100 years of county unity

NCACC reaches century mark in 2008

For those who are familiar with the enterprising background of Claudius E. Foy, they will not be surprised to learn that he was the major impetus behind the formation of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners a century ago.

Throughout his life, Foy was very active in community affairs in eastern North Carolina, first in his native Jones County and also in Craven County, where he lived much of his adult life.

A visionary with a keen business acumen, Foy was among the first to recognize the potential economic benefit offered by the Trent River. He advocated for a series of federal grants to improve the river’s navigability all the way from the river mouth to Trenton and later operated the Trent River Transportation Company, which transported freight and passengers up and down the river.

He was also involved in the mercantile and cotton business and in the banking and railroad industries before turning his attention to county government. He was first elected as a Craven County commissioner in 1903, and it was during his second and final term that he first conceived the idea for a state association of county governments.

In the century since Foy and a small group of county commissioners from around the state first met in Morehead City in August 1908, his vision has blossomed into one of the strongest state local government associations in the nation.

The Association’s 2008 Annual Conference will be held in Foy’s home county of Craven and will include many memorable events to celebrate 100 years of county unity. But one weekend of celebration is not befitting for an organization with the history and stature of the NCACC, and so the Board of Directors recently approved a year-long series of events to commemorate the historic occasion.

Some of the events planned for 2008 include a time capsule, a Declaration of County Unity to be signed by all 100 counties, a county cookbook and an essay contest for high school students on how counties improve the lives of citizens.

Many of the activities will highlight the important role played by the Association, which serves as the collective voice for all 100 counties. In addition to these activities, the NCACC is asking counties to participate in a series of events designed to educate the public about the programs and services offered by counties.

A lot has changed since the Association was formed in 1908. One of the guest speakers at the first session in August 1908 was W.R. Spoon of Burlington, who spoke about the “different phases of constructing public roads.” Less than 25 years later, counties were removed from the road construction business in the height of the Great Depression. Now, 75 years later, there is talk about involving counties in funding for roads yet again as the state grapples with a $65 billion funding gap for its transportation needs.

When the Association was formed in 1908, there were 97 counties and fewer than 300 county commissioners. Counties still elected coroners, and commissioners typically served as county managers. Now there are 572 county commissioners in the state, and almost every county has a full-time, professional manager to lead the day-to-day activities of the county.

In the century since Foy first conceived of the Association, thousands of dedicated North Carolinians have served as county commissioners, seeking to improve their communities. Through their involvement with the Association, they have also been able to work for the betterment of all North Carolinians. This year, the Association will reflect back on our first century and look forward to the next.