Thanks to the wonderful citizens of Currituck, our county stands to once again move to the forefront in good government. The a-e-r-o team of Vance Aydlett, Owen Etheridge, John Rorer, and Paul O'Neal are ready to take up the torch and work hard to address the needs of our people. No longer does 'The Totem' have to take a back seat and be the brunt of partisan politics. This group will work across the board to fulfill the tasks at hand. The voters showed overwhelmingly they were disappointed in the workings of our sitting board and that they have confidence in the first new 7-member board that will be lead by the 'Reliable, Respectable, and Responsible aero team.
Thank you Currituck Voters and Congratulations to our good Candidates!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Nelms and Gregory = Lies and Deception--AGAIN!
Friends,
IMPORTANT!!!! PLEASE HELP ME STOP NELMS, GREGORY and MESSINA'S MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN ABOUT MY OPPOSITION TO A LOCAL OLF, AS THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO!
WHY DID THE OTHER CURRITUCK COMMISSIONERS REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE OUR VETERANS? WHY ARE THEY AND JOHNNY MESSINA, THEIR HAND-PICKED CANDIDATE, MISLEADING YOU NOW ABOUT MY ANTI-OLF POSITION?
DON'T LET THIS KIND OF DIRTY POLITICS CONTINUE TO INFLUENCE CURRITUCK.
BRING DIGNITY BACK TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR PERSONAL E-MAIL LIST SO TRUTH, NOT LIES, INFORMS THE PUBLIC.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!
THE BELOW INFORMATION CAN BE VERIFIED AT WWW.CURRITUCKGOVERNMENT.COM AND WWW.CO.PASQUOTANK.NC.US
MY BEST REGARDS ALWAYS
Owen Etheridge
CURRITUCK ADOPTED RESOLUTION
October 15, 2007, BOC Meeting WHEREAS, the Navy and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources have proposed four new potential OLF sites in Northeast North Carolina to the Governor’s OLF Study Group on September 19, 2007; and WHEREAS, the Navy reported to the OLF Study Group that the proposed OLF would be used primarily by aircraft stationed at Oceana Naval Air Station at Virginia Beach, VA and not at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station at Havelock, NC; and WHEREAS, these new proposed sites are in addition to other Northeast North Carolina sites identified and studied in 2002 for consideration by the Navy; and WHEREAS, Northeast North Carolina would receive very few direct benefits from an OLF at any of the previously identified or newly proposed sites; and WHEREAS, Senator Elizabeth Dole has requested that there should be local support and general acceptance by the local citizens for an OLF; and WHEREAS, Northeast North Carolina would receive significant detrimental impacts on our citizens should an OLF be located in the region. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners opposes locating a new outlying landing field in Currituck County or in Northeast North Carolina; FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners believes that an OLF to primarily support Oceana Naval Air Station should be located in Virginia and not North Carolina; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners requests more representatives from the counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, and Perquimans on the Governor’s OLF Study Group.
