Editorial and Commentary
From The Desk of The Publisher
Moore County Flies Solo in Policy Matters That Will Impact Most Residents - No Input Wanted
Commissioners Vote To Award Building Contract Immediately
Without Public Referendum To Take Advantage Of Low Bid
Without Public Referendum To Take Advantage Of Low Bid
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We are going to support the “gang of three” but we intend to watch the happenings. The actions last night mirrored our advice to Commissioner Picerno before he was seated on the Board. Three beats two, we said back then, and there is little hope for a style change in Mr. Lea. He leadership style is long winded and negative. Sadly, Picerno had to learn for himself.
Elsewhere we will report on Tuesday morning’s Water Summit meeting that included three members of the County Staff. Input from Dennis Brobst and Cary McSwain was informative to representatives of the towns and we hope they left with a better understanding of what the Summit group is trying to facilitate. Cooperation is far better than isolation.
We are going to support the “gang of three” but we intend to watch the happenings. The actions last night mirrored our advice to Commissioner Picerno before he was seated on the Board. Three beats two, we said back then, and there is little hope for a style change in Mr. Lea. He leadership style is long winded and negative. Sadly, Picerno had to learn for himself.
Elsewhere we will report on Tuesday morning’s Water Summit meeting that included three members of the County Staff. Input from Dennis Brobst and Cary McSwain was informative to representatives of the towns and we hope they left with a better understanding of what the Summit group is trying to facilitate. Cooperation is far better than isolation.
Members of the Moore County Summit Water Task Force are coming to grips with the fact that the County water and sewer utility and the current Board of Commissioners has little or no interest in participating in plans to implement recommendations of the McGill Water Source Study. Indeed, the County leadership is practicing a scorched earth policy and the inevitable train wreck is clearly on the horizon.
Over and over the County belittles efforts to create an environment of cooperation leading to a set of mutually acceptable goals. They seem to believe that they hold all the cards and that there is little or nothing that can be done to influence their actions.
Why did the County in an unlikely partnership with Hobbs Upchurch work so hard to upset the Pinehurst attempt to acquire the Wagram Water facility? Is it a case of we don’t want it, but you can’t have it either? The Lumber River Council of Governments, as we previously reported, is trying to find some seed money to pay for an engineering study of the capability of the plant. Moore County does not wish to participate.
There is, of course, the ballot box, and the Commissioners seem to overlook the startling defeat of Commissioner Cindy Morgan in the recent GOP Primary Election. They also overlook the genuine rejection of County policy as evidenced by the recent water and sewer meeting they presented to a handful of residents last month.
The problem is that fifty year decisions are being made by a group with no long range policies and a bully like attitude. “We have plenty of water,” they shout-ignoring the McGill study that seems to say something else. Their water bulk purchase policy, without ownership of the production means, carries a significant risk of future cut backs by those who are selling water to a thirsty Moore County
The Pilot, of course, gives bad management a lot of cover. Why does the newspaper ignore the fire protection problems in Old Town Pinehurst? The newspaper staff is aware of the facts; and
Over and over the County belittles efforts to create an environment of cooperation leading to a set of mutually acceptable goals. They seem to believe that they hold all the cards and that there is little or nothing that can be done to influence their actions.
Why did the County in an unlikely partnership with Hobbs Upchurch work so hard to upset the Pinehurst attempt to acquire the Wagram Water facility? Is it a case of we don’t want it, but you can’t have it either? The Lumber River Council of Governments, as we previously reported, is trying to find some seed money to pay for an engineering study of the capability of the plant. Moore County does not wish to participate.
There is, of course, the ballot box, and the Commissioners seem to overlook the startling defeat of Commissioner Cindy Morgan in the recent GOP Primary Election. They also overlook the genuine rejection of County policy as evidenced by the recent water and sewer meeting they presented to a handful of residents last month.
