|
OPINIONS
May 9, 2019 |
 |
 Wingate Lassiter |
What
good's a public hearing
if the public's out of the loop?
Kenneth Taylor took the words right out of my mouth when he addressed the County Commissioners during the "public comments" segment of their meeting Monday evening:
What good is a public hearing on a proposed incentive grant to land an industrial prospect "when citizens know nothing about it"? he asked. "I understand the need for confidentiality during negotiations" with a prospect, he said. But once we get to the public-hearing stage, "let's take the wraps off ... and get some realistic, thought-out comments from the public," he urged the board.
Mr. Taylor, who resides on Gordon Road near the huge Novo Nordisk plant expansion now under construction, was referring to a hearing scheduled for Monday's evening session to consider a county incentive grant to an unnamed company "in an underserved area of the county," also not named. Ironically, the hearing was postponed prior to Monday's meeting without explanation.
Mr. Taylor had another sensible suggestion regarding industrial prospects that receive incentives in the form of property-tax rebates if certain investment and employment goals are met: Why not issue annual or semi-annual reports on the status of these projects to see how the deals are working out?
On that point, the county's leaders appeared receptive. Board Chairman Ted Godwin indicated such information could be shared. "We see it internally," he noted. County Manager Rick Hester said he would look into what could be done along those lines.
Nice to see a governing board get good advice from "public comments."
An
amen to leadership over partisanship
To the editor:
I am in agreement with you regarding your opinion on political labels, "Leadership in place of more partisanship" (published on this page in the May 2 edition). I think that partisanship creates blinders for so many levels of leadership where only Democrats support only Democrats, and the same with Republicans, when the real issue is what's best for our community, state, and nation. Right?
And thanks for using the Preamble to the Constitution to illustrate your point. That was like clicking my "refresh" button.
So, why not remove as many political party labels as we can and help in the election process provide the candidates that best fit the position. What does party affiliation have to do with those service positions you mentioned anyway?
This is a really necessary conversation.
--- Buddy Hooks,
Tarboro
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Hooks grew up here. He is a 1965 graduate of Smithfield High School.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Hooks grew up here. He is a 1965 graduate of Smithfield High School.
Thanks for the SHS Class of '69
reunion
The Smithfield High School Class of 1969 thanks all of the patrons, vendors, and supporters of our 50th class reunion. Door prizes were provided by Carroll Pharmacy, DeWayne's Country Garden, Carolina Pottery, and several other local businesses.
Thank you to the organizing committee and all those classmates who participated by decorating, leading, and attending the reunion events. Members of the organizing committee were Pam Adams Deardorff, Bette Barnes Carpenter, Don Pittman, Joe Austin, Debbie Cretini Sanders, Susan Parrish Baker, Kathy and Bill Teague, Nancy Stigelman Jones, Crys Jordan Kirby, Rebecca Talton Kalsbeek, and Jimmy Allen.
Thank you to the Johnston County Heritage Center for holding Barbara Baker Elliott's book reading at the center on Saturday.
Who knew that attending one's 50th reunion could be such fun?
--- Ken Langston,
Smithfield
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Langston was president of the SHS Senior Class of 1969.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Langston was president of the SHS Senior Class of 1969.
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