THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 11, 1994 TAG: 9410110286
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Discussion about a newspaper article erupted into a heated argument between Kill Devil Hills Mayor Terry Gray and Commissioner E.M. ``Coy'' Harbeson on Monday when the two elected officials began battling over the town's budget practices.
During the Board of Commissioners' meeting, Gray discussed a recent media report that said Dare County is North Carolina's most expensive place to live. The cost of living on the Outer Banks, the article said, is 14 percent above the national average.
Harbeson said Kill Devil Hills' town government should be ``part of the solution rather than part of the problem.''
Later in the meeting, Gray took exception to Harbeson's comments.
``I don't think this town is part of the problem,'' the mayor told Harbeson. ``You brought up four proposals to cut the budget that didn't hold water. I think what you're saying is misleading. I think we have a quality town, and for you to constantly run it down is wrong.''
Harbeson defended his stance on cutting the budget.
``I came in with valid cost reductions, and you didn't want to see them,'' Harbeson said. ``There's not a budget that can't be cut.''
Harbeson also chided the mayor and his fellow board members for not offering budget cuts.
``None of you came up with anything to be cut,'' Harbeson said. ``What needs to be done is not being done.''
As the two continued their argument, an audience member, Kenneth Simpson, spoke.
``I think you ought to do this somewhere else. If you're going to argue, take it behind closed doors,'' the Kill Devil Hills resident said. ``Every time we come in here, it's the same thing. This is not helping the town.''
In other action Monday, the commission, by a 4-1 vote, instructed Town Manager Debora Diaz to obtain a proposal from Lifeguard Beach Services outlining costs for a three-year contract between the lifeguard services and the town.
The board voted to enter into discussions for renewing the agreement with the service, despite protests from Harbeson and town residents, who argued that the town should seek competitive bids for lifeguard services.
``I disagree with giving LBS a multiyear contract,'' said Harbeson. ``I think we should advertise and seek bids. We need to explore all possibilities for lifeguard service.''
Former town Commissioner Fred Castellow also spoke. As a member of the board, Castellow questioned the rehiring of LBS. On Monday, he said the commission should explore ways to save tax dollars.
``I don't have a problem with LBS,'' Castellow said. ``What we're looking for is a way to save tax dollars. I think the town has an obligation to put this out for bid.''
Harbeson said the board should hear a proposal about lifeguard services submitted by Edward C. ``Ned'' Kuehn of Virginia Beach. Harbeson also criticized allowing LBS to rent beach equipment, saying the umbrella and boogie-board rentals distract lifeguards from doing their jobs.
New town Commissioner Bill Morris, however, said LBS should be rehired to provide lifeguard services.
``Bob Gabriel is a contributor here in this community,'' Morris said. ``He lives here, his wife teaches here, and his kids go to school here. I don't see anything that needs fixing.''
Commissioner Duncan Wright agreed.
``What Mr. Kuehn submitted was a proposal to take beach protection in-house. We can't afford to do that,'' Wright said. ``You're talking about a difference between night and day.''
In other business, the commission approved a resolution declaring the week of Oct. 17-23 National Business and Professional Women Week, in honor of the local chapter of the organization.
KEYWORDS: KILL DEVIL HILLS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
by CNB