 5 of the 7 public beach accesses? Remember, they sued the county and state previously to do just that.

Will the town of Corolla have the authority to declare a building moratorium, thus closing down one of Currituck’s largest employment opportunities?

In the future, will the town of Corolla be able to annex Carova when it needs more revenue?

Will this board sell the county’s assets at fair market value or will it deed county property to the town of Corolla? Will this board still sell the county’s 10 acres and put the proceeds to the recreation/senior center as mentioned by the previous board?

Will Corolla have the power to stop the citizens of Currituck from driving on Carova’s beaches?

Will they, as a town, demand the building of a school or schools at Currituck County’s citizens’ expense?

How much sales tax revenue will the county lose if Corolla incorporates?

Since the incorporation of Corolla will impact all of Currituck County, shouldn’t the right for incorporation be presented in a referendum to all citizens of Currituck?

Remember, a vote against Currituck unification was not a vote FOR Corolla to incorporate.

The Totem Talks! Response to Chad Adams Center for Local Innovation Newsletter

Dear Mr. Adams,
As a current member of the Board of Commissioners, a staunch Conservative and a member of the BOC prior to this election who was a participant in the decision-making process, I wonder how much research went into authoring this piece. Do you have any knowledge of the source for this funding of the projects you call wasteful? Do you have any knowledge of the excellent, responsible fiscally disciplined spending of the prior BOC, the first Republican majority in Currituck, that allowed for us to save $50 million plus dollars to fund projected school needs so that no borrowing would be required? Do you have any idea what low tax rate our County maintained under the former BOC andstill managed to save this money? Do you know that that saving and fiscal discipline saved our County almost half-again the cost of the schools in financing charges if we had to borrow?You want to laud an elected liberal Democrat for words in a campaign, rather than reality, based on what research exactly? You applaud the unnecessary library facility? Would you be interested in learning that the facility was to be paid for by occupancy tax, it has now been scrapped by the new BOC members you applaud at a whopping savings of $6000 and, a new $1.2 million dollar library proposed by these same BOC members which does not qualify for occupancy tax funding and therefore will have to be paid from the County's general fund? I am very familiar with your organization and I am stunned to see such a poorly researched, cavalier piece applauding a Democrat defeat of a rare Republican majority in NE NC that by any standards had one of theCounty's most healthy bottom line. Eleven years with no tax increases and in fact, two tax decreases. In that same time, still managed to save $50 million for projected school construction. We constructed a new Judicial Center, renovated and restored the historic Whalehead Club, built a new Middle School for 750 students, a newly constructed Health Department, completed major renovations and expansions of four Elementary schools, renovations of the historic Currituck Courthouse, conversion of a State prison camp to a modern, state-of-the art County detention center, constructed an airport terminal building, extended our runway and built two airport hangars to house 20 plus aircraft for general aviation -all without a single tax increase or bond issuance. Funded and began construction of a new cooperative extension building. Can you name any other County in the State who has been able to do what we accomplished with not just no tax increase, but in fact with tax decreases? I will hold up our fiscal condition and decisions against any other County government you wish to name, Mr. Adams. Care to label us fiscally irresponsible again, Mr. Adams? Just last week we invited one of your new employees, most recently with Civitas to Currituck to address a Republican regional group we hosted to discuss the upcoming legislative session. Apparently, your research is limited to campaign rhetoric and articles from The Daily Advance, one of the most liberal newspapers in the State. That is like using the N&O as the standard for Conservative truth. Don't bother to respond with your explanation of how your organization is not partisan. Perhaps in your desperation to applaud something Democrat in the area of fiscal responsibility you decided to right a poorly researched, totally unjustified hit piece that slanders a decent, responsible fiscally disciplined BOC that was defeated due to an unprecedented distortion campaign that was sited in a newspaper editorial as being misleading and outright false. Those campaign claims are currently being investigated and libel action being seriously contemplated. But, what the heck. Why not just write an article applauding mere words and lambasting true accomplishment to hold up your supposed lofty interest in limited government and fiscal discipline. It will be amusing to see you eat your words about what winning the Currituck election was an indicator of. How entertaining it will be to see you twist and squirm in the face of your lack of research and apparent interest in truth when you see the headlines regarding the proposed(already), $50 million in spending and the likely tax increase necessary to fund it. How did you determine our library facility to be unnecessary and wasteful, Sir? Our occupancy tax by law must be spent on tourist related activities, thus the bike path in Corolla in response to tourists interest in an uninterrupted path from Dare County through Currituck a very busy, heavily trafficked highway 12 that would provide for alternative transportation, thus alleviating some of the burden of incredible traffic congestion. Same issue is true with the trolley-occupancy tax funded response to traffic problems unique to a vacation destination. User fees, Sir. Value added benefits that enhance the property tax values in the County.Then there is the equestrian center. Again, occupancy tax funded and the opportunity to provide a public park with rare water access. It is to house 4-H activities, hopefully a County fair and competitive equestrian events we hope will add mightily to our local economy.In your zeal to impusively determine all government endeavors to be wasteful, your irresponsible and premature celebration of the newly elected Democrat BOC contributes to the following. More uninformed cynicism of elected officials. I am sure you find this a noble accomplishment. A more difficult challenge to recruit people in to public service including those interested in ensuring more limited government and more fiscal responsibility who recognize, no matter what the actual facts are their will always be some hotshot, know-it-all more interested in demonstrating how "smart" he is than doing the actual work of being informed his self. That hotshot will send the shot heard around the world, a falsehood, resulting in an image, a belief, a commonly accepted mistruth that forever taints his ability to serve effectively or be judged accurately. Congratulations, hot shot. Sleep well tonight. You just celebrated a liberal majority that just may do more damge promoting municipal incorporations within the County borders resulting in more taxation and more government for our residents, commitments to keep campaign promises that would cost millions and millions of dollars resulting in the likely need to borrow or raise taxes which the former BOC worked so hard not to have to do, processes and methods that so far have included announcing changes to policy, funding, projects, etc. done outside a public process and announced as definitive with no vote, no public input, no notice. Stripping of all board appointments for the first time in the history of our County for strictly partisan purposes demonstrating a complete unwillingness to consider fellow BOC members, duly elected by their same constituents as equal, participating peers because they do not share the same partisan affilliation. Feel proud, Sir. Your might pen with all it's irrespnsible accolades and uninformed critique was surely used for noble, conservative purposes on behalf of the John Locke foundation. I will be sure to circulate your article and my response as widely as possible in all my Conservative circles. Please feel free to visit Currituck and explain the horrible disservice your ill-informed piece has done to our County. I will be more than pleased to host your visit and to reaquaint myself since our last encounter at the Bush Social Security rally in Raleigh.Perhaps if you choose to crawl from under your pompous rock and write again about our County and the wonderful, fiscally responsible legacy of the newly defeated BOC, you might consider a more broad and balanced approach to your research other than simply echoing the typical campaign rhetoric of liberal Democrats and the "reporting" of our liberal daily paper.

