THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412150189
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
IN WHAT OFFICIALS characterize as an effort to open the windows of government, Dare County has launched a new quarterly newsletter to inform the public about county activities.
The first edition of the ``Dare Digest'' was mailed to 22,000 Dare County residents earlier this month, at a cost of $3,800.
``This is an integral part of an overall effort to open the lines of communication between the Board of Commissioners and the taxpayers,'' said Dare County Public Information Officer Charles Hartig. ``This board is committed to streamlining government, and to making government more responsible, accountable and accessible. This is the first step.''
Hartig acknowledged that constituents want less government and lower spending, but he said the newsletter and a concerted public information effort were developed to meet another public concern.
``People do want less government,'' Hartig said. ``But at the same time, they have clearly demonstrated that they want information on their government, and they want to know how their tax dollars are being spent.''
The inaugural edition of the four-page newsletter includes articles on the new reverse osmosis facility on Hatteras Island, the new Fessenden multi-use facility on the island, the new government complex, and other county programs. Hartig wrote and edited the copy for the mailing, which was handled by a local firm, Carolina Connections.
The county has budgeted $20,000 for public relations activities, excluding Hartig's $32,000 salary. Hartig said the public information office provides not only information to residents but also provides services to the local and national media outlets.
``The news releases we send out help us in the respect that we have a lot of good things going on in Dare County,'' he said. ``The media needs to be made aware of those things. that's an important part of my job.''
Hartig was quick to point out that his job is apolitical, and non-partisan.
``I'm here to serve the people of Dare County,'' Hartig said. ``I'm trying to provide as much objective information as possible. I think I've been successful at it.''
Hartig was the county's point man distributing information during November's Hurricane Gordon. After almost 25 years in television news, the rigors of assisting the media during the hurricane were like the calm during the storm for the 48-year-old Hartig.
``That was one of the reasons I was brought here,'' said Hartig. ``There was a need to anticipate the needs of the media, and to anticipate the questions they might have, and provide accurate information. I'm very comfortable in that role.''
Hartig said he has also been effective in bringing Tidewater-area television stations to Dare County for feature stories.
``Bob West (of Norfolk's WTKR-TV3's `Points West,' a television magazine) was here last week for a segment on Christmas in Manteo. Ed Hughes (also WTKR) is spending a week with local kids involved in the Sheriff Department's Therapeutic Wilderness program. You can't put a monetary value on that kind of positive exposure.''
Hartig has received some flak for a column he wrote in the Currituck County edition of an Elizabeth City newspaper critical of Sen. Jesse Helms' remarks aimed at President Clinton. Helms caused a flap when he said Clinton would need a bodyguard if he came to North Carolina.
``The Daily Advance had asked me to write a regular column of my choosing,'' Hartig said. ``I like and respect Sen. Helms. But I think my feelings were similar to a lot of North Carolinians - both Republicans and Democrats - who felt the senator's remarks did not portray the state in the best possible light.
``I did the column on my own time at my home. If I offended anybody, I apologize.''
After three months on the job, Hartig has received praise from members of the commission.
``I think that for too long, Dare County has not had a person to speak to the people for us,'' said Commissioner Geneva Perry. ``He has some good ideas. With his experience, he's going to be able to convey a positive message about the things we're doing here. It's easy for people to find the negative things. He'll help us let people know about the positive things being done in government.''
Perry said the county's newsletter will also provide recognition for county employees.
``I'm excited about the newsletter,'' she said. ``We have a lot of good people who do great work as county employees. The newsletter will give them some much-deserved recognition.''
Newly elected Commissioner Shirley Hassell called the newsletter ``a good idea'' but said it should include more news that will directly impact Dare County residents.
``It's a wonderful idea,'' she said. ``But we need to know how our money is to be spent, not how our money has been spent. That's really keeping people informed.''
Hassell also expressed concerns that many Dare County residents she has talked to did not receive the newsletter.
``I'm curious as to how they determined who they would send the newsletter to,'' Hassell said.
Hartig said the newsletter was sent using information provided to the county by the post offices in the county communities.
``People make mistakes,'' he said. ``If any residents didn't receive a newsletter, we'll be happy to provide it to them. We don't have anything to hide. We want to keep the public informed as to what their government is doing and how their tax dollars are being spent.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Dare County Public Information Officer Charles Hartig wrote and
edited the copy for the first edition of the ``Dare Digest'' which
was mailed to 22,000 Dare County residents.
by CNB