An Open Letter to the County Commissioners | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: Jim Bispo's weekly column appears in the Beaufort Observer.

    The foxes seem to be massing around the hen house. According to a front page article in the 5/1 edition of the WDN, the meeting called a few days ago by the EDC chairman to announce his retirement had to be rescheduled after an "internet based" organization (not an on line competitor, but an internet based organization - unidentified) questioned the EDC's compliance with the advance notice requirements for calling a public meeting. The comment came across as a bit "snippy." It sounded as though the WDN takes umbrage when someone asks that "their" people comply with the rules.

    Be that as it may, the article sounds as though the ruling (EDC / C of 100) clique is going right ahead with replacing the outgoing Economic Developer (surely with another of their own). The article indicated that the EDC Board will be soliciting applications for a replacement for Mr. Thompson. The EDC Board?? I doubt that they have that authority, but if we let them get away with it, they will. Looks like a power grab by the ruling clique. It needs to be nipped in the bud!!

    The EDC director is leaving. He is the one who appointed the board (according to the tax returns he has been filing on behalf of the C of 100). Since the EDC board and the C of 100 management seems to be based on the "spoils system," shouldn't all the folks who "came in" with the old regime disappear when it disappears?? It is just like the "big government" works. When the chief leaves, all his appointees (who haven't been able to squirm into "career" positions) leave with him. We need for the same thing to happen here. Period!!

    BTW, have the Commissioners approved or directed this?? According to what I have read the Commissioners appoint an EDC director and he appoints the board and by virtue of his status as EDC director is the boss of the C of 100. And now what is reported is that the board is going to select a replacement of the individual who is charged with appointing them. It sounds kinda like trying to find the end of a hoop...

    What ever happened to the County Commission's responsibility for the EDC?? As a matter of fact, it might just be a good time for the County Commissioners to weigh in on this issue, both those who are currently standing for re-election and those who will be next time around. It would be interesting to see who among them really cares about fiscal sanity. They all talk about being good stewards of the taxpayers' money. This issue provides a good opportunity for them to show us. They need to abolish the EDC and cut the Committee of 100 loose...

    The article talks about a lot of interest in the job. Why wouldn't there be a lot of interest in a job that pays more than any other job in the county, is not held responsible for any results, offers a "throne room" from which to rule, maybe provides a mileage allowance for commuting back and forth to work, has no supervision, and seems to be allowed to make up their own rules as they go along in addition to receiving supplemental pay (currently $24,000 per year) from the Committee of 100 - which is managed by the EDC appointee)?? Does anyone know what "Conflict of Interest" means??

    It was interesting to read the other day about all the good things that our departing EDC director has done for the county. A lot of the claims were focused on the years 2000 2003. Without even worrying about their veracity, I was wondering what of value has been accomplished between then and now?? About all I can think of is that the EDC (together with their handmaiden the C of 100) created a fairly large market for rubber boots. Hmmm...

    The commissioners should have a heart to heart discussion about the need for and wisdom of even retaining the EDC. Costs; benefits; alternatives...That needs to happen before anyone goes looking for a replacement for the departing Director.

    The commissioners need to take this bull by the horn before it gets out of hand, which as we have already seen with the EDC and C of 100 can happen rather easily.

    D'ya Think??