What life and or career experience(s) of yours could be valuable as a Town Commissioner?
J. Martin Barrow: I am an Eagle Scout, a Navy veteran, and a retired law enforcement officer and manager. My law enforcement management experience included budget, training, equipment, and the application of personnel laws. My experience as an officer, detective, and field supervisor provided me the opportunity to understand the delivery of services as it relates to public safety. This experience will be helpful in evaluating the Town’s police policies and structure as well as evaluating recommendations from the Town administrator including budget, personnel matters, public safety, and emergency preparedness issues.
Charlie Overcash: I have many reasons why my experiences can be, and are, valuable to be a town commissioner! I'll state the ones that directly come from my time in Oriental. I have been a town ambassador when the small cruise ships docked here to let passengers walk the town. I have walked with them while Grace Evans told the history of the town and let then know how special it is to be in Oriental. I have learned about town government by being on the Board of Adjustment, almost three years of being Chairman of the Planning Board, two terms on the town board during which we hired an exceptional town manager and have updated much of the town infrastructure which had been neglected for many years. My wife and I, with help from many people, brought the Chinese Parade Dragon to Oriental. This dragon has brought joy to many gatherings as it appears at parades,special events such as starting off the children's summer reading program at the library and New Years Eve. I am an active Ham Radio operator and, as such, am a member of the Amateur Radio Emergency team that practices every Wednesday night to prepare to be available during disaster events with emergency communications. I host an annual classic sports car event every August which brings many unique sports cars to town and ends up at the harbor for refreshments. As a town commissioner, I have been on the team that brought the cyclists back to Oriental. Also, I have been working with the county and town to develop a dog park that will open in early spring at the Recreation Center.
These are just a few examples of my value to the town as a town commissioner.
Allen Price: In my past job I represented our company calling on customers and dealing with various issues that occur between a supplier and its customers. It required listening, gathering and analyzing data, and working out the best solutions for all involved. My 40+ years of listening and working with customers has prepared me to listen and work with our citizens, even when we disagree. Keeping opposing groups together is needed for future success.
Dianne Simmons: I have a BA and an MA in French Literature and an EdS in Educational Leadership. I was employed by the Atlanta Public Schools for 24 years - as a teacher for 21 years and a school administrator for the last three years of my career. Being a teacher in a large urban public high school is excellent preparation for a local government position. You develop an ability to be comfortable dealing with multiple issues and personalities at the same time. You also grow a thick skin and learn to rely on a well-honed sense of humor. A successful teacher must learn quickly to focus on what is important and what deserves emphasis. Knowing how to listen and maintaining good communication with staff, parents and students is key to school management. Flexibility and open-mindedness are essential in making fair decisions.
Goal-setting - and goal attainment - is another significant part of teaching or leading a school. One has to respond, as well, to changing government regulations and the occasional lawsuit.
School administration requires a great deal of work, study and patience - good preparation for the position of Town Commissioner.
David White: Before becoming a Town Commissioner, I spent four years on the Planning Board gaining an understanding of the Town’s operations and issues. Prior to this, I was with IBM for 39 years in their Public Sector area working with State, Local and Municipal Governments worldwide. I have worked with many Government leaders on infrastructure improvements, best practices implementations and governance models. My current focus areas as a Board Member are Human Resources, Finances and representation on the Planning Board and the Harbor Water Committee. Additionally, I have served on public boards either as Board President or a working Board Member with the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, United Way of Florida’s Big Bend, Boy Scouts of America, United Way of America and various community outreach programs.
Sally Belangia (Candidate for Mayor): I have learned a lot about the town from the last 2 years as being Mayor. I have 38 years of working at a local bank and 38 years of community service in Oriental and Pamlico County. I think it is important to remember our history of the town and to continue to grow and preserve our town.
In the past year, several Special Use Permits (SUPs) have been applied for with most having been granted. With so many of them having been granted, what is ‘special’ about the Special Use Permit? Does the process need to be refined? If so, how?
Charlie Overcash: Special Use Permits are a valuable tool to the growth of Oriental. The town's Long Range Goals direct the town to grow in a manner that is favorable to both businesses and community. The SUP process is a tool that anyone can go through to bring attention to a need. That need may or may not be a good thing for Oriental. If it would prove a danger or a provable negative impact, it would not be granted. The process is involved, as it should be, to bring all the facts out. Also, if the terms of the SUP are not followed, the SUP can be revoked. I encourage everyone to read the Long Range Goals that are on the town web site to better understand the driving factors in the growth of Oriental.
Allen Price: The SUP is controlled by state statute. Last year we were considering changing some SUP’s to Land Use Permits (LUP) and people in town were against this because a SUP gives the community an opportunity to comment, challenge and put conditions on the SUP. To have part time rental in R2 & R3 you must have a SUP. Several homes were being rented without a SUP and the town manager contacted realtors and renters to have them obtain a SUP. This is one reason for increase in SUP’s. I agree it is a burden on the neighbors and community to show proof that would reject a SUP but that is the state statue. I will listen to any ideas.
Dianne Simmons: I have spent quite a bit of time poring over the Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) and have read some articles on small town zoning issues. I have come to the conclusion that the procedures needed to keep Special Use Permits “special” can be found in our existing GMO.
A concern I had was that the burden of proof seemed to rest heavily on an opponent to the SUP, but there is a definite and well-described burden of proof on the applicant before the SUP is approved. The provisions found in the section on Permissible Uses are important. I understand that these had not been revised for quite some time, but the Town Planning Board is in the process of revising them at this time.
Another issue relevant to the procedure of granting SUP’s is timely notification to the citizens of the town. With adequate notification, citizens have the time to plan and prepare. I urge everyone to attend Town Board and Planning Board meetings. Show up and make your voice heard.
David White: Our current Special Use Permit (SUP) is a “quasi-judicial” process very much governed by State statutes. We have incorporated all the elements and points the State allows municipalities to use in determining the validity of an SUP request. These elements and points center on public safety, security and health issues, conformity to zoning regulations, adjacent property owners, residential property values and local ordinances. When we conduct an SUP hearing, all those presenting evidence are sworn in, much like a court hearing. The Board then hears the evidence and determines the outcome based upon how our SUP process is delineated in the Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) and evidence presented. If we do decide to consider changes to the SUP process in the GMO, we need to conform to State statutes and conduct an open Public Hearing.
J. Martin Barrow: The entire SUP process should be analyzed to determine if it is providing the desired results. If not, identify its shortcomings and develop a revised SUP consistent with Town goals.
One identified issue with the ‘Special Use Permit” process which has arisen in several of the SUP applications lately, is the burden of evidence sections as it relates to empirical data (often difficult to establish prior to issuance of the permit) and the burden of persuasion. I would like to see some language in the ordinance that gives the Commissioners the latitude to provide ‘weight’ to testimony provided by a citizen even though it is not backed by empirical data.
Sally Belangia (Candidate for Mayor): It is important to give the public, town’s planning board, the town commissioner’s and the person applying an opportunity to prove if there is a problem or not. They do take a lot of time but we have to follow the State Statue. We must have proof of evidence if there is a problem with the SUP.
