THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 4, 1995 TAG: 9501040384
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
The fireworks between new Dare County Commissioner Shirley Hassell and County Manager Terry Wheeler carried into the New Year Tuesday in an otherwise quiet meeting.
The two clashed after Hassell offered a proposal that would require county department heads to submit reports of travel expenses by county employees.
Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. said that all travel expenses incurred by county employees are documented and were a matter of public record.
Hassell then questioned what constituted the ``public record,'' and said she had requested a variety of information from the county prior to her election in November, and has not been given answers to her questions.
She also said Wheeler had told her not to speak to any county employees, and that all requests for information were to come through his office, a charge Wheeler denied.
``Mrs. Hassell, you sent me more than 50 faxes,'' Wheeler said. ``I did not tell you that you could not talk to employees. I did tell you that if you had a problem with one of the employees to come to me. I simply asked you to extend to me the same professional courtesy that other members of the commission do.''
Commission Vice Chairman Clarence Skinner then jumped into the fray, and urged Hassell and Wheeler to take the matter behind closed doors.
``This is a policy-making board,'' he said. ``If you have a personal problem, take care of it privately. This is not a nit picking, micro-managing board.''
Owens appointed Hassell to draw up recommendations on travel, and submit them to the board.
Tuesday was not the first time Hassell and Wheeler have clashed since she took office in December. At her first meeting, she called for Wheeler to resign. The motion died for lack of a second.
In other business, the commission voted to appeal $5,250 in fines levied by the North Carolina Department of Labor against the county Emergency Management System for the use of two cleaning materials which contain hazardous chemicals.
The EMS was fined for not providing protective equipment or the necessary equipment and training for employees.
``We were wrong,'' said Owens. ``But this is stupid, idiotic and ridiculous. In the last election, people voted for less regulation and less government. This is a matter of principle.''
The department offered to settle the matter if the county would pay $3,950 in fines.
Hassell agreed with Owens, but said the chemicals involved could cause serious damage to humans if used improperly.
In other action, the commission:Passed a resolution opposing a proposed tax on commercial and private marinas, docks, piers and other structures located over public waters. The North Carolina General Assembly is expected to take up the measure at the next regular session. The resolution is similar to one adopted recently by the Oregon Inlet Commission.
Appointed Manteo Town Commissioner Edward Greene to the Dare County Tourism Board. The panel, however, tabled appointments to the executive committee of the Southern Albemarle Association and the Animal Control Advisory Committee.
Tabled a request for $10,000 in funding for fiscal 1995-96 for the Dare County Arts Council.
Named Dare County Supervisor of Elections Lynda Midgett the 1994 Employee of the Year. Midgett has served the county for three decades and is coordinator of the annual Dare Day celebration, the Fourth of July festivities and the annual Christmas parade.
Skinner also announced that the joint committee studying a proposed county government complex will meet Monday to review architects' proposals for the building. by CNB