Allen, Garrison honored for tireless efforts

911 bill champion Rep. Bryant named 'Friend of the Counties'

By Todd McGee
Communications Director

With a potential pool of more than 570 candidates, it is difficult to choose a winner for the annual Outstanding County Commissioner Award, which is presented each year during the President's Banquet at the NCACC Annual Conference. For the NCACC officers, who make the selection each year based on nominations from counties and NCACC staff, 2010 was no different. Once again it was extremely difficult to choose one winner – so they picked two.

President Mary Accor presented Outstanding County Commissioner Awards to Lee Kyle Allen of Craven County and Terry Garrison of Vance County. (Photo by Jason King)

Commissioners Lee Kyle Allen of Craven County and Terry Garrison of Vance County were each honored during the banquet for their tireless work on behalf of North Carolina counties. Allen, who is in his 16th year as a member of the Craven County Board of Commissioners, has long been active in public health issues, a passion that began during his service in the U.S. Navy.

Allen serves on the NCACC Human Services Steering Committee and is in his fourth year on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Counties as the affiliate representative for the National Association of Local Boards of Health.

"The purpose of this award is to recognize commissioners who do great work on behalf of counties beyond their own county boundaries; commissioners who give their time and energy to issues of statewide and national significance," said 2009-10 NCACC President Mary Accor. "Lee Kyle Allen has been a county government leader for more than two decades. A 20-year military veteran who served in Vietnam, he received Navy medical training, and is an avid advocate for the elderly and for public health at both the state and national levels.

"He was appointed to the Governor's Task Force for Healthy Carolinians in 2001 and served as a member of the North Carolina Public Health Task Force that was appointed in 2004. Through his efforts, a public health accreditation system was developed that is currently being implemented across the state to improve the quality of public health services to our citizens."

Allen was accompanied to the banquet by his wife of 55 years, Norita, who is battling a serious illness. Allen actually left the conference on Friday to return home to be with Norita while she received medical treatment. Mrs. Allen knew her husband was going to receive the award (the Association typically notifies the families of the winning commissioner so they can arrange to be on hand for the big moment, but the winning commissioner is not notified) and she insisted to her unsuspecting husband that they return for the banquet that night. With tears in his eyes, Allen credited her for providing the inspiration for his public service.

Allen's win was not the only emotional celebration. Outgoing Past President Garrison had no idea that his fellow officers had also chosen him for the honor. Garrison has served for seven years on the NCACC Executive Board – which is believed to be a record – including the past three years as past president. The two presidents that followed Garrison – Buncombe County's David Young and New Hanover's Bill Kopp – each went out of office in November 2008, leaving Garrison as the most recent past president still serving as a county commissioner. If Accor wins election to the N.C. House this fall, Garrison will once again become the Association's most current, still active past president.

"So many commissioners work diligently to help this Association achieve our mission, but I can't think of any commissioner who has done more for this Association over the past seven years," said Accor. "Terry brought a special kind of leadership to this Association during his year as president.

"His quiet, dignified manner was just the right style we needed in 2006 when we were fighting for and succeeded in getting relief from the costs of Medicaid. This past year alone, that relief meant more than $247 million in avoided costs for counties, and 17 counties have approved the local-option sales tax included as part of the swap. Counties will reap the benefits of the Medicaid swap forever, and that's a pretty good legacy to leave."

Garrison was surprised to see his mother and son, Terrence, come up to the podium during his acceptance speech. Terrence had flown in from Atlanta to be with his father on his special day while some of his other relatives had arranged for his mom to be there.

"I am at a loss for words," Garrison said. "This means so much, and to have my family here with me is very special."

Bryant a Friend of the Counties

While the 911 victory during the 2010 short session may not have the long-term impact of the Medicaid swap, it is still a significant win for counties – especially during the ongoing budget issues being faced by all counties. As a result, Rep. Angela Bryant, who spearheaded the effort to get the legislation passed, was recognized with the 2010 Friend of the Counties Award.

Halifax and Nash county officials congratulated Rep. Angela Bryant after she was named “Friend of the Counties” for 2010. Front row, from left to right, are Nash County Commissioners Lou Richardson and Mary Wells, Rep. Bryant, Nash County Chairman Robbie Davis and Halifax County Commissioner Rachel Hux. Back row, from left to right, are Halifax County Manager Tony Brown, Nash County Commissioner Fred Belfield, Halifax County Commissioners J. Rives Manning Jr. and Marcelle Smith, and Nash County Manager Robert Murphy. (Photo by Jason King)

"This past year, she took the lead on an issue that counties had been pursuing for more than 10 years – expanding the use of 911 funds," said Accor, who made the presentation during the Opening General Session on Aug. 27. "Even though many people told her that it was an unsolvable problem, she refused to stop. We are all grateful for her unwillingness to take no for an answer.

"In an election year, most legislators would have stayed away from such an issue, but Rep. Bryant took this head-on. She balanced the concerns of the various parties and helped craft solutions to many of the substantive subject matter details. And she did all of this in a short session that was truly short.

"In the end, her results helped free up more than $50 million that counties can use to address immediate public safety needs. This was a welcome surprise given the tough budgets we are all facing. In addition, counties now have more representation on the State 911 Board, and we have more flexibility in how we can use the 911 funds."

The Friend of the Counties Award was created to encourage non-county persons and organizations to take significant actions that advance the interests of counties and the Association. Any person or organization that is not directly associated with North Carolina county government or the NCACC is eligible to receive the award.

Previous winners have included Rep. Bill Owens, a former Pasquotank County commissioner and past president of the NCACC who is one of the most influential members of the House of Representatives, and Maurice Smith, president of Local Government Federal Credit Union.

Also during the Opening General Session, Craven County's Gwen Bryan was honored as Outstanding Clerk of the Year, and Onslow County's Lesley Moxley received the Outstanding County Attorney award.

In addition to these awards, five commissioners were recognized for achieving 20 years in office – Jim Harrell of Surry County, Beatrice Hill of Harnett County, Past NCACC President Billy King of Cumberland County, Harry Foy of Franklin County and Robert T. Reives of Lee County.