Commissioner Etheridge’s proposed resolution follows:
RESOLUTION WHEREAS, North Carolina has a long, distinguished history of supporting our Nation's Armed Forces, including hosting several major military installations; and WHEREAS, Governor Easley and our North Carolina US Senators have pledged cooperation with the Navy in locating an Outlying landing Field (OLF); and WHEREAS, Currituck County recognizes the value and significance of all who have served past and present in defense of our Nation and our liberties; and WHEREAS, Currituck County recognizes the need for training facilities for those who serve in the Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, everyone in our Nation benefits from the proficiency of those who defend our liberties; and WHEREAS, each community and their local governments have the right and obligation to evaluate whether hosting a military training facility requires an unfair cost-share for providing facilities that all Americans benefit from; and WHEREAS, Currituck County provided the Navy, State and Federal officials a fair opportunity to explain the considerations of locating a Naval OLF which would directly impact Currituck residents; and WHEREAS, Currituck County officials evaluated the factual details of proposed OLF locations and determined that significant populations of residents in Currituck would be adversely impacted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners opposes the proposed locations of an OLF that adversely impact Currituck residents because all Americans benefit from an OLF and no community should bear an unfair proportion of the cost-share, and there are proposed locations where communities want the OLF to be located; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, because proposed OLF sites include locations in Northeast North Carolina, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners requests more representatives from Northeast North Carolina on the Governor's OLF Study Group
PASQUOTANK'S ADOPTED RESOLUTION
8. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION OPPOSING OUTLYING LANDING FIELD:
The Board reviewed a draft resolution opposing the location of an outlying landing field in
Northeast North Carolina. Commissioner Stevenson read a resolution being proposed byCurrituck County Commissioner Owen Etheridge and suggested that Pasquotank County’sresolution be changed to reflect language in the preamble to that resolution. After brief discussion; Motion was made by Marshall Stevenson, seconded by Jeff Dixon to adopt thefollowing resolution opposing the location of an outlying landing field in
Northeast North Carolina. The motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION WHEREAS, North Carolina has a long, distinguished history of supporting our Nation’s Armed Forces,
including hosting several major military installations; and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County recognizes the value and significance of all who have served past and
present in defense of our Nation and our liberties; and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County recognizes the need for training facilities for those who serve in the
Armed Forces and everyone in our Nation benefits from the proficiency of those who defend our liberties;
and
WHEREAS, each community and their local governments have the right and obligation to evaluate
whether hosting a military training facility requires an unfair cost-share for providing facilities that all
Americans benefit from; and
WHEREAS, Governor Easley formed a study group charged with examining and reporting on the
strategic, environmental and economic impacts of the proposed Navy Outlying Landing Field (OLF) in
North Carolina in February of 2004; and
WHEREAS, the Navy and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources have
proposed four new potential OLF sites in Northeast North Carolina to the Governor’s OLF Study Group
on September 19, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Navy reported to the OLF Study Group that the proposed OLF would be used primarily
by aircraft stationed at Oceana Naval Air Station at Virginia Beach, VA and not at Cherry Point Marine
Corps Air Station at Havelock, NC; and
WHEREAS, these new proposed sites are in addition to other Northeast North Carolina sites identified
and studied in 2002 for consideration by the Navy; and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County provided the Navy, State and Federal officials a fair opportunity to
explain the considerations of locating a Naval OLF which would directly impact Pasquotank residents;
and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County officials evaluated the factual details of proposed OLF locations and
determined that Northeast North Carolina would receive very few direct benefits from an OLF at any of
the previously identified or newly proposed sites; and
WHEREAS, Senator Elizabeth Dole has requested that there should be local support and general
acceptance by the local citizens for an OLF; and
WHEREAS, Northeast North Carolina would receive significant detrimental impacts on our citizens
should an OLF be located in the region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners opposes
locating a new outlying landing field in Pasquotank County or in Northeast North Carolina;
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners believes that an OLF
to primarily support Oceana Naval Air Station should be located in Virginia and not North Carolina;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners requests more
representatives from the counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, and
Perquimans on the Governor’s OLF Study Group.
Adopted this the 15th day of October, 2007.
IMPORTANT!!!! PLEASE HELP ME STOP NELMS, GREGORY and MESSINA'S MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN ABOUT MY OPPOSITION TO A LOCAL OLF, AS THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO!
WHY DID THE OTHER CURRITUCK COMMISSIONERS REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE OUR VETERANS? WHY ARE THEY AND JOHNNY MESSINA, THEIR HAND-PICKED CANDIDATE, MISLEADING YOU NOW ABOUT MY ANTI-OLF POSITION?
DON'T LET THIS KIND OF DIRTY POLITICS CONTINUE TO INFLUENCE CURRITUCK.
BRING DIGNITY BACK TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR PERSONAL E-MAIL LIST SO TRUTH, NOT LIES, INFORMS THE PUBLIC.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!
