Staff Writer
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Critics of the Currituck Board of Commissioners say Tuesday's election results show public discontent with the current board.
Specifically, they point to longtime incumbent Ernie Bowden's loss by more than 1,000 votes to political newcomer Michael Cherry in the Democratic primary for the board's new District 1 seat.
They also note that Roy Lee Etheridge, a Democratic candidate for the newly created District 2 seat who had praised the current commission board, seat lost to board critic Jerry Wright in their primary race.
"I personally think it's a vote of dissatisfaction with the direction the board is
going," said Paul O'Neal, a Republican former commissioner who will be on the ballot in November for the board's newly created at-large seat. "I'm hearing in the community that people are very concerned about the flippant attitude and vengefulness that the board is showing."
Commissioner Owen Etheridge, the board's lone Republican, also believes Tuesday's election conveyed a message to his Democratic peers.
"Any election is a snapshot of that particular time," he said Wednesday. "It appears that last night the people of Currituck County are not happy with the direction the majority of the current board is taking."
But other members of the commission board disagree. They say Bowden's and Etheridge's defeats were not indicators of dissatisfaction with the current board's performance.
Barry Nelms, chairman of the commission board, said commissioners have a whole host of accomplishments of which they can be proud, and that Bowden had contributed to them.
"We have made tremendous strides," Nelms said, noting that commissioners have put together a revitalized Economic Development Board whose members are working well together.
Nelms said the board has also approved $60 million in infrastructure improvements, the construction of two schools, a new library in Moyock, and development of a $25 million water treatment plant. All of those improvements have been achieved without tax or fee increases, he said.
"There has not been any increase in taxes, not one penny," Nelms said. "We've been very frugal saving people of Currituck money and keeping taxes low."
Nelms also said commissioners are moving forward with developing a centralize sewer system in Moyock, something Bowden has advocated.
"I think that goes a lot to (Bowden's) credit," Nelms said. "He knew Moyock could, and cannot, develop without central sewer."
As for why Bowden didn't win re-election, Nelms said he couldn't say. He pointed out that politicians, including Bowden, win or lose elections for a host of reasons.
A number of voters outside polling places Tuesday told a reporter that voted against Bowden because of a traffic accident he was involved in last October. Bowden, who originally had been charged with a felony in the matter, ended up pleading guilty to three misdemeanors, including having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
Vance Aydlett Jr., a Republican who won Tuesday's primary for the District 1 seat, suggested that the election results were indicators of public feeling about both Bowden and the full commission board.
"(The results) spoke clearly about people wanting to see honesty and integrity and personal involvement and citizen involvement back in our county government," he said.
Aydlett also said the outcome of the District 2 race showed that residents favor "smart growth," where infrastructure and services are in place before development occurs.
In that race, Jerry Wright, who has been very critical of the pace of the current board's decisions on rezonings, defeated Roy Lee Etheridge.
During the campaign, Etheridge praised the current board. On Wednesday, he said he didn't consider the election results as a knock on the current board.
"I think a lot of people are happy with (commissioners)," he said. "You have your few there that don't exactly agree."
Wright couldn't be reached for comment for this story.
Cherry, who defeated Bowden in Tuesday's Democratic primary and will face Aydlett in the general election, said he couldn't comment on whether the current board's performance had anything to do with his victory. He said voters just seemed ready for new leadership in Bowden's seat.
"(The election) shows that Currituck is ready for a change with a better candidate that has got a good background in education, that is just educated," he said.
Commissioner Janet Taylor, who was not on Tuesday's ballot, said she too, doesn't consider Tuesday's results as a referendum on the current board's performance.
She said that Wright's 109-vote margin of victory over Etheridge was anything but a landslide. And she pointed out that there was only one incumbent running on Tuesday.
"I think the (current) board has been working hard to get things accomplished for the county and its citizens, and that is our main focus," she said.
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Comments
By ACE
May 14, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
Lefty,
What did Etheridge and Gregory do in trying to bring the TWAA during Christmas. What actions did they undertake at Christmas? Were they being underhanded or did they do anything illegal? Thanks for your help.
