THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 9, 1994 TAG: 9408090419
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
The Board of Commissioners voted Monday to set Sept. 12 as the date it will appoint a successor to the commission seat left vacant by the death of Lacy McNeill earlier this summer.
The commission will accept resumes from citizens interested in the seat.
Mayor Terry Gray said the panel will choose McNeill's replacement with the same process used in January to fill the vacancy left by Gray's election to the mayor's post. Gray called the procedure ``democracy in practice,'' and said it will enable the commission to select the best person for the job.
Commissioner E.M. ``Coy'' Harbeson disagreed. Calling the process used in January ``a hodgepodge affair,'' he said the commission should be able to interview the candidates instead of merely reviewing their resumes.
Gray responded, ``If you thought it was a hodgepodge affair last time, I don't think I would have done as you did and let the procedure go forward.''
Commissioner Laurana J. Cowan was appointed last winter to fill Gray's seat. She was the next-highest vote getter in the last commission elections held in the town. However, Gray said that was not a factor in his supporting Cowan's selection.
``I can't speak for the other three commissioners, but I voted for Mrs. Cowan because I felt she was the best person for the job who would serve the interests of the town,'' he said.
Harbeson said that not everyone who submitted an application in January received fair consideration.
``I don't think the process used last time was a good process,'' said Harbeson. ``I want to go through the resumes and see who's best qualified, but there may be some questions I would want to ask the applicants that are important.''
Applicants for the vacancy should submit resumes to Town Clerk Mary E. Quidley.
In other action Monday, the commission approved a plan submitted by the Nags Head Woods Deer Management Committee. The plan was drafted in an effort to ensure that a healthy deer population can be maintained in the ecological preserve, and to provide homeowners with information that will help humans and wildlife live in harmony.
Under the plan, six deer will be randomly killed in the woods by state wildlife officials, and tests will be performed on those animals to determine whether the herd is diseased.
The commission also approved a limited exemption that will allow wildlife officials to discharge firearms within the city limits for purposes of the study.
The commission also approved a list of street improvement projects for the 1994-95 fiscal year and authorized the drafting of specifications and drainage plans.
Improvements are planned for East Clark Street, East Fresh Pond Drive, Norfolk Street, Sutton Avenue, Virginia Avenue, West Eden Street, Memorial Boulevard and Bay Drive.
The commission also approved the nomination of Nags Head Town Manager J. Webb Fuller for reappointment to the North Carolina Coastal Resources Advisory Council.
The panel is made up of 45 members representing coastal counties and cities, as well as state and local governments. Each member serves a two-year term.
The town's plan to create a public parking area on East Hayman Boulevard also came up for discussion during the public comment period. East Hayman property owner Tom Salp told the commission that the design of the parking area would lead to an increase in crime.
KEYWORDS: KILL DEVIL HILLS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
by CNB