Briefs from the December 2009 CountyLines

County Manager David Peoples (left) called Lois Askew's work as Washington County's clerk to the board "world class." (Photo by Michael Kelly)

Washington County sends Askew off in style

Lois Askew ended a 34-year run with Washington County at the end of November. The county held a retirement reception on Dec. 1 for Askew, who served 28 years as clerk to the board and assistant to the county manager. "Lois' work performance has been exceptional and world class," said County Manager David Peoples in September, when Askew announced her retirement plans. "The county is losing a very valuable employee and asset."

Askew was succeeded by Julie Bennett, who previously served as executive assistant to the president and Board of Trustees at Martin Community College.

Carteret Commissioner Allen ends long run in local government

Pete Allen resigned his seat on the Carteret County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 16. Allen, who also retired as town manager of Atlantic Beach, cited health reasons for his resignation. He was in the third year of a four-year term as a commissioner.

Allen has been involved in local government for the past 25 years beginning with his election as mayor of Emerald Isle in 1983. His résumé includes a one-year stint as county manager in 2001-02.

Judge rules against Graham County in dispute with Board of Elections

A superior court judge ordered the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 30 to pay for a part-time employee hired by the county Board of Elections even though the commissioners had not officially approved the position.

Judge James Baker ordered the commissioners to pay the worker, who had been working for the Board of Elections for several weeks. As of press time, Graham County had not decided whether it would appeal the judge's decision.

According to reports in The Graham Star, the issue began in September, when the county transferred the Board of Election's only full-time employee to the tax office after the abrupt departure of the county's chief tax assessor. This caused an immediate need for an experienced administrative assistant in that office to continue work with the county's upcoming revaluation. The Board of Elections' director then hired two part-time workers to help prepare for the 2010 elections, but the county only approved one additional person to work in the office.

Polk seniors enjoy new recreation center Polk County held a grand opening for its new Senior Recreation Center on Nov. 18. The county purchased the building, which was being used as a private school, along with another building that will become an adult daycare center, for $1.2 million. The county added a commercial kitchen and pick-up point for home-delivered meals, along with some other modifications, for roughly $500,000. The grand opening drew roughly 500 attendees, according to County Manager Ryan Whitson.

Moorefield returns to Cumberland

Rickey Moorefield will leave his post as Sampson County manager and attorney to become Cumberland County attorney on Jan. 1. Moorefield, who worked as Cumberland's assistant county attorney from October 2006 to April 2007, succeeds Grainger Barrett, who died in July. Moorefield also previously served as county attorney in Macon and Alamance. He is a former Alamance County commissioner.

"We think we are getting a real gem in you since you have served where we sit," Cumberland County Commissioner Jeannette Council told Moorefield.

Chatham commissioners receive kudos The Chatham County Board of Commissioners received the 2009 County Commissioners Award from the N.C. School Boards Association on Nov. 17 in recognition of the commissioners' outstanding support of public education. The NCSBA honors one Board of Commissioners each year and made the selection based on a nomination letter submitted by the Chatham County Board of Education. Despite a shortage of revenues, commissioners provided flexibility with capital funding so that the school system could match a Golden LEAF Foundation grant for school technology. From left to right, Commissioners George Lucier, Carl Thompson, Sally Kost and Tom Vanderbeck accept the award.

Jail part of new Transylvania public safety facility

Transylvania County commissioners officially opened the doors to the county's new Public Safety Facility on Nov. 7 during a dedication service. The 60,000-square-foot, $20.3 million facility can hold up to 114 inmates and can be expanded to accommodate 300. The facility houses all the county's emergency services, including e-911 communications.

"This is truly an awesome facility that all our taxpayers can be proud of and that will keep us all safe and secure," said Commissioner Jason Chappell, according to The Transylvania Times.

Perquimans commissioner appointed to State Youth Advisory Council

Perquimans County Commissioner Tammy Miller-White, a program facilitator for Perquimans County High School, has been appointed to a two-year term on the N.C. State Youth Advisory Council (YAC) by Governor Beverly Perdue.

YAC provides support and advice to the State Youth Council and local youth councils. YAC is composed of adults and high school students and administers the distribution of mini-grants to youth programs.

Emerging Issues Forum issues call for creativity

Registration is open for the 25th Annual Emerging Issues Forum, which will be held Feb. 8-9 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The Emerging Issues Forum is hosted by the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) and is the primary component of the organization's latest program of work on creativity.

This year's forum, Creativity, iNC., will address the critical need for North Carolina to unleash the power of its creative assets to drive economic growth and social advancements in these extraordinary times. Visit www.emergingissues.org for registration information.

SOG publishes updated guide on ethics and lobbying reform

The School of Government has released a local government law bulletin on "2006-2008 State Ethics and Lobbying Reform Statutes" that is available online in PDF format at no charge at www.sog.unc.edu/bulletins/lglb. Using a question-and-answer format, authors Fleming Bell and Norma Houston distinguish among provisions that clearly do apply to county and municipal officials and employees, those that clearly do not apply to local governments, and those for which the answer is currently uncertain.

SHORTS

Catawba: Network Administrator Rick Cook has been awarded the 2009 James S. Cooper Award from the N.C. Local Government Information System Association, a statewide organization focused on connectivity among local governments. … Cumberland: Deputy County Manager Juanita P. Pilgrim has been appointed by Governor Beverly Perdue to the N.C. Employment Security Commission. … Commissioners authorized $3.85 million in funding Nov. 16 for wiring and plumbing upgrades at the Crown Center. … Davidson: Troy Coggins, a 15-year veteran of the Cooperative Extension Office, succeeded the recently retired Robert Lopp as CES director Nov. 10. … County employees were given the option of taking a personal day without pay between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1. … Forsyth: Ronda Tatum, a 16-year county employee, has succeeded Joe Bartel as director of budget and management. Bartel retired Sept. 30 after a career with the county that lasted more than 30 years. … Henderson: Assistant County Engineer Natalie Berry has been appointed to serve as the area representative for the Certified Professional Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ) Association. CPSWQ is a professional development association for individuals working with storm water quality management. ... Orange: Clarence Grier succeeded Gary Humphreys as finance director on Dec. 14. Humphreys will retire at the end of the year. … Polk: The county closed on its $1.6 million purchase of Lake Adger on Nov. 20. The county will be able to draw up to 8 million gallons of water daily from the 420-acre water reservoir in order to meet the county's water consumption needs. ... Rowan: Kevin Auten assumed the position of acting sheriff Dec. 1 following the retirement of George Wilhelm. Auten has served in law enforcement for the past 21 years.