THE BELOW INFORMATION CAN BE VERIFIED AT WWW.CURRITUCKGOVERNMENT.COM AND WWW.CO.PASQUOTANK.NC.US
MY BEST REGARDS ALWAYS
Owen Etheridge
CURRITUCK ADOPTED RESOLUTION
October 15, 2007, BOC Meeting WHEREAS, the Navy and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources have proposed four new potential OLF sites in Northeast North Carolina to the Governor’s OLF Study Group on September 19, 2007; and WHEREAS, the Navy reported to the OLF Study Group that the proposed OLF would be used primarily by aircraft stationed at Oceana Naval Air Station at Virginia Beach, VA and not at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station at Havelock, NC; and WHEREAS, these new proposed sites are in addition to other Northeast North Carolina sites identified and studied in 2002 for consideration by the Navy; and WHEREAS, Northeast North Carolina would receive very few direct benefits from an OLF at any of the previously identified or newly proposed sites; and WHEREAS, Senator Elizabeth Dole has requested that there should be local support and general acceptance by the local citizens for an OLF; and WHEREAS, Northeast North Carolina would receive significant detrimental impacts on our citizens should an OLF be located in the region. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners opposes locating a new outlying landing field in Currituck County or in Northeast North Carolina; FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners believes that an OLF to primarily support Oceana Naval Air Station should be located in Virginia and not North Carolina; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners requests more representatives from the counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, and Perquimans on the Governor’s OLF Study Group.
Commissioner Etheridge’s proposed resolution follows:
RESOLUTION WHEREAS, North Carolina has a long, distinguished history of supporting our Nation's Armed Forces, including hosting several major military installations; and WHEREAS, Governor Easley and our North Carolina US Senators have pledged cooperation with the Navy in locating an Outlying landing Field (OLF); and WHEREAS, Currituck County recognizes the value and significance of all who have served past and present in defense of our Nation and our liberties; and WHEREAS, Currituck County recognizes the need for training facilities for those who serve in the Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, everyone in our Nation benefits from the proficiency of those who defend our liberties; and WHEREAS, each community and their local governments have the right and obligation to evaluate whether hosting a military training facility requires an unfair cost-share for providing facilities that all Americans benefit from; and WHEREAS, Currituck County provided the Navy, State and Federal officials a fair opportunity to explain the considerations of locating a Naval OLF which would directly impact Currituck residents; and WHEREAS, Currituck County officials evaluated the factual details of proposed OLF locations and determined that significant populations of residents in Currituck would be adversely impacted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners opposes the proposed locations of an OLF that adversely impact Currituck residents because all Americans benefit from an OLF and no community should bear an unfair proportion of the cost-share, and there are proposed locations where communities want the OLF to be located; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, because proposed OLF sites include locations in Northeast North Carolina, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners requests more representatives from Northeast North Carolina on the Governor's OLF Study Group
PASQUOTANK'S ADOPTED RESOLUTION
8. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION OPPOSING OUTLYING LANDING FIELD:
The Board reviewed a draft resolution opposing the location of an outlying landing field in
Northeast North Carolina. Commissioner Stevenson read a resolution being proposed byCurrituck County Commissioner Owen Etheridge and suggested that Pasquotank County’sresolution be changed to reflect language in the preamble to that resolution. After brief discussion; Motion was made by Marshall Stevenson, seconded by Jeff Dixon to adopt thefollowing resolution opposing the location of an outlying landing field in
Northeast North Carolina. The motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION WHEREAS, North Carolina has a long, distinguished history of supporting our Nation’s Armed Forces,
including hosting several major military installations; and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County recognizes the value and significance of all who have served past and
present in defense of our Nation and our liberties; and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County recognizes the need for training facilities for those who serve in the
Armed Forces and everyone in our Nation benefits from the proficiency of those who defend our liberties;
and
WHEREAS, each community and their local governments have the right and obligation to evaluate
whether hosting a military training facility requires an unfair cost-share for providing facilities that all
