What's really behind the WDN's frustration? | Eastern North Carolina Now

Their real problem is that our elected officials will not all behave the way they want them to behave. They believe they should decide what is best for the rest of us.

    More specifically they lament what they describe as elected county officials who did not sufficiently, in their opinion, "listen to" the public on the hospital issue. Mind you, this is in spite of the fact that the issue of which they complain about the public being shut out of was a (the) major issue in the November Board of Commissioners election. So much of an issue in fact that the WDN itself make it one of the issues it asked about in its public forum for Commissioner candidates. Then several of the candidates and other groups ran ads of their position on who should run the hospital. Only one of those candidates was elected and arguably that one would have been re-elected no matter what position he took on the hospital. The others lost. But nevermind the public's participation in an election, as far as the WDN is concerned.

    Then there were two full-blown public hearings, one public comment session at a Commisioners' meeting which was devoted exclusively to "listening to the same people say the same thing they had said at the two formal public hearings" and at a rally they themselves organized. Now there is yet another public hearing scheduled for next week. That totals five opportunities for the public to express their feelings about the issue, not counting the media comments and an election.

    But in the WDN's perception, distorted as it is, they really were trying to use the UHS coalition as a means of "furthering" other agendas the WDN has decided need to be addressed, including the way we elect Commissioners so the County can progress to become a part of the "New South" rather than "maintain the dismal status quo."

    In the event you're not from Beaufort County and don't understand where the WDN is actually coming from, let us tell you what we think they are saying.

    The WDN views itself and its few supporters as the Elite of the County. By that we mean it is they and a hand full of other Elitists who believe they, better than the voting public, know what is best for the rest of us. That is typical of the Liberal/Progressive Elites. They really believe We The People are too stupid to decide for ourselves what is best for us. They will do it for us, and drag us into their New South order whether we want to go there or not. Rather like their compatriots in the Other Washington did on health care.

    Take the WDN's position on the Hospital issue by way of illustration. They came out in support of one of the bidders before the bids were even in. Never mind that the law and sound public policy require getting competitive bids. They, and the former chairman and other members of the Hospital board would have just negotiated a backroom deal with a no bid contract. So when it appeared that their bidder of choice might not be able to carry the deal on the merits of a good bid, they proceeded on a crusade to drive the other bidders away. In so doing they cost the County at least $60 million dollars and we believe if the value of the hospital were accurately computed, over $100 million by 2041.

    Not only did they try to sabotage the legally prescribed and duly adopted competitive bidding process, they went on a crusade to denigrate the public officials who were trying to get the best financial deal. They were so foolish as to annihilate the possibility of negotiating with the one remaining bidder from a position of strength and thereby put the County in a position where we will have to take what the bidder wants to offer, unless our elected officials are willing to start the process all over again. Not one of these people has ever, or would ever, make a major real estate deal that way if they were using their own money. But they did not hesitate to do that to the people of the county, particularly our children and grandchildren who will see a $100 million piece of real estate go for 10% of what it will no doubt be worth.

    Talk about frustration.

    Understand what we're saying. We are saying nothing about who the best operator would be of the Hospital. We are not debating or even contesting the aura the UHS Cheerleaders extolled at each of the five public forums, and the losing candidates pushed all during their campaigns. For the sake of understanding what we are saying, just accept arguendo that UHS was the best choice. But that does not justify not trying to get the best financial deal for the People of Beaufort County that could be achieved from UHS. And the way it has turned out so far proves that the deal was made better by just a bit of competition and any reasonable person would have to conclude that a full bore competitive process would have produced an even better deal.

    In fact, the WDN itself ran a story quoting the UHS CEO saying the competition caused them to raise their bid. Yet that did not seem to register with the WDN editorial writer(s).

    While we'll have more to say about the issue if it develops into serious consideration, we would suggest that if you assess the WDN's arguments thus far offered against the Limited Voting system you find a remarkable phenomenon. Every one of those arguments can be made against any viable alternative electoral system, including the current School Board district system which they say nothing about "reforming."

    And we would posit that the WDN's real agenda is seen in their attacks on Stan Deatherage when he dismissed being responsive to people who threatened, harassed and generally acted rude and crude toward him. We don't even think it requires elaboration that no public official is responsible for taking abuse simply because of a political issue. That the WDN has attempted to intimidate our elected officials exposes them for what they really are.

    So the truth is, the WDN and the UHS Cheerleaders who campaigned to sabotage the competitive bidding process are not really concerned with the "public being listened to" or even "business as usual" much less a public official refusing to be abused and being treated uncivilly (that's the "in word" with these liberals these days). What they are interested in is having their way, regardless of what is in the best interest of the People of Beaufort County or how the people vote. If they don't vote the way the WDN thinks they should vote, then change the voting system.

    What they are really suggesting, if by nothing but insinuation, is that all of us poor dumb souls who thought our elected officials should have followed the prescription of the law (N.C.G.S. 131E) and common sense in any major real estate transaction involving county assets, should just leave it up to them to decide what is best for the rest of us. And that dear friends is the epitome of elitism.

     Publisher's Note: We do very much appreciate this fine article on the BRHS debacle, and the WDN's position as the chief advocacy journalists for the UHS position, from our friends at the Beaufort Observer. It is the opinion of this publisher that their continued, complete reporting and analysis of this controversial issue is unparalleled in scope.