home

‹ previous page  1  2  3  4  5  6  7   next page ›

5a. Question for incumbents: is there a vote you cast or action you took as a Board member that you would do differently?

Barbara Venturi: Yes, we’re talking “sustainability” again. We must have four year staggered terms. For the Board and Mayor. I have in each of my terms attempted to get my fellow commissioners to appreciate the very dangerous situation we have when every two years all six elected seats in town, the mayor and five commissioners, are up for election. I have had no success with this.

The current state of affairs allows the potential horrible situation that all new six officers (mayor and 5 commissioners) could be elected, take office, and know nothing and be able to do less. I know how easy it looks from the outside. But, you know what, it’s just not a cinch. I felt like it took my first term to get a full understanding of the Federal, State, County, and Municipal laws, restrictions, and regulations that we must accommodate as we attempt to guide the town. With a strong, experienced town manager, maybe the town would survive, but there’d be no one who knew enough about governance to know if what they were told or shown was all that needed to be considered. It gets dangerous especially with an incompetent or underhanded town manager. The most important thing a Town Commissioner does is provide oversight of the Town Manager, who by law runs everything about the town, with direction from the Board of Commissioners. (Luckily, we have a very able and competent Town Manager at this time).

There is another way to pursue four-year staggered terms, and my mistake was not pursuing it sooner. If I win the election or not, considering it’s the future and sustainability of the town that concerns me most, I will pursue this objective through other means.

David White: None come to mind, but as with any decision or action, it is always prudent to review one’s decisions once additional information becomes available. I am very much a believer in making quick decisions, as the worst decision is no decision. Once an action is taken, reviews are always constructive and future modifications can be considered as needed.

Sandy Winfrey: We’re in right good shape since the current board took oath….I’m good with what we’ve done.

Charlie Overcash: Oriental is doing better than it has for many years. We have a very competent town manager, the water plant is in the best shape since it was
new and many more town related areas are in very good shape. Due to these
results, I think what we have done is positive and correct.

Larry Summers: I cannot think of one. I try to research and question every element of every issue. I solicit input from everyone I come in contact with to develop the right response and balance it with the law.

---

5b. Question for challengers: what vote of the Board, or action of the Board, would you have done differently?

Gwendolyn Gibbs: No response at this time, however I will continue to view past board actions.

Allen Price: I do not want to Monday morning quarterback the Board. I was not in the meetings, closed door sessions, or in their shoes. If we can learn from the past and use what we have learned for the future we all win. I will be glad to listen and discuss any issue.

‹ previous page  1  2  3  4  5  6  7   next page ›

Posted Monday October 26, 2015 by Melinda Penkava