CCTA WATCHDOG REPORT: September 6, 2012

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING - 4 SEP 2012


Just a quick report to let you know of several significant events at the most recent Craven County Board of Commissioners meeting at Dover Town Hall and Firehouse that concern us taxpayers.

First, and most importantly, the ABC Board presented the BOC a check for just over $860,000. I'm firmly convinced that the face saving rhetoric put out by the ABC Board chairman and the county finance officer that this happened because of a change in State law may be partially correct, but is not telling the whole story. The rest of the story is that, because of the appointment of a conservative protector of the taxpayers, Chip Hughes, to the ABC Board, the Board elected to provide the county (and hopefully, the taxpayers) with these retained earnings to the maximum extent consistent with good business practices. That should have been their practice all along. Instead, it's a new and significant event.

The above illustrates to us what can happen when a conservative takes part in these volunteer boards. I had been of the opinion that a good conservative would want nothing to do with them. I was wrong! We need more people with the disposition to look out for the taxpayers on these boards! They are populated with social workers and liberals for the most part. That needs to change! Please help!

As an aside here, I think most social workers and liberals mean well, but they confuse what we should do voluntarily for our fellow human beings with what the government should do with taxpayer money.

I will attach a copy of the Volunteer Board Application to this report. Please fill it out to serve on a board in which you have an interest in seeing conduct itself more conservatively. That will automatically make you a member of the CCTA Watchdog Committee. Get the application to me, or turn it in to Gwen Bryan at the County Administrative Building, and please let me know you have done so. For a list of these Volunteer Boards use this link CRAVEN COUNTY VOLUNTEER BOARDS.

Ray Griffin and Charlie Simmons again petitioned the Board of Commissioners on prayer at the BOC meetings. It seems to be falling on deaf ears. Somehow the ACLU has entirely intimated the Board of Commissioners. WILL WE EVER BE ABLE TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK? What happened to "our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor"? Apparently our fortunes are more important to us now than our sacred honor! Don't you agree with me on this? Where is our voice?

Bill Harper again petitioned the Board about the Global TransPark. Bill has been right on! This boondoggle has cost the taxpayers $millions! Bill has asked repeatedly for a resolution from the BOC disavowing this mess by formally removing Craven County from the "Global TransPark Zone." The Board did bring the county attorney forward to say that could actually be done, but that the county would risk not getting some of the money back if this boondoggle could ever return money to the counties. I say fat chance! Get us out! It was reported that a state initiative is being considered to get the whole state out. I don't think that is likely. When has the government ever given up on something without continuing to throw more taxpayer dollars at it year after year? Well, we do have a better NC House of Representatives and an election coming up. COULD THIS ACTUALLY CHANGE?

Sheriff Monet was at the meeting. I feel sure he wanted to hear a complaint about his deputies not responding to some calls. The complainers didn't show. I'm disappointed; this would have probably been fun.

The folks in Dover, including Mayor Weatherington, made us all feel welcome. That was nice.

Respectfully Submitted:

Hal James

Issues & Watchdog Committee Chairman

Volunteer Board Application