Americans benefit from; and
WHEREAS, Governor Easley formed a study group charged with examining and reporting on the
strategic, environmental and economic impacts of the proposed Navy Outlying Landing Field (OLF) in
North Carolina in February of 2004; and
WHEREAS, the Navy and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources have
proposed four new potential OLF sites in Northeast North Carolina to the Governor’s OLF Study Group
on September 19, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Navy reported to the OLF Study Group that the proposed OLF would be used primarily
by aircraft stationed at Oceana Naval Air Station at Virginia Beach, VA and not at Cherry Point Marine
Corps Air Station at Havelock, NC; and
WHEREAS, these new proposed sites are in addition to other Northeast North Carolina sites identified
and studied in 2002 for consideration by the Navy; and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County provided the Navy, State and Federal officials a fair opportunity to
explain the considerations of locating a Naval OLF which would directly impact Pasquotank residents;
and
WHEREAS, Pasquotank County officials evaluated the factual details of proposed OLF locations and
determined that Northeast North Carolina would receive very few direct benefits from an OLF at any of
the previously identified or newly proposed sites; and
WHEREAS, Senator Elizabeth Dole has requested that there should be local support and general
acceptance by the local citizens for an OLF; and
WHEREAS, Northeast North Carolina would receive significant detrimental impacts on our citizens
should an OLF be located in the region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners opposes
locating a new outlying landing field in Pasquotank County or in Northeast North Carolina;
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners believes that an OLF
to primarily support Oceana Naval Air Station should be located in Virginia and not North Carolina;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners requests more
representatives from the counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, and
Perquimans on the Governor’s OLF Study Group.
Adopted this the 15th day of October, 2007.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Our District 1 Candidate
Citizens of Currituck,
I am Vance Aydlett Jr and I’m a Republican candidate for the District One Currituck County Commissioner’s seat. My wife Kathy and I have lived at 120 Litchfield Lane on Knotts Island since 1977. We have one daughter Mandi who with her husband Chris and our two Grandchildren Madisan and Christopher also reside on Knotts Island. I was born and raised on the Currituck mainland and moved to Knotts Island in 1970. I retired in 2000 after having been a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy Department for 27 years.
25 of those years were with Fire and Emergency Services departments holding the various positions from trainee to Command Fire Chief. Currently I am employed part time with a firm as a fire safety consultant.
Educational Background; I graduated from J.P. Knapp High School class of 71. During my fire service career, I attended many classes and schools designed for career and professional development in all aspects of Fire and Emergency Services, Total Quality
Leadership, Personnel Management, Contract Negotiations, Interest Based Bargaining etc. I also continue to hold certifications through the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress as a Fire Officer IV, Instructor II, and Inspector II.
I have lived in the county my entire life and Currituck has been a good place to live and raise a family. Now I have the time to give something back. I believe that I have developed the necessary skills to make a positive difference and be an effective County Commissioner. I believe a Commissioner is elected by the people to do the peoples business by listening to the community’s desires and being available and responsive to their needs. I also know that they should operate with honesty, integrity and openness so the people can stay informed with county business. I believe that any leader should be a better listener than a talker. I intend to make myself available to the community to hear their voices and make decisions as best as I can based on their input along with applicable rules, regulations and laws. I also intend to promote a user friendly overall government body who understands that their primary customer is the Citizens of Currituck and the number one goal is to serve the citizens. There have been many changes and community issues during my 54 years of living in Currituck. We must remember our heritage but always keep our eyes focused on the future. There are many important issues facing the county today with new ones on the horizon that impacts our citizens. A few of these are;
Property Rights vs Managed Growth-
Develop a diverse working group of citizens to insure fairness to all and to make sure that growth does not exceed county resources and infrastructure.
Economic Development-
Empower Economic Development Board to attract environmentally friendly business and industry to the county. Attracting business and higher paying job to the county will diversify the tax base.
