In Beaufort County Bad Decisions are a Habit | Eastern North Carolina Now

    There is that old "HEE HAW" refrain. "If it were not for bad luck, I would have no luck at all". I have noticed the same principle applies to judgement. Most of us make some bad decisions, but we learn from them. Some people and organizations make one bad decision after another. People with good judgement learn from bad decisions, but some people just keep making bad decisions.

    Most habitual bad decision makers just do not seem to get the whole picture. Some do not even see any part of the picture.
The Hood speaks to the citizens: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage
    Beaufort County has made a lot of bad decisions on issues that involve the City of Washington. The County should be aware the six cities located within our county should be partners and friends in serving our respective populations. We should cooperate whenever possible and make special efforts not to do harm to each other. When interests are bruised and trampled on punishment will usually be handed out.

    Looks like Beaufort County has set its self up for some punishment.

    The sins of Beaufort County. Beaufort County hired the City Manager and a top finance employee away from the City of Washington. Beaufort County took over EMS dispatching from the City without consulting with the City. Beaufort County announced to the City that they intended to add an EMS tax to every citizen of the County, including those who live in the towns, and assume all billing for all EMS services. All of this was done with no negotiation with the cities and virtually no notice. How are we to get along if we do not talk to each other?

    Those of us who have some common sense know that whether we are pushing people, companies, or governments around there will be some push back. Sometimes, pushback can hurt.

    The City of Washington is offended. They are about to push back in a lot of ways. They are threatening to give all their EMS services to the County. They want out of the economic development partnership. There may be other things they may give to the County. What if the Sheriff suddenly had to provide law enforcement duties to the City of Washington. All of these things cost money.

    Now for my disclaimer. I have no beef with the Beaufort County Manger or the Finance Officer. They can work for whomever will hire them. I do have a beef with the six commissioners who would have "No judgement at all if it were not for bad Judgement".

    Almost all of the bad judgement I have discussed happened during the chairmanship of Gary Nonsense Brinn. Nonsense Brinn believed he had been "anointed" and not elected. His back room meetings and decisions with Interim Manager, Ken Windley, and a few other commissioners have put Beaufort County at the risk of higher taxes.

    In so far as personnel are concerned, we all have enough common sense to know not to go across the street and hire away their help. There is a cost to the County if the City abandons their part of economic development even though they scaled the amount they pay down over the years. But, we definitely need their cooperation on some funding, the acquisition of grants and providing utilities at reasonable costs. We need their friendship when potential industries come to town. We currently contract with the City to cover EMS for Washington Township. There will definitely be a tax increase if we have to take over all of these EMS services.

    I estimate the increased cost to Beaufort County taxpayers for offending the City of Washington to be at least one million dollars each year. That does not include the Sheriff policing the City.

    The seven County Commissioners serve the same duty as the board of directors of a corporation. When corporate boards make big mistakes they could go bankrupt. Bad governments just raise taxes.

    Please judge the people you vote for in the upcoming primary and general elections on their ability to make good decisions. They should have experience in successfully running business. Leave blindly voting on personality and political party to those who will never have good judgement.