Making Sure The Body Stays In The Ground

Ok, so the title isn’t the most creative, BUT it’s worth noting that the group formally created to oppose the massive government agency pushed international port in Southport (No Port Southport) is going to be speaking to the Brunswick County Commission on August 2nd.

So in spite of the public disdain for the port expressed by the current congressman, Mike McIntyre, every city in the region and drubbing from the legislature to not fund it, the No Port folks are making sure the corpse has another stake in its heart.  You can read more here at the State Port Pilot.  To be fair, they did ask to be on the agenda prior to finding out most of the aforementioned information, but it’s still funny.

NHC Problems Abound

New Hanover County’s electeds have been oddly silent in over the past week.  After four broken pipes with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, a special employee transfer for a criminally charged deputy and the disclosure that a county employee, though demoted, was still receiving his original pay along with paid Rotary dues the public is anxious to know what’s going on.

The StarNews wrote not one, but two separate editorials questioning the hiring and demotion stories. But still no word from ANY elected county commissioner.  The sheriff has finally come forward to explain his actions. First editorial here, second one here.  Appropriately stated:

The issue goes beyond the worthiness of these individual employees to the question of how the actions appear to ordinary residents. Neither instills confidence about the abilities of County Manager Bruce Shell, his subordinates, or the county commissioners to run a cost-effective government.

Commissioners have an obligation to the public.  How do they feel?  Why aren’t they forthcoming about their opinions?  The time is quickly passing for them to just let the County Manager act on their behalf, the commissioners, having just passed a 1/4 cent sales tax hike, have an obligation to let their constituents know how they feel.  Sticking their collective head in the sand is NOT acceptable.  I would also add that the Sheriff not knowing much about an ongoing investigation into one of his employees doesn’t inspire confidence in him either.

Kudos to Brian Berger, GOP Commissioner candidate, for being the ONLY candidate or elected official to publicly rebuke the behavior on the air this morning on the BigTalkerFM.