Education-
Committed to providing best education we can afford. High School is using trailers to keep up with current growth. County must start to develop a plan for future growth, i.e. new High School, reutilization of existing schools etc.
Financial Security-
Economic downturn results in a lower revenue stream. Board needs to be very frugal in near term budget cycles. Insure funds are well spent on verifiable needs and not just “wants.”
Currituck Outer Banks Issues-
Fully explore and solicit community input on issues that impact citizen’s lives. Insure their voices are heard. Maintain some semblance of the Outer Banks cultural heritage.
Hales Lake OLF Site-
Band together with neighboring counties, cities etc, to resist this location with every means possible.
County Transportation Issues-
Is the Mid County Bridge the answer? Should other alternatives such as the Southern Shores Flyover be put on the table? Impact to our citizens in Coinjock, Aydlett, and the Currituck Outer Banks. I believe all of these items should be thoroughly explored before a decision is made. I also believe every effort possible should be made to move along the requested thoroughfare study plan for Currituck County.
Visit my web site at WWW.vanceaydlett.com for my thoughts on each of these issues.
Many of these do not have an easy answer and will require a lot of community input; however by looking forward and working together they can be solved.
Finally, if elected to this seat my commitment to you is as follows;
BE A GOOD LISTENER
BE AVAILABLE AND RESPONSIVE
STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY’S DESIRES
ALWAYS REMEMBER MY VALUES OF TRUST, INTEGRITY, AND
OPENNESS.
I am asking each of you for your support and vote in this election.
.
Sincerely,
Vance Aydlett Jr
I am Vance Aydlett Jr and I’m a Republican candidate for the District One Currituck County Commissioner’s seat. My wife Kathy and I have lived at 120 Litchfield Lane on Knotts Island since 1977. We have one daughter Mandi who with her husband Chris and our two Grandchildren Madisan and Christopher also reside on Knotts Island. I was born and raised on the Currituck mainland and moved to Knotts Island in 1970. I retired in 2000 after having been a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy Department for 27 years.
25 of those years were with Fire and Emergency Services departments holding the various positions from trainee to Command Fire Chief. Currently I am employed part time with a firm as a fire safety consultant.
Educational Background; I graduated from J.P. Knapp High School class of 71. During my fire service career, I attended many classes and schools designed for career and professional development in all aspects of Fire and Emergency Services, Total Quality
Leadership, Personnel Management, Contract Negotiations, Interest Based Bargaining etc. I also continue to hold certifications through the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress as a Fire Officer IV, Instructor II, and Inspector II.
I have lived in the county my entire life and Currituck has been a good place to live and raise a family. Now I have the time to give something back. I believe that I have developed the necessary skills to make a positive difference and be an effective County Commissioner. I believe a Commissioner is elected by the people to do the peoples business by listening to the community’s desires and being available and responsive to their needs. I also know that they should operate with honesty, integrity and openness so the people can stay informed with county business. I believe that any leader should be a better listener than a talker. I intend to make myself available to the community to hear their voices and make decisions as best as I can based on their input along with applicable rules, regulations and laws. I also intend to promote a user friendly overall government body who understands that their primary customer is the Citizens of Currituck and the number one goal is to serve the citizens. There have been many changes and community issues during my 54 years of living in Currituck. We must remember our heritage but always keep our eyes focused on the future. There are many important issues facing the county today with new ones on the horizon that impacts our citizens. A few of these are;
Property Rights vs Managed Growth-
Develop a diverse working group of citizens to insure fairness to all and to make sure that growth does not exceed county resources and infrastructure.
Economic Development-
Empower Economic Development Board to attract environmentally friendly business and industry to the county. Attracting business and higher paying job to the county will diversify the tax base.
Education-
Committed to providing best education we can afford. High School is using trailers to keep up with current growth. County must start to develop a plan for future growth, i.e. new High School, reutilization of existing schools etc.