The problem is that fifty year decisions are being made by a group with no long range policies and a bully like attitude. “We have plenty of water,” they shout-ignoring the McGill study that seems to say something else. Their water bulk purchase policy, without ownership of the production means, carries a significant risk of future cut backs by those who are selling water to a thirsty Moore County
The Pilot, of course, gives bad management a lot of cover. Why does the newspaper ignore the fire protection problems in Old Town Pinehurst? The newspaper staff is aware of the facts; and
doesn’t the paper have an obligation to its readers in the matter of public safety? They don’t seem to feel that it is their responsibility.
Well, little Robbins has started something with its determination, its tendency for self help and its rejection of Moore County’s insulting offer for the town’s major asset. It is possible that there is a regional utility system in our future and it may have all started with the leadership of Robbins being very realistic about the facts on the ground.
Well, little Robbins has started something with its determination, its tendency for self help and its rejection of Moore County’s insulting offer for the town’s major asset. It is possible that there is a regional utility system in our future and it may have all started with the leadership of Robbins being very realistic about the facts on the ground.
By Walter B. Bull, Jr.
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Click Above to Go To The Water Supply Issue in Pinehurst
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in most cases and are pleased to buy the debt that is secured by either a revenue stream or real property.
But in Carthage neither Commissioner Tim Lea nor Cindy Morgan had the good sense to get out of the way and let the process proceed. Both made pleading statements concerning their negative positions and Lea read a long rambling prepared statement into the record. They wanted more study at a time when there was a firm bid on the table that wouldn’t stay there forever.
Nice swan song in the eyes of many. Morgan has already been retired by the voters and Lea is seeing his grand plans for county domination disintegrate, give way to good business sense and a process that includes Moore County as an active participant with other governments. The Pilot can only prop up bad leadership and poor judgment for just so long.
Supporters of law enforcement are breathing a little easier with the construction now visible on the horizon. The project has a long view to facilities and there can be no doubt that as the area grows the properties can grow as well.
in most cases and are pleased to buy the debt that is secured by either a revenue stream or real property.
But in Carthage neither Commissioner Tim Lea nor Cindy Morgan had the good sense to get out of the way and let the process proceed. Both made pleading statements concerning their negative positions and Lea read a long rambling prepared statement into the record. They wanted more study at a time when there was a firm bid on the table that wouldn’t stay there forever.
Nice swan song in the eyes of many. Morgan has already been retired by the voters and Lea is seeing his grand plans for county domination disintegrate, give way to good business sense and a process that includes Moore County as an active participant with other governments. The Pilot can only prop up bad leadership and poor judgment for just so long.
Supporters of law enforcement are breathing a little easier with the construction now visible on the horizon. The project has a long view to facilities and there can be no doubt that as the area grows the properties can grow as well.
Previous Boards of Commissioners did not face up to reality as they cut the previous jail construction project to “save money.” The late Sheriff Jim Wise just shook his head as he recalled that his request in the 1990’s was scaled back so dramatically that only a decade later to jail became overcrowded. Perhaps short sight policy is behind us, but only time will tell.
The vote was only a first step on the road to effective county government. That road is long and rocky as old thinking dies hard and needs at many levels require attention of the gang of three. The Courts project is in the wings and there are matters of personnel succession, creation of a top flight finance office and longer range planning in a number of areas. Citizens and representatives of our municipalities need to participate in the process and not be dictated to from Carthage.
The gang of three has the wind at their back and need to apply clear thinking with a prudent use of tax dollars to prepare Moore County for the next fifty years.
The vote was only a first step on the road to effective county government. That road is long and rocky as old thinking dies hard and needs at many levels require attention of the gang of three. The Courts project is in the wings and there are matters of personnel succession, creation of a top flight finance office and longer range planning in a number of areas. Citizens and representatives of our municipalities need to participate in the process and not be dictated to from Carthage.
The gang of three has the wind at their back and need to apply clear thinking with a prudent use of tax dollars to prepare Moore County for the next fifty years.