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| Manteo Mayor Jamie Daniels |
Tate Johnson, Executive Director of the Governor's Eastern Office in New Bern, NC told EyeonDare he had the task of contacting mayors in 23 eastern counties. Johnson said his goal was to get the endorsement of at least two mayors from each county, and he chose Southern Shores and Manteo in the County of Dare.
It was at this point that EyeonDare thinks the matter became a little sticky. "We weren't trying to mislead anyone," said Johnson, adding that "we can't do anything about what kind of spin the press might put on this." (See WECT TV6 story here)
Johnson said he felt sure that each mayor fully understood that the Governor was asking for support of her proposed sales tax increase.
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| Southern Shores Mayor Hal Denny |
On the other hand, Southern Shores Mayor, Hal Denny told EyeonDare he understood that his signing of the letter was an endorsement of the tax increase and he thought it was OK for him to make that assertion without consulting his town board. Like Daniels, Denny said he quickly returned the letter and thought no more about it. (You can read the letter here)
EyeonDare isn't trying to throw darts at Governor Perdue over her proposed sales tax increase and offers no opinion on the merits thereof, or for the need of additional funding for education in our State.
(Read Governor Perdue's statement on education here)
However, this writer thinks the residents of Southern Shores and Manteo should take their respective mayor to task for the shortsighted way they responded to the Governor's request. Why did they not take the request before their town boards? Folks, this was an invitation to endorse a TAX INCREASE, not an invitation to some ribbon cutting. It is clear to EyeonDare that both mayors, and perhaps others on the list, acted irresponsibly by signing the letter without official board approval.
Johnson told EyeonDare that he thought a lot towns did not allow their mayors to sign any document on behalf of the town without full board approval. In fact, Johnson said that one mayor he called for a signature immediately brought the matter before the full board and they voted not to allow a signature.
Well, EyeonDare says, "Don't we do things differently here in Dare County".
12 comments:
Jamie was too busy, yep too busy making pizza.
We need to stop slamming every little potential mistake our politicians make or there will be no one left to serve. Jamie Daniels is an honorable man with the best interests of Manteo in his heart.
Isnt that reckless, signing your name with out reading what you are commiting your citizens to? I am not impressed with a mayor who can not slow down and read something before signing it. Is he qualified to lead?
Anon #1,
EOD agrees with you 100% about Mayor Daniels' character and devotion to his town. In fact he was honorable enough to admit that he may have acted too hastily, however, like the action of Denny, it doesn't negate the mistake and it's up to the town residents to decide if they want their entire board out of the loop on such an important issue. Again, EOD believes a mayoral invite to endorse a statewide tax increase isn't the same thing as a mayoral invite to a hometown wennie roast.
EOD-An endorsement is a public statement that you support something, someone, or a policy. Any elected official does not need board approval before he endorses something. While you may not agree with this endorsement. You have the right to vote this person out during the next election. It is simply an endorsement nothing more and nothing less. Politicians need not act of fear before they endorse something.
OK, if that's the case, why didn't Hal Denny, Jamie Daniels and all the other mayors just sign their name and leave off their title. Do you think for one moment Perdue would have wanted that? One would have to be pretty naive to think that these mayors were not supported by at least their respective boards when they read that very ambiguous letter. Want to bet there aren't more than a few ticked off board members and private citizens as well.
Another thing, have you given any thought as to why Perdue didn't ask county commissioners to sign the letter? Think now. :)
It's an election year for county commissioners and an off-year for muncipal elections. Get it? :)
In addition, did you notice there were no populous cities included on the list? Why? It's politics and they had too much to lose by getting embroiled in the matter right now....in other words the big boys read their mail and do their homework.
This is a joke right? "I was too busy to read something from the Perdue's office"?? what did he think he was signing??. Good intentions or not, this is absolutely irresponsible and unacceptable. If you want to serve and represent us you can not be too busy, too tired, too involved trying to improve your position. Crooked elections, politicians and tolerances brought us to where we are, we must stop allowing lame excuses .
@ Eye on Dare: You need to stop treating Manteo with kid gloves and expose some of the real issues that are affecting the Town. Water rates that have increased astronomically when compared to the Town's rates, a Planning Board that shows total disregard for the code of ordinances, a downtown that is void of business and leadership that does little to encourage growth, etc.
EOD- the mayors of Southern Shores and Manteo are certainly not big boys and nor should they act that way.
I would like to hear more about the 'real issues in Manteo'.
This is a sad day when a businessman and mayor is to "busy", I mean "lazy" to read a letter and then still, put his name down. What type of leadership is going on in Dare County. We look like a bunch of down-home morons when this takes place. Thanks for being atypical, stupid elected officials Hal and Jamie! Good thing I can't vote in your towns!
Their first mistake is agreeing with anything that our sorry excuse for a Giv that we have! This state needs a Gov like Arizona has! She has the ...."guts"...that this good ole boy or gal system has! Bev is a long line of piss poor democrat "it`s my turn" govenors!
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