Financial Security-
Economic downturn results in a lower revenue stream. Board needs to be very frugal in near term budget cycles. Insure funds are well spent on verifiable needs and not just “wants.”
Currituck Outer Banks Issues-
Fully explore and solicit community input on issues that impact citizen’s lives. Insure their voices are heard. Maintain some semblance of the Outer Banks cultural heritage.
Hales Lake OLF Site-
Band together with neighboring counties, cities etc, to resist this location with every means possible.
County Transportation Issues-
Is the Mid County Bridge the answer? Should other alternatives such as the Southern Shores Flyover be put on the table? Impact to our citizens in Coinjock, Aydlett, and the Currituck Outer Banks. I believe all of these items should be thoroughly explored before a decision is made. I also believe every effort possible should be made to move along the requested thoroughfare study plan for Currituck County.
Visit my web site at WWW.vanceaydlett.com for my thoughts on each of these issues.
Many of these do not have an easy answer and will require a lot of community input; however by looking forward and working together they can be solved.
Finally, if elected to this seat my commitment to you is as follows;
BE A GOOD LISTENER
BE AVAILABLE AND RESPONSIVE
STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY’S DESIRES
ALWAYS REMEMBER MY VALUES OF TRUST, INTEGRITY, AND
OPENNESS.
I am asking each of you for your support and vote in this election.
.
Sincerely,
Vance Aydlett Jr
A Few Good Men!
Concerned leaders step up to make a difference in the County
Let's hear it for these wonderful and dedicated men who are stepping up to win back the government in Currituck. The next few days will bring postings by our good Republican candidates who want to make a difference and serve the citizens.
Let's hear it for these wonderful and dedicated men who are stepping up to win back the government in Currituck. The next few days will bring postings by our good Republican candidates who want to make a difference and serve the citizens.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
New Year? Same ole, same ole... a sad new report from 'the Totem'
Happy New Year!!!!
I wish I could report to you that your Board of Commissioners has taken the opportunity of a new year to turn a new leaf but unfortunately, that is not the case. In fact, it is the same old story of ignoring rules, ordinances and proper procedure in order to impose their political will.The most recent example of this was with the selection of Currituck’s new Economic Development Advisory Board members. The former board was simply ignored, no formal action taken to dismiss them and a declaration made that each member would be replaced regardless of whether their term had expired. Isn’t that a fine example of, “thank you for your service”! Our ordinance specifically lays out the requirements and selection process for filling these volunteer positions. Currituck Ordinance Division 3 Economic Development Board, Sec. 2-138 specifically states:“Citizen members of the Economic Development Board shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the BOC as follows: (I have added emphasis where I believe there have been violations of our ordinance requirements).(1) Initial appointments shall be arranged such that one appointment will expire at the end of the first year, three appointments expire at the end of the second year, and three appointments expire at the end of the third year. All subsequent appointments will be for a term of three years with such term commencing on the 1st day of January.Furthermore, each initial appointment shall be assigned to a unique Commissioner seat with that respective Commissioner being responsible for all subsequent appointments.
At Monday, January 7’s BOC meeting, this BOC over my objections chose a ballot process for selection that completely ignored these ordinance requirements. No candidates that I recommended were chosen and none of the candidates who were chosen are from my new residency district. As a result, the second largest populated residency district has no representation on this critical board. Keep in mind, this advisory board’s membership was adjusted to 7 members to specifically reflect the new residency districts and the new number of Commissioners. By choosing a ballot process which appeared to me because of Commissioner Gregory’s unique ballot to be simply a foregone conclusion as to who would be selected, I have again been stripped of authority as a duly elected Commissioner who by ordinance should have been afforded the selection of at least one position on this board. I was not even asked for recommendations until the morning of the vote. Like the State and Federal governments, board appointments are afforded both the majority and minority recognizing that both sides were duly elected and expected to be allowed to participate in the governing process on behalf of their constituents. Again, the other members of the current BOC do not seem concerned with the law or rules or the fact that the citizens of Currituck elected me to represent them in the same manner they were selected. Instead, they continue to feel license to substitute their own judgment for the will of the people as well as the law. While our County is blessed with exceptional County employees, our County Manager appears resigned to passivity. Interestingly, Commissioner Gregory had a ballot different from all others that had only 7 of the 10 candidates listed! Commissioner Bowden did not meet his obligation to vote on all issues unless recused and only selected 2 candidates rather than the required 7 needed to fill the 7 positions.For those of you wondering how this happened, how once again this BOC does the County’s business outside the rules, using improper procedures, please know I have repeatedly asked the same question. Unfortunately, perhaps since he was threatened with replacement when this BOC took office, the County Manager has taken a role of simply rubber-stamping the Chairman’s demands. When I call, I usually am told the County Manager is in a meeting and getting questions answered or calls returned have become fairly futile. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and know I will continue to strive for professional and responsive government in Currituck on your behalf.