By Lefty
May 13, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Ace, I'm sorry that you are not aware of the past history of Currituck County and the position of the County Commissioners.
For your info; TWAA is a business (an Auto Car Auction) that Etheridge and Gregory tried to bring into our county during the Christmas season when most of our citizens were pre-occupied with family. If it wasnęt for a very alert, and a lady whom I believe is a saint, hadnęt brought it to our attention and hadnęt sued the county - we would now be knee deep In trouble.
As for the horse concept ę given the traffic on a weekend and the location of the horse farm, how many horses do you think would die or over heat in the traffic jam that occurs on Route 158 during the summer? A horse farm concept is a great idea, but not (3) three miles past the point where traffic comes to a complete stand still during the summer weekend traffic,
Rest assured, I look forward to engage Owen Etheridge about all of the subjects that I have raised and I really look forward to do it in the public eye. After all, the public has rebuked most of the positions Owen has taken and we would all like to see if he has changed his positions, or if he still thinks he knows better than then many.
By ACE
May 13, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Lefty, I am familiar with most of the things you mentioned with the exception of a couple. What is TWAA? Has or is the county now paying farmers to land bank property? If so where does the money come from?
Now a couple of questions for you. I support the horse farm concept and can see how it can be a major hub of many different recreational activities for so many different people of the county, if developed properly. Have you Lefty, ever been to the farm and seen the existing facilities and what could be there? Why are you opposed to the many opportunities it offers not only to the children of but all the people of Currituck. We can debate the other items you listed but I hope you will avail yourself of any and all opportunities to engage Mr Etheridge about these subjects publicly.
By Nice sign
May 12, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Hey Barry, real nice sign you got there at the visitors center. You know what I'm talking about, the one you can't even see or read because it is too short and placed in an area that it can't be seen even from the intersection. Nice move Barry, paying for that useless expensive sign you can't even see. Just like the idea of a visitors center at one of the busiest intersections. I dread when we start reading of the accidents there this summer. Go Barry, you da man.
By Lefty
May 10, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Ace, if you want reasons why Owen Etheridge wonęt be elected lets us start with TWAA, County Unification, Horse Farm, Temporary Library for Moyock, Light house, Paying farmers to land bank their property, attempting to get TDRęs approved and a host of other ill-conceived ideas.
I will let your personal against me, speak for itself and for Owen, there is no need to dredge up Owenęs personal life as he has put it out there all by himself for all to observe.
By CB
May 10, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Lefty and Crazy Lefty--You are forgetting one candidate (Aydlett) who many of us believe is the best choice of them all. It has been along time since I have heard someone who seems to be sincere in their platform, not just saying what the voters want to hear. I think with his background and experience of dealing with issues day to day and willingness to listen to our concerns makes him the top choice in my mind.
CB
By ACE
May 9, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Lefty, I have to disagree with your opinion of OE election chances, I am hearing just the opposite, I am being told he will win reelection, I guess only time will tell. Why do you and others so opposed to him continue to dredge up something about his personal life. When people like you can not address the issues facing government, by engaging in meaningful debate on the pros and cons of the positions our elected leaders take on the issues, you resort to personal attacks and mudslinging based on nothing more than rumor. Attacks, designed not to expand the debate, but to muddy the waters in an attempt to tear down, create chaos and prevent meaningful debate. If our founding fathers where here today, observing how politics have devolved what would they say?
By holycow
May 9, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Cherry for your response. It helps.
I wish someone would come forward with what industry we are expecting in Moyock that we could anticipate that it would replace/attempt to replace the revenue from the beach should that blow away. I think it's important to explain this. I see sewer being planned for housing;strip malls and maybe the hotel. I don't see this as cost effective. Seems like we are just pushing development on poor soils. What is the industry? Containers/distribution? OLF sides?
By Crazy Lefty
May 8, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Crazy Lefty...that is in reference to you....and yes InkSpot...shows just how goofy Nelms really is!!!!
By InkSpot
May 8, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
..."and development of a $25 million water treatment plant. All of those improvements have been achieved without tax or fee increases, he said."
BALONEY. The water use rates and impact fees went up to help pay for the new plant.
Reality check, anyone?
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