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Letter to the Editor from Commissioner Bonnie Crosser appeared in the August 6, 2025 edition of The Pamlico News. It was not sent to TownDock.net. In that letter, Crosser stated the town had saved over $230,000, in part by outsourcing meter-reading and parks mowing.

Commissioner Breena Litzenberger responds, in a letter sent to both publications, encouraging voters to question the numbers as the majority of that savings came from eliminating three Public Works positions.

Oriental’s elections for the Board of Commissioners happens this November. Commissioner Crosser is one of two Commissioners running for reelection (Allen Price is the second incumbent). Commissioner Litzenberger is not running again.

As election season approaches, I urge residents to ask meaningful, informed questions of those running for the Town Board. In a recent Letter to the Editor [sent only to The Pamlico News], Commissioner Crosser claimed that “cost reductions from last year’s expenses amounted to over $234,000+.” On its face, that sounds like great fiscal management—but numbers need context.

The majority of this so-called “cost savings” came from the Public Works Department, where we lost three employees. We’ve since hired one, but despite our Public Works Director’s request to unfreeze another full-time position, the Board only approved a part-time position—which still remains vacant. If you’re like me, you might not view losing valuable staff as true savings, but rather as cutting off our nose to spite our face.

It is perfectly acceptable for a candidate [for Commissioner] to believe that reducing staff is the right direction for the town. What is not acceptable is for a candidate to say they oppose staff cuts, only to support closing positions when nearly half our staff resigns.** This is why voters must go beyond headlines and slogans.

Ask candidates what they believe are the best cost-saving opportunities in Oriental. Is our budget already as lean as it can be? Do they have concrete ideas for funding infrastructure? When they reference staff costs, are they using fair comparisons—accounting for wages and benefits equally? Demand details, numbers, and figures to back up their claims, and be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Beyond finances, leadership style and community outreach matter just as much. Ask candidates how they will work with other Board members, how they will seek input from residents beyond their close circle, and how they will compromise with those they disagree with. Look at their past actions—on advisory boards, in volunteer roles, or as business owners—and see if those align with the vision you have for Oriental.

In the coming year, our town will face challenges: possible tax changes, Town Manager Diane Miller becoming eligible for retirement, an understaffed Public Works Department, and now the resignation of Officer Nic Blaney. The stakes are high. We need Board members who will make decisions in the community’s best interest, grounded in transparency.

Commissioner Breena Litzenberger
Oriental, NC
August 13, 2025
Crossposted to The Pamlico News

** For context: At the February 2024 Town Board meeting, responding to resident concerns about the Financial Liaison position Commissioner Crosser wanted to reinstate and occupy, Commissioner Litzenberger asked her to understand the public’s concerns about the position being used to cut town staff. Crosser told Litzenberger to stop saying cut town staff – she was only there to look at financials.

• The February 2025 Town Board Meeting: An Irritated Public & A Question Left Unanswered

After the above was published, Commissioner Crosser sent TownDock the letter she previously sent to The Pamlico News. It was received August 14. Here it is:

Why Bonnie Crosser is running for Oriental Town Commissioner

Continue helping the Town Manager and staff find new opportunities to eliminate nonessential spending in order to create funding for essential infrastructure projects.

Cost reductions from last year’s expenses amounted to over $234,00 as initially reported by the Town Manager during the July 2025 Town Meeting. The outsourcing of the meter reading and parks mowing contributed to this spending reduction. My goal is to continue to focus on additional cost efficiencies which will make funds available to repair and replace our aging infrastructure; our roads and drainage issues.

Continue building on the improvements in financial accounting and emphasize the essential need for financial oversight.

As a result of the Fiscal Year 2024 audit, the Town Auditor found 5 financial performance indicators of concern. We, the Town Manager and her staff, laid the foundation to address those issues, by working hard to implement best practices and incorporate NC Statue requirements into the Town’s financial reporting system. Best practices resulted in identifying $200,000+ idle cash and moving it into an interest-
bearing account.

Continue working on the much needed modernization of the Town’s Water System.

As the Chairperson of the Water Advisory Board, I have worked actively with the Town Manager, staff, and the consulting firm contracted to manage this $5.4 million renovation project. I plan to continue the Water Plant Rehabilitation, Booster Station (addressing pressure issues for the residents in Dolphin Point), and Valve Replacements projects which address the comprehensive repair and replacement of key components of Oriental’s aging water system.

Continue development of Parks and Recreation facilities.

After being asked to re-join the Park and Recreation team I agreed and will continue my efforts to secure much needed funding to upgrade the facilities and to improve the Town’s equipment and play areas for both youth and seniors that use them

During this campaign I encourage everyone to seek the facts and ask questions. I will be holding Coffee with Commissioner Crosser Hour on every Monday, from 9:00am until 10:00am at Mariposa’s. Please feel free to stop by.

Respectfully,

Commissioner Bonnie Crosser, CPA