The RINO Problem and the Importance of Genuine Conservatism
Deatherage was candid about challenges within the Republican Party at the county level. He described a
"center-left coalition" on the Board of Commissioners consisting of
two RINOs (Republicans In Name Only), whom he identified as
Frankie Waters and Randy Walker, and
two "democratic socialists." He alleged these members
swap votes to share power and resist oversight. He characterized some as
Democrats who became Republicans to get elected, then governed as liberals.
Fritz offered a more measured view, saying he believes most people enter government with good intentions but that
fundamental ideological differences between left and right are irreconcilable. He cautioned voters to
judge elected officials by their actions rather than their labels:
"If you got to tell people you're conservative, you're probably not a conservative."
The Value of Being in the Minority and the Power of Oversight
When Fritz asked what value a conservative can provide when in the minority, Deatherage outlined three key functions:
contrasting yourself against the majority so voters can see the difference,
fixing problems created by poor governance behind the scenes, and most importantly,
performing public oversight. He compared it to
"looking in a really dirty window at a factory", scraping off the grime so the public can see what's happening inside.
He praised
Hood Richardson as a
"stallion when it comes to oversight" and noted that the two of them pioneered
filming county commission meetings decades ago, funding the effort out of their own pockets when the board resisted transparency.
Strategic Planning and Changing the Nature of Government
Hudson emphasized the need for
strategic planning, short-term and long-term roadmaps with defined budgets and timelines. He noted that the school system, for example,
lacks any strategic plan, making it impossible to justify decisions about new schools, bus routes, or resource allocation. He advocated for elected officials to set the vision and parameters, then task the bureaucracy with developing actionable plans while maintaining rigorous oversight. He summarized his philosophy with a saying from his
Air Force intelligence unit:
"In God we trust; all others we monitor."
Fritz acknowledged that changing the nature of government is
"almost impossible" but necessary. He stressed the importance of
shifting the institutional mindset from spending maximization to spending minimization, teaching government employees to
"stretch their timeframe" and make resources last longer. He drew an analogy:
"It's not that you can't have the shoes, just can't have them right now."
The City Manager and Looking Forward
Fritz spoke positively about the city's new manager,
Bobby Robertson, who was appointed and reportedly at work within hours. Deatherage praised Robertson's institutional knowledge and work ethic, noting he
"knows where all the bodies are buried" and is prepared to help the council achieve its goal of cutting approximately
$1.8 million from the budget.
Fritz also noted that the
mayor has been cooperative and proactive, despite having her own vision and no voting power on the council. The two other council members, however, have been less forthcoming about their goals, offering what Fritz described as primarily
"opposition" without clear alternative proposals.
Closing Remarks
The conversation concluded with mutual expressions of respect and a commitment to continued collaboration. Fritz expressed excitement about the conservative majority's agenda,
recruiting the private school, attracting developers, cutting taxes, and reducing debt, and invited future discussions with council members Joe Davis and Max Perreault. Deatherage reflected on his long tenure and his hope to finally achieve a conservative majority on the county commission in his upcoming
eighth term, saying:
"Maybe I can be a hero too."
Both emphasized that
Beaufort County's natural beauty, its extensive waterfront along two major rivers and numerous creeks, more than any other county in North Carolina, combined with
lower taxes and better schools, could transform the region. As Fritz summarized:
"Commerce chases population. We focus on the population, the commerce will come."
