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