Dear Manager: June 11, 2012 | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Publisher's note: This correspondence from this Beaufort County rightfully concerned citizen, Warren Smith, is addressed to Beaufort County Manager Randell Woodruff about some perceived inconsistencies arising from the issue of required "jury duty" as claimed by Beaufort County's most expensive employee, EDC Director Tommy Thompson.

   While some county commissioners may say that Mr. Thompson has met all the recent requirements made conditional, by the Beaufort County Commissioners, for the director to receive his remaining pay, my opinion, long held, remains: "Why are we still paying this guy?"

   The editorial staff of BCN well appreciates the diligence of Warren Smith, and his inquisitive nature as a man of some estimable knowledge, and his devotion to his regimen of proper citizenry.

Beaufort County Managers Office
121W. Third Street
Washington, NC 27889

Dear Mr. Woodruff

    On June 4, 2012, you mentioned to the Beaufort County Commissioners that, earlier in the day, Mr. Tom Thompson, executive director Economic Development Commission (EDC), had failed to attend a meeting where you had expected to discuss the unfiled and overdue 2011 EDC annual report with him. The reason you were given for his absence was that he had jury duty in Craven County.

    At this same June 4 board meeting the county commissioners voted 4-2 to suspend Mr. Thompson's pay until the EDC annual report was submitted. The suspension was to begin when Mr. Thompson returned from jury duty. The report was submitted as of close of business June 8, 2012.

    I have checked with Assistant Clerk of Courts for Craven County, Ms. Donna Whitfield (252.639.3000), as to Mr. Thompson's status as a juror during this time frame. Ms. Whitfield has informed me that a Tommy Thompson was called for jury service for May 7, 2012, but requested a release from service due to business travel, which would keep him out of town. A postponement was granted and new date of June 4, 2012 was set.

    In Craven County candidates for jury duty are notified to call the Clerk of Court's office on the Sunday preceding Monday's court. As of Sunday, June 3, 2012 the clerk had a voice message in service advising jurors that there was no need for their attendance and that they were being released from service. There were no court cases requiring juries scheduled for the week of June 4, 2012.

    This seems to create several questions:

    1) Why has not Mr. Thompson cleared up the inconsistencies arising from these facts? Why has he allowed the questions surrounding his supposed jury duty to go unaddressed and uncorrected?

    2) If Mr. Thompson was traveling out of town on the week of May 7, then was this travel related to Beaufort County business? Do Mr. Thompson's expense and travel records reflect such travel? Is there any verification as to his use of taxpayer time?

    3) If Mr. Thompson was not kept from filing the EDC annual report in the week of June 4, 2012 by jury duty, then should not the earlier 4-2 majority vote to suspend his pay still be in effect from June 4 through close of business June 8, 2012?

Regards,

Warren Smith
  Beaufort County