Owen Etheridge
I wish I could report to you that your Board of Commissioners has taken the opportunity of a new year to turn a new leaf but unfortunately, that is not the case. In fact, it is the same old story of ignoring rules, ordinances and proper procedure in order to impose their political will.The most recent example of this was with the selection of Currituck’s new Economic Development Advisory Board members. The former board was simply ignored, no formal action taken to dismiss them and a declaration made that each member would be replaced regardless of whether their term had expired. Isn’t that a fine example of, “thank you for your service”! Our ordinance specifically lays out the requirements and selection process for filling these volunteer positions. Currituck Ordinance Division 3 Economic Development Board, Sec. 2-138 specifically states:“Citizen members of the Economic Development Board shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the BOC as follows: (I have added emphasis where I believe there have been violations of our ordinance requirements).(1) Initial appointments shall be arranged such that one appointment will expire at the end of the first year, three appointments expire at the end of the second year, and three appointments expire at the end of the third year. All subsequent appointments will be for a term of three years with such term commencing on the 1st day of January.Furthermore, each initial appointment shall be assigned to a unique Commissioner seat with that respective Commissioner being responsible for all subsequent appointments.
At Monday, January 7’s BOC meeting, this BOC over my objections chose a ballot process for selection that completely ignored these ordinance requirements. No candidates that I recommended were chosen and none of the candidates who were chosen are from my new residency district. As a result, the second largest populated residency district has no representation on this critical board. Keep in mind, this advisory board’s membership was adjusted to 7 members to specifically reflect the new residency districts and the new number of Commissioners. By choosing a ballot process which appeared to me because of Commissioner Gregory’s unique ballot to be simply a foregone conclusion as to who would be selected, I have again been stripped of authority as a duly elected Commissioner who by ordinance should have been afforded the selection of at least one position on this board. I was not even asked for recommendations until the morning of the vote. Like the State and Federal governments, board appointments are afforded both the majority and minority recognizing that both sides were duly elected and expected to be allowed to participate in the governing process on behalf of their constituents. Again, the other members of the current BOC do not seem concerned with the law or rules or the fact that the citizens of Currituck elected me to represent them in the same manner they were selected. Instead, they continue to feel license to substitute their own judgment for the will of the people as well as the law. While our County is blessed with exceptional County employees, our County Manager appears resigned to passivity. Interestingly, Commissioner Gregory had a ballot different from all others that had only 7 of the 10 candidates listed! Commissioner Bowden did not meet his obligation to vote on all issues unless recused and only selected 2 candidates rather than the required 7 needed to fill the 7 positions.For those of you wondering how this happened, how once again this BOC does the County’s business outside the rules, using improper procedures, please know I have repeatedly asked the same question. Unfortunately, perhaps since he was threatened with replacement when this BOC took office, the County Manager has taken a role of simply rubber-stamping the Chairman’s demands. When I call, I usually am told the County Manager is in a meeting and getting questions answered or calls returned have become fairly futile. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and know I will continue to strive for professional and responsive government in Currituck on your behalf.
Owen Etheridge
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