Without respect,
Owen Etheridge
Commissioner, Currituck County

Ask your commissioner

Currituck's Land Use Plan was passed. Why hasn't it been sent to the state for approval? Should we ask the Concerned Citizens from lower Currituck, who are asking for a special meeting to establish a 'full-service' district from Grandy south, along with a 1:1 density?

Who's taking care of the Senior/Recreation building scheduled for ground-breaking in 2009?

Why did we lose $140,000 on a library we didn't even get to use? AND...how much of that 140,000 will have to be put back using general fund tax dollars instead of the original occupancy tax dollars paid by tourists?

BOC Meeting 1-16-07

Currituck County
Board of Commissioners Agenda
Historic Currituck County Courthouse
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Time: 7:00 PM
7:00 p.m. Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Item 1 Approval of Agenda

Item 2 Public Comment
Please limit comments to items not appearing on the regular
agenda, please limit comments to 3 minutes.

Item 3 Public Hearing and Action on PB 06-60 SSB, LLC/ Frances
Bock Rezone 26.94 acres from Agricultural (A) to Residential (R).
The property is located at 7435 Caratoke Highway, south of James
Way and 1000’ north of Buster Newbern Road, Tax Map 110,
Parcel 46C, Poplar Branch Township.

Item 4 Approval of Jarvisburg Elementary School Construction Contract

Item 5 Action on lease with R & E Development, LLC & Change Order on
Moyock Library/Information Center.

Item 6 Discussion and Action on Ferebee Lane Project

Item 7 Discussion and Action on CDBG Project Change Order

Item 8 Discussion on Guinea Road Water Main

Item 9 Appointment to Board of Adjustment

Item 10 Consent Agenda:
Approval of December 18, 2006 & Jan. 2, 2007 Minutes
Budget Amendments
Disposal of old records in Personnel Department

Item 11 Commissioner’s Report

Item 12 County Manager’s Report

Item 13 Closed Session to discuss Personnel

Item 14 Adjourn

Email from Owen

The agenda for the next BOC meeting is now available on the County website. Pleasee note there is to be action taken on the leased library facility in Moyock.Also, I have in the past passed on to you some public correspondence regarding the incorporation of Corolla issue, from both perspectivea. I have also passed on my responses. All correspondence to the County is public record and any interested person may request access to any or all of it through the County Manager's office.Please continue to let me know your views, concern and interests.Best Regards,Owen Etheridge